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Mec. Eight wild boars roasted whole at a breakfast, and but twelve persons there; is this true?

Eno. This was but as a fly by an eagle: we had much more monstrous matter of feast, which worthily deserved noting.

Mec. She's a most triumphant lady, if report be square to her.

Eno. When she first met Mark Antony, she purs'd up his heart upon the river of Cydnus.

Agr. There she appear'd indeed, or my reporter devis'd well for her.

Eno. I will tell you.

The barge she sat in, like a burnish'd throne,
Burn'd on the water: the poop was beaten gold;
Purple the sails, and so perfumed, that

The winds were love-sick with them: the oars were

silver;

Which to the tune of flutes kept stroke, and made
The water, which they beat, to follow faster,
As amorous of their strokes. For her own person,
It beggar'd all description: she did lie

In her pavilion, (cloth of gold, of tissue,)
O'er-picturing that Venus where we see
The fancy out-work nature: on each side her
Stood pretty dimpled boys, like smiling Cupids,
With diverse-colour'd fans, whose wind did seem
To glow the delicate cheeks which they did cool,
And what they undid, did.

Agr.
Eno.

O, rare for Antony!
Her gentlewomen, like the Nereids,
So many mermaids, tended her i' th' eyes,
And made their bends adornings: at the helm
A seeming mermaid steers; the silken tackle
Swell with the touches of those flower-soft hands,
That yarely frame the office. From the barge

A strange invisible perfume hits the sense
Of the adjacent wharfs. The city cast
Her people out upon her; and Antony,
Enthron'd i' th' market-place, did sit alone,
Whistling to th' air; which, but for vacancy,
Had gone to gaze on Cleopatra too,

And made a gap in nature.

Agr.

Rare Egyptian!

Eno. Upon her landing, Antony sent to her, Invited her to supper: she replied,

It should be better he became her guest,

Which she entreated. Our courteous Antony,

Whom ne'er the word of No' woman heard speak, Being barber'd ten times o'er, goes to the feast;

And for his ordinary pays his heart

For what his eyes eat only.

Agr.

Royal wench!

She made great Cæsar lay his sword to bed;

He plough'd her, and she cropp'd.

Eno.

I saw her once

Hop forty paces through the public street;

And having lost her breath, she spoke, and panted, That she did make defect, perfection,

And, breathless, power breathe forth.

Mec.

Eno.

Now Antony must leave her utterly.
Never; he will not.

Age cannot wither her, nor custom stale

Her infinite variety: other women cloy

The appetites they feed, but she makes hungry
Where most she satisfies: for vilest things.
Become themselves in her, that the holy priests
Bless her when she is riggish.

Mec. If beauty, wisdom, modesty can settle
The heart of Antony, Octavia is

A blessed lottery to him.

Agr.

Let us go.

Good Enobarbus, make yourself my guest
Whilst you abide here.

Eno.

Humbly, sir, I thank you.

[Exeunt.

SCENE III.

The Same. A Room in CÆSAR'S House.

Enter CÆSAR, ANTONY, OCTAVIA between them; Attendants.

Ant. The world, and my great office, will some

times

Divide me from your bosom.

Octavia.

All which time,

Before the gods my knee shall bow my prayers
To them for you.

Ant.

Good night, sir. - My Octavia,

Read not my blemishes in the world's report:

I have not kept my square; but that to come Shall all be done by th' rule. Good night, dear lady.

Good night, sir.

Cæs. Good night. [Exeunt CÆSAR and OCTAVIA.

Enter a Soothsayer.

Ant. Now, sirrah: you do wish yourself in Egypt? Sooth. Would I had never come from thence, nor you thither!

Ant. If you can, your reason?

Sooth. I see it in my motion, have it not in my tongue but yet hie you to Egypt again.

Ant. Say to me, whose fortunes shall rise higher,. Cæsar's, or mine?

Sooth. Cæsar's.

Therefore, O Antony! stay not by his side:
Thy dæmon, that thy spirit which keeps thee, is
Noble, courageous, high, unmatchable,

Where Cæsar's is not; but near him thy angel
Becomes a fear, as being o'erpower'd: therefore,
Make space enough between you.

Ant.

Speak this no more.

Sooth. To none but thee; no more, but when to

thee.

If thou dost play with him at any game,

Thou'rt sure to lose; and, of that natural luck,

He beats thee 'gainst the odds: thy lustre thickens, When he shines by. I say again, thy spirit

Is all afraid to govern thee near him,

But, he away, 'tis noble.

Ant.

Get thee gone :

Say to Ventidius, I would speak with him.

[Exit Soothsayer.

He shall to Parthia. Be it art, or hap,
He hath spoken true: the very dice obey him;
And in our sports my better cunning faints
Under his chance: if we draw lots, he speeds:
His cocks do win the battle still of mine,
When it is all to naught; and his quails ever
Beat mine, inhoop'd, at odds. I will to Egypt:
And though I make this marriage for my peace,

Enter VENTIDIUS.

I' th' East my pleasure lies.

-O, come, Ventidius,

You must to Parthia': your commission's ready;
Follow me, and receive it.

[Exeunt.

SCENE IV.

The Same. A Street.

Enter LEPIDUS, MECENAS, and AGRIPPA.

Lep. Trouble yourselves no farther: pray you,

hasten

Your Generals after.

Agr.

Sir, Mark Antony

Will e'en but kiss Octavia, and we'll follow.

Lep. Till I shall see you in your soldier's dress, Which will become you both, farewell.

Mec.

As I conceive the journey, be at Mount
Before you, Lepidus.

Lep.

We shall,

Your way is shorter;

My purposes do draw me much about:

You'll win two days upon me.

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Enter CLEOPATRA, CHARMIAN, IRAS, and ALEXAS. Cleo. Give me some music; music, moody food Of us that trade in love.

Attend.

The music, ho!

Cleo.

Enter MARDIAN.

Let it alone; let 's to billiards: come, Char

mian.

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