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.4

Agr.

O, rare for Antony!

Eno. Her gentlewomen, like the Nereides, So many mermaids, tended her i' the 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 frames the office. From the barge A strange invisible pérfume hits the sense Of the adjacent wharfs. The city cast Her people out upon her; and Antony, Enthron'd in the market-place, did sit alone, Whistling to the 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;

+ Added to the warmth they were intended to diminish. 5 Readily perform.

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

1

I saw her once

Hop forty paces through the publick street :

And having lost her breath, she spoke, and panted,

That she did make defect, perfection,

And, breathless, power breathe forth.

Mec. Now Antony must leave her utterly.

Eno. Never; he will not;

Age cannot wither her, nor custom stale
Her infinite variety: Other women

Cloy th' 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's riggish.6

Mec. If beauty, wisdom, modesty, can settle

The heart of Antony, Octavia is

A blessed lottery to him.

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 CESAR, ANTONY, OCTAVIA between them;
Attendants and a Soothsayer.

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

Divide me from your bosom.

Octa.

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 the rule. Good night, dear

lady.

Octa. Good night, sir.

Cas. Good night. [Exeunt CESAR and OCTAVIA,

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

Thither!

Ant.

you

If you can, your reason?

Sooth.

I see't in

My motion, have it not in my tongue: But yet

Hie you again to Egypt.

Whose fortunes shall rise higher, Cæsar's, or mine?
Sooth. Cæsar's.

Therefore, O Antony, stay not by his side :
Thy dæmon, that's 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 art 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 nought; 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' the east my pleasure lies :-O, come, Ventidius,
You must to Parthia; your commission's ready:
Follow me, and receive it.

SCENE IV.

The same. A Street.

[Exeunt.

Enter LEPIDUS, MECENAS, and AGRIPPA.

Lep. Trouble yourselves no further: 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.
Мес.

As I conceive the journey, be at mount'

Before you, Lepidus.

Lep.

My purposes do draw me much about;

We shall,

Your way is shorter,

Alexandria. A Room in the Palace.

Enter CLEOPATRA, CHARMIAN, IRAS, and

ALEXAS.

Cleo. Give me some musick; musick, moody food

Char. My arm is sore, best play with Mardian. Cleo. As well a woman with an eunuch play'd, As with a woman; -Come, you'll play with me, sir? Mar. As well as I can, madam.

Cleo. And when good will is show'd, though it