READ STUDY GUIDE: Act II, scenes iii–vi |
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Act II, Scene iii:
Rome. A Room in CAESAR'S House.
Rome. A Room in CAESAR'S House.
| [Enter CAESAR, ANTONY, OCTAVIA between them, and Attendants.] |
| ANTONY: |
| The world and my great office will sometimes |
| Divide me from your bosom. |
| OCTAVIA: |
| All which time |
| Before the gods my knee shall bow my prayers |
| To them for you. |
| ANTONY: |
| 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.— |
| OCTAVIA: |
| Good night, sir. |
| CAESAR: |
| Good night. |
| [Exeunt CAESAR and OCTAVIA.] |
| [Enter SOOTHSAYER.] |
| ANTONY: |
| Now, sirrah, you do wish yourself in Egypt? |
| SOOTHSAYER: |
| Would I had never come from thence, nor you |
| Thither! |
| ANTONY: |
| If you can, your reason. |
| SOOTHSAYER: |
| I see it in my motion, have it not in my tongue; but yet |
| Hie you to Egypt again. |
| ANTONY: |
| Say to me, |
| Whose fortunes shall rise higher, Caesar's or mine? |
| SOOTHSAYER: |
| Caesar's. |
| Therefore, O Antony, stay not by his side: |
| Thy demon, that thy spirit which keeps thee, is |
| Noble, courageous, high, unmatchable, |
| Where Caesar's is not; but near him thy angel |
| Becomes a fear, as being o'erpower'd: therefore |
| Make space enough between you. |
| ANTONY: |
| Speak this no more. |
| SOOTHSAYER: |
| 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. |
| ANTONY: |
| 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, |
| I' the East my pleasure lies. |
| [Enter VENTIDIUS.] |
| O, come, Ventidius, |
| You must to Parthia: your commission's ready; |
| Follow me and receive it. |
| [Exeunt.] |
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