Act II, Scene iii:
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.]