Internet Shakespeare Editions

Author: William Shakespeare
Editor: Randall Martin
Not Peer Reviewed

Anthony and Cleopatra (Modern)

[2.3]
Enter Antony, Caesar, Octavia between them.
Antony
The world and my great office will965sometimes
Divide me from your bosom.
Octavia
All which time,
Before the Gods my knee shall bow my prayers
To them for you.
Antony
Goodnight, sir. My Octavia,
Read not my blemishes in the world's report.
970I have not kept my square, but that to come
Shall all be done by th'rule. Good night, dear lady.
Octavia
Good night, sir.
Caesar
Goodnight.
[Exeunt Caesar and Octavia.]
Enter Soothsayer.
975Antony
Now sirrah, you do wish yourself in Egypt?
Soothsayer
Would I had never come from thence, nor you
Gonethither.
Antony
If you can, your reason?
SoothsayerI see
It in my motion, have it not in my tongue.
980But 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 daemon, that thy spirit which keeps thee, is
985Noble, courageous, high, unmatchable,
Where Caesar's is not. But near him thy angel
Becomes afeared, as being o'er-powered. Therefore
Make space enough between you.
Antony
Speak this no more.
990Soothsayer
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
995Is all afraid to govern thee near him,
But he away 'tis noble.
Antony
Get thee gone.
Say to Ventidius I would speak with him.
He shall to Parthia.
Exit [Soothsayer].
Be it art or hap,
1000He 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
1005Beat mine, inhooped, at odds. I will to Egypt;
And though I make this marriage for my peace,
I'th'East my pleasure lies.
Enter Ventidius.
Oh, come Ventidius.
You must to Parthia. Your commission's ready.
1010Follow me, and receive't.
Exeunt.