ACT II. SCENE III.
Rome. CAESAR'S house
Enter ANTONY, CAESAR, OCTAVIA between them
| ANTONY. | The world and my great office will sometimes
Divide me from your bosom.
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| OCTAVIA. | All which time
Before the gods my knee shall bow my prayers
To them for you.
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| 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 th' rule. Good night, dear lady.
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| OCTAVIA. | Good night, sir.
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| CAESAR. | Good night
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Exeunt CAESAR and OCTAVIA
Enter SOOTHSAYER
| ANTONY. | Now, sirrah, you do wish yourself in Egypt?
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| SOOTHSAYER. | Would I had never come from thence, nor you thither!
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| ANTONY. | write_ads(1,1)> If you can- your reason.
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| SOOTHSAYER. | I see it in my motion, have it not in my tongue; but
yet hie you to Egypt again.
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| ANTONY. | Say to me,
Whose fortunes shall rise higher, Caesar's or mine?
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| SOOTHSAYER. | Caesar's.
Therefore, O Antony, stay not by his side.
Thy daemon, 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'erpow'r'd. Therefore
Make space enough between you.
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| ANTONY. | Speak this no more.
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| 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.
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| ANTONY. | Get thee gone.
Say to Ventidius I would speak with him.
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Exit SOOTHSAYER
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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' th' East my pleasure lies.
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Enter VENTIDIUS
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O, come, Ventidius,
You must to Parthia. Your commission's ready;
Follow me and receive't
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Exeunt
Next
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