Good now, some excellent fortune. Let me be married to three kings in a forenoon, and whom Herod of Jewry may do homage: find me widow them all: let me have a child at fifty, to to marry me with Octavius Cæsar, and companion me with my mistress. Soothsayer. You shall outlive the lady whom you serve. Charmian. O excellent! I love long life better than figs. Soothsayer. You have seen, and proved a fairer former Than that which is to approach. [fortune, Charmian. Then, belike, my children shall have no names. Pr'ythee, how many boys and wenches must I have? Soothsayer. If every of your wishes had a womb, And fertile every wish, a million. Charmian. Charmian. Out, fool! I forgive thee for a witch. Alexas. No, madam. Charmian. Cleopatra. You think, none but your sheets are privy to A Roman thought hath struck him.- EnoHe was dispos'd to mirth ; but on the sudden. your wishes. Charmian. Charmian. barbus, But soon that war had end, and the time's state Cæsar; Whose better issue in the war, from Italy The nature of bad news infects the teller. Antony When it concerns the fool, or coward. - On: thus; Our worser thoughts heavens mend! Alexas, Things, that are past, are done, with me.- "Tis -come, his fortune, his fortune.-O! let him Who tells me true, though in his tale lie death, marry a woman that cannot go, sweet Isis, II hear him as he flatter'd. beseech thee: and let her die too, and give him a worse; and let worse follow worse, till the worst of all follow him laughing to his grave, fifty-fold a cuckold. Good Isis, hear me this prayer, though thou deny me a matter of more weight, good Isis, I beseech thee! Why, sir, give the gods a thankful sacrifice. When it pleaseth their deities to take the wife of a man from him, it shows to man the tailors of the earth: comforting therein, that when old robes are worn out, there are members to make new. If there were no more women but Fulvia, then had you indeed a cut, and the case to be lamented: this griefis crowned with consolation; your old smock brings forth a new petticoat; and, indeed, the tears live in an onion, that should water this sorrow. Antony. The business she hath broached in the state, Cannot endure my absence. Enobarbus. And the business you have broached here cannot be without you; especially that of Cleopatra's, which wholly depends on your abode. Antony. No more light answers. Let our officers Have notice what we purpose. I shall break The cause of our expedience to the queen, And get her love to part: for not alone The death of Fulvia, with more urgent touches, Do strongly speak to us, but the letters, too, Of many our contriving friends in Rome Petition us at home. Sextus Pompeius Hath given the dare to Casar, and commands The empire of the sea: our slippery people (Whose love is never link'd to the deserver, Till his deserts are past) begin to throw Pompey the great, and all his dignities, Upon his son: who, high in name and power, Higher than both in blood and life, stands up For the main soldier; whose quality, going on, The sides o' the world may danger. Much is breeding, Which, like the courser's hair, hath yet but life, Charmian. Tempt him not so too far; I wish, forbear: In time we hate that which we often fear. Enter Antony. But here comes Antony. Cleopatra. I am sick, and sullen. I am sorry to give breathing to my purpose,— Help me away, dear Charmian, I shall fall: Antony. Now, my dearest queen,- Pray you, stand farther from me. Antony. Cleopatra. O most false love! Quarrel no more, but be prepar'd to know I know, by that same eye, there's some good news. What says the married woman? - You may go : Antony. The gods best know, Cleopatra. My precious queen, forbear; And give true evidence to his love, which stands O! never was there queen An honourable trial. So mightily betray'd; yet at the first Nay, pray you, seek no colour for your going, Bliss in our brows' bent; none our parts so poor, Antony. Antony. Hear me, queen. |