The article of your oath; which you shall never Have tongue to charge me with.

Lep. Soft, Cæsar.

Ant. No, Lepidus, let him speak ;

The honour's sacred which he talks on now,
Supposing that I lack'd it: But on, Cæsar;
The article of my oath,—

Cæs. To lend me arms, and aid, when I requir'd them;

The which you both denied.

Ant. Neglected, rather;

And then, when poison'd hours had bound me up
From mine own knowledge. As nearly as I may,
I'll play the penitent to you; but mine honesty
Shall not make poor my greatness, nor my power
Work without it: Truth is, that Fulvia,
To have me out of Egypt, made wars here;
For which myself, the ignorant motive, do
So far ask pardon, as befits mine honour
To stoop in such a case.

Lep. 'Tis nobly spoken.

Mec. If it might please you, to enforce no further

The griefs between ye: to forget them quite, Were to remember, that the present need Speaks to atone you.

Lep. Worthily spoke, Mecenas.

Eno. Or, if you borrow one another's love for the instant, you may, when you hear no more words of Pompey, return it again: you shall have time to wrangle in, when you have nothing else to do.

Ant. Thou art a soldier only; speak no more. Eno. That truth should be silent, I had almost forgot.

Ant. You wrong this presence, therefore speak

O'the world I would pursue it. Agr. Give me leave, Cæsar,

Cas. Speak, Agrippa.

If Cleopatra heard you, your reproof Were well deserv'd of rashness.

Ant. I am not married, Cæsar: let me hear Agrippa further speak.

Agr. To hold you in perpetual amity, To make you brothers, and to knit your hearts With an unslipping knot, take Antony Octavia to his wife: whose beauty claims No worse a husband than the best of men; Whose virtue, and whose general graces, speak That which none else can utter. By this marriage, All little jealousies, which now seem great, And all great fears, which now import their dangers,

Would then be nothing: truths would be but tales,

Where now half tales be truths: her love to both,
Would, each to other, and all loves to both,
Draw after her. Pardon what I have spoke;
For 'tis a studied, not a present thought,
By duty ruminated.

Ant. Will Cæsar speak?

Cas. Not till he hears how Antony is touch'd With what is spoke already.

Ant. What power is in Agrippa, If I would say, Agrippa, be it so, To make this good?

Cæs. The power of Cæsar, and His power unto Octavia.

Ant. May I never

To this good purpose, that so fairly shows,
Dream of impediment!-Let me have thy hand:
Further this act of grace; and, from this hour,
The heart of brothers govern in our loves,
And sway our great designs!

Cas. There is my hand.

A sister I bequeath you, whom no brother
Did ever love so dearly: Let her live
To join our kingdoms, and our hearts; and never
Fly off our loves again!

Lep. Happily, amen!

Ant. I did not think to draw my sword 'gainst
Pompey;

For he hath laid strange courtesies, and great,
Of late upon me: I must thank him only,
Lest my remembrance suffer ill report;
At heel of that, defy him.

Lep. Time calls upon us :

Of us must Pompey presently be sought,
Or else he seeks out us.

Ant. And where lies he?

Cas. About the Mount Misenum.
Ant. What's his strength

By land?

Cas. Great, and increasing: but by sea He is an absolute master.

Ant. So is the fame.

Admir'd Octavia: great Mark Antony

Is now a widower.

Cæs. Say not so, Agrippa ;

Cas. With most gladness;

And do invite you to my sister's view, Whither straight I will lead you.

Ant. Let us, Lepidus, Not lack your company. Lep. Noble Antony,

Not sickness should detain me.

[Flourish. Exeunt Cæsar, Antony, and Lepidus.

Mec. Welcome from Egypt, sir.

Eno. Half the heart of Cæsar, worthy Mecænas!-my honourable friend, Agrippa !— Agr. Good Enobarbus!

Mec. We have cause to be glad, that matters are so well digested. You stay'd well by it in Egypt.

Eno. Ay, sir; we did sleep day out of countenance, and made the night light with drinking. Mec. Eight wild boars roasted whole at a breakfast, and but twelve persons there; Is this true?

Eno. This was but as a fly by an eagle: we had much more monstrous matter of feast, which worthily deserved noting.

Mec. She's a most triumphant lady, if report be square to her.

Eno. When she first met Mark Antony, she pursed up his heart, upon the river of Cydnus. Agr. There she appear'd indeed; or my reporter devised well for her.

Eno. I will tell you:

The barge she sat in, like a burnish'd throne, Burn'd on the water: the poop was beaten gold; Purple the sails, and so perfumed, that

The winds were love-sick with them: the oars were silver;

Which to the tune of flutes kept stroke, and made
The water, which they beat, to follow faster,
As amorous of their strokes. For her own person,
It beggar'd all description: she did lie
In her pavilion, (cloth of gold, of tissue,)
O'erpicturing that Venus, where we see
The fancy out-work nature: on each side her,
Stood pretty dimpled boys, like smiling Cupids,
With diverse-colour'd fans, whose wind did seem
To glow the delicate cheeks which they did cool,
And what they undid, did.

Agr. O, rare for Antony!

Eno. Her gentlewomen, like the Nereides, So many mermaids, tended her i'the eyes, And made their bends adornings: at the helm A seeming mermaid steers; the silken tackle Swell with the touches of those flower-soft hands, That yarely frame the office. From the barge A strange invisible pérfume hits the sense Of the adjacent wharfs. The city cast Her people out upon her; and Antony, Enthron'd in the market-place, did sit alone, Whistling to the air; which, but for vacancy, Had gone to gaze on Cleopatra too, And made a gap in nature.

Agr. Rare Egyptian!

Eno. Upon her landing, Antony sent to her, Invited her to supper: she replied,

It should be better, he became her guest; Which she entreated: Our courteous Antony,

Hop forty paces through the public street:
And having lost her breath, she spoke, and panted,
That she did make defect, perfection,
And, breathless, power breathe forth.

Mec. Now Antony must leave her utterly.
Eno. Never; he will not;

Age cannot wither her, nor custom stale
Her infinite variety: Other women
Cloy th' appetites they feed; but she makes
hungry,

Where most she satisfies. For vilest things
Become themselves in her; that the holy priests
Bless her, when she is riggish.

Mec. If beauty, wisdom, modesty, can settle The heart of Antony, Octavia is A blessed lottery to him.

Agr. Let us go.

Good Enobarbus, make yourself my guest, Whilst you abide here.

Eno. Humbly, sir, I thank you.

[Exeunt.

Where Cæsar's is not; but, near him, thy angel Becomes a Fear, as being o'erpower'd; therefore Make space enough between you.

Ant. Speak this no more.

Sooth. 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.

Ant. 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,
Enter VENTIDIUS.

I'the east my pleasure lies:-O, come, Ventidius,
You must to Parthia; your commission's ready:
Follow me, and receive it.
[Exeunt.

Mar. As well as I can, madam.
Cleo. And when good will is show'd, though
it come too short,

The actor may plead pardon. I'll none now:-
Give me mine angle, We'll to the river: there,
My music playing far off, I will betray
Tawny-finn'd fishes; my bended hook shall pierce
Their slimy jaws; and, as I draw them up,
I'll think them every one an Antony,
And say, Ah, ha! you're caught.

Char. 'Twas merry, when

You wager'd on your angling; when your diver Did hang a salt-fish on his hook, which he With fervency drew up.

Cleo. That time !—Ô times !—

I laugh'd him out of patience; and that night
I laugh'd him into patience: and next morn,
Ere the ninth hour, I drunk him to his bed;
Then put my tires and mantles on him, whilst
I wore his sword Philippan. O! from Italy ;-
Enter a Messenger.

Ram thou thy fruitful tidings in mine ears,
That long time have been barren.
Mess. Madam, madam,-
Cleo. Antony's dead?-

If thou say so, villain, thou kill'st thy mistress: But well and free,

If thou so yield him, there is gold, and here My bluest veins to kiss; a hand, that kings Have lipp'd, and trembled kissing.

Mess. First, madam, he's well.

Cleo. Why, there's more gold. But, sirrah, mark; We use

To say, the dead are well: bring it to that,
The gold I give thee, will I melt, and pour
Down thy ill-uttering throat.

Mess. Good madam, hear me.
Cleo. Well, go to, I will;

But there's no goodness in thy face: If Antony
Be free, and healthful,-why so tart a favour
To trumpet such good tidings? If not well,
Thou should'st come like a fury crown'd with
snakes,

Not like a formal man.

Mess. Will't please you hear me?

Cleo. I have a mind to strike thee, ere thou speak'st:

Yet, if thou say, Antony lives, is well,
Or friends with Cæsar, or not captive to him,
I'll set thee in a shower of gold, and hail
Rich pearls upon thee.

Mess. Madam, he's well.
Cleo. Well said.

Mess. And friends with Cæsar.

Cleo. Thou'rt an honest nan.

Mess. Cæsar and he are greater friends than

ever.

Cleo. Make thee a fortune from me.

Mess. But yet, madam,

Cleo. I do not like but yet, it does allay The good precedence; fye upon but yet: But yet is as a gaoler to bring forth

Some monstrous malefactor. Pr'ythee, friend,
Pour out the pack of matter to mine ear,
The good and bad together: He's friends with
Cæsar;

In state of health, thou say'st; and, thou say'st, free.

Mess. Free, madaın! no; I made no such report:

He's bound unto Octavia.

Cleo. For what good turn?

Mess. For the best turn i'the bed.

Cleo. I am pale, Charmian.

Mess. Madam, he's married to Octavia. Cleo. The most infectious pestilence upon thee! [Strikes him down. Mess. Good madam, patience. Cleo. What say you?-Hence,

[Strikes him again. Horrible villain! or I'll spurn thine eyes Like balls before me; I'll unhair thy head; [She hales him up and down. Thou shalt be whipp'd with wire, and stew'd in brine,

Smarting in lingʼring pickle.

Mess. Gracious madam,

I, that do bring the news, made not the match. Cleo. Say, 'tis not so, a province I will give thee, And make thy fortunes proud: The blow thou hadst

Shall make thy peace, for moving me to rage; And I will boot thee with what gift beside Thy modesty can beg.

Mess. He's married, madam. Cleo. Rogue, thou hast liv'd too long. [Draws a dagger. Mess. Nay, then I'll run :What mean you, madam? I have made no fault. [Exit. Char. Good madam, keep yourself within yourself;

The man is innocent.

Cleo. Some innocents 'scape not the thunderbolt.

Melt Egypt into Nile! and kindly creatures
Turn all to serpents !-Call the slave again;
Though I am mad, I will not bite him :-Call.
Char. He is afeard to come.
Cleo. I will not hurt him :-

These hands do lack nobility, that they strike
A meaner than myself; since I myself
Have given myself the cause.-Come hither, sir.
Re-enter Messenger.

Though it be honest, it is never good

To bring bad news: Give to a gracious message An host of tongues; but let ill tidings tell Themselves, when they be felt.

Mess. I have done my duty.

Cleo. Is he married?

I cannot hate thee worser than I do,

If thou again say, Yes.

Mess. He is married, madam.

Cleo. The gods confound thee! dost thou hold there still?

Mess. Should I lie, madam?
Cleo. O, I would thou didst ;

So half my Egypt were submerg'd, and made
A cistern for scal'd snakes! Go, get thee hence;
Hadst thou Narcissus in thy face, to me
Thou would'st appear most ugly. He is mar-
ried?

Mess. I crave your highness' pardon.

Cleo. He is married?

Mess. Take no offence, that I would not offend you:

To punish me for what you make me do,
Seems much unequal: He is married to Octavia.
Cleo. O, that his fault should make a knave
of thee,

That art not !-What? thou'rt sure of't?-Get thee hence:

The merchandise, which thou hast brought from Rome,

Are all too dear for me: Lie they upon thy hand, And be undone by 'em! [Exit Messenger. Char. Good your highness, patience.

Cleo. In praising Antony, I have disprais'd
Cæsar.

Char. Many times, madam.
Cleo. I am paid for't now.

Lead me from hence,

I faint; O Iras, Charmian,-'Tis no matter:-
Go to the fellow, good Alexas; bid him
Report the feature of Octavia, her years,
Her inclination, let him not leave out
The colour of her hair :-bring me word quick-
ly.
[Exit Alexas.
Let him for ever go:-Let him not-Charmian,
Though he be painted one way like a Gorgon,
T'other way he's a Mars: Bid you Alexas

[To Mardian. Bring me word, how tall she is.-Pity me, Charmian,

But do not speak to me.-Lead me to my chamber. [Exeunt.

SCENE VI.-Near Misenum.

Enter POMPEY and MENAS, at one side, with drum and trumpet: at another, CASAR, LEPIDUS, ANTONY, ENOBARBUS, MECENAS, with Soldiers marching.

Pom. Your hostages I have, so have you mine; And we shall talk before we fight.

Cæs. Most meet,

That first we come to words; and therefore have we

Our written purposes before us sent:
Which, if thou hast consider'd, let us know
If 'twill tie up thy discontented sword ;
And carry back to Sicily much tall youth,
That else must perish here.

Pom. To you all three,

The senators alone of this great world,

Chief factors for the gods,-I do not know,
Wherefore my father should revengers want,
Having a son, and friends; since Julius Cæsar,
Who at Philippi the good Brutus ghosted,
"There saw you labouring for him. What was it,
That mov'd pale Cassius to conspire? And what
Made the all-honour'd honest Roman, Brutus,
With the arm'd rest, courtiers of beauteous free-
dom,

To drench the Capitol; but that they would
Have one man but a man? And that is it,
Hath made me rig my navy; at whose burden
The anger'd ocean foams; with which I meant
To scourge the ingratitude that despiteful Rome
Cast on my noble father.

Cæs. Take your time.

Ant. Thou canst not fear us, Pompey, with thy sails,

We'll speak with thee at sea: at land, thou know'st How much we do o'er-count thee.

Pom. At land, indeed,

Thou dost o'er-count me of my father's house: But, since the cuckoo builds not for himself, Remain in't as thou may'st.

Lep. Be pleas'd to tell us,

(For this is from the present,) how you take The offers we have sent you.

Caes. There's the point.

Pom. I hope so, Lepidus.-Thus we are agreed: I crave, our composition may be written, And seal'd between us.

Cæs. That's the next to do.

Pom. We'll feast each other, ere we part; and

let us

Draw lots who shall begin.

Ant. That will I, Pompey.

Pom. No, Antony, take the lot: but, first, Or last, your fine Egyptian cookery Shall have the fame. I have heard, that Julius Cæsar

Grew fat with feasting there.

Ant. You have heard much.
Pom. I have fair meanings, sir.
Ant. And fair words to them.

Pom. Then so much have I heard :

And I have heard, Apollodorus carried-
Eno. No more of that :-He did so.
Pom. What, I pray you?

Eno. A certain queen to Cæsar in a mattress.
Pom. I know thee now; How farʼst thou,
soldier?

Eno. Well;

What it is worth embrac'd.

Caes. And what may follow,

To try a larger fortune.

Pom. You have made me offer

Of Sicily, Sardinia; and I must

Rid all the sea of pirates; then, to send

Measures of wheat to Rome: This 'greed upon,
To part with unhack'd edges, and bear back
Our targe undinted.

Cæs. Ant. & Lep. That's our offer.
Pom. Know then,

I came before you here, a man prepar'd
To take this offer: But Mark Antony
Put me to some impatience :-Though I lose
The praise of it by telling, You must know,
When Cæsar and your brothers were at blows,
Your mother came to Sicily, and did find
Her welcome friendly.

Ant. I have heard it, Pompey;
And am well studied for a liberal thanks,
Which I do owe you.

Pom. Let me have your hand:

I did not think, sir, to have met you here.
Ant. The beds i'the east are soft; and thanks

to you,

That call'd me, timelier than my purpose, hither; For I have gain'd by it.

Caes. Since I saw you last,

There is a change upon you.

Pom. Well, I know not,

Eno. Sir,

I never lov'd you much; but I have prais'd you, When you have well deserv'd ten times as much As I have said you did.

Pom. Enjoy thy plainness,

It nothing ill becomes thee.-
Aboard my galley I invite you all:
Will you lead, lords?

Cæs. Ant. & Lep. Show us the way, sir.
Pom. Come.

[Exeunt Pompey, Cæsar, Antony, Lepidus,
Soldiers, and Attendants.

Men. Thy father, Pompey, would ne'er have made this treaty.-[Aside.]-You and I have known, sir.

Eno. At sea, I think.

Men. We have, sir.

Eno. You have done well by water.

Men. And you by land.

Eno. I will praise any man, that will praise me: though it cannot be denied what I have done by land.

Men. Nor what I have done by water. Eno. Yes, something you can deny for your own safety: you have been a great thief by sea. Men. And you by land.

Eno. There I deny my land service. But give me your hand, Menas: If our eyes had authority, here they might take two thieves kissing.

Men. All men's faces are true, whatsoe er

Eno. But there is never a fair woman has a true face.

Men. No slander; they steal hearts.