And do invite you to my sister's view, Ant. Not lack your company. Lep. Let us, Lepidus, Noble Antony, Not sickness should detain me. [Flourish. Exeunt CÆSAR, ANT. 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 staied 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.1 Eno. When she first met Mark Antony, she pursed up his heart, upon the river of Cydnus. Agr. There she appeared indeed; or my reporter devised well for her. Eno. I will tell you: The barge she sat in, like a burnish'd throne, The winds were love-sick with them: the oars were silver; Which to the tune of flutes kept stroke, and made be square to her.] i. e. if report quadrates with her, or suits with her merits. It beggar'd all description: she did lie Agr. And what they undid, did.] The wind of the fans seemed to give a new colour to Cleopatra's cheeks, which they were employed to cool; and what they undid; i. e. that warmth which they were intended to diminish or allay, they did, i. e. they seemed to produce. 6 tended her i' the eyes,] Perhaps this expression may signify that the attendants on Cleopatra looked observantly into her eyes, to catch her meaning, without giving her the trouble of verbal explanation; or only means, they performed their duty in the sight of their mistress. And made their bends adornings:] The plain sense, says Mr. Steevens, of this contested passage seems to be-that these Ladies rendered that homage which their assumed characters obliged them to pay to their Queen, a circumstance ornamental to themselves. Each inclined her person so gracefully, that the very act of humiliation was an improvement of her own beauty. That yarely frame the office.] i. e. readily and dexterously perform the task they undertake. Agr. Rare Egyptian ! It should be better, he became her guest; For what his eyes eat only. Agr. Royal wench! She made great Cæsar lay his sword to bed; Eno. I saw her once Hop forty paces through the publick 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 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 lottery1 to him. Let us go. Agr. Good Enobarbus make yourself my guest, you abide here. Whilst Eno. Humbly, sir, I thank you. [Ereunt. 9 when she is riggish.] i. e. wanton. A blessed lottery-] Lottery for allotment. The same. SCENE III. A Room in Cæsar's House. Enter CESAR, ANTONY, OCTAVIA between them; Attendants and a Soothsayer. Ant. The world, and my great office, will some times Divide me from your bosom. All which time Octa. Ant. 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. Octa. Good night, sir. Cas. Good night. [Exeunt CESAR and OCTAVIA. Ant. Now, sirrah! you do wish yourself in Egypt? Sooth. Would I had never come from thence, Thither! nor you Ant. If you can, your reason? Sooth. I see't in My motion,2 have it not in my tongue: But yet Ant. Say to me, Whose fortunes shall rise higher, Cæsar's, or mine? Sooth. Cæsar's. 2 I see't in My motion,-] i. e. the divinitory agitation; but Mr. Theobald reads, with some probability, I see it in my notion. Therefore, O Antony, stay not by his side: 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. Get thee gone: Ant. [Exit Soothsayer. Enter VENTIDIUS. 3 I' the east my pleasure lies:-O, come, Ventidius, You must to Parthia; your commission's ready: Follow me, and receive it. [Exeunt. 3 his quails-] The ancients used to match quails as we match cocks. +inhoop'd, at odds.] Inhoop'd is inclosed, confined, that they may fight. |