ANTONY
The world and my great office will sometimes
Divide me from your bosom.
OCTAVIA
All which time
Before the gods my knee shall bow my prayers
To them for you.
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.
OCTAVIA
Good night, sir.
CAESAR
Good night.
ANTONY
Now, , you do wish yourself in Egypt?
SOOTHSAYER
Would I had never come from , nor you !
ANTONY
If you can, your reason.
SOOTHSAYER
I see it in my motion, have it not in my tongue.
But 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.
dæmon—that spirit which keeps thee—is
Noble, courageous, high, unmatchable,
Where Caesar’s is not. But near him, angel
Becomes afeard, as being o’erpowered. Therefore
Make space enough between you.
ANTONY
Speak this no more.
SOOTHSAYER
To none but ; no more but when to .
If play with him at any game,
art sure to lose; and of that natural luck
He beats ’gainst the odds. lustre thickens
When he shines by. I say again, spirit
Is all afraid to govern near him;
But, he away, noble.
ANTONY
Get gone.
Say to Ventidius I would speak with him.
ANTONY
He shall to Parthia. Be it art or hap,
He 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 , and his quails ever
Beat mine, inhooped, at odds. I will to Egypt:
And though I make this marriage for my peace,
I’ th’ East my pleasure lies.
ANTONY
O, come, Ventidius,
You must to Parthia. Your commission’s ready.
Follow me and receive ’t.