Page 2405 - Shakespeare - Vol. 3
P. 2405
Ay:
But soon that war had end, and the time’s state
Made friends of them, jointing their force ’gainst Cæsar,
Whose better issue in the war, from Italy, [90]
Upon the first encounter, drave them.
ANTONY
Well, what worst?
MESSENGER
The nature of bad news infects the teller.
ANTONY
When it concerns the fool or coward. On:
Things that are past are done, with me. ’Tis thus,
Who tells me true, though in his tale lie death, [95]
I hear him as he flatter’d.
MESSENGER
Labienus −
This is stiff news-hath with his Parthian force
Extended Asia: from Euphrates
His conquering banner shook, from Syria
To Lydia, and to Ionia: [100]
Whilst −
ANTONY
Antony, thou wouldst say, −
MESSENGER
O, my lord!
ANTONY
Speak to me home, mince not the general tongue:
Name Cleopatra as she is call’d in Rome;
Rail thou in Fulvia’s phrase, and taunt my faults
With such full license, as both truth and malice [105]
