Page 2441 - Shakespeare - Vol. 3

Cæsar’s.
Therefore, O Antony, stay not by his side:
Thy demon, that thy spirit which keeps thee, is
Noble, courageous, high, unmatchable,

Where Cæsar’s is not. But near him, thy angel [20]
Becomes afeard; as being o’erpower’d, therefore
Make space enough between you.

ANTONY
Speak this no more.

SOOTHSAYER
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, [25]
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.

ANTONY
Get thee gone:
Say to Ventidius I would speak with him. [30]

(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 [35]
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,

I’ the east my pleasure lies. O, come, Ventidius.

Enter Ventidius.