Page 2492 - Shakespeare - Vol. 3
P. 2492
ENOBARBUS
How appears the fight?
SCARUS
On our side, like the token’d pestilence,
Where death is sure. Yon ribaudred nag of Egypt, − [10]
Whom leprosy o’ertake! − i’ the midst o’ the fight,
When vantage like a pair of twins appear’d
Both as the same, or rather ours the elder, −
The breeze upon her, like a cow in June,
Hoists sails, and flies. [15]
ENOBARBUS
That I beheld:
Mine eyes did sicken at the sight, and could not
Endure a further view.
SCARUS
She once being loof’d,
The noble ruin of her magic, Antony,
Claps on his sea-wing, and (like a doting mallard) [20]
Leaving the fight in heighth, flies after her:
I never saw an action of such shame;
Experience, manhood, honour, ne’er before
Did violate so itself.
ENOBARBUS
Alack, alack!
Enter Canidius.
CANIDIUS
Our fortune on the sea is out of breath, [25]
And sinks most lamentably. Had our general
Been what he knew himself, it had gone well:
O, he has given example for our flight,
Most grossly by his own!
