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Scene IV.—: Athens. A Room inAntony’sHouse. - William Shakespeare, Anthony and Cleopatra [1623]Edition used:The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (The Oxford Shakespeare), ed. with a glossary by W.J. Craig M.A. (Oxford University Press, 1916).
Part of: The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (The Oxford Shakespeare)About Liberty Fund:Liberty Fund, Inc. is a private, educational foundation established to encourage the study of the ideal of a society of free and responsible individuals. Copyright information:The text is in the public domain. Fair use statement:This material is put online to further the educational goals of Liberty Fund, Inc. Unless otherwise stated in the Copyright Information section above, this material may be used freely for educational and academic purposes. It may not be used in any way for profit.
Scene IV.—Athens. A Room inAntony’sHouse.EnterAntonyandOctavia. Ant.Nay, nay, Octavia, not only that, That were excusable, that, and thousands more Of semblable import, but he hath wag’d New wars ’gainst Pompey; made his will, and read it To public ear: Spoke scantly of me; when perforce he could not But pay me terms of honour, cold and sickly He vented them; most narrow measure lent me; When the best hint was given him, he not took ’t, Or did it from his teeth. Oct.O my good lord! Believe not all; or, if you must believe, Stomach not all. A more unhappy lady, If this division chance, ne’er stood between, Praying for both parts: The good gods will mock me presently, When I shall pray, ‘O! bless my lord and husband;’ Undo that prayer, by crying out as loud, ‘O! bless my brother!’ Husband win, win brother, Prays, and destroys the prayer; no midway ’Twixt these extremes at all. Ant.Gentle Octavia, Let your best love draw to that point which seeks Best to preserve it. If I lose mine honour I lose myself; better I were not yours Than yours so branchless. But, as you requested, Yourself shall go between’s; the mean time, lady, I’ll raise the preparation of a war Shall stain your brother; make your soonest haste, So your desires are yours. Oct.Thanks to my lord. The Jove of power make me most weak, most weak, Your reconciler! Wars ’twixt you twain would be As if the world should cleave, and that slain men Should solder up the rift. Ant.When it appears to you where this begins, Turn your displeasure that way; for our faults Can never be so equal that your love Can equally move with them. Provide your going; Choose your own company, and command what cost Your heart has mind to. [Exeunt. |

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