Page:Antony and Cleopatra (1921) Yale.djvu/22

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Ant. Fulvia is dead.

Eno. Sir?

Ant. Fulvia is dead.

Eno. Fulvia!

Ant. Dead.

Eno. Why, sir, give the gods a thankful sacri-

fice. When it pleaseth their deities to take the

wife of a man from him, it shows to man the

tailors of the earth; comforting therein, that

when old robes are worn out, there are members

to make new. If there were no more women

but Fulvia, then had you indeed a cut, and the

case to be lamented: this grief is crowned with

consolation; your old smock brings forth a new petticoat; and indeed the tears live in an onion

that should water this sorrow.

Ant. The business she hath broached in the state

Cannot endure my absence.

Eno. And the business you have broached

here cannot be without you; especially that of

Cleopatra's, which wholly depends on your

abode.

Ant. No more light answers. Let our officers

Have notice what we purpose. I shall break

The cause of our expedience to the queen,

And get her leave to part. For not alone

The death of Fulvia, with more urgent touches,

Do strongly speak to us, but the letters too

Of many our contriving friends in Rome

Petition us at home. Sextus Pompeius

Hath given the dare to Cæsar, and commands

The empire of the sea; our slippery people—

Whose love is never link'd to the deserver

 180 smock: an inner garment worn by women

183 broached: begun

191 expedience: expedition

