Page:Antony and Cleopatra (1921) Yale.djvu/25

Antony and Cleopatra, I. iii

But bid farewell, and go: when you su'd staying

Then was the time for words; no going then:

Eternity was in our lips and eyes,

Bliss in our brows bent; none our parts so poor

But was a race of heaven. They are so still,

Or thou, the greatest soldier of the world,

Art turn'd the greatest liar.

Ant. How now, lady!

Cleo. I would I had thy inches; thou shouldst know

There were a heart in Egypt.

Ant. Hear me, queen:

The strong necessity of time commands

Our services awhile, but my full heart

Remains in use with you. Our Italy

Shines o'er with civil swords; Sextus Pompeius

Makes his approaches to the port of Rome;

Equality of two domestic powers

Breeds scrupulous faction. The hated, grown to strength,

Are newly grown to love; the condemn'd Pompey,

Rich in his father's honour, creeps apace

Into the hearts of such as have not thriv'd

Upon the present state, whose numbers threaten;

And quietness, grown sick of rest, would purge

By any desperate change. My more particular,

And that which most with you should safe my going,

Is Fulvia's death.

Cleo. Though age from folly could not give me freedom,

It does from childishness: can Fulvia die?

Ant. She's dead, my queen:

 33 su'd staying: begged to stay

36 brows bent: the arch of the eyebrows

48 scrupulous faction: cautious party strife

53 purge: restore itself to activity, seek cure

55 safe: make safe

