Page:Antony and Cleopatra (1921) Yale.djvu/74

62

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

 8 narrow measure lent me: gave me as little credit as possible

10 from his teeth: spoke from his teeth, not his heart

24 branchless: destitute

27 stain: make dim, eclipse

