Octavia

 Enter Soothsayer. 

Soothsayer

 ANTONY. Now, sirrah, you do wish yourself in Egypt? 

 SOOTHSAYER. Would I had never come from thence, nor you thither! 

 ANTONY. If you can, your reason. 

 SOOTHSAYER. I see it in my motion, have it not in my tongue. But yet hie you to Egypt again. 

 ANTONY. Say to me, Whose fortunes shall rise higher, Caesar’s or mine? 

 SOOTHSAYER. Caesar’s. Therefore, O Antony, stay not by his side. Thy dæmon—that thy spirit which keeps thee—is Noble, courageous, high, unmatchable, Where Caesar’s is not. But near him, thy angel Becomes afeard, as being o’erpowered. Therefore Make space enough between you. 

 ANTONY. Speak this no more. 

 SOOTHSAYER. To none but thee; no more but when to thee. If thou dost play with him at any game, Thou art sure to lose; and of that natural luck He beats thee ’gainst the odds. Thy lustre thickens When he shines by. I say again, thy spirit Is all afraid to govern thee near him; But, he away, ’tis noble. 

 ANTONY. Get thee gone. Say to Ventidius I would speak with him. 

 [Exit Soothsayer.] 

Soothsayer

 He shall to Parthia. Be it art or hap, He hath spoken true. The very dice obey him, And in our sports my better cunning faints Under his chance. If we draw lots, he speeds; His cocks do win the battle still of mine When it is all to naught, and his quails ever Beat mine, inhooped, at odds. I will to Egypt: And though I make this marriage for my peace, I’ th’ East my pleasure lies. 

 Enter Ventidius. 

Ventidius

 O, come, Ventidius, You must to Parthia. Your commission’s ready. Follow me and receive ’t. 

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