SOOTHSAYER. Your will? 

 CHARMIAN. Is this the man? Is’t you, sir, that know things? 

 SOOTHSAYER. In nature’s infinite book of secrecy A little I can read. 

 ALEXAS. Show him your hand. 

 ENOBARBUS. Bring in the banquet quickly; wine enough Cleopatra’s health to drink. 

 CHARMIAN. Good, sir, give me good fortune. 

 SOOTHSAYER. I make not, but foresee. 

 CHARMIAN. Pray, then, foresee me one. 

 SOOTHSAYER. You shall be yet far fairer than you are. 

 CHARMIAN. He means in flesh. 

 IRAS. No, you shall paint when you are old. 

 CHARMIAN. Wrinkles forbid! 

 ALEXAS. Vex not his prescience. Be attentive. 

 CHARMIAN. Hush! 

 SOOTHSAYER. You shall be more beloving than beloved. 

 CHARMIAN. I had rather heat my liver with drinking. 

 ALEXAS. Nay, hear him. 

 CHARMIAN. Good now, some excellent fortune! Let me be married to three kings in a forenoon and widow them all. Let me have a child at fifty, to whom Herod of Jewry may do homage. Find me to marry me with Octavius Caesar, and companion me with my mistress. 

 SOOTHSAYER. You shall outlive the lady whom you serve. 

 CHARMIAN. O, excellent! I love long life better than figs. 

 Prev. P 4/101 next