most wretched, That have my heart parted betwixt two friends That does afflict each other! 

 CAESAR. Welcome hither. Your letters did withhold our breaking forth Till we perceived both how you were wrong led And we in negligent danger. Cheer your heart. Be you not troubled with the time, which drives O’er your content these strong necessities, But let determined things to destiny Hold unbewailed their way. Welcome to Rome, Nothing more dear to me. You are abused Beyond the mark of thought, and the high gods, To do you justice, make their ministers Of us and those that love you. Best of comfort, And ever welcome to us. 

 AGRIPPA. Welcome, lady. 

 MAECENAS. Welcome, dear madam. Each heart in Rome does love and pity you. Only th’ adulterous Antony, most large In his abominations, turns you off And gives his potent regiment to a trull That noises it against us. 

 OCTAVIA. Is it so, sir? 

 CAESAR. Most certain. Sister, welcome. Pray you Be ever known to patience. My dear’st sister! 

 [Exeunt.] 

 SCENE VII. Antony’s Camp near the Promontory of Actium.

 Enter Cleopatra and Enobarbus. 

Cleopatra

Enobarbus

 CLEOPATRA. I will be even with thee, doubt it not. 

 ENOBARBUS. But why, why, why? 

 CLEOPATRA. Thou hast forspoke my being in these wars And say’st it is not fit. 

 ENOBARBUS. Well, is it, is it? 

 CLEOPATRA. Is ’t not denounced against us? Why should not we Be there in person? 

 ENOBARBUS. Well, I could reply: If we should serve with horse and mares together, The horse were merely lost. The mares would bear A soldier and his horse. 

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