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Antony and Cleopatra, II. iii
35
 

Enter Soothsayer.

Ant. Now, sirrah; you do wish yourself in Egypt?

Sooth. Would I had never come from thence, nor you
Thither!12

Ant. If you can, your reason?

Sooth. I see it in
My motion
, have it not in my tongue: but yet
Hie you to Egypt again.

Ant. Say to me,
Whose fortunes shall rise higher, Cæsar's or mine?16

Sooth. Cæsar's.
Therefore, O Antony! stay not by his side;
Thy demon, that thy spirit which keeps thee, is
Noble, courageous, high, unmatchable,20
Where Cæsar's is not; but near him thy angel
Becomes a fear, as being o'erpower'd; therefore
Make space enough between you.

Ant. Speak this no more.

Sooth. To none but thee; no more but when to thee.24
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 spirit28
Is all afraid to govern thee near him,
But he away, 'tis noble.

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

Exit [Soothsayer].

He shall to Parthia. Be it art or hap,32
He hath spoken true; the very dice obey him.

13, 14 in My motion: intuitively or instinctively
27 thickens: grows dim
32 hap: chance

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