By Jupiter,

Were I the wearer of Antonio's beard,

I would not shave't to-day.

LEP.

'Tis not a time

For private stomaching.

ENO.

Every time

Serves for the matter that is then born in't.

LEP.

But small to greater matters must give way.

ENO.

Not if the small come first.

LEP.

Your speech is passion;

But pray you stir no embers up. Here comes

The noble Antony.

 

Enter Antony and Ventidius.

 

ENO.

And yonder, Caesar.

 

Enter Caesar, Maecenas, and Agrippa.

 

ANT.

If we compose well here, to Parthia.

Hark, Ventidius.

CAES.

I do not know,

Maecenas; ask Agrippa.

LEP.

Noble friends,

That which combin'd us was most great, and let not

A leaner action rend us. What's amiss,

May it be gently heard. When we debate

Our trivial difference loud, we do commit

Murther in healing wounds. Then, noble partners,

The rather for I earnestly beseech,

Touch you the sourest points with sweetest terms,

Nor curstness grow to th' matter.

ANT.

'Tis spoken well.

Were we before our armies, and to fight,

I should do thus.

 

Flourish.

 

CAES.

Welcome to Rome.

ANT.

Thank you.

CAES.

Sit.

ANT.

Sit, sir.

CAES.

Nay then.

ANT.

I learn you take things ill which are not so –

Or being, concern you not.

CAES.

I must be laugh'd at

If, or for nothing or a little, I

Should say myself offended, and with you

Chiefly i' th' world; more laugh'd at, that I should

Once name you derogately, when to sound your name

It not concern'd me.

ANT.

My being in Egypt, Caesar,

What was't to you?

CAES.

No more than my residing here at Rome

Might be to you in Egypt; yet if you there

Did practice on my state, your being in Egypt

Might be my question.

ANT.

How intend you, practic'd?

CAES.

You may be pleas'd to catch at mine intent

By what did here befall me. Your wife and brother

Made wars upon me, and their contestation

Was theme for you – you were the word of war.

ANT.

You do mistake your business, my brother never

Did urge me in his act. I did inquire it,

And have my learning from some true reports

That drew their swords with you. Did he not rather

Discredit my authority with yours,

And make the wars alike against my stomach,

Having alike your cause? Of this my letters

Before did satisfy you. If you'll patch a quarrel,

As matter whole you have to make it with,

It must not be with this.

CAES.

You praise yourself

By laying defects of judgment to me; but

You patch'd up your excuses.

ANT.

Not so, not so:

I know you could not lack, I am certain on't,

Very necessity of this thought, that I,

Your partner in the cause 'gainst which he fought,

Could not with graceful eyes attend those wars

Which fronted mine own peace. As for my wife,

I would you had her spirit in such another;

The third o' th' world is yours, which with a snaffle

You may pace easy, but not such a wife.

ENO. Would we had all such wives, that the men might go to wars with the women!

ANT.

So much uncurbable, her garboils, Caesar,

Made out of her impatience – which not wanted

Shrowdness of policy too – I grieving grant

Did you too much disquiet. For that you must

But say I could not help it.

CAES.

I wrote to you,

When rioting in Alexandria you

Did pocket up my letters; and with taunts

Did gibe my missive out of audience.

ANT.

Sir,

He fell upon me, ere admitted, then;

Three kings I had newly feasted, and did want

Of what I was i' th' morning; but next day

I told him of myself, which was as much

As to have ask'd him pardon.