Antony and Cleopatra, Act 2, Scene 3

The world and my great office will sometimes Divide me from your bosom.

Public affairs and my high position will sometimes keep me away from your arms.

All which time Before the gods my knee shall bow my prayers To them for you.

All that time I will kneel before the gods and send my prayers up to them for you.

Good night, sir.—My Octavia, Read not my blemishes in the world’s report. I have not kept my square, but that to come Shall all be done by th’ rule. Good night, dear lady.

Good night, sir. My Octavia, don't judge my faults by what the world says about me. I haven't kept to the straight line, but from now on everything I do will be by the measure. Good night, dear lady.

Good night, sir.

Good night, sir.

Good night.

Good night.

Now, sirrah, you do wish yourself in Egypt?

Now, fellow, do you wish you were back in Egypt?

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

I wish I had never left there, and that you had never gone there!

If you can, your reason.

Give me your reason, if you can.

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

I see it by instinct, but I can't put it into words. Still, hurry back to Egypt.

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

Tell me, whose fortunes will rise higher, Caesar's or mine?

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.

Caesar's. So, Antony, don't stay at his side. Your guardian spirit—that spirit which watches over you—is noble, brave, lofty, beyond compare, where Caesar's is not. But near him your guardian spirit becomes frightened, as if overpowered. So put enough distance between you.

Speak this no more.

Say no more of this.

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.

To no one but you; and only when I'm speaking to you. If you play any game with him, you're certain to lose; and with that inborn luck of his he beats you against the odds. Your brightness clouds over when he shines beside you. I say it again: your spirit is entirely afraid to direct you when he is near, but when he is away it is noble.

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

Go away. Tell Ventidius I want to speak with him.

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.

He shall go to Parthia. Whether it's skill or chance, the man has spoken the truth. Even the dice obey him, and in our games my greater skill collapses under his luck. If we draw lots, he wins; his fighting cocks always beat mine when all the odds are on my side, and his quails always beat mine in the ring, against the odds. I will go to Egypt. And though I make this marriage for my own peace, my pleasure lies in the East.

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

Oh, come here, Ventidius. You must go to Parthia. Your orders are ready. Follow me and collect them.