Willy Shakes
@iamshakespeare.bsky.social
Posting the complete works of William Shakespeare, line by line, since 2009 (on X, @IAM_SHAKESPEARE). New here on Bluesky! Created by @strebel.bsky.social. iamshakes.com
CAESAR. With most gladness; And do invite you to my sister's view, Whither straight I'll lead you.
ANTONY. So is the fame. Would we had spoke together! Haste we for it. Yet, ere we put ourselves in arms, dispatch we The business we have talk'd of.
CAESAR. Great and increasing; but by sea He is an absolute master.
LEPIDUS. Time calls upon's. Of us must Pompey presently be sought, Or else he seeks out us.
ANTONY. I did not think to draw my sword 'gainst Pompey; For he hath laid strange courtesies and great Of late upon me. I must thank him only, Lest my remembrance suffer ill report; At heel of that, defy him.
CAESAR. There is my hand. A sister I bequeath you, whom no brother Did ever love so dearly. Let her live To join our kingdoms and our hearts; and never Fly off our loves again!
ANTONY. May I never To this good purpose, that so fairly shows, Dream of impediment! Let me have thy hand. Further this act of grace; and from this hour The heart of brothers govern in our loves And sway our great designs!
CAESAR. The power of Caesar, and His power unto Octavia.
ANTONY. What power is in Agrippa, If I would say 'Agrippa, be it so,' To make this good?
CAESAR. Not till he hears how Antony is touch'd With what is spoke already.
Truths would be tales, Where now half tales be truths. Her love to both Would each to other, and all loves to both, Draw after her. Pardon what I have spoke; For 'tis a studied, not a present thought, By duty ruminated.
Whose virtue and whose general graces speak That which none else can utter. By this marriage All little jealousies, which now seem great, And all great fears, which now import their dangers, Would then be nothing.
AGRIPPA. To hold you in perpetual amity, To make you brothers, and to knit your hearts With an unslipping knot, take Antony Octavia to his wife; whose beauty claims No worse a husband than the best of men;
ANTONY. I am not married, Caesar. Let me hear Agrippa further speak.
CAESAR. Say not so, Agrippa. If Cleopatra heard you, your reproof Were well deserv'd of rashness.
AGRIPPA. Thou hast a sister by the mother's side, Admir'd Octavia. Great Mark Antony Is now a widower.
Yet if I knew What hoop should hold us stanch, from edge to edge O' th' world, I would pursue it.
CAESAR. I do not much dislike the matter, but The manner of his speech; for't cannot be We shall remain in friendship, our conditions So diff'ring in their acts.
ANTONY. You wrong this presence; therefore speak no more.
ENOBARBUS. That truth should be silent I had almost forgot.