Enter Antony and Octavia. ANTONY
Nay, nay, Octavia, not only that—
That were excusable, that and thousands more
Of semblable import—but he hath waged
New wars ’gainst Pompey; made his will and read it
To public ear; 5
Spoke scantly of me; when perforce he could not
But pay me terms of honor, cold and sickly
He vented them, most narrow measure lent me;
When the best hint was given him, he not took ’t,
Or did it from his teeth. 10 | Back in Athens at Antony’s house, Antony complains to Octavia of Caesar’s behavior since their departure. Caesar has broken their pact and waged war against Pompey, not to mention he has railed against Antony in public. |
OCTAVIA O, my good lord,
Believe not all, or if you must believe,
Stomach not all. A more unhappy lady,
If this division chance, ne’er stood between,
Praying for both parts. 15
The good gods will mock me presently
When I shall pray “O, bless my lord and husband!”
Undo that prayer by crying out as loud
“O, bless my brother!” Husband win, win brother
Prays and destroys the prayer; no midway 20
’Twixt these extremes at all. | Octavia laments that she’s monkey in the middle of this mess, and she pleads with him not to believe the reports against her brother. She wouldn’t know whom to support in a quarrel between her brother and her husband. |
ANTONY Gentle Octavia,
Let your best love draw to that point which seeks
Best to preserve it. If I lose mine honor,
I lose myself; better I were not yours 25
Than yours so branchless. But, as you requested,
Yourself shall go between ’s. The meantime, lady,
I’ll raise the preparation of a war
Shall stain your brother. Make your soonest haste,
So your desires are yours. 30 OCTAVIA Thanks to my lord.
The Jove of power make me, most weak, most weak,
Your reconciler. Wars ’twixt you twain would be
As if the world should cleave, and that slain men
Should solder up the rift. 35 ANTONY
When it appears to you where this begins,
Turn your displeasure that way, for our faults
Can never be so equal that your love
Can equally move with them. Provide your going;
Choose your own company, and command what cost 40
Your heart has mind to. They exit. | Antony tells her not to fear; he’ll win back his honor by raising a war against Caesar. He sends Octavia back to Rome to be with her brother (and ostensibly make peace between them) while he prepares for war with Caesar. |