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ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA. (Book 1)
ACT I. (Book 1)
Scene the First. Caesar's Tents.
Enter Caesar, Agrippa, Mecoenas.
Caesar.
OUR Arms an easie Victory have found
Over a Foe, in love and pleasure drown'd.
Agrip.
I am pleas'd we have Antonius subdu'd,
Yet rage to think a Roman was pursu'd:
Our souls did once our conquer'd Bodies loath,
And seldome did one World contain 'em both.
Yet now by hopes we're flatter'd to live on,
And with the Common Herd of Mankind run,
Crouching to Fate, which we by death might shun.
Caes.
His Army's yet entire, and on the Shore;
No Troops so far the Roman Eagle bore:
Armenian Kings they have in Triumph led,
And Parthian blood in ten set Battles shed:
Their General to the last they will defend.
Mecoen.
None can defend those, who themseves betray:
He with his Queen again will run away,
And leave 'em fighting, as he did at Sea.
Agrip.
Remember, Sir, the joy the World exprest,
When threatning Wars and Mischief, you redrest.
With a late Peace, which an Alliance ty'd,
And your fair Sister made Antonius Bride.