And I, an ass, am onion-eyed; for shame,
Transform us not to women.

Ant. Ho, ho, ho!*

Now the witch take me, if I meant it thus!

Grace grow where those drops fall! My hearty friends,
You take me in too dolorous a sense:

I spake to you for your comfort: did desire you

To burn this night with torches: Know, my hearts,
I hope well of to-morrow; and will lead you,
Where rather I'll expect victorious life,

Than death and honour. Let's to supper; come,
And drown consideration.

SCENE III.-The same. Before the Palace.
Enter two SOLDIERS, to their Guard.

1 Sold. Brother, good night: to-morrow is the day.
2 Sold. It will determine one way: fare you well.
Heard you of nothing strange about the streets?
1 Sold. Nothing: What news?

2 Sold. Belike, 'tis but a rumour:

Good night to you.

1 Sold. Well, Sir, good night.

2 Sold. Soldiers,

Enter two other SOLDIERS.

Have careful watch.

3 Sold. And you: Good night, good night.

[Exeunt.

[The first two place themselves at their post.

4 Sold. Here we: [They take their posts.] and if to-morrow

Our navy thrive, I have an absolute hope

Our landmen will stand up.

3 Sold. 'Tis a brave army, And full of purpose.

4 Sold. Peace, what noise? 1 Sold. List, list!

2 Sold. Hark!

1 Sold. Music i' the air. 3 Sold. Under the earth. 4 Sold. It signs† well,

Does't not?

3 Sold. No.

[Music of hautboys under the stage.

1 Sold. Peace, I say. What should this mean?
2 Sold. 'Tis the god Hercules, whom Antony loved,

Now leaves him.

1 Sold. Walk; let's see if other watchmen

Do hear what we do.

2 Sold. How now, masters?

Sold. How now?

How now? do you hear this?

1 Sold. Ay; is't not strange ?

[They advance to another post.

[Several speaking together.

3 Sold. Do you hear, masters? do you hear?

1 Sold. Follow the noise so far as we have quarter; Let's see how't will give off.

Sold. [Several speaking.] Content: 'Tis strange.

[Exeunt.

SCENE IV-The same. A Room in the Palace. Enter ANTONY, and CLEOPATRA; CHARMIAN, and others, attending.

Ant. Eros! mine armour, Eros!

Cleo. Sleep a little.

Ant. No, my chuck.-Eros, come; mine armour, Eros!
Enter EROS, with Armour.

Come, my good fellow, put thine iron on:

If fortune be not ours to-day, it is
Because we brave her.-Come.

Cleo. Nay, I'll help too.

What's this for?

Ant. Ah, let be, let be! thou art

The armourer of my heart:-False, false; this, this.
Cleo. Sooth, la, I'll help : Thus it must be.

Ant. Well, well;

We shall thrive now.-See'st thou, my good fellow ?
Go, put on thy defences.

Eros. Briefly,* Sir.

Cleo. Is not this buckled well?

Ant. Rarely, rarely:

He that unbuckles this, till we do please

To doff 't for our repose, shall hear a storm.-
Thou fumblest, Eros; and my queen's a squire

More tight at this, than thou: Despatch.-O love,
That thou could'st see my wars to-day, and knew'st
The royal occupation! thou should'st see

Enter an OFFICER, armed.

A workman in 't.-Good morrow to thee; welcome:
Thou look'st like him that knows a warlike charge.
To business that we love, we rise betime,

And go to it with delight.

1 Off. A thousand, Sir,

Early though it be, have on their riveted trim,‡

And at the port expect you.

[Shout. Trumpets. Flourish.

Enter other OFFICERS and SOLDIERS.

2 Off. The morn is fair.-Good morrow, general. All. Good morrow, general.

Ant. 'Tis well blown, lads.

This morning, like the spirit of a youth
That means to be of note, begins betimes.-

So, so; come, give me that: this way; well said.
Fare thee well, dame, whate'er becomes of me:
This is a soldier's kiss: rebukable,

And worthy shameful check it were, to stand
† Handy.

* Quickly.

[Kisses her.

+ Armour.

On more mechanic compliment; I'll leave thee
Now, like a man of steel.-You, that will fight,
Follow me close; I'll bring you to 't.-Adieu.

[Exeunt ANTONY, EROS, OFFICERS, and SOLDIERS. Char. Please you, retire to your chamber?

Cleo. Lead me,

He goes forth gallantly. That he and Cæsar might
Determine this great war in single fight!
Then, Antony,-But now,-well, on.

[Exeunt.

SCENE V-ANTONY'S Camp near Alexandria. Trumpets sound.-Enter ANTONY and EROS; a SOLDIER meeting them.

Sold. The gods make this a happy day to Antony!
Ant. 'Would, thou and those thy scars had once prevail'd
To make me fight at land!

Sold. Hadst thou done so,

The kings that have revolted, and the soldier

That has this morning left thee, would have still
Follow'd thy heels.

Ant. Who's gone this morning?

Sold. Who?

One ever near thee: Call for Enobarbus,

He shall not hear thee; or from Cæsar's camp

Say, I am none of thine.

Ant. What say'st thou ?

Sold. Sir,

He is with Cæsar.

Eros. Sir, his chests and treasure

He has not with him.

Ant. Is he gone?

Sold. Most certain.

Ant. Go, Eros, send his treasure after; do it;
Detain no jot, I charge thee: write to him
(I will subscribe) gentle adieus, and greetings:
Say, that I wish he never find more cause
To change a master.-O, my fortunes have
Corrupted honest men :-Eros, despatch.

SCENE VI-Camp before Alexandria.

[Exeunt.

Flourish.-Enter CESAR with AGRIPPA, ENOBARBUS, and others.

Cas. Go forth, Agrippa, and begin the fight:

Our will is, Antony be took alive;

Make it so known.

Agr. Cæsar, I shall.

Caes. The time of universal peace is near:

[Exit AGRIPPA.

Prove this a prosperous day, the three-nook'd* world

Shall bear the olive freely.

Enter a MESSENGER.

Mess. Antony

Is come into the field.

*I. e. the three-parted.

Cas. Go, charge Agrippa

Plant those that have revolted in the van,
That Antony may seem to spend his fury
Upon himself.

[Exeunt CESAR and his Train. Eno. Alexas did revolt; and went to Jewry, On affairs of Antony; there did persuade Great Herod to incline himself to Cæsar, And leave his master Antony for this pains, Cæsar hath hang'd him. Canidius and the rest That fell away have entertainment, but No honourable trust. I have done ill; Of which I do accuse myself so sorely, That I will joy no more.

Enter a SOLDIER of CÆSAR'S.

Sold. Enobarbus, Antony

Hath after thee sent all thy treasure, with
His bounty overplus: The messenger

Came on my guard; and at thy tent is now,
Unloading of his mules.

Eno. I give it you.

Sold. Mock me not, Enobarbus.

I tell you true: Best that you safed the bringer
Out of the host; I must attend mine office,
Or would have done't myself. Your emperor
Continues still a Jove.

Eno. I am alone the villain of the earth.
And feel I am so most. O Antony,

[Exit SOLDIER.

Thou mine of bounty, how would'st thou have paid
My better service, when my turpitude

Thou dost so crown with gold! This blows * my heart:

If swift thought break it not, a swifter mean

Shall outstrike thought: but thought will do 't I feel.
I fight against thee!-No: I will go seek

Some ditch, wherein to die; the foul'st best fits
My latter part of life.

[Exit.

SCENE VII.-Field of Battle between the Camps.
Alarum.-Drums and Trumpets. Enter AGRIPPA and others.
Agr. Retire, we have engaged ourselves too far:
Cæsar himself has work, and our oppression
Exceeds what we expected.

Alarum.-Enter ANTONY and SCARUS wounded.
Scar. O my brave emperor, this is fought indeed!
Had we done so at first, we had driven them home
With clouts about their heads.

Ant. Thou bleed'st apace.

Scar. I had a wound here that was like a T, But now 'tis made an H.

Ant. They do retire.

[Exeunt.

* Swells.

Scar. We'll beat 'em into bench-holes; I have yet Room for six scotches* more.

Enter EROS.

Eros. They are beaten, Sir; and our advantage serves

For a fair victory.

Scar. Let us score their backs,

And snatch 'em up, as we take hares, behind;

'Tis sport to maul a runner.

Ant. I will reward thee

Once for thy sprightly comfort, and ten-fold

For thy good valour. Come thee on.

Scar. I'll halt after.

[Exeunt.

SCENE VIII.-Under the walls of Alexandria. Alarum. Enter ANTONY, marching; SCARUS, and Forces. Ant. We have beat him to his camp; Run one before, And let the queen know of our guests.-To-morrow, Before the sun shall see us, we'll spill the blood That has to-day escaped. I thank you all; For doughty-handed are you; and have fought Not as you served the cause, but as it had been Each man's like mine; you have shown all Hectors. Enter the city, clip † your wives, your friends, Tell them your feats; whilst they with joyful tears Wash the congealment from your wounds, and kiss The honour'd gashes whole.-Give me thy hand; [To SCARUS. Enter CLEOPATRA, attended.

To this great fairy, I'll commend thy acts,

Make her thanks bless thee.-O thou day o' the world,
Chain mine arm'd neck: leap thou, attire and all,

Through proof of harness to my heart, and there

Ride on the pants triumphing.

Cleo. Lord of lords!

O infinite virtue! com'st thou smiling from

The world's great snare, uncaught?

Ant. My nightingale,

We have beat them to their beds. What, girl? though grey Do something mingle with our brown, yet have we

A brain that nourishes our nerves, and can

Get goal for goal of youth. Behold this man:
Commend unto his lips thy favouring hand;-
Kiss it, my warrior :-He hath fought to-day,
As if a god, in hate of mankind, had
Destroy'd in such a shape.

Cleo. I'll give thee, friend,

An armour all of gold; it was a king's.

Ant. He has deserved it, were it carbuncled Like holy Phoebus' car.-Give me thy hand; Through Alexandria make a jolly march;

Bear our hack'd targets like the men that owe them: §

* Cuts.

† Embrace.

Armour of proof.

§ Own.