ACT IV.

SCENE I-Casar's Camp at Alexandria.

Enter CESAR, reading a Letter; AGRIPPA, MECENAS, and others.

Cas. He calls me boy; and chides, as he had power

To beat me out of Egypt: my messenger

He hath whipp'd with rods; dares me to personal combat,

Cæsar to Antony: let the old ruffian know,
I have many other ways to die; mean time,
Laugh at his challenge.

Mec. Cæsar must think,

When one so great begins to rage, he's hunted
Even to falling. Give him no breath, but now
Make boot of his distraction. Never anger
Made good guard for itself.

Ces. Let our best heads

Know, that to-morrow the last of many battles
We mean to fight :-Within our files there are.
Of those that served Mark Antony but late,
Enough to fetch him in. See it be done;
And feast the army: we have store to do't,
And they have earn'd the waste. Poor Antony!
[Exeunt.

SCENE II-Alexandria.-A Room in the Palace.
Enter ANTONY, CLEOPATRA, ENOBARBUS, CHAR
MIAN, IRAS, ALEXAS, and others.

Ant. He will not fight with me, Domitius.
Eno. No.

Ant. Why should he not?

Eno. He thinks, being twenty times of better fortune,

He is twenty mien to one.

Ant. To-morrow, soldier,

By sea and land l'il fight: or I will live,

Of bathe my dying honour in the blood

Shall make it five again. Woo't thou fight well? Eno. I'll strike; and cry, Take all.

Ant. Well said; come on.

Call forth my household servants; let's to-night

Enter SERVANTS.

Be bounteous at our meal.-Give me thy hand,

Take advantage.

Thou hast been rightly honest ;-so hast thou ;And thou, and thou,-and thou:-You have served me well,

And kings have been your fellows.

Cleo. What means this?

Eno. 'Tis one of those odd tricks, which sorrow

shoots

Out of the mind.

Ant. And thou art honest too.

I wish, I could be made so many men;
And all of you clapp'd up together in
An Antony; that I might do you service,
So good as you have done.

Serv. The gods forbid!

[Aside.

Ant. Well, my good fellows, wait on me tonight:

Scant not my cups; and make as much of me,
As when mine empire was your fellow too,
And suffer'd my command.

Cleo. What does he mean?

Eno. To make his followers weep.
Ant. Tend me to-night;

May be, it is the period of your duty :
Haply, you shall not see me more; or if,
A mangled shadow: perchance, to-morrow
You'll serve another master. I look on you,
As one that takes his leave. Mine honest friends,
I turn you not away; but, like a master
Married to your good service, stay till death:
Send me to-night two hours, I ask no more,
And the gods yield + you for't!

Eno. What mean you, Sir,

To give them this discomfort? Look, they weep; And I, an ass, am onion-eyed; for shame,

Transform us not to women.

Ant. Ho, ho, hot!

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.

[Exeunt.

Stop.

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.

Enter two other SOLDIERS.

2 Sold. Soldiers.

Have careful watch.

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

[The first Two place themselves at their Posts.

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.

[Music of Hautboys under the Stage.

4 Sold. Peace, what noise?

1 Sold. List, fist!

2 Sold. Hark!

1 Sold. Music i' the air.

3 Sold. Under the earth.

4 Sold. It signs

Does't not?

3 Sold. No.

well,

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.

[They advance to another Post.

2 Sold. How now, masters ? Sold. How now? How now? Do you hear this?

[Several speaking together.

1 Sold. Ay; is't not strange?

3 Sold. Do you hear, masters? Do you hear? 1 Sold. Follow the noise so far as we have

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 my defences.

Eros. Briefly, Sir.

Cleo. Is not this buckled well?

Ant. Rarely, rarely:

He that unbuckles this, till we do please

To doff'tt 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 couldst see my wars to-day, and knew'st The royal occupation! thou shouldst see

Enter an OFFICER, armed.

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

And go to it with delight.

1 Offi. 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 Offi. The morn is fair.-Good morrow, general.

* Shortly.

+ Put it off.
§ Riveted dress, armour.

+ Handy.

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, [Kisses her.
And worthy shameful check it were, to stand
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. [Exeunt.