SCENE II. ALEXANDRIA. A ROOM IN THE PALACE. Enter Antony, Cleopatra, Enobarbus, Charmian, Iras, Alexas, and Others. Ant. He will not fight with me, Domitius. Eno. Ant. Why should he not? No. Eno. He thinks, being twenty times of better fortune, He is twenty men to one. Ant. To-morrow, soldier, By sea and land I'll fight: or I will live, Or bathe my dying honour in the blood Shall make it live 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, Thou hast been rightly honest;-so hast thou;— And thou,—and thou,-and thou:-you have serv'd 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. [Aside. And thou art honest too. I wish, I could be made so many men; Sero. The gods forbid! Ant. Well, my good fellows, wait on me to night: Scant not my cups; and make as much of me, And suffer'd my command. Cleo. What does he mean? Tend me to-night; Eno. To make his followers weep. Ant. May be, it is the period of your duty: As one that takes his leave. Mine honest friends, Eno. What mean you, sir, To give them this discomfort? Look, they weep; And I, an ass, am onion-ey'd; 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. [Exeunt. 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? 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. [Musick of hautboys under the stage. Peace, what noise? 4 Sold. 1 Sold. List, list! 2 Sold. 'Tis the god Hercules, whom Antony lov'd, Now leaves him. 1 Sold. Walk; let's see if other watchmen Do hear what we do. [They advance to another post. 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 Ant. Eros! mine armour, Eros! Cleo. Sleep a little. Ant. No, my chuck.-Eros, come; mine ar mour, 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. Cleo. What's this for? Ant. Come. Nay, I'll help too. 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.-Seest thou, my good fellow? Go, put on thy defences. Eros. Cleo. Is not this buckled well? Ant. Briefly, sir. Rarely, rarely: He that unbuckles this, till we do please To doff't for our repose, shall hear a storm.— H |