Ant.

And thou art honest too.

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

Servants.

The gods forbid !

Ant. Well, my good fellows, wait on me to-night:
Scant not my cups; and make as much of me
As when mine empire was your fellow too,

And suffered my command.

Cleo. [Aside to ENO.]
Eno. [Aside to CLEO.]

Ant.

What does he mean?

To make his followers weep.
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 :
Tend me to-night two hours, I ask no more,
And the gods yield you for 't!2

Eno.

To give them this discomfort?
And I, an ass, am onion-eyed:
Transform us not to women.
Ant.

What mean you, sir,

Look, they weep; for shame,

Ho, ho, ho !3

See Extracts from Plutarch, 44.

Scant not.] Spare not. 2 The gods yield you for it.] The gods reward you for it. The expression was usually abridged, or corrupted. Thus, in Hamlet, iv. 5, Ophelia says, 'God 'ield you!' in Macbeth, i. 6, we have 'You shall bid God-eyld us for your pains;' and in As you Like It, iii. 3, ‘God 'ild you for your last company.'

• Ho!] This exclamation is meant to forbid the weeping.

Now the witch take me if I meant it thus !

Grace grow where those drops fall!

You take me in too dolorous a sense;

My hearty friends,

For 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.

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

First Sold. Nothing. What news?

Second Sold. Soldiers, have careful watch.

Third Sold, And you. Good night, good night.

[The first and second go to their posts.

Fourth Sold. Here we: [Taking their posts.] and if

to-morrow

Our navy thrive, I have an absolute hope

Our landmen will stand up.

1 Grace grow, &c.] Compare K. Richard II. iii. 4,

'Here did she fall a tear; here, in this place,
I'll set a bank of rue, sour herb of grace.'

Second Sold. 'Tis the god Hercules, whom Antony

loved,

Now leaves him.2

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

Third Sold. Do you hear, masters? do you hear? First Sold. Follow the noise so far as we have quarter; Let's see how 't will give off.

Soldiers. [Speaking together.] Content: 't is strange.

1 It signs well.] It is a favourable omen.

[Exeunt.

2 'Tis the god Hercules, &c.] Extracts from Plutarch, 45.

SCENE IV.-The same. A Room in the Palace.

Enter ANTONY and CLEOPATRA; CHARMIAN, IRAS,
and others, attending.

Ant. Eros! mine armour, Eros!

Cleo.
Ant. No, my chuck.-Eros, come;

Sleep a little.

mine armour, Eros !

Enter EROS with armour.

Come, good fellow, put mine iron on :-
If Fortune be not ours to-day, it is

Because we brave her:-come.

Cleo.

What's this for?

Ant.

Nay, I'll help too.

Ah, let be, let be! thou art

1

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.-
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 !2 thou shouldst see

A workman in 't.

1 False, false.] You mistake.

2 The royal occupation.] Occupation means mechanical trade or craft.

Enter an Officer armed.

Good morrow to thee; welcome :

Thou look'st like him that knows a warlike charge.
The business that we love-we rise betime

And go to 't with delight.

Off.

A thousand, sir,

Early though 't be, have on their riveted trim,

And at the port expect you.

[Shout and flourish of trumpets without.

Enter other Officers, and Soldiers.

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

Ant.

'Tis well blown,1 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: rebukeable,

[Kisses her.

And worthy shameful check2 it were, to stand
On more mechanic compliment; 3 I'll leave thee
Now, like a man of steel. You that will fight1
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.

1 Well blown.] Well displayed.

[Exeunt.

2 Worthy shameful check.] Deserving of reproachful censure. 3 More mechanic compliment.] More of outward compliment. Will fight.] Desire to fight.