First Sold. to you. Nothing. What news? Belike 'tis but a rumour. Good night rumour. First Sold. Well, sir, good night. Sec. Sold. Enter two other Soldiers. Soldiers, have careful watch. Third Sold. And you. Good night, good night. [They place themselves in every corner of the stage. Fourth Sold. Here we: and if to-morrow Our navy thrive, I have an absolute hope Our landmen will stand up. Third Sold. And full of purpose. 'Tis a brave army, ΙΟ [Music of the hautboys as under the stage. Fourth Sold. Peace! what noise? Fourth Sold. It signs* well, does it not? *Bodes. Third Sold. First Sold. What should this mean? No. Peace, I say! Sec. Sold. 'Tis the god Hercules, whom Antony loved, Now leaves him. First Sold. Walk; let's see if other watchmen Do hear what we do. Sec. Sold. All. [They advance to another post. How now, masters! [Speaking together] How now! How now! do you hear this? First Sold. Ay; is't not strange? 20 Third Sold. Do you hear, masters? hear? do you First Sold. Follow the noise so far as we have quarter; Let's see how it will give off. All. Content. 'Tis strange. [Exeunt. Enter ANTONY and CLEOPATRA, CHARMIAN, and others attending. A room in the palace. Ant. Eros! mine armour, Eros! Cleo. Sleep a little. Ant. No, my chuck. Eros, come; mine armour, Eros! Enter EROS with armour. Come, good fellow, put mine iron on: Because we brave her: come. Cleo. What's this for? Ant. 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. Rarely, rarely: He that unbuckles this, till we do please To daff't for our repose, shall hear a storm. A workman in 't. Enter an armed Soldier. *Nimble. 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 't with delight. Sold. A thousand, sir, Early though 't be, have on their riveted trim, 20 [Shout. Trumpets flourish. Enter Captains and Soldiers. Capt. The morn is fair. Good morrow, general. All. Good morrow, general. '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: rebukeable [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. 31 [Exeunt Antony, Eros, Captains, and Soldiers. Lead me. Char. Please you, retire to your chamber. Cleo. 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. Alexandria. Antony's camp. 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! Hadst thou done so, Sold. The kings that have revolted, and the soldier That has this morning left thee, would have still Follow'd thy heels. Ant. Sold. Who's gone this morning? Who! One ever near thee: call for Enobarbus, Say 'I am none of thine.' Most certain. Sold. 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! Dispatch.-Enobarbus! SCENE VI. Alexandria. [Exeunt. Cæsar's camp. Flourish. Enter CÆSAR, AGRIPPA, with ENOBARBUS, and others. Cæs. Go forth, Agrippa, and begin the fight: Our will is Antony be took alive; Make it so known. Agr. Cæsar, I shall. [Exit. Cas. The time of universal peace is near: Prove this a prosperous day, the three-nook'd world Shall bear the olive freely. Mess. Enter a Messenger. Antony Go charge Agrippa Is come into the field. Cæs. Plant those that have revolted in the van, Upon himself. ΙΟ [Exeunt all but Enobarbus. 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 Sold. Enter a Soldier of CESAR'S. Enobarbus, Antony Hath after thee sent all thy treasure, with His bounty overplus: the messenger 20 Came on my guard; and at thy tent is now Eno. I give it you. I tell you true: best you safed* the bringer *Made safe. Eno. I am alone the villain of the earth, And feel I am so most. O Antony, [Exit. 30 Thou mine of bounty, how wouldst thou have paid My better service, when my turpitude Thou dost so crown with gold! This blows* my heart: *Swells. If swift thought+ break it not, a swifter mean Shall outstrike thought: but thought will do 't, I feel. †Anxiety. I fight against thee! No: I will go seek [Exit. SCENE VII. Field of battle between the camps. Alarum. Drums and trumpets. and others. Enter AGRIPPA Agr. Retire, we have engaged ourselves too far: Cæsar himself has work, and our oppression Exceeds what we expected. [Exeunt. Alarums. Enter ANTONY, and SCARUS wounded. Scar. O my brave emperor, this is fought indeed! Had we done so at first, we had droven 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. Scar. We'll beat 'em into bench-holes: I have yet Room for six scotches* more. *Cuts. ΙΟ |