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 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.3 Let's to supper; come,
And drown consideration.

SCENE III.

[Exeunt.

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, list!

2 Sold. Hark!

1 Sold. Music i'the air.

3 Sold. Under the earth. 4 Sold. It signs well,*

Poes't not?

3 Sold. No.

1 Sold. Peace, I say. What should this mean?

[3] That is, an honourable death. UPTON.

[4] That is, it is a good sign, it bodes well, &c. STEEV.

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.

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 quarter; Let's see how 'twill give off.

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

The same.

SCENE IV.

[Exeunt.

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.5

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 couldst see my wars to-day, and knew'st

[5] That is, quickly, sir. JOHNS.
[6] To doff is to do off, to put off.

STEEV.

The royal occupation! thou shouldst 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 Of. 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,
[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 ANT. 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.

SCENE V.

[Exeunt.

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.

[Exeunt.

CESAR'S Camp before Alexandria. 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.

Cas. The time of universal peace is near:

[Exit.

Prove this a prosperous day, the three-nook'd world
Shall bear the olive freely.7

Mes. Antony

Enter a Messenger.

Is come into the field.

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,

[7] i.e. shall spring up every where spontaneously & without culture. WAR. To bear does not mean to produce, but to carry; and the meaning is, that the world shall then enjoy the blessings of peace, of which olive branches were the emblem. The success of Augustus could not so change the nature of things, as to make the olive-tree grow without culture in all titmat es, but it shut the gates of the temple of Janus. M. MASON.

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 CESAR.

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 saf'd 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.

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 : If swift thought break it not, a swifter mean

Shall out-strike 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.

SCENE VII.

[Exit.

Field of Battle between the Camps. Alarum. Drums and Trumpets. Enter AGRIPPA, and others.

Agr. Retire, we have engag'd ourselves too far: Cæsar himself has work, and our oppression' Exceeds what we expected.

[Exeunt.

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

[8] This generosity, (says Enobarbus,) swells my heart, so that it will quickly break, if thought break it not, a swifter mean. JOHNS. To blow means to puff or swell. STEEV.

19] Thought, in this passage, as in many others,signifies melancholy. MAL[1] Oppression for opposition.

WARB.