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 clapped up together in
An Antony; that I might do you service,
So good as you have done.

Serv.

[Aside.

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.

What does he mean?

Tend me to-night;

Eno. To make his followers weep.
Ant.

May be, it is the period of your duty.

Haply, you shall not see me more; or if,

1

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!

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

Now the witch take me, if I meant it thus!

Grace

4

grow where those drops fall! My hearty friends,

1 "Or if you see me more, you will see me a mangled shadow; only the external form of what I was."

2 i. e. "God reward you."

3 Steevens thinks that this exclamation of Antony's means stop, or desist. Ho! was an interjection, frequently used as a command to desist or leave off. Mr. Boswell says, "These words may have been intended to express an hysterical laugh."

4

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

King Richard II.

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 honor. 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.

Soldiers,

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.

4 Sold.

Does't not?

3 Sold. No.

It signs1 well,

1 Sold. Peace, I say. What should this mean? 2 Sold. 'Tis the god Hercules, whom Antony loved, Now leaves him.2

1 Sold.

Walk; let's see if other watchmen

Do hear what we do. [They advance to another post. How now, masters?

2 Sold. Sold.

How now? do you hear this?

1 Sold.

How now?

[Several speaking together. 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'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 others

attending.

Ant. Eros! mine armor, Eros!

Cleo.

Sleep a little.

Ant. No, my chuck.-Eros, come; mine armor,

Eros!

Enter EROS, with armor.

Come, good fellow, put thine 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

The armorer of my heart.-False, false; this, this.

1 i. e. it bodes well.

2 This is from the old translation of Plutarch.

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

2

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; 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 Off.

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

1 That is, "quickly, sir."
2 Tight is handy, adroit.

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

prevailed

To make me fight at land!

Had'st thou done so,

Sold.
The kings that have revolted, and the soldier
That has this morning left thee, would have still
Followed thy heels.

Who's gone this morning?

Ant.

Sold.

One ever near thee. Call for Enobarbus,

He shall not hear thee; or from Cæsar's camp

Say, I am none of thine.

Ant.

Sold.

He is with Cæsar.

Eros.

He has not with him.

Ant.

Sold.

Who?

What say'st thou ?

Sir,

Sir, his chests and treasure

Is he gone?

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