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 mechanick 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 ANTONY, EROS, Officers, 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. 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!

Had'st 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?

One ever near thee: Call for Enobarbus,

Who?

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

Say, I am none of thine.

Ant.

VOL. VIII.

What say'st thou?

UU

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:-Despatch:--Enobarbus!

[Exeunt.

SCENE VI. Cæsar's Camp before Alexandria.

Flourish. Enter CESAR with AGRIPPA,
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 AGRIPPA.

Caes. The time of universal peace is near:

Prove this a prosperous day, the three-nook'd world Shall bear the olive freely 1.

Enter a Messenger.

Mess.

Antony

Is come into the field.

1 The meaning is that the world shall then enjoy the blessings of peace undisturbed. The following passages illustrate this passage:

"Come the three corners of the world in arms,
And we shall shock them.'

King John.
'There is not now a rebel's sword unsheath'd,
But peace puts forth her olive every where.'
King Henry VI. Part II. Act iv. Sc. 4.

Cæs.

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, 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.

Sold.

Enter a Soldier of Cæsar's.

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 not, Enobarbus. I tell you true: Best you saf'd the bringer Out of the host; I must attend mine office, Or would have don't myself. Your emperor Continues still a Jove. [Exit Soldier. Eno. I am alone the villain of the earth, And feel I am so most. O Antony,

Thou mine of bounty, how would'st thou have paid My better service, when my turpitude

2

Thou dost so crown with gold! This blows my heart:

2 This generosity (says Enobarbus) swells my heart, so that it will quickly break, if thought break it not.'

for puffed or swelled in the last scene :

on her breast

Blown is used

There is a vent of blood, and something blown.' And in Lear:

No blown ambition doth our arms excite.'

Thought here also signifies grief. See Act iii. Sc. 2, note 1.

If swift thought break it not, a swifter mean
Shall outstrike 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.

[Exit.

SCENE VII.

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 oppression1 Exceeds what he expected.

Alarum.

[Exeunt.

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 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.

They do retire.

Scar. We'll beat 'em into bench-holes2; I have yet Room for six scotches more.

Enter EROS.

Eros. They are beaten, sir; and our advantage

serves

For a fair victory.

Scar.

Let us score their backs,

1 'Our oppression' means the force by which we are oppressed or overpowered.

2 The hole in a bench, ad levandum alvum. Thus in Cecil's Secret Correspondence, published by Lord Hailes, 1766 :— And beside, until a man be sure that this embryo is likely to receive life, I will leave it like an abort in a bench-hole.'

And snatch 'em up, as we take hares, behind; "Tis sport to maul a runner.

I will reward thee

Ant.
Once for thy spritely comfort, and tenfold
For thy good valour. Come thee on.

Scar.

I'll halt after. [Exeunt.

SCENE VIII. Under the Walls of Alexandria. Alarum. Enter ANTONY, marching; SCARUS, and Forces.

Ant. We have beat him to his camp; Run one before,

And let the queen know of our guests'.-To-morrow,
Before the sun shall see us, we'll spill the blood
That has to-day escap'd. I thank you all;
For doughty-handed are you: and have fought
Not as you serv'd the cause, but as it had been
Each man's like mine; you have shown all Hectors.
Enter the city, clip your wives, your friends,
Tell them your feats; whilst they with joyful tears
Wash the congealment from your wounds, and kiss
The honour'd gashes whole.-Give me thy hand;
[To SCARUS.

Enter CLEOPATRA, attended.

To this great fairy2 I'll commend thy acts,

Make her thanks bless thee.-O thou day o'the world, Chain mine arm'd neck; leap thou, attire and all, Through proof of harness to my heart, and there Ride on the pants triumphing.

3

1 Antony, after his success, intends to bring his officers to sup with Cleopatra, and orders notice to be given her of their coming.

2 Fairy, in former times, did not signify only a diminutive imaginary being, but an inchanter; in which sense it is used

here.

3 i. e. armour of proof. Harnois, Fr.; arnese, Ital.