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? 2 Sold. Good night to you. 1 Sold. Belike, 'tis but a rumour; Well, sir, good night. Enter Two other Soldiers. Soldiers, 2 Sold. 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. And full of purpose. "Tis a brave army, [Musick of Hautboys under the Stage. Peace, what noise? 4 Sold. 1 Sold. 2 Sold. Hark! List, list! Peace, I say. What should this mean? 2 Sold. "Tis the god Hercules, whom Antony lov'd, Now leaves him2. 1 i. e. it bodes well. 2 This is from the old translation of Plutarch:-' Within a 1 Sold. Walk; let's see if other watchmen Do hear what we do. [They advance to another Post. 2 Sold. Sold. How now, masters? How now? do you hear this? 1 Sold. [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 armour, Eros! Cleo. Sleep a little. Ant. No, my chuck.-Eros, come; mine armour, Eros! Enter EROS, with Armour. Come, good fellow, put thine iron on:— Because we brave her.-Come. little of midnight, when all the citie was quiet, full of feare, and sorrowe, thinking what would be the issue and end of this warre, it is saide that sodainely they heard a marvellous sweete harmonie of sundry sortes of instruments of musicke, with the cry of a multitude of people as they had beene dauncinge, and had song as they use in Bacchus feastes, with movinges and turnings after the manner of the satyres: and it seemed that this daunce went through the city unto the gate that opened to the enemies, and that all the troupe that made this noise they heard went out of the city at that gate. Now such as in reason sought the interpretacion of this wonder, thought that it was the god unto whom Antonius bare singular devotion to counterfeate and resemble him, that did forsake them.' 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. Briefly 1, sir. 1 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.-0 love, That thou could'st see my wars to-day, and knew’st The royal occupation; thou should'st 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 trim3, And at the port expect you. [Shout. Trumpets. Flourish. Enter other Officers, and Soldiers. 2 Off. The morn is fair.-Good morrow, All. Good morrow, general. 1 That is, 'quickly, sir.' general. 2 Tight is handy, adroit. So in The Merry Wives of Windsor :- Bear you these letters tightly. A tight lass is a handy one. 3 So in King Henry V.: The armourers accomplishing the knights, 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! Sold. Had'st 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. 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 ? U U Sold. 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 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. Cæs. The time of universal peace is near: Prove this a prosperous day, the three-nook'd world Shall bear the olive freely1. Mess. Enter a Messenger. Is come into the field. Antony 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.' |