Were nice and lucky, men did ransom lives
Of me for jests; but now, I'll set my teeth,
And send to darkness all that stop me.
Come,
Let's have one other gaudy night. — Call to me
All my sad captains: fill our bowls; once more
Let's mock the midnight bell.

Cleo.

It is my birthday:

I had thought, to have held it poor; but since my lord
Is Antony again, I will be Cleopatra.

Ant. We will yet do well.

Cleo. Call all his noble captains to my lord.

Ant. Do so, we 'll speak to them; and to-night I'll force The wine peep through their scars. Come on, my queen; There's sap in 't yet. The next time I do fight,

I'll make death love me, for I will contend

Even with his pestilent scythe.

[Exeunt ANTONY, CLEOPATRA, and Attendants. Eno. Now he 'll outstare the lightning. To be furious, Is, to be frighted out of fear; and in that mood,

The dove will peck the estridge: and I see still,

A diminution in our captain's brain

Restores his heart. When valour preys on reason,

It eats the sword it fights with. I will seek

Some way to leave him.

ACT IV.

[Exit.

SCENE I.

CESAR'S Camp at Alexandria.

Enter CESAR, reading a Letter; AGRIPPA, MECENAS,

Others.

Cæs. He calls me boy, and chides, as he had power

To beat me out of Egypt; my messenger

He hath whipp'd with rods, dares me to personal combat,
Cæsar to Antony: let the old ruffian know,

I have many other ways to die, mean time,
Laugh at his challenge.

and

Give him no breath, but now

When one so great begins to rage, he's hunted

Even to falling.

Make boot of his distraction. Never anger

Made good guard for itself.

Cæs.

Let our best heads

Know, that to-morrow the last of many battles
We mean to fight. Within our files there are,
Of those that serv'd Mark Antony but late,
Enough to fetch him in. See it done;
And feast the army: we have store to do 't,
And they have earn'd the waste. Poor Antony!

[Exeunt.

SCENE II.

Alexandria. A Room in the Palace.

Enter ANTONY, CLEOPATRA, ENOBARBUS, CHARMIAN, IRAS,

ALEXAS, and Others.

Ant. He will not fight with me, Domitius.

Eno.

Ant. Why should be not?

No.

Eno. He thinks, being twenty times of better fortune, He is twenty men to one.

Ant.

To-morrow, soldier,

By sea and land I'll fight: or I will live,

Or bathe my dying honour in the blood

Shall make it live again. Woo 't thou fight well?
Eno. I'll strike; and cry, "Take all."
Ant.

Well said; come on.

Call forth my household servants: let's to-night

Eno.

'Tis one of those odd tricks, which sorrow shoots

Out of the mind.

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 suffer'd my command.

Cleo.

What does he mean?

Eno. To make his followers weep.
Ant.

Tend me to-night;

May be, it is the period of your duty:
Haply, you shall not see me more; or if,
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.

What mean you, Sir,

To give them this discomfort? Look, they weep:
And I, an ass, am onion-ey'd: for shame,
Transform us not to women.

Ant.

Ho, ho, ho!

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,

For 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 honour. Let's to supper; come,

And drown consideration.

[Exeunt.

SCENE III:

Before the Palace.

The Same.

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, 't is but a rumour.

Good night to you.

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.

1 Sold.

No.

Peace! I say. What should this mean?

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!

Omnes. How now!

How now! do your hear this?

1 Sold.

[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 it will give off.

Omnes.

Content: 'Tis strange.

[Exeunt.

SCENE IV.

The Same. A Room in the Palace.

Enter ANTONY, and CLEOPATRA; CHARMIAN, and Others,

Enter EROS, with Armour.

Come, 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,
Cleo. Sooth, la! I'll help Thus it must be.

this.

Well, well;

Seest thou, my good fellow?

Briefly, Sir.

Rarely, rarely:

Cleo. Is not this buckled well?

Ant.
He that unbuckles this, till we do please

O, love!

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..
That thou couldst see my wars to-day, and knew'st
The royal occupation! thou should'st see.