Were nice and lucky, men did ransom lives Cleo. It is my birthday: I had thought, to have held it poor; but since my lord 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, I have many other ways to die, mean time, 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 [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? 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; As when mine empire was your fellow too, Cleo. What does he mean? Eno. To make his followers weep. Tend me to-night; May be, it is the period of your duty: Eno. What mean you, Sir, To give them this discomfort? Look, they weep: Ant. Ho, ho, ho! Now, the witch take me, if I meant it thus. Grace grow where those drops fall! My hearty friends, For I spake to you for your comfort; did desire you 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 : 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. Well, well; Seest thou, my good fellow? Briefly, Sir. Rarely, rarely: Cleo. Is not this buckled well? Ant. O, love! To doff 't for our repose, shall hear a storm. |