The Complete Works of William Shakespeare Part 38

EROS. Briefly, sir.

CLEOPATRA. Is not this buckled well?

ANTONY. Rarely, rarely!

He that unbuckles this, till we do please To daff't for our repose, shall hear a storm.

Thou fumblest, Eros, and my queen's a squire More tight at this than thou. Dispatch. O love, That thou couldst see my wars to-day, and knew'st The royal occupation! Thou shouldst see A workman in't.

Enter an armed SOLDIER

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't with delight.

SOLDIER. A thousand, sir, Early though't be, have on their riveted trim, And at the port expect you.

[Shout. Flourish of trumpets within]

Enter CAPTAINS and soldiers

CAPTAIN. The morn is fair. Good morrow, General.

ALL. Good morrow, General.

ANTONY. '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. Rebukeable, And worthy shameful check it were, to stand On more mechanic 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, CAPTAINS and soldiers CHARMIAN. Please you retire to your chamber?

CLEOPATRA. Lead me.

He goes forth gallantly. That he and Caesar might Determine this great war in single fight!

Then, Antony- but now. Well, on. Exeunt

ACT_4|SC_5 SCENE V.

Alexandria. ANTONY'S camp

Trumpets sound. Enter ANTONY and EROS, a SOLDIER meeting them

SOLDIER. The G.o.ds make this a happy day to Antony!

ANTONY. Would thou and those thy scars had once prevail'd To make me fight at land!

SOLDIER. Hadst thou done so, The kings that have revolted, and the soldier That has this morning left thee, would have still Followed thy heels.

ANTONY. Who's gone this morning?

SOLDIER. Who?

One ever near thee. Call for En.o.barbus, He shall not hear thee; or from Caesar's camp Say 'I am none of thine.'

ANTONY. What say'st thou?

SOLDIER. Sir, He is with Caesar.

EROS. Sir, his chests and treasure He has not with him.

ANTONY. Is he gone?

SOLDIER. Most certain.

ANTONY. 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! Dispatch. En.o.barbus! Exeunt

ACT_4|SC_6 SCENE VI.

Alexandria. CAESAR'S camp

Flourish. Enter AGRIPPA, CAESAR, With DOLABELLA and En.o.bARBUS

CAESAR. Go forth, Agrippa, and begin the fight.

Our will is Antony be took alive; Make it so known.

AGRIPPA. Caesar, I shall. Exit CAESAR. The time of universal peace is near.

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

Enter A MESSENGER

MESSENGER. Antony Is come into the field.

CAESAR. Go charge Agrippa Plant those that have revolted in the vant, That Antony may seem to spend his fury Upon himself. Exeunt all but En.o.bARBUS En.o.bARBUS. Alexas did revolt and went to Jewry on Affairs of Antony; there did dissuade Great Herod to incline himself to Caesar And leave his master Antony. For this pains Casaer 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.

Enter a SOLDIER of CAESAR'S

SOLDIER. En.o.barbus, 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.

En.o.bARBUS. I give it you.

SOLDIER. Mock not, En.o.barbus.

I tell you true. Best you saf'd the bringer Out of the host. I must attend mine office, Or would have done't myself. Your emperor Continues still a Jove. Exit En.o.bARBUS. I am alone the villain of the earth, And feel I am so most. O Antony, Thou mine of bounty, how wouldst thou have paid My better service, when my turpitude Thou dost so crown with gold! This blows my heart.

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

ACT_4|SC_7 SCENE VII.

Field of battle between the camps

Alarum. Drums and trumpets. Enter AGRIPPA and others

AGRIPPA. Retire. We have engag'd ourselves too far.

Caesar himself has work, and our oppression Exceeds what we expected. Exeunt

Alarums. Enter ANTONY, and SCARUS wounded

SCARUS. O my brave Emperor, this is fought indeed!

Had we done so at first, we had droven them home With clouts about their heads.

ANTONY. Thou bleed'st apace.

SCARUS. I had a wound here that was like a T, But now 'tis made an H.

ANTONY. They do retire.

SCARUS. We'll beat'em into bench-holes. I have yet Room for six scotches more.

Enter EROS

EROS. They are beaten, sir, and our advantage serves For a fair victory.

SCARUS. Let us score their backs And s.n.a.t.c.h 'em up, as we take hares, behind.

'Tis sport to maul a runner.

ANTONY. I will reward thee Once for thy sprightly comfort, and tenfold For thy good valour. Come thee on.

SCARUS. I'll halt after. Exeunt

ACT_4|SC_8 SCENE VIII.

Under the walls of Alexandria

Alarum. Enter ANTONY, again in a march; SCARUS with others