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All my sad captains, fill our bowls; once more
Let's mock the midnight bell.

Cleo.

It is my birth-day:

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

Ant. We'll 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 At-
tendants.

Eno. Now he'll out-stare the lightning. Tobe furious, Is, to be frighted out of fear and in that mood, The dove will peck the estridge; 3 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.

[Exit.

ACT IV.

SCENE I. Cæsar's Camp at Alexandria.

Enter CESAR, reading a Letter; AGRIPPA, MECENAS, and Others.

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

3 Ostrich.

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.

Mec.

Cæsar must think,

When one so great begins to rage, he's hunted
Even to falling. Give him no breath, but now
Make boot of his distraction: Never anger
Made good guard for itself.

Let our best heads

Cæs.
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 be 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, CHAR

MIAN, IRAS, ALEXAS, and Others.

Ant. He will not fight with me, Domitius.

Eno.

Ant. Why should he not?

No.

Eno. He thinks, being twenty times of better fortune,

He is twenty men to one.

4 Take advantage:

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, Tuke all.

Ant.

Well said; come on.

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

Enter Servants.

Be bounteous at our meal.-Give me thy hand,
Thou hast been rightly honest ;-so hast thou
And thou, and thou,-and thou:-you have serv'd

me well,

And kings have been your fellows.

Cleo.

What means this?

Eno. 'Tis one of those odd tricks, which sorrow

shoots

Out of the mind.

Ant.

And thou art honest too.

I wish, I could be made so many men;
And all of you clapp'd up together in
An Antony; that I might do you service,
So good as you have done.

Serv.

The gods forbid!

[Aside.

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.

Eno. To make his followers weep.

Ant.

What does he mean?

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!7

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:

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.

SCENE III.

The same. Before the Palace.

Enter Two Soldiers, to their Guard.

[Exeunt.

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?

5 Perhaps.

6 Reward.

7 Stop.

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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.

"Tis a brave army,

[Musick of Hautboys under the Stage. Peace, what noise'?

3 Sold.

And full of purpose.

4 Sold.

1 Sold.

List, list!

[blocks in formation]

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.

• Bodes.

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