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. 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:

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

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. Belike, 'tis but a rumour:

Good night to you.

1 Sold. Well, sir, good night.

Enter two other Soldiers.

2 Sold. Soldiers,

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. 'Tis a brave army,

And full of purpose.

[music of hautboys under the stage.

4 Sold. Peace, what noise?

1 Sold. List, list!

2 Sold. Hark!

1 Sold. Music i' the air.
3 Sold. Under the earth.

4 Sold. It signs well,

Does it not?

3 Sold. No.

1 Sold. 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.

2 Sold. How now, Sold. How now?

masters?

How now? do you hear this?

[they advance to another post.

1 Sold. Ay; Is 't not strange?

[several speaking together.

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.

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, my 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, 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, sir.

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.