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. How now, masters?

2 Sold. Sold.

How now? do you hear this?

1 Sold.

How now?

[Several 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't 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!

' It signs well, &c.] i. e. it is a good sign, it bodes well.

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.

What's this for?

Ant.

Nay, I'll help too.

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.— Thou fumblest, Eros; and my queen's a squire More tight at this, than thou: Despatch.-O love, That thou could'st see my wars to-day, and knew'st The royal occupation! thou should'st see

Enter an Officer, armed.

A workman in't.-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 it with delight.

1 Off.

A thousand, sir,

Early though it be, have on their riveted trim,
And at the port expect you.

[Shout.

Trumpets. Flourish.

4 Briefly, sir.] That is, quickly, sir.

To doff't-] To doff is to do off, to put off.

• More tight at this, than thou:] Tight is handy, adroit.

Enter other Officers, and Soldiers.

2 Off. The morn is fair.-Good morrow, general. All. Good morrow, general.

Ant. '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: rebukable, [Kisses her.
And worthy shameful check it were, to stand
On more mechanick 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.

He

[Exeunt ANTONY, EROS, Officers, and Soldiers. Char. Please you, retire to your chamber? Cleo. Lead me.

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

Then, Antony,-But now,-Well, on. [Exeunt.

SCENE V.

Antony's Camp near Alexandria.

Trumpets sound. Enter ANTONY and EROS; a Soldier meeting them.

Sold. The gods make this a happy day to Antony! Ant. 'Would, thou and those thy scars had once prevail'd

To make me fight at land!

Sold.

Had'st thou done so,

The kings that have revolted, and the soldier That has this morning left thee, would have still Follow'd thy heels.

Ant.

Sold.

Who's gone

this morning?

Who?

One ever near thee: Call for Enobarbus,

He shall not hear thee; or from Cæsar's camp

Say, I am none of thine.

Ant. 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:-Eros, despatch. [Exeunt.

SCENE VI.

Cæsar's Camp before Alexandria.

Flourish. Enter CESAR, with AGRIPPA, ENOBARBUS, and Others.

Cæs. Go forth, Agrippa, and begin the fight: Our will is, Antony be took alive;7

7 Our will is, Antony be took alive;] It is observable with what judgment Shakspeare draws the character of Octavius. Antony was his hero; so the other was not to shine: yet being an historical character, there was a necessity to draw him like. But the ancient historians, his flatterers, had delivered him down so fair, that he seems ready cut and dried for a hero. Amidst these difficulties Shakspeare has extricated himself with great address. He has admitted all those great strokes of his character as he found them, and yet has made him a very unamiable character, deceitful, meanspirited, narrow-minded, proud, and revengeful. WARBURTON.

Make it so known.

Agr.

Cæsar, I shall. [Exit AGRIPPA.

Cæs. The time of universal peace is near:

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

Plant those that have revolted in the van,
That Antony may seem to spend his fury
Upon himself. [Exeunt CESAR and his Train.
Eno. Alexas did revolt; and went to Jewry,
On affairs of Antony; there did persuade
Great Herod to incline himself to Cæsar,
And leave his master Antony: for this pains,
Cæsar 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.

Sold.

Enter a Soldier of Cæsar's.

Enobarbus, 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.

Eno. I give it you.

Sold. Mock me not, Enobarbus. I tell you true: Best that 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 Soldier. Eno. I am alone the villain of the earth,