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, [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? 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 Our to-morrow navy thrive, I have an absolute hope Our landmen will stand up. 'Tis a brave army, 3 Sold. And full of purpose. 4 Sold. [Musick of Hautboys under the Stage. 6 "Here did she drop a tear; here, in this place, King Richard II. 3 Sold. No. 1 Sold. Peace, I say. What should this mean? 2 Sold. 'Tis the god Hercules, whom Antony lov'd, Now leaves him3. 1 Sold. Walk; let's see if other watchmen Do hear what we do. [They advance to another Post. 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. 1 This speech is given to the first Soldier in the old copies, but it is clear from the course of the dialogue that it belongs to the fourth, as he is answered by the third soldier; they are at different posts. 2 i. e. it bodes well. 3 This is from the old translation of Plutarch :-" Within a little of midnight, when all the citie was quiet, full of feare, and sorrowe, thinking what would be the issue and end of this warre, it is saide that sodainely they heard a marvellous sweete harmonie of sundry sortes of instruments of musicke, with the cry of a multitude of people as they had beene dauncinge, and had sung as they use in Bacchus feastes, with movinges and turnings after the manner of the satyres: and it seemed that this daunce went through the city unto the gate that opened to the enemies, and that all the troupe that made this noise they heard went out of the city at that gate. Now such as in reason sought the interpretacion of this wonder, thought that it was the god unto whom Antonius bare singular devotion to counterfeate and resemble him, that did forsake them." 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, good fellow, put mine iron on :— If fortune be not ours to-day, it is Because we brave her.-Come. Cleo. What's this for? Ant. The armourer of Cleo. Sooth, la, Nay, I'll help too. Ah, let be, let be! thou art my heart-False, false; this, this. I'll help : Thus it must be2. Well, well; We shall thrive now.- -Seest thou, my good fellow? Go, put on thy defences. Eros. Cleo. Is not this buckled well? Ant. Briefly 3, sir. Rarely, rarely: He that unbuckles this, till we do please To doff't for our repose, shall bear1 a storm.- 1 It is thine in the old copies, but Antony afterward says to Eros, "Go, put on thy defences." 2 This and the two preceding speeches are printed as one in the folio, and given to Cleopatra; Hanmer made the correction. But finding Antony's name after " I'll help too," he gave the next words, "What's this for?" to Antony. 3 Briefly, that is, "quickly, sir." The old copy here again misprints hear for bear. That thou could'st see my wars to-day, and knew'st The royal occupation; thou should'st 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. Sold. A thousand, sir, Early though it be, have on their riveted trim 5, And at the port expect you. [Shout. Trumpets. Flourish. Enter Captains, and Soldiers. Capt. 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.— Lead me, Char. Please you, retire to your chamber? Cleo. He goes forth gallantly. That he and Cæsar might Determine this great war in single fight: Then, Antony,-But now,-Well, on. 5 So in King Henry V.— "The armourers accomplishing the knights, [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 Antony1! Ant. 'Would, thou and those thy scars had once prevail'd To make me fight at land! Had'st thou done so, Sold. Ant. Sold. Who's gone this morning? One ever near thee: Call for Enobarbus, He shall not hear thee; or from Cæsar's camp Say, "I am none of thine." Who? 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 :-Despatch :-Enobarbus2 ! [Exeunt. This and some subsequent speeches are given to Eros in the folios. Theobald assigned them to the soldier, at the suggestion of Thirlby. 2 So the first folio. The second: "Eros dispatch." Antony |