SEARCH TEXTS  

Plays  +  Sonnets  +  Poems  +  Concordance  +  Advanced Search  +  About OSS

Antony and Cleopatra

print/save print/save view

---
       

Act IV, Scene 4

The same. A room in the palace.

       
---

[Enter MARK ANTONY and CLEOPATRA, CHARMIAN, and] [p]others attending]

  • Antony. Eros! mine armour, Eros!
  • Antony. 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. 2625
  • Cleopatra. Nay, I'll help too.
    What's this for?
  • Antony. Ah, let be, let be! thou art
    The armourer of my heart: false, false; this, this.
  • Cleopatra. Sooth, la, I'll help: thus it must be. 2630
  • Antony. Well, well;
    We shall thrive now. Seest thou, my good fellow?
    Go put on thy defences.
  • Eros. Briefly, sir.
  • 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, 2640
    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: 2645
    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, 2650
    And at the port expect you.

[Shout. Trumpets flourish]

[Enter Captains and Soldiers]

  • Captain. The morn is fair. Good morrow, general.
  • All. Good morrow, general. 2655
  • 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: 2660
    This is a soldier's kiss: rebukeable
    [Kisses her]
    And worthy shameful cheque it were, to stand
    On more mechanic compliment; I'll leave thee
    Now, like a man of steel. You that will fight, 2665
    Follow me close; I'll bring you to't. Adieu.

[Exeunt MARK ANTONY, EROS, Captains, and Soldiers]

  • Charmian. Please you, retire to your chamber.
  • Cleopatra. Lead me.
    He goes forth gallantly. That he and Caesar might 2670
    Determine this great war in single fight!
    Then Antony,—but now—Well, on.

[Exeunt]