What should this mean?
SECOND SOLDIER.
‘Tis the god Hercules, whom Antony lov’d,
Now leaves him.
FIRST SOLDIER.
Walk; let’s see if other watchmen
Do hear what we do.
[They advance to another post.]
SECOND SOLDIER.
How now, masters!
SOLDIERS.
[Speaking together.] How now!
How now! Do you hear this?
FIRST SOLDIER.
Ay; is’t not strange?
THIRD SOLDIER.
Do you hear, masters? do you hear?
FIRST SOLDIER.
Follow the noise so far as we have quarter;
Let’s see how it will give off.
SOLDIERS.
[Speaking together.] Content. ‘Tis strange.
[Exeunt.]
SCENE IV. Alexandria. A Room in the Palace.
[Enter ANTONY and CLEOPATRA, CHARMIAN, IRAS, and others attending.]
ANTONY.
Eros! mine armour, Eros!
CLEOPATRA.
Sleep a little.
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.
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.
ANTONY.
Well, well;
We shall thrive now.—Seest thou, my good fellow?
Go put on thy defences.
EROS.
Briefly, sir.
CLEOPATRA.
Is not this buckled well?
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: despatch.—O love,
That thou couldst see my wars to-day, and knew’st
The royal occupation! Thou shouldst see
A workman in’t.—
[Enter an Officer, armed.]
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.
OFFICER.
A thousand, sir,
Early though’t be, have on their riveted trim,
And at the port expect you.
[Shout. Flourish of trumpets within.]
[Enter other Officers and Soldiers.]
SECOND OFFICER.
The morn is fair.—Good morrow, general.
ALL.
Good morrow, general.
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:
[Kisses her.]
This is a soldier’s kiss: rebukeable,
And worthy shameful check it were, to stand
On more mechanic 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.
[Exeunt ANTONY, EROS, Officers and Soldiers.]
CHARMIAN.
Please you, retire to your chamber.
CLEOPATRA.
Lead me.
He goes forth gallantly. That he and Caesar might
Determine this great war in single fight!
Then, Antony,—but now—Well, on.
[Exeunt.]
SCENE V. ANTONY’S camp near Alexandria.
[Trumpets sound within. Enter ANTONY and EROS; a SOLDIER meeting them.]
SOLDIER.
The gods make this a happy day to Antony!
ANTONY.
Would thou and those thy scars had once prevail’d
To make me fight at land!
SOLDIER.
Hadst thou done so,
The kings that have revolted, and the soldier
That has this morning left thee, would have still
Follow’d thy heels.
ANTONY.
Who’s gone this morning?
SOLDIER.
Who.
One ever near thee. Call for Enobarbus,
He shall not hear thee; or from Caesar’s camp
Say ‘I am none of thine.’
ANTONY.
What say’st thou?
SOLDIER.
Sir,
He is with Caesar.
EROS.
Sir, his chests and treasure
He has not with him.
ANTONY.
Is he gone?
SOLDIER.
Most certain.
ANTONY.
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