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.

2 Sold. 'Tis the god Hercules, whom Antony lov'd,

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.

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

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.

Cleo. Is not this buckled well?

Ant.

Briefly, sir.1

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,
Thou thou could'st see my wars to-day, and knew'st
The royal occupation! thou should'st see

+ Mr. Malone omits my.

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

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

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

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.

A thousand, sir,

Early though it be, have on their riveted trim,

1 Off.

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.

Lead me.

[Exeunt ANTONY, EROS, Officers, and Soldiers. Char. Please you, retire to your chamber? Cleo. goes forth gallantly. That he and Cæsar might Determine this great war in single fight!

He

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!

Had'st thou done so,

Sold.
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?

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: - Eros, despatch. †

+"Despatch :- Enobarbus!" MALONE.

[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

Make it so known.

Cæsar, I shall. [Exit AGRIPPA.

Agr.

Cæs. The time of universal

peace

is near:

Prove this a prosperous day, the three-nook'd world

Shall bear the olive freely.

Enter a Messenger.

Mess.

Antony

Is come into the field.

Cæs.

Go, charge Agrippa

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;

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, meanWARBURTON. spirited, narrow-minded, proud, and revengeful.