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 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^{3 note}.

Ant.
Well, well;
We shall thrive now. 11Q1130—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 couldst see my wars to-day, and knew'st
The royal occupation! thou should'st see Enter an armed Soldier.
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't with delight.

Sold.
A thousand, sir,
Early though't be, have on their riveted trim,
And at the port expect you. [Shout. Trumpets flourish. Enter Captains, and Soldiers.

Capt.
The morn is fair.—Good morrow, general^{4 note}.

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 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.

Char.
Please you, retire to your chamber.

Cleo.
Lead me.
He goes forth gallantly. That he and Cæsar might
Determine this great war in single fight!
Then, Antony,—but now,—well, on. [Exeunt.

Previous section

Next section