The Complete Works of William Shakespeare - Israel Gollancz William Shakespeare [993]
Brother, good night. To-morrow is the day.
SECOND SOLDIER.
It will determine one way. Fare you well.
Heard you of nothing strange about the streets?
FIRST SOLDIER.
Nothing. What news?
SECOND SOLDIER.
Belike 'tis but a rumour. Good night to you.
FIRST SOLDIER.
Well, sir, good night.
[They meet other soldiers]
SECOND SOLDIER.
Soldiers, have careful watch.
FIRST SOLDIER.
And you. Good night, good night.
[The two companies separate and place themselves
in every corner of the stage]
SECOND SOLDIER.
Here we. And if to-morrow
Our navy thrive, I have an absolute hope
Our landmen will stand up.
THIRD SOLDIER.
'Tis a brave army,
And full of purpose.
[Music of the hautboys is under the stage]
SECOND SOLDIER.
Peace, what noise?
THIRD SOLDIER.
List, list!
SECOND SOLDIER.
Hark!
THIRD SOLDIER.
Music i' th' air.
FOURTH SOLDIER.
Under the earth.
THIRD SOLDIER.
It signs well, does it not?
FOURTH SOLDIER.
No.
THIRD SOLDIER.
Peace, I say!
What should this mean?
SECOND SOLDIER.
'Tis the god Hercules, whom Antony lov'd,
Now leaves him.
THIRD SOLDIER.
Walk; let's see if other watchmen
Do hear what we do.
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.
Content. 'Tis strange. Exeunt
ACT_4|SC_4
SCENE IV.
Alexandria. CLEOPATRA's palace
Enter ANTONY and CLEOPATRA, CHARMIAN, IRAS,
with others
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. Dispatch. 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 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.
SOLDIER.
A thousand, sir,
Early though't be, have on their riveted trim,
And at the port expect you.
[Shout. Flourish of trumpets within]
Enter CAPTAINS and soldiers
CAPTAIN.
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.
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, CAPTAINS 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
ACT_4|SC_5
SCENE V.
Alexandria. ANTONY'S camp
Trumpets sound. 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