Is, to be frighted out of fear: and in that mood,
The dove will peck the estridge; and I see still,
A diminution in our captain's brain

Restores his heart: When valour preys on reason,
It eats the sword it fights with. I will seek
Some way to leave him.

[Exit.

ACT THE FOURTH

SCENE I.

Cæsar's Camp at Alexandria.

Enter CESAR, reading a Letter; AGRIPPA, MECENAS, and others.

Cæs. He calls me boy; and chides, as he had

power

To beat me out of Egypt: my messenger

He hath whipp'd with rods; dares me to personal

combat,

Cæsar to Antony: Let the old ruffian know,
I have many other ways to die; mean time,
Laugh at his challenge.

Mec.
Cæsar must think,
When one so great begins to rage, he's hunted
Even to falling. Give him no breath, but now
Make boot of his distraction: Never anger
Made good guard for itself.

Let our best heads

Cæs. Know, that to-morrow the last of many battles We mean to fight:- · Within our files there are, Of those that serv'd Mark Antony but late,

6 Ostrich.

7 Take advantage.

Enough to fetch him in. See it be done;
And feast the army: we have store to do 't,
And they have earn'd the waste.

Poor Antony !

[Exeunt.

SCENE II.

Alexandria. A Room in the Palace.

Enter ANTONY, CLEOPATRA, ENOBARBUS, CHAR-
MIAN, IRAS, ALEXAS, and others.

Ant. He will not fight with me, Domitius.
Eno.

Ant. Why should he not?

No.

Eno. He thinks, being twenty times of better

fortune,

He is twenty men to one.

Ant.

To-morrow, soldier,

By sea and land I'll fight: or I will live,

Or bathe my dying honour in the blood

Shall make it live again. Woo't thou fight well? Eno. I'll strike; and cry, Take all.

Ant.

Well said; come on. Call forth my household servants; let 's to night

Enter Servants.

Be bounteous at our meal. Give me thy hand, Thou hast been rightly honest; so hast thou;

And thou, and thou, and thou:

serv'd me well,

-

you have

What means this?

And kings have been your fellows.

Cleo.

Eno. 'Tis one of those odd tricks, which sorrow

shoots

Out of the mind.

Ant.

[Aside.

And thou art honest too.

I wish I could be made so many men ;

And all of you clapp'd up together in
An Antony; that I might do you service,
So good as you have done.

Serv.

The gods forbid ! Ant. Well, my good fellows, wait on me to-night: Scant not my cups; and make as much of me, As when mine empire was your fellow too, And suffer'd

Cleo.

my command.

What does he mean?

Tend me to-night.

Eno. To make his followers weep.

Ant.

May be, it is the period of your duty:
Haply, you shall not see me more; or if,

A mangled shadow: perchance to-morrow
You'll serve another master.

I look on you,

As one that takes his leave. Mine honest friends,
I turn you not away; but, like a master

Married to your good service, stay till death:
Tend me to-night two hours, I ask no more,
And the gods yield you for 't!

Eno.

What mean you, sir, To give them this discomfort? Look, they weep; And I, an ass, am onion-ey'd; for shame,

Transform us not to women.

Ant.

Ho, ho, ho!

Now the witch take me, If I meant it thus!

Grace grow where those drops fall! My hearty friends,

You take me in too dolorous a sense;

I spake to you for your comfort: did desire you To burn this night with torches: Know, my hearts, I hope well of to-morrow; and will lead you, Where rather I 'll expect victorious life,

Than death and honour. Let's to supper; come, And drown consideration. [Exeunt.

& Reward.

SCENE III.

Before the Palace.

Enter Two Soldiers, to their Guard.

1 Sold. Brother, good night: to-morrow is the day.

2 Sold. It will determine one way: fare you well. Heard you of nothing strange about the streets? 1 Sold. Nothing: What news?

2 Sold.

Good night to you. 1 Sold.

2 Sold.

Belike, 'tis but a rumour:

Well, sir, good night.

Enter Two other Soldiers.

Have careful watch.

3 Sold.

Soldiers,

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.

'Tis a brave army,

[Musick of Hautboys under the Stage. Peace, what noise?

3 Sold.

And full of

purpose.

4 Sold.

1 Sold.

List, list!

1 Sold. Peace, I say.

What should this mean?

2 Sold. 'Tis the god Hercules, whom Antony

lov'd,

Now leaves him.

1 Sold.

Walk; let's see if other watchmen

Do hear what we do. [They advance to another Post. How now, masters?

2 Sold.

Sold.

How now? do you hear this?

1 Sold.

How now?

[Several speaking together. Ay; Is 't not strange ? 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.

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.

What's this for.

'Ant.

Nay, I'll help too.

Ah, let be, let be! thou art