Antony and Cleopatra Part 18

Omnes. The G.o.ds forbid

Ant. Well, my good Fellowes, 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 my command

Cleo. What does he meane?

Eno. To make his Followers weepe

Ant. Tend me to night; 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'l serue another Master. I looke on you, As one that takes his leaue. Mine honest Friends, I turne you not away, but like a Master Married to your good seruice, stay till death: Tend me to night two houres, I aske no more, And the G.o.ds yeeld you for't

Eno. What meane you (Sir) To giue them this discomfort? Looke they weepe, And I an a.s.se, am Onyon-ey'd; for shame, Transforme vs 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, For I spake to you for your comfort, did desire you To burne this night with Torches: Know (my hearts) I hope well of to morrow, and will leade you, Where rather Ile expect victorious life, Then death, and Honor. Let's to Supper, come, And drowne consideration.

Exeunt.

Enter a Company of Soldiours.

1.Sol. Brother, goodnight: to morrow is the day

2.Sol. It will determine one way: Fare you well.

Heard you of nothing strange about the streets

1 Nothing: what newes?

2 Belike 'tis but a Rumour, good night to you

1 Well sir, good night.

They meete other Soldiers.

2 Souldiers, haue carefull Watch

1 And you: Goodnight, goodnight.

They place themselues in euery corner of the Stage.

2 Heere we: and if to morrow Our Nauie thriue, I haue an absolute hope Our Landmen will stand vp

1 'Tis a braue Army, and full of purpose.

Musicke of the Hoboyes is vnder the Stage.

2 Peace, what noise?

1 List, list

2 Hearke

1 Musicke i'th' Ayre

3 Vnder the earth

4 It signes well, do's it not?

3 No

1 Peace I say: What should this meane?

2 'Tis the G.o.d Hercules, whom Anthony loued, Now leaues him

1 Walke, let's see if other Watchmen Do heare what we do?

2 How now Maisters?

Speak together.

Omnes. How now? how now? do you heare this?

1 I, is't not strange?

3 Do you heare Masters? Do you heare?

1 Follow the noyse so farre as we haue quarter.

Let's see how it will giue off

Omnes. Content: 'Tis strange.

Exeunt.

Enter Anthony and Cleopatra, with others.

Ant. Eros, mine Armour Eros

Cleo. Sleepe a little

Ant. No my Chucke. Eros, come mine Armor Eros.

Enter Eros.

Come good Fellow, put thine Iron on, If Fortune be not ours to day, it is Because we braue her. Come

Cleo. Nay, Ile helpe too, Anthony.

What's this for? Ah let be, let be, thou art The Armourer of my heart: False, false: This, this, Sooth-law Ile helpe: Thus it must bee

Ant. Well, well, we shall thriue now.

Seest thou my good Fellow. Go, put on thy defences

Eros. Briefely Sir

Cleo. Is not this buckled well?

Ant. Rarely, rarely: He that vnbuckles this, till we do please To daft for our Repose, shall heare a storme.

Thou fumblest Eros, and my Queenes a Squire More tight at this, then thou: Dispatch. O Loue, That thou couldst see my Warres to day, and knew'st The Royall Occupation, thou should'st see A Workeman in't.

Enter an Armed Soldier.

Good morrow to thee, welcome, Thou look'st like him that knowes a warlike Charge: To businesse that we loue, we rise betime, And go too't with delight

Soul. A thousand Sir, early though't be, haue on their Riueted trim, and at the Port expect you.