Antony and Cleopatra - Act 4 - Scene 4

SCENE IV. The same. A room in the palace.

    Enter MARK ANTONY and CLEOPATRA, CHARMIAN, and others attending

MARK ANTONY

    Eros! mine armour, Eros!

CLEOPATRA

    Sleep a little.

MARK 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?

MARK 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.

MARK 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?

MARK 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. Trumpets flourish

    Enter Captains and Soldiers

Captain

    The morn is fair. Good morrow, general.

All

    Good morrow, general.

MARK 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

    Kisses her
    And worthy shameful cheque 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 MARK 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