Act IV, Scene 4

The same. A room in the palace

[Enter MARK ANTONY and CLEOPATRA, CHARMIAN, and others attending]

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. Trumpets flourish]

[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

[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]