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 confort: 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.

me

SCENE III.
The same. Before the Palace.

Enter Two Soldiers, to their Guard.
i 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.

Belike, 'tis but a rumour:
Good night to you.
I Sold.

Well, sir, good night.
· Enter Two other Soldiers.
2 Sold.

Soldiers, Have careful watch. 3 Sold. 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. 3 Sold.

'Tis a brave army, And full of purpose.

[Musick of Hautboys under the Stage. 4 Sold.

Peace, what noise? VOL. VII.

!

HH

1 Sold.

List, list! 2 Sold. Hark! I Sold. Musick i' the air. 3 Sold.

Under the earth. 4 Sold.

It signs well, Does't not?

3 Sold. No. i Sold.

Peace, I say. What should this · I mean?

2 Sold. 'Tis the god Hercules, whom Antony lov'd, Now leaves him.

i Sold. Walk; let's see if other watchmen Do hear what we do. [They advance to another Post. 2 Sold.

How now, masters?
Sold.

How now? How now? do you hear this?

[Several speaking together. 1 Sold.

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 Antony and CLEOPATRA; CHARMIAN, and

Oihers, attending.

Ant. Eros! inine armour, Eros!
Cleo.

Sleep a little.
Ant. No, my chuck.-Eros, come; mine armour,

Eros!

• It signs well, &c.] i. e. it is a good sign, it bodes well.

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.

Nay, I'll help too.
What's this for ?
Ant.

Ah, let be, let be! thou art
The armourer of my heart:-False, false; this, this.
Cleo. Sooth, la, I'll help: Thus it must be. .
Ant.

Well, well; We shall thrive now.-Seest thou, my good fellow? Go, put on thy defences. Eros.

Briefly, sir. 4 · Cleo. Is not this buckled well ? Ant.

Rarely, rarely: He that unbuckles this, till we do please

To doff't' for our repose, shall hear a storm.. . · Thou fumblest, Eros; and my queen's a squire , More tight at this, than thou: Despatch.O love, i That thou could'st see my wars to-day, and knew'st The royal occupation! thou should'st see

Enter an Officer, armed. A workman in't.-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 it with delight. i of

A thousand, sir, Early though it be, have on their riveted trim, And at the port expect you.

[Shout. Trumpets. Flourish,

+ Briefly, sir.] That is, quickly, si:.'
• To doff't-] To doff is to do off, to put off. - .
& More tight at this, than thou:) Tight is handy, adroit,

Enter other Officers, and Soldiers. 2 Off. The morn is fair.-Good morrow, general, All. Good morrow, general. Ant.

'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: rebukable, Kisses her. And worthy shameful check it were, to stand On more mechanick 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, Officers, and Soldiers. Char. Please you, retire to your chamber? Cleo.

Lead me. He goes forth gallantly. That he and Cæsar might Determine this great war in single fight! Then, Antony,—But now,-Well, on. [Exeunt.

SCENE V.

Antony's Camp near Alexandria.

Trumpets sound. Enter Antony and Eros; a

Soldier meeting them. Sold. The gods make this a happy day to Antony! Ant. 'Would, thou and those thy scars had once

prevail'd To make me fight at land! Sold.

Had'st thou done so, The kings that have revolted, and the soldier That has this morning left thee, would have still Follow'd thy heels.

Ant. Who's gone this morning?
Sold.

Who?
One ever near thee: Call for Enobarbus,
He shall not hear thee; or from Cæsar's camp
Say, I am none of thine.
Ant.

What say'st thou? "
Sold.

Sir,
He is with Cæsar.
Eros.

Sir, his chests and treasure
He has not with him.
Ant.

Is he gone?
Sold.

.. Most certain." Ant. Go, Eros, send his treasure after; do it; Detain no jot, I charge thee: write to him (I will subscribe) gentle adieus, and greetings: Say, that I wish he never find more cause To change a master.-0, my fortunes have : : Corrupted honest men:--Eros, despatch. [Exeunt.

(I will shojot, I charend his treasur

1 SCENE VI.

Cæsar's Camp before Alexandria.
Flourish. Enter Cæsar, with AGRIPPA, ENOBAR-

BUS, and Others.
Cæs. Go forth, Agrippa, and begin the fight:
Our will is, Antony be took alive;?

. ? Our will is, Antony be took alive ;] It is observable with what ". judgment Shakspeare draws the character of Octavius. Antony was his hero; so the other was not to shine: yet being an historical character, there was a necessity to draw him like. But the an. cient historians, his flatterers, lad delivered him down so fair, that he seems ready cut and dried for a hero. Amidst these difficulties Shakspeare has extricated himself with great address. He has ad.. mitted all those great strokes of his character as he found them, and yet has made him a very unamiable character, deceitful, meanspirited, narrow-minded, proud, and revengeful. WARBURTON,