Enter Antony and Cleopatra; Charmian and others attending.



Ant. Eros! mine armour, Eros!

Cleo. Sleep a little.


Ant. 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.

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.

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 as this than thou: dispatch. O love!
That thou could'st see my wars to-day, and knew'st
The royal occupation, thou should'st see

A workman in't.

Enter an armed Soldier.



Good morrow to thee; welcome;
Thou look'st like him that knows a war-like charge:
To business that we love we rise betime,
And go to't with delight.

Sold. 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.



Capt. The morn is fair. Good morrow, general.

All. Good morrow, general.

Ant. 'T is 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.
[Kisses her.
Rebukable
And worthy shameful check 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 Antony, Eros, Captains, and Soldiers.

Char. Please you, retire to your chamber.

Cleo. 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.