Anthony and Cleopatra (Folio 1, 1623)
Not Peer Reviewed
Anthony and Cleopatra.
_359
¶Omnes. The Gods 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,
2440And 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,
¶A mangled shadow. Perchance to morrow,
¶As one that takes his leaue. Mine honest Friends,
¶I turne you not away, but like a Master
¶Tend me to night two houres, I aske no more,
¶And the Gods yeeld you for't.
¶Eno. What meane you (Sir)
¶To giue them this discomfort? Looke they weepe,
¶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)
¶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,
2465Then 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.
¶2 Belike 'tis but a Rumour, good night to you.
¶
They meete other Soldiers._
24752 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
2480Our Landmen will stand vp.
¶
Musicke of the Hoboyes is vnder the Stage.
24852 Hearke.
¶3 Vnder the earth.
¶3 No.
¶2 'Tis the God Hercules, whom Anthony loued,
¶Now leaues him.
¶Do heare what we do?
¶Omnes. How now? how now? do you heare this?
2500Let's see how it will giue off.
¶
Enter Anthony and Cleopatra, with others.
¶Cleo. Sleepe a little.
2505Ant. 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.
2510Cleo. Nay, Ile helpe too, Anthony.
¶What's this for? Ah let be, let be, thou art
¶Sooth-law Ile helpe: Thus it must bee.
2515Seest 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
¶Thou fumblest Eros, and my Queenes a Squire
¶More tight at this, then thou: Dispatch. O Loue,
2525A Workeman in't.
¶
Enter an Armed Soldier.
¶Good morrow to thee, welcome,
¶Thou look'st like him that knowes a warlike Charge:
2530And go too't with delight.
¶Riueted trim, and at the Port expect you.
Showt.
¶
Trumpets Flourish.
¶
Enter Captaines, and Souldiers.
2535Alex. The Morne is faire: Good morrow Generall.
¶All. Good morrow Generall.
¶Ant. 'Tis well blowne Lads.
¶This Morning, like the spirit of a youth
¶That meanes to be of note, begins betimes.
¶Fare thee well Dame, what ere becomes of me,
¶On more Mechanicke Complement, Ile leaue thee.
2545Now like a man of Steele, you that will fight,
¶Follow me close, Ile bring you too't: Adieu.
Exeunt.
¶Cleo. Lead me:
¶He goes forth gallantly: That he and Caesar might
2550Determine this great Warre in single fight;
¶Then Anthony; but now. Well on.
Exeunt
¶
Trumpets sound._ Enter Anthony, and Eros.
¶Eros. The Gods make this a happy day to Anthony.
2555To make me fight at Land.
¶The Kings that haue reuolted, and the Soldier
¶That has this morning left thee, would haue still
¶Followed thy heeles.
¶Eros. Who? one euer neere thee, call for Enobarbus,
Hee
