Antony and Cleopatra: Act 4, Scene 4

    tragedy

    The same. A room in the palace.

    Scene Summary

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    Antony is armed for battle by Cleopatra and Eros. He is in good spirits and the scene is warm and intimate.

    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