Act IV, Scene 4

The same. A room in the palace.

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

• Antony. Eros! mine armour, Eros!

• Cleopatra. Sleep a little. 2620

• 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. 2625

• 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. 2630

• 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? 2635

• 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, 2640
  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: 2645
  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, 2650
  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. 2655

• 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: 2660
  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, 2665
  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 2670
  Determine this great war in single fight!
  Then Antony,—but now—Well, on.

[Exeunt]