Act IV, Scene iii:
Alexandria. A Room in the Palace.

[Enter ANTONY and CLEOPATRA, CHARMIAN, IRAS, and othersattending.]

ANTONY:

Eros! mine armour, Eros!

CLEOPATRA:

Sleep a little.

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?

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.

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?

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: despatch.—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 Officer, armed.]

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.

OFFICER:

A thousand, sir,

Early though't be, have on their riveted trim,

And at the port expect you.

[Shout. Flourish of trumpets within.]

[Enter other Officers and Soldiers.]

SECOND OFFICER:

The morn is fair.—Good morrow, general.

ALL:

Good morrow, general.

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:

[Kisses her.]

This is a soldier's kiss: rebukeable,

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, Officers 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.]