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Act 4, Scene 4

The same. A room in the palace.

Enter ANTONY and CLEOPATRA, CHARMIAN, and others attending.

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 thine 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: 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.

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, what e'er becomes of me:

This is a soldier's kiss: rebukeable Kisses her.

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.

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.