Antony and Cleopatra · Act 4, Scene 4

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Enter MARK ANTONY and CLEOPATRA, CHARMIAN, and others attending
Enter MARK ANTONY and CLEOPATRA, CHARMIAN, and others attending
Mark Antony

Eros! mine armour, Eros!

Mark Antony

Eros! My armor, Eros!

Cleopatra

Sleep a little.

Cleopatra

Sleep for a bit.

Mark Antony

No, my chuck. Eros, come; mine armour, Eros!

Mark Antony

No, my dear. Eros, come here; bring my armor, Eros!

Enter EROS with armour
Enter EROS with armor
Mark Antony

Come good fellow, put mine iron on: If fortune be not ours to-day, it is Because we brave her: come.

Mark Antony

Put it on, good fellow: If luck isn’t with us today, it’s because we’re facing it head-on: come.

Cleopatra

Nay, I’ll help too. What’s this for?

Cleopatra

No, 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.

Mark Antony

Ah, leave it, leave it! You’re The one who arms my heart: no, no; this, this.

Cleopatra

Sooth, la, I’ll help: thus it must be.

Cleopatra

Truly, I’ll help: it has to be done this way.

Mark Antony

Well, well; We shall thrive now. Seest thou, my good fellow? Go put on thy defences.

Mark Antony

Well, well; We’ll succeed now. Do you see, my good fellow? Go put on your armor.

Eros

Briefly, sir.

Eros

Briefly, sir.

Cleopatra

Is not this buckled well?

Cleopatra

Isn’t this strapped on properly?

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.

Mark Antony

Perfectly, perfectly: Whoever unbuckles this before we decide To take it off for rest will face a storm. You’re fumbling, Eros; my queen is much better at this than you: hurry up. Oh love, If only you could see my battles today, and understood The true royal work! You’d see A master at it.

Enter an armed Soldier
Enter an armed Soldier
Mark Antony

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.

Mark Antony

Good morning to you; welcome: You look like someone who knows a military charge: We rise early for the work we love, And go into it with joy.

Soldier

A thousand, sir, Early though’t be, have on their riveted trim, And at the port expect you.

Soldier

A thousand, sir, Even though it’s early, they’re all suited up, And waiting for you at the port.

Shout. Trumpets flourish
Shout. Trumpets flourish
Enter Captains and Soldiers
Enter Captains and Soldiers
Captain

The morn is fair. Good morrow, general.

Captain

The morning is nice. Good morning, general.

All

Good morrow, general.

All

Good morning, 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

Mark Antony

The wind is good, lads: This morning, like the energy of a young man Who wants to make a name for himself, starts early. So, so; come on, give me that: this way; well done. Goodbye, lady, whatever happens to me: This is a soldier’s kiss: it would be shameful

Kisses her
Kisses her
Mark Antony

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.

Mark Antony

And it would be a disgrace to stop At more polite pleasantries; I’ll leave you Now, like a strong man. You who want to fight, Follow me closely; I’ll lead you to it. Goodbye.

Exeunt MARK ANTONY, EROS, Captains, and Soldiers
Exeunt MARK ANTONY, EROS, Captains, and Soldiers
Charmian

Please you, retire to your chamber.

Charmian

If you please, go back to your room.

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.

Cleopatra

Lead me. He goes off bravely. If only he and Caesar could End this great war in a one-on-one fight! Then Antony, -- but never mind -- Well, go on.

Exuent
Exeunt

End of Act 4, Scene 4

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