Act IVScene II
Alexandria. A Room in the Palace
Enter Antony, Cleopatra, Enobarbus, Charmian, Iras, Alexas with others.
Antony
He will not fight with me, Domitius?
Enobarbus
No.
Antony
Why should he not?
Enobarbus
He thinks, being twenty times of better fortune,He is twenty men to one.
Antony
Tomorrow, soldier,By sea and land I’ll fight. Or I will live,Or bathe my dying honour in the bloodShall make it live again. Woo’t thou fight well?
Enobarbus
I’ll strike, and cry “Take all.”
Antony
Well said. Come on.Call forth my household servants. Let’s tonightBe bounteous at our meal.—
Enter Servants.
Give me thy hand.Thou has been rightly honest; so hast thou,Thou, and thou, and thou. You have served me well,And kings have been your fellows.
Cleopatra
Aside to Enobarbus.
What means this?
Enobarbus
Aside to Cleopatra.
’Tis one of those odd tricks which sorrowshootsOut of the mind.
Antony
And thou art honest too.I wish I could be made so many men,And all of you clapped up together inAn Antony, that I might do you serviceSo good as you have done.
All the Servants
The gods forbid!
Antony
Well, my good fellows, wait on me tonight.Scant not my cups, and make as much of meAs when mine empire was your fellow tooAnd suffered my command.
Cleopatra
Aside to Enobarbus.
What does he mean?
Enobarbus
Aside to Cleopatra.
To make his followers weep.
Antony
Tend me tonight;May be it is the period of your duty.Haply you shall not see me more, or if,A mangled shadow. Perchance tomorrowYou’ll serve another master. I look on youAs one that takes his leave. Mine honest friends,I turn you not away, but, like a masterMarried to your good service, stay till death.Tend me tonight two hours, I ask no more,And the gods yield you for’t!
Enobarbus
What mean you, sir,To give them this discomfort? Look, they weep,And I, an ass, am onion-eyed. For shame,Transform us not to women.
Antony
Ho, ho, ho!Now the witch take me if I meant it thus!Grace grow where those drops fall! My hearty friends,You take me in too dolorous a sense,For I spake to you for your comfort, did desire youTo burn this night with torches. Know, my hearts,I hope well of tomorrow, and will lead youWhere rather I’ll expect victorious lifeThan death and honour. Let’s to supper, come,And drown consideration.
Exeunt.