Enter Caesar, Agrippa, & Mecenas with his Army, Caesar reading a Letter.
Caes He calles me Boy, and chides as he had power To beate me out of Egypt. My Messenger He hath whipt with Rods, dares me to personal Combat. Caesar to Anthony: let the old Ruffian know, I haue many other wayes to dye: meane time Laugh at his Challenge
Mece. Caesar must thinke, When one so great begins to rage, hee's hunted Euen to falling. Giue him no breath, but now Make boote of his distraction: Neuer anger Made good guard for it selfe
Caes Let our best heads know, That to morrow, the last of many Battailes We meane to fight. Within our Files there are, Of those that seru'd Marke Anthony but late, Enough to fetch him in. See it done, And Feast the Army, we haue store to doo't, And they haue earn'd the waste. Poore Anthony.
Exeunt.
Enter Anthony, Cleopatra, Enobarbus, Charmian, Iras, Alexas, with others.
Ant. He will not fight with me, Domitian? Eno. No? Ant. Why should he not? Eno. He thinks, being twenty times of better fortune, He is twenty men to one
Ant. To morrow Soldier, By Sea and Land Ile fight: or I will liue, Or bathe my dying Honor in the blood Shall make it liue againe. Woo't thou fight well
Eno. Ile strike, and cry, Take all
Ant. Well said, come on: Call forth my Houshold Seruants, lets to night Enter 3 or 4 Seruitors.
Be bounteous at our Meale. Giue me thy hand, Thou hast bin rightly honest, so hast thou, Thou, and thou, and thou: you haue seru'd me well, And Kings haue beene your fellowes
Cleo. What meanes this? Eno. 'Tis one of those odde tricks which sorow shoots Out of the minde
Ant. And thou art honest too: I wish I could be made so many men, And all of you clapt vp together, in An Anthony: that I might do you seruice, So good as you haue done
Omnes. The Gods forbid
Ant. Well, my good Fellowes, wait on me to night: Scant not my Cups, and make as much of me, As when mine Empire was your Fellow too, And suffer'd my command
Cleo. What does he meane? Eno. To make his Followers weepe
Ant. Tend me to night; May be, it is the period of your duty, Haply you shall not see me more, or if, A mangled shadow. Perchance to morrow, You'l serue another Master. I looke on you, As one that takes his leaue. Mine honest Friends, I turne you not away, but like a Master Married to your good seruice, stay till death: Tend me to night two houres, I aske no more, And the Gods yeeld you for't
Eno. What meane you (Sir) To giue them this discomfort? Looke they weepe, And I an Asse, am Onyon-ey'd; for shame, Transforme vs not to women
Ant. 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 you To burne this night with Torches: Know (my hearts) I hope well of to morrow, and will leade you, Where rather Ile expect victorious life, Then death, and Honor. Let's to Supper, come, And drowne consideration.
Exeunt.
Enter a Company of Soldiours.
1.Sol. Brother, goodnight: to morrow is the day
2.Sol. It will determine one way: Fare you well. Heard you of nothing strange about the streets
1 Nothing: what newes? 2 Belike 'tis but a Rumour, good night to you
1 Well sir, good night.
They meete other Soldiers.
2 Souldiers, haue carefull Watch
1 And you: Goodnight, goodnight.
They place themselues in euery corner of the Stage.
2 Heere we: and if to morrow Our Nauie thriue, I haue an absolute hope Our Landmen will stand vp