Act IV · Scene VIII
Under the walls of Alexandria.
Hover a speech to translate it — or press play to hear it performed.
Alarum. Enter MARK ANTONY, in a march; SCARUS, with others
MARK ANTONY
We have beat him to his camp: run one before,And let the queen know of our gests. To-morrow,Before the sun shall see 's, we'll spill the bloodThat has to-day escaped. I thank you all;For doughty-handed are you, and have foughtNot as you served the cause, but as 't had beenEach man's like mine; you have shown all Hectors.Enter the city, clip your wives, your friends,Tell them your feats; whilst they with joyful tearsWash the congealment from your wounds, and kissThe honour'd gashes whole.
To SCARUS
MARK ANTONY
Give me thy hand
Enter CLEOPATRA, attended
MARK ANTONY
To this great fairy I'll commend thy acts,Make her thanks bless thee.
To CLEOPATRA
MARK ANTONY
O thou day o' the world,Chain mine arm'd neck; leap thou, attire and all,Through proof of harness to my heart, and thereRide on the pants triumphing!
CLEOPATRA
Lord of lords!O infinite virtue, comest thou smiling fromThe world's great snare uncaught?
MARK ANTONY
My nightingale,We have beat them to their beds. What, girl!though greyDo something mingle with our younger brown, yet ha' weA brain that nourishes our nerves, and canGet goal for goal of youth. Behold this man;Commend unto his lips thy favouring hand:Kiss it, my warrior: he hath fought to-dayAs if a god, in hate of mankind, hadDestroy'd in such a shape.
CLEOPATRA
I'll give thee, friend,An armour all of gold; it was a king's.
MARK ANTONY
He has deserved it, were it carbuncledLike holy Phoebus' car. Give me thy hand:Through Alexandria make a jolly march;Bear our hack'd targets like the men that owe them:Had our great palace the capacityTo camp this host, we all would sup together,And drink carouses to the next day's fate,Which promises royal peril. Trumpeters,With brazen din blast you the city's ear;Make mingle with rattling tabourines;That heaven and earth may strike their sounds together,Applauding our approach.
Exeunt