Antony and Cleopatra

Act 4, Scene 5

Trumpets sound. Enter ANTONY and EROS, and a SOLDIER meeting them

Trumpets sound. ANTONY and EROS enter and are met by a SOLDIER entering from another direction.

SOLDIER

The gods make this a happy day to Antony!

SOLDIER

May the gods bless Antony today!

ANTONY

Would thou and those thy scars had once prevailed

To make me fight at land!

ANTONY

I wish you and your scarred self had convinced me to wage our last battle on land.

SOLDIER

Hadst thou done so,

The kings that have revolted, and the soldier

That has this morning left thee, would have still

Followed thy heels.

SOLDIER

If you had, the kings that have revolted and the soldier that deserted this morning would still be behind you.

ANTONY

Who’s gone this morning?

ANTONY

Who deserted this morning?

SOLDIER

Who?

One ever near thee. Call for Enobarbus

He shall not hear thee, or from Caesar’s camp

Say “I am none of thine.”

SOLDIER

You don’t know? Someone who was always near you. If you call for Enobarbus, he won’t hear you. Or if he can hear you from Caesar’s camp, he’ll reply, “I’m no longer on your side.”

ANTONY

What sayest thou?

ANTONY

What are you saying?

SOLDIER

Sir, He is with Caesar.

SOLDIER

Sir, he’s with Caesar.

EROS

Sir, his chests and treasure He has not with him.

EROS

Sir, he left his belongings and treasure.

ANTONY

Is he gone?

ANTONY

He’s gone?

SOLDIER

Most certain.

SOLDIER

It’s certain.

ANTONY

Go, Eros, send his treasure after. Do it.

Detain no jot, I charge thee. Write to him—

I will subscribe—gentle adieus and greetings.

Say that I wish he never find more cause

To change a master. Oh, my fortunes have

Corrupted honest men! Dispatch.—Enobarbus!

ANTONY

Eros, send his treasure to him. Do it now. Don’t keep anything back, I insist. Write to him from me—I’ll sign it—sending greetings and gentle good-byes. Say that I hope he never has cause to look for a new master. Oh, my bad luck has forced honest men to become traitors. Hurry. Enobarbus!

Exeunt

They exit.