 | Antony and Cleopatra |  |
SCENE I.
Alexas, Charmian, Iras, and other Egyptians.Alexas.
O, they went gallantly forth, gay
as the May-bird! every vessel
trimm'd, as to a bridal!—There can be no doubt
of their success.
Charm.
We may to play, then, Alexas. Where
is this Soothsayer, that—
Enobarbus enters.
Enob.
Away with your fooleries!—O, curse
ye, curse ye all!—Sink Egypt, ne'er to rise!
Alexas.
Why, what's the bustle?
Enob.
Mine eyes are blasted! From the Pharos,
I saw it all.—Ye gods and goddesses, even the
whole synod of ye!—
Alexas.
How goes the fight?
Enob.
The fight?—No fight!—Naught, naught, all naught.
Scarce had the lines engaged, and, on my soul,
With vantage for the dotard Antony,
390
With all her hundred, vilely turn'd the rudder.
The hag of Egypt,
Whom leprosy o'ertake! i' the midst of fight,
Like to a cow in June, the breeze upon her,
Hoists sail, and flies!
Alexas.
What, did all Egypt fly?
Enob.
All Egypt?—Ay!
Twelve plagues on Egypt!—That is not the worst on't.
But, soon as your—what shall I call her?—turn'd her tail,
The noble ruin of her magic, Antony,
Claps on his sea-wing, like a doating mallard,
Leaves the whole fight at height, the world for lost,
And so flies after—Never did I see
An action of such shame!
Experience, manhood, honour, ne'er before
Did violate so itself.
Alexas.
Here comes the emperor.
Enob.
O, look, look!
How he is sunk with shame, a heavier weight
Than that which presses Atlas!—Keep, keep from him!
Go!—
[Exit, driving the others out.
| Antony and Cleopatra | |