Page 2487 - Shakespeare - Vol. 3

By sea, what else?

CANIDIUS
Why will my lord do so?

ANTONY
For that he dares us to’t.

ENOBARBUS
So hath my lord dar’d him to single fight. [30]

CANIDIUS
Ay, and to wage this battle at Pharsalia,
Where Cæsar fought with Pompey. But these offers,

Which serve not for his vantage, he shakes off,
And so should you.

ENOBARBUS
Your ships are not well mann’d,
Your mariners are muleters, reapers, people [35]

Ingross’d by swift impress. In Cæsar’s fleet
Are those that often have ’gainst Pompey fought,
Their ships are yare, yours heavy; no disgrace
Shall fall you for refusing him at sea,
Being prepar’d for land.

ANTONY
By sea, by sea. [40]

ENOBARBUS
Most worthy sir, you therein throw away
The absolute soldiership you have by land,
Distract your army, which doth most consist

Of war-mark’d footmen, leave unexecuted
Your own renowned knowledge, quite forgo [45]
The way which promises assurance, and
Give up yourself merely to chance and hazard,