Page 2488 - Shakespeare - Vol. 3

From firm security.

ANTONY
I’ll fight at sea.

CLEOPATRA
I have sixty sails, Cæsar none better.

ANTONY
Our overplus of shipping will we burn, [50]
And, with the rest full-mann’d, from the head of Actium
Beat the approaching Cæsar. But if we fail,

We then can do ’t at land.

Enter a Messenger.

Thy business?

MESSENGER
The news is true, my lord, he is descried,
Cæsar has taken Toryne. [55]

ANTONY
Can he be there in person? ’Tis impossible;

Strange, that his power should be. Canidius,
Our nineteen legions thou shalt hold by land,
And our twelve thousand horse. We’ll to our ship,

Away, my Thetis!

Enter a Soldier.

How now, worthy soldier? [60]

SOLDIER
O noble emperor, do not fight by sea,
Trust not to rotten planks: do you misdoubt
This sword, and these my wounds? Let the Egyptians