Shakespeare's Antony and Cleopatra - strange noises and omens

Antony and Cleopatra

Please see the bottom of this page for explanatory notes and resources.

ACT IV SCENE III	The same. Before the palace.
[Enter two Soldiers to their guard]
First Soldier	Brother, good night: to-morrow is the day.
Second Soldier	It will determine one way: fare you well.
	Heard you of nothing strange about the streets?
First Soldier	Nothing. What news?
Second Soldier	Belike 'tis but a rumour. Good night to you.	5
First Soldier	Well, sir, good night.
[Enter two other Soldiers]
Second Soldier	Soldiers, have careful watch.
Third Soldier	And you. Good night, good night.
[They place themselves in every corner of the stage]
Fourth Soldier	Here we: and if to-morrow
	Our navy thrive, I have an absolute hope	10
	Our landmen will stand up.
Third Soldier	'Tis a brave army,
	And full of purpose.
[Music of the hautboys as under the stage]
Fourth Soldier	Peace! what noise?
First Soldier	List, list!	15
Second Soldier	Hark!
First Soldier	Music i' the air.
Third Soldier	Under the earth.
Fourth Soldier	It signs well, does it not?
Third Soldier	No.	20
First Soldier	Peace, I say!
	What should this mean?
Second Soldier	'Tis the god Hercules, whom Antony loved,
	Now leaves him.
First Soldier	Walk; let's see if other watchmen	25
	Do hear what we do?
[They advance to another post]
Second Soldier	How now, masters!
All	[Speaking together] How now!
	How now! do you hear this?
First Soldier	Ay; is't not strange?	30
Third Soldier	Do you hear, masters? do you hear?
First Soldier	Follow the noise so far as we have quarter;
	Let's see how it will give off.
All	Content. 'Tis strange.
[Exeunt]

Antony and Cleopatra, Act 4, Scene 4
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Explanatory Notes for Act 4, Scene 3
From Shakespeare's Antony and Cleopatra. Ed. M. Eaton. Boston: Educational Publishing Company.
(Line numbers have been altered.)
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5. Belike. Very Hkely.

10. Absolute. Certain.

* Hautboys. A wind instrument made of wood.

19. Signs. It is a good omen.

23. Hercules. A legendary Greek hero who was in later times regarded as a god.

32. Quarter. As far as the Hmits of our beat.

33. Give off. Cease.

34. Content. Very good, all right.

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How to cite the explanatory notes:
Shakespeare, William. Antony and Cleopatra. Ed. M. Eaton. Boston: Educational Publishing Company, 1908. Shakespeare Online. 20 Feb. 2010. (date when you accessed the information) < http://www.shakespeare-online.com/plays/antony_4_3.html >.

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