SOLDIER By Hercules, I think I am i’th’ right.
CANIDIUS Soldier, thou art; but his whole action grows
Not in the power on’t. So our leader’s led,
And we are women’s men.
SOLDIER You keep by land
The legions and the horse whole, do you not?
CANIDIUS Marcus Octavius, Marcus Justeius,
Publicola, and Caelius are for sea,
But we keep whole by land. This speed of Caesar’s
Carries beyond belief.
SOLDIER While he was yet in Rome
His power went out in such distractions
As beguiled all spies.
CANIDIUS Who’s his lieutenant, hear you?
SOLDIER They say, one Taurus.
CANIDIUS Well I know the man.
Enter a Messenger
MESSENGER The Emperor calls Canidius.
CANIDIUS With news the time’s in labour, and throws forth
Each minute some.
Exeunt (3.7.67-81)
The soldier is, understandably, nonplussed as well as put out. That’s it? Antony the great general isn’t even going to listen to his well-informed and principled objections to fighting at sea? By Hercules, I think I am i’th’ right. Surely! by the soldier’s god. Soldier, thou art, absolutely, confirms Canidius. But his whole action grows not in the power on’t. Antony seems utterly determined to base his entire strategy on things he hasn’t got, rather than playing to his strengths; it’s perverse. And the reason? Our leader’s led, and we are women’s men. It’s Cleopatra’s fault, she’s got him wrapped around her little finger! That seems so undeniable, and yet so impossible to contest, that there’s no response, although the soldier might be taken aback at Canidius’s daring in articulating it. So instead there’s the opportunity for a brief strategic update: if Antony won’t lead properly, if he’s determined to make all the wrong decisions, then at least Canidius can be relied on. The soldier wants to know, first, what the strength and nature of the troops remaining on land will be: you keep by land the legions and the horse whole, do you not? There will be plenty of inventory and cavalry, you’re not breaking up their divisions? Yes, absolutely, Canidius confirms, and he can name the captains who are for sea. We keep whole by land, though. And it’s just as well, because this speed of Caesar’s carries beyond belief. The pace and reach of his advance is terrifying. Oh, he’s canny as well as formidable, the soldier agrees. While he was yet in Rome, his power went out in such distractions as beguiled all spies. He laid a false trail even before he left Rome at the beginning of this campaign, sending out his troops in little groups, small divisions, making it all look unfocused and disparate. It fooled us; our intel couldn’t pick up his intentions, this formidable, high-speed, targeted expedition that he’s launched at us. We’ve been caught on the back foot. And who’s his lieutenant, Caesar’s second in command? Have you heard? The soldier can supply that: they say, one Taurus. More bad news, probably: well I know the man, says Canidius. And then yet another, final messenger arrives, from Antony: the Emperor calls Canidius. With news the time’s in labour, and throws forth each minute some. Messenger after messenger, delivery after delivery, time popping out baby after baby—and labour’s the key here, travail, the work and pain of birth, and its uncertainty. An uneasy metaphor on the brink of a battle. And that’s the end of the scene.