Pompey.
If the great Gods be just, they shall assist
The deeds of justest men.

Mene.
Know, worthy Pompey,
That what they do delay, they not deny.

Pom.
While we are suitors to their Throne, decays
The thing we sue for.

Men.
We, ignorant of our selves,(16) ^note










Beg often our own harms, which the wise Powers
Deny us for our good; so find we profit
By losing of our prayers.

Pom.
I shall do well:
The people love me, and the sea is mine;
My Pow'r's a Crescent, and my auguring hope(17) ^note




Says, it will come to th' full. Mark Antony
In Ægypt sits at dinner, and will make
No wars without doors. Cæsar gets mony, where
He loses hearts; Lepidus flatters both,
Of both is flatter'd; but he neither loves,
Nor either cares for him.

Mene.
Cæsar and Lepidus are in the field,
A mighty strength they carry.

Pom.
Where have you this? 'tis false.

Mene.
From Silvius, Sir.

Pom.
He dreams; I know, they are in Rome together,
Looking for Antony: but all the charms of love,
Salt Cleopatra, soften thy wan lip!
Let withcraft join with beauty; lust with both!
Tie up the libertine in a field of feasts,
Keep his brain fuming; Epicurean cooks,
Sharpen with cloyless sawce his appetite;
That sleep and feeding may prorogue his honour,
Even 'till a Lethe'd dulness— Enter Varrius.
How now, Varrius?

Var.
This is most certain, that I shall deliver:
Mark Antony is every hour in Rome
Expected. Since he went from Ægypt, 'tis
A space for farther travel.

Pom.
I could have given less matter
A better ear. Menas, I did not think,
This am'rous Surfeiter would have donn'd his helm
For such a petty war; his soldiership
Is twice the other twain; but let us rear(18) ^note

Can from the lap of Ægypt's widow pluck
The ne'er-lust-wearied Antony.

Men.
I cannot hope,
Cæsar and Antony shall well greet together.
His wife, who's dead, did trespasses to Cæsar;
His brother warr'd upon him, although I think,
Not mov'd by Antony.

Pom.
I know not, Menas,
How lesser enmities may give way to greater.
Were't not that we stand up against them all,
'Twere pregnant, they should square between themselves;
For they have entertained cause enough
To draw their swords; but how the fear of us
May cement their divisions, and bind up
The petty difference, we yet not know.
Be't, as our Gods will hav't! it only stands
Our lives upon, to use our strongest hands.
Come, Menas. [Exeunt.

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