Pom.
If the great gods be just, they shall assist
The deeds of justest men.

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

Pom.
Whiles ^note we are suitors to their throne, decays ^note
The thing we sue for. ^{note note}

Mene. ^note
We, ignorant of ourselves,
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 powers are crescent ^{note note}, and my auguring hope
Says it will come to the full. Mark Antony
In Egypt sits at dinner, and will make
No wars without doors: Cæsar gets money where
He loses hearts: Lepidus flatters both,
Of both is flatter'd, but he neither loves,

Nor either cares for him.

Men.
Cæsar and Lepidus
Are in the field: a mighty strength they carry. ^note

Pom.
Where have you this? 'tis false.

Men.
From Silvius, sir.

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

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

Pom.
I could have given less matter
A better ear. Menas, I did not think
This amorous surfeiter would have donn'd his helm
For such a petty war: his soldiership
Is twice the other twain: but let us rear
The higher our opinion, that our stirring
Can from the lap of Egypt's widow pluck

The ne'er-lust-wearied ^note Antony.

Men.
I cannot hope
Cæsar and Antony shall well greet together:
His wife that's ^note dead did trespasses to Cæsar;
His brother warr'd ^note upon him; although, I think,
Not moved 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, ^note
'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 ^note their divisions and bind up
The petty difference, we yet not know.
Be't as our gods will have't ^note! It only stands
Our lives upon to use our strongest hands.
Come, Menas. [Exeunt. ^note

Previous section

Next section