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

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

5    Whiles we are suitors to their throne, decays
6    The thing we sue for.

7    We, ignorant of ourselves,
8    Beg often our own harms, which the wise powers
9    Deny us for our good; so find we profit
10   By losing of our prayers.

11   I shall do well:
12   The people love me, and the sea is mine;
13   My powers are crescent, and my auguring hope
14   Says it will come to the full. Mark Antony
15   In Egypt sits at dinner, and will make
16   No wars without doors: Caesar gets money where
17   He loses hearts: Lepidus flatters both,
18   Of both is flatter'd; but he neither loves,
19   Nor either cares for him.

20   Caesar and Lepidus
21   Are in the field: a mighty strength they carry.

22   Where have you this? 'tis false.

23   From Silvius, sir.

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

34   This is most certain that I shall deliver:
35   Mark Antony is every hour in Rome
36   Expected: since he went from Egypt 'tis
37   A space for further travel.

38   I could have given less matter
39   A better ear. Menas, I did not think
40   This amorous surfeiter would have donn'd his helm
41   For such a petty war: his soldiership
42   Is twice the other twain: but let us rear
43   The higher our opinion, that our stirring
44   Can from the lap of Egypt's widow pluck
45   The ne'er-lust-wearied Antony.

46   I cannot hope
47   Caesar and Antony shall well greet together:
48   His wife that's dead did trespasses to Caesar;
49   His brother warr'd upon him; although, I think,
50   Not moved by Antony.

51   I know not, Menas,
52   How lesser enmities may give way to greater.
53   Were't not that we stand up against them all,
54   'Twere pregnant they should square between
55   themselves;
56   For they have entertained cause enough
57   To draw their swords: but how the fear of us
58   May cement their divisions and bind up
59   The petty difference, we yet not know.
60   Be't as our gods will have't! It only stands
61   Our lives upon to use our strongest hands.
62   Come, Menas.