Antony and Cleopatra, Act 2, Scene 1

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

If the great gods are just, they will help the deeds of the most just men.

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

Understand, worthy Pompey, that what they put off they do not refuse.

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

While we are petitioners at their throne, the very thing we are asking for is rotting away.

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.

We, not knowing what is good for us, often beg for our own harm, which the wise powers refuse us for our own benefit; so we gain by having our prayers turned down.

I shall do well. The people love me, and the sea is mine; My powers are crescent, and my auguring hope Says it will come to th’ full. Mark Antony In Egypt sits at dinner, and will make No wars without doors. Caesar gets money where He loses hearts. Lepidus flatters both, Of both is flattered; but he neither loves Nor either cares for him.

I shall do well. The people love me, and the sea is mine; my forces are growing like a new moon, and my hopeful prophecy says they will come to the full. Mark Antony sits at dinner in Egypt, and will fight no wars out of doors. Caesar collects money where he loses people's affection. Lepidus flatters them both and is flattered by both; but he loves neither of them, and neither of them cares about him.

Caesar and Lepidus Are in the field. A mighty strength they carry.

Caesar and Lepidus are out in the field. They bring a huge force with them.

Where have you this? ’Tis false.

Where did you get this? It is false.

From Silvius, sir.

From Silvius, sir.

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

He is dreaming. I know they are in Rome together, waiting for Antony. But may every love charm there is, lustful Cleopatra, sweeten your faded lips! Let witchcraft join with beauty, and lust with both of them; tie the pleasure-seeker up in a field of banquets; keep his brain clouded with fumes. Let cooks devoted to pleasure sharpen his appetite with sauces that never satisfy, so that sleeping and eating may postpone his sense of honour right up to a forgetful stupor—

How now, Varrius!

What news, Varrius!

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 travel.

What I am about to report is absolutely certain: Mark Antony is expected in Rome at any hour. Since he left Egypt there has been time enough for an even longer journey.

I could have given less matter A better ear.—Menas, I did not think This amorous surfeiter would have donned 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 Antony.

I would have listened more gladly to less important news.—Menas, I did not think this man gorged on love-making would have put on his helmet for such a minor war. As a soldier he is worth twice the other two. But let us think the better of ourselves, that our activity can pull the never-satisfied Antony out of the lap of Egypt's widow.

I cannot hope Caesar and Antony shall well greet together. His wife that’s dead did trespasses to Caesar; His brother warred upon him, although I think, Not moved by Antony.

I cannot expect that Caesar and Antony will meet on friendly terms. Antony's wife, who is now dead, committed offences against Caesar; his brother made war on him, though I think he was not prompted to it by Antony.

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 have’t! It only stands Our lives upon to use our strongest hands. Come, Menas.

I do not know, Menas, how smaller quarrels may give way to bigger ones. If it were not that we are standing up against all of them, it would be obvious that they would be squabbling among themselves, for they have taken on grounds enough to draw their swords. But how far their fear of us may cement their divisions and patch up the small disagreement, we do not yet know. Let it be as our gods decide! Our very lives depend on our using our strongest hands. Come, Menas.