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 justest men.

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

Understand, worthy Pompey, that what they delay they do not refuse.

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

While we stand as petitioners at their throne, the very thing we ask 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 denied.

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 will do well. The people love me, and the sea is mine; my forces are growing like a crescent moon, and my prophesying hope says they will come to the full. Mark Antony is sitting at dinner in Egypt, and will fight no wars out of doors. Caesar collects money where he loses 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 in the field. They bring a powerful army with them.

Where have you this? ’Tis false.

Where did you get this? It's 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's dreaming. I know they are in Rome together, waiting for Antony. But may all the charms of love, lecherous Cleopatra, soften your faded lip! Let witchcraft join with beauty, and lust with both; tie the libertine down in a field of banquets; keep his brain clouded with fumes. Let Epicurean cooks sharpen his appetite with sauces that never sicken him, so that sleeping and eating may postpone his sense of honour right up to a Lethe-like stupor—

How now, Varrius!

What now, 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 a longer journey than that.

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 willingly to less important news.—Menas, I did not think this love-glutted man would have put on his helmet for such a small war. As a soldier he is worth twice the other two. But let us think all the more highly of ourselves, since our stirring can pluck the never-lust-tired 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 good terms. Antony's dead wife committed offences against Caesar; his brother made war on him, though I think Antony did not put him up to it.

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 don't know, Menas, how smaller quarrels may give way to greater ones. If it weren't that we are rising against all of them, it would be clear that they would quarrel among themselves, for they have received cause enough to draw their swords. But how far the fear of us may cement the splits between them and bind up the small disagreement, we don't yet know. Let it be as our gods decide! Our lives depend on it that we use our strongest hands. Come, Menas.