Page:Antony and Cleopatra (1921) Yale.djvu/29

Antony and Cleopatra, I. iv

Pawn their experience to their present pleasure,

And so rebel to judgment.

Lep. Here's more news.

Mess. Thy biddings have been done, and every hour,

Most noble Cæsar, shalt thou have report

How 'tis abroad. Pompey is strong at sea,

And it appears he is belov'd of those

That only have fear'd Cæsar; to the ports

The discontents repair, and men's reports

Give him much wrong'd.

Cæs. I should have known no less.

It hath been taught us from the primal state,

That he which is was wish'd until he were;

And the ebb'd man, ne'er lov'd till ne'er worth love,

Comes dear'd by being lack'd. This common body,

Like to a vagabond flag upon the stream,

Goes to and back, lackeying the varying tide,

To rot itself with motion.

Mess. Cæsar, I bring thee word,

Menecrates and Menas, famous pirates,

Make the sea serve them, which they ear and wound

With keels of every kind: many hot inroads

They make in Italy; the borders maritime

Lack blood to think on 't, and flush youth revolt;

No vessel can peep forth, but 'tis as soon

Taken as seen; for Pompey's name strikes more

Than could his war resisted.

Cæs. Antony,

Leave thy lascivious wassails. When thou once

 44 Comes dear'd: becomes valued

46 lackeying: following closely like a lackey

52 Lack blood: grow pale

flush: vigorous

56 wassails: revelry

