Page:Antony and Cleopatra (1921) Yale.djvu/35

Antony and Cleopatra, II. i

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.

Pom. Where have you this? 'tis false.

Men. From Silvius, sir.

Pom. He dreams; I know they are in Rome together,

Looking for Antony. But all the charms of love,

Salt Cleopatra, soften thy wan'd 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 dulness!

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 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

 21 Salt: wanton

wan'd: withered

26 prorogue: defer; cf. n.

36 opinion: self-esteem

