Original
Modern English
If the great gods be just, they shall assist The deeds of justest men.
If the great gods are fair, they will help The actions of the most righteous men.
Know, worthy Pompey, That what they do delay, they not deny.
Know this, noble Pompey, That what they delay, they do not deny.
Whiles we are suitors to their throne, decays The thing we sue for.
While we plead for their favor, what we want Is slipping further 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, unaware of our own needs, Often ask for things that harm us, which the wise gods Deny us for our own good; so we end up better off By not getting what we pray for.
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 the 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 flatter’d; but he neither loves, Nor either cares for him.
I’ll be fine: The people like me, and the sea is under my control; My power is growing, and my hopeful predictions Say it will reach its peak. Mark Antony Is sitting down to dinner in Egypt, and won’t fight Any wars outside: Caesar makes money where He loses support: Lepidus flatters both, And is flattered by both; but neither loves him, Nor cares about him.
Caesar and Lepidus Are in the field: a mighty strength they carry.
Caesar and Lepidus Are out in the field: they have a great army.
Where have you this? ’tis false.
Where did you hear that? It’s not true.
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 dulness!
He’s dreaming: I know they’re both in Rome right now, Looking for Antony. But let all the charms of love, And salty Cleopatra, soften your pale lips! Let witchcraft mix with beauty, and lust with both! Keep the wild man in a field of feasts, And keep his mind dizzy; let the cooks, Masters of indulgence, sharpen his appetite; So that sleep and indulgence can delay his honor Until it fades into dull forgetfulness!
How now, Varrius!
How’s it going, 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 further travel.
It’s absolutely certain that I will deliver this: Mark Antony is expected in Rome at any moment, Since he left Egypt it’s been A reasonable amount of time for more travel.
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 Can from the lap of Egypt’s widow pluck The ne’er-lust-wearied Antony.
I could have given less information And gotten a better response. Menas, I didn’t think This indulgent drunkard would put on his helmet For such a small war: his military skill Is twice as good as the other two: but let’s raise Our expectations, so that our actions Can take from the widow of Egypt The never-tiring Antony.
I cannot hope Caesar and Antony shall well greet together: His wife that’s dead did trespasses to Caesar; His brother warr’d upon him; although, I think, Not moved by Antony.
I don’t think Caesar and Antony will greet each other nicely: His wife, who’s dead, wronged Caesar; His brother fought against him; although, I think, Not because of 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 don’t know, Menas, How smaller enemies might give way to bigger ones. If it weren’t for the fact that we’re standing up against all of them, It’s obvious they’d fight each other; Because they have enough reasons To draw their swords: but how the fear of us Might fix their divisions and settle The small differences, we still don’t know. Let it be as the gods want! Our lives depend On using our strongest forces. Come on, Menas.