Original Text
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Modern Text
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Enter POMPEY,
MENECRATES, and MENAS, in warlike
manner
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POMPEY, MENECRATES,
and MENAS enter, dressed for
battle.
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POMPEY
If the great gods be just, they shall assist
The deeds of justest men.
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POMPEY
If the great gods are just, they will help the most honest
men.
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MENAS
Know, worthy
Pompey,
That what they do delay, they not deny.
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MENAS
You should know, noble Pompey, that although the gods may delay
action, that doesn’t mean they will necessarily refuse their
help.
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POMPEY
Whiles we are suitors to their throne, decays
5The thing we sue for.
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POMPEY
But while we pray and wait for that help, the cause we petition
for may be lost.
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MENAS
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.
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MENAS
Sometimes we don’t know what’s best for us and ask for things that
may harm us. In that case, the wise gods deny our prayers for our
own good.
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POMPEY
I shall do
well.
The people love me, and the sea is mine.
10My 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,
15Of both is flattered, but he neither loves,
Nor either cares for him.
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POMPEY
I’ll do well. The people are on my side, and I’m in charge of the
sea. My forces are growing, and everything I know tells me it’s all
coming together. Mark Antony is at dinner in Egypt and won’t be
going outside to make war. Caesar loses supporters wherever he
raises money. Lepidus flatters both of them, as they flatter him,
but he doesn’t love them, and they don’t love him.
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MENAS
Caesar and
Lepidus
Are in the field. A mighty strength they carry.
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MENAS
Caesar and Lepidus are organizing their military operation. They
have a massive army.
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POMPEY
Where have you this? ’Tis false.
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POMPEY
Where did you hear this? It’s not true.
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