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Flourish. Enter POMPEY and MENAS at one door, with drum and trumpet; at another CAESAR , LEPIDUS , ANTONY , ENOBARBUS , MAECENAS , and AGRIPPA , with soldiers marching
A trumpet fanfare sounds. POMPEY and MENAS enter through one stage door to the music of a drum and a trumpet. CAESAR , LEPIDUS , ANTONY , ENOBARBUS , MAECENAS , and AGRIPPA enter through another door, followed by soldiers.

POMPEY

Your hostages I have, so have you mine,
And we shall talk before we fight.

POMPEY

CAESAR

Most meet
That first we come to words, and therefore have we
Our written purposes before us sent,
5 Which, if thou hast considered, let us know
If ’twill tie up thy discontented sword
And carry back to Sicily much tall youth
That else must perish here.

CAESAR

It’s proper that we speak first, which is why we sent our proposals ahead of us for your consideration. If you’ve had time to think over these points, let us know whether they will relieve your frustration. If yes, then a lot of brave young men can return to Sicily who would otherwise die here.

POMPEY

To you all three,
The senators alone of this great world,
10 Chief factors for the gods: I do not know
Wherefore my father should revengers want,
Having a son and friends, since Julius Caesar,
Who at Philippi the good Brutus ghosted,
There saw you laboring for him. What was ’t
15 That moved pale Cassius to conspire? And what
Made the all-honored, honest Roman Brutus,
With the armed rest, courtiers of beauteous freedom,
To drench the Capitol, but that they would
Have one man but a man? And that is it
20 Hath made me rig my navy, at whose burden
The angered ocean foams, with which I meant
To scourge th’ ingratitude that despiteful Rome
Cast on my noble father.

POMPEY

I address the three of you, the sole rulers of this world and the main arbiters of the gods’ will. I don’t know why my father’s death shouldn’t be avenged, since he has a son and friends to do it. You avenged Julius Caesar’s death at Philippi, where his ghost haunted his killer, Brutus. Why did Cassius conspire against Caesar? And why did the honorable, well-intentioned Brutus and the others, men devoted to the ideal of freedom, assassinate Caesar? They didn’t want one man to be king in Rome.
And that’s why I’ve built my navy, which is so huge that the weight of the ships makes the sea foam with anger. I will punish Rome for her ingratitude toward my noble father.

CAESAR

Take your time.

CAESAR

Take your time.

ANTONY

Thou canst not fear us, Pompey, with thy sails.
We’ll speak with thee at sea. At land, thou know’st
How much we do o’ercount thee.

ANTONY

Pompey, you cannot frighten us with your navy. We’ll meet you at sea. You know that on land our army is far greater than yours.

POMPEY

At land indeed
Thou dost o’ercount me of my father’s house,
But since the cuckoo builds not for himself,
Remain in ’t as thou mayst.

POMPEY

Yes, on land you do outnumber me. Even more since you annexed my father’s house and lands. But since,

like the cuckoo

Cuckoo birds lay their eggs in other birds’ nests.

like the cuckoo
, you don’t build anything for yourself, live in those lands as long as you can.

LEPIDUS

Be pleased to tell us—
30 For this is from the present—how you take
The offers we have sent you.

LEPIDUS

To get back to the matter at hand, what do you think of our proposal?

CAESAR

There’s the point.

CAESAR

That’s the point.

ANTONY

Which do not be entreated to, but weigh
What it is worth embraced.

ANTONY

Don’t let us talk you into anything, but consider carefully the value of our offers.

CAESAR

And what may follow,
To try a larger fortune.

CAESAR

And consider the possible consequences of fighting against us, in the hopes of gaining a greater fortune.

POMPEY

You have made me offer
35 Of Sicily, Sardinia. And I must
Rid all the sea of pirates, then, to send
Measures of wheat to Rome. This ’greed upon
To part with unhacked edges and bear back
Our targes undinted.

POMPEY

You have offered me the lands of Sicily and Sardinia. In return, I must clear the sea of pirates and send tributes of wheat to Rome. If I agree to this, we may leave unharmed, with our shields undented.

CAESAR, ANTONY, LEPIDUS

That’s our offer.

CAESAR, ANTONY, AND LEPIDUS

That’s our offer.

POMPEY

Know then
40 I came before you here a man prepared
To take this offer, but Mark Antony
Put me to some impatience. (to ANTONY)—Though I lose
The praise of it by telling, you must know,
When Caesar and your brother were at blows,
45 Your mother came to Sicily and did find
Her welcome friendly.

POMPEY

You should know that when I came here I was prepared to accept your offer. But Mark Antony made me somewhat angry. (to ANTONY) Though it would be nobler to for me not to speak of this good act myself, you should know that when Caesar and your brother were fighting, your mother came to Sicily for refuge. I welcomed her gladly.

ANTONY

          (to POMPEY)        I have heard it, Pompey,
And am well studied for a liberal thanks
Which I do owe you.

ANTONY

(to POMPEY) I heard what you did for her, Pompey, and want to give you the many thanks I owe you.

POMPEY

Let me have your hand.

POMPEY

Let me shake your hand.
They clasp hands
They shake hands.
I did not think, sir, to have met you here.
I didn’t think I would see you here.

ANTONY

The beds i’ th’ East are soft, and thanks to you,
That called me timelier than my purpose hither,
For I have gained by ’t.

ANTONY

The East is very seductive. I have you to thank for my trip here; I wouldn’t have left Egypt otherwise, and I have benefited from it.

CAESAR

          (to POMPEY)          Since I saw you last
There’s a change upon you.

CAESAR

(to POMPEY) You’ve changed since the last time I saw you.

POMPEY

Well, I know not
What counts harsh Fortune casts upon my face,
55 But in my bosom shall she never come
To make my heart her vassal.

POMPEY

Well, I cannot tell how my difficult life has weathered my face, but I will never let those difficulties subdue my courage.

LEPIDUS

Well met here.

LEPIDUS

It’s good we had this meeting.

POMPEY

I hope so, Lepidus. Thus we are agreed.
I crave our composition may be written
And sealed between us.

POMPEY

I hope it works out for the best, Lepidus. So we are in agreement. Please have the contract written up so we can all sign it.

CAESAR

That’s the next to do.

CAESAR

That’s the next thing on the agenda.

POMPEY

60 We’ll feast each other ere we part, and let’s
Draw lots who shall begin.

POMPEY

We’ll have celebration feasts for each other before we go our separate ways. Let’s draw lots to see who will host the first one.

ANTONY

That will I, Pompey.

ANTONY

I’ll give the first one, Pompey.

POMPEY

No, Antony, take the lot. But, first or last,
Your fine Egyptian cookery shall have
The fame. I have heard that Julius Caesar
65 Grew fat with feasting there.

POMPEY

No, Antony. Pick one of these lots. Whether your banquet is first or last, your Egyptian cooking will make it the best. I heard that Julius Caesar got fat from all the feasting there.

ANTONY

You have heard much.

ANTONY

You’ve heard a lot.

POMPEY

I have fair meanings, sir.

POMPEY

I mean well, sir.

ANTONY

And fair words to them.

ANTONY

I’m sure you do.

POMPEY

Then so much have I heard.
70 And I have heard Apollodorus carried—

POMPEY

I’ve heard a lot more. I heard that Apollodorus carried—

ENOBARBUS

(interrupting POMPEY) No more of that. He did so.

ENOBARBUS

(interrupting POMPEY) That’s enough of that. Yes, it’s true.

POMPEY

What, I pray you?

POMPEY

What did he carry, please?

ENOBARBUS

A certain queen to Caesar in a mattress.

ENOBARBUS

POMPEY

I know thee now. How far’st thou, soldier?

POMPEY

Now I know who you are. How are you, soldier?

ENOBARBUS

Well,
And well am like to do, for I perceive,
75 Four feasts are toward.

ENOBARBUS

I’m well, and probably will be for a while, as I hear that four feasts are being prepared.

POMPEY

Let me shake thy hand.
I never hated thee. I have seen thee fight
When I have envied thy behavior.

POMPEY

Let me shake your hand. I’ve never been your enemy. I’ve seen you fight and envied your skill.

ENOBARBUS

Sir,
I never loved you much, but I ha’ praised ye
When you have well deserved ten times as much
80 As I have said you did.

ENOBARBUS

Sir, I wouldn’t say I was your friend, but I’ve praised you when you deserved ten times more praise than I gave.

POMPEY

Enjoy thy plainness.
It nothing ill becomes thee.—
Aboard my galley I invite you all.
Will you lead, lords?

POMPEY

Enjoy your frankness; it suits you. I invite you all aboard my ship. After you, my lords?

CAESAR, ANTONY, LEPIDUS

Show ’s the way, sir.

CAESAR, ANTONY, AND LEPIDUS

Show us the way, sir.

POMPEY

Come.

POMPEY

Come with me.
Exeunt all but ENOBARBUS and MENAS Everyone exits except for ENOBARBUS and MENAS .

MENAS

(aside) Thy father, Pompey, would ne’er have made this
treaty. (to ENOBARBUS) You and I have known, sir.

MENAS

(to himself) Your father would never have agreed to this treaty, Pompey. (to ENOBARBUS) You and I have met, sir.

ENOBARBUS

At sea, I think.

ENOBARBUS

I think it was at sea.

MENAS

We have, sir.

MENAS

That it was, sir.

ENOBARBUS

You have done well by water.

ENOBARBUS

You’ve done well at sea.

MENAS

And you by land.

MENAS

And you’ve done well on land.

ENOBARBUS

I will praise any man that will praise me, though it cannot be denied what I have done by land.

ENOBARBUS

I’ll flatter anyone who flatters me—though what I’ve accomplished on land cannot be denied.

MENAS

Nor what I have done by water.

MENAS

Neither can my accomplishments at sea.

ENOBARBUS

Yes, something you can deny for your own safety: you have been a great thief by sea.

ENOBARBUS

Yes, for your own safety, you should deny one thing: you have been a great thief at sea.

MENAS

95 And you by land.

MENAS

As you were on land.

ENOBARBUS

There I deny my land service. But give me your hand, Menas.

ENOBARBUS

That’s the one part of my service on land I do deny. But let’s shake hands, Menas.
They clasp hands
They shake.
If our eyes had authority, here they might take two thieves kissing.
If our eyes were policemen, they might capture two thieves at once while we’re embracing.

MENAS

All men’s faces are true, whatsome’er their hands are.

MENAS

Men’s faces are truthful, whatever their hands do.

ENOBARBUS

But there is never a fair woman has a true face.

ENOBARBUS

But no beautiful woman has an honest face.

MENAS

No slander. They steal hearts.

MENAS

That’s no lie. They steal hearts.

ENOBARBUS

We came hither to fight with you.

ENOBARBUS

We came here to fight against you.

MENAS

For my part, I am sorry it is turned to a drinking. Pompey doth this day laugh away his fortune.

MENAS

For my part, I’m sorry this battle turned into a drinking match. Today Pompey laughs away his fortune.

ENOBARBUS

105 If he do, sure he cannot weep ’t back again.

ENOBARBUS

If that’s true, he won’t get it back by crying.

MENAS

You’ve said, sir. We looked not for Mark Antony here. Pray you, is he married to Cleopatra?

MENAS

That’s the truth, sir. We didn’t expect Mark Antony to be here. Is he married to Cleopatra?

ENOBARBUS

Caesar’s sister is called Octavia.

ENOBARBUS

Caesar’s sister is named Octavia.

MENAS

True, sir. She was the wife of Caius Marcellus.

MENAS

That’s true, sir. She was previously Caius Marcellus’ wife.

ENOBARBUS

110 But she is now the wife of Marcus Antonius.

ENOBARBUS

But she is now Mark Antony’s wife.

MENAS

Pray ye, sir?

MENAS

Excuse me, sir?

ENOBARBUS

’Tis true.

ENOBARBUS

It’s true.

MENAS

Then is Caesar and he forever knit together.

MENAS

Then Caesar and he will always be united.

ENOBARBUS

If I were bound to divine of this unity, I would not prophesy so.

ENOBARBUS

If I were to make a prediction regarding this union, I wouldn’t say that.

MENAS

I think the policy of that purpose made more in the marriage than the love of the parties.

MENAS

I think the marriage was made more for political reasons than for love.

ENOBARBUS

I think so too. But you shall find the band that seems to tie their friendship together will be the very strangler of their amity. Octavia is of a holy, cold, and still conversation.

ENOBARBUS

I think so too. But you’ll see that the very thing that joins them will be the thing that separates them. Octavia has a pious, chaste, meek disposition.

MENAS

Who would not have his wife so?

MENAS

Doesn’t everyone want a wife like that?

ENOBARBUS

Not he that himself is not so, which is Mark Antony. He will to his Egyptian dish again. Then shall the sighs of Octavia blow the fire up in Caesar, and, as I said before, that which is the strength of their amity shall prove the immediate author of their variance. Antony will use his affection where it is. He married but his occasion here.

ENOBARBUS

Not someone who doesn’t share that disposition, meaning Mark Antony. He’ll go back to his Egyptian dish. Then Octavia’s complaints will rouse Caesar, and as I said before, the thing that brought them together will part them. Antony will go where his passion is. He only married out of political necessity.

MENAS

And thus it may be. Come, sir, will you aboard? I have a health for you.

MENAS

Then that’s the way it may turn out. Come on, sir, will you come aboard? I want to drink your health.

ENOBARBUS

I shall take it, sir. We have used our throats in Egypt.

ENOBARBUS

I’ll join you, sir. We did a lot of drinking in Egypt.

MENAS

Come, let’s away.

MENAS

Let’s go.
Exeunt They exit.

Original Text

Modern Text

Flourish. Enter POMPEY and MENAS at one door, with drum and trumpet; at another CAESAR , LEPIDUS , ANTONY , ENOBARBUS , MAECENAS , and AGRIPPA , with soldiers marching
A trumpet fanfare sounds. POMPEY and MENAS enter through one stage door to the music of a drum and a trumpet. CAESAR , LEPIDUS , ANTONY , ENOBARBUS , MAECENAS , and AGRIPPA enter through another door, followed by soldiers.

POMPEY

Your hostages I have, so have you mine,
And we shall talk before we fight.

POMPEY

CAESAR

Most meet
That first we come to words, and therefore have we
Our written purposes before us sent,
5 Which, if thou hast considered, let us know
If ’twill tie up thy discontented sword
And carry back to Sicily much tall youth
That else must perish here.

CAESAR

It’s proper that we speak first, which is why we sent our proposals ahead of us for your consideration. If you’ve had time to think over these points, let us know whether they will relieve your frustration. If yes, then a lot of brave young men can return to Sicily who would otherwise die here.

POMPEY

To you all three,
The senators alone of this great world,
10 Chief factors for the gods: I do not know
Wherefore my father should revengers want,
Having a son and friends, since Julius Caesar,
Who at Philippi the good Brutus ghosted,
There saw you laboring for him. What was ’t
15 That moved pale Cassius to conspire? And what
Made the all-honored, honest Roman Brutus,
With the armed rest, courtiers of beauteous freedom,
To drench the Capitol, but that they would
Have one man but a man? And that is it
20 Hath made me rig my navy, at whose burden
The angered ocean foams, with which I meant
To scourge th’ ingratitude that despiteful Rome
Cast on my noble father.

POMPEY

I address the three of you, the sole rulers of this world and the main arbiters of the gods’ will. I don’t know why my father’s death shouldn’t be avenged, since he has a son and friends to do it. You avenged Julius Caesar’s death at Philippi, where his ghost haunted his killer, Brutus. Why did Cassius conspire against Caesar? And why did the honorable, well-intentioned Brutus and the others, men devoted to the ideal of freedom, assassinate Caesar? They didn’t want one man to be king in Rome.
And that’s why I’ve built my navy, which is so huge that the weight of the ships makes the sea foam with anger. I will punish Rome for her ingratitude toward my noble father.

CAESAR

Take your time.

CAESAR

Take your time.

ANTONY

Thou canst not fear us, Pompey, with thy sails.
We’ll speak with thee at sea. At land, thou know’st
How much we do o’ercount thee.

ANTONY

Pompey, you cannot frighten us with your navy. We’ll meet you at sea. You know that on land our army is far greater than yours.

POMPEY

At land indeed
Thou dost o’ercount me of my father’s house,
But since the cuckoo builds not for himself,
Remain in ’t as thou mayst.

POMPEY

Yes, on land you do outnumber me. Even more since you annexed my father’s house and lands. But since,

like the cuckoo

Cuckoo birds lay their eggs in other birds’ nests.

like the cuckoo
, you don’t build anything for yourself, live in those lands as long as you can.

LEPIDUS

Be pleased to tell us—
30 For this is from the present—how you take
The offers we have sent you.

LEPIDUS

To get back to the matter at hand, what do you think of our proposal?

CAESAR

There’s the point.

CAESAR

That’s the point.

ANTONY

Which do not be entreated to, but weigh
What it is worth embraced.

ANTONY

Don’t let us talk you into anything, but consider carefully the value of our offers.

CAESAR

And what may follow,
To try a larger fortune.

CAESAR

And consider the possible consequences of fighting against us, in the hopes of gaining a greater fortune.

POMPEY

You have made me offer
35 Of Sicily, Sardinia. And I must
Rid all the sea of pirates, then, to send
Measures of wheat to Rome. This ’greed upon
To part with unhacked edges and bear back
Our targes undinted.

POMPEY

You have offered me the lands of Sicily and Sardinia. In return, I must clear the sea of pirates and send tributes of wheat to Rome. If I agree to this, we may leave unharmed, with our shields undented.

CAESAR, ANTONY, LEPIDUS

That’s our offer.

CAESAR, ANTONY, AND LEPIDUS

That’s our offer.

POMPEY

Know then
40 I came before you here a man prepared
To take this offer, but Mark Antony
Put me to some impatience. (to ANTONY)—Though I lose
The praise of it by telling, you must know,
When Caesar and your brother were at blows,
45 Your mother came to Sicily and did find
Her welcome friendly.

POMPEY

You should know that when I came here I was prepared to accept your offer. But Mark Antony made me somewhat angry. (to ANTONY) Though it would be nobler to for me not to speak of this good act myself, you should know that when Caesar and your brother were fighting, your mother came to Sicily for refuge. I welcomed her gladly.

ANTONY

          (to POMPEY)        I have heard it, Pompey,
And am well studied for a liberal thanks
Which I do owe you.

ANTONY

(to POMPEY) I heard what you did for her, Pompey, and want to give you the many thanks I owe you.

POMPEY

Let me have your hand.

POMPEY

Let me shake your hand.
They clasp hands
They shake hands.
I did not think, sir, to have met you here.
I didn’t think I would see you here.

ANTONY

The beds i’ th’ East are soft, and thanks to you,
That called me timelier than my purpose hither,
For I have gained by ’t.

ANTONY

The East is very seductive. I have you to thank for my trip here; I wouldn’t have left Egypt otherwise, and I have benefited from it.

CAESAR

          (to POMPEY)          Since I saw you last
There’s a change upon you.

CAESAR

(to POMPEY) You’ve changed since the last time I saw you.

POMPEY

Well, I know not
What counts harsh Fortune casts upon my face,
55 But in my bosom shall she never come
To make my heart her vassal.

POMPEY

Well, I cannot tell how my difficult life has weathered my face, but I will never let those difficulties subdue my courage.

LEPIDUS

Well met here.

LEPIDUS

It’s good we had this meeting.

POMPEY

I hope so, Lepidus. Thus we are agreed.
I crave our composition may be written
And sealed between us.

POMPEY

I hope it works out for the best, Lepidus. So we are in agreement. Please have the contract written up so we can all sign it.

CAESAR

That’s the next to do.

CAESAR

That’s the next thing on the agenda.

POMPEY

60 We’ll feast each other ere we part, and let’s
Draw lots who shall begin.

POMPEY

We’ll have celebration feasts for each other before we go our separate ways. Let’s draw lots to see who will host the first one.

ANTONY

That will I, Pompey.

ANTONY

I’ll give the first one, Pompey.

POMPEY

No, Antony, take the lot. But, first or last,
Your fine Egyptian cookery shall have
The fame. I have heard that Julius Caesar
65 Grew fat with feasting there.

POMPEY

No, Antony. Pick one of these lots. Whether your banquet is first or last, your Egyptian cooking will make it the best. I heard that Julius Caesar got fat from all the feasting there.

ANTONY

You have heard much.

ANTONY

You’ve heard a lot.

POMPEY

I have fair meanings, sir.

POMPEY

I mean well, sir.

ANTONY

And fair words to them.

ANTONY

I’m sure you do.

POMPEY

Then so much have I heard.
70 And I have heard Apollodorus carried—

POMPEY

I’ve heard a lot more. I heard that Apollodorus carried—

ENOBARBUS

(interrupting POMPEY) No more of that. He did so.

ENOBARBUS

(interrupting POMPEY) That’s enough of that. Yes, it’s true.

POMPEY

What, I pray you?

POMPEY

What did he carry, please?

ENOBARBUS

A certain queen to Caesar in a mattress.

ENOBARBUS

POMPEY

I know thee now. How far’st thou, soldier?

POMPEY

Now I know who you are. How are you, soldier?

ENOBARBUS

Well,
And well am like to do, for I perceive,
75 Four feasts are toward.

ENOBARBUS

I’m well, and probably will be for a while, as I hear that four feasts are being prepared.

POMPEY

Let me shake thy hand.
I never hated thee. I have seen thee fight
When I have envied thy behavior.

POMPEY

Let me shake your hand. I’ve never been your enemy. I’ve seen you fight and envied your skill.

ENOBARBUS

Sir,
I never loved you much, but I ha’ praised ye
When you have well deserved ten times as much
80 As I have said you did.

ENOBARBUS

Sir, I wouldn’t say I was your friend, but I’ve praised you when you deserved ten times more praise than I gave.

POMPEY

Enjoy thy plainness.
It nothing ill becomes thee.—
Aboard my galley I invite you all.
Will you lead, lords?

POMPEY

Enjoy your frankness; it suits you. I invite you all aboard my ship. After you, my lords?

CAESAR, ANTONY, LEPIDUS

Show ’s the way, sir.

CAESAR, ANTONY, AND LEPIDUS

Show us the way, sir.

POMPEY

Come.

POMPEY

Come with me.
Exeunt all but ENOBARBUS and MENAS Everyone exits except for ENOBARBUS and MENAS .

MENAS

(aside) Thy father, Pompey, would ne’er have made this
treaty. (to ENOBARBUS) You and I have known, sir.

MENAS

(to himself) Your father would never have agreed to this treaty, Pompey. (to ENOBARBUS) You and I have met, sir.

ENOBARBUS

At sea, I think.

ENOBARBUS

I think it was at sea.

MENAS

We have, sir.

MENAS

That it was, sir.

ENOBARBUS

You have done well by water.

ENOBARBUS

You’ve done well at sea.

MENAS

And you by land.

MENAS

And you’ve done well on land.

ENOBARBUS

I will praise any man that will praise me, though it cannot be denied what I have done by land.

ENOBARBUS

I’ll flatter anyone who flatters me—though what I’ve accomplished on land cannot be denied.

MENAS

Nor what I have done by water.

MENAS

Neither can my accomplishments at sea.

ENOBARBUS

Yes, something you can deny for your own safety: you have been a great thief by sea.

ENOBARBUS

Yes, for your own safety, you should deny one thing: you have been a great thief at sea.

MENAS

95 And you by land.

MENAS

As you were on land.

ENOBARBUS

There I deny my land service. But give me your hand, Menas.

ENOBARBUS

That’s the one part of my service on land I do deny. But let’s shake hands, Menas.
They clasp hands
They shake.
If our eyes had authority, here they might take two thieves kissing.
If our eyes were policemen, they might capture two thieves at once while we’re embracing.

MENAS

All men’s faces are true, whatsome’er their hands are.

MENAS

Men’s faces are truthful, whatever their hands do.

ENOBARBUS

But there is never a fair woman has a true face.

ENOBARBUS

But no beautiful woman has an honest face.

MENAS

No slander. They steal hearts.

MENAS

That’s no lie. They steal hearts.

ENOBARBUS

We came hither to fight with you.

ENOBARBUS

We came here to fight against you.

MENAS

For my part, I am sorry it is turned to a drinking. Pompey doth this day laugh away his fortune.

MENAS

For my part, I’m sorry this battle turned into a drinking match. Today Pompey laughs away his fortune.

ENOBARBUS

105 If he do, sure he cannot weep ’t back again.

ENOBARBUS

If that’s true, he won’t get it back by crying.

MENAS

You’ve said, sir. We looked not for Mark Antony here. Pray you, is he married to Cleopatra?

MENAS

That’s the truth, sir. We didn’t expect Mark Antony to be here. Is he married to Cleopatra?

ENOBARBUS

Caesar’s sister is called Octavia.

ENOBARBUS

Caesar’s sister is named Octavia.

MENAS

True, sir. She was the wife of Caius Marcellus.

MENAS

That’s true, sir. She was previously Caius Marcellus’ wife.

ENOBARBUS

110 But she is now the wife of Marcus Antonius.

ENOBARBUS

But she is now Mark Antony’s wife.

MENAS

Pray ye, sir?

MENAS

Excuse me, sir?

ENOBARBUS

’Tis true.

ENOBARBUS

It’s true.

MENAS

Then is Caesar and he forever knit together.

MENAS

Then Caesar and he will always be united.

ENOBARBUS

If I were bound to divine of this unity, I would not prophesy so.

ENOBARBUS

If I were to make a prediction regarding this union, I wouldn’t say that.

MENAS

I think the policy of that purpose made more in the marriage than the love of the parties.

MENAS

I think the marriage was made more for political reasons than for love.

ENOBARBUS

I think so too. But you shall find the band that seems to tie their friendship together will be the very strangler of their amity. Octavia is of a holy, cold, and still conversation.

ENOBARBUS

I think so too. But you’ll see that the very thing that joins them will be the thing that separates them. Octavia has a pious, chaste, meek disposition.

MENAS

Who would not have his wife so?

MENAS

Doesn’t everyone want a wife like that?

ENOBARBUS

Not he that himself is not so, which is Mark Antony. He will to his Egyptian dish again. Then shall the sighs of Octavia blow the fire up in Caesar, and, as I said before, that which is the strength of their amity shall prove the immediate author of their variance. Antony will use his affection where it is. He married but his occasion here.

ENOBARBUS

Not someone who doesn’t share that disposition, meaning Mark Antony. He’ll go back to his Egyptian dish. Then Octavia’s complaints will rouse Caesar, and as I said before, the thing that brought them together will part them. Antony will go where his passion is. He only married out of political necessity.

MENAS

And thus it may be. Come, sir, will you aboard? I have a health for you.

MENAS

Then that’s the way it may turn out. Come on, sir, will you come aboard? I want to drink your health.

ENOBARBUS

I shall take it, sir. We have used our throats in Egypt.

ENOBARBUS

I’ll join you, sir. We did a lot of drinking in Egypt.

MENAS

Come, let’s away.

MENAS

Let’s go.
Exeunt They exit.