Eno. I shall take it, sir: we have used our throats in Egypt. Menas. Come; let's away. [Exeunt. SCENE VII. On board Pompey's galley, lying near Misenum. Music. Enter two or three SERVANTS, with a banquet. 1 1 Ser. Here they 'll be, man: some o' their plants are ill-rooted already; the least wind i' the world will blow them down. 2 Ser. Lepidus is high-colored. 1 Ser. They have made him drink alms-drink.? 2 Ser. As they pinch one another by the disposition, he cries out, 3 No more;' reconciles them to his entreaty, and himself to the drink. 1 Ser. But it raises the greater war between him and his discretion. 2 Ser. Why, this it is to have a name in great men's fellowship: I had as lief have a reed that will do me no service, as a partisan I could not heave. 4 1 Ser. To be called into a huge sphere, and not to be seen to move in 't, are the holes where eyes should be, which pitifully disaster the cheeks. 1 Feet. 2 Another's share of liquor besides his own. 3 i. e. touch one another in a sore place. 4 Pike, A sennet sounded. Enter CESAR, ANTONY, POMPEY, LEPIDUS, AGRIPPA, MECENAS, ENOBARBUS, MENAS, with other Captains. Ant. Thus do they, sir: [to Cæsar.] they take By certain scales i' the pyramid; they know, Lep. You have strange serpents there. Ant. Ay, Lepidus. Lep. Your serpent of Egypt is bred now of your mud by the operation of your sun: so is your cro codile. Ant. They are so. Pom. Sit, and some wine.-A health to Lepidus. Lep. I am not so well as I should be, but I'll ne'er out. Eno. Not till you have slept: I fear me, you'll be in till then. Lep. Nay, certainly, I have heard the Ptolemies' pyramises are very goodly things; without contradiction, I have heard that. Menas. Pompey, a word. Pom. [aside. Say in mine ear: what is 't? 1 Plenty. Menas. Forsake thy seat, I do beseech thee, cap Lep. What manner o' thing is your crocodile ? Ant. It is shaped, sir, like itself, and it is as broad as it hath breadth: it is just so high as it is, and moves with its own organs: it lives by that which norisheth it; and the elements once out of it, it transmigrates. Lep. What color is it of? Ant. Of its own color too. Lep. 'Tis a strange serpent. Ant. 'Tis so: and the tears of it are wet. Ca. Will this description satisfy him? Ant. With the health that Pompey gives him, else he is a very epicure. Pom. [to Menas aside.] Go, hang, sir, hang! Tell me of that? away! Do as I bid you.-Where's this cup I call'd for? Menas. If for the sake of merit thou wilt hear me, Rise from thy stool. Pom. [aside. I think thou 'rt mad. The matter? [rises, and walks aside. Menas. I have ever held my cap off to thy fortunes. Pom. Thou hast served me with much faith: what's else to say? Be jully, lords. Ant. These quicksands, Lepidus, Keep off them, for you sink. Menas. Wilt thou be lord of all the world? Pom. What say'st thou ? Menas. Wilt thou be lord of the whole world? That's twice. Pom. How should that be? Menas. But entertain it, and, Although thou think me poor, I am the man Pom. Hast thou drunk well? Menas. No, Pompey, I have kept me from the cup. Thou art, if thou darest be, the earthly Jove: Pom. Show me which way. Menas. These three world-sharers, these com petitors, Are in thy vessel. Let me cut the cable; And, when we are put off, fall to their throats: Pom. Ah, this thou shouldst have done, And not have spoke on 't! In me, 'tis villany; In thee, it had been good service. Thou must know, "Tis not my profit that does lead mine honor; Mine honor it. Repent, that e'er thy tongue Hath so betray'd thine act: being done unknown, I should have found it afterwards well done; Menas. For this, I'll never follow thy pall'd1 fortunes more. [aside. Who seeks, and will not take, when once 'tis offer'd, Shall never find it more. Pom. This health to Lepidus. Ant. Bear him ashore.-I'll pledge it for him, Pompey. Eno. Here's to thee, Menas. Menas. Enobarbus, welcome. Pom. Fill, till the cup be hid. Eno. There's a strong fellow, Menas. pointing to the Attendant who carries off Lepidus. Menas. Eno. Why? He bears The third part of the world, man; seest not? Menas. The third part then is drunk: would it were all, That it might go on wheels! Eno. Drink thou; increase the reels. Menas. Come. Pom. This is not yet an Alexandrian feast. Ant. It ripens towards it.-Strike the vessels, ho! |