Antony and Cleopatra
service. Thou must know ’Tis not my profit that does lead mine honour; Mine honour it. Repent that e’er thy tongue Hath so betray’d thine act. Being done unknown, I should have found it afterwards well done, But must condemn it now. Desist, and drink. 

 MENAS. [Aside.] For this, I’ll never follow thy palled fortunes more. Who seeks, and will not take when once ’tis offered, Shall never find it more. 

 POMPEY. This health to Lepidus! 

 ANTONY. Bear him ashore. I’ll pledge it for him, Pompey. 

 ENOBARBUS. Here’s to thee, Menas! 

 MENAS. Enobarbus, welcome! 

 POMPEY. Fill till the cup be hid. 

 ENOBARBUS. There’s a strong fellow, Menas. 

 [Pointing to the servant who carries off Lepidus.] 

Lepidus

 MENAS. Why? 

 ENOBARBUS. ’A 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! 

 ENOBARBUS. Drink thou. Increase the reels. 

 MENAS. Come. 

 POMPEY. This is not yet an Alexandrian feast. 

 ANTONY. It ripens towards it. Strike the vessels, ho! Here is to Caesar! 

 CAESAR. I could well forbear’t. It’s monstrous labour when I wash my brain And it grows fouler. 

 ANTONY. Be a child o’ the time. 


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