Eno. 'Would we had all such wives, that the metr might go to wars with the women!

Ant. So much uncurable, her garboils, Cæsar, Made out of her impatience (which not wanted Shrewdness of policy too), I grieving grant, Did you too much disquiet: for that, you must I could not help it.

But say,

Cæs.

I wrote to you,
When rioting in Alexandria; you
Did pocket up my letters, and with taunts
Did gibe my missive 11 out of audience.
Ant.

Sir',

He fell upon me, ere admitted; then
Three kings I had newly feasted, and did want
Of what I was i'the morning: but, next day,
I told him of myself 12: which was as much,
As to have ask'd him pardon: Let this fellow
Be nothing of our strife; if we contend,

Out of our question wipe him.

Cæs.

You have broken

The article of your oath; which you shall never Have tongue to charge me with.

Lep.

Soft, Cæsar. Ant. No, Lepidus, let him speak; The honour's sacred which he talks on now, Supposing that I lack'd it 13: But on, Cæsar : The article of my oath,

Cæs. To lend me arms, and aid, when I requir'd them;

The which you both denied.

11 Messenger.

12 I told him the condition I was in when he had his last audience.'

13 The theme of honour which he now speaks of, namely, the religion of an oath, for which he supposes me not to have a due regard, is sacred; it is a tender point, and touches my character nearly. Let him therefore urge his charge, that I may vindicate myself.'

Ant.

Neglected, rather;

And then, when poison'd hours had bound me up
From mine own knowledge. As nearly as I may,
I'll play the penitent to you: but mine honesty
Shall not make poor my greatness, nor my power
Work without it 14: Truth is, that Fulvia,
To have me out of Egypt, made wars here;
For which myself, the ignorant motive, do
So far ask pardon, as befits mine honour
To stoop in such a case.

Lep.

"Tis nobly spoken.

Mec. If it might please you, to enforce no further The griefs 15 between ye: to forget them quite, Were to remember that the present need

Speaks to atone 16- you.

Lep. Worthily spoken, Mecænas. Eno. Or, if you borrow one another's love for the instant, you may, when you hear no more words of Pompey, return it again: you shall have time to wrangle in, when you have nothing else to do.

Ant. Thou art a soldier only; speak no more. Eno. That truth should be silent, I had almost forgot.

Ant. You wrong this presence, therefore speak no

more.

Eno. Go to then; your considerate stone 17. Cæs. I do not much dislike the matter, but The manner of his speech: for it cannot be,

14Nor my greatness work without mine honesty.' 15 Grievances.

16 i. e. reconcile you. See vol. iii. p. 211, note 15.

17 Go to then, henceforward I will be as mute as a marble statue, which seems to think, though it can say nothing.'

statua taciturnior exit

Plurumque et risum populi quatit.'

Horace.

As mute as a stone, and As silent as a stone, are common expressions.

We shall remain in friendship, our conditions
So differing in their acts. Yet, if I knew
What hoop should hold us stanch, from edge to edge
O'the world I would pursue it 18.

Agr.

Caes. Speak, Agrippa.

Give me leave, Cæsar,

Agr. Thou hast a sister by the mother's side, Admir'd Octavia: great Mark Antony

Is now a widower.

Cæs.

Say not so, Agrippa;

If Cleopatra heard you, your reproof

Were well deserv'd of rashness 19.

Ant. I am not married, Cæsar: let me hear Agrippa further speak.

Agr. To hold you in perpetual amity, To make you brothers, and to knit your hearts With an unslipping knot, take Antony Octavia to his wife: whose beauty claims No worse a husband than the best of men; Whose virtue, and whose general graces, speak That which none else can utter. By this marriage, All little jealousies, which now seem great, And all great fears, which now import their dangers, Would then be nothing: truths would be tales, Where now half tales be truths: her love to both, Would, each to other, and all loves to both, Draw after her. Pardon what I have spoke; For 'tis a studied, not a present thought, By duty ruminated.

Ant.

Will Cæsar speak?
Cæs. Not till he hears how Antony is touch'd
With what is spoke already.

18 I do not (says Cæsar) think the man wrong, but too free of his interposition; for it cannot be, we shall remain in friendship: yet if it were possible, I would endeavour it.'

19 That is, 'You might be reproved for your rashness, and would well deserve it.' The old copy reads ' proof.' Warbur

ton made the emendation.

May I never

To this good purpose, that so fairly shows,
Dream of impediment!-Let me have thy hand:
Further this act of grace; and, from this hour,
The heart of brothers govern in our loves,
And sway our great designs!

Cæs.

There is my A sister I bequeath you, whom no brother Did ever love so dearly: Let her live

hand.

To join our kingdoms, and our hearts; and never Fly off our loves again!

Lep.

Happily, amen!

Ant. I did not think to draw my sword 'gainst

Pompey;

For he hath laid strange courtesies, and great,
Of late upon me: I must thank him only 20,
Lest my remembrance suffer ill report;

At heel of that, defy him.

Lep.

Time calls upon us:

Of us must Pompey presently be sought,

Or else he seeks out us.

Cæs.

Great, and increasing: but by sea

He is an absolute master.

Ant.

So is the fame.

'Would, we had spoke together! Haste we for it:

20 Lest I be thought too willing to forget benefits, I must barely return him thanks, and then I will defy him.'

Yet, ere we put ourselves in arms, despatch we The business we have talk'd of.

Cæs.

And do, invite you to my sister's view,

Whither straight I will lead you.

Ant.

Not lack your company.

Lep.

With most gladness;

Let us, Lepidus,

Noble Antony,

Not sickness should detain me.

[Flourish. Exeunt CESAR, ANTONY, and LEPIDUS.

Mec. Welcome from Egypt, sir.

Eno. Half the heart of Caesar, worthy Mecænas!
-my honourable friend, Agrippa!—
Agr. Good Enobarbus!

Mec. We have cause to be glad, that matters are so well digested. You stayed well by it in Egypt. Eno. Ay, sir; we did sleep day out of countenance, and made the night light with drinking.

Mec. Eight wild boars roasted whole at a breakfast, and but twelve persons there; Is this true? Eno. This was but as a fly by an eagle: we had much more monstrous matter of feast, which worthily deserved noting.

Mec. She's a most triumphant lady, if report be square 21 to her.

up

Eno. When she first met Mark Antony, she pursed his heart upon the river of Cydnus 22.

Agr. There she appeared indeed; or my reporter devised well for her.

21 i. e. if report quadrates, or suits with her merits.

22 Enobarbus is made to say that Cleopatra gained Antony's heart on the river Cydnus; but it appears from the conclusion of his own description, that Antony had never seen her there; that whilst she was on the river, Antony was sitting alone, enthroned in the market-place, whistling to the air, all the people having left him to gaze upon her: and that when she landed he sent to

her to invite her to supper.