Pom. I shall do well. The people love me, and the sea is mine; No wars without doors. Cæsar gets money, where Of both is flattered; but he neither loves, Nor either cares for him. Men. Cæsar and Lepidus Are in the field; a mighty strength they carry. Men. From Silvius, sir. Pom. He dreams; I know they are in Rome to gether, Looking for Antony. But all the charms of love, Let witchcraft join with beauty, lust with both! Enter VARRIUS. Var. This is most certain that I shall deliver :Mark Antony is every hour in Rome Expected; since he went from Egypt, 'tis A space for further travel. Pom. I could have given less matter A better ear.-Menas, I did not think 1 Old copy, "My powers are crescent," &c. The judicious emendation was made by Theobald. 2 i. e. declined, faded, alluding to her having passed the bloom of youth. 3 i. e. delay his sense of honor from exerting itself till he is become habitually sluggish; till was anciently used for to. 4 i. e. since he quitted Egypt, a space of time has elapsed in which a longer journey might have been performed than from Egypt to Rome. VOL. VI. 15 For such a petty war. His soldiership Is twice the other twain; but let us rear Men. I cannot hope 2 Pom. I know not, Menas, How lesser enmities may give way to greater. Were't not that we stand up against them all, 'Twere pregnant they should square between themselves; For they have entertained cause enough Be it as our gods will have it! It only stands Come, Menas. 4 [Exeunt. SCENE II. Rome. A Room in the House of Lepidus. Enter ENOBARBUS and Lepidus. Lep. Good Enobarbus, 'tis a worthy deed, And shall become you well, to entreat your captain To soft and gentle speech. Eno. I shall entreat him To answer like himself. If Cæsar move him, Let Antony look over Cæsar's head, 1 Julius Cæsar had married Cleopatra to young Ptolemy, who was afterwards drowned. 2 i. e. I cannot expect. 3 i. e. quarrel. 4 i. e. it is incumbent upon us for the preservation of our lives. And speak as loud as Mars. By Jupiter, I would not shave't to-day.1 Lep. For private stomaching. Eno. "Tis not a time Every time Serves for the matter that is then born in it. Lep. But small to greater matters must give way. Eno. Not if the small come first. Enter CESAR, MECENAS, and AGRIPPA. Ant. If we compose well here, to Parthia. Hark you, Ventidius. Cæs. Mecænas; ask Agrippa. I do not know, That which combined us Noble friends, was most great, and let not What's amiss, May it be gently heard; when we debate Our trivial difference loud, we do commit Murder in healing wounds. Then, noble partners, Touch you the sourest points with sweetest terms, Ant. 3 'Tis spoken well. Were we before our armies, and to fight, I should do thus. Cæs. Welcome to Rome. 1 i. e. I would meet him undressed, without any show of respect. 2 That is, if we come to a lucky composition or agreement. 3 "Let not ill-humor be added to the real subject of our difference." Ant. I learn you take things ill, which are not so; Or, being, concern you not. Cæs. If, or for nothing, or a little, I I must be laughed at, Should say myself offended; and with you Chiefly i'the world; more laughed at, that I should Once name you derogately, when to sound your name It not concerned me. Ant. What was't to you ? My being in Egypt, Cæsar, Cæs. No more than my residing here at Rome Ant. 2 How intend you, practised? Cæs. You may be pleased to catch at mine intent, By what did here befall me. Your wife and brother Made wars upon me; and their contestation 4 Was theme for you; you were the word of war. Ant. You do mistake your business; my brother never Did urge me in his act.5 I did inquire it; And have my learning from some true reports, Discredit my authority with yours; Did he not rather And make the wars alike against my stomach, 1 The note of admiration here was added by Steevens, who thinks that Antony meant to resent the invitation Cæsar gives him to be seated, as indicating a consciousness of superiority. 2 To practise is to use unwarrantable arts or stratagems. 3 Theme or subject of conversation. 4 The meaning evidently is, “You were the theme or subject for which your wife and brother made their contestation; you were the word of war." 5 i. e. never did make use of my name as a pretence for the war. 6 Reporters. Before did satisfy you. If you'll patch a quarrel, As matter whole you have not to make it with, Cæs. You praise yourself Ant. Not so, not so; I know you could not lack, I am certain on't, Your partner in the cause 'gainst which he fought, As for my wife, I would you had her spirit in such another. The third o' the world is yours; which with a snaffle You may pace easy, but not such a wife. Eno. 'Would we had all such wives, that the men might go to wars with the women! Ant. So much uncurable, her garboils, Cæsar, Cæs. Ant. Sir, He fell upon me, ere admitted; then Cæs. The article of your oath; which i e. could not look graciously upon them, could not approve them. 'Fronted is affronted, opposed. 2 Messenger. 3 "I told him the condition I was in when he had his last audience." |