Eno.

I shall entreat him

To answer like himself: if Cæsar move him,

Let Antony look over Cæsar's head,

And speak as loud as Mars. By Jupiter,

Were I the wearer of Antonius' beard,

I would not shav't to-day'.

Lep.

Eno.

For private stomaching.

'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:

That which combin'd us was most great, and let not

A leaner action rend us.

What's amiss,

pleasure. I think the first Act may be commodiously continued to this place, and the second Act opened with the interview of the chief persons, and a change of the state of action. Yet it must be confessed, that it is of small importance, where these unconnected and desultory scenes are interrupted. JOHNSON.

5 Were I the wearer of Antonius' beard,

I would not shav't to-day.] I believe he means, I would meet him undressed, without show of respect. JOHNSON.

If we compose well here,] i. e. if we come to a lucky composition, agreement.

May it be gently heard: When we debate
Our trivial difference loud, we do commit
Murder in healing wounds: Then, noble partners,
(The rather, for I earnestly beseech,)

Touch you the sourest points with sweetest terms,
Nor curstness grow to the matter".

Ant.

'Tis spoken well:

Were we before our armies, and to fight,

Ant. I learn, you take things ill, which are not so;

Or, being, concern you not.

C'œs.

If, or for nothing, or a little, I

I must be laugh'd at,

Should say myself offended; and with you

Chiefly i'the world: more laugh'd at, that I should Once name you derogately, when to sound your name It not concern'd me.

Ant.

What was't to you?

My being in Egypt, Cæsar,

Cæs. No more than my residing here at Rome
Might be to you in Egypt: Yet, if you there
Did practise on my state, your being in Egypt
Might be my question'.

Ant.
How intend you, practis'd?
Cæs. You may be pleas'd to catch at mine intent,
By what did here befal me. Your wife, and brother,

7 Nor curstness grow to the matter.] Let not ill-humour be added to the real subject of our difference.

• Did practise on my state,] To practise, means to employ unwarrantable arts or stratagems.

question.] i. e. my theme or subject of conversation.

Made wars upon me; and their contestation

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: I did enquire it;

And have my learning from some true reports,

That drew their swords with you. Did he not rather
Discredit my authority with yours;

And make the wars alike against my stomach,
Having alike your cause? Of this, my letters
Before did satisfy you. If you'll patch a quarrel,
As matter whole you have not to make it with,
It must not be with this.

Cæs.

You praise yourself
By laying defects of judgment to me; but
You patch'd up your excuses.

Ant.
Not so, not so;
I know you could not lack, I'm certain on't,
Very necessity of this thought, that I,

Your partner in the cause 'gainst which he fought,
Could not with graceful eyes attend those wars
Which 'fronted mine own peace. 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!

Was theme for you, you were the word of war.] Was theme for you, probably means only, was proposed as an example for you to follow on a yet more extensive plan; as themes are given for a writer to dilate upon; but this is much contested.

2

3

4

true reports,] Reports for reporters.
'fronted i. e. opposed.

I would you had her spirit in such another:] Antony means to say, I wish you had the spirit of Fulvia, embodied in such another woman as her; I wish you were married to such another spirited woman; and then you would find, that though you can govern the third part of the world, the management of such a woman is not an easy matter.

Ant. So much uncurbable, 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
But say, I could not help it.

Cæs.

I wrote to you,
When rioting in Alexandria; you

Did pocket up my letters, and with taunts
Did gibe my missive out of audience.

Ant.

He fell upon me, ere admitted; then

Sir,

Three kings I had newly feasted, and did want
Of what I was i'the morning: but, next day,
I told him of myself'; 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: 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.

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

5 I told him of myself;] i. e. told him the condition I was in when he had his last audience.

6 The honour's sacred-] The meaning appears to be this, -"Cæsar accuses Antony of a breach of honour in denying to send him aid when he required it, which was contrary to his

Work without it': 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.

8

"Tis nobly spoken †.

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

Speaks to atone you'.

Lep.

Worthily spoke, 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'.

Cæs. I do not much dislike the matter, but

oath. Antony says, in his defence, that he did not deny his aid, but in the midst of dissipation, neglected to send it: that having now brought his forces to join him against Pompey, he had redeemed that error; and that therefore the honour which Cæsar talked of, was now sacred and inviolate, supposing that he had been somewhat deficient before, in the performance of that engagement.”— The adverb now refers to is, not to talks on; and the line should be pointed thus:

1

to atone you.] i. e. reconcile you.

your considerate stone.] Mr. Tollet explains the passage in question thus: "I will henceforth seem senseless as a stone, however I may observe and consider your words and actions."