Antony from Octavia, he had before despatched | sudden emergency, she should set fire to the

ions.

to Judea to detain Herod in his interest. This whole. For this reason he was continually man gave up Antony, and, relying on Herod's sending messengers to her with assurances of interest, had the confidence to appear before gentle and honourable treatment, while in the Cæsar. The interest of Herod, however, did meantime he hastened to the city with his army. not save him, for he was immediately carried When he arrived he encamped near the in chains into his own country, and there put Hippodrome; upon which Antony made a brisk to death. Thus Antony had, at least, the satis- sally, routed the cavalry, drove them back into faction of seeing him punished for his perfidy. their trenches, and returned to the city with the Cæsar absolutely rejected Antony's petition; complacency of a conquerer. As he was going but he answered Cleopatra, that she might ex- to the palace he met Cleopatra, whom, armed pect every favour from him, provided she either as he was, he kissed without ceremony, and at took off Antony, or banished him her domin- the same time he recommended to her favour At the same time he sent Thyreus to a brave soldier, who had distinguished himself her, who was one of his freedmen, and whose in the engagenient. She presented the soldier address was not unlikely to carry his point, par- with a cuirass and helmet of gold, which he ticularly as he came from a young conqueror to took, and the same night went over to Cæsar. the court of a vain and ambitious queen, who After this, Antony, challenged Cæsar to fight had still the highest opinion of her personal him in single combat, but Cæsar only answered, charms. As this ambassador was indulged that Antony might think of many other ways with audiences longer and more frequent than to end his life. Antony, therefore, concluding usual, Antony grew jealous, and having first that he could not die more honourably than in ordered him to be whipped, he sent him back battle, determined to attack Cæsar at the same to Cæsar with letters, wherein he informed him, time both by sea and land. The night precethat he had been provoked by the insolence of ding the execution of this design, he ordered his freedman at a time when his misfortunes his servants at supper to render him their best made him but too prone to anger. "How-services that evening, and fill the wine round ever," added he, "you have a freedman of plentifully; for the day following they might mine, Hipparchus, in your power, and if it will belong to another master, whilst he lay exbe any satisfaction to you, use him in the same tended on the ground, no longer of conse manner." Cleopatra, that she might make some quence either to them or to himself. His amends for her indiscretion, behaved to him friends were affected, and wept to hear him afterwards with great tenderness and respect. talk thus; which when he perceived he enShe kept her birth-day in a manner suitable to couraged them by assurances, that his expectheir unhappy circumstances; but his was ccle- tations of a glorious victory were at least equal brated with such magnificence, that many of to those of an honourable death. At the dead the guests who came poor, returned wealthy. of night, when universal silence reigned through After Antony's overthrow, Agrippa wrote the city, a silence that was deepened by the several letters to Cæsar, to inform him that his awful thought of the ensuing day, on a sudden presence was necessary at Rome. This put was heard the sound of musical instruments, off the war for some time; but as soon as the and a noise which resembled the acclamations winter was over, Cæsar marched against An- of Bacchanals. This tumultuous procession tony by the route of Syria, and sent his lieu- seemed to pass through the whole city, and go tenants on the same business into Africa. out at the gate which led to the enemy's camp. When Pelusium was taken, it was rumoured Those who reflected on this prodigy, conclud that Seleucus had delivered up the place with ed that Bacchus, the god whom Antony affectthe connivance or consent of Cleopatra: where-ed to imitate, had then forsaken him. upon the queen, in order to justify herself, gave up the wife and children of Seleucus into the hands of Antony. Cleopatra had erected near the temple of Isis some monuments of extraordinary size and magnificence. To these she removed her treasure, her gold, silver, emeralds, pears, ebony, ivory, and cinnamon, together with a large quantity of flax, and a number of torches. Cæsar was under some apprehensions about this immense wealth, lest, upon some

As soon as it was light, he led his infantry out of the city, and posted them on a rising ground, from whence he saw his fleet advance towards the enemy. There he stood waiting for the event; but as soon as the two fleets met, they hailed each other with their oars in a very friendly manner (Antony's fleet making the first advances,) and sailed together peaceably towards the city. This was no sooner done than the cavalry deserted him in the same manner, Dion calls him Thrysus. Antony and Cleopatra and surrendered to Cæsar: His infantry were sent other ambassadors to Cæsar with offers of consid-routed; and as he retired to the city, he exclaimcrable treasures, and last of all, Antony sent his son ed that Cleopatra had betrayed him to those Antyllus with large sums of gold. Cæsar, with that with whom he was fighting only for her sake. meanness which made a part of his character, took the gold, but granted him none of his requests. Fearing, however, that despair might put Antony upon the resolution of carrying the war into Spain or Gaul, or provoke him to burn the wealth that Cleopatra had been amassing, he sent this Thyreus to Alexandria.

Dion says, that Thyrcus was instructed to make use of the softest address, and to insinuate that Caesar was captivated with her beauty. The object of this measure was to prevail on her to take off Antony, while she was flattered with the prospect of obtaining the

conqueror.

his anger, fled to her monument, and having The unhappy queen, dreading the effects of secured it as much as possible with bars and bolts, she gave orders that Antony should be informed she was dead. Believing the information to be true, he cried, " Antony, why dost thou delay? What is life to thee, when it is taken from her, for whom alone thou couldst wish to live?" He then went to his chamber. and opening his coat of mail, he said, "I am

ever, she refused to admit him into the monument, and would, only speak to him through the bolted gate. The substance of this conference was, that Cleopatra made a requisition of the kingdom for her children, while Proculeius, on the other hand, encouraged her to trust every thing to Cæsar.

not distressed, Cleopatra, that thou art gone | Cæsar: for after Antony had stabbed himself, before me, for I shall soon be with thee: but I and was conveyed to Cleopatra, Dercetaus, grieve to think that I, who have been so distin- one of his guards, privately carried off his guished a general, should be inferior in magna- bloody sword, and shewed it to Cæsar. When nimity to a woman." He was then attended by Cæsar beheld this token of Antony's death, he a faithful servant, whose name was Eros. He retired to the inner part of his tent, and shed had engaged this servant to kill him whenever some tears in remembrance of a man who had he should think it necessary, and he now de- been his relation, his colleague in government, manded that service. Eros drew his sword, and his associate in so many battles and im as if he designed to kill him; but, suddenly portant affairs. He then called his friends turning about, he slew himself, and fell at his together, and read the letters which had passed master's feet! "This, Eros, was greatly done," between him and Antony, wherein it appeared said Antony; thy heart would not permit that, though Cæsar had still written in a rathee to kill thy master, but thou hast taught tional and equitable manner, the answers of him what to do by thy example." He then Antony were insolent and contemptuous. Afplunged his sword into his bowels, and threw ter this he despatched Proculeius with orders himself on a couch that stood by. The wound, to take Cleopatra alive, if it were possible, however, was not so deep as to cause imme- for he was extremely solicitous to save the diate death; and the blood stopping as he lay treasures in the monument, which would so on the couch, he came to himself, and entreat-greatly add to the glory of his triumph. How. ed those who stood by to put him out of his pain. They all fled, nevertheless, and left him to his cries and torments, till Diomedes, secretary to Cleopatra, came with her request, that he would come to her in the monument. When Antony found that she was still living, it gave him fresh spirits, and he ordered his servants to take him up. Accordingly they After he had reconnoitered the place, he carried him in their arms to the door of the sent an account of it to Cæsar; upon which monument Cleopatra would not suffer the Gallus was despatched to confer with Cleodoor to be opened, but a cord being let down patra. The thing was thus concerted. Gallus from a window, Antony was fastened to it, and went up to the gate of the monument, and she, with her two women, all that were admit-drew Cleopatra into conversation, while, in ted into the monument, drew him up. Nothing, as they who were present observed, could possibly be more affecting than that spectacle. Antony, covered with blood, and in the agonies of death, hoisted up by the rope, and stretching out his hands to Cleopatra, while he was suspended, for a considerable time, in the air! For it was with the greatest difficulty they drew him up, though Cleopatra herself exerted all her strength, straining every nerve and distorting every feature with the violence of the effort; while those who stood below endeavored to animate and encourage her, and seemed to partake in all the toil, and all the emotions that she felt. When she had drawn him up and laid him on a bed, as she stood over him, she rent her clothes, beat and wounded her breast, and wiping the blood from his disfigured countenance, she called him her lord, her emperor, her husband! Her soul was absorbed in his misfortunes; and she seemed totally to have forgotten that she had any miseries of her own. Antony endeavour ed to sooth her as well as he was able, and called for wine: either because he was thirsty, or because he thought it might sooner put him out of his pain. When he had drank, he advised her to consult her own affairs and her safety, so far as might be consistent with honour, and to place her confidence in Proculeius rather than in the other friends of Cæsar. "As to himself," he said, "that she ought rather to rejoice in the remembrance of his past happiness than to bewail his present misfortunes; since in his life he had been illustrious, and was not inglorious in his death. He had conquered like a Roman, and it was only by a Roman that he was conquered." A little before he expired, Proculeius arrived from

the mean time, Proculeius applied a ladder to the window, where the women had taken in Antony; and having got in with two servants, he immediately made for the place where Cleopatra was in conference with Gallus. One of her women discovered him, and immediately screamed aloud, "Wretched Cleopatra, you are taken alive." She turned about, and, seeing Proculeius, the same instant attempted to stab herself; for to this intent she always carried a dagger about with her. Proculeius, however, prevented her, and, expostulating with her, as he held her in his arms, he entreated her not to be so injurious to herself or to Cæsar; that she would not deprive so humane a prince of the glory of his clemency, or expose him by her distrust to the imputation of treachery or cruelty. At the same time he took the dagger from her, and shook her clothes, lest she should have poison concealed about her. Cæsar also sent his freedman Epaphroditus with orders to treat her with the greatest politeness, but, by all means, to bring her alive.

Cæsar entered Alexandria conversing with Arius the philosopher; and that he might do him honour before the people, he led him by the hand. When he entered the Gymnasium, he ascended a tribunal which had been erected for him, and gave assurances to the citizens, who prostrated themselves before him, that the city should not be hurt. He told them he had different motives for this. In the first place,

* This retirement of Cæsar was certainly an affecta. tion of concern. The death of Antony had been an invariable object with him. He was too cowardly to weakness by reading his letters the moment he was think himself safe while he lived; and to expose his informed of his death, was certainly no proof that he felt even then any tenderness for his memory.

A few days after, Cæsar himself made her s visit of condolence and consolation. She was then in an undress, and lying negligently on a couch; but when the conqueror entered the apartment, though she had nothing on, but a single bedgown, she arose and threw herself at his feet. Her face was out of figure, her hair in disorder, her voice trembling, her eyes sunk, and her bosom bore the marks of the in

it was built by Alexander: in the next place,| he admired it for its beauty and magnitude; and, lastly, he would spare it, were it but for the sake of his friend Arius, who was born there. Cæsar gave him the high honour of this appellation, and pardoned many at his request. Amongst these was Philostratus, one of the most acute and eloquent sophists of his time. This man, without any right, pretended to be a follower of the academics; and Cæ-juries she had done it. In short, her person sar, from a bad opinion of his morals, rejected his petition: upon which the sophist followed Arius up and down in a mourning cloak, with a long white beard, crying constantly,

"The wise, if really such, will save the wise." Cæsar heard and pardoned him, not so much out of favour, as to save Arius from the impertinence and envy he might incur on his ac

count.

gave one the image of her mind; yet, in this deplorable condition, there were some remains of that grace, that spirit and vivacity which had so peculiarly animated her former charms, and still some gleams of her native elegance might be seen to wander over her melancholy

countenance."

When Cæsar had replaced her on her couch, and seated himself by her, she endeavoured to Antyllus, the eldest son of Antony by Ful-justify the part she took against him in the war, via, was betrayed by his tutor Theodorus and alleging the necessity she was under, and her put to death. While the soldiers were behead- fear of Antony. But when she found that these ing him, the tutor stole a jewel of considerable apologies had no weight with Cæsar, she had value, which he wore about his neck, and con- recourse to prayers and entreaties, as if she cealed it in his girdle. When he was charged had been really desirous of life; and, at the with it, he denied the fact; but the jewel was same time, she put into his hands an inventory found upon him, and he was crucified. Cæsar of her treasure. Seleucus, one of her treas appointed a guard over Cleopatra's children urers, who was present, accused her of supand their governor's, and allowed them an hon- pressing some articles in the account; upon ourable support. Cæsario, the reputed son of which she started up from her couch, caught Cæsar, the dictator, had been sent by his mo- him by the hair, and gave him several blows ther, with a considerable sum of money, through on the face. Cæsar smiled at this spirited reEthiopia into India. But, Rhoden, his gov-But how is it to be borne," said she, “Cæsar, sentment, and endeavoured to pacify her: ernor, a man of the same principles with Theodorus, persuading him that Cæsar would cer- if, while even you honour me with a visit in tainly make him king of Egypt, prevailed on my wretched situation, I must be affronted by him to turn back. While Caesar was deliber- one of my own servants? Supposing that I ating how he should dispose of him, Arius is have reserved a few trinkets, they were by no said to have observed, that there ought not, by means intended as ornaments for my own perany means, to be too many Cæsar's. How-son in these miserable fortunes, but as little ever, soon after the death of Cleopatra, he

was slain.

but she deceived him.

presents for Octavia and Livia, by whose good offices I might hope to find favour with you." Many considerable princes begged the body Cæsar was not displeased to hear this, because of Antony, that they might have the honour of he flattered himself that she was willing to giving it burial; but Cæsar would not take it live. He, therefore, assured her, that, whatfrom Cleopatra, who interred it with her own ever, she had reserved she might dispose of t hands, and performed the funeral rites with her pleasure; and that she might, in every reagreat magnificence; for she was allowed to ex-pect, depend on the most honourable treatpend what she thought proper on the occasion. ment. After this, he took his leave, in confiThe excess of her affliction, and the inflamma-dence that he had brought her to his purpose; tion of her breast, which was wounded by the blows she had given it in her anguish, threw There was in Cæsar's train a young nobleher into a fever. She was pleased to find an man, whose name was Cornelius Dolabella. excuse in this for abstaining from food, and He was smitten with the charms of Cleopatra, hoped, by this means, to die without interrup- and having engaged to communicate to her tion. The physician, in whom she placed her every thing that passed, he sent her private principal confidence, was Olympus; and, ac- notice that Cæsar was about to return into Sycording to his short account of these transac- ria, and that, within three days, she would be tions, she made use of his advice in the accom- sent away with her children. When she was plishment of her design. Cæsar, however, sus-informed of this, she requested of Cæsar perpected it; and that he might prevail on her to mission to make her last oblations to Antony. take the necessary food and physic, he threat- This being granted, she was conveyed to ened to treat her children with severity. This the place where he was buried; and kneelhad the desired effect, and her resolution was ing at his tomb, with her women, she thus

overborne.*

Cleopatra certainly possessed the virtues of fidelity and natural affection in a very eminent degree. She had several opportunities of betraying Antony, could she have been induced to it either by fear or ambition. Her tenderness for her children is always superior to her self-love; and she had a greatness of soul which Cæsar never knew.

Dion gives a more pompous account of her reception of Cæsar. She received him, he tells us, in a magnificent apartment, lying on a splendid bed, in a mourning habit, which peculiarly became her; that she had several pictures of Julius Cæsar placed near her; and some letters she had received from him in her boson. The conversation turned on the same subject; and her speech on the occasion is recorded. Dion. 1. 54.

Agrippina, who had Lucius Domitius by no- | peror in our times, put his own mother to death, barbus, was afterwards married to Claudius Cæ- and, by the madness of his conduct, went near sar. He adopted Domitius, whom he named to ruin the Roman empire. He was the fifth Nero Germanicus. This Nero, who was em- in descent from Antony.

DEMETRIUS AND ANTONY COMPARED.

As Demetrius and Antony both passed through | fairs for his pleasures. In his hours of leisure, a variety of fortune, we shall consider, in the indeed, he had his Lamia, whose office it was, first place, their respective power and celebri- like the fairy in the fable, to lull him to sleep ty. These were hereditary to Demetrius; for or amuse him in his play. When he went to Antigonus, the most powerful of Alexander's war, his spear was not bound about with ivy; successors, had reduced all Asia during his his helmet did not smell of perfume; he did not son's minority. On the other hand, the father come in the foppery of dress out of the chamof Antony was, indeed, a man of character, but bers of the women: the riots of Bacchus and not of a military character; yet though he had his train were hushed; and he became, as Euno public influence or reputation to bequeath to ripides says, the minister of Mars. In short, his son, that son did not hesitate to aspire to he never lost a battle through the indulgence of the empire of Cæsar; and, without any title luxury. This could not be said of Antony: as in either from consanguinity or alliance, he effec- the pictures of Hercules we see Omphale stealtually invested himself with all that he had ac-ing his club and his lion's skin, so Cleopatra quired: at least, by his own peculiar weight, after he had divided the world into two parts, he took the better for himself. By his lieutenants he conquered the Parthians, and drove back the barbarous nations about Caucasus, as far as the Caspian sea. Even the less reputable parts of his conduct are so many testimonies of his greatness. The father of Demetrius thought it an honour to marry him to Phila the daughter of Antipater, though there was a disparity in their years; while Antony's connection with Cleopatra was considered as a degrading circumstance; though Cleopatra, in wealth and magnificence, was superior to all the princes of her time, Arsaces excepted. Thus he had rais-wives at the same time. Besides, he banished her ed himself to such a pitch of grandeur, that the world in general thought him entitled even to more than he wished.

In Demetrius's acquisition of empire there was nothing reprehensible. He extended it only to nations inured to slavery, and desirous of being governed. But the arbitrary power of Antony grew on the execrable policy of a tyrant, who once more reduced to slavery a people that had shaken off the yoke. Consequently the greatest of his actions, his conquest of Brutus and Cassius, is darkened with the inglorious motive of wresting its liberty from Rome. Demetrius, during his better fortunes, consulted the liberties of Greece, and removed the garrisons from the cities: while Antony made it his boast, that he had destroyed the assertors of his country's freedom in Macedonia.

Antony is praised for his liberality and munificence; in which, however, Demetrius is so far his superior, that he gave more to his enemies than the former did to his friends. Antony was honoured for allowing a magnificent funeral to Brutus; but Demetrius buried every enemy he had slain, and sent back his prisoners to Ptolemy, not only with their own property, but with presents.

Both were insolent in prosperity, and fell with too much ease into luxury and indulgence. But we never find Demetrius neglecting his af

frequently disarmed Antony, and, while he should have been prosecuting the most necessary expeditions, led him to dancing and dalliance on the shores of Canopus and Taphosiris. So, likewise, as Paris came from battle to the bosom of Helen, and even from the loss of victory to her bed, Antony threw victory itself out of his hands to follow Cleopatra.

Demetrius being under no prohibition of the laws, but following the example of Philip and Alexander, Lysimachus, and Ptolemy, married several wives, and treated them all with the greatest honour. Antony, though it was a thing unheard of amongst the Romans, had two

who was properly his wife, and a citizen, from his house, to indulge a foreigner with whom he could have no legal connection. From their marriages, of course, one of them found no inconvenience; the other suffered the greatest evils.

In respect to their amours, Antony was com paratively pardonable and modest. Historians tell us, that the Athenians turned the dogs out of the citadel, because they had their procreative intercourse in public. But Demetrius had his courtesans, and dishonoured the matrons of Athens even in the temple of Minerva. Nay, though cruelty seems to be inconsistent with sensual gratifications, he scrupled not to drive the most beautiful and virtuous youth in the city to the extremity of death, to avoid his brutal designs. In short, Antony, by his amorous indulgences, hurt only himself: Demetrius iujured others.

With regard to their behaviour to their parents and relations, that of Demetrius is irreproachable; but Antony sacrificed his uncle to the sword of Cæsar, that he might be empow ed in his turn to cut off Cicero. A crime the latter was, which never could be made pardonable, had Antony even saved and not sacrificed

* Strabo mentions this as a romantic place near the sea, full of rocks, where the young went to amuse themselves. Lib. xvii.