to the knowledge of Curio's Father he took an occasion to dismiss Antony from his house Soon after this he engaged himself with Clodius the most insolent and turbulent disturber of the Government that that age had produced but not being able long to endure his madness and withal apprehensive of the powerful Cabal against Clodius he left Italy and travell'd into Greece where he spent his time in warlike Exercises and in the Study of Eloquence he affected much the Asiatick way of speaking which was most in fashion then and had most resemblance to his temper which was very Rhodomantade and brave very Ambitious and unequal After some stay in Greece he was invited by Gabinius the Proconsul to make a Compagne in Syria which at first he refused not being willing to serve in a private Character but receiving a Commission to Command the Horse he went along with him His first service was against Aristobulus who had prevail'd with the Jews to Rebel He himself was the first that scal'd the Walls and on the strongest side of the Town beat him from all his Forts and in a pitcht Battel overcame him though much inferior in number put most of them to the Sword and took Aristobulus and his Son Prisoners This War ended Gabinius was sollicited by Ptolomy to restore him to his Kingdom of Aegypt and a promise made of ten thousand Talents reward most of the Officers were against this enterprize and Gabinius himself did not much approve it though shrewdly tempted by the ten thousand Talents which had a powerful influence over him But Antony desirous of engaging in brave Actions and willing to gratifie a Petitioning King was resolv'd to use all his Interest to bring about Gabinius to undertake this Expedition all were of opinion that the March to Peleusium was of more dangerous consequence than any thing else that could probably happen in the way for they were to pass over a deep Sand where no fresh water was to be hop'd for all along the Marishes of Serbonis which the Aegyptians give out to be the hollow Canal through which Typhon takes his breath and is in truth an Eruption caused by the over-flowing of the Red-Sea which is separate from the Mediterranean but by a small Neck of Land But Antony being Order'd thither with a party of Horse did not only make himself Master of the passes but won Peleusium a strong City took in the Citadel and by this means rendred the March secure to the Army and the way to Victory not uneasie to the General The Enemy was sensible of Antony's generous disposition for when Ptolomy had entred Peleusium in great rage and malice against the Aegyptians designing to put them every one to the Sword Antony positively withstood him and hindred the Execution In great and frequent skirmishes and battels many were the proofs he gave of his personal Valor and Military Conduct but never did it more plainly appear than in that Action of his when wheeling about he attack'd the Rear of the Enemy and gave opportunity to them that charg'd the Front to obtain an intire Victory for which he received both rewards and honors Nor was his humanity less taken notice of towards the deceased Archelaus he had been formerly his Guest and Acquaintance as he was in duty bound he fought him bravely while alive but finding his dead body he buried him with all the Ornaments and Decency which were due to the quality of a King Upon these and many other considerations the Alexandrians spoke of him with infinite respect and the Roman Soldiers lookt upon him as one of most worthy qualifications to compleat all he was a Man of Excellent Shape and Mein his Beard was of a comely growth his Fore-head large his Nose was of the Roman Shape and something he had in his Countenance of Greatness that made him seem to resemble the Statues and Medals we have of Hercules and it was an ancient Tradition that the Antonies were descended of Hercules by a Son of his called Anteon and this Opinion he endeavored to confirm by affecting the likeness of him both in his Mein and Dress for whensoever he appear'd in publick he wore his Vest girt low about the hips a broad Sword on his side and over all a large course Plad or Mantle What might seem to some very insupportable as vain glory raillery drinking in publick frequenting the Common Soldiers Tables and eating places made him the delight and pleasure of the whole Army He was very agreeable in his Loves and gain'd many Friends by the assistance he gave them in theirs being very pleasant in his Raillery upon his own intrigues The generous temper which he was of in disposing of his gratuities with an open and liberal hand to the Soldiers and his Friends gave him a fair opportunity of making his fortune and was very advantageous to him in establishing him in his new honours and employments from which it is improbable he ever could have fallen but by a thousand follies which he was Master of One instance of his Liberality I must relate he had order'd to one of his Friends twenty five thousand Crowns and his Steward wondring at the extravagance of the sum laid all the Silver in a heap as he should pass by Antony seeing the heap ask'd what it meant His Steward reply'd the mony you have order'd to be dispos'd of to your Friend well perceiving the malice of the Action says he I thought I had order'd much more 't is too little pray let the sum be doubled but enough of this The Citizens of Rome were divided into two parties they that seemed to favor the Senate follow'd Pompey who was then present the others that consider'd the interest of the People sheltred themselves under the Authority of Caesar who was then making War in Gaul Curio the Friend of Antony having changed his party had devoted himself to Caesar and brought over Antony to his service the Authority which he had gain'd by his Eloquence and great expences which were constantly supply'd by Caesar gave him opportunity of making his Friend Antony first Tribune of the People and then Augur whose coming into the heat of business made him capable of rendring no small services to Caesar In the first place he oppos'd the Consul Marcellus who had designed some old Legions for Pompey with Commission to raise new ones making an order that they should be sent into Syria to reinforce Bibulus his Army who was then making War with the Parthians and that no one as they should answer it at their peril should give in their Names to serve under Pompey Next finding that Pompey's Faction would not suffer Caesar's Letters to be received or read in the Senate by vertue of his Office he read them publickly and succeeded so well that many were brought to change their mind and to declare that Caesar's demands were but just and reasonable at length two questions being started the one
whether Pompey should dismiss his Army the other if Caesar his some were for the former for the latter all except some few when Antony stood up and put the question if it would be agreeable to them that both Pompey and Caesar should dismiss their Armies which proposal was approv'd of with great acclamations and Antony desir'd after much honor receiv'd to put it to the Vote but this was oppos'd by the Consuls and Caesar's Friends making some new proposals which did not carry the least appearance of unreasonableness were brow beaten by Cato and Antony himself commanded to leave the Senate by Consul Lentulus He gave them many a bitter â—â—rse at his going out and disguising himself in a Servants habit accompanied only with Quintus Cassius in a hired Chariot he went straight away to Caesar they no sooner arrived but great were the Complaints they made that affairs at Rome were transacted without any order or justice that the privilege of speaking in the Senate was deny'd the Tribunes and that he that asserted the Common right of the People was in imminent danger of his life Caesar took hold of this pretence to march his Army into Italy and upon this hint it was that Cicero writes in his Philippicks that Antony was as much the Cause of the Civil War as ever Helena was of the Trojan But this is but a surmise for Caesar was not of so weak a temper as to suffer himself to be carry'd away by a passion into a Civil War with his Country upon the sight of Antony and Cassius seeking refuge in his Camp in mean habit and a Hackney Chariot without ever having thought or taken his measures in an affair of so great consequence this was to him that wanted a pretence of declaring War a fair and equitable occasion but the true motive was the same that formerly set Alexander and Cyrus at odds with all Mankind the unquenchable thirst of Empire and the distracted Ambition of being the greatest Man in the World which was impracticable for him unless Pompey were reduc'd So soon then as he had surprized Rome and driven Pompey out of Italy he purpos'd first to go against the Legions that Pompey had in Spain and then to have a Fleet in readiness to attend his Motions leaving the mean while the Government of Rome to Lepidus the Praetor and the Command of the Army to Antony Tribune of the People who was not long in getting the hearts of his Soldiers eating and drinking himself with them and making them presents to the utmost of his abilities But on the other side he wanted not his Enemies he was too lazy to inform himself in the Complaints of the injur'd and was impatient in any thing of business and his Familiarity with other peoples Wives gave him an ill reputation In short the Government of Caesar which in it self was little better than Tyrannical was by the indiscretion and insolence of his Friends render'd insupportable And Antony as he had the greatest power in the Army so he committed the most notorious Insolencies and had much to answer for But Caesar at his return from Spain wink'd at his faults not thinking fit to disoblige a Souldier that could suffer all Fatigue was very brave of his person and an experienced Commander Caesar going aboard at Brundusium sailed over the Ionian Sea with a few Troops and sent back the Fleet with Orders to Antony and Gabinius to embark the Army and Land as soon as might be in Macedonia Gabinius having no mind to put to Sea and being apprehensive of the Winter-Season was forc'd to March his Army round about by Land but Antony being more afraid lest Caesar might suffer some great inconvenience from the number of his Enemies who press'd him hard beat back Libo who was at Anchor with a Fleet in the Mouth of the Haven of Brundusium having Mann'd out several small Pinnaces and other Boats with which he encompassed each Galley and made them retire gaining thus an occasion of putting aboard twenty thousand Foot and eight hundred Horse and so set out to Sea The Enemy having espied him made up to him but this Danger he escaped by reason that the South-Wind was so high that the Enemies Fleet was not able to live in so rough a Water but. withal he had like to have fallen upon a Ridge of Rocks where the Sea wrought so high that there was no hope of escaping Ship-wrack when all on a sudden the Wind turn'd about to South-west and blew from land to the main Sea where Antony sailing in security saw the Coast all covered with the Wreck of the Enemies Fleet for the Gallies of Pompey had been miserably toss'd up and down and many of them sunk he took many Prisoners and much Booty he took also the Town of Lyssus and by the seasonable arrival of so great Recruit gave heart to the Affairs of Caesar There was no Engagement in which he did not signalize himself twice he stopt the Army in its flight led them back to a Charge and gained the Victory that not without reason his Reputation next to Caesar's was greatest in the Army and what opinion Caesar himself had of him did well appear when Pharsalia was to determine who should be Emperour of the World he himself chose to lead the right Wing committing the charge of the left to Antony as to the most experienc'd Officer of all that serv'd under him After the Battel Caesar being created Dictator went in pursuit of Pompey and sent Antony to Rome with the Character of Tribune of the People who is in Office and Power next to the Dictator when present and in his absence rules in Chief For upon the Election of a Dictator all other Magistrates cease to exercise any Authority in Rome The young Dolabella who was also Tribune of the People at that time and a great promoter of new Projects was for enacting a Law to rescind the register'd Debts and would needs perswade Antony to joyn with him who was his Friend and forward enough to promote any thing that was agreeable to the generality of the People Asinius and Trebellius were of the contrary Opinion and at the same time a grievous Fit of Jealousie possessing Antony that Dolabella was kinder than he desired to his Wife and taking it to heart he parted with her she was his Cousin-German and Daughter to Caius Antonius the Colleague of Cicero and taking part with Asinius declared War with Dolabella who had seiz'd on the Market-place in order to give Authority by force to his new Law Antony by a special Command of the Senate who had authoriz'd him to oppose Dolabella's breaking into the Market-place gave him Battel in the Fight many were lost on both sides and by this action he did incurr the displeasure of the common People and by reason of his Course of Life was not only not agreeable but as Cicero says had in detestation by the better sort of
People abominating his Midnight-Revelling his wild Expences and his rowling from one little Whore to another his Naps in the Day and his Walks to digest his Debauches and then at Night again his Entertainments and Balls for the solemnizing the Nuptials of some Comoedian or Buffoon It is reported that drinking all night at the Wedding of Hippias the Comoedian and on the Morning being to harangue the People he ventur'd out over-charg'd as he was and vomited before them all one of his Friends receiving it in his Gown Sergius the Comoedian was he who had the greatest Power with him und Cytheries of the same Vocation the Woman that had his Heart She when he went his Progress accompanied him in a Litter and had her Equipage not in any thing inferiour to his Mother's the world was scandaliz'd at the great Pomp of his Travelling Plate which was more proper for the Ornaments of a Triumph than the Convenience of a Journey at his causing Tents to be set up every where in the way by Rivers sides and in Groves for his dining with all the Luxury imaginable and that he made his Chariot to be drawn by Lions and lodg'd his little Whores and singing Wenches wheresover he past in the Houses of serious Men and Women famous for their Matron-like Behaviour And it seemed very unreasonable that Caesar out of Italy should fare hard and with great fatigue and danger pursue the remainder of a dangerous War whilst others in pretending his Authority left no insolence unpractis'd upon their Fellow-Citizens and this undoubtedly was occasion of great Trouble in Rome and gave the Souldier encouragement to injure and plunder the People upon this it is probable that Caesar at his return acquitted Dolabella and being created the third time Consul took not Antony but Lepidus for Colleague Pompey's House being to be sold Antony would buy it but was much troubled at the paying for it This and that he thought his former Services had not been recompenced as they deserved made him not follow Caesar with his Army into Libya and it is apparent that Caesar's not countenancing his Follies was a great Means of his amendment being weary therefore of this Course of Life he marries Fulvia the Widow of Clodius the great Ring-leader of the People a Woman not born for Spinning or Houswifry nor one that could be content with the power of ruling a private Husband but a Lady capable of advising a Magistrate and of ruling the General of an Army so that Cleopatra had great Obligations to her for having taught Antony to be so good a Servant he coming into her hands tame and broken in all obedience to the Commands of a Mistress Antony had many Devices by which he used to entertain and divert her from her more serious way of Carriage As when Caesar after his Victory in Spain was on his return Antony among the rest went out to meet him and a Rumour being spread that Caesar was kill'd and the Enemy marching into Italy he return'd to Rome and disguising himself came to her by night as a Servant that brought Letters from Antony but she with great impatience before she receiv'd the Letter asks if Antony were well instead of an Answer he gives her the Letter and as she was opening it took her about the Neck and kiss'd her This little Story of many of the same nature we thought fit to give you by which you might guess of his humour There was no body of Quality in Rome that did not go some days journey to meet Caesar in his return from Spain but Antony was the best received of any admitted to ride the whole Journey with him in his Coach behind came Brutus Albinus and Octavian his Sister's Son well known afterward by the name of Augustus Caesar Caesar being created the fifth time Consul without any demur chose Antony for his Colleague but designing himself to quit the Consulat to Dolabella he acquainted the Senate with his resolution but Antony opposed it with all his might and saying all the bitter things of Dolabella and receiving as injurious Language in return Caesar could bear with the indecency no longer but referr'd the Consideration of this Matter to another time and the next time it was propos'd Antony proclaim'd that all Omens that were taken from the flight of Birds were against his promotion so that Caesar was constrain'd to leave Dolabella very much discompos'd and 't is credible that Caesar had no great opinion of either of them for when one accus'd them to have design'd against him 't is not the Men so well fed and so wall dress'd I fear but the pale and lean said he I dread meaning Brutus and Cassius who afterwards conspir'd his Death and murther'd him To whom Antony without designing any harm gave the most plausible pretence that could be wish'd for The Romans were celebrating their Festival called the Lupercalia when Caesar in his Triumphal Habit and seated on a kind of Throne in the Market-place was a Spectator of the Sports the Custom is that many young Noblemen and of the Magistracy anointed with Oyl and having Straps of white Leather in their hand run about and strike every one they meet Antony was sporting with the rest who as soon as the ancient Ceremonies were perform'd took a Lawrel Garland and having wreathed the Diadem about it made towards the Throne and being lifted up by his Companions would have put it upon the Head of Caesar as if by that Ceremony he were declared King but Caesar seemingly refused the Offer and was applauded by the People with great Shouts the Dispute betwixt Antony's offering and Caesar's refusing the Crown lasted some while Antony receiving but little encouragement from the Shouts of a few Friends and Caesar's Refusal being accompanied with the general Applause of the People and this is very remarkable that the People should endure patiently all that a Kingly Government could impose and at the same time dread the Name of King as the utter destruction of their Liberty Caesar very much discompos'd at what had past stept down in haste from the Throne and laying bare his Neck said he offer'd himself a willing Sacrifice to the People if so it were their Pleasure The Crown at last was put upon one of his Statues but the Tribunes took it off to the great satisfaction of the People who followed them home with continual Shouts and Applauses Caesar resenâ—ed this and afterwards turn'd them out of their Office These Passages gave great encouragement to Brutus and Cassius who in making choice of trusty Friends for such an Enterprize were thinking to engage Antony every one approved the Man but Trebonius who did inform them that Antony and he had been very intimate in the late Journey they took to meet Caesar and that he had let fall several Words concerning the Matter now in hand on purpose to sound him that Antony very well understood him but did not at all
approve of the Discourse howsoever the Matter was never reveal'd to Caesar but still kept as a great Secret The Conspirators then proposed that Antony should die with him which Brutus would in no wise consent to not thinking fit that an Action undertaken in defence of Justice and the Laws should be liable to so foul an Imputation Antony therefore who was to be considered as a Man of Bodily Strength and one that bore great Office in the State was at Caesar's Entry to the Senate to be amused without in a Discouse of pretended Business Just as it was ordered Caesar was slain and Antony surpriz'd at the Action took the Disguise of a Servant's Habit and retir'd but understanding that the Conspirators had assembled in the Capitol and had no further Design upon any one he gave them his Honour they might come down in safety and sent his Son for an Hostage That night Cassius supp'd at Antony's House and Brutus with Lepidus where they resolved the Senate should be call'd and having pass'd an Act of Oblivion for the settlement of Affairs Governments were assign'd to Cassius and Brutus and whatsoever Acts had passed during the Reign of Caesar were ratified with the consent of the whole Senate Thus Antony went out of the Senate with that Reputation and Esteem that never Man had gain'd before him for it was apparent to the World that he had taken away all the Grounds of a Civil War and had shewn himself an able Minister of State that knew how to unravel and compose Matters of so great Danger and Difficulty But these temperate Counsels were soon infected with the Pride of being Favourite of the Multitude and the Ambition of ruling in Chief by the supplanting of Brutus In order to this Caesar's Body being exposed in the Market-place as the Custom is while Antony made his Funeral-Oration perceiving the People to be infinitely affected with what he had said from his Praises he rais'd their Pity and enlarged upon every Point that could move Compassion to compleat all he took the Robe from off the dead Corps and held it up exposing it all bloody and pierced through with many Stabs calling the Conspirators Villains and bloody Murtherers his Harangue had so great an effect upon the Multitude that they would not deferr the Solemnities of the Funeral but making a Pile of Tables and Forms in the very Market-place set Fire to it and every one taking a Brand ran in great fury to the Conspirators Houses with a resolution to burn them alive Upon this Tumult Brutus and his whole Party left the City and Caesar's Friends joyned themselves to Antony Calphurnia Caesar's Wife trusted her self to his Conduct and the best part of her Estate four thousand Talents he got also into his Hands all Caesar's Papers wherein were contained Journals of all he had done and Draughts of what he designed to do which Antony made good use of for by this means he made what Officers he pleas'd brought whom he would into the Senate recall'd some from Exile freed others out of Prison and all this as ordered so by Caesar The Romans by way of Raillery call'd all that receiv'd any benefit by this Artifice Charonites who if put to prove their Patents must have recourse to the Registers of the Dead In short Antony's behaviour in Rome was very absolute he himself being Consul and his two Broâ—hers in great place Caius the one Praetor and Lucius the youngest Tribune of the People While Matters went thus in Rome the young Caesar Julius Caesar's Sister's Son and by Testament left his Heir arrived at Rome from Apollonia where he was when his Uncle was kill'd The first thing he did was to visit Anthony as one his Uncle had greatest Obligation to he spoke to him concerning the Money that was in his hands and reminded him of the Legacy Caesar had made of seventy five Drachms to every Roman Citizen Antony at first laughing at such Discourse from so young a man told him he wish'd he were in his Health and that he wanted good Counsel and good Friends to tell him the Burden of being Executor to Caesar would sit very uneasie upon his young Shoulders This was no Answer to him but still he insists to have the Money and other goods which were his Inheritance insomuch that Antony us'd him injuriously thwarted his Interest upon all Occasions oppos'd him in his Election of Tribune and when he urged the dedication of his Father's Golden Chair as had been Enacted he threatned to send him to Prison if he desisted not from soliciting the People This made the young Caesar apply himself to Cicero and all those that hated Antony by them he was recommended to the Senate while he himself courted the People and from their respective quarters took the old Soldiers and form'd them into a Body this made Antony so apprehensive that he gave him a meeting in the Capitol and after some words they came to an accommodation That night Antony had a very unlucky Dream fancying that his right hand was Thunder struck and some few days after he was inform'd that Caesar design'd upon his life Caesar would have justify'd himself but was not believ'd so that the breach was now made as wide as ever each of them posted day and night all about Italy to engage the old Troops that lay scatter'd in their Quarters and great were the promises that were made to the Legions that were yet standing Cicero was of great reputation in Rome and made use of all his Art to exasperate the People against Antony and at length perswaded the Senate to declare him a publick Enemy and to send to Caesar the Rods and Axes and all other Marks of Honour that are usually given to the Pretor and withal an Order was given to Hirtius and Pansa who were their Consuls to drive Antony out of Italy The Armies engag'd nigh to Modena and Caesar himself was present Antony was defeated though both the Consuls were slain Antony in his Flight was pursued by all the misfortune imaginable and the worst shape it appear'd in was famine but it was in these extremities that he naturally fell into a behaviour that made him appear a Man much above himself and Antony in misfortune was not easily distinguish'd from a vertuous Man It is no extraordinary matter for Men that fall into great difficulties to reason right and understand what by their duty and honour they are bound to do and suffer Yet there are but a very few who in great extremities have courage enough to trust to their own Judgment either to imitate what they admire or avoid what they Condemn but abandon themselves to their beloved Ease and for very want of industry become irresolute Antony was a most illustrious Example of patience to the Army who accustomed to so much Luxury and delicacy could be contented to drink stinking water and feed upon wild Fruits and Roots nay 't is reported they devoured the very
Barks of Trees and in passing over the Alpes they lived upon the Flesh of Beasts that man had never before tasted of his design was to joyn Lepidus who commanded the Army on t'other side the Alpes who he imagined would stand his sure Friend he having done him many kind Offices to Julius Caesar he encamped near Lepidus his Army but receiving from him no sort of encouragement was resolv'd to push his Fortune and venture all His hair was very long and disorder'd nor had he shaved his beard since his last defeat in this guise and a mourning Mantle flung over he came into the Trenches of Lepidus and began to Harangue the Army some were moved at his habit others at his words that Lepidus liking it not ordered the Trumpets to sound that he might be heard no longer This rais'd in the Soldiers a greater sense of pity so that they resolv'd to send and conferr with him and drest Laelius and Clodius in Womens Cloaths and sent them to Antony they advis'd him presently to attack Lepidus his Trenches assuring him that a strong party should receive him and if so he thought fit kill Lepidus But Antony would not suffer that any injury should be done him and next morning he marched his Army to pass over the little River that parted the two Camps he was the first that gain'd the other side of the River where he espy'd Lepidus his Soldiers in great numbers reaching out their hands to help him and beating down the works to make him way Being entred the Camp and finding himself absolute Master he treated Lepidus with great civility and gave him the title of Father when he spoke to him and though he had every thing at his own Command he left him the honour of being called the General This fair usage brought over to him Munatius Plancus who was not far off with a considerable Force Thus being very strong he repass'd the Alpes and led with him into Italy seventeen Legions and ten thousand Horse besides six Legions he left in Garrison under the Command of Varius one of his familiar Friends that used to debauch with him and was therefore surnamed Cotylon which signifies a bottle Caesar perceiving that Cicero's intention was to re-establish the State in its former liberty did soon quit that party and by the Mediation of his Friends came once more to a good understanding with Antony They both met together with Lepidus in a small Island where the Conference lasted three days The Empire of the World was soon determin'd of it being divided amongst them as if it had been their paternal Inheritance That which gave them all the trouble was to agree who should be put to death every one intending to destroy his Enemies and to save his Friends The thirst of being revenged of their Enemies did in the end take off all manner of desire to preserve their Friends and Caesar sacrific'd Cicero to Antony Antony his Uncle Lucius to Caesar and both of them did easily grant to Lepidus the Liberty to murther his own Brother Paulus though there are those that say it was required of him I do not believe any thing was ever heard of so barbarous as this Composition for in this exchange of blood for blood they did not only murder those that were offer'd up unto their Fury but them also that they abandon'd to the range of others This Agreement being made the Army desir'd it might be confirm'd by some Alliance of Marriage so that Caesar married Claudia the Daughter of Fulvia Wife to Antony This affair being dispatch'd three hundred more were adjudg'd to dye by proscription Antony had given order to those that were to kill Cicero to cut off his head and right hand with which he had writ his invectives against him when they were brought before him he beheld them with an inward satisfaction not being able to contain himself from often smiling at so horrid a spectacle when he had satiated himself with the sight of them he ordered them to be hung up in the Court where the usual pleadings were not considering that the affront he design'd to the memory of the dead redounded to his own disgrace who by this barbarous Action rendred himself unworthy of that power he exercis'd His Uncle Lucius being closely pursued had taken refuge in his Sisters Chamber who when the murderers had broke into her house and were pressing into her Chamber she met them at the door and holding them by the hands cry'd out several times Ye shall never kill Lucius Caesar till you first dispatch me me that gave your General his life and being and she order'd the matter so well that she sav'd her Brother This Triumvirate was very hateful to the Romans and Antony was most of all to blame for he was Elder than Caesar and had greater Authority than Lepidus and withal was no sooner settled in his affairs but he return'd to his debauch and dissolute way of living Beside the ill reputation he had gained by his intemperance it was very disadvantageous to him his living in the house of Pompey the Great a Man as much celebrated for his temperance and honesty as ever he was admir'd for having Triumphed three times They could not without regret see the doors of that house shut against the Magistrates and Foreign Ministers who were shamefully refus'd admittance while it was open to Players Juglers and devouring Flatterers upon whom he spent the greatest part of his ill acquired Riches for they did not only take the Forfeiture of the Estates of such as were proscribed defrauding the poor Widows and Orphans and lay impositions upon all manner of Goods but hearing that several summs of money were by as well Strangers as Citizens of Rome deposited in the hands of the Vestal Virgins they went and took the money away by force Caesar perceiving how extravagant Antony was in his Expences demanded a division to be made of the Revenues The Army was also divided upon their march into Macedonia to make War with Brutus and Cassius they leaving the Command of the City to Lepidus having pass'd the Sea they encamped nigh the Enemy Antony nigh Cassius and Caesar nigh Brutus Caesar did nothing worth relating but success and Victory did still wait on Antony In the first Battel Caesar was routed by Brutus all his Baggage taken and he himself very narrowly escaping by Flight but as he himself writes in his Memoirs he retir'd before the Charge by reason of a dream of one of his Friends Antony overcame Cassius but as some write he himself was not present at the Engagement but that he joyn'd them afterwards in the pursuit Cassius with earnest entreaty had perswaded his faithful Friend Pindarus not knowing any thing of Brutus his good Fortune to kill him Shortly after they fought another Battel in which Brutus lost the day and slew himself Caesar being sick Antony had the honour of the Action who finding Brutus his Body among the
often came home very scurvily treated and sometimes beaten severely Though this sort of behaviour was very unpleasing to some yet the Alexandrians were well satisfy'd in his frolicks and jovial humour saying pleasantly that they had great obligations for Antony who diverted them with a Comical Countenance and reserv'd the Tragical for the Romans It would be very tedious to be more particular in his follies but his fishing must not be forgot He went out one day to angle with Cleopatra and being so unfortunate as to catch nothing in the presence of his Mistress he fell into a great passion and gave secret orders to the Fishermen to dive under water and put Fishes that had been fresh taken upon his hooks he drew so fast that the subtil Aegyptian perceiv'd it but feigning great admiration she told every body how dexterous Antony was and invited them next day to come and see him again so soon as he had let down his hook one of her Servants was too nimble for his Divers and fixed upon his hook a salted Fish taken in the Pontick Sea who when he felt his Line give drew up the prey which as one may easily imagine gave great occasion of Laughter which she turning very agreeably said Allow us brave Sir poor inhabitants of Charos and Canopus the reputation to be skilful in this Art your Game is Cities Provinces and Kingdoms Whilst Antony was thus amused in his Childish recreations two Messengers arrive the one from Rome who informs him that his Brother Lucius and his Wife Fulvia after many quarrels among themselves had joyn'd to resist Caesar but having lost all were forc'd to fly out of Italy The other brought little better news how that Labienus at the head of the Carthians had over-ran Asia from Euphrates and Syria all along to Lydia and Ionia scarce could he be rowsed from this sleep but at length as it were recovering from a drunken Fit he sets onward for Parthia and having got as far as Phaenicia upon the receipt of most lamentable Letters from Fulvia he turn'd his Course with two hundred Ships to Italy and in his way receiving such of his Friends as fled from Italy he was given to understand that Fulvia was the sole cause of the War a Woman of a restless Spirit and very bold and withal her hopes were that the commotions in Italy would force Antony from Cleopatra But it happen'd that Fulvia as she was coming to meet her husband fell sick by the way and dy'd at Sicyon by which reason an accommodation with Caesar was easily made for those that were Friends to them both seeing Antony arriv'd in Italy and nothing laid to his charge but what he disown'd and shifted off upon Fulvia they would not suffer that the time should be spent in justifying and accusing they made them both Friends and so proceeded to the division of the Empire the Eastern Provinces were given to Antony to Caesar the Western and Affrick left to Lepidus and an agreement was made that every one in their turn as they thought fit should make their Friends Consuls when they took it not themselves this Agreement was well approv'd of but yet 't was thought a Stronger tye would be very necessary and here Fortune was propitious for Caesar had an elder Sister not of the whole blood for Accia was his Mothers name hers Ancharia this Sister he lov'd intirely and a Lady she was of a Noble Character the Relict of Caius Marcellus and Antony was now a Widower by the death of Fulvia for though he did not disavow the passion he had for Cleopatra yet he disown'd any thing of Marriage Love and Reason still debating in his Breast what was to become of the fair Aegyptian Queen Every body was for promoting this Marriage it being the general expectation that a Lady of so much Honour Beauty and Prudence being perpetually with Antony and having great credit with him as might reasonably be expected affairs would easily be so order'd that no difference should arise betwixt him and Caesar Both parties being agreed they went to Rome to celebrate the Nuptials the Senate dispensing with the Law by which a Widow was not permitted to marry till ten Months after the death of her Husband Sextus Compeius was in possession of Sicily who with his Ships under the command of Menas and Menecrates two famous Pirates infested the Italian Coast that no Vessels durst venture into those Seas Sextus had behaved himself with much humanity towards Antony having kindly receiv'd his Wise and Mother in their Flight and it was judg'd fit that he should be receiv'd into the peace they met nigh to the Promontory of Misenum upon a point of Land that runs into the Sea Pompey's Fleet being at anchor in the Road and Antony and Caesar's Army drawn up all along the Side over against them There it was concluded that Sextus should quietly enjoy the Government of Sicily and Sardinia he conditioning to scowre the Seas of all Pirates and to send so much Corn every year to Rome This agreed on they invited one another to supper and by lot it fell to Pompey's turn to make the first entertainment and Antony asking where it was to be there said he pointing to the Admiral for that is the only House that Pompey is Heir to of his Fathers And this he said reflecting upon Antony who then was in possession of his Fathers House Having cast Anchor and made a Bridge from the promontory into the Galley he received them very gallantly when they began to grow warm which occasion'd many pleasant passages upon the subject of Antony's and Cleopatra's loves Menas the Pirate whispers Pompey in the ear Sir said he will you be pleas'd that I cut the Cable which will not only make you Master of Sicily and Sardinia but of the whole Roman Empire Pompey having for a while considered what was propos'd return'd him this answer Menas this might have been done without acquainting me in 't now let us make the best of our present condition for I cannot break my word And so having been treated by the other two in their turns he set fail for Sicily As soon as matters were concerted Antony dispatch'd Ventidius into Asia to put a stop to the inroads of the Carthians and he to make a complement to Octavius accepted of the Office of being Priest to the deceased Caesar and in all occasions of common civility as also in matters of the highest concernment they both behaved themselves with a great deal of easiness and friendship But Antony could not suffer with patience that Caesar in all little plays which they frequently diverted themselves with should be constantly victorious He had usually with him an Aegyptian skilful in the calculation of Nativities who either to make his Court to Cleopatra or that by the rules of his Art he found it so to be did declare to him that though the Fortune that did attend him was
bright and glorious yet it was overshadowed by Caesar's and advised him to keep himself far distant from that young Man for your Genius said he dreads his When absent from him yours is proud and brave but in his presence unmanly and dejected and the event did shew that the Aegyptian spoke truth for whensoever they play'd by drawing lots or at dice Antony was still the loser and as they often fought game Cocks or Quails Caesar's always had the Victory This gave Antony a sensible displeasure and made him put great confidence in the skill of his Aegyptian Astrologer so that having quitted the management of the home affairs to Caesar he left Italy and took Octavia along with him into Greece who had been lately brought to bed of a Daughter Whilst he winter'd in Athens he receiv'd the joyful news of Ventidius his Victory over the Carthians of Labienus and Charnapates the General of King Herod's Army being both slain for the celebrating of which he order'd a publick feast through Greece and at the prizes which were fought at Athens he himself chose to be Moderator and leaving at home the Ensigns that are carried before the General he made his procession in a long Gown and Slippers with the wands marching before which are usual in those solemnities and he performed his duty in parting the combatants when they had fought enough When he was upon marching his Army he made him a garland of the Olive Tree consecrated to Minerva and in obedience to some Oracle he fill'd a Vessel with the water of the Clepsidra to carry along with him Pacorus the Parthian Kings Son at this time made an inrode into Syria and was met by Ventidius who gave him Battel in the Country of Cyrrestica slew most of his Men and Pacorus among the rest This Victory gave great reputation to the Romans and redeem'd their honour which had suffer'd much ever since the defeat of Crassus the Parthians being oblig'd after the loss of three Battels successively to keep themselves within the bounds of Media and Mesopotamia Ventidius not being willing to push his good Fortune any further for fear of raising some jealousie in Antony but turning his Arms against them that had quitted the Roman interest he reduc'd them to their former obedience Among the rest he besieged Antiochus King of Commogena who made an offer of a thousand talents for his pardon and a promise to continue in a strict compliance to all Antony's commands but Ventidius told him that Antony was upon his march and that he must send his proposals to him for that he had no power to treat with him to the end that this small affair might be transacted in Antony's name that People might not think that he did nothing but by his Lieutenants The Siege grew very tedious for when they perceived that they could not make any reasonable composition they resolved to hold it out to the utmost extremity so that Antony was in great confusion to see how little he had done and repented himself that he had not accepted the first offer in the conclusion he was easily induc'd to make an accommodation with Antiochus for three hundred Talents and having given some orders for the affairs of Syria he return'd to Athens And having done Ventidius the honours he well deserved he dismiss'd him to receive his Triumph he was the only Man that ever triumphed for Victories obtained o'er the Parthians A Man of obscure Birth but by the means of Antony's friendship obtain'd an opportunity of shewing himself and doing great things and his making so good use of it gave great credit to an observation made by Caesar that Antony was much more successful in his Arms by his Lieutenants than in his own Person for Sossius Antony's Lieutenant in Syria had done miracles And Ventidius whom he left in Armenia had quieted all that Country and defeating the Kings of Albania and Ibeâ—ia had march'd victorious to the Mountains of Caucasus by which means the same of Antony's arms was grown very terrible to the barbarous Nations Antony was much incens'd against Caesar by reason of several reports that were made him of his unkindness so that he set sail with three hundred Ships for Italy and being refused harbour in the Port of Brundusium he made for Tarentum there his Wife Octavia that came from Greece with him obtain'd leave to visit her Brother she was then big of her third Child as she was on her way to Rome she met Octavius by the way his two great Friends Mecaenas and Agrippa in his company she took them aside and with great impressment told them that of the most fortunate Woman upon Earth she was in evident danger of becoming the most miserable Creature breathing that every ones eyes were fix'd upon her as the Wife and Sister of the two Men that did divide the whole World between them but that if rash counsels should prevail and war ensue I shall be miserable said she without redress for on what side soever Victory falls I shall be sure to be a loser Caesar was softened by the entreaties of his Sister so that he march'd in a peaceful manner to Tarentum They that were present at this Enterview were strangely delighted to see so great an Army drawn up by the Shore and so great a Fleet in the Harbour without doing any act of hostility nothing but kind Salutations and other expressions of joy and friendship passing from one Army to th' other Antony invited Caesar first to supper which he accepted of in consideration of Octavia At length an agreement was made between them that Caesar should give Antony two of his Legions to serve him in the Parthian War and that Antony should in return leave with him an hundred arm'd Galleys And Octavia did obtain of her Husband besides this twenty light Ships for her Brother And of her Brother a thousand Foot for her Husband So having parted very good friends Caesar went immediately to make War with Pompey to conquer Sicily And Antony leaving with him his Wife and Children and his Children by his former Wife Fulvia set sail for Asia Then it was that the worst of infectious diseases Love and the Love of Cleopatra which had lain quiet in his breast so long and seem'd to have given place to the temperate duties of Life upon his approach to Syria gathered strength again and broke out into a flame and unbridled Lust which Plato calls the horse of the Soul that has flung his Rider broke loose in defiance of all wholesom and serious Counsel He sends Fonteius Capito to conduct Cleopatra into Syria to whom at her arrival he made no small present for besides what he had given her he added the Provinces of Phoenicia the Lower Syria Cyprus great part of Cilicia and that side of Judea which produces the true Balm that part of Arabia where the Nabathaeans are by the Sea-side these profuse gifts did much displease the Romans for
had seen Cleopatra who was not preferable to Octavia neither for Youth nor Beauty Caesar having an account what great Preparations Antony had made was afraid lest the War should be begun that Summer for he wanted many Necessaries and the People grudged very much to pay the Subsidies for they that were obliged to pay the Fourth of what their yearly Revenue was and the Libertines who paid an Eighth did do it with such reluctancy that great Troubles had like to have ensued throughout all Italy and this is looked upon as one of the greatest of Antony's Oversights that he did not then press the War for he gave Caesar leisure to provide himself and satisfie the People for while that Money is squeezing out of the People they are very mutinous but when they have parted with it they are well enough satisfied to be quiet Titus and Plancus Men of Consular Dignity and Friends to Antony having been ill us'd by Cleopatra whom they opposed in her Design of being present in the War came over to Caesar and being acquainted with the Contents of Antony's Testament did inform him it was deposited in the hands of the Vestal-Virgins who did deny to deliver it up but sent him word if he pleased he might come and seize it himself which he did and reading it over to himself he noted those Places that were most for his purpose and having summoned the Senate did read them publickly Many were scandalized at the Proceeding thinking it very hard that they should think of punishing a man for what was not to be till after his Death He did more urgently press what Antony had left in his Will concerning his Burial for he had order'd that though he died in the City of Rome his Body should be solemnly carried through the Market-Place and sent to Cleopatra at Alexandria Calvisius a Dependant of Caesar's urg'd other Crimes against Antony committed in the favour of Cleopatra that he had given her the Library of Perg 〈…〉 um wherein were two thousand distinct Volumes That at a solemn Feast he had risen from the Table and treading upon her Foot had given her a manifest Assignation that he had suffered the Ephesians to salute her by the name of their Queen That he had frequently at the publick Audience of Kings and Princes receiv'd amorous Messages written in Tablets made of Onyx and Chrystal and read them openly that when Turnius a man of great Authority and Eloquence among the Romans was pleading Cleopatra happening to pass by in her Chair that Antony should leave them in the middle of their Cause and wait upon her home But Calvisius was look'd upon as the Inventer of most of these Accusations Antony's Friends went up and down the City to gain him Credit and sent Geminius to him to let him know his Affairs did require he should be more circumspect that he was in danger to have all his Governments taken from him and be proclaim'd publick Enemy to the City of Rome but Geminius no sooner arriv'd in Greece but he was look'd upon as one of Octavia's Spies he was scurvily rallied and set at the lower end of the Table but this he bore very well seeking only an occasion of conferring with Antony but once at Supper being demanded what his Business was he came about He answered that his Business might very well deserve a serious Conference but one thing he had to deliver which might be spoke either full or fasting which was that Matters would bear much a better Face if Cleopatra would return into Egypt Antony being very angry Gleopatra told him Geminius you have done very well to tell us this important Secret without a Rack Geminius took an occasion to make his escape and got to Rome Many more of Antony's Friends were driven from him by the insolent usage they could not bear from Cleopatra's Flatterers amongst the which were Marcus Syllanus and Dellius the Historian The last declared he was asraid of his Life and that Glaucus the Physician had inform'd him of Cleopatra's Design against him She was angry with him for having said that Antony's Friends were serv'd with sour Wine and that at Rome Sarmentus Caesar's Minion's little Serving-Boy drank Falernum Caesar was no sooner in readiness but he declared War against Cleopatra and Antony's Government was taken from him for being ruled by a Woman Caesar added that he had drank Potions that had bereav'd him of his Senses that the War◠would be manag'd against them by Mardion the Eunuch Photinus and Iras Cleopatra's waiting Woman and Charmion who were become Antony's chief Counsellors These Prodigies were said to forebode the War Pisaurum where Antony had settled a Colony near the Adriatick Sea was swallowed up in an Earthquake a Marble Statue of Antony that was at Alba did sweat for many days together and though it were often wip'd it continued to sweat When he himself was in the City of Patras the Temple of Hercules was burnt by lightning At Athens Bacchus was by a great Wind blown out of the Battel of the Giants and the Gods and laid flat upon the Theatre for Antony did derive himself from Hercules as we said before And in imitating Bacchus in his way of living was called young Bacchus the same Whirlwind at Athens did bring down from amongst many others the great Statues of Eumenes and Attalus which were called the Antonine Statues And in Cleopatra's Admiral which was called Antonias a dismal prodigy did happen some Swallows had built in the Stern of the Admiral but other Swallows came beat the first away and destroy'd their Nests Preparations being made on both sides Antony had no less than five hundred Gallies well appointed most of them had eight and ten Banks of Oars so very rich that they seem'd designed for Triumph He had a hundred thousand foot and twelve thousand Horse he had of Vassal Kings attending Bacchus of Lybia Tarcondemus of the Upper Cilicia Archelaus of Cappadocia Philadelphus of Paphlagonia Mithridates of Commagena and Adallas King of Thracia all these attended him in the War Out of Pontus Polemon sent him considerable Forces as did also Manchus from Arabia Herod out of Jury and Amyntas King of Lycaonia and Galatia and the Median King sent their Troops to joyn him Caesar had two hundred and fifty stout Gallies fourscore thousand Foot and the number of Horse equal to the Enemy Antony had under his Command all that tract of Land that lies betwixt Euphrates and the Ionian Sea and great part of Illyria Caesar's Government extended from Illyria to the Westward Ocean and from the Ocean all along the Tuscan and Sicilian Sea as for the division of Africk Caesar had all the Coast that was opposite to Italy Gaul and Spain and Antony the Provinces from Cyrene reaching up into Aethiopia He was so besotted with the Love of Cleopatra that although he was much Superior to the Enemy in Land Forces yet out of complaisance to his Mistress he
rather chose to engage him by Sea and that when he could not but see how ill his Navy was supply'd his Captains for want of Mariners pressing every one they met Carriers Ostlers Laborers and Boys and for all this the Vessels had not their complement but remained in a very ill plight for Sailing Caesar on the other side had his Navy contriv'd not for shew but for service no pompous Galleries but built light and well mann'd with experienc'd Sailers from Tarentum and Brundusium from thence he sent to Antony not to draw out the time in delays but that he would bring up his Forces that he would give him secure Ports for his Fleet and that for his Land Forces he would give him as much ground to encamp in as a horse could run over from the Sea-side up the Continent Antony on the other side bravely challeng'd him to a single Combat though he were much the older and that being refused propos'd to meet him in the Pharsalian Fields where Julius Caesar and Pompey had fought before Whilst Antony was at Anchor before Actium where now stands Nicopolis Caesar crost the Ionian Sea and gain'd Toryne a place in Epirus upon which Antony's Soldiers were ready to mutiny in consideration that their Land Forces were a great way off but Cleopatra turning it into a jest indeed said she we ought to tremble now Caesar is sate down before Toryne On the morrow at break of day Caesar appears his Fleet drawn up in a Line ready to engage which Antony perceiving and not being assured that his Gallies so ill provided would be able to stand the shock he armed all the Rowers and made a shew upon the Decks of being in readiness to engage the Oars were mounted on each side of the Vessels and so he Sailed up into the mouth of the Port of Actium as though he were in all points provided for an engagement And Caesar deceiv'd by this stratagem retir'd He also cut off the Water from the Enemy by making of Trenches and Forts the water not being plentiful in those parts nor very good His carriage to Domitius was very generous and much against the will of Cleopatra for when he had made his escape in a little Boat to Caesar having then an Ague upon him altho Antony could not but resent it highly yet he sent after him his whole Equipage with his Friends and Servants and Domitius as if he would have given a Testimony to the World how asham'd he was of his base desertion dy'd soon after Among the Kings also Amyntas and Deiotarus went over to Caesar his Fleet was so unfortunate in every thing that was undertaken and so unready upon every design that Antony was constrain'd to lay his stress upon the Land Forces Canidius too who commanded the Legions when he saw how things stood chang'd his opinion and now was of advise that Cleopatra should be sent back and that retiring into Thracia or Macedonia the quarrel might be decided in a Land fight and that Ditomes the King of the Getes was in a readiness to attend him with a great Army and that it was not in the least any disparagement to him to quit the Sea to Caesar who in the Sicilian Wars had gain'd so great experience in Sea affairs but that it would seem very ridiculous for Antony the greatest Captain of the World to make no use of his well disciplin'd and stout Troops but to scatter them and render them useless in the defence of a Navy but for all this Cleopatra prevail'd that a Sea-fight should determine of all having then an eye to flight and ordering all her affairs not as if she had the least thought of victory but how she might when all was lost make her escape with greatest safety There was a long neck of Land which from the Camp ran into the Sea where the Fleet rid at anchor here Antony used to walk without suspecting any danger but Caesar upon information from a Servant that it was not difficult to surprize him laid an ambush which rising up somewhat too hastily seized the Man that came just before him he himself escaping narrowly by flight when it was resolved to stand to a Fight at Sea they set fire of all but sixty of the best Egyptian Vessels and these he mann'd with twenty thousand armed Men and two thousand Archers Here it is reported of a foot Captain well experienc'd in War and one that had fought often under Antony and had his Body all mangled with wounds that he should cry out O most noble General why do you mistrust these Wounds and Swords you see to put your confidence in rotten Wood let Egyptians and Phoenicians contend at Sea give us the Land where we will die upon the spot or gain the victory To which he answer'd nothing but by his look and motion of his hand seeming to bid him be of good courage he passed forwards having no opinion of the posture of affairs and when the Masters propos'd the leaving of Sails behind them he commanded they should be put aboard for we must not said he let one Enemy escape That day and the three following the Sea was so rough they could not engage but on the fifth there was a calm and then they fought Antony commanding with Publicola the right and Celius the left Squadron Marcus Octavius and Marcus Justius the middle Squadron Octavius had given the charge of the left Squadron to Agrippa commanding in person the right As for the Land Forces Canidius was General for Antony Taurus for Caesar both Armies being drawn up in great order all along the Shoar Antony in a small Vessel went from one Ship to another encouraging his Soldiers and advising them to stand firm and that the largeness of the Ships would render the fight as fix'd as if they were at Land To the Masters he order'd that they should receive the Enemy lying still as at Anchor and maintain the entrance of the Port which was a dangerous Pass They relate of Caesar that going out of his Tent before day in order to visit his Fleet that he met a Man driving an Ass and asking his name he told him it was Eutychus which signifies fortunate and my Ass says he is called Nicon which is Conquerour and afterwards when he disposed the Beaks of the Ships in that place in token of his Victory the Statue of this Man and his Ass in Brass were placed amongst them having viewed his whole Fleet and from the right Squadron discovering the Enemies posture he much admired the quiet order they were in for in all appearance they seemed as if they had been at Anchor and therefore he slack'ned his course for they were not above half a League from one another about noon a gentle Southern Wind did blow and then Antony's Men being weary of expecting the Enemy so long and trusting to their large tall Vessels as if they had been invincible began to advance the left
sent Cleopatra into Egypt and staid himself in a very solitary condition having no Company but two of his familiar friends the one Aristocraces a Grecian the other Lucilius a Roman We have already spoken of the last in the life of Brutus and how that to give him leisure to escape at the Battel of Philippi he suffer'd himself to be taken pretending to be Brutus Antony gâ—ve him his Life and he remained firm to him to his last day To add to the afflictions of Antony he understood that he who commanded for him in Libya to whose care he had committed all the Troops of that Country was gone over to Caesar there he had a great mind to kill himself but was hindred by his friends and coming to Alexandria he found Cleopatra busied in a most prodigious enterprise There is but a small space of Land which divides the Red Sea from the Mediterranean which also separates Asia from Africk and in the narrowest place is not much above thirty six miles over Cleopatra had formed a project of dragging her Gallies over this Neck of Land and of setting them on Float in the Red-Sea with all her riches aboard to seek some remote Country where she might live in peace secure from War and Slavery But the first Gallies which were carried over being burnt by the Arabians of Petra and Antony not knowing but that the Army before Actium stood yet firm she desisted from her enterprise and gave orders for the fortifying all the avenues of her Kingdom but Antony leaving the City and the conversation of his friends built him a house nigh Pharos upon a little Mount which he had cast up in the Sea and there secluding himself from the company of mankind he resolved to imitate the life of Timon because he had received the same hard usage and that for the ingratitude and injuries which he suffer'd from those he had obliged and esteemed his friends he would hate and mistrust all Mankind This Timon was a Citizen of Athens and lived in the time of the Peloponnesian War as may be seen by the Comedies of Aristophanes and Plato in which he is lashed as the hater and enemy of mankind This Man having a long time avoided and despised the converse of every Body and meeting Alcibiades a bold young Gentleman he civilly saluted him and embraced him Apemantus was astonish'd and demanding the reason Oh says Timon you cannot imagine what mischief this young Man will one day do the Athenians He never admitted any one into his Company but this Apemantus who was much of the same humour and a zealous imitator of his way of Life At the celebration of the Feasts for the Dead these two were eating together and Apemantus saying to him Oh Timon this is a pleasant Feast It would be so he answer'd if thou wert away One day he got up in a full Assembly into the Pulpit and a great silence being made by reason of so unusual a sight he began his Speech which was thus Ye Men of Athens I have a little Court-yard and in it grows a Fig-Tree on which many of your Citizens have been pleas'd to hang themselves and now having resolved to build in that place I could not omit the making publick Declaration of my design least I should prejudice any one by cutting down my Tree that has a mind to hang himself He died and was buried at Hales nigh the Sea which swells in that place and flowing round his Monument makes it inaccessible the Monument had this inscription The wretches heart who here does lie Did burst with grief and misery Ask him not his name to tell But God confound ye all farewel And this Epitaph was made by himself while yet alive that which is usually reported to be his was made by Callimachus Here Timon lies who hated man begon Curse mortal curse again but pray march on Thus much of Timon of whom much more might be said Canidius brought Antony word of the loss of his Army which was before Actium then he received news that Herod of Judea was gone over to Caesar with very considerable Troops that several great Commanders had deserted him and that his interest was quite ruin'd every where All this did not in the least move him but quitting all hope that he might be rid of all care and leaving his habitation by the Sea which he call'd the Timonium he was received by Cleopatra in the Palace and the whole City was diverted by him with feasting drinking and presents The Son of Caesar and Cleopatra was registred among the youths and Antyllas his own Son by Fulvia received the Gown without the purple border which was given to them that are come of age so that the Citizens of Alexandria did nothing but feast and revel for many days they broke up the order of the inimitable Livers and constituted another in its place nothing inferior to the former in splendor and luxury and called it the Diers together for all those that would die with Antony and Cleopatra gave in their Names passing their time in all manner of pleasures and treating one another by turns But Cleopatra was busied in making a collection of all manner of poysonous drugs and desirous to know which of them were the least painful in the Operation she sent them to be tried upon such as were condemn'd to die but finding that those poisons that had a quick effect caused sharp pains and great convulsions and that the milder were so very long a working she set her self to the examination of venomous Creatures applying one sort to one Body and another to others and this was her daily practice still finding that nothing was comparable to the bite of the Asp which without the least convulsion or groaning caused a great heaviness in the head and desire of sleep with a gentle sweat all o'er the Face the senses being stupify'd by degrees the patient in appearance being sensible of no pain but rather troubled to be disturb'd or awaken'd like those that are in a profound natural sleep They both sent Ambassadors to Caesar into Asia Cleopatra petition'd for the Kingdom of Egypt for her Children and Antony that he might have leave to live a private Man in Egypt and if that were thought too much that he might retire to Athens for want of friends so many having deserted and the remainder not deserving to be trusted Euphronius his Son's Tutor was sent of this Embassie For Alexas of Laodicea who by the recommendation of Timagenes came acquainted with Antony at Rome and had the greatest power over him of any of the Grecians and was of all the insinuating Spirits which Cleopatra made use of to perswade Antony the most successful and the only Man that could oppose Octavia's Counsels was sent to Herod to keep that King from desertion but he betraying his Master staid with him and confiding in Herod's interest had the impudence to come into Caesar's presence
from a Window she let down Cords to which Antony was fastned and she and her two Women which were all that was susfered to enter the Monument drew him up 'T is reported that nothing was more sad than this Spectacle to see Antony cover'd all over with Blood just expiring still holding up his hands to her and lifting up his body with that little force was left nor was the Women's an easier task Cleopatra taking great pains and straining hard with her head to the ground tugging at the Rope they that stood below encouraging her and pitying her Condition When she had got him up she laid him on the Bed tearing all her Cloaths which she spread upon him beating her Breasts with her hands and wiping the Blood from off his Face she call'd him her Lord her Husband her Emperour and seemed to have forgot her own miserable condition she was so intent upon his Misfortunes Antony comforted her as well as he could and called for Wine to drink either that he was thirsty or that he imagined that it might put him the sooner out of pain when he had drank he advised her to take her own Affairs into consideration and as far as it would consist with her Reputation to compose them and that among all the Friends of Caesar she should apply her self to Proculeius that she should not pity him in this late turn of Fate but rather rejoyce in remembrance of his past happiness who had been of all men that ever liv'd the most illustrious and powerful and in the end had bravely fought like a Roman and been by a Roman overcome Just as he breath'd his last Proculeius arrived from Caesar For when Antony gave himself his Death's Wound and was carried in to Cleopatra Dercetaeus one of his Guards took up Antony's Sword and hid it and when he saw his opportunity stole away to Caesar and brought him the first News of Antony's death and withall shewed him the bloody Sword Caesar upon this news retir'd into his Closet and paying some tears to the memory of one that had been his Kinsman Partner and faithful Companion in so many Wars and Dangers he came out to his Friends and bringing with him many Letters he read to them with how much reason and moderation he had always treated Antony and in return what fierce and arrogant Answers he receiv'd From thence it was he sent Proculeius to use his utmost endeavours to get Cleopatra alive into his Power for he was afraid of losing a great Treasure and besides she would be no small Addition to the Ornaments of his Triumph but she refused to conferr with him but from within her Monument he standing on the outside of the Door which was strongly barr'd but so that they might well enough hear one another's voice her demand was that her Kingdom might be dispos'd to her Children he still insisting that she would be of good Courage and leave intirely to Caesar the consideration of her Affairs he having taken particular notice of the place return'd to Caesar who sent Gallus to parly with her the second time who being come to the Door did on purpose prolong the conference while Proculeius had fix'd his scaling Ladders in the Window through which the Women had pull'd up Antony and being follow'd by two Servants he went streight down to the Door where Cleopatra was discoursing with Gallus one of the Women who was shut up in the Monument with her was heard to cry out Oh wretched Cleopatra thou art taken alive she turn'd quick and spying Proculeius drew out her Dagger to stab her self but Proculeius running up to her and seizing her with both his hands for shame said he Cleopatra you wrong your self and Caesar much who would rob him of so fair an occasion of shewing his clemency to the whole World and in this unjust action of yours would seem to accuse the most courteous and worthiest of Men of being implacable and not fit to be confided in and disarming her he examined her Robe for fear of any poyson that might be hid therein After this Caesar sent Epaphroditus one of his Servants with order to treat her with all the gentleness and civility imaginable but withal to be very intent that he left her no opportunity of making her self away In the mean while Caesar makes his entry into Alexandria with Areius the Philosopher by his side holding him by the hand and talking with him that he receiving so great honours from him might be the more considered by his fellow Citizens then entring the open place where they usually perform'd their Exercises he mounts the Throne which was there on purpose erected from whence he commanded the Citizens who in great fear and consternation lay prostrate at his Feet to stand up and told them That he forgave the People of Alexandria all their Crimes they had committed First for the sake of Alexander who built their City then for the City's sake it self the largest and most beautiful in the World and Thirdly to gratifie his friend Areius These honours did Caesar confer upon Artius by whose intercession many others lives were sav'd amongst the which was Philostratus a Man of all the Professors of Eloquence the most ready and fam'd for his extemporary Speeches but he having insinuated himself without any merit into the Academy and his morals being detested by Caesar had his Petition rejected He with a long white Beard and a black Cloak was always at Aâ—eius his Heels repeating this Verse The wise Men will the wise Men save If that the wise Men wisdom have Which Caesar hearing gave him his pardon to prevent rather the ill report might be rais'd of Areius than in any consideration of Philostratus Of Antony's Children Antyllus by Fulvia betray'd by his Tutor Theodorus was put to death while the Soldiers were murd'ring him his Tutor contriv'd to steal a precious Jewel which he wore about his Neck and put it into his Pocket which he denying was convicted of Theft and hang'd Cleopatra's Children with their Governours had a Guard set on them and were treated very honourably Caesario who is reported to have been the Son of Caesar the Dictator was sent by his Mother with a great Sum of Money through Ethiopia to pass into India but his Tutor being as honest as Theodorus had perswaded him to turn back to Rhodes for that Caesar design'd to make him a King Caesar consulting what was best to be done with him 't is reported of Areius that he should say * plurarity of Caesars is not safe and afterwards he was put to death so soon as Cleopatra was dead Many Kings and great Commanders made petition to Caesar for the body of Antony to give him his Funeral rights but he would not dispose of his Corps from Cleopatra who buried him with her own hands with all splendor and magnificence it being granted to her to employ what she pleas'd in his Funeral In this extremity
Cities also became intercessors for his freedom only Lysimachus by his Embassadors basely offered a large sum of mony to Seleucus to take away his life but by this barbarous proposal he rendred himself most detestable to Seleucus to whom he was sufficiently odious before nevertheless he still protracted the time of his deliverance resolving as he pretended that he should owe it to the Intercession of Antigonus and Stratonice Demetrius to whom misfortunes had been customary grew so familiar with this that by long continuance it became habitually easie At first he accustomed himself to frequent exercises Hunting Horse-races and such other divertisements as were permitted him but by degrees he came to disuse them and applied himself to Dice and Drinking and to divert the importunity of his melancholy thoughts with which he was haunted when sober he took the Remedy of Intemperance a Cure worse than the Disease and whether this was the reason or that this sort of pleasure was what he most naturally affected and judged that he had committed an error in suffering himself to be diverted from it by his mad and vain Ambition which had created so much trouble to himself and others he now spent the greatest part of his time in this Way of consuming both that and his health and he who had so restlesly toiled to find glory and happiness by Sea and Land in mighty Fleets and formidable Armies now thought he had found the only Way to tranquillity and repose and he would often passionately say What other Period is there of all those Wars which miserable Princes are wont to make and what recompence can they hope for to balance the pains they are at and the dangers to which they are continually exposed besides sitting down quietly at last and enjoying their pleasures and delights Demetrius having thus continued three years a Prisoner in Chersonesus for want of exercise and by indulging himself in Intemperance in the 54th year of his Age fell sick of a Distemper which ended not but with his life And Seleucus was extremely censured for making such professions of kindness and restoring his Liberty to this Unfortunate Prince but not performing them and herein he did not imitate the bravery of Dromichetes of Thrace who not only treated Lysimachus when he was his Prisoner nobly and like a King but quickly restored him to his former condition of Liberty And now we must attend the Unfortunate Demetrius with our last service to his Funerals which suitable to his life were very pompous and magnificent For his Son Antigonus understanding that his ashes were coming over from Syria he went with a noble Fleet to the Isles of the Archipelagus to meet them and caused them to be deposited in an Vrn of massy Gold All the Cities where they touched in their passage sent Chapplets to adorn the Vrn and deputed certain of the best of their Citizens in deep mourning to assist at the funeral Solemnity When the Fleet of Antigonus approached the harbour of Corinth the Vrn covered with Purple and a Royal Crown upon it was placed upon the Poop of the Admiral Gally a Troop of young Noble Men and Persons of Quality attended in Arms upon the Key to receive it at landing and Xenophon the fam'd Musician began a Mournful Song in praise of the Dead to which the Rowers in sorrowful Ejaculations made responses their Oars all the while in their stroaks keeping time with the doleful Cadences of the Musick Antigonus who appeared all covered with tears and mourning moved the Universal compassion of the numerous Spectators and the Crowns and others Trophies of Honour being left at Corinth the Vrn was conveyed to Demetriada a City to which Demetrius had given his name after it had been built by his direction and peopled with the Inhabitants of the small Villages of Jolchos Demetrius left no other Children by his Queen Philla but Antigonus and Stratonice but he had two other Sons both of his own name one whereof was surnamed the Meagre by a Sclavonian Lady and the other by Ptolemaida who reigned in Cyrene He had also Alexander by Queen Deidamia who died in Egypt and there are some who will have it that he had also a Son by Euridice whose name was Coriabus To conclude the Descendants of Demetrius in a continued Succession of Kings enjoyed the Crown of Macedon Perseus being the last who was vanquished and led in triumph by the Romans And now having represented the Tragedy with which Macedon hath furnished us it is time to take a view of that which we expect from Rome M. ANTHONY M Bur 〈…〉 THE LIFE OF MARCUS ANTONIUS From the Greek By CHARLES FRASER M. D. VOLUME V. THE Grandfather of Antony was the famous Pleader whom Marius put to death for having taken part with Sylla His Father was Antony surnamed the Cretan not the same with him that was so celebrated and esteemed for his skill in publick affairs but a worthy good man and particularly remarkable for his Liberality which may appear from this singâ—e Action of his He was not very rich and withal diverted from the exercise of his good Nature by his Wife a Friend of his that stood in need of money came to borrow of him money he had none and therefore commands his Servant to bring water in a silver Bason with which he lather'd himself as though he had design'd to shave and sending away the Servant upon another Errand gave his Friend the Bason desiring him to make what use he pleas'd on 't but this making a great stir among the Servants and putting his Wife into very ill humour to save her the trouble of any further enquiry he acknowledged what he had done and begg'd her pardon His Wife was Julia of the Family of the Caesars who for her discretion and fair behaviour was not inferiour to the most celebrated Ladies of that time 'T was under her that Antony received his Education she being after the death of his Father remarryed to Cornelius Lentulus who was put to death by Cicero for having been of Catiline's Conspiracy This probably was the first ground and occasion of that mortal grudge that Antony bore Cicero who also did pretend that the body of Lentulus was denied Burial till by great application made to Cicero's Wife it was granted to Julia But this seems to be a manifest Error for none of those that suffer'd in the Consulate of Cicero had the right of Burial deny'd them As soon as Antony was grown up he prov'd a very beautiful youth but by the worst of misfortunes he fell into the acquaintance and made a strict Friendship with Curio a Man abandon'd to his pleasures who to make Antony's dependance of greater necessity plung'd him into all the inconveniencies of Whoring and Drinking and made his Expences so Extravagant that he contracted a debt that was very shameful in one of his age even two hundred and fifty Talents Curio was his Surety which coming
although he had invested several private persons in great Governments and Kingdoms and bereaved many Kings of theirs as Antigonus of Judea whose head he caused to be struck off the first crown'd head that ever suffer'd that opprobrious death Yet nothing was so grievous to the Romans as the vile profusions he made upon that Woman and their dissatisfaction was much augmented by giving the Sirnames of the Sun Moon to Alexander and Cleopatra Twins born to him by her But he who knew how to varnish over the most dishonest Action with specious colours would say that the greatness of the Roman Empire consisted more in giving than in taking Kingdoms and that the Noble Blood of Kings was communicated to all the World when they left their Off-spring in every place they came and that by this means he had the honour to descend from Hercules who never recommended the hopes of his Posterity to the guard of any one Woman nor feared to transgress the Laws of Solon in order to observe the great Dictates of Nature which gives such lively instruction towards the continuance of our Race After Phraortes had killed his Father Herod and taken possession of his Kingdom many of the Parthian Nobility left their Country among the rest Moneses a Nobleman of great Authority who making his application to Antony was received with great kindness for he look'd upon him as one in the Circumstances of Themistocles and his own Fortune considering his great Wealth was comparable to the Persian Kings for he gave him three Cities Larissa Arethusa and Hierapolis which was formerly called Bombyce But the King of Parthia did soon recall him giving him his Word and Honour for his Safety and Antony was not unwilling to give him leave to return hoping thereby to surprize Phráortes for he sent him word he would remain his Friend upon condition he would send back the Roman Standards and Ensigns which were taken hy the Parthians when Crassus was slain and withall the Prisoners that remained yet alive of that Battel This done he sent Cleopatra into Egypt and gathering his Forces together and joyning the associate Kings for there were many of them the most considerable was Artuasdes King of Armenia who came at the head of six thousand Horse and seven thousand Foot he made a general Muster there appeared sixty thousand Roman Foot ten thousand Horse consisting of Spannâ—rds and Gauls who were esteem'd of as Romans of other Nations horse and Foot thirty thousand and these great Preparations that made India tremble and put all Asia into a consternation were of no use to him because of Cleopatra for in order to pass the Winter with her every thing was done in haste he was so charm'd and bewitch'd with the Thoughts of his Mistress that his Soul was employ'd in overcoming the Difficulties that kept him from her more than in any design of vanquishing the Enemy for whereas he should have taken up his Winter-Quarters in Armenia to refresh his Men who were tired with long Marches having come at least five hundred Leagues and then to have taken the advantage in the beginning of the Spring to invade Media before the Parthians were drawn out of Garrison he had not patience to expect his time but march'd into the Province of Atropatene leaving Armenia on the right hand and laying waste all that Country his haste was so great that he left behind all the Engines of Battery which follow'd the Camp in three hundred Chariots among the other Engines there was a Ram of fourscore foot long which was of great use in his Designs and it was impossible if they were either lost or endamaged to repair them or make the like for the Proâ—inces of the upper Asia produce not Trees long or strait enough for such Uses nevertheless he left them all behind as a great impediment to the Designs he had then projected so that he had left a Party commanded by Tatianus to guard them and he himself laid Siege to Phraata the principal City of the King of Media wherein were that King's Wife and Children Here it was that he was soon made sensible of the Errour he committed in leaving the battering Rams behind him for not having wherewithal to make a Breach he was constrained with infinite pains to cast up a Mount of Earth against the Wall during the Siege Phraortes arrives with a great Army who understanding that the Chariots were left behind with the battering Engines he sent thither a strong Party of Horse by which Tatianus with ten thousand Horse are flain the Engines all broke in pieces many taken Prisoners and among the rest King Polemon This great Miscarriage in the opening the Campagne did much discourage Antony's Army and Artuasdes King of Armenia despairing of any better Success withdrew himself with all his Forces from the Roman Camp although he had been the chief Promoter of the War The Parthians encouraged by this Success came up to the Romans at the Siege of their Royal City and gave them many Affronts upon which Antony fearing that the Souldiers might lose Courage or have a less esteem of him if he lay idle he with all the Horse three Pretorian Cohorts and ten Legions was resolved to go out and forrage designing by this means to draw the Enemy with more advantage to a Battel and to effect this he marched a Day 's Journey from hiâ— Camp which did bring the Parthians to a Battel who were drawn up in readiness to charge him so soon as he should march he orders therefore the Tents and Baggage to be pack'd up as if his intention were to decline the giving Battel and only to lead his Men back to the Camp The Enemy was drawn up in a Half-Moon and Antony had given order to the Horse to charge them briskly so soon as the Legions were come up nigh enough to second them The Parthians standing still while the Romans march'd by them were in great admiration of their man-like Behaviour and exact Discipline nothing could be more just than the distance which was kept between the Ranks and the shaking their Pikes as they pass'd by in a profound silence was very graceful but when the Signal was given the Horse turn'd short upon the Parthians and with loud Cries charg'd them home they were bravely receiv'd at first but the Legions coming up with loud shouts and ratling of their Arms did so frighten the Horses and soon the Parthians themselves that they could keep their ground no longer Antony press'd them hard in great hopes that this Victory should give an end to the War the Foot had them in pursuit three Leagues and the Horse nine and the Advantage summ'd up they had but thirty Prisoners and there was but fourscore slain This was a great discouragement to them to consider that when they were victorious their Advantage was so small and that when they were beaten they lost so great a number of Men as it happened when the
but Gallus charging the enemies in the Front was encompass'd by a Party that fell upon his Rear which at length perceiving he sent a Messenger to demand succour but they that commanded the Legions among which was Canidius a particular Favourite of Antony's seem'd to have committed a great oversight for instead of marching up with the whole Army they sent small Parties and when they were defeated they still sent out small Parties so that by their ill management the whole Army was in danger of being routed which had certainly happen'd if Antony himself had not march'd from the front of the main Battel at the head of the third Legion which passing through them that fled fac'd the Enemies hindred them from any farther pursuit In this Engagement were killed three thousand five thousand were carried back to the Camp the wounded amongst the rest Gallus shot through the Body with four Arrows of which wounds he died Antony went from Tent to Tent to visit and comfort the wounded and was not able to see his men without weeping but they would take him by the hand chearfully and intreat him to go and get his own Wounds dress'd and not concern himself for them calling him their Emperour and their General and that if he did well they were safe For in short never since that time can Fame make mention of a General at the Head of so gallant a Body of Men whether you consider Strength and Youth or Patience and Sufferance in all Labours and Fatigues but as for the exact Obedience and particular Respect they bore their General that good will and perfect Friendship that was so universal in the Army amongst Small and Great Nobles and Peasants Officers and common Souldiers so affectionate and so devoted to him as to preferr his good Opinion of them to their very Lives and Being that in this part of Military Discipline I may boldly say they equall'd the Glory and Reputation of ancient Rome Of which Love as I have said before many were the Reasons as the Nobility and Antiquity of his Family his Eloquence his Behaviour his Liberality and Magnificence his Familiarity in entertaining every Body and particularly his Kindness in assisting visiting and bewailing the sick furnishing them with all things necessary that the poor Wretches that were sick and wounded were as heartily disposed to serve as those that enjoy'd their Health and Vigour But this last Victory had so encouraged the Enemy that they began to despise the Romans staying all night on horseback nigh the Camp in expectation of Plundering their Tents and Baggage which they concluded they must desert as a great impediment in their flight and in the morning new Forces arrived that their number was grown to be at least 40000 Horse The King having sent Guards that attended upon his own Person as to a sure and unquestion'd Victory for he himself was never present in fight Antony designing to harangue the Souldiers call'd for his mourning-habit that he might move them the more but he was persuaded by his Friends to put on the habit of General In his Speech he gave great commendations to them that had gain'd the victory as for those that fled he blam'd them much the former gave him great Encouragement in their brave Promises and the latter excusing themselves as well as they could told him they were ready to undergo decimation or if there were any other punishment he would please to inflict upon them they did submit chearfully only intreating that he would forget and not discompose himself with their faults at which he lifted up his hands to Heaven and prayed the Gods that if to balance the great favours he had received of them any judgment lay in store that they would pour it upon his head alone and grant that Army victory The next day they took better order for their march and the Parthians who thought they were marching rather to plunder than to fight were surpriz'd to find the enemy not disheartened but fresh and resolute so that they themselves began to lose courage but for all this at the descent of a little Hill where the Romans were oblig'd to pass the Parthians got together and let fly their arrows in great showers upon them and by reason of the difficulty of the way their march was very slow Here the Legions that were arm'd at all points were order'd to defend on each side the light arm'd by kneeling down on their knees aâ—d holding their shields stooping over them the next rank holding theirs over the first and so onwards that the army in this figure did much resemble the order that is observable in the tiling of a House or the degrees in a Theatre and is a sure defence against Arrows which glance upon them without doing any harm The Parthians seeing the Romans down upon their knees could not imagine but that it must proceed from weariness so that they laid down their Bows and taking their Spears made a fierce onset when the Romans with a great cry leaped upon their Legs and with their Lances slew the foremost and put the rest to flight After this rate it was every day and the trouble they gave Antony was so vexatious that his marches were short by reason of which the famine was very great in the Camp for they could get but little Corn and that which they got they were forc'd to fight for and besides this they were in great want of Instruments to grind their Corn and make their Bread they had left them behind the baggage horses being dead or otherwise employed in carrying the sick and wounded Provision was so scarce in the Army that half a Peck of Wheat was sold for five Crowns and Oats for the weight in Silver they were brought to feed upon Herbs and Roots such as are commonly eaten were very scarce so that they were constrain'd to venture upon any they found among others they happen'd upon an Herb that was mortal which did first take away all sense and understanding He that had eaten of it remembred nothing in the World and employed himself wholly in removing of stones from one place to another which he did with as much earnestness and industry as if it had been a business of the greatest consequence and required dispatch through all the Camp there was nothing to be seen but Men grubling upon the ground for stones which they carried from one place to another but in the end after having vomited much Choler they fell down dead and chiefly this when their Wine began to fail which was a sovereign remedy against this distemper When Antony saw them die so fast and the Parthian still in pursuit he was heard to cry out O the ten Thousand the ten Thousand In remembrance of the famous retreat of Xenophon who when he had a longer journey to make from Babylon and a more powerful enemy to deal with brought his Men home safe The Parthians finding that they could not
defeat the Roman Army nor in no wise break the order of their Battel and that withal they had been so often worsted began to treat the forragers with a great deal of humanity they came up to them in all appearance of friendship with their Bows unbended telling them that they were going home to their houses that they had quite given o'er the pursuit and that only some Median troops would follow them for two or three days not with any design to annoy them but only for the defence of some scattering Villages and saying this they saluted them and embraced them with a great shew of friendship Antony who had all along a great desire to march through the flat Country hearing these discourses was almost resolv'd to march the open way and so much the more in regard that no water was to be hoped for in those Mountains But while he was deliberating Mithridates arriv'd in the Camp he was first cousin to Moneses of whom we related that he came for refuge into the Roman Army and receiv'd in gift from Antony three Cities Upon his arrival he desired some body might be brought to him that could speak Syriack or the Parthian Tongue One Alexander of Antioch a friend of Antony's was brought to him to whom the stranger declar'd that he was sent to Antony from Moneses in acknowledgment of the favours and honours he had received from him and to make him a return if it were possible he asked Alexander if he saw those high Hills pointing at some distance He told him yes 'T is there said he the whole Parthian Army attend your passage the great Plains behind those Hills will be very advantageous to you in your march and therefore there they do expect you in ambush being perswaded you will confide in their promises and leave the way of the Mountains 't is true that in passing o'er the Mountains you will suffer the usual inconveniences for want of water and the fatigue will be somewhat the greater but if you pass through the plains Antony must in all appearance run the fortune of Crassus This said he departed Antony calling his friends in Council sent for the Mardian guide who was of the same opinion He told them that the way through the plain was a great way about and very difficult to find that the other indeed was rough but then it was but for a day Changing therefore his mind he march'd away that night and commanded that every one should carry water sufficient for his own use but most of them being unprovided of vessels they made shift with their helmets those that had bottles fill'd them for their own use The Parthians were no sooner acquainted that the Romans were on their march but they followed them contrary to their custom the same night and by break of day they fell in with the rear which was quite tired with marching and want of sleep that they were not in condition of making any considerable defence for they had march'd fifteen leagues that night and at the end of their journey found the enemy at their heels which put them out of all patience besides being to fight for every step of the way they made in their retreat their thirst was increased beyond all sufferance Those that were in the front of the Army were come up to a River the water of which was extremely cool and clear but brackish and medicinal and being drank caused an unquenchionable thirst and acute pains in the Bowels of this the Mardian had forewarn'd them but their thirst was so great that beating back them that oppos'd them they drank largely of it Antony ran from one place to another begging they would have a little patience that not far off there was a River of wholesom water and that the rest of the way was so difficult for the Horse that the Enemy could pursue them no further and saying this he order'd to sound a retreat to call them back that were engaged and commanded the Tents should be set up that the Soldiers might refresh themselves in the shade but the Tents were scarce well put up and the Parthians retired according to their custom when Mithridates came again to them and inform'd the Interpreter with whom he had before spoken that he should do well to advise Antony to stay where he was no longer than needs he must that after having refresh'd his Troops he would endeavour with all diligence to gain the next River that the Parthians would pursue them no further but so far they were resolv'd to follow them Alexander who was the Interpreter made his report to Antony who order'd a good quantity of Gold Plate to be presented to Mithridates who taking as much as he could well hide under his Gown went his way Upon this advice Antony decamp'd while it was yet day and the whole Army march'd without receiving any molestation from the Parthians but they themselves were the cause that that night was the most terrible of any they had yet past for some of the Army had robb'd and kill'd such as they suspected to have any Money ransack'd the Baggage and seiz'd on the Money which was to pay the Army in the end they laid hands on Antony's own equipage broke all his inlaid Tables and Cups of precious Stones dividing the fragments amongst them Antony hearing so great a confusion could not imagine any thing less than that the Enemy falling upon his Troops had utterly routed them upon which he sent for one of his 〈…〉 ards called Rhamnus to whom he had formerly given his liberty and made him swear that whensoever he should give him orders he should run his Sword through his body and cut off his head that he might not fall alive into the hands of the Parthians nor dead be known to be their General While he was in this consternation and all his friends about him in tears the Mardian came into the Tent and gave them all new Life he did convince them that by the coolness of the Air and the fresh gales that blew so temperately the River which he spoke of could not be far off and consequently the difficulties of their retreat and the danger of the Enemies pursuit were now at an end the which he was the more assured of because they had marched a great while and the night almost spent he was inform'd at the same time that the great confusion which was in the Camp did proceed from the avarice of some few Soldiers that were pillaging one another In order to compose this unruly tumult he made a halt and commanded the Signal to be given for incamping the day began to break before the tumult was well appeas'd and the Parthians bore hard upon the Rear with their Arrows the light arm'd Troops were order'd to make head against them and being seconded by the Legions who covered one another with their Shields they bravely receiv'd the onset of the Enemy who did not think convenient to
was not so much as a spot found or any suspicion of Poison in her Body nor was any living Creature found within the Monument but a certain track of a creeping Creature imagin'd to be seen on the Window side upon the Sand nigh the Sea Others say that Cleopatra had two marks in her Arm imprinted very small by the Sting of the Asp to which Caesar seem'd to have given credit for that Cleopatra's Statue was carried in Triumph with an Asp fix'd to her Arm with these uncertainties are these things related Although Caesar were very much disappointed by her death yet he could not but admire the greatness of her Mind and did grant that her Body should be buried by Antony with all the Ceremony and Magnificence which was due unto her Quality her Women also were buried in great splendor Cleopatra died in the Nine and Thirtieth Year of her Age of which she had Reigned Twenty Two the Fourteen last years joyntly with Antony Antony died at the Age of Fifty three some say Fifty Six the Statues of Antony were all demolish'd but those of Cleopatra remain'd untouch'd for Archibius her Friend had given Caesar a Hundred and fifty thousand Pound that they should not run the same fate with Antony's Antony left by his Three Wives seven Children of which Antyllus the eldest only was put to death Octavia took the rest and bred them with her own Cleopatra his daughter by Cleopatra was Married to Juba a comely Prince Antony his Son by Fulvia was in that esteem that whereas Agrippa was the chief Favourite of Caesar and the Sons of Livia held the second Rank the third Place without any dispute was reckon'd to be possest by Antony Octavia also having had by her first Husband Marcellus two Daughters and one Son named Marcellus Caesar gave unto him his Daughter in Marriage and by that means adopted him and Octavia gave one of her Daughters in Marriage to Agrippa but Marcellus dying soon after his Marriage and she perceiving that her Brother was not easie to determine whom to chose for his Son-in-Law was the first that did persuade him to give his Daughter Julia to Agrippa though in so doing he was to quit her Daughter Caesar agreed to this Proposal and married Julia to Agrippa and she receiving her Daughter back married her to Antony of the two Daughters which they had by this Marriage the one was married to Domitius Aenobarbus and the other Antonia famous for her Beauty and Discretion was married to Drusus the Son of Livia and Son-in-Law to Caesar of this Line came Germanicus and Clodius Clodius was Emperor and Caius also the Son of Germanicus who having reigned very wickedly was slain He his Wife and his Daughter Agrippina who had Lucius Domitius by Aenobarbus was afterward married to Claudius Caesar he adopted Domitius whom he named Nero Germanicus he was Emperor in our time and put his Mother to death and with his madness and folly did well nigh ruin the Roman Empire he was in the Fifth Degree from Antony DEMOSTHENES M Burghers delin et sculp THE LIFE OF DEMOSTHENES Translated from the Greek VOLUME V. WHoever it was Sossius that wrote the Poem in praise of Alcibiades upon his winning the Horse race at the Olympian Games whether it were Euripides as 't is most commonly reported or some other person he says That to a Man's being happy it is in the first place requisite he should be born in some famous City But for him that would attain unto true happiness which for the most part is placed in the qualities and disposition of the mind it is in my opinion of no other disadvantage to be of a mean obscure Country than to be born of a Woman that is uncomely and low of stature For it were ridiculous to think that Julis a little part of Ceos which it self is no great Island and that Aegina which a certain Athenian once ordered to be removed as a small eye sore out of the Haven of Piraeus should breed good Actors and Poets and yet should never be able to afford a Just Temperate Wise and Valiant Man Other Arts indeed whose end it is to acquire Riches or Honour are sikely enough to wither and decay in poor obscure Towns but Vertue like a strong and durable plant takes root and thrives in any place where it can lay hold of an ingenuous Nature and a mind that is industrious Wherefore if either in our judgment of things or course of Life we fall short of what we ought to do such failer we may justly attribute to our selves and not to the meanness of our Country Nevertheless whosoever shall design to write an History consisting of materials which must be gathered from Observation and the reading of Authors not easie to be had nor writ in his own Native Language but many of them Foreign and dispers'd in other hands for him it is in the first place and above all things most necessary to reside in some City of good Note and Fame addicted to Liberal Arts and populous where he may have plenty of all sorts of Books and upon enquiry may hear and inform himself of such particulars as having escaped the Pens of Writers are yet more faithfully preserv'd in the memories of men lest otherwise he publish a Work deficient in many things and those such as are necessary to its perfection But for my own part I live in a little Town where yet I am willing to continue lest it should grow less and having no leisure while I abode in Rome and other parts of Italy to exercise my self in the Roman Language both by reason of some publick Business and for the sake of those who came to be instructed by me in Philosophy it was very late and in the declination of my Age before I applied my self to the reading of Latin Authors Upon which occasion that which happened to me may seem strange though it be true for it was not so much by the knowledge of Words that I came to the understanding of Things as having gained some sort of experience in Things by this means I attained to the signification of Words But to acquire a gracesul and ready pronunciation of the Roman Tongue to understand the various Figures and connexion of Words and such other Ornaments in which consists the beauty of that language it were I must confess a pleasant and very agreeable diversion but the Study and Exercise which is required to this is not easie and will better suit with those who have more leisure and time enough yet before them for such Gallantries Wherefore in this Book which of my Parallel Lives is the Fifth intending to write concerning Demosthenes and Cicero we will from their Actions and Employments in the Common-wealth consider the Natures and Dispositions of both of them together But to examine and compare their Orations one against the other to shew which of the two was the more fluent and pleasing
Shoulder Caesar presently snatching hold of the Handle of the Dagger and crying out aloud in Latin Villain Casca what dost thou He in Greek calling to his Brother bad him come and help Now being wounded by a great many Hands and looking round about him to see if there was any way to escape as soon as ever he spy'd Brutus with his Dagger drawn against him he let go Casca's Hand that he had hold on and covering his Head with his Robe gave up his Body to the barbarous Murtherers They so eagerly press'd towards the Body and so many Daggers were hacking together that the Conspirators cut one another Brutus porticularly receiv'd a Wound in his Hand and all of them were besmear'd with Blood Caesar being thus slain Brutus stepping forth into the middle of the Senate-house intended to have made a Speech and call'd back and encourag'd the Senators to stay but they all frighted ran away in great Disorder and there was a great Confusion and Press of People about the Gate tho' none pursu'd or follow'd for they had firmly resolv'd to kill no Body besides Caesar but to call and invite all the rest to Liberty It was indeed the opinion of all the others when they consulted about the Execution of their design that it was necessary to cut off Antony with Caesar looking upon him as an insolent Man an affecter of Monarchy and one that had gain'd a powerful Interest by his conversation and acquaintance in the Army And this they urg'd the rather because at that time to the natural Ambition and Haughtiness of his Temper there was added the Dignity of being Consul and Collegue to Caesar But Brutus oppos'd this Counsel insisting first upon the Injustice of it and afterwards giving them hopes that a great change might be worked in Antony For he did not despair but that Caesar being taken off so honourable a Man and such a Lover of Glory as Antony stir'd up with Emulation of their great Attempt would lay hold of this occasion to be a joynt restorer with them of the Liberty of his Countrey Thus did Brutus save Antony's life but he in the general consternation put himself into a Plebeian habit and fled But Brutus and his Party betook themselves to the Capitol and in their way shewing their hands all bloody and their naked Swords and proclaiming Liberty to the People At the first all Places were fill'd with Lamentation and the wild running too and fro occasion'd by the sudden surprize and passion that every one was in made a great Tumult in the City But no other Murther following and no Man being spoil'd of his Goods the Senators and many of the People took courage and went up to the Conspirators in the Capitol And a multitude being gathered together Brutus made an Oration to them very Popular and proper for the State that affairs were then in Therefore when they applauded his Speech and cry'd out to him to come down they all took confidence and descended into the Forum the rest were promiscuously mingled with one another but many of the most eminent quality attending Brutus conducted him between them with great splendor from the Capitol and placed him in the Rostrum At the Sight of Brutus the Rabble though consisting of a confused mixture and all disposed to make a Tumult were struck with Reverence and expected what he would say with order and with silence and when he began to speak heard him with all imaginable quiet and attention But that all were not pleas'd with this action they plainly show'd when Cinna beginning to speak and accuse Caesar they broke out into a sudden rage and rail'd at him in such opprobrious Language that the Conspirators thought fit again to withdraw to the Capitol And there Brutus expecting to be besieg'd dismist the most Eminent of those that had accompanyed them thither not thinking it just that they who were not partakers of the fact should share in the danger But the next day the Senate being assembled in the Temple of Tellus and Antony and Plancus and Cicero having made Orations to move the People to forget what was past and to be mutually reconcil'd it was decreed that the Conspirators shou'd not only be put out of all fear or danger but that the Consuls shou'd take care of what Honours and Dignities were proper to be confer'd upon them After which done the Senate broke up and Antony having sent his Son as an Hostage to the Capitol Brutus and his Company came down and mutual Salutes and Invitations past between them and the whole Company that were gather'd together Antony invited and entertain'd Cassius Lepidus did the same to Brutus and the rest were invited and treated by others as each of them had either acquaintance or friends among the People As soon as it was day the Senate order'd thanks to Antony for having stifled the beginning of a Civil War afterwards Brutus and his Associates that were present receiv'd the thanks of the Senate and had Provinces assign'd and distributed among them Crete was allotted to Brutus Africa to Cassius Asia to Trebonius Bithynia to Cimber and to the other Brutus that part of Gallia that lay about the River Po. After these things they began to consider of Caesar's Will and the ordering of his Funeral Antony desir'd that the Will might be read and that the Body should not have a private or dishonourable Interment lest that should further exasperate the People This Cassius violently oppos'd but Brutus yeilded to it and gave leave in which he seems to have a second time miscarry'd For as before in sparing the Life of Antony he could not be without some blame from his Party in setting up a violent Enemy against the Conspiracy so now in suffering him to have the ordering of the Funeral he fell into a total and irrecoverable Error For first it appearing by the Will that Caesar had bequeath'd to the Roman People three hundred Sesâ—erces a Man and given to the Publick his Gardens beyond Tyber where now the Temple of Fortune stands the whole City was fir'd with a wonderful affection for him and a passionate sense of the loss of him And afterwards when the Body was brought forth into the Forum Antony as the custom was making a Funeral Oration in the Praise of Caesar and sinding the multitude mov'd with his Speech to stir them up yet farther to Compassion unfolded the bloody Garment of Caesar shew'd them in how many places it was pierced and exposed to their view the number of his Wounds Now there was nothing to be seen but Confusion some cri'd out to kill the Murderers others as was formerly done when Clodius was Tribune of the People tore away the Benches and Tables out of the Shops round about and heaping them all together built a great Funeral Pile and having put the Body of Caesar upon it set it on fire The place wherein this was done was surrounded with a great many Temples
was got into great Power And having now thrown his Competitor out of Italy began himself to be very formidable Suing for the Consulship contrary to Law and maintaining a great Army of which the Common-wealth had no manner of need At length perceiving that the Senate dissatisfied with his Proceedings began to cast their Eyes abroad upon Brutus and decreed and confirm'd the Government of several Provinces to him he was in some apprehension of danger Therefore dispatching Messengers to Antony he desir'd that there might be a Reconciliation and a strict Friendship between them Then drawing all his Forces about the City he made himself be chosen Consul tho' he was but very young being scarce Twenty years old as he himself writes in his Commentaries At his first entry upon the Consulship he immediately order'd a Judicial Process to be issu'd out against Brutus and his Accomplices for having Murther'd the greatest Man and the highest Magistrate of Rome without being heard or condemn'd and appointed L. Cornificius to accuse Brutus and M. Agrippa to accuse Cassius None appearing to Plead their Cause the Judges were forc'd to pass Sentence and condemn them both It is reported that when the Cryer as the custom was with a loud voice cited Brutus to appear the People could not keep in their sighs and those of the best quality hung down their Heads for Grief Publius Silicius was seen to burst out into Tears which was the cause that not long after he was put down in the List of those that were Proscrib'd Now the Triumviri Caesar Antony and Lepidus being perfectly reconcil'd shar'd the Provinces among themselves and made up the Catalogue of Proscription wherein were set down those that were design'd for Slaughter amounting to two hundred Men to which number Cicero was slain This news being brought to Brutus in Macedonia he was forc'd to send orders in Hortensius that he should kill Caius Antonius in revenge of the Death of Cicero his Friend and Decius Brutus his near Kinsman who also was proscrib'd and slain Upon this account it was that Antony having afterwards taken Hortensius in the Battle of Philippi Slew him upon his Brothers Tomb. But Brutus express'd himself more asham'd for the cause of Cicero's death than griev'd for the misfortune of it and could not help accusing his friends at Rome that they were Slaves more through their own Fault than those that Lorded over them That could see and be present and yet suffer those things which even to hear related ought to them to have been insufferable Now Brutus having made his Army that was already very considerable pass into Asia order'd a Fleet to be made ready in Bythinia and Cyzicum for them to imbark in But himself going the way by Land took care to settle and confirm to himself all the Cities and gave Audience to the Princes of the Parts through which he past and sent orders to Cassius into Syria to come to him and leave his intended Journey into Aegypt letting him understand that it was not to gain an Empire for themselves but to free their Country that they went thus wandring about and had got an Army together whose business it was to destroy Tyrants That therefore if they remembred and resolv'd to persevere in their first intentions they ought not to be too far from Italy but to make what hast they could thither and endeavour to relieve their fellow-Citizens from Oppression Cassius obey'd his Summons and return'd and Brutus went to meet him And at Smyrna they both met which was the first time they had seen one another since they parted at the Piraeum in Athens one for Syria and the other for Macedonia They were both over-joy'd and rais'd to the highest degree of Confidence of their Success from the Forces that each of them had got together Since they who had fled from Italy like the most despicable Exiles without Money without Arms without a Ship or a Soldier or a City to rely on in a little time after had met together so well furnish'd with Shipping and Money and an Army both of Horse and Foot that they were in a condition to contend for the Empire of Rome Cassius was desirous to shew as much Respect and Honour to Brutus as Brutus did to him But Brutus still prevented him for the most part coming to him both because he was the elder Man and of a more weak Constitution than himself Men generally reckon'd Cassius a very expert Soldier but of a harsh and angry Nature and one that desir'd to Command rather by fear than love though on the other side among his Familiar Acquaintance he was given to scurrillous Jesting and lov'd to play the Buffoon But Brutus for the sake of his Vertue was esteem'd by the People belov'd by his Friends admir'd by the best Men and hated by none no not his Enemies themselves For he was a Man of an extraordinary mild Nature of a great Spirit insensible of the Passions of Anger or Pleasure or Covetousness steady and inflexible in his Opinion and zealous for what ever he thought right and honest And that which gain'd him the greatest Credit and Reputation among the People was their belief that his designs in this whole Undertaking were honourable and just For they could not hope that even Pompey the Great himself if he had overcome Caesar would have submitted his Power to the Laws but would have ever managed the Publick Affairs himself only soothing the People with the specious name of Consul or Dictator or some other milder Title than King But they thought that Cassius being a Man govern'd by Anger and Passion and carried often by his covetous Humour beyond the bounds of Justice endur'd all these hardships of War and Travel and Danger rather to obtain Dominion to himself than Liberty to the People And as for the former disturbers of the Peace of Rome whether a Cinna a Marius or a Carbo it is manifest that they having set their Country as a stake for him that should win did almost own in express terms that they sought for Empire But even the Enemies of Brutus can't lay this accusation to his charge Nay many have heard Antony himself say That Brutus was the only Man that Conspir'd against Caesar out of a sence of the Glory and Justice of the Action but that all the rest rose up against the MAN and not the TYRANT from private Envy and Malice of their own And it is plain that Brutus by what he writes himself did not so much rely upon his Forces as upon his own Vertue For thus he speaks in his Epistle to Atticus immediately before he was to engage with the Enemy That his Affairs were in the best state of Fortune that he could wish for that either he should overcome and restore Liberty to the People of Rome or die and be himself free from Slavery That other things being agreed upon and settled one thing was yet in doubt whether they should
Squadron Caesar was overjoyed to see them move and order'd the right Squadron to retire that he might get out to Sea as far as he could his design being to encompass him round with his light Gallies that were full mann'd the Enemy being scarce able to move by reason of their great bulk and in proportion to their bigness being very ill furnish'd with Seamen and Soldiers When they engaged there was no striking of one Ship against another because Antony's Ships by reason of their great burthen were uncapable of being in a quick motion by which the stroke is made effectual on the other side Caesar's Ships durst not strike upon the head of Antony's which were all arm'd with Spikes of Iron nor durst they give upon the Sides by reason they were made of strong square pieces of Timber fasten'd together with Massy Pins of Iron So that this engagement resembled a Land Fight or that I may speak more properly the attack of some strong place for there were always three or four Vessels about one of Antony's pressing them with Pikes Javelins Darts and several inventions of Fire which they flung among them Antony's Men pouring upon them with their Machines from off their Wooden Towers Agrippa drawing out the Squadron under his command to hem in the Enemy Publicola was oblig'd to observe his motions and desert the middle Squadron which was sore presled by Arruntius Fortune not having yet determined on the day when on a sudden Cleopatra with her sixty Sail was seen to make out to Sea and to take her way quite through the Ships that were engaged for they were placed behind the great Ships which in breaking through they put to great disorder the Enemy was astonished to see them with a fair wind to make for Peloponnesus Here it was that Antony betray'd himself here his behaviour was so below the Character of a Captain nay indeed of any thing that was Man and much more below himself that he confirm'd what has formerly been observ'd that a Lover's Soul lives in another body for as if he had been born part of her and so to be carried wheresoever she went as soon as he saw her Ship under Sail he abandoned all that were to spend their lives for him and put himself aboard a Gally of five Ranks of Oars taking with him only Alexander of Syria and Scellius to follow her that had so well began his ruine and would be sure to accomplish it She perceiving him to follow gave the signal to come aboard so soon as he came up with them he was helped into the Ship but without seeing her he sets himself down very melancholy in the Stern with both his hands supporting his head in the mean while Caesar's light Ships that were in pursuit of Antony came into sight but Antony commanding to tack about they all gave back but one Eurycles the Laconian a stout fellow who from off the Deck shaked his Lance in a very threatning posture Antony standing at the Stern demanded of him who he was that pursued him so hard I am says he Eurycles the Son of Lachares arm'd with Caesar ' s Fortune to revenge my Father's death This Lachaesr had been condemned to death by Antony for a robbery but he did not venture to attack Antony but ran with his full force upon the other Admiral for there were two Ships so distinguished and with the blow turn'd her round and took her and another Ship wherein was all his rich Plate and Furniture So soon as Eurycles was gone Antony returned to his posture and sate silent thus he behaved himself for three days either angry or asham'd and then arriv'd at Tenarus There the Ladies that were intrusted with their most important Affairs first brought them to speak together then to eat and at last perswaded them to lie together several Ships and many of his friends followed him and brought him the news of his Fleets being quite destroy'd but that the Land Forces did yet stand firm so that he sent Messengers to Canidius to march his Army through Macedonia into Asia and designing to go from Tenarus to Africk he gave one of the larger Ships laden with vast Summs of Money and Vessels of Silver and Gold of an inestimable price to his friends desiring them to share it amongst them and provide for their own safety they refusing his kindness with tears in their eyes he comforted them with all the goodness and humanity imaginable intreating them to retire and writ Letters in their behalf to Theophilus his Steward at Corinth that he would provide for their security and keep them conceal'd till such time as they could make their Peace with Caesar Theophilus was the Father of that Hipparchus who had so great interest in Antony and was the first of all his Servants that went over to Caesar he settled afterward at Corinth In this posture were Antony's affairs This Fleet of Antony's that engaged before Actium suffer'd much by a stiff Gale that blew fresh in their Stern was scarce routed till four o' th' Clock in the afternoon with the loss of but five thousand Men and three hundred Ships as Caesar himself writes in his Commentaries those that saw with their own Eyes the flight of Antony could not make others believe so incredible a thing that a General that had ten intire Legions and twelve thousand Horse upon the Sea-shore could so basely desert them and he above all the world who had so often seen Fortune in all her shapes and been so accustomed to changes His Soldiers who did passionately desire his arrival still fancying he would appear from some part or other gave great Testimony of their generous fidelity to his service who when they were throughly perswaded that he was fled in earnest kept themselves in a body seven days making no account of the Embassadors that Caesar sent to them but at last seeing that Canidius himself who commanded them was fled from the Camp by Night and that the chief Officers had abandon'd them They put themselves into the hands of him that was strongest After this Caesar set sail for Athens where he made a peace with Greece making a distribution of the provision of Corn which Antony had made for his Army among the Grecian Cities which were reduced to extreme poverty having been robbed of their Money their Slaves their Horses and all their Beasts of Service My great Grandfather Nicearchus us'd to relate that the Inhabitants of the Cities of Greece having no Horses were compell'd with stripes to carry a certain measure of Corn upon their shoulders to the Sea-side nigh Anticyra but this hardship did not last for when they were upon the second expedition news came of Antony's defeat this saved Cheronea for the persons concern'd in the General 's affairs and all the Soldiers fled upon this news and left the Inhabitants to divide the Corn amongst them When Antony came into Libya from the Town of Paretonium he