Steep'd in the cistern of Egyptian spells, 2145 'Gainst lawful charms the Roman's breast rebels. Her vicious triumph, and his hoary shame. 2150 With inward pangs his slighted consort mourn'd Her fond solicitude so ill return'd: But no reproachful taunts assail'd his ear; E'en he respected her, and all admir'd. 2155 Love's bond once broke, upbraiding comes too late, And often sours indifference into hate; The tart remonstrance of a shrewish tongue, Foe to itself, but justifies the wrong; 2160 Convention pretty much in the same manner: they are raised from the ranks to the head of armies, and very speedily afterwards conducted to the scaffold. For For female rage admits of no pretence; She who begins to rail, begins the offence. Tried to the last, submissive she withdrew : 2166 By 'Antony's infatuated attachment to Cleopatra was no way abated by This pleasing anecdote I 7am sorry to find rests solely on recitation the credit of Bonatus a Grammarian of the fourth century, and the whole fabrication is overturned by the better authority of Seneca in his comparison of the different conduct of Livia and Octavia on the loss of their respective Sons (See Seneca de consolatione ad Marciam) The general reception of the story justifies the menti -oning ir. By the mad act was Cæsar's friendship lost; And his good genius drooping in her train. 2170 Go, wrong'd Octavia! go, insulted wife! Let these thy tyrant's injuries redeem, Bless'd in mankind's, and thine own heart's esteem. But ah, what peace to that sad heart can come, While pale Marcellus points thee to the tomb? recitation of Virgil, who was remarkable for reading his own verses with harmonious energy, may naturally be supposed to have had such an effect on the tender and affectionate heart of Octavia.-How different is the picture of Augustus in this scene from that which he exhibited as a triumvir, seated between Antony and Lepidus, and marking down for the knife of his butchers the most respectable and virtuous of his countrymen! In drawing the character of Octavia, beside the concurrent testimony of the ancient writers who mention her, I was assisted by having before my eyes a living example in a lady with whom I have long had the happiness of being well acquainted. The likeness, without my being more explicit, will be recognized by every one, except herself,-she so strikingly resembles the Roman lady, in every thing but her misfortunes. In these happily there is no similitude; for she is tenderly beloved by an excellent husband, and has enjoyed a distinguished state of prosperity, with the cordial esteem and affection of her friends, and the grateful blessings of all who happen to be placed as objects of her protection. There |