The death of Fulvia, with more urgent touches, ing, in vows of everlasting constancy, not in persuading her to forget him, or love him no longer : I go from hence, “ As thou affect'st." I have lately observed that this emendation had been made by Mr. Pope.-If the old copy be right, the words must mean, I will get her love to permit and endure our separation. But the word get connects much more naturally with the word leave than with love. The same error [as I have since observed] has happened in Titus Andronicus, and therefore I have no longer any doubt that leave was Shakspeare's word. In that play we find: “ He loves his pledges dearer than his life,” instead of—“ He leaves,' &c. Malone. I have no doubt but we should read leave, instead of love. So afterwards : “'Would she had never given you leave to come!" M. Mason. The old reading may mean—" And prevail on her love to consent to our separation.” Steevens. - more urgent touches,] Things that touch me more sensibly, more pressing motives. Johnson. So, Imogen says in Cymbeline : a touch more rare “ Subdues all pangs, all fears." M. Mason. Petition us at home :] Wish us at home ; call for us to reside at home. JOHNSON 6 Which, like the courser's hair, hath yet but life, [E.reunt. 7 8 the courser's hair, &c.] Alludes to an old idle notion that the hair of a horse dropt into corrupted water, will turn to an animal. Pope. So, in Holinshed's Description of England, p. 224 : “A horse-haire laid in a pale full of the like water will in a short time stirre and become a living creature. But sith the certaintie of these things is rather proved by few," &c. Again, in Churchyard's Discourse of Rebellion, &c. 1570 : “ Hit is of kinde much worsse then horses heare STEEVENS. Dr. Lister, in the Philosophical 'Transactions, showed that what were vulgarly called animated horse-hairs, are real insects. It was also affirmed, that they moved like serpents, and were poisonous to swallow. Tollet. Say, our pleasure, Our quick remove from hence.) Say to those whose place is under us, i. e. to our attendants, that our pleasure requires us to remove in haste from hence. The old copy has—" whose places under us,” and “ require.” The correction, which is certainly right, was made by the editor of the second folio. Malone. I should read the passage thus : Say our pleasure “ Our quick remove,” &c. The amendment is as slight as that adopted by the editor, and makes the sense more clear. M. Mason. I concur with Mr. Malone. Before I had seen his note I had explained these words exactly in the same manner. I learn, from an ancient Collection of Ordinances and Regulations for the Government of the Royal Household, &c. published by the Society of Antiquaries, 1790, that it was the office of “ Gentlemen Ushers to give the whole house warning upon a remove." STEEVENS. I believe we should read : Their quick remove from hence.” Tell our design of going away to those who being by their places obliged to attend us, must remove in haste. Johnson. SCENE III. Enter CLEOPATRA, CHARMIAN, Iras, and ALEXAS. Cleo. Where is he ? ? I did not see him since. Cleo. See where he is, who's with him, what he does : [Exit Alex. Char. Madam, methinks, if you did love him dearly, What should I do, I do not ? Char. In each thing give him way, cross him in nothing Cleo. Thou teachest like a fool : the way to lose him. Char. Tempt him not so too far: I wish, for bear; In time we hate that which we often fear. Enter Antony. I am sick, and sullen. 9 Where is he?] he?] The present defect of metre might be supplied, by reading : " Where is he now?" So, in Macbeth : “ The thane of Fife had a wife; where is she now?” Steevens. 1- I did not send you ;] You must go as if you came without my order or knowledge. Johnson, So, in Troilus and Cressida : “We met by chance; you did not find me here.” MALONE. Ant. I am sorry to give breathing to my pur pose, — Now, my dearest queen,- What's the matter? Cleo. I know, by that same eye, there's some good news. What says the married woman ?—You may go; 'Would, she had never given you leave to come! Let her not say, 'tis I that keep you here, I have no power upon you ; hers you are. Ant. The gods best know,- O, never was there queen Cleopatra, Cleo. Why should I think, you can be mine, and true, Though you in swearing shake the throned gods», Who have been false to Fulvia ? Riotous madness, To be entangled with those mouth-made vows, Which break themselves in swearing! Ant. Most sweet queen, — Cleo. Nay, pray you, seek no colour for your going the sides of nature “ Can bide the beating of so strong a passion." Steevens. 3 Though you in swearing shake the throned gods,] So, in Timon of Athens : Although, I know, you'll swear, terribly swear, But bid farewell, and go: when you sued staying, How now, lady! know, There were a heart in Egypt. Ant. Hear me, queen: The strong necessity of time commands Our services a while; but my full heart Remains in use with you. Our Italy Shines o'er with civil swords: Sextus Pompeius Makes his approaches to the port of Rome : Equality of two domestick powers Breed scrupulous faction: The hated, grown to strength, Are newly grown to love: the condemn'd Pompey, Rich in his father's honour, creeps apace Into the hearts of such as have not thriv'd Upon the present state, whose numbers threaten; in our Brows'bent ;] i. e. in the arch of our eye-brows. So, in King John : “Why do you bend such solemn brows on me?" Steevens. s-a race of heaven :) i. e. had a smack or flavour of heaven. WARBURTON. This word is well explained by Dr. Warburton ; the race of wine is the taste of the soil. Sir T. Hanmer, not understanding the word, reads, ray. Johnson. I am not sure that the poet did not mean, was of heavenly origin.' Malone. Remains in use - ] The poet seems to allude to the legal distinction between the use and absolute possession. Johnson. The same phrase has already occurred in The Merchant of Venice : “ I am content, so he will let me have “ The other half in use-," STEEVENS VOL. XII. 0 |
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