Page:Antony and Cleopatra (1921) Yale.djvu/151

Antony and Cleopatra made his will, and read it. This is a mistake on Shakespeare's part. It was Antony's will that Cæsar took out of custody, read publicly, and criticised.

so the poor third is up, till death enlarge his confine. This may be paraphrased: 'so the weak third member of the triumvirate is done for, until death set him free.'

my father's son. Octavius Cæsar was a grandnephew of Julius Cæsar, but had been adopted by him as heir. Cæsarion was son of Julius Cæsar and Cleopatra.

which, left unshown, Is often left unlov'd. This may be paraphrased: 'Love, like mine, when it is not displayed, often fails to develop itself.'

Being an abstract 'tween his lust and him. That is, Octavia's departure shortened the interval between Antony and Cleopatra, the object of his lust. Theobald and other editors read 'obstruct' in the sense of 'obstruction,' but the reference seems to be to 'which' in l. 60 rather than to Octavia.

the Promontory of Actium. Actium is on the west coast of Greece above the Peloponnesus. The Antony of history seems to have chosen to fight here by sea, either because his army was short of provisions and declining in morale, or, and more probably, because the control of the Eastern Mediterranean was essential in order to safeguard his power over Egypt, Greece, and Asia Minor.

If not denounc'd against us, why should not we Be there in person? The meaning is, even if the war is not declared against us, i.e., Cleopatra, there is no reason why we should not be there in person. Historically, the war was declared against Cleopatra, not Antony.

A good rebuke, Which might have well becom'd the best of men. This may be