Complete Works of Samuel Johnson

by Samuel Johnson

  In his own change, or by ill offices.

  That is, either changing his inclination of himself, or by the ill offices and bad influences of others. (see 1765, VII, 71, 8)

  IV.iii.30 (80,4) To hedge me in] That is, to limit my authority by your direction or censure.

  IV.iii.32 (80,5) To make conditions] That is, to know on what terms it is fit to confer the offices which are at my disposal.

  IV.iii.86 (82,7)

  A friend should bear a friend’s infirmities,

  But Brutus makes mine greater than they are.

  Bru. I do not, till you practise them on me]

  The meaning is this; I do not look for your faults, I only see them, and mention them with vehemence, when you force them into my notice, by practising them on me. (see 1765, VII, 77, 6)

  IV.iii.100 (53,8)

  There is my dagger,

  And here my naked breast; within, a heart

  Dearer than Plutus’ mine, richer than gold:

  If that thou be’st a Roman, take it forth]

  [W: thou needst a Roman’s,] I am not satisfied with the change proposed, yet cannot deny, that the words, as they now stand, require some interpretation. I think he means only, that he is so far from Avarice, when the cause of his country requires liberality, that if any man should wish for his heart, he would not need enforce his desire any otherwise, than by showing that he was a Roman.

  V.i.5 (92,5) They mean to warn as at Philippi here] To warn, seems to mean here the same as to alarm. Hanmer reads,

  They mean to wage us.

  V.i.43 (93,6) While damned Casca, like a cur behind,/Struck Caesar on the neck] Casca struck Caesar on the neck, coming like a degenerate cur behind him.

  V.i.100 (96,2)

  Even by the rule of that philosophy,

  By which I did blame Cato for the death

  Which he did give himself; (I know not how,

  But I do find it cowardly and vile,

  For fear of what might fall, so to prevent

  The time of life:) arming myself with patience]

  Dr. Warburton thinks, that in this speech something is lost, but there needed only a parenthesis to clear it. The construction is this; I an determined to act according to that philosophy which directed me to blame the suicide of Cato, arming myself with patience.

  V.iv.12 (102,6) Luc. Only I yield to die:/There is so much, that then wilt kill me straight] Dr. Warburton has been much inclined to find lacunae, or passages broken by omission, throughout this play. I think he has been always mistaken. The soldier here says, Yield, or thou diest. Lucilius replies, I yield only on this condition, that I may die; here is so much gold as thou seest in my hand, which I offer thee as a reward for speedy death. What now is there wanting?

  (106) General Observation. Of this tragedy many particular passages deserve regard, and the contention and reconcilement of Brutus and Cassius is universally celebrated; but I have never been strongly agitated in perusing it, and think it somewhat cold and unaffecting, compared with some other of Shakespeare’s plays; his adherence to the real story, and to Roman manners, seems to have impeded the natural vigour of his genius.

  ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA

  I.i.9 (110,2) And is become the bellows, and the fan,/To cool a gypsy’s lust] In this passage something seems to be wanting. The bellows and fan being commonly used for contrary purposes, were probably opposed by the author, who might perhaps have written,

  — is become the bellows, and the fan,

  To kindle and to cool a gypsy’s lust.

  I.i.10 (110,3) gypsy’s lust] Gypsy is here used both in the original meaning for an Egyptian, and in its accidental sense for a bad woman.

  1.i.17 (110,6) Then must thou needs find out new heaven] Thou must set the boundary of my love at a greater distance than the present visible universe affords.

  1.i.18 (110,7) The sum] Be brief, sum thy business in a few words.

  I.i.33 (111,8) and the wide arch/Of the rang’d empire fall!] [Taken from the Roman custom of raising triumphal arches to perpetuate their victories. Extremely noble. WARBURTON.] I am in doubt whether Shakespeare had any idea but of a fabrick standing on pillars. The later editions have all printed the raised empire, for the ranged empire, as it was first given, (see 1765, VII, 107, 8)

  I.i.42 (112,1)

  Antony

  Will be himself.

  Ant. But stirr’d by Cleopatra]

  But, in this passage, seems to have the old Saxon signification of without, unless, except. Antony, says the queen, will recollect his thoughts. Unless kept, he replies, in commotion by Cleopatra. (see 1765, VII, 108,1)

  I.ii.5 (113,2) change his horns with garlands] [W: charge] Sir Thomas Hanmer reads, not improbably, change for horns his garlands. I am in doubt, whether to change is not merely to dress, or to dress with changes of garlands.

  I.ii.23 (114,3) I had rather heat my liver] To know why the lady is so averse from heating her liver, it must be remembered, that a

  heated liver is supposed to make a pimpled face.

  I.ii.35 (114,5) Then, belike, my children shall have no names] If I have already had the best of my fortune, then I suppose I shall never name children, that is, I am never to be married. However, tell me the truth, tell me, how many boys and wenches?

  1.ii.38 (114,6) If every of your wishes had a womb, and foretel every wish, a million] [W: fertil ev’ry] For foretel, in ancient editions, the latter copies have foretold. Foretel favours the emendation, which is made with great acuteness; yet the original reading may, I think, stand. If you had as many wombs as you will have wishes; and I should foretel all those wishes, I should foretel a million of children. It is an ellipsis very frequent in conversation; I should shame you, and tell all; that is, and if I should tell all. And is for and if, which was anciently, and is still provincially, used for if.

  I.ii.105 (117,8) extended Asia] To extend, is a term used for to seize; I know not whether that be not the sense here.

  I.ii.113 (118,9) Oh, when we bring forth weeds,/When our quick winds lie still] The sense is, that man, not agitated by censure, like soil not ventilated by quick winds, produces more evil than good.

  I.ii.128 (118,1)

  the present pleasure,

  By revolution lowring, does become

  The opposite of itself]

  [The allusion is to the sun’s diurnal course; which rising in the east, and by revolution lowering, or setting in the west, becomes the opposite of itself. WARB.] This is an obscure passage. The explanation which Dr. Warburton has offered is such, that I can add nothing to it; yet perhaps Shakespeare, who was less learned than his commentator, meant only, that our pleasures, as they are revolved in the mind, turn to pain.

  I.ii.146 (119,3) upon far poorer moment] For less reason; upon meaner motives.

  I.ii.169 (120,4) It shews to man the tailors of the earth; comforting therein] I have printed this after the original, which, though harsh and obscure, I know not how to amend. Sir Tho. Hanmer reads, They shew to man the tailors of the earth comforting him therein. I think the passage, with somewhat less alteration, for alteration is always dangerous, may stand thus; It shews to men the tailors of the earth, comforting them, &c.

  I.ii.187 (121,6) more urgent touches] Things that touch me more sensibly, more pressing motives.

  I.ii.190 (121,7) Petition us at home] Wish us at home; call for us to reside at home.

  I.ii.201 (121,9)

  Say, our pleasure

  To such whose places under us, requires

  Our quick remove from hence]

  This is hardly sense. 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.

  I.iii.3 (122,1) I did not send you] You must go as if you came without my order or knowledge.

  I.iii.37 (123,2) a race of heaven] [i.e. had a smack or flavour of heaven. WARB.] This word is well explained by Dr. W
arburton; the race of wine is the taste of the woil. Sir T. Hanmer, not understanding the word, reads, ray.

  I.iii.44 (124,3) Remains in use] The poet seems to allude to the legal distinction between the use and absolute possession.

  I.iii.54 (124,4) should safe my going] [T: salve] Mr. Upton reads, I think rightly,

  — safe my going.

  I.iii.62 (125,5)

  O most false love!

  Where be the sacred vials thou shouldst fill

  With sorrowful water?]

  Alluding to the lachrymatory vials, or bottles of tears, which the Romans sometimes put into the urn of a friend.

  I.iii.77 (125,6) the tears/Belong to Egypt] To me, the queen of Egypt.

  I.iii.90 (126,7) Oh, ny oblivion is a very Antony,/And I am all forgotten] [The plain meaning is, My forgetfulness makes me forget myself. WARBURTON.] [Hanmer explained “all forgotten” as “apt to forget everything”] I cannot understand the learned critic’s explanation. It appears to me, that she should rather have said,

  O my remembrance is a very Antony,

  And I am all forgotten.

  It was her memory, not her oblivion, that, like Antony, vas forgetting and deserting her. I think a slight change will restore the passage. The queen, having something to say, which she is not able, or would not seem able to recollect, cries out,

  O my oblivion!— ’Tis a very Antony.

  The thought of which I was in quest is a very Antony, is treacherous and fugitive, and has irrevocably left me,

  And I am all forgotten.

  If this reading stand, I think the explanation of Hanmer must be received, (see 1765, VII, 122, 6)

  I.iv.3 (127,9) One great competitor] Perhaps, Our great competitor.

  I.iv.12 (128,1) as the spots of heaven,/More fiery by night’s blackness] If by spots are meant stars, as night has no other fiery spots, the comparison is forced and harsh, stars having been always supposed to beautify the night; nor do I comprehend what there is in the counter-part of this simile, which answers to night’s blackness. Hanmer reads,

  — spots on ermine

  Or fires, by night’s blackness.

  I.iv.14 (128,2) purchas’d] Procured by his own fault or endeavour.

  I.iv.21 (128,3) say, this becomes him, (As his composure must be rare, indeed, Whom these things cannot blemish] This seems inconsequent. I read

  And his composure, &c.

  Grant that this becomes him, and if it can become him, he must

  have in him something very uncommon; yet, &c.

  I.iv.25 (128,4) So great weight in his lightness] The word light it one of Shakespeare’s favourite play-things. The sense is, His trifling levity throws so much burden upon us.

  I.iv.25 (129,5)

  If he fill’d

  His vacancy with his voluptuousness,

  Full surfeits, and the dryness of his bones,

  Call on him for’t]

  Call on him, is, visit him. Says Caesar, If Antony followed his debaucheries at a time of leisure, I should leave him to be punished by their natural consequences, by surfeits and dry bones.

  I.iv.31 (129,6) boys; who being mature in knowledge] For this Hanmer, who thought the maturity of a boy an inconsistent idea, has put,

  — who, immature in knowledge,

  but the words experience and judgment require that we read mature; though Dr. Warburton has received the emendation. By boys mature in knowledge, are meant, boys old enough to know their duty.

  I.iv.38 (129,7) he is belov’d of these/That only have fear’d Caesar] Those whom not love but fear made adherents to Caesar, now shew their affection for Pompey.

  I.iv.49 (130,2) which they ear] To ear, is to plow; a common metaphor.

  I.iv.52 (130,3) Lack blood to think on’t] Turn pale at the thought of it.

  I.v.4 (132,5) mandragora] A plant of which the infusion was supposed to procure sleep. Shakespeare mentions it in Othello:

  Not poppy, nor mandragora,

  Can ever med’cine thee to that sweet sleep.

  I.v.38 (133,8) that great medicine hath/With his tinct gilded thee] Alluding to the philosopher’s stone, which, by its touch, converts base metal into gold. The alchemists call the matter, whatever it be, by which they perform transmutation, a medicine.

  I.v.48 (134,9) arm-gaunt steed] [i.e. his steed worn lean and thin by much service in war. So Fairfax, His stall-worn steed the champion stout bestrode. WARB.] On this note Mr. Edwards has been very lavish of his pleasantry, and indeed has justly censured the misquotation of stall-worn, for stall-worth, which means strong, but makes no attempt to explain the word in the play. Mr. Seyward, in his preface to Beaumont, has very elaborately endeavoured to prove, that an arm-gaunt steed is a steed with lean shoulders. Arm is the Teutonick word for want, or poverty. Arm-gaunt may be therefore an old word, signifying, lean for want, ill fed. Edwards’s observation, that a worn-out horse is not proper for Atlas to mount in battle, is impertinent; the horse here mentioned seems to be a post horse, rather than a war horse. Yet as arm-gaunt seems not intended to imply any defect, it perhaps means, a horse so slender that a man might clasp him, and therefore formed for expedition. Hanmer reads,

  — arm-girt steed.

  I.v.50 (134,1) Was beastly dumb by him] Mr. Theobald reads dumb’d, put to silence. Alexas means, (says he) the horse made such a neighing, that if he had spoke he could not have been heard.

  I.v.76 (136,3) Get me ink and paper: he shall have every day/ A several greeting, or I’ll unpeople Aegypt] By sending out messengers.

  II.i (136,4) Enter Pompey, Menecrates, and Menas] The persons are so named in the first edition; but I know not why Menecrates appears; Menas can do all without him.

  II.i.4 (136,5) While we are suitors to their throne, decays/The thing we sue for] [W: delays] It is not always prudent to be too hasty in exclamation; the reading which Dr. Warburton rejects as nonsense, is in my opinion right; if delay be what they sue for, they have it, and the consolation offered becomes superfluous. The meaning is, While we are praying, the thing for which we pray is losing its value.

  II.i.38 (138,8) The ne’er-lust-wearied Antony] [Theobald emended “near lust-wearied” to “ne’er-lust-wearied”] Could it be imagined, after this swelling exultation, that the first edition stands literally thus,

  The neere lust wearied Antony.

  II.i.45 (139,9) square] That is, quarrel.

  II.i.51 (139,1) Our lives upon] This play is not divided into acts by the authour or first editors, and therefore the present division may be altered at pleasure. I think the first act may be commodiously continued to this place, and the second act opened with the interview of the chief persons, and a change of the state of action. Yet it must be confessed, that it is of small importance, where these unconnected and desultory scenes are interrupted.

  II.ii.7 (140,2) Were I the wearer of Antonius’ beard,/I would not shav’t to-day] I believe he means, I would meet him undressed, without shew of respect.

  II.ii.25 (141,3) Nor curstness grow to the matter] Let not ill-humour be added to the real subject of our difference.

  II.ii.28 (141,4) Caes. Sit./Ant. Sit, sir!] [Antony appears to be jealous of a circumstance which seemed to indicate a consciousness of superiority in his too successful partner in power; and accordingly resents the invitation of Caesar to be seated: Caesar answers, Nay then — i.e. if you are so ready to resent what I meant an act of civility, there can be no reason to suppose you have temper enough for the business on which at present we are met. STEEVENS.] The following circumstance may serve to strengthen Mr. Steevens’s opinion: When the fictitious Sebastian made his appearance in Europe, he came to a conference with the Conde de Lemos; to whom, after the firat exchange of civilities, he said, Conde de Lemos, be covered. And being asked by that nobleman, by what pretences he laid claim to the superiority expressed by such permission, he replied, I do it by right of my birth; I am Sebastian. (1773)

  II.ii.43 (142,5) their contestation/Was theam for you, you were t
he word of war] [W: theam’d] I am neither satisfied with the reading nor the emendation; theam’d is, I think, a word unauthorised, and very harsh. Perhaps we may read,

  — their contestation

  Had theme from you, you were the word o’ th’ war. The dispute derived its subject from you. It may be corrected by mere transposition,

  — their contestation

  You were theme for, you were the word.

  II.ii.51 (143,8) Having alike your cause?] The meaning seems to be, having the same cause as you to be offended with me. But why, because he was offended with Antony, should he make war upon Caesar? May it not be read thus,

  — Did he not rather

  Discredit my authority with yours,

  And make the wars alike against my stomach,

  Hating alike our cause?

  II.ii.53 (143,9) As matter whole you have not to make it with] The original copy reads,

  As matter whole you have to make it with.

  Without doubt erroneously; I therefore only observe it, that the reader may more readily admit the liberties which the editors of this authour’s works have necessarily taken.

  II.ii.61 (144,1) fronted] i.e. opposed.

  II.ii.85 (145,4) The honour’s sacred which he talks on now,/Supposing that I lack’d it] [Sacred, for unbroken, unviolated. WARB.] Dr. Warburton seems to understand this passage thus; The honour which he talks of me as lacking, is unviolated, I never lacked it. This may perhaps be the true meaning, but before I read the note, I understood it thus: Lepidus interrupts Caesar, on the supposition that what he is about to say will be too harsh to be endured by Antony; to which Antony replies, No, Lepidus, let him speak, the security of honour on which he now speaks, on which this conference is held now, is sacred, even supposing that I lacked honour before.

  II.ii.112 (146,5) your considerate stone] This line is passed by all the editors, as if they understood it, and believed it universally, intelligible. I cannot find in it any very obvious, and hardly any possible meaning. I would therefore read,

  Go to then, you considerate ones.

  You, who dislike my frankness and temerity of speech, and are so considerate and discreet, go to, do your on business.