of Noble and Romanes 26

Plutarch's Lives of Noble Grecians and Romanes 26 I slaine on both sides. But by this meanes, he got the il will of the common people, and on the other side, the noble men (as Cicero saith) did not only mislike him, but also hate him for his naughty life: for they did abhor his banckets and dronken feasts he made at unseasonable times, and his extreme wastful expences upon vaine light huswives, and then in the day time he would sleepe or walke out his dronkennes, thinking to weare away the fume of the aboundaunce of wine which he had taken over night. In his house they did nothing but feast, daunce, and maske: and him selfe passed away the time in hearing of foolish playes, or in marrying these plaiers, tomblers, jeasters, and such sort of people.l As for proofe hereof it is reported, that at Hippias mariage, one of his jeasters, he drank wine so lustely all night, that the next morning when he came to pleade before the people assembled in counsel, who had sent for him: he being quesie stomaked with his surfet he had taken, was compelled to lay all before them, and one of his friends held him his gowne in stead of a basen. 2 He had another pleasaunt player called Sergi us, that was one of the chiefest men about him, and a woman also called Cytheride, of the same profession, whom he loved derely: he caried her up and downe in a litter unto all the townes he went, and had as many men waiting apon her litter, she being but a player, as were attending upon his owne mother.3 It greved honest men also very much, to see that when he went into the con try, he caried with him a great number of cubbords ful of silver and gold plate, openly in the face of the world, as it had ben the pompe or shewe of some triumphe: and that eftsoones in the middest of his jorney he would set up his hales and tents hard by some greene grove or pleas aunt river, and there his Cookes should prepare him a sumptuous dinner. And furthermore, Lyons were harnesed in trases to drawe his carts: and besides also, in honest mens houses in the cities where he came, he would have common harlots, curtisans, and these tumbling gillots lodged. Now it greved men much, to see that Cresar should be out of Italy following of his enemies, to end this great warre, with such great perill and daunger: and that others in the meane time abusing his name and authoritie, should commit such insolent and outragious parts unto their Citizens. This me thinkes was the cause that made the conspiracie against Cresar increase more and more, and layed the reynes of the brydle uppon the souldiers neckes, whereby they durst boldlier commit many ext orsions, cruelties and robberies. And therefore Cresar after his returne

pardoned Dolabella, and being created Consul the third time, he tooke not Antonius, but chose Lepidus, his colleague and fellow Consul.l Afterwards when Pompeys house was put to open sale, Antonius bought it 2: but when they asked him money for it, he made it very straung, and was offended with them, and writeth him selfe that he would not goe with Cresar into the warres of Africk, bicause he was not well recompenced for the service he had done him before. Yet Cresar did somewhat bridle his madnes and insolencie, not suffering him to passe his faulte so lightly away, making as though he sawe them not. And therefore he left his dissolute manner of life, and married Fulvia that was Clodius widowe,3 a woman not so basely minded to spend her time in spinning and housewivery, and was not contented to master her husband at home, but would also rule him in his office abroad,4 and commaund him, that commaunded legions and great armies: so that Cleopatra was to give Fulvia thankes for that she had taught Antonius this obedience to women, that learned so well to be at their commaundement. Nowe, bicause Fulvia was somewhat sower, and crooked of condition, Antonius devised to make her pleasaunter, and somewhat better disposed: and therefore he would playe her many prety youthfull partes to make her mery. As he did once, when Cresar returned the last time of all Conqueror out of Spayne, every man went out to meete him: and so did Antonius with the rest. But on the sodeine there ranne a rumor through Italy, that Cresar was dead, and that his enemies came againe with a great armie. Thereuppon he returned with speede to Rome, and tooke one of his mens gownes, and so apparelled came home to his house in a darke night, saying that he had brought Fulvia letters from Antonius. So he was let in, and brought to her muffled as he was, for being knowen: but she taking the matter heavily, asked him if Antonius were well. Antonius gave her the letters, and sayd never a word. So when she had opened the letters, and beganne to read them: Antonius ramped of her necke, and kissed her. We have told you this tale for examples sake onely, and so could we also tell you of many such like as these. Nowe when Cresar was returned from his last warre in Spayne, all the chiefest nobilitie of the citie road many dayes jorney from Rome to meete him, where Cresar made marvelous much of Antonius, above all the men that came unto him. For he alwayes tooke him into his coche with him, through out all Italy: and behind him,

Brutus Albinus, and Octavius, the sonne of his Nece, who afterwards was called Cresar, and became Emperor of Rome long time after. So Cresar being afterwards chosen Consul the fift time, he immediatly chose Antonius his colleague and companion 1: and desired by deposing him selfe of his Consulship, to make Dolabella Consul in his roome, and had already moved it to the Senate. But Antonius did stowtly withstand it, and openly reviled Dolabella in the Senate: and Dolabella also spared him as litle. Thereuppon Cresar being ashamed of the matter he let it alone. Another time also when Cresar attempted againe to substitute Dolabella Consul in his place, Antonius cryed out, that the signes of the birdes were against it: so that at length Cresar was compelled to give him place, and to let Dolabella alone, who was marvelously offended with him. Now in truth, Cresar made no great reckoning of either of them both. For it is reported that Cresar aunswered one that did accuse Antonius and Dolabella unto him for some matter of conspiracie: Tushe said he, they be not those fat fellowes and fine comed men that I feare, but I mistrust rather these pale and leane men, meaning by Brutus and Cassius, who afterwards conspired his death, and slue him.2 Antonius unwares afterwards, gave Cresars enemies just occasion and culler to doe as they did: as you shall heare.3 The Romanes by chaunce celebrated the feast called Lupercalia, and Cresar being apparelled in his triumphing robe, was set in the Tribune where they use to make their orations to the people, and from thence did behold the sport of the runners. The manner of this running was this. On that day there are many young men of noble house, and those specially that be chiefe Officers for that yeare: who running naked up and downe the citie annointed with the oyle of olyve, for pleasure do strike them they meete in their way, with white leather thongs they have in their hands. Antonius being one amonge the rest that was to ronne, leaving the auncient ceremonies and old customes of that solemnitie: he ranne to the Tribune where Cresar was set, and caried a laurell crowne in his hand, having a royall band or diademe wreathed about it, which in old time was the auncient marke and token of a king. When he was come to Cresar, he made his fellow ronnel'S with him lift him up, and so he did put this laurell crowne upon his head,4 signifying thereby that he had deserved to be king. But Cresar making as though he refused it, turned away his heade. The people were so rejoyced at it, that they

AntOl?)' and Cleopatra all clapped their hands for joy. Antonius againe did put it on his head: Cresar againe refused it, and thus they were striving of and on a great while together. As oft as Antonius did put this laurell crowne unto him, a fewe of his followers rejoyced at it: and as oft also as Cresar refused it, all the people together clapped their hands. And this was a wonderfull thing, that they suffered all things subjects should doe by commaundement of their kings: and yet they could not abide the name of a king, detesting it as the utter destruction of their liberty. Cresar in a rage rose out of his seate, and plucking downe the choller of his gowne from his necke, he shewed it naked, bidding any man strike of his head that would. This laurel crowne was afterwards put upon the head of one of Cresars statues or images, the which one of the Tribunes pluckt of. The people liked his doing therein so well, that they way ted on him home to his house, with great clapping of hands. Howbeit Cresar did tume them out of their offices for it. This was a good incoragement for Brutus and Cassius to conspire his death,l who fel into a consort with their trustiest friends, to execute their enterprise: but yet stood doubtful whethel' they should make Antonius privy to it or not. Al the rest liked of it, saving Trebonius only. He told them, that when they rode to meete Cresar at his retume out of Spayne, Antonius and he alwaies keping company, and lying together by the way, he felt his mind a farre of: but Antonius finding his meaning, would harken no more unto it, and yet notwithstanding never made Cresar acquainted with this talke, but had faithfully kept it to him self. 2 After that they consulted whether they should kil Antonius with Cresar.3 But Brutus would in no wise consent to it, saying: that ventring on such an enterprise as that, for the maintenance of law and justice, it ought to be clere from all villanie.4 Yet they fearing Antonius power, and the authoritie of his office, appointed certain of the conspiracy, that when Cresar were gone into the Senate, and while others should execute their enterprise, they should keepe Antonius in a talke out of the Senate house. Even as they had devised these matters, so were they executed: and Cresar was slaine in the middest of the Senate. Antonius being put in a feare withall, cast a slaves gowne upon him, and hid him selfe. But afterwards when it was told him that the murtherers slue no man els, and that they went onely into the Capitoll: he sent his sonne unto them for a pledge, and bad them boldly come downe upon his word. The selfe same day he did bid

Cassius to supper, and Lepidus also bad Brutus. The next morning the Senate was assembled, and Antonius him selfe preferred a lawe that all things past should be forgotten, and that they should appoint provinces, unto Cassius and Brutus: the which the Senate confirmed, and further ordeyned, that they should cancell none of Cresars lawes. Thus went Antonius out of the Senate more praysed, and better esteemed, than ever man was: bicause it seemed to every man that he had cut of all occasion of civill warres, and that he had shewed him selfe a marvelous wise governor of the common wealth, for the appeasing of these matters of so great waight and importance. But nowe, the opinion he conceived of him selfe after he had a Jitle felt the good will of the people towards him, hoping thereby to make him selfe the chiefest man if he might overcome Brutus: did easily make him alter his first mind.l And therefore when Cresars body was brought to the place where it should be buried, he made a funeral oration in commendacion of Cresar, according to the auncient custom of praising noble men at their funerals. When he saw that the people were very glad and desirous also to heare Cresar spoken of, and his praises uttered: he mingled his oration with lamentable wordes, and by amplifying of matters did greatly move their harts and affections unto pitie and compassion.2 In fine to conclude his oration, he unfolded before the whole assembly the bloudy garments of the dead, thrust through in many places with their swords, and called the malefactors, cruell and cursed murtherers.3 With these words he put the people into such a fury, that they presently toke Cresars body, and burnt it in the market place, with such tables and fourmes as they could get together. Then when the fire was kindled, they toke firebrands, and ran to the murtherers houses to set them afire, and to make them come out to fight. Brutus therfore and his accomplices, for safety of their persons were driven to fly the city. Then came all Cresars friends unto Antonius, and specially his wife Calpurnia putting her trust in him,4 she brought the moste part of her money into his house, which amounted to the summe of foure thowsand talents, and furthermore brought him al Cresars bokes and writings, in the which were his memorials of all that he had done and ordeyned. Antonius did daily mingle with them such as he thought good, and by that meanes he created newe officers, made newe Senators, called home some that were banished, and delivered those that were prisoners, and then he sayde that all those thinges were so appoynted

and ordeyned by Cresar. Therefore the Romanes mocking them that were so moved, they called them Charonites1 : bicause that when they were overcome, they had no other helpe but to saye, that thus they were found in Cresars memorialls, who had sayled in Charons boate, and was departed. Thus Antonius ruled absolutely also in all other matters, bicause he was Consul, and Caius one of his brethren Prretor, and Lucius the other, Tribune.2 Now thinges remayning in this state at Rome, Octavius Cresar the younger, came to Rome, who was the sonne of Julius Cresars Nece, as you have heard before, and was left his lawefull heire by will, remayning at the tyme of the death of his great Uncle that was slayne, in the citie of Apollonia. This young man at his first an'ivall went to salute Antonius, as one of his late dead father Cresars friendes, who by his last will and testament had made him his hcire: and withall, he was presently in hande with him for money and other thinges which were left of trust in his handes, bicause Cresar had by will bequeathed unto the people of Rome, three score and fifteene silver Drachmas to be given to every man, the which he as heire stoode charged withall. Antonius at the first made no reckoning of him, bicause he was very younge:3 and sayde he lacked witte, and good friendes to advise him, if he looked to take such a charge in hande, as to undertake to be Cresars heire.4 But when Antonius saw that he could not shake him of with those wordes, and that he was still in hande with him for his fathers goods, but specially for the ready money: then he spake and did what he could against him. And first of all, it was he that did keepe him from being Tribune of the people: and also when Octavius Cresar beganne to meddle with the dedicating of the chayer of gold, which was prepared by the Senate to honor Cresar with: he threatned to send him to prison, and moreover desisted not to put the people in an uprore. This young Cresar seeing his doings, went unto Cicero and others, which were Antonius enemies, and by them crept into favor with the Senate6 : and he him self sought the peoples good will every manner of way, gathering together the olde souldiers of the late deceased Cresar, which were dispersed in divers cities and colonyes. Antonius being affrayd of it, talked with Octavius in the capitoll, and became his friend.6 But

Plutarch's Lives if Noble Grecians and Romanes 267 the very same night Antonius had a straunge dreame, who thought that lightning fell upon him, and burnt his right hand.! Shortly after word was brought him, that Cresar lay in waite to kil him. Cresar cleered him selfe unto him, and told him there was no such matter: but he could not make Antonius beleve the contrary. Whereuppon they became further enemies then ever they were: insomuch that both of them made friends of either side to gather together all the old souldiers through Italy, that were dispersed in divers townes: and made them large promises, and sought also to winne the legions of their side, which were already in armes. Cicero on the other side being at that time the chief est man of authoritie and estimation in the citie, he stirred up al men against Antonius: so that in the end he made the Senate pronounce him an enemy to his contry,2 and appointed young Cresar Sergeaunts to cary axes before him, and such other signes as were incident to the dignitie of a Consul or Prretor: and moreover sent Hircius and Pansa, then Consuls, to drive Antonius out of Italy.3 These two Consuls together with Cresar, who also had an armye, went against Antonius that beseeged the citie of Modena, and there overthrew him in battell: but both the Consuls were slaine there.4 Antonius flying upon this overthrowe, fell into great miserie all at once: but the chiefest want of all other, and that pinched him most, was famine. Howbeit he was of such a strong nature, that by pacience he would overcome any adversitie, and the heavier fortune lay upon him, the more constant shewed he him selfe.5 Every man that feleth want or adversitie, knoweth by vertue and discretion what he should doe: but when in deede they are overlayed with extremitie, and be sore oppressed, few have the harts to follow that which they praise and commend, and much lesse to avoid that they reprove and mislike. But rather to the contrary, they yeId to their accustomed easie life: and through faynt hart, and lacke of corage, doe chaunge their first mind and purpose. And therefore it was a wonderfull example to the souldiers, to see Antonius that was brought up in all finenes and superftuitie, so easily to drinke puddle water, and to eate wild frutes and rootes6 : and moreover it is reported, that even as they passed the Alpes, they did eate the barcks of trees, and such

Antony and Cleopatra beasts, as never man tasted of their flesh before.! Now their intent was to joyne with the legions that were on the other side of the Mountaines, under Lepidus charge: whom Antonius tooke to be his friend, bicause he had hoi pen him to many things at Cresars hand, through his meanes. When he was come to the place where Lepidus was, he camped hard by him: and when he saw that no man came to him to put him in any hope, he determined to venter him seIfe, and to goe unto Lepidus .... When he was come into their campe, and that he had all the army at his commaundement2 : he used Lepidus very curteously, imbraced him, and called him father: and though in deede Antonius did all, and ruled the whole army, yet he alway gave Lepidus the name and honor of the Captaine.3 Munatius Plancus, lying also in campe hard by with an armye: understanding the report of Antonius curtesie, he also came and joined with him. Thus Antonius being a foote againe, and growen of great power, repassed over the Alpes, leading into Italy with him seventeene legions, and tenne thowsand horsemen, besides six legions he left in garrison amonge the Caules, under the charge of one Varius, a companion of his that would drinke lustely with him, and therefore in mockery was surnamed Cotylon4 : to wit, a bibber. So Octavius Cresar would not leane to Cicero, when he saw that his whole travail and endevor was onely to restore the common wealth to her former libertie. Therefore he sent certaine of his friends to Antonius, to make them friends againe: and thereuppon all three met together, (to wete, Cresar, Antonius, and Lepidus)5 in an Iland envyroned round about with a litle river, and there remayned three dayes together. Now as touching all other matters, they were easily agreed, and did devide all the Empire of Rome betwene them, as if it had bene their owne inheritance. But yet they could hardly agree whom they would put to death: for everyone of them would kill their enemies, and save their kinsmen and friends. Yet at length, giving place to their gredy desire to be revenged of their enemies, they spurned all reverence of bloud, and holines of friendship at their feete.6 For Cresar left Cicero to Antonius will, Antonius also forsooke Lucius Cresar, who was his Uncle by his mother7 : and both of them together suffred Lepidus to kill his owne brother Paulus. Yet some writers affirme, that Cresar and Antonius requested Paulus