their own aggrandisement which the parties pursued ; and in their mad career they threw down the fences of friendship, virtue, and piety. Jealousy and fear stalked ghastly in the deserted streets of Rome; and lowring suspicion entered the sacred abodes of family peace. In short, the coalition was a covenant of blood: the lives of connections and kindred were paid for the agreement; and the virtuous Cicero fell by the resentment of Antony."

The triumvirate was soon broken, and the discordant materials were shaken asunder. Lepidus was forsaken, as of little importance to their strength. Octavianus grasped the most important provinces in the west; but Antony was conspicuous in the battle of Philippi, where Cassius fell, and where the republic of Rome expired with Brutus. Syria and the provinces of the east were allotted to

a

* Appian. de bell. civ. lib. iii, vol. 2. p. 861; edit. Amstelodami, 8vo. A. D. 1670.

struction which is peculiarly described by Abdollatif. The deck was covered; and, upon a platform projecting in the manner of a balcony, there was a chamber finished in a vaulted or pavilion like form. Adjoining there were various apartments; and the whole was fitted to accommodate persons of rank and their suit. The galley was painted, gilded, and finished, in a superb and beautiful manner. When Cleopatra entered the river Cydnus, the banks resounded with the delightful music of her band; and the incense, which was burnt, diffused the most pleasing fragrance. The appearance of a personage so august, and the unusual splendour of her approach, so powerfully attracted the multitude, that in the hall of audience Antony was left alone.

The festival intercourses of Antony and Cleopatra were frequent, and in these

the Egyptian profusion far outshone the Roman splendour. Cleopatra lavished upon Antony a multitude of costly gifts, and to shew her magnificence she displayed two costly pearls. One of

them she dissolved in an acid, and swallowed in a draught; but the other, Plancus, the friend of Antony, solicited, and obtained as a favour. In imitation of Cleopatra, C. Caligula dissolved pearls; and the son of Esopus Claudius, a rich Roman comedian, discovered his folly and extravagance in the same manner.*

But the weightier affairs of government must be pursued by Antony in the east ; and Cleopatra, having parted with him at Tyre, returned to Egypt. In the absence of the queen, there was no rest for the enraptured Antony: she had carried with her his affections; and all his happiness centered in her. Leaving therefore deputies in his provincial govern

a

Sueton. in C. Callig. ; et Horat. lib. ii, sat. 3, v. 239, &c.

struction which is peculiarly described by Abdollatif. The deck was covered; and, upon a platform projecting in the manner of a balcony, there was a chamber finished in a vaulted or pavilion like form. Adjoining there were various apartments; and the whole was fitted to accommodate persons of rank and their suit. The galley was painted, gilded, and finished, in a superb and beautiful manner. When Cleopatra entered the river Cydnus, the banks resounded with the delightful music of her band; and the incense, which was burnt, diffused the most pleasing fragrance. The appearance of a personage so august, and the unusual splendour of her approach, so powerfully attracted the multitude, that in the hall of audience Antony was left alone.

The festival intercourses of Antony and Cleopatra were frequent, and in these

the Egyptian profusion far outshone the Roman splendour. Cleopatra lavished upon Antony a multitude of costly gifts, and to shew her magnificence she displayed two costly pearls. One of

them she dissolved in an acid, and swallowed in a draught; but the other, Plancus, the friend of Antony, solicited, and obtained as a favour. In imitation of Cleopatra, C. Caligula dissolved pearls; and the son of Esopus Claudius, a rich Roman comedian, discovered his folly and extravagance in the same manner.*

But the weightier affairs of government must be pursued by Antony in the east ; and Cleopatra, having parted with him at Tyre, returned to Egypt. In the absence of the queen, there was no rest for the enraptured Antony: she had carried with her his affections; and all his happiness centered in her. Leaving therefore deputies in his provincial govern

Sueton. in C. Callig. ; et Horat. lib. ii, sat. 3, 239, &c.