Page:Plutarch's Lives (Clough, v.5, 1865).djvu/219

ANTONY. 211 beloved by the Athenians), courted the favor of the people with all sorts of attentions. The Athenians, in requital, having decreed her public honors, deputed sev- eral of the citizens to -wait upon her at her house ; amongst whom went Antony as one, he being an Athe- nian citizen, and he it was that made the speech. He sent orders to Rome to have Octavia removed out of his house. She left it, we are told, accompanied by all his children, except the eldest by Fulvia, who was then with his father, weeping and grievmg that she must be looked upon as one of the causes of the war. But the Romans pitied, not so much her, as Antony himself, and more particularly those who had seen Cleopatra, whom they could report to have no way the advantage of Octavia either in youth or in beautj^ The speed and extent of Antony's preparations alanned Caesar, who feared he might be forced to fight the deci- sive battle that srunmer. For he wanted many neces- saries, and the people grudged very much to pay the taxes ; freemen being called upon to pay a fourth part of their incomes, and freed slaves an eighth of their prop- erty, so that there were loud outcries against him, and disturbances throughout all Italy. And this is looked upon as one of the greatest of Antony's oversights, that he did not then press the war. For he allowed time at once for Caesar to make his preparations, and for the com- motions to pass over. For while people were having their money called for, they were mutinous and 'iolent; but, having paid it, they held their peace. Titius and Plancus, men of consular dignity and friends to Antony, having been ill used by Cleopatra, whom they had most resisted in her design of being present in the war, came over to Csesar, and gave information of the contents of Antony's will, with which they were acquainted. It was deposited in the hands of the vestal virgins, who refused