The New York herald., 1877-03-06
ROMAN AND EGYPTIAN.

CONCLUSION OF THE LECTURE ON ANTONY AND
cLEoPArRA-HIs ATTRIBUTES AND HER LOVE
AND DEATH.
Tho third lecture OF the Rev. John Weiss at the
rooms OF. the American Geographical Society. con-
tinung tho subject OF Antony and Cleopatra was de-
iivered yesterday afternoon The historic ancestry OF
Cleopatra aud her general characteristics having been
dwc upon In the last lecture. this dealt chiefly
with tho play and the which Shakespeare has made
oil history, tho Professor reading copiousy from
Shakespeare TO illustrate his comparisons Antony
was tho OF Julia the sister OF julius Cpsar. He
was born D. G. So From childhood he had brilliant
and virile career. He was handsome. winning, had
superb physique. and was full OF bonhomic. His SOL
dicrs loved him. Ho had duplex career, ono OF
pleasure and OF glory and the did not TO
interfere with the other until MS last temptation
which resulted in his overthrow and defeat at the
battle of Actum. The traces OF his soldiers love tor
him found IN this play Shakespeare did not pick
up ald use history always. He OWNED history, ana
sonc OF his sayings have since been discovered TO DO
iacts. Such was the man who married Octavia, from
policy und loft Cleopatra toe two years. who however.
waited Tor him, knowing that he would come back to
her Piutarch said she conversed in seven anguagcs
ana that her was like one of those Egyptian
harps which wero strung with twonty strings. The
play is compact OF passion Mere historical events
have been omitted by Shakespeare that the characters
OF the hero ana heroine might DO psychologically
brought out antony and Cleopatra carried II on with
50 ugn mana at AlcNauurla tuht Rome Decume more
and more inconsed and Oc,avius Caesar Dc
policies met at the naval battle OF Actium,
which was fought at tho instance OF Cleopatra.
Alter tho defeat at Actlum Antony and Cleopatra re-
volvcd many projects. She inay thought II best 10
escape tho Red Sea and get up tlo kin sdom
IN Judca, which he consented, ard tncy began to
transport their treasures, but when about hall way
across tho lsthmus OF Sucz Roman envoy iuci,ed
the natives 10 the men and burn tho stores
scENE NOT IN THE PLAY.
They then returned TO Alexandria and Antony
nOhi lkaff futn l'ln,sap
palace, whore she had been TRANQUILITY awaiting him,
aud iound her serene and unmoved. That day they
down 10 the table together and Antony would not
drink anything unless She tasted IL first, In
the middle oil the feast she detached from her
hair dropped II into cup OF and gave II To
him to drink. He was about dong SO when sne to0K
the cup from his hand, saying
"And do you suspect mef See how cnsy II Is That
rose Is posoncd.'
dead Instantly That is not In tho play, but is his
tory.
oCTAvIus DISAPPOINTMENT.
After tho death OF Antony Cleopatra wished to die.
She therefore appeared to Ucavius tu DO willing to
live and SO with him TO Rome, and gave him :
vcntory OF her treasures. which, however, only
cludcd hair OF them. (Act 5; scene ~ In the mean
the scene where she put the asp IN her BOSOM Az
tins moment shakespeare introduces the rustic, and
thereby forms a wonderful contrast. Tho clown un.
consc. .ousy brings her the instrument OF death.
Who this was going on Octavus was standing IN tho
tomb OF Alexander tho Great Tho the sarcopha
gus raised up aud whilo hc was looking at the
body oil him for whom this world was small the
news OF Cleopatra death was brought him, ana the
lid oi the saTcophagus slammed down upon his bailed
ambition.