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.
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