IV.xv.65 (240,8) The soldier's pole] He at whom the soldiers pointed, as
at a pageant held high for observation.
IV.xv.72 (240,9)
_Char_. Peace, peace, Iras.
_Cleo_. No more--but e'en a woman]
[W: peace, Isis] Of this note it may be truly said, that it at least
deserves to be right, nor can he, that shall question the justness of
the emendation, refuse his esteem to the ingenuity and learning with
which it is proposed.
Hanmer had proposed another emendation, not injudiciously. He reads
thus,
Iras. _Royal Aegypt! empress!_
Cleo. _Peace, peace, Iras.
No more but a mere woman_, &c.
That is, _no more an empress, but a mere woman_.
It is somewhat unfortunate that the words, _mere woman_, which so much
strengthen the opposition to either _empress_ or _Isis_, are not in the
original edition, which stands thus,
_No more but_ in a _woman_.
_Mere woman_ was probably the arbitrary reading of Rowe. I suppose,
however, that we muy justly change the ancient copy thus,
_No more, but_ e'en a _woman_.
which will enough accommodate either of the editors.
I am inclined to think that she speaks abruptly, not answering her
woman, but discoursing with her own thoughts,
_No more--but_ e'en a _woman_.
_I have_ no more _of my wonted greatness_, but am even a woman, _on the
level with other women; were I what I once was_.
--It were for me
To throw my scepter, _&c_.
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