CHAPTER XI. THE BATTLE OF ACTIUM.

Page 87 of 110 CHAPTER XI. THE BATTLE OF ACTIUM. - Cleopatra

Perplexity of Antony.--His meeting with Fulvia.--Meeting of Antony and Fulvia.--Reconciliation of Antony and Octavius.--Octavia.--Her marriage to Antony.--Octavia's influence over her husband and her
brother.--Octavia pleads for Antony.--Difficulties settled.--Antony tired of his wife.--He goes to Egypt.--Antony again with
Cleopatra.--Effect on his character.--The march to Sidon.--Suffering of the troops.--Arrival of Cleopatra.--She brings supplies for the army.--Octavia intercedes for Antony.--She brings him re-enforcements. --Cleopatra's alarm.--Her arts.--Cleopatra's secret agents.--Their representations to Antony.--Cleopatra's success.--Antony's message to Octavia.--Devotion of Octavia.--Indignation against Antony.--Measures of Antony.--Accusations against him.--Antony's preparations.--Assistance of Cleopatra.--Canidius bribed.--His advice in regard to Cleopatra.--The fleet at Samos.--Antony's infatuation.--Riot and revelry.--Antony and Cleopatra at Athens.--Ostentation of Cleopatra.--Honors bestowed on her.--Baseness of Antony.--Approach of Octavius.--Antony's will.--Charges against him.--Antony's neglect of his duties.--Meeting of the fleets. --Opinions of the council.--Cleopatra's wishes.--Battle of Actium.--Flight of Cleopatra.--Antony follows Cleopatra.--He gains her galley.--Antony pursued.--A severe conflict.--The avenger of a father.--Antony's anguish--Antony and Cleopatra shun each other.--Arrival at Tsenarus.--Antony and Cleopatra fly together to Egypt.

Cleopatra, in parting with Antony as described in the last chapter, lost him for two or three years. During this time Antony himself was involved in a great variety of difficulties and dangers, and passed through many eventful scenes, which, however, can not here be described in detail. His life, during this period, was full of vicissitude and excitement, and was spent probably in alternations of remorse for the past and anxiety for the future. On landing at Tyre, he was at first extremely perplexed whether to go to Asia Minor or to Rome. His presence was imperiously demanded in both places. The war which Fulvia had fomented was caused, in part, by the rivalry of Octavius, and the collision of his interests with those of her husband. Antony was very angry with her for having managed his affairs in such a way as to bring about a war. After a time Antony and Fulvia met at Athens. Fulvia had retreated to that city, and was very seriously sick there, either from bodily disease, or from the influence of long-continued anxiety, vexation, and distress. They had a stormy meeting. Neither party was disposed to exercise any mercy toward the other. Antony left his wife rudely and roughly, after loading her with reproaches. A short time afterward, she sank down in sorrow to the grave.

The death of Fulvia was an event which proved to be of advantage to Antony. It opened the way to a reconciliation between him and Octavius. Fulvia had been extremely active in opposing Octavius's designs, and in organizing plans for resisting him. He felt, therefore, a special hostility against her, and, through her, against Antony. Now, however, that she was dead, the way seemed to be in some sense opened for a reconciliation.

"To make a lot of noise about a received offense does not diminish the pain, but increases the shame."
Giovanni Boccaccio