[322] _Charmers_ are _enchanters_ or _magicians_. So in "Othello," act iii. sc. 4-- "That handkerchief Did an Egyptian to my mother give; She was a _charmer_, and could almost read The thoughts of people." And again in "The Two Noble Kinsmen," act v. sc. 4-- "Oh, you heavenly _charmers_, What things you make of us!" [323] _i.e._, Perceptive, feeling. Falstaff observes that sack makes the mind _apprehensive_, quick, &c. [324] _I reck not how_ is the true reading: Mr Reed allowed it to stand according to the error of the old copy, _I wreak not how_; but to _reck_ and to _wreak_ are words of a totally different signification. To _reck_ means to _care for_, while to _wreak_ means to _revenge_. ACT IV., SCENE I. CÆSAR, VOLUSENUS, _Attendants_. CÆS. A story is't or fable that, stern Mars, Thy weight did Romulus' sleepy mother press? Since we, thy brood degenerous, stand at gaze, Charm'd in the circle of a foaming flood, And trail our dastard pikes? Burst, Janus' prison! Roar as thou didst at Troy, drown Stentor's voice By many eighths,[327] which Pindus may re-beat, Which Caucasus may as a catch repeat, And Taurus lough the same:[328] that pigmies small May squeak, it thunders, and dive into burrows. Let the four winds with dreadful clamours sing Thy anger through th' affrighted world. What Lemnian chain shackles our mounting eagle? The moon's round concave is too strait a cage For her advanced pinions. _Enter_ MANDUBRATIUS,[329] _wounded and bloody, with_ ANDROGEUS'S _young son_. MAN. If pity can have room in angry breast, Favour a Briton prince, his father slain, His regiment bereft, his dearest blood Drawn by the sword of false Cassibelane, Having got crown, he then struck at my head; Nor can I safely suck my native air. His coz Androgeus also and whole regions In open war withstand his violence, Lo, Albion's aged arms spread wide t'enchain Thee, as her patron, in a true-love knot. Wherefore, dread Cæsar, let thy mercy strike Revengeful fires, and be justly styled, [_Kneels._ Tamer of tyrants. Then fame blows aloud, When valour helps the weak, pulls down the proud. CÆS. Arise, unhappy prince, our deeds shall show We grant thy suit. Fortune repents at last; [_To_ VOLUSENUS. The moon is chang'd, the globe doth to us turn Her shining cheek, and wooes us with a smile. But what firm signs of faith, what faithful aid, What furtherance, can you give at our arrival? MAN. See here Androgeus' heir, whose tender age His father ventures, and makes bold with nature To pledge his darling. He and thirty more Of noble lineage shall assure our faith; Besides I pawn my life.