yet to imagine An Antony, were Nature's piece 'gainst Fancy, Condemning shadows quite] [W: Nature's prize] In this passage I cannot discover any temptation to critical experiments. The word _piece_, is a term appropriated to works of art. Here Nature and Fancy produce each their _piece_, and the _piece_ done by Nature had the preference. Antony was in reality _past the size of dreaming_; he was more by _Nature_ than _Fancy_ could present in sleep. V.ii.121 (255,3) I cannot project mine own cause so well] [W: procter] Sir T. Hanmer reads, _I cannot_ parget _my own cause---_ meaning, I cannot _whitewash, varnish_, or _gloss_ my cause. I believe the present reading to be right. To _project a cause_ is to _represent_ a cause; to _project_ it _well_, is to _plan_ or _contrive_ a scheme of defense. V.ii.139 (256,4) "tis exactly valued, /Not petty things admitted] [T: omitted] Notwithstanding the wrath of Mr. Theobald, I have restored the old reading. She is angry afterwards, that she is accused of having reserved more than petty things. Dr. Warburton and sir T. Hanmer follow Theobald. V.ii.146 (257,5) seel my lips] Sew up my mouth. V.ii.163 (258,7) Parcel the sum of my disgraces by] _To parcel her disgraces_, might be expressed in vulgar language, _to bundle up her calamaties_. (see 1765, VII, 244, 8) V.ii.176 (259,8) _Cleo._ Be't known, that we, the greatest, are misthought for things that others do; and, when we fall, We answer others merits in our names; Are therefore to be pitied] I do not think that either of the criticks [Warburton and Hanmer] have reached the sense of the author, which may be very commodiously explained thus; We suffer at our highest state of elevation in the _thoughts of mankind for that which others do, and when we fall_, those that contented themselves only to think ill before, call us to _answer in our own names for the merits of others. We are therefore to be pitied. Merits_ is in this place taken in an ill sense, for actions _meriting_ censure. If any alteration be necessary, I should only propose, _Be 't known, that we_ at _greatest_, &c. V.ii.185 (259,1) Make not your thoughts your prisons] I once wished to read, _make not your thoughts your_ poison:-- Do not destroy yourself by musing on your misfortune. Yet I would change nothing, as the old reading presents a very proper sense. _Be not a prisoner in imagination, when in reality you are free._ V.ii.215 (261,2) scald rhimers] Sir T. Hanmer reads, --stall 'd _rhimers. Scald_ was a word of contempt, implying poverty, disease, and filth. V.ii.216 (261,3) quick comedians] The gay inventive players. V.ii.226 (261,5) Their most absurd intents] [T: assured] I have preserved the old reading. The design certainly appeared _absurd_ enough to Cleopatra, both as she thought it unreasonable in itself, and as she knew it would fail.