Note 14 — III. HISTORICAL SURVEY.

The branch of the Roman family to which Nero belonged was called Enobarbus, copper-coloured or red Beard; and the legend of the family was, that the Dioscuri announced to one of their ancestors a victory, and to confirm the truth of what was said, stroked his black hair and Beard, and turned them red. Cn. Domitius, who was Censor with L. Crassus the orator, “took” says Pagenstecher, “too much pride in his,” and Crassus fired away the following epigram upon it. “Quid mirum si barbam habet aeneam Domitius cum et os ferreum et cor habet plumbeum.” (Where’s the wonder Domitius has a brazen Beard, when he has bones of iron and a heart of lead.) Shakspeare (the unlearned!) who never loses a characteristic, makes his Enobarbus, (who was great grandfather of Nero, wore a Beard, as seen on his medals, and was a fine bold warrior,) speak thus of Antony, under the fascination of Cleopatra:—

Lep. “Good Enobarbus, ’Tis a worthy deed,

And shall become you well, to entreat your Captain

To soft and gentle speech.”

Enob. “I shall entreat him

To answer like himself: if Cæsar move him,

Let Antony look over Cæsar’s head,

And speak as loud as Mars. By Jupiter,

Were I the wearer of Antonius’ Beard,

I would not shave’t to-day.”

This passage evidently associates the Beard with manly determination, and shaving with the want of it, for subsequently Enobarbus speaks of Antony’s effeminacy in these words:—

“Our courteous Antony,

Whom ne’er the word of No woman heard speak,

Being barber’d ten times o’er, goes to the feast,

And for his ordinary pays his heart

For what his eyes eat only.”