But this disinterested emotion does not last long. The awe at fallen greatness soon leads to comparisons with the living greatness that has proved its match. The obsequious bystanders find this quite natural and point it out without a hint of sarcasm:
Agr.Caesar is touch’d.
Mec. When such a spacious mirror’s set before him,
He needs must see himself.
So Octavius proceeds to a recital of Antony’s merits in which he bespeaks a double portion of the praise he seems to dispense:
O Antony!
I have follow’d thee to this; but we do lance
Diseases in our bodies: I must perforce
Have shown to thee such a declining day,
Or look on thine: we could not stall together