Delaware gazette and American watchman. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1828-1837, 1832-07-13
sWESCELL.a.NY n:
THE FATE OF CLEOPATRA.
BIZ Mrs. jameson.
CLARENCE.

" Cleopatra had erected near the Temple of
Isis magnificent building, which in history is
called her monument, and which was probably de-
signed as a sepulchre for her family; but, like
many OF the ancient tombs, it was constructed on
the scale and with the solidity of fortress. Thi.
Their she conveyed.ail her treasures, her gold and
silver, her jewels, her pearls, her ebony ivory and
cinnamon. 1t is curious to find cinnamon enume.
rated among the most valuable of her possessions;
but in ancient times, when the countries which
produced it were yet unknown, this spice was
considered almost equivalent 10 gold: with these
she mingled quantity OF flax and number OF
torches. Octavius. under the gr eatest apprchen-
sion lest in fit Of despair wilfulness she should
destroy these vast treasures, which he intended
to appropriate to HIMSELF sent to her message after
message, assuring her of the gentest treatment,
all Of which the queen received and answered with
a complacency more affected than real her sub.
sequent behavior showed that she had never trust
ed Octavius, and his conduct and character equally
proved that she had no reason TO do so.
| Meantime the adverse army appeared before
the walls Of Alexandria, and Antony, like lion
IN the tolls, seemed resolved to sell his life as
dearly as he could: he made desperate sally,
in which he had the advantage, and drove back the
enemy to their intrenchments. Cleopatra met
him on his return to the palace she threw herself
into his arms, covered as he was with dust and
blood, and when he presented to her certain sol
dier wh0 had fnught with distinguished bravery
by his side, the queen called for helmet and
target of pure gold from the royal treasures, and
bestowed them on the warrior, adding words oil
such sweet breath composed as made the gifts
r more rich.' Loaded with these treasures, the
r soldier deserted the night, and went over t.
= the enemy; an instance Of ingratitude which
Some OF the friends of Antony regarded with su
perstitious horror, as ominous of his approachin;
fall. Another engagement took place few days
a afterward with far different result. All tina
t remained of Antony's fleet and army surrenderet
to Octavius, almost before blow was struck; ant
Antony returned to tie city cxclaiming in fur
that he had been betrayed by Cleopatra, and exc
Grating her as the cause of his mistOrtunes.
The unhappy queen, terrified by this explnsio
ut passion, fled to her monument, accompanied b.
her two favOrite women, Chairman and Iras, AM
having secured II strongly Within sent slave I
tell Antony that she was dead but immediate
" afterward, repening Of this measure, and iearfu
v of the effect it might produce on him, she de
S. spatched her secretary Diamed to inform hir
that she still lived, and desired to see him ono
: more. This assurance arrived too late. dome
found the worst anticipatOns of his royal mistres
p fatally fulfilled; Antony lay on the ground, an
IS welterng in his blood. He had given himself
J. mortal wound, but he was not yet dead and il
faint voice he desired to be carried TO Cleopatra
With her characteristic timidity and selfishness
she could refuse, even at such moment to opel
C the gates, from the apprehension Of treason, AM
!, . he was drawn up by cords into the monument
the queen herself assisted her women, distoriin,
every feature by the violence Of her efforts Will
Antony, already in the agones of death, extended
his arms towards her from below. When they hal
succeeded in lifting him into the interior of thu
monument, he was laid on couch, and cleopatra
hanging over him, beat her bosom, rent her gar
ments, called on him by thousand tender names
and gave way to all the violence OF feminine grief
Antony endeavored to sooth her, and while shG
wiped from his brow the BLOOD and the damps o
approaching death, he called for wine, and drank
to her. Soon afterwlrd he expired in her arms