The star of the north. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1849-1866, 1861-02-27
Death of Cleopatra.
FROM AsBorr's "lrAEY."


world, vas dreaming of the splendid tri-
umph which awaited him in Rome and
the presence of Cleopatra, the renowned
queen OF Egypt 10 lead in the train of :he
captives, would be one OF The most conspic-
uous ornaments of the triumph Consci-
Gus of degradation which awaited her, she
watches for an opportunity 10 commit sui
/ eide. Ociavius with almost equal interest,"
guarded his captive, that she might escape
him. Her fetlers were truly those of silk
/ and gold, for she was treated with the most
profound deference, surrounded with all
/ her accustomed Injuries, and all her wants
were abundantIy supplied
! Oclavius indulged himself with trium-
! phal entrance into Alexandria, endeavorng
| by humanity and condescensior to secure
the favor OF The people. Yet cruelty, it
would seem he caused the eldest son OF
Antony and also Cesario, Ceopa;ra's son
! by julius Cesar, to be put TO death. Fear
ing nothing from any of the o!her children
OF Cleopatra, he treated them all as princes,
( provided them with teachers, that they
might receive an education suita BILE to their
I rank
| AT length Octavius visited Cleopatra in
] person. She received him arlistically Ian
gushing upon couch. draped in game
like robes which scarcely concealed her
voiuptuous beauty for though the fresh
ness OF youth had departed, she was sill
a woman of rare lovliness No one knew
4 hott ho, 1.
charms, by tones OF soflness, and that art-
/ lessness of manner which is the highest
achievement of art Her beautiful eyes
were filled with tears, her cheeks flushed
with emotion, aud rising from her couch
/ she fell, half fainting PROSTATE al the feet
oil Octavius. The young conqueror lifted
the exquisitey moulded, dropping form
and placed her on the couch by his side,
Supporting her against his own bosom. A
queen whose renown filed The world, beau
tiful, graceful, plant, had thrown herself
into his arms. How could he treat her
cruelty Had Cleopatra been nineteen in
stead Of thirty-nine, the decision might
have been different, and, by facile divorce,
the way might have been made easy for
Cleopatra 10 share the throne OF universal
empire with Oclavius But as the crcum-
stances were, ambition proved more pow
erlul than love.
Cleopatra exhausted all her magazines
of art-'ears, smiles, reproaches, blandsh-
men;s, 6atlery, supplicatous, to win Ocia
wins, but in vain He treated her with
polileness, but his hear remained obdurate
The queen look from her bosom some let
ters full OF tenderness, from Julius Cesar,
and with trembling voice and falling tears,
read them to Ociavius.
''But of what avail to me now" she said
els all this kindness? Why did l not die
with him And yet in Ociavias see an
other julius You are his perfect image =
He seems 10 have returned from the spirit
land in you"
All was in vain. After long interview
Octavius left, and Cleopatra reflected in
despair that for the first time her charms
had tailed her. She had surrendered her
sell 10 Octavius and he lad coldly laid her
aside. What more could she doa Moth
ing There now remained Cor her but to
die or TO be carried tc Rome TO grace the
triumph OF her conqueror There was a
young Roman in the camp by the name OF
Dolabea. He was much affected with the
queens grief, and she, with woman's tact,
had thrown him all The meshes of her wiles
Do.abella knew and informed her of all that
was transpiring. One day he brought TO
her couch the tidings, that in three days
she and her children were TO be sent TO
Rome
The crisis had now come, and, with sin.
guar calmness and fortitude, Cleopatra
prepared TO die. After taking BATH she
altired heself in her most sumptuous robes,
and sat down with her friends 10 a truly
regal feast Apparently banishing all care,
the festive hours passed rapidly away. AT
the close Of the feast she dismissed all her
attendants but two She then wrote noie
TO Octavius, informing hun of her intention
10 die, and requested that her body might
be buried in the tomb with that of Antony.
She had conlriyed TO have brought to her,
in baske; OF flowers, an asp a reptile the
concentrated venom .ot whose bite causes
inevitable death, and YET with but little
pain. She dispatched the letter 10 Octavius
and Immediately placed the reptile upon
her arm. The poisonous fangs pierced her
flesh, super and insensib,li:y soon ensued,
and she sank back upon her couch and
died.
Ociavius, Immediately upon receiving the
letter from Cleopatra, dispatched messen-
gers hoping to prevent the fatal deed But
they arrived TOO late Upon entering the
chamber they found Cleopatra already dead,
still arrayed in her royal robes. Her two
waiting women were al her side. One oi
tlI. rz,.a-san.rars ,.tlarod rrords OF re nrnach