New Orleans daily crescent., 1861-09-19
The Death of CIcopatra

Octavius, now undsputed master of the world,
was dreaming Of the splendid triumph which
awaited him in Eome. and the presence of Cleo
patra, the renowned Queen of Egypt to lead in the
train of the captives, would be one of the most
conspicuous ornaments Of the triumph. Conscious
OF the degradation which awaited her, she watched
for an opportunity to commit suicide. Octavus,
with almost eoual interest, guarded his captive that
size might not thus escape him. Her fetters were
truly those of silk and gold, for she was treated
witt the r1ost profound Difference surrounded with
ell her accust omed Injuries, ard all her wants
were abundantly supplied.
Octavius indulged himself with triumphal en-
trance into Alexandria, endeavoring BY humanity
and condescension to secure the favor of the
people. Yet cruelty, it would seem, he caused the
eldest son of Antony, and also CTsario, Cleopa
tras son by Julius Cesar to be put to death.
Fearing no more from any OF the other children of
Cleopatra, he treated them all as Princes, provided
them witt teachers, that t-ey might receive an
education suitable to their rank.
At length Octavius visited Cleopatra in person.
SIZE received him artishcally, languishing upon
couch, dressed in gau2elike robes which scarcely
concealed her vohtptuous beauty: for though the
freshness OF youth had departed, she wss still a
woman Of rare lcVeliness, No one knew better
than Cleopatra how to magnify her charms by
tones Of softness, and that artlessness of manner
which is the highest achievement of art. Her
beautiful eyes were filed with tears, her cheek
flushed with emotion, and rising from her couch,
she fell half faintinG, PROSTATE at the feet of Oc-
tavius. The young coneueror lifted the e&Gusitelv
couch by his SIDE. supporting her against his own
bosom. 4 queen whose renown filed the world,
beautiful, graceful plant, had thrown herself into
his arms How could he treat her cruelty? Had
Cleopatra been nineteen instead of thirty nine the
decision might have been different and by facile
divorce, the way might have been made easy for
Cleopatra to share the throne of universal empire
with 0ctavius. But as the circumstances were,
ambition proved more powerful than love.
Cleopatra exhausted all her magazines of art
tears, smiles reproaches, Establishments, fattery,
supplications, to win Octavus. but in vain. He
| treated her with politeness but his heart remained
Ohdurate. The queen took from her bosom some
letters full of tenderness, from Julius Cesar and,
with trembling voice and falling tears, read to
0ctayius.
kindness? Why did ! not die with him? And yet
in Octaviu see another Julius You are his per-
feet image. He seems to have returned from the
spirit land in you"
All was in vain. After long interview Octa-
vius left, and Cleopatra reflected in despair, that
for the first time her charms had failed her. She
had surrendered herself to Octavus, and he had
coldly laid her aside. What more could she do
Nothing. There remained now for her but to die,
or to be carried to Rome to grace the triumph of
conqueror. There was young Roman in the
| camp by the name of Doabella. He was much
| affected with the queens grief, and she, with
| woman's tact had thrown around him all the
meshes of her wiles. He kept her informed Of all
that was transpiring. One day he brought to her
couch the glad tidings that in three days she and
| her children were to be sent to Rome.
The crisis had now come, and with singular
calmness and iortitude Cleopatra prepared to die
After taking bath, she attired herselfi in her most
sumptuous robes, and sat down with her friends tc
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 note to Octavius, in
forming him of her intention to die, and requesting
| that her body might be buried in the tomb will
| that of Antony. She had contrived to have brough
to her, in basket of flowers, an asp, reptile, tht
concentrated venom of whose bite causes inevita
| BILE DEATH and yet with but little pain. She dis
| patched the letter to Octavius, and immediatel,
| placed the reptile upon her arm. The posonou!
| fangs pierced her flesh, stupor and insensibility
| soon ensued, and she sank back upon her coucl
| and died.
Octavius, Immediately upon receiving the lette
| from Cleopatra dispatched messengers, hoping tc
prevent the fatal deed. But they arrived too late
| Upon entering the chamber they found her dead
still arrayed in her royal robes. Her two waiting
| women were at her side. One of the messenger
uttered words of reproach but the maid of homo
replied "It is well done. Such death become
| glorious queen, descended from race of illus
triOus ancestors