The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1867-04-04
THE DEATH OF CLEOPATRA.
FROM ABDo-'s ITALY.


0ctavius, now undisputcd master Of
the world. was dreaming of the splendid
triumph which awaited him in Rome and
the presence of Cleopatra. the renowned
queen of Egypt, to lead in theitraip 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 oppor.
tuuity to commit suicide. 0ctavius with
almost equal interest guarded his captive
that she might not thus escape him
Her letters were truly those Of silk and
gold Tor she was treated with the most
profound defcrcnce, surrounded with all
her accustomed luxuries aud all her
wants were abundantly supplied.
0ctayius indulged himself with tri.
umphul entrance into Alexandria, en-.
deavoriug by humanity and coudescen-
sion to secure the favor Of tho people.
Yet cruelty, it would seem, hs caascd
the eldest son of Antony. aud also C@-
sario, Clcopatrn's sou by Julius Caesar,
to be put to death Fearing nothing
ir.n any of the other children of Clyo.
patra, he treated them all as princes
provided theu with tea a,hess, that they
might receive un educatiou suitable to
their rank.
AZ length OctaSius visited Cleopatra
in person. She received him artistical-
ly laDguishiny upon a couch, draped iu
gauze like robes which searccly con.
cealed her voluptuous beauty; Tor though
the freshness Of youth had dcpar,ed
she was still woman OF rare oveliness.
No one knew better than Cleopatra how
to magnify her charms, by tones OF soft
ness and that artlcssuess Of nlapuor
which is the highest achievmen. of art.
Tier beautiful eyes we're filed with tears.
her cheeks flushed with emotion, and
rising from her couch, she fell, half
iaiuting, PROSTATE at the feet Of Oe.a.
yius. The young conqueror lifted the
exquisitely moulded, dropping form and
placed her on the couch by his side,
supporting her against his own bosom
A queen whose renown iilloo 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 de.
cision might have been different. aud.
by tacile divorce, the WY 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. e
Cleopatra exhausted all her magazines
Of art---tears. smiles, reproachcs, blan.
dishments. flattery, supplications 10 win
Oetayius, but in vain. He treated her
with politcness, bat his heart remained
obdurate. The queen took from her
bosom some letters, full of tenderness
from Julius Caesar, and with trem.
bling voice aud failing tears read them
to Octayius. 81
But of what avail to me now she
said, is all this kindness 7 Why did /
not die with him And vet in Oetayius
/ scc another Julius. You are bis ner.
feet image. He seems 70 have ro,urnea
from the spirit land in YOU.
All was in vain. Aiter A LONG inter.
view Octayius left and Gleonatra "a.
fected in despair that for the f;rst ,;rs
her charms had failed her She haJ
surrendered herself % octayius and h.
has coldly laidsh aside What mors
could she do !? Nothing There nov
rcn,aincd for her but n 10 die Or n \.
carried 70 Rome 70 cracs ne tr,nmes
Of her conaucrcr. Thore was ! voups