The Iowa plain dealer. [volume] (New Oregon, Howard County, Iowa) 1867-1895, 1889-12-05

hand, and at his will kings are, and ~ hi,
frown they cease TO be-"
And Dcliius bowed hts head, and folding
his hands mcekly on his br east, awaited
answer.
For awhile Cleopatra answered not, bit
SAT like tho sphinx Horcmkii. dumb and in.
scrl:tsblc, gazing with lost eyes down the
length OF that great hull.
Then, like soft music, her answer came,
and trembling ! listened for Egypt's Cfal.
icngc 10 tho Roman:
"Nobie Dellius. much have we bcthougLt
US OF the matter of thy message from great
Antony TO our poor Royalty OF Exspi~
Much have we bethought US, and counsel
have we takensrom Inc oracies Of the gods,
from tho wisest among orr friends, and
from the teachin. of our heart, that ever.
like nesting bird, breeds over our peoples
veal Sharp are the words that thou hast
brought across tho sea; methinks better had
they been fitted to the ears OF somc petty,
ralf-tamed Prince than TO those Of Egypfs
Q.cen. Therefore have we numbered the
lericns that we cen gather. and the triermes
and the galleys wherewith We may breast
the sea, and the moneys which shall buy us
all things wanting TO our war. And this
we find. that, though Antony he strong. yet
hath Egypt Taught to fear from the strength
Of Antony"
She paused. and . murmrr Of applause
Of her high words ran down the hail.
Only DeIlius stretched ont his hands As
though to push them back. Then came tho
end.
mobile Dei,us. Half sre we minded
there TO bid our tongue stop. and, strong
within our forfresses Of stone and our other
fortresscs bull; Of the hearts Of men. abide
the issue. And ret thus shalt thou not
70. Guiltless are we Of those charges
against Ne that hive come TO our ears Of no
BILE Antony, and which now he rudely shouts
ia ours nor will we journey into Cilicia 10
answer them"
Here the murmur arose anew, while my
heart bea. high In triumph. and in the pause
that followed Dellius spoke once more.
Then, Royal Egypt, my word to Antony
Is word Of war;
May" ehe answered, ut shall be one Of
peace. Listen! We said that we would NOT
come 10 make anewer 70 these charges, nor
will We But and she smiled for the FIRST
time-"gladly will we come, and that swift.
~, in royal friendship 70 make known OUT
fellowship OF peace upon the banks Of Cyd.
nus"
l heard. and was bcwildered. Could
hear arightl Was 1t thus that Cleopatra
kept her oaths! Moved beyond the hold Of
reason, lifted up my voice and cried:
20 Queen, remember
Like q lioness she turned upon me, with q
flashing Of the eyes and swift shake Of
her lovely head.
.Peace, Slave" she said: ''who bade thee
break in upon our counselsi Mind thou thy
stars. and leave matters Of tho world to tho
rulers Of the worid!'
I sank back shamed, and ~ did 50 once
moro saw the smile Of triumph on the face
of Charmon, followed by what was, per-
chance, the shadow Of pity for my fall.
''Now that yon Drawing chariatan," said
Deilius, pointing At mo with his jeweled
finger, hath been rcbukcd, grant me
leave, 0 Egypt. TO thank thee from the
heart for these gentle words
I'VE ask no thanks from thee. noble
Dellius; nor lies il in thy mouth 70
chide our servant" broke in Cleopatra,
frowning heavily; 1--WE will take thanks
from the lips of Antony nlonc. Get thee 10
thy master, and say 10 him that ere he can
make ready . fitting welcome cur keels
shall follow In the track Of thine. And
now FAREWELL Upon thy vessel thou shalt
ind some small token Of our bounty
De,lius bowed thrice and withdrew.
while the court stood waiting the Queens
word. And !, too, waited. wondering IL she
would yet make good her promise and name
me Royal Spouse there in the face Of Egypt,
But nanrht she said. Only stjil frownins
heavily, she rose and. followed by the guards,
left the throne and passed into the Alabas.
ter Hall. Then the court broke up, and u
the lords aGd councillors went By they
looked on me with mockery. For though
meme knew al my secres nor how IL stood
'twixt me and Cleopatra. yet were they
jealous Of the favor shown me by the
Queen. and rcjoiced greatly at my fall.
But took no heed Of their mocking -
stood dased with misery and felt the world
Of Hope slip from meath my feet
ITO re Continued