The Iowa plain dealer. [volume] (New Oregon, Howard County, Iowa) 1867-1895, 1889-11-14

''How know ~ said, that IL was no,
thou who, in thy jealous anger, didst betras
our plans! Charmion, long ago Bepa warned
me against thee. and OF q truth now that
recall"
"'Tis like traitor,r she broke IN, red
dening to her brow, ito think that all are
Of his family and hold common mind
Nay. betrayed thee not; twas that Door
knave Paulus, whose heart failed HIM q.
the last, and who II rightly served Nor
will stay to hear thoughts 50 base. Har-
machis Royal no more.-Cleopatra, Queen
Of Egypt, bids me say that thou art free
and that she waits thee in the Alabaster
Hail.
And shooting one swift glance through
her long lashcs. she curtsied and was gone
Sooncc more came and went about the
Court, though but sparingly, for my hear
was full Of shame and terror, and on every
face feared TO see tho scorn Of those whe
knew me for what was. But naughtI saw
for all those who had knowledge Of the plol
had fled, and for he r own sake no word hae
Charmion spoken. Also Cleopatra had pu'
1t about that / was innocent. But my gull
lay heavy on me, ana made me thin ano
wore away the beauty Of my countenance
And though was free in name, yet was
ever watched: nor might I stir beyond the
palace grounds.
And at length came the day that brough
with 1t Qulntus Dellius, that false Roman
knight who ever served the rising star. He
bore letters to Cleopatra from March,.
Antonius the Trumvir, who, fresh from the
victory of Philippi, was now in Asia, wiring
ing gold from the subject kings wherewitt
to satisfy the greed of his legionaries.
We'll do 1 mind Inc of the day. Cleopatra
clad in her robes of state, attended by III.
officers of her Court. among whom / stood
sat in the great hall on her throne of gold.
and babe the heralds admit the Ambassa.
dor Of Antony the Triumyir. The great doors
were thrown wide. aud amidst tho blarc OF
trumpcts and sautes of the Gallo guards.
clad in glittering golden armor and scar.
let cloak Of silk, came the Roman In, fol
lowed by his suite OF officers. Smooth-facec
he was and fair TO look upon, and with |;
supple form: but his mouth was cold, ant
false were his shifting eyes. And while
the heralds called out his name, titles nnc
Offices, as d man who 10 amazed he fixed his
gaze on Cleopatra, who sat OH her throne
radiant with beauty. Then. when the her.
aids had made an end, and he still stood
thus, net stirring, Cleopatra spoke in the
Roman tongue:
directing TO thee. noble Dellius, envoy
Of the most mighty Antony, whose shadow
lies across the world rs though Mars him
self now lowered up above US petty
Princes greetings and welcome to our
poor city Of Alexandria. Unfold. we pray
thee. the purpose Of thy coming"
Still the crafty Dcllius made no answer
but stood as q man amazed.
what ais thee, noble Dcllius, that thor
dost not speak," asked Cleopatra. HAST
thou then wandered 50 long in Asis
that doors OF Roman speech are shut X
thee. What tongue hast thou: Name il
and we'll speak therein-for to us are al
tongues known"
Then at last he spoke, in soft. full voice
'Oh, pardon mc, most mighty Egypt, IL
have thus been stricken dumb before thee
but too great beauty. like Death himself
doth paralyzo the tongue and steal oul
sense away. The eyes Of HIM who look,
upon the fires Of the midday sun are blint
to all beside, and thus this sudden vision