The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1889-12-07

She bowed her head awhile, and then, as
i spake not, once more went on
ssI.et all my sin be told, Harmachis, and
then let Justice come. See how this thing
happened. Half did Cleopatra learn to love
thee, and deep in her heart she bethought
her Of taking thee to welded husband. For
the sake Of this halt love Of hers she spared
the lives Of those in the plot whom she had
lmeshed, bethinking her thatlf she welded
thee she might use them and thee to draw
the heart Of Egypt, which loves not her nor
any Ptolemy. And then, once again she en-
trapped thee, and in thy folly thou didst be-
tray to her the secret Of the hidden wealth
OF Egypt, that to-day she squanders to de-
light the luxurious Antony; and, OF truth,
at that time she purposed to make good her
oath and marry thee. But on the very morn
when Dellius came for answer she sent for
me, and, telling me all-for my wit, above
any, she holds at price-demanded OF me
my Judgment whether she should defy An
tony and wed thee, or whether she should
put the thought away and come to Antony
And I-now mark thou all my III, in my
bitter jealousy, rather than ! would see her
thy welded wife and thou her loving
lord, counseled her most strictly
that she should come to Antony,
well knowing, for had had speech
with Dellius - that II she came, this
weak Antony would fall like q ripe fruit at
her feet, as indeed, he has fallen. And to-
night have shown thee the issue OF the
scheme. Antony loves Cleopatra and Cleo
patra loves Antony, and thou art robbed,
and matters have gone well for me, who OF
all women on the earth tonight am the
Eo,p III hnvU
thy heart broke, but now my heart seemed
to break with thine, and no longer could I
bear the burden Of my evil deeds, but knew
that must tell them and take my punish
ment.
Il ssAnd no more have to say, save that
thank thee for thy courtesy in hearkening,
and this one thing add: Driven by my
great love, have sinned against thee unto
deathl have ruined thee, have ruined
Khem, and myself also have ruinedl Let
death reward me! Slay thou me, Har-
machisi Gladly will die upon thy sword;
av. and kiss it's blade! Stay thou me, and
20; for if thou slayest me not, myself will /
surely slayl'' And she threw herself upon
her knees, lifting her fair breast toward
me, that might smite her with my dagger.
And. in my bitter fury, minded was I to
strike, for above all thought how, when
was fallen, this woman, who herself was
nv cause of shame, had scourged me with
her scorn. But hard it is to STAY fair
woman; and even as lifted my hand to
strike remembered that now twice had she
saved my life.
tsWomani thou shameless womanW /
said, sarisel I slay thee notl Who am l,
that should judge thy crime, that with
mine own do overtop all earthly judg-
ment?''
ssSlay me, Harmachls l" she moaned: "slay
me or slay myself! My burden Is too great
for me to bearl Be not so deadly calm |!
Curse me and slay!
s.What was it that thou didst say to me
anon, Charmion-that as [ had sown so
must reap? 1t is not lawful that thou
shouldst Stay myself; it is not lawful that
/, thine equal in sin, should STAY thee, be-
cause through thee sinned. AS thou hast
sown, Charmion, so must thou also reap.
Base womani whose cruel jealousy hath
brought all these woes on me and Egypt,
Twelve on, and from year to year pluck
the bitter fruit Of crimel Haunted be thy
sleep by visions of thy outraged Gods,
whose vengeance awaits thee and me IN
their dim Amentil Haunted be thy days by
memories Of that man whom thy fierce love
Q1Q DrlnS 10 Tu1u, d4u ~ tAC oAf1 Lag Va A9-ASAAA
prey to the insatiate Cleopatra and slave
to Roman Antony"
ooh, speak not thus, Harmachisl More
sharp are thy words THAN any sword, ana
more surely, if more slowly, shall they
slayl Listen, Harmachis," and she grasped
my robe; 'swhen thou vast great and all
power lay within thy grasp, thou didst re-
ject me. Wilt reject me now that Cleopatra
hath cast thee from her now that thou art
poor and shamed, and with no pillow to thy
head9 Still am fair, and still worship
theel Let me fly with thee, and make atone
ment by my lifelong love. Or, if this be
too great thing to ask, let me be but as thy
sister and thy servant-thy very slave, so
that may still look upon thy face and share
thy trouble and minister to thee. OHarmar
CHS, let me but come and will brave all
things and endure all things, and naught but
Death himself shall spear me from thy side.
For do believe that the love that sank me
to so low depth, dragging thee, can yet
lift me to an equal height, and thee with me. :"
"Wouldst tempt me to fresh sin, woman2
And dost thou think, Charmion, that in
RIrRu n