The Iowa plain dealer. [volume] (New Oregon, Howard County, Iowa) 1867-1895, 1889-12-19

WAA \NX@ FEAST prepared In thu
Eky fY1A3 hall of the grea
house that had beer
ll8NR set aside to the uss
| |a3 , Of Cleopatra, and OF
II ESH = this night its splendoI
IL NX1 was greater even thar
A My@ on the nights before
For the twelve triclini.
BAy(NW (couches) that were sc,
~ Wf about the table were EN-
>> bossed with gold, and
those Of Cleopatra and An
tony werc Of gold set with jewels. The
dishes also were all Of gold set with jewels
the walls were hung with purple cloths
sewn with gold, and on the floor were
with Q net Of gold, that Is the slaves trod
them sent up their perfume. Once again
was bid to stand with Charmion and Iras
and Nerira behind the couch Of Cleopatra,
and, like slave, from time TO time call out
the hours as they few. And there being
no help, wild ct heart / went; but this
sworc- it should be for the last time, for
could not bear that shame. For though
would not vet believe what Charmion told
me-that Cleopatra was about to become
dure this ignominy and torture. For from
Cleopatra now / had no words save such
words as Queen speaks TO her slave, and
methinks it gave her dark heart pleasure to
torment me.
Pharaoh, crowned OF Khem, stood among
couch OF Egypt's Queen while the feast
pri1N 0ul hn oil
And ever Antony sat, his eyes liked upon
the face of Cleopatra, who from time to
time let her deep glance lose itself IN his,
and then for little while their talk died
away. For he told her tales Of war and
such as are not meet for the ears OF
women. But at nsught took she offense
rather, falling into his humor, would she
cap his stories with others OF q finer wit,
but not less shameless.
At length, the rich meal being finished,
Antony gazed at the splendor round him.
TELL me, then, most lovely Egypt" he
said, fare the sands Of Nile compact OF gold,
that thou canst, night by night, thus squan-
der the ransom of . King upon single
feast! Whence comes this untold wealth.
Ibethough: me of the tomb of the divine
Menka-ra, whose holy treasure was thus
wickedly wasted, and looked up, SO that
Cleopatra's eyes caught mine; but, reading
my thoughts, she frowned heavily.
why, noble Antony" she said, "sure.y
It is naught! In Egypt we have our secrets,
and know whence to conjure riches at our
need. Say, what is the value of this golden
service, and Of the meats and drinks that
have been set before us!''
maybe, q thousand sestcrtia.''
''Thou hast understated it by half, noble
Antony! But. such as il il. give 1t thee
and those with thee rs q free token of my
friendship And more will l show thee
now. !, myself, will eat and drink ten thou
sand sestertia ct draught."
''That can not be, fair Egypt"
She laughed, and badc slave bring her
vinegar in glass. When it was brought
she set it before her and laughed again,
while Antony, rising from his couch, drew
near and sat himself at her side, and all the
company leant forward to see what she
would do. And this she did: From her cars
she took one Of those great pearls, which
last Of all had been drawn from the body of
the divine Pharaoh; and before any could
guess her purpose let 1t fall into the vine
gar. Then came silence, the silence Of won
der, and slowly the peerless pearl melted in
the acid. When il was melted she took the
glass and shook it, then drank the vinegar
to the last drop.
more vinegar, slave!'' she cried, "my
meal is but half finished" and she drew
forth the second pearl.
"By Bacchus, no! thou shalt notr' cried
Antony, snatching ct her hands; 81 have
seen enough" And ct that moment, moved
thereto by know not what, called aloud
1.-THE hour falls-the hour Of the coming of
the curse Of Menka-rss'
An ashy wilderness grew upon Cleopatra :
face and furiously she turned upon me,
while all the company gaxed wondering, not
knowing what the words might mean.
Thou ill-omened slaye!" she cried.
..Speak thus once more and thou shalt be
scourged with rodsi-ay, scourged like an
evil-doer-that promise thee, Harmachis u
t'What means the knave of an astrol.
oger:" asked Antony. "Speak, sirrah
and make clear thy meaning, for those who
deal in curses must warrant their wares =
Il am servant OF the Gods, noble An
tony. That which the Gods put in my mind
that must say; nor can read their mean
ing" answered humbly.
.'Oh! oh! thou seryest the Gods, dost thou
tuou many-colored mysteryr' (This he
said having reference to my splendid
robes.) well, l serve the Goddcsses
which is softer cult. And there's thi.
between US: that though wha: they put il
my mind l say, neither can ! read theil
meaning" and he glanced at Cleopatra Q.
one who questions.
LET the knayc be, !" she said impatiently
ITO morrow we'll be rid of him. Sirrah, be
gone!"
bowed and went; and, as ! went, heart
Antony say: well, knave he may be, fol
that all men are, but this for thy astrologer-
he hath royal air and the eye Of q king-ay
and wit in it,
Without the door paused, not knowing
what to do, for was bewildered with mis-
cry; and, as stood, some one touched m,
on the hand. glanced up-it was Char
mion, who, in the confusion OF the risin.
Of the guests, had slipped away and fol
lowed me.
For in trouble, Charmion was ever at m,
side.
Follow me-" she whispered; "thou art il
danger"
turned and followed her. Why shout.
notl
"Whither go wet" / asked, at length.
ITO my chamber" she said. ..Fear not
we ladies Of Cleopatra's Court have sinai
good fame to lose. II any one by chanc,
should see US, they'll think that tits love
tryst, and such are all the fashion"
followed, and, presently, skirting tn,
crowd, we came, unseen, to q little side en-
trance that led to stair up which w,
passed. The stair ended in q passage; W,
/ turned down it till we found . door on tn,
left hand Silently Charmion entered, an,
followed her into dark chamber. Bein1
in she barred the door, and, kindling tindc
to flame, lit q hanging lamp. As the ligh
grew strong gazed around. The chambe
was not large and had but one casemen
closely shattered. For the rest, it was sim
ply furnished, having white walls, som,
chests for garments, m ancient chair, wha
| took to be y trims table, whercnn wer,
| combs, perfumes and all the frppory tina
pertains to woman, ard white bed with