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

OF thy glory, Royal Egypt. ulu O'erWnelm
my mind, and leave me helpless and IN
whiting of all things else
..Of truth, noble Dellius,' answered
Cleopatra, ''tney teach pretty school Of
fiattery yonder in Cilicia.'
''How goes the saying here in Alexan-
dria." replied the courtly Roman. 1.-THE
breath Of fiattery can not watt cloud,
does it not: But to my task. Here, Royal
Egypt, are letters under the hand and seal
Of noble Antony treating Of certain matters
OF the state. Is it thy pleasure that l should
read thcms'
Break the seals and read, !" she answered.
And bowing, he broke the seals and read.
'.The Triumriri ReipablicG Co,iststnendr,
D. the mouth Of Marcus Antonius, the Tri-
umvir, to Cleopatra. by grace Of the Roman
people, Queen of Upper and Lower Egypt.
send greeting. Whereas, it has come 10
our knowledge that thou, Cleopatra, hast,
contrary TO thy promise and thy duty, both
by thy servant Allienus and by thy servant
Sorapion, the Governor Of Cyprus, aided
the rebel murderer CaSsius against the
arms Of the most noble Triumvirate.
And, whereas, 1t has come to our knowl-
edge that thou thyself vast but lately max
ing ready grea. fleet 10 this end. We
summon thee that thou dost without delay
journey 10 Cilicia, there TO meet the noble
Antony, and in person make answer con-
corning these charges which are laid
against thee. And we warn thee thst If
thou dost disobey this, our summons, 1t is
at thy peril. Farewell"
The eyes Of Cleopatra flashed as she
hearkened to these high words, and saw
her hands tighten on the golden lions heads
whereon they rested.
I'VE have had the flattery," she said,
land now, lest we be cloyed with sweets,
we have ITS antidote! Listen thou, Dellius.
The charges in that letter, or, rather, in
that writ Of summons, are false, rs all folk
can bear US witness. But it is not now, and
it is not to thee, that we will make defense
of our acts of war and policy. Nor will we
leave our kingdom to journey into far
Cllicia, and there, like some poor suppliant
at law, to plead our cause before the court
OF the noble Antony. Ii Antony will have
speech with US and inquire concerning
these high matters, the sea Is open and his
welcome shall be royal. Let him come
hither. That is our answer to thee and to
the TriumvirSte, o Delliusr'
But De.lius smiled as one who would put
away the weight Of wrath, and once more
spoke.
Royal Egypt, thou knowest not the noble
Antony. Stern is he on paper, and ever
does he set down his thoughts AS though his
stylus were spear dipped in the blood oil
| men. But face to face with him. thou, oil
all the world, shall find him the gentles,
1 warrior that ever won q battle. Be advised
OEgypt! and come. Send me not hence with
| such angry words, for if thou dost draw Anto
| ny 70 Alexandria, then woe to Alexandria, K
the people Of tho Nile, and to thee, o Egypt
For then will he come armed and breath.
ing war, and hard shall it 60 with thee whs
dost defy the gathered might Of Rome.
pray thee, then, obey this summons. Conc
to Cilicia; come with peaceful gifts and ne
in arms. Come in thy beauty, and trtcket
IN thy best attire, and naught hast thou Il
| fear from the noble Antony" He pausea
and looked at her meaningly; while /, taxing
his drift, felt the angry blood surge into m,
face.
Cleopatra, too, understood, for saw bel
rest her chin upon her hand while the darl
cloud Of thought gathered in her eyes. Fol-
time thus she sat, while the crafty Dellius
watched her curiously. And Charmion
standing with the other maidens by tn.
throne, she also read his meaning, for hel
face lit up, as in the evening lights q sum
mer cloud when the broad lightning fare.
behind it. Then once more it grew pal.
and quiet.
| At length Cleopatra spoke This 10 ;
| heavy matter" she said; land, therefore
noble Dellius, must we have time to let ou
judgment ripen. Rest thou here, and max,
thee as merry as our poor circumstanc.
allows. Within ten days shalt thou hay,
| thy answer"
| A moment the envoy thought, then, 'smil
ing, made reply: at is well, O Egypt; OF
the tenth day from now will attend To-
mine answer, and on the eleventh l sal
hence to join Antony my Lord"
| Once more, Mt q sign from Cleopatra, Ii.
trnmp"ts hiarcd, and. lowing, be withdrew
\ ,ro en CONTINGENT