The enterprise. [volume] (Wellington, Ohio) 188?-1899, 1889-12-11

also made King consort to tho Queen Of
Egypt. It was o full and spIendid court;
there were councillors, lords, captains,
ounuchs and waiting women oil save Char
mion. The hour passed, but Cleopatra and
Charmion canc not. At length Charmiop
entered gently by side entrance and took
her place among the waiting ladies about
the throne. Even as she did 30 she cast q
glance at me, and there was triumph in her
Dyes, though over what she triumphed
knew not. Little did guess that she had
but now brought about my ruin and sealed
the fate Of Egypt
Then presently the trumpets blared, and,
clad in her robes Of state, the urnus crown
upon her head, and on her breast flashing
like. star, that great emerald scarab@us
which she had dragged from dead Pha-
raoh's heart, Cleopatra, followed by gilt
tering guard Of Mortimer, swept in splen-
dor TO her throne. Dark was her lovely
face, and dark her slumbrous eyes, and
none might read their message. though all
that court searched therein for sign OF
what should come She seated herself
slowly as one who may not be moved, and
spoke to the Chief Of the Heralds in the
Greek tongue: -
"Does the Ambassador Of tho noble
Antony waitf'
The herald bowed low and made assent.
"Let him come in and hear our
answer"
The doors were flung wide, and, fol-
lowed by his train Of knights, Dellius, clad
in his golden armor and his purple
chlamys, walked with catlike otep up the
great hall, and made obeisance before the
throne.
"Most Royal and beauteous Egypt" he
said, In his soft voice, "as thou hast gra-
ciously been pleased to bid me, thy servant
the noble Antony the Triumvir, whom to.
morrow sail TO meet at Tarsus, in Cilicia.
And this will say, Royal Egypt craving
pardon the while for the boldness Of my
speech-bethink thee well before words
that can not be unspoken fall from those
sweet lips. Defy Antony, and Antony will
wreck thee. But, like thy mother Aphro-
dite, rise glorious on his sight from the
bosom OF the Cyprian Wave, and for
wreck he will give thee all that can be
dear TO woman's Royalty-empire and
pomp Of place, cities and the sway Of men,
fame and wealth and the diadem Of rule
made sure. For mark: Antony holds this
Eastern World in the hollow Of his warlike
hand, and at his will kings are, and at his
frown they cease TO be-" h
And Dellius bowed his head, and folding
his hands meekly on his breast, awaited
answer.
For awhile Cleopatra answered not, but
sat like the sphinx Horemlzu, dumb and in
I .scrutable, gazing with lost eyes down the
length Of that great ball. %,
Then, like soft music, her answer came,
and trembling listened for Egypts chal-
lenge to the Roman: tI fr II
| "Noble Dellius, much have we bethought
us Of the matter Of thy message from great
Antony TO our poor Royalty Of Egypt.
Much have we bethought us, and counsel
have we taken from the oracles Of the gods,
from tho wiscst among our friends, and
from the teaching OF our heart, that ever,
Ike nesting bird, broods over our peoples
veal. Sharp arc the words that thou hast
Brought across the sea; methinks better had
they been fitted 10 the ears Of some petty,
half-tamed Prince than 10 those Of Egypts
Queen. Therefore have we numbered the
legions that we can gather, and the triermes
and the galleys wherewith we may breast
the sea, and the moneys which shall buy us
all things wanting 10 our war. And this
we find, that, though Antony be strong, YET
hath EgyptLaught to fear from the strength
Of Antony"
She paused, and murmur OF applause
Of her high words ran down the hall.
Only Dellius stretched out his hands as
though to push them back. Then came the
end
Noble Delllusl Half are we minded
there 10 bid our tongue stop, and, strong
within our fortresses Of stone and our other
fortresses built Of the hearts Of men, abide
the issue. And yet thus shalt thou not
20. Gulltless are we Of those charges
against US that have come 10 our ears Of no
BILE Antony, and which now he rudely shouts
In ours; nor will we journey into Cilicia 10
answer them"
Here the murmur arose anew, while my
heart beat high in triumph, and in the pause
that followed Dellius spoke once more.
"Then, Royal Egypt my word 70 Antony
Is word Of warp
'rNay," she answered, lit shall be one OF
peace. Llstenl We said that we would not
come TO make answer 10 these charges, nor
will we But" and she smiled for the first
time-"gladly will we come, and that swift
ly, in royal friendship 10 make known our
fellowship Of peace upon the banks Of Cyd.
nus.n
/ heard, and was bewildered. Could ]
hear arightl Was II thus that Cleopatra
kept her oaths? Moved beyond the hold OF
reason, I lifted up my voice and cried:
20 Queen, rememberp
Like o lioness she turned upon me, with q
flashing Of the eyes and a swift shake Of
her lovely head.
"Peaoe, Blavein she said; ''who bade thee
break In upon our counselsl Mind thor thy
stars. and leave matters Of the world 10 the
rulers Of the worldp ~
sank back shamed, and as did 50 once
more saw the smile Of triumph ON the face
Of Charmion, followed by what was, per-
chance, the shadow Of pity for my fall.
"Now that yon brawling charlatan,n said
Dellius, pointing at me with his jeweled
finger, "hath been rebuked, grant me
leave, o Egypt, 10 thank thee from the
heart for these gentle words"
ave ask no thanks from thee, noble
Dellius; nor lies It In thy mouth 70
chide our servant,p broke In Cleopatra,
frowning heavily; 1--WE will take thanks
from the lips Of Antony alone Got thee "a
thy master, and say 70 him that ere he can
make ready fitting welcome our lfeels
shall follow In the track Of thine. And
now farewell Upon thy vessel thou shalt
find some small token Of our bounty
Dellius bowed thrice and Withdrew
while the court stood waiting the Queens
word. And ], too, waited, wondering II she
would yet make good her promise and name
mo Royal Spouse there In the face Of Egypt