The enterprise. [volume] (Wellington, Ohio) 188?-1899, 1889-12-25


tony were Of gold set with jewels. The
dishes also were all Of gold set with jewels,
the walls we're hung with purple cloths
sewn with gold, and on the floor were
strewn fresh roses ankle deep, covered
with net, OF gold,' that as the slaves trod
them sent up their perfume. Once again
was bid 10 stand with Charmion and Iras
and Merira behind the couch Of Cleopatra,
and, like slave, from time 70 time call out
the hours as they few. And there being
no help, wild at heart 1 went; but this /
swore- II should be for the last time, for
could not bear that shame. For though
would not yet beliSFe what Charmion told
me-that CleopatA was about to become
the love OF Antony-yet could no more en-
dure this ignominy and torture. For from
Cleopatra now ! had no words save such
words as Queen speaks TO her slave, and
methinlts II gave her dark heart pleasure 70
torment me.
Thus II came TO pass that l, the
Pharaoh, crowned OF Khem, stood among
couch Of Egypt's Queen while the feast
went merrily and the wine.cup passed.
And ever Antony sat, his eyes fixed 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
deeds that he had done-ay, and love-jests
such as are not meet for the ears OF
women. But at naught took she offense;
rather, falling into his humor, would she
cap his stories with others Of finer wit,
| but not less shameless.
At length, the rich meal being finished,
Antony yazed at the splendor round him.
''Tell me, then, most lovely Egyptr' he
said, fare the sands Of Nile compact OF gold,
that thou canst, night by night, thus squan-
! der the ransom Of q King upon q single
feasti Whence comes this untold wealthi''
bethought me Of the tomb Of the divine
Menka-ra, whose holy treasure was thus
wickedly wasted, and looked up 20 that
Cleopatra's eyes caught mine; but, reading
my thoughts, she frowned heavily.
"Why, noble Antony she said, asurely
It is naughti In Egypt we have our secrets,
and know whence 10 conjure riches a. our
need. Say, what 10 the value Of this golden
service, and Of the meats and drinks thak
have been set before usin n
'Maybe, thousand sestertian tA5
'gThou hast understated IL by half, noble
Antony But such as II Is, give Il thee
and those with thee as . free token OF my
friendship And more win I show thee
now. l, myself, will eat aud drink ten thou
sand sestertia at q draught.n 3
'sThat can not be, fair Egyptr'
She laughed, and bade slave bring her
vinegar In glass. When Il was brought
she set II 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 70 see what she
would do. And this she did; From her ear
she took one Of those great pearls, which
last OF all had been drawn from the body o.
the divine Pharaoh; and before any coult
guess her purpose let II fall into tho vine
gar. Then came silence, the silence Of won
der, and slowly the peerless pearl melted II
the acid. When Il was melted she took th'
glass and shook II, thcn drank the vinegar
70 the last drop. r ~
.'More vinegar, slavei" she cried, I'm,
meal is but half hnishedp and she drew
forth the second pearl
"By Bacchus, no thou shalt notp' crie'
Antony, snatching at her hands II hay'
seen enough And atthat moment, moves
thereto by know not what called aloud
"The hour falls-tAe hour Of ne coming Q
tie curse Of Ms,Jsd-rar' Y
An ashy whiteness grew upon Cleopstra
face and furlously she turned upon me
while all the company gazcd wondering no
knowing what the words might mean.
Thou illomened slavei'' she cried
''speak thus once more and thon shalt b
scourgcd with rodsi-ay, scourecd liko "
. evil-doer-that promise thee, EiarmachisI !
"what means the knave Of an astro
ogeri, asked Antony, "speak, sirrah