Mexico weekly ledger., 1889-12-19

Of thy glory, Royal Egypt, did o'erwhelm
m mind, and leave me helpless and I'M
whiting of all things else"
''Of a truth, noble Dellius," answered
Cleopatra, ''they teach a pretty school of
Hattery yonder in Cilicia."
s'How goes the saying here in Alexan-
driaan replied the courtly Roman. "'The
breath of f1attery can not watt a 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 themtn
Break the seals and read, :" she answered.
And bow1ng, he broke the seals and read.
'sThe Triumuiri Reipabieg Constituencies,
py 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 to
our knowledge that thou, Cleopatra, hast,
contrary to thy promise and thy duty, both
by thy servant Aliienus and by thy servant
S~orapion, the Governor of Cyprus, aided
the rebel murderer Cassius against the
arms of the most noble Triumvirate
And, whereas, it has come to our knowl-
edge that thou myself vast but lately max
ing ready a great feet TO this end. We
summon thee that thou dost without delay
journey to 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 that If
thou dost disobey this, u summons, it is
at thy peril. Farewell"
The eyes of Cleopatra flashed as she
~hearkeued to these high words, and saw
her hands tighten on the golden lions heads
whereon they rested.
I'VE nave had the fiattery,' she said.
s'and now, lest we be cloyed with sweets,
we have ITS antidotel Listen thou, Deilius.
The charges in that letter, or, rather, in
that writ of summons, are false, as all folk
can bear us witness. But it is not now, and
it is not to thee, that we viii 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. If 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 tc
| the Triumvirate, o Dellius!"
But Deilius smiled as one who would put
away the weight of wrath, and once more
spoke.
"Royal Egypt, thou knowestn not the noble
| Antony. Stern is he on paper, and ever
| does he set down his thoughts as though his
stylus were a spear dipped in the blood OF
men. But face to face with him, thou, oil
| all the world, shall find him the gentles,
warrior that ever won a battle. Be advised,
OEgypt! and come. Sena me not hence with
such angry words, FORT thou dost draw Anto
ny to Alexandria, Woe to Alexandria, tt
the people of the Nile, and to thee, o Egypt
For then will he come armed and breath.
- I--l -I-11 - 49, -.4L A. -
dost defy the gathered might of Rome.
pray thee, then, obey this summons. Come
to Cilicia; COM with peaceful gifts and no
in arms. Comet thy beauty, and trieket
IN thy best attire, and naught hast thou t.
fear from the noble Antony" Hs paused
and looked at her meaningIy; while !, takine
his drift, felt the angry blood surge into my
face.
Cleopatra, too, understood, for I saw hel
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 the
throne, she also read his meaning, for hel
face lit up, as in the evening lights a sum
mer cloud when the broad lightning flares
behind it. Then once more it grew pale
and quiet.
AL fehStn Cleopatra SPOKE. Inns Is {
heavy NATTER" she said; "and. therefore
noble Dellius, must we ave time to let oul
Judgment ripen. Rest thou here, and make
thee as merry as our poor circumstanc.
allows. Within ten days shalt thou have
thy answer"
A moment the envoy thought, then, rsmil
ing, made reply: at is well, o Egypt; OF
the tenth day from now will I attend fol
mine answer, and on the eleventh l sal
hence to join Antony my Lord"
Once more, at a sign from Cleopatra, tn,
trumpets blared, and, bowling, he withdrew