The Iola register., 1890-05-09
Let him come in and hear our

"Let him come in and hear ou
answer"
The doors were flung wide, and, fol
lowed by his train of knights, Dellius, clae
in his golden armor and his purple
chlsmys, walked with catiike step up the
great hall, and made obeisance before the
throne.
"Most Royal and beauteous Egypt" hs
said, in his soft voice, 'sas thou hast gra
ciously been pleased to bid me, thy servant
am here 10 take thy answer to the letter oi
the noble Antony the Triumvir, whom to
morrow I sail to meet at Tarsus, in Cilicis
And this will say, Royal Egypt-craving
pardon the while tor 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-enpire and
pomp of place, cities and the sway of men,
fame and wealth and the diadcm 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 thev cease to be-"
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 Horemku, dumb and in
scrutsble, gazing with lost eyes down the
length of that great hall.
Then, like soft music, her answer came,
4 1iota for hal
lenge to the Roman:
'sNoble 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 the wisest among our friends, and
from the teaching Of our heart, that ever,
like nesting bird, broods over our peoples
veal Sharp are the words that thou hast
brought across the sea; methinks better had
they been fitted to the ears of some petty,
half-tamed Prince than to those of Egypt's
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 to our war. And this
we find, that, though Antony be strong, yet
hath Egypt Taught 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
endI
Noble Delliusl Half are we minded
there to 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
go. Guiltless are we of those charges
against US that have come to our ears of no
BILE Antony, and which now he rudely shouts
in ours; nor will we journey into Cilicia to
answer them"
Here the murmur arose anew, while my
heart beat high in triumph, and in the pause
tlat followed Dellius spoke once more.
'Then, Royal Egypt, my word to Antony
is word of warl"
"Nay," she answered, sit shall be one of
peace. Listenl We said that we would not
come to make answer to these charges, nor
will we. But" and she smiled for the first
will we come, and that swift
ly, in royal friendship to make known our
fellowship of peace upon the banks Of Cyd-
nus"
1 heard, and was bewildered. Could I
hear arightl Was it thus that Cleopatra
kept her oaths' Moved beyond the hold OF
reason, lifted up my voice and cried:
20 Queen, remember"
Like a lioness she turned upon me, with
flashing of the eyes and a swift shake of
her lovely head.
'Peace, Slsver" she said "who bade thee
break in upon our counseIsi Mind thou thy
stars, and leave matters of the world to the
rulers of the worldw
1 sank back shamed, and as did so 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," said
Dellius, pointing at me with his jeweled
niger, "hath bee6 rebuked, grant me
cave, o Egypt, to thank thee from the
leart for these gentle words"
ave ask no thanks from thee, noble
1ellius; nor lies it in thy mouth to
hide our servant" broke in Cleopatra,
rowning heavily; ''we will take thanks
rom the lips of Antony alone. Get thee to
hy master, and say to him that ere he can
make ready a fitting welcome our keels
hall follow in the track of thine. And
low FAREWELL Upon thy vessel thou shalt
ind some small token of our bounty"
Delliqs bowed thrice and withdrew.
While the court stood waiting the Queens
word. And ], too, waited, wondering if she
would yet make good her promise and name |
ne Royal Spouse there in the face of Egypt,
3ut naught she said. Only still frowning
.eavily, she rose and. followed by the guards,
eft the throne and passed into the AIahas-
er Hall. Then the court broke up, and as
he lords and councillors went by they |
ooked on me with mockery. For though |
zone knew all my secret nor how it stood |
twixt me and Cleopatra, yet were they |
ealous a tie favor shown me by the |
queen, and rejoiced greatly at my fall. |
,ut took no heed of their mocking as |
TODD dszed with misery and felt the world |
f Hope slip from meath my feet
TO BE CONTINUED