Thomas County cat. [volume] (Colby, Kan.) 1885-1891, 1890-01-09
Cleopatra, they teach { pretty school of

Cleopatra, ..they teach 4 pretty school Of !
flattery yonder In Cilicis-
.sHow goes the saying here In Alexan-
drial" replied the couruy Roman. 1.-THE
breath Of flsttery ca hos watt cloud i
docs it NOT! -ds tony taak Here, Royal
Eyypt. are letters under the hand and seal
Of noble Antony treating OF certain matters
Of the State. Is it thy pleasure that should
read them" /
.Break the seals and read. she answered |
And bowlng, he broke the seals and read.
.sThe Triunriri Rcip"oltee ConstitSen'o,
p- 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 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, it has come to ou- knowl-
edge that thou thyself vast but lately max
ing ready a great fleet 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, our summons, it 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
1--WE have had the flattery," she said,
"and now, lest we be cloyed with sweets,
naIlips
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 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. 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 to
the Triumvlrate, 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 OF
men. But, face to face with him, thou, OF
all the world, shalt find him the gentlest
warrior that ever won battle. Be advised,
OEgyptl and come. Send me not hence with
such angry words, for if thou dost draw Anto
nvto Alexandria, then woe to Alexandria. to
the people of the Nile. and to thee. O Ervnf
FOr then will he come armed and breath
ing war, and hard shall it go with thee who
dost defy the gathered might of Rome.
pray thee, then obey this summons. Come
to Cilicia; come with peaceful gifts and not
in arms Come in thy beauty, and trick1d
in thy best att re, and naught hast thou to
fear from the noble Antony" He paused
and looked at her meaningly; while |, taking
his drift, felt the angry blood surge into my
face
Cleopatra, too, understood, for saw her
rest her chin upon her hand while the dark
cloud Of thought gathered in her eyes. For
a time thus she sat, while the crafty Delllus
watched her curiously. And Charmlon
standing with the other maidens by the
throne, she also read his meaning, for her
face lit W, as in the evening lights sum
mer cloud when the broad lightning flare:
behind it. Then once more it grew pa.t
and quiet.
At length Cleopatra spoke. ''This is
heavy matter" she said; land, therefore
noble Dellius, must we have time TO let oul
Judgment ripen. Rest thou here, and make
thee as merry as our poor Circumstance
allows. Within ten days shalt thou hav'
thy answer"
A moment the envoy thought, then, smil
ing, made reply: sit is well, o Egypt: OF
,he tenth day from now will attend 10
mine answer, and on the eleventh l sal
hence to join Antony my Lord"
Once more, at sign from Cleopatra, tn
trumpets blared, and, bowling, he withdrew