Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1890-05-22


tony were of gold set with jewels. The
dishes also were all of gold set with jewels,
the walls were 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 to stand with Charmion and Iras
and Merira behind the couch of Cleopatra,
and, like a slave, from time to time call out
the hours as they flew. And there being
no help, wild at heart went; but this I
swore-it should be for the last time, for
could not bear that shame. For though
would not yet believe what Charmion told
me-that Cleopatra was about to become
the love of Antony-yet could no more en-
dure this ignominy and torture. For from
Cleopatra now I had no words save such
words as Queen speaks to her slave, and
methinks it gave her dark heart pleasure to
torment me.
Thus it came to pass that I, the
Pharaoh, crowned of Khem, stood among
eunuchs and waiting women behind the
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 gazed at the splendor round him.
'Tell me, then, most lovely Egypt" he
said, fare the sands Of Nile compact Of gold,
that thou canst, night by night, thus squan-
| der the ransom of a King upon a single
feast? Whence comes this untold wealth9''
bethought me of the tomb Of the divine
Menka-ra, whose holy treasure was thus
wickedly wasted, and looked up, so that
Cleopatra's eyes caught mine; but, reading
my thoughts, she frowned heavily.
"Why, noble Antony" she said, 'ssure,y
| it is naughti In Egypt we have our secrets,
| need. Say, what is the value of this golden
| service, and of the meats and drinks that
have been set before us2'
''Maybe, thousand sestertja-"
sThou hast understated it by half, noble
Antony! But, such as it is, give it thee
| and those with thee as a free token of my
friendship. And more will I show thee
now. /, myself, will eat and drink ten thou
sand sestertia at draught."
sThat can not be, fair Egyptr'
She laughed, and babe a slave bring her
vim gar in glass. When it was brought
she set it before her and laughed again,
while Antony, rising from his couch, drew
near and sat himself at her side, and all the
ompany leant forward to see what she
would do. And this she did: From her ears
she took one of those great pearls, which
last of all had been drawn from the body of
the divine Pharaoh; and before any could
guess her purpose let 1t fall into the vine
gar. Then came silence, the silence Of Won
der, and slowly the peerless pearl melted in
the acid. When it was melted she took the
glass and shook it, then drank the vinegar
| to the last drop.
''More vinegar, slavei'' she cried, "my
meal is but half fnishedI' and she drew
forth the second pearl.
''By Bacchus, mol thou shalt notl' cried
Antony, snatching at her hands; 81 have
seen enough And at that moment, moved
thereto by know not what, I called aloud
'sThe hour falls-the hour Of the coming of
the curse of Mcnkd-ran'
An ashy wilderness grew upon Cleopatra
face and furiously she turned upon me,
while all the company gazed wondering, not
knowing what the words might mean.
Thou ill-omened slavep' she cried.
''Speak thus once more and thou shalt be
scourged with rods!-ay, scourged like an
evil-doer-that promise thee, Harmachis! ~
ssWhat means the knave Of an astrol-
ogers" asked Antony. ssSpeak, sirrah
and make clear thy meaning, for those who
deal in curses must warrant their wares. !"
II am servant OF the Gods, noble An
tony. That which the Gods put in my mind
that must say; nor can read their mean
ing" / answered humbly.
s'Oh! oh! thou servest the Gods, dost thou,
taou many-colored mysterys" (ThIs he
| said having reference to my splendid
robes.) ''Weil, I serve the Goddesses,
which Is a softer crlt And there's this
between us: that though what they put in
my mind I say, neither can read their
meaning" and he glanced at Cleopatra as
one who questions.