Mexico weekly ledger., 1890-01-09

glance at me, and there was triumph in her
eyes, though over what she triumphed
knew not. Little did I guess that she had
but now brought about my ruin and sealed
the fate of Egypt
Then presently the trumpets blared, and,
clad in her robes Of state, the urRus crown
upon her head, and On her breast, flashing
like a star, that great emerald scarab9us
which she had dragged from dead Pha-
raoh's heart, Cleopatra, followed by gilt
tering guard of Mortimer, swept in splen-
dor to her throne. Dark was her lovely
face, and dark her slumbrous eyes, and
none might read their message. though all
that court searched therein for a sign Of
what should come. She seated herself
slowly as one who may not be moved, and
spoke to the Chief Of the Heralds in the
Greek tongue:
''Does the Ambassador Of the noble
Antony waltz"
The herald bowed low and made assent.
"Let him come in and hear our
answer
The doors were flung wide, and, fol-
lowed by his train of knights, Dellius, clad
in his golden armor and his purple
chlamys, walked with catlike step up the
great hall, and made obeisance before the
throne.
Most Royal and beauteous Egypt" he
said, in his soft voice, "as thou hast gra-
ciously been pleased to bid me, thy servant,
am here to take thy answer to the letter OF
the noble Antony the Triumvir, whom to-
morrow l sail to meet at Tarsus, in Cilicia.
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-empire and
pomp Of place, cities end the sway Of men,
| fame and wealth and the diadem 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 ct his
| frown they cease to be-"
And Dellius bowed his head, and folding
| his hands meekly on his breast, awaited
| answer.
J For awhile Cleopatra answered not, but
| sat like the sphinx Horemku, dumb and in,
scrutable, gazing with lost eyes down the
| length Of that great hall.
Then, like soft music, her answer came
and trembling listened for Egypts chal
lenge to the Roman:
"Noble Dellius, much have we bethough,
rs Of the matter Of thy message from greal
| 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, an6
| from the teaching Of our heart, that ever
like nesting bird, broods over our peoples
veal Sharp are the words that thou has
brought across the sea; methinks better hai
they been fitted to the ears Of some petty
haif-tamed Prince than to those Of Egypt.
Queen. Therefore have we numbered tn,
legions that we can gather, and the triermei
and the galleys wherewith we may breas
the sea, and the moneys which shall buy vi
all things wanting to our war. And thil
we find, that, though Antony be strong, ye
hath EgyptEaught to fear from the strength
Of Antony"
She paused, and murmur of appiaus,
Of her high wores ran down the hall
Only Dellius stretched out his hands q
though to push them back. Then came th,
endi
l., ,,Nobls Delllusi Half are we usinael