The Maryville times. (Maryville, Tenn.) 1884-1944, 1894-08-29

H Doom draws on aLd
| KSEss "A my days are well-nigh
SSsaE ! sped. After the drawing
\ ssRtakssS forth of Antony from the
Timonium came that heavy
time of quiet which heralds the rising of
the desert wind. Antony and Cleopatra
once again gave themselves up to luxury,
and night by night Toasted in splendor at
the palace. They sent ambassadors to
Caesar; but Caesar would have none Of
them; and, this hope being gone, they
turned their minds to tho defense Of Alex
andria. Men were gathered, ships were
built and a great force was made ready
against the coming Of Caesar.
And now, aided by Charmion, began my
last work of hate and vengeance. Deep
wormed myself into the secrets of tho
palace, counseling all things for evil.
babe Cleopatra keep Antony gay, lest he
should brood upon his sorrows; and thus
she Slapped his strength and energy with
luxury and wine. l gave him of my
draughts-draughts that sank his soul in
dreams Of happiness and power, leaving
him to wake to the heavier misery Soon,
without my healing medicine he could not
Sleep and thus, being ever at his side,
bound his weakened will to mine, till at last
little would he do if said not sit is well"
Cleopatra, also grown very superstitious,
leaned enuch upon nc; fer l prophesied
falsely to her in secret Moreover, wove
other webs Great was my fame through
out Egypt, for during the long years that
had dwet in Tape it had spread through
all the land. Therefoye came many men OF
note to me, both for their health's sake and
because it was known that had the car Of
Antony and the Queen; and, in these days
of doubt and trouble, fain were they to
learn the truth. All these men / worked
upon with doubtful words, sapping their
loyalty; and many caused to fall away,
and yet none could hear an evil report OF
what had said. Moreover, Cleopatra sent
me to Memfl, there to move the Priests and
Governors that they should gather men in
Upper Egypt for the defense of Alexandria.
And went and spoke to the Priests with
such double meaning and with so much
wisdom that they knew me to be one of the
initiated in the deeper mysteries. But how
l, Olympus, the physician, came thus to
be initiated none might say. And after.
ward they sought me secretly, and gave
them the holy sign of brotherhood, and
Hereunder babe tsem not to ask who /
might be, but send no aid to Cleopatra
Rather, said, must they make peace with
Cesar, for by Casar's grace only could the
worship of the Gods endure in Khem. So,
having taken counsel of the holy Apis, they
promised in public to give help TO Cleopa,
ira, but in secret sent an embassy to Caesar.
Thus then it came TO pass that but little
aid did Egypt give to its hated Macedonian
Queen. Thence from Memf | came once
more TO Alexandra, and having made re-
port continued my secret work. And, in.
deed, the AleEandrians could not easily be
stirred, for, as they say in the market
place, "Theass looks at the burden and is
blind to the master.n So long had Cleopa-
ira oppressed them that the Roman was
like welcome friend.
Thus the time passed on, and every night
found Cleopatra with fewer friends than
that which had gone before, for in evil DAYS
friends fly like swallows before the frost.
Yet she would not give up Antony, whom
she loved; though TO my knowledge did
Caesar, by his freedman, Thyreus, make
promise to her of her dominions for herself
and for her children il she would but slave
Antony, or even betray him bound. But
hereunto womar's heart flor still she had
heart) would not consent, and, therefore,
of necessity must we hold him TO her, lest,
Antony escaping or being slain, Cleopatra
might ride out the storm and yet be Queen
Of Egypt. And this grieved me, because
Antony, though weak, was still brave man
and great; and moreover, in my own heart
! read the lesson of his woes. For were we
not akin in wretchedness? Had not the
same woman robbed US of empire, friends
and honorl But pity has no place in poll
tics, nor could 1t turn my feet from the path
/ of vengeance it was ordained that should
tread Caesar drew nigh; Pelusium fell /;
the end was at hand. Twas Charnion who
brought the tidings to the Queen and An
tony, as they slept in the heat Of the day,
and vita her came.
"Awakein she cried. "Awakel This is
no time for sleepl Seleucus hath surren-
dered Potassium unto Caesar, who marches
straightfou Alexandria"