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


saw that there werc eyeholes In the wall,
which pierced it. and were hidden on the
farther side by carved work in stone. l
looked through the hole tina was in front OF
me, and this saw. Six cubits below was
the level Of the floor of another chamber,
lit with fragrant lamps, and most richly
furnished. 1t was the sleeping place of
Cleopatra, and there, within ten cubits Of |
where VIC stood, sat Cleopatra on gilded
couch, and by her side sat Antony.
"Tell me- Cleopatra murmured-for so
was this place built that every word spoken
in the room below came to the ears Of the
listener above-"tell me, noble Antony,
vast pleased with my poor festivaln
SAY" he answered in his deep soldiers
voice; cay, Egypt, l have made feasts, and
been hidden to feasts, but never saw l
aught like thine; and this tell thee though
an rough OF tongue and unskilled In pref
ty sayings such as women love, thou vast
the richest sight of all that splendid board.
The red wine was not so red as thy beau
teous cheek, the roses smelt not so sweet as
the odor of thy hair, and no sapphire there
with its changing light was SO lovely as thy
eyes Of ocean blue"
"What! praise from Antonyl Sweet
words from the lips of him whose writings
are so harshs Why, tits praise, indeed"
say" he went on "'twas a royal feast,
though grieved that thou didst waste that
great pearl; and what meant that hour
calling astrologer of thine, with his ILL
omened talk of the curse of Menka-raP'
A shadow fed across her glowing face.
II know not; he was lately wounded in
brawl and methinks the blow has crazed
him.
''Hc seemed not crazed, and there was
that about his voice which doth ring in my
ears like some oracle of fate. So wildly,
too, he looked upon thee, Egypt, with those
piercing eyes of his, like enc who loved and
yet hated through the love-"
"'Tis strange man, tell thee, noble
Antony, and learned Myself, at times, /
almost fear him, for deeply is lie versed in
the ancient arts of Egypt Knowest thou
that the man is of royal blood and once he
plotted to STAY meg But ] won HIM over,
and slew him not, for he had che key to Sc
crets that fain would learn; and, indeed,
love his wisdom, and TO listen to his deep
talk Of all hidden things"
by Bacchus, but grow jealous Of the
knavel And now, Egypti"
Sand now have sucked his knowledge
dry and have no more cause to fear him.
Didst thou not see that these three nights
have made him stand slave amid my
slaves, and call aloud the hours as they fled
in festival No captive king marching in thy
Roman triumphs can have suffered keener
pangs than that proud Egyptian Prince as
he stood and shamed behind my coueh.n
Here Charmion laid her hand on mine
and pressed it, as though in tenderness.
swell, he shall trouble US no more with
his words of evil onen,h Cleopatra went on
slowly; tomorrow morn he dies-dies
swiftly and in secret leaving no trace of
what his fate hath been. On this is my mind
fixed; of truth, noble Antony, it is fixed.
Even as speak the fear of this man grows
and gathers in my breast Half am minded
to give the word even now, for till he be
dead breathe not freely" and she made
as though to rise.
"Let it be till morning" he said, catching
her by the hand; "the soldiers drink, and
the deed will be i'll done. 'Tis pity, too l
love not to think of men slaughtered in
, their sleep"
"In the morning, perchance, may the
hawl, have Town." she answered, ponder.
ing. HE hath keen ears, this Harmachis,
,, and can summon things that are not of the
earth to aid him. Perchance even now he
hears me in the spirit; for, of a truth,
seem to feel his presence breathing round
! me- could tell thee-but no, let him be
Noble Antony, be my firing woman and
, loose me this crown of gold; it chafes my
| brow. Be gentle, hurt me not-so."
, He lifted the ureus crown from hen
t brows, and she shook loose her heavy
! "a L. A. fo11 81 L. n.
, garment.
"Talse thy crown, Royal Egypt" he said
speaking low, '.take it from my hand;
will not rob thee of it, but rather set it more
? firmly on that beauteous brow"
3 "What means my Lordr' she asked
smiling and looking into his eyes.
. "What mean II Why, then, this hithe
2 thou earnest at my bidding, to make an
swer to the charges laid against thee as u
matters polite. And knowest thou, Egypt
{ that hadst thou been other than thou ar
: thou hadst not gone back to Queen it OIL
g the Nile; for of this / am sure, the charge
v against thee are true, in fact But bein
what thou art-and look, thou never di,
r Nature serve woman better!-I forglv
It thee all. Fen for the sake of thy grac
and beauty forgive thee that which hat
u not been forgiven to virtue, or to patriot
h ism, or to the dignity of age See, now, HOY
# good thing is woman's wit and loneliness
$ that can make Kings forget their duty an
II cozen cen blndfolded Justice to peep err
Il she lifts her sword Take back thy crown
70 OEgyptl my care now it is that, though
e be heavy, it shall not chafe thee"
"a "Royal words are those, most nobl
10 Antony" she made answer; gracious an
Y, generous words, such as befit the Cor
queror Of the world And touching my mis-
81 deeds IN the past-if misdeeds there hav
m been-this l say, and this alone, then
ID knew not Antony. For, knowing Antony
Of who could sin against hint What woma
ID could lift sword against one who must b
e. to all women as God-one who, seen an
,e known, draws after him the whole o.
70 legiance of the heart, as the sun draw
is fowersl And what more can say and nc
he cross the bounds of womau's modesty
i'd Why, only this-set that crown upon m
or brow, great Antony, and will take 1t as
5; gift from thee, by the giving made doubl
Of dear, and to thy uses will guard it Their
now am thy vassal Queen, and throug
me all old Egypt that rule doth homag
st unto Antony the Triumvir, who shall
Of Antony the Emperor and Khem's Imperis
le Lord"
IN And he, having set the crown upon he
IT locks, stood gazing on her, grown passion
- ate in the warm breath OF her living beauty
|" till at length he caught her by both hand!
md Nrox vtx,frh hos 70 IL h,,- thxsnx