The Maryville times. (Maryville, Tenn.) 1884-1944, 1894-09-05

But pity stirred me, ana TINS thlng could
not do.
Therefore | drew the sword from his
vitals, stanched the flow of blood, and,
calling to those who came crowding In to-
see Antony die, babe them summon Atoua
from my house at the palace gates. Pres
emily she came, bringing with her simples
and life-giving draughts. And these / gave
to Antony, and babe Atoua 90 with such
speed as her old limbs might to Cleopatra,
in the tomb, and tell her of the state Of
Antony.
So she went, and after awhile returned
saying that the Queen yet lived and sum-
moned Antony to die even in her arms.
And with her came Diomedes. Aud when
Antony heard, his ebbing' strength came
back, for he was fain to look upon Cleo
patra's face again. So | called to the
slaves-who peeped aud peered thrcughA
curtains and from behind pillars to see this
great man de-and together, with much
toll, we bore him thence till we came to the
foot Of the Mausoleum. ~
But Cleopatra, being afraid Of treachery,
would no more throw wide the door; so she
let down rope from the window and we
made it fast beneath the arms Of Antony.
Then did Cleopatra, who the while wept
most bitterly, together with Charrnion and,
Iras, the Greek, pull on the rope with all
their strength while we lifted from below
till the dying Antony swung in the air,
groaning heavily, and the blood dropped
from his gaping wound Twice he nearly
fell to earth; but Cleopatra, striving with
the strength Of love aud despair, held him
till at length she drew him through the
window-place while all who saw the dread
full sight wept bitterly, and beat their
breasts-all save myself and Charmion.
When he was in, once more the rope was
let down, and with some aid from Char
mion, l climbed into the tomb, drawing up
the rope after me. There | found Antony,
laid upon the golden bed of Cleopatra: and
she, her breast bare, her face all stained
with tears, and her hair streaming wild
about him. knelt ut his side and kissed him,
wIplng the blood from his wounds with her
robes and hair. And let all my shame be
written: rs stood and watched her the old
love awoke once more within me, and mad
jealousy ragged in my heart because
though l could destroy these twain-their
love could not destroy,
10 Antony! my sweet, my husband and
! my God!n she moaned. "Crue) Antony,
hast thou the heart to die and leave me to
my lonely shamel Swiftly will | follow
thee to the grave. Antony, awakel
awaken
He lifted up his head and called for wine,
which gave him, mixing therein draught
that might allay his pain, for it was great.
And when he had drunk he babe Cleopatra
lie down on The bed beside him, and put her
arms about him, and this she did. Then
was Antony once more man; for forget
ting his own misery and pain, he counseled
her as to her own safety but to this talk
she would not listen. THE hour is Short"
she said; "let us speak of this great love Of
ours that has been so long and may yet en-
dure beyond the coasts Of Death. Mindest
thou that night when first thou didst put
thine arms about me and call me Lovep
OH happy, happy night Having known
that night, It's well to have lived-even to
this bitter endr' n
Gay, Egypt, Imind it well and dwellupon
its memory, though from that hour hath
fortune fled from me-lost in my depth Of
love for thee, thou Beautiful. | mind it."
he gasped; 'then didst thou drink the
pearl in wauton play, and then did that
astrologer Of thine call out his hour-'The
hour Of the falling of the curse of Menka-
/ ra' Through all the afterd days those words
have haunted me, and now at the last yet
do they ring within my ears"
Long is he dead, my love-" she whis.
pered.
''If he be dead, then am near HIM. What
meant he"
HE is dead, the accursed man mo more
of him Oh, turn and kiss me, for thy face
grows white. The end is nearp
He kissed her on the lips, and for little
whi'e so they stayed, to the moment Of
dea Nike lovers newly wed babbling their
passicsI each others ears. Even to nv
, jeAsa-s heart strange and awful thing Il
PresStly l saw the Change Of Death
gather - his face. His head fell back.
Farewell, Egypt; farewen!-I diew
She lifted herself upon her hands, gazed
| wildly on his ashen face, and then with Q
great cry, she sank back swooning.
But Antony yet lived, though the power
Of speech had left hirs. Then drew near,
and kneeling, made prctease to minister
1 unto him. And as ministercd whispered
in his ear.
3 Antony" l whispered. cleopatra was
[ my love before she passed from me to thee.
3 lam Harmachis, that astrologer who stood
behind thy couch at Tarsus; and have
, been the chief minister Of thy ruin. Ds.
!. Antony ne curse Of Nenkd-rd hath Jclienym
BE raised himself, and stared upon nv
face. He could mt snealr hut c;l,,a,.,..,. -