cleopatra-第62章
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tremble; and then fell; clutching at his bosom; as though to tear out
the fire in his heart。 He staggered; with livid; twisted face and
foaming lips; to where Cleopatra lay watching him with a slow and
cruel smile。
〃Ah; traitor! thou hast it now!〃 she said。 〃Prithee; is death sweet?〃
〃Thou wanton!〃 yelled the dying man; 〃thou hast poisoned me! Thus
mayst thou also perish!〃 and with one shriek he flung himself upon
her。 She saw his purpose; and swift and supple as a tiger sprang to
one side; so that he did but grasp her royal cloak; tearing it from
its emerald clasp。 Down he fell upon the ground; rolling over and over
in the purple chiton; till presently he lay still and dead; his
tormented face and frozen eyes peering ghastly from its folds。
〃Ah!〃 said the Queen; with a hard laugh; 〃the slave died wondrous
hard; and fain would have drawn me with him。 See; he has borrowed my
garment for a pall! Take him away and bury him in his livery。〃
〃What means Cleopatra?〃 said Antony; as the guards dragged the corpse
away; 〃the man drank of my cup。 What is the purpose of this most sorry
jest?〃
〃It serves a double end; noble Antony! This very night that man would
have fled to Octavianus; bearing of our treasure with him。 Well; I
have lent him wings; for the dead fly fast! Also this: thou didst fear
that I should poison thee; my Lord; nay; I know it。 See now; Antony;
how easy it were that I should slay thee if I had the will。 That
wreath of roses which thou didst steep within the cup is dewed with
deadly bane。 Had I; then; a mind to make an end of thee; I had not
stayed thy hand。 O Antony; henceforth trust me! Sooner would I slay
myself than harm one hair of thy beloved head! See; here come my
messengers! Speak; what did ye find?〃
〃Royal Egypt; we found this。 All things in the chamber of Eudosius are
made ready for flight; and in his baggage is much treasure。〃
〃Thou hearest?〃 she said; smiling darkly。 〃Think ye; my loyal servants
all; that Cleopatra is one with whom it is well to play the traitor?
Be warned by this Roman's fate!〃
Then a great silence of fear fell upon the company; and Antony sat
also silent。
CHAPTER VI
OF THE WORKINGS OF THE LEARNED OLYMPUS AT MEMPHIS; OF THE
POISONINGS OF CLEOPATRA; OF THE SPEECH OF ANTONY TO HIS
CAPTAINS; AND OF THE PASSING OF ISIS FROM THE LAND OF KHEM
Now I; Harmachis; must make speed with my task; setting down that
which is permitted as shortly as may be; and leaving much untold。 For
of this I am warned; that Doom draws on and my days are wellnigh sped。
After the drawing forth of Antony from the Timonium came that time of
heavy quiet which heralds the rising of the desert wind。 Antony and
Cleopatra once again gave themselves up to luxury; and night by night
feasted in splendour at the palace。 They sent ambassadors to C?sar;
but C?sar would have none of them; and; this hope being gone; they
turned their minds to the defence of Alexandria。 Men were gathered;
ships were built; and a great force was made ready against the coming
of C?sar。
And now; aided by Charmion; I began my last work of hate and
vengeance。 I wormed myself deep into the secrets of the palace;
counselling all things for evil。 I bade Cleopatra keep Antony gay;
lest he should brood upon his sorrows: and thus she sapped his
strength and energy with luxury and wine。 I gave him of my draughts
draughts that sank his soul in dreams of happiness and power; leaving
him to wake to a heavier misery。 Soon; without my healing medicine he
could not sleep; and thus; being ever at his side; I bound his
weakened will to mine; till at last he would do little if I said not
〃It is well。〃 Cleopatra; also grown very superstitious; leaned much
upon me; for I prophesied falsely to her in secret。
Moreover; I wove other webs。 My fame was great throughout Egypt; for
during the long years that I had dwelt in Tápé it had spread through
all the land。 Therefore many men of note came to me; both for their
health's sake and because it was known that I had the ear of Antony
and the Queen; and; in these days of doubt and trouble; they were fain
to learn the truth。 All these men I worked upon with doubtful words;
sapping their loyalty; and I caused many to fall away; and yet none
could bear an evil report of what I had said。 Also; Cleopatra sent me
to Memphis; there to move the Priests and Governors that they should
gather men in Upper Egypt for the defence of Alexandria。 And I went
and spoke to the priests with such a double meaning and with so much
wisdom that they knew me to be one of the initiated in the deeper
mysteries。 But how I; Olympus the physician; came thus to be initiated
none might say。 And afterwards they sought me secretly; and I gave
them the holy sign of brotherhood; and thereunder bade them not to ask
who I might be; but send no aid to Cleopatra。 Rather; I said; must
they make peace with C?sar; for by C?sar'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 Cleopatra; but in
secret sent an embassy to C?sar。
Thus; then; it came to pass that Egypt gave but little aid to its
hated Macedonian Queen。 Thence from Memphis I came once more to
Alexandria; and; having made favourable report; continued my secret
work。 And; indeed; the Alexandrians could not easily be stirred; for;
as they say in the marketplace; 〃The ass looks at its burden and is
blind to its master。〃 Cleopatra had oppressed them so long that the
Roman was like a 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 C?sar; by his freedman; Thyreus;
made promise to her of her dominions for herself and for her children
if she would but slay Antony; or even betray him bound。 But to this
her woman's heartfor still she had a heartwould not consent; and;
moreover; we counselled her against it; for of necessity we must 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 a brave man; and a great; and;
moreover; in my own heart I read the lesson of his woes。 For were we
not akin in wretchedness? Had not the same woman robbed us of Empire;
Friends; and Honour? But pity has no place in politics; nor could it
turn my feet from the path of vengeance it was ordained that I should
tread。 C?sar drew nigh; Pelusium fell; the end was at hand。 It was
Charmion who brought the tidings to the Queen and Antony; as they
slept in the heat of the day; and I came with her。
〃Awake!〃 she cried。 〃Awake! This is no time for sleep! Seleucus hath
surrendered Pelusium to C?sar; who marches straight on Alexandria!〃
With a great oath; Antony sprang up and clutched Cleopatra by the arm。
〃Thou hast betrayed meby the Gods I swear it! Now thou shalt pay the
price!〃 And snatching up his sword he drew it。
〃Stay thy hand; Antony!〃 she cried。 〃It is falseI know naught of
this!〃 And she sprang upon him; and clung about his neck; weeping。 〃I
know naught; my Lord。 Take thou the wife of Seleucus and his little
children; whom I hold in guard; and avenge thyself。 O Antony; Antony!
why dost thou doubt me?〃
Then Antony threw down his sword upon the marble; and; casting himself
upon the couch; hid his face; and groaned in bitterness of spirit。
But Charmion smiled; for it was she who had sent secretly to Seleucus;
her friend; counselling him to surrender forthwith; saying that no
fight would be made at Alexandria。 And that very night Cleopatra took
all her great store of pearls and emeraldsthose that remained of the
treasure of Menkau…raall her wealth of gold; ebony; ivory; and
cin