cleopatra-第31章

按键盘上方向键 ← 或 → 可快速上下翻页，按键盘上的 Enter 键可回到本书目录页，按键盘上方向键 ↑ 可回到本页顶部！
————未阅读完？加入书签已便下次继续阅读！



portals　of　ten　thousand　tombs。　It　poured　in　a　flood　of　gold　across　the

desert　sandit　pierced　the　heavy　sky　of　night；　and　fell　in　bright

beams　upon　the　green　of　fields　and　the　tufted　crest　of　palms。　Then

from　his　horizon　bed　royal　Ra　rose　up　in　pomp　and　it　was　day。



＇*＇　That　is；　〃Horus　on　the　horizon〃；　and　signifies　the　power　of　Light

　　　　and　Good　overcoming　the　power　of　Darkness　and　Evil　incarnate　in

　　　　his　enemy；　Typhon。Editor。



Passing　the　temple　of　granite　and　of　alabaster　that　was　built　before

the　days　of　Khufu；　to　the　glory　of　the　Majesty　of　Horemkhu；　we

descended　the　slope；　and　came　to　the　banks　of　the　canal。　There　we

drank；　and　that　draught　of　muddy　water　was　sweeter　than　all　the

choicest　wine　of　Alexandria。　Also　we　washed　the　mummy　dust　and　grime

from　our　hands　and　brows　and　made　us　clean。　As　she　bathed　her　neck；

stooping　over　the　water；　one　of　the　great　emeralds　slipped　from

Cleopatra's　breast　and　fell　into　the　canal；　and　it　was　but　by　chance

that　at　length　I　found　it　in　the　mire。　Then；　once　more；　I　lifted

Cleopatra　onto　the　beast；　and　slowly；　for　I　was　very　weary；　we　marched

back　to　the　banks　of　Sihor；　where　our　craft　was。　And　having　at　length

come　thither；　seeing　no　one　save　some　few　peasants　going　out　to　labour

on　the　lands；　I　turned　the　ass　loose　in　that　same　field　where　we　had

found　him；　and　we　boarded　the　craft　while　the　crew　were　yet　sleeping。

Then；　waking　them；　we　bade　them　make　all　sail；　saying　that　we　had　left

the　eunuch　to　sojourn　a　while　behind　us；　as　in　truth　we　had。　So　we

sailed；　having　first　hidden　away　the　gems　and　such　of　the　ornaments　of

gold　as　we　could　bring　to　the　boat。



We　spent　four　days　and　more　in　coming　to　Alexandria；　for　the　wind　was

for　the　most　part　against　us；　and　they　were　happy　days！　At　first；

indeed；　Cleopatra　was　somewhat　silent　and　heavy　at　heart；　for　what　she

had　seen　and　felt　in　the　womb　of　the　pyramid　weighed　her　down。　But

soon　her　Imperial　spirit　awoke　and　shook　the　burden　from　her　breast；

and　she　became　herself　againnow　gay；　now　learned；　now　loving；　and

now　cold；　now　queenly；　and　now　altogether　simpleever　changing　as　the

winds　of　heaven；　and　as　the　heaven；　deep；　beauteous；　and　unsearchable！



Night　after　night　for　those　four　perfect　nights；　the　last　happy　hours

I　ever　was　to　know；　we　sat　hand　in　hand　upon　the　deck　and　heard　the

waters　lap　the　vessel's　side；　and　watched　the　soft　footfall　of　the

moon　as　she　trod　the　depths　of　Nile。　There　we　sat　and　talked　of　love；

talked　of　our　marriage　and　all　that　we　would　do。　Also　I　drew　up　plans

of　war　and　of　defence　against　the　Roman；　which　now　we　had　the　means　to

carry　out；　and　she　approved　them；　sweetly　saying　that　what　seemed　good

to　me　was　good　to　her。　And　so　the　time　passed　all　too　swiftly。



Oh　those　nights　upon　the　Nile！　their　memory　haunts　me　yet！　Yet　in　my

dreams　I　see　the　moonbeams　break　and　quiver；　and　hear　Cleopatra's

murmured　words　of　love　mingle　with　the　sound　of　murmuring　waters。　Dead

are　those　dear　nights；　dead　is　the　moon　that　lit　them；　the　waters

which　rocked　us　on　their　breast　are　lost　in　the　wide　salt　sea；　and

where　we　kissed　and　clung　there　lips　unborn　shall　kiss　and　cling！　How

beautiful　was　their　promise；　doomed；　like　an　unfruitful　blossom；　to

wither；　fall；　and　rot！　and　their　fulfilment；　ah；　how　drear！　For　all

things　end　in　darkness　and　in　ashes；　and　those　who　sow　in　folly　shall

reap　in　sorrow。　Ah！　those　nights　upon　the　Nile！



And　so　at　length　once　more　we　stood　within　the　hateful　walls　of　that

fair　palace　on　the　Lochias；　and　the　dream　was　done。







〃Whither　hast　thou　wandered　with　Cleopatra；　Harmachis？〃　Charmion　asked

of　me　when　I　met　her　by　chance　on　that　day　of　return。　〃On　some　new

mission　of　betrayal？　Or　was　it　but　a　love…journey？〃



〃I　went　with　Cleopatra　upon　secret　business　of　the　State；〃　I　answered

sternly。



〃So！　Those　who　go　secretly；　go　evilly；　and　foul　birds　love　to　fly　at

night。　Not　but　what　thou　art　wise；　for　it　would　scarce　beseem　thee；

Harmachis；　to　show　thy　face　openly　in　Egypt。〃



I　heard；　and　felt　my　passion　rise　within　me；　for　I　could　ill　bear　this

fair　girl's　scorn。



〃Hast　thou　never　a　word　without　a　sting？〃　I　asked。　〃Know；　then；　that　I

went　whither　thou　hadst　not　dared　to　go；　to　gather　means　to　hold　Egypt

from　the　grasp　of　Antony。〃



〃So；〃　she　answered；　looking　up　swiftly。　〃Thou　foolish　man！　Thou　hadst

done　better　to　save　thy　labour；　for　Antony　will　grasp　Egypt　in　thy

despite。　What　power　hast　thou　to…day　in　Egypt？〃



〃That　he　may　do　in　my　despite；　but　in　despite　of　Cleopatra　that　he

cannot　do；〃　I　said。



〃Nay；　but　with　the　/aid/　of　Cleopatra　he　can　and　will　do　it；〃　she

answered　with　a　bitter　smile。　〃When　the　Queen　sails　in　state　up　Cydnus

stream　she　will　surely　draw　this　coarse　Antony　thence　to　Alexandria；

conquering；　and　yet；　like　thee；　a　slave！〃



〃It　is　false！　I　say　that　it　is　false！　Cleopatra　goes　not　to　Tarsus；

and　Antony　comes　not　to　Alexandria；　or；　if　he　come；　it　will　be　to　take

the　chance　of　war。〃



〃Now；　thinkest　thou　thus？〃　she　answered　with　a　little　laugh。　〃Well；　if

it　please　thee；　think　as　thou　wilt。　Within　three　days　thou　shalt　know。

It　is　pretty　to　see　how　easily　thou　art　fooled。　Farewell！　Go；　dream　on

Love；　for　surely　Love　is　sweet。〃



And　she　went；　leaving　me　angered　and　troubled　at　heart。







I　saw　Cleopatra　no　more　that　day；　but　on　the　day　which　followed　I　saw

her。　She　was　in　a　heavy　mood；　and　had　no　gentle　word　for　me。　I　spake

to　her　of　the　defence　of　Egypt；　but　she　put　the　matter　away。



〃Why　dost　thou　weary　me？〃　she　said　with　anger；　〃canst　thou　not　see

that　I　am　lost　in　troubles？　When　Dellius　has　had　his　answer　to…morrow

then　we　will　speak　of　these　matters。〃



〃Ay；〃　I　said；　〃when　Dellius　has　had　his　answer；　and　knowest　thou　that

but　yesterday；　Charmionwhom　about　the　palace　they　name　the　'Keeper

of　the　Queen's　secrets'Charmion　swore　that　the　answer　would　be　'Go

in　peace；　I　come　to　Antony！'〃



〃Charmion　knows　nothing　of　my　heart；〃　said　Cleopatra；　stamping　her

foot　in　anger；　〃and　if　she　talk　so　freely　the　girl　shall　be　scourged

out　of　my　Court；　as　is　her　desert。　Though；　in　truth；〃　she　added；　〃she

has　more　wisdom　in　that　small　head　of　hers　than　all　my　privy

councillorsay；　and　more　wit　to　use　it。　Knowest　thou　that　I　have　sold

a　portion　of　those　gems　to　the　rich　Jews　of　Alexandria；　and　at　a　great

price；　ay；　at　five　thousand　sestertia　for　each　one？＇*＇　But　a　few；　in

truth；　for　they　could　not　buy　more　as　yet。　It　was　rare　to　see　their

eyes　when　they　fell　upon　them：　they　grew　large　as　apples　with　avarice

and　wonder。　And　now　leave　me；　Harmachis；　for　I　am　weary。　The　memory　of

that　dreadful　night　is　with　me　yet。〃



＇*＇　About　forty　thousand　pounds　of　our　money。Editor。



I　bowed　and　rose　to　go；　and　yet　stood　wavering。



〃Pardon　me；　Cleopatra；　it　is　of　our　marriage。〃



〃Our　marriage！　Why；　are　we　not　indeed　already　wed？〃　she　answered。



〃Yes；　but　not　before　the　world。　Thou　didst　promise。〃



〃Ay；　Harmachis；　I　promised；　and　to…morrow；　when　I　have　rid　me　of　this

Dellius；　I　will　keep　my　promise；　and　name　thee　Cleopatra's　Lord　before

the　Court。　See　that　thou　art　in　thy　place。　Art　content？〃



And　she　stretched　out　her　hand　for　me　to　kiss；　looking　on　me　with

strange　eyes；　as　though　she　struggled　with　herself。　Then　I　went；　but

that　night　I　strove　once　more　to　see　Cleopatra；　and　could　not。　〃The

Lady　Charmion　was　with　the　Queen；〃　so　said　the　eunuchs；　and　none　might

enter。







On　the　morrow　the　Court　met　in　the　great　hall　one　hour　before　mid…day；

and　I　went　thither　with　a　trembling　heart　to　hear　Cleopatra's　answer

to　Dellius；　and　to　hear　myself　also　named　King…consort　to　the　Queen　of

Egypt。　It　was　a　full　and　splendid　Court；　there　were　councillors；

lords；　captains；　eunuchs；　and　waiting…women；　all　save　Charmion。　The

house　passed；　but　Cleopatra　and　Charmion　came　not。　At　length　Charmion

entered　gently　by　a　side　entrance；　and　took　her　place　among　the

waiting…ladies　about　the　throne。　Even　as　she　did　so　she　cast　a　glance

at　me；　and　there　was　triumph　in　her　eyes；　though　I　knew　not　over　what

she　triumphed。　I　little　guessed　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　ur？us　crown　upon　her　head；　and　on　her　breast；　flashing　like　a

star；　that　great　emerald　scarab？us　which　she　had　dragged　from　dead

Pharaoh's　heart；　Cleopatra　swept　in　splendour　to　her　throne；　followed

by　a　glittering　guard　of　Northmen。　Her　lovely　face　was　dark；　dark　were

her　slumbrous　eyes；　and　none　might　read　their　message；　though　all　that

Court　searched　them　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　wait？〃



The　herald　bowed　low　and　made　assent。



〃Let　him　come　in　and　hear　our　answer。〃



The　doors　were　flung　wide；　and；　followed　by　his　train　of　knights；

Dellius；　clad　in　his　golden　armour　and　his　purple　mantle；　walked　with

cat…like　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　graciously　been　pleased　to　bid　me；　thy　servant；　I　am　here　to　take

thy　answer　to　the　letter　of　the　noble　Antony　the　Triumvir；　whom

to…morrow　I　sail　to　meet　at　Tarsus；　in　Cilicia。　And　I　will　say　this；

royal　Egypt；　craving　pardon　the　while　for　the　boldness　of　my　speech

bethink　thee　well　before　words　that　cannot　be　unspoken　fall　from　those

sweet　lips。　Defy　Antony；　and　Antony　will　wreck　thee。　But；　like　thy

mother　Aphrodité；　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　royaltyEmpire；　and　pomp　of　place；　cities　and　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；　at

his　will　kings　are；　and　at　his　frown　they　cease　to　be。〃



And　he　bowed　his　head　and；　folding　his　hands　meekly　on　his　breast；

awaited　answer。



For　a　while　Cleopatra　answered　not；　but　sat　like　the　Sphinx　Horemkhu；

dumb　and　inscrutable；　gazing　with　lost　eyes　down　the　length　of　that

great　hall。



Then；　like　soft　music；　her　answer　came；　and　trembling　I　listened　for

Egypt's　challenge　to　the　Roman：



〃Noble　Dellius；We　have　bethought　us　much　of　the　matter　of　thy

message　from　great　Antony　to　our　poor　Royalty　of　Egypt。　We　have

bethought　us　much；　and　we　have　taken　counsel　from　the　oracles　of　the

Gods；　from　the　wisest　among　our　friends；　and　from　the　teachings　of　our

heart；　that　ever；　like　a　nesting　bird；　broods　over　our　people's　weal。

Sharp　are　the　words　that　thou　has　brought　across　the　sea；　methinks

they　had　been　better　fitted　to　the　ears　of　some　petty　half…tamed

prince　than　to　those　of　Egypt's　Queen。　Therefore　we　have　numbered　the

legions