CHAPTER XV
OF THE FEAST OF CLEOPATRA; OF THE MELTING OF THE PEARL; OF THE SAYING OFHARMACHIS; AND OF CLEOPATRA'S VOW OF LOVE
On the third night the feast was once more prepared in the hall of thegreat house that had been set aside to the use of Cleopatra, and on thisnight its splendour was greater even than on the nights before. For thetwelve couches that were set about the table were embossed with gold,and those of Cleopatra and Antony were of gold set with jewels. Thedishes also were all of gold set with jewels, the walls were hung withpurple cloths sewn with gold, and on the floor, covered with a net ofgold, fresh roses were strewn ankle-deep, that as the slaves trod themsent up their perfume. Once again I was bidden to stand, with Charmionand Iras and Merira, behind the couch of Cleopatra, and, like a slave,from time to time call out the hours as they flew. And there being nohelp, I went wild at heart; but this I swore--it should be for the lasttime, since I could not bear that shame. For though I would not yetbelieve what Charmion told me--that Cleopatra was about to become theLove of Antony--yet I could no more endure this ignominy and torture.For from Cleopatra now I had no words save such as a Queen speaks to herslave, and methinks it gave her dark heart pleasure to torment me.
Thus it came to pass that I, the Pharaoh, crowned of Khem, stood amongeunuchs and waiting-women behind the couch of Egypt's Queen while thefeast went merrily and the wine-cup passed. And ever Antony sat, hiseyes fixed upon the face of Cleopatra, who from time to time let herdeep glance lose itself in his, and then for a little while theirtalk died away. For he told her tales of war and of deeds that he haddone--ay, and love-jests such as are not meet for the ears of women. Butshe took offence at nothing; rather, falling into his humour, she wouldcap his stories with others of a finer wit, but not less shameless.
At length, the rich meal being finished, Antony gazed at the splendouraround him.
"Tell me, then, most lovely Egypt," he said; "are the sands of Nilecompact of gold, that thou canst, night by night, thus squander theransom of a King upon a single feast? Whence comes this untold wealth?"
I bethought me of the tomb of the Divine Menkau-ra, whose holy treasurewas thus wickedly wasted, and looked up so that Cleopatra's eye caughtmine; but, reading my thoughts, she frowned heavily.
"Why, noble Antony," she said, "surely it is nothing! In Egypt we haveour secrets, and know whence to conjure riches at our need. Say, what isthe value of this golden service, and of the meats and drinks that havebeen set before us?"
He cast his eyes about, and hazarded a guess.
"Maybe a thousand sestertia."[*]
[*] About eight thousand pounds of English money.--Editor.
"Thou hast understated it by half, noble Antony! But such as it is Iwill give it thee and those with thee as a free token of my friendship.And more will I show thee now: I myself will eat and drink ten thousandsestertia at a draught."
"That cannot be, fair Egypt!"
She laughed, and bade a slave bring her white vinegar in a glass. Whenit was brought she set it before her and laughed again, while Antony,rising from his couch, drew near and set himself at her side, and allthe company leant forward to see what she would do. And this she did.She took from her ear one of those great pearls which last of all hadbeen drawn from the body of the Divine Pharaoh; and before any couldguess her purpose she let it fall into the vinegar. Then came silence,the silence of wonder, and slowly the priceless pearl melted in thestrong acid. When it was melted she lifted the glass and shook it, thendrank the vinegar, to the last drop.
"More vinegar, slave!" she cried; "my meal is but half finished!" andshe drew forth the second pearl.
"By Bacchus, no! that shalt thou not!" cried Antony, snatching at herhands; "I have seen enough;" and at that moment, moved to it by I knownot what, I called aloud:
"The hour falls, O Queen!--_the hour of the coming of the curse ofMenkau-ra!_"
An ashy whiteness grew upon Cleopatra's face, and she turned upon mefuriously, while all the company gazed wondering, not knowing what thewords might mean.
"Thou ill-omened slave!" she cried. "Speak thus once more and thou shaltbe scourged with rods!--ay, scourged like an evildoer--that I promisethee, Harmachis!"
"What means the knave of an astrologer?" asked Antony. "Speak, sirrah!and make clear thy meaning, for those who deal in curses must warranttheir wares."
"I am a servant of the Gods, noble Antony. That which the Gods put in mymind that must I say; nor can I read their meaning," I answered humbly.
"Oh, oh! thou servest the Gods, dost thou, thou many-coloured mystery?"This he said having reference to my splendid robes. "Well, I serve theGoddesses, which is a softer cult. And there's this between us:that though what they put in my mind I say, neither can I read theirmeaning," and he glanced at Cleopatra as one who questions.
"Let the knave be," she said impatiently; "to-morrow we'll be rid ofhim. Sirrah, begone!"
I bowed and went; and, as I went, I heard Antony say: "Well, he may bea knave--for that all men are--but this for thy astrologer: he hath aroyal air and the eye of a King--ay, and wit in it."
Without the door I paused, not knowing what to do, for I was bewilderedwith misery. And, as I stood, someone touched me on the hand. I glancedup--it was Charmion, who in the confusion of the rising of the guests,had slipped away and followed me.
For in trouble Charmion was ever at my side.
"Follow me," she whispered; "thou art in danger."
I turned and followed her. Why should I not?
"Whither go we?" I asked at length.
"To my chamber," she said. "Fear not; we ladies of Cleopatra's Courthave small good fame to lose; if anyone by chance should see us, they'llthink that it is a love-tryst, and such are all the fashion."
I followed, and, presently, skirting the crowd, we came unseen to alittle side entrance that led to a stair, up which we passed. The stairended in a passage; we turned down it till we found a door on the lefthand. Charmion entered silently, and I followed her into a dark chamber.Being in, she barred the door and, kindling tinder to a flame, lit ahanging lamp. As the light grew strong I gazed around. The chamber wasnot large, and had but one casement, closely shuttered. For the rest, itwas simply furnished, having white walls, some chests for garments, anancient chair, what I took to be a tiring table, on which were combs,perfumes, and all the frippery that pertains to woman, and a white bedwith a broidered coverlid, over which was hung a gnat-gauze.
"Be seated, Harmachis," she said, pointing to the chair. I took thechair, and Charmion, throwing back the gnat-gauze, sat herself upon thebed before me.
"Knowest thou what I heard Cleopatra say as thou didst leave thebanqueting-hall?" she asked presently.
"Nay, I know not."
"She gazed after thee, and, as I went over to her to do some service,she murmured to herself: 'By Serapis, I will make an end! I will wait nolonger: to-morrow he shall be strangled!'"
"So!" I said, "it may be; though, after all that has been, I can scarcebelieve that she will murder me."
"Why canst thou not believe it, thou most foolish of men? Dost forgethow nigh thou wast to death there in the Alabaster Hall? Who saved theethen from the knives of the eunuchs? Was it Cleopatra? Or was it I andBrennus? Stay, I will tell thee. Thou canst not yet believe it, because,in thy folly, thou dost not think it possible that the woman who has butlately been as a wife to thee can now, in so short a time, doom thee tobe basely done to death. Nay, answer not--I know all; and I tell theethis: thou hast not measured the depth of Cleopatra's perfidy, nor canstthou dream the blackness of her wicked heart. She had surely slain theein Alexandria had she not feared that thy slaughter being noised abroadmight bring trouble on her. Therefore has she brought thee here to killthee secretly. For what more canst thou give her? She has thy heart'slove, and is wearied of thy strength and beauty. She has robbed theeof thy royal birthright and brought thee, a King, to stand amidst thewaiting-women behind her at her feasts; she has won from thee the greatsecret of
the holy treasure!"
"Ah, thou knowest that?"
"Yes, I know all; and to-night thou seest how the wealth stored againstthe need of Khem is being squandered to fill up the wanton luxury ofKhem's Macedonian Queen! Thou seest how she has kept her oath to wedthee honourably. Harmachis--at length thine eyes are open to the truth!"
"Ay, I see too well; and yet she swore she loved me, and I, poor fool, Ibelieved her!"
"She swore she loved thee!" answered Charmion, lifting her dark eyes:"now I will show thee how she loves thee. Knowest thou what was thishouse? It was a priest's college; and, as thou wottest, Harmachis,priests have their ways. This little room aforetime was the room ofthe Head Priest, and the chamber that is beyond and below was thegathering-place of the other priests. The old slave who keeps the housetold me all this, and also she revealed what I shall show thee. Now,Harmachis, be silent as the dead, and follow me!"
She blew out the lamp, and by the little light that crept through theshuttered casement led me by the hand to the far corner of the room.Here she pressed upon the wall, and a door opened in its thickness. Weentered, and she closed the spring. Now we were in a little chamber,some five cubits in length by four in breadth; for a faint lightstruggled into the closet, and also the sound of voices, I knew notwhence. Loosing my hand, she crept to the end of the place, and lookedsteadfastly at the wall; then crept back and, whispering "Silence!" ledme forward with her. Then I saw that there were eyeholes in the wall,which pierced it, and were hidden on the farther side by carved workin stone. I looked through the hole that was in front of me, and I sawthis: six cubits below was the level of the floor of another chamber,lit with fragrant lamps, and most richly furnished. It was thesleeping-place of Cleopatra, and there, within ten cubits of where westood, sat Cleopatra on a gilded couch, and by her side sat Antony.
"Tell me," Cleopatra murmured--for this place was so built thatevery word spoken in the room below came to the ears of the listenerabove--"tell me, noble Antony, wast pleased with my poor festival?"
"Ay," he answered in his deep soldier's voice, "ay, Egypt, I have madefeasts, and been bidden to feasts, but never saw I aught like thine; andI tell thee this, though I am rough of tongue and unskilled in prettysayings such as women love, thou wast the richest sight of all thatsplendid board. The red wine was not so red as thy beauteous cheek, theroses smelt not so sweet as the odour of thy hair, and no sapphire therewith its changing light was so lovely as thy eyes of ocean blue."
"What! Praise from Antony! Sweet words from the lips of him whosewritings are so harsh! Why, it is praise indeed!"
"Ay," he went on, "it was a royal feast, though I grieve that thou didstwaste that great pearl; and what meant that hour-calling astrologer ofthine, with his ill-omened talk of the curse of Menkau-ra?"
A shadow fled across her glowing face. "I know not; he was latelywounded in a brawl, and methinks the blow has crazed him."
"He seemed not crazed, and there was that about his voice which rings inmy ears like some oracle of fate. So wildly, too, he looked upon thee,Egypt, with those piercing eyes of his, like one who loved and yet hatedthrough the love."
"He is a strange man, I tell thee, noble Antony, and a learned. Myself,at times, I almost fear him, for he is deeply versed in the ancientarts of Egypt. Knowest thou that the man is of royal blood, and once heplotted to slay me? But I won him over, and slew him not, for he had thekey to secrets that I fain would learn; and, indeed, I loved his wisdom,and to listen to his deep talk of all hidden things."
"By Bacchus, I grow jealous of the knave! And now, Egypt?"
"And now I have sucked his knowledge dry, and have no more cause to fearhim. Didst thou not see that I have made him stand these three nights aslave amid my slaves, and call aloud the hours as they fled in festival.No captive King marching in thy Roman triumphs can have suffered pangsso keen as that proud Egyptian Prince when he stood shamed behind mycouch."
Here Charmion laid her hand on mine and pressed it, as though intenderness.
"Well, he shall trouble us no more with his words of evil omen,"Cleopatra went on slowly; "to-morrow morn he dies--dies swiftly and insecret, leaving no trace of what his fate has been. On this is my mindfixed; of a truth, noble Antony, it is fixed. Even as I speak the fearof this man grows and gathers in my breast. Half am I minded to give theword even now, for I breathe not freely till he be dead," and she madeas though to rise.
"Let it be till morning," he said, catching her by the hand; "thesoldiers drink, and the deed will be ill done. 'Tis pity too. I love notto think of men slaughtered in their sleep."
"In the morning, perchance, the hawk may have flown," she answered,pondering. "He hath keen ears, this Harmachis, and can summon things toaid him that are not of the earth. Perchance, even now he hears me inthe spirit; for, of a truth, I seem to feel his presence breathinground me. I could tell thee--but no, let him be! Noble Antony, be mytiring-woman and loose me this crown of gold, it chafes my brow. Begentle, hurt me not--so."
He lifted the uraeus crown from her brows, and she shook loose her heavyweight of hair that fell about her like a garment.
"Take back thy crown, royal Egypt," he said, speaking low, "take it frommy hand; I will not rob thee of it, but rather set it more firmly onthat beauteous brow."
"What means my Lord?" she asked, smiling and looking into his eyes.
"What mean I? Why then, this: thou camest hither at my bidding to makeanswer of the charges laid against thee as to matters politic. Andknowest thou, Egypt, that hadst thou been other than thou art thouhadst not gone back to queen it on the Nile; for of this I am sure, thecharges against thee are true in fact. But, being what thou art--andlook thou! never did Nature serve a woman better!--I forgive thee all.For the sake of thy grace and beauty I forgive thee that which had notbeen forgiven to virtue, or to patriotism, or to the dignity of age! Seenow how good a thing is woman's wit and loveliness, that can make kingsforget their duty and cozen even blindfolded Justice to peep ere shelifts her sword! Take back thy crown, O Egypt! It is now my care that,though it be heavy, it shall not chafe thee."
"These are royal words, most notable Antony," she made answer; "graciousand generous words, such as befit the Conqueror of the world! Andtouching my misdeeds in the past--if misdeeds there have been--I saythis, and this alone--then I knew not Antony. For, knowing Antony, whocould sin against him? What woman could lift a sword against one whomust be to all women as a God--one who, seen and known, draws after himthe whole allegiance of the heart, as the sun draws flowers? And whatmore can I say and not cross the bounds of woman's modesty? Why, onlythis--set that crown upon my brow, great Antony, and I will take it asa gift from thee, by the giving made doubly dear, and to thy uses I willguard it.
"There, now I am thy vassal Queen, and through me all old Egypt that Irule does homage to Antony the Triumvir, who shall be Antony the Emperorof Rome and Khem's Imperial Lord!"
And, having set the crown upon her locks, he stood gazing on her, grownpassionate in the warm breath of her living beauty, till at lengthhe caught her by both hands and drawing her to him kissed her thrice,saying:
"Cleopatra, I love thee, Sweet--I love thee as I never loved before."She drew back from his embrace, smiling softly; and as she did so thegolden circlet of the sacred snakes fell, being but loosely set upon herbrow, and rolled away into the darkness beyond the ring of light.
I saw the omen, and even in the bitter anguish of my heart knew its evilimport. But these twain took no note.
"Thou lovest me?" she said, most sweetly; "how know I that thou lovestme? Perchance it is Fulvia whom thou lovest--Fulvia, thy wedded wife?"
"Nay, it is not Fulvia, 'tis thou, Cleopatra, and thou alone. Many womenhave looked favourably upon me from my boyhood up, but to never a onehave I known such desire as to thee, O thou Wonder of the World, likeunto whom no woman ever was! Canst thou love me, Cleopatra, and to mebe true, not for my place or power, not for that which I can give or canwithhold, not for the stern music of my leg
ion's tramp, or for the lightthat flows from my bright Star of Fortune; but for myself, for the sakeof Antony, the rough captain, grown old in camps? Ay, for the sake ofAntony the reveller, the frail, the unfixed of purpose, but who yetnever did desert a friend, or rob a poor man, or take an enemy unawares?Say, canst thou love me, Egypt? Oh! if thou wilt, why, I am more happythan though I sat to-night in the Capitol at Rome crowned absoluteMonarch of the World!"
And, ever as he spoke, she gazed on him with wonderful eyes, and in themshone a light of truth and honesty such as was strange to me.
"Thou speakest plainly," she said, "and thy words are sweet to mineears--they would be sweet, even were things otherwise than they are,for what woman would not love to see the world's master at her feet? Butthings being as they are, why, Antony, what can be so sweet as thy sweetwords? The harbour of his rest to the storm-tossed mariner--surely thatis sweet! The dream of Heaven's bliss which cheers the poor asceticpriest on his path of sacrifice--surely that is sweet! The sight ofDawn, the rosy-fingered, coming in his promise to glad the watchingEarth--surely that is sweet! But, ah! not one of these, nor all deardelightful things that are, can match the honey-sweetness of thy wordsto me, O Antony! For thou knowest not--never canst thou know--how drearmy life hath been, and empty, since thus it is ordained that in loveonly can woman lose her solitude! And I have _never_ loved--never mightI love--till this happy night! Ay, take me in thy arms, and let us sweara great vow of love--an oath that may not be broken while life is inus! Behold! Antony! now and for ever I do vow most strict fidelity untothee! Now and for ever I am thine, and thine alone!"
Then Charmion took me by the hand and drew me thence.
"Hast seen enough?" she asked, when we were once more within the chamberand the lamp was lit.
"Yea," I answered; "my eyes are opened."