5/19/2023 0 Comments Harmachis cleopatra![]() ![]() “Where is thy vow, sworn on the dead heart of Menkau-ra, the ever-living? Where now thy challenge to this Roman Antony? Where thy oath that thou wouldest call me ‘husband’ in the face of Egypt?” and I choked and ceased. “What hast thou to say, Cleopatra?” I answered boldly. I felt the blood rush through me like a storm bitterness and burning anger took hold of my heart. Now, what hast thou to say? By what right didst thou dare to break in upon my talk with the Roman?” Perchance thou hast found another dagger. “Come not nigh me, Harmachis: I trust thee not. ![]() “Stand thou there,” she said, lifting her eyes for the first time. “Go,” she said to these, “I would speak with my astrologer.” So they went, and left us face to face. In the centre of the hall, near the fountain, sat Cleopatra, and with her were Charmion and the Greek girl Iras, and Merira and other of her waiting-ladies. I turned upon the slave with so fierce a word that, cur-like, he sprang behind me then I passed on to the Alabaster Hall, and was admitted by the guards. Unhappy, therefore, are the Great, for they may fall! For to come low after being great is to learn all shame. An hour past this fellow would have crawled to me on his knees but he had heard, and now he treated me-so brutish is the nature of such slaves-as the world treats the fallen, with scorn. AND at length, all being gone, I, too, turned to go, when a eunuch struck me on the shoulder and roughly bade me wait on the presence of the Queen. ![]()
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