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me。 Be firm and prosper； royal Harmachis！〃 and bending forward she
took my hand and kissed it。 Then； with one strange last look； she
turned and led the way down the stair and through the empty halls。
In the chamber that is called the Alabaster Hall； the roof of which is
upborne by columns of black marble； we stayed。 For beyond was the
private chamber of Cleopatra； the same in which I had seen her
sleeping。
〃Abide thou here；〃 she said； 〃while I tell Cleopatra of thy coming；〃
and she glided from my side。
I stood for long； mayhap in all the half of an hour； counting my own
heart…beats； and； as in a dream； striving to gather up my strength to
that which lay before me。
At length Charmion came back； her head held low and walking heavily。
〃Cleopatra waits thee；〃 she said： 〃pass on； there is no guard。〃
〃Where do I meet thee when what must be done is done？〃 I asked
hoarsely。
〃Thou meetest me here； and then to Paulus。 Be firm and prosper。
Harmachis； fare thee well！〃
And so I went； but at the curtain I turned suddenly； and there in the
midst of that lonely lamplit hall I saw a strange sight。 Far away； in
such a fashion that the light struck full upon her； stood Charmion；
her head thrown back； her white arms outstretched as though to clasp；
and on her girlish face a stamp of anguished passion so terrible to
see that； indeed； I cannot tell it！ For she believed that I； whom she
loved； was passing to my death； and this was her last farewell to me。
But I knew naught of this matter； so with another passing pang of
wonder I drew aside the curtains； gained the doorway； and stood in
Cleopatra's chamber。 And there； upon a silken couch at the far end of
the perfumed chamber； clad in wonderful white attire； rested
Cleopatra。 In her hand was a jewelled fan of ostrich plumes； with
which she gently fanned herself； and by her side was her harp of
ivory； and a little table whereon were figs and goblets and a flask of
ruby…coloured wine。 I drew near slowly through the soft dim light to
where the Wonder of the World lay in all her glowing beauty。 And；
indeed； I have never seen her look so fair as she did upon that fatal
night。 Couched in her amber cushions； she seemed to shine as a star on
the twilight's glow。 Perfume came from her hair and robes； music fell
from her lips； and in her heavenly eyes all lights changed and
gathered as in the ominous opal's disc。
And this was the woman whom； presently； I must slay！
Slowly I drew near； bowing as I came； but she took no heed。 She lay
there； and the jewelled fan floated to and fro like the bright wing of
some hovering bird。
At length I stood before her； and she glanced up； the ostrich…plumes
pressed against her breast as though to hide its beauty。
〃What！ friend； art thou come？〃 she said。 〃It is well； for I grew
lonely here。 Nay； 'tis a weary world！ We know so many faces； and there
are so few whom we love to see again。 Well； stand not there so mute；
but be seated。〃 And she pointed with her fan to a carven chair that
was placed near her feet。
Once more I bowed and took the seat。
〃I have obeyed the Queen's desire；〃 I said； 〃and with much care and
skill worked out the lessons of the stars； and here is the record of
my labour。 If the Queen permits； I will expound it to her。〃 And I
rose； in order that I might pass round the couch and； as she read；
stab her in the back。
〃Nay； Harmachis；〃 she said quietly； and with a slow and lovely smile。
〃Bide thou where thou art； and give me the writing。 By Serapis！ thy
face is too comely for me to wish to lose the sight of it！〃
Checked in this design； I could do nothing but hand her the papyrus；
thinking to myself that while she read I would arise suddenly and
plunge the dagger to her heart。 She took it； and as she did so touched
my hand。 Then she made pretence to read。 But she read no word； for I
saw that her eyes were fixed upon me over the edge of the scroll。
〃Why placest thou thy hand within thy robe？〃 she asked presently； for；
indeed； I clutched the dagger's hilt。 〃Is thy heart stirred？〃
〃Yea； O Queen；〃 I said； 〃it beats high。〃
She gave no answer； but once more made pretence to read； and the while
she watched me。
I took counsel with myself。 How should I do the hateful deed？ If I
flung myself upon her now she would see me and scream and struggle。
Nay； I must wait a chance。
〃The auguries are favourable； then； Harmachis？〃 she said at length；
though this she must have guessed。
〃Yes； O Queen；〃 I answered。
〃It is well；〃 and she cast the writing on the marble。 〃The ships shall
sail。 For； good or bad； I am weary of weighing chances。〃
〃This is a heavy matter； O Queen；〃 I said。 〃I had wished to show upon
what circumstance I base my forecast。〃
〃Nay； not so； Harmachis； I have wearied of the ways of stars。 Thou
hast prophesied； that is enough for me； for； doubtless； being honest；
thou hast written honestly。 Therefore； save thou thy reasons and we'll
be merry。 What shall we do？ I could dance to theethere are none who
can dance so well！but it would scarce be queenly。 Nay； I have it。 I
will sing。〃 And； leaning forward； she raised herself； and； bending the
harp towards her； struck some wandering chords。 Then her low voice
broke out in perfect and most sweet song。
And thus she sang：
〃Night on the sea； and night upon the sky；
And music in our hearts； we floated there；
Lulled by the low sea voices； thou and I；
And the wind's kisses in my cloudy hair：
And thou didst gaze on me and call me fair
Enfolded by the starry robe of night
And then thy singing thrilled upon the air；
Voice of the heart's desire and Love's delight。
'Adrift； with starlit skies above；
With starlit seas below；
We move with all the suns that move；
With all the seas that flow；
For bond or free； Earth； Sky； and Sea；
Wheel with one circling will；
And thy heart drifteth on to me；
And only time stands still。
Between two shores of Death we drift；
Behind are things forgot：
Before the tide is driving swift
To lands beholden not。
Above； the sky is far and cold；
Below； the moaning sea
Sweeps o'er the loves that were of old；
But； oh； Love！ kiss thou me。
Ah； lonely are the ocean ways；
And dangerous the deep；
And frail the fairy barque that strays
Above the seas asleep！
Ah； toil no more at sail nor oar；
We drift； or bond or free；
On yon far shore the breakers roar；
But； oh； Love！ kiss thou me。'
〃And ever as thou sangest I drew near；
Then sudden silence heard our hearts that beat；
For now there was an end of doubt and fear；
Now passion filled my soul and led my feet；
Then silent didst thou rise thy love to meet；
Who； sinking on thy breast； knew naught