Cleopatra
Page 35
CHAPTER I
OF THE ESCAPE OF HARMACHIS FROM TARSUS; OF HIS BEING CAST FORTH AS ANOFFERING TO THE GODS OF THE SEA; OF HIS SOJOURN IN THE ISLE OF CYPRUS;OF HIS RETURN TO ABOUTHIS; AND OF THE DEATH OF AMENEMHAT
I made my way down the stair in safety, and presently stood in thecourtyard of that great house. It was but an hour from dawn, and nonewere stirring. The last reveller had drunk his fill, the dancing-girlshad ceased their dancing, and silence lay upon the city. I drew near thegate, and was challenged by an officer who stood on guard, wrapped in aheavy cloak.
"Who passes," said the voice of Brennus.
"A merchant, may it please you, Sir, who, having brought gifts fromAlexandria to a lady of the Queen's household, and, having beenentertained of the lady, now departs to his galley," I answered in afeigned voice.
"Umph!" he growled. "The ladies of the Queen's household keep theirguests late. Well; it is a time of festival. The pass-word, SirShopkeeper? Without the pass-word you must needs return and crave thelady's further hospitality."
"'_Antony_,' Sir; and a right good word, too. Ah! I've wandered far, andnever saw I so goodly a man or so great a general. And, mark you, Sir!I've travelled far, and seen many generals."
"Ay; '_Antony_''s the word! And Antony is a good general in hisway--when it is a sober way, and when he cannot find a skirt to follow.I've served with Antony--and against him, too; and know his points.Well, well; he's got an armful now!"
And all this while that he was holding me in talk, the sentry had beenpacing to and fro before the gate. But now he moved a little way to theright, leaving the entrance clear.
"Fare thee well, Harmachis, and begone!" whispered Brennus, leaningforward and speaking quickly. "Linger not. But at times bethink thee ofBrennus who risked his neck to save thine. Farewell, lad, I would thatwe were sailing North together," and he turned his back upon me andbegan to hum a tune.
"Farewell, Brennus, thou honest man," I answered, and was gone. And, asI heard long afterwards, when on the morrow the hue and cry wasraised because the murderers could not find me, though they sought meeverywhere to slay me, Brennus did me a service. For he swore that ashe kept his watch alone an hour after midnight he saw me come and standupon the parapet of the roof, that then I stretched out my robesand they became wings on which I floated up to Heaven, leaving himastonished. And all those about the Court lent ear to this history,believing in it, because of the great fame of my magic; and theywondered much what the marvel might portend. The tale also travelledinto Egypt, and did much to save my good name among those whom I hadbetrayed; for the more ignorant among them believed that I acted notof my will, but of the will of the dread Gods, who of their own purposewafted me into Heaven. And thus to this day the saying runs that "_WhenHarmachis comes again Egypt shall be free._" But alas, Harmachis comesno more! Only Cleopatra, though she was much afraid, doubted her of thetale, and sent an armed vessel to search for the Syrian merchant, butnot to find him, as shall be told.