Charmionshiveredandmadeanswer:”Itistrue，OQueen；Ialsowasoftheplot，andbecauseHarmachisscornedmeIbetrayedhim；andbecauseofmygreatloveforhimIhaveremainedunwed。”Andsheglancedupatmeandcaughtmyeyes，thenletthemodestlashesveilherown。”So！Ithoughtit。Strangearethewaysofwomen！Butlittlecause，methinks，hadthatHarmachistothanktheeforthylove。Whatsayestthou，Olympus？Ah，andsothoualsowastatraitor，Charmion？HowdangerousarethepathswhichMonarchstread！Well，Iforgivethee，forthouhastservedmefaithfullysincethathour。”Buttomytale。HarmachisIdarednotslay，lesthisgreatpartyshouldriseinfuryandcastmefromthethrone。Andnowmarktheissue。Thoughhemustmurderme，insecretthisHarmachislovedme，andsomethingthereofIguessed。Ihadstrivenalittletodrawhimtome，forthesakeofhisbeautyandhiswit；andfortheloveofmanCleopatraneverstroveinvain。Thereforewhen，withthedaggerinhisrobe，hecametoslayme，Imatchedmycharmsagainsthiswill，andneedItellyou，beingmanandwoman，howIwon？Oh，nevercanI
forgetthelookintheeyesofthatfallenprince，thatforswornpriest，thatdiscrownedPharaoh，when，lostinthepoppieddraught，I
sawhimsinkintoashamefulsleepwhencehemightnomorewakewithhonour！And，thereafter——till，intheend，Iweariedofhim，andhissadlearnedmind，forhisguiltysoulforbadehimtobegay——alittleIcametocareforhim，thoughnottolove。Buthe——hewholovedme——
clungtomeasadrunkardtothecupwhichruinshim。DeemingthatI
shouldwedhim，hebetrayedtomethesecretofthehiddenwealthofthepyramidof/Her/——foratthetimeImuchneededtreasure——andtogetherwedaredtheterrorsofthetombanddrewitforth，evenfromdeadPharaoh’sbreast。See，thisemeraldwasapartthereof！”——andshepointedtothegreatscarab？usthatshehaddrawnfromtheholyheartofMenkau-ra。”Andbecauseofwhatwaswritteninthetomb，andofthatThingwhichwesawinthetomb——ah，pestuponit！whydoesitsmemoryhauntmenow？——andalsobecauseofpolicy，forIwouldfainhavewontheloveoftheEgyptians，IwasmindedtomarrythisHarmachisanddeclarehisplaceandlineagetotheworld——ay，andbyhisaidholdEgyptfromtheRoman。ForDelliushadthencometocallmetoAntony，andaftermuchthoughtIdeterminedtosendhimbackwithsharpwords。Butonthatverymorning，asItiredmefortheCourt，cameCharmionyonder，andI
toldherthis，forIwouldseehowthematterfelluponhermind。Nowmark，Olympus，thepowerofjealousy，thatlittlewedgewhichyethasstrengthtorendthetreeofEmpire，thatsecretswordwhichcancarvethefateofKings！Thisshecouldinnowisebear——denyit，Charmion，ifthoucanst，fornowitiscleartome！——thatthemanshelovedshouldbegiventomeashusband——me，whom/he/loved！Andtherefore，withmoreskillandwitthanIcantell，shereasonedwithme，showingthatIshouldbynomeansdothisthing，butjourneytoAntony；andforthat，Charmion，Ithankthee，nowthatalliscomeandgone。Andbyaverylittle，herwordsweigheddownmyscaleofjudgmentagainstHarmachis，andIwenttoAntony。ThusitisthroughthejealousspleenofyonderfairCharmionandthepassionofamanonwhichIplayedasonalyre，thatallthesethingshavecometopass。ForthiscauseOctaviansitsaKinginAlexandria；forthiscauseAntonyisdiscrownedanddead；andforthiscauseI，too，mustdieto-night！Ah！
Charmion！Charmion！thouhastmuchtoanswer，forthouhastchangedthestoryoftheworld；andyet，evennow——Iwouldnothaveitotherwise！”
Shepausedawhile，coveringhereyeswithherhand；and，looking，I
sawgreattearsuponthecheekofCharmion。”AndofthisHarmachis，”Iasked；”whereishenow，OQueen？””Whereishe？InAmenti，forsooth——makinghispeacewithIsis，perchance。AtTarsusIsawAntony，andlovedhim；andfromthatmomentIloathedthesightoftheEgyptian，andsworetomakeanendofhim；
foraloverdonewithshouldbealoverdead。And，beingjealous，hespokesomewordsofevilomen，evenatthatFeastofthePearl；andonthesamenightIwouldhaveslainhim，butbeforethedeedwasdone，hewasgone。””Andwhitherwashegone？””Nay；thatknownotI。Brennus——hewholedmyguard，andlastyearsailedNorthtojoinhisownpeople——Brennussworehesawhimfloattotheskies；butinthismatterImisdoubtedmeofBrennus，formethinkshelovedtheman。Nay，hesankoffCyprus，andwasdrowned；perchanceCharmioncantellushow？””Icantelltheenothing，OQueen；Harmachisislost。””Andwelllost，Charmion，forhewasanevilmantoplaywith——ay，althoughIbetteredhimIsayit！Wellheservedmypurpose；butI
lovedhimnot，andevennowIfearhim；foritseemedtomethatI
heardhisvoicesummoningmetofly，throughthedinofthefightatActium。ThanksbetotheGods，asthousayest，heislost，andcannomorebefound。”
ButI，listening，putforthmystrength，and，bytheartsIhave，casttheshadowofmySpiritupontheSpiritofCleopatrasothatshefeltthepresenceofthelostHarmachis。”Nay，whatisit？”shesaid。”BySerapis！Igrowafraid！ItseemstomethatIfeelHarmachishere！Hismemoryoverwhelmsmelikeafloodofwaters，andhethesetenyearsdead！Oh！atsuchatimeitisunholy！””Nay，OQueen，”Ianswered，”ifhebedeadthenheiseverywhere，andwellatsuchatime——thetimeofthyowndeath——mayhisSpiritdrawneartowelcomethineatitsgoing。””Speaknotthus，Olympus。IwouldseeHarmachisnomore；thecountbetweenusistooheavy，andinanotherworldthanthismoreevenly，perchanceshouldwebematched。Ah，theterrorpasses！Iwasbutunnerved。Wellthefool’sstoryhathservedtowileawaytheheaviestofourhours，thehourwhichendsindeath。Singtome，Charmion，sing，forthyvoiceisverysweet，andIwouldsoothemysoultosleep。ThememoryofthatHarmachishaswrungmestrangely！Sing，then，thelastsongIshallhearfromthosetunefullipsofthine，thelastofsomanysongs。””Itisasadhourforsong，OQueen！”saidCharmion；but，nevertheless，shetookherharpandsang。Andthusshesang，verysoftandlow，thedirgeofthesweet-tonguedSyrianMeleager:
Tearsformyladydead，Heliodore！
Salttearsandstrangetoshed，Overando’er；
GotearsandlowlamentFarefromhertomb，Wendwheremyladywent，Downthroughthegloom——
Sighsformyladydead，TearsdoIsend，Longloveremembered，Mistressandfriend！
Sadarethesongswesing，Tearsthatweshed，Emptythegiftswebring——
Giftstothedead！
Ah，formyflower，myLove，Hadeshathtaken，Ah，forthedustabove，Scatteredandshaken！
Motherofbladeandgrass，Earth，inthybreastLullherthatgentlestwas，Gentlytorest！
Themusicofhervoicediedaway，anditwassosweetandsadthatIrasbegantoweepandthebrighttearsstoodinCleopatra’sstormyeyes。OnlyIweptnot；mytearsweredry。”’Tisaheavysongofthine，Charmion，”saidtheQueen。”Well，asthousaidst，itisasadhourforsong，andthydirgeisfittedtothehour。SingitovermeonceagainwhenIliedead，Charmion。Andnowfarewelltomusic，andontotheend。Olympus，takeyonderparchmentandwritewhatIshallsay。”
Itooktheparchmentandthereed，andwrotethusintheRomantongue:”CleopatratoOctavianus，greeting。”Thisisthestateoflife。Atlengththerecomesanhourwhen，ratherthanendurethoseburdensthatoverwhelmus，puttingoffthebodywewouldtakewingintoforgetfulness。C？sar，thouhastconquered:takethouthespoilsofvictory。ButinthytriumphCleopatracannotwalk。Whenallislost，thenwemustgotoseekthelost。ThusinthedesertofDespairthebravedoharvestResolution。CleopatrahathbeengreatasAntonywasgreat，norshallherfamebeminishedinthemannerofherend。Slaveslivetoenduretheirwrong；butPrinces，treadingwithafirmerstep，passthroughthegatesofWrongintotheroyalDwellingsoftheDead。ThisonlydothEgyptaskofC？sar——thathesufferhertolieinthetombofAntony。Farewell！”
ThisIwrote，andhavingsealedthewriting，Cleopatrabademegofindamessenger，despatchittoC？sar，andthenreturn。SoIwent，andatthedoorofthetombIcalledasoldierwhowasnotonduty，and，givinghimmoney，badehimtakethelettertoC？sar。ThenIwentback，andthereinthechamberthethreewomenstoodinsilence，CleopatraclingingtothearmofIras，andCharmionalittleapartwatchingthetwain。”Ifindeedthouartmindedtomakeanend，OQueen，”Isaid，”thetimeisshort，forpresentlyC？sarwillsendhisservantsinanswertothyletter，”andIdrewforththephialofwhiteanddeadlybaneandsetitupontheboard。
Shetookitinherhandandgazedthereon。”Howinnocentitseems！”
shesaid；”andyetthereinliesmydeath。’Tisstrange。””Ay，Queen，andthedeathoftenotherfolk。Noneedtotakesolongadraught。””Ifear，”shegasped——”howknowIthatitwillslayoutright？Ihaveseensomanydiebypoisonandscarceonehasdiedoutright。Andsome——ah，Icannotthinkonthem！””Fearnot，”Isaid，”Iamamasterofmycraft。Or，ifthoudostfear，castthispoisonforthandlive。InRomethoumayststillfindhappiness；ay，inRome，wherethoushaltwalkinC？sar’striumph，whilethelaughterofthehard-eyedLatinwomenshallchimedownthemusicofthygoldenchains。””Nay，Iwilldie，Olympus。Oh，ifonewouldbutshowthepath。”
ThenIrasloosedherhandandsteppedforward。”Givemethedraught，Physician，”shesaid。”IgotomakereadyformyQueen。””Itiswell，”Ianswered；”onthyownheadbeit！”andIpouredfromthephialintoalittlegoldengoblet。
Sheraisedit，curtsiedlowtoCleopatra，then，comingforward，kissedheronthebrow，andCharmionshealsokissed。Thisdone，tarryingnotandmakingnoprayer，forIraswasaGreek，shedrank，and，puttingherhandtoherhead，instantlyfelldownanddied。”Thouseest，”Isaid，breakinginuponthesilence，”itisswift。””Ay，Olympus；thineisamasterdrug！Comenow，Ithirst；fillmethebowl，lestIraswearyinwaitingatthegates！”
SoIpouredafreshintothegoblet；butthistime，makingpretencetorinsethecup，Imixedalittlewaterwiththebane，forIwasnotmindedthatsheshoulddiebeforesheknewme。
ThendidtheroyalCleopatra，takingthegobletinherhand，turnherlovelyeyestoheavenandcryaloud:”OyeGodsofEgypt！whohavedesertedme，toyounolongerwillI
pray，foryourearsareshutuntomycryingandyoureyesblindtomygriefs！Therefore，ImakeentreatyofthatlastfriendwhomtheGods，departing，leavetohelplessman。Sweephither，Death，whosewinnowingwingsenshadowalltheworld，andgivemeear！Drawnigh，thouKingofKings！who，withanequalhand，bringestthefortunateheadofonepillowwiththeslave，andbythyspiritualbreathdostwaftthebubbleofourlifefarfromthishellofearth！Hidemewherewindsblownotandwatersceasetoroll；wherewarsaredoneandC？sar’slegionscannotmarch！Takemetoanewdominion，andcrownmeQueenofPeace！ThouartmyLord，ODeath，andinthykissIhaveconceived。I
aminlabourofaSoul:see——itstandsnew-bornupontheedgeofTime！
Now——now——go，Life！Come，Sleep！Come，Antony！”
And，withoneglancetoheaven，shedrank，andcastthegoblettotheground。
Thenatlastcamethemomentofmypent-upvengeance，andofthevengeanceofEgypt’soutragedGods，andofthefallingofthecurseofMenkau-ra。”What’sthis？”shecried；”Igrowcold，butIdienot！Thoudarkphysician，thouhastbetrayedme！””Peace，Cleopatra！PresentlyshaltthoudieandknowthefuryoftheGods！/ThecurseofMenkau-rahathfallen！/Itisfinished！Lookuponme，woman！Lookuponthismarredface，thistwistedform，thislivingmassofsorrow！/Look！look！/WhoamI？”
Shestareduponmewildly。”Oh！oh！”sheshrieked，throwingupherarms；”atlastIknowthee！BytheGods，thouartHarmachis！——Harmachisrisenfromthedead！””Ay，Harmachisrisenfromthedeadtodragtheedowntodeathandagonyeternal！See，thouCleopatra；/I/haveruinedtheeasthoudidstruinme！I，workinginthedark，andhelpedoftheangryGods，havebeenthysecretspringofwoe！IfilledthyheartwithfearatActium；
IheldtheEgyptiansfromthyaid；IsappedthestrengthofAntony；I
showedtheportentoftheGodsuntothycaptains！Bymyhandatlengththoudiest，forIamtheinstrumentofVengeance！RuinIpaytheebackforruin，Treacheryfortreachery，Deathfordeath！Comehither，Charmion，partnerofmyplots，whobetrayedme，but，repenting，artthesharerofmytriumph，comewatchthisfallenwantondie！”
Cleopatraheard，andsankbackuponthegoldenbed，groaning”Andthou，too，Charmion！”
Amomentsoshesat，thenherImperialspiritburntupgloriousbeforeshedied。
Shestaggeredfromthebed，and，witharmsoutstretched，shecursedme。”Oh！foronehouroflife！”shecried——”oneshorthour，thatthereinI
mightmaketheedieinsuchfashionasthoucanstnotdream，thouandthatfalseparamourofthine，whobetrayedbothmeandthee！Andthoudidstloveme！Ah，/there/Ihavetheestill！See，thousubtle，plottingpriest”——andwithbothhandssherentbacktheroyalrobesfromherbosom——”see，onthisfairbreastoncenightbynightthyheadwaspillowed，andthoudidstsleepwrappedinthesesamearms。Now，putawaytheirmemory/ifthoucanst！/Ireaditinthineeyes——thatmaystthounot！NotorturewhichIbearcan，initssum，drawnightotherageofthatdeepsoulofthine，rentwithlongingsnever，nevertobereached！Harmachis，thouslaveofslaves，fromthytriumph-
depthsIsnatchadeepertriumph，andconqueredyetIconquer！Ispituponthee——Idefythee——and，dying，doomtheetothetormentofthydeathlesslove！OAntony！Icome，myAntony！——Icometothyowndeararms！SoonIshallfindthee，and，wrappedinaloveundyinganddivine，togetherwewillfloatthroughallthedepthsofspace，and，lipstolipsandeyestoeyes，drinkofdesiresgrownmoresweetwitheverydraught！OrifIfindtheenot，thenIshallsinkinpeacedownthepoppiedwaysofSleep:andformethebreastofNight，whereonI
shallbesoftlycradled，willyetseemthybosom，Antony！Oh，Idie！——
come，Antony——andgivemepeace！”
EveninmyfuryIhadquailedbeneathherscorn，forhomeflewthearrowsofherwingedwords。Alas！andalas！itwas/true/——theshaftofmyvengeancefelluponmyownhead；neverhadIlovedherasI
lovedhernow。Mysoulwasrentwithjealoustorture，andthusIsworesheshouldnotdie。”Peace！”Icried；”whatpeaceisthereforthee？Oh！yeHolyThree，hearnowmyprayer。Osiris，loosenThouthebondsofHellandsendforththosewhomIshallsummon！ComePtolemy，poisonedofthysisterCleopatra；comeArsino？，murderedinthesanctuarybythysisterCleopatra；comeSepa，torturedtodeathofCleopatra；comeDivineMenkau-ra，whosebodyCleopatratoreandwhosecurseshebravedforgreed；comeone，comeallwhohavediedatthehandsofCleopatra！
RushfromthebreastofNoutandgreetherwhomurderedyou！Bythelinkofmysticunion，bythesymboloftheLife，Spirits，Isummonyou！”
ThusIspokethespell；whileCharmion，affrighted，clungtomyrobe，andthedyingCleopatra，restingonherhands，swungslowlytoandfro，gazingwithvacanteyes。
Thentheanswercame。Thecasementburstasunder，andonflitteringwingsthatgreatbatenteredwhichlastIhadseenhangingtotheeunuch’schininthewombofthepyramidof/Her/。Thriceitcircledround，onceithoveredo’erdeadIras，thenflewtowherethedyingwomanstood。Toheritflew，onherbreastitsettled，clingingtothatemeraldwhichwasdraggedfromthedeadheartofMenkau-ra。
ThricethegreyHorrorscreamedaloud，thriceitbeatitsbonywings，andlo！itwasgone。
ThensuddenlywithinthatchamberspranguptheShapesofDeath。TherewasArsino？，thebeautiful，evenasshehadshrunkbeneaththebutcher’sknife。TherewasyoungPtolemy，hisfeaturestwistedbythepoisonedcup。TherewasthemajestyofMenkau-ra，crownedwiththeur？uscrown；therewasgraveSepa，hisfleshalltornbythetorturer’shooks；therewerethosepoisonedslaves；andtherewereotherswithoutnumber，shadowyanddreadfultobehold！who，throngingthatnarrowchamber，stoodsilentlyfixingtheirglassyeyesuponthefaceofherwhoslewthem！”Behold！Cleopatra！”Isaid。”/Beholdthypeace，anddie！/””Ay！”saidCharmion。”Beholdanddie！thouwhodidstrobmeofmyhonour，andEgyptofherKing！”
Shelooked，shesawtheawfulShapes——herSpirit，hurryingfromtheflesh，mayhapcouldhearwordstowhichmyearsweredeaf。Thenherfacesankinwithterror，hergreateyesgrewpale，and，shrieking，Cleopatrafellanddied:passing，withthatdreadcompany，toherappointedplace。
Thus，then，I，Harmachis，fedmysoulwithvengeance，fulfillingthejusticeoftheGods，andyetknewmyselfemptyofalljoytherein。Forthoughthatthingweworshipdothbringusruin，andLovebeingmorepitilessthanDeath，weinturndopayalloursorrowback；yetwemustworshipon，yetstretchoutourarmstowardsourlostDesire，andpourourheart’sbloodupontheshrineofourdiscrownedGod。
ForLoveisoftheSpirit，andknowsnotDeath。
CHAPTERIX
OFTHEFAREWELLOFCHARMION；OFTHEDEATHOFCHARMION；OF
THEDEATHOFTHEOLDWIFE，ATOUA；OFTHECOMINGOFHARMACHIS
TOABOUTHIS；OFHISCONFESSIONINTHEHALLOFSIX-AND-THIRTY
PILLARS；ANDOFTHEDECLARINGOFTHEDOOMOFHARMACHIS
Charmionunclaspedmyarm，towhichshehadclunginterror。”Thyvengeance，thoudarkHarmachis，”shesaid，inahoarsevoice，”isathinghideoustobehold！OlostEgypt，withallthysinsthouwastindeedaQueen！”Come，aidme，Prince；letusstretchthispoorclayuponthebedanddeckitroyally，sothatitmaygiveitsdumbaudiencetothemessengersofC？sarasbecomesthelastofEgypt’sQueens。”
Ispokenowordinanswer，formyheartwasveryheavy，andnowthatallwasdoneIwasweary。Together，then，weliftedupthebodyandlaiditonthegoldenbed。Charmionplacedtheur？uscrownupontheivorybrow，andcombedthenight-darkhairthatshowedneverathreadofsilver，and，forthelasttime，shutthoseeyeswhereinhadshoneallthechanginggloriesofthesea。ShefoldedthechillhandsuponthebreastwhencePassion’sbreathhadfled，andstraightenedthebentkneesbeneaththebroideredrobe，andbytheheadsetflowers。AndthereatlengthCleopatralay，moresplendidnowinhercoldmajestyofdeaththaninherrichesthourofbreathingbeauty！
Wedrewbackandlookedonher，andondeadIrasatherfeet。”Itisdone！”quothCharmion；”weareavenged，andnow，Harmachis，dostfollowbythissameroad？”Andshenoddedtowardsthephialontheboard。”Nay，Charmion。Ifly——Iflytoaheavierdeath！NotthuseasilymayI
endmyspaceofearthlypenance。””Sobeit，Harmachis！AndI，Harmachis——Iflyalso，butwithswifterwings。Mygameisplayed。I，too，havemadeatonement。Oh！whatabitterfateismine，tohavebroughtmiseryonallIlove，and，intheend，todieunloved！TotheeIhaveatoned；tomyangeredGodsIhaveatoned；andnowIgotofindawaywherebyImayatonetoCleopatrainthatHellwheresheis，andwhichImustshare！Forshelovedmewell，Harmachis；and，nowthatsheisdead，methinksthat，afterthee，I
lovedherbestofall。SoofhercupandthecupofIrasIwillsurelydrink！”Andshetookthephial，andwithasteadyhandpouredwhatwasleftofthepoisonintothegoblet。”Bethinkthee，Charmion，”Isaid；”yetmaystthouliveformanyyears，hidingthesesorrowsbeneaththewithereddays。””YetImay，butIwillnot！Tolivethepreyofsomanymemories，thefountofanundyingshamethatnightbynight，asIliesleepless，shallwellafreshfrommysorrow-strickenheart！——tolivetornbyaloveIcannotlose！——tostandalonelikesomestorm-twistedtree，and，sighingdaybydaytothewindsofheaven，gazeuponthedesertofmylife，whileIwaitthelingeringlightning’sstroke——nay，thatwillnotI，Harmachis！Ihaddiedlongsince，butIlivedontoservethee；
nownomorethouneedestme，andIgo。Oh，faretheewell！——foreverfaretheewell！FornotagainshallIlookagainuponthyface，andthereIgothougoestnot！Forthoudostnotlovemewhostilldostlovethatqueenlywomanthouhasthoundedtothedeath！Herthoushaltneverwin，andItheeshallneverwin，andthisisthebitterendofFate！See，Harmachis:IaskoneboonbeforeIgoandforalltimebecomenaughttotheebutamemoryofshame。Tellmethatthoudostforgivemesofarasthineistoforgive，andintokenthereofkissme——withnolover’skiss，butkissmeonthebrow，andbidmepassinpeace。”
Andshedrewneartomewitharmsoutstretchedandpitifultremblinglipsandgazeduponmyface。”Charmion，”Ianswered，”wearefreetoactforgoodorevil，andyetmethinksthereisaFateaboveourfate，that，blowingfromsomestrangeshore，compelsourlittlesailsofpurpose，setthemaswewill，anddrivesustodestruction。Iforgivethee，Charmion，asI
trustinturntobeforgiven，andbythiskiss，thefirstandthelast，Isealourpeace。”AndwithmylipsItouchedherbrow。
Shespokenomore；onlyforalittlewhileshestoodgazingonmewithsadeyes。Thensheliftedthegoblet，andsaid:”RoyalHarmachis，inthisdeadlycupIpledgethee！WouldthatIhaddrunkofitereeverIlookeduponthyface！Pharaoh，who，thysinsoutworn，yetshaltruleinperfectpeaceo’erworldsImaynottread，whoyetshaltswayakingliersceptrethanthatIrobbedtheeof，forever，faretheewell！”
Shedrank，castdownthecup，andforamomentstoodwiththewideeyesofonewholooksforDeath。ThenHecame，andCharmiontheEgyptianfellproneuponthefloor，dead。AndforamomentmoreI
stoodalonewiththedead。
IcrepttothesideofCleopatra，and，nowthatnonewerelefttosee，Isatdownonthebedandlaidherheaduponmyknee，asoncebeforeithadbeenlaidinthatnightofsacrilegebeneaththeshadowoftheeverlastingpyramid。ThenIkissedherchillbrowandwentfromtheHouseofDeath——avenged，butsorelysmittenwithdespair！”Physician，”saidtheofficeroftheGuardasIwentthroughthegates，”whatpassesyonderintheMonument？MethoughtIheardthesoundsofdeath。””Naughtpasses——allhathpassed，”Imadereply，andwent。
AndasIwentinthedarknessIheardthesoundofvoicesandtherunningofthefeetofC？sar’smessengers。
FlyingswiftlytomyhouseIfoundAtouawaitingatthegates。Shedrewmeintoaquietchamberandclosedthedoors。”Isitdone？”sheasked，andturnedherwrinkledfacetomine，whilethelamplightstreamedwhiteuponhersnowyhair。”Nay，whyaskI——I
knowthatitisdone！””Ay，itisdone，andwelldone，oldwife！Allaredead！Cleopatra，Iras，Charmion——allsavemyself！”
Theagedwomandrewupherbentformandcried:”Nowletmegoinpeace，forIhaveseenmydesireuponthyfoesandthefoesofKhem。
/La！la！/——notinvainhaveIlivedonbeyondtheyearsofman！Ihaveseenmydesireuponthyenemies——IhavegatheredthedewsofDeath，andthyfoehathdrunkthereof！FallenisthebrowofPride！theShameofKhemislevelwiththedust！Ah，wouldthatImighthaveseenthatwantondie！””Cease，woman！cease！TheDeadaregatheredtotheDead！Osirisholdsthemfast，andeverlastingsilencesealstheirlips！Pursuenotthefallengreatwithinsults！Up！——letusflytoAbouthis，thatallmaybeaccomplished！””Flythou，Harmachis！——Harmachis，fly——butIflynot！TothisendonlyIhavelingeredontheearth。NowIuntietheknotoflifeandletmyspiritfree！Faretheewell，Prince，thepilgrimageisdone！
Harmachis，fromababehaveIlovedthee，andlovetheeyet！——butnomoreinthisworldmayIsharethygriefs——Iamspent。Osiris，takethoumySpirit！”andhertremblingkneesgavewayandshesanktotheground。
Irantohersideandlookeduponher。Shewasalreadydead，andIwasaloneupontheearthwithoutafriendtocomfortme！
ThenIturnedandwent，nomanhinderingme，forallwasconfusioninthecity，anddepartedfromAlexandriainavesselIhadmadeready。
Ontheeighthday，Ilanded，and，inthecarryingoutofmypurpose，travelledonfootacrossthefieldstotheHolyShrineofAbouthis。
Andhere，asIknew，theworshipoftheGodshadbeenlatelysetupagainintheTempleoftheDivineSethi:forCharmionhadcausedCleopatratorepentofherdecreeofvengeanceandtorestorethelandsthatshehadseized，thoughthetreasuresherestorednot。Andthetemplehavingbeenpurified，now，attheseasonoftheFeastofIsis，alltheHighPriestsoftheancientTemplesofEgyptweregatheredtogethertocelebratethecominghomeoftheGodsintotheirholyplace。
Igainedthecity。ItwasontheseventhdayoftheFeastofIsis。
EvenasIcamethelongarraywendedthroughthewell-rememberedstreets。Ijoinedinthemultitudethatfollowed，andwithmyvoiceswelledthechorusofthesolemnchantaswepassedthroughthepylonsintotheimperishablehalls。Howwellknownweretheholywords:”Softlywetread，ourmeasuredfootstepsfallingWithintheSanctuarySevenfold；
SoftontheDeadthatlivetharewecalling:
’Return，Osiris，fromthyKingdomcold！
Returntothemthatworshiptheeofold！’”
Andthen，whenthesacredmusicceased，asaforetimeonthesettingofthemajestyofRa，theHighPriestraisedthestatueofthelivingGodandhelditonhighbeforethemultitude。
Withajoyfulshoutof”Osiris！ourhope，Osiris！Osiris！”
thepeopletoretheblackwrappingsfromtheirdress，showingthewhiterobesbeneath，and，asoneman，bowedbeforetheGod。
Thentheywenttofeasteachathishome；butIstayedinthecourtofthetemple。
Presentlyapriestofthetempledrewnear，andaskedmeofmybusiness。AndIansweredhimthatIcamefromAlexandria，andwouldbeledbeforethecounciloftheHighPriests，forIknewthattheHolyPriestsweregatheredtogetherdebatingthetidingsfromAlexandria。
Thereonthemanleft，andtheHighPriests，hearingthatIwasfromAlexandria，orderedthatIshouldbeledintotheirpresenceintheHallofColumns——andsoIwasledin。Itwasalreadydark，andbetweenthegreatpillarslightswereset，asonthatnightwhenIwascrownedPharaohoftheUpperandtheLowerLand。There，too，wasthelonglineofDignitariesseatedintheircarvenchairs，andtakingcounseltogether。Allwasthesame；thesamecoldimagesofKingsandGodsgazedwiththesameemptyeyesfromtheeverlastingwalls。Ay，more；
amongthosegatheredtherewerefiveoftheverymenwho，asleadersofthegreatplot，hadsatheretoseemecrowned，beingtheonlyconspiratorswhohadescapedthevengeanceofCleopatraandtheclutchinghandofTime。
ItookmystandonthespotwhereonceIhadbeencrownedandmademereadyforthelastactofshamewithsuchbitternessofheartascannotbewritten。”Why，itisthephysicianOlympus，”saidone。”HewholivedahermitintheTombsofTápé，andwhobutlatelywasofthehouseholdofCleopatra。Isit，then，truethattheQueenisdeadbyherownhand，Physician？””Yea，holySirs，Iamthatphysician；alsoCleopatraisdeadby/my/
hand。””Bythyhand？Why，howcomesthis？——thoughwellisshedead，forsooth，thewickedwanton！””Yourpardon，Sirs，andIwilltellyouall，forIamcomehithertothatend。Perchanceamongyoutheremaybesome——methinksIseesome——
who，nighelevenyearsago，weregatheredinthishalltosecretlycrownoneHarmachis，PharaohofKhem？””Itistrue！”theysaid；”buthowknowestthouthesethings，thouOlympus？””Oftherestofthoseseven-and-thirtynobles，”Iwenton，makingnoanswer，”aretwo-and-thirtymissing。Somearedead，asAmenemhatisdead；someareslain，asSepaisslain；andsome，perchance，yetlabourasslaveswithinthemines，orliveafar，fearingvengeance。””Itisso，”theysaid:”alas！itisso。Harmachistheaccursedbetrayedtheplot，andsoldhimselftothewantonCleopatra！””Itisso，”Iwenton，liftingupmyhead。”HarmachisbetrayedtheplotandsoldhimselftoCleopatra；and，holySirs——/IamthatHarmachis！/”
ThePriestsandDignitariesgazedastonished。Someroseandspoke；
somesaidnaught。”IamthatHarmachis！Iamthattraitor，treblysteepedincrime！——atraitortomyGods，atraitortomyCountry，atraitortomyOath！I
comehithertosaythatIhavedonethis。IhaveexecutedtheDivinevengeanceonherwhoruinedmeandgaveEgypttotheRoman。Andnowthat，afteryearsoftoilandpatientwaiting，thisisaccomplishedbymywisdomandthehelpoftheangryGods，beholdIcomewithallmyshameuponmyheadtodeclarethethingIam，andtakethetraitor’sguerdon！””Mindestthouofthedoomofhimwhohathbroketheoaththatmaynotbebroke？”askedhewhofirsthadspoken，inheavytones。”Iknowitwell，”Ianswered；”Icourtthatawfuldoom。””Tellusmoreofthismatter，thouwhowastHarmachis。”
So，incoldclearwords，Ilaidbareallmyshame，keepingbacknothing。AndeverasIspokeIsawtheirfacesgrowmorehard，andknewthatformetherewasnomercy；nordidIaskit，nor，hadI
asked，couldithavebeengranted。
When，atlast，Ihaddone，theyputmeasidewhiletheytookcounsel。
Thentheydrewmeforthagain，andtheeldestamongthem，amanveryoldandvenerable，thePriestoftheTempleoftheDivineHatshepuatTápé，spoke，inicyaccents:”ThouHarmachis，wehaveconsideredthismatter。Thouhastsinnedthethreefolddeadlysin。OnthyheadliestheburdenofthewoeofKhem，thisdayenthralledofRome。ToIsis，theMotherMystery，thouhastofferedthedeadlyinsult，andthouhastbrokenthyholyoath。Forallofthesesinsthereis，aswellthouknowest，butonereward，andthatrewardisthine。Naughtcanitweighinthebalanceofourjusticethatthouhastslainherwhowasthycauseofstumbling；naughtthatthoucomesttonamethyselfthevilestthingwhoeverstoodwithinthesewalls。OntheealsomustfallthecurseofMenkau-ra，thoufalsepriest！thouforswornpatriot！thouPharaohshamefulanddiscrowned！
Here，wherewesettheDoubleCrownuponthyhead，wedoomtheetothedoom！Gotothydungeonandawaitthefallingofitsstroke！Go，rememberingwhatthoumightesthavebeenandwhatthouart，andmaythoseGodswhothroughthyevildoingshallperchanceerelongceasetobeworshippedwithintheseholytemples，givetotheethatmercywhichwedeny！Leadhimforth！”
Sotheytookmeandledmeforth。WithbowedheadIwent，lookingnotup，andyetIfelttheireyesburnuponmyface。
Oh！surelyofallmyshamesthisistheheaviest！
CHAPTERX
OFTHELASTWRITINGOFHARMACHIS，THEROYALEGYPTIAN
TheyledmetotheprisonchamberthatishighinthepylontowerandhereIwaitmydoom。IknownotwhentheswordofFateshallfall。
Weekgrowstoweek，andmonthtomonth，andstillitisdelayed。Stillitquiversunseenabovemyhead。Iknowthatitwillfall，butwhenI
knownot。Perchance，Ishallwakeinsomedeadhourofmidnighttohearthestealthystepsoftheslayersandbehurriedforth。
Perchance，theyarenowathand。Thenwillcomethesecretcell！thehorror！thenamelesscoffin！andatlastitwillbedone！Oh，letitcome！letitcomeswiftly！
Alliswritten；Ihaveheldbacknothing——mysinissinned——myvengeanceisfinished。Nowallthingsendindarknessandinashes，andIpreparetofacetheterrorsthataretocomeinotherworldsthanthis。Igo，butnotwithouthopeIgo:for，thoughIseeHernot，thoughnomoreSheanswerstomyprayers，stillIamawareoftheHolyIsis，whoiswithmeforevermore，andwhomIshallyetagainbeholdfacetoface。AndthenatlastinthatfardayIshallfindforgiveness；thentheburdenofmyguiltwillrollfrommeandinnocencycomebackandwrapmeround，bringingmeholyPeace。
Oh！dearlandofKhem，asinadreamIseethee！IseeNationafterNationsetitsstandardonthyshores，anditsyokeuponthyneck！I
seenewReligionswithoutendcallingouttheirtruthsuponthebanksofSihor，andsummoningthypeopletotheirworship！Iseethytemples——thyholytemples——crumblinginthedust:awondertothesightofmenunborn，whoshallpeerintothytombsanddesecratethegreatonesofthyglory！Iseethymysteriesamockerytotheunlearned，andthywisdomwastedlikewatersonthedesertsands！IseetheRomanEaglesstoopandperish，theirbeaksyetredwiththebloodofmen，andthelonglightsdancingdownthebarbarianspearsthatfollowintheirwake！Andthen，atlast，IseeTheeoncemoregreat，oncemorefree，andhavingoncemoreaknowledgeofthyGods——ay，thyGodswithachangedcountenance，andcalledbyothernames，butstillthyGods！
ThesunsinksoverAbouthis。TheredraysofRaflameontempleroofs，upongreenfields，andthewidewatersoffatherSihor。SoasachildIwatchedhimsink；justsohislastkisstouchedthefurtherpylon’sfrowningbrow；justthatsameshadowlayuponthetombs。Allisunchanged！I——Ionlyamchanged——sochanged，andyetthesame！
Oh，Cleopatra！Cleopatra！thouDestroyer！ifImightbuttearthyvisionfrommyheart！Ofallmygriefs，thisistheheaviestgrief——
stillmustIlovethee！StillmustIhugthisserpenttomyheart！
Stillinmyearsmustringthatlowlaughoftriumph——themurmurofthefallingfountain——thesongofthenightinga——
[Herethewritingonthethirdrollofpapyrusabruptlyends。Itwouldalmostseemthatthewriterwasatthismomentbrokeninuponbythosewhocametoleadhimtohisdoom。]
End