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Updated: May 8, 2025
Charmion shivered and made answer: "It is true, O Queen; I also was of the plot, and because Harmachis scorned me I betrayed him; and because of my great love for him I have remained unwed." And she glanced up at me and caught my eyes, then let the modest lashes veil her own. "So! I thought it. Strange are the ways of women!
And therefore, with more skill and wit than I can tell, she reasoned with me, showing that I should by no means do this thing, but journey to Antony; and for that, Charmion, I thank thee, now that all is come and gone. And by a very little, her words weighed down my scale of judgment against Harmachis, and I went to Antony.
Art, indeed, a coward?" cried Charmion, "that thou wouldst thus escape thy woes, and leave thy partner to face the sorrow out alone?" "Why not, woman? Why not? She would not be long alone. There's Cæsar to keep her company. Octavianus loves a fair woman in his cold way, and still is Cleopatra fair.
Then he will cause you to be let in, and thou, Charmion, must break this heavy news that Canidius bears; for Canidius himself I dare not send. And when his grief is past, do thou, Olympus, soothe his fevered frame with thy draughts of value, and his soul with honeyed words, and draw him back to me, and all will yet be well.
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!"
The messenger from Cæsar stood in the door aghast orders had been given that Cleopatra should not be harmed, neither should she be allowed to harm herself. Now she had escaped! "Charmion!" called the man in stern rebuke. "How was this done?" "Done, sir," said Charmion, "as became a daughter of the King of Egypt." As the woman spoke the words she reeled, caught at the chair, fell, and was dead.
And she told me that she had found means to see Charmion, and, in talk, had let fall the name of Harmachis, speaking of me as one dead; at which Charmion, unable to control her grief, wept aloud. Then, reading her heart for the old wife was very clever, and held the key of knowledge she told her that Harmachis yet lived, and sent her greetings.
Then, taking my hand, she touched it with her lips and went without any further word. "A strange woman!" said Sepa, when she had gone; "a most strange woman, and an uncertain!" "Methought, my uncle," I said, "that thou wast somewhat harsh with her." "Ay," he answered, "but not without a cause. Look thou, Harmachis; beware of this Charmion. She is too wayward, and, I fear me, may be led away.
I took the chair, and Charmion, throwing back the gnat-gauze, sat herself upon the bed before me. "Knowest thou what I heard Cleopatra say as thou didst leave the banqueting-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!
Therefore I summoned Atoua, the skilled in simples, and all that afternoon we laboured at the deadly work. And when it was done, Charmion came once more, bearing with her a chaplet of fresh roses, that she bade me steep in the poison. This then I did. That night at the great feast of Cleopatra, I sat near Antony, who was at her side, and wore the poisoned wreath.
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