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Updated: May 8, 2025
"Strange," she said; "strange that at the last the mind of Antony should have turned back to that night among all the nights and to the saying of Harmachis. Charmion, dost thou remember Harmachis the Egyptian?" "Surely, O Queen," she answered slowly. "And who, then, was Harmachis?" I asked; for I would learn if she sorrowed o'er my memory. "I will tell thee.
Cæsar drew nigh; Pelusium fell; the end was at hand. It was Charmion who brought the tidings to the Queen and Antony, as they slept in the heat of the day, and I came with her. "Awake!" she cried. "Awake! This is no time for sleep! Seleucus hath surrendered Pelusium to Cæsar, who marches straight on Alexandria!" With a great oath, Antony sprang up and clutched Cleopatra by the arm.
I spoke no word in answer, for my heart was very heavy, and now that all was done I was weary. Together, then, we lifted up the body and laid it on the golden bed. Charmion placed the uræus crown upon the ivory brow, and combed the night-dark hair that showed never a thread of silver, and, for the last time, shut those eyes wherein had shone all the changing glories of the sea.
Thou art Court astronomer from this day forward, with right of access to the Queen's presence. Hast thou more of such magic at thy call?" "Yea, royal Egypt; suffer that the chamber be a little darkened, and I will show thee one more thing." "Half am I afraid," she answered; "nevertheless do thou as this Harmachis says, Charmion."
She drew me into a quiet chamber and closed the doors. "Is it done?" she asked, and turned her wrinkled face to mine, while the lamplight streamed white upon her snowy hair. "Nay, why ask I I know that it is done!" "Ay, it is done, and well done, old wife! All are dead! Cleopatra, Iras, Charmion all save myself!"
Unhappy, therefore, are the Great, for they may fall! 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. 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.
But when they had opened the doors, they found Cleopatra stark dead, laid upon a bed of gold, attired and arrayed in her royal robes, and one of her two women, which was called Iras, dead at her feet: and her other woman, called Charmion, half dead, and trembling, trimming the diadem which Cleopatra ware upon her head.
Then did Cleopatra, who the while wept most bitterly, together with Charmion and Iras the Greek, pull on the rope with all their strength, while we lifted from below till the dying Antony swung in the air, groaning heavily, and the blood dropped from his gaping wound.
I forgive thee, Charmion, as I trust in turn to be forgiven, and by this kiss, the first and the last, I seal our peace." And with my lips I touched her brow. She spoke no more; only for a little while she stood gazing on me with sad eyes. Then she lifted the goblet, and said: "Royal Harmachis, in this deadly cup I pledge thee! Would that I had drunk of it ere ever I looked upon thy face!
She did this because she was wroth, although she smiled with her lips and whispered, "An omen, royal Harmachis." For though she was so very much a woman, yet, when she was angered or suffered jealousy, Charmion had a childish way. Having thus fixed the chaplet, she curtsied low before me, and with the softest tone of mockery named me, in the Greek tongue, "Harmachis, King of Love."
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