by which the
messengers of the guardian Gods may descend in many shapes upon the
spirit of their choice. For, O Queen, to those who hold the key,
the madness of our dreams can show a clearer purpose and speak more
certainly than all the acted wisdom of our waking life, which is a dream
indeed. Thou didst see great Caesar in his bloody robe, and he threw his
arms about the Prince Caesarion and led him hence. Hearken now to the
secret of thy vision. It was Caesar's self thou sawest coming to thy side
from Amenti in such a guise as might not be mistaken. When he embraced
the child Caesarion he did it for a sign that to him, and him alone, had
passed his greatness and his love. When he seemed to lead him hence
he led him forth from Egypt to be crowned in the Capitol, crowned the
Emperor of Rome and Lord of all the Lands. For the rest, I know not. It
is hid from me."

Thus, then, I read the vision, though to my sense it had a darker
meaning. But it is not well to prophesy evil unto Kings.

Meanwhile Cleopatra had risen, and, having thrown back the gnat gauze,
was seated upon the edge of her couch, her eyes fixed upon my face,
while her fingers played with her girdle's jewelled ends.

"Of a truth," she cried, "thou art the best of all magicians, for thou
readest my heart, and drawest a hidden sweet out of the rough shell of
evil omen!"

"Ay, O Queen," said Charmion, who stood by with downcast eyes, and I
thought that there was bitter meaning in her soft tones; "may no rougher
words ever affront thy ears, and no evil presage tread less closely upon
its happy sense."

Cleopatra placed her hands behind her head and, leaning back, looked at
me with half-shut eyes.

"Come, show us of thy magic, Egyptian," she said. "It is yet hot abroad,
and I am weary of those Hebrew Ambassadors and their talk of Herod and
Jerusalem. I hate that Herod, as he shall find--and will have none of
the Ambassadors to-day, though I yearn a little to try my Hebrew on
them. What canst thou do? Hast thou no new trick? By Serapis! if thou
canst conjure as well as thou canst prophesy, thou shalt have a place
at Court, with pay and perquisites to boot, if thy lofty soul does not
scorn perquisites."

"Nay," I answered, "all tricks are old; but there are some forms of
magic to be rarely used, and with discretion, that may be new to thee, O
Queen! Art thou afraid to venture on the charm?"

"I fear nothing; go on and do thy worst. Come, Charmion, and sit