delicately graven
over with scenes of love. All about her were little rosy boys, chosen
for their beauty, and clad in naught save downy wings strapped upon
their shoulders, and on their backs Cupid's bow and quiver, who fanned
her with fans of plumes. Upon the vessel's decks, handling the cordage,
that was of silken web, and softly singing to the sound of harps and the
beat of oars, were no rough sailors, but women lovely to behold, some
robed as Graces and some as Nereids--that is, scarce robed at all,
except in their scented hair. And behind the couch, with drawn sword,
stood Brennus, in splendid armour and winged helm of gold; and by him
others--I among them--in garments richly worked, and knew that I
was indeed a slave! On the high poop also burned censers filled with
costliest incense, of which the fragrant steam hung in little clouds
about our wake."

Thus, as in a dream of luxury, followed by many ships, we glided on
towards the wooded slopes of Taurus, at whose foot lay that ancient city
Tarshish. And ever as we came the people gathered on the banks and ran
before us, shouting: "Venus is risen from the sea! Venus hath come to
visit Bacchus!" We drew near to the city, and all its people--everyone
who could walk or be carried--crowded down in thousands to the docks,
and with them came the whole army of Antony, so that at length the
Triumvir was left alone upon the judgment seat.

Dellius, the false-tongued, came also, fawning and bowing, and in the
name of Antony gave the "Queen of Beauty" greeting, bidding her to a
feast that Antony had made ready. But she made high answer, and said,
"Forsooth, it is Antony who should wait on us; not we on Antony. Bid the
noble Antony to our poor table this night--else we dine alone."

Dellius went, bowing to the ground; the feast was made ready; and then
at last I set eyes on Antony. He came clad in purple robes, a great man
and beautiful to see, set in the stout prime of life, with bright eyes
of blue, and curling hair, and features cut sharply as a Grecian gem.
For he was great of form and royal of mien, and with an open countenance
on which his thoughts were so clearly written that all might read them;
only the weakness of the mouth belied the power of the brow. He came
attended by his generals, and when he reached the couch where Cleopatra
lay he stood astonished, gazing on her with wide-opened eyes. She, too,
gazed on him earnestly; I saw the red blood run up beneath her