Cleopatra | Page 8

and seem the more
bitter in proportion to the germ of truth which they contain. Our court
shares the fate of every other in the East, and those to whom Rome
formerly set the example of holding law and justice sacred--"
"Can now go there," interrupted Dion, "to learn how rudely both are
trampled under foot. The sovereigns here and there may smile at one
another like the augurs. They are like brothers--"
"But with the difference," Archibius broke in, "that the head of our
public affairs is the very embodiment of affability and grace; while in

Rome, on the contrary, harsh severity and bloody arrogance, or even
repulsive servility, guide the reins."
Here Archibius interrupted himself to point to the shouting throng
advancing towards them. "You are right," Dion answered. "Let us defer
this discussion till we can pursue it in the house of the charming Barine.
But I rarely meet you there, though by blood you are so nearly allied to
her father. I am her friend--at my age that might easily mean her lover.
But in our case the comparison would not suit. Yet perhaps you will
believe me, for you have the right to call yourself the friend of the most
bewitching of women."
A sorrowful smile flitted over the grave, set features of the older man,
who, raising his hand as if in protest, answered carelessly: "I grew up
with Cleopatra, but a private citizen loves a queen only as a divinity. I
believe in your friendship for Barine, though I deem it dangerous."
"If you mean that it might injure the lovely woman," replied Dion,
raising his head more proudly as if to intimate that he required no
warning, even from him, "perhaps you are right. Only I beg you not to
misunderstand me. I am not vain enough to suppose that I could win
her heart, but unfortunately there are many who cannot forgive the
power of attraction which she exerts over me as well as upon all. So
many men gladly visit Barine's house that there are an equal number of
women who would rejoice to close it. Among them, of course, is Iras.
She dislikes my friend; nay, I fear that what you witness yonder is the
apple she flung in order, if not to ruin, at least to drive her from the city,
ere the Queen--may the gods grant her victory!--ere Cleopatra returns.
You know your niece Iras. Like your sister Charmian, she will shrink
from nothing to remove an annoyance from her mistress's pathway, and
it will hardly please Cleopatra when she learns that the two youths
whose welfare lies nearest her heart--Antyllus and Caesarion--seek
Barine's house, no matter how stainless the latter's reputation may be."
"I have just heard of it," replied Archibius, "and I, too, am anxious.
Antony's son has inherited much of his father's insatiable love of
pleasure. But Caesarion! He has not yet ventured out of the dreamland
which surrounds him into actual life. What others scarcely perceive

deals him a serious blow. I fear Eros is sharpening arrows for him
which will pierce deep into his heart. While talking with me he seemed
strangely changed. His dreamy eyes glittered like a drunkard's when he
spoke of Barine. I fear, I fear--"
"Impossible!" cried Dion, in surprise, nay, almost terror. "If that is the
case, Iras is not wholly wrong, and we must deal with the matter
differently. But it is of the first importance to conceal the fact that
Caesarion has any interest in the affairs of the old house-owner. To
seek to maintain the old man's right to his own property is a matter of
course, and I will undertake to do this and try to get yonder orator
home Just see how the braggart is swinging his arms in Iras's service!
As for Barine, it will be well to induce her to leave of her own free will
a city where it will be made unpleasant for her. Try to persuade her to
pursue this course. If I went to her with such a suggestion, I, who
yesterday--No, no! Besides, she might hear that Iras and I--She would
imagine all sorts of absurdities. You know what jealousy means. To
you, whom she esteems, she would surely listen, and she need not go
far from the city. If the heart of this enthusiastic boy--who might some
day desire to be 'King of kings' not only in name--should really be fired
with love for Barine, what serious misfortune might follow! We must
secure her from him. She could not go to my country house among the
papyrus plantations at Sebennys. It would afford too much license for
evil tongues. But you--your villa at Kanopus is too near--but, if I am
not mistaken, you have--"
"My estate