XVI INTRODUCTION". 



causing- his taster first to partake of every 

 viand, in order to discover if treachery lurked 

 disguised in the midst of the luxuries of this 

 subtle Queen. The jealousy of the Roman 

 General seems to have increased about the 

 time he was preparing- his expedition against 

 Augustus, when the artful beauty who had 

 so captivated the warrior, took the following 

 device to satisfy him of her true attachment, 

 and at the same time to ridicule his mistrust 

 and timid fears. The Queen had a chaplet 

 of flowers prepared for Antony, the edges of 

 which were dipped in the most deadly poison, 

 whilst that which was formed for her own 

 head, was as usual mixed with aromatic 

 spices. At the banquet the General received 

 his coronet of flowers, and when they had be- 

 come cheerful through the aid of Bacchus, 

 Cleopatra pledged him in wine, and taking 

 off the garland of flowers from her head, and 

 rubbing them into her goblet, drank off the 

 contents. Antony was following her exam- 

 ple, but just as he had got the fatal cup to 

 his lip, the Queen seized his arm, exclaiming, 

 " Cure your jealous fears, and learn that I 



