n The Republic. R 0 
as he passed, that he was betrayed by Cleopatra, and deli¬ 
vered by her to those who, for her sake alone, were his ene¬ 
mies. In these suspicions he was not deceived; for it was 
by secret orders from the queen that the fleet had passed over 
to the enemy 1 . 
Cleopatra had, for a long while, dreaded the effects of 
Antony’s jealousy ; and had, some time before, prepared 
a method of obviating any sudden sallies it might produce. 
Near the temple of Isis she had erected a building, which 
was seemingly designed for a sepulchre. Hither she removed 
ail her treasure and most valuable effects, covering them over 
with torches, faggots, and other combustible matter. This 
sepulchre she designed to answer a double purpose; as well 
to screen her from the sudden resentments of Antony, as to 
make Octavianus believe that she would burn all her trea¬ 
sures in case he refused her proper terms of capitulation. 
Here, therefore, she retired from Antony’s present fury; 
shutting the gates, which were fortified with bolts and bars 
of iron; but in the mean time gave orders that a report 
should be spread of her death. This news, which soon 
reached Antony, recalled all his former love and tenderness. 
He now lamented her death with the same violence he had 
but a few minutes before seemed to desire it; and called one 
of his freedmen, named Eros, whom he had by oath engaged 
to kill him whenever fortune should drive him to this last 
resource. Eros being now commanded to perform his pro-* 
raise, this faithful follower drew the sword, as if going to 
execute his orders; but turning his face, plunged it into' his 
own bosom, and died at his master’s feet. Antony for a 
while hung over his faithful servant, and, commending his 
fidelity, took up the sword, with which stabbing himself in 
the belly, he fell backward upon a little couch. Though the 
wound was mortal, yet the blood stopping, he recovered his 
spirits, and earnestly conjured those who were come into the 
room to put an end to his life; but they all fled, being seized 
with fright and horror. He therefore continued in agonies 
for some time ; till he was informed by one of the queen’s 
secretaries that his mistress was still alive. He then earnestly 
desired to be carried to the place where she was. They ac¬ 
cordingly brought him to the gate of the sepulchre; but Cleo¬ 
patra, who would not permit it to be opened, appeared at the 
window, and threw down cords in order to pull him up. In 
this manner, assisted by her two female attendants, she raised 
him all bloody from the ground ; and while yet suspended 
in the air, he continued stretching out his hands to encou¬ 
rage her. Cleopatra and her maids had only just strength 
sufficient to raise him ; and at last, with much straining, 
they effected their purpose, and carried him to a couch, on 
which they gently laid him. Here she gave way to her sor¬ 
row', tearing her clothes, beating her breast, and kissing the 
wound of which he was dying. She called upon him as her 
lord, her husband, her emperor, and seemed to have forgot 
her own distresses in the greatness of his sufferings. Antony 
entreated her to moderate the transports of her grief, and 
asked for some wine. After he had drank, he entreated 
Cleopatra to endeavour to preserve her life, if she could do 
it with honour; and recommended Proculus, a friend of 
Octavianus, as one she might rely on to be her intercessor. 
Just as he had done speaking, he ’ expired; and Proculus 
made his appearance by command of Octavianus, who had 
beeu informed of Antony’s desperate conduct. He was sent 
to try all means of getting Cleopatra into his power; his 
master having a double motive for his solicitude on this oc¬ 
casion ; one, to prevent her destroying the treasures she had 
taken with her into the tomb; the other, to preserve her 
person as an ornament to grace his triumph. Cleopatra, 
however, was upon her guard, and would not confer with 
Proculus, except through the gate, which was well secured. 
In the mean time, while he designedly drew out the con¬ 
ference to some length, and had given Gallus, one of his 
fellow-soldiers, directions to carry on the conversation in his 
absence, he entered with two more by the window at whieh 
Antony had been drawn up. As soon as he had entered, he 
ran down to the gate; and one of the women crying out, 
Vol. XXII. No. 1499. 
M E. The Republic. 257 
that they were taken alive, Cleopatra, perceiving what had 
happened, drew a poniard, and attempted to stab herself; 
but Proculus prevented the blow, and gently remonstrated * 
that she was cruel in refusing so good a prince as his master 
was the pleasure of displaying his clemency. He then 
forced the poniard out of her hand, and examined her clothes 
to be certain she had no poison about her. Thus leaving 
every thing secured, he went to acquaint his master with his 
proceedings. 
Octavianus was extremely pleased at finding her in his 
power; he sent Epaphroditus to bring her to his palace, and. 
to watch her with the utmost circumspection. He was like¬ 
wise ordered to use her, in every respect, with that deference 
and submission which were due to her rank, and to do every 
thing in his power to render her captivity agreeable. She 
was permitted to have the honour of granting Antony 
the rites of burial, and furnished with every thing she 
desired, that was becoming his dignity to receive, or her 
love to offer. Yet still she languished under her new con¬ 
finement. Her excessive sorrow, her many losses, and the, 
blows she had given her bosom, produced a fever which she 
seemed willing to increase. She resolved to abstain from. 
taking any nourishment, under the pretence of a regimen 
necessary for her disorder; but Octavianus being made 
acquainted with the real motive by her physician, began to 
threaten her with regard to her children, in case she per¬ 
sisted. This was the only punishment that could now affect 
her ; she allowed herself to be treated as they thought proper, 
and received whatever was prescribed for her recovery. 
In the mean time Octavianus made his entry into Alex¬ 
andria: taking care to mitigate the fears of the inhabitants, 
by conversing familiarly as he went along with Areus, a 
philosopher, and a native of the place. The citizens, how¬ 
ever, trembled at his approach; and when he placed himself 
upon the tribunal, they prostrated themselves, with their faces 
to the ground, before him, like criminals who waited the 
sentence of their execution. Octavianus presently ordered 
them to rise; telling them, that three motives induced him 
to pardon them. His respect for Alexander, who was the 
founder of their city; his admiration of its beauty; and his 
friendship for Areus, their fellow-citizen. Two only of par¬ 
ticular note were put to death upon this occasion; Antony’s 
eldest son Antyllus, and Caesario, the son of Julius Caesar; 
both betrayed into his hands by their respective tutors, who 
themselves suffered for their perfidy shortly after. As for the 
rest of Cleopatra’s children, he treated them with great gentle- 
nesss, leaving them to the care of those who were entrusted 
with their education,' who had orders to provide them with 
every thing suitable to their birth. When Cleopatra was re¬ 
covered from her late indisposition, he came to visit her in 
person. She had been preparing for this interview, and made 
use of every method she could think of to propitiate the con¬ 
queror, and to gain his affection ; but in vain. However, at 
his departure, Octavianus imagined that he had reconciled 
her to life, and to the indignity of being shown in the” in¬ 
tended triumph, which he was preparing for on his return to 
Rome; but in this he was deceived. Cleopatra, all this 
tune, had kept a correspondence with Dolabella, a young 
Roman of high birth, in the camp of Octavianus; who, 
perhaps, from compassion, or stronger motives, was interested 
in the misfortunes of that princess. From him she learnt 
the intentions of Octavianus, and that he was determined to 
send her off in three days, together with her children, to 
Rome. She now therefore determined upon dying; but 
previously intreated permission to pay her oblations at An¬ 
tony’s tomb. This request being granted her, she was carried 
with her two female attendants to the stately monument 
where he was laid. There she threw herself upon his coffin, 
bewailed her captivity, and renewed her protestations not to 
survive him. She then crowned the tomb with garlands of 
flowers ; and having kissed the coffin a thousand times, she 
returned home to execute her fatal resolution. Having bathed, 
and ordered a sumptuous banquet, she attired herself in the 
most splendid manner. She then feasted as usual; and soon 
3 U after 
