Thus it came about that once more I passed down the Nile travelling as aman of no estate. And to such as were curious about me it was given outthat I was the adopted son of the High Priest of Abouthis, having beenbrought up to the priesthood, and that I had at the last refused theservice of the Gods, and chosen to go to Alexandria, to seek my fortune.For, be it remembered, I was still held to be the grandson of the oldwife, Atoua, by all those who did not know the truth.
On the tenth night, sailing with the wind, we reached the mighty cityof Alexandria, the city of a thousand lights. Above them all towered thewhite Pharos, that wonder of the world, from the crown of which a lightlike the light of the sun blazed out across the waters of the harbourto guide mariners on their way across the sea. The vessel having beencautiously made fast to the quay, for it was night, I disembarked andstood wondering at the vast mass of houses, and confused by the clamourof many tongues. For here all peoples seemed to be gathered together,each speaking after the fashion of his own land. And as I stood ayoung man came and touched me on the shoulder, asking me if I was fromAbouthis and named Harmachis. I said "Yea." Then, bending over me,he whispered the secret pass-word into my ear, and, beckoning totwo slaves, bade them bring my baggage from the ship. This they did,fighting their way through the crowd of porters who were clamouringfor hire. Then I followed him down the quay, which was bordered withdrinking-places, where all sorts of men were gathered, tippling wine andwatching the dancing of women, some of whom were but scantily arrayed,and some not arrayed at all.
And so we went through the lamp-lit houses till at last we reached theshore of the great harbour, and turned to the right along a wide waypaved with granite and bordered by strong houses, having cloisters infront of them, the like of which I had never seen. Turning once more tothe right we came to a quieter portion of the city, where, except forparties of strolling revellers, the streets were still. Presentlymy guide halted at a house built of white stone. We passed in, and,crossing a small courtyard, entered a chamber where there was a light.And here, at last, I found my uncle Sepa, most glad to see me safe.
When I had washed and eaten, he told me that all things went well, andthat as yet there was no thought of evil at the Court. Further, he said,it having come to the ears of the Queen that the Priest of Annu wassojourning at Alexandria, she sent for him and closely questionedhim--not as to any plot, for of that she never thought, but as to therumour which had reached her, that there was treasure hid in the GreatPyramid which is by Annu. For, being ever wasteful, she was ever in wantof money, and had bethought her of opening the Pyramid. But he laughedat her, telling her the Pyramid was the burying-place of the divineKhufu, and that he knew nothing of its secrets. Then she was angered,and swore that so surely as she ruled in Egypt she would tear it down,stone by stone, and discover the secret at its heart. Again he laughed,and, in the words of the proverb which they have at Alexandria, told herthat "Mountains live longer than Kings." Thereon she smiled at his readyanswer, and let him go. Also my uncle Sepa told me that on the morrow Ishould see this Cleopatra. For it was her birthday (as, indeed, it wasalso mine), and, dressed in the robes of the Holy Isis, she would passin state from her palace on the Lochias to the Serapeum to offer asacrifice at the Shrine of the false God who sits in the Temple. And hesaid that thereafter the fashion by which I should gain entrance to thehousehold of the Queen should be contrived.
Then, being very weary, I went to rest, but could sleep little for thestrangeness of the place, the noises in the streets, and the thought ofthe morrow. While it was yet dark, I rose, climbed the stair to theroof of the house, and waited. Presently, the sun's rays shot out likearrows, and lit upon the white wonder of the marble Pharos, whose lightinstantly sank and died, as though, indeed, the sun had killed it. Nowthe rays fell upon the palaces of the Lochias where Cleopatra lay, andlit them up till they flamed like a jewel set on the dark, cool bosomof the sea. Away the light flew, kissing the Soma's sacred dome, beneathwhich Alexander sleeps, touching the high tops of a thousand palacesand temples; past the porticoes of the great museum that loomed near athand, striking the lofty Shrine, where, carved of ivory, is the imageof the false God Serapis, and at last seeming to lose itself in the vastand gloomy Necropolis. Then, as the dawn gathered into day, the flood ofbrightness, overbrimming the bowl of night, flowed into the lower landsand streets, and showed Alexandria red in the sunrise as the mantle ofa king, and shaped as a mantle. The Etesian wind came up from the north,and swept away the vapour from the harbours, so that I saw their bluewaters rocking a thousand ships. I saw, too, that mighty mole theHeptastadium; I saw the hundreds of streets, the countless houses, theinnumerable wealth and splendour of Alexandria set like a queen betweenlake Mareotis and the ocean, and dominating both, and I was filled withwonder. This, then, was one city in my heritage of lands and cities!Well, it was worth the grasping. And having looked my full and fed myheart, as it were, with the sight of splendour, I communed with the HolyIsis and came down from the roof.
In the chamber beneath was my uncle Sepa. I told him that I had beenwatching the sun rise over the city of Alexandria.
"So!" he said, looking at me from beneath his shaggy eyebrows; "and whatthinkest thou of Alexandria?"
"I think it is like some city of the Gods," I answered.
"Ay!" he replied fiercely, "a city of the infernal Gods--a sink ofcorruption, a bubbling well of iniquity, a home of false faith springingfrom false hearts. I would that not one stone of it was left uponanother stone, and that its wealth lay deep beneath yonder waters! Iwould that the gulls were screaming across its site, and that the wind,untainted by a Grecian breath, swept through its ruins from the ocean toMareotis! O royal Harmachis, let not the luxury and beauty of Alexandriapoison thy sense; for in their deadly air, Faith perishes, and Religioncannot spread her heavenly wings. When the hour comes for thee to rule,Harmachis, cast down this accursed city and, as thy fathers did, setup thy throne in the white walls of Memphis. For I tell thee that, forEgypt, Alexandria is but a splendid gate of ruin, and, while it endures,all nations of the earth shall march through it, to the plunder of theland, and all false Faiths shall nestle in it and breed the overthrow ofEgypt's Gods."
I made no answer, for there was truth in his words. And yet to me thecity seemed very fair to look on. After we had eaten, my uncle told meit was now time to set out to view the march of Cleopatra, as she wentin triumph to the Shrine of Serapis. For although she would not passtill within two hours of the midday, yet these people of Alexandria haveso great a love of shows and idling that had we not presently set forth,by no means could we have come through the press of the multitudes whowere already gathering along the highways where the Queen must ride. Sowe went out to take our places upon a stand, built of timber, that hadbeen set up at the side of the great road which pierces through thecity, to the Canopic Gate. For my uncle had already purchased a right toenter there, and that dearly.
We won our way with much struggle through the great crowds that werealready gathered in the streets till we reached the scaffolding oftimber, which was roofed in with an awning and gaily hung with scarletcloths. Here we seated ourselves upon a bench and waited for some hours,watching the multitude press past shouting, singing, and talking loudlyin many tongues. At length soldiers came to clear the road, clad, afterthe Roman fashion, in breast-plates of chain-armour. After them marchedheralds enjoining silence (at which the population sung and shouted allthe more loudly), and crying that Cleopatra, the Queen, was coming.Then followed a thousand Cilician skirmishers, a thousand Thracians, athousand Macedonians, and a thousand Gauls, each armed after the fashionof their country. Then passed five hundred men of those who are calledthe Fenced Horsemen, for both men and horses were altogether coveredwith mail. Next came youths and maidens sumptuously draped and wearinggolden crowns, and with them images symbolising Day and Night, Morningand Noon, the Heavens and the Earth. After these walked many fair women,pouring perfumes on the road, and others scattering blooming flowers.Now there rose
a great shout of "Cleopatra! Cleopatra!" and I held mybreath and bent forward to see her who dared to put on the robes ofIsis.
But at that moment the multitude so gathered and thickened in front ofwhere I was that I could no longer clearly see. So in my eagernessI leapt over the barrier of the scaffolding, and, being very strong,pushed my way through the crowd till I reached the foremost rank. Andas I did so, Nubian slaves armed with thick staves and crowned withivy-leaves ran up, striking the people. One man I noted more especially,for he was a giant, and, being strong, was insolent beyond measure,smiting the people without cause, as, indeed, is the wont of low personsset in authority. For a woman stood near to me, an Egyptian by her face,bearing a child in her arms, whom the man, seeing that she was weak,struck on the head with his rod so that she fell prone, and the peoplemurmured. But at the sight my blood rushed of a sudden through my veinsand drowned my reason. I held in my hand a staff of olive-wood fromCyprus, and as the black brute laughed at the sight of the strickenwoman and her babe rolling on the ground, I swung the staff aloft andsmote. So shrewdly did I strike, that the tough rod split upon thegiant's shoulders and the blood spurted forth, staining his trailingleaves of ivy.
Then, with a shriek of pain and fury--for those who smite love not thatthey be smitten--he turned and sprang at me! And all the people roundgave back, save only the woman who could not rise, leaving us two in aring as it were. On he came with a rush, and, as he came, being now mad,I smote him with my clenched fist between the eyes, having nothing elsewith which to smite, and he staggered like an ox beneath the first blowof the priest's axe. Then the people shouted, for they love to see afight, and the man was known to them as a gladiator victorious in thegames. Gathering up his strength, the knave came on with an oath, and,whirling his heavy staff on high, struck me in such a fashion that, hadI not avoided the blow by nimbleness, I had surely been slain. But, asit chanced, the staff hit upon the ground, and so heavily that it flewin fragments. Thereon the multitude shouted again, and the great man,blind with fury, rushed at me to smite me down. But with a cry I sprangstraight at his throat--for he was so heavy a man that I knew I couldnot hope to throw him by strength--ay, and gripped it. There I clung,though his fists battered me like bludgeons, driving my thumbs into histhroat. Round and round we turned, till at length he flung himselfto the earth, trusting thus to shake me off. But I held on fast as werolled over and over on the ground, till at last he grew faint for wantof breath. Then I, being uppermost, drove my knee down upon his chest,and, as I believe, should thus have slain him in my rage had not myuncle, and others there gathered, fallen upon me and dragged me fromhim.
And meanwhile, though I know it not, the chariot in which the Queensat, with elephants going before and lions led after it, had reached thespot, and had been halted because of the tumult. I looked up, and thustorn, panting, my white garments stained with the blood that had rushedfrom the mouth and nostrils of the mighty Nubian, I for the first timesaw Cleopatra face to face. Her chariot was all of gold, and drawn bymilk-white steeds. She sat in it with two fair girls, clad in Greekattire, standing one on either side, fanning her with glittering fans.On her head was the covering of Isis, the golden horns between whichrested the moon's round disk and the emblem of Osiris' throne, with theuraeus twined around. Beneath this covering was the vulture cap of gold,the blue enamelled wings and the vulture head with gemmy eyes, underwhich her long dark tresses flowed towards her feet. About her roundedneck was a broad collar of gold studded with emeralds and coral. Roundher arms and wrists were bracelets of gold studded with emeralds andcoral, and in one hand she held the holy cross of Life fashioned ofcrystal, and in the other the golden rod of royalty. Her breast wasbare, but under it was a garment that glistened like the scaly coveringof a snake, everywhere sewn with gems. Beneath this robe was a skirtof golden cloth, half hidden by a scarf of the broidered silk of Cos,falling in folds to the sandals that, fastened with great pearls,adorned her white and tiny feet.
All this I discerned at a glance, as it were. Then I looked upon theface--that face which seduced Caesar, ruined Egypt, and was doomed togive Octavian the sceptre of the world. I looked upon the flawlessGrecian features, the rounded chin, the full, rich lips, the chisellednostrils, and the ears fashioned like delicate shells. I saw theforehead, low, broad, and lovely, the crisped, dark hair falling inheavy waves that sparkled in the sun, the arched eyebrows, and the long,bent lashes. There before me was the grandeur of her Imperial shape.There burnt the wonderful eyes, hued like the Cyprian violet--eyes thatseemed to sleep and brood on secret things as night broods upon thedesert, and yet as the night to shift, change, and be illumined bygleams of sudden splendour born within their starry depths. All thosewonders I saw, though I have small skill in telling them. But eventhen I knew that it was not in these charms alone that the might ofCleopatra's beauty lay. It was rather in a glory and a radiance castthrough the fleshly covering from the fierce soul within. For she was aThing of Flame like unto which no woman has ever been or ever will be.Even when she brooded, the fire of her quick heart shone through her.But when she woke, and the lightning leapt suddenly from her eyes, andthe passion-laden music of her speech chimed upon her lips, ah! then,who can tell how Cleopatra seemed? For in her met all the splendoursthat have been given to woman for her glory, and all the genius whichman has won from heaven. And with them dwelt every evil of that greatersort, which fearing nothing, and making a mock of laws, has takenempires for its place of play, and, smiling, watered the growth ofits desires with the rich blood of men. In her breast they gathered,together fashioning that Cleopatra whom no man may draw, and yet whomno man, having seen, ever can forget. They fashioned her grand as theSpirit of Storm, lovely as Lightning, cruel as Pestilence, yet with aheart; and what she did is known. Woe to the world when such anothercomes to curse it!
For a moment I met Cleopatra's eyes as she idly bent herself to find thetumult's cause. At first they were sombre and dark, as though they sawindeed, but the brain read nothing. Then they awoke, and their verycolour seemed to change as the colour of the sea changes when the wateris shaken. First, there was anger written in them; next an idle noting;then, when she looked upon the huge bulk of the man whom I had overcome,and knew him for the gladiator, something, perchance, that was notfar from wonder. At the least they softened, though, indeed, her facechanged no whit. But he who would read Cleopatra's mind had need towatch her eyes, for her countenance varied but a little. Turning, shesaid some word to her guards. They came forward and led me to her, whileall the multitude waited silently to see me slain.
I stood before her, my arms folded on my breast. Overcome though I wasby the wonder of her loveliness I hated her in my heart, this woman whodared to clothe herself in the dress of Isis, this usurper who sat uponmy throne, this wanton squandering the wealth of Egypt in chariots andperfumes. When she had looked me over from head to the feet, she spakein a low full voice and in the tongue of Khemi which she alone hadlearned of all the Lagidae:
"And who and what art thou, Egyptian--for Egyptian I see thou art--whodarest to smite my slave when I make progress through my city?"
"I am Harmachis," I answered boldly. "Harmachis, the astrologer, adoptedson of the High Priest and Governor of Abouthis, who am come hither toseek my fortune. I smote thy slave, O Queen, because for no fault hestruck down the woman yonder. Ask of those who saw, royal Egypt."
"Harmachis," she said, "the name has a high sound--and thou hast a highlook;" and then, speaking to a soldier who had seen all, she bade himtell her what had come to pass. This he did truthfully, being friendlydisposed towards me because I had overcome the Nubian. Thereon sheturned and spoke to the girl bearing the fan who stood beside her--awoman with curling hair and shy dark eyes, very beautiful to see. Thegirl answered somewhat. Then Cleopatra bade them bring the slave to her.So they led forward the giant, who had found his breath again, and withhim the woman whom he had smitten down.
"Thou dog!" she said, in the same low voice; "thou coward! who,being str
ong, didst smite down this woman, and, being a coward, wastoverthrown of this young man. See, thou, I will teach thee manners.Henceforth, when thou smitest women it shall be with thy left arm. Ho,guards, seize this black slave and strike off his right hand."
Her command given, she sank back in her golden chariot, and againthe cloud gathered in her eyes. But the guards seized the giant, and,notwithstanding his cries and prayers for mercy, struck off his handwith a sword upon the wood of the scaffolding and he was carried awaygroaning. Then the procession moved on again. As it went the fair womanwith the fan turned her head, caught my eye, and smiled and nodded asthough she rejoiced, at which I wondered somewhat.
The people cheered also and made jests, saying that I should soonpractice astrology in the palace. But, as soon as we might, I and myuncle escaped, and made our way back to the house. All the while herated me for my rashness; but when we came to the chamber of the househe embraced me and rejoiced greatly, because I had overthrown the giantwith so little hurt to myself.