1.  Augustus advanced with another army against Pellu’sium,[20] which, by its strong situation, might have retarded his progress for some time.  But the governor of the city, either wanting courage to defend it, or previously instructed by Cleopa’tra to give it up, permitted him to take possession; so that Augus’tus had now no obstacle in his way to Alexan’dria, whither he marched with all expedition. 2.  Antony, upon his arrival, sallied out to oppose him, fighting with desperation, and putting the enemy’s cavalry to flight. 3.  This slight advantage once more revived his declining hopes; and, being naturally vain, he re-entered Alexan’dria in triumph.  Then going, armed as he was, to the palace, and embracing Cleopa’tra, he presented to her a soldier who had distinguished himself in the engagement. 4.  The queen rewarded him very magnificently, presenting him with a helmet and breastplate of gold.  With these, however, the soldier deserted in the night to the other army, prudently resolving to secure his riches by keeping on the strongest side. 5.  Antony, not able to bear this defection without fresh indignation, resolved to make a bold expiring effort by sea and land; but previously offered to fight his adversary in single combat.  Augus’tus, however, too well knew the inequality of their situations to comply with this forlorn proposal; he, therefore, coolly replied, “Antony has ways enough to die besides in single combat.”

6.  The next day, he posted the few troops he had remaining upon a rising ground near the city, whence he sent orders to his galleys to engage the enemy.  There he waited to be a spectator of the combat; and at first he had the satisfaction to see them advance in good order. 7.  But his joy was soon turned into rage, when he beheld his ships only saluting those of Augus’tus, and both fleets uniting together and sailing back into the harbour, and at the same time his cavalry deserting him.  He tried, however, to lead on his infantry; but these were easily vanquished, and he himself compelled to return into the town. 8.  His fury was now ungovernable, crying out as he passed that he was betrayed by Cleopa’tra, and delivered up to those who, for her sake alone, were his enemies.  In these suspicions he was not deceived; for it was by secret orders from the queen that the fleet passed over to the enemy.

9.  Cleopa’tra had for a long while dreaded the effects of Antony’s jealousy; and had some time before prepared a method of obviating the effects of any sudden sallies it might produce. 10.  Near the temple of Isis she had erected a building, which was seemingly designed for a sepulchre.  Hither she moved her treasure and most valuable effects, covering them with torches, fagots, and other combustible matter. 11.  This sepulchre she designed to answer a double purpose, as well to screen her from the sudden resentments of Antony, as to make Augustus believe that she would burn all her treasure, in case he refused