“The Triumviri Reipublicae Constituendae, by the mouth of Marcus Antonius, the Triumvir, to Cleopatra, by grace of the Roman People Queen of Upper and Lower Egypt, send greeting.  Whereas it has come to our knowledge that thou, Cleopatra, hast, contrary to thy promise and thy duty, both by thy servant Allienus and by thy servant Serapion, the Governor of Cyprus, aided the rebel murderer Cassius against the arms of the most noble Triumvirate.  And, whereas it has come to our knowledge that thou thyself wast but lately making ready a great fleet to this end.  We summon thee that thou dost without delay journey to Cilicia, there to meet the noble Antony, and in person make answer concerning these charges which are laid against thee.  And we warn thee that if thou dost disobey this our summons it is at thy peril.  Farewell.”

The eyes of Cleopatra flashed as she hearkened to these high words, and I saw her hands tighten on the golden lions’ heads whereon they rested.

“We have had the flattery,” she said; “and now, lest we be cloyed with sweets, we have its antidote!  Listen thou, Dellius:  the charges in that letter, or, rather, in that writ of summons, are false, as all folk can bear us witness.  But it is not now, and it is not to thee, that We will make defence of our acts of war and policy.  Nor will We leave our kingdom to journey into far Cilicia, and there, like some poor suppliant at law, plead our cause before the Court of the Noble Antony.  If Antony would have speech with us, and inquire concerning these high matters, the sea is open, and his welcome shall be royal.  Let him come thither!  That is our answer to thee and to the Triumvirate, O Dellius!”

But Dellius smiled as one who would put away the weight of wrath, and once more spoke: 

“Royal Egypt, thou knowest not the noble Antony.  He is stern on paper, and ever he sets down his thoughts as though his stylus were a spear dipped in the blood of men.  But face to face with him, thou, of all the world, shalt find him the gentlest warrior that ever won a battle.  Be advised, O Egypt! and come.  Send me not hence with such angry words, for if thou dost draw Antony to Alexandria, then woe to Alexandria, to the people of the Nile, and to thee, great Egypt!  For then he will come armed and breathing war, and it shall go hard with thee, who dost defy the gathered might of Rome.  I pray thee, then, obey this summons.  Come to Cilicia; come with peaceful gifts and not in arms.  Come in thy beauty, and tricked in thy best attire, and thou hast naught to fear from the noble Antony.”  He paused and looked at her meaningly; while I, taking his drift, felt the angry blood surge into my face.

Cleopatra, too, understood, for I saw her rest her chin upon her hand and the cloud of thought gathered in her eyes.  For a time she sat thus, while the crafty Dellius watched her curiously.  And Charmion, standing with the other ladies by the throne, she also read his meaning, for her face lit up, as a summer cloud lights in the evening when the broad lightning flares behind it.  Then once more it grew pale and quiet.