Macedonian men of the Council; yet I have already declared, in accordance
with the truth, that I never intended to persecute him on Caesarion's
account. I do not even know--and do not desire to know the refuge of the
lately wedded pair. Or has the new tax levied, the command to seize the
treasures of the temple, driven them to extremities? What am I to do?
We need gold to bid the foe defiance, to preserve the independence of the
throne, the country, and the people. Or have tidings from Rome? It is
becoming serious--and the noise is growing louder."

"Let me see what they want," Archibius anxiously interrupted, hastening
to the door; but just at that moment the Introducer opened it, crying,
"Mark Antony is approaching the Lochias, attended by half Alexandria!"

"The noble Imperator is returning!" fell from the bearded lips of the
commander of the guard, ere the courtier's words had died away; and even
while he spoke Iras pressed past him, shrieking as if half frantic: "He
is coming! He is here! I knew he would come! How they are shouting and
cheering! Out with you, men! If you are willing, my royal mistress, we
will greet him from the balcony of Berenike. If we only had--"

"The twins--little Alexander!" interrupted Cleopatra, with blanched
face and faltering voice. "Put on their festal garments."

"Quick--the children, Zoe!" cried Iras, completing the order and clapping
her hands. Then she turned to the Queen with the entreaty: "Be calm, my
royal mistress, be calm, I beseech you. We have ample time. Here is the
vulture crown of Isis, and here the other. Antony's slave, Eros, has
just come in, panting for breath. The Imperator, he says, will appear as
the new Dionysus. It would certainly please his master--though he had
not commissioned him to request it--if you greeted him as the new Isis.