Page:A Biographical Dictionary of the Celebrated Women of Every Age and Country (1804).djvu/291

Rh a private man at Athens, if Cæsar was not willing he should stay where he was. Cæsar absolutely rejected his proposal; but sent word to Cleopatra, that he would refuse her nothing that was just and reasonable, if she would rid herself of Antony, or drive him out of her kingdom. She refused to act openly against the man she had ruined; but betrayed and deluded him till he was obliged to put an end to his own life, or fall into the hands of Cæsar. She bewailed his loss most passionately; but still, on Cæsar's approach to Alexandria, was attentive to her own security. Near the temple of Isis she had raised a stately building, which she designed for her sepulchre.

There she now retired; and had all her treasure brought there, gold, jewels, pearls, ivory, ebony, cinnamon, and other precious woods. It was filled besides with torches, faggots, tow, and combustibles; so that Cæsar, who had notice of it, was afraid, out of despair, she should burn herself in it with all her riches; and therefore contrived to give her hopes of good usage from him. He wished to secure her for his triumph, and, with this view, sent Proculus to employ all his art and address to seize her. Cleopatra would not let him enter, but spoke to him through the chinks of the door. Proculus, however, stole in, with two others, at a window. Upon which Cleopatra would have stabbed herself; but the Roman caught hold of her arm, and besought her not to deprive his master of an opportunity of shewing his generosity.

Cæsar commanded her to be served in all respects like a queen: but she became inconsolable for the loss of her liberty, and fell into a fever, which gave her hopes that all her sorrows would soon end with life. She had resolved