Page:Plutarch's Lives (Clough, v.5, 1865).djvu/237

 ANTONY. 229 on its way. This tumultuous procession seemed to take its course right through the middle of the city to the gate nearest the enemy ; here it became loudest, and suddenly passed out People who reflected considered this to sig- nify that Bacchus, the god whom Antony had always made it his study to copy and imitate, had now forsaken him. As soon as it was light, he marched his infantry out of the city, and posted them upon a rising ground, from whence he saw his fleet make up to the enemy. There he stood in expectation of the eveiit; but, as soon as the fleets came near to one another, his men saluted Csesar's with their oars ; and, on their responding, the whole body of the ships, forming into a single fleet, rowed up direct to the city. Antony had no sooner seen this, but the horse deserted him, and went over to Caesar ; and his foot being defeated, he retired into the city, crying out that Cleopatra had betrayed him to the enemies he had made for her sake. She, being afi'aid lest in his fury and de- spair he might do her a mischief, fled to her monument, and letting do^vn the faUing doors, which were strong with bars and bolts, she sent messengers who should tell Antony she was dead. He, believing it, cried out, " Now, Antony, why delay longer ? Fate has snatched away the only pretext for which you could, say you desired yet to live." Going into his chamber, and there loosening and opening his coat of armor, " I am not," said he, " troubled, Cleopatra, to be at present bereaved of you, for I shall soon be with you ; but it distresses me that so great a general should be found of a tardier courage than a woman." He had a faithful servant, whose name was Eros ; he had engaged him formerly to kill him when he should think it necessary, and now he put him to his promise. Eros drew his sword, as designing to kill hira, but, suddenly turning round, he slew himself And as he