Page:Plutarch's Lives (Clough, v.5, 1865).djvu/243

 ANTONY. 235 Coesar, desiring her to repose herself, sat down by her ; and, on this opportunity, she said something to justify her actions, attributing wliat she had done to the necessity she was under, and to her fear of Antony ; and when CjBsar, on each point, made his objections, and she found herself confuted, she broke off at once into langviao-e of entreaty and dejirecation, as if she desired nothing more than to prolong her life. And at last, having by her a list of her treasure, she gave it into his hands ; and when Seleucus, one of her stewards, who was by, pointed out that various articles w'ere omitted, and charged her with secreting them, she flew up and caught him by the hair, and sti'uck him several blows on the face. Caesar smilins; and withholding her, " Is it not very hard, Ca3sar," said she, " when you do me the honor to visit me in this con- dition I am in, that I should be accused by one of my own servants of laying by some women's toys, not meant to adorn, be sure, my unhappy self, but that I might have some little present by me to make your Octavia and your Livia, that by tlieir intercession I might hope to find you in some measure disposed to mercy?" Caesar was pleased to hear her talk thus, being now assured that she was desirous to live. And, therefore, letting her know that the things she had laid by she might dispose of as she pleased, and his usage of her should be honorable above her expectation, he went away, well satisfied that he had overreached her, but, in fact, was himself deceived. There was a yomig man of distinction among Ca3!?ar's companions, named Cornelius Dolabella. He was not without a certain tenderness for Cleopatra, and sent her word privately, as she had besought him to do, that Ca?sar was about to return through Syria, and that she and her children were to be sent on within three days. When she understood this, .she made her request to Cfesar that he would be pleased to permit her to make oblations