ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA

" Of many thousand kisses the poor last "
Thus, dying, spake the Roman to the Queen —
She whose undreamed-of face mine eyes had seen
In her pavilion as it floated past.
" Of many thousand kisses the poor last " ;
The Royal Empress took his hands between
Her hands; I saw her tears, and saw her lean
Over his face ... and felt the silence vast.

The death-pale splendid queen, in white and gold
And purple, spake with sombre majesty, —
The Eastern Star sang low against the sky;
" As soft as air, as sweet as balm, " — words tolled
Like mystic bells; " What, should I stay? " said she —
And with wide eyes I saw great Egypt die.