Then going, armed as he was, to the palace, and embracing Cleopa'tra, he presented to her a soldier who had distinguished himself in the engagement.4.The queen rewarded him very magnificently, presenting him with a helmet and breastplate of gold.

With these, however, the soldier deserted in the night to the other army, prudently resolving to secure his riches by keeping on the strongest side.5.Antony, not able to bear this defection without fresh indignation, resolved to make a bold expiring effort by sea and land; but previously offered to fight his adversary in single combat.

Augus'tus, however, too well knew the inequality of their situations to comply with this forlorn proposal; he, therefore, coolly replied, "Antony has ways enough to die besides in single combat." 6.

The next day, he posted the few troops he had remaining upon a rising ground near the city, whence he sent orders to his galleys to engage the enemy.

There he waited to be a spectator of the combat; and at first he had the satisfaction to see them advance in good order.