Having bathed, and ordered a sumptuous banquet, she attired herself in the most splendid manner.

After partaking of the banquet, she commanded all, except her two women, to leave the apartment.

She had contrived to have an asp secretly conveyed to her in a basket of fruit, and then wrote to Augustus, to inform him of her fatal purpose, desiring to be buried in the same tomb with Antony.

38.
Augustus, upon receiving the letter, instantly despatched messengers in hopes to stop the fulfilment of her intentions; but they arrived too late.
[Illustration: Death of Cleopatra.] Upon entering the chamber, they beheld Cleopa'tra lying dead upon her couch, arrayed in royal robes.

Near her, I'ras, one of her faithful attendants, was stretched at the feet of her mistress; and Char'mion,[21] the other, scarcely alive, was settling the diadem upon Cleopa'tra's head.