# Of the Coming of Harmachis to the Palace; Of How He Drew Paulus Through the Gates; Of Cleopatra Sleeping; and of the Magic of Harmachis Which He Showed Her explained — Cleopatra

> Chapter companion for Cleopatra by H. Rider Haggard.

## What happens

Harmachis, disguised as an astrologer, goes to Cleopatra's palace with his uncle Sepa. At the gate, the Roman captain Paulus blocks him, but Harmachis uses hypnosis to draw Paulus through the gates. Inside, Charmion leads him to Cleopatra's bedchamber, where he sees the queen asleep and performs a magical vision that terrifies her. Charmion reassures him that his reputation as a magician will aid their plot.

## Themes in this chapter

### Power and Corruption

Roman officers like Paulus wield power arrogantly, treating Egypt as a plaything, while Harmachis uses magical power to subvert their authority.

### Love and Betrayal

Harmachis feels pity at Cleopatra's beauty, hinting at emotional conflict that may undermine his plot to kill her.

## Character check-ins

### Harmachis

Disguised as an astrologer, uses hypnosis to enter the palace and performs magic for Cleopatra.

### Sepa

Guides Harmachis to the palace gate and leaves him with prayers for success.

### Paulus

Roman captain who initially blocks Harmachis but is hypnotized and drawn through the gates.

### Charmion

Arranges Harmachis's entry, leads him to Cleopatra's chamber, and observes his reaction to the queen's beauty.

### Cleopatra

Found asleep in her chamber; awakens terrified after Harmachis's magical vision.

## Key lines

> I arrayed myself in a long and flowing robe, after the fashion of a magician or astrologer. I placed a cap on my head, about which were broidered images of the stars, and in my belt a scribe’s palette and a roll of papyrus written over with magic spells and signs.

Harmachis dressed as a magician, wearing a star-embroidered cap and carrying a scribe's palette and a papyrus scroll of spells.

_Harmachis adopts the disguise of an astrologer to gain access to the palace._

> I took him by the hand and gazed deep into his eyes. 'I see,' I said, 'a field of battle at night, and about it bodies stretched—among them is thy body, and a hyena tears its throat. Most noble Sir, thou shalt die by sword-thrusts within a year.'

Harmachis prophesies that a young officer will die in battle within a year, which later comes true.

_Harmachis uses a false prophecy to demonstrate his supposed magical powers._

> I will show thee how I will pass those gates without thy leave—ay, and draw thee through them after me.

Harmachis challenges Paulus, claiming he can enter the gates and even pull Paulus along with him.

_Harmachis uses hypnosis to compel Paulus to follow him through the gates._

> There she lay—the fairest thing that man ever saw—fairer than a dream, and the web of her dark hair flowed all about her.

Cleopatra is described as extraordinarily beautiful, lying asleep with her dark hair spread around her.

_Harmachis is struck by Cleopatra's beauty, causing him to feel pity for her._

## Links

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