ACTI
AnOctobernightontheSyrianborderofEgypttowardstheendoftheXXXIIIDynasty，intheyear706byRomancomputation，afterwardsreckonedbyChristiancomputationas48B。C。Agreatradianceofsilverfire，thedawnofamoonlitnight，isrisingintheeast。Thestarsandthecloudlessskyareourowncontemporaries，nineteenandahalfcenturiesyoungerthanweknowthem;butyouwouldnotguessthatfromtheirappearance。
Belowthemaretwonotabledrawbacksofcivilization：apalace，andsoldiers。Thepalace，anold，low，Syrianbuildingofwhitenedmud，isnotsouglyasBuckinghamPalace;andtheofficersinthecourtyardaremorehighlycivilizedthanmodernEnglishofficers：forexample，theydonotdigupthecorpsesoftheirdeadenemiesandmutilatethem，aswedugupCromwellandtheMahdi。Theyareintwogroups：oneintentonthegamblingoftheircaptainBelzanor，awarrioroffifty，who，withhisspearonthegroundbesidehisknee，isstoopingtothrowdicewithasly-lookingyoungPersianrecruit;theothergatheredaboutaguardsmanwhohasjustfinishedtellinganaughtystory（stillcurrentinEnglishbarracks）atwhichtheyarelaughinguproariously。Theyareaboutadozeninnumber，allhighlyaristocraticyoungEgyptianguardsmen，handsomelyequippedwithweaponsandarmor，veryunEnglishinpointofnotbeingashamedofanduncomfortableintheirprofessionaldress;onthecontrary，ratherostentatiouslyandarrogantlywarlike，asvaluingthemselvesontheirmilitarycaste。
Belzanorisatypicalveteran，toughandwilful;prompt，capableandcraftywherebruteforcewillserve;helplessandboyishwhenitwillnot：aneffectivesergeant，anincompetentgeneral，adeplorabledictator。Would，ifinfluentiallyconnected，beemployedinthetwolastcapacitiesbyamodernEuropeanStateonthestrengthofhissuccessinthefirst。IsrathertobepitiedjustnowinviewofthefactthatJuliusCaesarisinvadinghiscountry。Notknowingthis，isintentonhisgamewiththePersian，whom，asaforeigner，heconsidersquitecapableofcheatinghim。
Hissubalternsaremostlyhandsomeyoungfellowswhoseinterestinthegameandthestorysymbolizeswithtolerablecompletenessthemaininterestsinlifeofwhichtheyareconscious。Theirspearsareleaningagainstthewalls，orlyingonthegroundreadytotheirhands。Thecornerofthecourtyardformsatriangleofwhichonesideisthefrontofthepalace，withadoorway，theotherawallwithagateway。Thestorytellersareonthepalaceside：thegamblers，onthegatewayside。Closetothegateway，againstthewall，isastoneblockhighenoughtoenableaNubiansentinel，standingonit，tolookoverthewall。Theyardislightedbyatorchstuckinthewall。Asthelaughterfromthegrouproundthestorytellerdiesaway，thekneelingPersian，winningthethrow，snatchesupthestakefromtheground。
BELZANOR。ByApis，Persian，thygodsaregoodtothee。
THEPERSIAN。Tryyetagain，Ocaptain。Doubleorquits！
BELZANOR。Nomore。Iamnotinthevein。
THESENTINEL（poisinghisjavelinashepeersoverthewall）。
Stand。Whogoesthere？
Theyallstart，listening。Astrangevoicerepliesfromwithout。
VOICE。Thebearerofeviltidings。
BELZANOR（callingtothesentry）。Passhim。
THESENTINEL。（groundinghisjavelin）。Drawnear，Obearerofeviltidings。
BELZANOR（pocketingthediceandpickinguphisspear）。Letusreceivethismanwithhonor。Hebearseviltidings。
Theguardsmenseizetheirspearsandgatheraboutthegate，leavingawaythroughforthenewcomer。
PERSIAN（risingfromhisknee）。Areeviltidings，then，honorable？
BELZANOR。ObarbarousPersian，hearmyinstruction。InEgyptthebearerofgoodtidingsissacrificedtothegodsasathankofferingbutnogodwillacceptthebloodofthemessengerofevil。Whenwehavegoodtidings，wearecarefultosendtheminthemouthofthecheapestslavewecanfind。Eviltidingsarebornebyyoungnoblemenwhodesiretobringthemselvesintonotice。（Theyjointherestatthegate。）
THESENTINEL。Pass，Oyoungcaptain;andbowtheheadintheHouseoftheQueen。
VOICE。Goanointthyjavelinwithfatofswine，OBlackamoor;forbeforemorningtheRomanswillmaketheeeatittotheverybutt。
Theownerofthevoice，afairhaireddandy，dressedinadifferentfashiontothataffectedbytheguardsmen，butnolessextravagantly，comesthroughthegatewaylaughing。Heissomewhatbattlestained;andhisleftforearm，bandaged，comesthroughatornsleeve。InhisrighthandhecarriesaRomanswordinitssheath。Heswaggersdownthecourtyard，thePersianonhisright，Belzanoronhisleft，andtheguardsmencrowdingdownbehindhim。
BELZANOR。WhoartthouthatlaughestintheHouseofCleopatratheQueen，andintheteethofBelzanor，thecaptainofherguard？
THENEWCOMER。IamBelAffris，descendedfromthegods。
BELZANOR（ceremoniously）。Hail，cousin！
ALL（exceptthePersian）。Hail，cousin！
PERSIAN。AlltheQueen’sguardsaredescendedfromthegods，O
stranger，savemyself。IamPersian，anddescendedfrommanykings。
BELAFFRIS（totheguardsmen）。Hail，cousins！（TothePersian，condescendingly）Hail，mortal！
BELZANOR。Youhavebeeninbattle，BelAffris;andyouareasoldieramongsoldiers。YouwillnotlettheQueen’swomenhavethefirstofyourtidings。
BELAFFRIS。Ihavenotidings，exceptthatweshallhaveourthroatscutpresently，women，soldiers，andall。
PERSIAN（toBelzanor）。Itoldyouso。
THESENTINEL（whohasbeenlistening）。Woe，alas！
BELAFFRIS（callingtohim）。Peace，peace，poorEthiop：destinyiswiththegodswhopaintedtheeblack。（ToBelzanor）Whathasthismortal（indicatingthePersian）toldyou？
BELZANOR。HesaysthattheRomanJuliusCaesar，whohaslandedonourshoreswithahandfuloffollowers，willmakehimselfmasterofEgypt。HeisafraidoftheRomansoldiers。（Theguardsmenlaughwithboisterousscorn。）Peasants，broughtuptoscarecrowsandfollowtheplough。Sonsofsmithsandmillersandtanners！
Andwenobles，consecratedtoarms，descendedfromthegods！
PERSIAN。Belzanor：thegodsarenotalwaysgoodtotheirpoorrelations。
BELZANOR（hotly，tothePersian）。Mantoman，areweworsethantheslavesofCaesar？
BELAFFRIS（steppingbetweenthem）。Listen，cousin。Mantoman，weEgyptiansareasgodsabovetheRomans。
THEGUARDSMEN（exultingly）。Aha！
BELAFFRIS。ButthisCaesardoesnotpitmanagainstman：hethrowsalegionatyouwhereyouareweakestashethrowsastonefromacatapult;andthatlegionisasamanwithonehead，athousandarms，andnoreligion。Ihavefoughtagainstthem;andI
know。
BELZANOR（derisively）。Wereyoufrightened，cousin？
Theguardsmenroarwithlaughter，theireyessparklingatthewitoftheircaptain。
BELAFFRIS。No，cousin;butIwasbeaten。Theywerefrightened（perhaps）;buttheyscattereduslikechaff。
Theguardsmen，muchdamped，utteragrowlofcontemptuousdisgust。
BELZANOR。Couldyounotdie？
BELAFFRIS。No：thatwastooeasytobeworthyofadescendantofthegods。Besides，therewasnotime：allwasoverinamoment。
Theattackcamejustwhereweleastexpectedit。
BELZANOR。ThatshowsthattheRomansarecowards。
BELAFFRIS。Theycarenothingaboutcowardice，theseRomans：theyfighttowin。Theprideandhonorofwararenothingtothem。
PERSIAN。Tellusthetaleofthebattle。Whatbefell？
THEGUARDSMEN（gatheringeagerlyroundBelAfris）。Ay：thetaleofthebattle。
BELAFFRIS。Knowthen，thatIamanoviceintheguardofthetempleofRainMemphis，servingneitherCleopatranorherbrotherPtolemy，butonlythehighgods。WewentajourneytoinquireofPtolemywhyhehaddrivenCleopatraintoSyria，andhowweofEgyptshoulddealwiththeRomanPompey，newlycometoourshoresafterhisdefeatbyCaesaratPharsalia。What，thinkye，didwelearn？EventhatCaesariscomingalsoinhotpursuitofhisfoe，andthatPtolemyhasslainPompey，whoseseveredheadheholdsinreadinesstopresenttotheconqueror。（Sensationamongtheguardsmen。）Nay，more：wefoundthatCaesarisalreadycome;forwehadnotmadehalfaday’sjourneyonourwaybackwhenwecameuponacityrabbleflyingfromhislegions，whoselandingtheyhadgoneouttowithstand。
BELZANOR。Andye，thetempleguard！Didyounotwithstandtheselegions？
BELAFFRIS。Whatmancould，thatwedid。Buttherecamethesoundofatrumpetwhosevoicewasasthecursingofablackmountain。
Thensawweamovingwallofshieldscomingtowardsus。Youknowhowtheheartburnswhenyouchargeafortifiedwall;buthowifthefortifiedwallweretochargeYOU？
THEPERSIAN（exultinginhavingtoldthemso）。DidInotsayit？
BELAFFRIS。Whenthewallcamenigh，itchangedintoalineofmen——commonfellowsenough，withhelmets，leathertunics，andbreastplates。Everymanofthemflunghisjavelin：theonethatcamemywaydrovethroughmyshieldasthroughapapyrus——lothere！（hepointstothebandageonhisleftarm）andwouldhavegonethroughmyneckhadInotstooped。Theywerechargingatthedoublethen，andwereuponuswithshortswordsalmostassoonastheirjavelins。Whenamanisclosetoyouwithsuchasword，youcandonothingwithourweapons：theyarealltoolong。
THEPERSIAN。Whatdidyoudo？
BELAFFRIS。DoubledmyfistandsmotemyRomanonthesharpnessofhisjaw。Hewasbutmortalafterall：helaydowninastupor;
andItookhisswordandlaiditon。（Drawingthesword）Lo！aRomanswordwithRomanbloodonit！
THEGUARDSMEN（approvingly）。Good！（Theytaketheswordandhanditround，examiningitcuriously。）
THEPERSIAN。Andyourmen？
BELAFFRIS。Fled。Scatteredlikesheep。
BELZANOR（furiously）。Thecowardlyslaves！Leavingthedescendantsofthegodstobebutchered！
BELAFFRIS（withacidcoolness）。Thedescendantsofthegodsdidnotstaytobebutchered，cousin。Thebattlewasnottothestrong;buttheracewastotheswift。TheRomans，whohavenochariots，sentacloudofhorsemeninpursuit，andslewmultitudes。Thenourhighpriest’scaptainralliedadozendescendantsofthegodsandexhortedustodiefighting。Isaidtomyself：surelyitissafertostandthantolosemybreathandbestabbedintheback;soIjoinedourcaptainandstood。ThentheRomanstreateduswithrespect;fornomanattacksalionwhenthefieldisfullofsheep，exceptfortheprideandhonorofwar，ofwhichtheseRomansknownothing。Soweescapedwithourlives;andIamcometowarnyouthatyoumustopenyourgatestoCaesar;forhisadvanceguardisscarceanhourbehindme;andnotanEgyptianwarriorisleftstandingbetweenyouandhislegions。
THESENTINEL。Woe，alas！（Hethrowsdownhisjavelinandfliesintothepalace。）
BELZANOR。Nailhimtothedoor，quick！（Theguardsmenrushforhimwiththeirspears;butheistooquickforthem。）Nowthisnewswillrunthroughthepalacelikefirethroughstubble。
BELAFFRIS。WhatshallwedotosavethewomenfromtheRomans？
BELZANOR。Whynotkillthem？
PERSIAN。Becauseweshouldhavetopaybloodmoneyforsomeofthem。BetterlettheRomanskillthem：itischeaper。
BELZANOR（awestruckathisbrainpower）。Osubtleone！O
serpent！
BELAFFRIS。ButyourQueen？
BELZANOR。True：wemustcarryoffCleopatra。
BELAFFRIS。Willyenotawaithercommand？
BELZANOR。Command！Agirlofsixteen！Notwe。AtMemphisyedeemheraQueen：hereweknowbetter。Iwilltakeheronthecrupperofmyhorse。WhenwesoldiershavecarriedheroutofCaesar’sreach，thenthepriestsandthenursesandtherestofthemcanpretendsheisaqueenagain，andputtheircommandsintohermouth。
PERSIAN。Listentome，Belzanor。
BELZANOR。Speak，Osubtlebeyondthyyears。
THEPERSIAN。Cleopatra’sbrotherPtolemyisatwarwithher。Letussellhertohim。
THEGUARDSMEN。Osubtleone！Oserpent！
BELZANOR。Wedarenot。Wearedescendedfromthegods;butCleopatraisdescendedfromtheriverNile;andthelandsofourfatherswillgrownograiniftheNilerisesnottowaterthem。
Withoutourfather’sgiftsweshouldlivethelivesofdogs。
PERSIAN。Itistrue：theQueen’sguardcannotliveonitspay。
Buthearmefurther，OyekinsmenofOsiris。
THEGUARDSMEN。Speak，Osubtleone。Heartheserpentbegotten！
PERSIAN。HaveIheretoforespokentrulytoyouofCaesar，whenyouthoughtImockedyou？
GUARDSMEN。Truly，truly。
BELZANOR（reluctantlyadmittingit）。SoBelAffrissays。
PERSIAN。Hearmoreofhim，then。ThisCaesarisagreatloverofwomen：hemakesthemhisfriendsandcounselors。
BELZANOR。Faugh！ThisruleofwomenwillbetheruinofEgypt。
THEPERSIAN。LetitratherbetheruinofRome！Caesargrowsoldnow：heispastfiftyandfulloflaborsandbattles。Heistoooldfortheyoungwomen;andtheoldwomenaretoowisetoworshiphim。
BELAFFRIS。Takeheed，Persian。Caesarisbythistimealmostwithinearshot。
PERSIAN。Cleopatraisnotyetawoman：neitherisshewise。Butshealreadytroublesmen’swisdom。
BELZANOR。Ay：thatisbecausesheisdescendedfromtheriverNileandablackkittenofthesacredWhiteCat。Whatthen？
PERSIAN。Why，sellhersecretlytoPtolemy，andthenofferourselvestoCaesarasvolunteerstofightfortheoverthrowofherbrotherandtherescueofourQueen，theGreatGranddaughteroftheNile。
THEGUARDSMEN。Oserpent！
PERSIAN。Hewilllistentousifwecomewithherpictureinourmouths。Hewillconquerandkillherbrother，andreigninEgyptwithCleopatraforhisQueen。Andweshallbeherguard。
GUARDSMEN。Osubtlestofalltheserpents！Oadmiration！O
wisdom！
BELAFFRIS。Hewillalsohavearrivedbeforeyouhavedonetalking，Owordspinner。
BELZANOR。Thatistrue。（Anaffrighteduproarinthepalaceinterruptshim。）Quick：theflighthasbegun：guardthedoor。
（Theyrushtothedoorandformacordonbeforeitwiththeirspears。Amobofwomen-servantsandnursessurgesout。Thoseinfrontrecoilfromthespears，screamingtothosebehindtokeepback。Belzanor’svoicedominatesthedisturbanceasheshouts）
Backthere。Inagain，unprofitablecattle。
THEGUARDSMEN。Back，unprofitablecattle。
BELZANOR。SendusoutFtatateeta，theQueen’schiefnurse。
THEWOMEN（callingintothepalace）。Ftatateeta，Ftatateeta。
Come，come。SpeaktoBelzanor。
AWOMAN。Oh，keepback。Youarethrustingmeonthespearheads。
Ahugegrimwoman，herfacecoveredwithanetworkoftinywrinkles，andhereyesold，large，andwise;sinewyhanded，verytall，verystrong;withthemouthofabloodhoundandthejawsofabulldog，appearsonthethreshold。Sheisdressedlikeapersonofconsequenceinthepalace，andconfrontstheguardsmeninsolently。
FTATATEETA。MakewayfortheQueen’schiefnurse。
BELZANOR。（withsolemnarrogance）。Ftatateeta：IamBelzanor，thecaptainoftheQueen’sguard，descendedfromthegods。
FTATATEETA。（retortinghisarrogancewithinterest）。Belzanor：I
amFtatateeta，theQueen’schiefnurse;andyourdivineancestorswereproudtobepaintedonthewallinthepyramidsofthekingswhommyfathersserved。
Thewomenlaughtriumphantly。
BELZANOR（withgrimhumor）Ftatateeta：daughterofalong-tongued，swivel-eyedchameleon，theRomansareathand。（A
cryofterrorfromthewomen：theywouldflybutforthespears。）
Noteventhedescendantsofthegodscanresistthem;fortheyhaveeachmansevenarms，eachcarryingsevenspears。Thebloodintheirveinsisboilingquicksilver;andtheirwivesbecomemothersinthreehours，andareslainandeatenthenextday。
Ashudderofhorrorfromthewomen。Ftatateeta，despisingthemandscorningthesoldiers，pushesherwaythroughthecrowdandconfrontsthespearpointsundismayed。
FTATATEETA。Thenflyandsaveyourselves，Ocowardlysonsofthecheapclaygodsthataresoldtofishporters;andleaveustoshiftforourselves。
BELZANOR。Notuntilyouhavefirstdoneourbidding，Oterrorofmanhood。BringoutCleopatratheQueentousandthengowhitheryouwill。
FTATATEETA（withaderisivelaugh）。NowIknowwhythegodshavetakenheroutofourhands。（Theguardsmenstartandlookatoneanother）。Know，thoufoolishsoldier，thattheQueenhasbeenmissingsinceanhourpastsundown。
BELZANOR（furiously）。Hag：youhavehiddenhertoselltoCaesarorherbrother。（Hegraspsherbytheleftwrist，anddragsher，helpedbyafewoftheguard，tothemiddleofthecourtyard，where，astheyflingheronherknees，hedrawsamurderouslookingknife。）Whereisshe？Whereisshe？or——（Hethreatenstocutherthroat。）
FTATATEETA（savagely）。Touchme，dog;andtheNilewillnotriseonyourfieldsforseventimessevenyearsoffamine。
BELZANOR（frightened，butdesperate）。Iwillsacrifice：Iwillpay。Orstay。（TothePersian）You，Osubtleone：yourfather’slandsliefarfromtheNile。Slayher。
PERSIAN（threateningherwithhisknife）。Persiahasbutonegod;
yethelovesthebloodofoldwomen。WhereisCleopatra？
FTATATEETA。Persian：asOsirislives，Idonotknow。Ichideherforbringingevildaysuponusbytalkingtothesacredcatsofthepriests，andcarryingtheminherarms。ItoldhershewouldbeleftaloneherewhentheRomanscameasapunishmentforherdisobedience。Andnowsheisgone——runaway——hidden。Ispeakthetruth。IcallOsiristowitness。
THEWOMEN（protestingofficiously）。Shespeaksthetruth，Belzanor。
BELZANOR。Youhavefrightenedthechild：sheishiding。Search——
quick——intothepalace——searcheverycorner。
Theguards，ledbyBelzanor，shouldertheirwayintothepalacethroughtheflyingcrowdofwomen，whoescapethroughthecourtyardgate。
FTATATEETA（screaming）。Sacrilege！MenintheQueen’schambers！
Sa——（HervoicediesawayasthePersianputshisknifetoherthroat。）
BELAFFRIS（layingahandonFtatateeta’sleftshoulder）。Forbearheryetamoment，Persian。（ToFtatateeta，verysignificantly）
Mother：yourgodsareasleeporawayhunting;andtheswordisatyourthroat。BringustowheretheQueenishid，andyoushalllive。
FTATATEETA（contemptuously）。Whoshallstaytheswordinthehandofafool，ifthehighgodsputitthere？Listentome，yeyoungmenwithoutunderstanding。Cleopatrafearsme;butshefearstheRomansmore。ThereisbutonepowergreaterinhereyesthanthewrathoftheQueen’snurseandthecrueltyofCaesar;andthatisthepoweroftheSphinxthatsitsinthedesertwatchingthewaytothesea。Whatshewouldhaveitknow，shetellsintotheearsofthesacredcats;andonherbirthdayshesacrificestoitanddecksitwithpoppies。GoyethereforeintothedesertandseekCleopatraintheshadowoftheSphinx;andonyourheadsseetoitthatnoharmcomestoher。
BELAFFRIS（tothePersian）。Maywebelievethis，Osubtleone？
PERSIAN。WhichwaycometheRomans？
BELAFFRIS。Overthedesert，fromthesea，bythisverySphinx。
PERSIAN（toFtatateeta）。Omotherofguile！Oaspic’stongue！YouhavemadeupthistalesothatwetwomaygointothedesertandperishonthespearsoftheRomans。（Liftinghisknife）Tastedeath。
FTATATEETA。Notfromthee，baby。（Shesnatcheshisanklefromunderhimandfliesstoopingalongthepalacewallvanishinginthedarknesswithinitsprecinct。BelAffrisroarswithlaughterasthePersiantumbles。TheguardsmenrushoutofthepalacewithBelzanorandamoboffugitives，mostlycarryingbundles。）
PERSIAN。HaveyoufoundCleopatra？
BELZANOR。Sheisgone。Wehavesearchedeverycorner。
THENUBIANSENTINEL（appearingatthedoorofthepalace）。Woe！
Alas！Fly，fly！
BELZANOR。Whatisthematternow？
THENUBIANSENTINEL。Thesacredwhitecathasbeenstolen。Woe！
Woe！（Generalpanic。Theyallflywithcriesofconsternation。
Thetorchisthrowndownandextinguishedintherush。Darkness。
Thenoiseofthefugitivesdiesaway。Deadsilence。Suspense。
ThentheblacknessandstillnessbreakssoftlyintosilvermistandstrangeairsasthewindsweptharpofMemnonplaysatthedawningofthemoon。Itrisesfulloverthedesert;andavasthorizoncomesintorelief，brokenbyahugeshapewhichsoonrevealsitselfinthespreadingradianceasaSphinxpedestalledonthesands。Thelightstillclears，untiltheupraisedeyesoftheimagearedistinguishedlookingstraightforwardandupwardininfinitefearlessvigil，andamassofcolorbetweenitsgreatpawsdefinesitselfasaheapofredpoppiesonwhichagirlliesmotionless，hersilkenvestheavinggentlyandregularlywiththebreathingofadreamlesssleeper，andherbraidedhairglitteringinashaftofmoonlightlikeabird’swing。
Suddenlytherecomesfromafaravaguelyfearfulsound（itmightbethebellowofaMinotaursoftenedbygreatdistance）andMemnon’smusicstops。Silence：thenafewfainthigh-ringingtrumpetnotes。Thensilenceagain。Thenamancomesfromthesouthwithstealingsteps，ravishedbythemysteryofthenight，allwonder，andhalts，lostincontemplation，oppositetheleftflankoftheSphinx，whosebosom，withitsburden，ishiddenfromhimbyitsmassiveshoulder。）
THEMAN。Hail，Sphinx：salutationfromJuliusCaesar！Ihavewanderedinmanylands，seekingthelostregionsfromwhichmybirthintothisworldexiledme，andthecompanyofcreaturessuchasImyself。Ihavefoundflocksandpastures，menandcities，butnootherCaesar，noairnativetome，nomankindredtome，nonewhocandomyday’sdeed，andthinkmynight’sthought。Inthelittleworldyonder，Sphinx，myplaceisashighasyoursinthisgreatdesert;onlyIwander，andyousitstill;
Iconquer，andyouendure;Iworkandwonder，youwatchandwait;
Ilookupandamdazzled，lookdownandamdarkened，lookroundandampuzzled，whilstyoureyesneverturnfromlookingout——outoftheworld——tothelostregion——thehomefromwhichwehavestrayed。Sphinx，youandI，strangerstotheraceofmen，arenostrangerstooneanother：haveInotbeenconsciousofyouandofthisplacesinceIwasborn？Romeisamadman’sdream：thisismyReality。ThesestarrylampsofyoursIhaveseenfromafarinGaul，inBritain，inSpain，inThessaly，signallinggreatsecretstosomeeternalsentinelbelow，whosepostInevercouldfind。
Andhereatlastistheirsentinel——animageoftheconstantandimmortalpartofmylife，silent，fullofthoughts，aloneinthesilverdesert。Sphinx，Sphinx：Ihaveclimbedmountainsatnighttohearinthedistancethestealthyfootfallofthewindsthatchaseyoursandsinforbiddenplay——ourinvisiblechildren，O
Sphinx，laughinginwhispers。Mywayhitherwasthewayofdestiny;forIamheofwhosegeniusyouarethesymbol：partbrute，partwoman，andpartGod——nothingofmaninmeatall。
HaveIreadyourriddle，Sphinx？
THEGIRL（whohaswakened，andpeepedcautiouslyfromhernesttoseewhoisspeaking）。Oldgentleman。
CAESAR（startingviolently，andclutchinghissword）。Immortalgods！
THEGIRL。Oldgentleman：don’trunaway。
CAESAR（stupefied）。\"Oldgentleman：don’trunaway！！！\"This！ToJuliusCaesar！
THEGIRL（urgently）。Oldgentleman。
CAESAR。Sphinx：youpresumeonyourcenturies。Iamyoungerthanyou，thoughyourvoiceisbutagirl’svoiceasyet。
THEGIRL。Climbuphere，quickly;ortheRomanswillcomeandeatyou。
CAESAR（runningforwardpasttheSphinx’sshoulder，andseeingher）。Achildatitsbreast！Adivinechild！
THEGIRL。Comeupquickly。Youmustgetupatitssideandcreepround。
CAESAR（amazed）。Whoareyou？
THEGIRL。Cleopatra，QueenofEgypt。
CAESAR。QueenoftheGypsies，youmean。
CLEOPATRA。Youmustnotbedisrespectfultome，ortheSphinxwilllettheRomanseatyou。Comeup。Itisquitecosyhere。
CAESAR（tohimself）。Whatadream！Whatamagnificentdream！Onlyletmenotwake，andIwillconquertencontinentstopayfordreamingitouttotheend。（HeclimbstotheSphinx’sflank，andpresentlyreappearstoheronthepedestal，steppingrounditsrightshoulder。）
CLEOPATRA。Takecare。That’sright。Nowsitdown：youmayhaveitsotherpaw。（Sheseatsherselfcomfortablyonitsleftpaw。）
Itisverypowerfulandwillprotectus;but（shivering，andwithplaintiveloneliness）itwouldnottakeanynoticeofmeorkeepmecompany。Iamgladyouhavecome：Iwasverylonely。Didyouhappentoseeawhitecatanywhere？
CAESAR（sittingslowlydownontherightpawinextremewonderment）。Haveyoulostone？
CLEOPATRA。Yes：thesacredwhitecat：isitnotdreadful？I
broughthimheretosacrificehimtotheSphinx;butwhenwegotalittlewayfromthecityablackcatcalledhim，andhejumpedoutofmyarmsandranawaytoit。Doyouthinkthattheblackcatcanhavebeenmygreat-great-great-grandmother？
CAESAR（staringather）。Yourgreat-great-great-grandmother！
Well，whynot？Nothingwouldsurprisemeonthisnightofnights。
CLEOPATRA。Ithinkitmusthavebeen。Mygreat-grandmother’sgreat-grandmotherwasablackkittenofthesacredwhitecat;andtheriverNilemadeherhisseventhwife。Thatiswhymyhairissowavy。AndIalwayswanttobeletdoasIlike，nomatterwhetheritisthewillofthegodsornot：thatisbecausemybloodismadewithNilewater。
CAESAR。Whatareyoudoinghereatthistimeofnight？Doyoulivehere？
CLEOPATRA。Ofcoursenot：IamtheQueen;andIshallliveinthepalaceatAlexandriawhenIhavekilledmybrother，whodrovemeoutofit。WhenIamoldenoughIshalldojustwhatIlike。I
shallbeabletopoisontheslavesandseethemwriggle，andpretendtoFtatateetathatsheisgoingtobeputintothefieryfurnace。
CAESAR。Hm！Meanwhilewhyareyounotathomeandinbed？
CLEOPATRA。BecausetheRomansarecomingtoeatusall。YOUarenotathomeandinbedeither。
CAESAR（withconviction）。YesIam。Iliveinatent;andIamnowinthattent，fastasleepanddreaming。DoyousupposethatI
believeyouarereal，youimpossiblelittledreamwitch？
CLEOPATRA（gigglingandleaningtrustfullytowardshim）。Youareafunnyoldgentleman。Ilikeyou。
CAESAR。Ah，thatspoilsthedream。Whydon’tyoudreamthatIamyoung？
CLEOPATRA。Iwishyouwere;onlyIthinkIshouldbemoreafraidofyou。Ilikemen，especiallyyoungmenwithroundstrongarms;
butIamafraidofthem。Youareoldandratherthinandstringy;
butyouhaveanicevoice;andIliketohavesomebodytotalkto，thoughIthinkyouarealittlemad。Itisthemoonthatmakesyoutalktoyourselfinthatsillyway。
CAESAR。What！youheardthat，didyou？IwassayingmyprayerstothegreatSphinx。
CLEOPATRA。Butthisisn’tthegreatSphinx。
CAESAR（muchdisappointed，lookingupatthestatue）。What！
CLEOPATRA。ThisisonlyadearlittlekittenoftheSphinx。Why，thegreatSphinxissobigthatithasatemplebetweenitspaws。
ThisismypetSphinx。Tellme：doyouthinktheRomanshaveanysorcererswhocouldtakeusawayfromtheSphinxbymagic？
CAESAR。Why？AreyouafraidoftheRomans？
CLEOPATRA（veryseriously）。Oh，theywouldeatusiftheycaughtus。Theyarebarbarians。TheirchiefiscalledJuliusCaesar。Hisfatherwasatigerandhismotheraburningmountain;andhisnoseislikeanelephant’strunk。（Caesarinvoluntarilyrubshisnose。）Theyallhavelongnoses，andivorytusks，andlittletails，andsevenarmswithahundredarrowsineach;andtheyliveonhumanflesh。
CAESAR。WouldyoulikemetoshowyouarealRoman？
CLEOPATRA（terrified）。No。Youarefrighteningme。
CAESAR。Nomatter：thisisonlyadream——
CLEOPATRA（excitedly）。Itisnotadream：itisnotadream。See，see。（Sheplucksapinfromherhairandjabsitrepeatedlyintohisarm。）
CAESAR。Ffff——Stop。（Wrathfully）Howdareyou？
CLEOPATRA（abashed）。Yousaidyouweredreaming。（Whimpering）I
onlywantedtoshowyou——
CAESAR（gently）。Come，come：don’tcry。Aqueenmustn’tcry。（Herubshisarm，wonderingattherealityofthesmart。）AmIawake？
（HestrikeshishandagainsttheSphinxtotestitssolidity。Itfeelssorealthathebeginstobealarmed，andsaysperplexedly）
Yes，I——（quitepanicstricken）no：impossible：madness，madness！
（Desperately）Backtocamp——tocamp。（Herisestospringdownfromthepedestal。）
CLEOPATRA（flingingherarmsinterrorroundhim）。No：youshan’tleaveme。No，no，no：don’tgo。I’mafraid——afraidoftheRomans。
CAESAR（astheconvictionthatheisreallyawakeforcesitselfonhim）。Cleopatra：canyouseemyfacewell？
CLEOPATRA。Yes。Itissowhiteinthemoonlight。
CAESAR。AreyousureitisthemoonlightthatmakesmelookwhiterthananEgyptian？（Grimly）DoyounoticethatIhavearatherlongnose？
CLEOPATRA（recoiling，paralyzedbyaterriblesuspicion）。Oh！
CAESAR。ItisaRomannose，Cleopatra。
CLEOPATRA。Ah！（Withapiercingscreamshespringsup;dartsroundtheleftshoulderoftheSphinx;scramblesdowntothesand;andfallsonherkneesinfranticsupplication，shrieking）
Bitehimintwo，Sphinx：bitehimintwo。Imeanttosacrificethewhitecat——Ididindeed——I（Caesar，whohasslippeddownfromthepedestal，touchesherontheshoulder）Ah！（Sheburiesherheadinherarms。）
CAESAR。Cleopatra：shallIteachyouawaytopreventCaesarfromeatingyou？
CLEOPATRA（clingingtohimpiteously）。Ohdo，do，do。IwillstealFtatateeta’sjewelsandgivethemtoyou。IwillmaketheriverNilewateryourlandstwiceayear。
CAESAR。Peace，peace，mychild。YourgodsareafraidoftheRomans：youseetheSphinxdarenotbiteme，norpreventmecarryingyouofftoJuliusCaesar。
CLEOPATRA（inpleadingmurmurings）。Youwon’t，youwon’t。Yousaidyouwouldn’t。
CAESAR。Caesarnevereatswomen。
CLEOPATRA（springingupfullofhope）。What！
CAESAR（impressively）。Butheeatsgirls（sherelapses）andcats。
Nowyouareasillylittlegirl;andyouaredescendedfromtheblackkitten。Youarebothagirlandacat。
CLEOPATRA（trembling）。Andwillheeatme？
CAESAR。Yes;unlessyoumakehimbelievethatyouareawoman。
CLEOPATRA。Oh，youmustgetasorcerertomakeawomanofme。Areyouasorcerer？
CAESAR。Perhaps。Butitwilltakealongtime;andthisverynightyoumuststandfacetofacewithCaesarinthepalaceofyourfathers。
CLEOPATRA。No，no。Idaren’t。
CAESAR。Whateverdreadmaybeinyoursoul——howeverterribleCaesarmaybetoyou——youmustconfronthimasabravewomanandagreatqueen;andyoumustfeelnofear。Ifyourhandshakes：ifyourvoicequavers;then——nightanddeath！（Shemoans。）Butifhethinksyouworthytorule，hewillsetyouonthethronebyhissideandmakeyoutherealrulerofEgypt。
CLEOPATRA（despairingly）。No：hewillfindmeout：hewillfindmeout。
CAESAR（rathermournfully）。Heiseasilydeceivedbywomen。Theireyesdazzlehim;andheseesthemnotastheyare，butashewishesthemtoappeartohim。
CLEOPATRA（hopefully）。Thenwewillcheathim。IwillputonFtatateeta’shead-dress;andhewillthinkmequiteanoldwoman。
CAESAR。Ifyoudothathewilleatyouatonemouthful。
CLEOPATRA。ButIwillgivehimacakewithmymagicopalandsevenhairsofthewhitecatbakedinit;and——
CAESAR（abruptly）。Pah！youarealittlefool。Hewilleatyourcakeandyoutoo。（Heturnscontemptuouslyfromher。）
CLEOPATRA（runningafterhimandclingingtohim）。Oh，please，PLEASE！Iwilldowhateveryoutellme。Iwillbegood！Iwillbeyourslave。（Againtheterriblebellowingnotesoundsacrossthedesert，nowcloserathand。Itisthebucina，theRomanwartrumpet。）
CAESAR。Hark！
CLEOPATRA（trembling）。Whatwasthat？
CAESAR。Caesar’svoice。
CLEOPATRA（pullingathishand）。Letusrunaway。Come。Oh，come。
CAESAR。YouaresafewithmeuntilyoustandonyourthronetoreceiveCaesar。Nowleadmethither。
CLEOPATRA（onlytoogladtogetaway）。Iwill，Iwill。（Againthebucina。）Oh，come，come，come：thegodsareangry。Doyoufeeltheearthshaking？
CAESAR。ItisthetreadofCaesar’slegions。
CLEOPATRA（drawinghimaway）。Thisway，quickly。Andletuslookforthewhitecataswego。ItishethathasturnedyouintoaRoman。
CAESAR。Incorrigible，oh，incorrigible！Away！（Hefollowsher，thebucinasoundinglouderastheystealacrossthedesert。Themoonlightwanes：thehorizonagainshowsblackagainstthesky，brokenonlybythefantasticsilhouetteoftheSphinx。Theskyitselfvanishesindarkness，fromwhichthereisnoreliefuntilthegleamofadistanttorchfallsongreatEgyptianpillarssupportingtheroofofamajesticcorridor。AtthefurtherendofthiscorridoraNubianslaveappearscarryingthetorch。Caesar，stillledbyCleopatra，followshim。Theycomedownthecorridor，Caesarpeeringkeenlyaboutatthestrangearchitecture，andatthepillarshadowsbetweenwhich，asthepassingtorchmakesthemhurrynoiselesslybackwards，figuresofmenwithwingsandhawks’
heads，andvastblackmarblecats，seemtoflitinandoutofambush。Furtheralong，thewallturnsacornerandmakesaspacioustranseptinwhichCaesarsees，onhisright，athrone，andbehindthethroneadoor。Oneachsideofthethroneisaslenderpillarwithalamponit。）
CAESAR。Whatplaceisthis？
CLEOPATRA。ThisiswhereIsitonthethronewhenIamallowedtowearmycrownandrobes。（Theslaveholdshistorchtoshowthethrone。）
CAESAR。Ordertheslavetolightthelamps。
CLEOPATRA（shyly）。DoyouthinkImay？
CAESAR。Ofcourse。YouaretheQueen。（Shehesitates。）Goon。
CLEOPATRA（timidly，totheslave）。Lightallthelamps。
FTATATEETA（suddenlycomingfrombehindthethrone）。Stop。（Theslavestops。SheturnssternlytoCleopatra，whoquailslikeanaughtychild。）Whoisthisyouhavewithyou;andhowdareyouorderthelampstobelightedwithoutmypermission？（Cleopatraisdumbwithapprehension。）
CAESAR。Whoisshe？
CLEOPATRA。Ftatateeta。
FTATATEETA（arrogantly）。Chiefnurseto——
CAESAR（cuttinghershort）。IspeaktotheQueen。Besilent。（ToCleopatra）Isthishowyourservantsknowtheirplaces？Sendheraway;andyou（totheslave）doastheQueenhasbidden。（Theslavelightsthelamps。MeanwhileCleopatrastandshesitating，afraidofFtatateeta。）YouaretheQueen：sendheraway。
CLEOPATRA（cajoling）。Ftatateeta，dear：youmustgoaway——justforalittle。
CAESAR。Youarenotcommandinghertogoaway：youarebeggingher。YouarenoQueen。Youwillbeeaten。Farewell。（Heturnstogo。）
CLEOPATRA（clutchinghim）。No，no，no。Don’tleaveme。
CAESAR。ARomandoesnotstaywithqueenswhoareafraidoftheirslaves。
CLEOPATRA。Iamnotafraid。IndeedIamnotafraid。
FTATATEETA。Weshallseewhoisafraidhere。（Menacingly）
Cleopatra——
CAESAR。Onyourknees，woman：amIalsoachildthatyoudaretriflewithme？（HepointstotheflooratCleopatra’sfeet。
Ftatateeta，halfcowed，halfsavage，hesitates。CaesarcallstotheNubian）Slave。（TheNubiancomestohim。）Canyoucutoffahead？（TheNubiannodsandgrinsecstatically，showingallhisteeth。Caesartakeshisswordbythescabbard，readytoofferthehilttotheNubian，andturnsagaintoFtatateeta，repeatinghisgesture。）Haveyourememberedyourself，mistress？
Ftatateeta，crushed，kneelsbeforeCleopatra，whocanhardlybelievehereyes。
FTATATEETA（hoarsely）。OQueen，forgetnotthyservantinthedaysofthygreatness。
CLEOPATRA（blazingwithexcitement）。Go。Begone。Goaway。
（Ftatateetariseswithstoopedhead，andmovesbackwardstowardsthedoor。Cleopatrawatcheshersubmissioneagerly，almostclappingherhands，whicharetrembling。Suddenlyshecries）Givemesomethingtobeatherwith。（Shesnatchesasnake-skinfromthethroneanddashesafterFtatateeta，whirlingitlikeascourgeintheair。CaesarmakesaboundandmanagestocatchherandholdherwhileFtatateetaescapes。）
CAESAR。Youscratch，kitten，doyou？
CLEOPATRA（breakingfromhim）。Iwillbeatsomebody。Iwillbeathim。（Sheattackstheslave。）There，there，there！（Theslavefliesforhislifeupthecorridorandvanishes。Shethrowsthesnake-skinawayandjumpsonthestepofthethronewithherarmswaving，crying）IamarealQueenatlast——areal，realQueen！
CleopatratheQueen！（Caesarshakeshisheaddubiously，theadvantageofthechangeseemingopentoquestionfromthepointofviewofthegeneralwelfareofEgypt。Sheturnsandlooksathimexultantly。Thenshejumpsdownfromthestep，runstohim，andflingsherarmsroundhimrapturously，crying）Oh，IloveyouformakingmeaQueen。
CAESAR。Butqueensloveonlykings。
CLEOPATRA。IwillmakeallthemenIlovekings。Iwillmakeyouaking。Iwillhavemanyyoungkings，withround，strongarms;
andwhenIamtiredofthemIwillwhipthemtodeath;butyoushallalwaysbemyking：mynice，kind，wise，proudoldking。
CAESAR。Oh，mywrinkles，mywrinkles！Andmychild’sheart！YouwillbethemostdangerousofallCaesar’sconguests。
CLEOPATRA（appalled）。Caesar！IforgotCaesar。（Anxiously）YouwilltellhimthatIamaQueen，willyounot？arealQueen。
Listen！（stealthilycoaxinghim）letusrunawayandhideuntilCaesarisgone。
CAESAR。IfyoufearCaesar，youarenotrueQueen;andthoughyouweretohidebeneathapyramid，hewouldgostraighttoitandliftitwithonehand。Andthen——！（Hechopshisteethtogether。）
CLEOPATRA（trembling）。Oh！
CAESAR。Beafraidifyoudare。（Thenoteofthebucinaresoundsagaininthedistance。Shemoanswithfear。Caesarexaltsinit，exclaiming）Aha！CaesarapproachesthethroneofCleopatra。Come：takeyourplace。（Hetakesherhandandleadshertothethrone。Sheistoodowncasttospeak。）Ho，there，Teetatota。Howdoyoucallyourslaves？
CLEOPATRA（spiritlessly，asshesinksonthethroneandcowersthere，shaking）。Clapyourhands。
Heclapshishands。Ftatateetareturns。
CAESAR。BringtheQueen’srobes，andhercrown，andherwomen;
andprepareher。
CLEOPATRA（eagerly——recoveringherselfalittle）。Yes，theCrown，Ftatateeta：Ishallwearthecrown。
FTATATEETA。ForwhommusttheQueenputonherstate？
CAESAR。ForacitizenofRome。Akingofkings，Totateeta。
CLEOPATRA（stampingather）。Howdareyouaskquestions？Goanddoasyouaretold。（Ftatateetagoesoutwithagrimsmile。
Cleopatragoesoneagerly，toCaesar）CaesarwillknowthatIamaQueenwhenheseesmycrownandrobes，willhenot？
CAESAR。No。HowshallheknowthatyouarenotaslavedressedupintheQueen’sornaments？
CLEOPATRA。Youmusttellhim。
CAESAR。Hewillnotaskme。HewillknowCleopatrabyherpride，hercourage，hermajesty，andherbeauty。（Shelooksverydoubtful。）Areyoutrembling？
CLEOPATRA（shiveringwithdread）。No，I——I——（inaverysicklyvoice）No。
Ftatateetaandthreewomencomeinwiththeregalia。
FTATATEETA。OfalltheQueen’swomen，thesethreealoneareleft。
Therestarefled。（TheybegintodeckCleopatra，whosubmits，paleandmotionless。）
CAESAR。Good，good。Threeareenough。PoorCaesargenerallyhastodresshimself。
FTATATEETA（contemptuously）。TheQueenofEgyptisnotaRomanbarbarian。（ToCleopatra）Bebrave，mynursling。Holdupyourheadbeforethisstranger。
CAESAR（admiringCleopatra，andplacingthecrownonherhead）。
IsitsweetorbittertobeaQueen，Cleopatra？
CLEOPATRA。Bitter。
CAESAR。Castoutfear;andyouwillconquerCaesar。Tota：aretheRomansathand？
FTATATEETA。Theyareathand;andtheguardhasfled。
THEWOMEN（wailingsubduedly）。Woetous！
TheNubiancomesrunningdownthehall。
NUBIAN。TheRomansareinthecourtyard。（Heboltsthroughthedoor。Withashriek，thewomenflyafterhim。Ftatateeta’sjawexpressessavageresolution：shedoesnotbudge。Cleopatracanhardlyrestrainherselffromfollowingthem。Caesargripsherwrist，andlookssteadfastlyather。Shestandslikeamartyr。）
CAESAR。TheQueenmustfaceCaesaralone。Answer\"Sobeit。\"
CLEOPATRA（white）。Sobeit。
CAESAR（releasingher）。Good。
Atrampandtumultofarmedmenisheard。Cleopatra’sterrorincreases。Thebucinasoundscloseathand，followedbyaformidableclangoroftrumpets。ThisistoomuchforCleopatra：
sheuttersacryanddartstowardsthedoor。Ftatateetastopsherruthlessly。
FTATATEETA。Youaremynursling。Youhavesaid\"Sobeit\";andifyoudieforit，youmustmaketheQueen’swordgood。（ShehandsCleopatratoCaesar，whotakesherback，almostbesideherselfwithapprehension，tothethrone。）
CAESAR。Now，ifyouquail——！（Heseatshimselfonthethrone。）
Shestandsonthestep，allbutunconscious，waitingfordeath。
TheRomansoldierstroopintumultuouslythroughthecorridor，headedbytheirensignwithhiseagle，andtheirbucinator，aburlyfellowwithhisinstrumentcoiledroundhisbody，itsbrazenbellshapedliketheheadofahowlingwolf。Whentheyreachthetransept，theystareinamazementatthethrone;dressintoorderedrankoppositeit;drawtheirswordsandliftthemintheairwithashoutofHAILCAESAR。CleopatraturnsandstareswildlyatCaesar;graspsthesituation;and，withagreatsobofrelief，fallsintohisarms。
ACTII
Alexandria。AhallonthefirstfloorofthePalace，endinginaloggiaapproachedbytwosteps。ThroughthearchesoftheloggiatheMediterraneancanbeseen，brightinthemorningsun。Thecleanloftywalls，paintedwithaprocessionoftheEgyptiantheocracy，presentedinprofileasflatornament，andtheabsenceofmirrors，shamperspectives，stuffyupholsteryandtextiles，maketheplacehandsome，wholesome，simpleandcool，or，asarichEnglishmanufacturerwouldexpressit，poor，bare，ridiculousandunhomely。ForTottenhamCourtRoadcivilizationistothisEgyptiancivilizationasglassbeadandtattoocivilizationistoTottenhamCourtRoad。
TheyoungkingPtolemyDionysus（agedten）isatthetopofthesteps，onhiswayinthroughtheloggia，ledbyhisguardianPothinus，whohashimbythehand。Thecourtisassembledtoreceivehim。Itismadeupofmenandwomen（someofthewomenbeingofficials）ofvariouscomplexionsandraces，mostlyEgyptian;someofthem，comparativelyfair，fromlowerEgypt;
some，muchdarker，fromupperEgypt;withafewGreeksandJews。
ProminentinagrouponPtolemy’srighthandisTheodotus，Ptolemy’stutor。Anothergroup，onPtolemy’sleft，isheadedbyAchillas，thegeneralofPtolemy’stroops。Theodotusisalittleoldman，whosefeaturesareascrampedandwizenedashislimbs，excepthistallstraightforehead，whichoccupiesmorespacethanalltherestofhisface。Hemaintainsanairofmagpiekeennessandprofundity，listeningtowhattheotherssaywiththesarcasticvigilanceofaphilosopherlisteningtotheexercisesofhisdisciples。Achillasisatallhandsomemanofthirty-five，withafineblackbeardcurledlikethecoatofapoodle。
Apparentlynotacleverman，butdistinguishedanddignified。
Pothinusisavigorousmanoffifty，aeunuch，passionate，energeticandquickwitted，butofcommonmindandcharacter;
impatientandunabletocontrolhistemper。Hehasfinetawnyhair，likefur。Ptolemy，theKing，looksmucholderthananEnglishboyoften;buthehasthechildishair，thehabitofbeinginleadingstrings，themixtureofimpotenceandpetulance，theappearanceofbeingexcessivelywashed，combedanddressedbyotherhands，whichisexhibitedbycourt-bredprincesofallages。
AllreceivetheKingwithreverences。Hecomesdownthestepstoachairofstatewhichstandsalittletohisright，theonlyseatinthehall。Takinghisplacebeforeit，helooksnervouslyforinstructionstoPothinus，whoplaceshimselfathislefthand。
POTHINUS。TheKingofEgypthasawordtospeak。
THEODOTUS（inasqueakwhichhemakesimpressivebysheerself-opinionativeness）。PeacefortheKing’sword！
PTOLEMY（withoutanyvocalinflexions：heisevidentlyrepeatingalesson）。Takenoticeofthisallofyou。IamthefirstbornsonofAuletestheFluteBlowerwhowasyourKing。MysisterBerenicedrovehimfromhisthroneandreignedinhissteadbut——but（hehesitates）——
POTHINUS（stealthilyprompting）。——butthegodswouldnotsuffer——
PTOLEMY。Yes——thegodswouldnotsuffer——notsuffer（hestops;
then，crestfallen）Iforgetwhatthegodswouldnotsuffer。
THEODOTUS。LetPothinus，theKing’sguardian，speakfortheKing。
POTHINUS（suppressinghisimpatiencewithdifficulty）。TheKingwishedtosaythatthegodswouldnotsuffertheimpietyofhissistertogounpunished。
PTOLEMY（hastily）。Yes：Iremembertherestofit。（Heresumeshismonotone）。Thereforethegodssentastranger，oneMarkAntony，aRomancaptainofhorsemen，acrossthesandsofthedesertandhesetmyfatheragainuponthethrone。AndmyfathertookBerenicemysisterandstruckherheadoff。Andnowthatmyfatherisdeadyetanotherofhisdaughters，mysisterCleopatra，wouldsnatchthekingdomfrommeandreigninmyplace。Butthegodswouldnotsuffer（Pothinuscoughsadmonitorily）——thegods——
thegodswouldnotsuffer——
POTHINUS（prompting）。——willnotmaintain——
PTOLEMY。Ohyes——willnotmaintainsuchiniquity，theywillgiveherheadtotheaxeevenashersister’s。ButwiththehelpofthewitchFtatateetashehathcastaspellontheRomanJuliusCaesartomakehimupholdherfalsepretencetoruleinEgypt。
TakenoticethenthatIwillnotsuffer——thatIwillnotsuffer——
（pettishly，toPothinus）——WhatisitthatIwillnotsuffer？
POTHINUS（suddenlyexplodingwithalltheforceandemphasisofpoliticalpassion）。TheKingwillnotsufferaforeignertotakefromhimthethroneofourEgypt。（Ashoutofapplause。）TelltheKing，Achillas，howmanysoldiersandhorsemenfollowtheRoman？
THEODOTUS。LettheKing’sgeneralspeak！
ACHILLAS。ButtwoRomanlegions，OKing。Threethousandsoldiersandscarceathousandhorsemen。
Thecourtbreaksintoderisivelaughter;andagreatchatteringbegins，amidwhichRufio，aRomanofficer，appearsintheloggia。
Heisaburly，black-beardedmanofmiddleage，veryblunt，promptandrough，withsmallcleareyes，andplumpnoseandcheeks，which，however，liketherestofhisflesh，areinironhardcondition。
RUFIO（fromthesteps）。Peace，ho！（Thelaughterandchatterceaseabruptly。）Caesarapproaches。
THEODOTUS（withmuchpresenceofmind）。TheKingpermitstheRomancommandertoenter！
Caesar，plainlydressed，but，wearinganoakwreathtoconcealhisbaldness，entersfrom，theloggia，attendedbyBritannus，hissecretary，aBriton，aboutforty，tall，solemn，andalreadyslightlybald，withaheavy，drooping，hazel-coloredmoustachetrainedsoastoloseitsendsinapairoftrimwhiskers。Heiscarefullydressedinblue，withportfolio，inkhorn，andreedpenathisgirdle。HisseriousairandsenseoftheimportanceofthebusinessinhandisinmarkedcontrasttothekindlyinterestofCaesar，wholooksatthescene，whichisnewtohim，withthefrankcuriosityofachild，andthenturnstotheKing’schair：BritannusandRufiopostingthemselvesnearthestepsattheotherside。
CAESAR（lookingatPothinusandPtolemy）。WhichistheKing？Themanortheboy？
POTHINUS。IamPothinus，theguardianofmylordtheKing。
Caesar（pattingPtolemykindlyontheshoulder）。SoyouaretheKing。Dullworkatyourage，eh？（ToPothinus）yourservant，Pothinus。（Heturnsawayunconcernedlyandcomesslowlyalongthemiddleofthehall，lookingfromsidetosideatthecourtiersuntilhereachesAchillas。）Andthisgentleman？
THEODOTUS。Achillas，theKing’sgeneral。
CAESAR（toAchillas，veryfriendly）。Ageneral，eh？Iamageneralmyself。ButIbegantooold，tooold。Healthandmanyvictories，Achillas！
ACHILLAS。Asthegodswill，Caesar。
CAESAR（turningtoTheodotus）。Andyou，sir，are——？
THEODOTUS。Theodotus，theKing’stutor。
CAESAR。Youteachmenhowtobekings，Theodotus。Thatisverycleverofyou。（LookingatthegodsonthewallsasheturnsawayfromTheodotusandgoesupagaintoPothinus。）Andthisplace？
POTHINUS。ThecouncilchamberofthechancellorsoftheKing’streasury，Caesar。
CAESAR。Ah！Thatremindsme。Iwantsomemoney。
POTHINUS。TheKing’streasuryispoor，Caesar。
CAESAR。Yes：Inoticethatthereisbutonechairinit。
RUFIO（shoutinggruffly）。Bringachairthere，someofyou，forCaesar。
PTOLEMY（risingshylytoofferhischair）。Caesar——
CAESAR（kindly）。No，no，myboy：thatisyourchairofstate。Sitdown。
HemakesPtolemysitdownagain。MeanwhileRufio，lookingabouthim，seesinthenearestcorneranimageofthegodRa，representedasaseatedmanwiththeheadofahawk。Beforetheimageisabronzetripod，aboutaslargeasathree-leggedstool，withastickofincenseburningonit。Rufio，withRomanresourcefulnessandindifferencetoforeignsuperstitions，promptlyseizesthetripod;shakesofftheincense;blowsawaytheash;anddumpsitdownbehindCaesar，nearlyinthemiddleofthehall。
RUFIO。Sitonthat，Caesar。
Ashiverrunsthroughthecourt，followedbyahissingwhisperofSacrilege！
CAESAR（seatinghimself）。Now，Pothinus，tobusiness。Iambadlyinwantofmoney。
BRITANNUS（disapprovingoftheseinformalexpressions）。MymasterwouldsaythatthereisalawfuldebtduetoRomebyEgypt，contractedbytheKing’sdeceasedfathertotheTriumvirate;andthatitisCaesar’sdutytohiscountrytorequireimmediatepayment。
CAESAR（blandly）。Ah，Iforgot。Ihavenotmademycompanionsknownhere。Pothinus：thisisBritannus，mysecretary。Heisanislanderfromthewesternendoftheworld，aday’svoyagefromGaul。（Britannusbowsstiffly。）ThisgentlemanisRufio，mycomradeinarms。（Rufionods。）Pothinus：Iwant1，600talents。
Thecourtiers，appalled，murmurloudly，andTheodotusandAchillasappealmutelytooneanotheragainstsomonstrousademand。
POTHINUS（aghast）。Fortymillionsesterces！Impossible。ThereisnotsomuchmoneyintheKing’streasury。
CAESAR（encouragingly）。ONLYsixteenhundredtalents，Pothinus。
Whycountitinsesterces？Asestertiusisonlyworthaloafofbread。
POTHINUS。Andatalentiswortharacehorse。Isayitisimpossible。Wehavebeenatstrifehere，becausetheKing’ssisterCleopatrafalselyclaimshisthrone。TheKing’staxeshavenotbeencollectedforawholeyear。
CAESAR。Yestheyhave，Pothinus。Myofficershavebeencollectingthemallthemorning。（Renewedwhisperandsensation，notwithoutsomestifledlaughter，amongthecourtiers。）
RUFIO（bluntly）。Youmustpay，Pothinus。Whywastewords？Youaregettingoffcheaplyenough。
POTHINUS（bitterly）。IsitpossiblethatCaesar，theconqueroroftheworld，hastimetooccupyhimselfwithsuchatrifleasourtaxes？
CAESAR。Myfriend：taxesarethechiefbusinessofaconqueroroftheworld。
POTHINUS。Thentakewarning，Caesar。Thisday，thetreasuresofthetemplesandthegoldoftheKing’streasurywillbesenttotheminttobemelteddownforourransominthesightofthepeople。Theyshallseeussittingunderbarewallsanddrinkingfromwoodencups。Andtheirwrathbeonyourhead，Caesar，ifyouforceustothissacrilege！
CAESAR。Donotfear，Pothinus：thepeopleknowhowwellwinetastesinwoodencups。Inreturnforyourbounty，Iwillsettlethisdisputeaboutthethroneforyou，ifyouwill。Whatsayyou？
POTHINUS。IfIsayno，willthathinderyou？
RUFIO（defiantly）。No。
CAESAR。Yousaythematterhasbeenatissueforayear，Pothinus。MayIhavetenminutesatit？
POTHINUS。Youwilldoyourpleasure，doubtless。
CAESAR。Good！Butfirst，letushaveCleopatrahere。
THEODOTUS。SheisnotinAlexandria：sheisfledintoSyria。
CAESAR。Ithinknot。（ToRufio）CallTotateeta。
RUFIO（calling）。Hothere，Teetatota。
Ftatateetaenterstheloggia，andstandsarrogantlyatthetopofthesteps。
FTATATEETA。WhopronouncesthenameofFtatateeta，theQueen’schiefnurse？
CAESAR。Nobodycanpronounceit，Tota，exceptyourself。Whereisyourmistress？
Cleopatra，whoishidingbehindFtafateeta，peepsoutatthem，laughing。Caesarrises。
CAESAR。WilltheQueenfavoruswithherpresenceforamoment？
CLEOPATRA（pushingFtatateetaasideandstandinghaughtilyonthebrinkofthesteps）。AmItobehavelikeaQueen？
CAESAR。Yes。
Cleopatraimmediatelycomesdowntothechairofstate;seizesPtolemyanddragshimoutofhisseat;thentakeshisplaceinthechair。Ftatateetaseatsherselfonthestepoftheloggia，andsitsthere，watchingthescenewithsybillineintensity。