PTOLEMY（mortified，andstrugglingwithhistears）。Caesar：thisishowshetreatsmealways。IfIamaKingwhyissheallowedtotakeeverythingfromme？
CLEOPATRA。YouarenottobeKing，youlittlecry-baby。YouaretobeeatenbytheRomans。
CAESAR（touchedbyPtolemy’sdistress）。Comehere，myboy，andstandbyme。
PtolemygoesovertoCaesar，who，resuminghisseatonthetripod，takestheboy’shandtoencouragehim。Cleopatra，furiouslyjealous，risesandglaresatthem。
CLEOPATRA（withflamingcheeks）。Takeyourthrone：Idon’twantit。（Sheflingsawayfromthechair，andapproachesPtolemy，whoshrinksfromher。）Gothisinstantandsitdowninyourplace。
CAESAR。Go，Ptolemy。Alwaystakeathronewhenitisofferedtoyou。
RUFIO。IhopeyouwillhavethegoodsensetofollowyourownadvicewhenwereturntoRome，Caesar。
Ptolemyslowlygoesbacktothethrone，givingCleopatraawideberth，inevidentfearofherhands。ShetakeshisplacebesideCaesar。
CAESAR。Pothinus——
CLEOPATRA（interruptinghim）。Areyounotgoingtospeaktome？
CAESAR。Bequiet。OpenyourmouthagainbeforeIgiveyouleave;
andyoushallbeeaten。
CLEOPATRA。Iamnotafraid。Aqueenmustnotbeafraid。Eatmyhusbandthere，ifyoulike：heisafraid。
CAESAR（starting）。Yourhusband！Whatdoyoumean？
CLEOPATRA（pointingtoPtolemy）。Thatlittlething。
ThetwoRomansandtheBritonstareatoneanotherinamazement。
THEODOTUS。Caesar：youareastrangerhere，andnotconversantwithourlaws。ThekingsandqueensofEgyptmaynotmarryexceptwiththeirownroyalblood。PtolemyandCleopatraarebornkingandconsortjustastheyarebornbrotherandsister。
BRITANNUS（shocked）。Caesar：thisisnotproper。
THEODOTUS（outraged）。How！
CAESAR（recoveringhisself-possession）。Pardonhim。Theodotus：
heisabarbarian，andthinksthatthecustomsofhistribeandislandarethelawsofnature。
BRITANNUS。Onthecontrary，Caesar，itistheseEgyptianswhoarebarbarians;andyoudowrongtoencouragethem。Isayitisascandal。
CAESAR。Scandalornot，myfriend，itopensthegateofpeace。
（HerisesandaddressesPothinusseriously。）Pothiuus：hearwhatIpropose。
RUFIO。HearCaesarthere。
CAESAR。PtolemyandCleopatrashallreignjointlyinEgypt。
ACHILLAS。WhatoftheKing’syoungerbrotherandCleopatra’syoungersister？
RUFIO（explaining）。ThereisanotherlittlePtolemy，Caesar：sotheytellme。
CAESAR。Well，thelittlePtolemycanmarrytheothersister;andwewillmakethembothapresentofCyprus。
POTHINUS（impatiently）。Cyprusisofnousetoanybody。
CAESAR。Nomatter：youshallhaveitforthesakeofpeace。
BRITANNUS（unconsciouslyanticipatingalaterstatesman）。
Peacewithhonor，Pothinus。
POTHINUS（mutinously）。Caesar：behonest。Themoneyyoudemandisthepriceofourfreedom。Takeit;andleaveustosettleourownaffairs。
THEBOLDERCOURTIERS（encouragedbyPothinus’stoneandCaesar’squietness）。Yes，yes。EgyptfortheEgyptians！
Theconferencenowbecomesanaltercation，theEgyptiansbecomingmoreandmoreheated。Caesarremainsunruffled;butRufiogrowsfierceranddoggeder，andBritannushaughtilyindignant。
RUFIO（contemptuously）。EgyptfortheEgyptians！DoyouforgetthatthereisaRomanarmyofoccupationhere，leftbyAulusGabiniuswhenhesetupyourtoykingforyou？
ACHILLAS（suddenlyassertinghimself）。Andnowundermycommand。
IamtheRomangeneralhere，Caesar。
CAESAR（tickledbythehumorofthesituation）。AndalsotheEgyptiangeneral，eh？
POTHINUS（triumphantly）。Thatisso，Caesar。
CAESAR（toAchillas）。SoyoucanmakewarontheEgyptiansinthenameofRomeandontheRomans——onme，ifnecessary——inthenameofEgypt？
ACHILLAS。Thatisso，Caesar。
CAESAR。Andwhichsideareyouonatpresent，ifImaypresumetoask，general？
ACHILLAS。Onthesideoftherightandofthegods。
CAESAR。Hm！Howmanymenhaveyou？
ACHILLAS。ThatwillappearwhenItakethefield。
RUFIO（truculently）。AreyourmenRomans？Ifnot，itmattersnothowmanythereare，providedyouarenostrongerthan500toten。
POTHINUS。Itisuselesstotrytobluffus，Rufio。Caesarhasbeendefeatedbeforeandmaybedefeatedagain。AfewweeksagoCaesarwasflyingforhislifebeforePompey：afewmonthshencehemaybeflyingforhislifebeforeCatoandJubaofNumidia，theAfricanKing。
ACHILLAS（followingupPothinus’sspeechmenacingly）。Whatcanyoudowith4，000men？
THEODOTUS（followingupAchillas’sspeechwitharaucoussqueak）。
Andwithoutmoney？Awaywithyou。
ALLTHECOURTIERS（shoutingfiercelyandcrowdingtowardsCaesar）。Awaywithyou。EgyptfortheEgyptians！Begone。
Rufiobiteshisbeard，tooangrytospeak。Caesarsitsoncomfortablyasifhewereatbreakfast，andthecatwereclamoringforapieceofFinnan-haddie。
CLEOPATRA。WhydoyouletthemtalktoyoulikethatCaesar？Areyouafraid？
CAESAR。Why，mydear，whattheysayisquitetrue。
CLEOPATRA。Butifyougoaway，IshallnotbeQueen。
CAESAR。IshallnotgoawayuntilyouareQueen。
POTHINUS。Achillas：ifyouarenotafool，youwilltakethatgirlwhilstsheisunderyourhand。
RUFIO（daringthem）。WhynottakeCaesaraswell，Achillas？
POTHINUS（retortingthedefiancewithinterest）。Wellsaid，Rufio。Whynot？
RUFIO。Try，Achillas。（Calling）Guardthere。
TheloggiaimmediatelyfillswithCaesar’ssoldiers，whostand，swordinhand，atthetopofthesteps，waitingthewordtochargefromtheircenturion，whocarriesacudgel。ForamomenttheEgyptiansfacethemproudly：thentheyretiresullenlytotheirformerplaces。
BRITANNUS。YouareCaesar’sprisoners，allofyou。
CAESAR（benevolently）。Ohno，no，no。Bynomeans。Caesar’sguests，gentlemen。
CLEOPATRA。Won’tyoucuttheirheadsoff？
CAESAR。What！Cutoffyourbrother’shead？
CLEOPATRA。Whynot？Hewouldcutoffmine，ifhegotthechance。
Wouldn’tyou，Ptolemy？
PTOLEMY（paleandobstinate）。Iwould。Iwill，too，whenIgrowup。
Cleopatraisrentbyastrugglebetweenhernewly-acquireddignityasaqueen，andastrongimpulsetoputouthertongueathim。Shetakesnopartinthescenewhichfollows，butwatchesitwithcuriosityandwonder，fidgetingwiththerestlessnessofachild，andsittingdownonCaesar’stripodwhenherises。
POTHINUS。Caesar：ifyouattempttodetainus——
RUFIO。Hewillsucceed，Egyptian：makeupyourmindtothat。Weholdthepalace，thebeach，andtheeasternharbor。TheroadtoRomeisopen;andyoushalltravelitifCaesarchooses。
CAESAR（courteously）。Icoulddonoless，Pothinus，tosecuretheretreatofmyownsoldiers。Iamaccountableforeverylifeamongthem。Butyouarefreetogo。Soareallhere，andinthepalace。
RUFIO（aghastatthisclemency）。What！Renegadesandall？
CAESAR（softeningtheexpression）。Romanarmyofoccupationandall，Rufio。
POTHINUS（desperately）。ThenImakealastappealtoCaesar’sjustice。Ishallcallawitnesstoprovethatbutforus，theRomanarmyofoccupation，ledbythegreatestsoldierintheworld，wouldnowhaveCaesaratitsmercy。（Callingthroughtheloggia）Ho，there，LuciusSeptimius（Caesarstarts，deeplymoved）：ifmyvoicecanreachyou，comeforthandtestifybeforeCaesar。
CAESAR（shrinking）。No，no。
THEODOTUS。Yes，Isay。Letthemilitarytribunebearwitness。
LuciusSeptimius，acleanshaven，trimathleteofabout40，withsymmetricalfeatures，resolutemouth，andhandsome，thinRomannose，inthedressofaRomanofficer，comesinthroughtheloggiaandconfrontsCaesar，whohideshisfacewithhisrobeforamoment;then，masteringhimself，dropsit，andconfrontsthetribunewithdignity。
POTHINUS。Bearwitness，LuciusSeptimius。Caesarcamehitherinpursuitofhisfoe。Didweshelterhisfoe？
LUCIUS。AsPompey’sfoottouchedtheEgyptianshore，hisheadfellbythestrokeofmysword。
THEODOTUS（withviperishrelish）。Undertheeyesofhiswifeandchild！Rememberthat，Caesar！Theysawitfromtheshiphehadjustleft。Wehavegivenyouafullandsweetmeasureofvengeance。
CAESAR（withhorror）。Vengeance！
POTHINUS。Ourfirstgifttoyou，asyourgalleycameintotheroadstead，wastheheadofyourrivalfortheempireoftheworld。Bearwitness，LuciusSeptimius：isitnotso？
LUCIUS。Itisso。Withthishand，thatslewPompey，IplacedhisheadatthefeetofCaesar。
CAESAR。Murderer！SowouldyouhaveslainCaesar，hadPompeybeenvictoriousatPharsalia。
LUCIUS。Woetothevanquished，Caesar！WhenIservedPompey，I
slewasgoodmenashe，onlybecauseheconqueredthem。Histurncameatlast。
THEODOTUS（flatteringly）。Thedeedwasnotyours，Caesar，butours——nay，mine;foritwasdonebymycounsel。Thankstous，youkeepyourreputationforclemency，andhaveyourvengeancetoo。
CAESAR。Vengeance！Vengeance！！Oh，ifIcouldstooptovengeance，whatwouldInotexactfromyouasthepriceofthismurderedman’sblood。（Theyshrinkback，appalledanddisconcerted。）Washenotmyson-in-law，myancientfriend，for20yearsthemasterofgreatRome，for30yearsthecompellerofvictory？DidnotI，asaRoman，sharehisglory？WastheFatethatforcedustofightforthemasteryoftheworld，ofourmaking？AmIJuliusCaesar，oramIawolf，thatyouflingtomethegreyheadoftheoldsoldier，thelaurelledconqueror，themightyRoman，treacherouslystruckdownbythiscallousruffian，andthenclaimmygratitudeforit！（ToLuciusSeptimius）Begone：youfillmewithhorror。
LUCIUS（coldandundaunted）。Pshaw！Youhaveseenseveredheadsbefore，Caesar，andseveredrighthandstoo，Ithink;somethousandsofthem，inGaul，afteryouvanquishedVercingetorix。
Didyousparehim，withallyourclemency？Wasthatvengeance？
CAESAR。No，bythegods！Wouldthatithadbeen！Vengeanceatleastishuman。No，Isay：thoseseveredrighthands，andthebraveVercingetorixbaselystrangledinavaultbeneaththeCapitol，were（withshudderingsatire）awiseseverity，anecessaryprotectiontothecommonwealth，adutyofstatesmanship——folliesandfictionstentimesbloodierthanhonestvengeance！WhatafoolwasIthen！Tothinkthatmen’slivesshouldbeatthemercyofsuchfools！（Humbly）LuciusSeptimius，pardonme：whyshouldtheslayerofVercingetorixrebuketheslayerofPompey？Youarefreetogowiththerest。Orstayifyouwill：Iwillfindaplaceforyouinmyservice。
LUCIUS。Theoddsareagainstyou，Caesar。Igo。（Heturnstogooutthroughtheloggia。）
RUFIO（fullofwrathatseeinghispreyescaping）。ThatmeansthatheisaRepublican。
LUCIUS（turningdefiantlyontheloggiasteps）。Andwhatareyou？
RUFIO。ACaesarian，likeallCaesar’ssoldiers。
CAESAR（courteously）。Lucius：believeme，CaesarisnoCaesarian。
WereRomeatruerepublic，thenwereCaesarthefirstofRepublicans。Butyouhavemadeyourchoice。Farewell。
LUCIUS。Farewell。Come，Achillas，whilstthereisyettime。
Caesar，seeingthatRufio’stemperthreatenstogettheworseofhim，putshishandonhisshoulderandbringshimdownthehalloutofharm’sway，BritannusaccompanyingthemandpostinghimselfonCaesar’srighthand。ThismovementbringsthethreeinalittlegrouptotheplaceoccupiedbyAchillas，whomoveshaughtilyawayandjoinsTheodotusontheotherside。LuciusSeptimiusgoesoutthroughthesoldiersintheloggia。Pothinus，TheodotusandAchillasfollowhimwiththecourtiers，verymistrustfulofthesoldiers，whocloseupintheirrearandgooutafterthem，keepingthemmovingwithoutmuchceremony。TheKingisleftinhischair，piteous，obstinate，withtwitchingfaceandfingers。DuringthesemovementsRufiomaintainsanenergeticgrumbling，asfollows：——
RUFIO（asLuciusdeparts）。Doyousupposehewouldletusgoifhehadourheadsinhishands？
CAESAR。Ihavenorighttosupposethathiswaysareanybaserthanmine。
RUFIO。Psha！
CAESAR。Rufio：ifItakeLuciusSeptimiusformymodel，andbecomeexactlylikehim，ceasingtobeCaesar，willyouservemestill？
BRITANNUS。Caesar：thisisnotgoodsense。YourdutytoRomedemandsthatherenemiesshouldbepreventedfromdoingfurthermischief。（Caesar，whosedelightinthemoraleye-to-businessofhisBritishsecretaryisinexhaustible，smilesintelligently。）
RUFIO。Itisnousetalkingtohim，Britannus：youmaysaveyourbreathtocoolyourporridge。Butmarkthis，Caesar。Clemencyisverywellforyou;butwhatisitforyoursoldiers，whohavetofighttomorrowthemenyousparedyesterday？Youmaygivewhatordersyouplease;butItellyouthatyournextvictorywillbeamassacre，thankstoyourclemency。I，forone，willtakenoprisoners。Iwillkillmyenemiesinthefield;andthenyoucanpreachasmuchclemencyasyouplease：Ishallneverhavetofightthemagain。Andnow，withyourleave，Iwillseethesegentryoffthepremises。（Heturnstogo。）
CAESAR（turningalsoandseeingPtolemy）。What！Havetheylefttheboyalone！Ohshame，shame！
RUFIO（takingPtolemy’shandandmakinghimrise）。Come，yourmajesty！
PTOLEMY（toCaesar，drawingawayhishandfromRufio）。Isheturningmeoutofmypalace？
RUFIO（grimly）。Youarewelcometostayifyouwish。
CAESAR（kindly）。Go，myboy。Iwillnotharmyou;butyouwillbesaferaway，amongyourfriends。Hereyouareinthelion’smouth。
PTOLEMY（turningtogo）。ItisnotthelionIfear，but（lookingatRufio）thejackal。（Hegoesoutthroughtheloggia。）
CAESAR（laughingapprovingly）。Braveboy！
CLEOPATRA（jealousofCaesar’sapprobation，callingafterPtolemy）。Littlesilly。Youthinkthatveryclever。
CAESAR。Britannus：AttendtheKing。GivehiminchargetothatPothinusfellow。（BritannusgoesoutafterPtolemy。）
RUFIO（pointingtoCleopatra）。Andthispieceofgoods？WhatistobedonewithHER？However，IsupposeImayleavethattoyou。
（Hegoesoutthroughtheloggia。）
CLEOPATRA（flushingsuddenlyandturningonCaesar）。Didyoumeanmetogowiththerest？
CAESAR（alittlepreoccupied，goeswithasightoPtolemy’schair，whilstshewaitsforhisanswerwithredcheeksandclenchedfists）。Youarefreetodojustasyouplease，Cleopatra。
CLEOPATRA。ThenyoudonotcarewhetherIstayornot？
CAESAR（smiling）。OfcourseIhadratheryoustayed。
CLEOPATRA。Much，MUCHrather？
CAESAR（nodding）。Much，muchrather。
CLEOPATRA。ThenIconsenttostay，becauseIamasked。ButIdonotwantto，mind。
CAESAR。Thatisquiteunderstood。（Calling）Totateeta。
Ftatateeta，stillseated，turnshereyesonhimwithasinisterexpression，butdoesnotmove。
CLEOPATRA（withasplutteroflaughter）。HernameisnotTotateeta：itisFtatateeta。（Calling）Ftatateeta。（FtatateetainstantlyrisesandcomestoCleopatra。）
CAESAR（stumblingoverthename）。FtatafeetawillforgivetheerringtongueofaRoman。Tota：theQueenwillholdherstatehereinAlexandria。Engagewomentoattenduponher;anddoallthatisneedful。
FTATATEETA。AmIthenthemistressoftheQueen’shousehold？
CLEOPATRA（sharply）。No：IamthemistressoftheQueen’shousehold。Goanddoasyouaretold，orIwillhaveyouthrownintotheNilethisveryafternoon，topoisonthepoorcrocodiles。
CAESAR（shocked）。Ohno，no。
CLEOPATRA。Ohyes，yes。Youareverysentimental，Caesar;butyouareclever;andifyoudoasItellyou，youwillsoonlearntogovern。
Caesar，quitedumbfoundedbythisimpertinence，turnsinhischairandstaresather。
Ftatateeta，smilinggrimly，andshowingasplendidsetofteeth，goes，leavingthemalonetogether。
CAESAR。Cleopatra：IreallythinkImusteatyou，afterall。
CLEOPATRA（kneelingbesidehimandlookingathimwitheagerinterest，halfreal，halfaffectedtoshowhowintelligentsheis）。YoumustnottalktomenowasifIwereachild。
CAESAR。YouhavebeengrowingupsincetheSphinxintroducedustheothernight;andyouthinkyouknowmorethanIdoalready。
CLFOPATRA（takendown，andanxioustojustifyherself）。No：thatwouldbeverysillyofme：ofcourseIknowthat。But，（suddenly）
areyouangrywithme？
CAESAR。No。
CLEOPATRA（onlyhalfbelievinghim）。Thenwhyareyousothoughtful？
CAESAR（rising）。Ihaveworktodo，Cleopatra。
CLEOPATRA（drawingback）。Work！（Offended）Youaretiredoftalkingtome;andthatisyourexcusetogetawayfromme。
CAESAR（sittingdownagaintoappeaseher）。Well，well：anotherminute。Butthen——work！
CLFOPATRA。Work！Whatnonsense！YoumustrememberthatyouareaKingnow：Ihavemadeyouone。Kingsdon’twork。
CAESAR。Oh！Whotoldyouthat，littlekitten？Eh？
CLEOPATRA。MyfatherwasKingofEgypt;andheneverworked。ButhewasagreatKing，andcutoffmysister’sheadbecausesherebelledagainsthimandtookthethronefromhim。
CAESAR。Well;andhowdidhegethisthronebackagain？
CLEOPATRA（eagerly，hereyeslightingup）。Iwilltellyou。A
beautifulyoungman，withstrongroundarms，cameoverthedesertwithmanyhorsemen，andslewmysister’shusbandandgavemyfatherbackhisthrone。（Wistfully）Iwasonlytwelvethen。Oh，I
wishhewouldcomeagain，nowthatIamaQueen。Iwouldmakehimmyhusband。
CAESAR。Itmightbemanaged，perhaps;foritwasIwhosentthatbeautifulyoungmantohelpyourfather。
CLEOPATRA（enraptured）。Youknowhim！
CAESAR（nodding）。Ido。
CLEOPATRA。Hashecomewithyou？（Caesarshakeshishead：sheiscruellydisappointed。）Oh，Iwishhehad，Iwishhehad。IfonlyIwerealittleolder;sothathemightnotthinkmeamerekitten，asyoudo！ButperhapsthatisbecauseYOUareold。Heismany，MANYyearsyoungerthanyou，ishenot？
CAESAR（asifswallowingapill）。Heissomewhatyounger。
CLEOPATRA。Wouldhebemyhusband，doyouthink，ifIaskedhim？
CAESAR。Verylikely。
CLEOPATRA。ButIshouldnotliketoaskhim。Couldyounotpersuadehimtoaskme——withoutknowingthatIwantedhimto？
CAESAR（touchedbyherinnocenceofthebeautifulyoungman’scharacter）。Mypoorchild！
CLEOPATRA。Whydoyousaythatasifyouweresorryforme？Doesheloveanyoneelse？
CAESAR。Iamafraidso。
CLEOPATRA（tearfully）。ThenIshallnotbehisfirstlove。
CAESAR。Notquitethefirst。Heisgreatlyadmiredbywomen。
CLEOPATRA。IwishIcouldbethefirst。Butifhelovesme，I
willmakehimkillalltherest。Tellme：ishestillbeautiful？
Dohisstrongroundarmsshineinthesunlikemarble？
CAESAR。Heisinexcellentcondition——consideringhowmuchheeatsanddrinks。
CLEOPATRA。Oh，youmustnotsaycommon，earthlythingsabouthim;
forIlovehim。Heisagod。
CAESAR。Heisagreatcaptainofhorsemen，andswifteroffootthananyotherRoman。
CLEOPATRA。Whatishisrealname？
CAESAR（puzzled）。HisREALname？
CLEOPATRA。Yes。IalwayscallhimHorus，becauseHorusisthemostbeautifulofourgods。ButIwanttoknowhisrealname。
CAESAR。HisnameisMarkAntony。
CLEOPATRA（musically）。MarkAntony，MarkAntony，MarkAntony！
Whatabeautifulname！（ShethrowsherarmsroundCaesar’sneck。）
Oh，howIloveyouforsendinghimtohelpmyfather！Didyoulovemyfatherverymuch？
CAESAR。No，mychild;butyourfather，asyousay，neverworked。
Ialwayswork。Sowhenhelosthiscrownhehadtopromiseme16，000talentstogetitbackforhim。
CLEOPATRA。Didheeverpayyou？
CAESAR。Notinfull。
CLEOPATRA。Hewasquiteright：itwastoodear。Thewholeworldisnotworth16，000talents。
CAESAR。Thatisperhapstrue，Cleopatra。ThoseEgyptianswhoworkpaidasmuchofitashecoulddragfromthem。Therestisstilldue。ButasImostlikelyshallnotgetit，Imustgobacktomywork。Soyoumustrunawayforalittleandsendmysecretarytome。
CLEOPATRA（coaxing）。No：IwanttostayandhearyoutalkaboutMarkAntony。
CAESAR。ButifIdonotgettowork，Pothinusandtherestofthemwillcutusofffromtheharbor;andthenthewayfromRomewillbeblocked。
CLEOPATRA。Nomatter：Idon’twantyoutogobacktoRome。
CAESAR。ButyouwantMarkAntonytocomefromit。
CLEOPATRA（springingup）。Ohyes，yes，yes：Iforgot。Goquicklyandwork，Caesar;andkeepthewayovertheseaopenformyMarkAntony。（Sherunsoutthroughtheloggia，kissingherhandtoMarkAntonyacrossthesea。）
CAESAR（goingbrisklyupthemiddleofthehalltotheloggiasteps）。Ho，Britannus。（HeisstartledbytheentryofawoundedRomansoldier，whoconfrontshimfromtheupperstep。）Whatnow？
SOLDIER（pointingtohisbandagedhead）。This，Caesar;andtwoofmycomradeskilledinthemarketplace。
CAESAR（quietbutattending）。Ay。Why？
SOLDIER。ThereisanarmycometoAlexandria，callingitselftheRomanarmy。
CAESAR。TheRomanarmyofoccupation。Ay？
SOLDIER。CommandedbyoneAchillas。
CAESAR。Well？
SOLDIER。Thecitizensroseagainstuswhenthearmyenteredthegates。Iwaswithtwoothersinthemarketplacewhenthenewscame。Theysetuponus。Icutmywayout;andhereIam。
CAESAR。Good。Iamgladtoseeyoualive。（Rufioenterstheloggiahastily，passingbehindthesoldiertolookoutthroughoneofthearchesatthequaybeneath。）Rufio，wearebesieged。
RUFIO。What！Already？
CAESAR。Nowortomorrow：whatdoesitmatter？WeSHALLbebesieged。
Britannusrunsin。
BRITANNUS。Caesar——
CAESAR（anticipatinghim）。Yes：Iknow。（RufioandBritannuscomedownthehallfromtheloggiaatoppositesides，pastCaesar，whowaitsforamomentnearthesteptosaytothesoldier。）Comrade：
givethewordtoturnoutonthebeachandstandbytheboats。
Getyourwoundattendedto。Go。（Thesoldierhurriesout。CaesarcomesdownthehallbetweenRufioandBritannus）Rufio：wehavesomeshipsinthewestharbor。Burnthem。
RUFIO（staring）。Burnthem！！
CAESAR。Takeeveryboatwehaveintheeastharbor，andseizethePharos——thatislandwiththelighthouse。Leavehalfourmenbehindtoholdthebeachandthequayoutsidethispalace：thatisthewayhome。
RUFIO（disapprovingstrongly）。Arewetogiveupthecity？
CAESAR。Wehavenotgotit，Rufio。Thispalacewehave;and——whatisthatbuildingnextdoor？
RUFIO。Thetheatre。
CAESAR。Wewillhavethattoo：itcommandsthestrand，fortherest，EgyptfortheEgyptians！
RUFIO。Well，youknowbest，Isuppose。Isthatall？
CAESAR。Thatisall。Arethoseshipsburntyet？
RUFIO。Beeasy：Ishallwastenomoretime。（Herunsout。）
BRITANNUS。Caesar：Pothinusdemandsspeechofyou。It’smyopinionheneedsalesson。Hismannerismostinsolent。
CAESAR。Whereishe？
BRITANNUS。Hewaitswithout。
CAESAR。Hothere！AdmitPothinus。
Pothinusappearsintheloggia，andcomesdownthehallveryhaughtilytoCaesar’slefthand。
CAESAR。Well，Pothinus？
POTHINUS。Ihavebroughtyouourultimatum，Caesar。
CAESAR。Ultimatum！Thedoorwasopen：youshouldhavegoneoutthroughitbeforeyoudeclaredwar。Youaremyprisonernow。（Hegoestothechairandloosenshistoga。）
POTHINUS（scornfully）。IYOURprisoner！DoyouknowthatyouareinAlexandria，andthatKingPtolemy，withanarmyoutnumberingyourlittletroopahundredtoone，isinpossessionofAlexandria？
CAESAR（unconcernedlytakingoffhistogaandthrowingitonthechair）。Well，myfriend，getoutifyoucan。AndtellyourfriendsnottokillanymoreRomansinthemarketplace。
Otherwisemysoldiers，whodonotsharemycelebratedclemency，willprobablykillyou。Britannus：Passthewordtotheguard;
andfetchmyarmor。（Britannusrunsout。Rufioreturns。）Well？
RUFIO（pointingfromtheloggiatoacloudofsmokedriftingovertheharbor）。Seethere！（Pothinusrunseagerlyupthestepstolookout。）
CAESAR。What，ablazealready！Impossible！
RUFIO。Yes，fivegoodships，andabargeladenwithoilgrappledtoeach。Butitisnotmydoing：theEgyptianshavesavedmethetrouble。Theyhavecapturedthewestharbor。
CAESAR（anxiously）。Andtheeastharbor？Thelighthouse，Rufio？
RUFIO（withasuddensplutterofragingillusage，comingdowntoCaesarandscoldinghim）。CanIembarkalegioninfiveminutes？
Thefirstcohortisalreadyonthebeach。Wecandonomore。Ifyouwantfasterwork，comeanddoityourself？
CAESAR（soothinghim）。Good，good。Patience，Rufio，patience。
RUFIO。Patience！Whoisimpatienthere，youorI？WouldIbehere，ifIcouldnotoverseethemfromthatbalcony？
CAESAR。Forgiveme，Rufio;and（anxiously）hurrythemasmuchas——
Heisinterruptedbyanoutcryasofanoldmanintheextremityofmisfortune。Itdrawsnearrapidly;andTheodotusrushesin，tearinghishair，andsqueakingthemostlamentableexclamations。
Rufiostepsbacktostareathim，amazedathisfranticcondition。Pothinusturnstolisten。
THEODOTUS（onthesteps，withupliftedarms）。Horrorunspeakable！
Woe，alas！Help！
RUFIO。Whatnow？
CAESAR（frowning）。Whoisslain？
THEODOTUS。Slain！Oh，worsethanthedeathoftenthousandmen！
Lossirreparabletomankind！
RUFIO。Whathashappened，man？
THEODOTUS（rushingdownthehallbetweenthem）。Thefirehasspreadfromyourships。Thefirstofthesevenwondersoftheworldperishes。ThelibraryofAlexandriaisinflames。
RUFIO。Psha！（Quiterelieved，hegoesuptotheloggiaandwatchesthepreparationsofthetroopsonthebeach。）
CAESAR。Isthatall？
THEODOTUS（unabletobelievehissenses）。All！Caesar：willyougodowntoposterityasabarbaroussoldiertooignoranttoknowthevalueofbooks？
CAESAR。Theodotus：Iamanauthormyself;andItellyouitisbetterthattheEgyptiansshouldlivetheirlivesthandreamthemawaywiththehelpofbooks。
THEODOTUS（kneeling，withgenuineliteraryemotion：thepassionofthepedant）。Caesar：onceintengenerationsofmen，theworldgainsanimmortalbook。
CAESAR（inflexible）。Ifitdidnotflattermankind，thecommonexecutionerwouldburnit。
THEODOTUS。Withouthistory，deathwouldlayyoubesideyourmeanestsoldier。
CAESAR。Deathwilldothatinanycase。Iasknobettergrave。
THEODOTUS。Whatisburningthereisthememoryofmankind。
CAESAR。Ashamefulmemory。Letitburn。
THEODOTUS（wildly）。Willyoudestroythepast？
CAESAR。Ay，andbuildthefuturewithitsruins。（Theodotus，indespair，strikeshimselfonthetempleswithhisfists。）Butharken，Theodotus，teacherofkings：youwhovaluedPompey’sheadnomorethanashepherdvaluesanonion，andwhonowkneeltome，withtearsinyouroldeyes，topleadforafewsheepskinsscrawledwitherrors。Icannotspareyouamanorabucketofwaterjustnow;butyoushallpassfreelyoutofthepalace。Now，awaywithyoutoAchillas;andborrowhislegionstoputoutthefire。（Hehurrieshimtothesteps。）
POTHINUS（significantly）。Youunderstand，Theodotus：Iremainaprisoner。
THEODOTUS。Aprisoner！
CAESAR。Willyoustaytotalkwhilstthememoryofmankindisburning？（Callingthroughtheloggia）Hothere！PassTheodotusout。（ToTheodotus）Awaywithyou。
THEODOTUS（toPothinus）。Imustgotosavethelibrary。（Hehurriesout。）
CAESAR。Followhimtothegate，Pothinus。Bidhimurgeyourpeopletokillnomoreofmysoldiers，foryoursake。
POTHINUS。Mylifewillcostyoudearifyoutakeit，Caesar。（HegoesoutafterTheodotus。）
Rufio，absorbedinwatchingtheembarkation，doesnotnoticethedepartureofthetwoEgyptians。
RUFIO（shoutingfromtheloggiatothebeach）。Allready，there？
ACENTURION（frombelow）。Allready。WewaitforCaesar。
CAESAR。TellthemCaesariscoming——therogues！（Calling）
Britannicus。（Thismagniloquentversionofhissecretary’snameisoneofCaesar’sjokes。Inlateryearsitwouldhavemeant，quiteseriouslyandofficially，ConquerorofBritain。）
RUFIO（callingdown）。Pushoff，allexceptthelongboat。Standbyittoembark，Caesar’sguardthere。（Heleavesthebalconyandcomesdownintothehall。）WherearethoseEgyptians？Isthismoreclemency？Haveyouletthemgo？
CAESAR（chuckling）。IhaveletTheodotusgotosavethelibrary。
Wemustrespectliterature，Rufio。
RUFIO（raging）。Follyonfolly’shead！IbelieveifyoucouldbringbackallthedeadofSpain，GaulandThessalytolife，youwoulddoitthatwemighthavethetroubleoffightingthemoveragain。
CAESAR。Mightnotthegodsdestroytheworldiftheironlythoughtweretobeatpeacenextyear？（Rufio，outofallpatience，turnsawayinanger。Caesarsuddenlygripshissleeve，andaddsslylyinhisear。）Besides，myfriend：everyEgyptianweimprisonmeansimprisoningtwoRomansoldierstoguardhim。Eh？
RUFIO。Agh！Imighthaveknowntherewassomefox’strickbehindyourfinetalking。（HegetsawayfromCaesarwithanill-humoredshrug，andgoestothebalconyforanotherlookatthepreparations;finallygoesout。）
CAESAR。IsBritannusasleep？Isenthimformyarmoranhourago。
（Calling）Britannicus，thouBritishislander。Britannicus！
Cleopatra，runsinthroughtheloggiawithCaesar’shelmetandsword，snatchedfromBritannus，whofollowsherwithacuirassandgreaves。TheycomedowntoCaesar，shetohislefthand，Britannustohisright。
CLEOPATRA。Iamgoingtodressyou，Caesar。Sitdown。（Heobeys。）
TheseRomanhelmetsaresobecoming！（Shetakesoffhiswreath。）
Oh！（Sheburstsoutlaughingathim。）
CAESAR。Whatareyoulaughingat？
CLEOPATRA。You’rebald（beginningwithabigB，andendingwithasplutter）。
CAESAR（almostannoyed）。Cleopatra！（Herises，fortheconvenienceofBritannus，whoputsthecuirassonhim。）
CLEOPATRA。Sothatiswhyyouwearthewreath——tohideit。
BRITANNUS。Peace，Egyptian：theyarethebaysoftheconqueror。
（Hebucklesthecuirass。）
CLEOPATRA。Peace，thou：islander！（ToCaesar）Youshouldrubyourheadwithstrongspiritsofsugar，Caesar。Thatwillmakeitgrow。
CAESAR（withawryface）。Cleopatra：doyouliketoberemindedthatyouareveryyoung？
CLEOPATRA（pouting）。No。
CAESAR（sittingdownagain，andsettingouthislegforBritannus，whokneelstoputonhisgreaves）。NeitherdoIliketoberemindedthatIam——middleaged。Letmegiveyoutenofmysuperfluousyears。Thatwillmakeyou26andleavemeonly——nomatter。Isitabargain？
CLEOPATRA。Agreed。26，mind。（Sheputsthehelmetonhim。）Oh！
Hownice！Youlookonlyabout50init！
BRITANNUS（LookingupseverelyatCleopatra）。YoumustnotspeakinthismannertoCaesar。
CLEOPATRA。IsittruethatwhenCaesarcaughtyouonthatisland，youwerepaintedalloverblue？
BRITANNUS。BlueisthecolorwornbyallBritonsofgoodstanding。Inwarwestainourbodiesblue;sothatthoughourenemiesmaystripusofourclothesandourlives，theycannotstripusofourrespectability。（Herises。）
CLEOPATRA（withCaesar’ssword）。Letmehangthison。Nowyoulooksplendid。HavetheymadeanystatuesofyouinRome？
CAESAR。Yes，manystatues。
CLEOPATRA。Youmustsendforoneandgiveittome。
RUFIO（comingbackintotheloggia，moreimpatientthanever）。
NowCaesar：haveyoudonetalking？Themomentyourfootisaboardtherewillbenoholdingourmenback：theboatswillraceoneanotherforthelighthouse。
CAESAR（drawinghisswordandtryingtheedge）。Isthiswellsetto-day，Britannicus？AtPharsaliaitwasasbluntasabarrel-hoop。
BRITANNUS。ItwillsplitoneoftheEgyptian’shairsto-day，Caesar。Ihavesetitmyself。
CLEOPATRA（suddenlythrowingherarmsinterrorroundCaesar）。
Oh，youarenotreallygoingintobattletobekilled？
CAESAR。No，Cleopatra。Nomangoestobattletobekilled。
CLEOPATRA。ButtheyDOgetkilled。Mysister’shusbandwaskilledinbattle。Youmustnotgo。LetHIMgo（pointingtoRufio。Theyalllaughather）。Ohplease，PLEASEdon’tgo。WhatwillhappentoMEifyounevercomeback？
CAESAR（gravely）。Areyouafraid？
CLEOPATRA（shrinking）。No。
CAESAR（withquietauthority）。Gotothebalcony;andyoushallseeustakethePharos。Youmustlearntolookonbattles。Go。
（Shegoes，downcast，andlooksoutfromthebalcony。）Thatiswell。Now，Rufio。March。
CLEOPATRA（suddenlyclappingherhands）。Oh，youwillnotbeabletogo！
CAESAR。Why？Whatnow？
CLEOPATRA。Theyaredryinguptheharborwithbuckets——amultitudeofsoldiers——overthere（pointingoutacrosstheseatoherleft）——theyaredippingupthewater。
RUFIO（hasteningtolook）。Itistrue。TheEgyptianarmy！
Crawlingovertheedgeofthewestharborlikelocusts。（WithsuddenangerhestridesdowntoCaesar。）Thisisyouraccursedclemency，Caesar。Theodotushasbroughtthem。
CAESAR（delightedathisowncleverness）。Imeanthimto，Rufio。
Theyhavecometoputoutthefire。Thelibrarywillkeepthembusywhilstweseizethelighthouse。Eh？（Herushesoutbuoyantlythroughtheloggia，followedbyBritannus。）
RUFIO（disgustedly）。Morefoxing！Agh！（Herushesoff。AshoutfromthesoldiersannouncestheappearanceofCaesarbelow）。
CENTURION（below）。Allaboard。Givewaythere。（Anothershout。）
CLEOPATRA（wavingherscarfthroughtheloggiaarch）。Goodbye，goodbye，dearCaesar。Comebacksafe。Goodbye！
ACTIII
Theedgeofthequayinfrontofthepalace，lookingoutwestovertheeastharborofAlexandriatoPharosisland，justofftheendofwhich，andconnectedwithitbyanarrowmole，isthefamouslighthouse，agiganticsquaretowerofwhitemarblediminishinginsizestoreybystoreytothetop，onwhichstandsacressetbeacon。TheislandisjoinedtothemainlandbytheHeptastadium，agreatmoleorcausewayfivemileslongboundingtheharboronthesouth。
InthemiddleofthequayaRomansentinelstandsonguard，piluminhand，lookingouttothelighthousewithstrainedattention，hislefthandshadinghiseyes。Thepilumisastoutwoodenshaft41feetlong，withanironspitaboutthreefeetlongfixedinit。ThesentinelissoabsorbedthathedoesnotnoticetheapproachfromthenorthendofthequayoffourEgyptianmarketporterscarryingrollsofcarpet，precededbyFtatateetaandApollodorustheSicilian。Apollodorusisadashingyoungmanofabout24，handsomeanddebonair，dressedwithdeliberateastheticisminthemostdelicatepurplesanddovegreys，withornamentsofbronze，oxydizedsilver，andstonesofjadeandagate。Hissword，designedascarefullyasamedievalcross，hasabluedbladeshowingthroughanopenworkscabbardofpurpleleatherandfilagree。Theporters，conductedbyFtatateeta，passalongthequaybehindthesentineltothestepsofthepalace，wheretheyputdowntheirbalesandsquatontheground。
Apollodorusdoesnotpassalongwiththem：hehalts，amusedbythepreoccupationofthesentinel。
APOLLODORUS（callingtothesentinel）。Whogoesthere，eh？
SENTINEL（startingviolentlyandturningwithhispilumatthecharge，revealinghimselfasasmall，wiry，sandy-haired，conscientiousyoungmanwithanelderlyface）。What’sthis？
Stand。Whoareyou？
APOLLODORUS。IamApollodorustheSicilian。Why，man，whatareyoudreamingof？SinceIcamethroughthelinesbeyondthetheatrethere，Ihavebroughtmycaravanpastthreesentinels，allsobusystaringatthelighthousethatnotoneofthemchallengedme。IsthisRomandiscipline？
SENTINEL。Wearenotheretowatchthelandbutthewater。CaesarhasjustlandedonthePharos。（LookingatFtatateeta）Whathaveyouhere？WhoisthispieceofEgyptiancrockery？
FTATATEETA。Apollodorus：rebukethisRomandog;andbidhimbridlehistongueinthepresenceofFtatateeta，themistressoftheQueen’shousehold。
APOLLODORUS。Myfriend：thisisagreatlady，whostandshighwithCaesar。
SENTINEL（notatallimpressed，pointingtothecarpets）。Andwhatisallthistruck？
APOLLODORUS。CarpetsforthefurnishingoftheQueen’sapartmentsinthepalace。Ihavepickedthemfromthebestcarpetsintheworld;andtheQueenshallchoosethebestofmychoosing。
SENTINEL。Soyouarethecarpetmerchant？
APOLLODORUS（hurt）。Myfriend：Iamapatrician。
SENTINEL。Apatrician！Apatriciankeepingashopinsteadoffollowingarms！
APOLLODORUS。Idonotkeepashop。Mineisatempleofthearts。
Iamaworshipperofbeauty。MycallingistochoosebeautifulthingsforbeautifulQueens。MymottoisArtforArt’ssake。
SENTINEL。Thatisnotthepassword。
APOLLODORUS。Itisauniversalpassword。
SENTINEL。Iknownothingaboutuniversalpasswords。Eithergivemethepasswordforthedayorgetbacktoyourshop。
Ftatateeta，rousedbyhishostiletone，stealstowardstheedgeofthequaywiththestepofapanther，andgetsbehindhim。
APOLLODORUS。HowifIdoneither？
SENTINEL。ThenIwilldrivethispilumthroughyou。
APOLLODORUS。Atyourservice，myfriend。（Hedrawshissword，andspringstohisguardwithunruffledgrace。）
FTATATEETA（suddenlyseizingthesentinel’sarmsfrombehind）。
Thrustyourknifeintothedog’sthroat，Apollodorus。（ThechivalrousApollodoruslaughinglyshakeshishead;breaksgroundawayfromthesentineltowardsthepalace;andlowershispoint。）
SENTINEL（strugglingvainly）。Curseonyou！Letmego。Helpho！
FTATATEETA（liftinghimfromtheground）。StabthelittleRomanreptile。Spithimonyoursword。
AcoupleofRomansoldiers，withacenturion，comerunningalongtheedgeofthequayfromthenorthend。Theyrescuetheircomrade，andthrowoffFtatateeta，whoissentreelingawayonthelefthandofthesentinel。
CENTURION（anunattractivemanoffifty，shortinhisspeechandmanners，withavinewoodcudgelinhishand）。Hownow？Whatisallthis？
FTATATEETA（toApollodorus）。Whydidyounotstabhim？Therewastime！
APOLLODORUS。Centurion：IamherebyorderoftheQueento——
CENTURION（interruptinghim）。TheQueen！Yes，yes：（tothesentinel）passhimin。PassallthesebazaarpeopleintotheQueen，withtheirgoods。Butmindyoupassnooneoutthatyouhavenotpassedin——noteventheQueenherself。
SENTINEL。Thisoldwomanisdangerous：sheisasstrongasthreemen。Shewantedthemerchanttostabme。
APOLLODORUS。Centurion：Iamnotamerchant。IamapatricianandavotaryofartCENTURION。Isthewomanyourwife？
APOLLODORUS（horrified）。No，no！（Correctinghimselfpolitely）
Notthattheladyisnotastrikingfigureinherownway。But（emphatically）sheisNOTmywife。
FTATATEETA（totheCenturion）。Roman：IamFtatateeta，themistressoftheQueen’shousehold。
CENTURION。Keepyourhandsoffourmen，mistress;orIwillhaveyoupitchedintotheharbor，thoughyouwereasstrongastenmen。（Tohismen）Toyourposts：march！（Hereturnswithhismenthewaytheycame。）
FTATATEETA（lookingmalignantlyafterhim）。WeshallseewhomIsislovesbest：herservantFtatateetaoradogofaRoman。
SENTINEL（toApollodorus，withawaveofhispilumtowardsthepalace）。Passinthere;andkeepyourdistance。（TurningtoFtatateeta）Comewithinayardofme，youoldcrocodile;andI
willgiveyouthis（thepilum）inyourjaws。
CLEOPATRA（callingfromthepalace）。Ftatateeta，Ftatateeta。
FTATATEETA（Lookingup，scandalized）。Gofromthewindow，gofromthewindow。Therearemenhere。
CLEOPATRA。Iamcomingdown。
FTATATEETA（distracted）。No，no。Whatareyoudreamingof？Oyegods，yegods！Apollodorus：bidyourmenpickupyourbales;andinwithmequickly。
APOLLODORUS。ObeythemistressoftheQueen’shousehold。
FTATATEETA（impatiently，astheportersstooptoliftthebales）。
Quick，quick：shewillbeoutuponus。（CleopatracomesfromthepalaceandrunsacrossthequaytoFtatateeta。）OhthateverI
wasborn！
CLEOPATRA（eagerly）。Ftatateeta：Ihavethoughtofsomething。I
wantaboat——atonce。
FTATATEETA。Aboat！No，no：youcannot。Apollodorus：speaktotheQueen。
APOLLODORUS（gallantly）。BeautifulQueen：IamApollodorustheSicilian，yourservant，fromthebazaar。IhavebroughtyouthethreemostbeautifulPersiancarpetsintheworldtochoosefrom。
CLEOPATRA。Ihavenotimeforcarpetsto-day。Getmeaboat。
FTATATEETA。Whatwhimisthis？Youcannotgoonthewaterexceptintheroyalbarge。
APOLLODORUS。Royalty，Ftatateeta，liesnotinthebargebutintheQueen。（ToCleopatra）Thetouchofyourmajesty’sfootonthegunwaleofthemeanestboatintheharborwillmakeitroyal。
（Heturnstotheharborandcallsseaward）Hothere，boatman！
Pullintothesteps。
CLEOPATRA。Apollodorus：youaremyperfectknight;andIwillalwaysbuymycarpetsthroughyou。（Apollodorusbowsjoyously。Anoarappearsabovethequay;andtheboatman，abullet-headed，vivacious，grinningfellow，burntalmostblackbythesun，comesupaflightofstepsfromthewateronthesentinel’sright，oarinhand，andwaitsatthetop。）Canyourow，Apollodorus？
APOLLODORUS。Myoarsshallbeyourmajesty’swings。WhithershallIrowmyQueen？Tothelighthouse。Come。（Shemakesforthesteps。）
SENTINEL（opposingherwithhispilumatthecharge）。Stand。Youcannotpass。
CLEOPATRA（flushingangrily）。Howdareyou？DoyouknowthatIamtheQueen？
SENTINEL。Ihavemyorders。Youcannotpass。
CLEOPATRA。IwillmakeCaesarhaveyoukilledifyoudonotobeyme。
SENTINEL。HewilldoworsetomeifIdisobeymyofficer。Standback。
CLEOPATRA。Ftatateeta：stranglehim。
SENTINEL（alarmed——lookingapprehensivelyatFtatateeta，andbrandishinghispilum）。Keepoffthere。
CLEOPATRA（runningtoApollodorus）。Apollodorus：makeyourslaveshelpus。
APOLLODORUS。Ishallnotneedtheirhelp，lady。（Hedrawshissword。）Nowsoldier：choosewhichweaponyouwilldefendyourselfwith。Shallitbeswordagainstpilum，orswordagainstsword？
SENTINEL。RomanagainstSicilian，curseyou。Takethat。（HehurlshispilumatApollodorus，whodropsexpertlyononeknee。Thepilumpasseswhizzingoverhisheadandfallsharmless。
Apollodorus，withacryoftriumph，springsupandattacksthesentinel，whodrawshisswordanddefendshimself，crying）Hothere，guard。Help！
Cleopatra，halffrightened，halfdelighted，takesrefugenearthepalace，wheretheportersaresquattingamongthebales。Theboatman，alarmed，hurriesdownthestepsoutofharm’sway，butstops，withhisheadjustvisibleabovetheedgeofthequay，towatchthefight。ThesentinelishandicappedbyhisfearofanattackintherearfromFtatateeta。Hisswordsmanship，whichisofaroughandreadysort，isheavilytaxed，ashehasoccasionallytostrikeathertokeepheroffbetweenablowandaguardwithApollodorus。TheCenturionreturnswithseveralsoldiers。ApollodorusspringsbacktowardsCleopatraasthisreinforcementconfrontshim。
CENTURION（comingtothesentinel’srighthand）。Whatisthis？
Whatnow？
SENTINEL（panting）。Icoulddowellenoughformyselfifitweren’tfortheoldwoman。Keepheroffme：thatisallthehelpIneed。
CENTURION。Makeyourreport，soldier。Whathashappened？
FTATATEETA。Centurion：hewouldhaveslaintheQueen。
SENTINEL（bluntly）。Iwould，soonerthanletherpass。Shewantedtotakeboat，andgo——soshesaid——tothelighthouse。Istoppedher，asIwasorderedto;andshesetthisfellowonme。（Hegoestopickuphispilumandreturnstohisplacewithit。）
CENTURION（turningtoCleopatra）。Cleopatra：Iamloathtooffendyou;butwithoutCaesar’sexpressorderwedarenotletyoupassbeyondtheRomanlines。
APOLLODORUS。Well，Centurion;andhasnotthelighthousebeenwithintheRomanlinessinceCaesarlandedthere？
CLEOPATRA。Yes，yes。Answerthat，ifyoucan。
CENTURION（toApollodorus）。Asforyou，Apollodorus，youmaythankthegodsthatyouarenotnailedtothepalacedoorwithapilumforyourmeddling。
APOLLODORUS（urbanely）。Mymilitaryfriend，Iwasnotborntobeslainbysouglyaweapon。WhenIfall，itwillbe（holdinguphissword）bythiswhitequeenofarms，theonlyweaponfitforanartist。Andnowthatyouareconvincedthatwedonotwanttogobeyondthelines，letmefinishkillingyoursentinelanddepartwiththeQueen。
CENTURION（asthesentinelmakesanangrydemonstration）。Peacethere。Cleopatra。Imustabidebymyorders，andnotbythesubtletiesofthisSicilian。Youmustwithdrawintothepalaceandexamineyourcarpetsthere。
CLEOPATRA（pouting）。Iwillnot：IamtheQueen。Caesardoesnotspeaktomeasyoudo。HaveCaesar’scenturionschangedmannerswithhisscullions？
CENTURION（sulkily）。Idomyduty。Thatisenoughforme。
APOLLODORUS。Majesty：whenastupidmanisdoingsomethingheisashamedof，healwaysdeclaresthatitishisduty。
CENTURION（angry）。Apollodorus——
APOLLODORUS（interruptinghimwithdefiantelegance）。Iwillmakeamendsforthatinsultwithmyswordatfittingtimeandplace。
Whosaysartist，saysduelist。（ToCleopatra）Hearmycounsel，staroftheeast。UntilwordcomestothesesoldiersfromCaesarhimself，youareaprisoner。Letmegotohimwithamessagefromyou，andapresent;andbeforethesunhasstoopedhalfwaytothearmsofthesea，IwillbringyoubackCaesar’sorderofrelease。
CENTURION（sneeringathim），AndyouwillselltheQueenthepresent，nodoubt。
APOLLODORUS。Centurion：theQueenshallhavefromme，withoutpayment，astheunforcedtributeofSiciliantastetoEgyptianbeauty，therichestofthesecarpetsforherpresenttoCaesar。
CLEOPATRA（exultantly，totheCenturion）。Nowyouseewhatanignorantcommoncreatureyouare！
CENTURION（curtly）。Well，afoolandhiswaresaresoonparted（Heturnstohismen）。Twomorementothisposthere;andseethatnooneleavesthepalacebutthismanandhismerchandize。
Ifhedrawshisswordagaininsidethelines，killhim。Toyourposts。March。
Hegoesout，leavingtwoauxiliarysentinelswiththeother。
APOLLODORUS（withpolitegoodfellowship）。Myfriends：willyounotenterthepalaceandburyourquarrelinabowlofwine？（Hetakesouthispurse，jinglingthecoinsinit。）TheQueenhaspresentsforyouall。
SENTINEL（verysulky）。Youheardourorders。Getaboutyourbusiness。
FIRSTAUXILIARY。Yes：yououghttoknowbetter。Offwithyou。
SECONDAUXILIARY（lookinglonginglyatthepurse——thissentinelisahooknosedman，unlikehiscomrade，whoissquabfaced）。Donottantalizeapoorman。
APOLLODORUS（toCleopatra）。PearlofQueens：theCenturionisathand;andtheRomansoldierisincorruptiblewhenhisofficerislooking。ImustcarryyourwordtoCaesar。
CLEOPATRA（whohasbeenmeditatingamongthecarpets）。Arethesecarpetsveryheavy？
APOLLODORUS。Itmattersnothowheavy。Thereareplentyofporters。
CLEOPATRA。Howdotheyputthecarpetsintoboats？Dotheythrowthemdown？
APOLLODORUS。Notintosmallboats，majesty。Itwouldsinkthem。
CLEOPATRA。Notintothatman’sboat，forinstance？（Pointingtotheboatman。）
APOLLODORUS。No。Toosmall。
CLEOPATRA。ButyoucantakeacarpettoCaesarinitifIsendone？
APOLLODORUS。Assuredly。
CLEOPATRA。Andyouwillhaveitcarriedgentlydownthestepsandtakegreatcareofit？
APOLLODORUS。Dependonme。
CLEOPATRA。Great，GREATcare？
APOLLODORUS。Morethanofmyownbody。
CLEOPATRA。Youwillpromisemenottolettheportersdropitorthrowitabout？
APOLLODORUS。Placethemostdelicateglassgobletinthepalaceintheheartoftheroll，Queen;andifitbebroken，myheadshallpayforit。
CLEOPATRA。Good。Come，Ftatateeta。（Ftatateetacomestoher。
Apollodorusofferstosquirethemintothepalace。）No，Apollodorus，youmustnotcome。Iwillchooseacarpetformyself。Youmustwaithere。（Sherunsintothepalace。）
APOLLODORUS（totheporters）。Followthislady（indicatingFtatateeta）;andobeyher。
Theportersriseandtakeuptheirbales。
FTATATEETA（addressingtheportersasiftheywerevermin）。
Thisway。Andtakeyourshoesoffbeforeyouputyourfeetonthosestairs。
Shegoesin，followedbytheporterswiththecarpets。MeanwhileApollodorusgoestotheedgeofthequayandlooksoutovertheharbor。Thesentinelskeeptheireyesonhimmalignantly。
APOLLODORUS（addressingthesentinel）。Myfriend——
SENTINEL（rudely）。Silencethere。
FIRSTAUXILIARY。Shutyourmuzzle，you。
SECONDAUXILIARY（inahalfwhisper，glancingapprehensivelytowardsthenorthendofthequay）。Can’tyouwaitabit？
APOLLODORUS。Patience，worthythree-headeddonkey。（Theymutterferociously;butheisnotatallintimidated。）Listen：wereyousetheretowatchme，ortowatchtheEgyptians？
SENTINEL。Weknowourduty。
APOLLODORUS。Thenwhydon’tyoudoit？There’ssomethinggoingonoverthere。（Pointingsouthwestwardtothemole。）
SENTINEL（sulkily）。Idonotneedtobetoldwhattodobythelikeofyou。
APOLLODORUS。Blockhead。（Hebeginsshouting）Hothere，Centurion。
Hoiho！
SENTINEL。Curseyourmeddling。（Shouting）Hoiho！Alarm！Alarm！
FIRSTANDSECONDAUXILIARIES。Alarm！alarm！Hoiho！
TheCenturioncomesrunninginwithhisguard。
CENTURION。Whatnow？Hastheoldwomanattackedyouagain？
（SeeingApollodorus）AreYOUherestill？
APOLLODORUS（pointingasbefore）。Seethere。TheEgyptiansaremoving。TheyaregoingtorecapturethePharos。Theywillattackbyseaandland：bylandalongthegreatmole;byseafromthewestharbor。Stiryourselves，mymilitaryfriends：thehuntisup。（Aclangoroftrumpetsfromseveralpointsalongthequay。）
Aha！Itoldyouso。
CENTURION（quickly）。Thetwoextramenpassthealarmtothesouthposts。Onemankeepguardhere。Therestwithme——quick。
Thetwoauxiliarysentinelsrunofftothesouth。TheCenturionandhisguardrunofnorthward;andimmediatelyafterwardsthebucinasounds。Thefourporterscomefromthepalacecarryingacarpet，followedbyFtatateeta。
SENTINEL（handlinghispilumapprehensively）。Youagain！（Theportersstop。）
FTATATEETA。Peace，Romanfellow：youarenowsingle-handed。
Apollodorus：thiscarpetisCleopatra’spresenttoCaesar。IthasrolledupinittenpreciousgobletsofthethinnestIberiancrystal，andahundredeggsofthesacredbluepigeon。Onyourhonor，letnotoneofthembebroken。
APOLLODORUS。Onmyheadbeit。（Totheporters）Intotheboatwiththemcarefully。
Theporterscarrythecarpettothesteps。
FIRSTPORTER（lookingdownattheboat）。Bewarewhatyoudo，sir。