Thoseeggsofwhichtheladyspeaksmustweighmorethanapoundapiece。Thisboatistoosmallforsuchaload。
BOATMAN（excitedlyrushingupthesteps）。Ohthouinjuriousporter！Ohthouunnaturalsonofashe-camel！（ToApollodorus）Myboat，sir，hathoftencarriedfivemen。Shallitnotcarryyourlordshipandabaleofpigeons’eggs？（Totheporter）Thoumangeydromedary，thegodsshallpunishtheeforthisenviouswickedness。
FIRSTPORTER（stolidly）。Icannotquitthisbalenowtobeatthee;butanotherdayIwilllieinwaitforthee。
APPOLODORUS（goingbetweenthem）。Peacethere。Iftheboatwerebutasingleplank，IwouldgettoCaesaronit。
FTATATEETA（anxiously）。Inthenameofthegods，Apollodorus，runnoriskswiththatbale。
APOLLODORUS。Fearnot，thouvenerablegrotesque：Iguessitsgreatworth。（Totheporters）Downwithit，Isay;andgently;oryeshalleatnothingbutstickfortendays。
Theboatmangoesdownthesteps，followedbytheporterswiththebale：FtatateetaandApollodoruswatchingfromtheedge。
APOLLODORUS。Gently，mysons，mychildren——（withsuddenalarm）
gently，yedogs。Layitlevelinthestern——so——’tiswell。
FTATATEETA（screamingdownatoneoftheporters）。Donotsteponit，donotsteponit。Ohthoubrutebeast！
FIRSTPORTER（ascending）。Benotexcited，mistress：alliswell。
FTATATEETA（panting）。Allwell！Oh，thouhastgivenmyheartaturn！（Sheclutchesherside，gasping。）
Thefourportershavenowcomeupandarewaitingatthestairheadtobepaid。
APOLLODORUS。Here，yehungryones。（Hegivesmoneytothefirstporter，whoholdsitinhishandtoshowtotheothers。Theycrowdgreedilytoseehowmuchitis，quiteprepared，aftertheEasternfashion，toprotesttoheavenagainsttheirpatron’sstinginess。Buthisliberalityoverpowersthem。）
FIRSTPORTER。Obounteousprince！
SECONDPORTER。Olordofthebazaar！
THIRDPORTER。Ofavoredofthegods！
FOURTHPORTER。Ofathertoalltheportersofthemarket！
SENTINEL（enviously，threateningthemfiercelywithhispilum）。
Hence，dogs：off。Outofthis。（Theyflybeforehimnorthwardalongthequay。）
APOLLODORUS。Farewell，Ftatateeta。IshallbeatthelighthousebeforetheEgyptians。（Hedescendsthesteps。）
FTATATEETA。Thegodsspeedtheeandprotectmynursling！
Thesentryreturnsfromchasingtheportersandlooksdownattheboat，standingnearthestairheadlestFtatateetashouldattempttoescape。
APOLLODORUS（frombeneath，astheboatmovesoff）。Farewell，valiantpilumpitcher。
SENTINEL。Farewellshopkeeper。
APOLLODORUS。Ha，ha！Pull，thoubraveboatman，pull。SoHo-o-o-o-o！（Hebeginstosinginbarcarollemeasuretotherhythmoftheoars）
Myheart，myheart，spreadoutthywings：
Shakeoffthyheavyloadoflove——
Givemetheoars，Osonofasnail。
SENTINEL（threateningFtatateeta）。Nowmistress：backtoyourhenhouse。Inwithyou。
FTATATEETA（fallingonherkneesandstretchingherhandsoverthewaters）。Godsoftheseas，bearhersafelytotheshore！
SENTINEL。BearWHOsafely？Whatdoyoumean？
FTATATEETA（lookingdarklyathim）。GodsofEgyptandofVengeance，letthisRomanfoolbebeatenlikeadogbyhiscaptainforsufferinghertobetakenoverthewaters。
SENTINEL。Accursedone：isshethenintheboat？（Hecallsoverthesea）Hoiho，there，boatman！Hoiho！
APOLLODORUS（singinginthedistance）。
Myheart，myheart，bewholeandfree：
Loveisthineonlyenemy。
MeanwhileRufio，themorning’sfightingdone，sitsmunchingdatesonafaggotofbrushwoodoutsidethedoorofthelighthouse，whichtowersgigantictothecloudsonhisleft。Hishelmet，fullofdates，isbetweenhisknees;andaleathernbottleofwineisbyhisside。Behindhimthegreatstonepedestalofthelighthouseisshutinfromtheopenseabyalowstoneparapet，withacoupleofstepsinthemiddletothebroadcoping。Ahugechainwithahookhangsdownfromthelighthousecraneabovehishead。Faggotsliketheonehesitsonliebeneathitreadytobedrawnuptofeedthebeacon。
Caesarisstandingonthestepattheparapetlookingoutanxiously，evidentlyillatease。Britannuscomesoutofthelighthousedoor。
RUFIO。Well，myBritishislander。Haveyoubeenuptothetop？
BRITANNUS。Ihave。Ireckonitat200feethigh。
RUFIO。Anybodyupthere？
BRITANNUS。OneelderlyTyriantoworkthecrane;andhisson，awellconductedyouthof14。
RUFIO（lookingatthechain）。What！Anoldmanandaboyworkthat！Twentymen，youmean。
BRITANNUS。Twoonly，Iassureyou。Theyhavecounterweights，andamachinewithboilingwaterinitwhichIdonotunderstand：itisnotofBritishdesign。Theyuseittohaulupbarrelsofoilandfaggotstoburninthebrazierontheroof。
RUFIO。But——
BRITANNUS。Excuseme：Icamedownbecausetherearemessengerscomingalongthemoletousfromtheisland。Imustseewhattheirbusinessis。（Hehurriesoutpastthelighthouse。）
CAESAR（comingawayfromtheparapet，shiveringandoutofsorts）。Rufio：thishasbeenamadexpedition。Weshallbebeaten。IwishIknewhowourmenaregettingonwiththatbarricadeacrossthegreatmole。
RUFIO（angrily）。MustIleavemyfoodandgostarvingtobringyouareport？
CAESAR（soothinghimnervously）。No，Rufio，no。Eat，myson。Eat。
（Hetakesanotherturn，Rufiochewingdatesmeanwhile。）TheEgyptianscannotbesuchfoolsasnottostormthebarricadeandswoopdownonusherebeforeitisfinished。ItisthefirsttimeIhaveeverrunanavoidablerisk。IshouldnothavecometoEgypt。
RUFIO。Anhouragoyouwereallforvictory。
CAESAR（apologetically）。Yes：Iwasafool——rash，Rufio——boyish。
RUFIO。Boyish！Notabitofit。Here。（Offeringhimahandfulofdates。）
CAESAR。Whatarethesefor？
RUFIO。Toeat。That’swhat’sthematterwithyou。Whenamancomestoyourage，herunsdownbeforehismiddaymeal。Eatanddrink;andthenhaveanotherlookatourchances。
CAESAR（takingthedates）。Myage！（Heshakeshisheadandbitesadate。）Yes，Rufio：Iamanoldman——wornoutnow——true，quitetrue。（Hegiveswaytomelancholycontemplation，andeatsanotherdate。）Achillasisstillinhisprime：Ptolemyisaboy。（Heeatsanotherdate，andplucksupalittle。）Well，everydoghashisday;andIhavehadmine：Icannotcomplain。（Withsuddencheerfulness）Thesedatesarenotbad，Rufio。（Britannusreturns，greatlyexcited，withaleathernbag。Caesarishimselfagaininamoment。）Whatnow？
BRITANNUS（triumphantly）。OurbraveRhodianmarinershavecapturedatreasure。There！（HethrowsthebagdownatCaesar’sfeet。）Ourenemiesaredeliveredintoourhands。
CAESAR。Inthatbag？
BRITANNUS。Waittillyouhear，Caesar。ThisbagcontainsalltheletterswhichhavepassedbetweenPompey’spartyandthearmyofoccupationhere。
CAESAR。Well？
BRITANNUS（impatientofCaesar’sslownesstograspthesituation）。Well，weshallnowknowwhoyourfoesare。ThenameofeverymanwhohasplottedagainstyousinceyoucrossedtheRubiconmaybeinthesepapers，forallweknow。
CAESAR。Puttheminthefire。
BRITANNUS。Putthem——（hegasps）！！！！
CAESAR。Inthefire。WouldyouhavemewastethenextthreeyearsofmylifeinproscribingandcondemningmenwhowillbemyfriendswhenIhaveprovedthatmyfriendshipisworthmorethanPompey’swas——thanCato’sis。OincorrigibleBritishislander：amIabulldog，toseekquarrelsmerelytoshowhowstubbornmyjawsare？
BRITANNUS。Butyourhonor——thehonorofRome——
CAESAR。Idonotmakehumansacrificestomyhonor，asyourDruidsdo。Sinceyouwillnotburnthese，atleastIcandrownthem。（Hepicksupthebagandthrowsitovertheparapetintothesea。）
BRITANNUS。Caesar：thisismereeccentricity。Aretraitorstobeallowedtogofreeforthesakeofaparadox？
RUFIO（rising）。Caesar：whentheislanderhasfinishedpreaching，callmeagain。Iamgoingtohavealookattheboilingwatermachine。（Hegoesintothelighthouse。）
BRITANNUS（withgenuinefeeling）。OCaesar，mygreatmaster，ifI
couldbutpersuadeyoutoregardlifeseriously，asmendoinmycountry！
CAESAR。Dotheytrulydoso，Britannus？
BRITANNUS。Haveyounotbeenthere？Haveyounotseenthem？WhatBritonspeaksasyoudoinyourmomentsoflevity？WhatBritonneglectstoattendtheservicesatthesacredgrove？WhatBritonwearsclothesofmanycolorsasyoudo，insteadofplainblue，asallsolid，wellesteemedmenshould？Thesearemoralquestionswithus。
CAESAR。Well，well，myfriend：somedayIshallsettledownandhaveabluetoga，perhaps。Meanwhile，ImustgetonasbestIcaninmyflippantRomanway。（Apollodoruscomespastthelighthouse。）Whatnow？
BRITANNUS（turningquickly，andchallengingthestrangerwithofficialhaughtiness）。Whatisthis？Whoareyou？Howdidyoucomehere？
APOLLODORUS。Calmyourself，myfriend：Iamnotgoingtoeatyou。
Ihavecomebyboat，fromAlexandria，withpreciousgiftsforCaesar。
CAESAR。FromAlexandria！
BRITANNUS（severely）。ThatisCaesar，sir。
RUFI0（appearingatthelighthousedoor）。What’sthematternow？
APOLLODORUS。Hail，greatCaesar！IamApollodorustheSicilian，anartist。
BRITANNUS。Anartist！Whyhavetheyadmittedthisvagabond？
CAESAR。Peace，man。Apollodorusisafamouspatricianamateur。
BRITANNUS（disconcerted）。Icravethegentleman’spardon。（ToCaesar）Iunderstoodhimtosaythathewasaprofessional。
（Somewhatoutofcountenance，heallowsApollodorustoapproachCaesar，changingplaceswithhim。Rufio，afterlookingApollodorusupanddownwithmarkeddisparagement，goestotheothersideoftheplatform。）
CAESAR。Youarewelcome，Apollodorus。Whatisyourbusiness？
APOLLODORUS。First，todelivertoyouapresentfromtheQueenofQueens。
CAESAR。Whoisthat？
APOLLODORUS。CleopatraofEgypt。
CAESAR（takinghimintohisconfidenceinhismostwinningmanner）。Apollodorus：thisisnotimeforplayingwithpresents。
Prayyou，gobacktotheQueen，andtellherthatifallgoeswellIshallreturntothepalacethisevening。
APOLLODORUS。Caesar：Icannotreturn。AsIapproachedthelighthouse，somefoolthrewagreatleathernbagintothesea。Itbrokethenoseofmyboat;andIhadhardlytimetogetmyselfandmychargetotheshorebeforethepoorlittlecockleshellsank。
CAESAR。Iamsorry，Apollodorus。Thefoolshallberebuked。Well，well：whathaveyoubroughtme？TheQueenwillbehurtifIdonotlookatit。
RUFIO。Havewetimetowasteonthistrumpery？TheQueenisonlyachild。
CAESAR。Justso：thatiswhywemustnotdisappointher。Whatisthepresent，Apollodorus？
APOLLODORUS。Caesar：itisaPersiancarpet——abeauty！Andinitare——soIamtold——pigeons’eggsandcrystalgobletsandfragilepreciousthings。Idarenotformyheadhaveitcarriedupthatnarrowladderfromthecauseway。
RUFIO。Swingitupbythecrane，then。Wewillsendtheeggstothecook;drinkourwinefromthegoblets;andthecarpetwillmakeabedforCaesar。
APOLLODORUS。Thecrane！Caesar：IhavesworntotenderthisbaleofcarpetasItendermyownlife。
CAESAR（cheerfully）。Thenletthemswingyouupatthesametime;
andifthechainbreaks，youandthepigeons’eggswillperishtogether。（Hegoestothechairsandlooksupalongit，examiningitcuriously。）
APOLLODORUS（toBritannus）。IsCaesarserious？
BRITANNUS。HismannerisfrivolousbecauseheisanItalian;buthemeanswhathesays。
APOLLODORUS。Seriousornot，hespokewell。Givemeasquadofsoldierstoworkthecrane。
BRITANNUS。Leavethecranetome。Goandawaitthedescentofthechain。
APOLLODORUS。Good。Youwillpresentlyseemethere（turningtothemallandpointingwithaneloquentgesturetotheskyabovetheparapet）risinglikethesunwithmytreasure。
Hegoesbackthe，wayhecame。Britannusgoesintothelighthouse。
RUFIO（ill-humoredly）。Areyoureallygoingtowaithereforthisfoolery，Caesar？
CAESAR（backingawayfromthecraneasitgivessignsofworking）。Whynot？
RUFIO。TheEgyptianswillletyouknowwhynotiftheyhavethesensetomakearushfromtheshoreendofthemolebeforeourbarricadeisfinished。Andherewearewaitinglikechildrentoseeacarpetfullofpigeons’eggs。
Thechainrattles，andisdrawnuphighenoughtocleartheparapet。Itthenswingsroundoutofsightbehindthelighthouse。
CAESAR。Fearnot，mysonRufio。WhenthefirstEgyptiantakeshisfirststepalongthemole，thealarmwillsound;andwetwowillreachthebarricadefromourendbeforetheEgyptiansreachitfromtheirend——wetwo，Rufio：I，theoldman，andyou，hisbiggestboy。Andtheoldmanwillbetherefirst。Sopeace;andgivemesomemoredates。
APOLLODORUS（fromthecausewaybelow）。So-ho，haulaway。So-ho-o-
o-o！（Thechainisdrawnupandcomesroundagainfrombehindthelighthouse。Apollodorusisswingingintheairwithhisbaleofcarpetattheendofit。Hebreaksintosongashesoarsabovetheparapet。）
Aloft，aloft，beholdtheblueThatnevershoneinwoman’seyesEasythere：stopher。（Heceasestorise。）Furtherround！（Thechaincomesforwardabovetheplatform。）
RUFIO（callingup）。Lowerawaythere。（Thechainanditsloadbegintodescend。）
APOLLODORUS（callingup）。Gently——slowly——mindtheeggs。
RUFIO（callingup）。Easythere——slowly——slowly。
Apollodorusandthebalearedepositedsafelyontheflagsinthemiddleoftheplatform。RufioandCaesarhelpApollodorustocastoffthechainfromthebale。
RUFIO。Haulup。
Thechainrisesclearoftheirheadswitharattle。Britannuscomesfromthelighthouseandhelpsthemtouncordthecarpet。
APOLLODORUS（whenthecordsareloose）。Standoff，myfriends：
letCaesarsee。（Hethrowsthecarpetopen。）
RUFIO。Nothingbutaheapofshawls。Wherearethepigeons’eggs？
APOLLODORUS。Approach，Caesar;andsearchforthemamongtheshawls。
RUFIO（drawinghissword）。Ha，treachery！Keepback，Caesar：I
sawtheshawlmove：thereissomethingalivethere。
BRITANNUS（drawinghissword）。Itisaserpent。
APOLLODORUS。DaresCaesarthrusthishandintothesackwheretheserpentmoves？
RUFIO（turningonhim）。Treacherousdog——
CAESAR。Peace。Putupyourswords。Apollodorus：yourserpentseemstobreatheveryregularly。（Hethrustshishandundertheshawlsanddrawsoutabarearm。）Thisisaprettylittlesnake。
RUFIO（drawingouttheotherarm）。Letushavetherestofyou。
TheypullCleopatraupbythewristsintoasittingposition。
Britannus，scandalized，sheatheshisswordwithadriveofprotest。
CLEOPATRA（gasping）。Oh，I’msmothered。Oh，Caesar;amanstoodonmeintheboat;andagreatsackofsomethingfelluponmeoutofthesky;andthentheboatsank，andthenIwasswungupintotheairandbumpeddown。
CAESAR（pettingherassherisesandtakesrefugeonhisbreast）。
Well，nevermind：hereyouaresafeandsoundatlast。
RUFIO。Ay;andnowthatsheishere，whatarewetodowithher？
BRITANNUS。Shecannotstayhere，Caesar，withoutthecompanionshipofsomematron。
CLEOPATRA（jealously，toCaesar，whoisobviouslyperplexed）。
Aren’tyougladtoseeme？
CAESAR。Yes，yes;Iamveryglad。ButRufioisveryangry;andBritannusisshocked。
CLEOPATRA（contemptuously）。Youcanhavetheirheadscutoff，canyounot？
CAESAR。Theywouldnotbesousefulwiththeirheadscutoffastheyarenow，myseabird。
RUFIO（toCleopatra）。WeshallhavetogoawaypresentlyandcutsomeofyourEgyptians’headsoff。Howwillyoulikebeingleftherewiththechanceofbeingcapturedbythatlittlebrotherofyoursifwearebeaten？
CLEOPATRA。Butyoumustn’tleavemealone。Caesaryouwillnotleavemealone，willyou？
RUFIO。What！NotwhenthetrumpetsoundsandallourlivesdependonCaesar’sbeingatthebarricadebeforetheEgyptiansreachit？
Eh？
CLEOPATRA。Letthemlosetheirlives：theyareonlysoldiers。
CAESAR（gravely）。Cleopatra：whenthattrumpetsounds，wemusttakeeverymanhislifeinhishand，andthrowitinthefaceofDeath。AndofmysoldierswhohavetrustedmethereisnotonewhosehandIshallnotholdmoresacredthanyourhead。
（Cleopatraisoverwhelmed。Hereyesfillwithtears。）
Apollodorus：youmusttakeherbacktothepalace。
APOLLODORUS。AmIadolphin，Caesar，tocrosstheseaswithyoungladiesonmyback？Myboatissunk：allyoursareeitheratthebarricadeorhavereturnedtothecity。IwillhailoneifIcan：
thatisallIcando。（Hegoesbacktothecauseway。）
CLEOPATRA（strugglingwithhertears）。Itdoesnotmatter。Iwillnotgoback。Nobodycaresforme。
CAESAR。Cleopatra——
CLEOPATRA。Youwantmetobekilled。
CAESAR（stillmoregravely）。Mypoorchild：yourlifematterslittleheretoanyonebutyourself。（Shegiveswayaltogetheratthis，castingherselfdownonthefaggotsweeping。Suddenlyagreattumultisheardinthedistance，bucinasandtrumpetssoundingthroughastormofshouting。Britannusrushestotheparapetandlooksalongthemole。CaesarandRufioturntooneanotherwithquickintelligence。）
CAESAR。Come，Rufio。
CLEOPATRA（scramblingtoherkneesandclingingtohim）。No，no。
Donotleaveme，Caesar。（Hesnatcheshisskirtfromherclutch。）
Oh！
BRITANNUS（fromtheparapet）。Caesar：wearecutoff。TheEgyptianshavelandedfromthewestharborbetweenusandthebarricade！！！
RUFIO（runningtosee）。Curses！Itistrue。Wearecaughtlikeratsinatrap。
CAESAR（ruthfully）。Rufio，Rufio：mymenatthebarricadearebetweentheseapartyandtheshoreparty。Ihavemurderedthem。
RUFIO（comingbackfromtheparapettoCaesar’srighthand）。Ay：
thatcomesoffoolingwiththisgirlhere。
APOLLODORUS（comingupquicklyfromthecauseway）。Lookovertheparapet，Caesar。
CAESAR。Wehavelooked，myfriend。Wemustdefendourselveshere。
APOLLODORUS。Ihavethrowntheladderintothesea。Theycannotgetinwithoutit。
RUFIO。Ay;andwecannotgetout。Haveyouthoughtofthat？
APOLLODORUS。Notgetout！Whynot？Youhaveshipsintheeastharbor。
BRITANNUS（hopefully，attheparapet）。TheRhodiangalleysarestandingintowardsusalready。（CaesarquicklyjoinsBritannusattheparapet。）
RUFIO（toApollodorus，impatiently）。Andbywhatroadarewetowalktothegalleys，pray？
APOLLODORUS（withgay，defiantrhetoric）。Bytheroadthatleadseverywhere——thediamondpathofthesunandmoon。Haveyouneverseenthechild’sshadowplayofTheBrokenBridge？\"Ducksandgeesewitheasegetover\"——eh？（Hethrowsawayhiscloakandcap，andbindshisswordonhisback。）
RUFIO。Whatareyoutalkingabout？
APOLLODORUS。Iwillshowyou。（CallingtoBritannus）Howfaroffisthenearestgalley？
BRITANNUS。Fiftyfathom。
CAESAR。No，no：theyarefurtheroffthantheyseeminthisclearairtoyourBritisheyes。Nearlyquarterofamile，Apollodorus。
APOLLODORUS。Good。DefendyourselveshereuntilIsendyouaboatfromthatgalley。
RUFIO。Haveyouwings，perhaps？
APOLLODORUS。Waterwings，soldier。Behold！
HerunsupthestepsbetweenCaesarandBritannustothecopingoftheparapet;springsintotheair;andplungesheadforemostintothesea。
CAESAR（likeaschoolboy——wildlyexcited）。Bravo，bravo！
（Throwingoffhiscloak）ByJupiter，Iwilldothattoo。
RUFIO（seizinghim）。Youaremad。Youshallnot。
CAESAR。Whynot？CanInotswimaswellashe？
RUFIO（frantic）。Cananoldfooldiveandswimlikeayoungone？
Heistwenty-fiveandyouarefifty。
CAESAR（breakingloosefromRufio）。Old！！！
BRITANNUS（shocked）。Rufio：youforgetyourself。
CAESAR。Iwillraceyoutothegalleyforaweek’spay，fatherRufio。
CLEOPATRA。Butme！Me！！Me！！！Whatistobecomeofme？
CAESAR。Iwillcarryyouonmybacktothegalleylikeadolphin。
Rufio：whenyouseemerisetothesurface，throwherin：Iwillanswerforher。Andtheninwithyouafterher，bothofyou。
CLEOPATRA。No，no，NO。Ishallbedrowned。
BRITANNUS。Caesar：IamamanandaBriton，notafish。Imusthaveaboat。Icannotswim。
CLEOPATRA。NeithercanI。
CAESAR（toBritannus）。Stayhere，then，alone，untilIrecapturethelighthouse：Iwillnotforgetyou。Now，Rufio。
RUFIO。Youhavemadeupyourmindtothisfolly？
CAESAR。TheEgyptianshavemadeitupforme。Whatelseistheretodo？Andmindwhereyoujump：IdonotwanttogetyourfourteenstoneinthesmallofmybackasIcomeup。（Herunsupthestepsandstandsonthecoping。）
BRITANNUS（anxiously）。Onelastword，Caesar。DonotletyourselfbeseeninthefashionablepartofAlexandriauntilyouhavechangedyourclothes。
CAESAR（callingoverthesea）。Ho，Apollodorus：（hepointsskywardandquotesthebarcarolle）
Thewhiteupontheblueabove——
APOLLODORUS（swimminginthedistance）
Ispurpleonthegreenbelow——
CAESAR（exultantly）。Aha！（Heplungesintothesea。）
CLEOPATRA（runningexcitedlytothesteps）。Oh，letmesee。Hewillbedrowned。（Rufioseizesher。）Ah——ah——ah——ah！（Hepitchesherscreamingintothesea。RufioandBritannusroarwithlaughter。）
RUFIO（lookingdownafterher）。Hehasgother。（ToBritannus）
Holdthefort，Briton。Caesarwillnotforgetyou。（Hespringsoff。）
BRITANNUS（runningtothestepstowatchthemastheyswim）。Allsafe，Rufio？
RUFIO（swimming）。Allsafe。
CAESAR（swimmingfurtherof）。Takerefugeuptherebythebeacon;
andpilethefuelonthetrapdoor，Britannus。
BRITANNUS（callinginreply）。Iwillfirstdoso，andthencommendmyselftomycountry’sgods。（Asoundofcheeringfromthesea。Britannusgivesfullventtohisexcitement）Theboathasreachedhim：Hip，hip，hip，hurrah！
ENDOFACTIII。
ACTIV
Cleopatra’ssousingintheeastharborofAlexandriawasinOctober48B。C。InMarch47sheispassingtheafternooninherboudoirinthepalace，amongabevyofherladies，listeningtoaslavegirlwhoisplayingtheharpinthemiddleoftheroom。
Theharpist’smaster，anoldmusician，withalinedface，prominentbrows，whitebeard，moustacheandeyebrowstwistedandhornedattheends，andaconsciouslykeenandpretentiousexpression，issquattingonthefloorclosetoheronherright，watchingherperformance。Ftatateetaisinattendancenearthedoor，infrontofagroupoffemaleslaves。Excepttheharpplayerallareseated：Cleopatrainachairoppositethedoorontheothersideoftheroom;therestontheground。Cleopatra’sladiesareallyoung，themostconspicuousbeingCharmianandIras，herfavorites。Charmianisahatchetfaced，terracottacoloredlittlegoblin，swiftinhermovements，andneatlyfinishedatthehandsandfeet。Irasisaplump，goodnaturedcreature，ratherfatuous，withaprofusionofredhair，andatendencytogiggleontheslightestprovocation。
CLEOPATRA。CanI——
FTATATEETA（insolently，totheplayer）。Peace，thou！TheQueenspeaks。（Theplayerstops。）
CLEOPATRA（totheoldmusician）。Iwanttolearntoplaytheharpwithmyownhands。Caesarlovesmusic。Canyouteachme？
MUSICIAN。AssuredlyIandnooneelsecanteachtheQueen。HaveInotdiscoveredthelostmethodoftheancientEgyptians，whocouldmakeapyramidtremblebytouchingabassstring？Alltheotherteachersarequacks：Ihaveexposedthemrepeatedly。
CLEOPATRA。Good：youshallteachme。Howlongwillittake？
MUSICIAN。Notverylong：onlyfouryears。YourMajestymustfirstbecomeproficientinthephilosophyofPythagoras。
CLEOPATRA。Hasshe（indicatingtheslave）becomeproficientinthephilosophyofPythagoras？
MUSICIAN。Oh，sheisbutaslave。Shelearnsasadoglearns。
CLEOPATRA。Well，then，Iwilllearnasadoglearns;forsheplaysbetterthanyou。Youshallgivemealessoneverydayforafortnight。（Themusicianhastilyscramblestohisfeetandbowsprofoundly。）Afterthat，wheneverIstrikeafalsenoteyoushallbeflogged;andifIstrikesomanythatthereisnottimetoflogyou，youshallbethrownintotheNiletofeedthecrocodiles。
Givethegirlapieceofgold;andsendthemaway。
MUSICIAN（muchtakenaback）。Buttrueartwillnotbethusforced。
FTATATEETA（pushinghimout）。Whatisthis？AnsweringtheQueen，forsooth。Outwithyou。
HeispushedoutbyFtatateeta，thegirlfollowingwithherharp，amidthelaughteroftheladiesandslaves。
CLEOPATRA。Now，cananyofyouamuseme？Haveyouanystoriesoranynews？
IRAS。Ftatateeta——
CLEOPATRA。Oh，Ftatateeta，Ftatateeta，alwaysFtatateeta。Somenewtaletosetmeagainsther。
IRAS。No：thistimeFtatateetahasbeenvirtuous。（Alltheladieslaugh——nottheslaves。）Pothinushasbeentryingtobribehertolethimspeakwithyou。
CLEOPATRA（wrathfully）。Ha！Youallsellaudienceswithme，asifIsawwhomyouplease，andnotwhomIplease。Ishouldliketoknowhowmuchofhergoldpiecethatharpgirlwillhavetogiveupbeforesheleavesthepalace。
IRAS。Wecaneasilyfindoutthatforyou。
Theladieslaugh。
CLEOPATRA（frowning）。Youlaugh;buttakecare，takecare。IwillfindoutsomedayhowtomakemyselfservedasCaesarisserved。
CHARMIAN。Oldhooknose！（Theylaughagain。）
CLEOPATRA（revolted）。Silence。Charmian：donotyoubeasillylittleEgyptianfool。DoyouknowwhyIallowyoualltochatterimpertinentlyjustasyouplease，insteadoftreatingyouasFtatateetawouldtreatyouifshewereQueen？
CHARMIAN。BecauseyoutrytoimitateCaesarineverything;andheletseverybodysaywhattheypleasetohim。
CLEOPATRA。No;butbecauseIaskedhimonedaywhyhedidso;andhesaid\"Letyourwomentalk;andyouwilllearnsomethingfromthem。\"WhathaveItolearnfromthem？Isaid。\"WhattheyARE，\"
saidhe;andoh！youshouldhaveseenhiseyeashesaidit。Youwouldhavecurledup，youshallowthings。（Theylaugh。SheturnsfiercelyonIras）Atwhomareyoulaughing——atmeoratCaesar？
IRAS。AtCaesar。
CLEOPATRA。Ifyouwerenotafool，youwouldlaughatme;andifyouwerenotacowardyouwouldnotbeafraidtotellmeso。
（Ftatateetareturns。）Ftatateeta：theytellmethatPothinushasofferedyouabribetoadmithimtomypresence。
FTATATEETA（protesting）。Nowbymyfather’sgods——
CLEOPATRA（cuttinghershortdespotically）。HaveInottoldyounottodenythings？Youwouldspendthedaycallingyourfather’sgodstowitnesstoyourvirtuesifIletyou。Gotakethebribe;
andbringinPothinus。（Ftatateetaisabouttoreply。）Don’tanswerme。Go。
Ftatateetagoesout;andCleopatrarisesandbeginstoprowltoandfrobetweenherchairandthedoor，meditating。Allriseandstand。
IRAS（asshereluctantlyrises）。Heigho！IwishCaesarwerebackinRome。
CLEOPATRA（threateningly）。Itwillbeabaddayforyouallwhenhegoes。Oh，ifIwerenotashamedtolethimseethatIamascruelatheartasmyfather，Iwouldmakeyourepentthatspeech！
Whydoyouwishhimaway？
CHARMIAN。Hemakesyousoterriblyprosyandseriousandlearnedandphilosophical。Itisworsethanbeingreligious，atOURages。
（Theladieslaugh。）
CLEOPATRA。Ceasethatendlesscackling，willyou。Holdyourtongues。
CHARMIAN（withmockresignation）。Well，well：wemusttrytoliveuptoCaesar。
Theylaughagain。Cleopatraragessilentlyasshecontinuestoprowltoandfro。FtatateetacomesbackwithPothinus，whohaltsonthethreshold。
FTATATEETA（atthedoor）。Pothinuscravestheearofthe——
CLEOPATRA。There，there：thatwilldo：lethimcomein。
（Sheresumesherseat。AllsitdownexceptPothinus，whoadvancestothemiddleoftheroom。Ftatateetatakesherformerplace。）
Well，Pothinus：whatisthelatestnewsfromyourrebelfriends？
POTHINUS（haughtily）。Iamnofriendofrebellion。Andaprisonerdoesnotreceivenews。
CLEOPATRA。YouarenomoreaprisonerthanIam——thanCaesaris。
Thesesixmonthswehavebeenbesiegedinthispalacebymysubjects。Youareallowedtowalkonthebeachamongthesoldiers。CanIgofurthermyself，orcanCaesar？
POTHINUS。Youarebutachild，Cleopatra，anddonotunderstandthesematters。
Theladieslaugh。Cleopatralooksinscrutablyathim。
CHARMIAN。Iseeyoudonotknowthelatestnews，Pothinus。
POTHINUS。Whatisthat？
CHARMIAN。ThatCleopatraisnolongerachild。ShallItellyouhowtogrowmucholder，andmuch，MUCHwiserinoneday？
POTHINUS。Ishouldprefertogrowwiserwithoutgrowingolder。
CHARMIAN。Well，gouptothetopofthelighthouse;andgetsomebodytotakeyoubythehairandthrowyouintothesea。（Theladieslaugh。）
CLEOPATRA。Sheisright，Pothinus：youwillcometotheshorewithmuchconceitwashedoutofyou。（Theladieslaugh。Cleopatrarisesimpatiently。）Begone，allofyou。IwillspeakwithPothinusalone。Drivethemout，Ftatateeta。（Theyrunoutlaughing。Ftatateetashutsthedooronthem。）WhatareYOU
waitingfor？
FTATATEETA。ItisnotmeetthattheQueenremainalonewith——
CLEOPATRA（interruptingher）。Ftatateeta：mustIsacrificeyoutoyourfather’sgodstoteachyouthatIamQueenofEgypt，andnotyou？
FTATATEETA（indignantly）。Youareliketherestofthem。YouwanttobewhattheseRomanscallaNewWoman。（Shegoesout，bangingthedoor。）
CLEOPATRA（sittingdownagain）。Now，Pothinus：whydidyoubribeFtatateetatobringyouhither？
POTHINUS（studyinghergravely）。Cleopatra：whattheytellmeistrue。Youarechanged。
CLEOPATRA。DoyouspeakwithCaesareverydayforsixmonths：andYOUwillbechanged。
POTHINUS。Itisthecommontalkthatyouareinfatuatedwiththisoldman。
CLEOPATRA。Infatuated？Whatdoesthatmean？Madefoolish，isitnot？Ohno：IwishIwere。
POTHINUS。Youwishyouweremadefoolish！Howso？
CLEOPATRA。WhenIwasfoolish，IdidwhatIliked，exceptwhenFtatateetabeatme;andeventhenIcheatedheranddiditbystealth。NowthatCaesarhasmademewise，itisnousemylikingordisliking;Idowhatmustbedone，andhavenotimetoattendtomyself。Thatisnothappiness;butitisgreatness。IfCaesarweregone，IthinkIcouldgoverntheEgyptians;forwhatCaesaristome，Iamtothefoolsaroundme。
POTHINUS（lookinghardather）。Cleopatra：thismaybethevanityofyouth。
CLEOPATRA。No，no：itisnotthatIamsoclever，butthattheothersaresostupid。
POTHINUS（musingly）。Truly，thatisthegreatsecret。
CLEOPATRA。Well，nowtellmewhatyoucametosay？
POTHINUS（embarrassed）。I！Nothing。
CLEOPATRA。Nothing！
POTHINUS。Atleast——tobegformyliberty：thatisall。
CLEOPATRA。ForthatyouwouldhaveknelttoCaesar。No，Pothinus：
youcamewithsomeplanthatdependedonCleopatrabeingalittlenurserykitten。NowthatCleopatraisaQueen，theplanisupset。
POTHINUS（bowinghisheadsubmissively）。Itisso。
CLEOPATRA（exultant）。Aha！
POTHINUS（raisinghiseyeskeenlytohers）。IsCleopatrathenindeedaQueen，andnolongerCaesar’sprisonerandslave？
CLEOPATRA。Pothinus：weareallCaesar’sslaves——allweinthislandofEgypt——whetherwewillorno。AndshewhoiswiseenoughtoknowthiswillreignwhenCaesardeparts。
POTHINUS。YouharponCaesar’sdeparture。
CLEOPATRA。WhatifIdo？
POTHINUS。Doeshenotloveyou？
CLEOPATRA。Loveme！Pothinus：Caesarlovesnoone。Whoarethosewelove？Onlythosewhomwedonothate：allpeoplearestrangersandenemiestousexceptthosewelove。ButitisnotsowithCaesar。Hehasnohatredinhim：hemakesfriendswitheveryoneashedoeswithdogsandchildren。Hiskindnesstomeisawonder：neithermother，father，nornursehaveevertakensomuchcareforme，orthrownopentheirthoughtstomesofreely。
POTHINUS。Well：isnotthislove？
CLEOPATRA。What！WhenhewilldoasmuchforthefirstgirlhemeetsonhiswaybacktoRome？Askhisslave，Britannus：hehasbeenjustasgoodtohim。Nay，askhisveryhorse！HiskindnessisnotforanythinginME：itisinhisownnature。
POTHINUS。Buthowcanyoubesurethathedoesnotloveyouasmenlovewomen？
CLEOPATRA。BecauseIcannotmakehimjealous。Ihavetried。
POTHINUS。Hm！PerhapsIshouldhaveasked，then，doyoulovehim？
CLEOPATRA。Canoneloveagod？Besides，IloveanotherRoman：onewhomIsawlongbeforeCaesar——nogod，butaman——onewhocanloveandhate——onewhomIcanhurtandwhowouldhurtme。
POTHINUS。DoesCaesarknowthis？
CLEOPATRA。YesPOTHINUS。Andheisnotangry。
CLEOPATRA。HepromisestosendhimtoEgypttopleaseme！
POTHINUS。Idonotunderstandthisman？
CLEOPATRA（withsuperbcontempt）。YOUunderstandCaesar！Howcouldyou？（Proudly）Ido——byinstinct。
POTHINUS（deferentially，afteramoment’sthought）。YourMajestycausedmetobeadmittedto-day。WhatmessagehastheQueenforme？
CLEOPATRA。This。Youthinkthatbymakingmybrotherking，youwillruleinEgypt，becauseyouarehisguardianandheisalittlesilly。
POTHINUB。TheQueenispleasedtosayso。
CLEOPATRA。TheQueenispleasedtosaythisalso。ThatCaesarwilleatupyou，andAchillas，andmybrother，asacateatsupmice;andthathewillputonthislandofEgyptasashepherdputsonhisgarment。Andwhenhehasdonethat，hewillreturntoRome，andleaveCleopatrahereashisviceroy。
POTHINUS（breakingoutwrathfully）。Thathewillneverdo。Wehaveathousandmentohisten;andwewilldrivehimandhisbeggarlylegionsintothesea。
CLEOPATRA（withscorn，gettinguptogo）。Yourantlikeanycommonfellow。Go，then，andmarshalyourthousands;andmakehaste;forMithridatesofPergamosisathandwithreinforcementsforCaesar。Caesarhasheldyouatbaywithtwolegions：weshallseewhathewilldowithtwenty。
POTHINUS。Cleopatra——
CLEOPATRA。Enough，enough：Caesarhasspoiledmefortalkingtoweakthingslikeyou。（Shegoesout。Pothinus，withagestureofrage，isfollowing，whenFtatateetaentersandstopshim。）
POTHINUS。Letmegoforthfromthishatefulplace。
FTATATEETA。Whatangersyou？
POTHINUS。ThecurseofallthegodsofEgyptbeuponher！ShehassoldhercountrytotheRoman，thatshemaybuyitbackfromhimwithherkisses。
FTATATEETA。Fool：didshenottellyouthatshewouldhaveCaesargone？
POTHINUS。Youlistened？
FTATATEETA。Itookcarethatsomehonestwomanshouldbeathandwhilstyouwerewithher。
POTHINUS。Nowbythegods——
FTATATEETA。Enoughofyourgods！Caesar’sgodsareallpowerfulhere。ItisnouseYOUcomingtoCleopatra：youareonlyanEgyptian。Shewillnotlistentoanyofherownrace：shetreatsusallaschildren。
POTHINUS。Maysheperishforit！
FTATATEETA（balefully）。Mayyourtonguewitherforthatwish！Go！
sendforLuciusSeptimius，theslayerofPompey。HeisaRoman：
maybeshewilllistentohim。Begone！
POTHINUS（darkly）。IknowtowhomImustgonow。
FTATATEETA（suspiciously）。Towhom，then？
POTHINUS。ToagreaterRomanthanLucius。Andmarkthis，mistress。Youthought，beforeCaesarcame，thatEgyptshouldpresentlyberuledbyyouandyourcrewinthenameofCleopatra。
Isetmyselfagainstit。
FTATATEETA（interruptinghim——wrangling）。Ay;thatitmightberuledbyyouandYOURcrewinthenameofPtolemy。
POTHINUS。Betterme，orevenyou，thanawomanwithaRomanheart;andthatiswhatCleopatraisnowbecome。WhilstIlive，sheshallneverrule。Soguideyourselfaccordingly。（Hegoesout。）
Itisbythistimedrawingontodinnertime。Thetableislaidontheroofofthepalace;andthitherRufioisnowclimbing，usheredbyamajesticpalaceofficial，wandofofficeinhand，andfollowedbyaslavecarryinganinlaidstool。Aftermanystairstheyemergeatlastintoamassivecolonnadeontheroof。Lightcurtainsaredrawnbetweenthecolumnsonthenorthandeasttosoftenthewesteringsun。TheofficialleadsRufiotooneoftheseshadedsections。Acordforpullingthecurtainsaparthangsdownbetweenthepillars。
THEOFFICIAL（bowing）。TheRomancommanderwillawaitCaesarhere。
Theslavesetsdownthestoolnearthesouthernmostcolumn，andslipsoutthroughthecurtains。
RUFIO（sittingdown，alittleblown）。Pouf！Thatwasaclimb。Howhighhavewecome？
THEOFFICIAL。Weareonthepalaceroof，OBelovedofVictory！
RUFIO。Good！theBelovedofVictoryhasnomorestairstogetup。
Asecondofficialentersfromtheoppositeend，walkingbackwards。
THESECONDOFFICIAL。Caesarapproaches。
Caesar，freshfromthebath，cladinanewtunicofpurplesilk，comesin，beamingandfestive，followedbytwoslavescarryingalightcouch，whichishardlymorethananelaboratelydesignedbench。Theyplaceitnearthenorthmostofthetwocurtainedcolumns。Whenthisisdonetheyslipoutthroughthecurtains;andthetwoofficials，formallybowing，followthem。
RufiorisestoreceiveCaesar。
CAESAR（comingovertohim）。Why，Rufio！（Surveyinghisdresswithanairofadmiringastonishment）Anewbaldrick！Anewgoldenpommeltoyoursword！Andyouhavehadyourhaircut！Butnotyourbeard——？Impossible！（HesniffsatRufio’sbeard。）Yes，perfumed，byJupiterOlympus！
RUFIO（growling）。Well：isittopleasemyself？
CAESAR（affectionately）。No，mysonRufio，buttopleaseme——tocelebratemybirthday。
RUFIO（contemptuously）。Yourbirthday！Youalwayshaveabirthdaywhenthereisaprettygirltobeflatteredoranambassadortobeconciliated。Wehadsevenofthemintenmonthslastyear。
CAESAR（contritely）。Itistrue，Rufio！Ishallneverbreakmyselfofthesepettydeceits。
RUFIO。Whoistodinewithus——besidesCleopatra？
CAESAR。ApollodorustheSicilian。
RUFIO。Thatpopinjay！
CAESAR。Come！thepopinjayisanamusingdog——tellsastory;
singsasong;andsavesusthetroubleofflatteringtheQueen。
Whatdoesshecareforoldpoliticiansandcampfedbearslikeus？
No：Apollodorusisgoodcompany，Rufio，goodcompany。
RUFIO。Well，hecanswimabitandfenceabit：hemightbeworse，ifheonlyknewhowtoholdhistongue。
CAESAR。Thegodsforbidheshouldeverlearn！Oh，thismilitarylife！thistedious，brutallifeofaction！ThatistheworstofusRomans：wearemeredoersanddrudgers：aswarmofbeesturnedintomen。Givemeagoodtalker——onewithwitandimaginationenoughtolivewithoutcontinuallydoingsomething！
RUFIO。Ay！anicetimehewouldhaveofitwithyouwhendinnerwasover！HaveyounoticedthatIambeforemytime？
CAESAR。Aha！Ithoughtthatmeantsomething。Whatisit？
RUFIO。Canwebeoverheardhere？
CAESAR。Ourprivacyinviteseavesdropping。Icanremedythat。（Heclapshishandstwice。Thecurtainsaredrawn，revealingtheroofgardenwithabanquetingtablesetacrossinthemiddleforfourpersons，oneateachend，andtwosidebyside。ThesidenextCaesarandRufioisblockedwithgoldenwinevesselsandbasins。
Agorgeousmajor-domoissuperintendingthelayingofthetablebyastaffofslaves。Thecolonnadegoesroundthegardenatbothsidestothefurtherend，whereagapinit，likeagreatgateway，leavestheviewopentotheskybeyondthewesternedgeoftheroof，exceptinthemiddle，wherealifesizeimageofRa，seatedonahugeplinth，towersup，withhawkheadandcrownofaspanddisk。Hisaltar，whichstandsathisfeet，isasinglewhitestone。）Noweverybodycanseeus，nobodywillthinkoflisteningtous。（Hesitsdownonthebenchleftbythetwoslaves。）
RUFIO（sittingdownonhisstool）。Pothinuswantstospeaktoyou。Iadviseyoutoseehim：thereissomeplottinggoingonhereamongthewomen。
CAESAR。WhoisPothinus？
RUFIO。Thefellowwithhairlikesquirrel’sfur——thelittleKing’sbearleader，whomyoukeptprisoner。
CAEBAR（annoyed）。Andhashenotescaped？
RUFIO。No。
CAESAR（risingimperiously）。Whynot？Youhavebeenguardingthismaninsteadofwatchingtheenemy。HaveInottoldyoualwaystoletprisonersescapeunlesstherearespecialorderstothecontrary？Aretherenotenoughmouthstobefedwithouthim？
RUFIO。Yes;andifyouwouldhavealittlesenseandletmecuthisthroat，youwouldsavehisrations。Anyhow，heWON’Tescape。
Threesentrieshavetoldhimtheywouldputapilumthroughhimiftheysawhimagain。Whatmorecantheydo？Hepreferstostayandspyonus。SowouldIifIhadtodowithgeneralssubjecttofitsofclemency。
CAESAR（resuminghisseat，argueddown）。Hm！Andsohewantstoseeme。
RUFIO。Ay。Ihavebroughthimwithme。Heiswaitingthere（jerkinghisthumboverhisshoulder）underguard。
CAESAR。Andyouwantmetoseehim？
RUFI0（obstinately）。Idon’twantanything。Idaresayyouwilldowhatyoulike。Don’tputitontome。
CAESAR（withanairofdoingitexpresslytoindulgeRufio）。
Well，well：letushavehim。
RUFIO（calling）。Hothere，guard！Releaseyourmanandsendhimup。（Beckoning）Comealong！
Pothinusentersandstopsmistrustfullybetweenthetwo，lookingfromonetotheother。
CAESAR（graciously）。Ah，Pothinus！Youarewelcome。Andwhatisthenewsthisafternoon？
POTHINUS。Caesar：Icometowarnyouofadanger，andtomakeyouanoffer。
CAESAR。Nevermindthedanger。Maketheoffer。
RUFIO。Nevermindtheoffer。What’sthedanger？
POTHINUS。Caesar：youthinkthatCleopatraisdevotedtoyou。
CAESAR（gravely）。Myfriend：IalreadyknowwhatIthink。Cometoyouroffer。
POTHINUS。Iwilldealplainly。Iknownotbywhatstrangegodsyouhavebeenenabledtodefendapalaceandafewyardsofbeachagainstacityandanarmy。SincewecutyouofffromLakeMareotis，andyoudugwellsinthesaltseasandandbroughtupbucketsoffreshwaterfromthem，wehaveknownthatyourgodsareirresistible，andthatyouareaworkerofmiracles。Inolongerthreatenyou。
RUFIO（sarcastically）。Veryhandsomeofyou，indeed。
POTHINUS。Sobeit：youarethemaster。Ourgodssentthenorthwestwindstokeepyouinourhands;butyouhavebeentoostrongforthem。
CAESAR（gentlyurginghimtocometothepoint）。Yes，yes，myfriend。Butwhatthen？
RUFIO。Spititout，man。Whathaveyoutosay？
POTHINUS。Ihavetosaythatyouhaveatraitressinyourcamp。
Cleopatra。
THEMAJOR-DOMO（atthetable，announcing）。TheQueen！（CaesarandRufiorise。）
RUFIO（asidetoPothinus）。Youshouldhavespatitoutsooner，youfool。Nowitistoolate。
Cleopatra，ingorgeousraiment，entersinstatethroughthegapinthecolonnade，andcomesdownpasttheimageofRaandpastthetabletoCaesar。Herretinue，headedbyFtatateeta，joinsthestaffatthetable。CaesargivesCleopatrahisseat，whichshetakes。
CLEOPATRA（quickly，seeingPothinus）。WhatisHEdoinghere？
CAESAR（seatinghimselfbesideher，inthemostamiableoftempers）。Justgoingtotellmesomethingaboutyou。Youshallhearit。Proceed，Pothinus。
POTHINUS（disconcerted）。Caesar——（Hestammers。）
CAESAR。Well，outwithit。
POTHINUS。WhatIhavetosayisforyourear，notfortheQueen’s。
CLEOPATRA（withsubduedferocity）。Therearemeansofmakingyouspeak。Takecare。
POTHINUS（defiantly）。Caesardoesnotemploythosemeans。
CAESAR。Myfriend：whenamanhasanythingtotellinthisworld，thedifficultyisnottomakehimtellit，buttopreventhimfromtellingittoooften。Letmecelebratemybirthdaybysettingyoufree。Farewell：we’llnotmeetagain。
CLEOPATRA（angrily）。Caesar：thismercyisfoolish。
POTHINUS（toCaesar）。Willyounotgivemeaprivateaudience？
Yourlifemaydependonit。（Caesarrisesloftily。）
RUFIO（asidetoPothinus）。Ass！Nowweshallhavesomeheroics。
CAESAR（oratorically）。Pothinus——
RUFIO（interruptinghim）。Caesar：thedinnerwillspoilifyoubeginpreachingyourfavouritesermonaboutlifeanddeath。
CLEOPATRA（priggishly）。Peace，Rufio。IdesiretohearCaesar。
RUFIO（bluntly）。YourMajestyhashearditbefore。YourepeatedittoApollodoruslastweek;andhethoughtitwasallyourown。
（Caesar’sdignitycollapses。Muchtickled，hesitsdownagainandlooksroguishlyatCleopatra，whoisfurious。Rufiocallsasbefore）Hothere，guard！Passtheprisonerout。Heisreleased。
（ToPothinus）Nowoffwithyou。Youhavelostyourchance。
POTHINUS（histemperovercominghisprudence）。IWILLspeak。
CAESAR（toCleopatra）。Yousee。Torturewouldnothavewrungawordfromhim。
POTHINUS。Caesar：youhavetaughtCleopatratheartsbywhichtheRomansgoverntheworld。
CAESAR。Alas！Theycannotevengovernthemselves。Whatthen？
POTHINUS。Whatthen？AreyousobesottedwithherbeautythatyoudonotseethatsheisimpatienttoreigninEgyptalone，andthatherheartissetonyourdeparture？
CLEOPATRA（rising）。Liar！
CAESAR（shocked）。What！Protestations！Contradictions！
CLEOPATRA（ashamed，buttremblingwithsuppressedrage）。No。Idonotdeigntocontradict。Lethimtalk。（Shesitsdownagain。）
POTHINUS。FromherownlipsIhaveheardit。Youaretobehercatspaw：youaretotearthecrownfromherbrother’sheadandsetitonherown，deliveringusallintoherhand——deliveringyourselfalso。AndthenCaesarcanreturntoRome，ordepartthroughthegateofdeath，whichisnearerandsurer。
CAESAR（calmly）。Well，myfriend;andisnotthisverynatural？
POTHINUS（astonished）。Natural！Thenyoudonotresenttreachery？
CAESAR。Resent！OthoufoolishEgyptian，whathaveItodowithresentment？DoIresentthewindwhenitchillsme，orthenightwhenitmakesmestumbleinthedarkness？ShallIresentyouthwhenitturnsfromage，andambitionwhenitturnsfromservitude？Totellmesuchastoryasthisisbuttotellmethatthesunwillriseto-morrow。
CLEOPATRA（unabletocontainherself）。Butitisfalse——false。I
swearit。
CAESAR。Itistrue，thoughyousworeitathousandtimes，andbelievedallyouswore。（Sheisconvulsedwithemotion。Toscreenher，herisesandtakesPothinustoRufio，saying）Come，Rufio：
letusseePothinuspasttheguard。Ihaveawordtosaytohim。
（Asidetothem）WemustgivetheQueenamomenttorecoverherself。（Aloud）Come。（HetakesPothinusandRufiooutwithhim，conversingwiththemmeanwhile。）Tellyourfriends，Pothinus，thattheymustnotthinkIamopposedtoareasonablesettlementofthecountry’saffairs——（Theypassoutofhearing。）
CLEOPATRA（inastifledwhisper）。Ftatateeta，Ftatateeta。
FTATATEETA（hurryingtoherfromthetableandpettingher）。
Peace，child：becomforted——
CLEOPATRA（interruptingher）。Cantheyhearus？
FTATATEETA。No，dearheart，no。
CLEOPATRA。Listentome。IfheleavesthePalacealive，neverseemyfaceagain。
FTATATEETA。He？Poth——
CLEOPATRA（strikingheronthemouth）。StrikehislifeoutasI
strikehisnamefromyourlips。Dashhimdownfromthewall。
Breakhimonthestones。Kill，kill，KILLhim。
FTATATEETA（showingallherteeth）。Thedogshallperish。
CLEOPATRA。Failinthis，andyougooutfrombeforemeforever。
FTATATEETA（resolutely）。Sobeit。Youshallnotseemyfaceuntilhiseyesaredarkened。
Caesarcomesback，withApollodorus，exquisitelydressed，andRufio。
CLEOPATRA（toFtatateeta）。Comesoon——soon。（Ftatateetaturnshermeaningeyesforamomentonhermistress;thengoesgrimlyawaypastRaandout。CleopatrarunslikeagazelletoCaesar。）Soyouhavecomebacktome，Caesar。（Caressingly）Ithoughtyouwereangry。Welcome，Apollodorus。（Shegiveshimherhandtokiss，withherotherarmaboutCaesar。）
APOLLODORUS。Cleopatragrowsmorewomanlybeautifulfromweektoweek。
CLEOPATRA。Truth，Apollodorus？
APOLLODORUS。Far，farshortofthetruth！FriendRufiothrewapearlintothesea：Caesarfishedupadiamond。
CAESAR。Caesarfishedupatouchofrheumatism，myfriend。Come：
todinner！Todinner！（Theymovetowardsthetable。）
CLEOPATRA（skippinglikeayoungfawn）。Yes，todinner。IhaveorderedSUCHadinnerforyou，Caesar！
CAESAR。Ay？Whatarewetohave？
CLEOPATRA。Peacocks’brains。
CAESAR（asifhismouthwatered）。Peacocks’brains，Apollodorus！
APOLLODORUS。Notforme。Iprefernightingales’tongues。（Hegoestooneofthetwocoverssetsidebyside。）