CLEOPATRA。Roastboar，Rufio！
RUFIO（gluttonously）。Good！（HegoestotheseatnextApollodorus，onhisleft。）
CAESAR（lookingathisseat，whichisattheendofthetable，toRa’slefthand）。Whathasbecomeofmyleatherncushion？
CLEOPATRA（attheoppositeend）。Ihavegotnewonesforyou。
THEMAJOR-DOMO。Thesecushions，Caesar，areofMaltesegauze，stuffedwithroseleaves。
CAESAR。Roseleaves！AmIacaterpillar？（Hethrowsthecushionsawayandseatshimselfontheleathermattressunderneath。）
CLEOPATRA。Whatashame！Mynewcushions！
THEMAJOR-DOMO（atCaesar’selbow）。WhatshallweservetowhetCaesar’sappetite？
CAESAR。Whathaveyougot？
THEMAJOR-DOMO。Seahedgehogs，blackandwhiteseaacorns，seanettles，beccaficoes，purpleshellfish——
CAESAR。Anyoysters？
THEMAJOR-DOMO。Assuredly。
CAESAR。BRITISHoysters？
THEMAJOR-DOMO（assenting）。Britishoysters，Caesar。
CAESAR。Oysters，then。（TheMajor-Domosignstoaslaveateachorder;andtheslavegoesouttoexecuteit。）IhavebeeninBritain——thatwesternlandofromance——thelastpieceofearthontheedgeoftheoceanthatsurroundstheworld。Iwentthereinsearchofitsfamouspearls。TheBritishpearlwasafable;butinsearchingforitIfoundtheBritishoyster。
APOLLODORUS。Allposteritywillblessyouforit。（TotheMajor-Domo）Seahedgehogsforme。
RUFIO。Istherenothingsolidtobeginwith？
THEMAJOR-DOMO。Fieldfareswithasparagus-
CLEOPATRA（interrupting）。Fattenedfowls！Havesomefattenedfowls，Rufio。
RUFIO。Ay，thatwilldo。
CLEOPATRA（greedily）。Fieldfaresforme。
THEMAJOR-DOMO。Caesarwilldeigntochoosehiswine？Sicilian，Lesbian，Chian——
RUFIO（contemptuously）。AllGreek。
APOLLODORUS。WhowoulddrinkRomanwinewhenhecouldgetGreek？
TrytheLesbian，Caesar。
CAESAR。Bringmemybarleywater。
RUFIO（withintensedisgust）。Ugh！BringMEmyFalernian。（TheFalernianispresentlybroughttohim。）
CLEOPATRA（pouting）。Itiswasteoftimegivingyoudinners，Caesar。Myscullionswouldnotcondescendtoyourdiet。
CAESAR（relenting）。Well，well：letustrytheLesbian。（TheMajor-DomofillsCaesar’sgoblet;thenCleopatra’sandApollodorus’s。）ButwhenIreturntoRome，Iwillmakelawsagainsttheseextravagances。Iwillevengetthelawscarriedout。
CLEOPATRA（coaxingly）。Nevermind。To-dayyouaretobelikeotherpeople：idle，luxurious，andkind。（Shestretchesherhandtohimalongthetable。）
CAESAR。Well，foronceIwillsacrificemycomfort（kissingherhand）there！（Hetakesadraughtofwine。）Nowareyousatisfied？
CLEOPATRA。AndyounolongerbelievethatIlongforyourdepartureforRome？
CAESAR。Inolongerbelieveanything。Mybrainsareasleep。
Besides，whoknowswhetherIshallreturntoRome？
RUFIO（alarmed）。How？Eh？What？
CAESAR。WhathasRometoshowmethatIhavenotseenalready？
OneyearofRomeislikeanother，exceptthatIgrowolder，whilstthecrowdintheAppianWayisalwaysthesameage。
APOLLODORUS。ItisnobetterhereinEgypt。Theoldmen，whentheyaretiredoflife，say\"WehaveseeneverythingexceptthesourceoftheNile。\"
CAESAR（hisimaginationcatchingfire）。Andwhynotseethat？Cleopatra：willyoucomewithmeandtrackthefloodtoitscradleintheheartoftheregionsofmystery？ShallweleaveRomebehindus——Rome，thathasachievedgreatnessonlytolearnhowgreatnessdestroysnationsofmenwhoarenotgreat！
ShallImakeyouanewkingdom，andbuildyouaholycitythereinthegreatunknown？
CLEOPATRA（rapturously）。Yes，Yes。Youshall。
RUFIO。Ay：nowhewillconquerAfricawithtwolegionsbeforewecometotheroastboar。
APOLLODORUS。Come：noscoffing，thisisanoblescheme：initCaesarisnolongermerelytheconqueringsoldier，butthecreativepoet-artist。Letusnametheholycity，andconsecrateitwithLesbianWine——andCleopatrashallnameitherself。
CLEOPATRA。ItshallbecalledCaesar’sGifttohisBeloved。
APOLLODORUS。No，no。Somethingvasterthanthat——somethinguniversal，likethestarryfirmament。
CAESAR（prosaically）。WhynotsimplyTheCradleoftheNile？
CLEOPATRA。No：theNileismyancestor;andheisagod。Oh！I
havethoughtofsomething。TheNileshallnameithimself。Letuscalluponhim。（TotheMajor-Domo）Sendforhim。（Thethreemenstareatoneanother;buttheMajor-Domogoesoutasifhehadreceivedthemostmatter-of-factorder。）And（totheretinue）
awaywithyouall。
Theretinuewithdraws，makingobeisance。
Apriestenters，carryingaminiaturesphinxwithatinytripodbeforeit。Amorselofincenseissmokinginthetripod。Thepriestcomestothetableandplacestheimageinthemiddleofit。ThelightbeginstochangetothemagentapurpleoftheEgyptiansunset，asifthegodhadbroughtastrangecoloredshadowwithhim。Thethreemenaredeterminednottobeimpressed;buttheyfeelcuriousinspiteofthemselves。
CAESAR。Whathocus-pocusisthis？
CLEOPATRA。Youshallsee。AnditisNOThocus-pocus。Todoitproperly，weshouldkillsomethingtopleasehim;butperhapshewillanswerCaesarwithoutthatifwespillsomewinetohim。
APOLLODORUS（turninghisheadtolookupoverhisshoulderatRa）。Whynotappealtoourhawkheadedfriendhere？
CLEOPATRA（nervously）。Sh！Hewillhearyouandbeangry。
RUFIO（phlegmatically）。ThesourceoftheNileisoutofhisdistrict，Iexpect。
CLEOPATRA。No：Iwillhavemycitynamedbynobodybutmydearlittlesphinx，becauseitwasinitsarmsthatCaesarfoundmeasleep。（ShelanguishesatCaesar;thenturnscurtlytothepriest。）Go，Iamapriestess，andhavepowertotakeyourchargefromyou。（Thepriestmakesareverenceandgoesout。）NowletuscallontheNilealltogether。Perhapshewillraponthetable。
CAESAR。What！Tablerapping！Aresuchsuperstitionsstillbelievedinthisyear707oftheRepublic？
CLEOPATRA。Itisnosuperstition：ourpriestslearnlotsofthingsfromthetables。Isitnotso，Apollodorus？
APOLLODORUS。Yes：Iprofessmyselfaconvertedman。WhenCleopatraispriestess，Apollodorusisdevotee。Proposetheconjuration。
CLEOPATRA。Youmustsaywithme\"Sendusthyvoice，FatherNile。\"
ALLFOUR（holdingtheirglassestogetherbeforetheidol）。Sendusthyvoice，FatherNile。
Thedeathcryofamaninmortalterrorandagonyanswersthem。
Appalled，themensetdowntheirglasses，andlisten。Silence。
Thepurpledeepensinthesky。Caesar，glancingatCleopatra，catchesherpouringoutherwinebeforethegod，withgleamingeyes，andmuteassurancesofgratitudeandworship。Apollodorusspringsupandrunstotheedgeoftherooftopeerdownandlisten。
CAESAR（lookingpiercinglyatCleopatra）。Whatwasthat？
CLEOPATRA（petulantly）。Nothing。Theyarebeatingsomeslave。
CAESAR。Nothing！
RUFIO。Amanwithaknifeinhim，I’llswear。
CAESAR（rising）。Amurder！
APOLLODORUS（attheback，wavinghishandforsilence）。S-sh！
Silence。Didyouhearthat？
CAESAR。Anothercry？
APOLLODORUS（returningtothetable）。No，athud。Somethingfellonthebeach，Ithink。
RUFIO（grimly，asherises）。Somethingwithbonesinit，eh？
CAESAR（shuddering）。Hush，hush，Rufio。（Heleavesthetableandreturnstothecolonnade：Rufiofollowingathisleftelbow，andApollodorusattheotherside。）
CLEOPATRA（stillinherplaceatthetable）。Willyouleaveme，Caesar？Apollodorus：areyougoing？
APOLLODORUS。Faith，dearestQueen，myappetiteisgone。
CAESAR。Godowntothecourtyard，Apollodorus;andfindoutwhathashappened。
Apollodorusnodsandgoesout，makingforthestaircasebywhichRufioascended。
CLEOPATRA。Yoursoldiershavekilledsomebody，perhaps。Whatdoesitmatter？
Themurmurofacrowdrisesfromthebeachbelow。CaesarandRufiolookatoneanother。
CAESAR。Thismustbeseento。（HeisabouttofollowApollodoruswhenRufiostopshimwithahandonhisarmasFtatateetacomesbackbythefarendoftheroof，withdraggingsteps，adrowsysatietyinhereyesandinthecornersofthebloodhoundlips。
ForamomentCaesarsuspectsthatsheisdrunkwithwine。NotsoRufio：heknowswelltheredvintagethathasinebriatedher。）
RUFIO（inalowtone）。Thereissomemischiefbetweenthosetwo。
FTATATEETA。TheQueenlooksagainonthefaceofherservant。
Cleopatralooksatherforamomentwithanexultantreflectionofhermurderousexpression。Thensheflingsherarmsroundher;
kissesherrepeatedlyandsavagely;andtearsoffherjewelsandheapsthemonher。Thetwomenturnfromthespectacletolookatoneanother。Ftatateetadragsherselfsleepilytothealtar;
kneelsbeforeRa;andremainsthereinprayer。CaesargoestoCleopatra，leavingRufiointhecolonnade。
CAESAR（withsearchingearnestness）。Cleopatra：whathashappened？
CLEOPATRA（inmortaldreadofhim，butwithherutmostcajolery）。
Nothing，dearestCaesar。（Withsicklysweetness，hervoicealmostfailing）Nothing。Iaminnocent。（Sheapproacheshimaffectionately）DearCaesar：areyouangrywithme？Whydoyoulookatmeso？Ihavebeenherewithyouallthetime。HowcanI
knowwhathashappened？
CAESAR（reflectively）。Thatistrue。
CLEOPATRA（greatlyrelieved，tryingtocaresshim）。Ofcourseitistrue。（Hedoesnotrespondtothecaress。）Youknowitistrue，Rufio。
Themurmurwithoutsuddenlyswellstoaroarandsubsides。
RUFIO。Ishallknowpresently。（Hemakesforthealtarintheburlytrotthatserveshimforastride，andtouchesFtatateetaontheshoulder。）Now，mistress：Ishallwantyou。（Heordersher，withagesture，togobeforehim。）
FTATATEETA（risingandgloweringathim）。MyplaceiswiththeQueen。
CLEOPATRA。Shehasdonenoharm，Rufio。
CAESAR（toRufio）。Letherstay。
RUFIO（sittingdownonthealtar）。Verywell。Thenmyplaceisheretoo;andyoucanseewhatisthematterforyourself。Thecityisinaprettyuproar，itseems。
CAESAR（withgravedispleasure）。Rufio：thereisatimeforobedience。
RUFIO。Andthereisatimeforobstinacy。（Hefoldshisarmsdoggedly。）
CAESAR（toCleopatra）。Sendheraway。
CLEOPATRA（whininginhereagernesstopropitiatehim）。Yes，I
will。Iwilldowhateveryouaskme，Caesar，always，becauseI
loveyou。Ftatateeta：goaway。
FTATATEETA。TheQueen’swordismywill。IshallbeathandfortheQueen’scall。（ShegoesoutpastRa，asshecame。）
RUFIO（followingher）。Remember，Caesar，YOURbodyguardalsoiswithincall。（Hefollowsherout。）
Cleopatra，presuminguponCaesar’ssubmissiontoRufio，leavesthetableandsitsdownonthebenchinthecolonnade。
CLEOPATRA。WhydoyouallowRufiototreatyouso？Youshouldteachhimhisplace。
CAESAR。Teachhimtobemyenemy，andtohidehisthoughtsfrommeasyouarenowhidingyours。
CLEOPATRA（herfearsreturning）。Whydoyousaythat，Caesar？
Indeed，indeed，Iamnothidinganything。Youarewrongtotreatmelikethis。（Shestiflesasob。）Iamonlyachild;andyouturnintostonebecauseyouthinksomeonehasbeenkilled。I
cannotbearit。（Shepurposelybreaksdownandweeps。Helooksatherwithprofoundsadnessandcompletecoldness。Shelooksuptoseewhateffectsheisproducing。Seeingthatheisunmoved，shesitsup，pretendingtostrugglewithheremotionandtoputitbravelyaway。）Butthere：Iknowyouhatetears：youshallnotbetroubledwiththem。Iknowyouarenotangry，butonlysad;onlyIamsosilly，Icannothelpbeinghurtwhenyouspeakcoldly。Ofcourseyouarequiteright：itisdreadfultothinkofanyonebeingkilledorevenhurt;andIhopenothingreallyserioushas——（Hervoicediesawayunderhiscontemptuouspenetration。）
CAESAR。Whathasfrightenedyouintothis？Whathaveyoudone？（A
trumpetsoundsonthebeachbelow。）Aha！Thatsoundsliketheanswer。
CLEOPATRA（sinkingbacktremblingonthebenchandcoveringherfacewithherhands）。Ihavenotbetrayedyou，Caesar：Iswearit。
CAESAR。Iknowthat。Ihavenottrustedyou。（Heturnsfromher，andisabouttogooutwhenApollodorusandBritannusdraginLuciusSeptimiustohim。Rufiofollows。Caesarshudders。）Again，Pompey’smurderer！
RUFIO。Thetownhasgonemad，Ithink。Theyarefortearingthepalacedownanddrivingusintotheseastraightaway。Welaidholdofthisrenegadeinclearingthemoutofthecourtyard。
CAESAR。Releasehim。（Theyletgohisarms。）Whathasoffendedthecitizens，LuciusSeptimius？
LUCIUS。Whatdidyouexpect，Caesar？Pothinuswasafavoriteoftheirs。
CAESAR。WhathashappenedtoPothinus？Isethimfree，here，nothalfanhourago。Didtheynotpasshimout？
LUCIUS。Ay，throughthegalleryarchsixtyfeetaboveground，withthreeinchesofsteelinhisribs。HeisasdeadasPompey。
Wearequitsnow，astokilling——youandI。
CAESAR。（shocked）。Assassinated！——ourprisoner，ourguest！
（HeturnsreproachfullyonRufio）Rufio——
RUFIO（emphatically——anticipatingthequestion）。Whoeverdiditwasawisemanandafriendofyours（Cleopatraisqreatlyemboldened）;butnoneofUShadahandinit。Soitisnousetofrownatme。（CaesarturnsandlooksatCleopatra。）
CLEOPATRA（violently——rising）。HewasslainbyorderoftheQueenofEgypt。IamnotJuliusCaesarthedreamer，whoallowseveryslavetoinsulthim。RufiohassaidIdidwell：nowtheothersshalljudgemetoo。（Sheturnstotheothers。）ThisPothinussoughttomakemeconspirewithhimtobetrayCaesartoAchillasandPtolemy。Irefused;andhecursedmeandcameprivilytoCaesartoaccusemeofhisowntreachery。Icaughthimintheact;andheinsultedme——ME，theQueen！Tomyface。Caesarwouldnotrevengeme：hespokehimfairandsethimfree。WasIrighttoavengemyself？Speak，Lucius。
LUCIUS。Idonotgainsayit。ButyouwillgetlittlethanksfromCaesarforit。
CLEOPATRA。Speak，Apollodorus。WasIwrong？
APOLLODORUS。Ihaveonlyonewordofblame，mostbeautiful。Youshouldhavecalleduponme，yourknight;andinfairduelI
shouldhaveslaintheslanderer。
CLEOPATRA（passionately）。Iwillbejudgedbyyourveryslave，Caesar。Britannus：speak。WasIwrong？
BRITANNUS。Weretreachery，falsehood，anddisloyaltyleftunpunished，societymustbecomelikeanarenafullofwildbeasts，tearingoneanothertopieces。Caesarisinthewrong。
CAESAR（withquietbitterness）。Andsotheverdictisagainstme，itseems。
CLEOPATRA（vehemently）。Listentome，Caesar。IfonemaninallAlexandriacanbefoundtosaythatIdidwrong，Isweartohavemyselfcrucifiedonthedoorofthepalacebymyownslaves。
CAESAR。Ifonemaninalltheworldcanbefound，noworforever，toknowthatyoudidwrong，thatmanwillhaveeithertoconquertheworldasIhave，orbecrucifiedbyit。（Theuproarinthestreetsagainreachesthem。）Doyouhear？Theseknockersatyourgatearealsobelieversinvengeanceandinstabbing。Youhaveslaintheirleader：itisrightthattheyshallslayyou。Ifyoudoubtit，askyourfourcounselorshere。AndtheninthenameofthatRIGHT（Heemphasizesthewordwithgreatscorn。）shallInotslaythemformurderingtheirQueen，andbeslaininmyturnbytheircountrymenastheinvaderoftheirfatherland？CanRomedolessthenthanslaytheseslayerstoo，toshowtheworldhowRomeavengeshersonsandherhonor？Andso，totheendofhistory，murdershallbreedmurder，alwaysinthenameofrightandhonorandpeace，untilthegodsaretiredofbloodandcreatearacethatcanunderstand。（Fierceuproar。Cleopatrabecomeswhitewithterror。）Hearken，youwhomustnotbeinsulted。Gonearenoughtocatchtheirwords：youwillfindthembittererthanthetongueofPothinus。（Loftilywrappinghimselfupinanimpenetrabledignity。）LettheQueenofEgyptnowgiveherordersforvengeance，andtakehermeasuresfordefense;forshehasrenouncedCaesar。（Heturnstogo。）
CLEOPATRA（terrified，runningtohimandfallingonherknees）。
Youwillnotdesertme，Caesar。Youwilldefendthepalace。
CAESAR。Youhavetakenthepowersoflifeanddeathuponyou。I
amonlyadreamer。
CLEOPATRA。Buttheywillkillme。
CAESAR。Andwhynot？
CLEOPATRA。Inpity——
CAESAR。Pity！What！Hasitcometothissosuddenly，thatnothingcansaveyounowbutpity？DiditsavePothinus？
Sherises，wringingherhands，andgoesbacktothebenchindespair。Apollodorusshowshissympathywithherbyquietlypostinghimselfbehindthebench。Theskyhasbythistimebecomethemostvividpurple，andsoonbeginstochangetoaglowingpaleorange，againstwhichthecolonnadeandthegreatimageshowdarklieranddarklier。
RUFIO。Caesar：enoughofpreaching。Theenemyisatthegate。
CAESAR（turningonhimandgivingwaytohiswrath）。Ay;andwhathasheldhimbaffledatthegateallthesemonths？Wasitmyfolly，asyoudeemit，oryourwisdom？InthisEgyptianRedSeaofblood，whosehandhasheldallyourheadsabovethewaves？
（TurningonCleopatra）Andyet，WhenCaesarsaystosuchanone，\"Friend，gofree，\"you，clingingforyourlittlelifetomysword，darestealoutandstabhimintheback？Andyou，soldiersandgentlemen，andhonestservantsasyouforgetthatyouare，applaudthisassassination，andsay\"Caesarisinthewrong。\"Bythegods，Iamtemptedtoopenmyhandandletyouallsinkintotheflood。
CLEOPATRA（witharayofcunninghope）。But，Caesar，ifyoudo，youwillperishyourself。
Caesar’seyesblaze。
RUFIO（greatlyalarmed）。Now，bygreatJove，youfilthylittleEgyptianrat，thatistheverywordtomakehimwalkoutaloneintothecityandleaveusheretobecuttopieces。
（Desperately，toCaesar）Willyoudesertusbecauseweareaparceloffools？Imeannoharmbykilling：Idoitasadogkillsacat，byinstinct。Wearealldogsatyourheels;butwehaveservedyoufaithfully。
CAESAR（relenting）。Alas，Rufio，myson，myson：asdogsweareliketoperishnowinthestreets。
APOLLODORUS（athispostbehindCleopatra’sseat）。Caesar，whatyousayhasanOlympianringinit：itmustberight;foritisfineart。ButIamstillonthesideofCleopatra。Ifwemustdie，sheshallnotwantthedevotionofaman’sheartnorthestrengthofaman’sarm。
CLEOPATRA（sobbing）。ButIdon’twanttodie。
CAESAR（sadly）。Oh，ignoble，ignoble！
LUCIUS（comingforwardbetweenCaesarandCleopatra）。Hearkentome，Caesar。Itmaybeignoble;butIalsomeantoliveaslongasIcan。
CAESAR。Well，myfriend，youarelikelytooutliveCaesar。Isitanymagicofmine，thinkyou，thathaskeptyourarmyandthiswholecityatbayforsolong？Yesterday，whatquarrelhadtheywithmethattheyshouldrisktheirlivesagainstme？Butto-daywehaveflungthemdowntheirhero，murdered;andnoweverymanofthemissetuponclearingoutthisnestofassassins——forsuchweareandnomore。Takecouragethen;andsharpenyoursword。
Pompey’sheadhasfallen;andCaesar’sheadisripe。
APOLLODORUS。DoesCaesardespair？
CAESAR（withinfinitepride）。Hewhohasneverhopedcanneverdespair。Caesar，ingoodorbadfortune，lookshisfateintheface。
LUCIUS。Lookitintheface，then;anditwillsmileasitalwayshasonCaesar。
CAESAR（withinvoluntaryhaughtiness）。Doyoupresumetoencourageme？
LUCIUS。Iofferyoumyservices。Iwillchangesidesifyouwillhaveme。
CAESAR（suddenlycomingdowntoearthagain，andlookingsharplyathim，diviningthatthereissomethingbehindtheoffer）。What！
Atthispoint？
LUCIUS（firmly）。Atthispoint。
RUFIO。DoyousupposeCaesarismad，totrustyou？
LUCIUS。Idonotaskhimtotrustmeuntilheisvictorious。I
askformylife，andforacommandinCaesar’sarmy。AndsinceCaesarisafairdealer，Iwillpayinadvance。
CAESAR。Pay！How？
LUCIUS。Withapieceofgoodnewsforyou。
Caesardivinesthenewsinaflash。
RUFIO。Whatnews？
CAESAR（withanelateandbuoyantenergywhichmakesCleopatrasitupandstare）。Whatnews！Whatnews，didyousay，mysonRufio？Thereliefhasarrived：whatothernewsremainsforus？Isitnotso，LuciusSeptimius？MithridatesofPergamosisonthemarch。
LUCIUS。HehastakenPelusium。
CAESAR（delighted）。LuciusSeptimius：youarehenceforthmyofficer。Rufio：theEgyptiansmusthavesenteverysoldierfromthecitytopreventMithridatescrossingtheNile。Thereisnothinginthestreetsnowbutmob——mob！
LUCIUS。Itisso。MithridatesismarchingbythegreatroadtoMemphistocrossabovetheDelta。Achillaswillfighthimthere。
CAESAR（allaudacity）。AchillasshallfightCaesarthere。See，Rufio。（Herunstothetable;snatchesanapkin;anddrawsaplanonitwithhisfingerdippedinwine，whilstRufioandLuciusSeptimiuscrowdabouthimtowatch，alllookingclosely，forthelightisnowalmostgone。）Hereisthepalace（pointingtohisplan）：hereisthetheatre。You（toRufio）taketwentymenandpretendtogobyTHATstreet（pointingitout）;andwhilsttheyarestoningyou，outgothecohortsbythisandthis。Mystreetsareright，arethey，Lucius？
LUCIUS。Ay，thatisthefigmarket——
CAESAR（toomuchexcitedtolistentohim）。Isawthemthedaywearrived。Good！（Hethrowsthenapkinonthetableandcomesdownagainintothecolonnade。）Away，Britannus：tellPetroniusthatwithinanhourhalfourforcesmusttakeshipforthewesternlake。Seetomyhorseandarmor。（Britannusrunsout。）WiththerestIshallmarchroundthelakeanduptheNiletomeetMithridates。Away，Lucius;andgivetheword。
LuciushurriesoutafterBritannus。
RUFIO。Come：thisissomethinglikebusiness。
CAESAR（buoyantly）。Isitnot，myonlyson？（Heclapshishands。
Theslaveshurryintothetable。）Nomoreofthismawkishreveling：awaywithallthisstuff：shutitoutofmysightandbeoffwithyou。（Theslavesbegintoremovethetable;andthecurtainsaredrawn，shuttinginthecolonnade。）Youunderstandaboutthestreets，Rufio？
RUFIO。Ay，IthinkIdo。Iwillgetthroughthem，atallevents。
Thebucinasoundsbusilyinthecourtyardbeneath。
CAESAR。Come，then：wemusttalktothetroopsandheartenthem。
Youdowntothebeach：Itothecourtyard。（Hemakesforthestaircase。）
CLEOPATRA（risingfromherseat，whereshehasbeenquiteneglectedallthistime，andstretchingoutherhandstimidlytohim）。Caesar。
CAESAR（turning）。Eh？
CLEOPATRA。Haveyouforgottenme？
CAESAR。（indulgently）。Iambusynow，mychild，busy。WhenI
returnyouraffairsshallbesettled。Farewell;andbegoodandpatient。
Hegoes，preoccupiedandquiteindifferent。Shestandswithclenchedfists，inspeechlessrageandhumiliation。
RUFIO。Thatgameisplayedandlost，Cleopatra。Thewomanalwaysgetstheworstofit。
CLEOPATRA（haughtily）。Go。Followyourmaster。
RUFIO（inherear，withroughfamiliarity）。Awordfirst。TellyourexecutionerthatifPothinushadbeenproperlykilled——IN
THETHROAT——hewouldnothavecalledout。Yourmanbungledhiswork。
CLEOPATRA（enigmatically）。Howdoyouknowitwasaman？
RUFIO（startled，andpuzzled）。Itwasnotyou：youwerewithuswhenithappened。（Sheturnsherbackscornfullyonhim。Heshakeshishead，anddrawsthecurtainstogoout。Itisnowamagnificentmoonlitnight。Thetablehasbeenremoved。Ftatateetaisseeninthelightofthemoonandstars，againinprayerbeforethewhitealtar-stoneofRa。Rufiostarts;closesthecurtainsagainsoftly;andsaysinalowvoicetoCleopatra）Wasitshe？Withherownhand？
CLEOPATRA（threateningly）。Whoeveritwas，letmyenemiesbewareofher。Looktoit，Rufio，youwhodaremaketheQueenofEgyptafoolbeforeCaesar。
RUFIO（lookinggrimlyather）。Iwilllooktoit，Cleopatra。（Henodsinconfirmationofthepromise，andslipsoutthroughthecurtains，looseninghisswordinitssheathashegoes。）
ROMANSOLDIERS（inthecourtyardbelow）。Hail，Caesar！Hail，hail！
Cleopatralistens。Thebucinasoundsagain，followedbyseveraltrumpets。
CLEOPATRA（wringingherhandsandcalling）。Ftatateeta。
Ftatateeta。Itisdark;andIamalone。Cometome。（Silence。）
Ftatateeta。（Louder。）Ftatateeta。（Silence。Inapanicshesnatchesthecordandpullsthecurtainsapart。）
FtatateetaislyingdeadonthealtarofRa，withherthroatcut。
Herblooddelugesthewhitestone。
ACTV
Highnoon。Festivalandmilitarypageantontheesplanadebeforethepalace。IntheeastharborCaesar’sgalley，sogorgeouslydecoratedthatitseemstoberiggedwithflowers，isalong-sidethequay，closetothestepsApollodorusdescendedwhenheembarkedwiththecarpet。ARomanguardispostedthereinchargeofagangway，whencearedfloorclothislaiddownthemiddleoftheesplanade，turningofftothenorthoppositethecentralgateinthepalacefront，whichshutsintheesplanadeonthesouthside。Thebroadstepsofthegate，crowdedwithCleopatra’sladies，allintheirgayestattire，arelikeaflowergarden。Thefacadeislinedbyherguard，officeredbythesamegallantstowhomBelAffrisannouncedthecomingofCaesarsixmonthsbeforeintheoldpalaceontheSyrianborder。ThenorthsideislinedbyRomansoldiers，withthetownsfolkontiptoebehindthem，peeringovertheirheadsattheclearedesplanade，inwhichtheofficersstrollabout，chatting。AmongtheseareBelzanorandthePersian;alsotheCenturion，vinewoodcudgelinhand，battleworn，thick-booted，andmuchoutshone，bothsociallyanddecoratively，bytheEgyptianofficers。
ApollodorusmakeshiswaythroughthetownsfolkandcallstotheofficersfrombehindtheRomanline。
APOLLODORUS。Hullo！MayIpass？
CENTURION。PassApollodorustheSicilianthere！（Thesoldierslethimthrough。）
BELZANOR。IsCaesarathand？
APOLLODORUS。Notyet。Heisstillinthemarketplace。Icouldnotstandanymoreoftheroaringofthesoldiers！Afterhalfanhouroftheenthusiasmofanarmy，onefeelstheneedofalittleseaair。
PERSIAN。Tellusthenews。Hathheslainthepriests？
APOLLODORUS。Nothe。Theymethiminthemarketplacewithashesontheirheadsandtheirgodsintheirhands。Theyplacedthegodsathisfeet。TheonlyonethatwasworthlookingatwasApis：amiracleofgoldandivorywork。Bymyadviceheofferedthechiefpriesttwotalentsforit。
BELZANOR（appalled）。Apistheall-knowingfortwotalents！Whatsaidthechiefpriest？
APOLLODORUS。HeinvokedthemercyofApis，andaskedforfive。
BELZANOR。Therewillbefamineandtempestinthelandforthis。
PERSIAN。Pooh！WhydidnotApiscauseCaesartobevanquishedbyAchillas？Anyfreshnewsfromthewar，Apollodorus？
APOLLODORUS。ThelittleKingPtolemywasdrowned。
BELZANOR。Drowned！How？
APLLODORUS。Withtherestofthem。CaesarattackedthemfromthreesidesatonceandsweptthemintotheNile。Ptolemy’sbargesank。
BELZANOR。Amarvelousman，thisCaesar！Willhecomesoon，thinkyou？
APOLLODORUS。HewassettlingtheJewishquestionwhenIleft。
Aflourishoftrumpetsfromthenorth，andcommotionamongthetownsfolk，announcestheapproachofCaesar。
PERSIAN。Hehasmadeshortworkofthem。Herehecomes。（HehurriestohispostinfrontoftheEgyptianlines。）
BELZANOR（followinghim）。Hothere！Caesarcomes。
Thesoldiersstandatattention，anddresstheirlines。
ApollodorusgoestotheEgyptianline。
CENTURION（hurryingtothegangwayguard）。Attentionthere！
Caesarcomes。
CaesararrivesinstatewithRufio：Britannusfollowing。Thesoldiersreceivehimwithenthusiasticshouting。
RUFIO（athislefthand）。YouhavenotyetappointedaRomangovernorforthisprovince。
CAESAR（Lookingwhimsicallyathim，butspeakingwithperfectgravity）。WhatsayyoutoMithridatesofPergamos，myrelieverandrescuer，thegreatsonofEupator？
RUFIO。Why，thatyouwillwanthimelsewhere。Doyouforgetthatyouhavesomethreeorfourarmiestoconqueronyourwayhome？
CAESAR。Indeed！Well，whatsayyoutoyourself？
RUFIO（incredulously）。I！Iagovernor！Whatareyoudreamingof？
DoyounotknowthatIamonlythesonofafreedman？
CAESAR（affectionately）。HasnotCaesarcalledyouhisson？
（Callingtothewholeassembly）Peaceawhilethere;andhearme。
THEROMANSOLDIERS。HearCaesar。
CAESAR。Heartheservice，quality，rankandnameoftheRomangovernor。Byservice，Caesar’sshield;byquality，Caesar’sfriend;byrank，aRomansoldier。（TheRomansoldiersgiveatriumphantshout。）Byname，Rufio。（Theyshoutagain。）
RUFIO（kissingCaesar’shand）。Ay：IamCaesar’sshield;butofwhatuseshallIbewhenIamnolongeronCaesar’sarm？Well，nomatter——（Hebecomeshusky，andturnsawaytorecoverhimself。）
CAESAR。WhereisthatBritishIslanderofmine？
BRITANNUS（comingforwardonCaesar’srighthand）。Here，Caesar。
CAESAR。Whobadeyou，pray，thrustyourselfintothebattleoftheDelta，utteringthebarbarouscriesofyournativeland，andaffirmingyourselfamatchforanyfouroftheEgyptians，towhomyouappliedunseemlyepithets？
BRITANNUS。Caesar：Iaskyoutoexcusethelanguagethatescapedmeintheheatofthemoment。
CAESAR。Andhowdidyou，whocannotswim，crossthecanalwithuswhenwestormedthecamp？
BRITANNUS。Caesar：Iclungtothetailofyourhorse。
CAESAR。Thesearenotthedeedsofaslave，Britannicus，butofafreeman。
BRITANNUS。Caesar：Iwasbornfree。
CAESAR。ButtheycallyouCaesar’sslave。
BRITANNUS。OnlyasCaesar’sslavehaveIfoundrealfreedom。
CAESAR（moved）。Wellsaid。UngratefulthatIam，Iwasabouttosetyoufree;butnowIwillnotpartfromyouforamilliontalents。（Heclapshimfriendlyontheshoulder。Britannus，gratified，butatrifleshamefaced，takeshishandandkissesitsheepishly。）
BELZANOR（tothePersian）。ThisRomanknowshowtomakemenservehim。
PERSIAN。Ay：mentoohumbletobecomedangerousrivalstohim。
BELZANOR。Osubtleone！Ocynic！
CAESAR（seeingApollodorusintheEgyptiancornerandcallingtohim）。Apollodorus：IleavetheartofEgyptinyourcharge。
Remember：Romelovesartandwillencourageitungrudgingly。
APOLLODORUS。Iunderstand，Caesar。Romewillproducenoartitself;butitwillbuyupandtakeawaywhatevertheothernationsproduce。
CAESAR。What！Romeproducesnoart！Ispeacenotanart？Iswarnotanart？Isgovernmentnotanart？Iscivilizationnotanart？
Allthesewegiveyouinexchangeforafewornaments。Youwillhavethebestofthebargain。（TurningtoRufio）Andnow，whatelsehaveItodobeforeIembark？（Tryingtorecollect）ThereissomethingIcannotremember：whatCANitbe？Well，well：itmustremainundone：wemustnotwastethisfavorablewind。Farewell，Rufio。
RUFIO。Caesar：IamloathtoletyougotoRomewithoutyourshield。Therearetoomanydaggersthere。
CAESAR。Itmattersnot：Ishallfinishmylife’sworkonmywayback;andthenIshallhavelivedlongenough。Besides：Ihavealwaysdislikedtheideaofdying：Ihadratherbekilled。
Farewell。
RUFIO（withasigh，raisinghishandsandgivingCaesarupasincorrigible）。Farewell。（Theyshakehands。）
CAESAR（wavinghishandtoApollodorus）。Farewell，Apollodorus，andmyfriends，allofyou。Aboard！
Thegangwayisrunoutfromthequaytotheship。AsCaesarmovestowardsit，Cleopatra，coldandtragic，cunninglydressedinblack，withoutornamentsordecorationofanykind，andthusmakingastrikingfigureamongthebrilliantlydressedbevyofladiesasshepassesthroughit，comesfromthepalaceandstandsonthesteps。Caesardoesnotseeheruntilshespeaks。
CLEOPATRA。HasCleopatranopartinthisleavetaking？
CAESAR（enlightened）。Ah，IKNEWtherewassomething。（ToRufio）
Howcouldyouletmeforgether，Rufio？（Hasteningtoher）HadI
gonewithoutseeingyou，Ishouldneverhaveforgivenmyself。（Hetakesherhands，andbringsherintothemiddleoftheesplanade。
Shesubmitsstonily。）Isthismourningforme？
CLEOPATRA。NO。
CAESAR（remorsefully）。Ah，thatwasthoughtlessofme！Itisforyourbrother。
CLEOPATRA。No。
CIESAR。Forwhom，then？
CLEOPATRA。AsktheRomangovernorwhomyouhaveleftus。
CAESAR。Rufio？
CLEOPATRA。Yes：Rufio。（Shepointsathimwithdeadlyscorn。）HewhoistorulehereinCaesar’sname，inCaesar’sway，accordingtoCaesar’sboastedlawsoflife。
CAESAR（dubiously）。Heistoruleashecan，Cleopatra。Hehastakentheworkuponhim，andwilldoitinhisownway。
CLEOPATRA。Notinyourway，then？
CAESAR（puzzled）。Whatdoyoumeanbymyway？
CLEOPATRA。Withoutpunishment。Withoutrevenge。Withoutjudgment。
CAESAR（approvingly）。Ay：thatistherightway，thegreatway，theonlypossiblewayintheend。（ToRufio）Believeit，Rufio，ifyoucan。
RUFIO。Why，Ibelieveit，Caesar。Youhaveconvincedmeofitlongago。Butlookyou。YouaresailingforNumidiato-day。Nowtellme：ifyoumeetahungrylionyouwillnotpunishitforwantingtoeatyou？
CAESAR（wonderingwhatheisdrivingat）。No。
RUFIO。Norrevengeuponitthebloodofthoseithasalreadyeaten。
CAESAR。No。
RUFIO。Norjudgeitforitsguiltiness。
CAESAR。No。
RUFIO。What，then，willyoudotosaveyourlifefromit？
CAESAR（promptly）。Killit，man，withoutmalice，justasitwouldkillme。Whatdoesthisparableofthelionmean？
RUFIO。Why，Cleopatrahadatigressthatkilledmenatbidding。I
thoughtshemightbiditkillyousomeday。Well，hadInotbeenCaesar’spupil，whatpiousthingsmightInothavedonetothattigress？Imighthavepunishedit。ImighthaverevengedPothinusonit。
CAESAR（interjects）。Pothinus！
RUFIO（continuing）。Imighthavejudgedit。ButIputallthesefolliesbehindme;and，withoutmalice，onlycutitsthroat。AndthatiswhyCleopatracomestoyouinmourning。
CLEOPATRA（vehemently）。HehasshedthebloodofmyservantFtatateeta。Onyourheadbeitasuponhis，Caesar，ifyouholdhimfreeofit。
CAESAR（energetically）。Onmyheadbeit，then;foritwaswelldone。Rufio：hadyousetyourselfintheseatofthejudge，andwithhatefulceremoniesandappealstothegodshandedthatwomanovertosomehiredexecutionertobeslainbeforethepeopleinthenameofjustice，neveragainwouldIhavetouchedyourhandwithoutashudder。Butthiswasnaturalslaying：Ifeelnohorroratit。
Rufio，satisfied，nodsatCleopatra，mutelyinvitinghertomarkthat。
CLEOPATRA（pettishandchildishinherimpotence）。No：notwhenaRomanslaysanEgyptian。AlltheworldwillnowseehowunjustandcorruptCaesaris。
CAESAR（takingherhandycoaxingly）。Come：donotbeangrywithme。IamsorryforthatpoorTotateeta。（Shelaughsinspiteofherself。）Aha！Youarelaughing。Doesthatmeanreconciliation？
CLEOPATRA（angrywithherselfforlaughing）。No，no，NO！！ButitissoridiculoustohearyoucallherTotateeta。
CAESAR。What！Asmuchachildasever，Cleopatra！HaveInotmadeawomanofyouafterall？
CLEOPATRA。Oh，itisyou，whoareagreatbaby：youmakemeseemsillybecauseyouwillnotbehaveseriously。Butyouhavetreatedmebadly;andIdonotforgiveyou。
CAESAR。Bidmefarewell。
CLEOPATRA。Iwillnot。
CAESAR（coaxing）。IwillsendyouabeautifulpresentfromRome。
CLEOPATRA（proudly）。BeautyfromRometoEgyptindeed！WhatcanRomegiveMEthatEgyptcannotgiveme？
APOLLODORUS。Thatistrue，Caesar。Ifthepresentistobereallybeautiful，IshallhavetobuyitforyouinAlexandria。
CAESAR。YouareforgettingthetreasuresforwhichRomeismostfamous，myfriend。YoucannotbuyTHEMinAlexandria。
APOLLODORUS。Whatarethey，Caesar？
CAESAR。Hersons。Come，Cleopatra：forgivemeandbidmefarewell;andIwillsendyouaman，RomanfromheadtoheelandRomanofthenoblest;notoldandripefortheknife;notleaninthearmsandcoldintheheart;nothidingabaldheadunderhisconqueror’slaurels;notstoopedwiththeweightoftheworldonhisshoulders;butbriskandfresh，strongandyoung，hopinginthemorning，fightingintheday，andrevelingintheevening。
WillyoutakesuchanoneinexchangeforCaesar？
CLEOPATRA（palpitating）。Hisname，hisname？
CAESAR。ShallitbeMarkAntony？（Shethrowsherselfinhisarms。）
RUFIO。Youareabadhandatabargain，mistress，ifyouwillswapCaesarforAntony。
CAESAR。Sonowyouaresatisfied。
CLEOPATRA。Youwillnotforget。
CAESAR。Iwillnotforget。Farewell：Idonotthinkweshallmeetagain。Farewell。（Hekissesherontheforehead。Sheismuchaffectedandbeginstosniff。Heembarks。）
THEROMANSOLDIERS（ashesetshisfootonthegangway）。Hail，Caesar;andfarewell！
HereachestheshipandreturnsRufio’swaveofthehand。
APOLLODORUS（toCleopatra）。Notears，dearestQueen：theystabyourservanttotheheart。Hewillreturnsomeday。
CLEOPATRA。Ihopenot。ButIcan’thelpcrying，allthesame。
（ShewavesherhandkerchieftoCaesar;andtheshipbeginstomove。）
THEROMANSOLDIERS（drawingtheirswordsandraisingthemintheair）。Hail，Caesar！
NOTESTOCAESARANDCLEOPATRA
CLEOPATRA’SCUREFORBALDNESS
ForthesakeofconcisenessinahurriedsituationIhavemadeCleopatrarecommendrum。This，Iamafraid，isananachronism：
theonlyrealoneintheplay。Tobalanceit，Igiveacoupleoftheremediessheactuallybelievedin。TheyarequotedbyGalenfromCleopatra’sbookonCosmetic。
\"Forbaldpatches，powderredsulphuretofarsenicandtakeitupwithoakgum，asmuchasitwillbear。Putonaragandapply，havingsoapedtheplacewellfirst。Ihavemixedtheabovewithafoamofnitre，anditworkedwell。\"
Severalotherreceiptsfollow，endingwith：\"Thefollowingisthebestofall，actingforfallenhairs，whenappliedwithoilorpomatum;actsalsoforfallingoffofeyelashesorforpeoplegettingbaldallover。Itiswonderful。Ofdomesticmiceburnt，onepart;ofvineragburnt，onepart;ofhorse’steethburnt，onepart;ofbear’sgreaseone;ofdeer’smarrowone;ofreedbarkone。Tobepoundedwhendry，andmixedwithplentyofhoneytilitgetstheconsistencyofhoney;thenthebear’sgreaseandmarrowtobemixed（whenmelted），themedicinetobeputinabrassflask，andthebaldpartrubbedtilitsprouts。\"
Concerningtheseingredients，myfellow-dramatist，GilbertMurray，who，asaProfessorofGreek，hasappliedtoclassicalantiquitythemethodsofhighscholarship（myownmethodispuredivination），writestomeasfollows：\"SomeofthisIdon’tunderstand，andpossiblyGalendidnot，ashequotesyourheroine’sownlanguage。Foamofnitreis，Ithink，somethinglikesoapsuds。Reedbarkisanoddexpression。Itmightmeantheoutsidemembraneofareed：Idonotknowwhatitoughttobecalled。IntheburntmicereceiptItakethatyoufirstmixedthesolidpowderswithhoney，andthenaddedthegrease。IexpectCleopatrapreferreditbecauseinmostoftheothersyouhavetolaceratetheskin，prickit，orrubittillitbleeds。Idonotknowwhatvineragis。Itranslateliterally。\"
APPARENTANACHRONISMS
Theonlywaytowriteaplaywhichshallconveytothegeneralpublicanimpressionofantiquityistomakethecharactersspeakblankverseandabstainfromreferencetosteam，telegraphy，oranyofthematerialconditionsoftheirexistence。Themoreignorantmenare，themoreconvincedaretheythattheirlittleparishandtheirlittlechapelisanapexwhichcivilizationandphilosophyhavepainfullystruggledupthepyramidoftimefromadesertofsavagery。Savagery，theythink，becamebarbarism;
barbarismbecameancientcivilization;ancientcivilizationbecamePaulineChristianity;PaulineChristianitybecameRomanCatholicism;RomanCatholicismbecametheDarkAges;andtheDarkAgeswerefinallyenlightenedbytheProtestantinstinctsoftheEnglishrace。ThewholeprocessissummedupasProgresswithacapitalP。AndanyelderlygentlemanofProgressivetemperamentwilltestifythattheimprovementsincehewasaboyisenormous。
NowifwecountthegenerationsofProgressiveelderlygentlemensince，say，Plato，andaddtogetherthesuccessiveenormousimprovementstowhicheachofthemhastestified，itwillstrikeusatonceasanunaccountablefactthattheworld，insteadofhavingbeenimprovedin67generationsoutallrecognition，presents，onthewhole，aratherlessdignifiedappearanceinIbsen’sEnemyofthePeoplethaninPlato’sRepublic。Andintruth，theperiodoftimecoveredbyhistoryisfartooshorttoallowofanyperceptibleprogressinthepopularsenseofEvolutionoftheHumanSpecies。ThenotionthattherehasbeenanysuchProgresssinceCaesar’stime（lessthan20centuries）istooabsurdfordiscussion。Allthesavagery，barbarism，darkagesandtherestofitofwhichwehaveanyrecordasexistinginthepast，existsatthepresentmoment。ABritishcarpenterorstonemasonmaypointoutthathegetstwiceasmuchmoneyforhislaborashisfatherdidinthesametrade，andthathissuburbanhouse，withitsbath，itscottagepiano，itsdrawingroomsuite，anditsalbumofphotographs，wouldhaveshamedtheplainnessofhisgrandmother’s。Butthedescendantsoffeudalbarons，livinginsqualidlodgingsonasalaryoffifteenshillingsaweekinsteadofincastlesonprincelyrevenues，donotcongratulatetheworldonthechange。Suchchanges，infact，arenottothepoint。Ithasbeenknown，asfarbackasourrecordsgo，thatmanrunningwildinthewoodsisdifferenttomankennelledinacityslum;thatadogseemstounderstandashepherdbetterthanahewerofwoodanddrawerofwatercanunderstandanastronomer;
andthatbreeding，gentlenurtureandluxuriousfoodandshelterwillproduceakindofmanwithwhomthecommonlaborerissociallyincompatible。Thesamethingistrueofhorsesanddogs。
Nowthereisclearlyroomforgreatchangesintheworldbyincreasingthepercentageofindividualswhoarecarefullybredandgentlynurturedeventofinallymakingthemostofeverymanandwomanborn。ButthatpossibilityexistedinthedaysoftheHittitesasmuchasitdoesto-day。ItdoesnotgivetheslightestrealsupporttothecommonassumptionthatthecivilizedcontemporariesoftheHittiteswereunliketheircivilizeddescendantsto-day。
Thiswouldappearthetruestcommonplaceifitwerenotthattheordinarycitizen’signoranceofthepastcombineswithhisidealizationofthepresenttomisleadandflatterhim。OurlatestbookonthenewrailwayacrossAsiadescribesthedulnessoftheSiberianfarmerandthevulgarpurseprideoftheSiberianmanofbusinesswithouttheleastconsciousnessthatthestingofcontemptuousinstancesgivenmighthavebeensavedbywritingsimply\"FarmersandprovincialplutocratsinSiberiaareexactlywhattheyareinEngland。\"ThelatestprofessordescantingonthecivilizationoftheWesternEmpireinthefifthcenturyfeelsboundtoassume，intheteethofhisownresearches，thattheChristianwasonesortofanimalandthePagananother。Itmightaswellbeassumed，asindeeditgenerallyisassumedbyimplication，thatamurdercommittedwithapoisonedarrowisdifferenttoamurdercommittedwithaMauserrifle。Allsuchnotionsareillusions。Gobacktothefirstsyllableofrecordedtime，andthereyouwillfindyourChristianandyourPagan，youryokelandyourpoet，helotandhero，DonQuixoteandSancho，TaminoandPapageno，Newtonandbushmanunabletocounteleven，allaliveandcontemporaneous，andallconvincedthattheyareheirsofalltheagesandtheprivilegedrecipientsofTHEtruth（allothersdamnableheresies），justasyouhavethemto-day，flourishingincountrieseachofwhichisthebravestandbestthateversprangatHeaven’scommandfromoutoftheazuremain。
Again，thereistheillusionof\"increasedcommandoverNature，\"
meaningthatcottonischeapandthattenmilesofcountryroadonabicyclehavereplacedfouronfoot。Butevenifman’sincreasedcommandoverNatureincludedanyincreasedcommandoverhimself（theonlysortofcommandrelevanttohisevolutionintoahigherbeing），thefactremainsthatitisonlybyrunningawayfromtheincreasedcommandoverNaturetocountryplaceswhereNatureisstillinprimitivecommandoverManthathecanrecoverfromtheeffectsofthesmoke，thestench，thefoulair，theovercrowding，theracket，theugliness，thedirtwhichthecheapcottoncostsus。IfmanufacturingactivitymeansProgress，thetownmustbemoreadvancedthanthecountry;andthefieldlaborersandvillageartizansofto-daymustbemuchlesschangedfromtheservantsofJobthantheproletariatofmodernLondonfromtheproletariatofCaesar’sRome。YetthecockneyproletarianissoinferiortothevillagelaborerthatitisonlybysteadyrecruitingfromthecountrythatLondoniskeptalive。
ThisdoesnotseemasifthechangesinceJob’stimewereProgressinthepopularsense：quitethereverse。Thecommonstockofdiscoveriesinphysicshasaccumulatedalittle：thatisall。
Onemoreillustration。IstheEnglishmanpreparedtoadmitthattheAmericanishissuperiorasahumanbeing？IaskthisquestionbecausethescarcityoflaborinAmericarelativelytothedemandforithasledtoadevelopmentofmachinerythere，andaconsequent\"increaseofcommandoverNature\"whichmakesmanyofourEnglishmethodsappearalmostmedievaltotheup-to-dateChicagoan。ThismeansthattheAmericanhasanadvantageovertheEnglishmanofexactlythesamenaturethattheEnglishmanhasoverthecontemporariesofCicero。IstheEnglishmanpreparedtodrawthesameconclusioninbothcases？I
thinknot。TheAmerican，ofcourse，willdrawitcheerfully;butImustthenaskhimwhether，sinceamodernnegrohasagreater\"commandoverNature\"thanWashingtonhad，wearealsotoaccepttheconclusion，involvedinhisformerone，thathumanityhasprogressedfromWashingtontothefindesieclenegro。
Finally，Iwouldpointoutthatiflifeiscrownedbyitssuccessanddevotioninindustrialorganizationandingenuity，wehadbetterworshiptheantandthebee（asmoralistsurgeustodoinourchildhood），andhumbleourselvesbeforethearroganceofthebirdsofAristophanes。
MyreasonthenforignoringthepopularconceptionofProgressinCaesarandCleopatraisthatthereisnoreasontosupposethatanyProgresshastakenplacesincetheirtime。ButevenifI
sharedthepopulardelusion，IdonotseethatIcouldhavemadeanyessentialdifferenceintheplay。IcanonlyimitatehumanityasIknowit。NobodyknowswhetherShakespearthoughtthatancientAthenianjoiners，weavers，orbellowsmenderswereanydifferentfromElizabethanones;butitisquitecertainthatonecouldnothavemadethemso，unless，indeed，hehadplayedtheliterarymanandmadeQuincesay，not\"Isallourcompanyhere？\"
but\"Bottom：wasnotthatSocratesthatpassedusatthePiraeuswithGlauconandPolemarchusonhiswaytothehouseofKephalus。\"Andsoon。
CLEOPATRA
CleopatrawasonlysixteenwhenCaesarwenttoEgypt;butinEgyptsixteenisariperagethanitisinEngland。ThechildishnessIhaveascribedtoher，asfarasitischildishnessofcharacterandnotlackofexperience，isnotamatterofyears。Itmaybeobservedinourownclimateatthepresentdayinmanywomenoffifty。Itisamistaketosupposethatthedifferencebetweenwisdomandfollyhasanythingtodowiththedifferencebetweenphysicalageandphysicalyouth。Somewomenareyoungeratseventythanmostwomenatseventeen。
Itmustbeborneinmind，too，thatCleopatrawasaqueen，andwasthereforenotthetypicalGreek-cultured，educatedEyptianladyofhertime。TorepresentherbyanysuchtypewouldbeasabsurdastorepresentGeorgeIVbyatypefoundedontheattainmentsofSirIsaacNewton。ItistruethatanordinarilywelleducatedAlexandriangirlofhertimewouldnomorehavebelievedbogeystoriesabouttheRomansthanthedaughterofamodernOxfordprofessorwouldbelievethemabouttheGermans（though，bytheway，itispossibletotalkgreatnonsenseatOxfordaboutforeignerswhenweareatwarwiththem）。ButIdonotfeelboundtobelievethatCleopatrawaswelleducated。Herfather，theillustriousFluteBlower，wasnotatallaparentoftheOxfordprofessortype。AndCleopatrawasachipoftheoldblock。
BRITANNUS
IfindamongthosewhohavereadthisplayinmanuscriptastrongconvictionthatanancientBritoncouldnotpossiblyhavebeenlikeamodernone。Iseenoreasontoadoptthiscuriousview。ItistruethattheRomanandNormanconquestsmusthaveforatimedisturbedthenormalBritishtypeproducedbytheclimate。ButBritannus，bornbeforetheseevents，representstheunadulteratedBritonwhofoughtCaesarandimpressedRomanobserversmuchasweshouldexpecttheancestorsofMr。PodsnaptoimpressthecultivatedItaliansoftheirtime。
Iamtoldthatitisnotscientifictotreatnationalcharacterasaproductofclimate。Thisonlyshowsthewidedifferencebetweencommonknowledgeandtheintellectualgamecalledscience。Wehavemenofexactlythesamestock，andspeakingthesamelanguage，growinginGreatBritain，inIreland，andinAmerica。Theresultisthreeofthemostdistinctlymarkednationalitiesunderthesun。Racialcharacteristicsarequiteanothermatter。ThedifferencebetweenaJewandaGentilehasnothingtodowiththedifferencebetweenanEnglishmanandaGerman。ThecharacteristicsofBritannusarelocalcharacteristics，notracecharacteristics。InanancientBritontheywould，Itakeit，beexaggerated，sincemodernBritain，disforested，drained，urbanifiedandconsequentlycosmopolized，ispresumablylesscharacteristicallyBritishthanCaesar’sBritain。
AndagainIaskdoesanyonewho，inthelightofacompetentknowledgeofhisownage，hasstudiedhistoryfromcontemporarydocuments，believethat67generationsofpromiscuousmarriagehavemadeanyappreciabledifferenceinthehumanfaunaoftheseisles？CertainlyIdonot。
JULIUSCAESAR
AstoCaesarhimself，IhavepurposelyavoidedtheusualanachronismofgoingtoCaesar’sbooks，andconcludingthatthestyleistheman。Thatisonlytrueofauthorswhohavethespecificliterarygenius，andhavepractisedlongenoughtoattaincompleteself-expressioninletters。Itisnottrueevenontheseconditionsinanagewhenliteratureisconceivedasagameofstyle，andnotasavehicleofself-expressionbytheauthor。NowCaesarwasanamateurstylistwritingbooksoftravelandcampaignhistoriesinastylesoimpersonalthattheauthenticityofthelatervolumesisdisputed。TheyrevealsomeofhisqualitiesjustastheVoyageofaNaturalistRoundtheWorldrevealssomeofDarwin’s，withoutexpressinghisprivatepersonality。AnEnglishmanreadingthemwouldsaythatCaesarwasamanofgreatcommonsenseandgoodtaste，meaningtherebyamanwithoutoriginalityormoralcourage。
InexhibitingCaesarasamuchmorevariouspersonthanthehistorianoftheGallicwars，IhopeIhavenotsuccumbedunconsciouslytothedramaticillusiontowhichallgreatmenowepartoftheirreputationandsomethewholeofit。Iadmitthatreputationsgainedinwararespeciallyquestionable。Ablecivilianstakinguptheprofessionofarms，likeCaesarandCromwell，inmiddleage，havesnatchedallitslaurelsfromopponentcommandersbredtoit，apparentlybecausecapablepersonsengagedinmilitarypursuitsaresoscarcethattheexistenceoftwoofthematthesametimeinthesamehemisphereisextremelyrare。Thecapacityofanyconqueroristhereforemorelikelythannottobeanillusionproducedbytheincapacityofhisadversary。Atallevents，CaesarmighthavewonhisbattleswithoutbeingwiserthanCharlesXIIorNelsonorJoanofArc，whowere，likemostmodern\"self-made\"millionaires，half-wittedgeniuses，enjoyingtheworshipaccordedbyallracestocertainformsofinsanity。ButCaesar’svictorieswereonlyadvertisementsforaneminencethatwouldneverhavebecomepopularwithoutthem。Caesarisgreateroffthebattlefieldthanonit。NelsonoffhisquarterdeckwassoquaintlyoutofthequestionthatwhenhisheadwasinjuredatthebattleoftheNile，andhisconductbecameforsomeyearsopenlyscandalous，thedifferencewasnotimportantenoughtobenoticed。Itmay，however，besaidthatpeacehathherillusoryreputationsnolessthanwar。Anditiscertainlytruethatincivillifemerecapacityforwork——thepowerofkillingadozensecretariesunderyou，sotospeak，asalife-or-deathcourierkillshorses——
enablesmenwithcommonideasandsuperstitionstodistanceallcompetitorsinthestrifeofpoliticalambition。ItwasthispowerofworkthatastonishedCiceroasthemostprodigiousofCaesar’sgifts，asitastonishedlaterobserversinNapoleonbeforeitworehimout。HowifCaesarwerenothingbutaNelsonandaGladstonecombined！Aprodigyofvitalitywithoutanyspecialqualityofmind！Nay，withideasthatwerewornoutbeforehewasborn，asNelson’sandGladstone’swere！Ihaveconsideredthatpossibilitytoo，andrejectedit。IcannotciteallthestoriesaboutCaesarwhichseemtometoshowthathewasgenuinelyoriginal;butletmeatleastpointoutthatIhavebeencarefultoattributenothingbutoriginalitytohim。
Originalitygivesamananairoffrankness，generosity，andmagnanimitybyenablinghimtoestimatethevalueoftruth，money，orsuccessinanyparticularinstancequiteindependentlyofconventionandmoralgeneralization。Hethereforewillnot，intheordinaryTreasurybenchfashion，tellaliewhicheverybodyknowstobealie（andconsequentlyexpectshimasamatterofgoodtastetotell）。Hisliesarenotfoundout：theypassforcandors。Heunderstandstheparadoxofmoney，andgivesitawaywhenhecangetmostforit：inotherwords，whenitsvalueisleast，whichisjustwhenacommonmantrieshardesttogetit。
Heknowsthattherealmomentofsuccessisnotthemomentapparenttothecrowd。Hence，inordertoproduceanimpressionofcompletedisinterestednessandmagnanimity，hehasonlytoactwithentireselfishness;andthisisperhapstheonlysenseinwhichamancanbesaidtobenaturallygreat。ItisinthissensethatIhaverepresentedCaesarasgreat。Havingvirtue，hehasnoneedofgoodness。Heisneitherforgiving，frank，norgenerous，becauseamanwhoistoogreattoresenthasnothingtoforgive;amanwhosaysthingsthatotherpeopleareafraidtosayneedbenomorefrankthanBismarckwas;andthereisnogenerosityingivingthingsyoudonotwanttopeopleofwhomyouintendtomakeuse。ThisdistinctionbetweenvirtueandgoodnessisnotunderstoodinEngland：hencethepovertyofourdramainheroes。Ourstageattemptsatthemaremeregoody-goodies。
Goodness，initspopularBritishsenseofself-denial，impliesthatmanisviciousbynature，andthatsupremegoodnessissuprememartyrdom。Notsharingthatpiousopinion，Ihavenotgivencountenancetoitinanyofmyplays。InthisIfollowtheprecedentoftheancientmyths，whichrepresenttheheroasvanquishinghisenemies，notinfairfight，butwithenchantedsword，superequinehorseandmagicalinvulnerability，thepossessionofwhich，fromthevulgarmoralisticpointofview，robshisexploitsofanymeritwhatever。
AstoCaesar’ssenseofhumor，thereisnomorereasontoassumethathelackeditthantoassumethathewasdeaforblind。Itissaidthatontheoccasionofhisassassinationbyaconspiracyofmoralists（itisalwaysyourmoralistwhomakesassassinationaduty，onthescaffoldoroffit），hedefendedhimselfuntilthegoodBrutesstruckhim，whenheexclaimed\"What！youtoo，Brutes！\"anddisdainedfurtherfight。Ifthisbetrue，hemusthavebeenanincorrigiblecomedian。Butevenifwewaivethisstory，oracceptthetraditionalsentimentalinterpretationofit，thereisstillabundantevidenceofhislightheartednessandadventurousness。Indeeditisclearfromhiswholehistorythatwhathasbeencalledhisambitionwasaninstinctforexploration。HehadmuchmoreofColumbusandFranklininhimthanofHenryV。
However，nobodyneeddenyCaesarashare，atleast，ofthequalitiesIhaveattributedtohim。Allmen，muchmoreJuliusCaesars，possessallqualitiesinsomedegree。ThereallyinterestingquestioniswhetherIamrightinassumingthatthewaytoproduceanimpressionofgreatnessisbyexhibitingaman，notasmortifyinghisnaturebydoinghisduty，inthemannerwhichoursystemofputtinglittlemenintogreatpositions（nothavingenoughgreatmeninourinfluentialfamiliestogoround）
forcesustoinculcate，butbysimplydoingwhathenaturallywantstodo。Forthisraisesthequestionwhetherourworldhasnotbeenwronginitsmoraltheoryforthelast2，500yearsorso。ItmustbeaconstantpuzzletomanyofusthattheChristianera，soexcellentinitsintentions，shouldhavebeenpracticallysuchaverydiscreditableepisodeinthehistoryoftherace。I
doubtifthisisaltogetherduetothevulgarandsanguinarysensationalismofourreligiouslegends，withtheirsubstitutionofgrossphysicaltormentsandpublicexecutionsforthepassionofhumanity。Islam，substitutingvoluptuousnessfortorment（amerelysuperficialdifference，itistrue）hasdonenobetter。ItmayhavebeenthefailureofChristianitytoemancipateitselffromexpiatorytheoriesofmoralresponsibility，guilt，innocence，reward，punishment，andtherestofit，thatbaffleditsintentionofchangingtheworld。Buttheseareboundupinallphilosophiesofcreationasopposedtocosmism。Theymaythereforeberegardedasthepricewepayforpopularreligion。