"By subtle drinking," replied the great critic with perfect
indifference, as he pushed the thin, gray hair from his high brow with
his slender hand. "By subtle drinking I mean the drinking of choice
wine, and did you ever taste anything more delicate than this juice of
the vines of Anthylla that your illustrious brother has set before us?
Your paradoxical axiom commends you at once as a powerful thinker and as
the benevolent giver of the best of drinks."

"Happily turned," exclaimed Cleopatra, clapping her hands, "you here
see, Publius, a proof of the promptness of an Alexandrian tongue."

"Yes!" said Euergetes, "if men could go forth to battle with words
instead of spears the masters of the Museum in Alexander's city, with
Aristarchus at their head, they might rout the united armies of Rome and
Carthage in a couple of hours."

"But we are not now in the battle-field but at a peaceful meal," said
the king, with suave amiability. "You did in fact overhear our secret
Euergetes, and mocked at my faithful Egyptians, in whose place I would
gladly set fair Greeks if only Alexandria still belonged to me instead
of to you.--However, a splendid procession shall not be wanting at your
birthday festival."

"And do you really still take pleasure in these eternal goose-step
performances?" asked Euergetes, stretching himself out on his couch,
and folding his hands to support the back of his head. "Sooner could
I accustom myself to the delicate drinking of Aristarchus than sit
for hours watching these empty pageants. On two conditions only can
I declare myself ready and willing to remain quiet, and patiently to
dawdle through almost half a day, like an ape in a cage: First, if it
will give our Roman friend Publius Cornelius Scipio any pleasure to
witness such a performance--though, since our uncle Antiochus pillaged
our wealth, and since we brothers shared Egypt between us, our
processions are not to be even remotely compared to the triumphs of
Roman victors--or, secondly, if I am allowed to take an active part in
the affair."

"On my account, Sire," replied Publius, "no procession need be arranged,
particularly not such a one as I should here be obliged to look on at."

"Well! I still enjoy such things," said Cleopatra's husband.
"Well-arranged groups, and the populace pleased and excited are a sight
I am never tired of."

"As for me," cried Cleopatra, "I often turn hot and cold, and the tears
even spring to my eyes, when t