m her brother's head and set it on her
own, delivering us all into her hand--delivering yourself also. And then
Caesar can return to Rome, or depart through the gate of death, which is
nearer and surer.

CAESAR (calmly). Well, my friend; and is not this very natural?

POTHINUS (astonished). Natural! Then you do not resent treachery?

CAESAR. Resent! O thou foolish Egyptian, what have I to do with
resentment? Do I resent the wind when it chills me, or the night when
it makes me stumble in the darkness? Shall I resent youth when it turns
from age, and ambition when it turns from servitude? To tell me such a
story as this is but to tell me that the sun will rise to-morrow.

CLEOPATRA (unable to contain herself). But it is false--false. I swear
it.

CAESAR. It is true, though you swore it a thousand times, and believed
all you swore. (She is convulsed with emotion. To screen her, he rises
and takes Pothinus to Rufio, saying) Come, Rufio: let us see Pothinus
past the guard. I have a word to say to him. (Aside to them) We must
give the Queen a moment to recover herself. (Aloud) Come. (He takes
Pothinus and Rufio out with him, conversing with them meanwhile.) Tell
your friends, Pothinus, that they must not think I am opposed to a
reasonable settlement of the country's affairs-- (They pass out of
hearing.)

CLEOPATRA (in a stifled whisper). Ftatateeta, Ftatateeta.

FTATATEETA (hurrying to her from the table and petting her). Peace,
child: be comforted--

CLEOPATRA (interrupting her). Can they hear us?

FTATATEETA. No, dear heart, no.

CLEOPATRA. Listen to me. If he leaves the Palace alive, never see my
face again.

FTATATEETA. He? Poth--

CLEOPATRA (striking her on the mouth). Strike his life out as I strike
his name from your lips. Dash him down from the wall. Break him on the
stones. Kill, kill, KILL him.

FTATATEETA (showing all her teeth). The dog shall perish.

CLEOPATRA. Fail in this, and you go out from before me forever.

FTATATEETA (resolutely). So be it. You shall not see my face until his
eyes are darkened.

Caesar comes back, with Apollodorus, exquisitely dressed, and Rufio.

CLEOPATRA (to Ftatateeta). Come soon--soon. (Ftatateeta turns her
meaning eyes for a moment on her mistress; then goes grimly away past Ra
and out. Cleopatra runs like a gazelle to Caesar.) So you have come
back to me, Caesar. (Caressingly) I thought you were angry. Welcome,
Apollodorus. (She gives him her hand to kiss, wi