lutation from Julius Caesar! I have wandered in
many lands, seeking the lost regions from which my birth into this world
exiled me, and the company of creatures such as I myself. I have found
flocks and pastures, men and cities, but no other Caesar, no air native
to me, no man kindred to me, none who can do my day's deed, and think my
night's thought. In the little world yonder, Sphinx, my place is as
high as yours in this great desert; only I wander, and you sit still; I
conquer, and you endure; I work and wonder, you watch and wait; I look
up and am dazzled, look down and am darkened, look round and am puzzled,
whilst your eyes never turn from looking out--out of the world--to the
lost region--the home from which we have strayed. Sphinx, you and I,
strangers to the race of men, are no strangers to one another: have I
not been conscious of you and of this place since I was born? Rome is a
madman's dream: this is my Reality. These starry lamps of yours I have
seen from afar in Gaul, in Britain, in Spain, in Thessaly, signalling
great secrets to some eternal sentinel below, whose post I never could
find. And here at last is their sentinel--an image of the constant and
immortal part of my life, silent, full of thoughts, alone in the silver
desert. Sphinx, Sphinx: I have climbed mountains at night to hear in
the distance the stealthy footfall of the winds that chase your sands in
forbidden play--our invisible children, O Sphinx, laughing in whispers.
My way hither was the way of destiny; for I am he of whose genius you
are the symbol: part brute, part woman, and part God--nothing of man in
me at all. Have I read your riddle, Sphinx?

THE GIRL (who has wakened, and peeped cautiously from her nest to see
who is speaking). Old gentleman.

CAESAR (starting violently, and clutching his sword). Immortal gods!

THE GIRL. Old gentleman: don't run away.

CAESAR (stupefied). "Old gentleman: don't run away!!!" This! To Julius
Caesar!

THE GIRL (urgently). Old gentleman.

CAESAR. Sphinx: you presume on your centuries. I am younger than you,
though your voice is but a girl's voice as yet.

THE GIRL. Climb up here, quickly; or the Romans will come and eat you.

CAESAR (running forward past the Sphinx's shoulder, and seeing her). A
child at its breast! A divine child!

THE GIRL. Come up quickly. You must get up at its side and creep round.

CAESAR (amazed). Who are you?

THE GIRL. Cleopatra, Queen of Egypt.

CAESAR. Queen o