OPATRA. I am coming down.

FTATATEETA (distracted). No, no. What are you dreaming of? O ye gods,
ye gods! Apollodorus: bid your men pick up your bales; and in with me
quickly.

APOLLODORUS. Obey the mistress of the Queen's household.

FTATATEETA (impatiently, as the porters stoop to lift the bales). Quick,
quick: she will be out upon us. (Cleopatra comes from the palace and
runs across the quay to Ftatateeta.) Oh that ever I was born!

CLEOPATRA (eagerly). Ftatateeta: I have thought of something. I want a
boat--at once.

FTATATEETA. A boat! No, no: you cannot. Apollodorus: speak to the Queen.

APOLLODORUS (gallantly). Beautiful Queen: I am Apollodorus the Sicilian,
your servant, from the bazaar. I have brought you the three most
beautiful Persian carpets in the world to choose from.

CLEOPATRA. I have no time for carpets to-day. Get me a boat.

FTATATEETA. What whim is this? You cannot go on the water except in the
royal barge.

APOLLODORUS. Royalty, Ftatateeta, lies not in the barge but in the
Queen. (To Cleopatra) The touch of your majesty's foot on the gunwale
of the meanest boat in the harbor will make it royal. (He turns to the
harbor and calls seaward) Ho there, boatman! Pull in to the steps.

CLEOPATRA. Apollodorus: you are my perfect knight; and I will always buy
my carpets through you. (Apollodorus bows joyously. An oar appears above
the quay; and the boatman, a bullet-headed, vivacious, grinning fellow,
burnt almost black by the sun, comes up a flight of steps from the water
on the sentinel's right, oar in hand, and waits at the top.) Can you
row, Apollodorus?

APOLLODORUS. My oars shall be your majesty's wings. Whither shall I row
my Queen? To the lighthouse. Come. (She makes for the steps.)

SENTINEL (opposing her with his pilum at the charge). Stand. You cannot
pass.

CLEOPATRA (flushing angrily). How dare you? Do you know that I am the
Queen?

SENTINEL. I have my orders. You cannot pass.

CLEOPATRA. I will make Caesar have you killed if you do not obey me.

SENTINEL. He will do worse to me if I disobey my officer. Stand back.

CLEOPATRA. Ftatateeta: strangle him.

SENTINEL (alarmed--looking apprehensively at Ftatateeta, and brandishing
his pilum). Keep off there.

CLEOPATRA (running to Apollodorus). Apollodorus: make your slaves help
us.

APOLLODORUS. I shall not need their help, lady. (He draws his sword.)
Now soldier: choose which weapon you will defend yourself with. Shall it
b