). One last word, Caesar. Do not let yourself be
seen in the fashionable part of Alexandria until you have changed your
clothes.

CAESAR (calling over the sea). Ho, Apollodorus: (he points skyward and
quotes the barcarolle)

The white upon the blue above--

APOLLODORUS (swimming in the distance)

Is purple on the green below--

CAESAR (exultantly). Aha! (He plunges into the sea.)

CLEOPATRA (running excitedly to the steps). Oh, let me see. He will be
drowned. (Rufio seizes her.) Ah--ah--ah--ah! (He pitches her screaming
into the sea. Rufio and Britannus roar with laughter.)

RUFIO (looking down after her). He has got her. (To Britannus) Hold the
fort, Briton. Caesar will not forget you. (He springs off.)

BRITANNUS (running to the steps to watch them as they swim). All safe,
Rufio?

RUFIO (swimming). All safe.

CAESAR (swimming further of). Take refuge up there by the beacon; and
pile the fuel on the trap door, Britannus.

BRITANNUS (calling in reply). I will first do so, and then commend
myself to my country's gods. (A sound of cheering from the sea.
Britannus gives full vent to his excitement) The boat has reached him:
Hip, hip, hip, hurrah!

ACT IV

Cleopatra's sousing in the east harbor of Alexandria was in October 48
B. C. In March 47 she is passing the afternoon in her boudoir in the
palace, among a bevy of her ladies, listening to a slave girl who is
playing the harp in the middle of the room. The harpist's master, an old
musician, with a lined face, prominent brows, white beard, moustache
and eyebrows twisted and horned at the ends, and a consciously keen and
pretentious expression, is squatting on the floor close to her on her
right, watching her performance. Ftatateeta is in attendance near the
door, in front of a group of female slaves. Except the harp player all
are seated: Cleopatra in a chair opposite the door on the other side of
the room; the rest on the ground. Cleopatra's ladies are all young, the
most conspicuous being Charmian and Iras, her favorites. Charmian is
a hatchet faced, terra cotta colored little goblin, swift in her
movements, and neatly finished at the hands and feet. Iras is a plump,
goodnatured creature, rather fatuous, with a profusion of red hair, and
a tendency to giggle on the slightest provocation.

CLEOPATRA. Can I--

FTATATEETA (insolently, to the player). Peace, thou! The Queen speaks.
(The player stops.)

CLEOPATRA (to the old musician). I want to le