h to show the throne.)

CAESAR. Order the slave to light the lamps.

CLEOPATRA (shyly). Do you think I may?

CAESAR. Of course. You are the Queen. (She hesitates.) Go on.

CLEOPATRA (timidly, to the slave). Light all the lamps.

FTATATEETA (suddenly coming from behind the throne). Stop. (The slave
stops. She turns sternly to Cleopatra, who quails like a naughty child.)
Who is this you have with you; and how dare you order the lamps to be
lighted without my permission? (Cleopatra is dumb with apprehension.)

CAESAR. Who is she?

CLEOPATRA. Ftatateeta.

FTATATEETA (arrogantly). Chief nurse to--

CAESAR (cutting her short). I speak to the Queen. Be silent. (To
Cleopatra) Is this how your servants know their places? Send her away;
and you (to the slave) do as the Queen has bidden. (The slave lights the
lamps. Meanwhile Cleopatra stands hesitating, afraid of Ftatateeta.) You
are the Queen: send her away.

CLEOPATRA (cajoling). Ftatateeta, dear: you must go away--just for a
little.

CAESAR. You are not commanding her to go away: you are begging her. You
are no Queen. You will be eaten. Farewell. (He turns to go.)

CLEOPATRA (clutching him). No, no, no. Don't leave me.

CAESAR. A Roman does not stay with queens who are afraid of their
slaves.

CLEOPATRA. I am not afraid. Indeed I am not afraid.

FTATATEETA. We shall see who is afraid here. (Menacingly) Cleopatra--

CAESAR. On your knees, woman: am I also a child that you dare trifle
with me? (He points to the floor at Cleopatra's feet. Ftatateeta, half
cowed, half savage, hesitates. Caesar calls to the Nubian) Slave. (The
Nubian comes to him.) Can you cut off a head? (The Nubian nods and
grins ecstatically, showing all his teeth. Caesar takes his sword by
the scabbard, ready to offer the hilt to the Nubian, and turns again
to Ftatateeta, repeating his gesture.) Have you remembered yourself,
mistress?

Ftatateeta, crushed, kneels before Cleopatra, who can hardly believe her
eyes.

FTATATEETA (hoarsely). O Queen, forget not thy servant in the days of
thy greatness.

CLEOPATRA (blazing with excitement). Go. Begone. Go away. (Ftatateeta
rises with stooped head, and moves backwards towards the door. Cleopatra
watches her submission eagerly, almost clapping her hands, which are
trembling. Suddenly she cries) Give me something to beat her with.
(She snatches a snake-skin from the throne and dashes after Ftatateeta,
whirling it like a scourge in the air. Caesa