ending with a
splutter).

CAESAR (almost annoyed). Cleopatra! (He rises, for the convenience of
Britannus, who puts the cuirass on him.)

CLEOPATRA. So that is why you wear the wreath--to hide it.

BRITANNUS. Peace, Egyptian: they are the bays of the conqueror. (He
buckles the cuirass.)

CLEOPATRA. Peace, thou: islander! (To Caesar) You should rub your head
with strong spirits of sugar, Caesar. That will make it grow.

CAESAR (with a wry face). Cleopatra: do you like to be reminded that you
are very young?

CLEOPATRA (pouting). No.

CAESAR (sitting down again, and setting out his leg for Britannus, who
kneels to put on his greaves). Neither do I like to be reminded that I
am--middle aged. Let me give you ten of my superfluous years. That will
make you 26 and leave me only--no matter. Is it a bargain?

CLEOPATRA. Agreed. 26, mind. (She puts the helmet on him.) Oh! How nice!
You look only about 50 in it!

BRITANNUS (Looking up severely at Cleopatra). You must not speak in this
manner to Caesar.

CLEOPATRA. Is it true that when Caesar caught you on that island, you
were painted all over blue?

BRITANNUS. Blue is the color worn by all Britons of good standing. In
war we stain our bodies blue; so that though our enemies may strip us of
our clothes and our lives, they cannot strip us of our respectability.
(He rises.)

CLEOPATRA (with Caesar's sword). Let me hang this on. Now you look
splendid. Have they made any statues of you in Rome?

CAESAR. Yes, many statues.

CLEOPATRA. You must send for one and give it to me.

RUFIO (coming back into the loggia, more impatient than ever). Now
Caesar: have you done talking? The moment your foot is aboard there
will be no holding our men back: the boats will race one another for the
lighthouse.

CAESAR (drawing his sword and trying the edge). Is this well set to-day,
Britannicus? At Pharsalia it was as blunt as a barrel-hoop.

BRITANNUS. It will split one of the Egyptian's hairs to-day, Caesar. I
have set it myself.

CLEOPATRA (suddenly throwing her arms in terror round Caesar). Oh, you
are not really going into battle to be killed?

CAESAR. No, Cleopatra. No man goes to battle to be killed.

CLEOPATRA. But they DO get killed. My sister's husband was killed in
battle. You must not go. Let HIM go (pointing to Rufio. They all laugh
at her). Oh please, PLEASE don't go. What will happen to ME if you never
come back?

CAESAR (gravely). Are you afraid?

CLEOPATR