CLEOPATRA. No, no. I daren't.

CAESAR. Whatever dread may be in your soul--however terrible
Caesar may be to you--you must confront him as a brave woman and
a great queen; and you must feel no fear. If your hand shakes: if
your voice quavers; then--night and death! (She moans.) But if he
thinks you worthy to rule, he will set you on the throne by his
side and make you the real ruler of Egypt.

CLEOPATRA (despairingly). No: he will find me out: he will find
me out.

CAESAR (rather mournfully). He is easily deceived by women. Their
eyes dazzle him; and he sees them not as they are, but as he
wishes them to appear to him.

CLEOPATRA (hopefully). Then we will cheat him. I will put on
Ftatateeta's head-dress; and he will think me quite an old woman.

CAESAR. If you do that he will eat you at one mouthful.

CLEOPATRA. But I will give him a cake with my magic opal and
seven hairs of the white cat baked in it; and--

CAESAR (abruptly). Pah! you are a little fool. He will eat your
cake and you too. (He turns contemptuously from her.)

CLEOPATRA (running after him and clinging to him). Oh, please,
PLEASE! I will do whatever you tell me. I will be good! I will be
your slave. (Again the terrible bellowing note sounds across the