SECOND AUXILIARY (_looking longingly at the purse--this sentinel is a hooknosed man, unlike his comrade, who is squab faced_). Do not tantalize a poor man. APOLLODORUS (_to Cleopatra_). Pearl of Queens: the Centurion is at hand; and the Roman soldier is incorruptible when his officer is looking. I must carry your word to Caesar. CLEOPATRA (_who has been meditating among the carpets_). Are these carpets very heavy? APOLLODORUS. It matters not how heavy. There are plenty of porters. CLEOPATRA. How do they put the carpets into boats? Do they throw them down? APOLLODORUS. Not into small boats, majesty. It would sink them. CLEOPATRA. Not into that man's boat, for instance? (_Pointing to the boatman._) APOLLODORUS. No. Too small. CLEOPATRA. But you can take a carpet to Caesar in it if I send one? APOLLODORUS. Assuredly. CLEOPATRA. And you will have it carried gently down the steps and take great care of it? APOLLODORUS. Depend on me. CLEOPATRA. Great, _great_ care? APOLLODORUS. More than of my own body. CLEOPATRA. You will promise me not to let the porters drop it or throw it about? APOLLODORUS. Place the most delicate glass goblet in the palace in the heart of the roll, Queen; and if it be broken, my head shall pay for it. CLEOPATRA. Good. Come, Ftatateeta. (_Ftatateeta comes to her. Apollodorus offers to squire them into the palace._) No, Apollodorus, you must not come. I will choose a carpet for myself. You must wait here. (_She runs into the palace._) APOLLODORUS (_to the porters_). Follow this lady (_indicating Ftatateeta_); and obey her. _The porters rise and take up their bales._ FTATATEETA (_addressing the porters as if they were vermin_). This way. And take your shoes off before you put your feet on those stairs. _She goes in, followed by the porters with the carpets. Meanwhile Apollodorus goes to the edge of the quay and looks out over the harbor. The sentinels keep their eyes on him malignantly._ APOLLODORUS (_addressing the sentinel_). My friend---- SENTINEL (_rudely_). Silence there. FIRST AUXILIARY. Shut your muzzle, you. SECOND AUXILIARY (_in a half whisper, glancing apprehensively towards the north end of the quay_). Can't you wait a bit? APOLLODORUS. Patience, worthy three-headed donkey. (_They mutter ferociously; but he is not at all intimidated._) Listen: were you set here to watch me, or to watch the Egyptians? SENTINEL. We know our duty. APOLLODORUS. Then why don't you do it? There's something going on over there. (_Pointing southwestward to the mole._) SENTINEL (_sulkily_). I do not need to be told what to do by the like of you. APOLLODORUS. Blockhead. (_He begins shouting_) Ho there, Centurion. Hoiho! SENTINEL. Curse your meddling. (_Shouting_) Hoiho! Alarm! Alarm! FIRST AND SECOND AUXILIARIES. Alarm! alarm! Hoiho! _The Centurion comes running in with his guard._ CENTURION. What now? Has the old woman attacked you again? (_Seeing Apollodorus_) Are _you_ here still?