APOLLODORUS (_pointing as before_). See there. The Egyptians are moving. They are going to recapture the Pharos. They will attack by sea and land: by land along the great mole; by sea from the west harbor. Stir yourselves, my military friends: the hunt is up. (_A clangor of trumpets from several points along the quay._) Aha! I told you so. CENTURION (_quickly_). The two extra men pass the alarm to the south posts. One man keep guard here. The rest with me--quick. _The two auxiliary sentinels run off to the south. The Centurion and his guard run off northward; and immediately afterwards the bucina sounds. The four porters come from the palace carrying a carpet, followed by Ftatateeta._ SENTINEL (_handling his pilum apprehensively_). You again! (_The porters stop._) FTATATEETA. Peace, Roman fellow: you are now single-handed. Apollodorus: this carpet is Cleopatra's present to Caesar. It has rolled up in it ten precious goblets of the thinnest Iberian crystal, and a hundred eggs of the sacred blue pigeon. On your honor, let not one of them be broken. APOLLODORUS. On my head be it. (_To the porters_) Into the boat with them carefully. _The porters carry the carpet to the steps._ FIRST PORTER (_looking down at the boat_). Beware what you do, sir. Those eggs of which the lady speaks must weigh more than a pound apiece. This boat is too small for such a load. BOATMAN (_excitedly rushing up the steps_). Oh thou injurious porter! Oh thou unnatural son of a she-camel! (_To Apollodorus_) My boat, sir, hath often carried five men. Shall it not carry your lordship and a bale of pigeons' eggs? (_To the porter_) Thou mangey dromedary, the gods shall punish thee for this envious wickedness. FIRST PORTER (_stolidly_). I cannot quit this bale now to beat thee; but another day I will lie in wait for thee. APPOLODORUS (_going between them_). Peace there. If the boat were but a single plank, I would get to Caesar on it. FTATATEETA (_anxiously_). In the name of the gods, Apollodorus, run no risks with that bale. APOLLODORUS. Fear not, thou venerable grotesque: I guess its great worth. (_To the porters_) Down with it, I say; and gently; or ye shall eat nothing but stick for ten days. _The boatman goes down the steps, followed by the porters with the bale: Ftatateeta and Apollodorus watching from the edge._ APOLLODORUS. Gently, my sons, my children--(_with sudden alarm_) gently, ye dogs. Lay it level in the stern--so--'tis well. FTATATEETA (_screaming down at one of the porters_). Do not step on it, do not step on it. Oh thou brute beast! FIRST PORTER (_ascending_). Be not excited, mistress: all is well. FTATATEETA (_panting_). All well! Oh, thou hast given my heart a turn! (_She clutches her side, gasping._) _The four porters have now come up and are waiting at the stairhead to be paid._