_Cleopatra's sousing in the east harbor of Alexandria was in October 48 B. C. In March 47 she is passing the afternoon in her boudoir in the palace, among a bevy of her ladies, listening to a slave girl who is playing the harp in the middle of the room. The harpist's master, an old musician, with a lined face, prominent brows, white beard, moustache and eyebrows twisted and horned at the ends, and a consciously keen and pretentious expression, is squatting on the floor close to her on her right, watching her performance. Ftatateeta is in attendance near the door, in front of a group of female slaves. Except the harp player all are seated: Cleopatra in a chair opposite the door on the other side of the room; the rest on the ground. Cleopatra's ladies are all young, the most conspicuous being Charmian and Iras, her favorites. Charmian is a hatchet faced, terra cotta colored little goblin, swift in her movements, and neatly finished at the hands and feet. Iras is a plump, goodnatured creature, rather fatuous, with a profusion of red hair, and a tendency to giggle on the slightest provocation._ CLEOPATRA. Can I---- FTATATEETA (_insolently, to the player_). Peace, thou! The Queen speaks. (_The player stops._) CLEOPATRA (_to the old musician_). I want to learn to play the harp with my own hands. Caesar loves music. Can you teach me? MUSICIAN. Assuredly I and no one else can teach the Queen. Have I not discovered the lost method of the ancient Egyptians, who could make a pyramid tremble by touching a bass string? All the other teachers are quacks: I have exposed them repeatedly. CLEOPATRA. Good: you shall teach me. How long will it take? MUSICIAN. Not very long: only four years. Your Majesty must first become proficient in the philosophy of Pythagoras. CLEOPATRA. Has she (_indicating the slave_) become proficient in the philosophy of Pythagoras? MUSICIAN. Oh, she is but a slave. She learns as a dog learns. CLEOPATRA. Well, then, I will learn as a dog learns; for she plays better than you. You shall give me a lesson every day for a fortnight. (_The musician hastily scrambles to his feet and bows profoundly._) After that, whenever I strike a false note you shall be flogged; and if I strike so many that there is not time to flog you, you shall be thrown into the Nile to feed the crocodiles. Give the girl a piece of gold; and send them away. MUSICIAN (_much taken aback_). But true art will not be thus forced. FTATATEETA (_pushing him out_). What is this? Answering the Queen, forsooth. Out with you. _He is pushed out by Ftatateeta, the girl following with her harp, amid the laughter of the ladies and slaves._ CLEOPATRA. Now, can any of you amuse me? Have you any stories or any news? IRAS. Ftatateeta---- CLEOPATRA. Oh, Ftatateeta, Ftatateeta, always Ftatateeta. Some new tale to set me against her.