CLEOPATRA (_to Ftatateeta_). Come soon--soon. (_Ftatateeta turns her meaning eyes for a moment on her mistress; then goes grimly away past Ra and out. Cleopatra runs like a gazelle to Caesar._) So you have come back to me, Caesar. (_Caressingly_) I thought you were angry. Welcome, Apollodorus. (_She gives him her hand to kiss, with her other arm about Caesar._) APOLLODORUS. Cleopatra grows more womanly beautiful from week to week. CLEOPATRA. Truth, Apollodorus? APOLLODORUS. Far, far short of the truth! Friend Rufio threw a pearl into the sea: Caesar fished up a diamond. CAESAR. Caesar fished up a touch of rheumatism, my friend. Come: to dinner! to dinner! (_They move towards the table._) CLEOPATRA (_skipping like a young fawn_). Yes, to dinner. I have ordered _such_ a dinner for you, Caesar! CAESAR. Ay? What are we to have? CLEOPATRA. Peacocks' brains. CAESAR (_as if his mouth watered_). Peacocks' brains, Apollodorus! APOLLODORUS. Not for me. I prefer nightingales' tongues. (_He goes to one of the two covers set side by side._) CLEOPATRA. Roast boar, Rufio! RUFIO (_gluttonously_). Good! (_He goes to the seat next Apollodorus, on his left._) CAESAR (_looking at his seat, which is at the end of the table, to Ra's left hand_). What has become of my leathern cushion? CLEOPATRA (_at the opposite end_). I have got new ones for you. THE MAJOR-DOMO. These cushions, Caesar, are of Maltese gauze, stuffed with rose leaves. CAESAR. Rose leaves! Am I a caterpillar? (_He throws the cushions away and seats himself on the leather mattress underneath._) CLEOPATRA. What a shame! My new cushions! THE MAJOR-DOMO (_at Caesar's elbow_). What shall we serve to whet Caesar's appetite? CAESAR. What have you got? THE MAJOR-DOMO. Sea hedgehogs, black and white sea acorns, sea nettles, beccaficoes, purple shellfish---- CAESAR. Any oysters? THE MAJOR-DOMO. Assuredly. CAESAR. _British_ oysters? THE MAJOR-DOMO (_assenting_). British oysters, Caesar. CAESAR. Oysters, then. (_The Major-Domo signs to a slave at each order; and the slave goes out to execute it._) I have been in Britain--that western land of romance--the last piece of earth on the edge of the ocean that surrounds the world. I went there in search of its famous pearls. The British pearl was a fable; but in searching for it I found the British oyster. APOLLODORUS. All posterity will bless you for it. (_To the Major-Domo_) Sea hedgehogs for me. RUFIO. Is there nothing solid to begin with? THE MAJOR-DOMO. Fieldfares with asparagus---- CLEOPATRA (_interrupting_). Fattened fowls! have some fattened fowls, Rufio. RUFIO. Ay, that will do. CLEOPATRA (_greedily_). Fieldfares for me. THE MAJOR-DOMO. Caesar will deign to choose his wine? Sicilian, Lesbian, Chian---- RUFIO (_contemptuously_). All Greek. APOLLODORUS. Who would drink Roman wine when he could get Greek? Try the Lesbian, Caesar. CAESAR. Bring me my barley water.