CAESAR (_seeing Apollodorus in the Egyptian corner and calling to him_). Apollodorus: I leave the art of Egypt in your charge. Remember: Rome loves art and will encourage it ungrudgingly. APOLLODORUS. I understand, Caesar. Rome will produce no art itself; but it will buy up and take away whatever the other nations produce. CAESAR. What! Rome produces no art! Is peace not an art? is war not an art? is government not an art? is civilization not an art? All these we give you in exchange for a few ornaments. You will have the best of the bargain. (_Turning to Rufio_) And now, what else have I to do before I embark? (_Trying to recollect_) There is something I cannot remember: what _can_ it be? Well, well: it must remain undone: we must not waste this favorable wind. Farewell, Rufio. RUFIO. Caesar: I am loth to let you go to Rome without your shield. There are too many daggers there. CAESAR. It matters not: I shall finish my life's work on my way back; and then I shall have lived long enough. Besides: I have always disliked the idea of dying: I had rather be killed. Farewell. RUFIO (_with a sigh, raising his hands and giving Caesar up as incorrigible_). Farewell. (_They shake hands._) CAESAR (_waving his hand to Apollodorus_). Farewell, Apollodorus, and my friends, all of you. Aboard! _The gangway is run out from the quay to the ship. As Caesar moves towards it, Cleopatra, cold and tragic, cunningly dressed in black, without ornaments or decoration of any kind, and thus making a striking figure among the brilliantly dressed bevy of ladies as she passes through it, comes from the palace and stands on the steps. Caesar does not see her until she speaks._ CLEOPATRA. Has Cleopatra no part in this leave taking? CAESAR (_enlightened_). Ah, I _knew_ there was something. (_To Rufio_) How could you let me forget her, Rufio? (_Hastening to her_) Had I gone without seeing you, I should never have forgiven myself. (_He takes her hands, and brings her into the middle of the esplanade. She submits stonily._) Is this mourning for me? CLEOPATRA. No. CAESAR (_remorsefully_). Ah, that was thoughtless of me! It is for your brother. CLEOPATRA. No. CAESAR. For whom, then? CLEOPATRA. Ask the Roman governor whom you have left us. CAESAR. Rufio? CLEOPATRA. Yes: Rufio. (_She points at him with deadly scorn._) He who is to rule here in Caesar's name, in Caesar's way, according to Caesar's boasted laws of life. CAESAR (_dubiously_). He is to rule as he can, Cleopatra. He has taken the work upon him, and will do it in his own way. CLEOPATRA. Not in your way, then? CAESAR (_puzzled_). What do you mean by my way? CLEOPATRA. Without punishment. Without revenge. Without judgment. CAESAR (_approvingly_). Ay: that is the right way, the great way, the only possible way in the end. (_To Rufio_) Believe it, Rufio, if you can.