_A shudder of horror from the women. Ftatateeta, despising them and scorning the soldiers, pushes her way through the crowd and confronts the spear points undismayed._ FTATATEETA. Then fly and save yourselves, O cowardly sons of the cheap clay gods that are sold to fish porters; and leave us to shift for ourselves. BELZANOR. Not until you have first done our bidding, O terror of manhood. Bring out Cleopatra the Queen to us and then go whither you will. FTATATEETA (_with a derisive laugh_). Now I know why the gods have taken her out of our hands. (_The guardsmen start and look at one another_). Know, thou foolish soldier, that the Queen has been missing since an hour past sun down. BELZANOR (_furiously_). Hag: you have hidden her to sell to Caesar or her brother. (_He grasps her by the left wrist, and drags her, helped by a few of the guard, to the middle of the courtyard, where, as they fling her on her knees, he draws a murderous looking knife._) Where is she? Where is she? or-- (_He threatens to cut her throat._) FTATATEETA (_savagely_). Touch me, dog; and the Nile will not rise on your fields for seven times seven years of famine. BELZANOR (_frightened, but desperate_). I will sacrifice: I will pay. Or stay. (_To the Persian_) You, O subtle one: your father's lands lie far from the Nile. Slay her. PERSIAN (_threatening her with his knife_). Persia has but one god; yet he loves the blood of old women. Where is Cleopatra? FTATATEETA. Persian: as Osiris lives, I do not know. I chid her for bringing evil days upon us by talking to the sacred cats of the priests, and carrying them in her arms. I told her she would be left alone here when the Romans came as a punishment for her disobedience. And now she is gone--run away--hidden. I speak the truth. I call Osiris to witness---- THE WOMEN (_protesting officiously_). She speaks the truth, Belzanor. BELZANOR. You have frightened the child: she is hiding. Search--quick--into the palace--search every corner. _The guards, led by Belzanor, shoulder their way into the palace through the flying crowd of women, who escape through the courtyard gate._ FTATATEETA (_screaming_). Sacrilege! Men in the Queen's chambers! Sa-- (_Her voice dies away as the Persian puts his knife to her throat._) BEL AFFRIS (_laying a hand on Ftatateeta's left shoulder_). Forbear her yet a moment, Persian. (_To Ftatateeta, very significantly_) Mother: your gods are asleep or away hunting; and the sword is at your throat. Bring us to where the Queen is hid, and you shall live.