Act IV

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,