[There is a loud knock on the inside of the door, and RUFINIUS steps to answer. He opens the door very slightly and pokes his head in]

RUFINIUS

Majesty?

HELIOGABALUS

[Within] Music!

[RUFINIUS claps his hands, and instantly two musicians come in from the ostium. One has a Greek pipe and the other a lyre. The piper blows a loud blast and breaks into lively music. Suddenly there are again loud knocks on the inside of the door, and RUFINIUS pokes in his head once more]

HELIOGABALUS

[Within] Not so damned loud! Something soft—and dreamy!

RUFINIUS

[To the musicians] Turn off the air in that pipe!