SCENE II.—The Apartment of Cassandra.

Enter King Ptolemy, Sosibius, with papers, after him.

Ptol. No more of business.

Sosib. Sir, the council waits you.

Ptol. Council! What's that? a pack of bearded slaves,

Grave faces, saucy tongues, and knavish hearts,

That never speak one word, but self's at bottom;

The scavengers that sweep state nuisances,

And are themselves the greatest—I'll no council.