“Arsinoe opens.”

“Arsi——? So she does. You should understand we’re in Egypt, in the halls of Ptolemy Philadelphus, on the banks of the River Nile. I will begin.

Cease.... Cease your song. Arisba! Lotos! THANKS.

And for thy pains accept this ivory pin....

Shall it be said in many-gated Thebes

That Arsinoe’s mean?

The desert wind....

Hark to’t!

Methinks ’twill blow all night;

Lashing the lebbek trees anent Great Cheops’ Pyre;