"Besides, you devote quite as much time to your studies in philology and natural history as he does to music and improving conversations with his learned friends." "Just so," assented Philometor, "and you may be counted among the sages of the Museum with far more reason than I." "But the difference between us," replied Euergetes, "is that I despise all the philosophical prattlers and rubbish-collectors in Alexandria almost to the point of hating them, while for science I have as great a passion as for a lover.

You, on the contrary, make much of the learned men, but trouble yourself precious little about science." "Drop the subject, pray," begged Cleopatra.

"I believe that you two have never yet been together for half an hour without Euergetes having begun some dispute, and Philometor having at last given in, to pacify him.
Our guests must have been waiting for us a long time.

Had Publius Scipio made his appearance ?" "He had sent to excuse himself," replied the king as he scratched the poll of Cleopatra's parrot, parting its feathers with the tips of his fingers.

"Lysias, the Corinthian, is sitting below, and he says he does not know where his friend can be gone." "But we know very well," said Euergetes, casting an ironical glance at the queen.