Well after midnight Antony stood in the shadows along the quay at the Tiber watching Cleopatra’s ship. There was a flurry of activity on board, sailors in the rigging setting sails, men running along the deck to and fro. It was all in silence.

So she was leaving in the dead of night, Antony thought. He did not want her to go. But he understood her reasons.

As final preparations were being made Cleopatra came on deck. She went to the railing of the ship and looked out over the city. Antony stepped out of the darkness and called to her. She was startled at first but when she recognized him she walked down the gang plank to meet him.

“I have brought some of the tenth legion to look after you. You have nothing to fear by staying.”

“My child and I are abandoned now by Caesar. Nothing to fear? That’s no reason for staying.”

“So much has happened so quickly, I feel as though I have the pieces of your broken world to pick up, and now you, running off like this…”

“Do you suggest that I stay? Why?”

“Don’t ask me to be clear about my feelings. I’m tired . And with you even at my best it is never easy to say my meaning.”