Upton Sinclair, ed. (1878–1968). rn The Cry for Justice: An Anthology of the Literature of Social Protest. 1915.

Caesar and Cleopatra

Shaw, George Bernard

G. Bernard Shaw

(Irish dramatist and critic, born 1856; recognized as one of the world’s most brilliant advocates of Socialism)

(The Romans have set fire to the Library of Alexandria)

THEODOTUS:—What is burning there is the memory of mankind.

CAESAR:—A shameful memory. Let it burn.

THEODOTUS (wildly):—Will you destroy the past?

CAESAR:—Ay, and build the future with its ruins.