Sardou's Cleopatra

This issue of The Primrose Series (No. 14, January 15, 1891) contains a novelization of Victorien Sardou's celebrated play Cleopatra. The story begins in Tarsus, where the triumvir Mark Antony holds court to punish cities that aided the defeated republican cause following Caesar's assassination. Queen Cleopatra of Egypt is summoned to answer charges that she supplied soldiers, vessels, and subsidies to Caesar's assassins. The narrative follows her anticipated arrival as two characters—the grizzled Roman soldier Ventidius and the Egyptian ambassador Diomedes—discuss her impending appearance. Diomedes cryptically suggests that Cleopatra's legendary beauty and seductive power will transform Antony's anger into favor, predicting she will manipulate the triumvir as she previously controlled Caesar, ultimately threatening Roman stability.