Sardou's Cleopatra — page 178: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

SARDOU’S CLECPATRA. 163 “Never! What! shall I, who bya nod can make of a slave a king, fall down and blubber: ‘Forgive me, Cesar!’ No! Such words would choke me.” “Nor need youspeak them. Think you I have come to ask you toabase yourself? No, Antony, your honor is mine. It never shall be said Oc- tavia’s husband sued to her brother, Cesar though he be. Yielding to my prayers, Octavius stands with outstretched hand, ready to clasp yours in renewed amity, if you but make the sign. All that I ask is peace, peace between the two I love, my brother and my husband.” Antony made an impatient movement, which he could not repress. “And this peace means a return to Rome, my every action spied upon.” “No,” said Octavia, bravely forcing back her tears; “you are free, free from her you loathe. [I am as proud as you, and scorn to beg for your love as alms. I will tell my brother you agree to. peace. We will return to Rome, and you shall march to rule the East. No word of complaint — shall pass my lips. But let me at least keep the barren name of wife, although your love is else- where,” - = VEomicbooks:.