Sardou's Cleopatra — page 186: what you’re looking at

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

SARDOU’S CLEOPATRA. 171 smirched; there would have been no spot upon my royal mantle; I should have gone on my way followed by the respect of all; I could have borne unflinchingly the gaze of Octavia. Well, can I not still, by the force of my intellect, drive out the impetuous fever from my blood, be so virtuous as to vie with the Roman, and conquer Antony anew? Let Antony repudiate Octavia, and let me, a queen, establish among kings the sovereign power of virtue.” Lost in these reflections, her eyes still fixed upon the bark which was bearing away Octavia, and which was now scarcely more than a mere speck, Cleopatra had become entirely oblivious to her surroundings. She was roused to a sense of reality by the voice of Iras, saying, timidly : “Cleopatra! Royal mistress!” She started, and passed her hand over her eyes, as if awaking from a dream. And so it was a dream—a dream of purity of life and of virtuous greatness which had never visited Egypt’s Queen before, and which would never visit her again. Octavia, speed as quickly as you will upon your errand. It is all in vain. Your gentleness and goodness are no match for the brilliancy and fas- cination of the wondrous serpent of old Nile. SS EComichboo