Sardou's Cleopatra — page 193: what you’re looking at

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

178 SARDOWS CLEOPATRA. ning, slippery Egyptian, but, after listening to his story, he had concluded to keep him by him, thinking that some day he might be of use to him. And the time had now come when he was determined that he should speak. The weapon was an unworthy one, but the case was desperate, and all means were fair. “Strike, if you will,’ he said, sate “But my long services to you deserve a better recom- perise than blows.” Antony’s arm dropped, although his brow was still dark with anger. “Timplore you, my lord, to listen,” said Ven- tidius. “In honor’s name I ask, for manhood’s sake, and for your own safety, give heed unto my words.” Antony folded his arms, “Speak, then!’ he said. “I will have patience.” “What is this woman for whose coming you now watch, whom, perchance, one of those very vessels is now bearing to you? Whois she that, for her sake, you would abandon all dictates of honor? Rarely beautiful, I grant you. But do not Octavia’s virtues outweigh her beauty ? Why forsake your wife and wreck your fortunes for— a wanton ?” Eomicbooks.co