Sardou's Cleopatra — page 208: what you’re looking at

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

SARDOU’S CLEOPATRA. 195 “Fatal!” cried Cleopatra. “Why fatal? Why should I be deprived of all participation in the glory of the war, when my ships and forces are engaged init? Besides, the Egyptians would be disheartened were I to leave them, and would be much less efficient if their queen were not present to urge them on. I am not a woman to be an embarrassment and a source of care, but a sov- ereign, accustomed to the command of armies.” Antony was only too ready to be persuaded, and it was decided that the queen should be placed in command of her own fleet. In the morning all was in readiness. Cleopatra, with her ships, took a station in reserve, and re- mained there for a time, a quiet witness of the battle. It was an obstinate and bloody conflict. The great ships dashed against each other, and the men, inspired by their leaders, fought from deck to deck. ‘The two fleets were very nearly equal, and the issue was in doubt. But at the critical moment of the battle Cleopatra ordered the sails of the Antoniad to be hoisted, and, followed by all her ships, fled from the scene. As soon as Antony perceived that she was going, even in the very heat of the struggle, for- getful of all save that one fact, he called upa (ace) Eomichbooks met