Sardou's Cleopatra — page 218: what you’re looking at

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

SARDOU’S CLEOPATRA. | 203 ward knelt at the feet of Antony, who, too as- tounded to speak, recognized among them the faces of some of his most trusted Cap Ss ee cetas, Philo, Eros, and others. . “These have come with me,” said Ventidius, “with ten legions at their back. Weone and all acknowledge Antony as our chief, and we wish no other leader than he.” Antony’s whole frame shook, something sus- piciously like moisture glistened in his eye, and his voice came very low and hoarse, as he said: “Rise, my friends, rise. No, I have lost my fair fame; you must keep yours. I should but teach you to fly——” “But, general,” interrupted Dercetas, impetu- ously springing to his feet, “that counts for naught. ‘That was a naval fight. We soldiers need a firmer base for our feet; the sea is foreign to us, the land is our friend. Mother earth loves to hold us pressed to her breast, upon which we have poured forth our blood. Cesar has taken the sea, but the land is ours. Lead us, then, to combat !” “Yes, lead us! lead us!” cried the others, thronging about him. | For an instant Antony’s eyes flashed, the old (Eo) -"EOmMic poe KS "3