Sardou's Cleopatra — page 228: what you’re looking at

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

SARDOU’S CLEOPATRA. 918 his love for her. In the presence of the grief she felt at the ioss of Antony, the impending doom of her kingdom counted as little or nothing. | For the moment, she would have gladly torn off her crown and cast aside her scepter, if by so doing she could have blotted out Actium, and regained her former place in Antony’s heart. Beside the queen stood Serapion, who, as chief augur and royal astrologer, had been summoned from Memphis to read the stars and foretell what would be the result of the struggle between the Egyptians and Romans. “Vou are sure, Serapion,” said Cleopatra, wearily, “that your predictions are not at fault?” “Great Queen,” replied the old priest. ‘The gods alone rule. Iam but the humble interpre- ter of their will. Strange portents and prodi- gies have been frequent of late. The Nile o’er- flowed before its accustomed season, and y “I know all that,” interrupted the queen, impa- tiently. “You need not repeat it, But where is the storm that you promised to destroy the Roman fleet? Look! ‘There is not a cloud in the changeless blue of the sky.” Serapion approached closer to the window and (E(@) Wied cCOomMmIcbooks se)