Sardou's Cleopatra — page 242: what you’re looking at

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

“ SARDOWS CLECPATRA. 227 her, men, and carry her away before the alarm can be given.” But, before one of them could move a step to obey the order, Antony sprang in front of the queen. With his eyes flashing fire, he drew his dagger from his belt. ‘Whoever lays a hand upon her, dies,” he cried. “Back, on your lives! Back, I say, back!” The men shrank away and looked at one an- other in bewilderment. Ventidius’ rugged face flushed darkly. “What mean you, noble Antony?” he said. ) “Was it not your own orders _ “What my orders may have been, matters but little,” retorted Antony, angrily. “I have found out my mistake. Cleopatra is true to me and my love.” At these words, Ventidius could not contain himself. “Love!” he burst forth. “Oh! touching spec- tacle! Oh! worthy, noble love! So, you have — pardoned the one who would carry you away again into slavery!” “Silence!” began Antony; but the queen moved haughtily forward, and stood face to face with the one she knew to be her most inveterate Eomicbooks (G(@)