Sardou's Cleopatra — page 257: what you’re looking at

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

D4 SARDOU’S CLEOPATRA, And he pointed significantly at the sword which Ventidius wore at his side. The veteran understood, and his lips twitched convulsively. “What! I—I—” he faltered. “I pierce that heart, that even the weapons of the enemy have always respected !” “Ventidius, you swore it!” said Antony, sol- emnly. Slowly the old man drew his sword. “Strike !” “No! No! I cannot.” “Strike, I say!” Suddenly a strange expression, almost a smile, lit up the rugged, scarred features. “Farewell, my emperor!” he said. ‘Nay, that is too cold a word—my friend.. Nowturn away your head. I cannot strike while your eyes are upon me.” Antony obeyed, baring his breast as he did so. Then Ventidius lifted high the sword, and plunging it, not into the breast of Antony, but into his own, fell heavily to the ground. With a cry of horror, Antony sank down beside him and raised his head. The eyes, which were ~-EComic 900 SEO