Sardou's Cleopatra — page 30: what you’re looking at

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

SARDOU’S CLEOPATRA. 15 “No,” replied the Egyptian, “there are some malcontents who whisper revolt. But my coun- trymen are a docile race. Her reign is a gentle one, and they love her in spite of all. The great- est of crimes do not revolt them. If their gods are respected, that is all that they ask; they adore evil, when their gods command it. You can decimate them, load them with taxes, without _ rousing them to action. But if you kill in the sacred forest an ostrich or an ibis, war is declared. Gallus met his doom because a Roman chanced to kill a cat that crossed his path. ‘The people, us- ually so tranquil, were driven to fury. Gallus took refuge in the port, and two thousand Romans perished—for a cat. No, the queen respects both _ gods and priests, who govern the people and are its masters. Asa queen, she does her duty, and her scepter is held with a firm, sure hand.” As the Egyptian finished speaking, Ventidius cast upon him a look of mingled surprise and sus- picion. “You utter strange words,” he said sharply, “for one who is an Egyptian himself.” Diomedes flushed darkly. “Pardon me,” he began ; ‘‘J-——”’ But he was interrupted by a blare of trumpets. S (Ee) GCOmMmIcboo