Sardou's Cleopatra — page 35: what you’re looking at

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

20 _- SARDOU'S CLHOPATRA. robed as nereids and sirens, leaned against the masts or hung over. the sides of the barge, cast- ing flowers in the gleaming waters, while little naked boys, in the guise of cupids, fanned them with their painted wings. And in the center, beneath a canopy resplendent with embroideries of gold and silver, upon pale blue cushions bestrewn with lilies, reclined the Diamond of the East, the fairest woman beneath the skies. She was clad in a loosely flowing robe of shimmering gold colored gauze, through which gleamed the rosy radiance of her limbs. About her waist was a sash, embroidered with emeralds, rubies, ame- thysts and topazes. Magnificent jewels blazed upon her arms and bosom, and on her head was a coronet formed of diamond stars; golden san- dals confined her little white feet; over all was thrown a vail embroidered with odd designs in gold and silver, and through its meshes, floated, like a star through the mist, her marvelous beauty. As the barge stopped, Cleopatra, with slow, languid, grace, arose from her reclining posture, and like a new Venus Anadyomene issuing from the waves, she disembarked. Supported by two of her women, one of whom was her favorite | GEomicbooks.co