Sardou's Cleopatra — page 42: what you’re looking at

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

SARDOU’S CLEOPATRA. : 27 As he turned away his eyes from this picture which was so painful to him, Ventidius heard a low voice murmur in his ear: “Well, did I not prophecy aright ?” He turned suddenly and faced the Egyptian ambassador, Diomedes. “Yes,” he muttered, angrily, “bird of ill omen that you are. He is lost, and we are lost with him. Oh! woman! all the gods have not such power of doing good as you of doing evil.” “Your master wants you,’’ said Diomedes. The old warrior faced quickly about and saw Antony motioning him to approach. Slowly and reluctantly he advanced to the portico. “Ventidius,” said Antony, “‘tell these good peo- ple to disperse.” Ventidius bowed, and, striding forward to the edge of the platform, he raised his hand with a gesture of command. ; By degrees, the cheers died away. “It is the triumvir’s wish,” he cried, in a sten- torian voice, “that you retire to your homes and places of business. The trial is ended.” Gradually, the people obeyed, and soon, save for the soldiers, the broad square was deserted. Ventidius joined the Roman officers who had = ,comicbhoo “S (G(0)