Sardou's Cleopatra — page 44: what you’re looking at

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

SUT f | SARDOU’S CLEOPATRA... 29 “would indeed I were Venus, then could I con- quer this Mars.” Mad with love, drunk with passion, forgetful of all else on earth save this one woman, he sank on one knee at her side. “Behold him at your feet! Cleopatra, queen, 174 goddess, I love you There was a moment of silence. Both hearts beat fast, his with ardent longing, hers with exultant triumph. ‘Then she said, dreamily: “Love! Ah! what is man’s love? A passing fancy, the gratification of amoment. Such is not the love I demand! I would wish the absolute surrender of self, entire, utter devotion. ‘The man whose love I accept must be ready to give up all, to welcome disgrace even and count it a priceless boon if it were the result of his winning me. He must have no ambition save to be near me, no glance that was not for me, no thought that was not mine. ‘The rest of the world must not exist for him. Such a man, ah, such a man I could love.” She ceased. With glowing cheeks and eyes ablaze, Antony cried, impetuously: “Iam that man! I am ready to sacrifice all, Gomicboo tS EO nm