Sardou's Cleopatra — page 76: what you’re looking at

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

SARDOU’S CLEOPATRA. 61 tened to each word. One by one, the comrades of Antony had drawn near, and stood silently by to hear the news from Rome. ‘“Fulvia dead!” exclaimed Antony again. “When did this happen ?” “Two weeks since.” “Poor woman! She had a _ noble soul, although I loved her not.” “Her last thoughts were of you. Her last words recalled you to Italy.” “To Italy ?” “Yes, to Italy,” repeated Ventidius, slowly and sternly. “Rome isin danger. Lepidus 1s a fig- ure head. Sextus Pompey no longer fears you. He holds the sea; his fleets cover the Mediterra- nean, from Cyprus to the Columns of Hercules. He intercepts the arrival of wheat from Sicily and Africa. Rome is threatened with famine.” Ventidius paused, but Antony made no reply. His eyes were bent upon the ground and his brow was wrinkled as if in thought. “What!” exclaimed Ventidius, in vain attempt- ing to conceal his scorn and disappointment. “Rome in danger, and Antony hesitates. Ah! that I should live to see this day! General! Em- peror! Without you, Rome is lost! The father- Eomicbooks