Sardou's Cleopatra — page 79: what you’re looking at

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

64 SARDOU’S CLEOPATRA. only obeyed. The conqueror was he—Antony. Queen, he has refused to listen to the voice of his duty, but to his old friends he owes some regard. He should appear and reanimate their faith now war is again upon them. If I return without him Rome will say that he is a slave here in Egypt, and the Senate will denounce him. Be you, now, his better spirit. Let Rome believe for a single day that Antony has returned, and Cesar is lost.” Once or twice during this speech Antony had attempted to interrupt, but Cleopatra had pre- vented him. She had listened with the crimson going and coming upon her fair cheek. Some- thing in Ventidius’ words had roused to life the sleeping ambition, once so indomitable, of this many sided woman. Next to her love for Antony, her love of power was her strongest passion. For her, to reign was the same thing as to live. Then, of all beings on earth, she hated and feared Oc- tavius. Revenge and gratified ambition were within her grasp. Yes! Let her lover save Rome; let there be but one world, and that world Ceesar’s capital and its sovereigns Mark Antony and Cleopatra. ‘The daughter of the Ptolemies, with the aid of Antony, would be queen of all the world. He must go, and go at once. comicbooks.co