For you are mine, and I was born to suffer. [Here the Children go to him, &c.
Ven.Was ever sight so moving! Emperor!
Dolla.Friend!
Octav.Husband!
Both Childr.Father!
Ant.I am vanquish'd: take me,
Octavia; take me, Children; share me all. (Embracing them.)
I've been a thriftless Debtor to your loves,
And run out much, in riot, from your stock;
But all shall be amended.
Octav.
O blest hour!
Dolla.O happy Change!
Ven.My joy stops at my tongue;
But it has found two chanels here for one,
And bubbles out above.
Ant. to Octav.This is thy Triumph; lead me where thou wilt;
Ev'n to thy Brothers Camp.
Octav.All there are yours.
Enter Alexas hastily.
Alex.The Queen, my Mistress, Sir, and yours ———
Ant.'Tis past. Octavia, you shall stay this night; To morrow, Cæsar and we are one. [Ex. leading Octavia, Doll. and the Children follow
Ven.There's news for you; run,
My officious Eunuch,
Be sure to be the first; haste forward:
Haste, my dear Eunuch, haste. Exit.
Alex.This downright fighting Fool, this thick-scull'd Hero,
This blunt unthinking Instrument of death,
With plain dull Virtue, has out-gone my Wit:
Pleasure forsook my early'st Infancy,
The Luxury of others robb'd my Cradle,
And ravish'd thence the Promise of a Man:
Cast out from Nature, disinherited
Of what her meanest Children claim by kind;
Yet, Greatness kept me from contempt: that's gone.
Had Cleopatra follow'd my advice,
Then he had been betray'd, who now forsakes.
She dies for love; but she has known its joys:
