This self-accus'd, self-punish'd Criminal.
Cleop.With how much ease believe we what we wish!
Rise, Dollabella; if you have been guilty,
I have contributed, and too much love
Has made me guilty too.
Th' advance of kindness which I made, was feign'd,
To call back fleeting love by jealousie;
But 'twould not last. Oh, rather let me lose
Than so ignobly trifle with his heart.
Dolla.I find your breast fenc'd round from humane reach,
Transparent as a Rock of solid Crystal;
Seen through, but never pierc'd. My Friend, my Friend!
What endless Treasure hast thou thrown away,
And scatter'd, like an Infant, in the Ocean,
Vain sums of Wealth which none can gather thence.
Cleop.Could you not beg
An hours admittance to his private ear?
Like one who wanders through long barren Wilds,
And yet foreknows no Hospitable Inn
Is near to succour hunger,
Eats his fill, before his painful march:
So would I feed a while my famish'd eyes
Before we part; for I have far to go,
If death be far, and never must return.
Ventidius, with Octavia, behind.
Ven.From hence you may discover ——— Oh, sweet, sweet!
Would you indeed? the pretty hand in earnest? [Takes her hand.
Dolla.I will, for this reward.———Draw it not back,
'Tis all I e'er will beg.
Ven.They turn upon us.
Octav.What quick eyes has guilt!
Ven.Seem not to have observ'd 'em, and go on. They enter.
Dolla.Saw you the Emperor, Ventidius?
Ven. No.
I sought him; but I heard that he was private,
None with him, but Hipparchus his Freedman.
Dolla.Know you his bus'ness?
Ven.Giving him Instructions,
And Letters, to his Brother Cæsar.
