Page:All for love- or, The world well lost. A tragedy as it is acted at the Theatre-Royal; and written in imitation of Shakespeare's stile. By John Dryden, servant to His Majesty (IA allforloveorworl00indryd).pdf/82

To choose where she would Reign:
She thought a Roman only could deserve her;
And, of all Romans, only Antony.
And, to be less than Wife to you, disdain'd
Their lawful Passion.

Ant.'Tis but truth.

Alex.And yet, tho Love, and your unmatch'd desert,
Have drawn her from the due regard of Honor,
At last, Heav'n open'd her unwilling eyes
To see the wrongs she offer'd fair Octavia,
Whose holy Bed she lawlesly usurpt,
The sad effects of this improsperous War,
Confirm'd those pious thoughts.

Ven. aside.O, wheel you there?
Observe him now; the Man begins to mend,
And talk substantial reason. Fear not, Eunuch,
The Emperor has giv'n thee leave to speak.

Alex.Else had I never dar'd t' offend his ears
With what the last necessity has urg'd
On my forsaken Mistress; yet I must not
Presume to say her heart is wholly alter'd.

Ant.No, dare not for thy life, I charge thee dare not,
Pronounce that fatal word.

Octav. aside.Must I bear this? good Heav'n, afford me patience.

Ven.On, sweet Eunuch; my dear half man, proceed.

Alex.Yet Dollabella
Has lov'd her long, he, next my God-like Lord,
Deserves her best; and should she meet his passion,
Rejected, as she is, by him she lov'd ———

Ant.Hence, from my sight; for I can bear no more:
Let Furies drag thee quick to Hell; let all
The longer damn'd have rest; each torturing hand
Do thou employ, till Cleopatra comes,
Then joyn thou too, and help to torture her. Exit Alexas,
thrust out by Antony.

Octav.'Tis not well,
Indeed, my Lord, 'tis much unkind to me,
To show this passion, this extreme concernment
For an abandon'd, faithless Prostitute.

Ant.