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/38

To double my despair? They'r mutinous.

Ven.Most firm and loyal.

Ant.Yet they will not march
To succor me. Oh trifler!

Ven.They petition
You would make hast to head 'em.

Ant.I'm besieg'd.

Ven.There's but one way shut up: How came I hither?

Ant.I will not stir.

Ven.They would perhaps desire
A better reason.

Ant.I have never us'd
My Soldiers to demand a reason of
My actions. Why did they refuse to March?

Ven.They said, they would not fight for Cleopatra.

Ant.What was't they said?

Ven.They said they would not fight for Cleopatra.
Why should they fight indeed, to make her Conquer,
And make you more a Slave? to gain you Kingdoms,
Which, for a kiss, at your next midnight Feast,
You'l sell to her? then she new names her Jewels,
And calls this Diamond such or such a Tax,
Each Pendant in her ear shall be a Province.

Ant.Ventidius, I allow your Tongue free licence
On all my other faults; but, on your life,
No word of Cleopatra: She deserves
More World's than I can lose.

Ven.Behold, you Pow'rs,
To whom you have intrusted Humankind;
See Europe, Africk, Asia put in balance,
And all weigh'd down by one light worthless Woman!
I think the Gods are Antony's, and give
Like Prodigals, this neather World away,
To none but wastful hands.

Ant.You grow presumptuous.

Ven.I take the priviledge of plain love to speak.

Ant.Plain love! plain arrogance, plain insolence:
Thy Men are Cowards; thou an envious Traitor;
Who, under seeming honesty, hast vented

The