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/69

Octav.A Roman:
A name that makes, and can unmake a Queen.

Cleop.Your Lord, the Man who serves me, is a Roman.

Octav.He was a Roman, till he lost that name
To be a Slave in Egypt; but I come
To free him thence.

Cleop.Peace, peace, my Lover's Juno.
When he grew weary of that Houshold-Clog,
He chose my easier bonds.

Octav.I wonder not
Your bonds are easie; you have long been practis'd
In that lascivious Art: he's not the first
For whom you spread your snares: let Cæsar witness.

Cleop.I lov'd not Cæsar; 'twas but gratitude
I paid his Love: the worst your malice can,
Is but to say the greatest of Mankind
Has been my Slave. The next, but far above him,
In my esteem, is he whom Law calls yours,
But whom his Love made mine.

Oct. coming up close to her.I would view nearer
That face, which has so long usurp'd my right,
To find th' inevitable charms, that catch
Mankind so sure, that ruin'd my dear Lord.

Cleop.O, you do well to search; for had you known
But half these charms, you had not lost his heart.

Octav.Far be their knowledge from a Roman Lady,
Far from a modest Wife. Shame of our Sex,
Dost thou not Blush, to own those black endearments
That make sin pleasing?

Cleop.You may blush, who want 'em.
If bounteous Nature, if indulgent Heav'n
Have giv'n me charms to please the bravest Man;
Should I not thank 'em? should I be asham'd,
And not be proud? I am, that he has lov'd me;
And, when I love not him, Heav'n change this Face
For one like that.

Octav.Thou lov'st him not so well.

Cleop.I love him better, and deserve him more.

Octav.You do not; cannot: you have been his ruine.

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