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/81

Ven.I'll bring you then a Witness
From Hell to prove her so. Nay, go not back; [Seeing Alexas
just entring, and starting back.

For stay you must and shall.

Alex.What means my Lord?

Ven.To make you do what most you hate; speak truth.
You are of Cleopatra's private Counsel,
Of her Bed-Counsel, her lascivious hours;
Are conscious of each nightly change she makes,
And watch her, as Chaldeans do the Moon,
Can tell what Signs she passes through, what day.

Alex.My Noble Lord.

Ven.My most Illustrious Pandar,
No fine set Speech, no Cadence, to turn'd Periods,
But a plain home-spun Truth, is what I ask:
I did, my self, o'erhear your Queen make love
To Dollabella. Speak; for I will know,
By your confession, what more past betwixt 'em;
How near the bus'ness draws to your employment;
And when the happy hour.

Ant.Speak truth, Alexas, whether it offend
Or please Ventidius, care not: justifie
Thy injur'd Queen from malice: dare his worst.

Oct. aside.See how he gives him courage! how he fears
To find her false! and shuts his eyes to truth,
Willing to be misled!

Alex.As far as love may plead for Woman's frailty,
Urg'd by desert and greatness of the Lover;
So far (Divine Octavia!) may my Queen
Stand ev'n excus'd to you, for loving him,
Who is your Lord: so far, from brave Ventidius,
May her past actions hope a fair report.

Ant.'Tis well, and truly spoken: mark, Ventidius.

Alex.To you, most Noble Emperor, her strong passion
Stands not excus'd, but wholly justifi'd.
Her Beauty's charms alone, without her Crown,
From Ind and Meroe drew the distant Vows
Of sighing Kings; and at her feet were laid
The Scepters of the Earth, expos'd on heaps,

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