All For Love [29]
was feigned, To call back fleeting love by jealousy; But 'twould not last. Oh, rather let me lose, Than so ignobly trifle with his heart.
DOLABELLA. I find your breast fenced round from human reach, Transparent as a rock of solid crystal; Seen through, but never pierced. My friend, my friend, What endless treasure hast thou thrown away; And scattered, like an infant, in the ocean, Vain sums of wealth, which none can gather thence!
CLEOPATRA. Could you not beg An hour's 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 famished eyes Before we part; for I have far to go, If death be far, and never must return.
VENTIDIUS with OCTAVIA, behind
VENTIDIUS. From hence you may discover--oh, sweet, sweet! Would you indeed? The pretty hand in earnest?
DOLABELLA. I will, for this reward. [Takes her hand.] Draw it not back. 'Tis all I e'er will beg.
VENTIDIUS. They turn upon us.
OCTAVIA. What quick eyes has guilt!
VENTIDIUS. Seem not to have observed them, and go on. [They enter.]
DOLABELLA. Saw you the emperor, Ventidius?
VENTIDIUS. No. I sought him; but I heard that he was private, None with him but Hipparchus, his freedman.
DOLABELLA. Know you his business?
VENTIDIUS. Giving him instructions, And letters to his brother Caesar.
DOLABELLA. Well, He must be found. [Exeunt DOLABELLA and CLEOPATRA.]
OCTAVIA. Most glorious impudence!
VENTIDIUS. She looked, methought, As she would say--Take your old man, Octavia; Thank you, I'm better here.-- Well, but what use Make we of this discovery?
OCTAVIA. Let it die.
VENTIDIUS. I pity Dolabella; but she's dangerous: Her eyes have power beyond Thessalian charms, To draw the moon from heaven; for eloquence, The sea-green Syrens taught her voice their flattery; And, while she speaks, night steals upon the day, Unmarked of those that hear. Then she's so charming, Age buds at sight of her, and swells to youth: The holy priests gaze on her when she smiles; And with heaved hands, forgetting gravity, They bless her wanton eyes: Even I, who hate her, With a malignant joy behold such beauty; And, while I curse, desire it. Antony Must needs have some remains of passion still, Which may ferment into a worse relapse, If now not fully cured. I know, this minute, With Caesar he's endeavouring her peace.
OCTAVIA. You have prevailed:--But for a further purpose [Walks off.] I'll prove how he will relish this discovery. What, make a strumpet's peace! it swells my heart: It must not, shall not be.
VENTIDIUS. His guards appear. Let me begin, and you shall second me.
Enter ANTONY
ANTONY. Octavia, I was looking you, my love: What, are your letters ready? I have given My last instructions.
OCTAVIA. Mine, my lord, are written.
ANTONY. Ventidius. [Drawing him aside.]
VENTIDIUS. My lord?
ANTONY. A word in private.-- When saw you Dolabella?
VENTIDIUS. Now, my lord, He parted hence; and Cleopatra with him.
ANTONY. Speak softly.--'Twas by my command he went, To bear my last farewell.
VENTIDIUS. It looked indeed [Aloud.] Like your farewell.
ANTONY. More softly.--My farewell? What secret meaning have you in those words Of--My farewell? He did it by my order.
VENTIDIUS. Then he obeyed your order. I suppose [Aloud.] You bid him do it with all gentleness, All kindness, and all--love.
ANTONY. How she mourned, The poor forsaken creature!
VENTIDIUS. She took it as she ought; she bore your parting As she did Caesar's, as she would another's, Were a new love to come.
ANTONY. Thou dost belie her; [Aloud.] Most basely, and maliciously belie her.
VENTIDIUS. I thought not to displease you; I have done.
OCTAVIA. You seemed disturbed, my Lord. [Coming up.]
ANTONY. A very trifle. Retire, my love.
VENTIDIUS. It was indeed a trifle. He sent--
ANTONY. No more. Look how thou disobey'st
DOLABELLA. I find your breast fenced round from human reach, Transparent as a rock of solid crystal; Seen through, but never pierced. My friend, my friend, What endless treasure hast thou thrown away; And scattered, like an infant, in the ocean, Vain sums of wealth, which none can gather thence!
CLEOPATRA. Could you not beg An hour's 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 famished eyes Before we part; for I have far to go, If death be far, and never must return.
VENTIDIUS with OCTAVIA, behind
VENTIDIUS. From hence you may discover--oh, sweet, sweet! Would you indeed? The pretty hand in earnest?
DOLABELLA. I will, for this reward. [Takes her hand.] Draw it not back. 'Tis all I e'er will beg.
VENTIDIUS. They turn upon us.
OCTAVIA. What quick eyes has guilt!
VENTIDIUS. Seem not to have observed them, and go on. [They enter.]
DOLABELLA. Saw you the emperor, Ventidius?
VENTIDIUS. No. I sought him; but I heard that he was private, None with him but Hipparchus, his freedman.
DOLABELLA. Know you his business?
VENTIDIUS. Giving him instructions, And letters to his brother Caesar.
DOLABELLA. Well, He must be found. [Exeunt DOLABELLA and CLEOPATRA.]
OCTAVIA. Most glorious impudence!
VENTIDIUS. She looked, methought, As she would say--Take your old man, Octavia; Thank you, I'm better here.-- Well, but what use Make we of this discovery?
OCTAVIA. Let it die.
VENTIDIUS. I pity Dolabella; but she's dangerous: Her eyes have power beyond Thessalian charms, To draw the moon from heaven; for eloquence, The sea-green Syrens taught her voice their flattery; And, while she speaks, night steals upon the day, Unmarked of those that hear. Then she's so charming, Age buds at sight of her, and swells to youth: The holy priests gaze on her when she smiles; And with heaved hands, forgetting gravity, They bless her wanton eyes: Even I, who hate her, With a malignant joy behold such beauty; And, while I curse, desire it. Antony Must needs have some remains of passion still, Which may ferment into a worse relapse, If now not fully cured. I know, this minute, With Caesar he's endeavouring her peace.
OCTAVIA. You have prevailed:--But for a further purpose [Walks off.] I'll prove how he will relish this discovery. What, make a strumpet's peace! it swells my heart: It must not, shall not be.
VENTIDIUS. His guards appear. Let me begin, and you shall second me.
Enter ANTONY
ANTONY. Octavia, I was looking you, my love: What, are your letters ready? I have given My last instructions.
OCTAVIA. Mine, my lord, are written.
ANTONY. Ventidius. [Drawing him aside.]
VENTIDIUS. My lord?
ANTONY. A word in private.-- When saw you Dolabella?
VENTIDIUS. Now, my lord, He parted hence; and Cleopatra with him.
ANTONY. Speak softly.--'Twas by my command he went, To bear my last farewell.
VENTIDIUS. It looked indeed [Aloud.] Like your farewell.
ANTONY. More softly.--My farewell? What secret meaning have you in those words Of--My farewell? He did it by my order.
VENTIDIUS. Then he obeyed your order. I suppose [Aloud.] You bid him do it with all gentleness, All kindness, and all--love.
ANTONY. How she mourned, The poor forsaken creature!
VENTIDIUS. She took it as she ought; she bore your parting As she did Caesar's, as she would another's, Were a new love to come.
ANTONY. Thou dost belie her; [Aloud.] Most basely, and maliciously belie her.
VENTIDIUS. I thought not to displease you; I have done.
OCTAVIA. You seemed disturbed, my Lord. [Coming up.]
ANTONY. A very trifle. Retire, my love.
VENTIDIUS. It was indeed a trifle. He sent--
ANTONY. No more. Look how thou disobey'st