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/52

26 Was it like you to give it?

Ant.O you wrong me, To think I sought this parting, or desir'd To accuse you more than what will clear my self, And justifie this breach.

Cleo.Thus low I thank you. And, since my innocence will not offend, I shall not blush to own it.

Ven.After this I think she'll blush at nothing.

Cleo.You seem griev'd, (And therein you are kind) that Cæsar first Enjoy'd my love, though you deserv'd it better: I grieve for that, my Lord, much more than you; For, had I first been yours, it would have sav'd My second choice: I never had been his, And ne'r had been but yours. But Cæsar first, You say, possess'd my love. Not so, my Lord; He first possess'd my Person; you my Love: Cæsar lov'd me; but I lov'd Antony. If I endur'd him after, 'twas because I judg'd it due to the first name of Men; And, half constrain'd, I gave, as to a Tyrant, What he would take by force.

Ven.O Syren! Syren! Yet grant that all the love she boasts were true, Has she not ruin'd you? I still urge that, The fatal consequence.

Cleo.The consequence indeed, For I dare challenge him, my greatest Foe, To say it was design'd: 'tis true, I lov'd you, And kept you far from an uneasie Wife, (Such Fulvia was.) Yes, but he'll say, you left Octavia for me; And, Can you blame me to receive that love, Which quitted such desert, for worthless me? How often have I wish'd some other Cæsar, Great