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/70

44 Who made him cheap at Rome, but Cleopatra? Who made him scorn'd abroad, but Cleopatra? At Actium, who betray'd him? Cleopatra. Who made his Children Orphans? and poor me A wretched Widow? only Cleopatra?

Cleop.Yet she who loves him best is Cleopatra. If you have suffer'd, I have suffer'd more. You bear the specious Title of a Wife, To gild your Cause, and draw the pitying World To favour it: the World contemns poor me; For I have lost my Honour, lost my Fame, And stain'd the Glory of my Royal House, And all to bear the branded Name of Mistress. There wants but Life, and that too I would lose For him I love.

Octav.Be't so then; take thy wish.

Cleop.And 'tis my wish, Now he is lost for whom alone I liv'd. My sight grows dim, and every object dances, And swims before me, in the maze of death. My spirits, while they were oppos'd, kept up; They could not sink beneath a Rivals scorn: But now she's gone they faint.

Alex.Mine have had leisure To recollect their strength, and furnish counsel, To ruine her; who else must ruine you.

Cleop.Vain Promiser! Lead me, my Charmion; nay, your hand too, Iras: My grief has weight enough to sink you both. Conduct me to some solitary Chamber, And draw the Curtains round; Then leave me to my self, to take alone My fill of grief: There I till death will his unkindness weep: As harmless Infants moan themselves asleep. ACT.