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/96

70 To be more welcome after.

Ant.'Tis too plain; Else wou'd she have appear'd, to clear her self.

Alex.Too fatally she has; she could not bear To be accus'd by you; but shut her self Within her Monument: look'd down, and sigh'd; While, from her unchang'd face, the silent tears Dropt, as they had not leave, but stole their parting. Some undistinguish'd words she inly murmur'd; At last, she rais'd her eyes; and, with such looks As dying Lucrece cast,

Ant.My heart forbodes.

Ven.All for the best: go on.

Alex.She snatch'd her Ponyard, And, ere we cou'd prevent the fatal blow, Plung'd it within her breast: then turn'd to me, Go, bear my Lord (said she) my last Farewel; And ask him if he yet suspect my Faith. More she was saying, but death rush'd betwixt. She half pronounc'd your Name with her last breath, And bury'd half within her.

Ven.Heav'n be prais'd.

Ant.Then art thou innocent, my poor dear Love? And art thou dead? O those two words! their sound shou'd be divided: Hadst thou been false, and dy'd; or hadst thou liv'd, And hadst been true. But Innocence and Death! This shows not well above. Then what am I, The Murderer of this Truth, this Innocence! Thoughts cannot form themselves in words so horrid As can express my guilt!

Ven.Is't come to this? The Gods have been too gracious: And thus you thank 'em for't.

''Ant. to Alex.''Why stay'st thou here? Is it for thee to spy upon my Soul, And see its inward mourning? Get thee hence; Thou art not worthy to behold, what now Becomes a Roman Emperor to perform.

''Alex. aside.''He loves her still: His