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/97

Rh His grief betrays it. Good! The joy to find She's yet alive, compleats the reconcilement. I've sav'd my self, and her. But, Oh! the Romans! Fate comes too fast upon my Wit, Hunts me too hard, and meets me at each double.

Ven.Wou'd she had dy'd a little sooner tho, Before Octavia went; you might have treated: Now 'twill look tame, and wou'd not be receiv'd. Come, rouze your self, and lets die warm together.

Ant.I will not fight: there's no more work for War. The bus'ness of my angry hours is done.

Ven.Cæsar is at your Gates.

Ant.Why, let him enter; He's welcom now.

Ven.What Lethargy has crept into your Soul?

Ant.'Tis but a scorn of life, and just desire To free my self from bondage.

Ven.Do it bravely.

Ant.I will; but not by fighting. O, Ventidius! What shou'd I fight for now? My Queen is dead. I was but great for her; my Pow'r, my Empire, Were but my Merchandise to buy her love; And conquer'd Kings, my Factors. Now she's dead, Let Cæsar take the World, An Empty Circle, since the Jewel's gone Which made it worth my strife: my being's nauseous; For all the bribes of life are gone away.

Ven.Wou'd you be taken?

Ant.Yes, I wou'd be taken; But, as a Roman ought, dead, my Ventidius: For I'll convey my Soul from Cæsar's reach, And lay down life my self. 'Tis time the World Shou'd have a Lord, and know whom to obey. We two have kept its Homage in suspence, And bent the Globe on whose each side we trod, Tell it was dinted inwards: Let him walk Alone upon't; I'm weary of my part. My Torch is out; and the World stands before me Like a black Desart, at the approach of night: I'll