Let me but see his Face.
Ven.That task is mine,
And, Heav'n thou know'st how pleasing. Exit Vent.
Dolla.You'll remember
To whom you stand oblig'd?
Ant.When I forget it,
Be thou unkind, and that's my greatest curse.
My Queen shall thank him too.
Dolla.I fear she will not.
Ant.But she shall do't: the Queen, my Dollabella!
Hast thou not still some grudgings of thy Fever?
Dolla.I would not see her lost.
Ant.When I forsake her,
Leave me, my better Stars; for she has truth
Beyond her beauty. Cæsar tempted her,
At no less price than Kingdoms, to betray me;
But she resisted all: and yet thou chid'st me
For loving her too well. Could I do so?
Dolla.Yes there's my reason.
Re-enter Ventidius, with Octavia, leading Antony's
two little Daughters.
Ant.Where? ——— Octavia there! (Starting back.)
Ven.What, is she poyson to you? a Disease?
Look on her, view her well; and those she brings:
Are they all strangers to your eyes? has Nature
No secret call, no whisper they are yours?
Dolla.For shame, my Lord, if not for Love, receive 'em
With kinder eyes. If you confess a man,
Meet 'em, embrace 'em, bid 'em welcome to you.
Your arms should open, ev'n without your knowledge,
To clasp 'em in; your feet should turn to wings,
To bear you to 'em; and your eyes dart out,
And aim a kiss ere you could reach the lips.
Ant.I stood amaz'd to think how they came hither.
Vent.I sent for 'em; I brought 'em in, unknown
To Cleopatra's Guards.
Dolla.Yet are you cold?
Octav.Thus long I have attended for my welcome;
Which, as a stranger, sure I might expect.
