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/65

She cries, I'll tell my Brother.

Octav.My hard Fortune
Subjects me still to your unkind mistakes.
But the Conditions I have brought are such
You need not blush to take: I love your Honour,
Because 'tis mine; it never shall be said
Octavia's Husband was her Brothers Slave.
Sir, you are free; free, ev'n from her you loath;
For, tho' my Brother bargains for your Love,
Makes me the price and cement of your peace,
I have a Soul like yours; I cannot take
Your Love as alms, nor beg what I deserve.
I'll tell my Brother we are reconcil'd;
He shall draw back his Troops, and you shall march
To rule the East: I may be dropt at Athens;
No matter where, I never will complain,
But only keep the barren Name of Wife,
And rid you of the trouble.

Ven.Was ever such a strife of sullen Honour?
Both scorn to be oblig'd.

Dolla.O, she has toucht him in the tender'st part;
See how he reddens with despight and shame
To be out-done in Generosity!

Ven.See how he winks! how he dries up a tear,
That fain would fall!

Ant.Octavia, I have heard you, and must praise
The greatness of your Soul;
But cannot yield to what you have propos'd:
For I can ne'er be conquer'd but by love;
And you do all for duty. You would free me,
And would be dropt at Athens; was't not so?

Octav.It was, my Lord.

Ant.Then I must be oblig'd
To one who loves me not, who, to her self,
May call me thankless and ungrateful Man:
I'll not endure it, no.

Ven.I'm glad it pinches there.

Octav.Would you triumph o'er poor Octavia's Virtue?

That