Would you indeed? the pretty hand in earnest?

_Dola._ I will, for this reward. [_Takes her hand._
Draw it not back,
'Tis all I e'er will beg.

_Vent._ They turn upon us.

_Octav._ What quick eyes has guilt!

_Vent._ Seem not to have observed them, and go on.

_They enter._

_Dola._ Saw you the emperor, Ventidius?

_Vent._ No.
I sought him; but I heard that he was private,
None with him but Hipparchus, his freedman.

_Dola._ Know you his business?

_Vent._ Giving him instructions,
And letters to his brother Caesar.

_Dola._ Well,
He must be found. [_Exeunt_ DOLA. _and_ CLEO.

_Octav._ Most glorious impudence!

_Vent._ She looked, methought,
As she would say,--take your old man, Octavia;
Thank you, I'm better here.--
Well, but what use
Make we of this discovery?

_Octav._ Let it die.

_Vent._ I pity Dolabella; but she's dangerous:
Her eyes have power beyond Thessalian charms,
To draw the moon from heaven; for eloquence,
The sea-green Syrens taught her voice their flattery;
And, while she speaks, night steals upon the day,
Unmarked of those that hear: Then she's so charming
Age buds at sight of her, and swells to youth:
The holy priests gaze on her when she smiles;
And with heaved hands, forgetting gravity,
They bless her wanton eyes: even I, who hate her,
With a malignant joy behold such beauty;
And, while I curse, desire it. Antony
Must needs have some remains of passion still,
Which may ferment into a worse relapse,
If now not fully cured. I know, this minute,
With Caesar he's endeavouring her peace.

_Octav._ You have prevailed:--But for a farther purpose [_Walks off._
I'll prove how he will relish this discovery.
What, make a strumpet's peace! it swells my heart:
It must not, shall not be.

_Vent._ His guards appear.
Let me begin, and you shall second me.

_Enter_ ANTONY.

_Ant._ Octavia, I was looking you, my love:
What, are your letters ready? I have given
My last instructions.

_Octav._ Mine, my lord, are written.

_Ant._ Ventidius. [_Drawing him aside._

_Vent._ My lord?

_Ant._ A word in private.--
When saw you Dolabella?

_Vent._ Now, my lord,
He parted hence; and Cleopatra with him.

_Ant._ Speak softly.--'Twas by my command he went,
To bear my last farewell.

_Vent._ It looked indeed [_Aloud._
Like your farewell.

_Ant._ More softly.--My farewell