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?
What secret meaning have you in those words
Of—My farewell? He did it by my order.

Vent. Then he obeyed your order. I suppose

[Aloud.

Ant. How she mourned,
The poor forsaken creature!

Vent. She took it as she ought; she bore your parting
As she did Cæsar’s, as she would another’s,
Were a new love to come.

Ant. Thou dost belie her;

[Aloud.
Most basely, and maliciously belie her.

Vent. I thought not to displease you; I have done.

Octav. You seemed disturbed, my lord.

[Coming up

Ant. A very trifle.
Retire, my love.

Vent. It was indeed a trifle.
He sent—

Ant. No more. Look how thou disobey’st me;

[Angrily.

Octav. Then ’tis no trifle.

Vent. [to Octav.]. ’Tis less; a very nothing: You too saw it,
As well as I, and therefore ’tis no secret.

Ant. She saw it!

Vent. Yes: She saw young Dolabella—

Ant. Young Dolabella!

Vent. Young, I think him young,
And handsome too; and so do others think him.
But what of that? He went by your command,
Indeed ’tis probable, with some kind message;
For she received it graciously; she smiled;
And then he grew familiar with her hand,
Squeezed it, and worried it with ravenous kisses;
She blushed, and sighed, and smiled, and blushed again;
At last she took occasion to talk softly,
And brought