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?  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. You bid him do it with all gentleness, All kindness, and all—­love.

Ant. How she mourned, The poor forsaken creature!

Vent. She took it as she ought; she bore your parting As she did Caesar’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 seem 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 disobeyest me; [Angrily. Thy life shall answer it.

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 her cheek up close, and leaned on his;
At which, he whispered kisses back on hers;
And then she cried aloud,—­That constancy
Should be rewarded.

Octav. This I saw and heard.