Ay? The Dove?
CÆSAR
What dove, though lovelier than the swan that lured
Leda to love of God on earth, might match
Lucrezia?
ALEXANDER
None. Thou art subtle of soul and strong.
I would thou hadst spared him—couldst have spared him.
CÆSAR
Sire,
I would so too. Our sire, his sire and mine,
I slew not him for lust of slaying, or hate,
Or aught less like thy wiser spirit and mine.
ALEXANDER
Not for the dove’s sake?
CÆSAR