She won, and Cupid blind did rise,
O, Love! has she done this to thee?
What shall, alas! become of me?’
The conclusion of this drama is as follows. Alexander addressing himself to Apelles, says,
‘Well, enjoy one another: I give her thee frankly, Apelles. Thou shalt see that Alexander maketh but a toy of love, and leadeth affection in fetters: using fancy as a fool to make him sport, or a minstrel to make him merry. It is not the amorous glance of an eye can settle an idle thought in the heart: no, no, it is children’s game, a life for sempsters and scholars; the one, pricking in clouts, have nothing else to think on; the other, picking fancies out of books, have little else to marvel at. Go, Apelles, take with you your Campaspe; Alexander is cloyed with looking on that, which thou wonderest at.
Apelles. Thanks to your Majesty on bended knee; you have honoured Apelles.
Campaspe. Thanks with bowed heart; you have blest Campaspe. [Exeunt.
Alexander. Page, go warn Clytus and Parmenio, and the other lords, to be in readiness; let the trumpet sound, strike up the drum, and I will presently into Persia. How now, Hephestion, is Alexander able to resist love as he list?
Hephestion. The conquering of Thebes was not so honourable as the subduing of these thoughts.
Alexander. It were a shame Alexander should desire to command the world, if he could not command himself. But come, let us go. And, good Hephestion, when all the world is won, and every country is thine and mine, either find me out another to subdue, or on my word, I will fall in love.’