All for Love; or, the World Well Lost, is a 1677 heroic drama by John Dryden which is now his best-known and most performed play.

It is an acknowledged imitation of Shakespeare’s Antony and Cleopatra, and focuses on the last hours of the lives of its hero and heroine.

[1] Although it ostensibly deals with the same topic as Shakespeare's Antony and Cleopatra, Dryden confines the action to Alexandria and focuses on the end of their doomed relationship.

It first appeared in 1677, was revived in 1704 and performed 123 times between 1700 and 1800, becoming the preferred version of the story; Shakespeare's play did not reappear on the London stage until 1813.

[2] The original 1677 production by the King's Company starred Charles Hart as Marc Antony and Elizabeth Boutell as Cleopatra, with Michael Mohun as Ventidius and Katherine Corey as Octavia.

[3] The play was revived at Lincoln's Inn Fields in February 1704, with Betterton as Antony, Mrs. Barry as Cleopatra, Wilks as Dolabella, and Mrs. Bracegirdle as Octavia; at Drury Lane in December 1718, with Booth as Antony, Mrs. Oldfield as Cleopatra, and Mrs. Porter as Octavia.

Serapion describes foreboding omens (of storms, whirlwinds, and the flooding of the Nile) of Egypt's impending doom.

Cleopatra thus sends Alexas to try to win back Antony using gifts (jewels including a bracelet).

However, Cleopatra wins this argument by demonstrating a letter showing that she refused Egypt and Syria from Octavius.

Ventidius and Octavia see Dolabella taking Cleopatra's hand, but when the time comes to make a move romantically, both of them fall apart from the guilt of their betrayal.

Alexas, in order to save his own life, concocts a lie, telling Antony that Cleopatra is dead.

Serapion delivers their eulogy as the remaining characters await the appearance of the victorious Caesar Augustus.