Internet Shakespeare Editions

About this text

  • Title: Anthony and Cleopatra (Modern)
  • Editor: Randall Martin
  • ISBN: 978-1-55058-433-2

    Copyright Randall Martin. This text may be freely used for educational, non-profit purposes; for all other uses contact the Editor.
    Author: William Shakespeare
    Editor: Randall Martin
    Not Peer Reviewed

    Anthony and Cleopatra (Modern)

    [3.1]
    Enter Ventidius as it were in triumph [with Silius, and other Roman Soldiers], the dead body of Paco1495rus borne before him.
    Ventidius
    Now, darting Parthia, art thou struck, and now
    Pleased Fortune does of Marcus Crassus's death
    Make me revenger. Bear the king's son's body
    Before our army. Thy Pacorus, Orodes,
    1500Pays this for Marcus Crassus.
    Silius
    Noble Ventidius,
    Whilst yet with Parthian blood thy sword is warm,
    The fugitive Parthians follow. Spur through Media,
    Mesopotamia, and the shelters whither
    1505The routed fly. So thy grand captain Antony
    Shall set thee on triumphant chariots and
    Put garlands on thy head.
    Ventidius
    Oh Silius, Silius,
    I have done enough. A lower place, note well,
    1510May make too great an act. For learn this, Silius:
    Better to leave undone than by our deed
    Acquire too high a fame, when him we serve's away.
    Caesar and Antony have ever won
    More in their officer than person. Sossius--
    1515One of my place in Syria, his lieutenant--
    For quick accumulation of renown
    Which he achieved by th'minute, lost his favor.
    Who does i'th'wars more than his captain can
    Becomes his captain's captain; and ambition,
    1520The soldier's virtue, rather makes choice of loss
    Than gain which darkens him.
    I could do more to do Antonius good,
    But 'twould offend him, and in his offence
    Should my performance perish.
    1525Silius
    Thou hast, Ventidius,
    That without the which a soldier and his sword
    Grants scarce distinction. Thou wilt write to Antony?
    Ventidius
    I'll humbly signify what in his name,
    That magical word of war, we have effected:
    1530How with his banners and his well-paid ranks
    The ne'er-yet beaten horse of Parthia
    We have jaded out o'th'field.
    Silius
    Where is he now?
    Ventidius
    He purposeth to Athens, whither, with what haste
    1535The weight we must convey with's will permit,
    We shall appear before him.--On there, pass along!
    Exeunt.