Internet Shakespeare Editions

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Not Peer Reviewed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.