Page 2467 - Shakespeare - Vol. 3

ACT III IT

Scene I IT

(A plain in Syria.)

Enter Ventidius as it were in triumph (with Silius, and other Romans,
Officers, and Soldiers), the dead body of Pacorus borne before him.

VENTIDIUS
Now, darting Parthia, art thou struck, and now
Pleas’d fortune does of Marcus Crassus’ death

Make me revenger. Bear the king’s son’s body
Before our army. Thy Pacorus, Orodes,
Pays this for Marcus Crassus.

SILIUS
Noble Ventidius, [5]

Whilst yet with Parthian blood thy sword is warm,
The fugitive Parthians follow. Spur through Media,
Mesopotamia, and the shelters whither
The routed fly. So thy grand captain Antony
Shall set thee on triumphant chariots, and [10]

Put garlands on thy head.

VENTIDIUS
O Silius, Silius,
I have done enough. A lower place, note well,
May 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. [15]
Cæsar and Antony have ever won
More in their officer than person: Sossius,