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 host; thy Pacorus, Orodes,
Pays this for Marcus Crassus.

Rom.
Noble Ventidius,
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
Put garlands on thy head.

Ven.
Oh Silius, Silius,
I've 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 he we serve's away.
Cæsar and Antony have ever won
More in their officer, than person. Sosius,
One of my place in Syria, his lieutenant,
For quick accumulation of renown,
Which he atchiev'd by th' minute, lost his favour.
Who does i'th' was more than his captain can,
Becomes his captain's captain: and ambition,
(The 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.

Rom.
Thou hast, Ventidius, that, without the which
A soldier and his sword grants scarce distinction:
Thou wilt write to Antony,

Ven.
I'll humbly signifie what in his name,
That magical word of war, we have effected;
How with his banners, and his well-paid ranks,
That ne'er-yet beaten horse of Parthia
We've jaded out o'th' field.

Rom.
Where is he now?

Ven.
He purposeth to Athens; with what haste
The weight we must convey with's will permit,
We shall appear before him. Pass along. [Exeunt.

Next section