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,

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.

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.

Cæsar and Antony have ever won

More in their officer than person: Sossius,
One of my place in Syria, his lieutenant,
For quick accumulation of renown,

Which he achiev'd by th' minute, lost his favour.
Who does i' th' wars 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 't would offend him; and in his offence

Should my performance perish.

SILIUS

Thou hast, Ventidius, that

Without the which a soldier, and his sword,

Grants scarce distinction. Thou wilt write to Antony?