Eno. Most scurvily. Alex. [Looking out.] But who's that stranger? By his warlike port, He's of no vulgar note. Eno. Ha!-tis Ventidius, Our emperor's great lieutenant in the east ; Who first shew'd Rome that Parthia could be conquer'd. When Antony return'd from Syria last, He left this man to guard the Roman frontiers. Eno. Ay;-I honour him. A braver Roman never drew a sword. Firm to his prince; but as a friend, not slave. His coming bødes some good, I trust-Withdraw, [Exeunt ENOBARBUS and ALEXAS. Enter VENTIDIUS and an EGYPTIAN ATTENDANT. Ven. Nay, tell thy queen, Ventidius is arrived, to end her charms. Nor mix effeminate sounds with Roman trumpets. Off. The emperor approaches, and commands, [Exeunt OFFICER and EGYPTIAN ATTENDAnt. Ven. Well, I dare; But I'll observe him first unseen, and find Which way his humour drives: the rest I'll venture. [Withdraws. Enter ANTONY. Ant. Why was I raised the meteor of the world, Hung in the skies, and blazing as I travell'd, Till all my fires were spent, and then cast downward, To be trod out by Cæsar? Ven. On my soul, 'Tis mournful; wond'rous mournful! Ant. Count thy gains. Now, Antony, would'st thou be born for this? Ven. [Aside.] How sorrow shakes him! [ANTONY having thrown himself on the ground. Lie still and peaceful there. I'll think no more on't. Ven. I must disturb him; I can hold no longer. [Standing before him. Ant. [Starting up] Art thou Ventidius ? Ven. Are you Antony? I'm more like what I was, than you to him I left you last. Ant. I'm angry. Ven. So am I. Where have you learnt that answer? Who am I? Ant. All that's wretched. Ven. 'Twas too presuming To say I would not ;-but I dare not leave you: So soon, when I so far have come to see you. Ven. Look, emperor, this is no common dew; I have not wept this forty years, but now [Weeping. Ant. By Heaven he weeps! poor, good old man, he weeps! The big round drops course one another down The furrows of his cheeks. Stop 'em, Ventidius,; Or I shall blush to death: they set my shame, That caused 'em, full before me. Ven. I'll do my best. Ant. Sure there's contagion in the tears of friends: See, I have caught it too. Believe me, 'tis not For my own griefs, but thine. Nay, fatherVen. Emperor. Ant. Emperor! why, that's the stile of victory; The conqu❜ring soldier, red with unfelt wounds, Salutes his general so; but never more Shall that sound reach my ears. Vent. I warrant you. Ant. Actium, Actium! Oh. Ven. It sits too near you. Ant. Here, here it lies; a lump of lead by day, And, in my short, distracted, nightly slumbers, The hag,that rides my dreams. Ven. Out with it, give it vent. I lost a battle. Ven. So has Julius done. Ant. Thou favour'st me, and speak'st not half thou think'st; For Julius fought it out, and lost it bravely; Ven. Nay, stop not. Ant. Antony, well, thou wilt have it-like a coward fled, Fled while his soldiers fought; fled first, Ventidius: Ven. I did. Ant. I'll help thee. I have been a man, Ventidius, Ven. Yes, and a brave one; but Ant. I know thy meaning: But I have lost my reason, have disgraced Fortune came smiling to my youth, and woo'd it, And work'd against my fortune, chid her from me: At length have wearied her, and now she's gone, Gone, gone, divorced for ever.-'Pr'ythee, curse me. Ven. No. Ant. Why? Ven. I would bring balm, and pour it in your wounds. Ant. I know thou would'st. Ant. Ha, ha, ha, ha! Ven. You laugh. Ant. I do, to see officious love Give cordials to the dead. Ven. You would be lost, then? Ven. I say you are not. Try your fortune. Without just cause?-All's lost beyond repair; He'll thank you for the gift he could not take. Ant. I can kill myself. Ven. I can die with you too, when time shall serve; But fortune calls upon us, now, to live; To fight, to conquer. Ant. Sure thou dream'st, Ventidius. Ven. Up for your honour's sake! twelve legions wait you, And long to call you chief. By painful journeys They'll sell their mangled limbs at dearer rates Ant. Where left you them? Ven: I said, on the banks o' the Nile, Ant. Then, bring 'em hither; There may be life in these. Ven. They will not come; |