_Vent._ For showing you yourself, Which none else durst have done? but had I been That name, which I disdain to speak again, I needed not have sought your abject fortunes, Come to partake your fate, to die with you. What hindered me to have led my conquering eagles To fill Octavius' bands? I could have been A traitor then, a glorious, happy traitor, And not have been so called. _Ant._ Forgive me, soldier; I've been too passionate. _Vent._ You thought me false; Thought my old age betrayed you: Kill me, sir, Pray, kill me; yet you need not, your unkindness Has left your sword no work. _Ant._ I did not think so; I said it in my rage: Pr'ythee, forgive me: Why didst thou tempt my anger, by discovery Of what I would not hear? _Vent._ No prince but you Could merit that sincerity I used, Nor durst another man have ventured it; But you, ere love misled your wandering eyes, Were sure the chief and best of human race, Framed in the very pride and boast of nature; So perfect, that the gods, who formed you, wondered At their own skill, and cried,--A lucky hit Has mended our design. Their envy hindered, Else you had been immortal, and a pattern, When heaven would work for ostentation sake, To copy out again. _Ant._ But Cleopatra-- Go on; for I can bear it now. _Vent._ No more. _Ant._ Thou dar'st not trust my passion, but thou may'st; Thou only lov'st, the rest have flattered me. _Vent._ Heaven's blessing on your heart for that kind word! May I believe you love me? Speak again. _Ant._ Indeed I do. Speak this, and this, and this. [_Hugging him._ Thy praises were unjust; but, I'll deserve them, And yet mend all. Do with me what thou wilt; Lead me to victory! thou know'st the way. _Vent._ And, will you leave this-- _Ant._ Pr'ythee, do not curse her, And I will leave her; though, heaven knows, I love Beyond life, conquest, empire; all, but honour: But I will leave her. _Vent._ That's my royal master; And, shall we fight? _Ant._ I warrant thee, old soldier. Thou shalt behold me once again in iron; And at the head of our old troops, that beat The Parthians, cry aloud--Come, follow me! _Vent._ O now I hear my emperor! in that word Octavius fell. Gods, let me see that day, And, if I have ten years behind, take all: I'll thank you for the exchange. _Ant._ Oh, Cleopatra! _Vent._ Again? _Ant._ I've done: In that last sigh, she went. Caesar shall know what 'tis to force a lover From all he holds most dear. _Vent._ Methinks, you breathe Another soul: Your looks are more divine; You speak a hero, and you move a god. _Ant._ O, thou hast fired me; my soul's up in arms, And mans each part about me: Once again, That noble eagerness of fight has seized me; That eagerness, with which I darted upward To Cassius' camp: In vain the steepy hill Opposed my way; in vain a war of spears Sung round my head, and planted all my shield; I won the trenches, while my foremost men Lagged on the plain below. _Vent._ Ye gods, ye gods, For such another honour!