QUOTES FROM THE BARD

PLAY: Antony and Cleopatra
ACT/SCENE: 3.1
SPEAKER: Ventidius
CONTEXT:
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.
Caesar 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 achieved 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 ’twould offend him, and in his offence
Should my performance perish.

DUTCH:
Wie meer
In de’ oorlog uitricht, dan zijn veldheer kan,
Wordt veldheer van zijn veldheer; en de deugd
Des krijgsmans, eerzucht, kiest veeleer verlies,
Dan winst, die hèm verduistert.

MORE:
Lower place=Subordinate status
Place=Rank
By the minute=Minute by minute
Darkens=Causes to fall out of favour
Perish=Come to nothing, be destroyed
Compleat:
Place=Plaats
Darken=Verduysteren, verdonkeren, donker maaken
To perish=Vergaan, sneuvelen, verlooren gaan

Topics: work, ambition, authority