The first scene of the third act of Shakspeare's play of "Antony and
Cleopatra," at first sight, appears to be totally unconnected with what
goes before and what follows. It may be observed that the dramas founded on
the Roman history are much more regular in their construction than those
founded on the English history. Indeed, with respect to the drama in
question, I am not aware of any scene, with the exception of that I have
mentioned, which does not bear more or less on the fortunes of the
personages from whom the play derives its name. Hence I am led to
conjecture that the dramatist here alludes to some event of the day, which
was well known to his audience. The speech of Ventidius seems to point to
something of the kind:
"O Silius, Silius!
I have done enough: a lower place, note well,
May make too great an act: for learn this, Silius;
Better leave undone, than by our deed acquire
Too high a fame, when him we serve's away," &c.
Some of your numerous readers will doubtless {140} be able to inform me
whether there is any instance in the annals of that age of an inferior
officer outshining his superior, and being cashiered or neglected in
consequence.
Malone assigns to the play the date of 1608.