Antonio e Cleopatra: Atto 4, scena 7

Agrippa

Retire! We have engaged ourselves too far.Caesar himself has work, and our oppressionExceeds what we expected.

Retreat! We have pushed too far into battle. Caesar himself is hard pressed, and the pressure on us is greater than we expected.

Scarus

O my brave emperor, this is fought indeed!Had we done so at first, we had droven them homeWith clouts about their heads.

Oh, my brave emperor, now this is real fighting! If we had fought like this at first, we would have driven them home with bandages around their heads.

Antony

Thou bleed’st apace.

You’re bleeding heavily.

Scarus

I had a wound here that was like a T,But now ’tis made an H.

I had a wound here shaped like a T, but now they’ve made it an H.

Antony

They do retire.

They are retreating.

Scarus

We’ll beat ’em into bench-holes. I have yetRoom for six scotches more.

We’ll beat them into the holes in their toilet seats. I still have room for six more cuts.

Eros

They are beaten, sir, and our advantage servesFor a fair victory.

They are beaten, sir, and our advantage gives us the chance for a fine victory.

Scarus

Let us score their backsAnd snatch ’em up as we take hares, behind.’Tis sport to maul a runner.

Let’s slash their backs and grab them from behind, as we catch hares. It’s fun to batter a man who’s running away.

Antony

I will reward theeOnce for thy sprightly comfort, and tenfoldFor thy good valour. Come thee on.

I will reward you for your cheerful encouragement, and ten times more for your courage. Come along.

Scarus

I’ll halt after.

I’ll limp after you.