Antonius en Cleopatra: Bedrijf 4, scène 1

Caesar

He calls me boy, and chides as he had powerTo beat me out of Egypt. My messengerHe hath whipped with rods; dares me to personal combat,Caesar to Antony. Let the old ruffian knowI have many other ways to die; meantimeLaugh at his challenge.

He calls me a boy and scolds me as if he had the power to drive me out of Egypt. He has had my messenger whipped with rods and challenges me to single combat, Caesar against Antony. Let the old thug know I have many other ways to die. Meanwhile, laugh at his challenge.

Maecenas

Caesar must think,When one so great begins to rage, he’s huntedEven to falling. Give him no breath, but nowMake boot of his distraction. Never angerMade good guard for itself.

Caesar must realize that when someone so great begins to rage, he has been driven to the edge of defeat. Give him no time to breathe. Take advantage of his confusion now. Anger has never defended itself well.

Caesar

Let our best headsKnow that tomorrow the last of many battlesWe mean to fight. Within our files there are,Of those that served Mark Antony but late,Enough to fetch him in. See it done,And feast the army; we have store to do’t,And they have earned the waste. Poor Antony!

Let our best commanders know that tomorrow we intend to fight the last of these many battles. In our ranks there are enough men who recently served Mark Antony to capture him themselves. See that it’s done, and give the army a feast. We have plenty of supplies for it, and they have earned this extravagance. Poor Antony!