Act 4, Scene 7

Original Text

*Field of battle between the Camps. Alarum. Drums and Trumpets. Enter Agrippa and others.* AGRIPPA. Retire! We have engaged ourselves too far. Caesar himself has work, and our oppression Exceeds what we expected. *[Exeunt.]*

Modern English

*Field of battle between the Camps. Battle alarms. Drums and trumpets. Agrippa and others enter in retreat.* AGRIPPA. Fall back! We've pushed too far forward. Caesar himself is in danger, and the resistance is far stronger than we expected. *[They exit.]*

Original Text

*Alarums. Enter Antony and Scarus wounded.* SCARUS. O my brave emperor, this is fought indeed! Had we done so at first, we had droven them home With clouts about their heads. ANTONY. Thou bleed'st apace. SCARUS. I had a wound here that was like a T, But now 'tis made an H.

Modern English

*Battle sounds. Antony and Scarus enter — Scarus wounded.* SCARUS. O my brave emperor, now that's a real battle! If we'd fought like this from the start, we'd have chased them all the way home with bloody heads. ANTONY. You're bleeding fast. SCARUS. This wound was shaped like a T before, but now they've made it into an H.

Original Text

*Sounds retreat far off.* ANTONY. They do retire. SCARUS. We'll beat 'em into bench-holes. I have yet Room for six scotches more. *Enter Eros.* EROS. They are beaten, sir, and our advantage serves For a fair victory. SCARUS. Let us score their backs And snatch 'em up as we take hares, behind. 'Tis sport to maul a runner.

Modern English

*A distant retreat signal sounds.* ANTONY. They're pulling back. SCARUS. We'll drive them into their rat-holes. I've still got room for six more cuts. *Eros enters.* EROS. They're beaten, sir, and we're in a strong enough position for a solid victory. SCARUS. Let's get behind them and cut them down — chase them like hares flushed from cover. There's good sport in running a man down.

Original Text

ANTONY. I will reward thee Once for thy sprightly comfort, and tenfold For thy good valour. Come thee on. SCARUS. I'll halt after. *[Exeunt.]*

Modern English

ANTONY. I'll reward you once for keeping my spirits up, and ten times over for your courage in the field. Come on, let's go. SCARUS. I'll limp along behind you. *[They exit.]*

Antony and Cleopatra

Act 4, Scene 7

Act 4, Scene 7