Antony and Cleopatra, Act 4, Scene 1

He calls me boy, and chides as he had power To beat me out of Egypt. My messenger He hath whipped with rods; dares me to personal combat, Caesar to Antony. Let the old ruffian know I have many other ways to die; meantime Laugh at his challenge.

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

Caesar must think, When one so great begins to rage, he’s hunted Even to falling. Give him no breath, but now Make boot of his distraction. Never anger Made good guard for itself.

Caesar should realize that when a man so great starts to rage, he is being hunted right to the point of collapse. Give him no chance to catch his breath, but take advantage now of his madness. Anger never guarded itself well.

Let our best heads Know that tomorrow the last of many battles We 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 chief officers know that tomorrow we intend to fight the last of many battles. Within our own ranks there are enough men who served Mark Antony until recently to capture him. See that it is done, and give the army a feast; we have plenty of supplies for it, and they have earned the extravagance. Poor Antony!