Antony and Cleopatra, Act 4, Scene 7

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

Pull back! We have pushed ourselves in too deep. Caesar himself is hard pressed, and the beating we are taking is worse than we expected.

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

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

Thou bleed’st apace.

You are bleeding fast.

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 it has been turned into an H.

They do retire.

They are pulling back.

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

We will beat them into the latrine holes. I still have room on me for six more gashes.

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

They are beaten, sir, and the advantage we have is enough for a clear victory.

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

Let us slash their backs and grab them from behind, the way we catch hares. It is fun to batter a man who is running away.

I will reward thee Once for thy sprightly comfort, and tenfold For thy good valour. Come thee on.

I will reward you once for your lively encouragement, and ten times over for your fine courage. Come along.

I’ll halt after.

I will limp along after you.