The Tragedy of Antony and Cleopatra: Act 4, Scene 1 Translation

A side-by-side translation of Act 4, Scene 1 of The Tragedy of Antony and Cleopatra from the original Shakespeare into modern English.

Original Text	Translated Text
Source: Folger Shakespeare Library
Enter Caesar, Agrippa, and Maecenas, with his army, Caesar reading a letter. CAESAR 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 5 I have many other ways to die; meantime Laugh at his challenge.	Back at Caesar’s camp outside of Alexandria, Caesar is reading the message Thidias brought back from Antony. Caesar scoffs at Antony's challenge.
MAECENAS Caesar must think, When one so great begins to rage, he’s hunted Even to falling. Give him no breath, but now 10 Make boot of his distraction. Never anger Made good guard for itself.	Maecenas points out that Antony is distracted by his own fury. Although he’s valiant now, Antony is likely to be defeated.
CAESAR Let our best heads Know that tomorrow the last of many battles We mean to fight. Within our files there are, 15 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. They exit.	Caesar's plan: the next day, he’ll take his army (which, by the way, is full of defectors from Antony’s army) and fight the battle to end this war for good.