Antony and Cleopatra — Act 4, Scene 1: Before Alexandria. OCTAVIUS CAESAR's camp.

Octavius Caesar enters with Agrippa, Mecaenas, and his army while reading Antony’s angry letter. He reacts to Antony’s insults and to the news that Antony has whipped Caesar’s messenger, then notes that Antony has challenged him to personal combat. Mecaenas advises Caesar that Antony’s rage shows weakness and should be used against him. Caesar agrees and tells his commanders that the final battle will be fought the next day. He points out that enough men in his own ranks recently served Antony and can be used against him. Caesar orders the army fed and entertained, then dismisses Antony as desperate.

He calls me boy; and chides, as he had power

To beat me out of Egypt; my messenger

He hath whipp'd 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.

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.

Let our best heads

Know, that to-morrow 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 earn'd the waste. Poor Antony!