Antony and Cleopatra — Act 4, Scene 7: Field of battle between the camps.

As the battle intensifies, Agrippa withdraws with his men after finding that Caesar has pressed them harder than expected. Antony then enters wounded with Scarus, who is thrilled by the fighting and jokes about his own injuries while urging that the Romans be chased down. Antony notices Scarus bleeding, but Scarus keeps speaking boldly about beating the enemy back. Eros arrives with better news, saying the enemy is beaten and that Antony now has the advantage for a strong victory. Antony praises Scarus for his courage and promises to reward him well, and the three of them leave together.

Retire, we have engaged ourselves too far:

Caesar himself has work, and our oppression

Exceeds what 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.

Thou bleed'st apace.

I had a wound here that was like a T,

But now 'tis made an H.

They do retire.

We'll beat 'em into bench-holes: I have yet

Room for six scotches more.

They are beaten, sir, and our advantage serves

For a fair victory.

Let us score their backs,

And snatch 'em up, as we take hares, behind:

'Tis sport to maul a runner.

I will reward thee

Once for thy spritely comfort, and ten-fold

For thy good valour. Come thee on.

I'll halt after.