Original
Modern English
Retire, we have engaged ourselves too far: Caesar himself has work, and our oppression Exceeds what we expected.
Retreat, we’ve gone too far: Caesar himself has tasks to handle, and our defeat 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 was a real fight! If we had done this from the start, we would have sent them running With their heads covered in bandages.
Thou bleed’st apace.
You’re bleeding badly.
I had a wound here that was like a T, But now ’tis made an H.
I had a wound here that looked like the letter T, But now it looks like the letter H.
They do retire.
They are retreating.
We’ll beat ’em into bench-holes: I have yet Room for six scotches more.
We’ll drive them into the holes where they sit: I can still take six more hits.
They are beaten, sir, and our advantage serves For a fair victory.
They’ve been defeated, sir, and our advantage means We’ve won the battle fair and square.
Let us score their backs, And snatch ’em up, as we take hares, behind: ’Tis sport to maul a runner.
Let’s mark their backs with scars, And catch them, like we do hares, from behind: It’s fun to beat a man who’s running.
I will reward thee Once for thy spritely comfort, and ten-fold For thy good valour. Come thee on.
I’ll reward you Once for your lively spirit, and ten times over For your bravery. Come on, let’s go.
I’ll halt after.
I’ll follow after.