Final answer:
The soldier has just come from a battle and is meeting Duncan and Malcolm, who refer to him as a sergeant and praise his bravery.
Step-by-step explanation:
The soldier mentioned in the question is coming from a recent battle where he fought bravely. In the context provided, he has just encountered Duncan, Malcolm, and their attendants after a battle, as portrayed by his bleeding and injured state. Duncan and his company refer to him as a sergeant, indicating his military rank and involvement in the conflict just concluded. Furthermore, the references to Cawdor hint at the events in William Shakespeare's play Macbeth, where the Thane of Cawdor's disloyalty has been discovered, and the King expresses his intention to execute him for treason.