"___ but a scratch"

TIS

Think of how a knight might dismiss a minor wound in Shakespearean style.

This clue is a direct quote from Monty Python and the Holy Grail, where the Black Knight insists his injuries are minor by saying, "'Tis but a scratch!" The answer is the archaic contraction "TIS," short for "it is," which fits the blank in the phrase. The humor comes from the knight’s absurd denial of losing limbs, making the line iconic for fans of the film.