Original
Modern English
Nay, come; for if they do approach the city, we shall lose all the sight.
No, come on; if they’re coming to the city, we will miss all the action.
They say the French count has done most honourable service.
They say the French count has done some very honorable work.
It is reported that he has taken their greatest commander; and that with his own hand he slew the duke’s brother.
It’s been reported that he captured their top commander; and that with his own hand he killed the duke’s brother.
We have lost our labour; they are gone a contrary way: hark! you may know by their trumpets.
We’ve wasted our time; they’ve gone the other way: listen! You can tell by their trumpets.
Come, let’s return again, and suffice ourselves with the report of it. Well, Diana, take heed of this French earl: the honour of a maid is her name; and no legacy is so rich as honesty.
Let’s go back, and just be satisfied with the report. Well, Diana, be careful of this French earl: a woman’s honor is her reputation; and nothing is more valuable than honesty.
I have told my neighbour how you have been solicited by a gentleman his companion.
I’ve told my neighbor about how you were approached by a gentleman who’s his companion.
I know that knave; hang him! one Parolles: a filthy officer he is in those suggestions for the young earl. Beware of them, Diana; their promises, enticements, oaths, tokens, and all these engines of lust, are not the things they go under: many a maid hath been seduced by them; and the misery is, example, that so terrible shows in the wreck of maidenhood, cannot for all that dissuade succession, but that they are limed with the twigs that threaten them. I hope I need not to advise you further; but I hope your own grace will keep you where you are, though there were no further danger known but the modesty which is so lost.
I know that scoundrel; curse him! One Parolles: he’s a disgusting officer with his schemes for the young earl. Watch out for them, Diana; their promises, tricks, oaths, gifts, and all those tools of lust, are not what they appear to be: many a girl has been misled by them; and the sad truth is, that the awful examples of ruined innocence won’t stop others from following their path, as they’re caught in the traps that are set for them. I hope I don’t need to tell you more; but I trust your own sense of decency will keep you safe, even if the only danger was the loss of modesty.
You shall not need to fear me.
You don’t need to worry about me.
I hope so.
I hope not.
Look, here comes a pilgrim: I know she will lie at my house; thither they send one another: I’ll question her. God save you, pilgrim! whither are you bound?
Look, here comes a pilgrim: I’m sure she’ll stay at my house; they always send each other here: I’ll ask her. God bless you, pilgrim! Where are you headed?
To Saint Jaques le Grand. Where do the palmers lodge, I do beseech you?
To Saint Jaques le Grand. Where do the pilgrims stay, if you don’t mind me asking?
At the Saint Francis here beside the port.
At the Saint Francis just by the harbor.
Is this the way?
Is this the right way?
Ay, marry, is’t.
Yes, indeed, it is.
Hark you! they come this way. If you will tarry, holy pilgrim, But till the troops come by, I will conduct you where you shall be lodged; The rather, for I think I know your hostess As ample as myself.
Listen! They are coming this way. If you’ll wait, holy pilgrim, Until the soldiers pass by, I’ll show you where you can stay; I’m sure I know your host As well as I know myself.
Is it yourself?
Is it really you?
If you shall please so, pilgrim.
If it pleases you, pilgrim.
I thank you, and will stay upon your leisure.
Thank you, I’ll wait until you’re ready.
You came, I think, from France?
You came from France, I think?
I did so.
I did.
Here you shall see a countryman of yours That has done worthy service.
Here you’ll meet a fellow countryman Who’s done excellent service.
His name, I pray you.
What’s his name, please?
The Count Rousillon: know you such a one?
Count Roussillon: do you know him?
But by the ear, that hears most nobly of him: His face I know not.
I’ve only heard of him, and he’s spoken of very highly: But I don’t know his face.
Whatsome’er he is, He’s bravely taken here. He stole from France, As ’tis reported, for the king had married him Against his liking: think you it is so?
Whoever he is, He’s highly regarded here. He left France, As it’s said, because the king forced him to marry Against his will: do you think that’s true?
Ay, surely, mere the truth: I know his lady.
Yes, absolutely, that’s the truth: I know his wife.
There is a gentleman that serves the count Reports but coarsely of her.
There’s a man who works for the count Who doesn’t speak very well of her.
What’s his name?
What’s his name?
Monsieur Parolles.
Mister Parolles.
O, I believe with him, In argument of praise, or to the worth Of the great count himself, she is too mean To have her name repeated: all her deserving Is a reserved honesty, and that I have not heard examined.
Oh, I think she’s with him, When it comes to praise, or to the worth Of the great Count himself, she’s too insignificant To have her name mentioned: all her merit Is just reserved honesty, and that I haven’t heard anyone discuss.
Alas, poor lady! ’Tis a hard bondage to become the wife Of a detesting lord.
Oh, poor woman! It’s a tough life to be the wife Of a man you can’t stand.
I warrant, good creature, wheresoe’er she is, Her heart weighs sadly: this young maid might do her A shrewd turn, if she pleased.
I bet, poor thing, wherever she is, Her heart is heavy: this young girl could really help her If she wanted to.
How do you mean? May be the amorous count solicits her In the unlawful purpose.
How do you mean? Maybe the love-struck Count is trying to seduce her For an illegal purpose.
He does indeed; And brokes with all that can in such a suit Corrupt the tender honour of a maid: But she is arm’d for him and keeps her guard In honestest defence.
He really is; And does everything he can in a case like this To ruin the pure honor of a young woman: But she’s ready for him and stays on guard In the most honest defense.
The gods forbid else!
The gods forbid anything else!
So, now they come:
Here they come:
That is Antonio, the duke’s eldest son; That, Escalus.
That’s Antonio, the Duke’s oldest son; That’s Escalus.
Which is the Frenchman?
Which one is the Frenchman?
He; That with the plume: ’tis a most gallant fellow. I would he loved his wife: if he were honester He were much goodlier: is’t not a handsome gentleman?
He; The one with the feather in his hat: he’s a very impressive man. I wish he loved his wife: if he were more honest He’d be much more attractive: isn’t he a handsome man?
I like him well.
I think he’s fine.
’Tis pity he is not honest: yond’s that same knave That leads him to these places: were I his lady, I would Poison that vile rascal.
It’s a shame he’s not honest: that’s the same scoundrel Who leads him to these places: if I were his wife, I’d poison that disgusting rascal.
Which is he?
Which one is he?
That jack-an-apes with scarfs: why is he melancholy?
That idiot with the scarves: why is he so sad?
Perchance he’s hurt i’ the battle.
Maybe he’s been hurt in the fight.
Lose our drum! well.
We lost our drum! Oh well.
He’s shrewdly vexed at something: look, he has spied us.
He’s really upset about something: look, he’s seen us.
Marry, hang you!
Damn you!
And your courtesy, for a ring-carrier!
And your politeness, like a messenger carrying rings!
The troop is past. Come, pilgrim, I will bring you Where you shall host: of enjoin’d penitents There’s four or five, to great Saint Jaques bound, Already at my house.
The group has passed. Come, pilgrim, I’ll take you Where you’ll stay: there are four or five penitents Heading to Saint James already at my house.
I humbly thank you: Please it this matron and this gentle maid To eat with us to-night, the charge and thanking Shall be for me; and, to requite you further, I will bestow some precepts of this virgin Worthy the note.
I sincerely thank you: If it pleases this lady and this kind young woman To dine with us tonight, I’ll cover the costs and the thanks Will be mine; and to thank you further, I’ll share some advice from this saintly woman That’s worth remembering.
We’ll take your offer kindly.
We’ll gladly accept your offer.