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Modern English
If you misdoubt me that I am not she, I know not how I shall assure you further, But I shall lose the grounds I work upon.
If you doubt that I am really she, I don’t know how else to convince you, But I’ll lose the ground I’ve worked so hard for.
Though my estate be fallen, I was well born, Nothing acquainted with these businesses; And would not put my reputation now In any staining act.
Though my situation has changed, I was well born, I’ve never been involved in these kinds of matters; And I wouldn’t risk my reputation now With any dishonorable action.
Nor would I wish you. First, give me trust, the count he is my husband, And what to your sworn counsel I have spoken Is so from word to word; and then you cannot, By the good aid that I of you shall borrow, Err in bestowing it.
Nor would I ask you to. First, trust me, the count is my husband, And everything I’ve told you, word for word, Is true; and with your help, you can’t Go wrong in how you give it.
I should believe you: For you have show’d me that which well approves You’re great in fortune.
I believe you: You’ve shown me enough to prove You’re fortunate indeed.
Take this purse of gold, And let me buy your friendly help thus far, Which I will over-pay and pay again When I have found it. The count he wooes your daughter, Lays down his wanton siege before her beauty, Resolved to carry her: let her in fine consent, As we’ll direct her how ’tis best to bear it. Now his important blood will nought deny That she’ll demand: a ring the county wears, That downward hath succeeded in his house From son to son, some four or five descents Since the first father wore it: this ring he holds In most rich choice; yet in his idle fire, To buy his will, it would not seem too dear, Howe’er repented after.
Take this purse of gold, And let me buy your help with it, Which I’ll repay and more When I’ve found success. The count is courting your daughter, And laying siege to her beauty, Determined to win her: let her agree, As we’ll guide her on the best way to handle it. Now his blood is so important that he won’t deny Whatever she asks for: a ring he wears, Passed down in his family, From father to son, for four or five generations. This ring is of great value to him, But in his idle passion, He might part with it to buy her love, Even if he regrets it later.
Now I see The bottom of your purpose.
Now I see What you’re really after.
You see it lawful, then: it is no more, But that your daughter, ere she seems as won, Desires this ring; appoints him an encounter; In fine, delivers me to fill the time, Herself most chastely absent: after this, To marry her, I’ll add three thousand crowns To what is passed already.
So, you think it’s okay then: it’s just that your daughter, before she seems fully won over, Wants this ring; sets up a meeting with him; In the end, she leaves me to pass the time, While she stays away, acting pure and innocent: after this, To marry her, I’ll add three thousand crowns To what has already been agreed.
I have yielded: Instruct my daughter how she shall persever, That time and place with this deceit so lawful May prove coherent. Every night he comes With musics of all sorts and songs composed To her unworthiness: it nothing steads us To chide him from our eaves; for he persists As if his life lay on’t.
I have agreed: Teach my daughter how she should carry on, So that the time and place with this trick, which seems legitimate, Will actually make sense. Every night he comes With all kinds of music and songs written For her, who doesn’t deserve them: it doesn’t help us To scold him from our window; because he keeps at it As if his life depends on it.
Why then to-night Let us assay our plot; which, if it speed, Is wicked meaning in a lawful deed And lawful meaning in a lawful act, Where both not sin, and yet a sinful fact: But let’s about it.
Well then, tonight Let’s try our plan; which, if it works, Is evil intention in a righteous action And righteous intention in a righteous act, Where neither is a sin, and yet the outcome is wrong: But let’s get to it.