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Modern English
Nay, but this dotage of our general’s O’erflows the measure: those his goodly eyes, That o’er the files and musters of the war Have glow’d like plated Mars, now bend, now turn, The office and devotion of their view Upon a tawny front: his captain’s heart, Which in the scuffles of great fights hath burst The buckles on his breast, reneges all temper, And is become the bellows and the fan To cool a gipsy’s lust.
No, but this crazy infatuation of our general’s Is way too much: those beautiful eyes of his, That used to burn like the god of war himself, Now fix, now turn, Their focus and devotion On a woman with dark skin: his captain’s heart, Which in the heat of battle has burst The buckles on his armor, loses all control, And now is just a fan To cool a gypsy’s lust.
Look, where they come: Take but good note, and you shall see in him. The triple pillar of the world transform’d Into a strumpet’s fool: behold and see.
Look, here they come: Just watch and you’ll see in him. The once powerful leader of the world turned Into a fool for a prostitute: look and see.
If it be love indeed, tell me how much.
If it really is love, tell me how much.
There’s beggary in the love that can be reckon’d.
Love that can be measured is really just poverty.
I’ll set a bourn how far to be beloved.
I’ll set a limit on how far I’ll let myself be loved.
Then must thou needs find out new heaven, new earth.
Then you’ll have to find a new heaven, a new earth.
News, my good lord, from Rome.
News, my good lord, from Rome.
Grates me: the sum.
What’s the news? Summarize it for me.
Nay, hear them, Antony: Fulvia perchance is angry; or, who knows If the scarce-bearded Caesar have not sent His powerful mandate to you, ’Do this, or this; Take in that kingdom, and enfranchise that; Perform ’t, or else we damn thee.’
No, listen to them, Antony: Fulvia might be upset; or, who knows If Caesar, with his barely-there beard, hasn’t sent His powerful command to you, "Do this, or that; Take this kingdom, and free that one; Do it, or we’ll ruin you."
How, my love!
What, my love?
Perchance! nay, and most like: You must not stay here longer, your dismission Is come from Caesar; therefore hear it, Antony. Where’s Fulvia’s process? Caesar’s I would say? both? Call in the messengers. As I am Egypt’s queen, Thou blushest, Antony; and that blood of thine Is Caesar’s homager: else so thy cheek pays shame When shrill-tongued Fulvia scolds. The messengers!
Maybe! No, probably: You can’t stay here any longer, your dismissal Has come from Caesar; so listen to it, Antony. Where’s Fulvia’s order? Caesar’s, I should say? Both? Call in the messengers. As I am Egypt’s queen, You’re blushing, Antony; and that blood of yours Is Caesar’s servant: otherwise, your cheek shows shame When sharp-tongued Fulvia scolds. The messengers!
Let Rome in Tiber melt, and the wide arch Of the ranged empire fall! Here is my space. Kingdoms are clay: our dungy earth alike Feeds beast as man: the nobleness of life Is to do thus; when such a mutual pair
Let Rome drown in the Tiber, and the great empire Crumble away! This is my place. Kingdoms are just mud: our dirty earth is the same For beasts and men: the noblest thing in life Is to do this; when such a couple as us
And such a twain can do’t, in which I bind, On pain of punishment, the world to weet We stand up peerless.
And such a pair can do it, and I make it clear, Under threat of punishment, to the world That we stand unmatched.
Excellent falsehood! Why did he marry Fulvia, and not love her? I’ll seem the fool I am not; Antony Will be himself.
Brilliant lie! Why did he marry Fulvia, and not love her? I’ll act the fool I’m not; Antony Will be himself.
But stirr’d by Cleopatra. Now, for the love of Love and her soft hours, Let’s not confound the time with conference harsh: There’s not a minute of our lives should stretch Without some pleasure now. What sport tonight?
But stirred by Cleopatra. Now, for the sake of Love and her sweet moments, Let’s not waste time arguing: There’s not a single minute of our lives that should pass Without some pleasure right now. What’s the plan for tonight?
Hear the ambassadors.
Listen to the ambassadors.
Fie, wrangling queen! Whom every thing becomes, to chide, to laugh, To weep; whose every passion fully strives To make itself, in thee, fair and admired! No messenger, but thine; and all alone To-night we’ll wander through the streets and note The qualities of people. Come, my queen; Last night you did desire it: speak not to us.
Oh, you’re a quarrelsome queen! Who looks perfect doing everything—chiding, laughing, Crying; whose every feeling tries its best To be beautiful and admired in you! No messenger, but yours; and all alone Tonight we’ll walk through the streets and observe The traits of people. Come, my queen; You wanted this last night: don’t talk to us.
Is Caesar with Antonius prized so slight?
Is Caesar really so unimpressed with Antony?
Sir, sometimes, when he is not Antony, He comes too short of that great property Which still should go with Antony.
Sir, sometimes, when he’s not acting like Antony, He falls short of that greatness Which should always be with Antony.
I am full sorry That he approves the common liar, who Thus speaks of him at Rome: but I will hope Of better deeds to-morrow. Rest you happy!
I’m truly sorry That he supports the common liar, who Speaks of him like that in Rome: but I hope For better actions tomorrow. Rest well!