Original
Modern English
Where is the fellow?
Where is that guy?
Half afeard to come.
He’s half afraid to come.
Go to, go to.
Go on, go on.
Come hither, sir.
Come here, sir.
Good majesty, Herod of Jewry dare not look upon you But when you are well pleased.
Your Majesty, Herod of Judea wouldn’t dare to face you Unless you’re in a good mood.
That Herod’s head I’ll have: but how, when Antony is gone Through whom I might command it? Come thou near.
I want Herod’s head, but how, when Antony is gone Who is the one I could command to get it? Come closer.
Most gracious majesty,--
Most honored queen,--
Didst thou behold Octavia?
Did you see Octavia?
Ay, dread queen.
Yes, great queen.
Where?
Where?
Madam, in Rome; I look’d her in the face, and saw her led Between her brother and Mark Antony.
Madam, in Rome; I looked at her face, and saw her walking Between her brother and Mark Antony.
Is she as tall as me?
Is she as tall as me?
She is not, madam.
She is not, madam.
Didst hear her speak? is she shrill-tongued or low?
Did you hear her speak? Is she sharp-voiced or soft?
Madam, I heard her speak; she is low-voiced.
Madam, I heard her speak; she has a soft voice.
That’s not so good: he cannot like her long.
That’s not great: he won’t like her for long.
Like her! O Isis! ’tis impossible.
Like her! Oh, Isis! That’s impossible.
I think so, Charmian: dull of tongue, and dwarfish! What majesty is in her gait? Remember, If e’er thou look’dst on majesty.
I think you’re right, Charmian: she’s slow to speak, and small! What kind of dignity does she have in her walk? Remember, If you’ve ever seen true dignity.
She creeps: Her motion and her station are as one; She shows a body rather than a life, A statue than a breather.
She drags herself: Her movement and her position are the same; She looks more like a statue than a living person, More like a sculpture than a breathing being.
Is this certain?
Is this really true?
Or I have no observance.
Or I have not been paying attention.
Three in Egypt Cannot make better note.
Three people in Egypt Can’t make a better impression.
He’s very knowing; I do perceive’t: there’s nothing in her yet: The fellow has good judgment.
He’s very wise; I can tell that: she hasn’t shown anything yet: The guy has good judgment.
Excellent.
Excellent.
Guess at her years, I prithee.
Guess her age, please.
Madam, She was a widow,--
Madam, She was a widow,--
Widow! Charmian, hark.
A widow! Charmian, listen.
And I do think she’s thirty.
And I think she’s thirty.
Bear’st thou her face in mind? is’t long or round?
Do you remember her face? Is it long or round?
Round even to faultiness.
Round, even too much so.
For the most part, too, they are foolish that are so. Her hair, what colour?
Most of the time, yes, those who are round are also silly. What color is her hair?
Brown, madam: and her forehead As low as she would wish it.
Brown, madam: and her forehead As low as she would want it.
There’s gold for thee. Thou must not take my former sharpness ill: I will employ thee back again; I find thee Most fit for business: go make thee ready; Our letters are prepared.
Here’s gold for you. Don’t take my previous sharpness the wrong way: I’ll send you back; I think you’re Very good for this job: go get ready; Our letters are prepared.
A proper man.
A handsome man.
Indeed, he is so: I repent me much That so I harried him. Why, methinks, by him, This creature’s no such thing.
Yes, he is: I regret how I treated him. Why, I think, through him, This person isn’t really like that.
Nothing, madam.
Nothing, madam.
The man hath seen some majesty, and should know.
The man has seen greatness, and should understand.
Hath he seen majesty? Isis else defend, And serving you so long!
Has he seen greatness? If not, may Isis protect us, And serving you for so long!
I have one thing more to ask him yet, good Charmian: But ’tis no matter; thou shalt bring him to me Where I will write. All may be well enough.
I have one more thing to ask him, good Charmian: But it doesn’t matter; you will bring him to me Where I will write. Everything might turn out fine.
I warrant you, madam.
I assure you, madam.