Original
Modern English
To-morrow is the joyful day, Audrey; to-morrow will we be married.
Tomorrow is the happy day, Audrey; tomorrow we will get married.
I do desire it with all my heart; and I hope it is no dishonest desire to desire to be a woman of the world. Here comes two of the banished duke’s pages.
I really want that with all my heart; and I hope it’s not a shameful wish to want to be a respectable woman. Here come two of the banished duke’s servants.
Well met, honest gentleman.
Good to see you, honest gentleman.
By my troth, well met. Come, sit, sit, and a song.
By my word, good to see you. Come, sit, sit, and let’s have a song.
We are for you: sit i’ the middle.
We’re ready for you: sit in the middle.
Shall we clap into’t roundly, without hawking or spitting or saying we are hoarse, which are the only prologues to a bad voice?
Should we go into it seriously, without pretending to clear our throats or spit or claim we’re hoarse, which are the usual excuses for a bad voice?
I’faith, i’faith; and both in a tune, like two gipsies on a horse. SONG. It was a lover and his lass, With a hey, and a ho, and a hey nonino, That o’er the green corn-field did pass In the spring time, the only pretty ring time, When birds do sing, hey ding a ding, ding: Sweet lovers love the spring. Between the acres of the rye, With a hey, and a ho, and a hey nonino These pretty country folks would lie, In spring time, & c. This carol they began that hour, With a hey, and a ho, and a hey nonino, How that a life was but a flower In spring time, & c. And therefore take the present time, With a hey, and a ho, and a hey nonino; For love is crowned with the prime In spring time, & c.
Honestly, honestly; and both singing in tune, like two gypsies on a horse. SONG. It was a lover and his lass, With a hey, and a ho, and a hey nonino, That crossed the green corn-field, In spring time, the best time, When birds are singing, hey ding a ding, ding: Sweet lovers love the spring. Between the rye fields, With a hey, and a ho, and a hey nonino These pretty country folks would lie, In spring time, etc. This song they started that hour, With a hey, and a ho, and a hey nonino, How life was like a flower In spring time, etc. So take the moment now, With a hey, and a ho, and a hey nonino; For love is best in the prime In spring time, etc.
Truly, young gentlemen, though there was no great matter in the ditty, yet the note was very untuneable.
Truly, young gentlemen, although the song wasn’t anything special, the tune was really off-key.
You are deceived, sir: we kept time, we lost not our time.
You’re mistaken, sir: we kept time, we didn’t waste time.
By my troth, yes; I count it but time lost to hear such a foolish song. God be wi’ you; and God mend your voices! Come, Audrey.
By my word, yes; I think it was a waste of time to listen to such a foolish song. Goodbye; and may God improve your voices! Come on, Audrey.