Original
Modern English
A goodly city is this Antium. City, ’Tis I that made thy widows: many an heir Of these fair edifices ’fore my wars Have I heard groan and drop: then know me not, Lest that thy wives with spits and boys with stones In puny battle slay me.
This is a fine city, Antium. City, I’m the one who caused all these widows: many an heir Of these beautiful buildings before my wars Have I heard moan and die: so don’t recognize me, Unless you want your wives with forks and your boys with stones To kill me in a petty fight.
Save you, sir.
Hello, sir.
And you.
And you.
Direct me, if it be your will, Where great Aufidius lies: is he in Antium?
Please tell me, if it’s your wish, Where I can find great Aufidius: is he in Antium?
He is, and feasts the nobles of the state At his house this night.
He is, and he’s hosting a feast for the nobles of the state At his house tonight.
Which is his house, beseech you?
Which house is his, if you don’t mind telling me?
This, here before you.
This one, right in front of you.
Thank you, sir: farewell.
Thank you, sir: goodbye.
O world, thy slippery turns! Friends now fast sworn, Whose double bosoms seem to wear one heart, Whose house, whose bed, whose meal, and exercise, Are still together, who twin, as ’twere, in love Unseparable, shall within this hour, On a dissension of a doit, break out To bitterest enmity: so, fellest foes, Whose passions and whose plots have broke their sleep, To take the one the other, by some chance, Some trick not worth an egg, shall grow dear friends And interjoin their issues. So with me: My birth-place hate I, and my love’s upon This enemy town. I’ll enter: if he slay me, He does fair justice; if he give me way, I’ll do his country service.
Oh world, your turns are so unpredictable! Friends who once swore loyalty, Whose hearts seemed to beat as one, Whose home, bed, meals, and activities, Were always shared, who lived together as if in love, Unbreakable, shall within this hour, Break into bitterest hatred over the smallest difference: So, fiercest enemies, Whose passions and schemes kept them awake at night, To take each other down by chance, Or a trick not worth much, will soon become close friends And join forces. So it is with me: I hate my birthplace, and my love is for This enemy city. I’ll go in: if he kills me, He’s doing justice; if he lets me pass, I’ll serve his country.