Original
Modern English
See you yond coign o’ the Capitol, yond corner-stone?
Do you see that corner of the Capitol, that cornerstone?
Why, what of that?
Why, what of that?
If it be possible for you to displace it with your little finger, there is some hope the ladies of Rome, especially his mother, may prevail with him. But I say there is no hope in’t: our throats are sentenced and stay upon execution.
If it’s possible for you to move that cornerstone with your little finger, then there’s some hope that the ladies of Rome, especially his mother, may persuade him. But I say there’s no hope in it: our fates are sealed, and we await our execution.
Is’t possible that so short a time can alter the condition of a man!
Is’t possible that so short a time can alter the condition of a man!
There is differency between a grub and a butterfly; yet your butterfly was a grub. This Marcius is grown from man to dragon: he has wings; he’s more than a creeping thing.
There is a difference between a grub and a butterfly; yet your butterfly was once a grub. This Marcius has grown from a man to a dragon: he has wings; he’s more than a creeping thing.
He loved his mother dearly.
He loved his mother dearly.
So did he me: and he no more remembers his mother now than an eight-year-old horse. The tartness of his face sours ripe grapes: when he walks, he moves like an engine, and the ground shrinks before his treading: he is able to pierce a corslet with his eye; talks like a knell, and his hum is a battery. He sits in his state, as a thing made for Alexander. What he bids be done is finished with his bidding. He wants nothing of a god but eternity and a heaven to throne in.
So he did to me: and he now remembers his mother as little as an eight-year-old horse. The harshness of his face makes even ripe grapes sour: when he walks, he moves like a machine, and the ground seems to shrink under his feet. He can pierce armor with just a look; he speaks like a funeral bell, and his hum sounds like a heavy attack. He sits in his position as if he were made for someone like Alexander. Whatever he commands is done immediately. He wants nothing from a god except eternity and a place in heaven to rule from.
Yes, mercy, if you report him truly.
Yes, mercy, if you speak of him honestly.
I paint him in the character. Mark what mercy his mother shall bring from him: there is no more mercy in him than there is milk in a male tiger; that shall our poor city find: and all this is long of you.
I describe him as he is. Watch what mercy his mother will get from him: there is no more mercy in him than there is milk in a male tiger; our poor city will experience that. And all of this is because of you.
The gods be good unto us!
The gods be good to us!
No, in such a case the gods will not be good unto us. When we banished him, we respected not them; and, he returning to break our necks, they respect not us.
No, in such a case the gods will not be good to us. When we banished him, we didn’t respect them; and now, with him returning to destroy us, they do not respect us.
Sir, if you’ld save your life, fly to your house: The plebeians have got your fellow-tribune And hale him up and down, all swearing, if The Roman ladies bring not comfort home, They’ll give him death by inches.
Sir, if you want to save your life, run to your house: The common people have captured your fellow-tribune And are dragging him around, all shouting that if The Roman ladies don’t bring comfort back, They’ll kill him slowly, piece by piece.
What’s the news?
What’s the news?
Good news, good news; the ladies have prevail’d, The Volscians are dislodged, and Marcius gone: A merrier day did never yet greet Rome, No, not the expulsion of the Tarquins.
Good news, good news; the ladies have succeeded, The Volscians have been driven out, and Marcius is gone: A happier day has never greeted Rome, No, not even the expulsion of the Tarquins.
Friend, Art thou certain this is true? is it most certain?
Friend, Are you sure this is true? Is it absolutely certain?
As certain as I know the sun is fire: Where have you lurk’d, that you make doubt of it? Ne’er through an arch so hurried the blown tide, As the recomforted through the gates. Why, hark you!
As certain as I know the sun is fire: Where have you been hiding, that you doubt it? Never did the rushing tide move faster through an arch, As the relieved people moved through the gates. Why, listen!
The trumpets, sackbuts, psalteries and fifes, Tabours and cymbals and the shouting Romans, Make the sun dance. Hark you!
The trumpets, sackbuts, psalteries, and fifes, Tabors and cymbals, and the shouting Romans, Make the sun itself seem to dance. Listen!
This is good news: I will go meet the ladies. This Volumnia Is worth of consuls, senators, patricians, A city full; of tribunes, such as you, A sea and land full. You have pray’d well to-day: This morning for ten thousand of your throats I’d not have given a doit. Hark, how they joy!
This is good news: I will go meet the ladies. This Volumnia Deserves consuls, senators, patricians, A city full of them; and tribunes, such as you, A sea and land full. You have prayed well today: This morning, for ten thousand of your throats, I wouldn’t have given a penny. Listen to how they rejoice!
First, the gods bless you for your tidings; next, Accept my thankfulness.
First, the gods bless you for your news; next, Accept my gratitude.
Sir, we have all Great cause to give great thanks.
Sir, we all Have great cause to give great thanks.
They are near the city?
They are near the city?
Almost at point to enter.
Almost at point to enter.
We will meet them, And help the joy.
We will meet them, And join in the celebration.