Original
Modern English
Was there ever man had such luck! when I kissed the jack, upon an up-cast to be hit away! I had a hundred pound on’t: and then a whoreson jackanapes must take me up for swearing; as if I borrowed mine oaths of him and might not spend them at my pleasure.
Was there ever a man so unlucky! When I kissed the target, I was hit by a wild throw! I had a hundred pounds on it: and then a good-for-nothing brat has to pick on me for swearing; as if I borrowed my curses from him and couldn’t use them as I please.
What got he by that? You have broke his pate with your bowl.
What did he gain from that? You cracked his head with your bowl.
[Aside] If his wit had been like him that broke it, it would have run all out.
[Aside] If his brain had been as thick as the guy who broke it, it would’ve spilled out completely.
When a gentleman is disposed to swear, it is not for any standers-by to curtail his oaths, ha?
When a gentleman feels like swearing, it’s none of anyone else’s business to stop him, right?
No my lord;
No, my lord;
nor crop the ears of them.
nor to cut off his words.
Whoreson dog! I give him satisfaction? Would he had been one of my rank!
Good-for-nothing dog! Should I give him satisfaction? I wish he were my equal!
[Aside] To have smelt like a fool.
[Aside] To have looked like a fool.
I am not vexed more at any thing in the earth: a pox on’t! I had rather not be so noble as I am; they dare not fight with me, because of the queen my mother: every Jack-slave hath his bellyful of fighting, and I must go up and down like a cock that nobody can match.
Nothing vexes me more than this in the world: damn it! I’d rather not be as noble as I am; they won’t fight me because of my mother, the queen: every common man gets his share of fighting, and I have to walk around like a rooster no one can challenge.
[Aside] You are cock and capon too; and you crow, cock, with your comb on.
[Aside] You’re both a rooster and a capon; and you crow, rooster, with your comb on.
Sayest thou?
What did you say?
It is not fit your lordship should undertake every companion that you give offence to.
It’s not right for your lordship to pick a fight with everyone you insult.
No, I know that: but it is fit I should commit offence to my inferiors.
No, I know that: but it’s right for me to offend people beneath me.
Ay, it is fit for your lordship only.
Yes, it’s only right for someone of your rank.
Why, so I say.
Exactly, that’s what I say.
Did you hear of a stranger that’s come to court to-night?
Did you hear about the stranger who came to court tonight?
A stranger, and I not know on’t!
A stranger, and I didn’t know about it!?
[Aside] He’s a strange fellow himself, and knows it not.
[Aside] He’s a strange guy himself, and doesn’t even know it.
There’s an Italian come; and, ’tis thought, one of Leonatus’ friends.
An Italian has arrived, and people think he’s one of Leonatus’ friends.
Leonatus! a banished rascal; and he’s another, whatsoever he be. Who told you of this stranger?
Leonatus! A banished scoundrel; and this guy’s probably the same, whoever he is. Who told you about this stranger?
One of your lordship’s pages.
One of your lordship’s attendants.
Is it fit I went to look upon him? is there no derogation in’t?
Is it right for me to go see him? Is there any disgrace in it?
You cannot derogate, my lord.
You can’t disgrace yourself, my lord.
Not easily, I think.
Not easily, I think.
[Aside] You are a fool granted; therefore your issues, being foolish, do not derogate.
[Aside] You’re a fool, that’s clear; so your foolish actions don’t bring any shame.
Come, I’ll go see this Italian: what I have lost to-day at bowls I’ll win to-night of him. Come, go.
Fine, I’ll go see this Italian: whatever I lost in bowls earlier, I’ll win back from him tonight. Let’s go.
I’ll attend your lordship.
I’ll follow you, my lord.
That such a crafty devil as is his mother Should yield the world this ass! a woman that Bears all down with her brain; and this her son Cannot take two from twenty, for his heart, And leave eighteen. Alas, poor princess, Thou divine Imogen, what thou endurest, Betwixt a father by thy step-dame govern’d, A mother hourly coining plots, a wooer More hateful than the foul expulsion is Of thy dear husband, than that horrid act Of the divorce he’ld make! The heavens hold firm The walls of thy dear honour, keep unshaked That temple, thy fair mind, that thou mayst stand, To enjoy thy banish’d lord and this great land!
That such a crafty devil as is his mother Should yield the world this fool! a woman that Brings everyone down with her cleverness; and this her son Cannot subtract two from twenty, because his heart, And leave eighteen. Alas, poor princess, Thou divine Imogen, what thou endurest, Between a father controlled by thy stepmother, A mother constantly scheming, a suitor More hateful than the awful rejection is Of thy dear husband, than that dreadful act Of the divorce he’d make! May the heavens hold firm The walls of thy dear honor, keep unshaken That temple, thy fair mind, that thou mayst stand, To enjoy thy banished lord and this great land!