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Modern English
COUNTESS
COUNTESS
Porter, remember what I gave in charge; And when you have done so, bring the keys to me.
Porter, remember what I told you to do; And when you’re done, bring the keys to me.
Madam, I will.
Madam, I will.
COUNTESS
COUNTESS
The plot is laid: if all things fall out right, I shall as famous be by this exploit As Scythian Tomyris by Cyrus’ death. Great is the rumor of this dreadful knight, And his achievements of no less account: Fain would mine eyes be witness with mine ears, To give their censure of these rare reports.
The plan is set: if everything goes well, I’ll be as famous for this action As the Scythian queen Tomyris was for killing Cyrus. The rumors about this terrifying knight are big, And his achievements are equally impressive: I wish my eyes could see as clearly as my ears, So I could judge these amazing stories for myself.
Madam, According as your ladyship desired, By message craved, so is Lord Talbot come. COUNTESS
Madam, Just as you asked, Lord Talbot has come, as you requested. COUNTESS
And he is welcome. What! is this the man?
And he is welcome. What! Is this the man?
Madam, it is. COUNTESS
Madam, it is. COUNTESS
Is this the scourge of France? Is this the Talbot, so much fear’d abroad That with his name the mothers still their babes? I see report is fabulous and false: I thought I should have seen some Hercules, A second Hector, for his grim aspect, And large proportion of his strong-knit limbs. Alas, this is a child, a silly dwarf! It cannot be this weak and writhled shrimp Should strike such terror to his enemies.
Is this the scourge of France? Is this the Talbot, so feared everywhere, That mothers quiet their babies with his name? I see the reports are lies and falsehoods: I expected to see some sort of Hercules, A second Hector, with his fierce look, And huge, powerful body. But alas, this is just a child, a silly little man! It can’t be that this weak, twisted shrimp Could strike such terror into his enemies.
Madam, I have been bold to trouble you; But since your ladyship is not at leisure, I’ll sort some other time to visit you. COUNTESS
Madam, I’ve been bold to trouble you; But since you’re not available now, I’ll find another time to visit you. COUNTESS
What means he now? Go ask him whither he goes.
What is he doing now? Go ask him where he’s going.
Stay, my Lord Talbot; for my lady craves To know the cause of your abrupt departure.
Wait, my Lord Talbot; my lady wants To know why you’re leaving so suddenly.
Marry, for that she’s in a wrong belief, I go to certify her Talbot’s here.
Well, the reason is that she’s mistaken, I’m going to let her know that Talbot is here.
COUNTESS
COUNTESS
If thou be he, then art thou prisoner.
If you’re really him, then you’re a prisoner.
Prisoner! to whom? COUNTESS
A prisoner! To whom? COUNTESS
To me, blood-thirsty lord; And for that cause I trained thee to my house. Long time thy shadow hath been thrall to me, For in my gallery thy picture hangs: But now the substance shall endure the like, And I will chain these legs and arms of thine, That hast by tyranny these many years Wasted our country, slain our citizens And sent our sons and husbands captivate.
To me, bloodthirsty lord; And that’s why I brought you to my house. For a long time your shadow has been under my control, Because your picture hangs in my gallery: But now the real thing will face the same fate, And I will chain up these legs and arms of yours, The ones that, through tyranny, have for many years Ruined our country, killed our citizens And taken our sons and husbands captive.
Ha, ha, ha! COUNTESS
Ha, ha, ha! COUNTESS
Laughest thou, wretch? thy mirth shall turn to moan.
You laugh, wretch? Your laughter will turn into grief.
I laugh to see your ladyship so fond To think that you have aught but Talbot’s shadow Whereon to practise your severity. COUNTESS
I laugh to see you so foolish, Thinking you have anything but Talbot’s shadow To practice your cruelty on. COUNTESS
Why, art not thou the man?
Why, aren’t you the man?
I am indeed. COUNTESS
I am indeed. COUNTESS
Then have I substance too.
Then I have the real thing too.
No, no, I am but shadow of myself: You are deceived, my substance is not here; For what you see is but the smallest part And least proportion of humanity: I tell you, madam, were the whole frame here, It is of such a spacious lofty pitch, Your roof were not sufficient to contain’t. COUNTESS
No, no, I’m just a shadow of myself: You’re mistaken, my real self isn’t here; What you see is only the smallest part And least of what makes me human: I tell you, madam, if my full form were here, It would be so vast and high, Your roof wouldn’t be enough to hold it. COUNTESS
This is a riddling merchant for the nonce; He will be here, and yet he is not here: How can these contrarieties agree?
This is a riddle from a trickster; He’ll be here, but he’s not here: How can these opposites make sense?
That will I show you presently.
I’ll show you right now.
How say you, madam? are you now persuaded That Talbot is but shadow of himself? These are his substance, sinews, arms and strength, With which he yoketh your rebellious necks, Razeth your cities and subverts your towns And in a moment makes them desolate. COUNTESS
How do you like that, madam? Are you now convinced That Talbot is just a shadow of himself? These are his real form, his muscles, arms, and strength, With which he brings down your rebellious necks, Tears down your cities and overthrows your towns And in an instant turns them to ruins. COUNTESS
Victorious Talbot! pardon my abuse: I find thou art no less than fame hath bruited And more than may be gather’d by thy shape. Let my presumption not provoke thy wrath; For I am sorry that with reverence I did not entertain thee as thou art.
Victorious Talbot! Pardon my earlier insults: I see you’re no less than the fame has told, And more than what could be guessed from your appearance. Don’t let my arrogance make you angry; I’m sorry that I didn’t treat you with the respect You truly deserve.
Be not dismay’d, fair lady; nor misconstrue The mind of Talbot, as you did mistake The outward composition of his body. What you have done hath not offended me; Nor other satisfaction do I crave, But only, with your patience, that we may Taste of your wine and see what cates you have; For soldiers’ stomachs always serve them well. COUNTESS
Don’t be upset, fair lady; and don’t misunderstand My intentions, as you misunderstood The way my body looks. What you’ve done hasn’t offended me; I don’t need any other satisfaction, But just, if you’re willing, let us Taste your wine and see what food you have; Soldiers always have good appetites. COUNTESS
With all my heart, and think me honoured To feast so great a warrior in my house.
With all my heart, and I consider it an honor To entertain such a great warrior in my house.