Original
Modern English
Brother, though I be youngest, give me leave.
Brother, even though I’m the youngest, let me speak.
No, I can better play the orator.
No, I can speak better than you.
But I have reasons strong and forcible.
But I have strong and convincing reasons.
Why, how now, sons and brother! at a strife? What is your quarrel? how began it first?
What’s going on here, sons and brother? Are you fighting? What’s the argument about? How did it start?
No quarrel, but a slight contention.
No real argument, just a minor disagreement.
About what?
About what?
About that which concerns your grace and us; The crown of England, father, which is yours.
About something that affects both you and us; The crown of England, father, which is rightfully yours.
Mine boy? not till King Henry be dead.
Mine, son? Not until King Henry is dead.
Your right depends not on his life or death.
Your claim doesn’t depend on whether he lives or dies.
Now you are heir, therefore enjoy it now: By giving the house of Lancaster leave to breathe, It will outrun you, father, in the end.
Now you are the heir, so enjoy it while you can: If you let the House of Lancaster live, it will eventually beat you, father.
I took an oath that he should quietly reign.
I swore an oath that he should reign peacefully.
But for a kingdom any oath may be broken: I would break a thousand oaths to reign one year.
But for a kingdom, any oath can be broken: I’d break a thousand oaths to rule for just one year.
No; God forbid your grace should be forsworn.
No; God forbid your grace should break your word.
I shall be, if I claim by open war.
I will, if I claim the throne through open war.
I’ll prove the contrary, if you’ll hear me speak.
I’ll prove otherwise, if you’ll listen to me.
Thou canst not, son; it is impossible.
You can’t, son; it’s impossible.
An oath is of no moment, being not took Before a true and lawful magistrate, That hath authority over him that swears: Henry had none, but did usurp the place; Then, seeing ’twas he that made you to depose, Your oath, my lord, is vain and frivolous. Therefore, to arms! And, father, do but think How sweet a thing it is to wear a crown; Within whose circuit is Elysium And all that poets feign of bliss and joy. Why do we finger thus? I cannot rest Until the white rose that I wear be dyed Even in the lukewarm blood of Henry’s heart.
An oath doesn’t matter if it wasn’t taken In front of a true and legal authority, Someone with power over the one who swears: Henry had no such authority and stole the throne; Since it was he who made you give up the crown, Your oath, my lord, is pointless and meaningless. So, let’s go to war! And, father, just think How wonderful it is to wear a crown; Inside its circle is paradise, And all the bliss and joy that poets talk about. Why do we delay? I can’t rest Until the white rose I wear is soaked In the warm blood of Henry’s heart.
Richard, enough; I will be king, or die. Brother, thou shalt to London presently, And whet on Warwick to this enterprise. Thou, Richard, shalt to the Duke of Norfolk, And tell him privily of our intent. You Edward, shall unto my Lord Cobham, With whom the Kentishmen will willingly rise: In them I trust; for they are soldiers, Witty, courteous, liberal, full of spirit. While you are thus employ’d, what resteth more, But that I seek occasion how to rise, And yet the king not privy to my drift, Nor any of the house of Lancaster?
Richard, enough; I’ll either be king or die. Brother, you’ll go to London right away, And urge Warwick to join this cause. You, Richard, will go to the Duke of Norfolk, And tell him secretly of our plan. You, Edward, will go to Lord Cobham, With whom the men of Kent will happily rise: I trust them; they’re soldiers, Clever, courteous, generous, and full of spirit. While you’re busy with this, what remains But that I find a way to rise, Without the king knowing my plan, Or anyone in the House of Lancaster?
But, stay: what news? Why comest thou in such post?
But wait: what news? Why are you in such a hurry?
The queen with all the northern earls and lords Intend here to besiege you in your castle: She is hard by with twenty thousand men; And therefore fortify your hold, my lord.
The queen with all the northern earls and lords Intend here to besiege you in your castle: She is hard by with twenty thousand men; And therefore fortify your hold, my lord.
Ay, with my sword. What! think’st thou that we fear them? Edward and Richard, you shall stay with me; My brother Montague shall post to London: Let noble Warwick, Cobham, and the rest, Whom we have left protectors of the king, With powerful policy strengthen themselves, And trust not simple Henry nor his oaths.
Yes, with my sword. What! Do you think we’re scared of them? Edward and Richard, you stay with me; My brother Montague will go to London: Let noble Warwick, Cobham, and the others, Who we’ve left to protect the king, Strengthen themselves with smart planning, And not trust simple Henry or his promises.
Brother, I go; I’ll win them, fear it not: And thus most humbly I do take my leave.
Brother, I’m going; I’ll win them, don’t worry: And so, with all due respect, I take my leave.
Sir John and Sir Hugh Mortimer, mine uncles, You are come to Sandal in a happy hour; The army of the queen mean to besiege us.
Sir John and Sir Hugh Mortimer, my uncles, You’ve come to Sandal at a good time; The queen’s army plans to surround us.
She shall not need; we’ll meet her in the field.
She won’t need to; we’ll meet her on the battlefield.
What, with five thousand men?
What, with five thousand men?
Ay, with five hundred, father, for a need: A woman’s general; what should we fear?
Yes, with five hundred, father, if necessary: A woman’s general; what should we fear?
I hear their drums: let’s set our men in order, And issue forth and bid them battle straight.
I hear their drums: let’s get our men ready, And march out to fight them right away.
Five men to twenty! though the odds be great, I doubt not, uncle, of our victory. Many a battle have I won in France, When as the enemy hath been ten to one: Why should I not now have the like success?
Five men against twenty! Even though the odds are huge, I have no doubt, uncle, that we’ll win. I’ve won many battles in France, When the enemy was ten to one: Why shouldn’t I have the same success now?