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Modern English
Come on, my masters, each man take his stand: The king by this is set him down to sleep.
Come on, my friends, each of you take your place: The king is about to settle down to sleep.
What, will he not to bed?
What, is he not going to bed?
Why, no; for he hath made a solemn vow Never to lie and take his natural rest Till Warwick or himself be quite suppress’d.
No; he has sworn a solemn oath Never to rest until Warwick or himself is completely defeated.
To-morrow then belike shall be the day, If Warwick be so near as men report.
So tomorrow will probably be the day, If Warwick is as close as people say.
But say, I pray, what nobleman is that That with the king here resteth in his tent?
But tell me, what nobleman is that Who is with the king in his tent?
’Tis the Lord Hastings, the king’s chiefest friend.
It’s Lord Hastings, the king’s closest friend.
O, is it so? But why commands the king That his chief followers lodge in towns about him, While he himself keeps in the cold field?
Oh, I see. But why does the king Order his closest followers to stay in nearby towns, While he himself sleeps out in the open?
’Tis the more honour, because more dangerous.
It’s more honorable, because it’s more dangerous.
Ay, but give me worship and quietness; I like it better than a dangerous honour. If Warwick knew in what estate he stands, ’Tis to be doubted he would waken him.
Yes, but give me respect and peace; I prefer that to dangerous honor. If Warwick knew the state he’s in, He’d probably wake him up.
Unless our halberds did shut up his passage.
Unless our halberds block his way.
Ay, wherefore else guard we his royal tent, But to defend his person from night-foes?
Yes, why else would we guard his royal tent, Except to protect him from enemies in the night?
This is his tent; and see where stand his guard. Courage, my masters! honour now or never! But follow me, and Edward shall be ours.
This is his tent; and look, here are his guards. Stay strong, my friends! This is our chance for glory, now or never! But follow me, and Edward will be ours.
Who goes there?
Who’s there?
Stay, or thou diest!
Stop, or you’ll die!
What are they that fly there?
Who are those running away?
Richard and Hastings: let them go; here is The duke.
Richard and Hastings: let them go; here is the duke.
The duke! Why, Warwick, when we parted, Thou call’dst me king.
The duke! Why, Warwick, when we last parted, You called me king.
Ay, but the case is alter’d: When you disgraced me in my embassade, Then I degraded you from being king, And come now to create you Duke of York. Alas! how should you govern any kingdom, That know not how to use ambassadors, Nor how to be contented with one wife, Nor how to use your brothers brotherly, Nor how to study for the people’s welfare, Nor how to shroud yourself from enemies?
Yes, but the situation has changed: When you humiliated me during my mission, I stripped you of your title as king, And now I’m here to make you Duke of York. How could you rule any kingdom, If you don’t know how to handle ambassadors, Or how to be happy with one wife, Or how to treat your brother like a brother, Or how to work for the welfare of your people, Or how to protect yourself from your enemies?
Yea, brother of Clarence, are thou here too? Nay, then I see that Edward needs must down. Yet, Warwick, in despite of all mischance, Of thee thyself and all thy complices, Edward will always bear himself as king: Though fortune’s malice overthrow my state, My mind exceeds the compass of her wheel.
Yes, brother of Clarence, are you here too? Well, now I see that Edward must fall. Yet, Warwick, despite all the misfortune, Despite you and all your allies, Edward will always carry himself like a king: Though fortune’s cruelty may ruin my position, My mind is beyond her reach.
Then, for his mind, be Edward England’s king:
Then, for his mind, let Edward be England’s king:
But Henry now shall wear the English crown, And be true king indeed, thou but the shadow. My Lord of Somerset, at my request, See that forthwith Duke Edward be convey’d Unto my brother, Archbishop of York. When I have fought with Pembroke and his fellows, I’ll follow you, and tell what answer Lewis and the Lady Bona send to him. Now, for a while farewell, good Duke of York.
But now Henry shall wear the English crown, And be a true king, while you are just a shadow. My Lord Somerset, at my request, Make sure Duke Edward is taken immediately To my brother, the Archbishop of York. Once I’ve fought with Pembroke and his men, I’ll join you and bring you news Of what answer Lewis and Lady Bona send to him. Now, for a while, goodbye, good Duke of York.
What fates impose, that men must needs abide; It boots not to resist both wind and tide.
What fate brings us, we have to accept; It’s useless to fight against what’s inevitable.
What now remains, my lords, for us to do But march to London with our soldiers?
So what’s left for us to do, my lords, But march to London with our army?
Ay, that’s the first thing that we have to do; To free King Henry from imprisonment And see him seated in the regal throne.
Yes, that’s the first thing we need to do; Free King Henry from prison And put him back on the throne.