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Modern English
Good morrow, and well met. How have ye done Since last we saw in France?
Good morning, it’s good to see you. How have you been Since we last met in France?
I thank your grace, Healthful; and ever since a fresh admirer Of what I saw there.
I thank your grace, I’m well, and ever since then, a great admirer Of what I saw there.
An untimely ague Stay’d me a prisoner in my chamber when Those suns of glory, those two lights of men, Met in the vale of Andren.
A sudden fever Kept me stuck in my room when Those shining stars of glory, those two great men, Met in the valley of Andren.
’Twixt Guynes and Arde: I was then present, saw them salute on horseback; Beheld them, when they lighted, how they clung In their embracement, as they grew together; Which had they, what four throned ones could have weigh’d Such a compounded one?
Between Guynes and Arde: I was there, saw them greet each other on horseback; Watched them, when they dismounted, how they held on In their embrace, as they came together; If they had, what could four kings compare To such a powerful union?
All the whole time I was my chamber’s prisoner.
The whole time I was a prisoner in my room.
Then you lost The view of earthly glory: men might say, Till this time pomp was single, but now married To one above itself. Each following day Became the next day’s master, till the last Made former wonders its. To-day the French, All clinquant, all in gold, like heathen gods, Shone down the English; and, to-morrow, they Made Britain India: every man that stood Show’d like a mine. Their dwarfish pages were As cherubins, all guilt: the madams too, Not used to toil, did almost sweat to bear The pride upon them, that their very labour Was to them as a painting: now this masque Was cried incomparable; and the ensuing night Made it a fool and beggar. The two kings, Equal in lustre, were now best, now worst, As presence did present them; him in eye, Still him in praise: and, being present both ’Twas said they saw but one; and no discerner Durst wag his tongue in censure. When these suns-- For so they phrase ’em--by their heralds challenged The noble spirits to arms, they did perform Beyond thought’s compass; that former fabulous story, Being now seen possible enough, got credit, That Bevis was believed.
Then you missed The sight of earthly glory: people might say, Up until now, grandeur was alone, but now joined To something higher. Each new day Became the next day’s master, until the last Turned former wonders into the past. Today the French, All glittering in gold, like gods from old myths, Outshone the English; and tomorrow, they Turned Britain into India: every man who stood Seemed like a treasure. Their tiny servants were Like angels, all in gold: the noble women too, Not used to hard work, almost sweated under The pride they carried, as their very effort Felt like a painting to them: now this spectacle Was praised as unmatched; and the next night Turned it into a fool and beggar. The two kings, Equal in brilliance, were at times best, at times worst, As their presence changed; one was praised in sight, The other praised in words: when both were there It was said they saw only one; and no one dared To speak a word of criticism. When these bright stars— That’s what they called them—by their heralds challenged The noble spirits to battle, they performed Beyond anyone’s expectations; that old legendary story, Now seen as possible enough, was believed, And Bevis was trusted.
O, you go far.
Oh, you’re going too far.
As I belong to worship and affect In honour honesty, the tract of every thing Would by a good discourser lose some life, Which action’s self was tongue to. All was royal; To the disposing of it nought rebell’d. Order gave each thing view; the office did Distinctly his full function.
As I owe respect and value Honesty, the course of everything Would lose some life in a good storyteller, Which action itself would speak for. Everything was royal; Nothing rebelled against it. Order gave everything its place; the duties did Their jobs perfectly.
Who did guide, I mean, who set the body and the limbs Of this great sport together, as you guess?
Who led it, I mean, who set up this great display, As you would guess?
One, certes, that promises no element In such a business.
One, certainly, who doesn’t seem to belong In this kind of affair.
I pray you, who, my lord?
I beg you, who, my lord?
All this was order’d by the good discretion Of the right reverend Cardinal of York.
All of this was arranged by the wise judgment Of the right honorable Cardinal of York.
The devil speed him! no man’s pie is freed From his ambitious finger. What had he To do in these fierce vanities? I wonder That such a keech can with his very bulk Take up the rays o’ the beneficial sun And keep it from the earth.
May the devil take him! no one’s business is safe From his greedy hands. What was he doing In these senseless actions? I can’t believe That someone so fat can, by his mere presence, Block the sun’s rays and stop them from reaching the earth.
Surely, sir, There’s in him stuff that puts him to these ends; For, being not propp’d by ancestry, whose grace Chalks successors their way, nor call’d upon For high feats done to the crown; neither allied For eminent assistants; but, spider-like, Out of his self-drawing web, he gives us note, The force of his own merit makes his way A gift that heaven gives for him, which buys A place next to the king.
Surely, sir, He has qualities that enable him to do this; Because, not supported by noble ancestry, which usually Shows the way for future leaders, nor called upon For great deeds done for the crown; nor allied With powerful friends; but, like a spider, He spins his own web and makes us notice, That his own talent has paved his way, A gift from heaven that places him Next to the king.
I cannot tell What heaven hath given him,--let some graver eye Pierce into that; but I can see his pride Peep through each part of him: whence has he that, If not from hell? the devil is a niggard, Or has given all before, and he begins A new hell in himself.
I can’t say What heaven has given him—let someone wiser look into that—but I can see his pride Showing through every part of him: where did he get it, If not from hell? The devil is a miser, Or has already given everything away, and now he’s Creating a new hell for himself.
Why the devil, Upon this French going out, took he upon him, Without the privity o’ the king, to appoint Who should attend on him? He makes up the file Of all the gentry; for the most part such To whom as great a charge as little honour He meant to lay upon: and his own letter, The honourable board of council out, Must fetch him in the papers.
Why, the devil, When the French were leaving, did he take it upon himself, Without the king’s permission, to decide Who should serve him? He makes a list Of all the gentry; mostly those To whom he plans to assign a task that has little honor But a big responsibility: and his own letter, The honorable council must bring him into the records.
I do know Kinsmen of mine, three at the least, that have By this so sickened their estates, that never They shall abound as formerly.
I do know Relatives of mine, at least three, who have So ruined their estates by this, that they’ll never Be as wealthy as they once were.
O, many Have broke their backs with laying manors on ’em For this great journey. What did this vanity But minister communication of A most poor issue?
Oh, many Have broken their backs trying to finance this great journey. What did this foolishness But lead to the spread of A very poor outcome?
Grievingly I think, The peace between the French and us not values The cost that did conclude it.
Sadly, I think, The peace between the French and us isn’t worth The price that paid for it.
Every man, After the hideous storm that follow’d, was A thing inspired; and, not consulting, broke Into a general prophecy; That this tempest, Dashing the garment of this peace, aboded The sudden breach on’t.
After the terrible storm that followed, everyone Felt inspired; and without consulting anyone, they broke Into a general prophecy, saying that this storm, Ripping apart the peace treaty, would soon bring A sudden end to it.
Which is budded out; For France hath flaw’d the league, and hath attach’d Our merchants’ goods at Bourdeaux.
Which has already begun; For France has violated the treaty and seized Our merchants’ goods in Bordeaux.
Is it therefore The ambassador is silenced?
Is that why The ambassador has been silenced?
Marry, is’t.
Yes, indeed.
A proper title of a peace; and purchased At a superfluous rate!
A fitting name for a peace; and bought At an unnecessary price!
Why, all this business Our reverend cardinal carried.
Well, all of this was handled By our revered cardinal.
Like it your grace, The state takes notice of the private difference Betwixt you and the cardinal. I advise you-- And take it from a heart that wishes towards you Honour and plenteous safety--that you read The cardinal’s malice and his potency Together; to consider further that What his high hatred would effect wants not A minister in his power. You know his nature, That he’s revengeful, and I know his sword Hath a sharp edge: it’s long and, ’t may be said, It reaches far, and where ’twill not extend, Thither he darts it. Bosom up my counsel, You’ll find it wholesome. Lo, where comes that rock That I advise your shunning.
Your grace, does it please you, The government is aware of the private conflict Between you and the cardinal. My advice is-- And I offer this from a heart that truly wishes you Honor and abundant safety--that you consider Both the cardinal’s hatred and his influence Together; and think about the fact that What his deep hatred wants to accomplish doesn’t need A servant in his power. You know his character, That he’s vengeful, and I know his sword Has a sharp edge: it’s long and, it could be said, It reaches far, and where it doesn’t reach, He sends it there. Keep my advice in mind, You’ll find it useful. Look, here comes the danger That I warned you to avoid.
The Duke of Buckingham’s surveyor, ha? Where’s his examination?
The Duke of Buckingham’s steward, huh? Where’s his questioning?
Here, so please you.
Here, if it pleases you.
Is he in person ready?
Is he ready in person?
Ay, please your grace.
Yes, your grace.
Well, we shall then know more; and Buckingham Shall lessen this big look.
Well, then we’ll know more; and Buckingham Will have to tone down his proud appearance.
This butcher’s cur is venom-mouth’d, and I Have not the power to muzzle him; therefore best Not wake him in his slumber. A beggar’s book Outworths a noble’s blood.
This filthy dog is full of venom, and I Can’t stop him; so it’s best Not to provoke him while he’s calm. A beggar’s book Is worth more than a nobleman’s blood.
What, are you chafed? Ask God for temperance; that’s the appliance only Which your disease requires.
What, are you upset? Ask God for patience; that’s the only thing That will heal your anger.
I read in’s looks Matter against me; and his eye reviled Me, as his abject object: at this instant He bores me with some trick: he’s gone to the king; I’ll follow and outstare him.
I see in his eyes Something against me; and his gaze insulted Me, as if I were his servant: right now He’s plotting something against me: he’s gone to the king; I’ll follow and confront him.
Stay, my lord, And let your reason with your choler question What ’tis you go about: to climb steep hills Requires slow pace at first: anger is like A full-hot horse, who being allow’d his way, Self-mettle tires him. Not a man in England Can advise me like you: be to yourself As you would to your friend.
Wait, my lord, And let your reason consider What it is you’re about to do: climbing steep hills Takes a slow pace at first: anger is like A wild horse, which, if allowed to have its way, Wears itself out. No one in England Can give me better advice than you: treat yourself As you would a friend.
I’ll to the king; And from a mouth of honour quite cry down This Ipswich fellow’s insolence; or proclaim There’s difference in no persons.
I’ll go to the king; And I’ll loudly denounce This Ipswich man’s arrogance; or declare That there’s no difference between anyone.
Be advised; Heat not a furnace for your foe so hot That it do singe yourself: we may outrun, By violent swiftness, that which we run at, And lose by over-running. Know you not, The fire that mounts the liquor til run o’er, In seeming to augment it wastes it? Be advised: I say again, there is no English soul More stronger to direct you than yourself, If with the sap of reason you would quench, Or but allay, the fire of passion.
Think carefully; Don’t make your anger so hot That it burns you: we may outrun, With our speed, what we’re chasing, And lose by moving too fast. Don’t you know, The fire that makes the liquid boil until it overflows, Actually wastes it? Think carefully: I say again, no Englishman Is better equipped to guide you than you yourself, If you use your reason to cool Or even just ease, the fire of your passion.
Sir, I am thankful to you; and I’ll go along By your prescription: but this top-proud fellow, Whom from the flow of gall I name not but From sincere motions, by intelligence, And proofs as clear as founts in July when We see each grain of gravel, I do know To be corrupt and treasonous.
Sir, I’m grateful to you; and I’ll follow your advice: But this proud man, Whom I won’t name out of anger, but from pure knowledge, And evidence as clear as the pebbles on the shore in July, I know to be corrupt and guilty of treason.
Say not ’treasonous.’
Don’t call it ‘treason.’
To the king I’ll say’t; and make my vouch as strong As shore of rock. Attend. This holy fox, Or wolf, or both,--for he is equal ravenous As he is subtle, and as prone to mischief As able to perform’t; his mind and place Infecting one another, yea, reciprocally-- Only to show his pomp as well in France As here at home, suggests the king our master To this last costly treaty, the interview, That swallow’d so much treasure, and like a glass Did break i’ the rinsing.
I’ll tell the king, and make my word as strong As a rock. Listen. This sly man, Or wolf, or both--because he’s as greedy As he is clever, and as ready to cause trouble As he is capable of carrying it out; his mind and position Influence each other, back and forth-- Just to show off his wealth both in France And here at home, our king’s advisor Suggested this last expensive meeting, the interview, Which wasted so much money, and like a glass It shattered when it was cleaned.
Faith, and so it did.
Yes, and that’s exactly what happened.
Pray, give me favour, sir. This cunning cardinal The articles o’ the combination drew As himself pleased; and they were ratified As he cried ’Thus let be’: to as much end As give a crutch to the dead: but our count-cardinal Has done this, and ’tis well; for worthy Wolsey, Who cannot err, he did it. Now this follows,-- Which, as I take it, is a kind of puppy To the old dam, treason,--Charles the emperor, Under pretence to see the queen his aunt-- For ’twas indeed his colour, but he came To whisper Wolsey,--here makes visitation: His fears were, that the interview betwixt England and France might, through their amity, Breed him some prejudice; for from this league Peep’d harms that menaced him: he privily Deals with our cardinal; and, as I trow,-- Which I do well; for I am sure the emperor Paid ere he promised; whereby his suit was granted Ere it was ask’d; but when the way was made, And paved with gold, the emperor thus desired, That he would please to alter the king’s course, And break the foresaid peace. Let the king know, As soon he shall by me, that thus the cardinal Does buy and sell his honour as he pleases, And for his own advantage.
Please, give me a moment, sir. This crafty cardinal Drew up the terms of the agreement As he liked, and they were confirmed As he said, ’Let it be so’: to the same effect As giving a crutch to the dead: but our cardinal Has done this, and it’s fine; because the respected Wolsey, Who can do no wrong, did it. Now, what follows is-- Which, as I understand it, is a sort of puppy To the old mother, treason--Charles the emperor, Under the pretense of visiting his aunt the queen-- Because that was the real reason, but he came To whisper to Wolsey,--now he’s making a visit: His fear was that the meeting between England and France, through their friendship, Might harm him; because from this alliance Came dangers that threatened him: he secretly Deals with our cardinal; and, as I believe,-- Which I’m certain of; because I know the emperor Paid before he promised; so his request was granted Before it was even asked; but once the path was clear, And paved with gold, the emperor asked, That Wolsey would change the king’s plans, And break the peace agreement. Let the king know, As soon as I tell him, that the cardinal Sells and buys his honor however he wants, And only for his own gain.
I am sorry To hear this of him; and could wish he were Something mistaken in’t.
I’m sorry To hear this about him; and wish he were Somewhat mistaken in it.
No, not a syllable: I do pronounce him in that very shape He shall appear in proof.
No, not even a word: I declare that he’s exactly as I’ve described And he’ll prove it soon enough.
Your office, sergeant; execute it.
Your duty, sergeant; carry it out.
Sir, My lord the Duke of Buckingham, and Earl Of Hereford, Stafford, and Northampton, I Arrest thee of high treason, in the name Of our most sovereign king.
Sir, My lord the Duke of Buckingham, and Earl Of Hereford, Stafford, and Northampton, I Arrest you for high treason, in the name Of our most sovereign king.
Lo, you, my lord, The net has fall’n upon me! I shall perish Under device and practise.
Look, my lord, The trap has fallen on me! I’ll die Because of this plot and trickery.
I am sorry To see you ta’en from liberty, to look on The business present: ’tis his highness’ pleasure You shall to the Tower.
I’m sorry To see you taken from your freedom, and to witness The current matter: it’s the king’s will That you must go to the Tower.
It will help me nothing To plead mine innocence; for that dye is on me Which makes my whitest part black. The will of heaven Be done in this and all things! I obey. O my Lord Abergavenny, fare you well!
It won’t help me to argue that I’m innocent; For that stain is on me Which makes my whitest part look black. God’s will Be done in this and everything! I obey. Oh, Lord Abergavenny, farewell!
Nay, he must bear you company. The king
No, he must go with you. The king
Is pleased you shall to the Tower, till you know How he determines further.
Has decided you will go to the Tower, until you know What he decides next.
As the duke said, The will of heaven be done, and the king’s pleasure By me obey’d!
As the duke said, God’s will be done, and the king’s wishes I will obey!
Here is a warrant from The king to attach Lord Montacute; and the bodies Of the duke’s confessor, John de la Car, One Gilbert Peck, his chancellor--
Here’s a warrant from The king to arrest Lord Montacute; and the bodies Of the duke’s confessor, John de la Car, One Gilbert Peck, his chancellor--
So, so; These are the limbs o’ the plot: no more, I hope.
Okay, okay; These are the parts of the plan: no more, I hope.
A monk o’ the Chartreux.
A monk from the Chartreux order.
O, Nicholas Hopkins?
Oh, Nicholas Hopkins?
He.
Yes.
My surveyor is false; the o’er-great cardinal Hath show’d him gold; my life is spann’d already: I am the shadow of poor Buckingham, Whose figure even this instant cloud puts on, By darkening my clear sun. My lord, farewell.
My surveyor is lying; the over-powerful cardinal Has bribed him with gold; my life is already over: I am just a shadow of poor Buckingham, Whose figure even this very moment’s cloud takes on, By blocking out my clear sunlight. My lord, goodbye.