Original
Modern English
Ladies, a general welcome from his grace Salutes ye all; this night he dedicates To fair content and you: none here, he hopes, In all this noble bevy, has brought with her One care abroad; he would have all as merry As, first, good company, good wine, good welcome, Can make good people. O, my lord, you’re tardy:
Ladies, his grace sends a general welcome to you all; He dedicates this night to your happiness and fair company: He hopes none of you, in this noble gathering, has any worries; He wants everyone to be as happy As good company, good wine, and a warm welcome Can make good people. Oh, my lord, you’re late:
The very thought of this fair company Clapp’d wings to me.
The very thought of this lovely company Made my heart race.
You are young, Sir Harry Guildford.
You are young, Sir Harry Guildford.
Sir Thomas Lovell, had the cardinal But half my lay thoughts in him, some of these Should find a running banquet ere they rested, I think would better please ’em: by my life, They are a sweet society of fair ones.
Sir Thomas Lovell, if the cardinal Had only half the thoughts I have, Some of these women Would have a running banquet before they could rest, I think that would please them better: by my life, They are a sweet group of beautiful ladies.
O, that your lordship were but now confessor To one or two of these!
Oh, I wish your lordship were the confessor For one or two of these ladies!
I would I were; They should find easy penance.
I wish I were; They would find it easy to do penance.
Faith, how easy?
Honestly, how easy?
As easy as a down-bed would afford it.
As easy as lying on a soft bed.
Sweet ladies, will it please you sit? Sir Harry, Place you that side; I’ll take the charge of this: His grace is entering. Nay, you must not freeze; Two women placed together makes cold weather: My Lord Sands, you are one will keep ’em waking; Pray, sit between these ladies.
Ladies, would you please sit down? Sir Harry, You sit on that side; I’ll take care of this: His grace is coming in. No, you can’t stay cold; Two women sitting together makes it cold: My Lord Sands, you’re the one who’ll keep them awake; Please sit between these ladies.
By my faith, And thank your lordship. By your leave, sweet ladies: If I chance to talk a little wild, forgive me; I had it from my father.
Honestly, And thank you, my lord. If you’ll allow me, sweet ladies: If I happen to speak a little foolishly, forgive me; I got it from my father.
Was he mad, sir?
Was he mad, sir?
O, very mad, exceeding mad, in love too: But he would bite none; just as I do now, He would kiss you twenty with a breath.
Oh, very mad, incredibly mad, and in love too: But he wouldn’t bite anyone; just like I do now, He’d kiss you twenty times in one breath.
Well said, my lord. So, now you’re fairly seated. Gentlemen, The penance lies on you, if these fair ladies Pass away frowning.
Well said, my lord. So, now you’re all properly seated. Gentlemen, The blame is on you if these beautiful ladies Leave here frowning.
For my little cure, Let me alone.
For my little part, Just leave me to it.
You’re welcome, my fair guests: that noble lady, Or gentleman, that is not freely merry, Is not my friend: this, to confirm my welcome; And to you all, good health.
Welcome, my lovely guests: that noble lady, Or gentleman, who isn’t happily merry, Is not my friend: this, to prove my welcome; And to all of you, good health.
Your grace is noble: Let me have such a bowl may hold my thanks, And save me so much talking.
Your grace is noble: Let me have a bowl that can hold my thanks, And save me from talking too much.
My Lord Sands, I am beholding to you: cheer your neighbours. Ladies, you are not merry: gentlemen, Whose fault is this?
My Lord Sands, I am grateful to you: cheer up your neighbors. Ladies, you’re not cheerful: gentlemen, Whose fault is this?
The red wine first must rise In their fair cheeks, my lord; then we shall have ’em Talk us to silence.
The red wine first needs to rise In their beautiful cheeks, my lord; then we’ll have them Talk us into silence.
You are a merry gamester, My Lord Sands.
You’re a cheerful player, My Lord Sands.
Yes, if I make my play. Here’s to your ladyship: and pledge it, madam, For ’tis to such a thing,--
Yes, if I get my chance. Here’s to you, my lady: and drink to it, madam, Because it’s for something like this,--
You cannot show me.
You can’t show me.
I told your grace they would talk anon.
I told you they’d start talking soon.
What’s that?
What’s that?
Look out there, some of ye.
Look out there, some of you.
What warlike voice, And to what end is this? Nay, ladies, fear not; By all the laws of war you’re privileged.
What’s this warlike noise, And what’s it for? No, ladies, don’t be afraid; According to the rules of war, you’re safe.
How now! what is’t?
What now! What is it?
A noble troop of strangers; For so they seem: they’ve left their barge and landed; And hither make, as great ambassadors From foreign princes.
A noble group of strangers; Or at least they seem that way: they’ve left their boat and come ashore; And they’re heading here, like important ambassadors From foreign kings.
Good lord chamberlain, Go, give ’em welcome; you can speak the French tongue; And, pray, receive ’em nobly, and conduct ’em Into our presence, where this heaven of beauty Shall shine at full upon them. Some attend him.
Good lord chamberlain, Go, welcome them; you speak French; And, please, greet them properly, and bring them Into our presence, where this heaven of beauty Will shine fully on them. Some of you, attend him.
You have now a broken banquet; but we’ll mend it. A good digestion to you all: and once more I shower a welcome on ye; welcome all.
Now you have a broken banquet; but we’ll fix it. I wish you all a good digestion: and once again I send a welcome to you; welcome, everyone.
A noble company! what are their pleasures?
A noble group! What are their plans?
Because they speak no English, thus they pray’d To tell your grace, that, having heard by fame Of this so noble and so fair assembly This night to meet here, they could do no less Out of the great respect they bear to beauty, But leave their flocks; and, under your fair conduct, Crave leave to view these ladies and entreat An hour of revels with ’em.
Because they don’t speak English, they asked To tell you, that, having heard about This noble and beautiful gathering Tonight, they felt they couldn’t do less Out of the great respect they have for beauty, But leave their flocks; and, under your kind leadership, Ask for permission to see these ladies and request An hour of fun with them.
Say, lord chamberlain, They have done my poor house grace; for which I pay ’em A thousand thanks, and pray ’em take their pleasures.
Tell them, lord chamberlain, They’ve honored my humble home; for that, I thank them A thousand times, and ask them to enjoy themselves.
The fairest hand I ever touch’d! O beauty, Till now I never knew thee!
The most beautiful hand I’ve ever held! Oh beauty, Until now, I never truly understood you!
My lord!
My lord!
Your grace?
Your grace?
Pray, tell ’em thus much from me: There should be one amongst ’em, by his person, More worthy this place than myself; to whom, If I but knew him, with my love and duty I would surrender it.
Please, tell them this from me: There should be one among them, by his appearance, More deserving of this position than I am; to him, If I only knew him, I would gladly give it up with my love and duty.
I will, my lord.
I will, my lord.
What say they?
What do they say?
Such a one, they all confess, There is indeed; which they would have your grace Find out, and he will take it.
They all agree, There is indeed such a person; and they want you, sir, To find him, and he will accept it.
Let me see, then. By all your good leaves, gentlemen; here I’ll make My royal choice.
Let me see, then. By all your permission, gentlemen; here I’ll make My royal choice.
Ye have found him, cardinal:
You’ve found him, cardinal:
You hold a fair assembly; you do well, lord: You are a churchman, or, I’ll tell you, cardinal, I should judge now unhappily.
You’ve gathered a lovely group; you’ve done well, lord: You are a churchman, or, I’ll tell you, cardinal, I’d now think quite poorly of you.
I am glad Your grace is grown so pleasant.
I’m glad Your highness is so cheerful.
My lord chamberlain, Prithee, come hither: what fair lady’s that?
My lord chamberlain, Please, come here: who is that beautiful lady?
An’t please your grace, Sir Thomas Bullen’s daughter-- The Viscount Rochford,--one of her highness’ women.
If it pleases Your Grace, that’s Sir Thomas Bullen’s daughter-- The Viscount Rochford,--one of the queen’s ladies.
By heaven, she is a dainty one. Sweetheart, I were unmannerly, to take you out, And not to kiss you. A health, gentlemen! Let it go round.
By heaven, she’s a lovely one. Sweetheart, It would be rude of me not to take you out, And not kiss you. A toast, gentlemen! Let’s pass it around.
Sir Thomas Lovell, is the banquet ready I’ the privy chamber?
Sir Thomas Lovell, is the feast ready In the private chamber?
Yes, my lord.
Yes, my lord.
Your grace, I fear, with dancing is a little heated.
Your Grace, I’m afraid you’ve gotten a little overheated from dancing.
I fear, too much.
I’m afraid, too much.
There’s fresher air, my lord, In the next chamber.
There’s fresher air, my lord, In the next room.
Lead in your ladies, every one: sweet partner, I must not yet forsake you: let’s be merry: Good my lord cardinal, I have half a dozen healths To drink to these fair ladies, and a measure To lead ’em once again; and then let’s dream Who’s best in favour. Let the music knock it.
Lead in your ladies, all of them: sweet partner, I can’t leave you just yet: let’s enjoy ourselves: Good my lord cardinal, I have half a dozen toasts To drink to these beautiful ladies, and a dance To lead them once more; and then let’s see Who is the most admired. Let the music decide.