Original
Modern English
Why the King of France is so suddenly gone back know you the reason?
Why did the King of France suddenly leave? Do you know why?
Something he left imperfect in the state, which since his coming forth is thought of; which imports to the kingdom so much fear and danger, that his personal return was most required and necessary.
There was something unfinished in the state, which since he left has been thought about a lot; it’s so important to the kingdom that his personal return was absolutely necessary.
Who hath he left behind him general?
Who did he leave in charge?
The Marshal of France, Monsieur La Far.
The Marshal of France, Monsieur La Far.
Did your letters pierce the queen to any demonstration of grief?
Did your letters make the queen show any sign of sadness?
Ay, sir; she took them, read them in my presence; And now and then an ample tear trill’d down Her delicate cheek: it seem’d she was a queen Over her passion; who, most rebel-like, Sought to be king o’er her.
Yes, sir; she took them and read them while I was there; And now and then a big tear rolled down her soft cheek: it seemed like she was a queen controlling her emotions; she, like a rebellious person, tried to control her feelings as if she were a king.
O, then it moved her.
Oh, then it really moved her.
Not to a rage: patience and sorrow strove Who should express her goodliest. You have seen Sunshine and rain at once: her smiles and tears Were like a better way: those happy smilets, That play’d on her ripe lip, seem’d not to know What guests were in her eyes; which parted thence, As pearls from diamonds dropp’d. In brief, Sorrow would be a rarity most beloved, If all could so become it.
Not to anger: patience and sadness fought over who could show the most dignity. You’ve seen sunshine and rain at once: her smiles and tears were like a more graceful way: those lovely smiles, that played on her ripe lips, seemed not to know what emotions were in her eyes; which fell away from there, like pearls dropping from diamonds. In short, sadness would be the rarest and most cherished thing, if everyone could carry it so gracefully.
Made she no verbal question?
Did she ask any questions out loud?
’Faith, once or twice she heaved the name of ’father’ Pantingly forth, as if it press’d her heart: Cried ’Sisters! sisters! Shame of ladies! sisters! Kent! father! sisters! What, i’ the storm? i’ the night? Let pity not be believed!’ There she shook The holy water from her heavenly eyes, And clamour moisten’d: then away she started To deal with grief alone.
Well, once or twice she almost whispered the word ’father’ as if it was too much for her to say: She cried, ’Sisters! sisters! Shame on women! sisters! Kent! father! sisters! What, in the storm? in the night? Let no one doubt my pity!’ Then she cried tears like holy water from her pure eyes, and her sobs were heard: after that, she ran off to grieve alone.
It is the stars, The stars above us, govern our conditions; Else one self mate and mate could not beget Such different issues. You spoke not with her since?
It’s the stars, The stars above us, that shape our lives; Otherwise, one person could not end up with such different results. You haven’t spoken to her since then?
No.
No.
Was this before the king return’d?
Was this before the king came back?
No, since.
No, since.
Well, sir, the poor distressed Lear’s i’ the town; Who sometime, in his better tune, remembers What we are come about, and by no means Will yield to see his daughter.
Well, sir, the poor distressed Lear’s in the town; Who sometimes, when he’s in a better mood, remembers What we’ve come to do, and by no means Will agree to see his daughter.
Why, good sir?
Why, good sir?
A sovereign shame so elbows him: his own unkindness, That stripp’d her from his benediction, turn’d her To foreign casualties, gave her dear rights To his dog-hearted daughters, these things sting His mind so venomously, that burning shame Detains him from Cordelia.
A terrible shame is eating at him: his own cruelty, That took her away from his blessing, turned her To suffering in a foreign land, gave her rightful claims To his heartless daughters, these things hurt His mind so badly, that burning shame Keeps him from seeing Cordelia.
Alack, poor gentleman!
Poor man!
Of Albany’s and Cornwall’s powers you heard not?
Haven’t you heard about Albany and Cornwall’s armies?
’Tis so, they are afoot.
Yes, they’re on the move.
Well, sir, I’ll bring you to our master Lear, And leave you to attend him: some dear cause Will in concealment wrap me up awhile; When I am known aright, you shall not grieve Lending me this acquaintance. I pray you, go Along with me.
Well, sir, I’ll take you to our master Lear, And leave you to attend to him: some urgent matter Will keep me hidden for a while; When I’m known properly, you won’t regret Helping me like this. I ask you, come With me.