Original
Modern English
Let fame, that all hunt after in their lives, Live register’d upon our brazen tombs And then grace us in the disgrace of death; When, spite of cormorant devouring Time, The endeavor of this present breath may buy That honour which shall bate his scythe’s keen edge And make us heirs of all eternity. Therefore, brave conquerors,--for so you are, That war against your own affections And the huge army of the world’s desires,-- Our late edict shall strongly stand in force: Navarre shall be the wonder of the world; Our court shall be a little Academe, Still and contemplative in living art. You three, Biron, Dumain, and Longaville, Have sworn for three years’ term to live with me My fellow-scholars, and to keep those statutes That are recorded in this schedule here: Your oaths are pass’d; and now subscribe your names, That his own hand may strike his honour down That violates the smallest branch herein: If you are arm’d to do as sworn to do, Subscribe to your deep oaths, and keep it too.
Let fame, that all hunt after in their lives, Live recorded on our solid tombstones, And then honor us in the disgrace of death; When, despite the greedy passage of time, The efforts of this moment may earn An honor that will blunt Time’s sharp scythe And make us heirs of all eternity. So, brave conquerors—because that’s what you are, Who fight against your own feelings And the massive army of the world’s desires— Our recent decree will remain in effect: Navarre will be the wonder of the world; Our court will be like a small academy, Quiet and thoughtful, practicing the art of living. You three, Biron, Dumain, and Longaville, Have sworn to live with me for three years, As fellow scholars, and to follow these rules That are listed in this document here: Your oaths are made; now sign your names, So that your own hand may bring dishonor To anyone who breaks even the smallest part of this: If you’re determined to do as you’ve sworn, Sign your oaths and make sure to keep them.
I am resolved; ’tis but a three years’ fast: The mind shall banquet, though the body pine: Fat paunches have lean pates, and dainty bits Make rich the ribs, but bankrupt quite the wits.
I’m committed; it’s just a three-year fast: The mind will feast, even if the body starves: Fat bellies have thin heads, and fancy foods Fatten the stomach but leave the brain bankrupt.
My loving lord, Dumain is mortified: The grosser manner of these world’s delights He throws upon the gross world’s baser slaves: To love, to wealth, to pomp, I pine and die; With all these living in philosophy.
My dear lord, Dumain is humbled: The coarser pleasures of the world, I’ll leave to the world’s lesser creatures: To love, to wealth, to glory, I waste away; With all these, I live only for philosophy.
I can but say their protestation over; So much, dear liege, I have already sworn, That is, to live and study here three years. But there are other strict observances; As, not to see a woman in that term, Which I hope well is not enrolled there; And one day in a week to touch no food And but one meal on every day beside, The which I hope is not enrolled there; And then, to sleep but three hours in the night, And not be seen to wink of all the day-- When I was wont to think no harm all night And make a dark night too of half the day-- Which I hope well is not enrolled there: O, these are barren tasks, too hard to keep, Not to see ladies, study, fast, not sleep!
I can only repeat their promises: So much, dear king, I’ve already sworn, That is, to live and study here for three years. But there are other, stricter rules; Like not seeing a woman during that time, Which I hope isn’t part of the deal; And one day a week, not eating at all, And only one meal on the other days, Which I trust is not on the list; And then, to sleep only three hours a night, And never to blink during the day— When I used to think no harm could come From making the night as long as the day— Which I really hope isn’t on the list: Oh, these are empty tasks, too hard to keep, Not seeing women, studying, fasting, not sleeping!
Your oath is pass’d to pass away from these.
Your oath is made, so you can forget these tasks.
Let me say no, my liege, an if you please: I only swore to study with your grace And stay here in your court for three years’ space.
Let me explain, my king, if you’ll allow me: I only swore to study with you, And stay in your court for three years.
You swore to that, Biron, and to the rest.
You swore to that, Biron, and to the rest.
By yea and nay, sir, then I swore in jest. What is the end of study? let me know.
By yes and no, sir, I swore in jest. What’s the purpose of studying? Let me know.
Why, that to know, which else we should not know.
Why, to learn things we wouldn’t otherwise know.
Things hid and barr’d, you mean, from common sense?
Things hidden and barred, you mean, from common sense?
Ay, that is study’s godlike recompense.
Yes, that is the godlike reward of studying.
Come on, then; I will swear to study so, To know the thing I am forbid to know: As thus,--to study where I well may dine, When I to feast expressly am forbid; Or study where to meet some mistress fine, When mistresses from common sense are hid; Or, having sworn too hard a keeping oath, Study to break it and not break my troth. If study’s gain be thus and this be so, Study knows that which yet it doth not know: Swear me to this, and I will ne’er say no.
Alright, then; I’ll swear to study like that, To learn the thing I’m not supposed to know: Like this,--to study where I can have a good meal, When I’m specifically forbidden to feast; Or study where to meet a fine lady, When ladies are hidden from common sense; Or, having sworn too strong an oath, Study how to break it without breaking my word. If studying brings this reward and this is true, Then study knows what it still doesn’t know: Swear me to this, and I’ll never say no.
These be the stops that hinder study quite And train our intellects to vain delight.
These are the things that completely block study And train our minds to empty pleasures.
Why, all delights are vain; but that most vain, Which with pain purchased doth inherit pain: As, painfully to pore upon a book To seek the light of truth; while truth the while Doth falsely blind the eyesight of his look: Light seeking light doth light of light beguile: So, ere you find where light in darkness lies, Your light grows dark by losing of your eyes. Study me how to please the eye indeed By fixing it upon a fairer eye, Who dazzling so, that eye shall be his heed And give him light that it was blinded by. Study is like the heaven’s glorious sun That will not be deep-search’d with saucy looks: Small have continual plodders ever won Save base authority from others’ books These earthly godfathers of heaven’s lights That give a name to every fixed star Have no more profit of their shining nights Than those that walk and wot not what they are. Too much to know is to know nought but fame; And every godfather can give a name.
Well, all pleasures are empty; but the most empty, Are those that, bought with pain, only bring more pain: Like, painfully reading a book To seek the light of truth; while truth, in turn, Blindly misleads the eye that seeks it: Light seeking light just tricks light into thinking it knows light: So, before you find where light hides in the dark, Your own light dims as you lose your sight. Study me how to truly please the eye By fixing it on a fairer eye, Who, dazzling you, makes your eye pay attention And gives you light that it was once blinded by. Study is like the sun in the sky That won’t be searched deeply by bold looks: Those who keep their noses in books all the time Only get empty authority from others’ works These earthly godfathers of heaven’s stars Who name every fixed star in the sky Get no more profit from their shining nights Than those who walk around not knowing who they are. Too much knowledge just leads to knowing nothing but fame; And any godfather can give a name.
How well he’s read, to reason against reading!
He’s so well-read, arguing against reading!
Proceeded well, to stop all good proceeding!
He did well to stop all good progress!
He weeds the corn and still lets grow the weeding.
He removes the good plants but lets the weeds grow.
The spring is near when green geese are a-breeding.
Spring is near when green geese are mating.
How follows that?
How does that follow?
Fit in his place and time.
It fits in its place and time.
In reason nothing.
In reason, nothing.
Something then in rhyme.
Then something in rhyme.
Biron is like an envious sneaping frost, That bites the first-born infants of the spring.
Biron is like an envious, biting frost, That harms the first-born buds of spring.
Well, say I am; why should proud summer boast Before the birds have any cause to sing? Why should I joy in any abortive birth? At Christmas I no more desire a rose Than wish a snow in May’s new-fangled mirth; But like of each thing that in season grows. So you, to study now it is too late, Climb o’er the house to unlock the little gate.
Well, say I am; why should proud summer boast Before the birds have any reason to sing? Why should I enjoy any premature birth? At Christmas, I desire no rose Any more than I wish for snow in May’s new joy; But I like what grows in season. So, you, trying to study now, it’s too late, Climb over the house to open the little gate.
Well, sit you out: go home, Biron: adieu.
Well, stay out of it: go home, Biron: goodbye.
No, my good lord; I have sworn to stay with you: And though I have for barbarism spoke more Than for that angel knowledge you can say, Yet confident I’ll keep what I have swore And bide the penance of each three years’ day. Give me the paper; let me read the same; And to the strict’st decrees I’ll write my name.
No, my good lord; I’ve sworn to stay with you: And though I’ve spoken more for foolishness Than for that angelic knowledge you speak of, Yet I’m confident I’ll keep my oath And do the penance for each three-year day. Give me the paper; let me read it, And I’ll sign my name to the strictest rules.
How well this yielding rescues thee from shame!
This act of giving in saves you from disgrace!
[Reads] ’Item, That no woman shall come within a mile of my court:’ Hath this been proclaimed?
[Reads] "Item, No woman shall come within a mile of my court:" Has this been announced?
Four days ago.
Four days ago.
Let’s see the penalty.
Let’s see the punishment.
’On pain of losing her tongue.’ Who devised this penalty?
"If she breaks this rule, she loses her tongue." Who came up with this punishment?
Marry, that did I.
Well, that was me.
Sweet lord, and why?
Good lord, and why?
To fright them hence with that dread penalty.
To scare them away with that terrifying punishment.
A dangerous law against gentility!
A dangerous rule against nobility!
’Item, If any man be seen to talk with a woman within the term of three years, he shall endure such public shame as the rest of the court can possibly devise.’ This article, my liege, yourself must break; For well you know here comes in embassy The French king’s daughter with yourself to speak-- A maid of grace and complete majesty-- About surrender up of Aquitaine To her decrepit, sick and bedrid father: Therefore this article is made in vain, Or vainly comes the admired princess hither.
"Item, If any man is seen talking to a woman within the next three years, he shall suffer such public shame as the court can come up with." This rule, my king, you yourself must break; For as you know, the French king’s daughter will come with you to speak— A noble young woman, full of grace and dignity— About giving up Aquitaine to her sick, old, bedridden father: So this rule is pointless, or the admired princess comes here in vain.
What say you, lords? Why, this was quite forgot.
What do you think, lords? This was completely forgotten.
So study evermore is overshot: While it doth study to have what it would It doth forget to do the thing it should, And when it hath the thing it hunteth most, ’Tis won as towns with fire, so won, so lost.
So study always misses the mark: When it tries so hard to get what it wants, It forgets to do what it should, And when it finally gets what it was chasing, It’s won as easily as a town is taken by fire—won and lost in the same moment.
We must of force dispense with this decree; She must lie here on mere necessity.
We must, by force, set aside this decree; She must stay here because it’s necessary.
Necessity will make us all forsworn Three thousand times within this three years’ space; For every man with his affects is born, Not by might master’d but by special grace: If I break faith, this word shall speak for me; I am forsworn on ’mere necessity.’ So to the laws at large I write my name:
Necessity will make us all break our vows Three thousand times in the next three years; For every man is born with his desires, Not controlled by power, but by special grace: If I break my word, this phrase will excuse me; I broke my oath out of "pure necessity." So I sign my name to the laws.
And he that breaks them in the least degree Stands in attainder of eternal shame: Suggestions are to other as to me; But I believe, although I seem so loath, I am the last that will last keep his oath. But is there no quick recreation granted?
And anyone who breaks them, even a little Will be forever shamed: Suggestions affect others like they do me; But I believe, even though I seem reluctant, I am the last one who will ever break his vow. But is there no quick break allowed?
Ay, that there is. Our court, you know, is haunted With a refined traveller of Spain; A man in all the world’s new fashion planted, That hath a mint of phrases in his brain; One whom the music of his own vain tongue Doth ravish like enchanting harmony; A man of complements, whom right and wrong Have chose as umpire of their mutiny: This child of fancy, that Armado hight, For interim to our studies shall relate In high-born words the worth of many a knight From tawny Spain lost in the world’s debate. How you delight, my lords, I know not, I; But, I protest, I love to hear him lie And I will use him for my minstrelsy.
Yes, there is. Our court, you know, is visited By a refined traveller from Spain; A man who is in the latest fashion from the world, And has a wealth of phrases in his head; One whose own voice sounds like a beautiful tune, A man full of flattery, who right and wrong Have chosen as the judge of their dispute: This fanciful man, called Armado, Will entertain us with tales in grand words Of many knights from dark Spain lost in the world’s battles. How you like it, my lords, I don’t know, But, I swear, I love to hear him lie And I’ll use him as my entertainment.
Armado is a most illustrious wight, A man of fire-new words, fashion’s own knight.
Armado is a very distinguished man, A man with new, fashionable words, the knight of fashion.
Costard the swain and he shall be our sport; And so to study, three years is but short.
Costard the countryman and he will be our fun; And so to study—three years is not long.
Which is the duke’s own person?
Which one is the duke himself?
This, fellow: what wouldst?
This man here: what do you want?
I myself reprehend his own person, for I am his grace’s tharborough: but I would see his own person in flesh and blood.
I myself am his servant, as I am his grace’s steward: but I want to see the duke in person, in flesh and blood.
This is he.
This is the man.
Signior Arme--Arme--commends you. There’s villany abroad: this letter will tell you more.
Signior Arme--Arme--sends his regards. There’s trouble outside: this letter will explain more.
Sir, the contempts thereof are as touching me.
Sir, whatever insults are in it concern me.
A letter from the magnificent Armado.
A letter from the great Armado.
How low soever the matter, I hope in God for high words.
No matter how trivial the matter, I hope for big words.
A high hope for a low heaven: God grant us patience!
A big hope for a small reward: God grant us patience!
To hear? or forbear laughing?
To listen? Or to stop ourselves from laughing?
To hear meekly, sir, and to laugh moderately; or to forbear both.
To listen politely, sir, and to laugh in moderation; or to avoid both.
Well, sir, be it as the style shall give us cause to climb in the merriness.
Well, sir, let it be as the occasion calls for us to enjoy ourselves.
The matter is to me, sir, as concerning Jaquenetta. The manner of it is, I was taken with the manner.
The issue is important to me, sir, as it concerns Jaquenetta. The situation is, I was charmed by the way it happened.
In what manner?
In what way?
In manner and form following, sir; all those three: I was seen with her in the manor-house, sitting with her upon the form, and taken following her into the park; which, put together, is in manner and form following. Now, sir, for the manner,--it is the manner of a man to speak to a woman: for the form,-- in some form.
In the following way, sir; all these three: I was seen with her at the manor, sitting with her on the bench, and then I followed her into the park; which, all together, forms the situation. Now, sir, for the situation—it’s normal for a man to speak to a woman: as for the form—it’s in some form.
For the following, sir?
And for the following, sir?
As it shall follow in my correction: and God defend the right!
As it will be in my punishment: and God defend the truth!
Will you hear this letter with attention?
Will you listen to this letter carefully?
As we would hear an oracle.
As we would listen to a prophecy.
Such is the simplicity of man to hearken after the flesh.
Such is the foolishness of men to pay attention to physical desires.
[Reads] ’Great deputy, the welkin’s vicegerent and sole dominator of Navarre, my soul’s earth’s god, and body’s fostering patron.’
[Reads] ‘Great deputy, the sky’s representative and sole ruler of Navarre, my soul’s earthly god, and body’s nurturing protector.’
Not a word of Costard yet.
Not a word about Costard yet.
[Reads] ’So it is,’--
[Reads] ‘So it is,’--
It may be so: but if he say it is so, he is, in telling true, but so.
It may be true: but if he says it is true, he’s telling the truth, but that’s all.
Peace!
Quiet!
Be to me and every man that dares not fight!
May it be to me and to every man who dares not fight!
No words!
No talking!
Of other men’s secrets, I beseech you.
About other people’s secrets, please.
[Reads] ’So it is, besieged with sable-coloured melancholy, I did commend the black-oppressing humour to the most wholesome physic of thy health-giving air; and, as I am a gentleman, betook myself to walk. The time when. About the sixth hour; when beasts most graze, birds best peck, and men sit down to that nourishment which is called supper: so much for the time when. Now for the ground which; which, I mean, I walked upon: it is y-cleped thy park. Then for the place where; where, I mean, I did encounter that obscene and preposterous event, that draweth from my snow-white pen the ebon-coloured ink, which here thou viewest, beholdest, surveyest, or seest; but to the place where; it standeth north-north-east and by east from the west corner of thy curious- knotted garden: there did I see that low-spirited swain, that base minnow of thy mirth,’--
[Reads] "So it is, surrounded by dark sadness, I recommended the dark and heavy mood to the most healing medicine of your healthy air; and, as I’m a gentleman, I decided to go for a walk. The time when: about the sixth hour; when animals graze the most, birds peck the best, and people sit down to the meal called supper: so much for the time when. Now for the place; the place, I mean, I walked through: it is called your park. Then for the location where; where, I mean, I met that disgraceful and foolish event, which draws from my white pen the black ink, which you see here, witness, observe, or look at; but to the location where; it lies north-north-east and by east from the west corner of your carefully- designed garden: there I saw that low-spirited fool, that petty idiot of your amusement,"
Me?
Me?
[Reads] ’that unlettered small-knowing soul,’--
[Reads] "that ignorant, small-minded soul,"
Me?
Me?
[Reads] ’that shallow vassal,’--
[Reads] "that shallow servant,"
Still me?
Still me?
[Reads] ’which, as I remember, hight Costard,’--
[Reads] "who, as I remember, is called Costard,"
O, me!
Oh, me!
[Reads] ’sorted and consorted, contrary to thy established proclaimed edict and continent canon, which with,--O, with--but with this I passion to say wherewith,--
[Reads] "arranged and associated, against your established public rule and strict law, which with,--oh, with--but with this, I’m passionate to say, wherewith,"
With a wench.
With a woman.
[Reads] ’with a child of our grandmother Eve, a female; or, for thy more sweet understanding, a woman. Him I, as my ever-esteemed duty pricks me on, have sent to thee, to receive the meed of punishment, by thy sweet grace’s officer, Anthony Dull; a man of good repute, carriage, bearing, and estimation.’
[Reads] "with a child of our grandmother Eve, a woman; or, for your easier understanding, a female. Him I, as my always-expected duty urges me, have sent to you, to receive the reward of punishment, by your sweet grace’s officer, Anthony Dull; a man of good reputation, demeanor, presence, and worth."
’Me, an’t shall please you; I am Anthony Dull.
"Me, if it pleases you; I am Anthony Dull."
[Reads] ’For Jaquenetta,--so is the weaker vessel called which I apprehended with the aforesaid swain,--I keep her as a vessel of the law’s fury; and shall, at the least of thy sweet notice, bring her to trial. Thine, in all compliments of devoted and heart-burning heat of duty. DON ADRIANO DE ARMADO.’
[Reads] "For Jaquenetta, -- so is the weaker vessel called, whom I caught with the previously mentioned fool, -- I keep her as a vessel of the law’s anger; and shall, at the very least of your kind attention, bring her to trial. Yours, in all respects of devoted and burning duty. DON ADRIANO DE ARMADO."
This is not so well as I looked for, but the best that ever I heard.
This is not as good as I expected, but the best I’ve ever heard.
Ay, the best for the worst. But, sirrah, what say you to this?
Yes, the best for the worst. But, hey, what do you think of this?
Sir, I confess the wench.
Sir, I admit it was the girl.
Did you hear the proclamation?
Did you hear the announcement?
I do confess much of the hearing it but little of the marking of it.
I heard most of it, but I didn’t really pay attention to it.
It was proclaimed a year’s imprisonment, to be taken with a wench.
It was announced that a year’s imprisonment would be the punishment for being with a woman.
I was taken with none, sir: I was taken with a damsel.
I wasn’t with a woman, sir: I was with a young lady.
Well, it was proclaimed ’damsel.’
Well, it was announced as ‘young lady.’
This was no damsel, neither, sir; she was a virgin.
She wasn’t a young lady either, sir; she was a virgin.
It is so varied, too; for it was proclaimed ’virgin.’
It’s still different, though; because it was announced as ‘virgin.’
If it were, I deny her virginity: I was taken with a maid.
If it was, I deny her virginity: I was with a maid.
This maid will not serve your turn, sir.
This maid won’t do the trick for you, sir.
This maid will serve my turn, sir.
This maid will do the trick for me, sir.
Sir, I will pronounce your sentence: you shall fast a week with bran and water.
Sir, I’m going to announce your punishment: you’ll fast for a week on just bran and water.
I had rather pray a month with mutton and porridge.
I’d rather fast for a month on mutton and porridge.
And Don Armado shall be your keeper. My Lord Biron, see him deliver’d o’er: And go we, lords, to put in practise that Which each to other hath so strongly sworn.
And Don Armado will be your guard. My Lord Biron, make sure he’s handed over: Now, let’s go, lords, and carry out the plans We’ve all promised to follow through on.
I’ll lay my head to any good man’s hat, These oaths and laws will prove an idle scorn. Sirrah, come on.
I’ll bet my head against any honest man’s hat, These promises and rules will turn out to be just empty mockery. Hey, come on.
I suffer for the truth, sir; for true it is, I was taken with Jaquenetta, and Jaquenetta is a true girl; and therefore welcome the sour cup of prosperity! Affliction may one day smile again; and till then, sit thee down, sorrow!
I’m suffering for the truth, sir; because it’s true, I was caught with Jaquenetta, and Jaquenetta is a genuine girl; so bring on the bitter taste of success! Misfortune might one day smile on me again; and until then, sit down, sorrow!
LOVE’S LABOURS LOST
LOVE’S LABOURS LOST