Original
Modern English
DON
DON
Boy, what sign is it when a man of great spirit grows melancholy?
Boy, what does it mean when a man with a strong character becomes sad?
A great sign, sir, that he will look sad. DON
It’s a big sign, sir, that he’s going to look sad. DON
Why, sadness is one and the self-same thing, dear imp.
But sadness and melancholy are the same thing, my dear little imp.
No, no; O Lord, sir, no. DON
No, no; Oh my goodness, sir, no. DON
How canst thou part sadness and melancholy, my tender juvenal?
How can you separate sadness and melancholy, my delicate young friend?
By a familiar demonstration of the working, my tough senior. DON
By a simple demonstration of how they work, my tough old man. DON
Why tough senior? why tough senior?
Why “tough old man”? why “tough old man”?
Why tender juvenal? why tender juvenal? DON
Why “delicate young friend”? why “delicate young friend”? DON
I spoke it, tender juvenal, as a congruent epitheton appertaining to thy young days, which we may nominate tender.
I said “delicate young friend” because it’s a fitting term that matches your youth, which we might call delicate.
And I, tough senior, as an appertinent title to your old time, which we may name tough. DON ADRIANO DE
And I, tough senior, as a fitting title for your old age, which we could call tough. DON ADRIANO DE
Pretty and apt.
Nice and suitable.
How mean you, sir? I pretty, and my saying apt? or I apt, and my saying pretty? DON
What do you mean, sir? Am I nice, and my words suitable? Or am I suitable, and my words nice? DON
Thou pretty, because little.
You are nice, because small.
Little pretty, because little. Wherefore apt? DON
Small and nice, because small. Why suitable? DON
And therefore apt, because quick.
And therefore suitable, because quick.
Speak you this in my praise, master? DON
Are you praising me, master? DON
In thy condign praise.
In your rightful praise.
I will praise an eel with the same praise. DON
I’ll praise an eel with the same praise. DON
What, that an eel is ingenious?
What, that an eel is clever?
That an eel is quick. DON
That an eel is quick. DON
I do say thou art quick in answers: thou heatest my blood.
I mean you are quick with your answers: you make my blood boil.
I am answered, sir. DON
I have answered, sir. DON
I love not to be crossed.
I don’t like to be contradicted.
[Aside] He speaks the mere contrary; crosses love not him. DON
[Aside] He says the opposite; contradictions don’t suit him. DON
I have promised to study three years with the duke.
I’ve promised to study for three years with the duke.
You may do it in an hour, sir. DON
You can do it in an hour, sir. DON
Impossible.
That’s impossible.
How many is one thrice told? DON
How many is one, counted three times? DON
I am ill at reckoning; it fitteth the spirit of a tapster.
I’m bad at math; that’s something for a bartender to know.
You are a gentleman and a gamester, sir. DON
You’re a gentleman and a gambler, sir. DON
I confess both: they are both the varnish of a complete man.
I admit both: they’re the finishing touches of a complete man.
Then, I am sure, you know how much the gross sum of deuce-ace amounts to. DON
Then, I’m sure you know how much the total of two and two is. DON
It doth amount to one more than two.
It’s one more than two.
Which the base vulgar do call three. DON
Which the common people call three. DON
True.
True.
Why, sir, is this such a piece of study? Now here is three studied, ere ye’ll thrice wink: and how easy it is to put ’years’ to the word ’three,’ and study three years in two words, the dancing horse will tell you. DON
Why, sir, is this such a big deal? Here, we’ve got three studied, before you can even blink three times: and how easy it is to add "years" to the word "three," and study three years in two words, the dancing horse will show you. DON
A most fine figure!
A very fine figure!
To prove you a cipher. DON
To prove you’re a fool. DON
I will hereupon confess I am in love: and as it is base for a soldier to love, so am I in love with a base wench. If drawing my sword against the humour of affection would deliver me from the reprobate thought of it, I would take Desire prisoner, and ransom him to any French courtier for a new-devised courtesy. I think scorn to sigh: methinks I should outswear Cupid. Comfort, me, boy: what great men have been in love?
I will admit that I am in love: and as it is unworthy for a soldier to love, so I am in love with a lowly wench. If drawing my sword against the force of affection would free me from the cursed thought of it, I would take Desire prisoner, and sell him to any French noble for a newly invented kind act. I think it’s beneath me to sigh: I should out-swear Cupid. Comfort me, boy: what famous men have been in love?
Hercules, master. DON
Hercules, master. DON
Most sweet Hercules! More authority, dear boy, name more; and, sweet my child, let them be men of good repute and carriage.
Sweet Hercules! More names, dear boy, give me more; and, my sweet child, let them be men of good reputation and character.
Samson, master: he was a man of good carriage, great carriage, for he carried the town-gates on his back like a porter: and he was in love. DON
Samson, master: he was a man with great strength, a strong man, because he carried the town gates on his back like a porter: and he was in love. DON
O well-knit Samson! strong-jointed Samson! I do excel thee in my rapier as much as thou didst me in carrying gates. I am in love too. Who was Samson’s love, my dear Moth?
Oh, well-built Samson! strong, tough Samson! I do outshine you with my sword as much as you outshone me in carrying gates. I am in love too. Who was Samson’s love, my dear Moth?
A woman, master. DON
A woman, master. DON
Of what complexion?
What was her complexion?
Of all the four, or the three, or the two, or one of the four. DON
One of the four types, or the three, or the two, or any one of the four. DON
Tell me precisely of what complexion.
Tell me exactly what her complexion was.
Of the sea-water green, sir. DON
Sea-water green, sir. DON
Is that one of the four complexions?
Is that one of the four complexions?
As I have read, sir; and the best of them too. DON
That’s what I’ve read, sir; and it’s the best of them too. DON
Green indeed is the colour of lovers; but to have a love of that colour, methinks Samson had small reason for it. He surely affected her for her wit.
Green, indeed, is the colour of lovers; but to love someone of that colour, I think Samson had little reason for it. He must have loved her for her intelligence.
It was so, sir; for she had a green wit. DON
That’s right, sir; she had a sharp wit. DON
My love is most immaculate white and red.
My love is pure white and red.
Most maculate thoughts, master, are masked under such colours. DON
Very impure thoughts, master, are often hidden behind such colours. DON
Define, define, well-educated infant.
Explain, explain, well-educated child.
My father’s wit and my mother’s tongue, assist me! DON
My father’s wit and my mother’s tongue, help me! DON
Sweet invocation of a child; most pretty and pathetical!
Sweet prayer of a child; so pretty and touching!
If she be made of white and red, Her faults will ne’er be known, For blushing cheeks by faults are bred And fears by pale white shown: Then if she fear, or be to blame, By this you shall not know, For still her cheeks possess the same Which native she doth owe. A dangerous rhyme, master, against the reason of white and red. DON
If she’s made of white and red, Her faults will never be known, Because blushing cheeks come from faults And pale white cheeks show fear: So if she’s afraid, or if she’s at fault, You won’t be able to tell, Because her cheeks will always look the same As they naturally do. A dangerous rhyme, master, that goes against the idea of white and red. DON
Is there not a ballad, boy, of the King and the Beggar?
Isn’t there a song, boy, about the King and the Beggar?
The world was very guilty of such a ballad some three ages since: but I think now ’tis not to be found; or, if it were, it would neither serve for the writing nor the tune. DON
The world had such a song about three ages ago, But I think now it can’t be found; or if it were, It wouldn’t be good for either the writing or the tune. DON
I will have that subject newly writ o’er, that I may example my digression by some mighty precedent. Boy, I do love that country girl that I took in the park with the rational hind Costard: she deserves well.
I will have that subject written again, so I can use it as an example for my digression with some great example. Boy, I love that country girl I met in the park with the clever hind Costard: she deserves much.
[Aside] To be whipped; and yet a better love than my master. DON
[Aside] To be punished; and yet she’s a better match for love than my master. DON
Sing, boy; my spirit grows heavy in love.
Sing, boy; my heart is heavy with love.
And that’s great marvel, loving a light wench. DON
And that’s really surprising, loving a light girl. DON
I say, sing.
I said, sing.
Forbear till this company be past.
Wait until this group is past.
Sir, the duke’s pleasure is, that you keep Costard safe: and you must suffer him to take no delight nor no penance; but a’ must fast three days a week. For this damsel, I must keep her at the park: she is allowed for the day-woman. Fare you well. DON
Sir, the duke’s order is that you keep Costard safe: and you must not let him enjoy any pleasure or do any penance; but he must fast three days a week. As for this young woman, I must keep her at the park: she’s allowed to be the day worker. Goodbye. DON
I do betray myself with blushing. Maid!
I’m betraying myself by blushing. Maid!
Man? DON
Man? DON
I will visit thee at the lodge.
I’ll visit you at the lodge.
That’s hereby. DON
It’s right here. DON
I know where it is situate.
I know where it is located.
Lord, how wise you are! DON
Lord, how smart you are! DON
I will tell thee wonders.
I’ll tell you amazing things.
With that face? DON
With that look? DON
I love thee.
I love you.
So I heard you say. DON
I heard you say that. DON
And so, farewell.
And now, goodbye.
Fair weather after you!
Have a nice day!
Come, Jaquenetta, away!
Come on, Jaquenetta, let’s go!
DON
DON
Villain, thou shalt fast for thy offences ere thou be pardoned.
Scoundrel, you’ll go hungry for your crimes before you’re forgiven.
Well, sir, I hope, when I do it, I shall do it on a full stomach. DON
Well, sir, I hope that when I do, I’ll do it after a good meal. DON
Thou shalt be heavily punished.
You’ll be punished severely.
I am more bound to you than your fellows, for they are but lightly rewarded. DON
I owe you more than your friends, because they don’t get much in return. DON
Take away this villain; shut him up.
Take this villain away; lock him up.
Come, you transgressing slave; away!
Come on, you troublemaker; go!
Let me not be pent up, sir: I will fast, being loose.
Don’t lock me up, sir: I’ll fast, being free.
No, sir; that were fast and loose: thou shalt to prison.
No, sir; that’s being both locked up and free: you’ll go to prison.
Well, if ever I do see the merry days of desolation that I have seen, some shall see.
Well, if I ever see the good times of misery that I’ve seen, some people will see them too.
What shall some see?
What will they see?
Nay, nothing, Master Moth, but what they look upon. It is not for prisoners to be too silent in their words; and therefore I will say nothing: I thank God I have as little patience as another man; and therefore I can be quiet.
Nothing, Master Moth, except what they look at. It’s not for prisoners to be too quiet with their words; so I won’t say anything: I thank God I have as little patience as anyone else; and that’s why I can be quiet.
DON
DON
I do affect the very ground, which is base, where her shoe, which is baser, guided by her foot, which is basest, doth tread. I shall be forsworn, which is a great argument of falsehood, if I love. And how can that be true love which is falsely attempted? Love is a familiar; Love is a devil: there is no evil angel but Love. Yet was Samson so tempted, and he had an excellent strength; yet was Solomon so seduced, and he had a very good wit. Cupid’s butt-shaft is too hard for Hercules’ club; and therefore too much odds for a Spaniard’s rapier. The first and second cause will not serve my turn; the passado he respects not, the duello he regards not: his disgrace is to be called boy; but his glory is to subdue men. Adieu, valour! rust rapier! be still, drum! for your manager is in love; yea, he loveth. Assist me, some extemporal god of rhyme, for I am sure I shall turn sonnet. Devise, wit; write, pen; for I am for whole volumes in folio.
I am in love with the very ground, which is low, where her shoe, which is even lower, guided by her foot, which is the lowest, treads. I will be lying, which is a clear sign of falsehood, if I love. And how can that be true love which is faked? Love is a habit; Love is a devil: there is no bad angel but Love. Yet Samson was tempted that way, and he had amazing strength; yet Solomon was misled the same, and he had very good sense. Cupid’s arrow is too strong for Hercules’ club; and that makes it too much of a challenge for a Spaniard’s sword. The first and second reasons won’t work for me; the thrust he doesn’t care about, the duel he doesn’t care about: his shame is being called a boy; but his glory is in defeating men. Goodbye, courage! Rust, sword! Be quiet, drum! because your leader is in love; yes, he loves. Help me, some impromptu god of poetry, because I know I’ll start writing a sonnet. Come up with ideas, wit; write, pen; because I’m ready to write whole books.
LOVE’S LABOURS LOST
LOVE’S LABOURS LOST