Original
Modern English
Take, O, take those lips away, That so sweetly were forsworn; And those eyes, the break of day, Lights that do mislead the morn: But my kisses bring again, bring again; Seals of love, but sealed in vain, sealed in vain.
Take, O, take those lips away, That so sweetly were forsworn; And those eyes, the break of day, Lights that do mislead the morn: But my kisses bring again, bring again; Seals of love, but sealed in vain, sealed in vain.
Break off thy song, and haste thee quick away: Here comes a man of comfort, whose advice Hath often still’d my brawling discontent.
Stop your song, and hurry up and leave: Here comes a man who can comfort me, whose advice Has often calmed my angry frustration.
I cry you mercy, sir; and well could wish You had not found me here so musical: Let me excuse me, and believe me so, My mirth it much displeased, but pleased my woe.
I apologize, sir; and I’d really wish You hadn’t found me here singing: Let me explain myself, and believe me when I say, My happiness really upset me, but it also reflected my sadness.
’Tis good; though music oft hath such a charm To make bad good, and good provoke to harm. I pray, you, tell me, hath any body inquired for me here to-day? much upon this time have I promised here to meet.
That’s fine; though music often has such a power To turn bad into good, and good into harm. Please, tell me, has anyone asked for me here today? I promised I’d meet someone here at this time.
You have not been inquired after: I have sat here all day.
No one has asked for you: I’ve been sitting here all day.
I do constantly believe you. The time is come even now. I shall crave your forbearance a little: may be I will call upon you anon, for some advantage to yourself.
I completely believe you. The time has come, right now. I’ll need you to wait a little: maybe I’ll call on you soon, for some benefit to you.
I am always bound to you.
I’m always grateful to you.
Very well met, and well come. What is the news from this good deputy?
Good to see you, and welcome. What’s the latest news from this good deputy?
He hath a garden circummured with brick, Whose western side is with a vineyard back’d; And to that vineyard is a planched gate, That makes his opening with this bigger key: This other doth command a little door Which from the vineyard to the garden leads; There have I made my promise Upon the heavy middle of the night To call upon him.
He has a garden surrounded by brick, The western side is backed by a vineyard; And there’s a wooden gate to the vineyard, Which he opens with this larger key: This smaller one unlocks a little door That leads from the vineyard to the garden; I’ve made my promise To meet him in the middle of the night And call on him.
But shall you on your knowledge find this way?
But will you be able to find this way, based on your knowledge?
I have ta’en a due and wary note upon’t: With whispering and most guilty diligence, In action all of precept, he did show me The way twice o’er.
I’ve carefully and cautiously taken note of it: With whispers and a guilty attention to detail, He showed me the way twice.
Are there no other tokens Between you ’greed concerning her observance?
Are there no other signs Between you both about her behavior?
No, none, but only a repair i’ the dark; And that I have possess’d him my most stay Can be but brief; for I have made him know I have a servant comes with me along, That stays upon me, whose persuasion is I come about my brother.
No, none, except for a secret meeting in the dark; And that I’ve made clear to him is the only reason I can stay briefly; I’ve let him know I have a servant with me, who stays close to me, And who believes I’m here for my brother.
’Tis well borne up. I have not yet made known to Mariana A word of this. What, ho! within! come forth!
Well done. I haven’t told Mariana A word about this yet. Hey! Inside! Come out!
I pray you, be acquainted with this maid; She comes to do you good.
I ask you to meet this lady; She’s here to help you.
I do desire the like.
I want the same.
Do you persuade yourself that I respect you?
Do you think I care about you?
Good friar, I know you do, and have found it.
Good friar, I know you do, and I’ve seen it.
Take, then, this your companion by the hand, Who hath a story ready for your ear. I shall attend your leisure: but make haste; The vaporous night approaches.
Then take your companion by the hand, She has a story to tell you. I’ll wait for you, but hurry; The foggy night is coming.
Will’t please you walk aside?
Will you please walk aside?
O place and greatness! millions of false eyes Are stuck upon thee: volumes of report Run with these false and most contrarious quests Upon thy doings: thousand escapes of wit Make thee the father of their idle dreams And rack thee in their fancies.
Oh, power and status! Millions of false eyes Are watching you: rumors and false reports Spread about your actions, filled with lies And make you the father of their idle imaginations, Tormenting you with their fantasies.
Welcome, how agreed?
Welcome, what’s the agreement?
She’ll take the enterprise upon her, father, If you advise it.
She’ll take on the task, father, If you think it’s a good idea.
It is not my consent, But my entreaty too.
It’s not my decision, But my request as well.
Little have you to say When you depart from him, but, soft and low, ’Remember now my brother.’
You don’t have much to say When you leave him, just softly and quietly, ’Remember my brother.’
Fear me not.
Don’t worry about me.
Nor, gentle daughter, fear you not at all. He is your husband on a pre-contract: To bring you thus together, ’tis no sin, Sith that the justice of your title to him Doth flourish the deceit. Come, let us go: Our corn’s to reap, for yet our tithe’s to sow.
And, gentle daughter, don’t be afraid at all. He’s your husband because of a pre-marriage agreement: Bringing you two together isn’t a sin, Since the truth of your claim to him Exposes the deceit. Come, let’s go: We have crops to harvest, for we still need to plant our tithes.