Original
Modern English
Every letter he hath writ hath disvouched other.
Every letter he’s written contradicts the others.
In most uneven and distracted manner. His actions show much like to madness: pray heaven his wisdom be not tainted! And why meet him at the gates, and redeliver our authorities there
In a very erratic and confused way. His actions seem almost mad: I hope his wisdom isn’t corrupted! And why meet him at the gates, and return our authority to him there?
I guess not.
I don’t know.
And why should we proclaim it in an hour before his entering, that if any crave redress of injustice, they should exhibit their petitions in the street?
And why should we announce, an hour before he arrives, that anyone who seeks justice should present their complaints in the street?
He shows his reason for that: to have a dispatch of complaints, and to deliver us from devices hereafter, which shall then have no power to stand against us.
He explains that: it’s to quickly deal with complaints, and to prevent future schemes that won’t be able to stand up to us.
Well, I beseech you, let it be proclaimed betimes i’ the morn; I’ll call you at your house: give notice to such men of sort and suit as are to meet him.
Well, I beg you, let it be announced early in the morning; I’ll call you at your house: notify the right men who are to meet him.
I shall, sir. Fare you well.
I will, sir. Take care.
Good night.
Good night.
This deed unshapes me quite, makes me unpregnant And dull to all proceedings. A deflower’d maid! And by an eminent body that enforced The law against it! But that her tender shame Will not proclaim against her maiden loss, How might she tongue me! Yet reason dares her no; For my authority bears of a credent bulk, That no particular scandal once can touch But it confounds the breather. He should have lived, Save that riotous youth, with dangerous sense, Might in the times to come have ta’en revenge, By so receiving a dishonour’d life With ransom of such shame. Would yet he had lived! A lack, when once our grace we have forgot, Nothing goes right: we would, and we would not.
This action changes me completely, makes me unable to conceive And numb to everything happening. A ruined virgin! And by a prominent man who enforced The very law against it! If only her delicate shame Wouldn’t keep her from revealing her loss of innocence, How could she accuse me! But reason tells her she can’t; Because my power is so well-established, That no minor scandal can affect me Without ruining the person who spreads it. He should have lived, If not for that reckless youth, with a dangerous mind, Who might have sought revenge in the future, By accepting such a dishonorable life With the price of such shame. I wish he had lived! Alas, when we forget our dignity, Nothing goes right: we want things, but then we don’t.