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I learn in this letter that Don Peter of Arragon comes this night to Messina.
I read in this letter that Don Pedro of Arragon is coming to Messina tonight.
He is very near by this: he was not three leagues off when I left him.
He is very close: he was less than three leagues away when I left him.
How many gentlemen have you lost in this action?
How many men did you lose in the battle?
But few of any sort, and none of name.
Very few, and none of high rank.
A victory is twice itself when the achiever brings home full numbers. I find here that Don Peter hath bestowed much honour on a young Florentine called Claudio.
A victory is twice as great when the victor brings home full numbers. I see here that Don Pedro has given much honor to a young Florentine named Claudio.
Much deserved on his part and equally remembered by Don Pedro: he hath borne himself beyond the promise of his age, doing, in the figure of a lamb, the feats of a lion: he hath indeed better bettered expectation than you must expect of me to tell you how.
He deserved it completely, and Don Pedro remembers it well: he has proven himself far beyond his age, doing lion-like feats in the body of a lamb: he has truly exceeded expectations, more than I can explain to you.
He hath an uncle here in Messina will be very much glad of it.
He has an uncle here in Messina who will be very pleased to hear this.
I have already delivered him letters, and there appears much joy in him; even so much that joy could not show itself modest enough without a badge of bitterness.
I’ve already delivered letters to him, and he seems very happy about it; so happy, in fact, that he couldn’t express his joy without some trace of sorrow.
Did he break out into tears?
Did he break down in tears?
In great measure.
Yes, a lot.
A kind overflow of kindness: there are no faces truer than those that are so washed. How much better is it to weep at joy than to joy at weeping!
A kind overflow of kindness: there are no faces truer than those that are so washed. How much better is it to weep at joy than to joy at weeping!
I pray you, is Signior Mountanto returned from the wars or no?
Please, has Signior Mountanto come back from the wars or not?
I know none of that name, lady: there was none such in the army of any sort.
I don’t know anyone by that name, lady: there was no one like that in the army at all.
What is he that you ask for, niece?
Who is it you’re asking about, niece?
My cousin means Signior Benedick of Padua.
My cousin means Signior Benedick of Padua.
O, he’s returned; and as pleasant as ever he was.
Oh, he’s back; and just as cheerful as he ever was.
He set up his bills here in Messina and challenged Cupid at the flight; and my uncle’s fool, reading the challenge, subscribed for Cupid, and challenged him at the bird-bolt. I pray you, how many hath he killed and eaten in these wars? But how many hath he killed? for indeed I promised to eat all of his killing.
He put up posters here in Messina and challenged Cupid to a duel; and my uncle’s fool, reading the challenge, signed up for Cupid and challenged him to a target competition. Please, how many has he killed and eaten in these wars? But how many has he killed? because I promised to eat all of his kills.
Faith, niece, you tax Signior Benedick too much; but he’ll be meet with you, I doubt it not.
Honestly, niece, you criticize Signior Benedick too much; but he’ll match you, I have no doubt.
He hath done good service, lady, in these wars.
He has done great service, lady, in these wars.
You had musty victual, and he hath holp to eat it: he is a very valiant trencherman; he hath an excellent stomach.
You had stale food, and he helped to eat it: he’s a very brave eater; he has an excellent appetite.
And a good soldier too, lady.
And a good soldier too, lady.
And a good soldier to a lady: but what is he to a lord?
And a good soldier to a lady: but what is he to a lord?
A lord to a lord, a man to a man; stuffed with all honourable virtues.
A lord to a lord, a man to a man; filled with all honourable virtues.
It is so, indeed; he is no less than a stuffed man: but for the stuffing,--well, we are all mortal.
That’s true, indeed; he’s no less than a stuffed man: but as for the stuffing,--well, we are all mortal.
You must not, sir, mistake my niece. There is a kind of merry war betwixt Signior Benedick and her: they never meet but there’s a skirmish of wit between them.
You must not, sir, mistake my niece. There’s a kind of playful war between Signior Benedick and her: they never meet without a battle of wits between them.
Alas! he gets nothing by that. In our last conflict four of his five wits went halting off, and now is the whole man governed with one: so that if he have wit enough to keep himself warm, let him bear it for a difference between himself and his horse; for it is all the wealth that he hath left, to be known a reasonable creature. Who is his companion now? He hath every month a new sworn brother.
Oh dear! he gets nothing out of it. In our last conflict four out of his five wits went stumbling off, and now the whole man is controlled by one: so if he has enough wit to keep himself warm, let him use it to tell the difference between himself and his horse; because it’s all the wealth he has left, to be known as a reasonable person. Who’s his companion now? He gets a new sworn brother every month.
Is’t possible?
Is it possible?
Very easily possible: he wears his faith but as the fashion of his hat; it ever changes with the next block.
Very easily possible: he treats his loyalty like the style of his hat; it changes with every new trend.
I see, lady, the gentleman is not in your books.
I see, lady, the gentleman is not on your good side.
No; an he were, I would burn my study. But, I pray you, who is his companion? Is there no young squarer now that will make a voyage with him to the devil?
No; if he were, I would burn my books. But, please tell me, who is his friend? Is there no young man around who would go with him straight to hell?
He is most in the company of the right noble Claudio.
He’s mostly with the noble Claudio.
O Lord, he will hang upon him like a disease: he is sooner caught than the pestilence, and the taker runs presently mad. God help the noble Claudio! if he have caught the Benedick, it will cost him a thousand pound ere a’ be cured.
Oh Lord, he’ll cling to him like a sickness: he’s caught faster than the plague, and the person who gets it goes mad right away. God help the noble Claudio! If he’s caught Benedick, it’ll cost him a thousand pounds before he’s cured.
I will hold friends with you, lady.
I’ll be your friend, lady.
Do, good friend.
Do, good friend.
You will never run mad, niece.
You’ll never go mad, niece.
No, not till a hot January.
No, not until a hot January.
Don Pedro is approached.
Don Pedro is approaching.
Good Signior Leonato, you are come to meet your trouble: the fashion of the world is to avoid cost, and you encounter it.
Good Sir Leonato, you’ve come to meet your trouble: the world’s trend is to avoid expense, and yet you face it.
Never came trouble to my house in the likeness of your grace: for trouble being gone, comfort should remain; but when you depart from me, sorrow abides and happiness takes his leave.
Trouble has never come to my house in the form of your grace: for when trouble leaves, comfort should stay; but when you leave, sorrow stays and happiness goes away.
You embrace your charge too willingly. I think this is your daughter.
You take your responsibility too willingly. I think this is your daughter.
Her mother hath many times told me so.
Her mother has told me that many times.
Were you in doubt, sir, that you asked her?
Were you unsure, sir, that you asked her?
Signior Benedick, no; for then were you a child.
Mr. Benedick, no; because if you were, you’d be a child.
You have it full, Benedick: we may guess by this what you are, being a man. Truly, the lady fathers herself. Be happy, lady; for you are like an honourable father.
You’ve got it right, Benedick: we can tell what you’re like just from this, as a man. Honestly, the lady is like her father. Be happy, lady; you are like an honorable father.
If Signior Leonato be her father, she would not have his head on her shoulders for all Messina, as like him as she is.
If Mr. Leonato were her father, she wouldn’t want his head on her shoulders for all of Messina, she’s so much like him.
I wonder that you will still be talking, Signior Benedick: nobody marks you.
I’m surprised you’re still talking, Mr. Benedick: nobody’s paying attention to you.
What, my dear Lady Disdain! are you yet living?
What, my dear Lady Disdain! Are you still alive?
Is it possible disdain should die while she hath such meet food to feed it as Signior Benedick? Courtesy itself must convert to disdain, if you come in her presence.
Can disdain die when it has such perfect food to feed on as Mr. Benedick? Courtesy itself would turn to disdain if you came into her presence.
Then is courtesy a turncoat. But it is certain I am loved of all ladies, only you excepted: and I would I could find in my heart that I had not a hard heart; for, truly, I love none.
Then courtesy is a traitor. But it’s clear I’m loved by all women, except you: and I wish I could find in my heart that I didn’t have such a hard heart; because, honestly, I love no one.
A dear happiness to women: they would else have been troubled with a pernicious suitor. I thank God and my cold blood, I am of your humour for that: I had rather hear my dog bark at a crow than a man swear he loves me.
A great blessing for women: otherwise, they’d have been troubled with a dangerous suitor. I thank God and my cold blood that I’m of your opinion on that: I ’d rather hear my dog bark at a crow than hear a man swear he loves me.
God keep your ladyship still in that mind! so some gentleman or other shall ’scape a predestinate scratched face.
God keep you in that mood! So some gentleman or other will escape with just a scratched face.
Scratching could not make it worse, an ’twere such a face as yours were.
Scratching wouldn’t make it worse, if it were a face like yours.
Well, you are a rare parrot-teacher.
Well, you’re a rare teacher of parrots.
A bird of my tongue is better than a beast of yours.
A bird with my tongue is better than a beast with yours.
I would my horse had the speed of your tongue, and so good a continuer. But keep your way, i’ God’s name; I have done.
I wish my horse had the speed of your tongue, and could keep going as well as you. But go your way, in God’s name; I’m done.
You always end with a jade’s trick: I know you of old.
You always end with a trick: I know you well enough.
That is the sum of all, Leonato. Signior Claudio and Signior Benedick, my dear friend Leonato hath invited you all. I tell him we shall stay here at the least a month; and he heartily prays some occasion may detain us longer. I dare swear he is no hypocrite, but prays from his heart.
That’s the whole story, Leonato. Mr. Claudio and Mr. Benedick, my dear friend Leonato has invited you all. I told him we’ll stay here at least a month; and he hopes something will happen to keep us longer. I swear he’s no hypocrite, he prays from his heart.
If you swear, my lord, you shall not be forsworn.
If you swear, my lord, you won’t break your oath.
Let me bid you welcome, my lord: being reconciled to the prince your brother, I owe you all duty.
Let me welcome you, my lord: now that you’ve made up with your brother, the prince, I owe you my respect.
I thank you: I am not of many words, but I thank you.
Thank you: I’m not one for many words, but I do appreciate it.
Please it your grace lead on?
Your grace, shall we move on?
Your hand, Leonato; we will go together.
Your hand, Leonato; we’ll go together.
Benedick, didst thou note the daughter of Signior Leonato?
Benedick, did you notice Signior Leonato’s daughter?
I noted her not; but I looked on her.
I didn’t pay much attention to her, but I did look at her.
Is she not a modest young lady?
Isn’t she a modest young lady?
Do you question me, as an honest man should do, for my simple true judgment; or would you have me speak after my custom, as being a professed tyrant to their sex?
Are you asking me, as an honest man should, for my simple and honest opinion; or do you want me to speak in my usual way, as a self-declared enemy of women?
No; I pray thee speak in sober judgment.
No; I ask you to speak honestly.
Why, i’ faith, methinks she’s too low for a high praise, too brown for a fair praise and too little for a great praise: only this commendation I can afford her, that were she other than she is, she were unhandsome; and being no other but as she is, I do not like her.
Well, honestly, I think she’s too plain for high praise, too dark for fair praise, and too small for great praise: the only compliment I can give her is that if she were different, she’d be unattractive; and since she’s not different, I don’t like her.
Thou thinkest I am in sport: I pray thee tell me truly how thou likest her.
You think I’m joking: please, tell me honestly what you think of her.
Would you buy her, that you inquire after her?
Are you trying to buy her, that you’re asking about her?
Can the world buy such a jewel?
Can the world put a price on such a jewel?
Yea, and a case to put it into. But speak you this with a sad brow? or do you play the flouting Jack, to tell us Cupid is a good hare-finder and Vulcan a rare carpenter? Come, in what key shall a man take you, to go in the song?
Yeah, and a way to put it. But are you saying this with a serious face? Or are you just joking around, telling us that Cupid is a good hunter and Vulcan a great carpenter? Come on, how should I take you, as part of the joke?
In mine eye she is the sweetest lady that ever I looked on.
In my opinion, she is the sweetest lady I’ve ever laid eyes on.
I can see yet without spectacles and I see no such matter: there’s her cousin, an she were not possessed with a fury, exceeds her as much in beauty as the first of May doth the last of December. But I hope you have no intent to turn husband, have you?
I can still see without glasses and I don’t see anything like that: there’s her cousin, and if she weren’t so angry, she’d be much more beautiful than the first of May is compared to the last of December. But I hope you’re not thinking of getting married, are you?
I would scarce trust myself, though I had sworn the contrary, if Hero would be my wife.
I’d hardly trust myself, even if I had sworn the opposite, if Hero would be my wife.
Is’t come to this? In faith, hath not the world one man but he will wear his cap with suspicion? Shall I never see a bachelor of three-score again? Go to, i’ faith; an thou wilt needs thrust thy neck into a yoke, wear the print of it and sigh away Sundays. Look Don Pedro is returned to seek you.
Is it really coming to this? Honestly, is there not one man in the world who will stay single? Am I never going to see a man of sixty again? Come on, seriously; if you’re determined to stick your neck into marriage, then wear the mark of it and spend your Sundays sighing. Look, Don Pedro is back to find you.
What secret hath held you here, that you followed not to Leonato’s?
What secret has kept you here, that you didn’t go to Leonato’s?
I would your grace would constrain me to tell.
I wish your grace would force me to tell.
I charge thee on thy allegiance.
I command you, by your loyalty.
You hear, Count Claudio: I can be secret as a dumb man; I would have you think so; but, on my allegiance, mark you this, on my allegiance. He is in love. With who? now that is your grace’s part. Mark how short his answer is;--With Hero, Leonato’s short daughter.
You hear that, Count Claudio: I can be as quiet as a mute man; I’d like you to think so; but, on my honor, listen to this, on my honor. He is in love. With who? Well, that’s for your grace to figure out. Notice how brief his answer is;—With Hero, Leonato’s youngest daughter.
If this were so, so were it uttered.
If that’s true, then it should be said out loud.
Like the old tale, my lord: ’it is not so, nor ’twas not so, but, indeed, God forbid it should be so.’
Like the old saying, my lord: ’It’s not true, nor was it ever true, but, actually, God forbid it ever becomes true.’
If my passion change not shortly, God forbid it should be otherwise.
If my feelings don’t change soon, God forbid it should be anything different.
Amen, if you love her; for the lady is very well worthy.
Amen, if you love her; because the lady is certainly very worthy.
You speak this to fetch me in, my lord.
You’re just saying that to tease me, my lord.
By my troth, I speak my thought.
I swear, I’m just speaking my mind.
And, in faith, my lord, I spoke mine.
And honestly, my lord, I told the truth.
And, by my two faiths and troths, my lord, I spoke mine.
And, by my word, my lord, I told the truth too.
That I love her, I feel.
That I love her, I truly feel.
That she is worthy, I know.
That she is worthy, I know for sure.
That I neither feel how she should be loved nor know how she should be worthy, is the opinion that fire cannot melt out of me: I will die in it at the stake.
That I don’t know how she should be loved, nor how she should be worthy, is something that nothing can change for me: I’ll stick to it until the end.
Thou wast ever an obstinate heretic in the despite of beauty.
You’ve always been a stubborn fool, ignoring the power of beauty.
And never could maintain his part but in the force of his will.
And he could never argue his case except by sheer force of will.
That a woman conceived me, I thank her; that she brought me up, I likewise give her most humble thanks: but that I will have a recheat winded in my forehead, or hang my bugle in an invisible baldrick, all women shall pardon me. Because I will not do them the wrong to mistrust any, I will do myself the right to trust none; and the fine is, for the which I may go the finer, I will live a bachelor.
That a woman gave me life, I thank her; that she raised me, I also give her my thanks: but that I will wear a horn on my forehead, or hang a love token on a hidden belt, all women can forgive me for that. Because I won’t do them the injustice of doubting any of them, I’ll do myself the favor of trusting none; and the benefit is, for which I might even be better off, I’ll stay a bachelor.
I shall see thee, ere I die, look pale with love.
I’ll see it, before I die, that you’ll turn pale from love.
With anger, with sickness, or with hunger, my lord, not with love: prove that ever I lose more blood with love than I will get again with drinking, pick out mine eyes with a ballad-maker’s pen and hang me up at the door of a brothel-house for the sign of blind Cupid.
From anger, sickness, or hunger, my lord, not from love: prove that I ever lose more blood from love than I gain back with drinking, take out my eyes with a poet’s pen and hang me up at the door of a brothel as the sign of a blind Cupid.
Well, if ever thou dost fall from this faith, thou wilt prove a notable argument.
Well, if you ever change your mind, you’ll be a famous case.
If I do, hang me in a bottle like a cat and shoot at me; and he that hits me, let him be clapped on the shoulder, and called Adam.
If I do, hang me in a bottle like a cat and shoot at me; and whoever hits me, let him be slapped on the back, and called Adam.
Well, as time shall try: ’In time the savage bull doth bear the yoke.’
Well, time will tell: ’In time, the wild bull must wear the yoke.’
The savage bull may; but if ever the sensible Benedick bear it, pluck off the bull’s horns and set them in my forehead: and let me be vilely painted, and in such great letters as they write ’Here is good horse to hire,’ let them signify under my sign ’Here you may see Benedick the married man.’
The wild bull may; but if ever the sensible Benedick wears it, take off the bull’s horns and put them on my forehead: and let me be painted badly, and with big letters saying ’Here is a good horse for hire,’ let them write under my sign ’Here you may see Benedick the married man.’
If this should ever happen, thou wouldst be horn-mad.
If that ever happens, you’ll be crazy with jealousy.
Nay, if Cupid have not spent all his quiver in Venice, thou wilt quake for this shortly.
No, if Cupid hasn’t used up all his arrows in Venice, you’ll be trembling about this soon enough.
I look for an earthquake too, then.
I guess I’m expecting an earthquake too, then.
Well, you temporize with the hours. In the meantime, good Signior Benedick, repair to Leonato’s: commend me to him and tell him I will not fail him at supper; for indeed he hath made great preparation.
Well, you’re wasting time. In the meantime, good Signior Benedick, go to Leonato’s: tell him I’ll be there for dinner; he’s made a lot of preparations for it.
I have almost matter enough in me for such an embassage; and so I commit you--
I’ve almost enough to say for a message like that; so I leave you with that--
To the tuition of God: From my house, if I had it,--
May God take care of you: from my house, if I had one,--
The sixth of July: Your loving friend, Benedick.
The sixth of July: Your loyal friend, Benedick.
Nay, mock not, mock not. The body of your discourse is sometime guarded with fragments, and the guards are but slightly basted on neither: ere you flout old ends any further, examine your conscience: and so I leave you.
Don’t mock me, don’t mock me. The main point of your speech is sometimes held together with pieces, and those pieces aren’t well attached: before you make fun of old habits any more, check your conscience: and now I’ll leave you.
My liege, your highness now may do me good.
My lord, now you can really help me.
My love is thine to teach: teach it but how, And thou shalt see how apt it is to learn Any hard lesson that may do thee good.
My love is yours to teach: just show me how, And you’ll see how easily it learns Any difficult lesson that will help you.
Hath Leonato any son, my lord?
Does Leonato have any sons, my lord?
No child but Hero; she’s his only heir. Dost thou affect her, Claudio?
No children but Hero; she’s his only heir. Do you love her, Claudio?
O, my lord, When you went onward on this ended action, I look’d upon her with a soldier’s eye, That liked, but had a rougher task in hand Than to drive liking to the name of love: But now I am return’d and that war-thoughts Have left their places vacant, in their rooms Come thronging soft and delicate desires, All prompting me how fair young Hero is, Saying, I liked her ere I went to wars.
Oh, my lord, When you went off to this finished task, I looked at her with a soldier’s eye, I liked her, but I had more important things to do than turn liking into love: But now I’m back and those war thoughts have left, and in their place come all sorts of gentle, soft desires, reminding me how beautiful young Hero is, saying I liked her even before I went to war.
Thou wilt be like a lover presently And tire the hearer with a book of words. If thou dost love fair Hero, cherish it, And I will break with her and with her father, And thou shalt have her. Was’t not to this end That thou began’st to twist so fine a story?
You’re going to sound like a lover soon And bore the listener with a speech full of words. If you love fair Hero, keep it to yourself, And I’ll talk to her and her father, and you’ll have her. Wasn’t this the reason you started spinning such a fine story?
How sweetly you do minister to love, That know love’s grief by his complexion! But lest my liking might too sudden seem, I would have salved it with a longer treatise.
How kindly you talk about love, knowing the pain it causes from experience! But in case my feelings seem too sudden, I’d have softened it with a longer explanation.
What need the bridge much broader than the flood? The fairest grant is the necessity. Look, what will serve is fit: ’tis once, thou lovest, And I will fit thee with the remedy. I know we shall have revelling to-night: I will assume thy part in some disguise And tell fair Hero I am Claudio, And in her bosom I’ll unclasp my heart And take her hearing prisoner with the force And strong encounter of my amorous tale: Then after to her father will I break; And the conclusion is, she shall be thine. In practise let us put it presently.
Why make the bridge wider than the river? The best offer is the one that’s necessary. Look, what works is enough: you love her, and I’ll give you the solution. I know there’ll be a celebration tonight: I’ll take your place in disguise and tell fair Hero I’m Claudio, and I’ll open my heart to her, and win her over with the power of my passionate tale: Then I’ll talk to her father, and the result will be, she’ll be yours. Let’s put this plan into action right away.