Original
Modern English
What the good-year, my lord! why are you thus out of measure sad?
What in the world, my lord! Why are you so sad all of a sudden?
There is no measure in the occasion that breeds; therefore the sadness is without limit.
There’s no limit to the occasion that’s causing this; that’s why my sadness has no end.
You should hear reason.
You should listen to reason.
And when I have heard it, what blessing brings it?
And when I’ve listened, what good will it do me?
If not a present remedy, at least a patient sufferance.
If not a quick fix, at least some patience in dealing with it.
I wonder that thou, being, as thou sayest thou art, born under Saturn, goest about to apply a moral medicine to a mortifying mischief. I cannot hide what I am: I must be sad when I have cause and smile at no man’s jests, eat when I have stomach and wait for no man’s leisure, sleep when I am drowsy and tend on no man’s business, laugh when I am merry and claw no man in his humour.
I don’t understand how you, being, as you say, born under Saturn, try to use a moral cure for a harmful problem. I can’t pretend to be something I’m not: I have to be sad when I have reason, and I don’t smile at anyone’s jokes, eat when I’m hungry, or wait for anyone’s convenience, sleep when I’m tired, and don’t tend to anyone’s business, laugh when I’m happy, and never flatter anyone based on their mood.
Yea, but you must not make the full show of this till you may do it without controlment. You have of late stood out against your brother, and he hath ta’en you newly into his grace; where it is impossible you should take true root but by the fair weather that you make yourself: it is needful that you frame the season for your own harvest.
Yes, but you shouldn’t show all that until you can do it without restriction. Recently, you’ve been opposing your brother, and now he’s welcomed you back into his favor; but it’s impossible for you to truly settle down unless you create good circumstances for yourself: you need to set the right conditions for your own success.
I had rather be a canker in a hedge than a rose in his grace, and it better fits my blood to be disdained of all than to fashion a carriage to rob love from any: in this, though I cannot be said to be a flattering honest man, it must not be denied but I am a plain-dealing villain. I am trusted with a muzzle and enfranchised with a clog; therefore I have decreed not to sing in my cage. If I had my mouth, I would bite; if I had my liberty, I would do my liking: in the meantime let me be that I am and seek not to alter me.
I’d rather be a disease in a bush than a beautiful rose in his favor, and it suits my nature better to be rejected by everyone than to pretend to be something I’m not just to steal love from others: in this, though I can’t be called a flattering honest man, I can’t deny that I’m an honest villain. I’m kept on a leash and held back by a chain; that’s why I’ve decided not to sing in my cage. If I could speak freely, I’d bite; if I had my freedom, I’d do as I pleased: in the meantime, let me be who I am and don’t try to change me.
Can you make no use of your discontent?
Can you get any use out of your discontent?
I make all use of it, for I use it only. Who comes here?
I use it fully, since it’s all I have. Who’s coming here?
What news, Borachio?
What’s the news, Borachio?
I came yonder from a great supper: the prince your brother is royally entertained by Leonato: and I can give you intelligence of an intended marriage.
I just came from a big dinner: your brother, the prince, is being royally entertained by Leonato, and I can tell you about an upcoming marriage.
Will it serve for any model to build mischief on? What is he for a fool that betroths himself to unquietness?
Will this work as a good base for some trouble? What kind of fool would marry into chaos?
Marry, it is your brother’s right hand.
Well, it’s your brother’s right-hand man.
Who? the most exquisite Claudio?
Who? The very best Claudio?
Even he.
Yes, him.
A proper squire! And who, and who? which way looks he?
A fine young man! And who else, and who else? Which way does he look?
Marry, on Hero, the daughter and heir of Leonato.
Well, on Hero, the daughter and heir of Leonato.
A very forward March-chick! How came you to this?
A very forward young woman! How did this happen?
Being entertained for a perfumer, as I was smoking a musty room, comes me the prince and Claudio, hand in hand in sad conference: I whipt me behind the arras; and there heard it agreed upon that the prince should woo Hero for himself, and having obtained her, give her to Count Claudio.
I was hired as a perfumer, and while I was smoking a musty room, the prince and Claudio came in, walking hand in hand, talking seriously: I hid behind the curtain; and there I overheard them agree that the prince should court Hero for himself, and once he won her, he would give her to Count Claudio.
Come, come, let us thither: this may prove food to my displeasure. That young start-up hath all the glory of my overthrow: if I can cross him any way, I bless myself every way. You are both sure, and will assist me?
Come, come, let’s go: this could be useful for my plans. That young upstart has all the glory of ruining me: if I can stop him in any way, I’ll consider myself lucky. You’re both sure, and will help me, right?
To the death, my lord.
To the death, my lord.
Let us to the great supper: their cheer is the greater that I am subdued. Would the cook were of my mind! Shall we go prove what’s to be done?
Let’s go to the big supper: their enjoyment is greater because I’m being beaten. I wish the cook thought the same! Shall we go see what’s to be done?
We’ll wait upon your lordship.
We’ll follow your lead, my lord.