Original
Modern English
What would you with me, honest neighbour?
What do you want from me, honest neighbor?
Marry, sir, I would have some confidence with you that decerns you nearly.
Well, sir, I need to speak with you about something that concerns you directly.
Brief, I pray you; for you see it is a busy time with me.
Keep it brief, please; as you can see, I’m busy right now.
Marry, this it is, sir.
Well, this is it, sir.
Yes, in truth it is, sir.
Yes, it is, sir, truly.
What is it, my good friends?
What is it, my good friends?
Goodman Verges, sir, speaks a little off the matter: an old man, sir, and his wits are not so blunt as, God help, I would desire they were; but, in faith, honest as the skin between his brows.
Good man Verges, sir, is speaking a bit off-topic: he’s an old man, sir, and his mind isn’t as sharp as I’d like it to be; but, honestly, as trustworthy as the skin on his forehead.
Yes, I thank God I am as honest as any man living that is an old man and no honester than I.
Yes, I thank God I’m as honest as any old man alive who’s no more honest than I am.
Comparisons are odorous: palabras, neighbour Verges.
Comparisons stink: enough of this, neighbor Verges.
Neighbours, you are tedious.
Neighbors, you’re being tedious.
It pleases your worship to say so, but we are the poor duke’s officers; but truly, for mine own part, if I were as tedious as a king, I could find it in my heart to bestow it all of your worship.
You’re right to say that, sir, but we’re just the poor duke’s officers; though, to be honest, if I were as annoying as a king, I’d still find it in my heart to give it all to you, sir.
All thy tediousness on me, ah?
You want to lay all your tediousness on me, huh?
Yea, an ’twere a thousand pound more than ’tis; for I hear as good exclamation on your worship as of any man in the city; and though I be but a poor man, I am glad to hear it.
Yes, even if it were a thousand pounds more than it is; because I hear more praise of you, sir, than of any other man in the city; and even though I’m just a poor man, I’m happy to hear it.
And so am I.
And so am I.
I would fain know what you have to say.
I’d really like to know what you have to say.
Marry, sir, our watch to-night, excepting your worship’s presence, ha’ ta’en a couple of as arrant knaves as any in Messina.
Well, sir, our watch tonight, except for your presence, ha’ caught a couple of the most blatant criminals in Messina.
A good old man, sir; he will be talking: as they say, when the age is in, the wit is out: God help us! it is a world to see. Well said, i’ faith, neighbour Verges: well, God’s a good man; an two men ride of a horse, one must ride behind. An honest soul, i’ faith, sir; by my troth he is, as ever broke bread; but God is to be worshipped; all men are not alike; alas, good neighbour!
A good old man, sir; he will be talking: as they say, when you get older, you lose your sharpness: God help us! it’s a strange world. Well said, really, neighbour Verges: well, God’s a good man; if two men ride a horse, one must ride behind. An honest man, really, sir; I swear he is, as honest as anyone who’s ever eaten bread; but God must be worshipped; not all men are the same; poor neighbour!
Indeed, neighbour, he comes too short of you.
Truly, neighbour, he doesn’t measure up to you.
Gifts that God gives.
The gifts that God gives.
I must leave you.
I must leave you.
One word, sir: our watch, sir, have indeed comprehended two aspicious persons, and we would have them this morning examined before your worship.
One moment, sir: our watch, sir, has actually caught two suspicious people, and we’d like to have them examined by you this morning.
Take their examination yourself and bring it me: I am now in great haste, as it may appear unto you.
Do their questioning yourself and bring it to me: I am in a great hurry, as you can see.
It shall be suffigance.
That will be enough.
Drink some wine ere you go: fare you well.
Drink some wine before you go: goodbye.
My lord, they stay for you to give your daughter to her husband.
My lord, they’re waiting for you to give your daughter to her husband.
I’ll wait upon them: I am ready.
I’ll go with them: I’m ready.
Go, good partner, go, get you to Francis Seacole; bid him bring his pen and inkhorn to the gaol: we are now to examination these men.
Go, good partner, go, get to Francis Seacole; tell him to bring his pen and ink to the jail: we are about to question these men.
And we must do it wisely.
And we must do it carefully.
We will spare for no wit, I warrant you; here’s that shall drive some of them to a non-come: only get the learned writer to set down our excommunication and meet me at the gaol.
We won’t lack for wit, I promise you; here’s something that will confuse some of them: just get the educated writer to write down our excommunication and meet me at the jail.