Original
Modern English
Welcome, sweet prince, to London, to your chamber.
Welcome, sweet prince, to London, to your chamber.
Welcome, dear cousin, my thoughts’ sovereign The weary way hath made you melancholy.
Welcome, dear cousin, the ruler of my thoughts. The long journey has made you tired and sad.
No, uncle; but our crosses on the way Have made it tedious, wearisome, and heavy I want more uncles here to welcome me.
No, uncle; but the problems on the way Have made it slow, exhausting, and hard. I wish I had more uncles here to welcome me.
Sweet prince, the untainted virtue of your years Hath not yet dived into the world’s deceit Nor more can you distinguish of a man Than of his outward show; which, God he knows, Seldom or never jumpeth with the heart. Those uncles which you want were dangerous; Your grace attended to their sugar’d words, But look’d not on the poison of their hearts : God keep you from them, and from such false friends!
Sweet prince, your innocent youth Has not yet experienced the world’s dishonesty. You cannot judge a man yet By anything other than his appearance; and God knows, That rarely matches what is in his heart. Those uncles you miss were dangerous; You listened to their flattering words, But didn’t see the poison in their hearts. God keep you from them, and from such false friends!
God keep me from false friends! but they were none.
God keep me from false friends! But they weren’t any.
My lord, the mayor of London comes to greet you.
My lord, the mayor of London is here to greet you.
God bless your grace with health and happy days!
God bless your grace with health and happiness!
I thank you, good my lord; and thank you all. I thought my mother, and my brother York, Would long ere this have met us on the way Fie, what a slug is Hastings, that he comes not To tell us whether they will come or no!
Thank you, my lord; and thank you all. I thought my mother and my brother York Would have met us by now on the road. Ugh, what a lazy person Hastings is, that he hasn’t come To tell us whether they will come or not!
And, in good time, here comes the sweating lord.
And just in time, here comes the sweaty lord.
Welcome, my lord: what, will our mother come?
Welcome, my lord. What, will our mother come?
On what occasion, God he knows, not I, The queen your mother, and your brother York, Have taken sanctuary: the tender prince Would fain have come with me to meet your grace, But by his mother was perforce withheld.
God knows why, but not I. Your mother, the queen, and your brother York Have taken refuge in a church. The young prince would have come with me to meet you, But his mother wouldn’t let him.
Fie, what an indirect and peevish course Is this of hers! Lord cardinal, will your grace Persuade the queen to send the Duke of York Unto his princely brother presently? If she deny, Lord Hastings, go with him, And from her jealous arms pluck him perforce.
Ugh, what a sneaky and annoying way Is this of hers! Lord Cardinal, will you please Convince the Queen to send the Duke of York To his princely brother right away? If she refuses, Lord Hastings, go with him, And forcibly take him from her jealous grasp.
My Lord of Buckingham, if my weak oratory Can from his mother win the Duke of York, Anon expect him here; but if she be obdurate To mild entreaties, God in heaven forbid We should infringe the holy privilege Of blessed sanctuary! not for all this land Would I be guilty of so deep a sin.
My Lord Buckingham, if my weak speech Can convince his mother to let the Duke of York go, You’ll see him here soon; but if she’s stubborn Against gentle pleas, God forbid That we should break the sacred law Of holy sanctuary! Not for all this land Would I commit such a terrible sin.
You are too senseless--obstinate, my lord, Too ceremonious and traditional Weigh it but with the grossness of this age, You break not sanctuary in seizing him. The benefit thereof is always granted To those whose dealings have deserved the place, And those who have the wit to claim the place: This prince hath neither claim’d it nor deserved it; And therefore, in mine opinion, cannot have it: Then, taking him from thence that is not there, You break no privilege nor charter there. Oft have I heard of sanctuary men; But sanctuary children ne’er till now.
You’re being too soft–stubborn, my lord, Too formal and old-fashioned Compare it with the bluntness of this age, You’re not breaking sanctuary by taking him. The benefit of sanctuary is given To those whose actions have earned the right, And those who are clever enough to claim it: This prince has neither earned nor claimed it; And so, in my opinion, he can’t have it: So, taking him from there where he doesn’t belong, You’re not breaking any privilege or law. I’ve often heard of men seeking sanctuary; But sanctuary for children? Never, until now.
My lord, you shall o’er-rule my mind for once. Come on, Lord Hastings, will you go with me?
My lord, I’ll let you persuade me just this once. Come on, Lord Hastings, will you go with me?
I go, my lord.
I’ll go, my lord.
Good lords, make all the speedy haste you may.
Good lords, hurry as fast as you can.
Say, uncle Gloucester, if our brother come, Where shall we sojourn till our coronation?
Say, uncle Gloucester, if our brother comes, Where shall we stay until our coronation?
Where it seems best unto your royal self. If I may counsel you, some day or two Your highness shall repose you at the Tower: Then where you please, and shall be thought most fit For your best health and recreation.
Wherever seems best to you, my royal nephew. If I may offer advice, for a day or two You should rest at the Tower: After that, go wherever you like, and where it seems best For your health and well-being.
I do not like the Tower, of any place. Did Julius Caesar build that place, my lord?
I don’t like the Tower, of any place. Did Julius Caesar build that place, my lord?
He did, my gracious lord, begin that place; Which, since, succeeding ages have re-edified.
He did, my gracious lord, start that place; Which, since then, later generations have rebuilt.
Is it upon record, or else reported Successively from age to age, he built it?
Is it recorded, or passed down From generation to generation that he built it?
Upon record, my gracious lord.
It’s recorded, my gracious lord.
But say, my lord, it were not register’d, Methinks the truth should live from age to age, As ’twere retail’d to all posterity, Even to the general all-ending day.
But let’s say, my lord, it wasn’t written down, I think the truth should live on from generation to generation, As if it were passed down to all future generations, Right up until the end of time.
[Aside] So wise so young, they say, do never live long.
[Aside] So wise, so young, they say, never live long.
What say you, uncle?
What did you say, uncle?
I say, without characters, fame lives long.
I say, without letters, fame lasts a long time.
Thus, like the formal vice, Iniquity, I moralize two meanings in one word.
So, like the typical evil, Iniquity, I make two meanings out of one word.
That Julius Caesar was a famous man; With what his valour did enrich his wit, His wit set down to make his valour live Death makes no conquest of this conqueror; For now he lives in fame, though not in life. I’ll tell you what, my cousin Buckingham,--
Julius Caesar was a famous man; With what his courage did to strengthen his intelligence, His intelligence was written down to keep his courage alive Death doesn’t defeat this conqueror; Because now he lives in fame, though not in life. I’ll tell you what, my cousin Buckingham,--
What, my gracious lord?
What, my gracious lord?
An if I live until I be a man, I’ll win our ancient right in France again, Or die a soldier, as I lived a king.
If I live until I’m a man, I’ll win back our old rights in France, Or die as a soldier, just like I lived as a king.
[Aside] Short summers lightly have a forward spring.
[Aside] Short summers often have an early spring.
Now, in good time, here comes the Duke of York.
Now, here comes the Duke of York, right on time.
Richard of York! how fares our loving brother?
Richard of York! How is our dear brother?
Well, my dread lord; so must I call you now.
Well, my lord; I must call you that now.
Ay, brother, to our grief, as it is yours: Too late he died that might have kept that title, Which by his death hath lost much majesty.
Yes, brother, to our sorrow, just like it is yours: It’s too late for him to keep that title, Which, by his death, has lost much of its dignity.
How fares our cousin, noble Lord of York?
How is our cousin, the noble Lord of York?
I thank you, gentle uncle. O, my lord, You said that idle weeds are fast in growth The prince my brother hath outgrown me far.
I thank you, kind uncle. Oh, my lord, You said that useless weeds grow quickly, The prince, my brother, has far outgrown me.
He hath, my lord.
He has, my lord.
And therefore is he idle?
And because of that, is he useless?
O, my fair cousin, I must not say so.
Oh, my dear cousin, I can’t say that.
Then is he more beholding to you than I.
Then he owes you more than he does to me.
He may command me as my sovereign; But you have power in me as in a kinsman.
He can order me around as my king; But you have authority over me as a family member.
I pray you, uncle, give me this dagger.
Please, uncle, give me this dagger.
My dagger, little cousin? with all my heart.
My dagger, little cousin? Of course, with pleasure.
A beggar, brother?
A beggar, brother?
Of my kind uncle, that I know will give; And being but a toy, which is no grief to give.
From my kind uncle, who I know will give it; And since it’s just a small thing, it doesn’t hurt to give.
A greater gift than that I’ll give my cousin.
A bigger gift than that I’ll give to my cousin.
A greater gift! O, that’s the sword to it.
A bigger gift! Oh, that’s the sword you mean.
A gentle cousin, were it light enough.
A kind cousin, if it were light enough.
O, then, I see, you will part but with light gifts; In weightier things you’ll say a beggar nay.
Oh, I see, you’ll only give away light gifts; When it comes to heavier ones, you’ll say no like a beggar.
It is too heavy for your grace to wear.
It’s too heavy for you to wear, your grace.
I weigh it lightly, were it heavier.
I’d take it lightly, even if it were heavier.
What, would you have my weapon, little lord?
What, do you want my weapon, little lord?
I would, that I might thank you as you call me.
I do, so I can thank you the way you call me.
How?
What?
Little.
Not much.
My Lord of York will still be cross in talk: Uncle, your grace knows how to bear with him.
My Lord of York is always so grumpy when he talks: Uncle, you know how to put up with him.
You mean, to bear me, not to bear with me: Uncle, my brother mocks both you and me; Because that I am little, like an ape, He thinks that you should bear me on your shoulders.
You mean, put up with me, not deal with me: Uncle, my brother mocks both you and me; Because I’m small, like a monkey, He thinks you should carry me on your shoulders.
With what a sharp-provided wit he reasons! To mitigate the scorn he gives his uncle, He prettily and aptly taunts himself: So cunning and so young is wonderful.
How sharp his wit is! To soften the insult he gives his uncle, He cleverly makes fun of himself: So smart and so young—it’s impressive.
My lord, will’t please you pass along? Myself and my good cousin Buckingham Will to your mother, to entreat of her To meet you at the Tower and welcome you.
My lord, would you please move on? My cousin Buckingham and I Will go to your mother to ask her To meet you at the Tower and welcome you.
What, will you go unto the Tower, my lord?
What, are you going to the Tower, my lord?
My lord protector needs will have it so.
My lord protector insists on it.
I shall not sleep in quiet at the Tower.
I won’t sleep peacefully at the Tower.
Why, what should you fear?
Why, what do you fear?
Marry, my uncle Clarence’ angry ghost: My grandam told me he was murdered there.
Well, my uncle Clarence’s angry ghost: My grandmother told me he was murdered there.
I fear no uncles dead.
I’m not afraid of dead uncles.
Nor none that live, I hope.
I hope you’re not afraid of the ones who are alive either.
An if they live, I hope I need not fear. But come, my lord; and with a heavy heart, Thinking on them, go I unto the Tower.
And if they’re alive, I don’t think I have anything to fear. But come on, my lord; with a heavy heart, Thinking about them, I’ll go to the Tower.
Think you, my lord, this little prating York Was not incensed by his subtle mother To taunt and scorn you thus opprobriously?
Do you think, my lord, that this little chatterbox York Was not stirred up by his sly mother To mock and insult you so shamelessly?
No doubt, no doubt; O, ’tis a parlous boy; Bold, quick, ingenious, forward, capable He is all the mother’s, from the top to toe.
No doubt, no doubt; oh, he’s a dangerous boy; Bold, quick, clever, eager, talented— He’s completely his mother’s child, from head to toe.
Well, let them rest. Come hither, Catesby. Thou art sworn as deeply to effect what we intend As closely to conceal what we impart: Thou know’st our reasons urged upon the way; What think’st thou? is it not an easy matter To make William Lord Hastings of our mind, For the instalment of this noble duke In the seat royal of this famous isle?
Fine, let them rest. Come here, Catesby. You’re sworn to help us carry out our plan And keep what we tell you secret: You know the reasons we’ve given for this course; What do you think? Isn’t it an easy task To get William Lord Hastings to agree with us, So we can put this noble duke On the royal throne of this famous kingdom?
He for his father’s sake so loves the prince, That he will not be won to aught against him.
He loves the prince so much because of his father, That he won’t be persuaded to do anything against him.
What think’st thou, then, of Stanley? what will he?
What do you think, then, about Stanley? What will he do?
He will do all in all as Hastings doth.
He will do exactly what Hastings does.
Well, then, no more but this: go, gentle Catesby, And, as it were far off sound thou Lord Hastings, How doth he stand affected to our purpose; And summon him to-morrow to the Tower, To sit about the coronation. If thou dost find him tractable to us, Encourage him, and show him all our reasons: If he be leaden, icy-cold, unwilling, Be thou so too; and so break off your talk, And give us notice of his inclination: For we to-morrow hold divided councils, Wherein thyself shalt highly be employ’d.
Alright, then, just do this: go, gentle Catesby, And, from a distance, sound out Lord Hastings, See how he feels about our plan; And ask him to come to the Tower tomorrow, To discuss the coronation. If he’s agreeable to us, Encourage him, and explain all our reasons: If he’s stubborn, cold, and unwilling, Be the same way with him; then end your conversation, And let us know how he feels: Because tomorrow we’ll have divided councils, Where you will be given an important task.
Commend me to Lord William: tell him, Catesby, His ancient knot of dangerous adversaries To-morrow are let blood at Pomfret-castle; And bid my friend, for joy of this good news, Give mistress Shore one gentle kiss the more.
Give my regards to Lord William: tell him, Catesby, That his old group of dangerous enemies Will be executed tomorrow at Pomfret Castle; And tell my friend, in celebration of this good news, To give Mistress Shore one more kiss.
Good Catesby, go, effect this business soundly.
Good Catesby, go, and get this done properly.
My good lords both, with all the heed I may.
I will, my good lords, with all the care I can.
Shall we hear from you, Catesby, ere we sleep?
Will we hear from you, Catesby, before we sleep?
You shall, my lord.
You will, my lord.
At Crosby Place, there shall you find us both.
At Crosby Place, that’s where you’ll find us both.
Now, my lord, what shall we do, if we perceive Lord Hastings will not yield to our complots?
Now, my lord, what will we do if we find That Lord Hastings won’t agree with our plans?
Chop off his head, man; somewhat we will do: And, look, when I am king, claim thou of me The earldom of Hereford, and the moveables Whereof the king my brother stood possess’d.
Cut off his head, man; we’ll do something: And, when I become king, ask me for The earldom of Hereford, and the property That my brother the king owned.
I’ll claim that promise at your grace’s hands.
I’ll ask for that promise from your grace.
And look to have it yielded with all willingness. Come, let us sup betimes, that afterwards We may digest our complots in some form.
And be sure to get it, gladly and without hesitation. Come, let’s have dinner early, so afterwards We can think over our plans in peace.