Original
Modern English
Why, man, I saw Bassanio under sail: With him is Gratiano gone along; And in their ship I am sure Lorenzo is not.
Hey, man, I saw Bassanio setting sail: Gratiano went with him; And I’m sure Lorenzo isn’t on their ship.
The villain Jew with outcries raised the duke, Who went with him to search Bassanio’s ship.
The villain Jew stirred up the duke, Who went with him to search Bassanio’s ship.
He came too late, the ship was under sail: But there the duke was given to understand That in a gondola were seen together Lorenzo and his amorous Jessica: Besides, Antonio certified the duke They were not with Bassanio in his ship.
He was too late, the ship had already sailed: But the duke was told That Lorenzo and his passionate Jessica were seen together In a gondola: Also, Antonio confirmed to the duke That they weren’t with Bassanio on his ship.
I never heard a passion so confused, So strange, outrageous, and so variable, As the dog Jew did utter in the streets: ’My daughter! O my ducats! O my daughter! Fled with a Christian! O my Christian ducats! Justice! the law! my ducats, and my daughter! A sealed bag, two sealed bags of ducats, Of double ducats, stolen from me by my daughter! And jewels, two stones, two rich and precious stones, Stolen by my daughter! Justice! find the girl; She hath the stones upon her, and the ducats.’
I’ve never heard such a confused emotion, So strange, outrageous, and so unpredictable, As the Jew cried out in the streets: “My daughter! Oh my ducats! Oh my daughter! Fled with a Christian! Oh my Christian ducats! Justice! the law! my ducats, and my daughter! A sealed bag, two sealed bags of ducats, Of double ducats, stolen from me by my daughter! And jewels, two stones, two rich and precious stones, Stolen by my daughter! Justice! Find the girl; She has the stones and the ducats!”
Why, all the boys in Venice follow him, Crying, his stones, his daughter, and his ducats.
All the boys in Venice are following him, Shouting, “His stones, his daughter, and his ducats!”
Let good Antonio look he keep his day, Or he shall pay for this.
Let good Antonio make sure he keeps his promise, Or he’ll have to pay for this.
Marry, well remember’d. I reason’d with a Frenchman yesterday, Who told me, in the narrow seas that part The French and English, there miscarried A vessel of our country richly fraught: I thought upon Antonio when he told me; And wish’d in silence that it were not his.
Well remembered. I talked to a Frenchman yesterday, Who told me that in the narrow seas that separate France and England, a ship from our country sank, He said it was full of valuable goods: I thought of Antonio when he said that; And silently wished it wasn’t his ship.
You were best to tell Antonio what you hear; Yet do not suddenly, for it may grieve him.
You should tell Antonio what you heard; But don’t do it suddenly, it might upset him.
A kinder gentleman treads not the earth. I saw Bassanio and Antonio part: Bassanio told him he would make some speed Of his return: he answer’d, ’Do not so; Slubber not business for my sake, Bassanio But stay the very riping of the time; And for the Jew’s bond which he hath of me, Let it not enter in your mind of love: Be merry, and employ your chiefest thoughts To courtship and such fair ostents of love As shall conveniently become you there:’ And even there, his eye being big with tears, Turning his face, he put his hand behind him, And with affection wondrous sensible He wrung Bassanio’s hand; and so they parted.
There’s no kinder man than him. I saw Bassanio and Antonio say goodbye: Bassanio told him he’d hurry back, But Antonio told him, ‘Don’t rush; Don’t mess up business for my sake, Bassanio, But wait for the right moment; And as for the Jew’s bond, don’t let it trouble you: Be happy, and focus on courtship and the public signs of love That suit you there.’ And even as he said this, with tears in his eyes, He turned his face, put his hand behind him, And with great feeling, He squeezed Bassanio’s hand; and so they parted.
I think he only loves the world for him. I pray thee, let us go and find him out And quicken his embraced heaviness With some delight or other.
I think he loves the world only for Bassanio. Let’s go find him and cheer him up With something to lift his spirits.
Do we so.
Let’s do that.