Original
Modern English
What, John! What, Robert!
What, John! What, Robert!
Quickly, quickly! is the buck-basket--
Quickly, quickly! is the laundry basket--
I warrant. What, Robin, I say!
I’m sure it is. What, Robin, I said!
Come, come, come.
Come on, come on, hurry up.
Here, set it down.
Here, put it down here.
Give your men the charge; we must be brief.
Tell your men what to do; we need to be quick.
Marry, as I told you before, John and Robert, be ready here hard by in the brew-house: and when I suddenly call you, come forth, and without any pause or staggering take this basket on your shoulders: that done, trudge with it in all haste, and carry it among the whitsters in Datchet-mead, and there empty it in the muddy ditch close by the Thames side.
Well, like I said before, John and Robert, be ready nearby in the brew-house: and when I suddenly call you, come out and without hesitation or stumbling, put this basket on your shoulders: then, hurry with it as fast as you can, and take it among the laundresses in Datchet-mead, and there dump it in the muddy ditch next to the Thames.
You will do it?
You’ll do it?
I ha’ told them over and over; they lack no direction. Be gone, and come when you are called.
I’ve told them again and again; they have all the instructions. Go now, and return when I call you.
Here comes little Robin.
Here comes little Robin.
How now, my eyas-musket! what news with you?
Well now, my little spy! what’s the news?
My master, Sir John, is come in at your back-door, Mistress Ford, and requests your company.
My master, Sir John, has come in through your back-door, Mistress Ford, and wants to see you.
You little Jack-a-Lent, have you been true to us?
You little troublemaker, have you been loyal to us?
Ay, I’ll be sworn. My master knows not of your being here and hath threatened to put me into everlasting liberty if I tell you of it; for he swears he’ll turn me away.
Yes, I swear it. My master doesn’t know you’re here and has threatened to punish me forever if I tell you about it; he swears he’ll fire me.
Thou’rt a good boy: this secrecy of thine shall be a tailor to thee and shall make thee a new doublet and hose. I’ll go hide me.
You’re a good boy: your secrecy will reward you and will get you a new suit of clothes. I’ll go hide.
Do so. Go tell thy master I am alone.
Do that. Go tell your master I’m alone.
Mistress Page, remember you your cue.
Mistress Page, remember your cue.
I warrant thee; if I do not act it, hiss me.
I promise you; if I don’t do it right, you can boo me.
Go to, then: we’ll use this unwholesome humidity, this gross watery pumpion; we’ll teach him to know turtles from jays.
Alright, then: we’ll use this nasty dampness, this big watery pumpkin; we’ll teach him to tell turtles from jays.
Have I caught thee, my heavenly jewel? Why, now let me die, for I have lived long enough: this is the period of my ambition: O this blessed hour!
Have I caught you, my precious jewel? Now let me die, because I’ve lived long enough: this is the height of my dreams: Oh, this blessed moment!
O sweet Sir John!
Oh, sweet Sir John!
Mistress Ford, I cannot cog, I cannot prate, Mistress Ford. Now shall I sin in my wish: I would thy husband were dead: I’ll speak it before the best lord; I would make thee my lady.
Mistress Ford, I can’t lie, I can’t ramble on, Mistress Ford. Now I’ll sin with this wish: I wish your husband were dead: I’ll say it in front of the best lord; I’d make you my lady.
I your lady, Sir John! alas, I should be a pitiful lady!
Me, your lady, Sir John! Oh, I’d be a pitiful lady!
Let the court of France show me such another. I see how thine eye would emulate the diamond: thou hast the right arched beauty of the brow that becomes the ship-tire, the tire-valiant, or any tire of Venetian admittance.
Let the court of France show me someone like you. I see how your eye could outshine the diamond: you have the perfect arched brow that would suit the fancy headdress, the brave headdress, or any Venetian style.
A plain kerchief, Sir John: my brows become nothing else; nor that well neither.
A simple headscarf, Sir John: my brows don’t suit anything else; and not that well either.
By the Lord, thou art a traitor to say so: thou wouldst make an absolute courtier; and the firm fixture of thy foot would give an excellent motion to thy gait in a semi-circled farthingale. I see what thou wert, if Fortune thy foe were not, Nature thy friend. Come, thou canst not hide it.
By the Lord, you’re a liar to say that: you’d make a great court lady; and the way you stand would give a beautiful swing to your walk in a wide skirt. I see what you’d be if Fortune weren’t your enemy and Nature weren’t your friend. Come on, you can’t hide it.
Believe me, there is no such thing in me.
Believe me, there’s nothing like that in me.
What made me love thee? let that persuade thee there’s something extraordinary in thee. Come, I cannot cog and say thou art this and that, like a many of these lisping hawthorn-buds, that come like women in men’s apparel, and smell like Bucklersbury in simple time; I cannot: but I love thee; none but thee; and thou deservest it.
What made me love you? Let that convince you there’s something special about you. Come on, I can’t lie and say you’re this and that, like those many women who dress as men, and smell like Bucklersbury on a slow day; I can’t: but I love you; no one but you; and you deserve it.
Do not betray me, sir. I fear you love Mistress Page.
Don’t betray me, sir. I’m afraid you love Mistress Page.
Thou mightst as well say I love to walk by the Counter-gate, which is as hateful to me as the reek of a lime-kiln.
You might as well say I love to walk by the Counter-gate, which I hate as much as the smell of a lime-kiln.
Well, heaven knows how I love you; and you shall one day find it.
Well, heaven knows how much I love you; and one day you will realize it.
Keep in that mind; I’ll deserve it.
Keep that in mind; I’ll earn it.
Nay, I must tell you, so you do; or else I could not be in that mind.
No, I must tell you, you do deserve it; otherwise, I wouldn’t feel this way.
[Within] Mistress Ford, Mistress Ford! here’s Mistress Page at the door, sweating and blowing and looking wildly, and would needs speak with you presently.
[Within] Mistress Ford, Mistress Ford! here’s Mistress Page at the door, sweating and puffing and looking frantic, and she insists on speaking with you right now.
She shall not see me: I will ensconce me behind the arras.
She won’t see me: I’ll hide behind the tapestry.
Pray you, do so: she’s a very tattling woman.
Please, do so: she’s such a gossip.
What’s the matter? how now!
What’s going on? What’s the matter?
O Mistress Ford, what have you done? You’re shamed, you’re overthrown, you’re undone for ever!
Oh, Mistress Ford, what have you done? You’re shamed, you’re ruined, you’re done for forever!
What’s the matter, good Mistress Page?
What’s going on, good Mistress Page?
O well-a-day, Mistress Ford! having an honest man to your husband, to give him such cause of suspicion!
Oh, goodness, Mistress Ford! having an honest man as your husband, and giving him such reason to doubt you!
What cause of suspicion?
What reason to doubt?
What cause of suspicion! Out pon you! how am I mistook in you!
What reason to doubt! Shame on you! How could I be so wrong about you!
Why, alas, what’s the matter?
Why, oh dear, what’s the matter?
Your husband’s coming hither, woman, with all the officers in Windsor, to search for a gentleman that he says is here now in the house by your consent, to take an ill advantage of his assence: you are undone.
Your husband’s coming here, woman, with all the officers in Windsor, to look for a man that he says is here in the house with your approval, to take advantage of his absence: you’re in trouble.
’Tis not so, I hope.
I hope that’s not true.
Pray heaven it be not so, that you have such a man here! but ’tis most certain your husband’s coming, with half Windsor at his heels, to search for such a one. I come before to tell you. If you know yourself clear, why, I am glad of it; but if you have a friend here convey, convey him out. Be not amazed; call all your senses to you; defend your reputation, or bid farewell to your good life for ever.
I pray it’s not true, that you have such a man here! But it’s certain your husband’s on his way, with half of Windsor chasing after him, to search for someone like that. I came ahead to warn you. If you’re sure you’re innocent, well, I’m glad to hear it; but if you have a man here, get him out. Don’t panic; stay calm, defend your reputation, or say goodbye to your good name forever.
What shall I do? There is a gentleman my dear friend; and I fear not mine own shame so much as his peril: I had rather than a thousand pound he were out of the house.
What should I do? There’s a man, my dear friend; and I’m more afraid of his danger than my own shame: I’d rather have him out of the house than anything, even a thousand pounds.
For shame! never stand ’you had rather’ and ’you had rather:’ your husband’s here at hand, bethink you of some conveyance: in the house you cannot hide him. O, how have you deceived me! Look, here is a basket: if he be of any reasonable stature, he may creep in here; and throw foul linen upon him, as if it were going to bucking: or--it is whiting-time --send him by your two men to Datchet-mead.
For shame! Stop saying ‘I’d rather’ and ‘I’d rather’: your husband’s almost here, think of some way to hide him: you can’t keep him in the house. Oh, how you’ve fooled me! Look, here is a basket: if he’s of a reasonable size, he can crawl in here; and cover him with dirty laundry, as if he’s going to the laundry. Or—it’s whiting-time— send him with your two men to Datchet-mead.
He’s too big to go in there. What shall I do?
He’s too big to fit in there. What should I do?
[Coming forward] Let me see’t, let me see’t, O, let me see’t! I’ll in, I’ll in. Follow your friend’s counsel. I’ll in.
[Coming forward] Let me see, let me see it, oh, let me see it! I’ll go in, I’ll go in. Follow your friend’s advice. I’ll go in.
What, Sir John Falstaff! Are these your letters, knight?
What, Sir John Falstaff! Are these your letters, sir knight?
I love thee. Help me away. Let me creep in here. I’ll never--
I love you. Help me get away. Let me hide in here. I’ll never--
Help to cover your master, boy. Call your men, Mistress Ford. You dissembling knight!
Help cover your master, boy. Call your men, Mistress Ford. You deceitful knight!
What, John! Robert! John!
What, John! Robert! John!
Go take up these clothes here quickly. Where’s the cowl-staff? look, how you drumble! Carry them to the laundress in Datchet-meat; quickly, come.
Go pick up these clothes here quickly. Where’s the broom? Look at how slow you’re moving! Take them to the laundress in Datchet-mead; hurry, come on.
Pray you, come near: if I suspect without cause, why then make sport at me; then let me be your jest; I deserve it. How now! whither bear you this?
Please, come closer: if I suspect for no reason, then go ahead and make fun of me; then let me be your joke; I deserve it. Now then! where are you taking this?
To the laundress, forsooth.
To the laundress, truly.
Why, what have you to do whither they bear it? You were best meddle with buck-washing.
Why, what does it matter to you where they’re taking it? You should stick to washing the clothes.
Buck! I would I could wash myself of the buck! Buck, buck, buck! Ay, buck; I warrant you, buck; and of the season too, it shall appear.
Wash! I wish I could wash myself of the trouble! Wash, wash, wash! Yes, wash; I swear it, wash; and in time, the truth will come out.
Gentlemen, I have dreamed to-night; I’ll tell you my dream. Here, here, here be my keys: ascend my chambers; search, seek, find out: I’ll warrant we’ll unkennel the fox. Let me stop this way first.
Gentlemen, I had a dream last night; I’ll tell you about my dream. Here, here, here are my keys: go up to my rooms; search, look, find out: I’m sure we’ll catch the fox. Let me lock this door first.
So, now uncape.
There, now it’s locked.
Good Master Ford, be contented: you wrong yourself too much.
Good Master Ford, please calm down: you’re being too hard on yourself.
True, Master Page. Up, gentlemen: you shall see sport anon: follow me, gentlemen.
True, Master Page. Up, gentlemen: you’ll see some fun soon: follow me, gentlemen.
This is fery fantastical humours and jealousies.
This is very strange behavior and jealousy.
By gar, ’tis no the fashion of France; it is not jealous in France.
By God, it’s not the way they do things in France; there’s no jealousy in France.
Nay, follow him, gentlemen; see the issue of his search.
No, follow him, gentlemen; see how his search turns out.
Is there not a double excellency in this?
Isn’t there something extra special about all this?
I know not which pleases me better, that my husband is deceived, or Sir John.
I don’t know which makes me happier, that my husband is fooled, or that Sir John is.
What a taking was he in when your husband asked who was in the basket!
How shocked was he when your husband asked who was in the basket!
I am half afraid he will have need of washing; so throwing him into the water will do him a benefit.
I’m half afraid he’ll need a wash; so throwing him in the water will do him good.
Hang him, dishonest rascal! I would all of the same strain were in the same distress.
Hang him, dishonest fool! I wish all the same kind of men were in the same trouble.
I think my husband hath some special suspicion of Falstaff’s being here; for I never saw him so gross in his jealousy till now.
I think my husband has some special suspicion that Falstaff is here; because I’ve never seen him so angry and jealous before.
I will lay a plot to try that; and we will yet have more tricks with Falstaff: his dissolute disease will scarce obey this medicine.
I’ll make a plan to test that; and we’ll play more tricks on Falstaff: his bad habits won’t easily be cured.
Shall we send that foolish carrion, Mistress Quickly, to him, and excuse his throwing into the water; and give him another hope, to betray him to another punishment?
Shall we send that silly woman, Mistress Quickly, to him, and explain why he was thrown into the water; and give him another false hope, to set him up for another punishment?
We will do it: let him be sent for to-morrow, eight o’clock, to have amends.
We’ll do it: let him be called for tomorrow, at eight o’clock, to make things right.
I cannot find him: may be the knave bragged of that he could not compass.
I can’t find him: maybe the scoundrel boasted about things he couldn’t pull off.
[Aside to MISTRESS FORD] Heard you that?
[Aside to MISTRESS FORD] Did you hear that?
You use me well, Master Ford, do you?
You’re treating me well, Master Ford, aren’t you?
Ay, I do so.
Yes, I am.
Heaven make you better than your thoughts!
May heaven make you better than your actions suggest!
Amen!
Amen!
You do yourself mighty wrong, Master Ford.
You’re treating yourself very unfairly, Master Ford.
Ay, ay; I must bear it.
Yes, yes; I have to put up with it.
If there be any pody in the house, and in the chambers, and in the coffers, and in the presses, heaven forgive my sins at the day of judgment!
If there’s anyone in the house, or in the rooms, or in the chests, or in the cupboards, may God forgive my sins on Judgment Day!
By gar, nor I too: there is no bodies.
By God, I don’t see anyone either: there’s no one here.
Fie, fie, Master Ford! are you not ashamed? What spirit, what devil suggests this imagination? I would not ha’ your distemper in this kind for the wealth of Windsor Castle.
Shame on you, Master Ford! Aren’t you embarrassed? What kind of spirit, what devil put these thoughts in your head? I wouldn’t want to have your troubles for all the wealth of Windsor Castle.
’Tis my fault, Master Page: I suffer for it.
It’s my fault, Master Page: I’m suffering for it.
You suffer for a pad conscience: your wife is as honest a ’omans as I will desires among five thousand, and five hundred too.
You’re suffering because of a guilty conscience: your wife is as honest as any woman I would want, even among five thousand, or five hundred more.
By gar, I see ’tis an honest woman.
By God, I can see she’s an honest woman.
Well, I promised you a dinner. Come, come, walk in the Park: I pray you, pardon me; I will hereafter make known to you why I have done this. Come, wife; come, Mistress Page. I pray you, pardon me; pray heartily, pardon me.
Well, I promised you a dinner. Come, let’s walk in the park: I beg you, forgive me; I will explain to you later why I did this. Come, wife; come, Mistress Page. Please forgive me; I ask for your full forgiveness.
Let’s go in, gentlemen; but, trust me, we’ll mock him. I do invite you to-morrow morning to my house to breakfast: after, we’ll a-birding together; I have a fine hawk for the bush. Shall it be so?
Let’s go in, gentlemen; but trust me, we’ll make fun of him. I’m inviting you to my house tomorrow morning for breakfast: then we’ll go bird hunting together; I have a good hawk for the hunt. Shall we do that?
Any thing.
Anything.
If there is one, I shall make two in the company.
If there’s one, I’ll make two in the group.
If dere be one or two, I shall make-a the turd.
If there’s one or two, I’ll make the joke.
Pray you, go, Master Page.
Please, go ahead, Master Page.
I pray you now, remembrance tomorrow on the lousy knave, mine host.
Please, don’t forget about that sneaky scoundrel, my host, tomorrow.
Dat is good; by gar, with all my heart!
That’s good; by God, with all my heart!
A lousy knave, to have his gibes and his mockeries!
A sneaky scoundrel, to make fun of us with his jokes and mockery!