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Modern English
Is’t possible, friend Licio, that Mistress Bianca Doth fancy any other but Lucentio? I tell you, sir, she bears me fair in hand.
Is it possible, friend Licio, that Mistress Bianca Likes anyone other than Lucentio? I’m telling you, she’s leading me on.
Sir, to satisfy you in what I have said, Stand by and mark the manner of his teaching.
Sir, to explain what I’ve said, Stand back and watch how he teaches.
Now, mistress, profit you in what you read?
Now, mistress, do you understand what you’re reading?
What, master, read you? first resolve me that.
What, master, are you reading? First, answer me that.
I read that I profess, the Art to Love.
I’m reading what I teach, the Art of Love.
And may you prove, sir, master of your art!
And I hope, sir, that you can prove yourself a master of that art!
While you, sweet dear, prove mistress of my heart!
While you, sweet lady, prove the mistress of my heart!
Quick proceeders, marry! Now, tell me, I pray, You that durst swear at your mistress Bianca Loved none in the world so well as Lucentio.
Quick to act, I see! Now, tell me, I pray, You, who swore that your mistress Bianca Loved no one in the world as much as Lucentio.
O despiteful love! unconstant womankind! I tell thee, Licio, this is wonderful.
Oh, cruel love! Unstable women! I tell you, Licio, this is amazing.
Mistake no more: I am not Licio, Nor a musician, as I seem to be; But one that scorn to live in this disguise, For such a one as leaves a gentleman, And makes a god of such a cullion: Know, sir, that I am call’d Hortensio.
Don’t be mistaken: I’m not Licio, Nor a musician, as I appear; But one who despises living in disguise, Like someone who abandons a gentleman, And makes a fool of himself: Know, sir, that I am called Hortensio.
Signior Hortensio, I have often heard Of your entire affection to Bianca; And since mine eyes are witness of her lightness, I will with you, if you be so contented, Forswear Bianca and her love for ever.
Signior Hortensio, I’ve often heard Of your deep affection for Bianca; And since I’ve seen with my own eyes her fickleness, I’ll join you, if you’re willing, And swear off Bianca and her love forever.
See, how they kiss and court! Signior Lucentio, Here is my hand, and here I firmly vow Never to woo her no more, but do forswear her, As one unworthy all the former favours That I have fondly flatter’d her withal.
Look, how they kiss and court! Signior Lucentio, Here’s my hand, and I swear right here Never to court her again, but to renounce her, As someone unworthy of all the favors I foolishly gave her.
And here I take the unfeigned oath, Never to marry with her though she would entreat: Fie on her! see, how beastly she doth court him!
And here I take the sincere oath, Never to marry her, even if she begs me: Shame on her! See how poorly she courts him!
Would all the world but he had quite forsworn! For me, that I may surely keep mine oath, I will be married to a wealthy widow, Ere three days pass, which hath as long loved me As I have loved this proud disdainful haggard. And so farewell, Signior Lucentio. Kindness in women, not their beauteous looks, Shall win my love: and so I take my leave, In resolution as I swore before.
I wish the whole world had sworn off her love! As for me, to keep my oath securely, I will marry a rich widow, Before three days pass, who has loved me as long As I have loved this proud, scornful woman. And so, farewell, Signior Lucentio. Kindness in women, not their beauty, Will win my love: and so I take my leave, As I swore before.
Mistress Bianca, bless you with such grace As ’longeth to a lover’s blessed case! Nay, I have ta’en you napping, gentle love, And have forsworn you with Hortensio.
Mistress Bianca, may you be blessed with the grace That belongs to a lover’s happy state! No, I’ve caught you off guard, sweet love, And have renounced you with Hortensio.
Tranio, you jest: but have you both forsworn me?
Tranio, you’re joking: but have you both really betrayed me?
Mistress, we have.
Yes, mistress, we have.
Then we are rid of Licio.
Then we’re rid of Licio.
I’ faith, he’ll have a lusty widow now, That shall be wood and wedded in a day.
Honestly, he’ll have a lively widow now, Who’ll be married and bedded in a day.
God give him joy!
God bless him!
Ay, and he’ll tame her.
Yes, and he’ll tame her.
He says so, Tranio.
He says so, Tranio.
Faith, he is gone unto the taming-school.
Honestly, he’s gone off to the taming school.
The taming-school! what, is there such a place?
The taming school! Is there really such a place?
Ay, mistress, and Petruchio is the master; That teacheth tricks eleven and twenty long, To tame a shrew and charm her chattering tongue.
Yes, mistress, and Petruchio is the master; Who teaches twenty-one tricks, To tame a scold and stop her noisy mouth.
O master, master, I have watch’d so long That I am dog-weary: but at last I spied An ancient angel coming down the hill, Will serve the turn.
Oh master, master, I’ve waited so long I’m dead tired: but finally, I saw An old man coming down the hill, He’ll do the job.
What is he, Biondello?
Who is he, Biondello?
Master, a mercatante, or a pedant, I know not what; but format in apparel, In gait and countenance surely like a father.
Master, a merchant or a scholar, I’m not sure; but dressed like a father, Walking and acting just like one too.
And what of him, Tranio?
And what about him, Tranio?
If he be credulous and trust my tale, I’ll make him glad to seem Vincentio, And give assurance to Baptista Minola, As if he were the right Vincentio Take in your love, and then let me alone.
If he’s gullible and believes my story, I’ll make him happy to pretend to be Vincentio, And give his word to Baptista Minola, As though he were the real Vincentio. Let me handle this, and you focus on your love.
God save you, sir!
Hello, sir!
And you, sir! you are welcome. Travel you far on, or are you at the farthest?
Hello, sir! You’re welcome. Are you traveling far, or have you reached the end of your journey?
Sir, at the farthest for a week or two: But then up farther, and as for as Rome; And so to Tripoli, if God lend me life.
Sir, I’m just about done traveling for a week or two, But then I’ll go farther, maybe even to Rome; And then on to Tripoli, if God lets me live.
What countryman, I pray?
What country are you from, if you don’t mind me asking?
Of Mantua.
I’m from Mantua.
Of Mantua, sir? marry, God forbid! And come to Padua, careless of your life?
From Mantua, sir? Oh, God forbid! And you’ve come to Padua, not caring about your safety?
My life, sir! how, I pray? for that goes hard.
My safety, sir? How so? What do you mean? This is difficult to understand.
’Tis death for any one in Mantua To come to Padua. Know you not the cause? Your ships are stay’d at Venice, and the duke, For private quarrel ’twixt your duke and him, Hath publish’d and proclaim’d it openly: ’Tis, marvel, but that you are but newly come, You might have heard it else proclaim’d about.
It’s dangerous for anyone from Mantua To come to Padua. Don’t you know why? Your ships are stuck at Venice, and the duke, Because of a private quarrel between your duke and his, Has made it public and announced it openly: It’s strange, but since you’ve just arrived, You might not have heard the news yet.
Alas! sir, it is worse for me than so; For I have bills for money by exchange From Florence and must here deliver them.
Oh no! Sir, this is worse for me than you think; I have bills for money from Florence, And I must deliver them here.
Well, sir, to do you courtesy, This will I do, and this I will advise you: First, tell me, have you ever been at Pisa?
Well, sir, to help you out, I’ll do this for you, and I’ll give you some advice: First, tell me, have you ever been to Pisa?
Ay, sir, in Pisa have I often been, Pisa renowned for grave citizens.
Yes, sir, I’ve been to Pisa many times, Pisa, famous for its respected citizens.
Among them know you one Vincentio?
While you were there, did you know a man named Vincentio?
I know him not, but I have heard of him; A merchant of incomparable wealth.
I don’t know him personally, but I’ve heard of him; He’s a merchant with incredible wealth.
He is my father, sir; and, sooth to say, In countenance somewhat doth resemble you.
He’s my father, sir; and, to be honest, He somewhat looks like you.
[Aside] As much as an apple doth an oyster, and all one.
[Aside] An apple is as useful as an oyster, and they’re the same thing.
To save your life in this extremity, This favour will I do you for his sake; And think it not the worst of an your fortunes That you are like to Sir Vincentio. His name and credit shall you undertake, And in my house you shall be friendly lodged: Look that you take upon you as you should; You understand me, sir: so shall you stay Till you have done your business in the city: If this be courtesy, sir, accept of it.
To save your life in this crisis, I’ll do this favor for you, for his sake; And don’t think it’s the worst thing in your luck That you look like Sir Vincentio. You’ll take on his name and reputation, And you’ll be well taken care of in my house: Just make sure you act like you should; You understand me, right, sir? Then you’ll stay Until you’ve finished your business in the city: If this is good manners, sir, then accept it.
O sir, I do; and will repute you ever The patron of my life and liberty.
Oh sir, I do; and I’ll always consider you The protector of my life and freedom.
Then go with me to make the matter good. This, by the way, I let you understand; my father is here look’d for every day, To pass assurance of a dower in marriage ’Twixt me and one Baptista’s daughter here: In all these circumstances I’ll instruct you: Go with me to clothe you as becomes you.
Then come with me to make it official. Just so you know, my father is expected here every day, To secure a marriage dowry Between me and one of Baptista’s daughters: I’ll fill you in on all these details: Come with me to get you dressed appropriately.