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Modern English
Sir, this is the house: please it you that I call?
Sir, this is the house: should I call for you?
Ay, what else? and but I be deceived Signior Baptista may remember me, Near twenty years ago, in Genoa, Where we were lodgers at the Pegasus.
Yes, of course! Unless I’m mistaken, Signior Baptista might remember me, Almost twenty years ago, in Genoa, Where we were staying at the Pegasus.
’Tis well; and hold your own, in any case, With such austerity as ’longeth to a father.
That’s good; and keep your position, whatever happens, With the seriousness that a father should have.
I warrant you.
I assure you.
But, sir, here comes your boy; ’Twere good he were school’d.
But, sir, here comes your servant; It would be good if he were educated.
Fear you not him. Sirrah Biondello, Now do your duty throughly, I advise you: Imagine ’twere the right Vincentio.
Don’t worry about him. Hey, Biondello, Now do your job properly, I advise you: Imagine you’re the real Vincentio.
Tut, fear not me.
Ha, don’t worry about me.
But hast thou done thy errand to Baptista?
But have you done your task with Baptista?
I told him that your father was at Venice, And that you look’d for him this day in Padua.
I told him that your father was in Venice, And that you were expecting him today in Padua.
Thou’rt a tall fellow: hold thee that to drink. Here comes Baptista: set your countenance, sir.
You’re a good fellow: take this drink. Here comes Baptista: put on a serious face, sir.
Signior Baptista, you are happily met.
Signior Baptista, it’s good to see you.
Sir, this is the gentleman I told you of: I pray you stand good father to me now, Give me Bianca for my patrimony.
Sir, this is the gentleman I told you about: I beg you to act as my father now, And give me Bianca as my dowry.
Soft son! Sir, by your leave: having come to Padua To gather in some debts, my son Lucentio Made me acquainted with a weighty cause Of love between your daughter and himself: And, for the good report I hear of you And for the love he beareth to your daughter And she to him, to stay him not too long, I am content, in a good father’s care, To have him match’d; and if you please to like No worse than I, upon some agreement Me shall you find ready and willing With one consent to have her so bestow’d; For curious I cannot be with you, Signior Baptista, of whom I hear so well.
Hold on, son! Sir, if you’ll allow me: having come to Padua To collect some debts, my son Lucentio Informed me of a serious love affair Between your daughter and himself: And because of the good reputation I hear of you And the love he has for your daughter And she for him, to not delay him too long, I am happy, as a good father should be, To have him marry her; and if you agree As much as I do, then we can proceed With one mutual consent to have her married to him; For I can’t be too critical of you, Signior Baptista, whom I hear so highly of.
Sir, pardon me in what I have to say: Your plainness and your shortness please me well. Right true it is, your son Lucentio here Doth love my daughter and she loveth him, Or both dissemble deeply their affections: And therefore, if you say no more than this, That like a father you will deal with him And pass my daughter a sufficient dower, The match is made, and all is done: Your son shall have my daughter with consent.
Sir, forgive me for what I am about to say: I appreciate your honesty and brevity. It is indeed true that your son Lucentio here Loves my daughter, and she loves him, Or they are both pretending to feel nothing: And so, if you say nothing more than this, That like a father you will treat him fairly And provide a reasonable dowry for my daughter, The match is made, and everything is settled: Your son will have my daughter with my blessing.
I thank you, sir. Where then do you know best We be affied and such assurance ta’en As shall with either part’s agreement stand?
Thank you, sir. Now, where do you think it best That we make our vows and have some assurance That both sides agree to this marriage?
Not in my house, Lucentio; for, you know, Pitchers have ears, and I have many servants: Besides, old Gremio is hearkening still; And happily we might be interrupted.
Not in my house, Lucentio; for, you know, People can overhear things, and I have a lot of servants: Also, old Gremio is still listening; And we might get interrupted.
Then at my lodging, an it like you: There doth my father lie; and there, this night, We’ll pass the business privately and well. Send for your daughter by your servant here: My boy shall fetch the scrivener presently. The worst is this, that, at so slender warning, You are like to have a thin and slender pittance.
Then at my place, if that works for you: My father is staying there, and tonight, We’ll handle the business quietly and properly. Send for your daughter through your servant here: My boy will go get the notary right away. The worst part is that, with such short notice, You’re likely to get a small and quick meal.
It likes me well. Biondello, hie you home, And bid Bianca make her ready straight; And, if you will, tell what hath happened, Lucentio’s father is arrived in Padua, And how she’s like to be Lucentio’s wife.
That sounds good to me. Biondello, go home, And tell Bianca to get ready right away; And, if you like, tell her what’s happened, That Lucentio’s father has arrived in Padua, And that she’s about to become Lucentio’s wife.
I pray the gods she may with all my heart!
I really hope she does, with all my heart!
Dally not with the gods, but get thee gone.
Don’t waste time with the gods, just go.
Signior Baptista, shall I lead the way? Welcome! one mess is like to be your cheer: Come, sir; we will better it in Pisa.
Signior Baptista, shall I lead the way? Welcome! one meal is all we’ll get for now: Come, sir; we’ll do better in Pisa.
I follow you.
I’ll follow you.
Cambio!
Cambio!
What sayest thou, Biondello?
What’s going on, Biondello?
You saw my master wink and laugh upon you?
Did you see my master wink and laugh at you?
Biondello, what of that?
Biondello, what about that?
Faith, nothing; but has left me here behind, to expound the meaning or moral of his signs and tokens.
Well, nothing; but he left me here behind to explain the meaning or message behind his gestures and signals.
I pray thee, moralize them.
Please, go ahead and explain them.
Then thus. Baptista is safe, talking with the deceiving father of a deceitful son.
So here’s the plan. Baptista is safe, talking with the dishonest father of a lying son.
And what of him?
And what about him?
His daughter is to be brought by you to the supper.
His daughter is supposed to be brought by you to the dinner.
And then?
And then?
The old priest of Saint Luke’s church is at your command at all hours.
The old priest from Saint Luke’s church is available whenever you need him.
And what of all this?
And what about all this?
I cannot tell; expect they are busied about a counterfeit assurance: take you assurance of her, ’cum privilegio ad imprimendum solum:’ to the church; take the priest, clerk, and some sufficient honest witnesses: If this be not that you look for, I have no more to say, But bid Bianca farewell for ever and a day.
I’m not sure; I think they’re busy with some fake paperwork: get her signature, ’cum privilegio ad imprimendum solum’: go to the church; bring the priest, the clerk, and a few good, trustworthy witnesses: If this isn’t what you’re expecting, I have nothing else to say. But tell Bianca goodbye for good.
Hearest thou, Biondello?
Did you hear that, Biondello?
I cannot tarry: I knew a wench married in an afternoon as she went to the garden for parsley to stuff a rabbit; and so may you, sir: and so, adieu, sir. My master hath appointed me to go to Saint Luke’s, to bid the priest be ready to come against you come with your appendix.
I can’t stay: I knew a girl who got married one afternoon while she was out in the garden picking parsley to stuff a rabbit; and you could do the same, sir: so, goodbye, sir. My master asked me to go to Saint Luke’s, to tell the priest to be ready when you arrive with your entourage.
I may, and will, if she be so contented: She will be pleased; then wherefore should I doubt? Hap what hap may, I’ll roundly go about her: It shall go hard if Cambio go without her.
I might, and I will, if she’s happy with it: She will be happy; so why should I worry? Whatever happens, I’ll go through with it: It will be tough if Cambio doesn’t get her.