Original
Modern English
Tell me, Panthino, what sad talk was that Wherewith my brother held you in the cloister?
Tell me, Panthino, what sad talk was that Where my brother spoke to you in the cloister?
’Twas of his nephew Proteus, your son.
It was about his nephew Proteus, your son.
Why, what of him?
What about him?
He wonder’d that your lordship Would suffer him to spend his youth at home, While other men, of slender reputation, Put forth their sons to seek preferment out: Some to the wars, to try their fortune there; Some to discover islands far away; Some to the studious universities. For any or for all these exercises, He said that Proteus your son was meet, And did request me to importune you To let him spend his time no more at home, Which would be great impeachment to his age, In having known no travel in his youth.
He was surprised that you, my lord, Would let him spend his youth at home, While other men, with lower reputations, Send their sons out to seek advancement: Some go to war to try their luck there; Some go to explore faraway islands; Some go to the universities to study. For any of these activities, He said your son Proteus was suitable, And asked me to urge you To stop him from staying home any longer, Which would be a great shame for him at his age, Having never traveled in his youth.
Nor need’st thou much importune me to that Whereon this month I have been hammering. I have consider’d well his loss of time And how he cannot be a perfect man, Not being tried and tutor’d in the world: Experience is by industry achieved And perfected by the swift course of time. Then tell me, whither were I best to send him?
You don’t need to pressure me too much on this Since I’ve been thinking about it for this whole month. I’ve carefully considered his wasting time And how he can’t be a complete man, If he hasn’t experienced and learned from the world: Experience is gained through effort And perfected by the passing of time. So tell me, where would be the best place to send him?
I think your lordship is not ignorant How his companion, youthful Valentine, Attends the emperor in his royal court.
I think you already know, How his friend, the young Valentine, Serves the emperor in his royal court.
I know it well.
I know that very well.
’Twere good, I think, your lordship sent him thither: There shall he practise tilts and tournaments, Hear sweet discourse, converse with noblemen. And be in eye of every exercise Worthy his youth and nobleness of birth.
It would be good, I think, if you sent him there: There he could practice jousting and tournaments, Listen to sweet conversation, mix with noblemen. And be surrounded by every activity That would befit his youth and noble birth.
I like thy counsel; well hast thou advised: And that thou mayst perceive how well I like it, The execution of it shall make known. Even with the speediest expedition I will dispatch him to the emperor’s court.
I like your advice; you’ve given good counsel: And to show you how much I agree with it, I’ll act on it immediately. I will send him to the emperor’s court As quickly as possible.
To-morrow, may it please you, Don Alphonso, With other gentlemen of good esteem, Are journeying to salute the emperor And to commend their service to his will.
Tomorrow, if it pleases you, Don Alphonso, And other gentlemen of good standing, Are going to visit the emperor And offer their services to him.
Good company; with them shall Proteus go: And, in good time! now will we break with him.
Good company; your son will go with them: And, just in time! now we’ll speak to him.
Sweet love! sweet lines! sweet life! Here is her hand, the agent of her heart; Here is her oath for love, her honour’s pawn. O, that our fathers would applaud our loves, To seal our happiness with their consents! O heavenly Julia!
Sweet love! sweet words! sweet life! Here is her hand, the symbol of her heart; Here is her oath of love, her honor’s pledge. Oh, if only our fathers would approve of our love, And seal our happiness with their consent! Oh, heavenly Julia!
How now! what letter are you reading there?
What’s this! What letter are you reading there?
May’t please your lordship, ’tis a word or two Of commendations sent from Valentine, Deliver’d by a friend that came from him.
If it pleases you, my lord, it’s a few words Of praise from Valentine, Delivered by a friend who came from him.
Lend me the letter; let me see what news.
Give me the letter; let me see the news.
There is no news, my lord, but that he writes How happily he lives, how well beloved And daily graced by the emperor; Wishing me with him, partner of his fortune.
There’s no news, my lord, except that he writes About how happily he lives, how well-liked And honored by the emperor; He wishes I could be with him, sharing his good luck.
And how stand you affected to his wish?
And how do you feel about his wish?
As one relying on your lordship’s will And not depending on his friendly wish.
I rely on your decision, not his wish.
My will is something sorted with his wish. Muse not that I thus suddenly proceed; For what I will, I will, and there an end. I am resolved that thou shalt spend some time With Valentinus in the emperor’s court: What maintenance he from his friends receives, Like exhibition thou shalt have from me. To-morrow be in readiness to go: Excuse it not, for I am peremptory.
My decision is in line with his wish. Don’t wonder that I’m acting so quickly; When I make up my mind, I stick to it. I’ve decided you’ll spend some time With Valentinus at the emperor’s court: Whatever support he gets from his friends, I’ll give you the same. Be ready to leave tomorrow: Don’t argue, for I’m firm in my decision.
My lord, I cannot be so soon provided: Please you, deliberate a day or two.
My lord, I can’t be ready so soon: Please, give me a day or two to prepare.
Look, what thou want’st shall be sent after thee: No more of stay! to-morrow thou must go. Come on, Panthino: you shall be employ’d To hasten on his expedition.
Whatever you need will be sent to you: No more delay! You must leave tomorrow. Come on, Panthino: you’ll help speed up His departure.
Thus have I shunn’d the fire for fear of burning, And drench’d me in the sea, where I am drown’d. I fear’d to show my father Julia’s letter, Lest he should take exceptions to my love; And with the vantage of mine own excuse Hath he excepted most against my love. O, how this spring of love resembleth The uncertain glory of an April day, Which now shows all the beauty of the sun, And by and by a cloud takes all away!
I’ve tried to avoid the danger, but now I’m stuck, Drowning in a sea of my own making. I was afraid to show my father Julia’s letter, In case he objected to my love; And now, with the excuse I gave him, He’s made the most of it to criticize my love. Oh, how this spring of love is like The unpredictable glory of an April day, Which shines with the beauty of the sun, And then, in an instant, a cloud hides it all!
Sir Proteus, your father calls for you: He is in haste; therefore, I pray you to go.
Sir Proteus, your father wants to see you: He’s in a hurry, so please go now.
Why, this it is: my heart accords thereto, And yet a thousand times it answers ’no.’
This is it: my heart agrees, but a thousand times it says ’no.’