Original
Modern English
Have patience, gentle Julia.
Be patient, sweet Julia.
I must, where is no remedy.
I must, where there is no cure.
When possibly I can, I will return.
When I can, I’ll come back.
If you turn not, you will return the sooner. Keep this remembrance for thy Julia’s sake.
If you don’t turn back now, you’ll come back sooner. Keep this in mind for Julia’s sake.
Why then, we’ll make exchange; here, take you this.
Well then, let’s make a trade; take this.
And seal the bargain with a holy kiss.
And seal the deal with a holy kiss.
Here is my hand for my true constancy; And when that hour o’erslips me in the day Wherein I sigh not, Julia, for thy sake, The next ensuing hour some foul mischance Torment me for my love’s forgetfulness! My father stays my coming; answer not; The tide is now: nay, not thy tide of tears; That tide will stay me longer than I should. Julia, farewell!
Here’s my hand, showing my true loyalty; And when the day comes that I don’t sigh for you, Julia, The next hour after that, some disaster should punish me for forgetting my love! My father is waiting for me; don’t say anything; The moment has come: no, not your moment of tears; That moment will keep me longer than I should be. Julia, goodbye!
What, gone without a word? Ay, so true love should do: it cannot speak; For truth hath better deeds than words to grace it.
What, gone without saying anything? Yes, that’s what true love should do: it can’t speak; For truth shows itself better through actions than words.
Sir Proteus, you are stay’d for.
Sir Proteus, they’re waiting for you.
Go; I come, I come. Alas! this parting strikes poor lovers dumb.
Go ahead; I’m coming, I’m coming. Oh! this goodbye leaves poor lovers speechless.