Original
Modern English
Sir Proteus, what says Silvia to my suit?
Sir Proteus, what does Silvia think of my proposal?
O, sir, I find her milder than she was; And yet she takes exceptions at your person.
Oh, sir, I find her gentler than before; But still, she doesn’t like something about you.
What, that my leg is too long?
What, is it that my leg is too long?
No; that it is too little.
No; it’s that it’s too short.
I’ll wear a boot, to make it somewhat rounder.
I’ll wear a boot to make it look a little fuller.
[Aside] But love will not be spurr’d to what it loathes.
[Aside] But love won’t be forced into doing what it hates.
What says she to my face?
What’s she saying about me?
She says it is a fair one.
She says you have a nice face.
Nay then, the wanton lies; my face is black.
No, she’s lying; my face is ugly.
But pearls are fair; and the old saying is, Black men are pearls in beauteous ladies’ eyes.
But pearls are beautiful; and the old saying goes, Black men are pearls in beautiful women’s eyes.
[Aside] ’Tis true; such pearls as put out ladies’ eyes; For I had rather wink than look on them.
[Aside] That’s true; pearls that blind women’s eyes; I’d rather close my eyes than look at them.
How likes she my discourse?
How does she like my conversation?
Ill, when you talk of war.
Not well, when you talk about war.
But well, when I discourse of love and peace?
But she likes it when I talk about love and peace?
[Aside] But better, indeed, when you hold your peace.
[Aside] It’d be better, actually, if you just kept quiet.
What says she to my valour?
What does she think of my bravery?
O, sir, she makes no doubt of that.
Oh, she has no doubt about that.
[Aside] She needs not, when she knows it cowardice.
[Aside] She doesn’t need to, since she knows it’s just cowardice.
What says she to my birth?
What does she think of my noble birth?
That you are well derived.
She thinks you come from a good family.
[Aside] True; from a gentleman to a fool.
[Aside] That’s right; from a gentleman to a fool.
Considers she my possessions?
Does she think I own her?
O, ay; and pities them.
Oh, yes; and feels sorry for me.
Wherefore?
Why?
[Aside] That such an ass should owe them.
[Aside] How can such a fool have anything of hers?
That they are out by lease.
Because they’re about to be taken back.
Here comes the duke.
Here comes the duke.
How now, Sir Proteus! how now, Thurio! Which of you saw Sir Eglamour of late?
Hello, Sir Proteus! Hello, Thurio! Which one of you has seen Sir Eglamour lately?
Not I.
Not me.
Nor I.
Nor me.
Saw you my daughter?
Have you seen my daughter?
Neither.
No.
Why then, She’s fled unto that peasant Valentine; And Eglamour is in her company. ’Tis true; for Friar Laurence met them both, As he in penance wander’d through the forest; Him he knew well, and guess’d that it was she, But, being mask’d, he was not sure of it; Besides, she did intend confession At Patrick’s cell this even; and there she was not; These likelihoods confirm her flight from hence. Therefore, I pray you, stand not to discourse, But mount you presently and meet with me Upon the rising of the mountain-foot That leads towards Mantua, whither they are fled: Dispatch, sweet gentlemen, and follow me.
Well then, She’s run off with that peasant Valentine; And Eglamour is with her. It’s true; Friar Laurence saw them both, As he was walking through the forest on a penance mission; He recognized him and guessed it was her, But, since she was disguised, he wasn’t sure; Also, she was supposed to confess At Patrick’s cell this evening, but she wasn’t there; These signs confirm that she’s escaped. So please, don’t waste time talking, But get on your horses and meet me At the foot of the mountain, The one that leads to Mantua, where they’ve gone: Hurry, my good gentlemen, and follow me.
Why, this it is to be a peevish girl, That flies her fortune when it follows her. I’ll after, more to be revenged on Eglamour Than for the love of reckless Silvia.
This is what happens with a spoiled girl, Who runs from her fate when it’s chasing her. I’ll go after them, mostly to get back at Eglamour Than out of any love for foolish Silvia.
And I will follow, more for Silvia’s love Than hate of Eglamour that goes with her.
And I will follow, more for Silvia’s love Than hate of Eglamour that goes with her.
And I will follow, more to cross that love Than hate for Silvia that is gone for love.
And I will follow, more to stop that love Than because I hate Silvia, who left for love.