Original
Modern English
If you shall chance, Camillo, to visit Bohemia, on the like occasion whereon my services are now on foot, you shall see, as I have said, great difference betwixt our Bohemia and your Sicilia.
If you ever happen, Camillo, to visit Bohemia, at the same time I’m doing my duties, you’ll see, as I’ve said, a big difference between our Bohemia and your Sicilia.
I think, this coming summer, the King of Sicilia means to pay Bohemia the visitation which he justly owes him.
I think, this coming summer, the King of Sicilia plans to visit Bohemia, as he rightly should.
Wherein our entertainment shall shame us we will be justified in our loves; for indeed--
In that case, our hospitality might not be impressive, but we’ll be excused by our good intentions; because honestly--
Beseech you,--
Please, go on--
Verily, I speak it in the freedom of my knowledge: we cannot with such magnificence--in so rare--I know not what to say. We will give you sleepy drinks, that your senses, unintelligent of our insufficience, may, though they cannot praise us, as little accuse us.
Honestly, I say this freely: we can’t offer such luxury—our hospitality is rare—I don’t even know how to put it. We’ll offer you some calming drinks, so that your senses, unaware of our shortcomings, may not praise us, but at least won’t blame us.
You pay a great deal too dear for what’s given freely.
You’re paying far too much for something that’s given freely.
Believe me, I speak as my understanding instructs me and as mine honesty puts it to utterance.
Trust me, I’m speaking from what I understand and what my honesty compels me to say.
Sicilia cannot show himself over-kind to Bohemia. They were trained together in their childhoods; and there rooted betwixt them then such an affection, which cannot choose but branch now. Since their more mature dignities and royal necessities made separation of their society, their encounters, though not personal, have been royally attorneyed with interchange of gifts, letters, loving embassies; that they have seemed to be together, though absent, shook hands, as over a vast, and embraced, as it were, from the ends of opposed winds. The heavens continue their loves!
Sicilia can’t possibly be too kind to Bohemia. They grew up together as children; and from that time, there was a strong bond between them, which can only grow now. Since their higher positions and royal duties forced them to separate, their meetings, though not personal, have been royally arranged with gifts, letters, and loving exchanges; so it seems they’ve been together, though apart, shaking hands over a great distance, and embracing, as it were, from opposite sides of the world. May the heavens keep their bond strong!
I think there is not in the world either malice or matter to alter it. You have an unspeakable comfort of your young prince Mamillius: it is a gentleman of the greatest promise that ever came into my note.
I don’t think anything in the world, whether out of hate or circumstance, can change that. You have a great comfort in your young prince Mamillius: he’s a young man with the most promise I’ve ever seen.
I very well agree with you in the hopes of him: it is a gallant child; one that indeed physics the subject, makes old hearts fresh: they that went on crutches ere he was born desire yet their life to see him a man.
I completely agree with you about him: he’s a wonderful boy; one who really lifts the spirits, makes old hearts feel young again: those who were too old to walk before he was born still want to live just to see him grow up.
Would they else be content to die?
Would they otherwise be content to die?
Yes; if there were no other excuse why they should desire to live.
Yes; if there were no other reason for them to want to live.
If the king had no son, they would desire to live on crutches till he had one.
If the king didn’t have a son, they’d want to live on crutches until he had one.