Original
Modern English
The keeper of the prison, call to him; let him have knowledge who I am.
Call the jailer, tell him who I am.
Good lady, No court in Europe is too good for thee; What dost thou then in prison?
Good lady, No court in Europe is too good for you; Why are you in prison then?
Now, good sir, You know me, do you not?
Now, good sir, You know who I am, don’t you?
For a worthy lady And one whom much I honour.
You are a worthy lady And one I deeply respect.
Pray you then, Conduct me to the queen.
Then please, Take me to the queen.
I may not, madam: To the contrary I have express commandment.
I can’t, madam: I’ve been specifically told not to.
Here’s ado, To lock up honesty and honour from The access of gentle visitors! Is’t lawful, pray you, To see her women? any of them? Emilia?
This is ridiculous, To hide honesty and honor from The people who come to visit! Is it even legal, please tell me, To see her women? Any of them? Emilia?
So please you, madam, To put apart these your attendants, I Shall bring Emilia forth.
If you wish, madam, I’ll send away your attendants and Bring Emilia to you.
I pray now, call her. Withdraw yourselves.
Please, call her now. You all may leave.
And, madam, I must be present at your conference.
And, madam, I must be here while you speak with her.
Well, be’t so, prithee.
Fine, let it be so, please.
Here’s such ado to make no stain a stain As passes colouring.
It’s crazy, the effort to avoid even the smallest flaw When it just needs to be painted over.
Dear gentlewoman, How fares our gracious lady?
Dear woman, How is our gracious lady doing?
As well as one so great and so forlorn May hold together: on her frights and griefs, Which never tender lady hath born greater, She is something before her time deliver’d.
As well as someone so important and so lonely Can hold up: with her fears and sorrows, Which no delicate woman has ever borne more, She is somewhat prematurely brought to bed.
A boy?
A boy?
A daughter, and a goodly babe, Lusty and like to live: the queen receives Much comfort in’t; says ’My poor prisoner, I am innocent as you.’
A daughter, and a beautiful baby, Strong and likely to live: the queen gets A lot of comfort from it; she says, "My poor prisoner, I am as innocent as you."
I dare be sworn These dangerous unsafe lunes i’ the king, beshrew them! He must be told on’t, and he shall: the office Becomes a woman best; I’ll take’t upon me: If I prove honey-mouth’d let my tongue blister And never to my red-look’d anger be The trumpet any more. Pray you, Emilia, Commend my best obedience to the queen: If she dares trust me with her little babe, I’ll show’t the king and undertake to be Her advocate to the loud’st. We do not know How he may soften at the sight o’ the child: The silence often of pure innocence Persuades when speaking fails.
I swear These dangerous, unstable moods in the king, Damn them! He must be told about this, and he will be: this task Is best suited for a woman; I’ll take it on myself: If I speak too sweetly, let my tongue burn And never again be the trumpet of my red-faced anger. Please, Emilia, Convey my deepest respects to the queen: If she trusts me with her baby, I’ll show it to the king and take on the role Of her loudest advocate. We don’t know How he might soften at the sight of the child: Silence, often from pure innocence, Can persuade when words fail.
Most worthy madam, Your honour and your goodness is so evident That your free undertaking cannot miss A thriving issue: there is no lady living So meet for this great errand. Please your ladyship To visit the next room, I’ll presently Acquaint the queen of your most noble offer; Who but to-day hammer’d of this design, But durst not tempt a minister of honour, Lest she should be denied.
Most noble lady, Your honor and goodness are so clear That your open action cannot fail To succeed: there’s no woman alive More suited for this great task. If you would Visit the next room, I’ll quickly Inform the queen of your noble offer; She was just today thinking of this plan, But didn’t dare approach a person of honor, For fear she would be turned away.
Tell her, Emilia. I’ll use that tongue I have: if wit flow from’t As boldness from my bosom, let ’t not be doubted I shall do good.
Tell her, Emilia. I’ll use the tongue I have: if wit flows from it As boldly as my heart, let it not be doubted That I will do good.
Now be you blest for it! I’ll to the queen: please you, come something nearer.
Now be blessed for it! I’ll go to the queen: if you please, Come a little closer.
Madam, if’t please the queen to send the babe, I know not what I shall incur to pass it, Having no warrant.
Madam, if it pleases the queen to send the baby, I’m not sure what I’ll face for carrying it, Since I don’t have a formal order.
You need not fear it, sir: This child was prisoner to the womb and is By law and process of great nature thence Freed and enfranchised, not a party to The anger of the king nor guilty of, If any be, the trespass of the queen.
You don’t need to worry, sir: This child was imprisoned in the womb and is Legally and naturally freed from there, Not part of The king’s anger nor guilty of, If there’s any guilt, the queen’s wrongdoing.
I do believe it.
I believe it.
Do not you fear: upon mine honour, I will stand betwixt you and danger.
Don’t be afraid: on my honor, I will stand between you and danger.