Original
Modern English
I pray thee, good Camillo, be no more importunate: ’tis a sickness denying thee any thing; a death to grant this.
Please, Camillo, stop pressing me: It’s like a sickness to keep refusing you; it feels like a death to Agree to this.
It is fifteen years since I saw my country: though I have for the most part been aired abroad, I desire to lay my bones there. Besides, the penitent king, my master, hath sent for me; to whose feeling sorrows I might be some allay, or I o’erween to think so, which is another spur to my departure.
It’s been fifteen years since I saw my country: though I’ve mostly been abroad, I Want to die there. Also, the penitent King, my master, has called for me; and to his heartfelt Sorrows, I might offer some comfort, or I overestimate myself To think so, which is another reason for me to leave.
As thou lovest me, Camillo, wipe not out the rest of thy services by leaving me now: the need I have of thee thine own goodness hath made; better not to have had thee than thus to want thee: thou, having made me businesses which none without thee can sufficiently manage, must either stay to execute them thyself or take away with thee the very services thou hast done; which if I have not enough considered, as too much I cannot, to be more thankful to thee shall be my study, and my profit therein the heaping friendships. Of that fatal country, Sicilia, prithee speak no more; whose very naming punishes me with the remembrance of that penitent, as thou callest him, and reconciled king, my brother; whose loss of his most precious queen and children are even now to be afresh lamented. Say to me, when sawest thou the Prince Florizel, my son? Kings are no less unhappy, their issue not being gracious, than they are in losing them when they have approved their virtues.
As you love me, Camillo, don’t undo all your past service By leaving me now: the need I have for You has been created by your own goodness; it’s better I never had you Than to lose you now: you’ve made me responsibilities which no one without you can Manage well, so you must either stay to carry them out Or take with you the very services you’ve already done; and if I haven’t fully Appreciated that, which I certainly can’t do enough, being more Thankful to you will be my focus, and my reward Will be piling on even more friendships. Don’t speak again of that cursed Country, Sicilia; its very name hurts me with memories of that Penitent, as you call him, and reconciled king, My brother; whose loss of his most precious queen And children must still be mourned. Tell me, when did you see Prince Florizel, my Son? Kings are no less unhappy, their children not Being kind, than when they lose them after Their virtues have been proven.
Sir, it is three days since I saw the prince. What his happier affairs may be, are to me unknown: but I have missingly noted, he is of late much retired from court and is less frequent to his princely exercises than formerly he hath appeared.
Sir, it’s been three days since I saw the prince. What His more fortunate affairs may be, I don’t know: but I’ve Noticed that recently, he’s been keeping much to himself, And is less involved in his princely Duties than he used to be.
I have considered so much, Camillo, and with some care; so far that I have eyes under my service which look upon his removedness; from whom I have this intelligence, that he is seldom from the house of a most homely shepherd; a man, they say, that from very nothing, and beyond the imagination of his neighbours, is grown into an unspeakable estate.
I’ve thought about it, Camillo, and with some Care; so much that I have spies under my service who Watch his behavior; from them, I’ve learned that he’s rarely away from the house of a Most humble shepherd; a man, they say, who from Nothing, and beyond what his neighbors can imagine, has risen to an amazing fortune.
I have heard, sir, of such a man, who hath a daughter of most rare note: the report of her is extended more than can be thought to begin from such a cottage.
I’ve heard, sir, of such a man, who has a Daughter of remarkable beauty: the talk of her is So widespread that it’s hard to believe she comes from such a simple cottage.
That’s likewise part of my intelligence; but, I fear, the angle that plucks our son thither. Thou shalt accompany us to the place; where we will, not appearing what we are, have some question with the shepherd; from whose simplicity I think it not uneasy to get the cause of my son’s resort thither. Prithee, be my present partner in this business, and lay aside the thoughts of Sicilia.
That’s also part of what I’ve learned; but, I Fear, it’s the reason our son is drawn there. You Will accompany us to the place; where we will, without Revealing who we are, question the shepherd; From his simplicity, I think it won’t be hard To learn why my son goes there. Please, be my companion in this, and Forget about Sicilia.
I willingly obey your command.
I gladly obey your command.
My best Camillo! We must disguise ourselves.
My best Camillo! We must disguise ourselves.