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Modern English
I have told my lord of you; he is coming down to you.
I’ve told my lord you’re here; he’s coming down to see you.
I thank you, sir.
Thank you, sir.
Here’s my lord.
Here’s my lord.
[Aside] One of Lord Timon’s men? a gift, I warrant. Why, this hits right; I dreamt of a silver basin and ewer to-night. Flaminius, honest Flaminius; you are very respectively welcome, sir. Fill me some wine.
[Aside] One of Lord Timon’s men? A gift, I bet. Oh, this is perfect; I dreamed about a silver basin and pitcher last night. Flaminius, honest Flaminius; you are very welcome, sir. Pour me some wine.
And how does that honourable, complete, free-hearted gentleman of Athens, thy very bountiful good lord and master?
And how is that honorable, generous, kind-hearted gentleman from Athens, your very generous lord and master?
His health is well sir.
He’s in good health, sir.
I am right glad that his health is well, sir: and what hast thou there under thy cloak, pretty Flaminius?
I’m glad to hear he’s in good health, sir. And what’s that you’ve got under your cloak, dear Flaminius?
’Faith, nothing but an empty box, sir; which, in my lord’s behalf, I come to entreat your honour to supply; who, having great and instant occasion to use fifty talents, hath sent to your lordship to furnish him, nothing doubting your present assistance therein.
Honestly, just an empty box, sir; which, on my lord’s behalf, I’ve come to ask you to help with. He has an urgent need for fifty talents and has sent me to your lordship, hoping you’ll assist him right away.
La, la, la, la! ’nothing doubting,’ says he? Alas, good lord! a noble gentleman ’tis, if he would not keep so good a house. Many a time and often I ha’ dined with him, and told him on’t, and come again to supper to him, of purpose to have him spend less, and yet he would embrace no counsel, take no warning by my coming. Every man has his fault, and honesty is his: I ha’ told him on’t, but I could ne’er get him from’t.
La, la, la, la! “Nothing doubting,” he says? Poor man! He’s such a noble gentleman, but he refuses to manage his money well. I’ve dined with him many times, told him about it, and even came back for supper, just to get him to spend less. But he won’t listen to any advice, won’t take any warning from my visits. Every man has his flaws, and his is his generosity. I’ve told him about it, but I could never get him to change.
Please your lordship, here is the wine.
Please, your lordship, here’s the wine.
Flaminius, I have noted thee always wise. Here’s to thee.
Flaminius, I have always thought you wise. Here’s to you.
Your lordship speaks your pleasure.
Your lordship speaks as you wish.
I have observed thee always for a towardly prompt spirit--give thee thy due--and one that knows what belongs to reason; and canst use the time well, if the time use thee well: good parts in thee.
I’ve always seen you as a quick-thinking, capable person--you deserve credit--one who understands what makes sense; and you can make good use of time, if time treats you well: you have good qualities.
Get you gone, sirrah.
Get lost, servant.
Draw nearer, honest Flaminius. Thy lord’s a bountiful gentleman: but thou art wise; and thou knowest well enough, although thou comest to me, that this is no time to lend money, especially upon bare friendship, without security. Here’s three solidares for thee: good boy, wink at me, and say thou sawest me not. Fare thee well.
Come closer, honest Flaminius. Your lord is a generous man: but you are wise; and you know well, even though you’re coming to me, that this is not a good time to lend money, especially just on friendship, without any guarantee. Here’s three solidares for you: good boy, wink at me, and pretend you didn’t see me. Farewell.
Is’t possible the world should so much differ, And we alive that lived? Fly, damned baseness, To him that worships thee!
Can the world really be so different, While we are still alive? Go, damnable greed, To the one who worships you!
Ha! now I see thou art a fool, and fit for thy master.
Ha! now I see you’re a fool, and just right for your master.
May these add to the number that may scald thee! Let moulten coin be thy damnation, Thou disease of a friend, and not himself! Has friendship such a faint and milky heart, It turns in less than two nights? O you gods, I feel master’s passion! this slave, Unto his honour, has my lord’s meat in him: Why should it thrive and turn to nutriment, When he is turn’d to poison? O, may diseases only work upon’t! And, when he’s sick to death, let not that part of nature Which my lord paid for, be of any power To expel sickness, but prolong his hour!
May these be added to the list that will burn you! Let molten coins be your damnation, You disease of a friend, who isn’t even himself! Does friendship have such a weak, watery heart, That it can turn in less than two nights? Oh gods, I feel my master’s anger! This servant, Who eats my lord’s food, Why should it thrive and turn to nourishment, When he has turned to poison? Oh, may diseases only afflict it! And when it’s sick unto death, let no part of it That my lord paid for, have the power To fight off illness, but only prolong his suffering!