Original
Modern English
The hunt is up, the morn is bright and grey, The fields are fragrant and the woods are green: Uncouple here and let us make a bay And wake the emperor and his lovely bride And rouse the prince and ring a hunter’s peal, That all the court may echo with the noise. Sons, let it be your charge, as it is ours, To attend the emperor’s person carefully: I have been troubled in my sleep this night, But dawning day new comfort hath inspired.
The hunt is on, the morning is clear and bright, The fields smell sweet and the woods are full of life: Let’s release the dogs here and make some noise And wake up the emperor and his beautiful wife And rouse the prince, and blow the hunting horn, So the whole court can hear the sound. Sons, let it be your task, as it is ours, To watch over the emperor carefully: I’ve had troubling dreams all night, But the new day has given me fresh hope.
Many good morrows to your majesty; Madam, to you as many and as good: I promised your grace a hunter’s peal.
Many good mornings to your majesty; Madam, to you as well, as many good ones: I promised you a hunting horn’s blast.
And you have rung it lustily, my lord; Somewhat too early for new-married ladies.
And you’ve blown it well, my lord; Perhaps a bit too early for newlywed women.
Lavinia, how say you?
Lavinia, what do you think?
I say, no; I have been broad awake two hours and more.
I think no; I’ve been wide awake for two hours or more.
Come on, then; horse and chariots let us have, And to our sport.
Well then, let’s get the horses and chariots, And start our hunt.
Madam, now shall ye see Our Roman hunting.
Madam, now you’ll see How we hunt in Rome.
I have dogs, my lord, Will rouse the proudest panther in the chase, And climb the highest promontory top.
I have dogs, my lord, That will chase down the fiercest panther, And climb to the top of the highest hill.
And I have horse will follow where the game Makes way, and run like swallows o’er the plain.
And I have horses that will follow wherever the game goes, And run across the plain like swallows in the sky.
Chiron, we hunt not, we, with horse nor hound, But hope to pluck a dainty doe to ground.
Chiron, we’re not hunting with horses or dogs, But hope to catch a delicate doe instead.