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Modern English
Who were those went by?
Who were those who just passed by?
Queen Hecuba and Helen.
Queen Hecuba and Helen.
And whither go they?
Where are they going?
Up to the eastern tower, Whose height commands as subject all the vale, To see the battle. Hector, whose patience Is, as a virtue, fix’d, to-day was moved: He chid Andromache and struck his armourer, And, like as there were husbandry in war, Before the sun rose he was harness’d light, And to the field goes he; where every flower Did, as a prophet, weep what it foresaw In Hector’s wrath.
Up to the eastern tower, From which the height overlooks the entire valley, To watch the battle. Hector, whose patience Is usually steady, was upset today: He scolded Andromache and hit his armourer, And, as if there were farming in warfare, Before the sun was up, he was already suited for battle, And he went out to the field; where every flower Seemed to cry, like a prophet, for what it predicted In Hector’s fury.
What was his cause of anger?
What made him so angry?
The noise goes, this: there is among the Greeks A lord of Trojan blood, nephew to Hector; They call him Ajax.
The rumor is this: among the Greeks There’s a man of Trojan blood, Hector’s nephew; They call him Ajax.
Good; and what of him?
Alright, and what about him?
They say he is a very man per se, And stands alone.
They say he’s a real man on his own, And stands apart from others.
So do all men, unless they are drunk, sick, or have no legs.
Well, all men are like that, unless they’re drunk, sick, or don’t have legs.
This man, lady, hath robbed many beasts of their particular additions; he is as valiant as the lion, churlish as the bear, slow as the elephant: a man into whom nature hath so crowded humours that his valour is crushed into folly, his folly sauced with discretion: there is no man hath a virtue that he hath not a glimpse of, nor any man an attaint but he carries some stain of it: he is melancholy without cause, and merry against the hair: he hath the joints of every thing, but everything so out of joint that he is a gouty Briareus, many hands and no use, or purblind Argus, all eyes and no sight.
This man, lady, has taken away from many creatures their unique qualities; he’s as brave as a lion, rude as a bear, slow as an elephant: a man into whom nature has packed so many moods that his courage is smothered by foolishness, and his foolishness mixed with wisdom: no man has a virtue he doesn’t also have a hint of, nor any man a flaw that he doesn’t carry some trace of it: he’s sad for no reason, and happy when it’s not appropriate: he has the parts of everything, but everything is so out of place that he’s like a crippled giant with many hands and no purpose, or like blind Argus, with all eyes and no vision.
But how should this man, that makes me smile, make Hector angry?
But how can this man, who makes me laugh, make Hector angry?
They say he yesterday coped Hector in the battle and struck him down, the disdain and shame whereof hath ever since kept Hector fasting and waking.
They say he fought Hector yesterday and knocked him down, and the embarrassment and shame of it have kept Hector awake and fasting ever since.
Who comes here?
Who’s coming here?
Madam, your uncle Pandarus.
Madam, it’s your uncle Pandarus.
Hector’s a gallant man.
Hector is a noble man.
As may be in the world, lady.
He’s as noble as anyone in the world, lady.
What’s that? what’s that?
What’s that? What’s that?
Good morrow, uncle Pandarus.
Good morning, Uncle Pandarus.
Good morrow, cousin Cressid: what do you talk of? Good morrow, Alexander. How do you, cousin? When were you at Ilium?
Good morning, Cousin Cressida: what are you talking about? Good morning, Alexander. How are you, cousin? When did you get back to Ilium?
This morning, uncle.
This morning, Uncle.
What were you talking of when I came? Was Hector armed and gone ere ye came to Ilium? Helen was not up, was she?
What were you talking about when I arrived? Was Hector already gone when you got to Troy? Helen wasn’t awake yet, was she?
Hector was gone, but Helen was not up.
Hector had already left, but Helen wasn’t up yet.
Even so: Hector was stirring early.
I see: Hector was up early.
That were we talking of, and of his anger.
That’s what we were talking about, and about his anger.
Was he angry?
Was he angry?
So he says here.
That’s what he says here.
True, he was so: I know the cause too: he’ll lay about him to-day, I can tell them that: and there’s Troilus will not come far behind him: let them take heed of Troilus, I can tell them that too.
It’s true, he was: I know why too. He’ll fight fiercely today, I can tell you that. And Troilus won’t be far behind him. They better watch out for Troilus, I can tell you that too.
What, is he angry too?
What, is Troilus angry too?
Who, Troilus? Troilus is the better man of the two.
Troilus? Troilus is the better man of the two.
O Jupiter! there’s no comparison.
Oh my god! There’s no comparison.
What, not between Troilus and Hector? Do you know a man if you see him?
What, not between Troilus and Hector? Can you tell a man apart if you see him?
Ay, if I ever saw him before and knew him.
Yes, if I’ve seen him before and know who he is.
Well, I say Troilus is Troilus.
Well, I say Troilus is Troilus.
Then you say as I say; for, I am sure, he is not Hector.
Then you agree with me; because, I’m sure, he is not Hector.
No, nor Hector is not Troilus in some degrees.
No, and Hector is not Troilus in some ways.
’Tis just to each of them; he is himself.
That’s true for both of them; each one is himself.
Himself! Alas, poor Troilus! I would he were.
Him! Oh, poor Troilus! I wish he were here.
So he is.
He is.
Condition, I had gone barefoot to India.
If I had to go barefoot all the way to India, I would.
He is not Hector.
He’s not Hector.
Himself! no, he’s not himself: would a’ were himself! Well, the gods are above; time must friend or end: well, Troilus, well: I would my heart were in her body. No, Hector is not a better man than Troilus.
Him! No, he’s not really himself. I wish he were himself! Well, the gods are in charge; time will either help or finish him off. Well, Troilus, well: I wish my heart were in her body. No, Hector’s not a better man than Troilus.
Excuse me.
Excuse me.
He is elder.
He’s older.
Pardon me, pardon me.
Pardon me, pardon me.
Th’ other’s not come to’t; you shall tell me another tale, when th’ other’s come to’t. Hector shall not have his wit this year.
The other hasn’t reached that point yet; you’ll tell me a different story when he does. Hector won’t have his smarts this year.
He shall not need it, if he have his own.
He won’t need them if he has his own.
Nor his qualities.
Nor his talents.
No matter.
It doesn’t matter.
Nor his beauty.
Nor his looks.
’Twould not become him; his own’s better.
They wouldn’t suit him; his own are better.
You have no judgment, niece: Helen herself swore th’ other day, that Troilus, for a brown favour--for so ’tis, I must confess,-- not brown neither,--
You have no taste, niece: Helen herself swore the other day that Troilus, for a dark favor—because that’s what it is, I must admit—not that dark—
No, but brown.
No, but dark.
’Faith, to say truth, brown and not brown.
Honestly, to tell the truth, brown and not brown.
To say the truth, true and not true.
To tell the truth, true and not true.
She praised his complexion above Paris.
She praised his looks more than Paris’s.
Why, Paris hath colour enough.
Well, Paris has enough color in his face.
So he has.
True, he does.
Then Troilus should have too much: if she praised him above, his complexion is higher than his; he having colour enough, and the other higher, is too flaming a praise for a good complexion. I had as lief Helen’s golden tongue had commended Troilus for a copper nose.
Then Troilus would have too much: if she praised him more than Paris, his complexion must be better than Paris’s; he already has enough color, so it’s too much praise for a good complexion. I’d rather Helen’s golden voice had praised Troilus for a rusty nose.
I swear to you. I think Helen loves him better than Paris.
I swear, I think Helen loves him more than Paris.
Then she’s a merry Greek indeed.
Then she’s a cheerful Greek indeed.
Nay, I am sure she does. She came to him th’ other day into the compassed window,--and, you know, he has not past three or four hairs on his chin,--
No, I’m sure she does. She came to him the other day through the small window—and, you know, he barely has three or four hairs on his chin—
Indeed, a tapster’s arithmetic may soon bring his particulars therein to a total.
Well, a bartender’s math could quickly add up his features to a total.
Why, he is very young: and yet will he, within three pound, lift as much as his brother Hector.
Well, he’s very young; and yet, in just three pounds, he can lift as much as his brother Hector.
Is he so young a man and so old a lifter?
Is he that young and already such a strong man?
But to prove to you that Helen loves him: she came and puts me her white hand to his cloven chin--
But to prove Helen loves him: she came and put her white hand on his dimpled chin—
Juno have mercy! how came it cloven?
Good heavens! how did it become dimpled?
Why, you know ’tis dimpled: I think his smiling becomes him better than any man in all Phrygia.
Well, you know it’s dimpled. I think his smile suits him better than any man in all of Phrygia.
O, he smiles valiantly.
Oh, he smiles so charmingly.
Does he not?
Doesn’t he?
O yes, an ’twere a cloud in autumn.
Oh yes, if it were a cloud in autumn.
Why, go to, then: but to prove to you that Helen loves Troilus,--
Well, then: but to show you that Helen loves Troilus,--
Troilus will stand to the proof, if you’ll prove it so.
Troilus will stand by it, if you’ll prove it’s true.
Troilus! why, he esteems her no more than I esteem an addle egg.
Troilus! Well, he values her no more than I value a rotten egg.
If you love an addle egg as well as you love an idle head, you would eat chickens i’ the shell.
If you love a rotten egg as much as you love a lazy person, you’d eat the chickens inside the shell.
I cannot choose but laugh, to think how she tickled his chin: indeed, she has a marvellous white hand, I must needs confess,--
I can’t help but laugh, thinking about how she scratched his chin: truly, she has an amazingly white hand, I have to admit,--
Without the rack.
Without torture.
And she takes upon her to spy a white hair on his chin.
And she takes it upon herself to look for a white hair on his chin.
Alas, poor chin! many a wart is richer.
Poor chin! It’d be better off with many warts.
But there was such laughing! Queen Hecuba laughed that her eyes ran o’er.
But there was so much laughing! Queen Hecuba laughed until her eyes were filled with tears.
With mill-stones.
Like mill-stones.
And Cassandra laughed.
And Cassandra laughed.
But there was more temperate fire under the pot of her eyes: did her eyes run o’er too?
But there was more controlled emotion behind her eyes: did her eyes fill with tears too?
And Hector laughed.
And Hector laughed.
At what was all this laughing?
Why was everyone laughing?
Marry, at the white hair that Helen spied on Troilus’ chin.
Well, look at that white hair Helen noticed on Troilus’ chin.
An’t had been a green hair, I should have laughed too.
If it had been a green hair, I would’ve laughed too.
They laughed not so much at the hair as at his pretty answer.
They didn’t laugh as much at the hair as they did at his clever reply.
What was his answer?
What was his reply?
Quoth she, ’Here’s but two and fifty hairs on your chin, and one of them is white.
She said, "There are just fifty-two hairs on your chin, and one of them is white."
This is her question.
That’s her question.
That’s true; make no question of that. ’Two and fifty hairs’ quoth he, ’and one white: that white hair is my father, and all the rest are his sons.’ ’Jupiter!’ quoth she, ’which of these hairs is Paris, my husband? ’The forked one,’ quoth he, ’pluck’t out, and give it him.’ But there was such laughing! and Helen so blushed, an Paris so chafed, and all the rest so laughed, that it passed.
That’s right; don’t doubt it. He answered, "There are fifty-two hairs, and one is white. That white hair is my father, and all the others are his sons." She said, "Jupiter! Which of these hairs is Paris, my husband?" He replied, "The forked one—pull it out and give it to him." And everyone laughed so hard! Helen blushed, Paris got angry, and everyone else laughed so much that it just passed by.
So let it now; for it has been while going by.
Let it go now; it’s been long enough.
Well, cousin. I told you a thing yesterday; think on’t.
Well, cousin. I told you something yesterday; think about it.
So I do.
I am thinking about it.
I’ll be sworn ’tis true; he will weep you, an ’twere a man born in April.
I swear it’s true; he’ll make you cry like a person born in April.
And I’ll spring up in his tears, an ’twere a nettle against May.
And I’ll rise from his tears like a nettle in May.
Hark! they are coming from the field: shall we stand up here, and see them as they pass toward Ilium? good niece, do, sweet niece Cressida.
Listen! They’re coming back from the field. Should we stand here and watch them pass toward Ilium? Please, sweet niece Cressida, let’s do that.
At your pleasure.
As you wish.
Here, here, here’s an excellent place; here we may see most bravely: I’ll tell you them all by their names as they pass by; but mark Troilus above the rest.
Here, here, this is a perfect spot. We can see them clearly. I’ll tell you who they are as they go by, but pay special attention to Troilus.
Speak not so loud.
Don’t speak so loudly.
That’s AEneas: is not that a brave man? he’s one of the flowers of Troy, I can tell you: but mark Troilus; you shall see anon.
That’s AEneas: isn’t he a brave man? He’s one of the best in Troy, I can tell you: but watch Troilus; you’ll see him soon.
Who’s that?
Who’s that?
That’s Antenor: he has a shrewd wit, I can tell you; and he’s a man good enough, he’s one o’ the soundest judgments in whosoever, and a proper man of person. When comes Troilus? I’ll show you Troilus anon: if he see me, you shall see him nod at me.
That’s Antenor: he’s got a sharp mind, I can tell you; and he’s a decent man, one of the soundest thinkers around, and a fine-looking man. When’s Troilus coming? I’ll show you Troilus soon: if he sees me, you’ll see him nod at me.
Will he give you the nod?
Will he nod at you?
You shall see.
You’ll see.
If he do, the rich shall have more.
If he does, the rich will have even more.
That’s Hector, that, that, look you, that; there’s a fellow! Go thy way, Hector! There’s a brave man, niece. O brave Hector! Look how he looks! there’s a countenance! is’t not a brave man?
That’s Hector, that’s him, see, that’s the one! What a man! Go on, Hector! What a brave man, niece. Oh, brave Hector! Look at him! What a face! Isn’t he a brave man?
O, a brave man!
Oh, he’s a brave man!
Is a’ not? it does a man’s heart good. Look you what hacks are on his helmet! look you yonder, do you see? look you there: there’s no jesting; there’s laying on, take’t off who will, as they say: there be hacks!
Isn’t he? It makes a man’s heart feel good. Look at those marks on his helmet! See over there, do you see? Look there: there’s no joking; that’s the real deal, take it off if you dare, as they say: those are real marks of battle!
Be those with swords?
Are those from swords?
Swords! any thing, he cares not; an the devil come to him, it’s all one: by God’s lid, it does one’s heart good. Yonder comes Paris, yonder comes Paris.
Swords! Anything, he doesn’t care; if the devil himself came to him, it wouldn’t matter: by God’s life, it’s enough to make your heart glad. Here comes Paris, here comes Paris.
Look ye yonder, niece; is’t not a gallant man too, is’t not? Why, this is brave now. Who said he came hurt home to-day? he’s not hurt: why, this will do Helen’s heart good now, ha! Would I could see Troilus now! You shall see Troilus anon.
Look over there, niece; isn’t that a handsome man too, isn’t it? Why, this is impressive now. Who said he came back hurt today? He’s not hurt: why, this will make Helen happy now, ha! I wish I could see Troilus now! You’ll see Troilus in a moment.
Who’s that?
Who’s that?
That’s Helenus. I marvel where Troilus is. That’s Helenus. I think he went not forth to-day. That’s Helenus.
That’s Helenus. I wonder where Troilus is. That’s Helenus. I don’t think he went out today. That’s Helenus.
Can Helenus fight, uncle?
Can Helenus fight, uncle?
Helenus? no. Yes, he’ll fight indifferent well. I marvel where Troilus is. Hark! do you not hear the people cry ’Troilus’? Helenus is a priest.
Helenus? No. Yes, he’ll fight okay. I wonder where Troilus is. Listen! Don’t you hear the people shouting ’Troilus’? Helenus is a priest.
What sneaking fellow comes yonder?
What sneaky guy is that?
Where? yonder? that’s Deiphobus. ’Tis Troilus! there’s a man, niece! Hem! Brave Troilus! the prince of chivalry!
Where? Over there? That’s Deiphobus. It’s Troilus! There’s a man, niece! Hem! Brave Troilus! The prince of knights!
Peace, for shame, peace!
Be quiet, for shame, be quiet!
Mark him; note him. O brave Troilus! Look well upon him, niece: look you how his sword is bloodied, and his helm more hacked than Hector’s, and how he looks, and how he goes! O admirable youth! he ne’er saw three and twenty. Go thy way, Troilus, go thy way! Had I a sister were a grace, or a daughter a goddess, he should take his choice. O admirable man! Paris? Paris is dirt to him; and, I warrant, Helen, to change, would give an eye to boot.
Watch him; pay attention. Oh, brave Troilus! Look at him, niece: look how his sword is covered in blood, and his helmet more battered than Hector’s, and look at how he looks, and how he walks! Oh, amazing young man! He’s not yet twenty-three. Go on, Troilus, go on! If I had a sister who was graceful, or a daughter who was a goddess, he could choose her. Oh, amazing man! Paris? Paris is nothing compared to him; and, I bet, Helen would trade an eye for him.
Here come more.
Here come more.
Asses, fools, dolts! chaff and bran, chaff and bran! porridge after meat! I could live and die i’ the eyes of Troilus. Ne’er look, ne’er look: the eagles are gone: crows and daws, crows and daws! I had rather be such a man as Troilus than Agamemnon and all Greece.
Donkeys, fools, idiots! Chaff and bran, chaff and bran! Porridge after dinner! I could live and die in Troilus’s eyes. Never look, never look: the eagles are gone: crows and jackdaws, crows and jackdaws! I’d rather be a man like Troilus than Agamemnon or all of Greece.
There is among the Greeks Achilles, a better man than Troilus.
Among the Greeks there’s Achilles, a better man than Troilus.
Achilles! a drayman, a porter, a very camel.
Achilles! a delivery man, a porter, a real camel.
Well, well.
Well, well.
’Well, well!’ why, have you any discretion? have you any eyes? Do you know what a man is? Is not birth, beauty, good shape, discourse, manhood, learning, gentleness, virtue, youth, liberality, and such like, the spice and salt that season a man?
’Well, well!’ Why, do you have any sense? Do you have eyes? Do you even know what a man is? Isn’t birth, beauty, good looks, conversation, manliness, intelligence, kindness, virtue, youth, generosity, and things like that, the things that make a man stand out?
Ay, a minced man: and then to be baked with no date in the pie, for then the man’s date’s out.
Yes, a chopped-up man: and then to be baked with no fruit in the pie, because then the man’s time is up.
You are such a woman! one knows not at what ward you lie.
You are such a woman! No one knows what you’re really thinking.
Upon my back, to defend my belly; upon my wit, to defend my wiles; upon my secrecy, to defend mine honesty; my mask, to defend my beauty; and you, to defend all these: and at all these wards I lie, at a thousand watches.
On my back, to protect my stomach; on my mind, to protect my tricks; on my secrecy, to protect my honesty; my mask, to protect my beauty; and you, to protect all of these: and at all these points I stand guard, at a thousand watches.
Say one of your watches.
Tell me one of your watches.
Nay, I’ll watch you for that; and that’s one of the chiefest of them too: if I cannot ward what I would not have hit, I can watch you for telling how I took the blow; unless it swell past hiding, and then it’s past watching.
No, I’ll keep an eye on you for that; and that’s one of the most important of them too: if I can’t block what I don’t want to happen, I can keep an eye on you to tell how I took the hit; unless it’s too big to hide, and then it’s beyond watching.
You are such another!
You are just like the others!
Sir, my lord would instantly speak with you.
Sir, my lord wants to speak with you right away.
Where?
Where?
At your own house; there he unarms him.
At your house; he’s taking off his armor there.
Good boy, tell him I come.
Good boy, tell him I’ll be there.
I doubt he be hurt. Fare ye well, good niece.
I’m afraid he’s been hurt. Take care, good niece.
Adieu, uncle.
Goodbye, uncle.
I’ll be with you, niece, by and by.
I’ll be with you soon, niece.
To bring, uncle?
To bring, uncle?
Ay, a token from Troilus.
Yes, a gift from Troilus.
By the same token, you are a bawd.
By that same gift, you’re a pimp.
Words, vows, gifts, tears, and love’s full sacrifice, He offers in another’s enterprise; But more in Troilus thousand fold I see Than in the glass of Pandar’s praise may be; Yet hold I off. Women are angels, wooing: Things won are done; joy’s soul lies in the doing. That she beloved knows nought that knows not this: Men prize the thing ungain’d more than it is: That she was never yet that ever knew Love got so sweet as when desire did sue. Therefore this maxim out of love I teach: Achievement is command; ungain’d, beseech: Then though my heart’s content firm love doth bear, Nothing of that shall from mine eyes appear.
Words, promises, gifts, tears, and love’s full sacrifice, He offers in someone else’s cause; But I see more in Troilus a thousand times Than what Pandar’s praise can show; Yet I hold back. Women are like angels when they court: Things gained are soon done; the soul of joy is in the trying. What she loves doesn’t know this: men value more what they haven’t yet got: She’s never been someone who’s understood How sweet love is when desire is chasing it. So here’s the lesson I teach from love: Success comes from commanding; without it, you must beg: Then though my heart holds firm love, I won’t let any of that show in my eyes.