Original
Modern English
What country, friends, is this?
What country is this, friends?
This is Illyria, lady.
This is Illyria, lady.
And what should I do in Illyria? My brother he is in Elysium. Perchance he is not drown’d: what think you, sailors?
And what should I do in Illyria? My brother is in Elysium. Maybe he’s not drowned: what do you think, sailors?
It is perchance that you yourself were saved.
Maybe you yourself were saved.
O my poor brother! and so perchance may he be.
Oh, my poor brother! Maybe he’s alive, too.
True, madam: and, to comfort you with chance, Assure yourself, after our ship did split, When you and those poor number saved with you Hung on our driving boat, I saw your brother, Most provident in peril, bind himself, Courage and hope both teaching him the practise, To a strong mast that lived upon the sea; Where, like Arion on the dolphin’s back, I saw him hold acquaintance with the waves So long as I could see.
Yes, madam: and, to comfort you with hope, Know this: after our ship sank, When you and the others who were saved Hung on our drifting boat, I saw your brother, He was calm in danger, tying himself To a strong mast that was floating in the sea; Like Arion on the dolphin’s back, I saw him ride the waves As long as I could see.
For saying so, there’s gold: Mine own escape unfoldeth to my hope, Whereto thy speech serves for authority, The like of him. Know’st thou this country?
For telling me this, there’s gold: My own escape gives me hope, And your words give it weight, Just like what happened to him. Do you know this place?
Ay, madam, well; for I was bred and born Not three hours’ travel from this very place.
Yes, madam, well; I was born and raised Not three hours’ travel from here.
Who governs here?
Who rules here?
A noble duke, in nature as in name.
A noble duke, both in name and nature.
What is the name?
What’s his name?
Orsino.
Orsino.
Orsino! I have heard my father name him: He was a bachelor then.
Orsino! I’ve heard my father mention him: He was a bachelor then.
And so is now, or was so very late; For but a month ago I went from hence, And then ’twas fresh in murmur,--as, you know, What great ones do the less will prattle of,-- That he did seek the love of fair Olivia.
And he’s still a bachelor, or was until very recently; Just a month ago, I left here, And then it was still being talked about,--you know, What the powerful do, the less powerful gossip about,-- That he was trying to win the love of the beautiful Olivia.
What’s she?
Who is she?
A virtuous maid, the daughter of a count That died some twelvemonth since, then leaving her In the protection of his son, her brother, Who shortly also died: for whose dear love, They say, she hath abjured the company And sight of men.
A virtuous young woman, the daughter of a count Who died about a year ago, leaving her Under the care of his son, her brother, Who also soon died: because of her deep love for him, They say she has sworn off the company And sight of men.
O that I served that lady And might not be delivered to the world, Till I had made mine own occasion mellow, What my estate is!
Oh, that I served that lady And could stay hidden from the world, Until I had set up my own chance, To explain what my situation is!
That were hard to compass; Because she will admit no kind of suit, No, not the duke’s.
That would be hard to do; Because she will accept no kind of proposal, Not even the duke’s.
There is a fair behavior in thee, captain; And though that nature with a beauteous wall Doth oft close in pollution, yet of thee I will believe thou hast a mind that suits With this thy fair and outward character. I prithee, and I’ll pay thee bounteously, Conceal me what I am, and be my aid For such disguise as haply shall become The form of my intent. I’ll serve this duke: Thou shall present me as an eunuch to him: It may be worth thy pains; for I can sing And speak to him in many sorts of music That will allow me very worth his service. What else may hap to time I will commit; Only shape thou thy silence to my wit.
You have a noble spirit, captain; And although nature sometimes hides a beautiful face Behind an ugly soul, yet I believe You have a heart that matches your outward goodness. I beg you, and I’ll reward you generously, Help me stay hidden for what I really am, and assist me In creating a disguise that will suit My purpose. I’ll serve this duke: You shall present me as a eunuch to him: It might be worth your effort; for I can sing And perform many kinds of music That will make me seem valuable in his service. Whatever else time may bring, I’ll leave it to fate; Just shape your silence to help my plan.
Be you his eunuch, and your mute I’ll be: When my tongue blabs, then let mine eyes not see.
Be his eunuch, and I’ll be your silent partner: When my mouth speaks, let my eyes stay shut.
I thank thee: lead me on.
Thank you: lead me on.