CJTranslations - The Two Gentlemen of Verona

QUOTES BY TOPIC

A fine volley of words, gentlemen, and quickly shot off

PLAY: The Two Gentlemen of Verona
ACT/SCENE: 2.4
SPEAKER: Silvia
CONTEXT:
VALENTINE
Give him leave, madam; he is a kind of chameleon.
THURIO
That hath more mind to feed on your blood than live in your air.
VALENTINE
You have said, sir.
THURIO
Ay, sir, and done too, for this time.
VALENTINE
I know it well, sir; you always end ere you begin.
SYLVIA
A fine volley of words, gentlemen, and quickly shot off.

DUTCH:
Een fraai geweervuur van woorden, edele heeren; en
wakker losgebrand!

MORE:
Proverb: Saying and doing are two things

Chameleon=Colour-shifting lizard, believed in Sh’s time to live on air
You have said=So you say (you have yet to do)
For this time=For the moment
Compleat:
Chamelion or camelion=Een kamelion [zeker dier]

Topics: language, appearance, proverbs and idioms, still in use

A man I am, crossed with adversity

PLAY: The Two Gentlemen of Verona
ACT/SCENE: 4.1
SPEAKER: Valentine
CONTEXT:
THIRD OUTLAW
Ay, by my beard, will we, for he’s a proper man.
VALENTINE
Then know that I have little wealth to lose:
A man I am crossed with adversity;
My riches are these poor habiliments,
Of which if you should here disfurnish me,
You take the sum and substance that I have.

DUTCH:
Zoo weet dan, ik heb weinig te verliezen.
Ik ben een man, door ‘t ongeluk bestookt;
Mijn rijkdom zijn mijn poov’re kleedren hier,
En als gij daarvan mij ontbiooten wilt,
Dan neemt gij al mijn have en goed mij af.

MORE:
Crossed with adversity=Down on his luck
Habiliments=Clothes
Disfurnish=Deprive
Compleat:
To cross=Tegenstreeven, dwars voor de boeg komen, dwarsboomen, wederestreeven, kruisen
Habiliment=Kleeding, dos, gewaad

Topics: adversity, fate/destiny, poverty and wealth

A man is never undone till he be hanged

PLAY: The Two Gentlemen of Verona
ACT/SCENE: 2.5
SPEAKER: Lance
CONTEXT:
SPEED
Lance, by mine honesty, welcome to Milan!
LANCE
Forswear not thyself, sweet youth, for I am not welcome. I reckon this always, that a man is never undone till he be hanged, nor never welcome to a place till some certain shot be paid and the hostess say “Welcome!”
SPEED
Come on, you madcap, I’ll to the alehouse with you presently, where, for one shot of five pence, thou shalt have five thousand welcomes. But, sirrah, how did thy master part with Madam Julia?

DUTCH:
Doe geen valschen eed, beste jongen, want ik ben niet
welkom. Ik reken dit altijd : een mensch is niet eer
verloren, dan als hij gehangen wordt, en ook niet eer
ergens welkom, dan als hij een zeker gelag heeft betaald,
en de waardin zegt: ,,welkom!”

MORE:
To forswear=To swear falsely, commit perjury
Undone=Ruined
Shot=Tavern bill
Madcap=Fool
Compleat:
To forswear one’s self=Eenen valschen eed doen, meyneedig zyn
To forswear a thing=Zweeren dat iets zo niet is
Shot=Het gelag
A mad-cap=Een gek, zotskap

Burgersdijk notes:
Welkom in Milaan. In den tekst der Folio-uitgave staat Padua, zooals in III. 1. en V.4. Verona voor Milaan. Het is mogelijk, dat Shakespeare zelf zoo geschreven heeft, voor hij vast bepaald had, waar hij het stuk zou laten spelen, maar ‘t kan ook aan een omwerker liggen.

Topics: truth, ruin, honesty, civility, debt/obligation

A smaller boon than this I cannot beg and less than this, I am sure, you cannot give

PLAY: The Two Gentlemen of Verona
ACT/SCENE: 5.4
SPEAKER: Proteus
CONTEXT:
PROTEUS
Madam, this service I have done for you,
Though you respect not aught your servant doth,
To hazard life and rescue you from him
That would have forced your honour and your love;
Vouchsafe me, for my meed, but one fair look;
A smaller boon than this I cannot beg
And less than this, I am sure, you cannot give.

DUTCH:
Om kleiner gunst kan ik u toch niet smeeken ,
En minder nog dan dit kunt gij niet geven.

MORE:
Respect=Value
Forced=Violated
Vouchsafe=Grant
Meed=Reward
Boon=Favour
Compleat:
Respect=Aanzien, opzigt, inzigt, ontzag, eerbiedigheyd
Forced=Gedwongen, aangedrongen
To vouchsafe=Gewaardigen, vergunnen
Meed=Belooning, vergelding, verdiensten
Boon=Een verzoek, geschenk, gunst, voordeel

Topics: value, loyalty, status

A thousand more mischances than this one have learned me how to brook this patiently

PLAY: The Two Gentlemen of Verona
ACT/SCENE: 5.3
SPEAKER: Silvia
CONTEXT:
FIRST OUTLAW
Come, come,
Be patient; we must bring you to our captain.
SILVIA
A thousand more mischances than this one
Have learned me how to brook this patiently.
SECOND OUTLAW
Come, bring her away.
FIRST OUTLAW
Where is the gentleman that was with her?
THIRD OUTLAW
Being nimble-footed, he hath outrun us,
But Moyses and Valerius follow him.
Go thou with her to the west end of the wood;
There is our captain: we’ll follow him that’s fled;
The thicket is beset; he cannot ‘scape.

DUTCH:
Mij leerden duizend andere ongevallen
Ook dit nu met gelatenheid te dragen.

MORE:
Mischance=Misfortune
Learned=Taught
Brook=Bear, endure; put up with
Beset=Surrounded
Compleat:
Mischance=Misval, mislukking, ongeval, ongeluk
Brook=Verdraagen, uitstaan
Beset=Omringd, bezet, beklemd

Topics: patience, age/experience

A true-devoted pilgrim is not weary to measure kingdoms with his feeble steps

PLAY: The Two Gentlemen of Verona
ACT/SCENE: 2.7
SPEAKER: Julia
CONTEXT:
JULIA
Counsel, Lucetta; gentle girl, assist me;
And even in kind love I do conjure thee,
Who art the table wherein all my thoughts
Are visibly charactered and engraved,
To lesson me and tell me some good mean
How, with my honour, I may undertake
A journey to my loving Proteus.
LUCETTA
Alas, the way is wearisome and long!
JULIA
A true-devoted pilgrim is not weary
To measure kingdoms with his feeble steps;
Much less shall she that hath Love’s wings to fly,
And when the flight is made to one so dear,
Of such divine perfection, as Sir Proteus.
LUCETTA
Better forbear till Proteus make return.

DUTCH:
Een waarlijk vrome pelgrim wordt niet moede,
Met zwakke schreden landen af te meten

MORE:
Charactered=Inscribed
Lesson=Teach
Mean=Means, method
Measure=Traverse
Compleat:
Character=Een merk, merkteken, letter, afbeeldsel, uitdruksel, print, stempel, uitgedruktbeeld, uitbeelding
Mean=Het midden, de middelmaat

Topics: advice, honour, respect, love, patience

A woman sometimes scorns what best contents her

PLAY: The Two Gentlemen of Verona
ACT/SCENE: 3.1
SPEAKER: Valentine
CONTEXT:
VALENTINE
Win her with gifts, if she respect not words:
Dumb jewels often in their silent kind
More than quick words do move a woman’s mind.
DUKE
But she did scorn a present that I sent her.
VALENTINE
A woman sometimes scorns what best contents her.
Send her another; never give her o’er;
For scorn at first makes after-love the more.
If she do frown, ’tis not in hate of you,
But rather to beget more love in you:
If she do chide, ’tis not to have you gone;
For why, the fools are mad, if left alone.
Take no repulse, whatever she doth say;
For ‘get you gone,’ she doth not mean ‘away!’
Flatter and praise, commend, extol their graces;
Though ne’er so black, say they have angels’ faces.
That man that hath a tongue, I say, is no man,
If with his tongue he cannot win a woman .

DUTCH:
Een vrouw versmaadt soms, wat baar ‘t meest bekoort.

MORE:
Respect not=Disregards
Kind=Nature
Quick=Lively
Forwhy=Because
Compleat:
To respect=Overweegen, beschouwen
Kind=Soort
Quick=Levendig, snel, rad, dra, scherp

Topics: respect, language, persuasion

All this I speak in print, for in print I found it

PLAY: The Two Gentlemen of Verona
ACT/SCENE: 2.1
SPEAKER: Speed
CONTEXT:
SPEED
I’ll warrant you, ’tis as well:
For often have you writ to her, and she, in modesty,
Or else for want of idle time, could not again reply;
Or fearing else some messenger that might her mind discover,
Herself hath taught her love himself to write unto her lover.
All this I speak in print, for in print I found it.
Why muse you, sir? ‘Tis dinner-time.

DUTCH:
Ik sla u borg, zoo is het, en niet anders;
Gij schreeft wel vaak aan haar een brief, maar zij, uit zedigheid

MORE:
Idle time=Time to spare
Discover=Reveal
Speak in print=Say meticulously
Muse=Ponder
Compleat:
Discover=Ontdekken, bespeuren, aan ‘t licht brengen
To muse=Bepeinzen

Topics: language, communication

And he that is so yoked by a fool, methinks, should not be chronicled for wise

PLAY: The Two Gentlemen of Verona
ACT/SCENE: 1.1
SPEAKER: Valentine
CONTEXT:
PROTEUS
‘Tis love you cavil at: I am not Love.
VALENTINE
Love is your master, for he masters you:
And he that is so yoked by a fool,
Methinks, should not be chronicled for wise.
PROTEUS
Yet writers say, as in the sweetest bud
The eating canker dwells, so eating love
Inhabits in the finest wits of all.
VALENTINE
And writers say, as the most forward bud
Is eaten by the canker ere it blow,
Even so by love the young and tender wit
Is turned to folly, blasting in the bud,
Losing his verdure even in the prime
And all the fair effects of future hopes.
But wherefore waste I time to counsel thee,
That art a votary to fond desire?
Once more adieu! My father at the road
Expects my coming, there to see me shipped .

DUTCH:
Liefde is uw meester, want die meestert U;
En hij, die zoo het juk draagt van een dwaas,
Zij, dunkt mij, bij de wijzen niet geboekt.

MORE:
Cavil=To quarrel, to find fault (the phrase “splitting hairs” was recorded in the 1652 OED and would mean one who is very persistent, stubborn)
Yoke=Emblem of slavery
Blasting=Withering
Verdure=Freshness
Prime=Spring
Votary=One who takes a vow
Fond=Foolish
Shipped=Aboard
Compleat:
Cavil=Haairkloovery, woordentwist
To cavil=Knibbelen, kibbelen, haairklooven, woordvitten, bedillen, schimpen
Yoke=Een juk; (yoke of bondage) Het juk der dienstbaarheid
To stoop onder the yoke=Onder ‘t juk buigen
Canker=Kanker
To blow=Bloeijen
To blast=Doen verstuyven, wegblaazen, verzengen, door ‘t weer beschaadigen
Verdure=Groente, groenheyd
Prime=Eerste, voornaamste
Votary=Een die zich door een (religieuse) belofte verbonden heeft; die zich ergens toe heeft overgegeeven
Fond=Zot, dwaas, ongerymt
To ship=Scheepen, inscheepen

Topics: dispute, love, nature

And more wealth than faults.’
– Why, that word makes the faults gracious.

PLAY: The Two Gentlemen of Verona
ACT/SCENE: 3.1
SPEAKER: Lance
CONTEXT:
SPEED
‘Item: She hath more hair than wit,’—
LANCE
More hair than wit? It may be; I’ll prove it. The
cover of the salt hides the salt, and therefore it
is more than the salt; the hair that covers the wit
is more than the wit, for the greater hides the
less. What’s next?
SPEED
‘And more faults than hairs,’—
LANCE
That’s monstrous: O, that that were out!
SPEED
‘And more wealth than faults.’
LANCE
Why, that word makes the faults gracious. Well,
I’ll have her; and if it be a match, as nothing is
impossible,—

DUTCH:
O, dat woord maakt de gebreken bekoorlijk! Goed,
ik wil haar hebben; en als wij een paar worden, zooals
geen ding onmoog’lijk is.

MORE:
Proverb: Nothing is impossible (hard, difficult) to a willing heart (mind)
Proverb: Bush natural, more hair than wit
Salt=Salt-cellar
Gracious=Acceptable
Compleat:
Salt seller=Een zout-vat
Gracious=Genadig, genadenryk, aangenaam, lieftallig, gunstig

Topics: proverbs and idioms, intellect, flaw/fault, money insult

As ending anthem of my endless dolour

PLAY: The Two Gentlemen of Verona
ACT/SCENE: 3.1
SPEAKER: Proteus
CONTEXT:
PROTEUS
Ay, ay; and she hath offered to the doom—
Which, unreversed, stands in effectual force—
A sea of melting pearl, which some call tears:
Those at her father’s churlish feet she tendered;
With them, upon her knees, her humble self;
Wringing her hands, whose whiteness so became them
As if but now they waxed pale for woe:
But neither bended knees, pure hands held up,
Sad sighs, deep groans, nor silver-shedding tears,
Could penetrate her uncompassionate sire;
But Valentine, if he be ta’en, must die.
Besides, her intercession chafed him so,
When she for thy repeal was suppliant,
That to close prison he commanded her,
With many bitter threats of biding there.
VALENTINE
No more; unless the next word that thou speak’st
Have some malignant power upon my life:
If so, I pray thee, breathe it in mine ear,
As ending anthem of my endless dolour.

DUTCH:
En dan, haar voorspraak heeft hem zoo vergramd,
Toen ze om herroeping van het vonnis smeekte,
Dat hij beval, zeer nauw haar op te sluiten,
Met scherpe dreiging, zoo ze ontsnapping waagt.

MORE:
Doom=Judgment
Offered=Sacrificed, dedicated
Effectual=Operative
Tendered=Offered
Waxed=Became
Penetrate=Reach the heart of
Chafed=Irritated, angered
Thy repeal=Repeal of your sentence
Biding=Staying permanently
Ending anthem=Requiem
Dolour=Sadness
Compleat:
Doom=Vonnis, oordeel, verwyzing
Effectual=Krachtig, uitwerkelyk
To tender=Aanbieden, van harte bezinnen, behartigen
To wax (grow)=Worden
To penetrate=Doordringen, doorgronden, doorbooren
To chafe=Verhitten, tot toorn ontsteeken, verhit zyn van gramschap, woeden
Repeal=Een herroeping, afschaffing, intrekking
Dolor=Droefheid, smarte

Topics: judgment, punishment, mercy

As much I wish all good befortune you

PLAY: The Two Gentlemen of Verona
ACT/SCENE: 4.3
SPEAKER: Eglamour
CONTEXT:
EGLAMOUR
Madam, I pity much your grievances;
Which since I know they virtuously are placed,
I give consent to go along with you,
Recking as little what betideth me
As much I wish all good befortune you.
When will you go?

DUTCH:
Mejonkvrouw, ik beklaag uw liefdekommer,
En weet, hij geldt een deugdrijk edelman;
Ik ben daarom bereid u te vertellen;
En luttel acht ik, wat mij treffen kan,
Maar wensch te meer van harte u alle heil.
Wanneer wenscht gij te gaan?

MORE:
Grievances=Troubles, distress
Placed=Based
Recking=Caring
Betideth=Happens to
Compleat:
Grievance=Bezwaarenis
To betide=Aankomen, voorkomen

Topics: virtue

Ask my dog. If he say ay, it will; if he say no, it will; if he shake his tail and say nothing, it will

PLAY: The Two Gentlemen of Verona
ACT/SCENE: 2.5
SPEAKER: Lance
CONTEXT:
SPEED
But tell me true, will ’t be a match?
LANCE
Ask my dog. If he say ay, it will; if he say no, it will; if he shake his tail and say nothing, it will.
SPEED
The conclusion is then that it will.
LANCE
Thou shalt never get such a secret from me but by a parable.

DUTCH:
Vraag het mijn hond: als hij Tja” zegt, dan gebeurt
het; als hij kwispelstaart en niets zegt, dan gebeurt liet.

MORE:
Compleat:
It will be a match=Dat zal een huwelyk worden
Conclusion=Het besluit
Parable=Een gelykenis

Topics: honesty, marriage

Be gone! I will not hear thy vain excuse

PLAY: The Two Gentlemen of Verona
ACT/SCENE: 3.1
SPEAKER: Duke
CONTEXT:
DUKE
‘My thoughts do harbour with my Silvia nightly,
And slaves they are to me that send them flying:
O, could their master come and go as lightly,
Himself would lodge where senseless they are lying!
My herald thoughts in thy pure bosom rest them:
While I, their king, that hither them importune,
Do curse the grace that with such grace hath blessed them,
Because myself do want my servants’ fortune:
I curse myself, for they are sent by me,
That they should harbour where their lord would be.’
What’s here?
‘Silvia, this night I will enfranchise thee.’
‘Tis so; and here’s the ladder for the purpose.
Why, Phaeton,—for thou art Merops’ son,—
Wilt thou aspire to guide the heavenly car
And with thy daring folly burn the world?
Wilt thou reach stars, because they shine on thee?
Go, base intruder! Overweening slave!
Bestow thy fawning smiles on equal mates,
And think my patience, more than thy desert,
Is privilege for thy departure hence:
Thank me for this more than for all the favours
Which all too much I have bestowed on thee.
But if thou linger in my territories
Longer than swiftest expedition
Will give thee time to leave our royal court,
By heaven! My wrath shall far exceed the love
I ever bore my daughter or thyself.
Be gone! I will not hear thy vain excuse;
But, as thou lovest thy life, make speed from hence.

DUTCH:
Vertrek! en zwijg! geen uitvlucht of verschooning;
Maar ijlings, hebt ge uw leven lief, van hier!

MORE:
Harbour with=Dwell on
Lightly=Easily
Senseless=Unfeeling
Herald=Messenger
Importune=Impel
Grace=(1) Graciousness; (2) Favour
Want=Lack
Enfranchise=Liberate
Phaeton=Real father the Greek sun god, Helios; when allowed to drive his rather’s’ chariot (the sun) he came too close to the earth and was destroyed by a thunderbolt from Zeus.
For thou art=Although you are
Heavenly car=The sun
Base=Lowly
Overweening=Arrogant, presumptuous
Equal mates=Those of the same rank
Desert=Deserving
Expedition=Haste
Shadow=Image, idea
Leave=Cease
Compleat:
To harbour thoughts=Gedagten koesteren
Light=Ligt, luchtig; ligtvaardig
Senseless=Gevoeleloos, ongevoelig, zinneloos
Herald=Een krygs boode, oorlogs-aanzegger, wapenschild-voerder, wapenschild-koning
Importune=Lastig vallen, zeer dringen, gestadig aanhouden, overdringen, aandringen
Grace=Bevalligheid; genade
Want=Gebrek
To enfranchise=Tot eenen burger of vry man maaken, vryheyd vergunnen
Overweening=Laatdunkendheid, verwaandheid, eigenliefde
Desert (from to deserve)=Verdienste, verdiende loon
Expedition (dispatch)=Afvaardiging
Shadow=Een schaduw, schim

Burgersdijk notes:
Gij Phaëton, gij and’re Merops zoon. De vertaling is hier niet letterlijk; er staat eigenlijk:
„Wat! Phaëton, – want gij zijt Merops’ zoon.” — Phaëton was de zoon van Helios, den Zonnegod, en van Clymene, die met den koning Merops, in Aethiopië, gehuwd was; deze was dus Phaëton’s aardsche vader te noemen. De tusschenzin want enz. kan eenvoudig
beteekenen: want gij zijt inderdaad een Phaëton”, en dan is de vertaling op blz. 264 zeer juist. Wil men er uit lezen: „want gij zijt een zoon van Merops, niet van den zonnegod, maar van een mensch, dus van een lage afkomst,” — dan moet de hier gegevene meer letterlijke vertaling gevolgd worden; deze verklaring komt mij echter vrij gezocht voor en het ,want”, for, past er slecht bij; de eerste schijnt mij de ware te zijn,

Topics: imagination, courage, caution, patience

Belike that now she hath enfranchised them upon some other pawn for fealty

PLAY: The Two Gentlemen of Verona
ACT/SCENE: 2.4
SPEAKER: Valentine
CONTEXT:
DUKE
Welcome him then according to his worth.
Sylvia, I speak to you, and you, Sir Thurio;
For Valentine, I need not cite him to it.
I will send him hither to you presently.
VALENTINE
This is the gentleman I told your ladyship
Had come along with me but that his mistress
Did hold his eyes locked in her crystal looks.
SYLVIA
Belike that now she hath enfranchised them
Upon some other pawn for fealty.

DUTCH:
Zoo heet hem naar zijn waarde welkom hier.
‘k Zeg, Silvia, dit tot u, en u, heer Thurio; —
Want Valentijn heb ik niet aan te manen.
Ik zend hem oogenblikk’lijk naar u toe.

MORE:
Welcome=Receive
According to his worth=Appropriate to his reputation
Cite=Incite, urge
Had=Would have
Belike=Probably
Enfranchised=Liberated
Compleat:
+G38
To enfranchise=Tot eenen burger of vry maaken, vryheyd vergunnen
A thing of great worth=Een Zaak van groote waarde
A person of worth=Een voortreffelyk persoon

Topics: status, order/society, appearance

Beshrew me, but you have a quick wit.
– And yet it cannot overtake your slow purse.

PLAY: The Two Gentlemen of Verona
ACT/SCENE: 1.1
SPEAKER: Proteus
CONTEXT:
SPEED
Well, I perceive I must be fain to bear with you.
PROTEUS
Why, sir, how do you bear with me?
SPEED
Marry, sir, the letter, very orderly, having nothing but the word “noddy” for my pains.
PROTEUS
Beshrew me, but you have a quick wit.
SPEED
And yet it cannot overtake your slow purse.

DUTCH:
Verduiveld, gij zijt bij de hand!
– En toch kan mijn vlugge hand uw trage beurs niet
machtig worden.

MORE:
Fain=Be contented
Bear with=Put up with
Orderly=Properly
Beshrew=Curse
Noddy=Simpleton, foolish
Compleat:
Fain=Gaern, genoodzaakt
To bear with=Toegeeven, geduld hebben, zich verdraagzaam aanstellen
Pray bear with me=Ey lieve schik wat met my in
Orderly=Geschiktlyk, geregeld, ordentlyk
Beshrew=Bekyven, vervloeken

Topics: satisfaction, money, debt/obligation

Bestow thy fawning smiles on equal mates

DUTCH:
Vlei uws gelijken met uw zoete lachjens,
En acht het mijn genade, — en onverdiend, —
Een gunst, dat gij heelshuids van hier ontkomt.

MORE:
Harbour with=Dwell on
Lightly=Easily
Senseless=Unfeeling
Herald=Messenger
Importune=Impel
Grace=(1) Graciousness; (2) Favour
Want=Lack
Enfranchise=Liberate
Phaeton=Real father the Greek sun god, Helios; when allowed to drive his rather’s’ chariot (the sun) he came too close to the earth and was destroyed by a thunderbolt from Zeus.
For thou art=Although you are
Heavenly car=The sun
Base=Lowly
Overweening=Arrogant, presumptuous
Equal mates=Those of the same rank
Desert=Deserving
Expedition=Haste
Shadow=Image, idea
Leave=Cease
Compleat:
To harbour thoughts=Gedagten koesteren
Light=Ligt, luchtig; ligtvaardig
Senseless=Gevoeleloos, ongevoelig, zinneloos
Herald=Een krygs boode, oorlogs-aanzegger, wapenschild-voerder, wapenschild-koning
+G38
Grace=Bevalligheid; genade
Want=Gebrek
To enfranchise=Tot eenen burger of vry man maaken, vryheyd vergunnen
Overweening=Laatdunkendheid, verwaandheid, eigenliefde
Desert (from to deserve)=Verdienste, verdiende loon
Expedition (dispatch)=Afvaardiging
Shadow=Een schaduw, schim

Topics: imagination, courage, caution, patience

Blessing of your heart, you brew good ale

PLAY: The Two Gentlemen of Verona
ACT/SCENE: 3.1
SPEAKER: Lance
CONTEXT:
SPEED
[Reads] ‘Imprimis: She can milk.’
LANCE
Ay, that she can.
SPEED
‘Item: She brews good ale.’
LANCE
And thereof comes the proverb: ‘Blessing of your
heart, you brew good ale.’
SPEED
‘Item: She can sew.’
LANCE
That’s as much as to say, ‘Can she so?’

DUTCH:
En daar vandaan het zeggen: „Gods zegen hier; gij
brouwt goed bier.”

MORE:
Proverb: Blessing of your heart, you brew good ale

Imprimis=Introduction to inventory; subsequent clauses starting with ‘item’
Jade=A term of contempt or pity for a woman; worthless or maltreated horse
Compleat:
Jade=Een lompig paerd, knol, jakhals

Burgersdijk notes:
Zij kan naaien. In ‘t Engelsch: she can sew, waarvoor in de folio- uitgave soave geschreven wordt, zoodat de volgende vraag can slee so het woord herhaalt. Hier moest de vertaler zich anders helpen; evenzoo bij het volgende, waar het woord stock eerst in de beteekenis van kapitaal,”geld”, daarna in die van ,sok” wordt opgevat.

Topics: proverbs and idioms, value, work, virtue

But fearing lest my jealous aim might err and so unworthily disgrace the man

PLAY: The Two Gentlemen of Verona
ACT/SCENE: 3.1
SPEAKER: Duke of Milan
CONTEXT:
DUKE
Proteus, I thank thee for thine honest care;
Which to requite, command me while I live.
This love of theirs myself have often seen,
Haply when they have judged me fast asleep,
And oftentimes have purposed to forbid
Sir Valentine her company and my court:
But fearing lest my jealous aim might err
And so unworthily disgrace the man,
A rashness that I ever yet have shunned,
I gave him gentle looks, thereby to find
That which thyself hast now disclosed to me.
And, that thou mayst perceive my fear of this,
Knowing that tender youth is soon suggested,
I nightly lodge her in an upper tower,
The key whereof myself have ever kept;
And thence she cannot be conveyed away.

DUTCH:
Maar, duchtend, dat mijn argwaan dwalen mocht,
En zoo den jongling schreeuwend onrecht doen, —
Een overijling, die ik altijd meed, —
Bleef ik hem gunstig aanzien, tot ikzelf
Ontdekte, wat door u mij wordt gemeld

MORE:
Requite=Reward
Haply=By chance
Jealous=Suspicious
Aim=Guess
Unworthily=Unjustly, unfairly
Ever yet=Always
Suggested=Tempted
Compleat:
To requite=Vergelden
To requite a man in his own way=Iemand met gelyke munt betaalen
To requite a kindness=Een vriendschap vergelden
Haply=Misschien
Jealous=Belgziek, yverzuchtig, minnenydig; naayverig, argwaanig, achterdochtig, achterkousig, jaloers
To aim=(Guess) Mikken
Unworthily=Onwaardiglyk
To suggest=Ingeeven, insteeken, inluysteren, inblaazen

Topics: honesty, marriage, suspicion

But since your falsehood shall become you well to worship shadows and adore false shapes

PLAY: The Two Gentlemen of Verona
ACT/SCENE: 4.2
SPEAKER: Silvia
CONTEXT:
PROTEUS
Madam, if your heart be so obdurate,
Vouchsafe me yet your picture for my love,
The picture that is hanging in your chamber;
To that I’ll speak, to that I’ll sigh and weep:
For since the substance of your perfect self
Is else devoted, I am but a shadow;
And to your shadow will I make true love.
JULIA
If ’twere a substance, you would, sure, deceive it,
And make it but a shadow, as I am.
SILVIA
I am very loath to be your idol, sir;
But since your falsehood shall become you well
To worship shadows and adore false shapes,
Send to me in the morning and I’ll send it:
And so, good rest.

DUTCH:
Uw afgod ben ik recht ongaarne, heer;
Doch daar het met uw valschheid strookt, voor schimmen
Te knielen, ijd’le beelden aan te bidden,
Zoo laat ze morgen ochtend bij mij halen.
En nu, rust wel!

MORE:
Obdurate=Resistant
Vouchsafe=Grant, provide
Else=Elsewhere
Shadow=(1) Image (contrasted with substance); (2) Image (portrait)
Become=Be fitting for
Shapes=Forms, images
Compleat:
Obdurate=Verhard, hardnekkig, verstokt
To vouchsafe=Gewaardigen, vergunnen
Shadow=Een schaduw, schim
Become=Betaamen
Shape=Gestalte, gedaante, vorm

Topics: loyalty

But wherefore waste I time to counsel thee

PLAY: The Two Gentlemen of Verona
ACT/SCENE: 1.1
SPEAKER: Valentine
CONTEXT:
PROTEUS
Yet writers say, as in the sweetest bud
The eating canker dwells, so eating love
Inhabits in the finest wits of all.
VALENTINE
And writers say, as the most forward bud
Is eaten by the canker ere it blow,
Even so by love the young and tender wit
Is turned to folly, blasting in the bud,
Losing his verdure even in the prime
And all the fair effects of future hopes.
But wherefore waste I time to counsel thee,
That art a votary to fond desire?
Once more adieu! My father at the road
Expects my coming, there to see me shipped.

DUTCH:
Doch wat spil ik mijn tijd met raad aan u,
Die u verpand hebt aan den minnewaan?
Nog eens, vaarwel! want aan de haven wacht
Mijn vader reeds om mij aan boord te brengen.

MORE:
Canker=Canker worm
Blow=Blossom
Blasting=Withering
Verdure=Freshness
Prime=Spring
Votary=One who takes a vow
Fond=Foolish
Shipped=Aboard
Compleat:
Canker=Kanker
To blow=Bloeijen
To blast=Doen verstuyven, wegblaazen, verzengen, door ‘t weer beschaadigen
Verdure=Groente, groenheyd
Prime=Eerste, voornaamste
Votary=Een die zich door een (religieuse) belofte verbonden heeft; die zich ergens toe heeft overgegeeven
Fond=Zot, dwaas, ongerymt
To ship=Scheepen, inscheepen

Burgersdijk notes:
Want aan de haven wacht enz. In ‘t Engelsch staat at the road, aan de reede; men zou dus zeggen, dat Verona hier als een zeestad beschoowd worden. Er zijn bewijzen genoeg, dat Shakespeare met de geographie van Italië zeer goed vertrouwd was; men behoeft hem volstrekt niet van onwetendheid te verdenken. De toeschouwers waren Londenaars; bij grootere reizen naar een anderen staat moesten waterwegen gevolgd worden; de dichter maakt er voor zijne personen daarom ook gebruik van en stelt hiermede de reis zijnen toeschouwers aanschouwelijk voor oogen; al ontleent hij de namen van personen en plaatsen aan Italië, Engelsche toestanden staan hem voor den geest; hier geeft hem weldra het nagenoeg eveneens klinken van ship en scheep (schip en schaap) aanleiding tot een woordspeling; later wil Lans (I1. 3. es.) het stroombed met tranen vullen, waarbij den toeschouwers de Theems voor den geest kwam; bij struikroovers dachten deze terstond aan de bekende roovers van Sherwood-forest, bij wie broeder Tuck kapelaan was; daarom laat de dichter (IV. 1. 36.) Italiaansche roovers hij de geschoren kruin van dien pater zweren. Zulk een dichterlijke vrijheid, die de voorgestelde zaken recht aanschouwelijk maakte, veroorloofden zich in de middeleeuwen de dichters algemeen, en dit gebruik was tot den tijd van Shakespeare in zwang gebleven. Aan onwetendheid des dichters behoeft men niet te denken.

Topics: proverbs and idioms, language, intellect

But, good my Lord, do it so cunningly that my discovery be not aimed at

PLAY: The Two Gentlemen of Verona
ACT/SCENE: 3.1
SPEAKER: Proteus
CONTEXT:
PROTEUS
Know, noble lord, they have devised a mean
How he her chamber-window will ascend
And with a corded ladder fetch her down;
For which the youthful lover now is gone
And this way comes he with it presently;
Where, if it please you, you may intercept him.
But, good my Lord, do it so cunningly
That my discovery be not aimed at;
For love of you, not hate unto my friend,
Hath made me publisher of this pretence.

DUTCH:
Doch doe dit zoo behendig, beste vorst,
Dat niemand ooit vermoedt, dat ik het aanbracht,
Want liefde jegens u, geen haat voor hem,
Dreef mij, dit plan mijns vriends u te openbaren.

MORE:
Mean=Means, method
Presently=Imminently
Cunningly=Cleverly
Discovery=Disclosure of the plan is not suspected
Publisher=One who makes public
Pretence=Intention
Compleat:
Mean=Het midden, de middelmaat; gering, slecht
Presently=Terstond, opstaandevoet
Cunnningly=Listiglyk, behendiglyk
He did it very cunningly=Hy deed het met veel schranderheid
Discovery=Ontdekking, bespeuring
Publisher=Bekendmaaker

Topics: plans/inentions, conspiracy, suspicion

By your own report a linguist and a man of such perfection as we do in our quality much want

PLAY: The Two Gentlemen of Verona
ACT/SCENE: 4.1
SPEAKER: First Outlaw
CONTEXT:
FIRST OUTLAW
And I for such like petty crimes as these,
But to the purpose—for we cite our faults,
That they may hold excused our lawless lives;
And partly, seeing you are beautified
With goodly shape and by your own report
A linguist and a man of such perfection
As we do in our quality much want—
SECOND OUTLAW
Indeed, because you are a banished man,
Therefore, above the rest, we parley to you:
Are you content to be our general?
To make a virtue of necessity
And live, as we do, in this wilderness?

DUTCH:
En daar wij zien, dat gij met kloeken bouw
Begaafd zijt, en, zooals gij zelf daar meldt,
De talen spreekt, kortom, geheel de man,
Die ons bij dit beroep recht welkom ware

MORE:
Proverb: To make a virtue of necessity (before 1259)
Parley=Speech, language
To the purpose=Get to the point
Hold excused=Pardon
Quality=Profession
Parley to=Negotiate with
Compleat:
Parley=Een gesprek over voorwaarden, onderhandeling, gesprekhouding
To the purpose=Ter zaake
Excused=Ontschuldigd, verschoond

Sometimes the quote “Lawless are they that make their wills the law” is attributed to Shakespeare, but this is a misattribution.

Topics: proverbs and idioms, virtue, law, punishment, offence

Cancel all grudge, repeal thee home again, plead a new state in thy unrivalled merit

PLAY: The Two Gentlemen of Verona
ACT/SCENE: 5.4
SPEAKER: Duke
CONTEXT:
DUKE
The more degenerate and base art thou,
To make such means for her as thou hast done
And leave her on such slight conditions.
Now, by the honour of my ancestry,
I do applaud thy spirit, Valentine,
And think thee worthy of an empress’ love:
Know then, I here forget all former griefs,
Cancel all grudge, repeal thee home again,
Plead a new state in thy unrivalled merit,
To which I thus subscribe: Sir Valentine,
Thou art a gentleman and well derived;
Take thou thy Silvia, for thou hast deserved her.
VALENTINE
I thank your grace; the gift hath made me happy.
I now beseech you, for your daughter’s sake,
To grant one boon that I shall ask of you.

DUTCH:
Daarom, al wat mij griefde, zij vergeten;
Mijn wrok vervloog; ik roep u weer terug.
Uw onbetwistb’re waarde geeft u aanspraak
Op nieuwen rang; dies zeg ik: Valentijn,
Gij zijt een edelman van besten bloede;
Neem gij uw Silvia, want gij zijt haar waard.

MORE:
Base=Lowly
Make such means=Take such pains
Slight=Insignificant
Conditions=Grounds, terms
Griefs=Grievances
Repeal=Recall
Plead a new state=Request new conditions
Subscribe=Endorse
Derived=Descended
Compleat:
Base=Ondergeschikt
By my means=Door myn toedoen
Slight=Van weinig belang, een beuzeling
Condition=Aardt, gesteltenis
Grievance=Bezwaarenis
Repeal=Herroepen, afschaffen, weer intrekken
Subscribe=Onderschryven
Derived=Afgeleyd, voortgekomen

Topics: status, loyalty, merit

Cease to lament for that thou canst not help, and study help for that which thou lament’st

PLAY: The Two Gentlemen of Verona
ACT/SCENE: 3.1
SPEAKER: Proteus
CONTEXT:
PROTEUS
Cease to lament for that thou canst not help,
And study help for that which thou lament’st.
Time is the nurse and breeder of all good.
Here if thou stay, thou canst not see thy love;
Besides, thy staying will abridge thy life.
Hope is a lover’s staff; walk hence with that
And manage it against despairing thoughts.
Thy letters may be here, though thou art hence;
Which, being writ to me, shall be delivered
Even in the milk-white bosom of thy love.
The time now serves not to expostulate:
Come, I’ll convey thee through the city-gate;
And, ere I part with thee, confer at large
Of all that may concern thy love-affairs.
As thou lovest Silvia, though not for thyself,
Regard thy danger, and along with me!

DUTCH:
Klaag niet om wat gij niet verhelpen kunt;
Poog te verhelpen wat u klagen doet.
De tijd verwekt en voedstert al wat goed is.
Al blijft gij hier, uw liefste ziet gij niet;
En ook, uw blijven snijdt uw leven af.

MORE:
Lament=Complain
Help=Remedy
Study=Devise
Manage=Wield
Time serves not=There is not enough time
Expostulate=Discuss
Convey=Escort
At large=In detail, extensively
Compleat:
To lament=Weeklaagen, kermen, bedermen, bejammeren, beklaagen
Help (remedy)=Hulpmiddel
To study (endeavour)=Trachten, poogen
To expostulate=Zyn beklag doen, zich beklaagen, verwyten
To convey=Voeren, leiden, overvoeren, overdraagen
At large=Ten volle, volkomen wydloopig

Topics: regret, pity, hope/optimism

Come not within the measure of my wrath.

PLAY: The Two Gentlemen of Verona
ACT/SCENE: 5.4
SPEAKER: Valentine
CONTEXT:
VALENTINE
Thurio, give back, or else embrace thy death.
Come not within the measure of my wrath.
Do not name Sylvia thine; if once again,
Verona shall not hold thee. Here she stands.
Take but possession of her with a touch;
I dare thee but to breathe upon my love.
THURIO
Sir Valentine, I care not for her, I.
I hold him but a fool that will endanger
His body for a girl that loves him not.
I claim her not, and therefore she is thine.

DUTCH:
Thurio, terug, of gij omarmt den dood.
Blijf buiten het bereik van mijnen toorn.
Noem Silvia de uwe niet, want, zoo gij ‘t waagt,
Geheel Milaan beschermt u niet

MORE:
Embrace=Accept
Measure=Range
With a touch=Lay your hands on
Compleat:
Embrace=(to receive or embrace an opinion): Een gevoelen omhelzen
Embrace=(to receive or approve of an excuse)=Een verschooning aannemen, voor goed houden

Topics: anger

Dumb jewels often in their silent kind more than quick words do move a woman’s mind

DUTCH:
Helpt spreken niet, zoo win haar door geschenken;
Een stom juweel heeft zwijgend redekunst,
En wint vaak, eer dan woorden, vrouwengunst.

MORE:
Respect not=Disregards
Kind=Nature
Quick=Lively
Forwhy=Because
Compleat:
To respect=Overweegen, beschouwen
Kind=Soort
Quick=Levendig, snel, rad, dra, scherp

Topics: respect, language, persuasion

Even as one heat another heat expels

PLAY: The Two Gentlemen of Verona
ACT/SCENE: 2.4
SPEAKER: Proteus
CONTEXT:
PROTEUS
Even as one heat another heat expels,
Or as one nail by strength drives out another,
So the remembrance of my former love
Is by a newer object quite forgotten.
Is it mine, or Valentine’s praise,
Her true perfection, or my false transgression,
That makes me reasonless to reason thus?
She is fair; and so is Julia that I love—
That I did love, for now my love is thawed;
Which, like a waxen image, ‘gainst a fire,
Bears no impression of the thing it was.
Methinks my zeal to Valentine is cold,
And that I love him not as I was wont.
O, but I love his lady too too much,
And that’s the reason I love him so little.
How shall I dote on her with more advice,
That thus without advice begin to love her!
‘Tis but her picture I have yet beheld,
And that hath dazzled my reason’s light;
But when I look on her perfections,
There is no reason but I shall be blind.
If I can check my erring love, I will;
If not, to compass her I’ll use my skill.

DUTCH:
Gelijk een gloed een and’ren gloed verdringt,
Een spijker met geweld een and’ren uitdrijft,
Zoo is de heug’nis van mijn vroeg’re min
Nu door een nieuwen aanblik gansch verdoofd.

MORE:
Proverb: One fire (heat) drives out another, referring to the belief that heat takes away the pain of a burn

Remembrance=Memory
By a newer object=Because of a newer object
Wont=Wont to do
Advice=Consideration
Check=Control
No reason but=No doubt that
Compass=Encompass, win
Compleat:
Remembrance=Gedachtenis, geheugenis
Wont=Gewoonte
Advice=Raad, vermaaning, goedvinden
Check=Berispen, beteugelen, intoomen, verwyten

Burgersdijk notes:
Is ‘t nu mijn oog. Het Engelsch is hier onvolledig; Is it mine or enz. Het is waarschijnlijker dat hier gelezen moet worden met Warburton: Is it mine eye or enz. dan, met Malone, Is it her mien or enz.

Zooals een wassen beeld hij ‘t vuur. Men vergelijke Koning Jan” V. 4. Er wordt gedacht aan wassen beelden, die door toovenaars hij het vuur werden gehouden, om door smelten van het beeld de persoon, die er door werd voorgesteld, te doen wegkwijnen.

Topics: proverbs and idioms, memory, love

Even with the speediest expedition I will dispatch him

PLAY: The Two Gentlemen of Verona
ACT/SCENE: 1.3
SPEAKER: Antonio
CONTEXT:
ANTONIO
I like thy counsel; well hast thou advised:
And that thou mayst perceive how well I like it,
The execution of it shall make known.
Even with the speediest expedition
I will dispatch him to the emperor’s court.
PANTHINO
To-morrow, may it please you, Don Alphonso,
With other gentlemen of good esteem,
Are journeying to salute the emperor
And to commend their service to his will.

DUTCH:
Uw raad behaagt mij, hij is wel doordacht;
En tot bewijs, hoezeer hij mij behaagt,
Leg ik hem met den meesten spoed ten uitvoer,
En maak van de’ eersten besten weg gebruik,
Om Proteus naar des keizers hof te zenden.

MORE:
Counsel=Advice
Execution=Performance
Speediest expedition=Greatest possible speed
Compleat:
Counsel=Raad, onderrechting
Execution=Uytvoering, voltrekking, uytvoering van het vonnis
To speed=Voortspoeden, voorspoedig zyn, wel gelukken

Topics: advice

Experience is by industry achieved and perfected by the swift course of time

PLAY: The Two Gentlemen of Verona
ACT/SCENE: 1.3
SPEAKER: Antonio
CONTEXT:
ANTONIO
Nor need’st thou much importune me to that
Whereon this month I have been hammering.
I have considered well his loss of time
And how he cannot be a perfect man,
Not being tried and tutored in the world:
Experience is by industry achieved
And perfected by the swift course of time.
Then tell me, whither were I best to send him?

DUTCH:
Ervaring wordt door vlijt en moeite erlangd,
En door den snellen gang des tijds gerijpt.
Doch spreek, waar zou ik best hem henen zenden?

MORE:
Hammering=Pondering
Industry=Assiduity, zealous activity
Importune=Urge, impel
Compleat:
To hammer out a thing=Iets met groote moeite bewerken
Importune=Lastig vallen, zeer dringen, gestadig aanhouden, overdringen, aandringen
Industry=Nyverheid, vytigheid, kloekzinnigheid, vernuftigheid
Industry (wit)=Behendigheid
To tutor=Berispen, bestraffen

Topics: learning/education, age/experience, time, work

For being ignorant to whom it goes I writ at random

PLAY: The Two Gentlemen of Verona
ACT/SCENE: 2.1
SPEAKER: Valentine
CONTEXT:
VALENTINE
As you enjoined me, I have writ your letter
Unto the secret nameless friend of yours;
Which I was much unwilling to proceed in
But for my duty to your ladyship.
SILVIA
I thank you gentle servant: ’tis very clerkly done.
VALENTINE
Now trust me, madam, it came hardly off;
For being ignorant to whom it goes
I writ at random, very doubtfully.
SILVIA
Perchance you think too much of so much pains?
VALENTINE
No, madam; so it stead you, I will write
Please you command, a thousand times as much; And yet—

DUTCH:
Geloof mij, jonkvrouw, ‘t ging mij moeilijk af;
Want onbewust, aan wien het was gericht,
Schreef ik als in den blinde, zeer onzeker.

MORE:
Enjoined=Required, instructed
Clerkly=Learned
Came hardly off=Was difficult to do
Stead=Benefit
Compleat:
Clerkship=Klerkschap, schryverschap
To enjoyn=Belasten, opleggen, beveelen
To stead (do service)=Dienst doen
To be of no stead or to serve in no stead=Nergens in staat toe zyn, nergens toe deugen

Burgersdijk notes:
Heer Valenti.jn, mijn dienaar. In Sh’s. tijd werden de vereerders of minnaars eener schoone of gebiedster, Madam of Mistress, vaak servant genoemd, wat dus nagenoeg hetzelfde beteekent als lover.

Topics: communication, love, loyalty

For truth hath better deeds than words to grace it

PLAY: The Two Gentlemen of Verona
ACT/SCENE: 2.2
SPEAKER: Proteus
CONTEXT:
PROTEUS
Here is my hand for my true constancy;
And when that hour o’erslips me in the day
Wherein I sigh not, Julia, for thy sake,
The next ensuing hour some foul mischance
Torment me for my love’s forgetfulness!
My father stays my coming; answer not;
The tide is now: nay, not thy tide of tears;
That tide will stay me longer than I should.
Julia, farewell!
PROTEUS
What, gone without a word?
Ay, so true love should do: it cannot speak;
For truth hath better deeds than words to grace it.

DUTCH:
Ja, zoo doet trouwe liefde; zwijgen moet zij,
Want daden zijn de tooi der trouw, niet woorden.

MORE:
Proverb: Actions speak louder than words

True constancy=Fidelity
O’erslips=Passes
Mischance=Misfortune
Stays=Awaits
Stay=Delay
Grace=Adorn
Compleat:
Constancy=Standvastigheid, volharding, bestendigheid
Overslip=Laaten duurslippen
Mischance=Misval, mislukking, ongeval, ongeluk
To stay=Wachten, stil staan, stil houden, vertoeven; stuyten
To grace=Vercieren, bevallig maaken

Topics: proverbs and idioms, truth, time, love

Give her no token but stones; for she’s as hard as steel

PLAY: The Two Gentlemen of Verona
ACT/SCENE: 1.1
SPEAKER: Speed
CONTEXT:
SPEED
Truly, sir, I think you’ll hardly win her.
PROTEUS
Why, couldst thou perceive so much from her?
SPEED
Sir, I could perceive nothing at all from her; no,
not so much as a ducat for delivering your letter:
and being so hard to me that brought your mind, I
fear she’ll prove as hard to you in telling your
mind. Give her no token but stones; for she’s as
hard as steel.

DUTCH:
Geeft haar als liefdepanden enkel steenen, want zij is zoo hard als staal.

MORE:
Proverb: As hard (tough, stiff, strong) as steel

Perceive=Mistake for receive
Ducat=Silver coin
Token=Gift, love-token
Stones=Jewels
Compleat:
Perceive=Bermerking, gewaar worden
Receive=Ontvangen
Token=Teken, getuigenis; een geschenkje dat men iemand tot een gedachtenis geeft
A precious stone=Een edel gesteente

Topics: proverbs and idioms, invented or popularised, still in use

Have you the tongues?

PLAY: The Two Gentlemen of Verona
ACT/SCENE: 4.1
SPEAKER: Valentine
CONTEXT:
SECOND OUTLAW
For what offence?
VALENTINE
For that which now torments me to rehearse:
I killed a man, whose death I much repent;
But yet I slew him manfully in fight,
Without false vantage or base treachery.
FIRST OUTLAW
Why, ne’er repent it, if it were done so.
But were you banished for so small a fault?
VALENTINE
I was, and held me glad of such a doom.
SECOND OUTLAW
Have you the tongues?
VALENTINE
My youthful travel therein made me happy,
Or else I often had been miserable.

DUTCH:
Verstaat gij talen?

MORE:

Torments=Pains
Rehearse=Repeat
False=Unfair
Vantage=Advantage
Have you the tongues=Do youl speak foreign languages
Compleat:
Torments=Pynen, pynigingen
To rehearse=Verhaalen, vertellen, opzeggen
Vantage=Toegift, toemaat, overmaat, overwigt

Topics: offence, regret, punishment

Here he means to spend his time awhile: I think ’tis no unwelcome news to you

PLAY: The Two Gentlemen of Verona
ACT/SCENE: 2.4
SPEAKER: Duke
CONTEXT:
DUKE
Beshrew me, sir, but if he make this good,
He is as worthy for an empress’ love
As meet to be an emperor’s counsellor.
Well, sir, this gentleman is come to me,
With commendation from great potentates;
And here he means to spend his time awhile:
I think ’tis no unwelcome news to you.
VALENTINE
Should I have wish’d a thing, it had been he.
DUKE
Welcome him then according to his worth.
Silvia, I speak to you, and you, Sir Turio;
For Valentine, I need not cite him to it:
I will send him hither to you presently.

DUTCH:
Door mannen van gezag mij aanbevolen,
Om een’gen tijd te toeven aan mijn hof.
Ik denk, dat u die tijding welkom is.

MORE:
Meet=Fit, suitable
Cite=Urge
Compleat:
Meet=Dienstig
Cite=Dagvaarden, indaagen, roepen; aantrekken, aanhaalen, bybrengen

Topics: advice, respect

His words are bonds, his oaths are oracles

PLAY: The Two Gentlemen of Verona
ACT/SCENE: 2.7
SPEAKER: Julia
CONTEXT:
LUCETTA
All these are servants to deceitful men.
JULIA
Base men, that use them to so base effect!
But truer stars did govern Proteus’ birth
His words are bonds, his oaths are oracles,
His love sincere, his thoughts immaculate,
His tears pure messengers sent from his heart,
His heart as far from fraud as heaven from earth.
LUCETTA
Pray heaven he prove so, when you come to him!
JULIA
Now, as thou lovest me, do him not that wrong
To bear a hard opinion of his truth:
Only deserve my love by loving him;
And presently go with me to my chamber,
To take a note of what I stand in need of,
To furnish me upon my longing journey.
All that is mine I leave at thy dispose,
My goods, my lands, my reputation;
Only, in lieu thereof, dispatch me hence.
Come, answer not, but to it presently!
I am impatient of my tarriance.

DUTCH:
Zijn woord is eed, zijn eed orakeltaal,
Zijn liefde waar, zijn denken rein, zijn tranen
Steeds boden van zijn hart, zijn hart zoo ver
Van elk bedrog, als de aard is van den hemel.

MORE:
Proverb: An honest man’s word is as good as his bond

Servants to=Assist, are a help to
Base=Lowly
Hard=Harsh
Presently=Immediately
Dispose=Disposal
Dispatch me hence=Speed me on my way
Tarriance=Delay
Compleat:
A base fellow=Een slechte vent, oolyke boef
Base=Ondergeschikt
Hard=(rigorous): Gestreng
Presently=Terstond, opstaandevoet
Dispose=Beschikken, schikken
To dispatch=(make haste) Haast maaken
To tarry=Sukkelen, zammelen, leuteren

Topics: proverbs and idioms, status, order/society

His worth is warrant for his welcome hither

PLAY: The Two Gentlemen of Verona
ACT/SCENE: 2.4
SPEAKER: Silvia
CONTEXT:
VALENTINE
Welcome, dear Proteus! Mistress, I beseech you,
Confirm his welcome with some special favour.
SILVIA
His worth is warrant for his welcome hither,
If this be he you oft have wished to hear from.
VALENTINE
Mistress, it is: sweet lady, entertain him
To be my fellow-servant to your ladyship.
SILVIA
Too low a mistress for so high a servant.
PROTEUS
Not so, sweet lady: but too mean a servant
To have a look of such a worthy mistress.

DUTCH:
Zijn waarde waarborgt hem zijn welkom hier,
Als hij ‘t is, waar gij vaak bericht van wenschtet.

MORE:
Warrant=Justification
Entertain=Employ
High=Superior
Mean=Unworthy
Look of=Look from
Compleat:
To warrant=Staande houden, borg staan
Entertain=Onthaalen, huysvesten, plaats vergunnen
Mean=Gering, slecht

Topics: status, order/society, reputation, respect

His years but young, but his experience old; his head unmellowed, but his judgment ripe

PLAY: The Two Gentlemen of Verona
ACT/SCENE: 2.4
SPEAKER: Valentine
CONTEXT:
VALENTINE
I know him as myself; for from our infancy
We have conversed and spent our hours together:
And though myself have been an idle truant,
Omitting the sweet benefit of time
To clothe mine age with angel-like perfection,
Yet hath Sir Proteus, for that’s his name,
Made use and fair advantage of his days;
His years but young, but his experience old;
His head unmellowed, but his judgment ripe;
And, in a word, for far behind his worth
Comes all the praises that I now bestow,
He is complete in feature and in mind
With all good grace to grace a gentleman.

DUTCH:
In jaren jong, doch in ervaring oud,
Met overjeugdig brein, doch rijp in oordeel,
Is hij, kortom, — want hoe ik hem ook prijze,
Mijn lof schiet bij zijn waarde ver te kort, —
Volkomen, zoo van lichaam als van geest,
Door alles, wat een edelman kan aad’len.

MORE:
Omitting=Neglecting
Mine age=When I am of age
Unmellowed=Still young
Compleat:
Omitting=Nalaatende
To mellow=Rypen, ryp of murw worden

Topics: friendship, life, age/experience, learning/education, judgment

How angerly I taught my brow to frown, when inward joy enforced my heart to smile

PLAY: The Two Gentlemen of Verona
ACT/SCENE: 1.2
SPEAKER: Julia
CONTEXT:
JULIA
And yet I would I had o’erlooked the letter:
It were a shame to call her back again
And pray her to a fault for which I chid her.
What a fool is she, that knows I am a maid,
And would not force the letter to my view!
Since maids, in modesty, say ‘no’ to that
Which they would have the profferer construe ‘ay.’
Fie, fie, how wayward is this foolish love
That, like a testy babe, will scratch the nurse
And presently all humbled kiss the rod!
How churlishly I chid Lucetta hence,
When willingly I would have had her here!
How angerly I taught my brow to frown,
When inward joy enforced my heart to smile!
My penance is to call Lucetta back
And ask remission for my folly past.
What ho! Lucetta!

DUTCH:
Hoe vinnig keef ik daar Lucetta weg,
Toen ik haar innig gaarne bij mij hield;
Hoe toornig plooide ik mijn gelaat tot rimpels,
Terwijl de vreugd mijn hart tot lachen dwong!

MORE:
Overlooked=Examined
Shame=Shameful
Pray to=Beg, entreat
Chid=Scolded
Testy=Irritable
Remission=Pardon
Compleat:
Shame (reproach, ignominy)=Schande
Shamefull=Schandelyk, snood; Op een schandelyke wyze
Pray=Verzoeken
Chide=Kyven, bekyven
Testy=Korzel, kribbig, gramsteurig, gemelyk
Remission=Vergiffenis, vergeeving, quytschelding

Topics: love, emotion and mood, appearance, mercy, regret

How use doth breed a habit in a man!

PLAY: The Two Gentlemen of Verona
ACT/SCENE: 5.4
SPEAKER: Valentine
CONTEXT:
VALENTINE
How use doth breed a habit in a man!
This shadowy desert, unfrequented woods,
I better brook than flourishing peopled towns:
Here can I sit alone, unseen of any,
And to the nightingale’s complaining notes
Tune my distresses and record my woes.
O thou that dost inhabit in my breast,
Leave not the mansion so long tenantless,
Lest, growing ruinous, the building fall
And leave no memory of what it was!
Repair me with thy presence, Silvia;
Thou gentle nymph, cherish thy forlorn swain!
What halloing and what stir is this to-day?
These are my mates, that make their wills their law,
Have some unhappy passenger in chase.
They love me well; yet I have much to do
To keep them from uncivil outrages.
Withdraw thee, Valentine: who’s this comes here?

DUTCH:
Wat maakt gewoonte ras den mensch iets eigen!
Deez’ donkere eenzaamheid, dit stille woud,
Behaagt mij meer dan rijke woel’ge steden.

MORE:
Proverb: Once a use and ever a custom

Unfrequented=Deserted
Brook=Bear, endure; put up with
Record=Sing
Mansion=Dwelling
Growing ruinous=Falling into ruin
Swain=Young lover
Stir=Commotion
Passenger=Traveller
Compleat:
To frequent=Steeds bywonen, verkeeren, omgaan
Brook=Verdraagen, uitstaan
To record=Overhands zingen, gelyk vogelen
A mansion=Een wooning, woonplaats; ‘t huys van een hofstede of heerlykheyd
Ruining=Bederving, verwoesting; bedervende
Ruinous=Bouwvallig
Stir=Gewoel, geraas, beroerte, oproer
Passenger=Een reyzer, reyziger; passagier

Topics: proverbs and idioms, invented or popularised, custom

I have little wealth to lose: a man I am cross’d with adversity

PLAY: The Two Gentlemen of Verona
ACT/SCENE: 4.1
SPEAKER: Valentine
CONTEXT:
VALENTINE
My friends,—
FIRST OUTLAW
That’s not so, sir: we are your enemies.
SECOND OUTLAW
Peace! We’ll hear him.
THIRD OUTLAW
Ay, by my beard, will we, for he’s a proper man.
VALENTINE
Then know that I have little wealth to lose:
A man I am cross’d with adversity;
My riches are these poor habiliments,
Of which if you should here disfurnish me,
You take the sum and substance that I have.

MORE:
Proper=Handsome
Crossed with=Frustrated by
Habilments=Clothes
Disfurnish=Deprive
Compleat:
Proper=Bequaam, van een bequaame lengte
To cross=Tegenstreeven, dwars voor de boeg komen, dwarsboomen, wederestreeven, kruisen

Topics: adversity

I have no other but a woman’s reason; I think him so, because I think him so

PLAY: The Two Gentlemen of Verona
ACT/SCENE: 1.2
SPEAKER: Lucetta
CONTEXT:
LUCETTA
Then thus: of many good I think him best.
JULIA
Your reason?
LUCETTA
I have no other, but a woman’s reason;
I think him so because I think him so.

DUTCH:
JULIA
Om welke reden?
LUCETTA
Ik heb geen and’re, dan een meisjensreden:
Ik vind hem zoo, omdat ik hem zoo vind.

MORE:
CITED IN US LAW:
Tackett v. Bolling, 172 Va. 326,339, 1 S.E.2d 285, 291 (1939)(Spratly J.).

Proverb: Because is woman’s reason

Topics: cited in law, reason, proverbs and idioms

I have the wit to think my master is a kind of a knave: but that’s all one, if he be but one knave

PLAY: The Two Gentlemen of Verona
ACT/SCENE: 3.1
SPEAKER: Lance
CONTEXT:
LANCE
I am but a fool, look you; and yet I have the wit to
think my master is a kind of a knave: but that’s
all one, if he be but one knave. He lives not now
that knows me to be in love; yet I am in love; but a
team of horse shall not pluck that from me; nor who
’tis I love; and yet ’tis a woman; but what woman, I
will not tell myself; and yet ’tis a milkmaid; yet
’tis not a maid, for she hath had gossips; yet ’tis
a maid, for she is her master’s maid, and serves for
wages. She hath more qualities than a water-spaniel;
which is much in a bare Christian.

DUTCH:
Ik ben slechts een domme kerel, ziet gij, maar ik heb
toch het verstand om te merken, dat mijn meester een
soort van schurk is; maar dat doet er niet toe, als hij
maar geen dubbele schurk is

MORE:
Proverb: Two false knaves need no broker

Gossips=(Steevens) “Gossips not only signify those who answer for a child in baptism, but the tattling women who attend lyings-in.” She hath had gossips=She has given birth.
(Compleat: ‘To gossip: te Kindermaal gaan’
Look you=You know
Qualities=Accomplishments
Compleat:
Gossip=Een doophefster, gemoeder, peet
A tattling gossip=Een Labbey, kaekelaarster
Qualities=Aart, hoedanigheid, eigenschap van een ding

Burgersdijk notes:
Dubbele schurk, In meer dan éen opzicht een schurk.

Topics: proverbs and idioms, truth, honesty, kill/talent

I know it well, sir; you have an exchequer of words, and, I think, no other treasure to give your followers

PLAY: The Two Gentlemen of Verona
ACT/SCENE: 2.4
SPEAKER: Valentine
CONTEXT:
VALENTINE
Yourself, sweet lady, for you gave the fire. Sir Thurio borrows his wit from your ladyship’s looks, and spends what he borrows kindly in your company.
THURIO
Sir, if you spend word for word with me, I shall make your wit bankrupt.
VALENTINE
I know it well, sir; you have an exchequer of words, and, I think, no other treasure to give your followers, for it appears, by their bare liveries, that they live by your bare words.

DUTCH:
Ik weet wel, heer, gij hebt een schatkist vol woorden,
en, naar ik geloof, geen andere munt om uw dienaars
te betalen, want men mag uit hun kale livereien vermoeden
dat zij van uw kale woorden moeten leven.

MORE:
Fire=Spark, kindling; impetus
Kindly=Appropriately
Exchequer=Treasury
Bare=(1) Threadbare, shabby; (2) Mere
Compleat:
Exchequer=’s Lands Schatkist, de plaats daar ‘t geld tot de Kroon behoorende ontvangen wordt
Bare (of money)=Geldeloos; (bare in clothes) Bar in kleeding, kaal

Topics: friendship, language, learning/education, persuasion, insult

I know the gentleman to be of worth and worthy estimation and not without desert so well reputed

PLAY: The Two Gentlemen of Verona
ACT/SCENE: 2.3
SPEAKER: Valentine
CONTEXT:
VALENTINE
My lord, I will be thankful.
To any happy messenger from thence.
DUKE
Know ye Don Antonio, your countryman?
VALENTINE
Ay, my good lord, I know the gentleman
To be of worth and worthy estimation
And not without desert so well reputed.

DUTCH:
Ja, beste vorst, ik ken dien edelman,
Als hoog in waarde en aanzien, en die tevens
Niet onverdiend zijn schoonen naam bezit.

MORE:

Of worth=Wealthy; high-ranking
Worthy estimation=Good reputation
Without desert=Undeserved
Compleat:
A thing of great worth=Een Zaak van groote waarde
A person of worth=Een voortreffelyk persoon
Worthy=Waardig, eerwaardig, voortreffelyk, uytmuntend, deftig
Desert (from to deserve)=Verdienste, verdiende loon

Topics: news, respect, reputation

I know they are stuffed with protestations and full of newfound oaths

PLAY: The Two Gentlemen of Verona
ACT/SCENE: 4.4
SPEAKER: Sylvia
CONTEXT:
JULIA
Madam, please you peruse this letter.—
Pardon me, madam; I have unadvised
Delivered you a paper that I should not:
This is the letter to your ladyship.
SILVIA
I pray thee, let me look on that again.
JULIA
It may not be; good madam, pardon me.
SILVIA
There, hold!
I will not look upon your master’s lines:
I know they are stuffed with protestations
And full of new-found oaths; which he will break
As easily as I do tear his paper.

DUTCH:
Ik wil het schrijven van uw heer niet inzien.
‘k Weet, met geloften is het opgepropt,
Met nieuw verzonnen eeden; maar hij breekt die,
Zoo ras als ik hier zijn papier verscheur.

MORE:
Unadvised=Inadvertently
Protestations=Solemn declarations
New-found=Recent
Compleat:
Unadvised=Onbedacht, onvoorzigtig
Protestation=Betuyging, aantuyging, aankondiging, opentlyke verklaaring, vrybetuyging, tegeninlegging
New-found=Eerst-gevonden, nieuwgevonden

Topics: communication, language, negligence

I must go send some better messenger: I fear my Julia would not deign my lines, receiving them from such a worthless post

PLAY: The Two Gentlemen of Verona
ACT/SCENE: 1.1
SPEAKER: Proteus
CONTEXT:
PROTEUS
What said she? Nothing?
SPEED
No, not so much as ‘Take this for thy pains.’ To
testify your bounty, I thank you, you have testerned
me; in requital whereof, henceforth carry your
letters yourself: and so, sir, I’ll commend you to my
master.
PROTEUS
Go, go, be gone, to save your ship from wreck,
Which cannot perish having thee aboard,
Being destined to a drier death on shore.
I must go send some better messenger:
I fear my Julia would not deign my lines,
Receiving them from such a worthless post.

DUTCH:
Ik moet een beet’ren bode tot haar zenden,
Mijn Julia, vrees ik, acht mijn regels niets,.
Die haar een knaap, zoo diep onwaardig, brengt

MORE:
Proverb: He that is born to be hanged (drowned) will never be drowned (hanged)

Testify=Witness
Testerned=Gave a tip of sixpence
Requital=Repayment
Commend=Recommend
Deign=Condescend to read
Post=Messenger; blockhead
Compleat:
Testify=Getuygen, betuygn
Tester=Een stukje van zes stuyvers
Requital=Vergelding
To commend=Pryzen, aanbeloolen, aanpryzen
Deign=Genadiglyk verleenen, gehengen
Post=(Messenger) Post, bode; (Post) Paal

Burgersdijk notes:
De grootte uwer mildheid enz. Hier heeft het Engelsch een woordspeling met testify, betuigen, en testern, met een tester, — een geldstukje van een halven shilling waarde, waar een kop, testa, tëte, op gestempeld was, — begiftigen; een woord van Sh’s maaksel.

Gij zijt de veiligheid van ‘t schip. Op het zeggen, dat wie voor de galg bestemd is , niet verdrinkt, zinspeelt Sh. ook in den „Storm”.

Topics: proverbs and idioms, language, intellect

I see things too, although you judge I wink

PLAY: The Two Gentlemen of Verona
ACT/SCENE: 1.3
SPEAKER: Lucetta
CONTEXT:
LUCETTA
Madam,
Dinner is ready, and your father stays.
JULIA
Well, let us go.
LUCETTA
What, shall these papers lie like tell-tales here?
JULIA
If you respect them, best to take them up.
LUCETTA
Nay, I was taken up for laying them down:
Yet here they shall not lie, for catching cold.
JULIA
I see you have a month’s mind to them.
LUCETTA
Ay, madam, you may say what sights you see;
I see things too, although you judge I wink.

DUTCH:
Ja goed, mejonkvrouw, zeg maar, wat gij ziet;
Maar ik zie ook, al denkt ge dat ik dommel.

MORE:
Stays=Is waiting
Tell-tales=Ready to divulge secrets
Respect=Value
Taken up=Rebuked
For=For fear of
Month’s mind=Great longing
Wink=Sleep, eyes closed
Compleat:
To stay=Wachten, stil staan, stil houden, vertoeven; stuyten
Tell-tale=Een verklikker, klikspaan
Respect=Aanzien, opzigt, inzigt, ontzag, eerbiedigheyd
Wink=Knikken, winken, blikken

Burgersdijk notes:
Dat gij ze diep vereert. Er staat: you have a month mind to them, gij zijt er zeer belust Op, zooals een vrouw soms heftige, voorbijgaande veelangsten heeft.

Topics: appearance, understanding, perception

I take your offer and will live with you, provided that you do no outrages on silly women or poor passengers

PLAY: The Two Gentlemen of Verona
ACT/SCENE: 4.1
SPEAKER:
CONTEXT:
THIRD OUTLAW
What say’st thou? Wilt thou be of our consort?
Say ay, and be the captain of us all:
We’ll do thee homage and be ruled by thee,
Love thee as our commander and our king.
FIRST OUTLAW
But if thou scorn our courtesy, thou diest.
SECOND OUTLAW
Thou shalt not live to brag what we have offered.
VALENTINE
I take your offer and will live with you,
Provided that you do no outrages
On silly women or poor passengers.
THIRD OUTLAW
No, we detest such vile base practises.
Come, go with us, we’ll bring thee to our crews,
And show thee all the treasure we have got,
Which, with ourselves, all rest at thy dispose.

DUTCH:
Ik neem dit aan en wil met u hier leven;
Doch onder dit beding, dat zwakken vrouwen
En armen zwervers nimmer leed geschied’.

MORE:
Consort=Company, band
Scorn=Reject
Courtesy=Kindness
Silly=Defenceless
Crews=Bands
At thy dispose=At your disposal
Compleat:
Consort=Een medgezel, medestander, gemaal, weerpartuur, gaade, bedverwant
To scorn=Verachten, verfooijen
Scorn=Versmaading, verachting, bespotting
Courtesy=Beleefdheid, hoflykheid,, eerbiedigheid; genyg, nyging; vriendelykheid
Silly=Slecht, mal, zot, dwaas
Crew=Gespuys, trop
Dispose=Beschikken, schikken

Topics: relationship, offence

I’ll be as patient as a gentle stream
And make a pastime of each weary step

PLAY: The Two Gentlemen of Verona
ACT/SCENE: 2.7
SPEAKER: Julia
CONTEXT:
LUCETTA
I do not seek to quench your love’s hot fire,
But qualify the fire’s extreme rage,
Lest it should burn above the bounds of reason.
JULIA
The more thou damm’st it up, the more it burns.
The current that with gentle murmur glides,
Thou know’st, being stopp’d, impatiently doth rage;
But when his fair course is not hindered,
He makes sweet music with the enamelled stones,
Giving a gentle kiss to every sedge
He overtaketh in his pilgrimage,
And so by many winding nooks he strays
With willing sport to the wild ocean.
Then let me go and hinder not my course
I’ll be as patient as a gentle stream
And make a pastime of each weary step,
Till the last step have brought me to my love;
And there I’ll rest, as after much turmoil
A blessed soul doth in Elysium.
LUCETTA
But in what habit will you go along?
JULIA
Not like a woman; for I would prevent
The loose encounters of lascivious men:
Gentle Lucetta, fit me with such weeds
As may beseem some well-reputed page.
40
JULIA
Not a woman’s clothes, since I hope to avoid greedy men’s
improper advances. Dear Lucetta, give me clothes that are
appropriate for some well-regarded servant.

DUTCH:
k Zal rustig voortgaan als een kalme stroom,
En ied’re moede tred zal mij een lust zijn

MORE:
Qualify=Moderate
Enamelled=Polished
Sedge=Grass plant
Wild=Unbounded
Elysium=Where blessed souls dwell in Greek mythology
Habit=Outfit
Would=Wish to
Fit=Equip
Weeds=Clothes
Compleat:
Qualify=Maatigen, temperen
Enamelled=Gebrandschilderd
Sedge=Duynhelm [gewas]Wild=Buitenspoorig, onbetaamelyk
Habit=Een kleed, gewaad, dos, dragt
To fit out=Uytrusten
Weeds (habit or garment)=Kleederen, gewaad

Topics: love, emotion and mood, patience

I’ll be sworn I have sat in the stocks for puddings he hath stolen

PLAY: The Two Gentlemen of Verona
ACT/SCENE: 4.4
SPEAKER: Lance
CONTEXT:
LANCE
When a man’s servant shall play the cur with him,
look you, it goes hard: one that I brought up of a
puppy; one that I saved from drowning, when three or
four of his blind brothers and sisters went to it.
I have taught him, even as one would say precisely,
‘thus I would teach a dog.’ I was sent to deliver
him as a present to Mistress Silvia from my master;
and I came no sooner into the dining-chamber but he
steps me to her trencher and steals her capon’s leg:
O, ’tis a foul thing when a cur cannot keep himself
in all companies! I would have, as one should say,
one that takes upon him to be a dog indeed, to be,
as it were, a dog at all things. If I had not had
more wit than he, to take a fault upon me that he did,
I think verily he had been hanged for’t; sure as I
live, he had suffered for’t; you shall judge. He
thrusts me himself into the company of three or four
gentlemanlike dogs under the duke’s table: he had
not been there—bless the mark!—a pissing while, but
all the chamber smelt him. ‘Out with the dog!’ says
one: ‘What cur is that?’ says another: ‘Whip him
out’ says the third: ‘Hang him up’ says the duke.
I, having been acquainted with the smell before,
knew it was Crab, and goes me to the fellow that
whips the dogs: ‘Friend,’ quoth I, ‘you mean to whip
the dog?’ ‘Ay, marry, do I,’ quoth he. ‘You do him
the more wrong,’ quoth I; ”twas I did the thing you
wot of.’ He makes me no more ado, but whips me out
of the chamber. How many masters would do this for
his servant? Nay, I’ll be sworn, I have sat in the
stocks for puddings he hath stolen, otherwise he had
been executed; I have stood on the pillory for geese
he hath killed, otherwise he had suffered for’t.
Thou thinkest not of this now. Nay, I remember the
trick you served me when I took my leave of Madam
Silvia: did not I bid thee still mark me and do as I
do? When didst thou see me heave up my leg and make
water against a gentlewoman’s farthingale? Didst
thou ever see me do such a trick?

DUTCH:
Ja, ik kan er een eed op doen, ik heb in het voetblok
gezeten voor worsten, die hij gestolen had, anders was
hij er om afgemaakt.

MORE:
Proverb: To be old dog at it
Play the cur=Behave like a dog
Trencher-knight=Parasite
Keep=Behave
A dog at=Adept at
Bless the mark=Apology for misspeaking
Wot=Know
Farthingales=Hooped petticoats to support wide skirts
Sat in the stocks=Been pilloried. (For public punishment, criminals were put in the stocks.)
Compleat:
Trencher=Tafelbord, houten tafelbord
I wot=Ik weet

Topics: punishment, learning/education, loyalty, age/experience

If haply won, perhaps a hapless gain; if lost, why then a grievous labour won

PLAY: The Two Gentlemen of Verona
ACT/SCENE: 1.1
SPEAKER: Valentine
CONTEXT:
VALENTINE
To be in love, where scorn is bought with groans,
Coy looks with heartsore sighs, one fading moment’s mirth
With twenty watchful, weary, tedious nights.
If haply won, perhaps a hapless gain;
If lost, why then a grievous labour won;
However, but a folly bought with wit,
Or else a wit by folly vanquishèd.
PROTEUS
So, by your circumstance, you call me fool.
VALENTINE
So, by your circumstance, I fear you’ll prove.
PROTEUS
‘Tis love you cavil at: I am not Love.

DUTCH:
Bij zoete zege steeds een neêrlaag wint,
Bij neêrlaag zure moeite als overwinst
Liefde is een dwaasheid, door vernuft gekocht,
Of wel vernuft, door dwaasheid overmocht.

MORE:
Haply=By chance
Hapless=Unhappy, unfortunate
Circumstance=Argument, logic
Folly=Perversity of judgment, absurdity, foolishness
Compleat:
Haply=Misschien
Circumstance=Omstandigheyd
Circumstanced=Met omstandigheden belegd, onder omstandigheden begreepen
Folly=Ondeugd, buitenspoorigheid, onvolmaaktheid

Topics: fate/destiny, love, achievement

If you spend word for word with me, I shall make your wit bankrupt

PLAY: The Two Gentlemen of Verona
ACT/SCENE: 2.4
SPEAKER: Thurio
CONTEXT:
VALENTINE
Yourself, sweet lady; for you gave the fire. Sir
Turio borrows his wit from your ladyship’s looks,
and spends what he borrows kindly in your company.
TURIO
Sir, if you spend word for word with me, I shall
make your wit bankrupt.
VALENTINE
I know it well, sir; you have an exchequer of words,
and, I think, no other treasure to give your
followers, for it appears by their bare liveries,
that they live by your bare words.
SILVIA
No more, gentlemen, no more:—here comes my father.

DUTCH:
Als gij, heer, u aan een woordenwisseling met mij
waagt, zal ik al uw geest bankroet maken.

Topics: friendship, language, learning/education, persuasion, insult

Know, then, that some of us are gentlemen

PLAY: The Two Gentlemen of Verona
ACT/SCENE: 4.1
SPEAKER: Third Outlaw
CONTEXT:
SECOND OUTLAW
Tell us this: have you any thing to take to?
VALENTINE
Nothing but my fortune.
THIRD OUTLAW
Know, then, that some of us are gentlemen,
Such as the fury of ungovern’d youth
Thrust from the company of lawful men:
Myself was from Verona banished
For practising to steal away a lady,
An heir, and near allied unto the duke.
SECOND OUTLAW
And I from Mantua, for a gentleman,
Who, in my mood, I stabb’d unto the heart.

DUTCH:
Weet, een’gen onder ons zijn edellieden,
Die de overmoed der teugellooze jeugd
Uit de gemeenschap stiet van eerb’re lieden

MORE:
To take to=To take recourse to
Fortune=Fate, luck (not wealth)
Lawful=Law-abiding
Practising=Plotting
Near=Closely
Compleat:
Fortune=’t Geval, geluk, Fortuyn
Lawfull=Op een wettige wyze
A near concern=Een zaak die van naby raakt

Topics: fate/destiny, civility, order/society, punishment

Let go that rude uncivil touch, thou friend of an ill fashion!

PLAY: The Two Gentlemen of Verona
ACT/SCENE: 5.4
SPEAKER: Valentine
CONTEXT:
PROTEUS
In love
Who respects friend?
SILVIA
All men but Proteus.
PROTEUS
Nay, if the gentle spirit of moving words
Can no way change you to a milder form,
I’ll woo you like a soldier, at arms’ end,
And love you ‘gainst the nature of love,—force ye.
SILVIA
O heaven!
PROTEUS
I’ll force thee yield to my desire.
VALENTINE
Ruffian, let go that rude uncivil touch,
Thou friend of an ill fashion!

DUTCH:
Ellend’ling, weg van haar die ruwe hand!
Gij vriend van boos gehalte!

MORE:
Moving=Persuasive
Arm’s end=At a sword’s length
Rude=Rough, violent
Compleat:
To move=Verroeren, gaande maaken; voorstellen
Rude=Ruuw, onbeschouwen, plomp

Topics: friendship, love, offence

Muse not that I thus suddenly proceed

PLAY: The Two Gentlemen of Verona
ACT/SCENE: 1.3
SPEAKER: Antonio
CONTEXT:
ANTONIO
My will is something sorted with his wish.
Muse not that I thus suddenly proceed,
For what I will, I will, and there an end.
I am resolved that thou shalt spend some time
With Valentinus in the Emperor’s court.
What maintenance he from his friends receives,
Like exhibition thou shalt have from me.
Tomorrow be in readiness to go.
Excuse it not, for I am peremptory.
PROTEUS
My lord, I cannot be so soon provided.
Please you, deliberate a day or two.

DUTCH:
Mijn wil stemt vrij wel in met zijnen wensch.
Sta niet verbaasd, dat ik zoo snel besluit,
Want wat ik wil, dat wil ik; daarmeê uit.

MORE:
Something=To some extent
Sorted with=Aligned with
Exhibition=Money, budget for support
Peremptory=Resolved
So soon provided=Ready as soon as that
Compleat:
To sort=Uitschieten, elk by ‘t zyne leggen, sorteeren
Exhibition=Voordraaging, vertooning’ onderhoud
Peremptory=Absolute, positive, so as to cut off all further debate

Topics: plans/intentions, free will, resolution

My duty pricks me on to utter that which else no worldly good should draw from me

PLAY: The Two Gentlemen of Verona
ACT/SCENE: 3.1
SPEAKER: Proteus
CONTEXT:
PROTEUS
My gracious lord, that which I would discover
The law of friendship bids me to conceal;
But when I call to mind your gracious favours
Done to me, undeserving as I am,
My duty pricks me on to utter that
Which else no worldly good should draw from me.
Know, worthy prince, Sir Valentine, my friend,
This night intends to steal away your daughter:
Myself am one made privy to the plot.
I know you have determined to bestow her
On Turio, whom your gentle daughter hates;
And should she thus be stol’n away from you,
It would be much vexation to your age.
Thus, for my duty’s sake, I rather chose
To cross my friend in his intended drift
Than, by concealing it, heap on your head
A pack of sorrows which would press you down,
Being unprevented, to your timeless grave.

DUTCH:
Doorluchtig heer, wat ik moet openbaren,
Gebiedt de wet der vriendschap mij te heien;
Maar roep ik voor mijn geest de groote goedheid,
Door u aan mij, onwaardige, betoond,
Dan spoort mijn plicht mij aan, u mee te deelen,
Wat mij geen goed ter wereld hadde ontlokt.

MORE:
Discover=Reveal
Pricks me on=Compels
Made privy to=Told about
Drift=Plan
Sorrows to your timeless grave=Genesis: Ye shall bring my grey head with sorrow unto the grave.
Compleat:
Discover=Ontdekken, bespeuren, aan ‘t licht brengen
To prick=Prikken, steeken, prikkelen
Privy to=Meeuwustig
Drift=Oogmerk, opzet, vaart

Topics: friendship, secrecy, conspiracy

My ears are stopped and cannot hear good news, so much of bad already hath possess’d them.

PLAY: The Two Gentlemen of Verona
ACT/SCENE: 3.1
SPEAKER: Valentine
CONTEXT:
VALENTINE
My ears are stopped and cannot hear good news,
So much of bad already hath possess’d them.
PROTEUS
Then in dumb silence will I bury mine,
For they are harsh, untuneable and bad.

DUTCH:
Mijn oor is vol; ‘t is doof voor goede tijding;
Zoo is ‘t van booze tijding reeds vervuld.

MORE:
Stopped=Blocked
Mine=My news
Untuneable=Discordant
Compleat:
To stop=Verstoppen

Topics: news, communication

Naught but mine eye could have persuaded me

PLAY: The Two Gentlemen of Verona
ACT/SCENE: 5.4
SPEAKER: Valentine
CONTEXT:
VALENTINE
Thou common friend, that’s without faith or love,
For such is a friend now; treacherous man!
Thou hast beguiled my hopes; nought but mine eye
Could have persuaded me: now I dare not say
I have one friend alive; thou wouldst disprove me.
Who should be trusted, when one’s own right hand
Is perjured to the bosom? Proteus,
I am sorry I must never trust thee more,
But count the world a stranger for thy sake.
The private wound is deepest: O time most accurst,
‘Mongst all foes that a friend should be the worst!

DUTCH:
Gij hebt mijn hoop bedrogen; slechts mijn oog
Kon me overtuigen. Nooit meer kan ik zeggen:
“Ik heb een vriend”; gij zoudt mij logenstraffen.

MORE:
Proverb: He is his right hand

Beguile=Cheat, deceive
Persuaded=Convinced
To the bosom=To the very heart
Count the world a stranger=Estrange
For thy sake=Because of you
Accurst=Doomed
Compleat:
To beguile=Bedriegen, om den tuyn leyden
Persuade=Overreeden, overstemmen, overtuigen, aanraaden, wysmaaken, dietsmaaken
For his sake=Om zynent wille
Accursed=Vervloekt

Topics: evidence, betrayal, trust, friendship, loyalty, proverbs and idioms

Nor need’st thou much importune me to that whereon this month I have been hammering

DUTCH:
Gij hebt geen sterken aandrang noodig, ‘t was
De gansche maand reeds niet uit mijn gedachten;
Ik overwoog reeds lang zijn tijdsverlies,
En hoe hij nooit een deeg’lijk man wordt, als
De wereld hem niet schudt en mondig maakt;

Topics: time, age/experience, work, value, learning/education

Now, by my modesty, a goodly broker!

PLAY: The Two Gentlemen of Verona
ACT/SCENE: 1.2
SPEAKER: Julia
CONTEXT:
JULIA
Now, by my modesty, a goodly broker!
Dare you presume to harbour wanton lines?
To whisper and conspire against my youth?
Now, trust me, ’tis an office of great worth
And you an officer fit for the place.
There, take the paper; see it be returned,
Or else return no more into my sight.
LUCETTA
To plead for love deserves more fee than hate.
JULIA
Will ye be gone?
LUCETTA
That you may ruminate.

DUTCH:
Nu, op mijn eer, een fraaie makelaarster!
Gij waagt het, dart’le briefjens aan te nemen?

MORE:
Broker=Intermediary
Paper=Letter
Place=Position
Compleat:
Broker=Makelaar; Uytdraager
Place=Plaats

Topics: communication, conspiracy

O heaven! Were man but constant, he were perfect

PLAY: The Two Gentlemen of Verona
ACT/SCENE: 5.4
SPEAKER: Proteus
CONTEXT:
JULIA
Behold her that gave aim to all thy oaths
And entertained ’em deeply in her heart.
How oft hast thou with perjury cleft the root!
O Proteus, let this habit make thee blush!
Be thou ashamed that I have took upon me
Such an immodest raiment, if shame live
In a disguise of love.
It is the lesser blot, modesty finds,
Women to change their shapes than men their minds.
PROTEUS
Than men their minds! ’Tis true. O heaven! Were man
But constant, he were perfect. That one error
Fills him with faults, makes him run through all th’ sins;
Inconstancy falls off ere it begins.
What is in Sylvia’s face but I may spy
More fresh in Julia’s with a constant eye?

DUTCH:
De man zijn eed! ‘t is waar. O bleef de man
Steeds trouw; hij waar’ volmaakt; die Gene feil
Wekt tal van zonden, maakt hem ziende blind;

MORE:
Gave aim=Was the object of
Entertained=Kept, accepted
Cleft=Split, broke
Root=Heart
Raiment=Costume
Inconstancy=Being unfaithful
Compleat:
Aim=Oogmerk, doel, beooging
Entertain (receive or believe) a principle, an opinion, etc.=Een stelling, een gevoelen aanneemen, koesteren’ gelooven of voorstaan
Cleft=Gekloofd, gespleeten
Raiment=Kleedindg, gewaad
Inconstancy=Onstandvastigheyd, onbestendigheyd, wispeltuurigheyd

Topics: promise, looyalty, flaw/fault

O jest unseen, inscrutable, invisible as a nose on a man’s face or a weathercock on a steeple!

PLAY: The Two Gentlemen of Verona
ACT/SCENE: 2.1
SPEAKER: Speed
CONTEXT:
SPEED
O jest unseen, inscrutable, invisible,
As a nose on a man’s face, or a weathercock on a steeple!
My master sues to her, and she hath taught her suitor,
He being her pupil, to become her tutor.
O excellent device! Was there ever heard a better,
That my master, being scribe, to himself should write
the letter?
VALENTINE
How now, sir? What are you reasoning with yourself?

DUTCH:
O diepverholen scherts , onzichtbaar, nooit in ‘t licht,
Gelijk op een toren het haantjen, de neus op iemands gezicht!

MORE:
Weathercock=Weathervane in the form of a cockerel
Sues to=Courts, woos
Reasoning with=Talking to
Compleat:
Weathercock=Weerhaan
To sue=Voor ‘t recht roepen, in recht vervolgen; iemand om iets aanloopen
To reason=Redeeeren, gesprek houden, redenkavelen, redentwisten

Topics: communication

Pity the dearth that I have pined in, by longing for that food so long a time

PLAY: The Two Gentlemen of Verona
ACT/SCENE: 2.7
SPEAKER: Julia
CONTEXT:
JULIA
O, know’st thou not his looks are my soul’s food?
Pity the dearth that I have pined in,
By longing for that food so long a time.
Didst thou but know the inly touch of love,
Thou wouldst as soon go kindle fire with snow
As seek to quench the fire of love with words.
LUCETTA
I do not seek to quench your love’s hot fire,
But qualify the fire’s extreme rage,
Lest it should burn above the bounds of reason.

DUTCH:
O, is zijn blik mijn zielevoedsel niet?
Heb deernis met den honger, die mij kwelt,
Nu ik zoo lang naar voedsel smachten moet.

MORE:
Inly=Inward
Qualify=Moderate
Compleat:
Inward=Inwendig, innerlyk
Qualify=Maatigen, temperen

Topics: appearance, love, perception

She hath more hair than wit, and more faults than hairs, and more wealth than faults

PLAY: The Two Gentlemen of Verona
ACT/SCENE: 3.1
SPEAKER: Speed
CONTEXT:
SPEED
‘Item: She is too liberal.’
LANCE
Of her tongue she cannot, for that’s writ down she
is slow of; of her purse she shall not, for that
I’ll keep shut: now, of another thing she may, and
that cannot I help. Well, proceed.
SPEED
‘Item: She hath more hair than wit, and more faults
than hairs, and more wealth than faults.’
LANCE
Stop there; I’ll have her: she was mine, and not
mine, twice or thrice in that last article.
Rehearse that once more.
SPEED
‘Item: She hath more hair than wit,’—
LANCE
More hair than wit? It may be; I’ll prove it. The
cover of the salt hides the salt, and therefore it
is more than the salt; the hair that covers the wit
is more than the wit, for the greater hides the
less. What’s next?

DUTCH:
Item: “Zij heeft meer haar dan verstand, en meer
gebreken dan haren, en meer geld dan gebreken.”

MORE:
Proverb: Bush natural, more hair than wit

Liberal=Unrestrained, uncontrolled
Rehearse=Repeat
Salt=Salt-cellar
Compleat:
Liberal=Mild, milddaadig, goedertieren, gulhartig, openhartig
To rehearse=Verhaalen, vertellen, opzeggen
Salt seller=Een zout-vat

Topics: proverbs and idioms, intellect, flaw/fault, money insult

She hath more qualities than a water spaniel

DUTCH:
Zij verstaat meer kunststukjens dan een hond, die te water gaat, en dat is veel voor een eenvoudig christenmensch.

MORE:
Proverb: Two false knaves need no broker

Burgersdijk notes:
Dubbele schurk, In meer dan éen opzicht een schurk.

Topics: proverbs and idioms, truth, honesty, kill/talent

That which I would discover the law of friendship bids me to conceal

Topics: friendship, secrecy, conspiracy

That you might kill your stomach on your meat and not upon your maid

PLAY: The Two Gentlemen of Verona
ACT/SCENE: 1.2
SPEAKER: Lucetta
CONTEXT:
JULIA
Is ’t near dinner time?
LUCETTA
I would it were,
That you might kill your stomach on your meat
And not upon your maid.

DUTCH:
Ik wenschte ‘t wel,
Opdat ge uw moed mocht koelen op uw maal,
En niet op uwe maagd.

MORE:
Proverb: A hungry man is an angry man

Kill your stomach=1) Satisfy appetite 2) stop being angry

Topics: proverbs and idioms, anger

The best way is to slander Valentine with falsehood, cowardice and poor descent

PLAY: The Two Gentlemen of Verona
ACT/SCENE: 3.2
SPEAKER: Duke
CONTEXT:
DUKE
And also, I think, thou art not ignorant
How she opposes her against my will.
PROTEUS
She did, my lord, when Valentine was here.
DUKE
Ay, and perversely she persevers so.
What might we do to make the girl forget
The love of Valentine and love Sir Turio?
PROTEUS
The best way is to slander Valentine
With falsehood, cowardice and poor descent,
Three things that women highly hold in hate.

DUTCH:
Het zekerst door belast’ring; Valentijn
Zij trouwloos, laf gebleken, laag van afkomst;
Drie dingen, diep verfoeid door elke vrouw.

MORE:
Ignorant=Unknowing
Persevers=Perseveres
Descent=Lineage
Highly hold in hate=Hate very much
Compleat:
Ignorant=Onweetend, onkundig, onbewust
Persevere=Volharden, volstandig blyven
Of mean descent=Van een laage afkomst

Topics: plans/intentions, free will, love

The good conceit I hold of thee—
…— makes me the better to confer with thee

PLAY: The Two Gentlemen of Verona
ACT/SCENE: 3.2
SPEAKER: Duke
CONTEXT:
PROTEUS
A little time, my lord, will kill that grief.
DUKE
So I believe; but Turio thinks not so.
Proteus, the good conceit I hold of thee—
For thou hast shown some sign of good desert—
Makes me the better to confer with thee.
PROTEUS
Longer than I prove loyal to your grace
Let me not live to look upon your grace.

DUTCH:
Dit wacht ik ook, maar Thurio denkt van neen.
Proteus, ik heb een goeden dunk van u;
En dit, — gij gaaft mij proeven van uw ijver, —
Is oorzaak dat ik verder u vertrouw.

MORE:
Conceit=Impression
Desert=Deserving
Compleat:
Conceit=Waan, bevatting, opvatting, meening
Desert (from to deserve)=Verdienste, verdiende loon

Topics: time, remedy, loyallty, reputation

The hair that covers the wit is more than the wit, for the greater hides the less

PLAY: The Two Gentlemen of Verona
ACT/SCENE: 3.1
SPEAKER: Lance
CONTEXT:
SPEED
‘Item: She is too liberal.’
LANCE
Of her tongue she cannot, for that’s writ down she
is slow of; of her purse she shall not, for that
I’ll keep shut: now, of another thing she may, and
that cannot I help. Well, proceed.
SPEED
‘Item: She hath more hair than wit, and more faults
than hairs, and more wealth than faults.’
LANCE
Stop there; I’ll have her: she was mine, and not
mine, twice or thrice in that last article.
Rehearse that once more.
SPEED
‘Item: She hath more hair than wit,’—
LANCE
More hair than wit? It may be; I’ll prove it. The
cover of the salt hides the salt, and therefore it
is more than the salt; the hair that covers the wit
is more than the wit, for the greater hides the
less. What’s next?

DUTCH:
Meer haar dan verstand, — dat mag wel: ik wil het
bewijzen: het deksel van het zoutvat overdekt het
zout, en daarom is het meer dan het zout; het haar,
dat het verstand bedekt, is meer dan het verstand, want
het grootere overdekt het kleinere. Wat volgt?

MORE:
Proverb: Bush natural, more hair than wit
Liberal=Unrestrained, uncontrolled
Rehearse=Repeat
Salt=Salt-cellar
Compleat:
Liberal=Mild, milddaadig, goedertieren, gulhartig, openhartig
To rehearse=Verhaalen, vertellen, opzeggen
Salt seller=Een zout-vat

Topics: proverbs and idioms, intellect, flaw/fault, money insult

The uncertain glory of an April day

PLAY: The Two Gentlemen of Verona
ACT/SCENE: 1.3
SPEAKER: Proteus
CONTEXT:
ANTONIO
Look, what thou want’st shall be sent after thee:
No more of stay! To-morrow thou must go.
Come on, Panthino: you shall be employ’d
To hasten on his expedition.
PROTEUS
Thus have I shunn’d the fire for fear of burning,
And drench’d me in the sea, where I am drown’d.
I fear’d to show my father Julia’s letter,
Lest he should take exceptions to my love;
And with the vantage of mine own excuse
Hath he excepted most against my love.
O, how this spring of love resembleth
The uncertain glory of an April day,
Which now shows all the beauty of the sun,
And by and by a cloud takes all away!

DUTCH:
O, hoe gelijkt toch deze liefdelente
Op eens Aprildags onbetrouwb’re pracht

MORE:
Shunned=Avoided
Take exceptions=Raise objection
Vantage=Advantage
Excepted=Objected
Compleat
To shun=Vermyden, ontwyken, ontvlieden
To take exception=Zich over iets belgen
Vantage=Toegift, toemaat, overmaat, overwigt

Topics: life, age/experience, love, nature

Then never dream on infamy, but go

PLAY: The Two Gentlemen of Verona
ACT/SCENE: 2.7
SPEAKER: Lucetta
CONTEXT:
JULIA
Lucetta, as thou lovest me, let me have
What thou thinkest meet and is most mannerly.
But tell me, wench, how will the world repute me
For undertaking so unstaid a journey?
I fear me, it will make me scandalized.
LUCETTA
If you think so, then stay at home and go not.
JULIA
Nay, that I will not.
LUCETTA
Then never dream on infamy, but go.
If Proteus like your journey when you come,
No matter who’s displeased when you are gone.
I fear me he will scarce be pleased withal.
JULIA
That is the least, Lucetta, of my fear.
A thousand oaths, an ocean of his tears,
And instances of infinite of love,
Warrant me welcome to my Proteus.
LUCETTA
All these are servants to deceitful men.

DUTCH:
Laat dan de wereld praten en ga heen.
Roemt Proteus uwe reis, wanneer gij komt,
Dan lake u hier wie wil, wanneer gij weg zijt;
Ik vrees slechts, dat gij hem niet welkom zijt.

MORE:
Scarce be pleased=Won’t be very pleased
Instances=Proofs
Warrant=Guarantee
Compleat:
Scarce=Naauwlyks
There was scarce a day but he came=Daar was kwaalyk een dag dat hy niet kwam
Instance=Een voorval, voorbeeld, exempel; aandringing, aanhouding; blyk
Warrant (assure, promise)=Verzekeren, belooven, ervoor instaan

Topics: promise, satisfaction

These are my mates, that make their wills their law

DUTCH:
Mijn makkers, die hun wil als wet beschouwen,
Zijn wis een armen zwerver op het spoor.
Ik word van hen bemind; toch valt het zwaar,
Altijd hun lust tot ruw geweld te teug’len.
Verberg u, Valentijn; wie kan daar zijn?

MORE:
Proverb: Once a use and ever a custom

Topics: proverbs and idioms, invented or popularised, custom

They love least that let men know their love.

PLAY: The Two Gentlemen of Verona
ACT/SCENE: 1.2
SPEAKER: Lucetta
CONTEXT:
LUCETTA
Yet he, of all the rest, I think, best loves ye.
JULIA
His little speaking shows his love but small.
LUCETTA
Fire that’s closest kept burns most of all.
JULIA
They do not love that do not show their love.
LUCETTA
O, they love least that let men know their love.

DUTCH:
Hij mint niet, die er altijddoor van praat.

MORE:
Proverb: Fire that’s closest kept burns most of all
Proverb: Whom we love best to them we say least

Little speaking=Taciturnity
Shows but small=Isn’t a great sign
Compleat:
Taciturnity=Stilzwygendheyd
Show=Vertooning

Topics: proverbs and idioms, invented or popularised

Think not I flatter, for I swear I do not—
Valiant, wise, remorseful, well accomplished

PLAY: The Two Gentlemen of Verona
ACT/SCENE: 4.3
SPEAKER: Silvia
CONTEXT:
SILVIA
O Eglamour, thou art a gentleman—
Think not I flatter, for I swear I do not—
Valiant, wise, remorseful, well accomplished:
Thou art not ignorant what dear good will
I bear unto the banished Valentine,
Nor how my father would enforce me marry
Vain Turio, whom my very soul abhors.
Thyself hast loved; and I have heard thee say
No grief did ever come so near thy heart
As when thy lady and thy true love died,
Upon whose grave thou vowedst pure chastity.
Sir Eglamour, I would to Valentine,
To Mantua, where I hear he makes abode;
And, for the ways are dangerous to pass,
I do desire thy worthy company,
Upon whose faith and honour I repose.
Urge not my father’s anger, Eglamour,
But think upon my grief, a lady’s grief,
And on the justice of my flying hence,
To keep me from a most unholy match,
Which heaven and fortune still rewards with plagues.
I do desire thee, even from a heart
As full of sorrows as the sea of sands,
To bear me company and go with me:
If not, to hide what I have said to thee,
That I may venture to depart alone.

DUTCH:
Neen, ‘t is geen vleitaal, die ik spreek, ik zweer het,
Wijs, dapper, diepgevoelend, waarlijk ridder.

MORE:
Remorseful=Compassionate
Would to=Wish to go to
Makes abode=Resides
For=Because
Repose=Rely
Urge=Mention, make reference to
Still=Always
Compleat:
Remorse=Knaaging, wroeging, berouw
Abode=Verblyf, woonplaats
Repose=Rust
Urge=Dringen, pressen, aandringen, aanstaan
Still=Steeds, gestadig, altyd

Topics: flattery, reputation, love, friendship

Think’st thou I am so shallow, so conceitless, to be seduced by thy flattery…?

PLAY: The Two Gentlemen of Verona
ACT/SCENE: 4.2
SPEAKER: Silvia
CONTEXT:
SILVIA
You have your wish; my will is even this:
That presently you hie you home to bed.
Thou subtle, perjured, false, disloyal man!
Think’st thou I am so shallow, so conceitless,
To be seduced by thy flattery,
That hast deceived so many with thy vows?
Return, return, and make thy love amends.
For me, by this pale queen of night I swear,
I am so far from granting thy request
That I despise thee for thy wrongful suit,
And by and by intend to chide myself
Even for this time I spend in talking to thee.

DUTCH:
Gelooft gij mij zoo ijdel, zoo onnoozel,
Dat mij uw vleitaal ooit verlokken zou,
Hoe menigeen uw eeden ook bedrogen?

MORE:
Hie=Hasten
Subtle=Cunning
Conceitless=Witless
Queen of night=Moon
Suit=Courtship
Compleat:
To hie (hye)=Reppen, haasten
Hie thee=Rep u, haast u
Subtle=Listig, loos, sneedig, spitsvindig
Suit=Een verzoek, rechtsgeding

Topics: achievement, insult, betrayal

This babble shall not henceforth trouble me

PLAY: The Two Gentlemen of Verona
ACT/SCENE: 1.2
SPEAKER: Julia
CONTEXT:
LUCETTA
Nay, now you are too flat
And mar the concord with too harsh a descant:
There wanteth but a mean to fill your song.
JULIA
The mean is drown’d with your unruly bass.
LUCETTA
Indeed, I bid the base for Proteus.
JULIA
This babble shall not henceforth trouble me.
Here is a coil with protestation!
JULIA
Go get you gone, and let the papers lie:
You would be fingering them, to anger me.

DUTCH:
Neen, ‘k laat door al die praatjens mij niet kwellen. —
O foei, een stapel liefdes-eeden!

MORE:
Flat=(1) Downright (2) Low-pitched
Mean=Middle (tenor)
Mar=Spoil
Concord=Harmony
Descant=Accompaniment
Unruly=Untrained
Coil=Fuss
Babble=Prattle
Compleat:
Downright=Recht-uyt, recht-neer
Mean=Het midden, de middemaat
To marr=Bederven, verboetelen, verknoeijen
Concord=Eendragt, eendragtigheid, saamensstemming
Descant=Uytbreyding in een reede
Unruly=Ongeregeld, toomeloos
Coil=Geraas, getier
Babble=Klappen, snappen, snateren, kakelen

Topics: language, civility, unity/collaboration

Thou hast entertained a fox, to be the shepherd of thy lambs

PLAY: The Two Gentlemen of Verona
ACT/SCENE: 4.4
SPEAKER: Julia
CONTEXT:
JULIA
How many women would do such a message?
Alas, poor Proteus! Thou hast entertained
A fox to be the shepherd of thy lambs.
Alas, poor fool! Why do I pity him
That with his very heart despiseth me?
Because he loves her, he despiseth me;
Because I love him I must pity him.
This ring I gave him when he parted from me,
To bind him to remember my good will;
And now am I, unhappy messenger,
To plead for that which I would not obtain,
To carry that which I would have refused,
To praise his faith which I would have dispraised.
I am my master’s true-confirmed love;
But cannot be true servant to my master,
Unless I prove false traitor to myself.
Yet will I woo for him, but yet so coldly
As, heaven it knows, I would not have him speed.
Gentlewoman, good day! I pray you, be my mean
To bring me where to speak with Madam Silvia.

DUTCH:
Die boodschap, hoeveel vrouwen brachten ze over?
Ach, arme Proteus, gij hebt daar een vos
Als herder uwer lamm’ren aangesteld!

MORE:
Do a message=Deliver a message
Entertained=Employed, taken into service
Dispraise=Censure
Speed=Succeed
Mean=Means, method
Compleat:
To deliver a message=Een boodschap afleggen
Entertain=Onthaalen, huysvesten, plaats vergunnen
To speed=Voortspoeden, voorspoedig zyn, wel gelukken
Dispraise=Mispryzen, hoonen, verachten, laaken
Mean=Middelen, een middel

Topics: communication, language, persuasion, loyalty

Time is the nurse and breeder of all good

Topics: regret, pity, hope/optimism

To make a virtue of necessity

PLAY: The Two Gentlemen of Verona
ACT/SCENE: 4.1
SPEAKER: Second outlaw
CONTEXT:
FIRST OUTLAW
And I for such like petty crimes as these,
But to the purpose—for we cite our faults,
That they may hold excused our lawless lives;
And partly, seeing you are beautified
With goodly shape and by your own report
A linguist and a man of such perfection
As we do in our quality much want—
SECOND OUTLAW
Indeed, because you are a banished man,
Therefore, above the rest, we parley to you:
Are you content to be our general?
To make a virtue of necessity
And live, as we do, in this wilderness?

DUTCH:
En dan vooral, wijl gij een balling zijt,
Daarom voornaam’lijk spreken wij tot u.
Neemt gij ons voorstel aan, ons hoofd te zijn,
En met ons van den nood een deugd te maken,
En in de wildernis , als wij, te leven?

MORE:
Proverb: To make a virtue of necessity (before 1259)

Parley=Speech, language
To the purpose=Get to the point
Hold excused=Pardon
Quality=Profession
Parley to=Negotiate with
Compleat:
Parley=Een gesprek over voorwaarden, onderhandeling, gesprekhouding
To the purpose=Ter zaake
Excused=Ontschuldigd, verschoond

Sometimes the quote “Lawless are they that make their wills the law” is attributed to Shakespeare, but this is a misattribution.

Topics: proverbs and idioms, virtue, law, punishment, offence

Unheedful vows may heedfully be broken

PLAY: The Two Gentlemen of Verona
ACT/SCENE: 2.6
SPEAKER: Proteus
CONTEXT:
PROTEUS
To leave my Julia, shall I be forsworn;
To love fair Silvia, shall I be forsworn;
To wrong my friend, I shall be much forsworn;
And even that power which gave me first my oath
Provokes me to this threefold perjury;
Love bade me swear and Love bids me forswear.
O sweet-suggesting Love, if thou hast sinned,
Teach me, thy tempted subject, to excuse it!
At first I did adore a twinkling star,
But now I worship a celestial sun.
Unheedful vows may heedfully be broken,
And he wants wit that wants resolved will
To learn his wit to exchange the bad for better.
Fie, fie, unreverend tongue! To call her bad,
Whose sovereignty so oft thou hast preferred
With twenty thousand soul-confirming oaths.
I cannot leave to love, and yet I do;
But there I leave to love where I should love.
Julia I lose and Valentine I lose:
If I keep them, I needs must lose myself;
If I lose them, thus find I by their loss
For Valentine myself, for Julia Silvia. (…)

DUTCH:
Beraad mag onberaden eeden breken;
Hij mist verstand, die moed mist, om ‘t verstand
Te leeren, kwaad voor ‘t beet’re te verruilen. —
Foei, goddelooze tong!

MORE:
Proverb: To change the bad for the better
Proverb: An unlawful oath is better broken than kept

Forsworn=Perjured, sworn falsely, broken an oath
Unheeded=Careless
Heedfully=Well-considered
Want=Lack
Resolved will=Determination
Learn=Teach
Unreverend=Disrespectful
Preferred=Recommended, assserted
Soul-confirming=Devout
Leave=Cease
Compleat:
To forswear one’s self=Eenen valschen eed doen, meyneedig zyn
To forswear a thing=Zweeren dat iets zo niet is
Forsworn=Meyneedig
Heedless=Achteloos
Want=Gebrek
To resolve=Besluyten, voorneemen, een besluyt neemen, te raade worden; oplossen, ontwarren, ontknoopen

Topics: proverbs and idioms/intellect, promise

Wear out thy youth with shapeless idleness

PLAY: The Two Gentlemen of Verona
ACT/SCENE: 1.1
SPEAKER: Valentine
CONTEXT:
VALENTINE
Cease to persuade, my loving Proteus:
Home-keeping youth have ever homely wits.
Were’t not affection chains thy tender days
To the sweet glances of thy honoured love,
I rather would entreat thy company
To see the wonders of the world abroad,
Than, living dully sluggardized at home,
Wear out thy youth with shapeless idleness.
But since thou lovest, love still and thrive therein,
Even as I would when I to love begin.

DUTCH:
Staak vrij uw overreding, lieve Proteus;
Thuiszitten maakt een jonkman tot een huishen.
Ja, hield de liefde uw lente niet geketend
Aan ‘t lieflijk lonken van uw aangebeed’ne,
Dan drong ik u, veeleer te zaam met mij
Der wijde wereld wond’ren te gaan zien,
Dan zoo uw jeugd, in duffe droomerij
En lendenlamme lediggang te slijten.
Doch wijl gij mint, — blijf minnen, groei er in,
Zooals mijn wensch zal zijn, als ik eens min.

MORE:
Proverb: home-keeping youths have ever homely wits (1591)

Home-keeping=Not travelling, staying at home
Homely=Plain, unsophisticated
Tender=Young
Sluggardized=Made lazy
Shapeless=Undisciplined, aimless
Compleat:
Persuade=Overreeden, overstemmen, overtuigen, aanraaden, wysmaaken, dietsmaaken
Homely=Leelyk [minder beledigende gezegt als Ugly]; Plomp, boersch; Eenvoudig; Ongeleerd
Tender=Teder, week, murw
Sluggard=Een luiaard
To slug it=Luijeren, traag zyn
Shapeless=Wanstallig, zonder fatsoen

Burgersdijk notes:
Thuiszitten maakt een jonkman tot een huishen.Die niet verder ziet dan de muren van zijn
huis. In ‘t Engelsch: Homekeeping youth have ever homely wits.

Topics: proverbs and idioms, life, age/experience

When I was sick, you gave me bitter pills, and I must minister the like to you

PLAY: The Two Gentlemen of Verona
ACT/SCENE: 2.4
SPEAKER: Proteus
CONTEXT:
VALENTINE
O, flatter me; for love delights in praises.
PROTEUS
When I was sick, you gave me bitter pills,
And I must minister the like to you.
VALENTINE
Then speak the truth by her; if not divine,
Yet let her be a principality,
Sovereign to all the creatures on the earth.

DUTCH:
Mij gaaft gij, toen ik krank was, bitt’re pillen,
En ik verorden u dezelfde kuur.

MORE:
Proverb: To swallow (digest) a bitter pill

By her=To her
Minister the like=Treat equally
Principality=One of the nine orders of angels
Sovereign=Superior, ruler
Compleat:
To minister=Bedienen, toebedienen
Sovereign=Volstrekt, onafhangkelyk, oppermachtig
Principality=Een vorstendom, prinsdom

Topics: proverbs and idioms, equality, learning/education

When you fasted, it was presently after dinner

PLAY: The Two Gentlemen of Verona
ACT/SCENE: 2.1
SPEAKER: Speed
CONTEXT:
SPEED
Marry, by these special marks: first, you have
learned, like Sir Proteus, to wreathe your arms,
like a malecontent; to relish a love-song, like a
robin-redbreast; to walk alone, like one that had
the pestilence; to sigh, like a school-boy that had
lost his A B C; to weep, like a young wench that had
buried her grandam; to fast, like one that takes
diet; to watch like one that fears robbing; to
speak puling, like a beggar at Hallowmas. You were
wont, when you laughed, to crow like a cock; when you
walked, to walk like one of the lions; when you
fasted, it was presently after dinner; when you
looked sadly, it was for want of money: and now you
are metamorphosed with a mistress, that, when I look
on you, I can hardly think you my master.

DUTCH:
Vroeger waart ge gewoon,
bij het lachen als een haan te kraaien; bij uw
wandelen als een leeuw te stappen; niet te vasten, dan
dadelijk na den maaltijd; en niet treurig te kijken, dan
als gij geldgebrek hadt; maar nu heeft een liefden u zoo
veranderd, dat, als ik u aanzie, ik u nauwelijks voor
mijn meester kan houden.

MORE:
Wreathe=Fold
Pestilence=Plague
ABC=Printed alphabet
Takes=Keeps to a
Watch=Stay awake
Presently=Immediately
Compleat:
To wreath=Wringen, draaijen
Pestilence=Pestziekte, pest
Watch=Waaken, bespieden
Presently=Terstond, opstaandevoet

Burgersdijk notes:
Als een bedelaar op Allerheiligen. Op Allerheiligen liepen bedelaars, zacht zingende, de huizen af en ontvingen dan zielekoeken, soldcakes, als het loon hunner gebeden voor de dooden. – Voor het stappen als een leeuw staat in ‘t oorspronkelijke: „als een der leeuwen”, waardoor de dichter zijn gehoor de leeuwen van den Tower voor den de geest bracht.

Topics: love, emotion and mood, fashion/trends

Which would be great impeachment to his age, in having known no travel in his youth.

PLAY: The Two Gentlemen of Verona
ACT/SCENE: 1.3
SPEAKER: Panthino
CONTEXT:
ANTONIO
Why, what of him?
PANTHINO
He wonder’d that your lordship
Would suffer him to spend his youth at home,
While other men, of slender reputation,
Put forth their sons to seek preferment out:
Some to the wars, to try their fortune there;
Some to discover islands far away;
Some to the studious universities.
For any or for all these exercises,
He said that Proteus your son was meet,
And did request me to importune you
To let him spend his time no more at home,
Which would be great impeachment to his age,
In having known no travel in his youth.

DUTCH:
Het zou hem in zijn ouderdom nog rouwen,
Wanneer hij in zijn jeugd niet had gereisd.

MORE:
Wondered=Was surprised
Suffer=Allow
Slender=Less significant
Preferment=Advamce,emt
Meet=Fit, suitable
Importune=Urge
Impeachment=Detriment
Compleat:
To wonder=Zich verwonderen
Suffer=Toelaten
Slender (small, sorry, pitiful)=Klein, gering, armoedig
Preferment=Verhooging, voortrekking, bevordering tot Staat
Meet=Dienstig
Importune=Lastig vallen, zeer dringen, gestadig aanhouden, overdringen, aandringen
Impeachment=Betichting, beschuldiging, aanklagte

Topics: age/experience, learning/education

Wilt thou reach stars, because they shine on thee?

PLAY: The Two Gentlemen of Verona
ACT/SCENE: 3.1
SPEAKER: Duke
CONTEXT:
DUKE
‘My thoughts do harbour with my Silvia nightly,
And slaves they are to me that send them flying:
O, could their master come and go as lightly,
Himself would lodge where senseless they are lying!
My herald thoughts in thy pure bosom rest them:
While I, their king, that hither them importune,
Do curse the grace that with such grace hath blessed
them,
Because myself do want my servants’ fortune:
I curse myself, for they are sent by me,
That they should harbour where their lord would be.’
What’s here?
‘Silvia, this night I will enfranchise thee.’
‘Tis so; and here’s the ladder for the purpose.
Why, Phaeton,—for thou art Merops’ son,—
Wilt thou aspire to guide the heavenly car
And with thy daring folly burn the world?
Wilt thou reach stars, because they shine on thee?
Go, base intruder! Overweening slave!
Bestow thy fawning smiles on equal mates,
And think my patience, more than thy desert,
Is privilege for thy departure hence:
Thank me for this more than for all the favours
Which all too much I have bestowed on thee.
But if thou linger in my territories
Longer than swiftest expedition
Will give thee time to leave our royal court,
By heaven! My wrath shall far exceed the love
I ever bore my daughter or thyself.
Be gone! I will not hear thy vain excuse;
But, as thou lovest thy life, make speed from hence.

DUTCH:
Verstout ge u, ‘s hemels zonnespan te mennen
En de aard te blaak’ren in uw euvelmoed?
Grijpt gij naar sterren, wijl zij u bestralen?
Van hier, verwaten dief! vermeet’le slaaf!

Topics: imagination, courage, caution, patience

Witness good bringing up, fortune and truth

PLAY: The Two Gentlemen of Verona
ACT/SCENE: 4.4
SPEAKER: Proteus
CONTEXT:
PROTEUS
Go get thee hence, and find my dog again,
Or ne’er return again into my sight.
Away, I say! Stay’st thou to vex me here?
A slave, that still an end turns me to shame!
Sebastian, I have entertained thee,
Partly that I have need of such a youth
That can with some discretion do my business,
For ’tis no trusting to yond foolish lout,
But chiefly for thy face and thy behavior,
Which, if my augury deceive me not,
Witness good bringing up, fortune and truth:
Therefore know thou, for this I entertain thee.
Go presently and take this ring with thee,
Deliver it to Madam Silvia:
She loved me well delivered it to me.

DUTCH:
Indien mijn zienerskunst mij niet bedriegt, —
Van goeden stand, geluk en trouw getuigen;
Deswegen, weet dit, nam ik u in dienst.
Ga nu terstond, neem dezen ring met u,
En stel aan jonkvrouw Silvia dien ter hand;
Die mij hem gaf, zij heeft mij zeer bemind.

MORE:
Still on end=Continuously
Entertained=Employed, taken into service
That=Because
Augury=Prediction
Witness=Attest to
Compleat:
Still=Steeds, gestadig, altyd
Entertain=Onthaalen, huysvesten, plaats vergunnen
Augury=Wichlery, vogelwaarzeggery
To witness=Getuygen, betuygen

Topics: loyalty, status, status

Yes, yes. The lines are very quaintly writ, but, since unwillingly, take them again

PLAY: The Two Gentlemen of Verona
ACT/SCENE: 2.1
SPEAKER: Sylvia
CONTEXT:
SYLVIA
Yes, yes. The lines are very quaintly writ,
But, since unwillingly, take them again.
Nay, take them.
VALENTINE
Madam, they are for you.
SYLVIA
Ay, ay. You writ them, sir, at my request,
But I will none of them. They are for you.
I would have had them writ more movingly.
VALENTINE
Please you, I’ll write your ladyship another.
SYLVIA
And when it’s writ, for my sake read it over.
And if it please you, so; if not, why, so.

DUTCH:
Ja, ja, gij schreeft dit, heer, op mijn verzoek;
Maar ik begeer het niet; het is voor u;
Ik had nog meer gevoel er in gewenscht.

MORE:
Quaintly=Skilfully
Unwillingly=Not deliberately
Compleat:
Quaintly=Aardiglyk, cierlyk, netjes
Unwilling=Ongewillig, ongeneegen

Topics: skill/talent, communication, language

You are so without these follies that these follies are within you

PLAY: The Two Gentlemen of Verona
ACT/SCENE: 2.1
SPEAKER: Speed
CONTEXT:
SPEED
They are all perceived without ye.
VALENTINE
Without me? They cannot.
SPEED
Without you? Nay, that’s certain, for, without you
were so simple, none else would: but you are so
without these follies, that these follies are within
you and shine through you like the water in an
urinal, that not an eye that sees you but is a
physician to comment on your malady.
VALENTINE
But tell me, dost thou know my lady Silvia?

DUTCH:
Niets is zekerder, want buiten u is en zal
niemand zoo argeloos zijn; maar gij zijt zoo buiten uzelven
van die dwaasheden, dat die dwaasheden in u zijn
en door u heenschijnen als het water in een urinaal,
zoodat geen oog u kan aanzien, of het wordt een dokter,
die uw kwaal herkent.

MORE:
Fleming, A Panoplie of Epistles (1576), 357: Considering that whatsoever is uttered in such men’s hearing, must be done in print, as we say in our common proverb.

Without ye=In your absence
Without you were=Unless you were
Without these follies=In the absence of
Urinal=Testing bottle

Topics: proverbs and idioms, innocent, love