CJTranslations - Shakespeare quotes on conflict

QUOTES BY TOPIC

“Budge!” says the fiend.
“Budge not,” says my conscience.
“Conscience,” say I, “you counsel well.”
“Fiend,” say I, “you counsel well.”

PLAY: The Merchant of Venice
ACT/SCENE: 2.2
SPEAKER: Launcelot
CONTEXT:
LAUNCELOT
Certainly my conscience will serve me to run from this
Jew, my master. The fiend is at mine elbow and tempts
me, saying to me, “Gobbo,” “Launcelot Gobbo,” “Good
Launcelot,” or “Good Gobbo,” or “Good Launcelot Gobbo”
—“use your legs, take the start, run away.” My
conscience says, “No. Take heed, honest Launcelot. Take
heed, honest Gobbo,” or as aforesaid, “Honest Launcelot
Gobbo, do not run. Scorn running with thy heels.” Well,
the most courageous fiend bids me pack. “Fia!” says the
fiend. “Away!” says the fiend. “For the heavens, rouse
up a brave mind,” says the fiend, “and run.” Well, my
conscience, hanging about the neck of my heart, says
very wisely to me, “My honest friend Launcelot, being an
honest man’s son”—or rather an honest woman’s son, for
indeed my father did something smack, something grow to.
He had a kind of taste.—Well, my conscience says,
“Launcelot, budge not.” “Budge!” says the fiend. “Budge
not,” says my conscience. “Conscience,” say I, “you
counsel well.” “Fiend,” say I, “you counsel well.” (…)

DUTCH:
Nu, mijn geweten dan zegt: „Lancelot, blijf’, „blijf niet” zegt de booze; „blijf”, zegt mijn geweten. Geweten, zeg ik, uw raad is goed; Booze, zeg ik, uw raad is ook goed.

MORE:
Still in use (budge, budge an inch)
Budge=stir
To budge [bouger, Fr] To stir; to move off the place. A low word. Sir T Herbert uses it not as such [Samuel Johnson:].
They cannot budge till you release, Shakespeare, The Tempest
The mouse ne’er shunn’d the cat, as they did budge from rascalas worse than they. Shakespeare, Coriolanus.
Fiend [Saxon, a foe]1. An enemy; the great enemy of mankind; the devil. “Tom is followed by the foul fiend.” Shakesp.
2. Any infernal being.
Compleat:
Budge=Schudden, omroeren, beweegen
Fiend=Een vijand.
The devil is a foul fiend=De duivel is een booze vyand.

Topics: emotion and mood, misquoted

A contention in public, which may, without contradiction, suffer the report

PLAY: Cymbeline
ACT/SCENE: 1.5
SPEAKER: Frenchman
CONTEXT:
POSTHUMUS LEONATUS
By your pardon, sir, I was then a young traveller;
rather shunned to go even with what I heard than in
my every action to be guided by others’ experiences:
but upon my mended judgment—if I offend not to say
it is mended—my quarrel was not altogether slight.
FRENCHMAN
‘Faith, yes, to be put to the arbitrement of swords,
and by such two that would by all likelihood have
confounded one the other, or have fallen both.
IACHIMO
Can we, with manners, ask what was the difference?
FRENCHMAN
Safely, I think: ’twas a contention in public,
which may, without contradiction, suffer the report.
It was much like an argument that fell out last
night, where each of us fell in praise of our
country mistresses; this gentleman at that time
vouching—and upon warrant of bloody
affirmation—his to be more fair, virtuous, wise,
chaste, constant-qualified and less attemptable
than any the rarest of our ladies in France.

DUTCH:
Volstrekt niet, naar ik meen; ‘t was een openlijke
woordentwist, die dus buiten tegenspraak ook verder
verteld mag worden

MORE:
Shunned=Refused
To go even=To accord
Mended=Improved
Arbitrement=Settlement
Confounded=Broken
Difference=Dispute
Contention in public=Public argument
Suffer=Allow
Attemptable=Easy
Compleat:
To shun=Vermyden, ontwyken, ontvlieden
To mend=Verbeteren, beteren’ verstellen, lappen
Arbitrable=Beslechtbaar, bemiddelbaar
Confound=Verwarren, verstooren, te schande maaken, verbysteren
Difference=Verschil, onderscheyd
Contention=Twist, krakkeel, geharrewar
Suffer=Toelaten

Topics: age/experience, wisdom, conflict

A kind of conquest Caesar made here, but made not here his brag of “came, and saw, and overcame.”

PLAY: Cymbeline
ACT/SCENE: 3.1
SPEAKER: Queen
CONTEXT:
CLOTEN
There be many Caesars,
Ere such another Julius. Britain is
A world by itself; and we will nothing pay
For wearing our own noses.
QUEEN
That opportunity
Which then they had to take from ‘s, to resume
We have again. Remember, sir, my liege,
The kings your ancestors, together with
The natural bravery of your isle, which stands
As Neptune’s park, ribbed and paled in
With rocks unscalable and roaring waters,
With sands that will not bear your enemies’ boats,
But suck them up to the topmast. A kind of conquest
Caesar made here; but made not here his brag
Of ‘Came’ and ‘saw’ and ‘overcame: ‘ with shame—
That first that ever touch’d him—he was carried
From off our coast, twice beaten; and his shipping—
Poor ignorant baubles!— upon our terrible seas,
Like egg-shells moved upon their surges, crack’d
As easily ‘gainst our rocks: for joy whereof
The famed Cassibelan, who was once at point—
O giglot fortune!—to master Caesar’s sword,
Made Lud’s town with rejoicing fires bright
And Britons strut with courage.

DUTCH:
Caesar
Heeft, ja, ‘t veroverd, maar kon hier niet zwetsen
Van “kwam en zag en overwon”;

MORE:
Proverb: I came, saw, and overcame

Made not here his brag=His conquest didn’t live up to (wasn’t the basis for) the boast of “came, and saw, and overcame”
Lud’s town=London
Giglet (or giglot)=Wanton woman (See Hamlet 2.2 re. Fortune: “she is a strumpet”.)
Giglet fortune=Fickle, inconstant
Rejoicing fires=Bonfires
Compleat:
To brag=Pochen, roemen, opsnyen
Upon the point of doing=Op het punt staan van iets te doen
To strut=Prat daar heen treeden, treeden als een paauw

Topics: proverbs and idioms, still in use, achievement, conflict

A thing more made of malice than of duty

PLAY: Cymbeline
ACT/SCENE: 3.5
SPEAKER: Cymbeline
CONTEXT:
CYMBELINE
Lucius hath wrote already to the emperor
How it goes here. It fits us therefore ripely
Our chariots and our horsemen be in readiness:
The powers that he already hath in Gallia
Will soon be drawn to head, from whence he moves
His war for Britain.
QUEEN
‘Tis not sleepy business;
But must be look’d to speedily and strongly.
CYMBELINE
Our expectation that it would be thus
Hath made us forward. But, my gentle queen,
Where is our daughter? She hath not appear’d
Before the Roman, nor to us hath tender’d
The duty of the day: she looks us like
A thing more made of malice than of duty:
We have noted it. Call her before us; for
We have been too slight in sufferance.
QUEEN
Royal sir,
Since the exile of Posthumus, most retired
Hath her life been; the cure whereof, my lord,
‘Tis time must do. Beseech your majesty,
Forbear sharp speeches to her: she’s a lady
So tender of rebukes that words are strokes
And strokes death to her.

DUTCH:
Ons dunkt, zij is
Uit boosheid meer dan volgzaamheid gevormd;
Dit hebben wij bespeurd. — Ga, roep haar hier;
Wij waren te toegevend.

MORE:
Ripely=Immediately
Drawn to head=Mobilised
Sleepy=Non-urgent
Forward=Prepared
Tender the duty of the day=Wish good morning
Slight=Easy-going
Sufferance=Tolerance
Compleat:
When things are ripe for action=Als het tijd is om aan ‘t werk te gaan
Forward=Voorbaarig, rypostig, voorlyk
To make slight=Iets klein achten
Sufferance=Verdraagzaamheid, toegeevendheid

Topics: conflict, preparation, duty, business

And some that smile have in their hearts, I fear, millions of mischiefs

PLAY: Julius Caesar
ACT/SCENE: 4.1
SPEAKER: Octavius
CONTEXT:
ANTONY
So is my horse, Octavius, and for that
I do appoint him store of provender.
It is a creature that I teach to fight,
To wind, to stop, to run directly on,
His corporal motion governed by my spirit,
And, in some taste, is Lepidus but so.
He must be taught and trained and bid go forth,
A barren-spirited fellow, one that feeds
On objects, arts, and imitations,
Which, out of use and staled by other men,
Begin his fashion. Do not talk of him
But as a property. And now, Octavius,
Listen great things. Brutus and Cassius
Are levying powers. We must straight make head.
Therefore let our alliance be combined,
Our best friends made, our means stretched.
And let us presently go sit in council
How covert matters may be best disclosed,
And open perils surest answered.
OCTAVIUS
Let us do so. For we are at the stake
And bayed about with many enemies.
And some that smile have in their hearts, I fear,
Millions of mischiefs.

DUTCH:
Goed, want wij zijn als beren aan een paal,
Rondom door weerpartijders aangebast;
En menigeen, die glimlacht, voedt, zoo vrees ik,
In ‘t harte booshecn zonder tal.

MORE:
Provender=Fodder
Wind=Turn
Corporal=Bodily
Spirit=Mind
Taste=Measure
Staled=Overused, outdated
Property=Tool, means to an end
Levying=Raising armed forces
Imitations=Counterfeits
Make head=Raise an army
At the stake=Ref. to bear-baitig, entertainment where bears were chained to stakes and made to fight other animals
Compleat:
Provender=Voeder; paerden-voer
To wind=Draaijen
Corporal=Lichaamlyk
Spirit (wit, liveliness)=Verstand, vernuft
Taste=Proefje
To stale=Oud worden
To levy=(soldiers) Soldaaten ligten, krygsvolk werven
In imitation=Uyt naabootsing

Topics: fashion/trends, independence learning/education, conflict, rivals

And where two raging fires meet together, they do consume the thing that feeds their fury

PLAY: The Taming of the Shrew
ACT/SCENE: 2.1
SPEAKER: Petruchio
CONTEXT:
PETRUCHIO
Why, that is nothing. For I tell you, father,
I am as peremptory as she proud-minded;
And where two raging fires meet together,
They do consume the thing that feeds their fury.
Though little fire grows great with little wind,
Yet extreme gusts will blow out fire and all.
So I to her and so she yields to me,
For I am rough and woo not like a babe.
BAPTISTA
Well mayst thou woo, and happy be thy speed.
But be thou armed for some unhappy words.
PETRUCHIO
Ay, to the proof, as mountains are for winds,
That shakes not, though they blow perpetually.

DUTCH:
O, dat is niets; want ik verklaar u, vader,
‘k Ben even kort van stof als zij hooghartig;
En als een heftig vuur een ander vindt,
Dan wordt, wat hunne woede voedt, verteerd.

MORE:

Proverb: The wind puts out small lights but enrages great fires
Proverb: A little wind kindles, much puts out the fire

Peremptory=Positive, absolute
Speed=Success
To the proof=Properly armed
Compleat:
Peremptory=Volstrekt, uitvoerig, volkomen, uiteindig
Speed=Voortgang

Topics: independence, conflict, proverbs and idioms, conflict, anger

Glad am I that your highness is so arm’d To bear the tidings of calamity.

PLAY: Richard II
ACT/SCENE: 3.2
SPEAKER: Sir Stephen Scroop
CONTEXT:
KING RICHARD II
Mine ear is open and my heart prepared;
The worst is worldly loss thou canst unfold.
Say, is my kingdom lost? why, ’twas my care
And what loss is it to be rid of care?
Strives Bolingbroke to be as great as we?
Greater he shall not be; if he serve God,
We’ll serve Him too and be his fellow so:
Revolt our subjects? that we cannot mend;
They break their faith to God as well as us:
Cry woe, destruction, ruin and decay:
The worst is death, and death will have his day.
SIR STEPHEN SCROOP
Glad am I that your highness is so arm’d
To bear the tidings of calamity.
Like an unseasonable stormy day,
Which makes the silver rivers drown their shores,
As if the world were all dissolved to tears,
So high above his limits swells the rage
Of Bolingbroke, covering your fearful land
With hard bright steel and hearts harder than steel.
White-beards have arm’d their thin and hairless scalps
Against thy majesty; boys, with women’s voices,
Strive to speak big and clap their female joints
In stiff unwieldy arms against thy crown:
The very beadsmen learn to bend their bows
Of double-fatal yew against thy state;
Yea, distaff-women manage rusty bills
Against thy seat: both young and old rebel,
And all goes worse than I have power to tell.

DUTCH:
t Verheugt mij, dat mijn vorst gewapend is,
Om tijdingen van onheil te vernemen.

MORE:

Care=Worry, responsibillity
His fellow=Equal
Mend=Remedy
Bear the tidings of calamity=Cope with calamitous news
Women’s voices=High, shrill voices
Double-fatal=Dangerous or deadly in two ways (on account of the poisonous quality of the leaves, and of the wood being used for instruments of death)
Billls=Weapons
Distaff=The staff from which the flax is drawn in spinning

Compleat:
Care=Zorg, bezorgdheid, zorgdraagendheid, zorgvuldigheid, vlytigheid
He has not his fellow=Hy heeft zyns gelyk niet, hy heeft zyn weerga niet
Bill=Hellebaard, byl
Distaff=Een spinrok, spinrokken

Topics: preparation, strength, fate/destiny, failure, conflict

Good reasons must, of force, give place to better

PLAY: Julius Caesar
ACT/SCENE: 4.3
SPEAKER: Brutus
CONTEXT:
BRUTUS
Your reason?
CASSIUS
This it is:
‘Tis better that the enemy seek us.
So shall he waste his means, weary his soldiers,
Doing himself offence, whilst we, lying still,
Are full of rest, defence, and nimbleness.
BRUTUS
Good reasons must of force give place to better.
The people ’twixt Philippi and this ground
Do stand but in a forced affection,
For they have grudged us contribution.
The enemy, marching along by them,
By them shall make a fuller number up,
Come on refreshed, new-added, and encouraged,
From which advantage shall we cut him off
If at Philippi we do face him there,
These people at our back.

DUTCH:
t Is beter, dat de vijand ons komt zoeken;
Zoo wordt zijn macht verzwakt, zijn volk vermoeid ;
Hij schaadt zichzelf, en wij, die rustig blijven,
Zijn frisch en vaardig en vol weerbaarheid.

MORE:
Means=Provisions
Doing himself offence=Weakening his own side
Of force=Of necessity
Contribution=Levies to support recruitment
New-added=Reinforced
Compleat:
Means=Middelen
To force=Dwingen, geweld aandoen
Contribution=Opbrenging, schattinggeld

Topics: conflict, wisdom, patience, advantage/benefit

Good words are better than bad strokes

PLAY: Julius Caesar
ACT/SCENE: 5.1
SPEAKER: Brutus
CONTEXT:
BRUTUS
Words before blows. Is it so, countrymen?
OCTAVIUS
Not that we love words better, as you do.
BRUTUS
Good words are better than bad strokes, Octavius.
ANTONY
In your bad strokes, Brutus, you give good words.
Witness the hole you made in Caesar’s heart,
Crying “Long live, hail, Caesar!”
CASSIUS
Antony,
The posture of your blows are yet unknown.
But for your words, they rob the Hybla bees
And leave them honeyless.

DUTCH:
Goed woord gaat boven boozen slag, Octavius .

MORE:
Proverb: As sweet as honey
Proverb: Words before blows

Posture=Quality
Hybla=Hyblean. Reputed for excellent honey
Compleat:
Posture=Stand, gestalte

Burgersdijk notes:
Hybla’s bijen . De bijen van Hybla, een berg in Sicilils, waren bij de ouden om haar honig beroemd .

Topics: proverbs and idioms, language, conflict

Health to you, valiant sir, during all question of the gentle truce

PLAY: Troilus and Cressida
ACT/SCENE: 4.1
SPEAKER: Aeneas
CONTEXT:
PARIS
A valiant Greek, Aeneas,—take his hand,—
Witness the process of your speech, wherein
You told how Diomed, a whole week by days,
Did haunt you in the field.
AENEAS
Health to you, valiant sir,
During all question of the gentle truce;
But when I meet you armed, as black defiance
As heart can think or courage execute.
DIOMEDES
The one and other Diomed embraces.
Our bloods are now in calm; and, so long, health!
But when contention and occasion meet,
By Jove, I’ll play the hunter for thy life
With all my force, pursuit and policy.
AENEAS
And thou shalt hunt a lion, that will fly
With his face backward. In humane gentleness,
Welcome to Troy! now, by Anchises’ life,
Welcome, indeed! By Venus’ hand I swear,
No man alive can love in such a sort
The thing he means to kill more excellently.

DUTCH:
Heil u, held,
Bij elk verkeer der kalme wapenschorsing;
Maar bij den eersten kamp een groet, zoo norsch,
Als ‘t hart bedenken kan of moed kan bieden.

MORE:
Process=Drift, gist
By days=Day by day
Haunt=Pursue, bother
Question=Discussion
Contention and occasion meet=Fighting starts
Compleat:
To haunt=Verkeeren, omgaan, lastig vallen, plaagen
To haunt one=Iemand met zyn gezelschap verveelen
Question=Verschil, vraag, twyffel
Contention=Twist, krakkeel, geharrewaar
Occasion=Gelegenheyd, voorval, oorzaak

Burgersdijk notes:
Bij Anchises’ leven…. bij Venus’ hand. Anchises en Venus waren de ouders van Aeneas.

Topics: conflict, time, friendship

I do the wrong, and first begin to brawl

PLAY: Richard III
ACT/SCENE: 1.3
SPEAKER: Richard, Duke of Gloucester
CONTEXT:
I do the wrong, and first begin to brawl.
The secret mischiefs that I set abroach
I lay unto the grievous charge of others.
Clarence, whom I indeed have cast in darkness,
I do beweep to many simple gulls,
Namely, to Derby, Hastings, Buckingham,
And tell them ’tis the queen and her allies
That stir the king against the duke my brother.
Now they believe it and withal whet me
To be revenged on Rivers, Dorset, Grey;
But then I sigh and, with a piece of scripture,
Tell them that God bids us do good for evil;
And thus I clothe my naked villainy
With odd old ends stolen out of Holy Writ,
And seem a saint when most I play the devil.
But, soft! here come my executioners.—
How now, my hardy, stout, resolvèd mates?
Are you now going to dispatch this thing?

DUTCH:
Ik doe het booze, en roep het eerst om wraak.
Hot onheil, dat ik heim’lijk heb gesticht,
Leg ik als zwaren last op vreemde schouders.

MORE:
Proverb: Some complain to prevent complaint

Brawl=Quarrel
Mischief=Wicked deed
Set abroach=Carried out (the harm I have done)
Lay unto the charge=Accuse
Simple gulls=Simpletons
Stir=Incite
Stout=Resolute
Compleat:
Brawl=Gekyf
To brawl=Kyven
Mischief=onheil, dwaad, ongeluk, ramp, verderf, heilloosheid
To set abroach=Een gat booren om uyt te tappen, een vat opsteeken. Ook Lucht of ruymte aan iets geven
To lay a thing to one’s charge=Iemand met iets beschuldigen, iets tot iemands laste brengen
Gull=Bedrieger
To stir=Beweegen, verroeren
Stout=Stout, koen, dapper, verwaand, lustig

Topics: persuasion, offence, manipulation, conflict, proverbs and idioms

I owe him little duty, and less love.

PLAY: King Henry VI Part 1
ACT/SCENE: 4.4
SPEAKER: Somerset
CONTEXT:
LUCY
And York as fast upon your grace exclaims;
Swearing that you withhold his levied host,
Collected for this expedition.
SOMERSET
York lies; he might have sent and had the horse;
I owe him little duty, and less love;
And take foul scorn to fawn on him by sending.
LUCY
The fraud of England, not the force of France,
Hath now entrapp’d the noble-minded Talbot:
Never to England shall he bear his life;
But dies, betray’d to fortune by your strife.

DUTCH:
York liegt; ‘k had ze afgestaan, had hij gevraagd;
‘k Ben hem geen dienst, nog minder liefde schuldig;
‘t Waar’ laag, ‘t waar’ vleien, zoo ik zelf haar zond.

MORE:

Levied host=Raised army (some versions have ‘levied horse’, interpreted as horsemen)
Expedition=A warlike enterprise
Sent and had=Sent for and have had
Foul=Disgraceful, derogatory
Scorn=Disdain, contempt
Fawn upon=To wheedle, to cringe, to be overcourteous; to court servilely and in the manner of a dog
Fraud=Falseness, faithlessness

Compleat:
Host (army)=Een heir, heirleger
Expedition=Een krygsverrichting
Scorn=Versmaading, verachting
To fawn upon=Vleijen, streelen

Topics: deceit, failure, conflict, duty, debt/obligation

I see my reputation is at stake my fame is shrewdly gored

PLAY: Troilus and Cressida
ACT/SCENE: 3.3
SPEAKER: Achilles
CONTEXT:
ACHILLES
Shall Ajax fight with Hector?
PATROCLUS
Ay, and perhaps receive much honour by him.
ACHILLES
I see my reputation is at stake
My fame is shrewdly gored.
PATROCLUS
O, then, beware;
Those wounds heal ill that men do give themselves:
Omission to do what is necessary
Seals a commission to a blank of danger;
And danger, like an ague, subtly taints
Even then when we sit idly in the sun.
ACHILLES
Go call Thersites hither, sweet Patroclus:
I’ll send the fool to Ajax and desire him
To invite the Trojan lords after the combat
To see us here unarmed: I have a woman’s longing,
An appetite that I am sick withal,
To see great Hector in his weeds of peace,
To talk with him and to behold his visage,
Even to my full of view.

DUTCH:
Ik zie, mijn naam staat op het spel; mijn roem
Wordt zwaar bezoedeld.

MORE:
Shrewdly=Severely
Gored=Wounded, harmed
Commission=Warrant
Blank=Blank charter
Ague=Fever
Taint=Corrupt
Weeds=Garments
Full of view=To the satisfaction of my eyes
Compleat:
Shrewdly (very much)=Sterk
Gored=Doorsteeken, doorstooten
A blank=Een Papier in blank
Ague=Koorts die met koude komt, een verpoozende koorts
To attaint=Overtuigen van misdaad, schuldig verklaaren, betichten; bevlekken, bederf aanzetten
Weeds (habit or garment)=Kleederen, gewaad

Topics: conflict, rivalry, reputation, caution

I will not trust you, I, nor longer stay in your curst company

PLAY: A Midsummer Night’s Dream
ACT/SCENE: 3.2
SPEAKER: Helena
CONTEXT:
HERMIA
You, mistress, all this coil is long of you.
Nay, go not back.
HELENA
I will not trust you, I,
Nor longer stay in your curst company.
Your hands than mine are quicker for a fray.
My legs are longer though, to run away.

DUTCH:
Neen, neen, ‘k vertrouw n niet , gij zijt te fel;
Ik heb genoeg van uw verfoeid gekwel.
Gelukkig, dat, zijt ge ook een handjesnel,
Mijn beenen langer zijn, ‘k ontloop u wel.

MORE:
Coil=Bother
Long=Because
Go not back=Don’t retreat
Fray=Fight
Compleat:
Coil=Geraas, getier
It was long of him=Het was zyn schuld
It is not long of me=’t komt my niet toe, ‘t is myn schuld niet
Fray=een Gevecht, krakkeel

Topics: conflict, trust

I’ll strive with troubled thoughts to take a nap

PLAY: Richard III
ACT/SCENE: 5.3
SPEAKER: Richmond
CONTEXT:
RICHMOND
Good lords, conduct him to his regiment:
I’ll strive with troubled thoughts to take a nap,
Lest leaden slumber peise me down tomorrow,
When I should mount with wings of victory.
Once more, good night, kind lords and gentlemen..
O Thou, whose captain I account myself,
Look on my forces with a gracious eye.
Put in their hands thy bruising irons of wrath,
That they may crush down with a heavy fall
The usurping helmets of our adversaries!
Make us thy ministers of chastisement,
That we may praise thee in the victory!
To thee I do commend my watchful soul,
Ere I let fall the windows of mine eyes.
Sleeping and waking, O, defend me still!

DUTCH:
Leidt, waarde lords, hem naar zijn schare op weg .
Ik tracht, verhit van hoofd, een wijl te sluim’ren,
Opdat geen looden slaap mij morgen drukk’,
Als ik op zegewieken stijgen moest.

MORE:
Strive with=Fight against
Peise=Weigh
Irons=Swords
Windows=Shutters
Compleat:
To strive against one=Tegen iemand stryven of stribbelen

Topics: conflict, imagination, conscience, punishment

If the enemy is an ass and a fool and a prating coxcomb, is it meet, think you, that we should also, look you, be an ass and a fool and a prating coxcomb

PLAY: King Henry V
ACT/SCENE: 4.1
SPEAKER: Fluellen
CONTEXT:
FLUELLEN
So. In the name of Jesu Christ, speak fewer. It is the greatest admiration in the universal world when the true and aunchient prerogatifes and laws of the wars is not kept. If you would take the pains but to examine the wars of Pompey the Great, you shall find, I warrant you, that there is no tiddle toddle nor pibble babble in Pompey’s camp. I warrant you, you shall find the ceremonies of the wars and the cares of it and the forms of it and the sobriety of it and the modesty of it to be otherwise.
GOWER
Why, the enemy is loud. You hear him all night.
FLUELLEN
If the enemy is an ass and a fool and a prating coxcomb, is it meet, think you, that we should also, look you, be an ass and a fool and a prating coxcomb, in your own conscience, now?

DUTCH:
Als de vijand een ezel is en een nar en een snappende windmaker, is het choed, denkt gij, dat wij ook zouden zijn, ziet gij, een ezel en een nar en een snappende windmaker? Op uw geweten af, spreek!

MORE:
Admiration=Wonder
Prating=Prattling, chattering
Coxcomb=Fool (From fool’s cap)
Meet=Appropriate

Compleat:
Admiration=Verwondering
To prate=Praaten
Coxcomb=Een haanekam; een nar, uilskuiken
An ignorant coxcomb=Een onweetende zotskap
Meet=Dienstig

Topics: preparation, intellect, value, conflict

It is more worthy to leap in ourselves than tarry till they push us

PLAY: Julius Caesar
ACT/SCENE: 5.5
SPEAKER: Brutus
CONTEXT:
BRUTUS
Nay, I am sure it is, Volumnius.
Thou seest the world, Volumnius, how it goes.
Our enemies have beat us to the pit.
It is more worthy to leap in ourselves
Than tarry till they push us. Good Volumnius,
Thou know’st that we two went to school together.
Even for that our love of old, I prithee,
Hold thou my sword hilts, whilst I run on it.

DUTCH:
Het is zoo ; ‘k ben er zeker van, Volumnius .
Gij ziet, Volumnius, hoe de wereld loopt;
De vijand stiet ons tot aan ‘s afgronds rand;
Het past ons beter, zelf er in te springen,
Dan op zijn stoot to wachten.

MORE:
Beat=Driven
Pit=Animal trap

Topics: conflict, integrity, friendship

It is not fit your lordship should undertake every companion that you give offence to

PLAY: Cymbeline
ACT/SCENE: 2.1
SPEAKER: Second Lord
CONTEXT:
SECOND LORD
It is not fit your lordship should undertake every
companion that you give offence to.
CLOTEN
No, I know that: but it is fit I should commit
offence to my inferiors.
SECOND LORD
Ay, it is fit for your lordship only.
CLOTEN
Why, so I say.
FIRST LORD
Did you hear of a stranger that’s come to court
to-night?
CLOTEN
A stranger, and I not know on’t!
SECOND LORD
He’s a strange fellow himself, and knows it not.
FIRST LORD
There’s an Italian come; and, ’tis thought, one of
Leonatus’ friends.

DUTCH:
Het gaat niet aan, dat uwe edelheid met Jan en alleman
gaat vechten, wien gij goed vindt te beleedigen.

MORE:
Undertake=Take on, fight
Companion=Fellow
Commit offence=Fight with
Compleat:
To undertake=Onderneemen, by der hand vatten
Companion=Medegezel, medegenoot, maat, makker

Topics: conflict, offence, status, order/society

Ladies, you deserve to have a temple built you: all the swords in Italy, and her confederate arms, could not have made this peace

PLAY: Coriolanus
ACT/SCENE: 5.3
SPEAKER: Aufidius
CONTEXT:
AUFIDIUS
I was moved withal.
CORIOLANUS
I dare be sworn you were:
And, sir, it is no little thing to make
Mine eyes to sweat compassion. But, good sir,
What peace you’ll make, advise me: for my part,
I’ll not to Rome, I’ll back with you; and pray you,
Stand to me in this cause. O mother! wife!
AUFIDIUS
I am glad thou hast set thy mercy and thy honour
At difference in thee: out of that I’ll work
Myself a former fortune.
CORIOLANUS
Ay, by and by;
But we will drink together; and you shall bear
A better witness back than words, which we,
On like conditions, will have counter-seal’d.
Come, enter with us. Ladies, you deserve
To have a temple built you: all the swords
In Italy, and her confederate arms,
Could not have made this peace.

DUTCH:
Gij verdient, o vrouwen!
Dat u ter eer een tempel word’ gesticht.
Want Rome had met al zijn bondgenooten
Door ‘t zwaard dien vrede niet erlangd!

MORE:
Witness=Testimony, attestation
Countersealed=Ratified together
Like=Similar
Compleat:
To bear witness=Getuigen, getuigenis geeven

Topics: conflict, resolution, respect

Let not your private discord keep away
The levied succours that should lend him aid

PLAY: King Henry VI Part 1
ACT/SCENE: 4.4
SPEAKER: Lucy
CONTEXT:
SOMERSET
How now, Sir William! whither were you sent?
LUCY
Whither, my lord? from bought and sold Lord Talbot;
Who, ring’d about with bold adversity,
Cries out for noble York and Somerset,
To beat assailing death from his weak legions:
And whiles the honourable captain there
Drops bloody sweat from his war-wearied limbs,
And, in advantage lingering, looks for rescue,
You, his false hopes, the trust of England’s honour,
Keep off aloof with worthless emulation.
Let not your private discord keep away
The levied succours that should lend him aid,
While he, renowned noble gentleman,
Yields up his life unto a world of odds:
Orleans the Bastard, Charles, Burgundy,
Alencon, Reignier, compass him about,
And Talbot perisheth by your default.

DUTCH:
Laat toch door uwe tweedracht hem de hulp,
Voor hem, voor zijn ontzet gelicht, niet derven,
Terwijl hij, die beroemde en eed’le held,
Bezwijkt voor een onmeetlijke overmacht!

MORE:
Proverb: To be bought and sold

Bought and sold=Betrayed
Ill-advantaged=Disadvantaged
Trust=Trustee
Keep off aloof=At a distance from a person or action, but in close connection with them
Emulation=Rivalry
Succours=Relief or assistance

Compleat:
Emulation=Naayver, volgzucht, afgunst
Disadvantaged=Benadeelt
Aloof=In de ruimte, van verre
Succours=Hulpbenden, krygshulpe

Topics: honour, betrayal, conflict

Light boats sail swift, though greater hulks draw deep

PLAY: Troilus and Cressida
ACT/SCENE: 2.3
SPEAKER: Agamemnon
CONTEXT:
ULYSSES
There is no tarrying here; the hart Achilles
Keeps thicket. Please it our great general
To call together all his state of war.
Fresh kings are come to Troy. Tomorrow
We must with all our main of power stand fast.
And here’s a lord—come knights from east to west
And cull their flower, Ajax shall cope the best.
AGAMEMNON
Go we to council. Let Achilles sleep.
Light boats sail swift, though greater hulks draw deep.

DUTCH:
t Groot schip ga diep, de boot bezweeft den vloed.

MORE:
General=Agamemnon
State=Council
Main of power=Full might
Cope=Engage
Hulks=Large vessels
Compleat:
State=een staat, de rang
With might and main=Met kracht en geweld
To cope=Vechten, slaan; Voortkomen; Uitsteeken

Topics: conflict, leadership

Marry, this is the short and the long of it

PLAY: The Merry Wives of Windsor
ACT/SCENE:
SPEAKER: Mistress Quickly
CONTEXT:
MISTRESS QUICKLY
Marry, this is the short and the long of it; you
have brought her into such a canaries as ’tis
wonderful. The best courtier of them all, when the
court lay at Windsor, could never have brought her
to such a canary. Yet there has been knights, and
lords, and gentlemen, with their coaches, I warrant
you, coach after coach, letter after letter, gift
after gift; smelling so sweetly, all musk, and so
rushling, I warrant you, in silk and gold; and in
such alligant terms; and in such wine and sugar of
the best and the fairest, that would have won any
woman’s heart; and, I warrant you, they could never
get an eye-wink of her: I had myself twenty angels
given me this morning; but I defy all angels, in
any such sort, as they say, but in the way of
honesty: and, I warrant you, they could never get
her so much as sip on a cup with the proudest of
them all: and yet there has been earls, nay, which
is more, pensioners; but, I warrant you, all is one
with her.

DUTCH:
Nu, het korte en het lange van de geschiedenis is: gij
hebt haar zoo van haar tarmentane gebracht, dat het
verwonderlijk is.

MORE:
Short and long=Long and short, whole story.
This wasn’t invented by Shakespeare. The “long and short of it”, which dates back to around 1500, was originally “the short and long of it” (see also Merry Wives of Windsor 2.1; A Midsummer Night’s Dream 4.2; and The Merchant of Venice 2.2).
Canaries=Quandary (Canary was a Spanish wine)
Rushling=Rustling
Eye-wink=Glance
Defy=Despise
Angel=Gold coin
Pensioners=Recipients of an aunuity for past services
Compleat:
Canary=Kanarische sek
The King’s Pensioners=Des Konings Lyfwachten van staat bestaande uyt Adelborsten
Wink=Knikken, winken, blikken
To rustle=Klateren, rammelen
To defy=Uyttarten, trotseeren, hoonen, uytdaagen

Topics: conflict|flattery

Mine ear is open and my heart prepared

PLAY: Richard II
ACT/SCENE: 3.2
SPEAKER: King Richard II
CONTEXT:
KING RICHARD II
Mine ear is open and my heart prepared;
The worst is worldly loss thou canst unfold.
Say, is my kingdom lost? why, ’twas my care
And what loss is it to be rid of care?
Strives Bolingbroke to be as great as we?
Greater he shall not be; if he serve God,
We’ll serve Him too and be his fellow so:
Revolt our subjects? that we cannot mend;
They break their faith to God as well as us:
Cry woe, destruction, ruin and decay:
The worst is death, and death will have his day.
SIR STEPHEN SCROOP
Glad am I that your highness is so arm’d
To bear the tidings of calamity.
Like an unseasonable stormy day,
Which makes the silver rivers drown their shores,
As if the world were all dissolved to tears,
So high above his limits swells the rage
Of Bolingbroke, covering your fearful land
With hard bright steel and hearts harder than steel.
White-beards have arm’d their thin and hairless scalps
Against thy majesty; boys, with women’s voices,
Strive to speak big and clap their female joints
In stiff unwieldy arms against thy crown:
The very beadsmen learn to bend their bows
Of double-fatal yew against thy state;
Yea, distaff-women manage rusty bills
Against thy seat: both young and old rebel,
And all goes worse than I have power to tell.

DUTCH:
Mijn oor is open, voorbereid mijn hart;
Wereldsch verlies is ‘t ergst, wat gij kunt melden.

Topics: preparation, strength, fate/destiny, failure, conflict

Nor did you think it folly to keep your great pretences veil’d till when they needs must show themselves

PLAY: Coriolanus
ACT/SCENE: 1.2
SPEAKER: Aufidius
CONTEXT:
AUFIDIUS
‘They have press’d a power, but it is not known
Whether for east or west: the dearth is great;
The people mutinous; and it is rumour’d,
Cominius, Marcius your old enemy,
Who is of Rome worse hated than of you,
And Titus Lartius, a most valiant Roman,
These three lead on this preparation
Whither ’tis bent: most likely ’tis for you:
Consider of it.’
FIRST SENATOR
Our army’s in the field
We never yet made doubt but Rome was ready
To answer us.
AUFIDIUS
Nor did you think it folly
To keep your great pretences veil’d till when
They needs must show themselves; which in the hatching,
It seem’d, appear’d to Rome. By the discovery
We shall be shorten’d in our aim, which was
To take in many towns ere almost Rome
Should know we were afoot.

DUTCH:
En daarom scheen ‘t u wijs,
Uw krijgsplan dicht ‘t omslui’ren, tot het noodig
In ‘t licht moest treden. Doch in ‘t ei reeds, schijnt het,
Heeft Rome ‘t klaar bespeurd

MORE:
Pressed=Conscripted
Power=Army
Whither ’tis bent=Whatever its direction
Folly=Mistake
Pretence=Plan
Shortened in our aim=Temper our ambitions
Take in=Conquer
Compleat:
Press (or force) soldiers=Soldaaten pressen, dat is hen dwingen om dienst te neemen
Whither=Waar na toe, wer waards
Bent=Gezet
Folly=Ondeugd, buitenspoorigheid, onvolmaaktheid
Pretence=Voorgeeving, voorwending, schyn, dekmantel

Topics: conflict, plans/intentions

Now for the counsel of my son and queen! I am amazed with matter

PLAY: Cymbeline
ACT/SCENE: 4.3
SPEAKER: Cymbeline
CONTEXT:
FIRST LORD
So please your majesty,
The Roman legions, all from Gallia drawn,
Are landed on your coast, with a supply
Of Roman gentlemen, by the senate sent.
CYMBELINE
Now for the counsel of my son and queen!
I am amazed with matter.
FIRST LORD
Good my liege,
Your preparation can affront no less
Than what you hear of: come more, for more you’re ready:
The want is but to put those powers in motion
That long to move.
CYMBELINE
I thank you. Let’s withdraw;
And meet the time as it seeks us. We fear not
What can from Italy annoy us; but
We grieve at chances here. Away!

DUTCH:
O, nu den raad mijns zoons en mijner gade! —
Ik duizel van mijn zorgen.

MORE:
Now for=If only I had
Counsel=Advice
Amazed=Overwhelmed
Matter=Information
Affront=Stand up to
The want is but=All that is needed
Annoy=Harm
Chances=Events
Compleat:
Counsel=Raad, onderrechting
Amazed=Ontzet, verbaasd, ontsteld
Matter=Stof
To affront=Hoonen, beschimpen; trotseeren
To annoy=Beschaadigen, quetsen, beleedigne, afbreuk doen

Topics: advice, relationship, conflict, preparation

Omission to do what is necessary seals a commission to a blank of danger

DUTCH:
Wie onmacht toont, niet handelt als dit moet,
Geeft aan ‘t gevaar een volmacht om te schaden;

Topics: conflict, rivalry, reputation, caution

Once more unto the breach, dear friends, once more

PLAY: King Henry V
ACT/SCENE: 3.1
SPEAKER: King Henry
CONTEXT:
Once more unto the breach, dear friends, once more,
Or close the wall up with our English dead!
In peace there’s nothing so becomes a man
As modest stillness and humility;
But when the blast of war blows in our ears,
Then imitate the action of the tiger:
Stiffen the sinews, summon up the blood.
Disguise fair nature with hard-favored rage.
Then lend the eye a terrible aspect.

DUTCH:
Nog eens gestormd, nog eens, mijn lieve vrienden!
Of stopt de bres met Englands doode strijders!

MORE:
One of the most frequently quoted lines from Shakespeare, used in the sense of ‘Take courage’, ‘Let’s go at it again’.
Breach=Gap in a fortification made by a battery

Topics: conflict, courage, adversity

Our fortune lies upon this jump

PLAY: Antony and Cleopatra
ACT/SCENE: 3.8
SPEAKER: Caesar
CONTEXT:
CAESAR
Taurus!
TAURUS
My lord?
CAESAR
Strike not by land; keep whole. Provoke not battle
Till we have done at sea. Do not exceed
The prescript of this scroll. Our fortune lies
Upon this jump.

DUTCH:
Geen veldslag, voor de strijd ter zee beslist is!
Volg dezen lastbrief stipt’lijk op; wij doen
Den worp, die over ons beslist.

MORE:
Keep whole=Stay together
Exceed=Go beyond
Prescript=Directions
Jump=Hazard
Compleat:
To exceed=Overtreffen, te boven gaan
Prescript=Een voorschrift, order

Topics: unity/collaboration, authority, conflict, plans/intentions

Pray, uncle Gloucester, mitigate this strife.

PLAY: King Henry VI Part 1
ACT/SCENE: 3.1
SPEAKER: King Henry VI
CONTEXT:
MAYOR
O, my good lords, and virtuous Henry,
Pity the city of London, pity us!
The bishop and the Duke of Gloucester’s men,
Forbidden late to carry any weapon,
Have fill’d their pockets full of pebble stones
And banding themselves in contrary parts
Do pelt so fast at one another’s pate
That many have their giddy brains knock’d out:
Our windows are broke down in every street
And we for fear compell’d to shut our shops.
KING HENRY VI
We charge you, on allegiance to ourself,
To hold your slaughtering hands and keep the peace.
Pray, uncle Gloucester, mitigate this strife.
FIRST SERVING-MAN
Nay, if we be forbidden stones,
We’ll fall to it with our teeth.

DUTCH:
k Gebied u, bij uw onderdanenplicht:
Weg met die moord’naarshanden, houdt den vrede! —
Ik bid u, oom van Gloster, dempt dien strijd.

MORE:
Late=Lately
Contrary=Opposing
Mitigate=Appease

Compleat:
Of late=Onlangs, kortelings
Contrary=Tegenstrydig, strydig, tegendeel
To mitigate=Verzachten, verzoeten, stillen

Topics: conflict, resolution

Rather shunned to go even with what I heard than in my every action to be guided by others’ experiences

PLAY: Cymbeline
ACT/SCENE: 1.4
SPEAKER: Posthumus Leonatus
CONTEXT:
FRENCHMAN
Sir, you o’er-rate my poor kindness: I was glad I
did atone my countryman and you; it had been pity
you should have been put together with so mortal a
purpose as then each bore, upon importance of so
slight and trivial a nature.
POSTHUMUS LEONATUS
By your pardon, sir, I was then a young traveller;
rather shunned to go even with what I heard than in
my every action to be guided by others’ experiences:
but upon my mended judgment—if I offend not to say
it is mended—my quarrel was not altogether slight.
FRENCHMAN
‘Faith, yes, to be put to the arbitrement of swords,
and by such two that would by all likelihood have
confounded one the other, or have fallen both.
IACHIMO
Can we, with manners, ask what was the difference?

DUTCH:
Met uw verlof, heer, toen ik die reis deed, was ik
wel is waar nog jong, en ik vermeed eer mee te gaan
met wat mij gezegd werd, dan dat ik mij van stap tot
stap had laten leiden door de ondervinding van anderen;
doch ook naar mijn rijper oordeel, — als het niet aanmatigend
is, het nu rijper te noemen, — was mijn geschil
geenszins zoo onbeteekenend.

MORE:
Atone=Reconcile
Put together=Set against each other
Mortal=Deadly
Importance=Affairs
Shunned=Refused
To go even=To accord
Mended=Improved
Arbitrement=Settlement
Confounded=Broken
Difference=Dispute
Compleat:
Atone=Verzoeen, bevreedigen
To shun=Vermyden, ontwyken, ontvlieden
To mend=Verbeteren, beteren’ verstellen, lappen
Arbitrable=Beslechtbaar, bemiddelbaar
Confound=Verwarren, verstooren, te schande maaken, verbysteren
Difference=Verschil, onderscheyd

Topics: conflict, age/experience, resolution

Rich men look sad and ruffians dance and leap, The one in fear to lose what they enjoy, The other to enjoy by rage and war:

PLAY: Richard II
ACT/SCENE: 2.4
SPEAKER: Captain
CONTEXT:
CAPTAIN
’Tis thought the king is dead; we will not stay.
The bay-trees in our country are all wither’d
And meteors fright the fixed stars of heaven;
The pale-faced moon looks bloody on the earth
And lean-look’d prophets whisper fearful change;
Rich men look sad and ruffians dance and leap,
The one in fear to lose what they enjoy,
The other to enjoy by rage and war:
These signs forerun the death or fall of kings.
Farewell: our countrymen are gone and fled,
As well assured Richard their king is dead.
EARL OF SALISBURY
Ah, Richard, with the eyes of heavy mind
I see thy glory like a shooting star
Fall to the base earth from the firmament.
Thy sun sets weeping in the lowly west,
Witnessing storms to come, woe and unrest:
Thy friends are fled to wait upon thy foes,
And crossly to thy good all fortune goes.

DUTCH:
De rijken zijn bedrukt en schelmen dansen; —
Die duchten het verlies van geld en goed,
En dezen hopen op geweld en oorlog;

MORE:

Lean-looked=Thin-faced
Meteor=A bright phenomenon, thought to be portentous, harbinger of doom
Fixed stars=Symbol of permanence
Forerun=Precede
Assured=Convinced, persuaded
Witness=Portend
Wait upon=Serve
Crossly=Adversely

Compleat:
To assure=Verzekeren
Portend=Voorduiden, voorzeggen

Topics: ruin, nature, conflict, fate/destiny

So cowards fight when they can fly no further

PLAY: King Henry VI Part 3
ACT/SCENE: 1.4
SPEAKER: Clifford
CONTEXT:
YORK
My ashes, as the phoenix, may bring forth
A bird that will revenge upon you all:
And in that hope I throw mine eyes to heaven,
Scorning whate’er you can afflict me with.
Why come you not? what! multitudes, and fear?
CLIFFORD
So cowards fight when they can fly no further;
So doves do peck the falcon’s piercing talons;
So desperate thieves, all hopeless of their lives,
Breathe out invectives ‘gainst the officers.

DUTCH:
Zoo vechten, als het vluchten uit is, lafaards;
Zoo pikt de duif naar ‘s haviks scherpen klauw

MORE:

Scorn=Despise
Afflict=To harm, distress
Multitudes=So many of you (and still afraid)
Invectives=Reproach, insult

Compleat:
Scorn=Versmaading, verachting, bespotting
Multitude=Menigte, veelheid, het gemeene volk, het gepeupel
Invective=Doorstrykende, scheldende, steekelig
An invective speech=Een scherpe, hitse redenvoering

Topics: conflict, courage

So we seem to know, is to know straight our purpose: choughs’ language, gabble enough, and good enough

PLAY: All’s Well that Ends Well
ACT/SCENE: 4.1
SPEAKER: Second Lord
CONTEXT:
SECOND LORD
He must think us some band of strangers i’ the
adversary’s entertainment. Now he hath a smack of
all neighbouring languages; therefore we must every
one be a man of his own fancy, not to know what we
speak one to another; so we seem to know, is to
know straight our purpose: choughs’ language,
gabble enough, and good enough. As for you,
interpreter, you must seem very politic. But couch,
ho! here he comes, to beguile two hours in a sleep,
and then to return and swear the lies he forges.

DUTCH:
Nu heeft hij van alle naburige talen wat opgepikt; daarom moet ieder van ons maar zijn eigen wartaal maken, zoodat de een niet verstaat wat de ander zegt; als wij ons maar
houden of wij elkaar verstaan, is dit volkomen voldoende; raafgekras en kraaigeschreeuw, hoe zinloozer, des te beter. Wat u betreft, tolk, gij moet met beleid uw rol spelen.

MORE:
Strangers=Foreigners
Smack=Smattering
Chough=Jackdaw, crow
Politic=Cunning
Couch=Hide, lie low
Compleat:
Stranger=Vreemdeling
Smack=Smaak, smak
He has a smack of his country-speech=Zyne tong hangt nog wat na zyn eygene spraak
Chough=Kaauw
Politick (or cunning)=Slim, schrander, doorsleepen

Topics: conflict, plans/intentions

Speak what terrible language you will: though you understand it not yourselves, no matter

PLAY: All’s Well that Ends Well
ACT/SCENE: 4.1
SPEAKER: Second Lord
CONTEXT:
SECOND LORD
He can come no other way but by this hedge-corner.
When you sally upon him, speak what terrible
language you will: though you understand it not
yourselves, no matter; for we must not seem to
understand him, unless some one among us whom we
must produce for an interpreter.
FIRST SOLDIER
Good captain, let me be the interpreter.
SECOND LORD
Art not acquainted with him? knows he not thy voice?
FIRST SOLDIER
No, sir, I warrant you.
SECOND LORD
But what linsey-woolsey hast thou to speak to us again?

DUTCH:
Spreek, als gjj hem overvalt, een vreeselijke taal, hoe
ook; al verstaat gij die zelf niet, het doet er niet toe;
want wij moeten doen alsof wij hem niet verstaan, op
een van ons na, dien wij voor een tolk moeten uitgeven.

MORE:
Sally upon=Ambush
Linsey-woolsey=Nonsense, mish-mash (originally a fabric mixdure of linen and wool)
Compleat:
Linsey woolsey=Tierenteyn, stof van half garen en half wol, boezel stof, miscellaan
Sally=Een uytval
To saly forth=Uytvallen, eenen uytval doen

Topics: language, misunderstanding, conflict

That power that made you king
Hath power to keep you king in spite of all.

PLAY: Richard II
ACT/SCENE: 3.2
SPEAKER: Bishop of Carlisle
CONTEXT:
BISHOP OF CARLISLE
Fear not, my lord: that Power that made you king
Hath power to keep you king in spite of all.
The means that heaven yields must be embraced,
And not neglected; else, if heaven would,
And we will not, heaven’s offer we refuse,
The proffer’d means of succours and redress.
DUKE OF AUMERLE
He means, my lord, that we are too remiss;
Whilst Bolingbroke, through our security,
Grows strong and great in substance and in power.

DUTCH:
Ducht niets, mijn vorst; Die u ten troon verhief,
Heeft macht uw troon te hoeden, tegen allen.

MORE:

Proverb: Help thyself and God will help thee

Succours and redress=Military reinforcement and support

Compleat:
Succour=Te hulp komen, bystaan
Succours=Hulpbenden, krygshulpe

Topics: conflict, authority, proverbs and idioms, security

That when the searching eye of heaven is hid,
Behind the globe, that lights the lower world,
Then thieves and robbers range abroad unseen

PLAY: Richard II
ACT/SCENE: 3.2
SPEAKER: King Richard II
CONTEXT:
Discomfortable cousin! know’st thou not
That when the searching eye of heaven is hid,
Behind the globe, that lights the lower world,
Then thieves and robbers range abroad unseen
In murders and in outrage, boldly here;
But when from under this terrestrial ball
He fires the proud tops of the eastern pines
And darts his light through every guilty hole,
Then murders, treasons and detested sins,
The cloak of night being pluck’d from off their backs,
Stand bare and naked, trembling at themselves?
So when this thief, this traitor, Bolingbroke,
Who all this while hath revell’d in the night
Whilst we were wandering with the antipodes,
Shall see us rising in our throne, the east,
His treasons will sit blushing in his face,
Not able to endure the sight of day,
But self-affrighted tremble at his sin.
Not all the water in the rough rude sea
Can wash the balm off from an anointed king;
The breath of worldly men cannot depose
The deputy elected by the Lord:
For every man that Bolingbroke hath press’d
To lift shrewd steel against our golden crown,
God for his Richard hath in heavenly pay
A glorious angel: then, if angels fight,
Weak men must fall, for heaven still guards the right.

DUTCH:
Als achter de’ aardbol zich het spiedend oog
Des hemels bergt en de onderaard beschijnt,
Dan sluipen dieven, roovers, ongezien,
In moord en euveldaad hier bloedig rond;

MORE:

CITED IN US LAW: Re. the definition of “daylight”: US v Liebrich, 55 F.2d 341 (M.D.Pa. 1932); Funches v. State, 53 Ala. App. 330, 299 So.2d 771, 776 (Ala. Crim. App. 1984); Dinkler v. Jenkins, 118 Ga. App. 239, 163 S.E.2d 443 (1968)

Discomfortable=Causing discomfort
Searching eye=The sun
Terrestrial ball=The earth
Self-affrighted=Frightening one’s self
Rude=Stormy, turbulent
Breath=Words
Balm=Holy oil used to ‘anoint’ the king

Compleat:
He spended his breath in vain=Al zyn praaten was te vergeefs
Terrestrial=Aardsch
Affrighted=Verwaard, verschrikt, bang
Rude=Ruuw
Balm=Balsem
Discomfort=Mistroostigheid, mismoedigheid

Topics: cited in law, discovery, conflict

The nature of bad news infects the teller

PLAY: Antony and Cleopatra
ACT/SCENE: 1.2
SPEAKER: First Messenger
CONTEXT:
FIRST MESSENGER
Ay.
But soon that war had end, and the time’s state
Made friends of them, joining their force ’gainst Caesar,
Whose better issue in the war from Italy
Upon the first encounter drove them.
ANTONY
Well, what worst?
FIRST MESSENGER
The nature of bad news infects the teller.
ANTONY
When it concerns the fool or coward. On.
Things that are past are done, with me. ’Tis thus:
Who tells me true, though in his tale lie death,
I hear him as he flattered.

DUTCH:
Heer, booze tijding steekt den brenger aan.

MORE:
The time’s state=Prevailing circumstances
Issue=Outcome, success
Infects the teller=Makes the messenger unpopular with the recipient
Concerns=Is heard by
As=As though
Compleat:
Issue=Uytkomst, uytslag
To infect=Besmetten, vergiftigen, in de eigentlyke en figuurlyke zin
To concern=Aangaan, betreffen, raaken

Topics: conflict, unity/collaboration, news

The people will remain uncertain whilst ’twixt you there’s difference; but the fall of either makes the survivor heir of all

PLAY: Coriolanus
ACT/SCENE: 5.6
SPEAKER: Third Conspirator
CONTEXT:
SECOND CONSPIRATOR
Most noble sir,
If you do hold the same intent wherein
You wish’d us parties, we’ll deliver you
Of your great danger.
AUFIDIUS
Sir, I cannot tell:
We must proceed as we do find the people.
THIRD CONSPIRATOR
The people will remain uncertain whilst
’Twixt you there’s difference; but the fall of either
Makes the survivor heir of all.
AUFIDIUS
I know it;
And my pretext to strike at him admits
A good construction. I raised him, and I pawn’d
Mine honour for his truth: who being so heighten’d,
He water’d his new plants with dews of flattery,
Seducing so my friends; and, to this end,
He bow’d his nature, never known before
But to be rough, unswayable and free.

DUTCH:
Steeds wankel blijft het volk, zoolang er strijd
Is tusschen u en hem, maar de ondergang
Van de’ een doet de’ ander alles erven.

MORE:
Construction=Interpretation
A good construction=Well-founded
Pawn=Pledge
To bow=To crush, to strain
Compleat:
To bow=Buigen, neigen, bukken
Construction=Uitlegging; woordenschikking
To pawn=Verpanden

Topics: reputation, uncertainty, conflict, rivalry

The secret mischiefs that I set abroach I lay unto the grievous charge of others

DUTCH:
Ik doe het booze, en roep het eerst om wraak.
Hot onheil, dat ik heim’lijk heb gesticht,
Leg ik als zwaren last op vreemde schouders.

MORE:
Proverb: Some complain to prevent complaint

Topics: persuasion, offence, manipulation, conflict, proverbs and idioms

Then with the losers let it sympathize, For nothing can seem foul to those that win.

PLAY: King Henry IV Part 1
ACT/SCENE: 5.1
SPEAKER: King
CONTEXT:
PRINCE HENRY
The southern wind
Doth play the trumpet to his purposes,
And by his hollow whistling in the leaves
Foretells a tempest and a blust’ring day.
KING
Then with the losers let it sympathize,
For nothing can seem foul to those that win.

DUTCH:
Zoo uite hij zijn leed aan wie ‘t verliezen,
Want aan wie winnen dunkt geen weder slecht.

MORE:
Play trumpet to=Announce, proclaim
Compleat:
To proclaim by sound of trumpet=Met trompetten geschal afkondigen.

Topics: life, nature, conflict, hope/optimism

There hath been in Rome strange insurrections, the people against the senators, patricians, and nobles

PLAY: Coriolanus
ACT/SCENE: 4.3
SPEAKER: Coriolanus
CONTEXT:
ROMAN
There hath been in Rome strange insurrections, the people against the senators, patricians, and nobles.
VOLSCE
Hath been? Is it ended, then? Our state thinks not so. They are in a most warlike preparation and hope to come upon them in the heat of their division.
ROMAN
The main blaze of it is past, but a small thing would make it flame again; for the nobles receive so to heart the banishment of that worthy Coriolanus that they are in a ripe aptness to take all power from the people and to pluck from them their tribunes forever. This lies glowing, I can tell you, and is almost mature for the violent breaking out.

DUTCH:
Er zijn in Rome geweldige onlusten geweest; het volk
tegen de senatoren, de patriciërs en den geheelen adel.

MORE:
Preparation (ante)=The result of preparation, forces assembled
Ripe aptness=Proper time, readiness
Compleat:
Apt=Bequaam, gevoeglyk, gereed
Tribune=Een voorstander des volks onder de aloude Romeinen

Topics: preparation, order/society, conflict, uncertainty

These mine enemies are all knit up
In their distractions

PLAY: The Tempest
ACT/SCENE: 3.3
SPEAKER: Prospero
CONTEXT:
Bravely the figure of this harpy hast thou
Performed, my Ariel. A grace it had, devouring.
Of my instruction hast thou nothing bated
In what thou hadst to say.—So with good life
And observation strange, my meaner ministers
Their several kinds have done. My high charms work
And these mine enemies are all knit up
In their distractions. They now are in my power,
And in these fits I leave them while I visit
Young Ferdinand, whom they suppose is drowned,
And his and mine loved darling.

DUTCH:
Mijn tooverkracht
Werkt machtig; mijne vijanden zijn allen
Verstrikt in hun verbijst’ring; ik beheersch hen;
En ‘k laat hen in hun waanzin, om nu eerst
Tot Ferdinand, — dien zij verdronken wanen, —
En zijne en mijne liev’ling mij te spoeden.

MORE:
Bated=Omitted, neglected
Schmidt:
Bravely=Admirably
Figure=Image, representation
Harpy=A monster of ancient fable, with the face of a woman and the body of a bird of prey
Strange=extraordinary, enormous, remarkable, singular
Observation strange=Attention to detail
Several=In keeping with their separate natures
High charms=Superior magic
Knit up in=Tied up with, entangled in
Compleat:
Harpy (or fabelous monster)=Harpy, een fabel-achtig monster
Harpy or griping woman=Een giereige feeks
Bate=Verminderen, afkorten, afslaan
Figure (representation)=Afbeelding
Knit together=Verknocht, samengeknoopt
He is knit to his master’s interest=Hy is het belang van zynen Heer zeer toegedaan

Topics: conflict, plans/intentions, madness

These three, three thousand confident, in act as many

PLAY: Cymbeline
ACT/SCENE: 5.3
SPEAKER: Posthumus Leonatus
CONTEXT:
(…) These three,
Three thousand confident, in act as many—
For three performers are the file when all
The rest do nothing—with this word ‘Stand, stand,’
Accommodated by the place, more charming
With their own nobleness, which could have turn’d
A distaff to a lance, gilded pale looks,
Part shame, part spirit renew’d; that some,
turn’d coward
But by example—O, a sin in war,
Damn’d in the first beginners!—gan to look
The way that they did, and to grin like lions
Upon the pikes o’ the hunters. Then began
A stop i’ the chaser, a retire, anon
A rout, confusion thick; forthwith they fly
Chickens, the way which they stoop’d eagles; slaves,
The strides they victors made: and now our cowards,
Like fragments in hard voyages, became
The life o’ the need: having found the backdoor open
Of the unguarded hearts, heavens, how they wound!
Some slain before; some dying; some their friends
O’er borne i’ the former wave: ten, chased by one,
Are now each one the slaughter-man of twenty:
Those that would die or ere resist are grown
The mortal bugs o’ the field

DUTCH:
Deez’ drie,
Door moed drieduizend en door daden ook, —
Als de and’ren niets doen, dan zijn drie, die hand’len,
Een leger,

MORE:
Three thousand confident=With the confidence of three thousand
File=Army
Accommodated=Assisted
More charming=Charmed, fascinated
Distaff=Stick for spinning wool
Gilded=Coloured
By example=In imitation
Gan=Began
Fragments=Scraps of food
Life o’ the need=Sustenance at a time of dire need
Before=Earlier
Or ere=Before they would
Compleat:
A file of soldiers=Een gelid of ry soldaaten
To accommodate=Verschaffen, geryven, schikken, voegen
To charm=Bezweeren, bekooren, beleezen, betoveren
Distaff=Een spinrok, spinrokken
Gilded=Verguld

Topics: perception, justification, conflict, courage

They are worn, lord consul, so, that we shall hardly in our ages see their banners wave again

PLAY: Coriolanus
ACT/SCENE: 3.1
SPEAKER: Cominus
CONTEXT:
CORIOLANUS
Tullus Aufidius then had made new head?
LARTIUS
He had, my lord; and that it was which caused
Our swifter composition.
CORIOLANUS
So then the Volsces stand but as at first,
Ready, when time shall prompt them, to make road
Upon’s again.
COMINIUS
They are worn, lord consul, so,
That we shall hardly in our ages see
Their banners wave again.

DUTCH:
Consul, zij zijn zoo verzwakt,
Dat ons geslacht niet licht in ‘t veld hun vanen
Weer wapp’ren ziet.

MORE:
Made new head=Put together a new army
Composition=Resolution
Make road=Attack (also in some versions ‘make raid’)
Worn=Worn out, tired
Compleat:
To get a-head=Zich vereenigen, of overeenstemmen
Composition=Bylegging; t’Zamenstelling, toestelling, afmaaking, t’zamenmengsel, vermenging
Worn=Uitgeput

Topics: loyalty, failure, conflict

Things that are past are done, with me

PLAY: Antony and Cleopatra
ACT/SCENE: 1.2
SPEAKER: Antony
CONTEXT:
FIRST MESSENGER
Ay.
But soon that war had end, and the time’s state
Made friends of them, joining their force ’gainst Caesar,
Whose better issue in the war from Italy
Upon the first encounter drave them.
ANTONY
Well, what worst?
FIRST MESSENGER
The nature of bad news infects the teller.
ANTONY
When it concerns the fool or coward. On.
Things that are past are done, with me. ’Tis thus:
Who tells me true, though in his tale lie death,
I hear him as he flattered.

DUTCH:
Zoo hij ze een nar of lafaard brengt. — Ga voort;
‘t Gebeurde is mij iets afgedaans. ‘t Is zoo:
Zoo een mij waarheid meldt, al waar’ zij doodlijk,
Ik hoor ‘t, als sprak hij vleitaal.

Topics: conflict, unity/collaboration, news

This is, sir, a doubt in such a time nothing becoming you, nor satisfying us

PLAY: Cymbeline
ACT/SCENE: 4.4
SPEAKER: Guiderius
CONTEXT:
GUIDERIUS
This is, sir, a doubt
In such a time nothing becoming you,
Nor satisfying us.
ARVIRAGUS
It is not likely
That when they hear the Roman horses neigh,
Behold their quarter’d fires, have both their eyes
And ears so cloy’d importantly as now,
That they will waste their time upon our note,
To know from whence we are.
BELARIUS
O, I am known
Of many in the army: many years,
Though Cloten then but young, you see, not wore him
From my remembrance. And, besides, the king
Hath not deserved my service nor your loves;
Who find in my exile the want of breeding,
The certainty of this hard life; aye hopeless
To have the courtesy your cradle promised,
But to be still hot summer’s tanlings and
The shrinking slaves of winter.
GUIDERIUS
Than be so
Better to cease to be. Pray, sir, to the army:
I and my brother are not known; yourself
So out of thought, and thereto so o’ergrown,
Cannot be question’d.

DUTCH:
Zie, dit is een zorg,
Die u in dezen tijd voorwaar niet past,
En ons ook niet bevredigt.

MORE:
Doubt=Apprehension
Quartered files=Military formations
Cloyed importantly=Filled/clogged with important business
Our note=Noticing us
Wore=Erased
Breeding=Upbringing, education
Cradle=Lineage
Tanling=Child tanned by the sun
Compleat:
To quarter=Vierendeelen, wyken, inneemen, huysvesten, legeren, inquartieren
To cloy=Verkroppen, overlaaden
Breeding=Voortteeling, aanfokking, opvoeding

Topics: conflict, reputation

This spark will prove a raging fire,
If wind and fuel be brought to feed it with

PLAY: King Henry VI Part 2
ACT/SCENE: 3.1
SPEAKER: Queen Margaret
CONTEXT:
YORK
No, not to lose it all, as thou hast done:
I rather would have lost my life betimes
Than bring a burthen of dishonour home
By staying there so long till all were lost.
Show me one scar character’d on thy skin:
Men’s flesh preserved so whole do seldom win.
QUEEN MARGARET
Nay, then, this spark will prove a raging fire,
If wind and fuel be brought to feed it with:
No more, good York; sweet Somerset, be still:
Thy fortune, York, hadst thou been regent there,
Might happily have proved far worse than his.

DUTCH:
Stil, stil, die vonk sloeg wis in vlammen uit,
Zoo wind en brandstof nu het vuur kwam voeden

MORE:

Betimes=Early, at an early hour
Burthen=Burden
Charactered=Written, inscribed, marked

Compleat:
Betimes=Bytyds, vroeg
Burden=Last, pak, vracht
Character=Een merk, merkteken, letter, afbeeldsel, uitdruksel, print, stempel, uitgedruktbeeld, uitbeelding

Topics: fate/destiny, consequence, conflict

Thou hast no more brain than I have in mine elbows

PLAY: Troilus and Cressida
ACT/SCENE: 2.1
SPEAKER: Thersites
CONTEXT:
THERSITES
Ay, do, do; thou sodden-witted lord! thou hast no
more brain than I have in mine elbows; an assinego
may tutor thee: thou scurvy-valiant ass! thou art
here but to thrash Trojans; and thou art bought and
sold among those of any wit, like a barbarian slave.
If thou use to beat me, I will begin at thy heel, and
tell what thou art by inches, thou thing of no
bowels, thou!
AJAX
You dog!
THERSITES
You scurvy lord!
AJAX
You cur!
THERSITES
Mars his idiot! do, rudeness; do, camel; do, do.

DUTCH:
Ja ja, goed zoo, goed zoo, gij groote heer met afgekookten
geest! Gij hebt niet meer hersens, dan ik in
mijn elboog heb; een molenaarsezel kon uw leermeester
wel zijn, gij schurftig-dappere ezel!

MORE:
Proverb: To be bought and sold
Proverb: He has more wit in his head than you in both your shoulders

Assinego (also asnico)=Donkey
Bought and sold=Manipulated
Use=Continue
By inches=Inch by inch

Topics: proverbs and idioms, still in use, conflict, insult

Towards our assistance we do seize to us The plate, corn, revenues and moveables

PLAY: Richard II
ACT/SCENE: 2.1
SPEAKER: King Richard II
CONTEXT:
The ripest fruit first falls, and so doth he;
His time is spent, our pilgrimage must be.
So much for that. Now for our Irish wars:
We must supplant those rough rug-headed kerns,
Which live like venom where no venom else
But only they have privilege to live.
And for these great affairs do ask some charge,
Towards our assistance we do seize to us
The plate, corn, revenues and moveables,
Whereof our uncle Gaunt did stand possess’d.

DUTCH:
Zoo trekken wij tot onze hulp aan ons
Al ‘t zilverwerk, geld, renten, alles, wat
Aan tilb’re have onze oom van Gent bezat.

MORE:

Proverb: Life is a pilgrimage
Proverb: Soon ripe soon rotten

Ask some charge=Will involve expense
Where no venom else=St. Patrick had driven all snakes out of Ireland
Kerns=Irish foot soldiers

Topics: death, money, law/legal, conflict, proverbs and idioms

We doubt not now But every rub is smoothèd on our way.

PLAY: King Henry V
ACT/SCENE: 2.3
SPEAKER: King Henry
CONTEXT:
Now, lords, for France, the enterprise whereof
Shall be to you as us, like glorious.
We doubt not of a fair and lucky war,
Since God so graciously hath brought to light
This dangerous treason lurking in our way
To hinder our beginnings. We doubt not now
But every rub is smoothèd on our way.
Then forth, dear countrymen. Let us deliver
Our puissance into the hand of God,
Putting it straight in expedition.
Cheerly to sea. The signs of war advance.
No king of England if not king of France.

DUTCH:
Nu God ons zoo genadig dit verraad
Ontsluierd heeft, dat loerde op onzen weg,
Om de’ aanvang reeds te stuiten; thans geen twijfel,
Of iedre hindernis is weggeruimd.

MORE:

Rub=Cause of difficulty, hindrance, obstacle. (Originally from the game of bowls, meaning any impediment that would deflect the bowl from its course.)
Puissance=Armed force
In expedition=Speedy progress

Compleat:
Rub (obstacle, hindrance)=Beletsel, hinderpaal
Rub (word used by way of interjection at bowls)=Zoetjes aan, met gemak

Topics: conflict, preparation

We few, we happy few, we band of brothers.

PLAY: King Henry V
ACT/SCENE: 4.3
SPEAKER: King Henry
CONTEXT:
We few, we happy few, we band of brothers;
For he today that sheds his blood with me
Shall be my brother; be he ne’er so vile,
This day shall gentle his condition;
And gentlemen in England now abed
Shall think themselves accursed they were not here,
And hold their manhoods cheap whiles any speaks
That fought with us upon Saint Crispin’s day.

DUTCH:
Ons, wein’gen, ons, gelukkigen, ons, broeders;
Want wie vandaag met mij zijn bloed vergiet,
Hij zal mijn broeder zijn;

MORE:

Feast of Crispian: 25 October

Vile=Lowly born
Gentle his condition=Turn him in to a gentleman

Topics: conflict, friendship, trust, relationship

We see yonder the beginning of the day, but I think we shall never see the end of it.

PLAY: King Henry V
ACT/SCENE: 4.1
SPEAKER: Williams
CONTEXT:
COURT
Brother John Bates, is not that the morning which breaks yonder?
BATES
I think it be, but we have no great cause to desire the approach of day.
WILLIAMS
We see yonder the beginning of the day, but I think we shall never see the end of it.—Who goes there?

DUTCH:
Wij zien daar het begin van den dag, maar zijn einde
zullen wij, denk ik, wel nimmer zien. — Wie gaat daar?

MORE:

Topics: nature, time, conflict

We set the axe to thy usurping root

PLAY: King Henry VI Part 3
ACT/SCENE: 2.2
SPEAKER: George
CONTEXT:
GEORGE
But when we saw our sunshine made thy spring,
And that thy summer bred us no increase,
We set the axe to thy usurping root;
And though the edge hath something hit ourselves,
Yet know thou, since we have begun to strike,
We’ll never leave till we have hewn thee down
Or bathed thy growing with our heated bloods.
EDWARD
And, in this resolution, I defy thee;
Not willing any longer conference,
Since thou deniest the gentle king to speak.
Sound trumpets! Let our bloody colours wave!
And either victory, or else a grave.

DUTCH:
Maar onze zonneschijn schonk u een lente,
En nooit bracht ons uw zomer een’gen groei;
Dies legden we aan den vreemden stam onze aks

MORE:

Sunshine=Beneficial influence
Spring=Rise, thriving
Bred us no increase=We haven’t gained from
Usurping=Encroaching, seizing (esp. of royal rights)

Compleat:
To spring=(forth, out or up)=Uitspruiten, uitschieten, opschieten; (raise or proceed) Ontstaan
To breed=(ill blood) Kwaad bloed zetten; (mischief) Kwaad berokkenen; (quarrels) Krakkeel verwekken
To usurp=’t Onrecht aanmaatigen, met geweld in ‘t bezit dringen, overweldigen
Usurpation=Een onrechtmaatige bezitneeming, of indrang, dwinggebruik, overweldiging
Usurping=Een onrechtmaatige bezitting; ‘t onrecht aanmaatigende

Topics: revenge, ruin, conflict

Were it my cue to fight, I should have known it without a prompter

PLAY: Othello
ACT/SCENE: 1.2
SPEAKER: Othello
CONTEXT:
OTHELLO
Hold your hands,
Both you of my inclining and the rest.
Were it my cue to fight, I should have known it
Without a prompter. Whither will you that I go
To answer this your charge?
BRABANTIO
To prison, till fit time
Of law and course of direct session
Call thee to answer.
OTHELLO
What if I do obey?
How may the Duke be therewith satisfied,
Whose messengers are here about my side
Upon some present business of the state
To bring me to him?

DUTCH:
Steekt op die zwaarden ,
Niet gij slechts aan mijn zij, gij and’ren ook!
Waar’ strijd mijn wachtwoord, ‘k wist het zelf, al blies
Het niemand in. Waar wilt gij, dat ik ga,
Opdat ik mij verantwoord?

MORE:
Hold your hands=Don’t strike
Of my inclining=On my side
Course of direct session=Regular court hearing
Present=Pressing
Compleat:
To hold back=Te rugge houden, onthouden
Inclining=Neyging
Session=Een zitting
Present=Tegenwoordig

Topics: dispute, law/legal, punishment, reply, conflict

What’s past and what’s to come is strewed with husks and formless ruin of oblivion

PLAY: Troilus and Cressida
ACT/SCENE: 4.5
SPEAKER: Agamemnon
CONTEXT:
AGAMEMNON
Worthy of arms! as welcome as to one
That would be rid of such an enemy;
But that’s no welcome: understand more clear,
What’s past and what’s to come is strewed with husks
And formless ruin of oblivion;
But in this extant moment, faith and troth,
Strained purely from all hollow bias-drawing,
Bids thee, with most divine integrity,
From heart of very heart, great Hector, welcome.

DUTCH:
Doch dit, geen welkom is ‘t; versta dus beter:
Wat was, wat komt, is door vergetelheids
Onkenbaar puin bestelpt, door kaf verborgen;
Maar in deze’ oogenblik heet trouw en waarheid,
Van alle boze valschheid vlekk’loos rein,
Met al de oprechtheid, die men Goden wijdt,
Uit ‘s harten grond u, groote Hector, welkom.

MORE:
Extant=Present
Hollow=Insincere
Bias-drawing=Prejudice
Compleat:
Extant=Voor handen, in weezen
Hollow=Hol
Bias=Overhelling, overzwaajing, neyging

Topics: conflict, resolution, remedy

What’s the matter, you dissentious rogues that rubbing the poor itch of your opinion, make yourselves scabs?

PLAY: Coriolanus
ACT/SCENE: 1.1
SPEAKER: Martius
CONTEXT:
MENENIUS
For that, being one o’ the lowest, basest, poorest,
Of this most wise rebellion, thou go’st foremost:
Thou rascal, that art worst in blood to run,
Lead’st first to win some vantage.
But make you ready your stiff bats and clubs:
Rome and her rats are at the point of battle;
The one side must have bale.
Hail, noble Martius!
MARTIUS
Thanks. What’s the matter, you dissentious rogues,
That, rubbing the poor itch of your opinion,
Make yourselves scabs?

DUTCH:
Dank. — Wat wil dit hier, oproertuig, dat gij,
Zoodra u ‘t oordeel jeukt, uzelf door krabben
Gansch uitslag maakt?

MORE:
Stiff bats=Cudgels
Bale=Injury, sorrow
Dissentious=Seditious
Rascal=Person of low social status
Compleat:
Bat=Knuppel
Bale=Een baal
Dissentaneous=Tegenstrijdig
Rascal=Een schelm, guit, schobbejak, schurk, vlegel, schavuit
Dissension=Oneenigheid, verdeeldheid
To sow dissentions amongst friends=Onder vrienden tweedracht zaaijen

Topics: insult, status, conflict, leadership, order/society

Who by a sealed compact
Well ratified by law and heraldry,
Did forfeit, with his life, all those his lands

PLAY: Hamlet
ACT/SCENE: 1.1
SPEAKER: Horatio
CONTEXT:
That can I.
At least, the whisper goes so: our last king,
Whose image even but now appeared to us,
Was, as you know, by Fortinbras of Norway,
Thereto pricked on by a most emulate pride,
Dared to the combat; in which our valiant Hamlet
(For so this side of our known world esteemed him)
Did slay this Fortinbras, who by a sealed compact
Well ratified by law and heraldry,
Did forfeit, with his life, all those his lands
Which he stood seized of to the conqueror,
Against the which a moiety competent
Was gagèd by our king, which had returned
To the inheritance of Fortinbras
Had he been vanquisher, as, by the same covenant
And carriage of the article designed,
His fell to Hamlet. Now, sir, young Fortinbras,
Of unimprovèd mettle hot and full,
Hath in the skirts of Norway here and there
Sharked up a list of lawless resolutes,

DUTCH:
Maar onze dapp’re Hamlet, –
Want heel deez’ zijde der bekende wereld
Geeft hem dien roem, – versloeg dien Fortinbras,
Die, bij verdrag, gczegeld en bekrachtigd
Door wet en kamprecht, met het leven tevens
Den overwinnaar heel zijn land verbeurde

MORE:
Pricked=incited
Sealed compact=Signed and sealed agreement
Well ratified=In full accordance with
Law and heraldry=Law and the rules of combat
Seized of=Possessed of

Topics: law/legal, inheritance, dispute, conflict, contract

You are too absolute; though therein you can never be too noble

PLAY: Coriolanus
ACT/SCENE: 3.2
SPEAKER: Volumnia
CONTEXT:
MENENIUS
Repent what you have spoke.
CORIOLANUS
For them! I cannot do it to the gods;
Must I then do’t to them?
VOLUMNIA
You are too absolute;
Though therein you can never be too noble,
But when extremities speak. I have heard you say,
Honour and policy, like unsever’d friends,
I’ the war do grow together: grant that, and tell me,
In peace what each of them by the other lose,
That they combine not there.

DUTCH:
Gij zijt te hoog van taal;
Wel toont gij dus uw adeldom te meer;

MORE:
Absolute=Rigid, inflexible
When extremities speak=In a crisis, extreme situation “give ground” or concede something; when necessity requires
Unsevered=Inseparable
Policy=Stratagem, prudent or dexterous management
Compleat:
Policy (conduct, address, cunning way)=Staatkunde, beleid, behendigheid
Severed=Afgescheiden
Extremity=Uitspoorigheid; uiterste

Topics: conflict, judgment, wisdom, honour

Your name is great in mouths of wisest censure

PLAY: Othello
ACT/SCENE: 2.3
SPEAKER: Othello
CONTEXT:
CASSIO
I pray you pardon me, I cannot speak.
OTHELLO
Worthy Montano, you were wont be civil.
The gravity and stillness of your youth
The world hath noted, and your name is great
In mouths of wisest censure. What’s the matter
That you unlace your reputation thus
And spend your rich opinion for the name
Of a night-brawler? Give me answer to it.
MONTANO
Worthy Othello, I am hurt to danger.
Your officer Iago can inform you,
While I spare speech, which something now offends me,
Of all that I do know. Nor know I aught
By me that’s said or done amiss this night,
Unless self-charity be sometimes a vice,
And to defend ourselves it be a sin
When violence assails us.

DUTCH:
Steeds, vriend Montano, toondet ge u bezadigd;
Den ernst, de kalmte van uw jonglingschap
Erkent de wereld, en der wijsten oordeel
Schonk u hun Iof.

MORE:
Wont be=Usually
Gravity and stillness=Discipline and restraint
Censure=Judgement
Unlace=Disgrace, throw away
Spend=Throw away
Rich opinion=Hard-earned reputation
Compleat:
Wont=Gewoonte
Gravity=Deftigheyd, Stemmigheyd, Ernsthaftigheyd, staataigheyd
Censure=Bestraffing, berisping, oordeel, toets
To unlace=Ontrygen, los rygen
To spend=Besteeden, uytgeeven, koste doen, verquisten, doorbrengen, verspillen

Topics: reputation, civility, conflict