CJTranslations - loyalty

QUOTES BY TOPIC

A man may, if he were of a fearful heart, stagger in this attempt

PLAY: As You Like It
ACT/SCENE: 3.3
SPEAKER: Touchstone
CONTEXT:
TOUCHSTONE
Amen. A man may, if he were of a fearful heart, stagger
in this attempt, for here we have no temple but the
wood, no assembly but horn-beasts. But what though?
Courage. As horns are odious, they are necessary. It is
said, “Many a man knows no end of his goods.” Right:
many a man has good horns and knows no end of
them. Well, that is the dowry of his wife; ’tis none of
his own getting. Horns? Even so. Poor men alone? No, no.
The noblest deer hath them as huge as the rascal. Is
the single man therefore blessed? No. As a walled town
is more worthier than a village, so is the forehead of a
married man more honourable than the bare brow of a
bachelor. And by how much defence is better than no
skill, by so much is a horn more precious than to want.
Here comes Sir Oliver.—Sir Oliver Martext, you are well
met. Will you dispatch us here under this tree, or
shall we go with you to your chapel?

DUTCH:
Amen! Een man van vreesachtigen aard zou bij deze
onderneming allicht aarzelen, want wij hebben hier geen
tempel dan het woud, geen andere gemeente dan hoornvee.

MORE:
Proverb: He knows no end of his goods (good)

Fearful=Cowardly
Stagger=Falter
Horns=It was a common joke that cuckolds grew horns
Defence=Self-defence
Horn=Used as a weapon
To want=The lack of one
Dispatch=Marry
Compleat:
Fearful=Vreesachtig, vreeslyk, schroomelyk
Stagger=Waggelen, wankelen, doen wankelen
Want=Gebrek

Topics: marriage, respect, loyalty, proverbs and idioms

Age cannot wither her

PLAY: Antony and Cleopatra
ACT/SCENE: 2.2
SPEAKER: Enobarbus
CONTEXT:
MAECENAS
Now Antony must leave her utterly.
ENOBARBUS
Never. He will not.
Age cannot wither her, nor custom stale
Her infinite variety. Other women cloy
The appetites they feed, but she makes hungry
Where most she satisfies, for vilest things
Become themselves in her, that the holy priests
Bless her when she is riggish.
MAECENAS
If beauty, wisdom, modesty, can settle
The heart of Antony, Octavia is
A blessèd lottery to him.

DUTCH:
Dit doet hij nimmer! — Haar kan ouderdom
Niet doen verwelken, noch gewoonte’s sleur
Haar ‘t eeuwig nieuw ontrooven.

MORE:
Proverb: As stale as custom

Cloy=Satiate, glut
Custom=Habit, regular use or practice
Stale=Render common or worthless
Riggish=Wanton
Lottery=Prize
Compleat:
To cloy=Verkroppen, overlaaden
To cloy with words=Met woorden overlaaden
Custom=Gewoonte, neering
To grow stale=Oud worden
Rig=Vermaak, spel, pret, vrolykheid
Lottery=Lotery

Topics: love, age/experience, loyalty, proverbs and idioms

All my engagements I will construe to thee, all the charactery of my sad brows

PLAY: Julius Caesar
ACT/SCENE: 2.1
SPEAKER: Brutus
CONTEXT:
PORTIA
If this were true, then should I know this secret.
I grant I am a woman, but withal
A woman that Lord Brutus took to wife.
I grant I am a woman, but withal
A woman well-reputed, Cato’s daughter.
Think you I am no stronger than my sex,
Being so fathered and so husbanded?
Tell me your counsels. I will not disclose ’em.
I have made strong proof of my constancy,
Giving myself a voluntary wound
Here in the thigh. Can I bear that with patience,
And not my husband’s secrets?
BRUTUS
O ye gods,
Render me worthy of this noble wife!
Hark, hark! One knocks. Portia, go in awhile.
And by and by thy bosom shall partake
The secrets of my heart.
All my engagements I will construe to thee,
All the charactery of my sad brows.
Leave me with haste.

DUTCH:
Portia, ga een wijle binnen.
Zoo aanstonds zal uw boezem met mijn hart
Zijn zorgen deelen .
‘k Ontvouw u al waartoe ik mij verbond,
Heel ‘t raadselschrift van mijn bekommerd voorhoofd.
Verlaat mij nu met spoed.

MORE:
Withal=Nonetheless
Counsels=Secrets
Engagements=Commitments, pledges
Charactery=Handwriting (lines)
Compleat:
Engagement=Verbindtenis, verpligting
Charactery=Karakter-schrift, cyferschrift

Topics: secrecy, truth, trust, loyalty, honesty

And I beseech you, let not his report Come current for an accusation.

PLAY: King Henry IV Part 1
ACT/SCENE: 1.3
SPEAKER: Hotspur
CONTEXT:
Out of the bowels of the harmless earth,
Which many a good tall fellow had destroyed
So cowardly, and but for these vile guns
He would himself have been a soldier.
This bald unjointed chat of his, my lord,
I answered indirectly, as I said,
And I beseech you, let not his report
Come current for an accusation
Betwixt my love and your high Majesty.

DUTCH:
En ik bezweer u, dat, wat hij bericht,
Nooit als een aanklacht tusschen mijne liefde
En uwe hooge majesteit zich dring’!

MORE:
Schmidt:
Bald=Void of reason, unfounded
Unjointed=incoherent
Tall=stout, sturdy, lusty, spirited
Indirectly=Not in a straight course, by second hand, not in express terms
Current= generally received, of full value, sterling, having currency (Come current as=have currency, be accepted as)
Compleat:
Current. The current of most writers=Het algemeen gevoelen van de meeste Schryvers.

Topics: loyalty, merit, evidence, value, perception, judgment

And oft good turns are shuffled off with such uncurrent pay

PLAY: Twelfth Night
ACT/SCENE: 3.3
SPEAKER: Sebastian
CONTEXT:
ANTONIO
I could not stay behind you. My desire,
More sharp than filèd steel, did spur me forth.
And not all love to see you, though so much
As might have drawn one to a longer voyage,
But jealousy what might befall your travel,
Being skilless in these parts, which to a stranger,
Unguided and unfriended, often prove
Rough and unhospitable. My willing love,
The rather by these arguments of fear,
Set forth in your pursuit.
SEBASTIAN
My kind Antonio,
I can no other answer make but thanks,
And thanks, and ever thanks. And oft good turns
Are shuffled off with such uncurrent pay.
But were my worth as is my conscience, firm,
You should find better dealing. What’s to do?
Shall we go see the relics of this town?

DUTCH:
Ik kan voor al uw zorg slechts dank u zeggen,
En dank, en altijd dank; vaak wordt een dienst,
Hoe groot, met die ongangb’re munt betaald;
Doch waar’ mijn kas zoo rijk, als ‘t hart in dank,
Dan vondt gij beter loon

MORE:
Proverb: One good turn asks (demands, requires) another

Unfriend as a noun dates back to the 12th or 13th century, its original meaning being ‘non-friend’ (though not necessarily enemy). Shakespeare first used unfriend as an adjective to mean loss of friendship in Twelfth Night (3.3) and King Lear (1.1).
Jealousy=Fear, concern
Skilless=Unfamiliar with
Rather=Sooner
Shuffled=Shrugged
Uncurrent=Worthless, not legal tender
Worth=Wealth
Conscience=Indebtedness
Firm=Substantial
Dealing=Treatment
Compleat:
Jealousy=Belgzucht, naayver, argwaan, volgyver, minnenyd, achterdocht
Skill=Eervaarenheyd, verstand, kennis
I have no skill in those things=Ik heb geen verstand van die dingen; in ben in die zaaken oneervaaren
The rather=The more quickly
To shuffle off a business=Een zaak afschuyven
Current=Loopende, gangbaar
Worth=Waarde, waardy
Conscience=Het geweeten, de conscientie
Firm=Vast, hecht
Dealing=Handeling

Topics: skill/talent, age/experience, loyalty, friendship, debt/obligation

And sometimes we are devils to ourselves, when we will tempt the frailty of our powers

PLAY: Troilus and Cressida
ACT/SCENE: 4.5
SPEAKER: Troilus
CONTEXT:
TROILUS
Die I a villain, then!
In this I do not call your faith in question
So mainly as my merit: I cannot sing,
Nor heel the high lavolt, nor sweeten talk,
Nor play at subtle games; fair virtues all,
To which the Grecians are most prompt and pregnant:
But I can tell that in each grace of these
There lurks a still and dumb-discoursive devil
That tempts most cunningly: but be not tempted.
CRESSIDA
Do you think I will?
TROILUS
No.
But something may be done that we will not:
And sometimes we are devils to ourselves,
When we will tempt the frailty of our powers,
Presuming on their changeful potency.

DUTCH:
Soms zijn wij duivels voor onszelf, verzoeken
De zwakheid onzes geestes, door te roekloos
Vertrouwen op zijn wankelbare kracht.

MORE:
So mainly as=As much as
Merit=Good work
Heel=Dance
Lavolt=The volta or lavolt was a very physical dance
Pregnant=Ready
Dumb-discoursive=Silently communicating
Presuming on=Confident of, relying on
Changeful=Unreliable
Potency=Power
Compleat:
Mainly=Voornaamelyk
Merit=Verdienste
Volta=Een sprong van een paard
Pregnant=Klaar, krachtig
Discoursive=Redeneerend
Potency=Macht, gezach, vermoogen

Topics: loyalty, merit, good and bad, adversity, temptation

And therefore think him as a serpent’s egg, which, hatched, would as his kind grow mischievous

PLAY: Julius Caesar
ACT/SCENE: 2.1
SPEAKER: Brutus
CONTEXT:
BRUTUS
It must be by his death, and for my part
I know no personal cause to spurn at him
But for the general. He would be crowned.
How that might change his nature, there’s the question.
It is the bright day that brings forth the adder
And that craves wary walking. Crown him that,
And then I grant we put a sting in him
That at his will he may do danger with.
Th’ abuse of greatness is when it disjoins
Remorse from power. And, to speak truth of Caesar,
I have not known when his affections swayed
More than his reason. But ’tis a common proof
That lowliness is young ambition’s ladder,
Whereto the climber upward turns his face.
But when he once attains the upmost round,
He then unto the ladder turns his back,
Looks in the clouds, scorning the base degrees
By which he did ascend. So Caesar may.
Then, lest he may, prevent. And since the quarrel
Will bear no colour for the thing he is,
Fashion it thus: that what he is, augmented,
Would run to these and these extremities.
And therefore think him as a serpent’s egg—
Which, hatched, would as his kind grow mischievous—
And kill him in the shell.

DUTCH:
En daarom, acht hem als een slangenei,
Dat, uitgekomen, boos wordt naar zijn aard ;
En doodt hem in den dop!

MORE:
Proverb: To turn one’s back on the ladder (ut down the stairs) by which one rose

Craves=Requires
Wary=Carefully
Sting=Stinger
Remorse=Compassion
Affection=Passion
Swayed=Ruled
Proof=Experience
Lowliness=Affected humility, obsequiousness
Mischievous=Harmful
Fashion=Shape
Compleat:
Craving=Smeeking, bidding; happig, greetig
Wary=Voorzigtig, omzigtig, behoedzaam
Sting=Angel, steekel
Remorse=Knaaging, wroeging, berouw
Affection=Hartstogt, geneegenheyd
To sway=(govern) Regeeren
Proof=Proeven
Lowliness=Nederigheyd; ootmoedigheyd
Mischievous=Boos, boosardig, schaadelyk, quaadstokend, verderflyk, schelms
To fashion=Een gestalte geeven, vormen, fatzoeneeren

Topics: achievement, status, loyalty, ambition, proverbs and idioms

And with mine eyes I’ll drink the words you send, though ink be made of gall

PLAY: Cymbeline
ACT/SCENE: 1.1
SPEAKER: Posthumus
CONTEXT:
IMOGEN
O, dissembling courtesy! How fine this tyrant
Can tickle where she wounds! My dearest husband,
I something fear my father’s wrath; but nothing—
Always reserved my holy duty—what
His rage can do on me: you must be gone;
And I shall here abide the hourly shot
Of angry eyes, not comforted to live,
But that there is this jewel in the world
That I may see again.
POSTHUMUS LEONATUS
My queen, my mistress!
O lady, weep no more, lest I give cause
To be suspected of more tenderness
Than doth become a man. I will remain
The loyal’st husband that did e’er plight troth.
My residence in Rome at one Philario’s,
Who to my father was a friend, to me
Known but by letter; thither write, my queen,
And with mine eyes I’ll drink the words you send,
Though ink be made of gall.

DUTCH:
k Neem mijn verblijf in Rome, bij Philario,
Een vriend mijns vaders, dien ikzelf alleen
Uit brieven ken; geliefde, schrijf mij daar;
Mijn oogen zullen uwe woorden drinken,
Al wordt ook inkt uit gal bereid.

MORE:
Tickle=Flatter
Something=Sometimes, to some extent
Hourly=Continually
Gall=Bile; any thing bitter and disagreeable; bitterness of mind, rancour
Gall=An ingredient in ink (iron gall ink)
Compleat:
Gall=Gal
To gall (or vex)=Tergen, verbitteren
Bitter as gall=Zo bitter als gal

Topics: sorrow, appearance, loyalty, language

Be pleased that I shake off these names you give me

PLAY: Twelfth Night
ACT/SCENE: 5.1
SPEAKER: Antonio
CONTEXT:
ORSINO
Notable pirate! Thou saltwater thief,
What foolish boldness brought thee to their mercies,
Whom thou, in terms so bloody and so dear,
Hast made thine enemies?
ANTONIO
Orsino, noble sir,
Be pleased that I shake off these names you give me.
Antonio never yet was thief or pirate,
Though, I confess, on base and ground enough,
Orsino’s enemy. A witchcraft drew me hither.
That most ingrateful boy there by your side
From the rude sea’s enraged and foamy mouth
Did I redeem. A wreck past hope he was.
His life I gave him and did thereto add
My love, without retention or restraint,
All his in dedication. For his sake
Did I expose myself, pure for his love,
Into the danger of this adverse town,
Drew to defend him when he was beset,
Where being apprehended, his false cunning,
Not meaning to partake with me in danger,
Taught him to face me out of his acquaintance,
And grew a twenty-years-removed thing
While one would wink, denied me mine own purse,
Which I had recommended to his use
Not half an hour before.

DUTCH:
Vergun mij, heer,
Die namen, mij gegeven, af te schudden;
Nooit was Antonio dief of roover;

MORE:
Notable=Notorious
Shake off=Refuse to accept
Base=Foundation, synonymous with ground
Hither=Here
Retention=Reservation
Pure=Purely
Meaning=Intending
Partake=Share
Face me out of his acquaintance=Deny knowing me
Recommended=Consigned
Compleat:
Notable=Merkelyk, uitneemend, zonderling, merkwaardig, berucht, vermaard
To shake off=Afschudden
Base (basis)=De grond, grondvest
Hither=Herwaards. Hither and thither=Herwaards en derwaards
You’ll find it at the hither end of the shelf=Gy zult het op dit end van de plank vinden
Retention=Ophouding, verstopping
Meaning=Meening; opzet
To partake=Deelachtig zyn, mede deelen, deel hebben
To face out or down=(or to outface)=Iemand iets in het gezigt staande houden, of zo lang aanzien dat hy zyn oogen moet neerslaan

Topics: reputation, defence, risk, betrayal, loyalty, offence

Being skilless in these parts, which to a stranger, unguided and unfriended, often prove rough and unhospitable

PLAY: Twelfth Night
ACT/SCENE: 3.3
SPEAKER: Antonio
CONTEXT:
SEBASTIAN
I would not by my will have troubled you,
But, since you make your pleasure of your pains,
I will no further chide you.
ANTONIO
I could not stay behind you. My desire,
More sharp than filèd steel, did spur me forth.
And not all love to see you, though so much
As might have drawn one to a longer voyage,
But jealousy what might befall your travel,
Being skilless in these parts, which to a stranger,
Unguided and unfriended, often prove
Rough and unhospitable. My willing love,
The rather by these arguments of fear,
Set forth in your pursuit.

DUTCH:
Die zonder gids en vriend is, vaak zich ruw
En onherbergzaam toont. Mijn vuur’ge vriendschap,
Door zulk een grond tot vrees nog aangedreven,
Moest voort en ijlde u na.

MORE:

Jealousy=Fear, concern
Skilless=Unfamiliar with
Rather=Sooner
Compleat:
Jealousy=Belgzucht, naayver, argwaan, volgyver, minnenyd, achterdocht
Skill=Eervaarenheyd, verstand, kennis
I have no skill in those things=Ik heb geen verstand van die dingen; in ben in die zaaken oneervaaren
The rather=The more quickly

Topics: skill/talent, age/experience, loyalty, friendship

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

Equality of two domestic powers breed scrupulous faction

PLAY: Antony and Cleopatra
ACT/SCENE: 1.3
SPEAKER: Antony
CONTEXT:
ANTONY
Hear me, Queen:
The strong necessity of time commands
Our services awhile, but my full heart
Remains in use with you. Our Italy
Shines o’er with civil swords. Sextus Pompeius
Makes his approaches to the port of Rome.
Equality of two domestic powers
Breed scrupulous faction. The hated, grown to strength,
Are newly grown to love. The condemned Pompey,
Rich in his father’s honour, creeps apace
Into the hearts of such as have not thrived
Upon the present state, whose numbers threaten;
And quietness, grown sick of rest, would purge
By any desperate change. My more particular,
And that which most with you should safe my going,
Is Fulvia’s death.

DUTCH:
De gelijkheid
Van twee partijen in den staat verwekt
Een gisting, die gevaar dreigt. Die gehaat was ,
Werd sterk en wint in liefde;

MORE:
Cited in Shakespeare’s Legal Maxims (William Lowes Rushton)
Rushton’s reference to this as a legal maxim (Rushton has in mind ‘necessitas est lex temporis’) is challenged by Dunbar Plunkett Barton.

Strong necessity of time=Another pressing engagement
In use=In trust
Scrupulous=Full of doubt and perplexity
Faction=Dissension, opposition
Condemned=Banished
Creeps=Sneaks unseen
State=Government
Quietness=Inactivity
Particular=Personal reason
Compleat:
Necessity=Nood, noodzaaklykheyd, noodwendigheyd
Scrupulous=Schroomagtig, naaw gezet
Faction=Samenrotting, saamenspanning, oproerige party, rot, aanhang, partyschap, verdeeldheid
To banish=Bannen, uytbannen
To creep=Kruypen, sluypen
Quietness=Gerustheyd, stilte
Particular=Byzonder, zonderling, byzonderheid

Topics: love, equality, loyalty, order/society

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 if we two be one, and thou play false, I do digest the poison of thy flesh

PLAY: The Comedy of Errors
ACT/SCENE: 2.2
SPEAKER: Adriana
CONTEXT:
ADRIANA
Ay, ay, Antipholus, look strange and frown.
Some other mistress hath thy sweet aspects.
I am not Adriana, nor thy wife.
The time was once when thou unurged wouldst vow
That never words were music to thine ear,
That never object pleasing in thine eye,
That never touch well welcome to thy hand,
That never meat sweet-savored in thy taste,
Unless I spake, or looked, or touched, or carved to thee.
How comes it now, my husband, O, how comes it
That thou art thus estranged from thyself?
Thy “self” I call it, being strange to me,
That, undividable, incorporate,
Am better than thy dear self’s better part.
Ah, do not tear away thyself from me!
For know, my love, as easy mayest thou fall
A drop of water in the breaking gulf,
And take unmingled thence that drop again
Without addition or diminishing,
As take from me thyself and not me too.
How dearly would it touch thee to the quick,
Shouldst thou but hear I were licentious
And that this body, consecrate to thee,
By ruffian lust should be contaminate!
Wouldst thou not spit at me, and spurn at me,
And hurl the name of husband in my face,
And tear the stained skin off my harlot brow,
And from my false hand cut the wedding ring,
And break it with a deep-divorcing vow?
I know thou canst, and therefore see thou do it.
I am possessed with an adulterate blot;
My blood is mingled with the crime of lust;
For if we two be one, and thou play false,
I do digest the poison of thy flesh,
Being strumpeted by thy contagion.
Keep then fair league and truce with thy true bed,
I live disstained, thou undishonorèd.

DUTCH:
Want zijn wij tweeën één en zijt gij valsch,
Dan stroomt het gif van uw bloed in het mijn’,
En door uw smetstof word ik tot boelin.

MORE:
Look strange=Look confused, unknowing
Incorporate=Of one body
Possession=Akin to ‘infect’
Harlot brow=Branding on the forehead with a hot iron was punishment for prostitution
Strumpeted=Turned into a strumpet, prostitute (by contamination)
Unstained=Undefiled (some editors use disstain here)
The quick=The core
Licentious=Unfaithful
Blot=Stain
Compleat:
Incorporated=Ingelyfd
To enter into a league=In een verbond treeden, een verbond aangaan
Truce=Een bestand, stilstand van wapenen, treves
Possession=Bezetenheyd
Harlot=Boer, snol
Strumpet=Hoer
Licentious=Ongebonden, los, toomeloos
Blot=Een klad, vlak, vlek, spat

Topics: loyalty, ruin, reputation, marriage, love, respect

For my part, I had rather bear with you than bear you

PLAY: As You Like It
ACT/SCENE: 2.4
SPEAKER: Touchstone
CONTEXT:
ROSALIND
O Jupiter, how weary are my spirits!
TOUCHSTONE
I care not for my spirits, if my legs were not weary.
ROSALIND
I could find in my heart to disgrace my man’s apparel
and to cry like a woman, but I must comfort the weaker
vessel, as doublet and hose ought to show itself
courageous to petticoat. Therefore courage, good Aliena.
CELIA
I pray you bear with me. I cannot go no further.
TOUCHSTONE
For my part, I had rather bear with you than bear you.
Yet I should bear no cross if I did bear you, for I
think you have no money in your purse.

DUTCH:
Wat mij betreft, ik wil liever uw moeheid dan uzelve
verdragen; en toch, als ik u verdroeg, zou ik nog geen
kruisdager wezen; want ik vermoed, dat gij kruis noch
munt in de tasch hebt.

MORE:
Weaker vessel=Woman, wife
Doublet and hose=Male attire (fig. masculinity)
Petticoat=Female attire (fig. femininity)
Cross=(1) Burden, trouble (2) Money, Elizabethan coin stamped with a cross
Compleat:
Vessel=Vat
Petti-coat=Een vrouwe onderrok

Topics: age/experience, life, order/society, work, loyalty

For now the devil that told me I did well
Says that this deed is chronicled in hell.

PLAY: Richard II
ACT/SCENE: 5.5
SPEAKER: Exton
CONTEXT:
KING RICHARD II
How now! what means death in this rude assault?
Villain, thy own hand yields thy death’s instrument.
Go thou, and fill another room in hell.
That hand shall burn in never-quenching fire
That staggers thus my person. Exton, thy fierce hand
Hath with the king’s blood stain’d the king’s own land.
Mount, mount, my soul! thy seat is up on high;
Whilst my gross flesh sinks downward, here to die.
EXTON
As full of valour as of royal blood:
Both have I spill’d; O would the deed were good!
For now the devil, that told me I did well,
Says that this deed is chronicled in hell.
This dead king to the living king I’ll bear
Take hence the rest, and give them burial here.

DUTCH:
Aan moed zoo rijk, als koninklijk van bloed!
‘k Vergoot die beide; — waar’ mijn daad slechts goed!
Nu zegt de duivel, die mij heeft gedreven,
Dat in de hel die daad is aangeschreven.

MORE:

Rude=Brutal
Stagger=To cause to reel, to fell
Chronicle=To record, to register

Compleat:
Rude=Ruuw
To stagger (move or shake)=Schudden, beweegen, doen waggelen
To chronicle=In eenen kronyk aanschryven

Topics: loyalty, conspiracy, death

He hath no friends but who are friends for fear. Which in his dearest need will fly from him.

PLAY: Richard III
ACT/SCENE: 5.2
SPEAKER: Blunt
CONTEXT:
OXFORD
Every man’s conscience is a thousand men,
To fight against this guilty homicide.
HERBERT
I doubt not but his friends will turn to us.
BLUNT
He hath no friends but who are friends for fear.
Which in his dearest need will fly from him.
RICHMOND
All for our vantage. Then, in God’s name, march.
True hope is swift, and flies with swallow’s wings.
Kings it makes gods, and meaner creatures kings.

DUTCH:
Hij heeft geen vrienden, dan die ‘t zijn uit vrees
En hem in de’ ergsten nood verlaten zullen.

MORE:
Doubt not=Don’t doubt
Fly=Flee
Vantage=Advantage
Dearest=Greatest
Compleat:
Flee=Vlieden, vlugten
Vantage=Toegift, toemaat, overmaat, overwigt

Topics: hope/optimism/conscience, friendship, loyalty

He is a great observer, and he looks quite through the deeds of men

PLAY: Julius Caesar
ACT/SCENE: 1.2
SPEAKER: Caesar
CONTEXT:
CAESAR
Would he were fatter! But I fear him not.
Yet if my name were liable to fear,
I do not know the man I should avoid
So soon as that spare Cassius. He reads much.
He is a great observer, and he looks
Quite through the deeds of men. He loves no plays,
As thou dost, Antony. He hears no music.
Seldom he smiles, and smiles in such a sort
As if he mocked himself and scorned his spirit
That could be moved to smile at anything.
Such men as he be never at heart’s ease
Whiles they behold a greater than themselves,
And therefore are they very dangerous.
I rather tell thee what is to be feared
Than what I fear, for always I am Caesar.
Come on my right hand, for this ear is deaf,
And tell me truly what thou think’st of him.

DUTCH:
Veel neemt hij waar en goed, en hij doorschouwt
Volkomen ‘s menschen doen ;

MORE:
Proverb: An envious man grows lean
Proverb: To turn (give) a deaf ear

Quite=Entirely
Looks through=Sees through
Sort=Manner
Heart’s ease=Heart’s content
This ear is deaf=Proverbially, this ear doesn’t want to hear/accept this message
Compleat:
Quite=t’Eenemaal, geheelendal, geheel, ganschelyk
Sort=Slach, wyze

Topics: proverbs and idioms, still in use, risk, loyalty, skill/talent

He’s flung in rage from this ingrateful seat

PLAY: Timon of Athens
ACT/SCENE: 4.2
SPEAKER: Flavius
CONTEXT:
FLAVIUS
O, the fierce wretchedness that glory brings us!
Who would not wish to be from wealth exempt,
Since riches point to misery and contempt?
Who would be so mocked with glory? or to live
But in a dream of friendship?
To have his pomp and all what state compounds
But only painted, like his varnished friends?
Poor honest lord, brought low by his own heart,
Undone by goodness! Strange, unusual blood,
When man’s worst sin is, he does too much good!
Who, then, dares to be half so kind again?
For bounty, that makes gods, does still mar men.
My dearest lord, blessed, to be most accursed,
Rich, only to be wretched, thy great fortunes
Are made thy chief afflictions. Alas, kind lord!
He’s flung in rage from this ingrateful seat
Of monstrous friends, nor has he with him to
Supply his life, or that which can command it.
I’ll follow and inquire him out:
I’ll ever serve his mind with my best will;
Whilst I have gold, I’ll be his steward still.

DUTCH:
Die goede meester!
Hij stormde in woede van deze’ ondankszetel,
Van onmensch-vrienden weg;
Niets nam hij meê tot levensonderhoud,
Niets, dat dit koopen kan!

MORE:
Wretchedness=Misery
Compounds=Includes, comprises
Painted=Artificial
Varnished=Disingenuous
Blood=Mood, disposition
Mar=Harm
His mind=Wishes
Compleat:
Wretchedness=Elendigheyd, heylloosheyd, oneugendheyd
To compound=’t Zamenzetten, byleggen, afmaaken, vereffenen, overeenkomen
Painted=Geschilderd, geverwd, geblanket
Varnished=Vernisd
To marr=Bederven, verboetelen, verknoeijen

Topics: sorrow, poverty and wealth, honesty, loyalty

How smooth and even they do bear themselves, As if allegiance in their bosoms sat Crownèd with faith and constant loyalty.

PLAY: King Henry V
ACT/SCENE: 2.2
SPEAKER: Westmorland
CONTEXT:

NYM
The king is a good king, but it must be as it may.
He passes some humours and careers.
PISTOL
Let us condole the knight, for, lambkins, we will live.
BEDFORD
’Fore God, his Grace is bold to trust these traitors.
EXETER
They shall be apprehended by and by.
WESTMORELAND
How smooth and even they do bear themselves,
As if allegiance in their bosoms sat
Crownèd with faith and constant loyalty.
BEDFORD
The king hath note of all that they intend,
By interception which they dream not of.

DUTCH:
Wat doen zij zich eenvoudig, arg’loos voor,
Alsof de oprechtheid in hun boezem woonde,
Gekroond door liefde en ongekrenkte trouw.

MORE:

Passes humours=Indulges in strange tendencies
Careers=Short sprints, race
Smooth=unruffled, even, balanced
Hath note of=Is informed of
Interception=The stopping and seizing of something in its passage
Constant=Faithful

Compleat:
The humours=De humeuren van het lichaam; grillen
Humour (dispositon of the mind)=Humeur, of gemoeds gesteldheid

Topics: deceit, conspiracy, appearance, loyalty, betrayal

I am lowted by a traitor villain and cannot help the noble chevalier

PLAY: King Henry VI Part 1
ACT/SCENE: 4.3
SPEAKER: York
CONTEXT:
A plague upon that villain Somerset,
That thus delays my promised supply
Of horsemen, that were levied for this siege!
Renowned Talbot doth expect my aid,
And I am lowted by a traitor villain
And cannot help the noble chevalier:
God comfort him in this necessity!
If he miscarry, farewell wars in France.

DUTCH:
Vervloekt die schurk, die booswicht Somerset,
Die den beloofden bijstand zoo vertraagt:
De ruiterij , voor dit beleg verzameld!

MORE:
Lowted=(also louted) Made to look foolish
Chevalier=Knight
Miscarry=Fail, not succeed, perish
Levy=Collect, raise (e.g. raising a force for war)

Compleat:
Miscarry=Mislukken; (ship at sea) Vergaan, schipbreuk lyden
To levy=(soldiers) Soldaaten ligten, krygsvolk werven

Topics: loyalty

I am not of that feather to shake off ny friend when he must need me

PLAY: Timon of Athens
ACT/SCENE: 1.1
SPEAKER: Timon
CONTEXT:
TIMON
Imprisoned is he, say you?
MESSENGER
Ay, my good lord: five talents is his debt,
His means most short, his creditors most strait:
Your honourable letter he desires
To those have shut him up; which failing,
Periods his comfort.
TIMON
Noble Ventidius! Well;
I am not of that feather to shake off
My friend when he must need me. I do know him
A gentleman that well deserves a help:
Which he shall have: I’ll pay the debt,
and free him.
MESSENGER
Your lordship ever binds him.
TIMON
Commend me to him: I will send his ransom;
And being enfranchised, bid him come to me.
‘Tis not enough to help the feeble up,
But to support him after. Fare you well.

DUTCH:
Voorwaar, ik ben de man niet, die een vriend,
Die mij behoeft, ooit afschudt. En ik ken hem,
Als alle hulp volwaardig. Zij gewordt hem;
Ik zal zijn schuld voldoen en maak hem vrij.

MORE:
Talent=Unit of weight to measure precious metal value, currency
Periods=Puts an end to
Strait=Strict
Which failing=Without which
Feather=Mood
Binds=Makes indebted
Commend=Send my greetings
Enfranchised=Released
Compleat:
Talent=Een talent; pond
To bring to a period=Tot een eynde brengen
Strait=Eng, naauw, bekrompen, strikt
To bind=Binden, knoopen, verbinden.
To bind with benefits=Verbinden of verpligten door weldaaden
To commend=Pryzen, aanbeloolen, aanpryzen
To enfranchise=Tot eenen burger of vry man maaken, vryheyd vergunnen

Topics: friendship, debt/obligation, wisdom, loyalty

I confess me knit to thy deserving with cables of perdurable toughness

PLAY: Othello
ACT/SCENE: 1.3
SPEAKER: Iago
CONTEXT:
RODERIGO
It cannot be.
IAGO
It is merely a lust of the blood and a permission of
the will. Come, be a man. Drown thyself? Drown cats and
blind puppies! I have professed me thy friend, and I
confess me knit to thy deserving with cables of
perdurable toughness. I could never better stead thee
than now. Put money in thy purse. Follow thou the wars,
defeat thy favour with an usurped beard. I say, put
money in thy purse. It cannot be long that Desdemona
should continue her love to the Moor—put money in thy
purse—nor he his to her. It was a violent commencement
in her, and thou shalt see an answerable
sequestration—put but money in thy purse. These Moors
are changeable in their wills—fill thy purse with
money. The food that to him now is as luscious as
locusts shall be to him shortly as bitter as
coloquintida. She must change for youth. When she is
sated with his body she will find the errors of her
choice. Therefore, put money in thy purse. If thou wilt
needs damn thyself, do it a more delicate way than
drowning. Make all the money thou canst. If sanctimony
and a frail vow betwixt an erring barbarian and
supersubtle Venetian be not too hard for my wits and all
the tribe of hell, thou shalt enjoy her. Therefore
make money. A pox of drowning thyself! ‘Tis clean out
of the way. Seek thou rather to be hanged in compassing
thy joy than to be drowned and go without her.

DUTCH:
Ik heb mij uw vriend verklaard en ik erken, dat ik door kabels van de duurzaamste taaiheid aan uw verdiensten verknocht ben; nooit kon ik u nuttiger zijn dan nu.

MORE:
Perdurable=Lasting
Stead=Serve
Defeat thy favour=Change your appearance
Usurped=False, appropriated
Answerable=Corresponding
Sequestration=Termination, separation
Coloquintida=Bitter-apple, a purgative
Supersubtle=Refined, sensitive
Compleat:
Perdurable=Overduurzaam
To stand in good stead=Dienstelyk zyn, goeden dienst doen
To usurp=’t Onrecht aanmaatigen, met geweld in ‘t bezit dringen, overweldigen
Usurpation=Een onrechtmaatige bezitneeming, of indrang, dwinggebruik, overweldiging
Answerable=Verantwoordelyk, overeenkomelyk
Sequestration=Verbeurdmaaking, affscheyding der partyen van ‘t bezit waarover zy in verschil zyn, in bewaarder-hand stelling; alsook de inzameling der inkomsten van een openstaande prove voor den naastkomenden bezitter
Subtil, subtile or subtle=Listig, loos; sneedig, spitsvindig

Topics: loyalty, friendship, debt/obligation, death, money

I do beseech you, as in way of taste, to give me now a little benefit, out of those many registered in promise

PLAY: Troilus and Cressida
ACT/SCENE: 3.3
SPEAKER: Calchas
CONTEXT:
CALCHAS
Now, princes, for the service I have done you,
The advantage of the time prompts me aloud
To call for recompense. Appear it to your mind
That, through the sight I bear in things to love,
I have abandoned Troy, left my possession,
Incurred a traitor’s name; exposed myself,
From certain and possessed conveniences,
To doubtful fortunes; sequestering from me all
That time, acquaintance, custom and condition
Made tame and most familiar to my nature,
And here, to do you service, am become
As new into the world, strange, unacquainted:
I do beseech you, as in way of taste,
To give me now a little benefit,
Out of those many registered in promise,
Which, you say, live to come in my behalf.

DUTCH:
Zoo smeek ik dan, dat gij mij thans als voorproef
Een luttel gunstbewijs verleenen wilt,
Uit al de velen, plechtig mij beloofd,
Als in de toekomst, naar gij zegt, mij wachtend.

MORE:
Advantage=Opportunity
Possession=Worldly goods
Sequestering=Divorcing
Condition=Position, standing
Taste=Test
To come=To be fulfilled
Compleat:
Advantage=Voordeel, voorrecht, winst, gewin, toegift
Possession=(enjoyment) Bezit, genot; (demesnes, lands, tenements) Domeinen, goederen, landen
To sequester=In eene derde hand in bewaaring geven; Afscheiden; (widow disclaiming the estate of her deceased husband) De sleuten op de kist leggen; van het goed des overledenen mans afstand doen
Condition=Staat, gesteltenis
Taste=Proeven

Burgersdijk notes:
In de toekomst blikkend. Hier is de lezing der vierde folio-uitgave gevolgd: in things to come; de oudere drukken hebben: in things to love.

Topics: advantage/benefit, satisfaction, work, loyalty

I have an answer will serve all men…
It is like a barber’s chair that fits all buttocks.

PLAY: All’s Well that Ends Well
ACT/SCENE: 2.2
SPEAKER: Countess
CONTEXT:
CLOWN
Truly, madam, if God have lent a man any manners, he may easily put it off at court: he that cannot make a leg, put off’s cap, kiss his hand, and say nothing, has neither leg, hands, lip, nor cap; and indeed such a fellow, to say precisely, were not for the court. But for me, I have an answer will serve all men.
COUNTESS
Marry, that’s a bountiful answer that fits all questions.
CLOWN
It is like a barber’s chair that fits all buttocks, the pin-buttock, the quatch-buttock, the brawnbuttock, or any buttock.

DUTCH:
COUNTESS
Nu voorwaar, dat is een rijk antwoord, dat voor alle vragen passend is.
CLOWN
Het is als een scheerdersstoel, die voor alle achterstevens passend is, voor de spitse, voor de platte, voor de ronde, kortom voor alle achterstevens.

MORE:
Proverb: As common a a barber’s chair

Make a leg=A bow, an obeisance made by drawing one leg backward
Lent=To bestow on, to endow with, to adorn, to arm with
Put off=Doff
Bountiful=Of rich contents, full of meaning
Quatch=Squat
Compleat:
To make a leg=Buigen
To put off one’s hat=Zyn hoed afneemen
Bountiful=Milddaadig, goedertieren

Topics: reply, reason, understanding, loyalty, proverbs and idioms

I like this place and willingly could waste my time in it

PLAY: As You Like It
ACT/SCENE: 2.4
SPEAKER: Celia
CONTEXT:
ROSALIND
I pray thee, if it stand with honesty,
Buy thou the cottage, pasture, and the flock,
And thou shalt have to pay for it of us.
CELIA
And we will mend thy wages. I like this place,
And willingly could waste my time in it.
CORIN
Assuredly the thing is to be sold.
Go with me. If you like upon report
The soil, the profit, and this kind of life,
I will your very faithful feeder be
And buy it with your gold right suddenly.

DUTCH:
En hooger loon. Dit oord bevalt mij goed,
En gaarne wil ik hier mijn leven slijten.

MORE:
Stand with=Consistent with
To pay=Money to pay
Mend=Improve
Waste=Spend
Feeder=Servant
Compleat:
Mend=Beteren, verbeteren
To waste=Verwoesten, verquisten, verteeren, vernielen, doorbrengen
Feeder=Een voeder, spyzer, weyder, eeter

Topics: honesty, money, loyalty, work, life

I see thy glory like a shooting star Fall to the base earth from the firmament

PLAY: Richard II
ACT/SCENE: 2.4
SPEAKER: Earl of Salisbury
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:
0 Richard, met een blik vol hangen kommer
Zie ik, gelijk een sterre die verschiet,
Uw glans van ‘t firmament ter aarde ploffen.

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: reputation, failure, betrayal, friendship, loyalty, fate/destiny

I should not urge thy duty past thy might

PLAY: Julius Caesar
ACT/SCENE: 4.3
SPEAKER: Brutus
CONTEXT:
BRUTUS
Bear with me, good boy, I am much forgetful.
Canst thou hold up thy heavy eyes awhile,
And touch thy instrument a strain or two?
LUCIUS
Ay, my lord, an ’t please you.
BRUTUS
It does, my boy.
I trouble thee too much, but thou art willing.
LUCIUS
It is my duty, sir.
BRUTUS
I should not urge thy duty past thy might.
I know young bloods look for a time of rest.
LUCIUS
I have slept, my lord, already.
BRUTUS
It was well done, and thou shalt sleep again.
I will not hold thee long. If I do live,
I will be good to thee.

DUTCH:
lk moest niet meer verlangen dan gij kunt;
1k weet, het jonge bloed wil rust op tijd.

MORE:
Hold up heavy eyes=Stay awake
A strain=Strain of music
An=If
Past=Beyond
Might=Capabilities
Compleat:
A strain of musick=Een trant van muzyk
Past=Verleegen, geleden, voorby, over, gepasseerd
Might=Magt, vermoogen, kracht

Topics: memory, duty, loyalty

I take it much unkindly that thou, Iago, who hast had my purse as if the strings were thine, shouldst know of this

PLAY: Othello
ACT/SCENE: 1.1
SPEAKER: Roderigo
CONTEXT:
RODERIGO
Never tell me. I take it much unkindly
That thou, Iago, who hast had my purse
As if the strings were thine, shouldst know of this.
IAGO
‘Sblood, but you’ll not hear me! If ever I did dream of such a matter, abhor me.
RODERIGO
Thou told’st me
Thou didst hold him in thy hate.
IAGO
Despise me
If I do not. Three great ones of the city
(In personal suit to make me his lieutenant)
Off-capped to him, and by the faith of man
I know my price, I am worth no worse a place.
But he (as loving his own pride and purposes)
Evades them with a bombast circumstance
Horribly stuffed with epithets of war,
And in conclusion
Nonsuits my mediators. For “Certes,” says he,
“I have already chose my officer.”
And what was he?
Forsooth, a great arithmetician,
One Michael Cassio, a Florentine
A fellow almost damned in a fair wife
That never set a squadron in the field,
Nor the division of a battle knows
More than a spinster—unless the bookish theoric,
Wherein the toged consuls can propose
As masterly as he. Mere prattle without practice
Is all his soldiership. But he, sir, had th’ election
And I, of whom his eyes had seen the proof
At Rhodes, at Cyprus, and on other grounds
Christian and heathen, must be belee’d and calmed
By debitor and creditor. This counter-caster
He (in good time) must his lieutenant be
And I, bless the mark, his Moorship’s ancient.

DUTCH:
Geen praatjens, Jago, ‘k duid het u zeer euvel,
Dat gij, die steeds geput hebt uit mijn beurs,
Als waar’ zij de uwe, dit toch zeker wist.

MORE:

Unkindly=In a harsh and ungentle manner
Abhor=To detest to extremity, to loathe; with an accusation
Personal=Done or experienced in one’s own person, not by a representative or other indirect means
Suit=Petition, address of entreaty
Off-capped=Doffed caps
Suit=Petition
Bombast circumstance=Inflated rhetoric, circumlocution
Bombast=Cotton used to stuff out garments (hence ‘stuffed with epithets’)
Non-suit=Rejection of petition, causing withdrawal of petition
Preferment=Advancement, promotion
Letter and affection=Influence and favouritism
Gradation=Regular advance from step to step
Affined=Bound
Just=Conforming to the laws and principles of justice, equitable
Term=Expression, word
Beleeed=To place on the lee, in a position unfavourable to the wind
Ancient=The next in command under the lieutenant
Compleat:
Unkindly: To take a thing unkindly=Iets onvriendelyk opvatten
Abhor=Verfooijen, een afschrik hebben
Personal=In eigen hoofde
Suit=Een verzo+G3ek, rechtsgeding
Gradation=Een trafspreuk, opklimming in eene reede
To come to preferment=Bevorderd worden
Preferment=Verhooging, voortrekking, bevordering tot Staat
Bombast=Bombazyne of kattoene voering; fustian
Bombast=Hoogdraavende wartaal, ydel gezwets
To bumbast=Met bombazyn voeren
Bumbast: Bombazyn als ook Brommende woorden
Just=Effen, juist, net

Burgersdijk notes:
Geen praatjens, Jago. In ‘t Engelsch: Never tell me. Wij vallen hier midden in een gesprek; deze woorden
slaan op iets, dat Jago gezegd heeft; men mag aannemen, dat hij verklaard heeft, niets van de betrekking tasschen Othello en Desdemona geweten te hebben. — Daarop slaat ook Rodrigo’s gezegde in reg. 6: Gij haat hem innig; gij zult hem dus wel gade geslagen en er dus wel van geweten hebben; waarop Jago hem van zijn onderwerp af wil brengen door de redenen van zijn haat uiteen te zetten.

Topics: money, friendship, loyalty, respect

I will keep where there is wit stirring, and leave the faction of fools

PLAY: Troilus and Cressida
ACT/SCENE: 2.1
SPEAKER: Thersites
CONTEXT:
THERSITES
I will hold my peace when Achilles’ brach bids me,
shall I?
ACHILLES
There’s for you, Patroclus.
THERSITES
I will see you hanged, like clotpoles, ere I come
any more to your tents: I will keep where there is
wit stirring and leave the faction of fools.
PATROCLUS
A good riddance.
ACHILLES
Marry, this, sir, is proclaimed through all our host:
That Hector, by the fifth hour of the sun,
Will with a trumpet ‘twixt our tents and Troy
To-morrow morning call some knight to arms
That hath a stomach; and such a one that dare
Maintain—I know not what: ’tis trash. Farewell.

DUTCH:
Ik wil u gehangen zien als domme kinkels, eer ik ooit
weer in uwe tenten kom; ik wil gaan, waar verstand in
zwang is en de samenkomsten van narren vermijden.

MORE:
Brach=Kind of scenting-dog
Clotpole=Blockhead
Fifth hour=11 o’clock
Stomach=Appetite for fighting
Compleat:
Brack=Teef
Clot-head=Plompaard, botterik
Stomach=Trek (appetite); hart (spirit)

Topics: authority, conflict, loyalty

I would your highness would give it quick consideration, for there is no primer business.

PLAY: King Henry VIII
ACT/SCENE: 1.2
SPEAKER: Queen Katherine
CONTEXT:
QUEEN KATHERINE
I am much too venturous
In tempting of your patience; but am bolden’d
Under your promised pardon. The subjects’ grief
Comes through commissions, which compel from each
The sixth part of his substance, to be levied
Without delay; and the pretence for this
Is named, your wars in France: this makes bold mouths:
Tongues spit their duties out, and cold hearts freeze
Allegiance in them; their curses now
Live where their prayers did: and it’s come to pass,
This tractable obedience is a slave
To each incensed will. I would your highness
Would give it quick consideration, for
There is no primer business.

DUTCH:
O, mocht uw hoogheid
Dit daad’lijk willen overwegen, want
Geen zaak is sterker dringend!

MORE:
Venturous=Daring
Commissions=Taxes, instructions to impose tax
Grief=Complaints, grievances
Substance=Assets, wealth
Spit=Tongues spit out: Refuse with disrespectful language
Tractable=Compliant
Primer=More significant
Compleat:
Venturous=Ligtwaagend, stout
Commission=Last, volmagt, lastbrief, provisie
Grievance=Bezwaarenis
Substance=Zelfsandigheyd; bezit
Spit out=Uytspuuwen
Tractable=Handelbaar, leenig, buygzaam, zachtzinnnig
Prime=Eerste, voornaamste

Topics: loyalty, language, order/society, leadership

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 I do vow a friendship, I’ll perform it to the last article

PLAY: Othello
ACT/SCENE: 3.3
SPEAKER: Desdemona
CONTEXT:
DESDEMONA
I know ’t, I thank you. You do love my lord.
You have known him long, and be you well assured
He shall in strangeness stand no farther off
Than in a polite distance.
CASSIO
Ay, but, lady,
That policy may either last so long,
Or feed upon such nice and waterish diet,
Or breed itself so out of circumstances,
That, I being absent and my place supplied,
My general will forget my love and service.
DESDEMONA
Do not doubt that. Before Emilia here
I give thee warrant of thy place. Assure thee,
If I do vow a friendship, I’ll perform it
To the last article. My lord shall never rest,
I’ll watch him tame and talk him out of patience.
His bed shall seem a school, his board a shrift,
I’ll intermingle everything he does
With Cassio’s suit. Therefore be merry, Cassio,
For thy solicitor shall rather die
Than give thy cause away.

DUTCH:
Ducht dit geenszins; hier, voor Emilia, blijf ik
U borg voor uw herplaatsing. Wees verzekerd,
Beloof ik iets uit vriendschap, ik volbreng het
Ten einde toe; ik laat mijn gá geen rust;

MORE:
Strangeness=Reserve, distance
Breed=Perpetuate
Doubt=Fear
Friendship=Friendly act
Place supplied=Position filled
Board a shrift=Dinner table, confessional, place of penance
Solicitor=Advocate
Give cause away=Fail the cause
Compleat:
Strangeness=Vreemdheid
Breed=Teelen, werpen; voortbrengen; veroorzaaken; opvoeden
Doubt=Twyffel
Shrive=Biechten
Solicitor (solicitour)=Een verzoeker, vervorderaar, rechtsbevorderaar, solliciteur

Topics: civility, order/society, friendship, loyalty, promise

If thou dost find him tractable to us, encourage him and show him all our reasons

PLAY: Richard III
ACT/SCENE: 3.1
SPEAKER: Buckingham
CONTEXT:
BUCKINGHAM
Well then, no more but this: go, gentle Catesby,
And, as it were far off, sound thou Lord Hastings
How he doth stand affected to our purpose
And summon him tomorrow to the Tower
To sit about the coronation.
If thou dost find him tractable to us,
Encourage him and show him all our reasons.
If he be leaden, icy, cold, unwilling,
Be thou so too, and so break off the talk,
And give us notice of his inclination;
For we tomorrow hold divided councils,
Wherein thyself shalt highly be employed.

DUTCH:
Bespeurt gij , dat hij naar ons luist’ren wil,
Zoo wek hem op en zeg hem onze gronden,
Maar is hij koud, als ijs, en traag, als lood,
Wees gij ‘t dan ook en houd uw woorden in,
En deel ons mede, hoe zijn stemming is.

MORE:
Sound=Sound out
Affected to=Attitude to
Tractable=Compliant
Purpose=Cause
Compleat:
To sound=Peilen
How stands he affected=Hoe is hy geneygd?
Tractable=Handelbaar
Purpose=Voorneemen, besluit, ontwerp; onderwerp, stoffe van redenering; oogmerk
Yield=Overgeeven, toegeeven, geeven

Burgersdijk notes:
Want morgen houden we een gesplitsten staatsraad. Terwijl de aan den jongen koning gehechte lords in Baynard’s slot zetelden en er, op verzoek van den Protector, over de regeling van de aanstaande kroning raadpleegden, werden er in Crosby-hof samenkomsten gehouden van hen, die den Protector aanhingen en zijn wensch, om zelfkoning te worden, wilden bevorderen. Wat hierbij verhandeld werd, bleef natuurlijk diep geheim. Het zoo even vermelde slot van Baynard, naar den stichter zoo geheeten, lag aan den oever van de Theems en is sinds lang verdwenen; het was eens eigendom van Humphrey van Gloster en werd later door Hendrik VI aan Richards vader, den Hertog van York, toegekend.

Topics: plans/intentions, conspiracy, reasons, loyalty

If thou meanest well, I greet thee well.

PLAY: King Henry VI Part 2
ACT/SCENE: 5.1
SPEAKER: Buckingham
CONTEXT:
YORK
Whom have we here? Buckingham, to disturb me?
The king hath sent him, sure: I must dissemble.
BUCKINGHAM
York, if thou meanest well, I greet thee well.
YORK
Humphrey of Buckingham, I accept thy greeting.
Art thou a messenger, or come of pleasure?
BUCKINGHAM
A messenger from Henry, our dread liege,
To know the reason of these arms in peace;
Or why thou, being a subject as I am,
Against thy oath and true allegiance sworn,
Should raise so great a power without his leave,
Or dare to bring thy force so near the court.

DUTCH:
Zoo gij als vriend komt, York, dan groet ik vriendlijk.

MORE:

Dissemble=Assume a false appearance
Arms=Army
Dread=Greatly revered

Compleat:
To dissemble (conceal)=Bedekken, bewimpelen; veinzen, ontveinzen, verbloemen
Dread sovereign=Geduchte Vorst

Topics: appearance, deceit, civility, purpose, loyalty

If you’ll patch a quarrel, as matter whole you have to make it with, it must not be with this

PLAY: Antony and Cleopatra
ACT/SCENE: 2.2
SPEAKER: Caesar
CONTEXT:
CAESAR
You may be pleased to catch at mine intent
By what did here befall me. Your wife and brother
Made wars upon me, and their contestation
Was theme for you. You were the word of war.
ANTONY
You do mistake your business. My brother never
Did urge me in his act. I did inquire it,
And have my learning from some true reports
That drew their swords with you. Did he not rather
Discredit my authority with yours,
And make the wars alike against my stomach,
Having alike your cause? Of this my letters
Before did satisfy you. If you’ll patch a quarrel,
As matter whole you have to make it with,
It must not be with this.

DUTCH:
Zoekt gij voor een twistvuur
Te sprokk’len, daar u grooter hout ontbreekt,
Raap dit dan toch niet op.

MORE:
Catch at=Infer, grasp at
Contestation=Contention
Theme=Performed for, intended on behalf of
Word of war=Cause of the conflict
Urge=Press
True=Reliable
Stomach=Wish, inclination
Alike=Shared (cause)
Patch=Start, renew
Compleat:
Catch=Vatten, vangen, opvangen, grypen, betrappen
Contestation=Verschil, twist, krakkeel
Contention=Twist, krakkeel, geharrewar
Theme=Het onderwerp eener redeneering
To urge=Dringen, pressen, aandringen, aanstaan
True=Trouw, oprecht
Stomach=Gramsteurigheyd
Stomach=Trek (appetite); hart (spirit)
Alike=Eveneens, gelyk
Patch=Lappen, flikken

Topics: dispute, perception, authority, business, loyalty

It is the bright day that brings forth the adder and that craves wary walking

DUTCH:
De warme dag lokt de adders uit haar hol;
Dan zie de wand’laar scherp!

MORE:
Proverb: To turn one’s back on the ladder (ut down the stairs) by which one rose

Topics: achievement, status, loyalty, ambition, proverbs and idioms

It was a violent commencement in her, and thou shalt see an answerable sequestration

PLAY: Othello
ACT/SCENE: 1.3
SPEAKER: Iago
CONTEXT:
IAGO
It is merely a lust of the blood and a permission of
the will. Come, be a man. Drown thyself? Drown cats and
blind puppies! I have professed me thy friend, and I
confess me knit to thy deserving with cables of
perdurable toughness. I could never better stead thee
than now. Put money in thy purse. Follow thou the wars,
defeat thy favour with an usurped beard. I say, put
money in thy purse. It cannot be long that Desdemona
should continue her love to the Moor—put money in thy
purse—nor he his to her. It was a violent commencement
in her, and thou shalt see an answerable
sequestration—put but money in thy purse. These Moors
are changeable in their wills—fill thy purse with
money. The food that to him now is as luscious as
locusts shall be to him shortly as bitter as
coloquintida. She must change for youth. When she is
sated with his body she will find the errors of her
choice. Therefore, put money in thy purse. If thou wilt
needs damn thyself, do it a more delicate way than
drowning. Make all the money thou canst. If sanctimony
and a frail vow betwixt an erring barbarian and
supersubtle Venetian be not too hard for my wits and all
the tribe of hell, thou shalt enjoy her. Therefore
make money. A pox of drowning thyself! ‘Tis clean out
of the way. Seek thou rather to be hanged in compassing
thy joy than to be drowned and go without her.

DUTCH:
(H)et was hij haar een stormachtig
begin, en gij zult een even zoo plotselinge losscheuring
beleven; — steek maar geld in uw tasch

Topics: loyalty, friendship, love, money, poverty and wealth

Leave to plead my deeds: ’tis thou and those that have dishonoured me

PLAY: Titus Andronicus
ACT/SCENE: 1.1
SPEAKER: Bassianus
CONTEXT:
BASSIANUS
My lord, what I have done, as best I may,
Answer I must and shall do with my life.
Only thus much I give your grace to know:
By all the duties that I owe to Rome,
This noble gentleman, Lord Titus here,
Is in opinion and in honour wronged;
That in the rescue of Lavinia
With his own hand did slay his youngest son,
In zeal to you and highly moved to wrath
To be controlled in that he frankly gave:
Receive him, then, to favour, Saturnine,
That hath expressed himself in all his deeds
A father and a friend to thee and Rome.
TITUS ANDRONICUS
Prince Bassianus, leave to plead my deeds:
‘Tis thou and those that have dishonoured me.
Rome and the righteous heavens be my judge,
How I have loved and honoured Saturnine!

DUTCH:
Prins Bassianus, laat mijn daden rusten;
Gij zijt het en die daar, die mij onteerd hebt.

MORE:
Give to know=To tell
Opinion=Reputation
Controlled=Hindered, opposed
Frankly=Freely
Receive=Welcome
Leave=Cease
Compleat:
Opinon=Goeddunken, meening, gevoelen, waan
To controll=Tegenspreeken
Frankly=Vryelyk, mildelyk, openhartig
Receive=Ontvangen, aanneemen
To leave=Laaten, staan laate, naalaaten, verlaaten

Topics: reputation, honour, loyalty

Let us make the assay upon him

PLAY: Timon of Athens
ACT/SCENE: 4.3
SPEAKER: Third Bandit
CONTEXT:
FIRST BANDIT
Where should he have this gold? It is some poor
fragment, some slender ort of his remainder: the
mere want of gold, and the falling-from of his
friends, drove him into this melancholy.
SECOND BANDIT
It is noised he hath a mass of treasure.
THIRD BANDIT
Let us make the assay upon him: if he care not
for’t, he will supply us easily; if he covetously
reserve it, how shall’s get it?
SECOND BANDIT
True; for he bears it not about him, ’tis hid.

DUTCH:
Laat ons de proef bij hem nemen; als hij er niet om
geeft, zal hij er gewillig van meedeelen. Maar als hij
het hebzuchtig bewaart, hoe het te krijgen?

MORE:
Ort=Scrap
Remainder=Remainder of his fortune
Want=Lack
Falling-from=Defection, estrangement
Noised=Rumoured
Assay=Test; attack
Shall’s=Shall we
Compleat:
Remainder=Overschot
Want=Gebrek
To noise abroad=Uitbrommen, uitschallen, uittrompetten
Assay=Beproeven, toetsen

Topics: money, friendship, loyalty

Men that make envy and crooked malice nourishment dare bite the best.

PLAY: King Henry VIII
ACT/SCENE: 5.3
SPEAKER: Cranmer
CONTEXT:
CRANMER
My good lords, hitherto, in all the progress
Both of my life and office, I have labour’d,
And with no little study, that my teaching
And the strong course of my authority
Might go one way, and safely; and the end
Was ever, to do well: nor is there living,
I speak it with a single heart, my lords,
A man that more detests, more stirs against,
Both in his private conscience and his place,
Defacers of a public peace, than I do.
Pray heaven, the king may never find a heart
With less allegiance in it! Men that make
Envy and crooked malice nourishment
Dare bite the best. I do beseech your lordships,
That, in this case of justice, my accusers,
Be what they will, may stand forth face to face,
And freely urge against me.
SUFFOLK
Nay, my lord,
That cannot be. You are a councillor,
And by that virtue no man dare accuse you.

DUTCH:
Een mensch,
Die zich van haat en slinksche boosheid voedt,
Bijt driest den beste.

MORE:
No little=Significant
End=Objective
Ever=Always
Single=True
Urge against=Accuse
By that virtue=By virtue of that
Compleat:
End=Eynde, oogmerk
Ever=Altoos, altyd
Urge=Dringen, pressen, aandringen, aanstaan
By virtue of=Uyt krachte van

Topics: envy, work, learning/education, loyalty

Methinks I should revive the soldiers’ hearts,
Because I ever found them as myself

PLAY: King Henry VI Part 1
ACT/SCENE: 3.2
SPEAKER: Bedford
CONTEXT:
BURGUNDY
Courageous Bedford, let us now persuade you.
BEDFORD
Not to be gone from hence; for once I read
That stout Pendragon in his litter sick
Came to the field and vanquished his foes:
Methinks I should revive the soldiers’ hearts,
Because I ever found them as myself.
TALBOT
Undaunted spirit in a dying breast!
Then be it so: heavens keep old Bedford safe!
And now no more ado, brave Burgundy,
But gather we our forces out of hand
And set upon our boasting enemy.

DUTCH:
k Verlevendig misschien den moed der strijders,
Want steeds bevond ik hen, zooals mijzelven.

MORE:

Pendragon=Uther Pendragon, father of the legendary King Arthur.

Schmidt:
Stout=Bold
Out of hand=Immediately

Compleat:
Out of hand=Terstond, op staande voet
Stout (courageous)=Moedig, dapper

Burgersdijk notes:
De stoute Pendragoon. De oud-Engelsche sage verhaalt dit zoowel van Pendragoon, den vader van koning Arthur, als van zijn broeder Aurelius.
Dapper Bourgondie. De Maagd van Orleans heeft niet mondeling, maar door een brief den hertog van Bourgondië, schoon te vergeefs, tot afval van Engeland trachten te bewegen en daarbij dezelfde beweeggronden gebezigd, die Shakespeare haar hier in den mond legt. In Holinshed wordt dit echter niet vermeld; of en hoe het aan Sh. bekend was, weten wij niet.

Topics: friendship, emotion and mood, loyalty

Mine honesty and I begin to square

PLAY: Antony and Cleopatra
ACT/SCENE: 3.13
SPEAKER: Enobarbus
CONTEXT:
ENOBARBUS
Mine honesty and I begin to square.
The loyalty well held to fools does make
Our faith mere folly. Yet he that can endure
To follow with allegiance a fall’n lord
Does conquer him that did his master conquer
And earns a place i’ th’ story.
CLEOPATRA
Caesar’s will?
THIDIAS
Hear it apart.
CLEOPATRA
None but friends. Say boldly.
THIDIAS
So haply are they friends to Antony.
ENOBARBUS
He needs as many, sir, as Caesar has,
Or needs not us. If Caesar please, our master
Will leap to be his friend. For us, you know
Whose he is we are, and that is Caesar’s.

DUTCH:
Thans strijden saam mijn plichtgevoel en ik.
Wie dwazen eerlijk trouw blijft, maakt de trouwe
Tot dwaasheid; ja, maar wie zijn lust betoomt
En zijn gevallen heer trouwhartig dient
Die overwint zijns meesters overwinnaar,
Oogst eeuw’gen lof.

MORE:
Honesty=Honour, integrity
Square=Conflict
Endure=Persevere
Mere=Utter
Haply=Perhaps
Compleat:
Honesty=Eerbaarheid, vroomheid
To endure=Verdraagen, harden, duuren
Haply=Misschien

Topics: loyalty, truth, honour, judgment, friendship, honesty

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

Nay, friar, I am a kind of burr; I shall stick.

PLAY: Measure for Measure
ACT/SCENE: 4.3
SPEAKER: Lucio
CONTEXT:
By my troth, I’ll go with thee to the lane’s end:
if bawdy talk offend you, we’ll have very little of
it. Nay, friar, I am a kind of burr; I shall stick.

DUTCH:
Op mijn woord, ik ga tot het eind van de straat met
u mede; als bordeelpraatjes u hinderen, zullen wij er
zeer weinig van hebben. Ja, pater, ik ben een soort
van klis, moeilijk af te schudden.

MORE:
Schmidt:
Burr=Rough head of the burdock
Compleat:
Kliskruid

Topics: loyalty

Now does he feel his title
Hang loose about him

PLAY: Macbeth
ACT/SCENE: 5.2
SPEAKER: Angus
CONTEXT:
Now does he feel
His secret murders sticking on his hands.
Now minutely revolts upbraid his faith-breach.
Those he commands move only in command,
Nothing in love. Now does he feel his title
Hang loose about him, like a giant’s robe
Upon a dwarfish thief.

DUTCH:
Thans voelt hij recht, hoe los zijn waardigheid
Om ‘t lijf hem hangt

MORE:
Schmidt:
Faith-breach= Breach of fidelity, disloyalty
Minutely=Continual, happening every minute
Revolt= Desertion, going to the enemy
Upbraid=Reproach; with an accusation of the thing

Topics: loyalty, disappointment, failure, truth, discovery

O negligence! Fit for a fool to fall by.

PLAY: King Henry VIII
ACT/SCENE: 3.2
SPEAKER: Cardinal Wolsey
CONTEXT:
CARDINAL WOLSEY
What should this mean?
What sudden anger’s this? how have I reap’d it?
He parted frowning from me, as if ruin
Leap’d from his eyes: so looks the chafed lion
Upon the daring huntsman that has gall’d him;
Then makes him nothing. I must read this paper;
I fear, the story of his anger. ‘Tis so;
This paper has undone me: ’tis the account
Of all that world of wealth I have drawn together
For mine own ends; indeed, to gain the popedom,
And fee my friends in Rome. O negligence!
Fit for a fool to fall by: what cross devil
Made me put this main secret in the packet
I sent the king? Is there no way to cure this?
No new device to beat this from his brains?
I know ’twill stir him strongly; yet I know
A way, if it take right, in spite of fortune
Will bring me off again. What’s this? ‘To the Pope!’
The letter, as I live, with all the business
I writ to’s holiness. Nay then, farewell!
I have touch’d the highest point of all my greatness;
And, from that full meridian of my glory,
I haste now to my setting: I shall fall
Like a bright exhalation in the evening,
And no man see me more.

DUTCH:
O onachtzaamheid!
Zoo valt een dwaas! wat dwarse duivel deed
Dit aartsgeheim geraken in ‘t paket,
Dat ik den koning zond

MORE:
Chafed=Angry
Galled=Injured
Undone=Ruined
Fee=Pay
Packet=Package of papers
Device=Scheme, plot
Stir=Irritate
Meridian=Top point
Exhalation=Meteor
Compleat:
Chafed=Verhit, vertoornd, gevreeven
To gall=’t Vel afschuuren, smarten
To gall the enemy=Den vyand benaauwen
Undone=Ontdaan, losgemaakt, bedurven
To fee=Beloonen, betaalen, de handen vullen, de oogen uytsteken door giften
Device=List; uytvindsel, gedichtsel
Stir=Gewoel, geraas, beroerte, oproer
Meridian=Middagslyn

Topics: loyalty, anger, negligence

Oh, my fortunes have corrupted honest men!

PLAY: Antony and Cleopatra
ACT/SCENE: 4.5
SPEAKER: Antony
CONTEXT:
EROS
Sir, his chests and treasure
He has not with him.
ANTONY
Is he gone?
SOLDIER
Most certain.
ANTONY
Go, Eros, send his treasure after. Do it.
Detain no jot, I charge thee. Write to him—
I will subscribe—gentle adieus and greetings.
Say that I wish he never find more cause
To change a master. Oh, my fortunes have
Corrupted honest men! Dispatch.—Enobarbus!

DUTCH:
Ga, Eros, zend zijn schat hem na; ja, doe het;
Houd niets terug; verstaan? En schrijf hem ook, —
Ik onderteeken ‘t, — mijn vaarwel en groeten;
Meld hem mijn wensch, dat niets hem ooit meer noop’
Van meester te veranderen. — O, mijn rampen
Doen braven schurk zijn. — Spoed u! — Enobarbus!

MORE:
Detain=Hold back
Jot=Smallest quantity
Charge=Order
Subscribe=Sign
Compleat:
Jot=Zier
Charge=Belasten
Subscribe=Onderschryven

Topics: fate/destiny, honesty, loyalty

Our dungy earth alike feeds beast as man

PLAY: Antony and Cleopatra
ACT/SCENE: 1.1
SPEAKER: Antony
CONTEXT:
CLEOPATRA
Perchance? Nay, and most like.
You must not stay here longer. Your dismission
Is come from Caesar. Therefore hear it, Antony.
Where’s Fulvia’s process? Caesar’s, I would say—both?
Call in the messengers. As I am Egypt’s queen,
Thou blushest, Antony, and that blood of thine
Is Caesar’s homager. Else so thy cheek pays shame
When shrill-tongued Fulvia scolds. The messengers!
ANTONY
Let Rome in Tiber melt and the wide arch
Of the ranged empire fall. Here is my space.
Kingdoms are clay. Our dungy earth alike
Feeds beast as man. The nobleness of life
Is to do thus, when such a mutual pair
And such a twain can do ’t, in which I bind,
On pain of punishment, the world to weet
We stand up peerless.

DUTCH:
Een troon is stof; het modd’rig aardrijk voedt
Zoo beest als mensch

MORE:
Perchance=Possibly
Dismission=Dismissal, discharge
Process=Summons
Homager=Vassal
Pays shame=Offers, shows
Arch=Span
Ranged=Ordered
Mutual=Matched
Weet=Know
Peerless=Unequalled
Compleat:
Perchance=By geval
To discharge=Onstlaan, lossen, quytschelden
Process=Rechtsgeding, proces
Homager=Een die manschap aan iemand gedaan heeft
To arch=Gewelfd, verwulfd maaken
To range=In orde schikken, vlyen
Mutual=Onderling, wederzyds
Weet=Weten
Peerless=Zonder weerga, gaadeloos

Topics: news, authority, loyalty

Prizes of accident as oft as merit

PLAY: Troilus and Cressida
ACT/SCENE: 3.3
SPEAKER: Achilles
CONTEXT:
ACHILLES
What, am I poor of late?
‘Tis certain, greatness, once fall’n out with fortune,
Must fall out with men too: what the declined is
He shall as soon read in the eyes of others
As feel in his own fall; for men, like butterflies,
Show not their mealy wings but to the summer,
And not a man, for being simply man,
Hath any honour, but honour for those honours
That are without him, as place, riches, favour,
Prizes of accident as oft as merit:
Which when they fall, as being slippery standers,
The love that leaned on them as slippery too,
Do one pluck down another and together
Die in the fall. But ’tis not so with me:
Fortune and I are friends: I do enjoy
At ample point all that I did possess,
Save these men’s looks; who do, methinks, find out
Something not worth in me such rich beholding
As they have often given. Here is Ulysses;
I’ll interrupt his reading.
How now Ulysses!

DUTCH:
Eer valt hem slechts ten deel voor eenige eer,
Die buiten hem is: rijkdom, hofgunst, rang, —
Des toevals gaaf zoo vaak als loon van kloekheid; —
En vallen deze, zij die glibb’rig staan,
Waartegen vriendschap even glibb’rig leunt,
Dan sleept de een de’ ander mede, en alles valt
En sterft te zaâm.

MORE:
Mealy=Powdery
Without=Outside
Accident=By chance
Slippery=Not on a firm footing
Beholding=Indebtedness, obligation
Compleat:
Mealy=Meelig
Without=Buyten
Accident=Een toeval, quaal, aankleefsel
Slippery=Slibberig, glipperig, glad
Beholding, beholden=Gehouden, verplicht, verschuldigt

Topics: reputation, ruin, friendship, loyalty

Read o’er this; and after, this: and then to breakfast with what appetite you have.

PLAY: King Henry VIII
ACT/SCENE: 3.2
SPEAKER: King Henry VIII
CONTEXT:
KING HENRY VIII
‘Tis nobly spoken:
Take notice, lords, he has a loyal breast,
For you have seen him open’t. Read o’er this;
And after, this: and then to breakfast with
What appetite you have.
CARDINAL WOLSEY
What should this mean?
What sudden anger’s this? how have I reap’d it?
He parted frowning from me, as if ruin
Leap’d from his eyes: so looks the chafed lion
Upon the daring huntsman that has gall’d him;
Then makes him nothing. I must read this paper;
I fear, the story of his anger. ‘Tis so;
This paper has undone me: ’tis the account
Of all that world of wealth I have drawn together
For mine own ends; indeed, to gain the popedom,
And fee my friends in Rome.

DUTCH:
Lees dit eens over;
Daarna ook dit; en ga dan kalm ontbijten,
Indien gij trek hebt.

MORE:
Chafed=Angry
Galled=Injured
Undone=Ruined
Fee=Pay
Compleat:
Chafed=Verhit, vertoornd, gevreeven
To gall=’t Vel afschuuren, smarten
To gall the enemy=Den vyand benaauwen
Undone=Ontdaan, losgemaakt, bedurven
To fee=Beloonen, betaalen, de handen vullen, de oogen uytsteken door giften

Topics: loyalty, anger, negligence

Remember I have done thee worthy service,
Told thee no lies, made thee no mistakings, served
Without or grudge or grumblings.

PLAY: The Tempest
ACT/SCENE: 1.2
SPEAKER: Ariel
CONTEXT:
PROSPERO
How now? Moody?
What is ’t thou canst demand?
ARIEL
My liberty.
PROSPERO
Before the time be out? No more!
ARIEL
I prithee,
Remember I have done thee worthy service,
Told thee no lies, made thee no mistakings, served
Without or grudge or grumblings. Thou didst promise
To bate me a full year.

DUTCH:
Bedenk, ik bid u, ‘k deed u trouwen dienst,
Beloog u nooit, deed niets verkeerd, en diende
U willig zonder klacht. Een vol jaar afslag
Hebt gij mij toegezegd.

MORE:
Moody=Ill- humoured; discontented, peevish, angry
Time=Period of indenture
Bate (abate)=Reduce length of indenture
Mistakings=Mistakes
Grudge=Grudging; ill-will
Compleat:
In an ill mood=In een kwaade luim
Moody=Eenzinnig, eigenzinnig
The mood of a verb=De wyze van een werkwoord
Worthy=Waardig
Bate=Verminderen, afkorten, afslaan

Topics: work, contract, promise, claim, loyalty

So your brace of unprizable estimations, the one is but frail and the other casual

PLAY: Cymbeline
ACT/SCENE: 1.4
SPEAKER: Iachimo
CONTEXT:
IACHIMO
Either your unparagoned mistress is dead, or she’s
outprized by a trifle.
POSTHUMUS LEONATUS
You are mistaken: the one may be sold, or given, if
there were wealth enough for the purchase, or merit
for the gift: the other is not a thing for sale,
and only the gift of the gods.
IACHIMO
Which the gods have given you?
POSTHUMUS LEONATUS
Which, by their graces, I will keep.
IACHIMO
You may wear her in title yours: but, you know,
strange fowl light upon neighbouring ponds. Your
ring may be stolen too: so your brace of unprizable
estimations; the one is but frail and the other
casual; a cunning thief, or a that way accomplished
courtier, would hazard the winning both of first and
last.

DUTCH:
Ook uw ring kan u gestolen worden;
en zoo is van uwe twee onwaardeerbare schatten de een
slechts zwak, de ander verliesbaar; een geslepen dief of
een in dit opzicht uitgeleerd hoveling kunnen het wagen
u zoowel den een’ als den anderen te ontfutselen.

MORE:
In title=As in title to an estate
So=In such a manner, thus
Unprizable=Invaluable, inestimable
Casual=Accidental, by chance
Frail=Weak, in a physical as well as moral sense
Hazard=To venture, to risk, take a bet on
Compleat:
Title=Recht, eisch
He has no good title to it=Hy heeft geen goed recht daar toe
Title=Papieren, geschriften om zyn recht to bewyzen
Hazard=Waagen, aventuuren, in de waagschaal stellen
Casual=Gevallig, toevallig
Frail=Bros

Topics: loyalty, betrayal, value, risk

Strange, unusual blood, when man’s worst sin is he does too much good!

DUTCH:
Mijn arme heer! dien ‘t al te goede hart
Te gronde richtte! Vreemde drift van ‘t bloed;
Zijn ergste feil het doen van te veel goed!

Topics: sorrow, poverty and wealth, honesty, loyalty

Such men as he be never at heart’s ease whiles they behold a greater than themselves, and therefore are they very dangerous.

DUTCH:
Nooit is bij zulke mannen ‘t hart voldaan,
Zoolang zij iemand grooter zien dan zij;
En dat is ‘t, wat hen zoo gevaarlijk maakt.

MORE:
Proverb: An envious man grows lean
Proverb: To turn (give) a deaf ear

Topics: proverbs and idioms, still in use, risk, loyalty, skill/talent

That sir which serves and seeks for gain,
And follows but for form,
Will pack when it begins to rain
And leave thee in the storm.

PLAY: King Lear
ACT/SCENE: 2.4
SPEAKER: Fool
CONTEXT:
That sir which serves and seeks for gain,
And follows but for form,
Will pack when it begins to rain
And leave thee in the storm.
But I will tarry. The fool will stay.
And let the wise man fly.
The knave turns fool that runs away;
The fool, no knave, perdie.

DUTCH:
Wie zich door geldzucht laat bewegen
en werkt slechts voor de vorm,
gaat ervandoor bij de eerste regen
en laat jou in de storm.

MORE:

Serves and seeks for gain=Self-serving individuals
To rain=A fall in fortune
Schmidt:
Form=Show, appearance
Tarry=to continue in a place, to remain, not to go away
Perdie (or perdy)=In sooth
Compleat:
Tarry (behind) (stay or remain)=Blyven, Agterblyven
Self-seeking=Inhaalend, voor zich zelfs zorgende
Gainery or gainage, these two law words signify the profit most properly that comes by the tillage of land held by the baser kind of fokemen [menfolk] or villains=Deeze twee woorden betekenen allereigentlykst het voordeel dat men trekt van de landen, die door het schuim van volk bebouwt worden.

Topics: loyalty, wisdom, duty, ambition

That were hard to compass, because she will admit no kind of suit

PLAY: Twelfth Night
ACT/SCENE: 1.2
SPEAKER: Captain
CONTEXT:
CAPTAIN
And so is now, or was so very late.
For but a month ago I went from hence,
And then ’twas fresh in murmur —as, you know,
What great ones do the less will prattle of—
That he did seek the love of fair Olivia.
VIOLA
What’s she?
CAPTAIN
A virtuous maid, the daughter of a count
That died some twelvemonth since, then leaving her
In the protection of his son, her brother,
Who shortly also died, for whose dear love,
They say, she hath abjured the company
And sight of men.
VIOLA
Oh, that I served that lady
And might not be delivered to the world,
Till I had made mine own occasion mellow,
What my estate is.
CAPTAIN
That were hard to compass,
Because she will admit no kind of suit,
No, not the duke’s.

DUTCH:
t Zal niet gaan;
Aan geen verzoeken geeft zij ooit gehoor,
Zelfs niet aan die des hertogs.

MORE:
Proverb: The face is the index of the heart (mind)

Prattle=Discuss
Fresh in murmur=New rumours
Delivered=Revealed
Shortly=Soon after
Abjure=Renounce
Occasion=Opportunity
Mellow=Ripe
Estate=Social status
Compass=Bring about
Suit=Petition
Compleat:
Prate and prattle=Keffen en snappen
To murmur=Morren, murmureeren
To murmur against=Tegen morren
Shortly=Kortelyk, in ‘t kort, binnen korten
To abjure=Afzweeren
Occasion=Gelegenheyd, voorval, oorzaak
Mellow=Murw, rijp
To mellow=Rypen, ryp of murw worden
Estate=Bezit, middelen
Suit=Een verzoek, rechtsgeding

Burgersdijk notes:
Ik wil dien vorst als jonkman dienen. In het oorspronkelijke staat, dat Viola ,””als eunuuk”” aan den hertog wenscht voorgesteld te worden. — Daarom zegt dan ook de kapitein, aan de eunuken en stommen van het serail en aan de daar gebruikelijke straf van verblinden denkende, in zijn antwoord: Wees gij zijn eunuuk, en ik zal uw stomme zijn; zoo mijn tong klapt, laat dan mijne oogen niet meer zien””. Geheel juist en volledig waren deze twee regels, die op de woorden “”als eunuuk”” slaan, niet terug te geven. Daarom zijn deze twee woorden weggelaten, wat te eerder veroorloofd scheen, daar Sh. later op deze uitdrukking niet meer gelet heeft en Viola aan het hof des hertogs geenszins de voorgenomen rol speelt, maar door allen als een jonkman behandeld wordt, zoodat men zich verwonderen kan, dat Shakespeare in dit met zooveel zorg bewerkte stuk de woorden niet gewijzigd heeft.”

Topics: proverbs and idioms, appearance, relationship, loyalty, death

The abuse of greatness is when it disjoins remorse from power

DUTCH:
Aan misbruik schuldig wordt de grootheid, die
‘t Geweten scheidt van macht ; en ‘k weet van Caesar,
Naar waarheid, niet, dat ooit bij hem zijn hartstocht
Meer heerschte dan zijn rede.

MORE:
Proverb: To turn one’s back on the ladder (ut down the stairs) by which one rose

Topics: achievement, status, loyalty, ambition, proverbs and idioms

The common people swarm like summer flies
And whither fly the gnats but to the sun?

PLAY: King Henry VI Part 3
ACT/SCENE: 2.6
SPEAKER: King Henry VI
CONTEXT:
Here burns my candle out; ay, here it dies,
Which, whiles it lasted, gave King Henry light.
O Lancaster, I fear thy overthrow
More than my body’s parting with my soul!
My love and fear glued many friends to thee;
And, now I fall, thy tough commixture melts.
Impairing Henry, strengthening misproud York,
The common people swarm like summer flies;
And whither fly the gnats but to the sun?
And who shines now but Henry’s enemies?
O Phoebus, hadst thou never given consent
That Phaethon should check thy fiery steeds,
Thy burning car never had scorch’d the earth!
And, Henry, hadst thou sway’d as kings should do,
Or as thy father and his father did,
Giving no ground unto the house of York,
They never then had sprung like summer flies;
I and ten thousand in this luckless realm
Had left no mourning widows for our death;
And thou this day hadst kept thy chair in peace.
For what doth cherish weeds but gentle air?

DUTCH:
Maar nu ik val, nu smelt die taaie menging,
Maakt Hendrik zwak, versterkt den driesten York.
Waar vliegen muggen heen, dan in de zon?

MORE:

Proverb: His candle burns within the socket

Commixture=Compound (the ‘glued’ friends)
Misproud=Arrogant, viciously proud (Schmidt)
Phoebus=Apollo
Check=Control
Car=Chariot
Swayed=Governed, ruled
Give ground=Yield, recede
Chair=Throne
Cherish=Encourage (growth)

Compleat:
To keep a check on one=Iemand in den teugel houden
Sway=(power, rule, command) Macht, gezach, heerschappy
To bear sway=Heerschappy voeren
To sway=(govern) Regeeren. To sway the scepter=Den schepter zwaaijen
To cherish=Koesteren, opkweeken, streelen, aankweeken

Topics: leadership, rivalry, friendship, loyalty, proverbs and idioms

The love of wicked men converts to fear; That fear to hate, and hate turns one or both To worthy danger and deserved death.

PLAY: Richard II
ACT/SCENE: 5.1
SPEAKER: King Richard II
CONTEXT:
KING RICHARD II
Northumberland, thou ladder wherewithal
The mounting Bolingbroke ascends my throne,
The time shall not be many hours of age
More than it is ere foul sin gathering head
Shalt break into corruption: thou shalt think,
Though he divide the realm and give thee half,
It is too little, helping him to all;
And he shall think that thou, which know’st the way
To plant unrightful kings, wilt know again,
Being ne’er so little urged, another way
To pluck him headlong from the usurped throne.
The love of wicked men converts to fear;
That fear to hate, and hate turns one or both
To worthy danger and deserved death.

DUTCH:
Bij snoode vrienden wordt licht liefde vrees,
De vrees tot haat, en haat brengt éen van beiden,
Of beiden, welverdiend gevaar en dood.

MORE:
Wherewithal=With which, by means of which (he is using your ladder)
Gathering head=Coming to a head
Sin=Transgression of the divine law
Helping=Having helped
Unrightful=Illegitimate
So little urged=With only the slightest encouragement
Headlong=Unceremoniously

Compleat:
Now my designs gathering to a head=Nu beginnen myn voornemens ryp te worden
Urged=Gedrongen, geprest, aangedrongen
Headlong=Vlak voorover, plotseling

Topics: loyalty, betrayal, conspiracy, corruption, consequence

The time shall not be many hours of age More than it is ere foul sin gathering head Shalt break into corruption.

DUTCH:
De tijd zal niet veel ouder zijn dan nu,
Eer booze zonde rijpt en zich verzamelt
En openbreekt

Compleat:
Now my designs gathering to a head=Nu beginnen myn voornemens ryp te worden
Urged=Gedrongen, geprest, aangedrongen
Headlong=Vlak voorover, plotseling

Topics: loyalty, betrayal, conspiracy, corruption, time

There have been commissions sent down among ’em, which hath flaw’d the heart of all their loyalties

PLAY: King Henry VIII
ACT/SCENE: 1.2
SPEAKER: Queen Katherine
CONTEXT:
QUEEN KATHERINE
I am solicited, not by a few,
And those of true condition, that your subjects
Are in great grievance: there have been commissions
Sent down among ’em, which hath flaw’d the heart
Of all their loyalties: wherein, although,
My good lord cardinal, they vent reproaches
Most bitterly on you, as putter on
Of these exactions, yet the king our master—
Whose honour heaven shield from soil!—even he escapes not
Language unmannerly, yea, such which breaks
The sides of loyalty, and almost appears
In loud rebellion.

DUTCH:
Er werd bij mij geklaagd, — en niet door wein’gen,
En door de besten, — dat uw onderdanen
Recht diep gegriefd zijn. Schatters zond men tot hen,
Waardoor het hart van al hun trouw en liefde
Doorpriemd werd.

MORE:
True=Loyal
Grievance=Distress
Commissions=Taxes, instructions to impose tax
Exactions=Extortion of tax, compulsion to pay
Soil=Stain (Shield his honour from soil: Protect his honour)
Compleat:
True=Trouw, oprecht
Grievance=Bezwaarenis
Grieved=Bedroefd, bedrukt, gegriefd
Commission=Last, volmagt, lastbrief, provisie
To exact=Afeysschen, afvorderen
To soil=Bezoedelen, vuyl maaken, bevlekken

Topics: loyalty, language

There is seen the baby figure of the giant mass of things to come at large

PLAY: Troilus and Cressida
ACT/SCENE: 1.3
SPEAKER: Nestor
CONTEXT:
NESTOR
Yes, ’tis most meet: whom may you else oppose,
That can from Hector bring his honour off,
If not Achilles? Though’t be a sportful combat,
Yet in the trial much opinion dwells;
For here the Trojans taste our dear’st repute
With their finest palate: and trust to me, Ulysses,
Our imputation shall be oddly poised
In this wild action; for the success,
Although particular, shall give a scantling
Of good or bad unto the general;
And in such indexes, although small pricks
To their subsequent volumes, there is seen
The baby figure of the giant mass
Of things to come at large. It is supposed
He that meets Hector issues from our choice
And choice, being mutual act of all our souls,
Makes merit her election, and doth boil,
As ’twere from us all, a man distilled
Out of our virtues; who miscarrying,
What heart receives from hence the conquering part,
To steel a strong opinion to themselves?
Which entertained, limbs are his instruments,
In no less working than are swords and bows
Directive by the limbs.

DUTCH:
En zulk een index, schoon een stip, een niets
Bij ‘t boek, dat volgt, laat toch vooruit, zoo meent men,
In kindsgestalte ‘t reuzenlijf der dingen,
Die komen zullen, zien.

MORE:
Meet=Appropriate
Wild=Reckless
Success=Result
Particular=Relating to a single person
Scantling=Sample, sketchy
Indexes=Indications
Pricks=Indications
Volumes=Books; quantities
Miscarrying=If unsuccessful
Entertained=If established
Working=Effective
Compleat:
Meet=Dienstig, bequaam, gevoeglyk
Wild=Buitenspoorig, onbetaamelyk
Success=Uitkomst, hetzij goed of kwaad
Particular=Byzonder, zonderling, byzonderheid
Scantling=(little piece) Een klein brokje, stukje
Index=Een wyzer, bladwyzer
Prick=Prikkel
Volume=Boek, boekdeel, band
Miscarry=Mislukken, kwaalyk uitvallen
To entertain an opinion=Een stelling, gevoelen aanneemen; koesteren; gelooven of voorstaan
Working=Werkende

Topics: dispute, rivalry, success, leadership, loyalty

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

Thou art not for the fashion of these times, where none will sweat but for promotion

PLAY: As You Like It
ACT/SCENE: 2.3
SPEAKER: Orlando
CONTEXT:
ORLANDO
O good old man, how well in thee appears
The constant service of the antique world,
When service sweat for duty, not for meed.
Thou art not for the fashion of these times,
Where none will sweat but for promotion,
And having that do choke their service up
Even with the having. It is not so with thee.
But, poor old man, thou prun’st a rotten tree
That cannot so much as a blossom yield
In lieu of all thy pains and husbandry.
But come thy ways. We’ll go along together,
And ere we have thy youthful wages spent,
We’ll light upon some settled low content.
ADAM
Master, go on, and I will follow thee
To the last gasp, with truth and loyalty.
From seventeen years till now almost fourscore
Here livèd I, but now live here no more.
At seventeen years, many their fortunes seek,
But at fourscore, it is too late a week.
Yet fortune cannot recompense me better
Than to die well, and not my master’s debtor.

DUTCH:
Gij volgt niet, neen, de mode dezer dagen,
Nu niemand zwoegen wil, dan om wat winst,
En hij, die winst bekomt, in ‘t voordeel zelf
Zijn ijver smoort

MORE:
Constant=Faithful
Antic=Ancient; (O. Edd. promiscuously antick and antique, but always accented on the first syllable), adj. belonging to the times, or resembling the manners of antiquity
Sweat=Toil, labour
Constant=Faithful
Choke up (Reflectively)=Oppress, make away with, kill; Stop, cease
Low content=Humble contentment
Meed=Reward, recompense, hire
Compleat:
Meed=Belooning, vergelding, verdiensten
Constant=Standvastig, bestending, gestadig
To choke=Verstkken, verwurgen
Contentment=Vergenoeging, vergenoegdheyd, voldoening

Topics: duty, age/experience, work, loyalty, achievement, fashion/trends

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

Thy friendship makes us fresh

PLAY: King Henry VI Part 1
ACT/SCENE: 3.3
SPEAKER: Dauphin
CONTEXT:
CHARLES
Welcome, brave duke! thy friendship makes us fresh.
BASTARD OF ORLEANS
And doth beget new courage in our breasts.
ALENCON
Pucelle hath bravely play’d her part in this,
And doth deserve a coronet of gold.
CHARLES
Now let us on, my lords, and join our powers,
And seek how we may prejudice the foe.

DUTCH:
Heil, dapp’re hertog! uw verbond verfrischt ons.

MORE:
Makes us fresh=Revives me
Beget=Produce, create
Join=Unite, combine

Compleat:
Refresh=(recreate) Verquikken, verfrisschen; (renew) vernieuwen, hernieuwen; zich ververschen
Beget=Gewinnen, teelen, voortbrengen, verkrygen
Idleness begets beggary=Luiheid veroorzaakt bedelaary
To join=Saamenvoegen; vereenigen, voegen, vervoegen

Topics: friendship, emotion and mood, loyalty, unity/collaboration

Till the diminution of space had pointed him sharp as my needle

PLAY: Cymbeline
ACT/SCENE: 1.3
SPEAKER: Imogen
CONTEXT:
PISANIO
No, madam; for so long
As he could make me with this eye or ear
Distinguish him from others, he did keep
The deck, with glove, or hat, or handkerchief,
Still waving, as the fits and stirs of ‘s mind
Could best express how slow his soul sail’d on,
How swift his ship.
IMOGEN
Thou shouldst have made him
As little as a crow, or less, ere left
To after-eye him.
PISANIO
Madam, so I did.
IMOGEN
I would have broke mine eye-strings; crack’d them, but
To look upon him, till the diminution
Of space had pointed him sharp as my needle,
Nay, follow’d him, till he had melted from
The smallness of a gnat to air, and then
Have turn’d mine eye and wept. But, good Pisanio,
When shall we hear from him?

DUTCH:
Ik had mij de oogen uit het hoofd gestaard
Om hem te zien, tot de afstand hem zoo scherp
Gelijk mijn naald gespitst had;

MORE:
Keep=Keep to, stay on
As=As if
After-eye=Keep watching
Eye-strings=Eye muscles
Diminution of space=He was so far away (as to almost have disappeared)
Compleat:
Diminution=Vermindering, afneeming, verkleining

Topics: loyalty, love

To thy cold comfort, for being slow in thy hot office

PLAY: The Taming of the Shrew
ACT/SCENE: 4.1
SPEAKER: Grumio
CONTEXT:
CURTIS
Away, you three-inch fool! I am no beast.
GRUMIO
Am I but three inches? Why, thy horn is a foot, and so
long am I, at the least. But wilt thou make a fire, or
shall I complain on thee to our mistress, whose hand,
she being now at hand, thou shalt soon feel, to thy cold
comfort, for being slow in thy hot office?
GRUMIO
A cold world, Curtis, in every office but thine, and
therefore fire! Do thy duty, and have thy duty, for my
master and mistress are almost frozen to death.

DUTCH:
Maar wilt ge nu het vuur eens aanmaken, of zal ik over u klagen
bij onze meesteres? dan zult ge haar hand, – en ze is
bij de hand, – gauw voelen, tot uw kouden troost, omdat
ge zoo lauw zijt in uw warmen dienst.

MORE:
Proverb: Cold comfort

Horn=Horn of a cuckold
Hot office=Fire-making duty
Have thy duty=Receive your reward
Compleat:
To wear horns=Hoornen dragen
She bestows a pair of horns upon her husband=Zy zet haaren man een paar hoorns op ‘t hoofd; Zy kroont hem met het wapen van Boksbergen
A cuckold’s horn=Het hoorn, van een hoorndraager
To pay one’s duty=Zyn plicht betrachten

Topics: proverbs and idioms, still in use, loyalty

We cannot all be masters, nor all masters cannot be truly followed

PLAY: Othello
ACT/SCENE: 1.1
SPEAKER: Iago
CONTEXT:
IAGO
O sir, content you.
I follow him to serve my turn upon him.
We cannot all be masters, nor all masters
Cannot be truly followed. You shall mark
Many a duteous and knee-crooking knave
That (doting on his own obsequious bondage)
Wears out his time much like his master’s ass
For naught but provender, and when he’s old, cashiered.
Whip me such honest knaves. Others there are
Who, trimmed in forms and visages of duty,
Keep yet their hearts attending on themselves
And, throwing but shows of service on their lords,
Do well thrive by them. And when they have lined their
coats,
Do themselves homage. These fellows have some soul,
And such a one do I profess myself. For, sir,
It is as sure as you are Roderigo,
Were I the Moor, I would not be Iago.
In following him, I follow but myself.
Heaven is my judge, not I for love and duty,
But seeming so, for my peculiar end.
For when my outward action doth demonstrate
The native act and figure of my heart
In compliment extern, ’tis not long after
But I will wear my heart upon my sleeve
For daws to peck at. I am not what I am.

DUTCH:
Niet elk kan meester zijn, noch ieder meester
Oprecht gediend zijn. Zie, wat vindt gij meen’gen
Recht lagen kruiper, slovend in zijn juk,
Die, op zijn eigen slavenboei verzot,
Gedwee, als de ezel van zijn heer, om ‘t voêr

MORE:
Proverb: Every man cannot be a master (lord)
Proverb: To wear one’s heart upon one’s sleeve (1604)

Whipping was a cruel punishment. In the days of Henry VIII an Act decreed that vagrants were to be carried to some market town, or other place, and there tied to the end of a cart, naked, and beaten with whips throughout such market-town, or other place, till the body should be bloody by reason of such whipping. The punishment was mitigated in Elizabeth’s reign, to the extent that vagrants need only to be “stripped naked from the middle upwards and whipped till the body should be bloody”

Content you=Don’t worry
Knave=Servant
Cashiered=Dismissed, discarded from service
Peculiar=Private, personal
End=Purpose
Complement extern=External show, form
Daws: Jackdaws
Not what I am=Not what I seem to be
Doting=to be fond, to love to excess
Knee-crooking=Flattering
Obsequious=Zealous, officious, devoted
Wear out=To spend all of, to come to the end of
Provender=Dry food for beasts
Compleat:
To content=Voldoen, te vreede stellen, genoegen geeven
Dote upon=Op iets verzot zyn; zyne zinnen zeer op iets gezet hebben
Obsequious=Gehoorzaam, gedienstig
To cashiere=Den zak geeven, afdanken, ontslaan
Jack daw=Een exter of kaauw
Extern=Uitwendig, uiterlyk
End=Voorneemen, oogmerk

Topics: loyalty, deceit, proverbs and idioms, leadership, duty

We’ll follow where thou lead’st, like stinging bees in hottest summer’s day

PLAY: Titus Andronicus
ACT/SCENE: 5.1
SPEAKER: First Goth
CONTEXT:
LUCIUS
Approved warriors, and my faithful friends,
I have received letters from great Rome,
Which signify what hate they bear their emperor
And how desirous of our sight they are.
Therefore, great lords, be, as your titles witness,
Imperious and impatient of your wrongs,
And wherein Rome hath done you any scath,
Let him make treble satisfaction.
FIRST GOTH
Brave slip, sprung from the great Andronicus,
Whose name was once our terror, now our comfort;
Whose high exploits and honourable deeds
Ingrateful Rome requites with foul contempt,
Be bold in us: we’ll follow where thou lead’st,
Like stinging bees in hottest summer’s day
Led by their master to the flowered fields,
And be avenged on cursed Tamora.
ALL THE GOTHS
And as he saith, so say we all with him.

DUTCH:
Vertrouw op ons; wij volgen waar ge ons leidt,
Als angelbijën, die op ‘t heetst des zomers
De koningin naar bloemenbeemden voert;
En wreek u op de vloekb’re Tamora.

MORE:
Proverb: He is like the master bee that leads forth the swarm

Approved=Proven, tested
Scath=Harm
Slip=Offspring
Bold in=Have confidence in
Requite=Repays
Master=The queen bee was thought to be a male at the time
Compleat:
Approved=Beproefd; goedgekeurd
Scathe=Quetsuur, ongemak. To do scathe=Bezeeren
Bold=Stout, koen, vrymoedig, onbevreesd, onverslaagd, vrypostig
To requite=Vergelden
To requite a man in his own way=Iemand met gelyke munt betaalen

Topics: proverbs and idioms, leadership, loyalty

When thou hast leisure, say thy prayers; when thou hast none, remember thy friends

PLAY: All’s Well that Ends Well
ACT/SCENE: 1.1
SPEAKER: Parolles
CONTEXT:
HELEN
You go so much backward when you fight.
PAROLLES
That’s for advantage.
HELEN
So is running away, when fear proposes the safety;
but the composition that your valour and fear makes
in you is a virtue of a good wing, and I like the wear
well.
PAROLLES
I am so full of businesses, I cannot answer thee
acutely. I will return perfect courtier; in the
which, my instruction shall serve to naturalize
thee, so thou wilt be capable of a courtier’s
counsel and understand what advice shall thrust upon
thee; else thou diest in thine unthankfulness, and
thine ignorance makes thee away: farewell. When
thou hast leisure, say thy prayers; when thou hast
none, remember thy friends; get thee a good husband,
and use him as he uses thee; so, farewell.

DUTCH:
Als gij tijd hebt, zeg dan uwe gebeden op, en hebt gij dien niet, denk dan aan uwe vrienden.

MORE:
Answer thee acutely=Give a witty response
“None” believed by some to be a misprint for “money”.
Courtier=Paradigm of true courtesy
Use=Treat
Makes thee away=Finishes you off
Compleat:
Leisurably=By ledigen tyd
Courtier=Hoveling

Topics: marriage, friendship, loyalty, civility, ingratitude

Who can be wise, amazed, temp’rate, and furious,
Loyal and neutral, in a moment?

PLAY: Macbeth
ACT/SCENE: 2.3
SPEAKER: Macbeth
CONTEXT:
Who can be wise, amazed, temp’rate, and furious,
Loyal and neutral, in a moment? No man.
Th’ expedition of my violent love
Outrun the pauser, reason.

DUTCH:
Wie is ontzet en wijs, bedaard en woedend,
Vol liefde en koud, in ‘t eigen oogenblik?

MORE:
Schmidt:
Amaze= To put in confusion, to put in a state where one does not know what to do or to say or to think
Temperate= Moderate, calm
Pauser= One who deliberates much
Compleat:
Temperate=Maatig, gemaatigd

Topics: reason, caution, haste, loyalty, uncertainty

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

Wives may be merry, and yet honest too

PLAY: The Merry Wives of Windsor
ACT/SCENE:
SPEAKER: Mistress Page
CONTEXT:
MISTRESS FORD
We’ll try that; for I’ll appoint my men to carry the
basket again, to meet him at the door with it, as
they did last time.
MISTRESS PAGE
Nay, but he’ll be here presently: let’s go dress him
like the witch of Brentford.
MISTRESS FORD
I’ll first direct my men what they shall do with the
basket. Go up; I’ll bring linen for him straight.
MISTRESS PAGE
Hang him, dishonest varlet! we cannot misuse him enough.
We’ll leave a proof, by that which we will do,
Wives may be merry, and yet honest too:
We do not act that often jest and laugh;
‘Tis old, but true, Still swine eat all the draff.

DUTCH:
Aan de galg met dien ontuchtigen schelm! wij kunnen
hem niet genoeg beetnemen.
Bedriegen kan, zoo leere ons doen, de schijn;
Een vrouw kan vroolijk en toch eerbaar zijn;
Zij is niet slecht, die gaarne schertst en lacht,
Neem eer voor stille waat’ren u in acht.

MORE:
CITED IN US LAW: Re. the definition of “honesty”: State v Snover, 63 NJL 382, 43 A. 1059 (1899)

Proverb: The quiet swine eats all the hogwash
Proverb: The humble (meek) lamb sucks its own dam and others also
Proverb: The still sow eats up all the draff

Merry=Talkative, cheerful, fun-loving, flirtatious
Honest=Truthful, also virtuous, chaste
Compleat:
Merry=Vrolyk
Honest=Eerlyk, oprecht, vroom

Burgersdijk notes:
Neem eer voor stille waat’ren u in acht. In het Engelsch staat hier het spreekwoord: „Stille varkens eten allen draf.” Ons spreekwoord is: „Stille waters hebben diepe gronden.”

Topics: cited in law|proverbs and idioms|honesty|loyalty

Yond Cassius has a lean and hungry look. He thinks too much. Such men are dangerous.

PLAY: Julius Caesar
ACT/SCENE: 1.2
SPEAKER: Caesar
CONTEXT:
CAESAR
Let me have men about me that are fat,
Sleek-headed men and such as sleep a-nights.
Yond Cassius has a lean and hungry look.
He thinks too much. Such men are dangerous.
ANTONY
Fear him not, Caesar. He’s not dangerous.
He is a noble Roman and well given.

DUTCH:
Die Cassius ziet er schraal en hong’rig uit;
Hij denkt te veel; die mannen zijn gevaarlijk.

MORE:
Proverb: An envious man grows lean

Yond=Pronoun, used in pointing to a person or thing at a distance, not always within view; yonder. (Yon is generally within view)
Sleek-headed=Smooth haired
Well given=Well-disposed
Compleat:
Yon=Gins
Yonder=Ginder
Sleek=Glad, gelekt. To sleen linnen=Linnen lekken

Topics: proverbs and idioms, still in use, risk, loyalty, skill/talent

You are not worth the dust which the rude wind
Blows in your face.

PLAY: King Lear
ACT/SCENE: 4.2
SPEAKER: Albany
CONTEXT:
GONERILL
I have been worth the whistle.
ALBANY
You are not worth the dust which the rude wind
Blows in your face. I fear your disposition.
That nature, which condemns its origin
Cannot be bordered certain in itself.
She that herself will sliver and disbranch
From her material sap perforce must wither
And come to deadly use.
Burgersdijk notes:
Weleer was ik nog ‘t fluiten waard. Een Engelsch spreekwoord zegt: „Het is een armzalige hond, die het fluiten niet waard is.”

DUTCH:
O Goneril,
je bent het stof niet waard dat ruwe wind
jou in ’t gezicht blaast./
Gij zijt het stof niet waard, dat de ruwe wind
U in ‘t gelaat blaast.

MORE:
Proverb: It is a poor dog that is not worth the whistling
Schmidt:
Dust (fig.)= for any worthless thing: “vile gold, dross, dust”
Sliver and disbranch=Detach, break or tear a branch from a tree
Wither and come to deadly use=Degenerate and die
Fear=Have concerns about
Compleat:
Disposition (of mind)=Gesteltenis van gemoed
Deadly=Doodelyk, gruwelyk

Topics: nature, insult, trust, loyalty, relationship

You should have feared false times when you did feast

PLAY: Timon of Athens
ACT/SCENE: 4.3
SPEAKER: Flavius
CONTEXT:
FLAVIUS
No, my most worthy master; in whose breast
Doubt and suspect, alas, are placed too late:
You should have feared false times when you did feast:
Suspect still comes where an estate is least.
That which I show, heaven knows, is merely love,
Duty and zeal to your unmatched mind,
Care of your food and living; and, believe it,
My most honoured lord,
For any benefit that points to me,
Either in hope or present, I’d exchange
For this one wish, that you had power and wealth
To requite me, by making rich yourself.

DUTCH:
Neen, beste, dierb’re meester, in wiens borst
Argwaan en twijfel, — ach, eerst thans! — zich vestten.
Argwaan hadde eens, in gulden tijd, gebaat;
Steeds komt hij, als ‘t geluk verdween, te laat.

MORE:
Suspect=Suspicion
False=Uncertain, unreliable
Requite=Reward
Compleat:
Suspect=Wantrouwen, mistrouwen
To requite=Vergelden

Topics: ruin, suspicion, loyalty, poverty and wealth, money, value