CJTranslations

QUOTES BY TOPIC

A worthy fellow, albeit he comes on angry purpose now

PLAY: Cymbeline
ACT/SCENE: 2.3
SPEAKER: Cymbeline
CONTEXT:
MESSENGER
So like you, sir, ambassadors from Rome;
The one is Caius Lucius.
CYMBELINE
A worthy fellow,
Albeit he comes on angry purpose now;
But that’s no fault of his: we must receive him
According to the honour of his sender;
And towards himself, his goodness forespent on us,
We must extend our notice. Our dear son,
When you have given good morning to your mistress,
Attend the queen and us; we shall have need
To employ you towards this Roman. Come, our queen.

DUTCH:
t Is een waardig man,
Al is ook toorn het doel van zijne komst;
Want zijn schuld is dit niet

MORE:
Goodness forespent=Good offices done/shown previously
Extend=Grant, give
Notice=Attention, regard
Compleat:
Extend=Uitstrekken
Notice=Acht nemen

Topics: value, status, blame, anger, merit

All her deserving is a reserved honesty, and that I have not heard examined

PLAY: All’s Well that Ends Well
ACT/SCENE: 3.5
SPEAKER: Helen
CONTEXT:
HELEN
Ay, surely, mere the truth: I know his lady.
DIANA
There is a gentleman that serves the count
Reports but coarsely of her.
HELEN
What’s his name?
DIANA
Monsieur Parolles.
HELEN
O, I believe with him,
In argument of praise, or to the worth
Of the great count himself, she is too mean
To have her name repeated: all her deserving
Is a reserved honesty, and that
I have not heard examined.
DIANA
Alas, poor lady!
‘Tis a hard bondage to become the wife
Of a detesting lord.
WIDOW
I warrant, good creature, wheresoe’er she is,
Her heart weighs sadly: this young maid might do her
A shrewd turn, if she pleased.
HELEN
How do you mean?
May be the amorous count solicits her
In the unlawful purpose.

DUTCH:
O, ik geloof met hem,
Dat, als men van den grooten graaf den roem
En de of komst weegt, zij te gering is, om
Met hem genoemd te worden; haar verdienste
Is enkel strenge zedigheid; die hoorde ik
Nog nooit in twijfel trekken.

MORE:
Mere the=The absolute
Coarsely=Harshly
Believe with=Hold the same opinion
Argument=Respect
Mean=Lowly
Deserving=Worthy
Honesty=Chastity
Shewd turn=Play a nasty trick
Compleat:
Mere (meer)=Louter, enkel
Coarse=Grof
Argument=Bewys, bewysreden, dringreden; kort begrip der zaak die te bewyzen staat; inhoud
Mean=Gering, slecht
Deserving=Verdienende
Honesty=Eerbaarheid, vroomheid
Shrewd=Loos, doortrapt, sneedig, vinnig, fel
An ill turn=Een quaade dienst

Topics: merit, status, honesty

All’s well that ends well yet

PLAY: All’s Well that Ends Well
ACT/SCENE: 5.1
SPEAKER: Helen
CONTEXT:
GENTLEMAN
Not, indeed:
He hence removed last night and with more haste
Than is his use..
WIDOW
Lord, how we lose our pains!
HELEN
All’s well that ends well yet,
Though time seem so adverse and means unfit.
I do beseech you, whither is he gone?
GENTLEMAN
Marry, as I take it, to Rousillon;
Whither I am going.
HELEN
I do beseech you, sir,
Since you are like to see the king before me,
Commend the paper to his gracious hand,
Which I presume shall render you no blame
But rather make you thank your pains for it.
I will come after you with what good speed
Our means will make us means.

DUTCH:
Eind goed, nog alles goed;
Wat tegenloop’, hoe zwak in midd’len, – moed!
Ik bid u, heer, waar is hij heengereisd ?

MORE:
Hence=From this place to another place
Remove=Depart
Lose=Waste (have wasted)
Pains=Efforts
Unfit=Unsuitable
Commend=Commit
Presume=Am pretty certain
Means=(1) Resources (2) Will allow
Compleat:
Hence=Van hier, hier uit
Remove=Een verschuiving, verstooting, afzetting, verplaatsing
Lose=Verliezen, quyt raaken
To take pains=Moeite doen, arbeid aanwenden
Unfit=Onbequaam, ongevoeglyk
To commend=Pryzen, aanbevoolen, aanpryzen
To presume=Vermoeden, waanen, zich vermeeten
Means=Middelen; Toedoen

Topics: work, achievement, merit

Be it known that we, the greatest, are misthought for things that others do

PLAY: Antony and Cleopatra
ACT/SCENE: 5.2
SPEAKER: Cleopatra
CONTEXT:
CLEOPATRA
Be it known that we, the greatest, are misthought
For things that others do, and when we fall
We answer others’ merits in our name,
Are therefore to be pitied.
CAESAR
Cleopatra,
Not what you have reserved nor what acknowledged
Put we i’ th’ roll of conquest. Still be ’t yours.
Bestow it at your pleasure, and believe
Caesar’s no merchant, to make prize with you
Of things that merchants sold. Therefore be cheered.
Make not your thoughts your prison. No, dear Queen,
For we intend so to dispose you as
Yourself shall give us counsel. Feed and sleep.
Our care and pity is so much upon you
That we remain your friend. And so, adieu.
CLEOPATRA
My master, and my lord!
CAESAR
Not so. Adieu.

DUTCH:
Bedenk, wij grooten worden vaak verdacht
Om a^Id’rer doen; wij boeten, als wij vallen,
Voor schuld, op onzen naam begaan door and’ren;
Beklagenswaardig lot!

MORE:
Misthought=Misjudged
Answer=Are responsible for
Merits=Deserts (good or bad)
Make prize=Negotiate, haggle
Dispose=Treat
Compleat:
Misjudge=Quaalyk oordeelen
To answer for=Verantwoorden, voor iets staan, borg blyven
Merits=Verdiensten
To dispose=Beschikken, schikken, bestellen

Burgersdijk notes:
Een knaap. Men bedenke, dat op Sh.’s tooneel de vrouwenrollen door knapen en aankomende jongelingen gespeeld werden.

Topics: judgment, reputation, merit, money, respect

Be magnanimous in the enterprise and go on

PLAY: All’s Well that Ends Well
ACT/SCENE: 3.6
SPEAKER: Bertram
CONTEXT:
BERTRAM
Well, we cannot greatly condemn our success: some
dishonour we had in the loss of that drum; but it is
not to be recovered.
PAROLLES
It might have been recovered.
BERTRAM
It might; but it is not now.
PAROLLES
It is to be recovered: but that the merit of
service is seldom attributed to the true and exact
performer, I would have that drum or another, or
‘hic jacet.’
BERTRAM
Why, if you have a stomach, to’t, monsieur: if you
think your mystery in stratagem can bring this
instrument of honour again into his native quarter,
be magnanimous in the enterprise and go on; I will
grace the attempt for a worthy exploit: if you
speed well in it, the duke shall both speak of it.
and extend to you what further becomes his
greatness, even to the utmost syllable of your
worthiness.

DUTCH:
Ik houd niet van veel woorden.

MORE:
Condemn=Censure, reprove
Stomach=Inclination
Mystery=Skill
Magnanimous=Big-hearted
Enterprise=Undertaking
Speed=Succeed
Becomes=Is fitting for
Utmost=Last
Compleat:
Condemn=Veroordeelen, verdoemen, verwyzen
Stomach=Gramsteurigheyd
Mystery or mistery (trade)=Handel, konst, ambacht
Magnanimous=Grootmoedig, groothartig, kloekmoedig
Enterprise=Onderneemen, onderwinden, bestaan, aanvangen
To speed=Voortspoeden, voorspoedig zyn, wel gelukken
To become=Betaamen
Utmost=Uiterste

Topics: merit, courage, skill//talent

Both merits poised, each weighs nor less nor more

PLAY: Troilus and Cressida
ACT/SCENE: 4.1
SPEAKER: Diomedes
CONTEXT:
PARIS
And tell me, noble Diomed, faith, tell me true,
Even in the soul of sound good-fellowship,
Who, in your thoughts, merits fair Helen best,
Myself or Menelaus?
DIOMEDES
Both alike:
He merits well to have her, that doth seek her,
Not making any scruple of her soilure,
With such a hell of pain and world of charge,
And you as well to keep her, that defend her,
Not palating the taste of her dishonour,
With such a costly loss of wealth and friends:
He, like a puling cuckold, would drink up
The lees and dregs of a flat tamed piece;
You, like a lecher, out of whorish loins
Are pleased to breed out your inheritors:
Both merits poised, each weighs nor less nor more;
But he as he, the heavier for a whore.
PARIS
You are too bitter to your countrywoman.

DUTCH:
U beider waarde
Weegt even zwaar, of weegt er een iets meer,
Dan drukt de lichtekooi zijn schaal iets neer.

MORE:
Merits=Deserves
Scruple=Very small unit of weight
Hold well=Esteem
Poised=Weighed
Soilure=Stain
Lees=Sediment
Compleat:
Merit=Verdienste
Scruple=Een gewigtje van xx greinen
Poised=Gewoogen, gewikt; evenwigtig
To soil=Bezoedelen, vuyl maaken, bevlekken
Lees=Droessem, grondsop

Topics: merit, conflict, rivalry

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

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

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

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

Topics: status, loyalty, merit

Commend the paper to his gracious hand, which I presume shall render you no blame

DUTCH:
Ik bid u, heer,
Stel, daar gij eer dan ik den koning ziet,
Aan zijn genade dit geschrift ter hand;

Topics: work, achievement, merit

Custom calls me to’t: what custom wills, in all things should we do’t

PLAY: Coriolanus
ACT/SCENE: 2.3
SPEAKER: Coriolanus
CONTEXT:
CORIOLANUS
Most sweet voices!
Better it is to die, better to starve,
Than crave the hire which first we do deserve.
Why in this woolvish gown should I stand here,
To beg of Hob and Dick, that do appear,
Their needless vouches? Custom calls me to’t:
What custom wills, in all things should we do’t,
The dust on antique time would lie unswept,
And mountainous error be too highly heapt
For truth to o’er-peer. Rather than fool it so,
Let the high office and the honour go
To one that would do thus. I am half through;
The one part suffer’d, the other will I do.
Here come more voices.
Your voices: for your voices I have fought;
Watch’d for your voices; for Your voices bear
Of wounds two dozen odd; battles thrice six
I have seen and heard of; for your voices have
Done many things, some less, some more your voices:
Indeed I would be consul.

DUTCH:
Dit wil ‘t gebruik? — Maar deden
Wij alles naar den eisch van oude zeden,
Dan wierd het stof des tijds nooit weggevaagd;
De dwaling wies tot berg, en nimmer waagt
De waarheid dan de slechting

MORE:
Proverb: Custom makes sin no sin

Voices=Votes
Hob and Dick=Tom, Dick and Harry
Vouches=Attestations
Custom=(1) Common use, received order; (2) Habit, regular practice
O’erpeer (archaic definition)=Rise or tower above, overcome, excel.
Compleat:
Voice=Stem, recht van stemmen
To vouch=Staande houden, bewyzen, verzekeren
Custom=Gewoonte, neering
The customary laws of a nation=De gewoone wetten van een Volk
Peer=Gelyk, weergaa

Topics: merit, achievement, status, authority, leadership, proverbs and idioms

Cut off the heads of too fast growing sprays,
That look too lofty in our commonwealth:

PLAY: Richard II
ACT/SCENE: 3.4
SPEAKER: Gardener
CONTEXT:
GARDENER
Go, bind thou up yon dangling apricocks,
Which, like unruly children, make their sire
Stoop with oppression of their prodigal weight:
Give some supportance to the bending twigs.
Go thou, and like an executioner,
Cut off the heads of too fast growing sprays,
That look too lofty in our commonwealth:
All must be even in our government.
You thus employ’d, I will go root away
The noisome weeds, which without profit suck
The soil’s fertility from wholesome flowers.
SERVANT
Why should we in the compass of a pale
Keep law and form and due proportion,
Showing, as in a model, our firm estate,
When our sea-walled garden, the whole land,
Is full of weeds, her fairest flowers choked up,
Her fruit-trees all upturned, her hedges ruin’d,
Her knots disorder’d and her wholesome herbs
Swarming with caterpillars?

DUTCH:
En gij, sla als een dienaar des gerichts
Den kop af aan die al te weel’ge spruiten,
Die zich te hoog in onzen staat verheffen

MORE:

Apricock=Abricot
Spray=Small branches, shoots
Noisome=Harmful
Compass of a pale=Within a fenced area, enclosure
Firm=Well-ordered, stable
Knots=Intricate flowerbeds and plots

Compleat:
Apricock, abricock=Apricot
Noisom=Besmettelyk, schaadelyk, vuns, leelyk, vuil
Pale=Een paal, bestek
Pale fence=Een afschutsel met paalen
Compass=Omtrek, omkreits, begrip, bestek, bereik
Firm=Vast, hecht
Knot (difficulty)=Eene zwaarigheid
A garden with knots=Een bloemperk met figuuren

Topics: merit, envy, order/society

For do we must what force will have us do.

PLAY: Richard II
ACT/SCENE: 3.3
SPEAKER: King Richard II
CONTEXT:
HENRY BOLINGBROKE
So far be mine, my most redoubted lord,
As my true service shall deserve your love.
KING RICHARD II
Well you deserve: they well deserve to have,
That know the strong’st and surest way to get.
Uncle, give me your hands: nay, dry your eyes;
Tears show their love, but want their remedies.
Cousin, I am too young to be your father,
Though you are old enough to be my heir.
What you will have, I’ll give, and willing too;
For do we must what force will have us do.
Set on towards London, cousin, is it so?

DUTCH:
Wij moeten doen, wat overmacht gebiedt. —
Naar Londen; — neef, niet waar, daar gaan wij heen

MORE:

Proverb: They that are bound must obey

Redoubted=Feared, respected (often used to address a monarch)
Want=Fail to provide (a remedy)

Compleat:
Redoubted=Geducht, ontzaglyk
Want=Gebrek

Topics: proverbs and idioms, still in use, status, remedy, merit

For the mutable, rank-scented many, let them regard me as I do not flatter, and therein behold themselves

PLAY: Coriolanus
ACT/SCENE: 3.1
SPEAKER: Coriolanus
CONTEXT:
COMINIUS
The people are abused; set on. This paltering
Becomes not Rome, nor has Coriolanus
Deserved this so dishonour’d rub, laid falsely
I’ the plain way of his merit.
CORIOLANUS
Tell me of corn!
This was my speech, and I will speak’t again—
MENENIUS
Not now, not now.
FIRST SENATOR
Not in this heat, sir, now.
CORIOLANUS
Now, as I live, I will. My nobler friends,
I crave their pardons:
For the mutable, rank-scented many, let them
Regard me as I do not flatter, and
Therein behold themselves: I say again,
In soothing them, we nourish ‘gainst our senate
The cockle of rebellion, insolence, sedition,
Which we ourselves have plough’d for, sow’d,
and scatter’d,
By mingling them with us, the honour’d number,
Who lack not virtue, no, nor power, but that
Which they have given to beggars.

DUTCH:
Ja nu, zoo waar ik leef. — Mijn eed’le vrienden,
‘k Vraag u vergiff’nis; — laat die wisselzieke,
Die vunze menigte in ‘t gelaat mij zien,
Mij, die geen vleitaal spreek, maar hun daardoor
Een spiegel voorhoud!

MORE:
Abused=Deceived
Set on=Incited
Paltering=Deceit
Rub=Obstacle
Cockle=Seed
Compleat:
To abuse=Misbruiken, mishandelen, kwaalyk bejegenen, beledigen, verongelyken, schelden
To set on=Aandryven, ophitsen
To palter=Weifelen, leuteren, haperen, achteruit kruipen, aerzelen, bedektelyk handelen
The rub=Beletsel, binderpaal

Topics: abuse, deceit, merit, foul play

Harping on what I am, not what he knew I was

PLAY: Antony and Cleopatra
ACT/SCENE: 3.13
SPEAKER: Antony
CONTEXT:
SERVANT
He did ask favour.
ANTONY
If that thy father live, let him repent
Thou wast not made his daughter, and be thou sorry
To follow Caesar in his triumph, since
Thou hast been whipped for following him. Henceforth
The white hand of a lady fever thee;
Shake thou to look on ’t. Get thee back to Caesar.
Tell him thy entertainment. Look thou say
He makes me angry with him, for he seems
Proud and disdainful, harping on what I am,
Not what he knew I was. He makes me angry,
And at this time most easy ’tis to do ’t,
When my good stars, that were my former guides,
Have empty left their orbs and shot their fires
Into th’ abysm of hell. If he mislike
My speech and what is done, tell him he has
Hipparchus, my enfranchèd bondman, whom
He may at pleasure whip, or hang, or torture,
As he shall like, to quit me. Urge it thou.
Hence with thy stripes, begone!

DUTCH:
Ga weer tot Caesar,
Zeg, hoe gij werdt onthaald; en zeg hem, — hoort gij? —
Dat hij mij toornig maakt, omdat hij trotsch,
Minachtend steeds herhaalt, wat ik nu ben,
Niet wat ik vroeger was. Hij maakt mij toornig;
En dit is licht te doen in dezen tijd,
Nu ied’re goede ster, die eens mij leidde,
Haar hemelbaan verliet en al haar gloed
In de’ afgrond schoot der hel.

MORE:
Proverb: To harp upon one (the same) string

Fever thee=Make you feverish (break into a sweat); Frighten
Entertainment=Reception, treatment
Harp on=Dwell on, repeat incessantly
Orbs=Spheres
Enfranchised=Released, liberated
Bondman=Slave
Quit=Repay, have revenge on
Stripes=Wounds from whip lashing
Compleat:
To entertain=Onthaalen, huysvesten, plaats vergunnen
Entertainment=Onthaal
To enfranchise=Tot eenen burger of vry man maaken, vryheyd vergunnen
Bond-man, Bond-slave=Een Slaaf
To quit=Verschoonen, ontslaan
Stripe=Een slag, streep. Worthy of stripes=Slaagen waardig

Topics: proverbs and idioms, regret, merit, revenge

He was famous, sir, in his profession, and it was his great right to be so

PLAY: All’s Well that Ends Well
ACT/SCENE: 1.1
SPEAKER: Countess
CONTEXT:
LAFEW
How called you the man you speak of, madam ?
COUNT
He was famous, sir, in his profession, and it was his great right to be so: Gerard de Narbon.
LAFEW
He was excellent indeed, madam: the king very
Lately spoke of him admiringly, and mourningly.
He was skilful enough to have lived still,
if knowledge could be set up against mortality.
BERTRAM
What is it, my good lord, the king languishes of?
LAFEW
A fistula, my lord.
BERTRAM
I heard not of it before.
LAFEW
I would it were not notorious. Was this gentlewoman
the daughter of Gerard de Narbon?

DUTCH:
Hij was zeer beroemd, heer, in zijn vak, en met het volste recht: Gerard van Narbonne .

MORE:
His great right=His fame was justified
Mortality=Subjection to death, necessity of dying
I would it were not=I don’t want it to be
Notorious=Well known, public knowledge
Compleat:
Mortality=Sterflykheid
Notorious=Kenlyk, kenbaar

Topics: death, life, skill/talent, legacy, merit

His spell in that is out: the king hath found matter against him that for ever mars the honey of his language.

PLAY: King Henry VIII
ACT/SCENE: 3.2
SPEAKER: Norfolk
CONTEXT:
CHAMBERLAIN
My lords, you speak your pleasures:
What he deserves of you and me I know;
What we can do to him, though now the time
Gives way to us, I much fear. If you cannot
Bar his access to the king, never attempt
Any thing on him; for he hath a witchcraft
Over the king in’s tongue.
NORFOLK
O, fear him not;
His spell in that is out: the king hath found
Matter against him that for ever mars
The honey of his language. No, he’s settled,
Not to come off, in his displeasure.

DUTCH:
O, wees niet bezorgd;
Die tooverkracht is uit. De koning kwam
Iets op het spoor, wat zijner woorden honig
Voortaan vergalt. In ‘s konings ongenade
Steekt hij nu zoo, dat hij er nimmer uitkomt.

MORE:
Gives way=Gives us an opportunity
Out=Over, at an end
Settled=Decided
Compleat:
To give way=Wyken, plaats maaken
Settled=Vastgezet, vastgesteld, bevestigd

Topics: merit, manipulation

How can they charitably dispose of anything, when blood is their argument?

PLAY: King Henry V
ACT/SCENE: 4.1
SPEAKER: Williams
CONTEXT:
I am afeard there are few die well that die in a battle, for how can they charitably dispose of anything when blood is their argument? Now, if these men do not die well, it will be a black matter for the king that led them to it, who to disobey were against all proportion of subjection.

DUTCH:
Nu, en als die menschen niet goed sterven, dan ziet het er donker uit voor den koning, die hen er toe gebracht
heeft, daar toch ongehoorzaamheid aan hem tegen
alle regels van onderdanigheid zou strijden.

MORE:

CITED IN US LAW:
In Re Taxman Clothing Company, Ine., 1991 Bankr. LEXIS 1659, at 1 (Katz, J.).

Topics: cited in law, justification, merit, justice

I have been the book of his good acts, whence men have read his name unparallel’d

PLAY: Coriolanus
ACT/SCENE: 5.2
SPEAKER: Menenius
CONTEXT:
FIRST SENTINEL
Be it so; go back: the virtue of your name
Is not here passable.
MENENIUS
I tell thee, fellow,
The general is my lover: I have been
The book of his good acts, whence men have read
His name unparallel’d, haply amplified;
For I have ever verified my friends,
Of whom he’s chief, with all the size that verity
Would without lapsing suffer: nay, sometimes,
Like to a bowl upon a subtle ground,
I have tumbled past the throw; and in his praise
Have almost stamp’d the leasing: therefore, fellow,
I must have leave to pass.
FIRST SENTINEL
Faith, sir, if you had told as many lies in his
behalf as you have uttered words in your own, you
should not pass here; no, though it were as virtuous
to lie as to live chastely. Therefore, go back.

DUTCH:
Ik zeg u, man,
Uw veldheer is mijn vriend; ik was ‘t gedenkboek
Van al zijn daden, en de wereld las er
Zijn weergaloozen roem, misschien vergroot;

MORE:
Passable=Currrency
Verified=Supported with testimony
With all the size=As much as (possible)
Verity=Truth
Lapsing=Offend, sin
Bowl=Bowling ball
Subtle=Tricky (not as even as it appears)
Stamped the leasing=Approved the lying
Compleat:
To pass=Doortrekken, doorgaan, doorbrengen, passseren
Verified=Waargemaakt, bewaarheid
Verity=Waarheyd
A lapse=Een val, verzuim
To lapse=Vervallen, gevallen, verzuimd
Subtle=Listig, loos, sneedig, spitsvindig

Topics: virtue, reputation, merit

I would he had! ‘Twas you incensed the rabble

PLAY: Coriolanus
ACT/SCENE: 4.2
SPEAKER: Volumnia
CONTEXT:
VOLUMNIA
Bastards and all.
Good man, the wounds that he does bear for Rome!
MENENIUS
Come, come, peace.
SICINIUS
I would he had continued to his country
As he began, and not unknit himself
The noble knot he made.
BRUTUS
I would he had.
VOLUMNIA
‘I would he had’! ‘Twas you incensed the rabble:
Cats, that can judge as fitly of his worth
As I can of those mysteries which heaven
Will not have earth to know.

DUTCH:

MORE:
Cats=Insult, similar to ‘curs’
Fitly=With propriety, reasonably, well
Compleat:
Fitly=Bekwaamlyk

Topics: merit, ruin, manipulation

I’ll give thrice so much land To any well-deserving friend.

PLAY: King Henry IV Part 1
ACT/SCENE: 3.1
SPEAKER: Hotspur
CONTEXT:
I do not care. I’ll give thrice so much land
To any well-deserving friend;
But in the way of bargain, mark you me,
I’ll cavil on the ninth part of a hair.
Are the indentures drawn? Shall we be gone?

DUTCH:
t Is me onverschillig; driemaal zooveel land
Geef ik den eersten, besten, trouwen vriend;
Maar geldt het een verdrag of koop, let wel,
Dan twist ik om het tiende van een haar.

MORE:
Schmidt:
Cavil=To quarrel, to find fault (the phrase “splitting hairs” was recorded in the 1652 OED and would mean one who is very persistent, stubborn)
Well-deserving=Full of merit, worthy (deserving)
Indentures=Contracts
Compleat:
Cavil=Haairkloovery, woordentwist
To cavil=Knibbelen, kibbelen, haairklooven, woordvitten, bedillen, schimpen
Indenture=Een verdragsbrief [zo genoemd] om dat men daar van twee al-eens luidende kopyen maakt, en die met tanden of hoeken van malkanderen snydt.
CITED IN US LAW:
United States v. Jones, 176 F.2d 278, 289-90 (9th Cir. 1949)(Yankwich, J.) (In a government contract dispute: “To use Hotspur’ s phrasing, the Government was not ‘in the way of bargain’ caviling ‘on the ninth part of a hair.’ …”

Topics: cited in law, contract, merit, dispute

I’ll see before I doubt, when I doubt, prove

PLAY: Othello
ACT/SCENE: 3.3
SPEAKER: Othello
CONTEXT:
IAGO
Poor and content is rich, and rich enough,
But riches fineless is as poor as winter
To him that ever fears he shall be poor.
Good heaven, the souls of all my tribe defend
From jealousy!
OTHELLO
Why, why is this?
Think’st thou I’d make a life of jealousy,
To follow still the changes of the moon
With fresh suspicions? No! To be once in doubt
Is to be resolved. Exchange me for a goat
When I shall turn the business of my soul
To such exsufflicate and blowed surmises,
Matching thy inference. ‘Tis not to make me jealous
To say my wife is fair, feeds well, loves company,
Is free of speech, sings, plays, and dances.
Where virtue is, these are more virtuous.
Nor from mine own weak merits will I draw
The smallest fear or doubt of her revolt,
For she had eyes and chose me. No, Iago,
I’ll see before I doubt, when I doubt, prove,
And on the proof there is no more but this:
Away at once with love or jealousy!

DUTCH:
Zien moet ik, eer ik twijfel; twijfel ik,
Bewijzen hebben; heb ik die, welnu,
Dan dit slechts: weg èn liefde èn ijverzucht!

MORE:
Proverb: The greatest wealth is contentment with a little

Fineless=Infinite, boundless
Resolved=Convinced, Fixed in a determination
Once=Once and for all
Exsufflicate (Exufflicate)=From exsufflare, probably synonymous to blown=`puffed jup, inflated; empty, unsubstantial, frivolous. Also (morally) diseased; blown, swollen, ulcerated
Doubt=Suspicion
Revolt=Gross departure from duty; unfaithfulness
Inference=Allegations
Compleat:
Resolve (untie, decide, determine a hard question, difficulty etc.)=Oplossen, ontwarren, ontknoopten
Doubt=Twyffel
Resolve (deliberation, decision)=Beraad, beslissing, uitsluitsel
Revolt=Afvallen, oproerig worden, aan ‘t muiten slaan
Inference=Gevolg, besluyt

Topics: suspicion, evidence, virtue, merit, flaw/fault, betrayal, proverbs and idioms

If we shall stand still in fear our motion will be mocked or carped at, we should take root here where we sit.

PLAY: King Henry VIII
ACT/SCENE: 1.2
SPEAKER: Cardinal Wolsey
CONTEXT:
CARDINAL WOLSEY
And for me,
I have no further gone in this than by
A single voice, and that not passed me but
By learnèd approbation of the judges. If I am
Traduced by ignorant tongues, which neither know
My faculties nor person, yet will be
The chronicles of my doing, let me say
’Tis but the fate of place, and the rough brake
That virtue must go through. We must not stint
Our necessary actions in the fear
To cope malicious censurers, which ever,
As ravenous fishes, do a vessel follow
That is new trimmed, but benefit no further
Than vainly longing. What we oft do best,
By sick interpreters, once weak ones, is
Not ours or not allowed; what worst, as oft,
Hitting a grosser quality, is cried up
For our best act. If we shall stand still
In fear our motion will be mocked or carped at,
We should take root here where we sit,
Or sit state-statues only.

DUTCH:
Zijn wij roerloos,
Bevreesd voor smalen zoo we iets doen, wij moesten
Hier, waar wij zitten, wortel slaan, of als
Staatsbeelden zitten.

MORE:
Approbation=Approval
Traduced=Slandered
Faculties=Qualities
Doing=Actions
Brake=Thicket, as an obstacle
Cope=Face, deal with
Sick=Malicious
Compleat:
Approbation=Goedkeuring
Traduce=Kwaadspreeken, lasteren; (accuse) beschuldigen
Faculties=Vermoogens
Doing=Een doening, daad
Brake=Een Vlas-braak

Topics: intellect, betrayal, order/society, merit

It is held that valour is the chiefest virtue, and most dignifies the haver

PLAY: Coriolanus
ACT/SCENE: 2.2
SPEAKER: Cominus
CONTEXT:
COMINIUS
I shall lack voice: the deeds of Coriolanus
Should not be utter’d feebly. It is held
That valour is the chiefest virtue, and
Most dignifies the haver: if it be,
The man I speak of cannot in the world
Be singly counterpoised. At sixteen years,
When Tarquin made a head for Rome, he fought
Beyond the mark of others: our then dictator,
Whom with all praise I point at, saw him fight,
When with his Amazonian chin he drove
The bristled lips before him: be bestrid
An o’er-press’d Roman and i’ the consul’s view
Slew three opposers: Tarquin’s self he met,
And struck him on his knee: in that day’s feats,
When he might act the woman in the scene,
He proved best man i’ the field, and for his meed
Was brow-bound with the oak. His pupil age
Man-enter’d thus, he waxed like a sea,
And in the brunt of seventeen battles since
He lurch’d all swords of the garland. For this last,
Before and in Corioli, let me say,
I cannot speak him home: he stopp’d the fliers;
And by his rare example made the coward
Turn terror into sport: as weeds before
A vessel under sail, so men obey’d
And fell below his stem: his sword, death’s stamp,
Where it did mark, it took; from face to foot
He was a thing of blood, whose every motion
Was timed with dying cries: alone he enter’d
The mortal gate of the city, which he painted
With shunless destiny; aidless came off,
And with a sudden reinforcement struck
Corioli like a planet: now all’s his:
When, by and by, the din of war gan pierce
His ready sense; then straight his doubled spirit
Re-quicken’d what in flesh was fatigate,
And to the battle came he; where he did
Run reeking o’er the lives of men, as if
‘Twere a perpetual spoil: and till we call’d
Both field and city ours, he never stood
To ease his breast with panting.

DUTCH:
Mijn stem bezwijkt wis; Coriolanus’ daden
Vereischen forsche klanken. — Dapperheid
Is, zegt men, de eerste deugd, die haar bezitter
Het hoogst verheft;

MORE:
Counterpoised=Equalled
Singly=By any single person
Mark=Target, aim
Made a head=Gathered an army
Dictator=Leader (not pejorative)
Amazonian chin=Beardless
O’er-press’d=Conquered
Meed=Reward
Waxed=Grew
Lurched=Robbed
Speak him home=Report his deeds at home
Fliers=Retreating Romans
Weeds=Seaweed
Gan=Began to
Ready=Alert
Fatigate=Tire
Spoil=Pillaging
Compleat:
To counterpoise=Tegenweegen
Mark=Wit, doel, doelwit
To get a-head=Zich vereenigen, of overeenstemmen
Dictator=Opperbevelhebber [by de aloude Romeinen]Meed=Belooning, vergelding, verdiensten
To wax (grow)=Worden
To lurch=Dubbeld in het spel winnen, loeren
He has lurched me=Hy heeft my geloerd; hy heeft my by de neus gehad
To fatigate=Moede maaken, vermoeijen
Spoil=Verwoesten, vernielen; steelen, rooven

Topics: equality, value, courage, merit

Let desert in pure election shine, and . . . fight for freedom in your choice.

PLAY: Titus Andronicus
ACT/SCENE: 1.1
SPEAKER: Bassianus
CONTEXT:
SATURNINUS
Noble patricians, patrons of my right,
Defend the justice of my cause with arms,
And, countrymen, my loving followers,
Plead my successive title with your swords:
I am his first-born son, that was the last
That wore the imperial diadem of Rome;
Then let my father’s honours live in me,
Nor wrong mine age with this indignity.
BASSIANUS
Romans, friends, followers, favourers of my right,
If ever Bassianus, Caesar’s son,
Were gracious in the eyes of royal Rome,
Keep then this passage to the Capitol
And suffer not dishonour to approach
The imperial seat, to virtue consecrate,
To justice, continence and nobility;
But let desert in pure election shine,
And, Romans, fight for freedom in your choice

DUTCH:
En duldt niet, dat onwaardigheid den zetel
Des keizers nader’, die aan kloekheid, recht,
Gematigdheid en adel is gewijd;
Maar laat verdienste schitt’ren door uw oordeel,
En vecht, Romeinen, voor uw vrije keus.

MORE:
Patricians=Followers (Senators represented the patrician class, the Tribunes represented the plebeian class)
Patrons=Supporters
Successive title=Right to succeed
Age=Seniority
Indignity=Being passed over
Gracious=Acceptable
Keep=Guard
Dishonour=Disgrace
Pure election=Free choice
Compleat
Patrician=Een Roomsch Edelling
Patron=Een voorstander, beschermheer, schutheer, begeever van een Predikants plaats, Patroon
Successive=Achtervolgend
Succession=Achtervoling, erfnaavolging, volgreeks, naazaatschap
Gracious=Genadig, genadenryk, aangenaam, lieftallig, gunstig
Keep=Houden, bewaaren, behouden
Dishonour=Onteeren, schande aandoen

Burgersdijk notes:
Mijn voorrang. In ‘t Engelseh staat age, waarmede Saturninus bedoelt, dat hij ouder is dan Bassianus en naar het recht van eerstgeboorte den voorrang moet hebben. — Als Bassianus zich, twee regels verder, Cesars zoon noemt, bedenke men, dat alle keizers den naam van Cisar droegen; hij wil den weg naar het kapitool bezet houden, opdat de Romeinen zich niet aan het eerstgeboorterecht behoefden te onderwerpen, maar vrij konden kiezen; Bassianus meent door zijne verdiensten meer aanspraak te hebben op den troon.

Topics: claim, reputation, merit, leadership, legacy

My advocation is not now in tune

PLAY: Othello
ACT/SCENE: 3.4
SPEAKER: Desdemona
CONTEXT:
CASSIO
Madam, my former suit. I do beseech you
That by your virtuous means I may again
Exist, and be a member of his love
Whom I, with all the office of my heart
Entirely honour. I would not be delayed.
If my offence be of such mortal kind
That nor my service past, nor present sorrows,
Nor purposed merit in futurity,
Can ransom me into his love again,
But to know so must be my benefit.
So shall I clothe me in a forced content,
And shut myself up in some other course,
To fortune’s alms.
DESDEMONA
Alas, thrice-gentle Cassio,
My advocation is not now in tune.
My lord is not my lord, nor should I know him
Were he in favour as in humour altered.
So help me every spirit sanctified
As I have spoken for you all my best
And stood within the blank of his displeasure
For my free speech. You must awhile be patient.
What I can do I will, and more I will
Than for myself I dare. Let that suffice you.

DUTCH:
Mijn voorspraak is thans slecht van klank; mijn gade
Is niet mijn gade; ‘k zou hem niet herkennen,
Waar’ zijn gelaat veranderd als zijn stemming.

MORE:
Suit=Case
Office=Devotion
Purposed=Intended
Merit=Good deeds
Futurity=Future
Forced=Pretended
Shut myself up in=Confine myself to
To fortune’s alms=To try my fortune for a pittance
Advocation=Pleading
Favour=Appearance
Humour=Disposition
Blank=Firing line
Compleat:
Suit=Een verzoek, rechtsgeding
To purpose=Voorneemen, voorhebben
Merit=Verdienste
Futurity=Toekomende staat
Forced=Gedwongen, aangedrongen
Alms=Een aalmoes
Humour (or disposition of the mind)=Humeur, gemoeds gesteldheid

Topics: virtue, love, merit, emotion and mood

My better parts are all thrown down, and that which here stands up is but a quintain, a mere lifeless block

PLAY: As You Like It
ACT/SCENE: 1.2
SPEAKER: Orlando
CONTEXT:
CELIA
Gentle cousin,
Let us go thank him and encourage him.
My father’s rough and envious disposition
Sticks me at heart. Sir, you have well deserved.
If you do keep your promises in love
But justly, as you have exceeded all promise,
Your mistress shall be happy.
ROSALIND
Gentleman,
Wear this for me—one out of suits with fortune
That could give more but that her hand lacks means.
Shall we go, coz?
CELIA
Ay. Fare you well, fair gentleman.
ORLANDO
Can I not say “I thank you”? My better parts
Are all thrown down, and that which here stands up
Is but a quintain, a mere lifeless block.

DUTCH:
Mijn beter deel
Ligt neergeveld, en wat nog overeind staat,
Is als een pop bij ‘t steekspel, roerloos, dood.

MORE:
Disposition=Temperament
Quintain=a post or figure set up for beginners in tilting to run at.
Out of suits=Out of favour (with fortune)
Compleat:
Quintain=Een bruilofts steekspel, alwaar men met zwaare speeren tegen een eike plank rent
Disposition of mind=Gesteltenis van gemoed

Burgersdijk notes:
Een pop bij ‘t steekspel. A quintain: een houten figuur, die vooral bij oefeningen in het toernooirijden als doel voor de lans diende. Volgens Douce was dit doel, in zijn meest volkomen vorm, een afgezaagde boomstam, waarop een menschelijke figuur geplaatst was, die aan den linkerarm een schild, in de rechterhand een zak met zand vasthield. De toernooiruiters poogden in galop met hun lans den kop of het lijf van de pop te treffen; mislukte dit en raakten zij het schild, dan draaide de pop snel om en gaf hun, tot groot vermaak der toeschouwers, een slag met den zandzak.

Topics: emotion and mood, civility, merit, promise, respect

My lord, you do me most insupportable vexation

PLAY: All’s Well that Ends Well
ACT/SCENE: 2.3
SPEAKER: Lafew
CONTEXT:
PAROLLES
My lord, you give me most egregious indignity.
LAFEW
Ay, with all my heart; and thou art worthy of it.
PAROLLES
I have not, my lord, deserved it.
LAFEW
Yes, good faith, every dram of it; and I will not
bate thee a scruple.
PAROLLES
Well, I shall be wiser.
LAFEW
Even as soon as thou canst, for thou hast to pull at
a smack o’ the contrary. If ever thou be’st bound
in thy scarf and beaten, thou shalt find what it is
to be proud of thy bondage. I have a desire to hold
my acquaintance with thee, or rather my knowledge,
that I may say in the default, he is a man I know.
PAROLLES
My lord, you do me most insupportable vexation.
LAFEW
I would it were hell-pains for thy sake, and my poor
doing eternal: for doing I am past: as I will by
thee, in what motion age will give me leave.

DUTCH:
Mijn heer, gij doet mij den uitgezochtsten schimp aan .

MORE:

Egregious=Extraordinary, enormous
Indignity=Contemptuous injury, insult
Bate=Deduct, abate
Pull at=Swallow
A smack=A taste
Insupportable=Unbearable
Vexation=Anger, agitation
Compleat:
Egregious=Treffelyk, braaf, heerlyk
Indignity=Smaad
To bate=Verminderen, afkorten, afsyaan
Smack=Smaak
Insupportable=Onverdraagbaar, ondraagelyk, onlydelyk
Vexation=Quelling, plaaging, quellaadje

Topics: merit, offence, punishment

No man’s pie is freed from his ambitious finger

PLAY: King Henry VIII
ACT/SCENE: 1.1
SPEAKER: Norfolk
CONTEXT:
NORFOLK
All this was order’d by the good discretion
Of the right reverend Cardinal of York.
BUCKINGHAM
The devil speed him! no man’s pie is freed
From his ambitious finger. What had he
To do in these fierce vanities? I wonder
That such a keech can with his very bulk
Take up the rays o’ the beneficial sun
And keep it from the earth.
NORFOLK
Surely, sir,
There’s in him stuff that puts him to these ends;
For, being not propp’d by ancestry, whose grace
Chalks successors their way, nor call’d upon
For high feats done to the crown; neither allied
For eminent assistants; but, spider-like,
Out of his self-drawing web, he gives us note,
The force of his own merit makes his way
A gift that heaven gives for him, which buys
A place next to the king.

DUTCH:
De duivel haal’ hem! Zijn eergier’ge vinger
Wil ieders brijpan roeren

MORE:
Often misquoted as “People’s good deeds we write in water. The evil deeds are etched in brass”
Proverb: Injuries are written in brass
Live=Live on (are etched)
Manners=Conduct, actions
Speak his good=Speak of his goodness, virtue, charitable deeds
Compleat:
Manners=Manierlykheid

Topics: merit, ambition, work, status, proverbs and idioms

One fire drives out one fire; one nail, one nail; rights by rights falter, strengths by strengths do fail

PLAY: Coriolanus
ACT/SCENE: 4.7
SPEAKER: Aufidius
CONTEXT:
AUFIDIUS
All places yield to him ere he sits down;
And the nobility of Rome are his:
The senators and patricians love him too:
The tribunes are no soldiers; and their people
Will be as rash in the repeal, as hasty
To expel him thence. I think he’ll be to Rome
As is the osprey to the fish, who takes it
By sovereignty of nature. First he was
A noble servant to them; but he could not
Carry his honours even: whether ’twas pride,
Which out of daily fortune ever taints
The happy man; whether defect of judgment,
To fail in the disposing of those chances
Which he was lord of; or whether nature,
Not to be other than one thing, not moving
From the casque to the cushion, but commanding peace
Even with the same austerity and garb
As he controll’d the war; but one of these—
As he hath spices of them all, not all,
For I dare so far free him— made him fear’d,
So hated, and so banish’d: but he has a merit,
To choke it in the utterance. So our virtues
Lie in the interpretation of the time:
And power, unto itself most commendable,
Hath not a tomb so evident as a chair
To extol what it hath done.
One fire drives out one fire; one nail, one nail;
Rights by rights falter, strengths by strengths do fail.
Come, let’s away. When, Caius, Rome is thine,
Thou art poor’st of all; then shortly art thou mine.

DUTCH:
Voor nagels wijken nagels, gloed voor gloed;
Door rechten struik’len rechten, moed breekt moed.

MORE:
Proverb: Fire drives out fire (1592)
Proverb: One fire (or one nail or one poison) drives out another.

Casque=Battlefield
Cushion=Senate
Austerity and garb=Modest attire
In the interpretation of the time=Evaluation according to prevailing standards
Unto itself most commendable=Having a very high opinion of itself
Extol=Praise, magnify
Chair=A seat of public authority
Compleat:
Chair of state=Zetel
Extoll=Verheffen, pryzen, looven
To extol one, raise him up to the sky=Iemand tot den Hemel toe verheffen
Highly commendable=Ten hoogste pryselyk

Topics: proverbs and idioms, still in use, merit, virtue, reputation, ruin, remedy

So shall I clothe me in a forced content, and shut myself up in some other course, to fortune’s alms

PLAY: Othello
ACT/SCENE: 3.4
SPEAKER: Cassio
CONTEXT:
IAGO
There is no other way. ‘Tis she must do ’t,
And, lo, the happiness! Go and importune her.
DESDEMONA
How now, good Cassio, what’s the news with you?
CASSIO
Madam, my former suit. I do beseech you
That by your virtuous means I may again
Exist, and be a member of his love
Whom I, with all the office of my heart
Entirely honour. I would not be delayed.
If my offence be of such mortal kind
That nor my service past, nor present sorrows,
Nor purposed merit in futurity,
Can ransom me into his love again,
But to know so must be my benefit.
So shall I clothe me in a forced content,
And shut myself up in some other course,
To fortune’s alms.

DUTCH:
Dan hul ik mij gedwongen in berusting,
En kerker me in een and’re baan, die ‘t Lot
Me uit deernis opent.

Topics: virtue, love, merit, emotion and mood

The dust on antique time would lie unswept

MORE:
Proverb: Custom makes sin no sin

Topics: merit, achievement, status, authority, leadership, proverbs and idioms

The force of his own merit makes his way

PLAY: King Henry VIII
ACT/SCENE: 1.1
SPEAKER: Abergavenny
CONTEXT:
NORFOLK
Surely, sir,
There’s in him stuff that puts him to these ends;
For, being not propp’d by ancestry, whose grace
Chalks successors their way, nor call’d upon
For high feats done to the crown; neither allied
For eminent assistants; but, spider-like,
Out of his self-drawing web, he gives us note,
The force of his own merit makes his way
A gift that heaven gives for him, which buys
A place next to the king.
ABERGAVENNY
I cannot tell
What heaven hath given him,—let some graver eye
Pierce into that; but I can see his pride
Peep through each part of him: whence has he that,
If not from hell? the devil is a niggard,
Or has given all before, and he begins
A new hell in himself.

DUTCH:
Want, niet gestut op voorgeslacht, welks glans
Den weg voor ‘t nakroost teekent, niet geroepen
Om grootsche daden, voor de kroon volbracht,
Aan hooge helpers niet verwant, maar als
De spin in ‘t web, door haar geweven, toont
Hij ons, dat hem de kracht van zijn verdienste
Zijn weg baant

MORE:
Stuff=Characteristics, substance
Propped=Propped up, lean on
Grace=Rank, distinction
Chalk=Marks (the path of)
Compleat:
Stuff=Stof, stoffe
Prop=Een stut, steun. To prop=Ondersteunen, stutten
Grace=Gunst, bevalligheid
To chalk=Bekryten, met kryt schetsen. To chalk out=Uytmerken, afteykenen

Burgersdijk notes:
Toont hij ons. In het Engelsch: he gives us note, zooals in de meeste uitgaven, volgens de verbetering van Capell gelezen wordt; de folio heeft hiervoor den tusschenzin: O give us note, als het ware „mark what I say”, welke door Knight voor de juiste lezing gehouden wordt.

Topics: fate/destiny, order/society, wisdom, merit, pride

The price is, to ask it kindly

PLAY: Coriolanus
ACT/SCENE: 2.3
SPEAKER: First Citizen
CONTEXT:
CORIOLANUS
No, sir,’twas never my desire yet to trouble the
poor with begging.
THIRD CITIZEN
You must think, if we give you any thing, we hope to
gain by you.
CORIOLANUS
Well then, I pray, your price o’ the consulship?
FIRST CITIZEN
The price is to ask it kindly.
CORIOLANUS
Kindly! Sir, I pray, let me ha’t: I have wounds to
show you, which shall be yours in private. Your
good voice, sir; what say you?
SECOND CITIZEN
You shall ha’ it, worthy sir.
CORIOLANUS
A match, sir. There’s in all two worthy voices
begged. I have your alms: adieu.

DUTCH:
De prijs is, dat gij vriendlijk er om vraagt.

MORE:
Consulship=Position of consul
A match=Agreement, compact, bargain
Compleat:
Match (or bargain)=Koop, onderhandeling, overeenstemming
Consulship=Consulaat, consulschap

Topics: poverty and wealth, promise, leadership, merit, civility

The scars upon your honour therefore he does pity as constrainèd blemishes, not as deserved

PLAY: Antony and Cleopatra
ACT/SCENE: 3.13
SPEAKER: Thidias
CONTEXT:
THIDIAS
He knows that you embraced not Antony
As you did love, but as you feared him.
CLEOPATRA
Oh!
THIDIAS
The scars upon your honour therefore he
Does pity as constrainèd blemishes,
Not as deserved.
CLEOPATRA
He is a god and knows
What is most right. Mine honour was not yielded,
But conquered merely.
ENOBARBUS
To be sure of that,
I will ask Antony. Sir, sir, thou art so leaky
That we must leave thee to thy sinking, for
Thy dearest quit thee.

DUTCH:
De schrammen op uw eer beklaagt hij dus
Als krenking, die u opgedrongen werd,
Maar buiten uwe schuld.

MORE:
Constrained=Forced, endured
Blemishes=Stain (moral sense); dishonour
Leaky=Stricken, destitute
Quit=Are deserting
Compleat:
Constrained=Bedwongen, gedrongen, gepraamd
To blemish=Besmetten, bevlekken, schenden
Leaky=lek, ondicht
To quit (leave)=Verlaaten

Topics: friendship, loyalty, pity, merit

The truth appears so naked on my side
That any purblind eye may ﬁnd it out.

PLAY: King Henry VI Part 1
ACT/SCENE: 2.4
SPEAKER: Plantagenet
CONTEXT:
PLANTAGENET
Tut, tut, here is a mannerly forbearance:
The truth appears so naked on my side
That any purblind eye may find it out.
SOMERSET
And on my side it is so well apparell’d,
So clear, so shining and so evident
That it will glimmer through a blind man’s eye.
PLANTAGENET
Since you are tongue-tied and so loath to speak,
In dumb significants proclaim your thoughts:
Let him that is a true-born gentleman
And stands upon the honour of his birth,
If he suppose that I have pleaded truth,
From off this brier pluck a white rose with me.

DUTCH:
Aan mijne zijde is zij zoo welgekleed;
Zoo helder, glansrijk, zoo volkomen duid’lijk,
Dat zij een blinde zelfs in ‘t oog moet stralen.

MORE:
Mannerly=Polite
Forbearance=Reserve
Purblind=Partially blind
Apparelled=Dressed up
Dumb significants=Mute signs

Compleat:
Purblind=Stikziende
Signification=Beeteknis, betekening, beduidenis, beduidsel
To forbear (let alone)=Staan laaten, nalaaten, vermyden

Topics: dispute, truth, merit, evidence

Things done well, and with a care, exempt themselves from fear; Things done without example, in their issue are to be fear’d.

PLAY: King Henry VIII
ACT/SCENE: 1.2
SPEAKER: King Henry VIII
CONTEXT:
KING HENRY VIII
Things done well,
And with a care, exempt themselves from fear;
Things done without example, in their issue
Are to be fear’d. Have you a precedent
Of this commission? I believe, not any.
We must not rend our subjects from our laws,
And stick them in our will. Sixth part of each?
A trembling contribution! Why, we take
From every tree lop, bark, and part o’ the timber;
And, though we leave it with a root, thus hack’d,
The air will drink the sap. To every county
Where this is question’d send our letters, with
Free pardon to each man that has denied
The force of this commission: pray, look to’t;
I put it to your care.

DUTCH:
Goed gedane zaken,
Met zorg volbracht, ontdoen zichzelf van vrees;
Maar zaken zonder voorbeeld zijn te duchten
In haar gevolgen

MORE:
Cited in Shakespeare’s Legal Maxims (William Lowes Rushton)
Example=Precedent
Exaction=Extortion of tax, compulsion to pay
Issue=Outcome
Commission=Taxes, instructions to impose tax
Rend=Tear
Trembling=Terrifying
Force=Validity
Compleat:
To exact=Afeysschen, afvorderen
Issue=Een uytgang, uytslag, uytkomst
Commission=Last, volmagt, lastbrief, provisie
To rend=Scheuren, van een ryten
Trembling=Beevende
Force=Kracht, magt

Topics: patience, preparation, merit

Twere a concealment worse than a theft, no less than a traducement to hide your doings

PLAY: Coriolanus
ACT/SCENE: 1.9
SPEAKER: Cominius
CONTEXT:
COMINIUS
You shall not be
The grave of your deserving; Rome must know
The value of her own: ’twere a concealment
Worse than a theft, no less than a traducement,
To hide your doings; and to silence that,
Which, to the spire and top of praises vouch’d,
Would seem but modest: therefore, I beseech you
In sign of what you are, not to reward
What you have done—before our army hear me.
MARTIUS
I have some wounds upon me, and they smart
To hear themselves remember’d.

DUTCH:
Gij moogt het graf
Niet zijn van uw verdienste; Rome wete,
Wat het in u bezit; het waar’ verraad,
‘t Ware erger dan een diefstal, te verhelen,
Wat gij volbracht hebt; dat te zwijgen, wat,
Door welken lof ook hemelhoog verheven,
Toch nog bescheiden klinkt

MORE:
Be the grave of=Bury, swallow up as in a grave
Traducement=Censure, obloquy
Vouch=Maintain, assert
Compleat:
Traduce=Kwaadspreeken, lasteren; (accuse) beschuldigen
To vouch=Staande houden, bewyzen, verzekeren

Topics: merit, flattery, value, achievement

We must not stint our necessary actions, in the fear to cope malicious censurers.

PLAY: King Henry VIII
ACT/SCENE: 1.2
SPEAKER: Cardinal Wolsey
CONTEXT:
CARDINAL WOLSEY
And for me,
I have no further gone in this than by
A single voice; and that not pass’d me but
By learned approbation of the judges. If I am
Traduced by ignorant tongues, which neither know
My faculties nor person, yet will be
The chronicles of my doing, let me say
‘Tis but the fate of place, and the rough brake
That virtue must go through. We must not stint
Our necessary actions, in the fear
To cope malicious censurers; which ever,
As ravenous fishes, do a vessel follow
That is new-trimm’d, but benefit no further
Than vainly longing. What we oft do best,
By sick interpreters, once weak ones, is
Not ours, or not allow’d; what worst, as oft,
Hitting a grosser quality, is cried up
For our best act. If we shall stand still,
In fear our motion will be mock’d or carp’d at,
We should take root here where we sit, or sit
State-statues only.

DUTCH:
Volbrenge een elk
Wat moet gebeuren; niemand weif’le uit angst
Voor strijd met booze vitters, die toch steeds
Als vraat’ge visschen ieder vaartuig volgen,
Dat nieuw is uitgerust, doch niets bejagen
Dan ijdel spart’len

Topics: intellect, betrayal, order/society, merit

Well you deserve: they well deserve to have, That know the strong’st and surest way to get.

DUTCH:
0, veel verdient gij; — hij verdient te ontvangen,
Die vast en goed den weg weet om te erlangen. —

MORE:

Proverb: They that are bound must obey

Redoubted=Feared, respected (often used to address a monarch)
Want=Fail to provide (a remedy)

Compleat:
Redoubted=Geducht, ontzaglyk
Want=Gebrek

Topics: proverbs and idioms, still in use, statys, remedy, merit

Why should we in the compass of a pale Keep law and form and due proportion

PLAY: Richard II
ACT/SCENE: 3.4
SPEAKER: Servant
CONTEXT:
GARDENER
Go, bind thou up yon dangling apricocks,
Which, like unruly children, make their sire
Stoop with oppression of their prodigal weight:
Give some supportance to the bending twigs.
Go thou, and like an executioner,
Cut off the heads of too fast growing sprays,
That look too lofty in our commonwealth:
All must be even in our government.
You thus employ’d, I will go root away
The noisome weeds, which without profit suck
The soil’s fertility from wholesome flowers.
SERVANT
Why should we in the compass of a pale
Keep law and form and due proportion,
Showing, as in a model, our firm estate,
When our sea-walled garden, the whole land,
Is full of weeds, her fairest flowers choked up,
Her fruit-trees all upturned, her hedges ruin’d,
Her knots disorder’d and her wholesome herbs
Swarming with caterpillars?

DUTCH:
Wat moeten we, in den omvang van een heining,
Naar wet en vorm en juistheid alles reeg’len,

MORE:

Apricock=Abricot
Spray=Small branches, shoots
Noisome=Harmful
Compass of a pale=Within a fenced area, enclosure
Firm=Well-ordered, stable
Knots=Intricate flowerbeds and plots (Curious-knotted: “thy c. garden,” Love’s Labour’s Lost)

Topics: merit, envy, order/society

Yet have I a mind that fears him much, and my misgiving still falls shrewdly to the purpose

PLAY: Julius Caesar
ACT/SCENE: 3.1
SPEAKER: Cassius
CONTEXT:
BRUTUS
I know that we shall have him well to friend.
CASSIUS
I wish we may. But yet have I a mind
That fears him much, and my misgiving still
Falls shrewdly to the purpose.
BRUTUS
But here comes Antony.—Welcome, Mark Antony.
ANTONY
O mighty Caesar! Dost thou lie so low?
Are all thy conquests, glories, triumphs, spoils,
Shrunk to this little measure? Fare thee well.
—I know not, gentlemen, what you intend,
Who else must be let blood, who else is rank.

DUTCH:
Ik hoop het ; maar toch heb ik een gevoel,
Dat zeer hem vreest ; en als ik onheil ducht,
Komt mijn beduchtheid altijd uit.

MORE:
Well to friend=On our side
Shrewdly=Astutely; grievously
To the purpose=Accurate
Shrunk=Distilled
Rank=Infected, corrupt
Compleat:
Shrewdly=Doortrapetelyk, vinniglyk; sterk
Shrunk=Gekrompen
To the purpose=Ter zaake
Rank=Vunsig, garstig, oolyk

Topics: corruption, caution, trust, merit

You have, by fortune and his highness’ favours, Gone slightly o’er low steps.

PLAY: King Henry VIII
ACT/SCENE: 2.4
SPEAKER: Queen Katherine
CONTEXT:
QUEEN KATHERINE
My lord, my lord,
I am a simple woman, much too weak
To oppose your cunning. You’re meek and humble-mouth’d;
You sign your place and calling, in full seeming,
With meekness and humility; but your heart
Is cramm’d with arrogancy, spleen, and pride.
You have, by fortune and his highness’ favours,
Gone slightly o’er low steps and now are mounted
Where powers are your retainers, and your words,
Domestics to you, serve your will as’t please
Yourself pronounce their office. I must tell you,
You tender more your person’s honour than
Your high profession spiritual: that again
I do refuse you for my judge; and here,
Before you all, appeal unto the pope,
To bring my whole cause ‘fore his holiness,
And to be judged by him.

DUTCH:
U hief ‘t geluk en zijner hoogheid gunst
Licht over lage trappen tot deez’ hoogte,
Waar grooten uw vazallen, en uw woorden
Uw knechten zijn, u dienen, naar uw luim
Hen tot hun ambt benoemt

MORE:
Sign=Show, display
Full seeming=Every outward appearance
Slightly=Effortlessly, carelessly, complacently
Powers=Those in power
Domestics=Servants (words serving)
Tender=Have regard to, care about
Compleat:
Seeming=Schynende
Slightly=Slechtelyk. To make slight=Verachten, kleynachten
Domestick=Een huysgenoot, dienstboode
To tender=Aanbieden, van harte bezinnen, behartigen

Topics: insult, appearance, merit, status

Your fire-new stamp of honour is scarce current

PLAY: Richard III
ACT/SCENE: 1.3
SPEAKER: Queen Margaret
CONTEXT:
QUEEN MARGARET
To serve me well, you all should do me duty:
Teach me to be your queen, and you my subjects.
O, serve me well, and teach yourselves that duty!
DORSET
Dispute not with her; she is lunatic.
QUEEN MARGARET
Peace, Master Marquess, you are malapert.
Your fire-new stamp of honour is scarce current.
O, that your young nobility could judge
What ’twere to lose it and be miserable!
They that stand high have many blasts to shake them,
And if they fall, they dash themselves to pieces.

DUTCH:
Stil, jonge marktgraaf, gij zijt ingebeeld ;
Nauw gangbaar is uw pasgemunte rang.

MORE:
Proverb: The higher standing (up) the lower (greater) fall

Duty=Reverence
Malapert=Impertinent
Fire new=Brand new
Scarce current=Is very recent
Compleat:
Duty=Eerbiedenis
Malapert=Moedwillig, stout, baldaadig
Current=Loopende, gangbaar

Topics: proverbs and idioms, vanity, merit, status

Your fire-new stamp of honour is scarce current

DUTCH:
Stil, jonge marktgraaf, gij zijt ingebeeld ;
Nauw gangbaar is uw pasgemunte rang.

MORE:
Proverb: The higher standing (up) the lower (greater) fall

Duty=Reverence
Malapert=Impertinent
Fire new=Brand new
Scarce current=Is very recent
Compleat:
Duty=Eerbiedenis
Malapert=Moedwillig, stout, baldaadig
Current=Loopende, gangbaar

Topics: proverbs and idioms, vanity, merit, status

Your virtue is to make him worthy whose offence subdues him and curse that justice did it

PLAY: Coriolanus
ACT/SCENE: 1.1
SPEAKER: Martius
CONTEXT:
He that will give good words to thee will flatter
Beneath abhorring. What would you have, you curs,
That like nor peace nor war? The one affrights you,
The other makes you proud. He that trusts to you,
Where he should find you lions, finds you hares;
Where foxes, geese: you are no surer, no,
Than is the coal of fire upon the ice,
Or hailstone in the sun. Your virtue is
To make him worthy whose offence subdues him
And curse that justice did it.
Who deserves greatness
Deserves your hate; and your affections are
A sick man’s appetite, who desires most that
Which would increase his evil. He that depends
Upon your favours swims with fins of lead
And hews down oaks with rushes. Hang ye! Trust Ye?
With every minute you do change a mind,
And call him noble that was now your hate,
Him vile that was your garland. What’s the matter,
That in these several places of the city
You cry against the noble senate, who,
Under the gods, keep you in awe, which else
Would feed on one another? What’s their seeking?

DUTCH:
Een vriend’lijk woord tot u waar’ laag gevlei,
Geen afschuw waard

MORE:
Virtue=Merit, what you excel in
Make worthy=Exalt, glorify
Proud=Full of self-esteem, haughty
Offence subdues=Ruined, disabled, tamed, crushed by their crime
Sure=Reliable, stable
Garland=Champion
Compleat:
Worthy=Waardig, eerwaardig, voortreffelyk, uytmuntend, deftig
Subdue=Onderbrengen
Virtue (efficacy, power, propriety)=Kracht, vermogen, hoedanigheid, eigenschap
Proud=Hovaardig, hoogmoedig, verwaand

Topics: flattery, trust, justice, merit, value