Act 1, Scene 3

Original Text

SCENE III. The same. A room in Antonio's house. Enter Antonio and Pantino.

Modern English

Scene 3. The same. A room in Antonio's house. Antonio and Pantino enter.

Original Text

ANTONIO. Tell me, Pantino, what sad talk was that Wherewith my brother held you in the cloister?

Modern English

ANTONIO. Tell me, Pantino — what was that serious conversation My brother was having with you in the courtyard?

Original Text

PANTINO. 'Twas of his nephew Proteus, your son. ANTONIO. Why, what of him?

Modern English

PANTINO. It was about your nephew Proteus — your son. ANTONIO. Oh? What about him?

Original Text

PANTINO. He wondered that your lordship Would suffer him to spend his youth at home While other men, of slender reputation, Put forth their sons to seek preferment out: Some to the wars to try their fortune there; Some to discover islands far away; Some to the studious universities. For any or for all these exercises He said that Proteus your son was meet, And did request me to importune you To let him spend his time no more at home, Which would be great impeachment to his age In having known no travel in his youth.

Modern English

PANTINO. He was puzzled that you, my lord, Would let your son sit idle at home While men of far less standing than yourself Are sending their sons out to make something of themselves — Some to the wars to test their courage, Some off to explore distant lands, Some to the great universities. For any of these paths — or all of them — He said your Proteus was perfectly suited, And he urged me to press you on the matter: Let the boy stop wasting his years at home. A young man who never leaves is a lesser man for it, And age will judge him harshly for it later.

Original Text

ANTONIO. Nor need'st thou much importune me to that Whereon this month I have been hammering. I have considered well his loss of time, And how he cannot be a perfect man, Not being tried and tutored in the world. Experience is by industry achieved And perfected by the swift course of time. Then tell me whither were I best to send him?

Modern English

ANTONIO. You don't need to press very hard — I've been wrestling with this very question for a month. I know full well he's losing time, And that a man cannot be complete Without being tested and taught by the world. Experience comes through effort And is sharpened by time's passing. So tell me — where do you think I should send him?

Original Text

PANTINO. I think your lordship is not ignorant How his companion, youthful Valentine, Attends the Emperor in his royal court. ANTONIO. I know it well.

Modern English

PANTINO. I imagine your lordship already knows That his friend young Valentine Is now at court serving the Emperor. ANTONIO. I know it well.

Original Text

PANTINO. 'Twere good, I think, your lordship sent him thither. There shall he practise tilts and tournaments, Hear sweet discourse, converse with noblemen, And be in eye of every exercise Worthy his youth and nobleness of birth.

Modern English

PANTINO. I think you'd do well to send him there. He'll practise jousting and tournaments, Hear polished conversation, mix with noblemen, And be in the thick of every pursuit Fitting for his age and his birth.

Original Text

ANTONIO. I like thy counsel; well hast thou advised, And that thou mayst perceive how well I like it, The execution of it shall make known. Even with the speediest expedition I will dispatch him to the Emperor's court.

Modern English

ANTONIO. I like your advice — well said. And to show you how much I like it, I'll make it clear through action. Without delay, I'll send him to the Emperor's court at once.

Original Text

PANTINO. Tomorrow, may it please you, Don Alphonso With other gentlemen of good esteem Are journeying to salute the Emperor And to commend their service to his will. ANTONIO. Good company. With them shall Proteus go.

Modern English

PANTINO. Tomorrow, if it pleases you, Don Alphonso And several other gentlemen of rank Are setting out to pay their respects to the Emperor And offer him their service. ANTONIO. Good company to travel with. Proteus will go with them.

Original Text

Enter Proteus reading a letter. And in good time! Now will we break with him.

Modern English

Proteus enters, reading a letter. Perfect timing! Now I'll break the news to him.

Original Text

PROTEUS. Sweet love, sweet lines, sweet life! Here is her hand, the agent of her heart; Here is her oath for love, her honour's pawn. O, that our fathers would applaud our loves To seal our happiness with their consents. O heavenly Julia!

Modern English

PROTEUS. Sweet love, sweet words, sweet life! Here is her handwriting — her heart speaking through her hand; Here is her vow of love, the pledge of her honor. If only our fathers would bless what we feel And seal our happiness with their approval. O my Julia!

Original Text

ANTONIO. How now? What letter are you reading there? PROTEUS. May't please your lordship, 'tis a word or two Of commendations sent from Valentine, Delivered by a friend that came from him.

Modern English

ANTONIO. What's this? What letter are you reading? PROTEUS. If it please your lordship, just a line or two Of greetings sent from Valentine, Delivered by a friend who came from him.

Original Text

ANTONIO. Lend me the letter. Let me see what news.

Modern English

ANTONIO. Let me see it. Hand it over.

Original Text

PROTEUS. There is no news, my lord, but that he writes How happily he lives, how well beloved And daily graced by the Emperor, Wishing me with him, partner of his fortune.

Modern English

PROTEUS. There's no real news in it, my lord — only that he writes About how well he's living, how fondly regarded he is, How the Emperor shows him favor every day, And how much he wishes I were there to share his good fortune.

Original Text

ANTONIO. And how stand you affected to his wish? PROTEUS. As one relying on your lordship's will, And not depending on his friendly wish.

Modern English

ANTONIO. And how do you feel about his wish? PROTEUS. As someone who defers to your lordship's judgment entirely, Not one who makes plans based on a friend's invitation.

Original Text

ANTONIO. My will is something sorted with his wish. Muse not that I thus suddenly proceed, For what I will, I will, and there an end. I am resolved that thou shalt spend some time With Valentinus in the Emperor's court. What maintenance he from his friends receives, Like exhibition thou shalt have from me. Tomorrow be in readiness to go. Excuse it not, for I am peremptory.

Modern English

ANTONIO. Well, my judgment happens to agree with his wish. Don't be surprised that I'm moving quickly on this — When I've made up my mind, that's the end of it. I've decided you will spend some time With Valentine at the Emperor's court. Whatever allowance Valentine receives from his people, I'll give you the same from me. Be ready to leave tomorrow. No excuses — I won't hear them.

Original Text

PROTEUS. My lord, I cannot be so soon provided; Please you deliberate a day or two.

Modern English

PROTEUS. My lord, I can't be prepared so quickly. Couldn't you give it a day or two more thought?

Original Text

ANTONIO. Look what thou want'st shall be sent after thee. No more of stay. Tomorrow thou must go. Come on, Pantino, you shall be employed To hasten on his expedition. [_Exeunt Antonio and Pantino._]

Modern English

ANTONIO. Whatever you're missing can be sent after you. No more talk of delay. You leave tomorrow. Come, Pantino — I'll need you To help hurry his preparations along. [_Antonio and Pantino exit._]

Original Text

PROTEUS. Thus have I shunned the fire for fear of burning And drenched me in the sea, where I am drowned. I feared to show my father Julia's letter Lest he should take exceptions to my love, And with the vantage of mine own excuse Hath he excepted most against my love. O, how this spring of love resembleth The uncertain glory of an April day, Which now shows all the beauty of the sun, And by an by a cloud takes all away.

Modern English

PROTEUS. So I dodged the fire out of fear of burning And fell straight into the sea, where I'm drowning. I was afraid to show my father Julia's letter In case he objected to my love — And by using that very caution as my cover, I've given him every reason to send me away from her. How much this budding love resembles The fickle glory of an April day, Which blazes with all the beauty of the sun And then a cloud rolls in and takes it all away.

Original Text

Enter Pantino. PANTINO. Sir Proteus, your father calls for you. He is in haste. Therefore, I pray you, go.

Modern English

Pantino re-enters. PANTINO. Sir Proteus, your father is calling for you. He's in a hurry. Please, go to him now.

Original Text

PROTEUS. Why, this it is: my heart accords thereto, And yet a thousand times it answers "No". [_Exeunt._]

Modern English

PROTEUS. So this is how it is: my duty says go, And yet every beat of my heart says no. [_They exit._]

The Two Gentlemen of Verona

Act 1, Scene 3

Act 1, Scene 3