The Complete Works of William Shakespeare In Plain and Simple English (Translated) (339 page)

 ‘Only a drum'! Is it ' only a drum'? A drum lost like that!

There was an excellent command-to charge with our cavalry

against our own wings, and to tear into our own soldiers!

First Lord

That was not to be blamed in the command of the

service: it was a disaster of war that Caesar

himself could not have prevented, if he had been

there to command.

That was not the fault of the commander:

it was a disaster ofwar that Caesar

himself could not have prevented, if he had been

in command.

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.

Well, we mustn't let it spoil our victory: there was

some dishonor for us in the loss of the drum, but

we can't get it back.

PAROLLES

It might have been recovered.

We could have got it back.

BERTRAM

It might; but it is not now.

Could have, but can't 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.'

It can be got back: except for the fact that

the credit is not often given to the one who deserves it,

I would get that drum back or get another, or

die here.

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.

Why, if you have the guts for it, sir: if you

think that your cunning can bring this

symbol of honor back home again,

then by all means follow your plan; I will

honor the attempt as a noble deed: if you

perform it well, the Duke shall not only speak of it;

he will offer you everything in his power

that you deserve.

PAROLLES

By the hand of a soldier, I will undertake it.

With a soldier's hand, I shall try.

BERTRAM

But you must not now slumber in it.

But you mustn't be slow about it.

PAROLLES

I'll about it this evening: and I will presently

pen down my dilemmas, encourage myself in my

certainty, put myself into my mortal preparation;

and by midnight look to hear further from me.

I'll get going this evening: I will shortly

write down the problems, build up my

belief, prepare my soul the death;

expect to hear more from me by midnight.

BERTRAM

May I be bold to acquaint his grace you are gone about it?

May I tell his grace that you're doing it?

PAROLLES

I know not what the success will be, my lord; but

the attempt I vow.

I don't know how successful I will be, my lord; but

I promise I shall try.

BERTRAM

I know thou'rt valiant; and, to the possibility of

thy soldiership, will subscribe for thee. Farewell.

I know that you're brave; and I will speak of you

with faith in your soldiership. Farewell.

PAROLLES

I love not many words.

Exit

I'm not a man who likes to use many words.

Second Lord

No more than a fish loves water. Is not this a

strange fellow, my lord, that so confidently seems

to undertake this business, which he knows is not to

be done; damns himself to do and dares better be

damned than to do't?

No more so than a fish likes water. Isn't this

a strange fellow, my lord, who seems so confident

that he can pull off this business, when he knows

it can't be done; he says may he be damned if he doesn’t.

do it, but he’d rather be damned than do it?

First Lord

You do not know him, my lord, as we do: certain it

is that he will steal himself into a man's favour and

for a week escape a great deal of discoveries; but

when you find him out, you have him ever after.

You do not know him, my lord, as we do: he can definitely

get himself into a man's favor and for a week

he can avoid being found out; but

when you do find out about him you'll always know him after that.

BERTRAM

Why, do you think he will make no deed at all of

this that so seriously he does address himself unto?

What, do you think he won't even try to do

this thing he's made such a show of promising?

Second Lord

None in the world; but return with an invention and

clap upon you two or three probable lies: but we

have almost embossed him; you shall see his fall

to-night; for indeed he is not for your lordship's respect.

There's not a chance in the world; he'll come back with a story

and give you two or three believable lies: but we

have almost trapped him; you shall see his fall

tonight; for he certainly is not worthy of your lordship's trust.

First Lord

We'll make you some sport with the fox ere we case

him. He was first smoked by the old lord Lafeu:

when his disguise and he is parted, tell me what a

sprat you shall find him; which you shall see this

very night.

We'll have some fun with the fox before we cage

him. He was first found out by the old lord Lafeu:

when his disguise is stripped off, you can tell me

how contemptible you find him; you shall see this

tonight.

Second Lord

I must go look my twigs: he shall be caught.

I must go and set up my traps: we shall catch him.

BERTRAM

Your brother he shall go along with me.

Your brother will come along with me.

Second Lord

As't please your lordship: I'll leave you.

As your lordship wishes: I'll leave you.

Exit

BERTRAM

Now will I lead you to the house, and show you

The lass I spoke of.

Now I will take you to the house, and show you

that girl I spoke of.

First Lord

But you say she's honest.

But you say she's honest.

BERTRAM

That's all the fault: I spoke with her but once

And found her wondrous cold; but I sent to her,

By this same coxcomb that we have i' the wind,

Tokens and letters which she did re-send;

And this is all I have done. She's a fair creature:

Will you go see her?

That's the problem: I only spoke to her once

and found her very cold; but I sent her,

via this same fop that we have on our line,

presents and letters which she sent back;

this is all I have done. She's a lovely creature:

will you go and see her?

First Lord

With all my heart, my lord.

I certainly shall, my lord.

Exeunt

Enter HELENA and Widow

HELENA

If you misdoubt me that I am not she,

I know not how I shall assure you further,

But I shall lose the grounds I work upon.

If you doubt that I am her,

I don't know what else I can tell you,

and it will spoil my plans.

Widow

Though my estate be fallen, I was well born,

Nothing acquainted with these businesses;

And would not put my reputation now

In any staining act.

Although I am now humble, I was nobly born,

and don't know anything about this sort of thing;

and I would not risk my reputation now

by getting involved with anything dubious.

HELENA

Nor would I wish you.

First, give me trust, the count he is my husband,

And what to your sworn counsel I have spoken

Is so from word to word; and then you cannot,

By the good aid that I of you shall borrow,

Err in bestowing it.

And I wouldn't want you to.

Firstly, you must believe me, the count is my husband,

and the things I have told you under oath

are true from start to finish; if you believe me

then you will not be mistaken

in giving me your help.

Widow

I should believe you:

For you have show'd me that which well approves

You're great in fortune.

I should believe you:

you have shown me proof that

you have a great fortune.

HELENA

Take this purse of gold,

And let me buy your friendly help thus far,

Which I will over-pay and pay again

When I have found it. The count he wooes your daughter,

Lays down his wanton siege before her beauty,

Resolved to carry her: let her in fine consent,

As we'll direct her how 'tis best to bear it.

Now his important blood will nought deny

That she'll demand: a ring the county wears,

That downward hath succeeded in his house

From son to son, some four or five descents

Since the first father wore it: this ring he holds

In most rich choice; yet in his idle fire,

To buy his will, it would not seem too dear,

Howe'er repented after.