All's Well That Ends Well Act 3, Scene 5 Translation

All's Well That Ends Well Translation Act 3, Scene 5

Also check out our detailed summary & analysis of this scene

Check out our summary & analysis of this scene

Original

Translation

Enter an old Widow of Florence, DIANA, VIOLENTA, and MARIANA, with other Citizens

An old Widow of Florence, her daughter DIANA, VIOLENTA, and MARIANA enter, with other citizens.

WIDOW

Nay, come; for if they do approach the city, weshall lose all the sight.

WIDOW

No, come, because if they do come towards the city, we won't be able to see them.

DIANA

They say the French count has done most honourable service.

DIANA

They say the French count has served very honorably.

WIDOW

It is reported that he has taken their greatestcommander; and that with his own hand he slew theduke's brother.

WIDOW

It's been reported that he has captured their greatest commander and that he slew the duke's brother himself.

Tucket

A trumpet flourish plays.

WIDOW

We have lost our labour; they are gone a contraryway: hark! you may know by their trumpets.

WIDOW

We've missed our chance. They've gone a different way. Listen! You can hear where they are from their trumpets.

MARIANA

Come, let's return again, and suffice ourselves with the report of it. Well, Diana, take heed of this French earl: the honour of a maid is her name; and no legacy is so rich as honesty.

MARIANA

Come, let's return again, and be satisfied just hearing a report of it. Well, Diana, beware this French earl. A virgin's honor is like her name and no legacy is as rich as honesty.

WIDOW

I have told my neighbour how you have been solicitedby a gentleman his companion.

WIDOW

[To DIANA] I told my neighbor how you've been propositioned by the gentleman who's the earl's companion.

MARIANA

I know that knave; hang him! one Parolles: a filthy officer he is in those suggestions for the young earl. Beware of them, Diana; their promises, enticements, oaths, tokens, and all these engines of lust, are not the things they go under: many a maid hath been seduced by them; and the misery is, example, that so terrible shows in the wreck of maidenhood, cannot for all that dissuade succession, but that they are limed with the twigs that threaten them. I hope I need not to advise you further; but I hope your own grace will keep you where you are, though there were no further danger known but the modesty which is so lost.

MARIANA

I know that scoundrel. Hang him! His name's Parolles. What a filthy officer to urge the young earl to behave so immorally. Beware of them, Diana. Their promises, gifts, oaths, tokens, and all these things driven by lust, are not what they seem. Many an innocent young lady has been seduced by them. What's terrible about it is that, as horrible as these stories of lost chastity might be, they can't dissuade other women from falling prey in the same way because so many women give into seductive men as easily as birds fall into traps. I hope I won't need to give you further advice but that your own grace will keep you pure even if the worst that could happen is that you'd lose your modest reputation.

DIANA

You shall not need to fear me.

DIANA

You don't need to worry about me being fooled.

WIDOW

I hope so.

WIDOW

I hope not.

Enter HELENA, disguised like a Pilgrim

HELENA enters, disguised like a pilgrim.

WIDOW

Look, here comes a pilgrim: I know she will lie atmy house; thither they send one another: I'llquestion her. God save you, pilgrim! whither are you bound?

WIDOW

Look, here comes a pilgrim. I'm sure she'll want to sleep at my house. They are always sending each other here. I'll question her. God save you, pilgrim! Where are you heading?

HELENA

To Saint Jaques le Grand.Where do the palmers lodge, I do beseech you?

HELENA

To Saint Jaques le Grand. Where do the pilgrims stay, could you tell me, please?

WIDOW

At the Saint Francis here beside the port.

WIDOW

At the inn with the sign of Saint Francis here near the port.

HELENA

Is this the way?

HELENA

Is this the way?

WIDOW

Ay, marry, is't.

WIDOW

Yes, it certainly is.

A march afar

A military march is heard in the distance.

WIDOW

Hark you! they come this way. If you will tarry, holy pilgrim, But till the troops come by, I will conduct you where you shall be lodged; The rather, for I think I know your hostess As ample as myself.

WIDOW

Listen up! They're coming this way. If you will wait around, holy pilgrim, just until the troops have walked by, I'll bring you to where you'll stay. I'm suited for this job since I think I know your hostess there as well as I know myself.

HELENA

Is it yourself?

HELENA

Is it yourself?

WIDOW

If you shall please so, pilgrim.

WIDOW

If that's all right with you, pilgrim.

HELENA

I thank you, and will stay upon your leisure.

HELENA

I thank you, and I'll wait until it's a good time for you.

WIDOW

You came, I think, from France?

WIDOW

You came, I think, from France?

HELENA

I did so.

HELENA

I did.

WIDOW

Here you shall see a countryman of yoursThat has done worthy service.

WIDOW

Here you're about to see a countryman of yours that has served worthily.

HELENA

His name, I pray you.

HELENA

His name, tell me.

DIANA

The Count Rousillon: know you such a one?

DIANA

The Count Rousillon. Do you know him?

HELENA

But by the ear, that hears most nobly of him:His face I know not.

HELENA

Just by word-of-mouth. One hears noble things about him. I don't know what he looks like.

DIANA

Whatsome'er he is, He's bravely taken here. He stole from France, As 'tis reported, for the king had married him Against his liking: think you it is so?

DIANA

Whatever else he is, he's been a brave soldier. He fled from France, as it's reported, because the king had made him marry a bride he didn't like. Do you think that's true?

HELENA

Ay, surely, mere the truth: I know his lady.

HELENA

Yes, surely, it's absolutely the truth. I know his wife.

DIANA

There is a gentleman that serves the countReports but coarsely of her.

DIANA

There is a gentleman who serves the count who only reports rude things about her.

HELENA

What's his name?

HELENA

What's his name?

DIANA

Monsieur Parolles.

DIANA

Mister Parolles.

HELENA

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.

HELENA

Oh, I agree with him, in terms of praise, or in terms of the worth of the great count himself, she is too lowly to have her name repeated. All that she has of value is her honesty, and I don't know if even that has been examined.

DIANA

Alas, poor lady!'Tis a hard bondage to become the wifeOf a detesting lord.

DIANA

Alas, poor lady! It's a hard bondage to become the wife of a lord who detests you.

WIDOW

I warrant, good creature, wheresoe'er she is,Her heart weighs sadly: this young maid might do herA shrewd turn, if she pleased.

WIDOW

I assume, good creature, wherever she may be, her heart is heavy. This young maid here might do her a great wrong if she wanted to.

HELENA

How do you mean?May be the amorous count solicits herIn the unlawful purpose.

HELENA

What do you mean? Maybe the loving count is trying to seduce her?

WIDOW

He does indeed; And brokes with all that can in such a suit Corrupt the tender honour of a maid: But she is arm'd for him and keeps her guard In honestest defence.

WIDOW

He is indeed. And he comes with full force on this mission to corrupt the tender honor of a virgin. But she is prepared for him and keeps her guard up in honest defense.

MARIANA

The gods forbid else!

MARIANA

The gods forbid she do otherwise!

WIDOW

So, now they come:

WIDOW

So, now they come.

Drum and Colours

A drum is heard and flags are flown.

Enter BERTRAM, PAROLLES, and the whole army

BERTRAM, PAROLLES, and the whole army enter.

WIDOW

That is Antonio, the duke's eldest son;That, Escalus.

WIDOW

That is Antonio, the duke's eldest son. That one's Escalus.

HELENA

Which is the Frenchman?

HELENA

Which one is the Frenchman?

DIANA

He; That with the plume: 'tis a most gallant fellow. I would he loved his wife: if he were honester He were much goodlier: is't not a handsome gentleman?

DIANA

Him. That one with the plume. He's a very well-dressed fellow. I wish he loved his wife. If he were more honest, he would be much more appealing; but still, is he not a handsome man?

HELENA

I like him well.

HELENA

I like his looks.

DIANA

'Tis pity he is not honest: yond's that same knaveThat leads him to these places: were I his lady,I would Poison that vile rascal.

DIANA

It's a pity he's not honest. There's the same rogue that takes him to these places. If I were his wife, I would poison that vile rascal.

HELENA

Which is he?

HELENA

Which one's he?

DIANA

That jack-an-apes with scarfs: why is he melancholy?

DIANA

That silly looking man in the scarves. Why is he melancholy?

HELENA

Perchance he's hurt i' the battle.

HELENA

Maybe he got hurt in the battle.

PAROLLES

Lose our drum! well.

PAROLLES

Lose our drum! Well.

MARIANA

He's shrewdly vexed at something: look, he has spied us.

MARIANA

He's clearly upset about something. Look, he's seen us.

WIDOW

Marry, hang you!

WIDOW

Well, hang him!

MARIANA

And your courtesy, for a ring-carrier!

MARIANA

And his manners, the dirty deceiver!

Exeunt BERTRAM, PAROLLES, and army

BERTRAM, PAROLLES, and the army exit.

WIDOW

The troop is past. Come, pilgrim, I will bring you Where you shall host: of enjoin'd penitents There's four or five, to great Saint Jaques bound, Already at my house.

WIDOW

The troop's gone past. Come, pilgrim, I'll bring you to where you will stay. There's already four or five pilgrims bound for Saint Jaques staying at my house.

HELENA

I humbly thank you: Please it this matron and this gentle maid To eat with us to-night, the charge and thanking Shall be for me; and, to requite you further, I will bestow some precepts of this virgin Worthy the note.

HELENA

I thank you humbly. I hope this woman and this gentle maid will eat with us tonight. I'll gladly pay for the meal, and, to pay you further, I'll share some advice with this virgin that will be worth hearing.

BOTH

We'll take your offer kindly.

BOTH

We'll take your offer gratefully.

Exeunt

All exit.