A side-by-side translation of Act 1, Scene 2 of Much Ado About Nothing from the original Shakespeare into modern English.
Original Text |
Translated Text |
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| Source: Folger Shakespeare Library | |
Enter Leonato, meeting an old man, brother to LEONATO How now, brother, where is my cousin, your LEONATO’S BROTHER He is very busy about it. But, LEONATO Are they good? LEONATO’S BROTHER As the events stamps them, but LEONATO Hath the fellow any wit that told you this? LEONATO’S BROTHER A good sharp fellow. I will send | Leonato chats with his brother, Antonio, who is bursting with gossip. Antonio reports that one of his men overheard Prince Don Pedro and Claudio talking in the orchard. Antonio reports that his man heard the Prince declare his love for Hero, and his intention to reveal his love for Hero that night. He says that if Hero accepts the Prince's love, then the Prince will tell Leonato right away, so they can be married. Okay. So obviously Antonio's man completely misunderstood what he heard, but hey—why would a dad double check big news like a potential marriage proposal to his daughter? |
LEONATO No, no, we will hold it as a dream till it 20 Enter Antonio’s son, with a Musician and Attendants. Cousins, you know what you have to do.—O, I cry 25 They exit. | Leonato decides he’ll spring this news on Hero, so she can be prepared to deliver a proper answer. Mm hm. Another good plan that we can't see backfiring in any way. |