Henry V Translation Act 3, Scene 7
Enter the CONSTABLE of France, the Lord RAMBURES, ORLÉANS, DAUPHIN, with others
CONSTABLE
Tut, I have the best armor of the world. Would it were day!
CONSTABLE
I have the best armor in the world. I wish it were day!
ORLÉANS
You have an excellent armor, but let my horse have his due.
ORLÉANS
You have excellent armor, but admit my horse's excellence.
CONSTABLE
It is the best horse of Europe.
CONSTABLE
It is the best horse in Europe.
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Will it never be morning?
ORLÉANS
Will it never be morning?
DAUPHIN
My lord of Orléans, and my Lord High Constable, you talk of horse and armor?
DAUPHIN
My lord of Orléans and my Lord High Constable, you're talking about horses and armor?
ORLÉANS
You are as well provided of both as any prince in the world.
ORLÉANS
You have as good examples of both as any prince inthe world.
DAUPHIN
What a long night is this! I will not change my horse with any that treads but on four pasterns. Çà ha! He bounds from the earth, as if his entrails were hairs, lecheval volant , the Pegasus, qui a les narines de feu . When I bestride him, I soar; I am a hawk; he trots the air. The earth sings when he touches it. The basest hornof his hoof is more musical than the pipe of Hermes.
DAUPHIN
What a long night this is! I wouldn't trade my horse with any other that only walks on four hooves. He jumps from the earth as if his guts were light as hair, the flying horse, the Pegasus, who breathes fire from his nostrils. When I ride him, I fly; I am a hawk; he trots through the air. The earth sings when he touches it. His least attractive hoof is more musical than the god Hermes's flute.
ORLÉANS
He’s of the color of the nutmeg.
ORLÉANS
He's the color of nutmeg.
DAUPHIN
And of the heat of the ginger. It is a beast for Perseus. He is pure air and fire; and the dull elements of earth and water never appear in him, but only in patient stillness while his rider mounts him. He is indeed a horse, and all other jades you may call beasts.
DAUPHIN
And as fiery as ginger. He's an animal fit for the hero Perseus to ride. He is made only of air and fire and the duller elements, earth and water, never show in him, except when he's patiently still while his rider mounts him. He is really a horse, and all other nags should only be called beasts.
CONSTABLE
Indeed, my lord, it is a most absolute and excellent horse.
CONSTABLE
Yes, my lord, it's an ideal and excellent horse.
DAUPHIN
It is the prince of palfreys. His neigh is like the bidding of a monarch, and his countenance enforces homage.
DAUPHIN
It is the prince of ponies. His neigh is like a king's command, and his face forces you to respect him.
ORLÉANS
No more, cousin.
ORLÉANS
That's enough, cousin.
DAUPHIN
Nay, the man hath no wit that cannot, from the rising of the lark to the lodging of the lamb, vary deserved praise on my palfrey. It is a theme as fluent as the sea. Turn the sands into eloquent tongues, and my horse is argument for them all. 'Tis a subject for a sovereignto reason on, and for a sovereign’s sovereign to ride on, and for the world, familiar to us and unknown, to lay apart their particular functions and wonder at him. I once writ a sonnet in his praise and began thus: “Wonder of nature—”
DAUPHIN
No, any man who can't think of different compliments for my horse from the moment the birds get up in the morning to the time the lambs go home in the evening is an idiot. It's a subject that flows like the sea. Turn all the grains of sand into well-spoken mouths, and my horse gives them all something to talk about. It's a subject for a king to speak of, and for a king's king to ride on, and for the whole world, both familiar parts of it an unknown ones, to set aside all their different business and be amazed at him. I once wrote a sonnet praising him that began, "Wonder of nature—"
ORLÉANS
I have heard a sonnet begin so to one’s mistress.
ORLÉANS
I've heard a sonnet to someone's girlfriend begin that way.
DAUPHIN
Then did they imitate that which I composed to my courser, for my horse is my mistress.
DAUPHIN
Then they were imitating the one I wrote for my warhorse, because my horse is my girlfriend.
ORLÉANS
Your mistress bears well.
ORLÉANS
Your girlfriend carries weight well.
DAUPHIN
Me well—which is the prescript praise and perfection ofa good and particular mistress.
DAUPHIN
My weight—which is exactly the highest praise and perfect quality of a good, faithful girlfriend.
CONSTABLE
Nay, for methought yesterday your mistress shrewdly shook your back.
CONSTABLE
I don't think so, because I thought yesterday your mistress jolted your back around terribly.
DAUPHIN
So perhaps did yours.
DAUPHIN
Maybe yours did too.
CONSTABLE
Mine was not bridled.
CONSTABLE
Mine was not wearing a bridle.
DAUPHIN
Oh, then belike she was old and gentle, and you rode, like a kern of Ireland, your French hose off and in yourstraight strossers.
DAUPHIN
Oh, then maybe she was old and gentle and you rode like a poor Irish soldier, with your French tights off and wearing straight trousers instead.
CONSTABLE
You have good judgment in horsemanship.
CONSTABLE
You are good at judging horses.
DAUPHIN
Be warned by me, then: they that ride so, and ride not warily, fall into foul bogs. I had rather have my horse to my mistress.
DAUPHIN
Take my warning, then: those who ride that way and aren't careful fall into dirty swamps. I would prefer to have my horse as a girlfriend.
CONSTABLE
I had as lief have my mistress a jade.
CONSTABLE
I would prefer my girfriend to be a nag.
DAUPHIN
I tell thee, Constable, my mistress wears his own hair.
DAUPHIN
I tell you, Constable, my girlfriend wears his own hair.
CONSTABLE
I could make as true a boast as that if I had a sow to my mistress.
CONSTABLE
I could make the same boast and be telling the truth if I had a pig as my girlfriend.
DAUPHIN
“Le chien est retourné à son propre vomissement, et la truie lavée au bourbier.” Thou mak’st use of anything.
DAUPHIN
The dog has returned to his own vomit, and the pig has washed herself in mud. You're grasping at straws.
CONSTABLE
Yet do I not use my horse for my mistress, or any such proverb so little kin to the purpose.
CONSTABLE
But I don't grasp at my horse like a girlfriend, or supply any pointless proverb.
RAMBURES
My Lord Constable, the armor that I saw in your tent tonight, are those stars or suns upon it?
RAMBURES
My Lord Constable, the armor I saw in your tent tonight, are those stars or suns on it?
CONSTABLE
Stars, my lord.
CONSTABLE
Stars, my lord.
DAUPHIN
Some of them will fall tomorrow, I hope.
DAUPHIN
Some of them will fall tomorrow, I hope.
CONSTABLE
And yet my sky shall not want.
CONSTABLE
But there will be plenty left in my sky.
DAUPHIN
That may be, for you bear a many superfluously, and ’twere more honor some were away.
DAUPHIN
Maybe, because you carry far more than you need, and it would reflect better on you if some went away.
CONSTABLE
Ev'n as your horse bears your praises—who would trot aswell were some of your brags dismounted.
CONSTABLE
The same way your horse bears your compliments—it would trot just as well if some of your brags got off.
DAUPHIN
Would I were able to load him with his desert! Will it never be day? I will trot tomorrow a mile, and my way shall be paved with English faces.
DAUPHIN
I wish I could give him what's coming to him! Will it never be day? I'll trot a mile tomorrow, and my path will be paved with English faces.
CONSTABLE
I will not say so, for fear I should be faced out of myway. But I would it were morning, for I would fain be about the ears of the English.
CONSTABLE
I won't say the same, because I fear I wouldn't be able to face them. But I wish it were morning, because I want to be hacking around the Englishmen's ears.
RAMBURES
Who will go to hazard with me for twenty prisoners?
RAMBURES
Who will bet I'll take twenty prisoners?
CONSTABLE
You must first go yourself to hazard ere you have them.
CONSTABLE
You will first have to bet your life in battle before you get them.
DAUPHIN
'Tis midnight. I’ll go arm myself.
DAUPHIN
It's midnight. I'll go get ready.
Exit
ORLÉANS
The Dauphin longs for morning.
ORLÉANS
The Dauphin longs for morning.
RAMBURES
He longs to eat the English.
RAMBURES
He longs to eat the English.
CONSTABLE
I think he will eat all he kills.
CONSTABLE
I think he will eat everything he kills.
ORLÉANS
By the white hand of my lady, he’s a gallant prince.
ORLÉANS
By the white hand of my wife, he’s a brave prince.
CONSTABLE
Swear by her foot, that she may tread out the oath.
CONSTABLE
Swear by her foot, so she can stamp out the oath.
ORLÉANS
He is simply the most active gentleman of France.
ORLÉANS
He is simply the most active gentleman in France.
CONSTABLE
Doing is activity, and he will still be doing.
CONSTABLE
Doing is an activity, and he's always doing someone.
ORLÉANS
He never did harm that I heard of.
ORLÉANS
I never heard of him doing anyone harm.
CONSTABLE
Nor will do none tomorrow. He will keep that good name still.
CONSTABLE
Nor will he do any tomorrow. He'll keep that good reputation.
ORLÉANS
I know him to be valiant.
ORLÉANS
I know that he's brave.
CONSTABLE
I was told that by one that knows him better than you.
CONSTABLE
I was told that by someone who knows him better than you do.
ORLÉANS
What’s he?
ORLÉANS
Who's that?
CONSTABLE
Marry, he told me so himself; and he said he cared not who knew it.
CONSTABLE
He told me so himself, and said he didn't care who knew.
ORLÉANS
He needs not. It is no hidden virtue in him.
ORLÉANS
He shouldn't. It's not a hidden quality in him.
CONSTABLE
By my faith, sir, but it is; never anybody saw it but his lackey. 'Tis a hooded valor, and when it appears, itwill bate.
CONSTABLE
Actually, sir, it is. No one ever saw it except his servant. It's a disguised bravery, and when it appears, it will end.
ORLÉANS
Ill will never said well.
ORLÉANS
No one ever spoke well out of spite.
CONSTABLE
I will cap that proverb with “There is flattery in friendship.”
CONSTABLE
I will top that saying with "Friends flatter you".
ORLÉANS
And I will take up that with “Give the devil his due.”
ORLÉANS
And I will meet that with “Give the devil his due.”
CONSTABLE
Well placed; there stands your friend for the devil. Have at the very eye of that proverb with “A pox of the devil.”
CONSTABLE
Well done; the devil now stands for your friend. I'll fight that saying with "Damn the devil".
ORLÉANS
You are the better at proverbs, by how much “A fool’s bolt is soon shot.”
ORLÉANS
You're better at sayings, because "a fool is quick to take a shot at people."
CONSTABLE
You have shot over.
CONSTABLE
Your shot went right over me.
ORLÉANS
'Tis not the first time you were overshot.
ORLÉANS
It's not the first time something went over your head.
Enter MESSENGER
MESSENGER
My Lord High Constable, the English lie within fifteen hundred paces of your tents.
MESSENGER
My Lord High Constable, the English camp is less than fifteen hundred steps away from your tents.
CONSTABLE
Who hath measured the ground?
CONSTABLE
Who measured the distance?
MESSENGER
The Lord Grandpré.
MESSENGER
The Lord Grandpré.
CONSTABLE
A valiant and most expert gentleman.—Would it were day!Alas, poor Harry of England! He longs not for the dawning as we do.
CONSTABLE
A brave and very competent gentleman.
[To ORLÉANS] I wish it were day! Poor Harry of England! He doesn't wish for the dawn as much as we do.
ORLÉANS
What a wretched and peevish fellow is this king of England to mope with his fat-brained followers so far out of his knowledge.
ORLÉANS
What a miserable and headstrong fellow this king of England is, to come mope with his fat-brained followers so far from anything he understands.
CONSTABLE
If the English had any apprehension, they would run away.
CONSTABLE
If the English had any sense, they would run away.
ORLÉANS
That they lack, for if their heads had any intellectualarmor, they could never wear such heavy head-pieces.
ORLÉANS
They don't have that, because if their brains were weighed down by intellectual armor, they could never wear such heavy helmets.
RAMBURES
That island of England breeds very valiant creatures. Their mastiffs are of unmatchable courage.
RAMBURES
That island of England breeds very brave creatures. Their mastiff dogs are the bravest of any.
ORLÉANS
Foolish curs, that run winking into the mouth of a Russian bear and have their heads crushed like rotten apples. You may as well say, that’s a valiant flea that dare eat his breakfast on the lip of a lion.
ORLÉANS
Silly dogs, that run with their eyes closed into the mouth of a Russian bear and have their heads crushed like rotten apples. You might as well say, that’s a brave flea that dares suck blood from a lion's lip for breakfast.
CONSTABLE
Just, just; and the men do sympathize with the mastiffsin robustious and rough coming on, leaving their wits with their wives. And then give them great meals of beefand iron and steel, they will eat like wolves and fightlike devils.
CONSTABLE
True, true. And the men are like mastiffs in that they run at you strongly and roughly, leaving their brains with their wives. And then just give them huge meals of beef and iron and steel, and they will eat like wolves and fight like devils.
ORLÉANS
Ay, but these English are shrewdly out of beef.
ORLÉANS
Yes, but these English are definitely out of beef.
CONSTABLE
Then shall we find tomorrow they have only stomachs to eat and none to fight. Now is it time to arm. Come, shall we about it?
CONSTABLE
Then we'll find tomorrow that they only have appetites for eating, not fighting. Now it's time to get ready. Come on, shall we go do that?
ORLÉANS
It is now two o'clock. But, let me see, by tenWe shall have each a hundred Englishmen.
ORLÉANS
It's now two o'clock. But, let me see, by ten we'll each have captured a hundred Englishmen.
Exeunt
