A side-by-side translation of Act 4, Scene 3 of Coriolanus from the original Shakespeare into modern English.
Original Text |
Translated Text |
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Source: Folger Shakespeare Library | |
Enter a Roman (Nicanor) and a Volsce (Adrian). ROMAN I know you well, sir, and you know me. Your VOLSCE It is so, sir. Truly, I have forgot you. ROMAN I am a Roman, and my services are, as you are, VOLSCE Nicanor, no? ROMAN The same, sir. VOLSCE You had more beard when I last saw you, but | On a highway between Rome and Antium, a Roman who has been spying for the Volscians has a secret meeting with a Volscian guy named Adrian. |
ROMAN There hath been in Rome strange insurrections, VOLSCE Hath been? Is it ended, then? Our state thinks ROMAN The main blaze of it is past, but a small thing 20 VOLSCE Coriolanus banished? ROMAN Banished, sir. VOLSCE You will be welcome with this intelligence, | After some friendly chit-chat, they get down to business. The Roman spy reports that there's been a ton of drama in Rome lately. The patricians have been fighting with the plebeians and Coriolanus has been totally banished. Plus, the patricians are about two seconds away from taking away the plebeians' right to elect tribunes. |
ROMAN The day serves well for them now. I have heard VOLSCE He cannot choose. I am most fortunate thus ROMAN I shall between this and supper tell you most 40 VOLSCE A most royal one. The centurions and their ROMAN I am joyful to hear of their readiness and am VOLSCE You take my part from me, sir. I have the most ROMAN Well, let us go together. They exit. | Adrian the Volscian thinks this is great. Now the Volscian army can take advantage of all the in-fighting going on in Rome. |