Assignment 2

Everything Old is New Again!
Translating Early Modern English into Modern English
Below are some lines from some of William Shakespeare's plays and sonnets, written in Early
Modern English. On the lines below each quote, translate each sentence into Modern English, as we might speak it today.


"To thine own self be true; and it must follow, as the night the day, thou can'st not then be false to any man." Hamlet, Act i, Sc.3

Be true to yourself; like the night going to day, then you shall not be seen as false.

"What is best, that best I wish in thee." Troilus & C, Act ii, Sc.

What is the best that i see? The best I wish is you?

"Safe may'st thou wander, safe return again!" Cymbeline, Act iii, Sc.5

I hope you have a safe trip, and that you'll return safe.

"Give me thy hand, 'tis late; farewell, good night." Rom & Jul, Act iii, Sc.3

On this late night/time; let me hold your hand and say farewell, and good night.

"Have more than though showest; speak less than thou knowest; lend less than thou owest." K Lear, Act i, Sc.4

Have more than you show; speak less than you know; and give less that what you owe.

"Thy glass will show thee how thy beauties wear, thy dial how thy precious minutes waste."
Sonnet 77

Time is precious, use it wisely.

"This above all: to thine own self be true." Hamlet, Act i, Sc.3

Above all things: Let this be true to you.