Measure for Measure: Act 4, Scene 5 Translation

A side-by-side translation of Act 4, Scene 5 of Measure for Measure from the original Shakespeare into modern English.

Original Text	Translated Text
Source: Folger Shakespeare Library
Enter Duke and Friar Peter. DUKE, giving the Friar papers. These letters at fit time deliver me. The Provost knows our purpose and our plot. The matter being afoot, keep your instruction And hold you ever to our special drift, Though sometimes you do blench from this to that 5 As cause doth minister. Go call at Flavius’ house And tell him where I stay. Give the like notice To Valencius, Rowland, and to Crassus, And bid them bring the trumpets to the gate. But send me Flavius first. 10 FRIAR PETER It shall be speeded well. He exits. Enter Varrius. DUKE I thank thee, Varrius. Thou hast made good haste. Come, we will walk. There’s other of our friends Will greet us here anon. My gentle Varrius. They exit.	The Duke meets with Friar Peter just outside the city and gives him....a bunch of letters. (What is it with the Duke and letters?) Duke Vincentio instructs Friar Peter to deliver the letters to him (the Duke) when the time is right. We learn that the Provost knows of the Duke's elaborate scheme to "return" to Vienna and fix the big mess Angelo has made. (We don't know the details of the plot at this point, but we can guess that the Duke is planning a big "Aha!" moment where he reveals Angelo's crime.) A guy named Varrius shows up and takes a walk with the Duke. (We're guessing the Duke lets him in on his secret plans.)

Original Text

Translated Text

Enter Duke and Friar Peter.

DUKE, giving the Friar papers.
These letters at fit time deliver me.
The Provost knows our purpose and our plot.
The matter being afoot, keep your instruction
And hold you ever to our special drift,
Though sometimes you do blench from this to that 5
As cause doth minister. Go call at Flavius’ house
And tell him where I stay. Give the like notice
To Valencius, Rowland, and to Crassus,
And bid them bring the trumpets to the gate.
But send me Flavius first. 10

FRIAR PETER
It shall be speeded well.

He exits.

Enter Varrius.

DUKE
I thank thee, Varrius. Thou hast made good haste.
Come, we will walk. There’s other of our friends
Will greet us here anon. My gentle Varrius.

They exit.

The Duke meets with Friar Peter just outside the city and gives him....a bunch of letters. (What is it with the Duke and letters?)

Duke Vincentio instructs Friar Peter to deliver the letters to him (the Duke) when the time is right.

We learn that the Provost knows of the Duke's elaborate scheme to "return" to Vienna and fix the big mess Angelo has made. (We don't know the details of the plot at this point, but we can guess that the Duke is planning a big "Aha!" moment where he reveals Angelo's crime.)

A guy named Varrius shows up and takes a walk with the Duke. (We're guessing the Duke lets him in on his secret plans.)

Measure for Measure: Act 4, Scene 5 Translation

A side-by-side translation of Act 4, Scene 5 of Measure for Measure from the original Shakespeare into modern English.

Original Text

Translated Text

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