The Winter’s Tale: Act 5, Scene 2 Translation

A side-by-side translation of Act 5, Scene 2 of The Winter’s Tale from the original Shakespeare into modern English.

Original Text	Translated Text
Source: Folger Shakespeare Library
Enter Autolycus and a Gentleman. AUTOLYCUS Beseech you, sir, were you present at this relation? FIRST GENTLEMAN I was by at the opening of the fardel, heard the old shepherd deliver the manner how he found it, whereupon, after a little amazedness, we 5 were all commanded out of the chamber. Only this, methought, I heard the shepherd say: he found the child. AUTOLYCUS I would most gladly know the issue of it. FIRST GENTLEMAN I make a broken delivery of the 10 business, but the changes I perceived in the King and Camillo were very notes of admiration. They seemed almost, with staring on one another, to tear the cases of their eyes. There was speech in their dumbness, language in their very gesture. They 15 looked as they had heard of a world ransomed, or one destroyed. A notable passion of wonder appeared in them, but the wisest beholder that knew no more but seeing could not say if th’ importance were joy or sorrow; but in the extremity of the one it 20 must needs be.	Somewhere in Leontes's castle, Autolycus speaks with some gentlemen of the court. It seems that, off-stage, the Old Shepherd managed to have a conference with King Leontes, where the shepherd revealed proof that Perdita is not his biological daughter. (Remember, back in Act 3, Scene 3, Antigonus left a document of Perdita’s heritage and some gold when he abandoned her on the Bohemian coast.) One of the Gentlemen reports that Leontes and Camillo seemed awestruck, but he couldn’t tell if they were full of “joy” or “sorrow” because everyone was ushered out of the room before he could get any more details.
Enter another Gentleman. Here comes a gentleman that happily knows more.— The news, Rogero? SECOND GENTLEMAN Nothing but bonfires. The oracle is fulfilled: the King’s daughter is found! Such a 25 deal of wonder is broken out within this hour that ballad makers cannot be able to express it.	A Second Gentleman enters the room and announces that Leontes's daughter “has been found” just as the Oracle predicted. Yippee! He also points out how the events that have recently unfolded seem like an old, made-up “tale,” which is Shakespeare’s way of acknowledging the implausibility of the events in his play.
Enter another Gentleman. Here comes the Lady Paulina’s steward. He can deliver you more.—How goes it now, sir? This news which is called true is so like an old tale that the 30 verity of it is in strong suspicion. Has the King found his heir? THIRD GENTLEMAN Most true, if ever truth were pregnant by circumstance. That which you hear you’ll swear you see, there is such unity in the proofs. The 35 mantle of Queen Hermione’s, her jewel about the neck of it, the letters of Antigonus found with it, which they know to be his character, the majesty of the creature in resemblance of the mother, the affection of nobleness which nature shows above 40 her breeding, and many other evidences proclaim her with all certainty to be the King’s daughter. Did you see the meeting of the two kings? SECOND GENTLEMAN No. THIRD GENTLEMAN Then have you lost a sight which 45 was to be seen, cannot be spoken of. There might you have beheld one joy crown another, so and in such manner that it seemed sorrow wept to take leave of them, for their joy waded in tears. There was casting up of eyes, holding up of hands, with 50 countenance of such distraction that they were to be known by garment, not by favor. Our king, being ready to leap out of himself for joy of his found daughter, as if that joy were now become a loss, cries “O, thy mother, thy mother!” then asks Bohemia 55 forgiveness, then embraces his son-in-law, then again worries he his daughter with clipping her. Now he thanks the old shepherd, which stands by like a weather-bitten conduit of many kings’ reigns. I never heard of such another encounter, which 60 lames report to follow it and undoes description to do it.	A Third Gentleman rushes in and says the Old Shepherd revealed a letter denoting Perdita’s heritage, Queen Hermione’s jewels, and some other things that verify Perdita’s status as Leontes's child. King Leontes was also reunited with his old BFF, Polixenes, and sobbed because he was so overjoyed.
SECOND GENTLEMAN What, pray you, became of Antigonus, that carried hence the child? THIRD GENTLEMAN Like an old tale still, which will 65 have matter to rehearse though credit be asleep and not an ear open: he was torn to pieces with a bear. This avouches the shepherd’s son, who has not only his innocence, which seems much, to justify him, but a handkerchief and rings of his that Paulina 70 knows. FIRST GENTLEMAN What became of his bark and his followers? THIRD GENTLEMAN Wracked the same instant of their master’s death and in the view of the shepherd, so 75 that all the instruments which aided to expose the child were even then lost when it was found. But O, the noble combat that ’twixt joy and sorrow was fought in Paulina. She had one eye declined for the loss of her husband, another elevated that the 80 oracle was fulfilled. She lifted the Princess from the earth, and so locks her in embracing as if she would pin her to her heart that she might no more be in danger of losing.	When asked about what happened to Antigonus, the Third Gentleman says that, sadly, he was ripped to shreds by a bear. At the same moment the bear made a snack out of Antigonus, the ship he sailed to Bohemia on sank. Paulina was totally bummed about her husband being bear food, but was psyched that Hermione’s daughter had been found.
FIRST GENTLEMAN The dignity of this act was worth the 85 audience of kings and princes, for by such was it acted. THIRD GENTLEMAN One of the prettiest touches of all, and that which angled for mine eyes—caught the water, though not the fish—was when at the relation 90 of the Queen’s death—with the manner how she came to ’t bravely confessed and lamented by the King—how attentiveness wounded his daughter, till, from one sign of dolor to another, she did, with an “Alas,” I would fain say bleed tears, for I am 95 sure my heart wept blood. Who was most marble there changed color; some swooned, all sorrowed. If all the world could have seen ’t, the woe had been universal.	We also learn that, when Perdita found out about her mother’s death, she seemed to cry tears of blood. The reunion was so moving that onlookers sobbed and fainted dramatically.
FIRST GENTLEMAN Are they returned to the court? 100 THIRD GENTLEMAN No. The Princess hearing of her mother’s statue, which is in the keeping of Paulina—a piece many years in doing and now newly performed by that rare Italian master, Julio Romano, who, had he himself eternity and could 105 put breath into his work, would beguile Nature of her custom, so perfectly he is her ape; he so near to Hermione hath done Hermione that they say one would speak to her and stand in hope of answer. Thither with all greediness of affection are they 110 gone, and there they intend to sup. SECOND GENTLEMAN I thought she had some great matter there in hand, for she hath privately twice or thrice a day, ever since the death of Hermione, visited that removed house. Shall we thither and 115 with our company piece the rejoicing? FIRST GENTLEMAN Who would be thence that has the benefit of access? Every wink of an eye some new grace will be born. Our absence makes us unthrifty to our knowledge. Let’s along. 120	The Third Gentleman also reports that, when the princess found out that the famous artist Giulio Romano completed a lifelike statue of Hermione, Perdita rushed to Paulina’s house to see it.
The Three Gentlemen exit. AUTOLYCUS Now, had I not the dash of my former life in me, would preferment drop on my head. I brought the old man and his son aboard the Prince, told him I heard them talk of a fardel and I know not what. But he at that time, overfond of the 125 shepherd’s daughter—so he then took her to be— who began to be much seasick, and himself little better, extremity of weather continuing, this mystery remained undiscovered. But ’tis all one to me, for had I been the finder-out of this secret, it 130 would not have relished among my other discredits.	The Gentleman run off to see the statue, leaving Autolycus on stage to lament that he wasn’t the one to reveal Perdita’s true identity to King Leontes.
Enter Shepherd and Shepherd’s Son, both dressed in rich clothing. Here come those I have done good to against my will, and already appearing in the blossoms of their fortune. 135 SHEPHERD Come, boy, I am past more children, but thy sons and daughters will be all gentlemen born. SHEPHERD’S SON, to Autolycus You are well met, sir. You denied to fight with me this other day because I was no gentleman born. See you these clothes? Say 140 you see them not and think me still no gentleman born. You were best say these robes are not gentlemen born. Give me the lie, do, and try whether I am not now a gentleman born. AUTOLYCUS I know you are now, sir, a gentleman born. 145 SHEPHERD’S SON Ay, and have been so any time these four hours. SHEPHERD And so have I, boy. SHEPHERD’S SON So you have—but I was a gentleman born before my father. For the King’s son took me 150 by the hand and called me brother, and then the two kings called my father brother, and then the Prince my brother and the Princess my sister called my father father; and so we wept, and there was the first gentlemanlike tears that ever we shed. 155	The Old Shepherd and the Clown enter the stage dressed to the nines in some new threads befitting gentlemen. The Clown brags to Autolycus that he’s a “gentleman born” because the Prince called him “brother” and said they were all one big happy family. (FYI – this is a big joke since the Clown was obviously not “born” a gentleman.)
SHEPHERD We may live, son, to shed many more. SHEPHERD’S SON Ay, or else ’twere hard luck, being in so preposterous estate as we are. AUTOLYCUS I humbly beseech you, sir, to pardon me all the faults I have committed to your Worship and to 160 give me your good report to the Prince my master. SHEPHERD Prithee, son, do, for we must be gentle now we are gentlemen. SHEPHERD’S SON, to Autolycus Thou wilt amend thy life? 165 AUTOLYCUS Ay, an it like your good Worship. SHEPHERD’S SON Give me thy hand. I will swear to the Prince thou art as honest a true fellow as any is in Bohemia. SHEPHERD You may say it, but not swear it. 170 SHEPHERD’S SON Not swear it, now I am a gentleman? Let boors and franklins say it; I’ll swear it. SHEPHERD How if it be false, son? SHEPHERD’S SON If it be ne’er so false, a true gentleman may swear it in the behalf of his friend.—And 175 I’ll swear to the Prince thou art a tall fellow of thy hands and that thou wilt not be drunk; but I know thou art no tall fellow of thy hands and that thou wilt be drunk. But I’ll swear it, and I would thou wouldst be a tall fellow of thy hands. 180 AUTOLYCUS I will prove so, sir, to my power. SHEPHERD’S SON Ay, by any means prove a tall fellow. If I do not wonder how thou dar’st venture to be drunk, not being a tall fellow, trust me not. Hark, the Kings and Princes, our kindred, are going to see 185 the Queen’s picture. Come, follow us. We’ll be thy good masters. They exit.	The Clown and the Old Shepherd decide they should behave in a “gentlemanly” manner and agree to put in a good word to the king on behalf of Autolycus. Autolycus promises he’ll try to be a better person (instead of a thief) and the three men run off to see the statue of Hermione.

Original Text

Translated Text

Enter Autolycus and a Gentleman.

AUTOLYCUS Beseech you, sir, were you present at this
relation?

FIRST GENTLEMAN I was by at the opening of the fardel,
heard the old shepherd deliver the manner how he
found it, whereupon, after a little amazedness, we 5
were all commanded out of the chamber. Only this,
methought, I heard the shepherd say: he found the
child.

AUTOLYCUS I would most gladly know the issue of it.

FIRST GENTLEMAN I make a broken delivery of the 10
business, but the changes I perceived in the King
and Camillo were very notes of admiration. They
seemed almost, with staring on one another, to tear
the cases of their eyes. There was speech in their
dumbness, language in their very gesture. They 15
looked as they had heard of a world ransomed, or
one destroyed. A notable passion of wonder appeared
in them, but the wisest beholder that knew
no more but seeing could not say if th’ importance
were joy or sorrow; but in the extremity of the one it 20
must needs be.

Somewhere in Leontes's castle, Autolycus speaks with some gentlemen of the court. It seems that, off-stage, the Old Shepherd managed to have a conference with King Leontes, where the shepherd revealed proof that Perdita is not his biological daughter. (Remember, back in Act 3, Scene 3, Antigonus left a document of Perdita’s heritage and some gold when he abandoned her on the Bohemian coast.)

One of the Gentlemen reports that Leontes and Camillo seemed awestruck, but he couldn’t tell if they were full of “joy” or “sorrow” because everyone was ushered out of the room before he could get any more details.

Enter another Gentleman.

Here comes a gentleman that happily knows more.—
The news, Rogero?

SECOND GENTLEMAN Nothing but bonfires. The oracle
is fulfilled: the King’s daughter is found! Such a 25
deal of wonder is broken out within this hour that
ballad makers cannot be able to express it.

A Second Gentleman enters the room and announces that Leontes's daughter “has been found” just as the Oracle predicted. Yippee! He also points out how the events that have recently unfolded seem like an old, made-up “tale,” which is Shakespeare’s way of acknowledging the implausibility of the events in his play.

Enter another Gentleman.

Here comes the Lady Paulina’s steward. He can
deliver you more.—How goes it now, sir? This news
which is called true is so like an old tale that the 30
verity of it is in strong suspicion. Has the King
found his heir?

THIRD GENTLEMAN Most true, if ever truth were pregnant
by circumstance. That which you hear you’ll
swear you see, there is such unity in the proofs. The 35
mantle of Queen Hermione’s, her jewel about the
neck of it, the letters of Antigonus found with it,
which they know to be his character, the majesty of
the creature in resemblance of the mother, the
affection of nobleness which nature shows above 40
her breeding, and many other evidences proclaim
her with all certainty to be the King’s daughter. Did
you see the meeting of the two kings?

SECOND GENTLEMAN No.

THIRD GENTLEMAN Then have you lost a sight which 45
was to be seen, cannot be spoken of. There might
you have beheld one joy crown another, so and in
such manner that it seemed sorrow wept to take
leave of them, for their joy waded in tears. There
was casting up of eyes, holding up of hands, with 50
countenance of such distraction that they were to
be known by garment, not by favor. Our king, being
ready to leap out of himself for joy of his found
daughter, as if that joy were now become a loss,
cries “O, thy mother, thy mother!” then asks Bohemia 55
forgiveness, then embraces his son-in-law, then
again worries he his daughter with clipping her.
Now he thanks the old shepherd, which stands by
like a weather-bitten conduit of many kings’ reigns.
I never heard of such another encounter, which 60
lames report to follow it and undoes description to
do it.

A Third Gentleman rushes in and says the Old Shepherd revealed a letter denoting Perdita’s heritage, Queen Hermione’s jewels, and some other things that verify Perdita’s status as Leontes's child.

King Leontes was also reunited with his old BFF, Polixenes, and sobbed because he was so overjoyed.

SECOND GENTLEMAN What, pray you, became of Antigonus,
that carried hence the child?

THIRD GENTLEMAN Like an old tale still, which will 65
have matter to rehearse though credit be asleep and
not an ear open: he was torn to pieces with a bear.
This avouches the shepherd’s son, who has not only
his innocence, which seems much, to justify him,
but a handkerchief and rings of his that Paulina 70
knows.

FIRST GENTLEMAN What became of his bark and his
followers?

THIRD GENTLEMAN Wracked the same instant of their
master’s death and in the view of the shepherd, so 75
that all the instruments which aided to expose the
child were even then lost when it was found. But O,
the noble combat that ’twixt joy and sorrow was
fought in Paulina. She had one eye declined for the
loss of her husband, another elevated that the 80
oracle was fulfilled. She lifted the Princess from the
earth, and so locks her in embracing as if she would
pin her to her heart that she might no more be in
danger of losing.

When asked about what happened to Antigonus, the Third Gentleman says that, sadly, he was ripped to shreds by a bear. At the same moment the bear made a snack out of Antigonus, the ship he sailed to Bohemia on sank. Paulina was totally bummed about her husband being bear food, but was psyched that Hermione’s daughter had been found.

FIRST GENTLEMAN The dignity of this act was worth the 85
audience of kings and princes, for by such was it
acted.

THIRD GENTLEMAN One of the prettiest touches of all,
and that which angled for mine eyes—caught the
water, though not the fish—was when at the relation 90
of the Queen’s death—with the manner how
she came to ’t bravely confessed and lamented by
the King—how attentiveness wounded his daughter,
till, from one sign of dolor to another, she did,
with an “Alas,” I would fain say bleed tears, for I am 95
sure my heart wept blood. Who was most marble
there changed color; some swooned, all sorrowed.
If all the world could have seen ’t, the woe had been
universal.

We also learn that, when Perdita found out about her mother’s death, she seemed to cry tears of blood. The reunion was so moving that onlookers sobbed and fainted dramatically.

FIRST GENTLEMAN Are they returned to the court? 100

THIRD GENTLEMAN No. The Princess hearing of her
mother’s statue, which is in the keeping of
Paulina—a piece many years in doing and now
newly performed by that rare Italian master, Julio
Romano, who, had he himself eternity and could 105
put breath into his work, would beguile Nature of
her custom, so perfectly he is her ape; he so near to
Hermione hath done Hermione that they say one
would speak to her and stand in hope of answer.
Thither with all greediness of affection are they 110
gone, and there they intend to sup.

SECOND GENTLEMAN I thought she had some great
matter there in hand, for she hath privately twice or
thrice a day, ever since the death of Hermione,
visited that removed house. Shall we thither and 115
with our company piece the rejoicing?

FIRST GENTLEMAN Who would be thence that has the
benefit of access? Every wink of an eye some new
grace will be born. Our absence makes us unthrifty
to our knowledge. Let’s along. 120

The Third Gentleman also reports that, when the princess found out that the famous artist Giulio Romano completed a lifelike statue of Hermione, Perdita rushed to Paulina’s house to see it.

The Three Gentlemen exit.

AUTOLYCUS Now, had I not the dash of my former life
in me, would preferment drop on my head. I
brought the old man and his son aboard the Prince,
told him I heard them talk of a fardel and I know
not what. But he at that time, overfond of the 125
shepherd’s daughter—so he then took her to be—
who began to be much seasick, and himself little
better, extremity of weather continuing, this mystery
remained undiscovered. But ’tis all one to
me, for had I been the finder-out of this secret, it 130
would not have relished among my other
discredits.

The Gentleman run off to see the statue, leaving Autolycus on stage to lament that he wasn’t the one to reveal Perdita’s true identity to King Leontes.

Enter Shepherd and Shepherd’s Son,
both dressed in rich clothing.

Here come those I have done good to against my
will, and already appearing in the blossoms of their
fortune. 135

SHEPHERD Come, boy, I am past more children, but thy
sons and daughters will be all gentlemen born.

SHEPHERD’S SON, to Autolycus You are well met, sir.
You denied to fight with me this other day because I
was no gentleman born. See you these clothes? Say 140
you see them not and think me still no gentleman
born. You were best say these robes are not gentlemen
born. Give me the lie, do, and try whether I am
not now a gentleman born.

AUTOLYCUS I know you are now, sir, a gentleman born. 145

SHEPHERD’S SON Ay, and have been so any time these
four hours.

SHEPHERD And so have I, boy.

SHEPHERD’S SON So you have—but I was a gentleman
born before my father. For the King’s son took me 150
by the hand and called me brother, and then the
two kings called my father brother, and then the
Prince my brother and the Princess my sister called
my father father; and so we wept, and there was the
first gentlemanlike tears that ever we shed. 155

The Old Shepherd and the Clown enter the stage dressed to the nines in some new threads befitting gentlemen.

The Clown brags to Autolycus that he’s a “gentleman born” because the Prince called him “brother” and said they were all one big happy family. (FYI – this is a big joke since the Clown was obviously not “born” a gentleman.)

SHEPHERD We may live, son, to shed many more.

SHEPHERD’S SON Ay, or else ’twere hard luck, being in
so preposterous estate as we are.

AUTOLYCUS I humbly beseech you, sir, to pardon me all
the faults I have committed to your Worship and to 160
give me your good report to the Prince my master.

SHEPHERD Prithee, son, do, for we must be gentle now
we are gentlemen.

SHEPHERD’S SON, to Autolycus Thou wilt amend thy
life? 165

AUTOLYCUS Ay, an it like your good Worship.

SHEPHERD’S SON Give me thy hand. I will swear to the
Prince thou art as honest a true fellow as any is in
Bohemia.

SHEPHERD You may say it, but not swear it. 170

SHEPHERD’S SON Not swear it, now I am a gentleman?
Let boors and franklins say it; I’ll swear it.

SHEPHERD How if it be false, son?

SHEPHERD’S SON If it be ne’er so false, a true gentleman
may swear it in the behalf of his friend.—And 175
I’ll swear to the Prince thou art a tall fellow of thy
hands and that thou wilt not be drunk; but I know
thou art no tall fellow of thy hands and that thou
wilt be drunk. But I’ll swear it, and I would thou
wouldst be a tall fellow of thy hands. 180

AUTOLYCUS I will prove so, sir, to my power.

SHEPHERD’S SON Ay, by any means prove a tall fellow. If
I do not wonder how thou dar’st venture to be
drunk, not being a tall fellow, trust me not. Hark,
the Kings and Princes, our kindred, are going to see 185
the Queen’s picture. Come, follow us. We’ll be thy
good masters.

They exit.

The Clown and the Old Shepherd decide they should behave in a “gentlemanly” manner and agree to put in a good word to the king on behalf of Autolycus.

Autolycus promises he’ll try to be a better person (instead of a thief) and the three men run off to see the statue of Hermione.

The Winter’s Tale: Act 5, Scene 2 Translation

A side-by-side translation of Act 5, Scene 2 of The Winter’s Tale from the original Shakespeare into modern English.

Original Text

Translated Text

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