List of parts: HELEN perhaps named after Helen of Troy, reputedly the most beautiful woman in the world and the cause of a great war LAFEW some editions modernize to “lafeu” (feu, French for “fire”)
1.1 Location: Rossillion (now Roussillon), old province in southern France, near the Pyrenees mountains
1 delivering sending forth (plays on the sense of “giving birth”)
3 attend obey, heed in ward under guardianship (as a minor who has inherited property)
4 subjection obedience, servitude as a subject/legal obligation
5 of in husband i.e., protector
6 generally universally/to everyone hold maintain virtue benevolence whose i.e., the Countess and Bertram
7 stir…wanted provoke it even in those who lacked generosity where…abundance i.e., in the king
9 amendment recovery
10 practices medical treatments
11 persecuted time tormented his days/drawn out his suffering
14 passage turn of phrase/transition/event/death honesty honor, integrity
16 Would I wish
20 Narbon Narbonne, southern French city near province of Roussillon
22 still yet/for ever
25 fistula ulcer
27 notorious widely known/evident
29 overlooking guardianship
30 hopes …good i.e., high hopes for her education upbringing dispositions natural talents
31 unclean naturally corrupted virtuous qualities fine learned accomplishments
32 go with pity are mingled with regret
33 simpleness unaffected simplicity (i.e., not mixed with vice) derives inherits
35 season preserve/flavor
37 livelihood animation Go to expression of dismissal (i.e., “come, come”)
38 affect assume/pretend to have than to have rather than genuinely feel one
40 of due to
42 If …mortal i.e., if resisted, overabundant grief quickly dies
43 holy sacred/respected
44 How …that? What does that mean? (some editors suppose the line is displaced and that it may be a response to Helen or the Countess, not Bertram)
46 manners good conduct shape physical appearance Thy may thy blood nobility/parentage
47 empire rule
48 birthright inherited qualities
49 able ready/powerful enough
50 power ability, potential keep…key value your friend’s life as dearly as your own
51 checked rebuked
52 taxed censured What whatever more will wishes to give you in addition
53 pluck draw
55 unseasoned inexperienced
57 want lack best i.e., best advice
58 his love my love for him
60 forged created, imagined
61 comfortable comforting, supportive make much of be attentive to
62 hold maintain credit reputation/honor
64 these …him i.e., the floods of tears she is shedding because of her unrequited love for Bertram do more honor to her father’s memory than did the (fewer) tears wept at his death
67 favour image, face (puns on the sense of “love token”)
68 undone ruined
69 ’Twere…That it is the same as if
72 collateral parallel but distant
73 sphere orbit (heavenly bodies were thought to be surrounded by hollow spheres that produced beautiful music as they rotated)
75 hind female deer (puns on sense of “servant”)
76 pretty pleasing
78 hawking sharp, keen
79 table notebook, drawing tablet capable appreciative, sensitive
80 trick distinguishing feature favour face
81 fancy love/infatuation
82 relics i.e., memory Parolles i.e., “words,” from French paroles
83 his i.e., Bertram’s
85 great way complete solely wholly
86 fixed certain, established fit suitably
87 take place take precedence/are accepted steely i.e., hard, uncompromising
88 Looks …wind are left out in the cold/look pale, unappealing Withal therefore full oft very often
89 waiting on attending, deferring to superfluous extravagant, overabundant
90 Save God save queen may play on “quean” (i.e., prostitute)
95 stain hint/taint
96 barricado barricade
97 Keep ensure he stays (plays on the sense of “build a fortified tower”)
99 Unfold reveal
100 setting…you besieging you (with sexual connotations) undermine overthrow/dig underneath to lay mines/burrow into sexually blow you up cause an explosion/make you pregnant
102 Bless (may God) protect
103 policy stratagem
104 be blown up gain an erection/have an orgasm Marry by the Virgin Mary
105 blowing him down inducing his orgasm, and subsequent loss of erection breach vagina/hole in defences city i.e., virginity
106 politic prudent/strategic
107 rational increase logical profit-making/an increase in rational beings through reproduction got begotten, conceived
108 That that which mettle substance/coinage (indistinguishable from “metal” in Shakespearean usage)
109 found i.e., duplicated in reproduction (by producing ten virgins) cold chaste
111 stand for’t defend it
112 in’t in its defense
113 part behalf (puns on the sense of “genitals”) infallible certain
114 He…virgin i.e., like a virgin who refuses to reproduce, a crime likened to suicide
115 highways …limit traditionally suicides were buried in at crossroads, in unconsecrated ground desperate reckless/dangerous offendress female offender
117 paring rind his its stomach appetite/pride peevish stubborn, perverse
118 inhibited prohibited canon list of sins in the Bible
119 lose fail to profit (puns on the idea of “losing” one’s virginity) Out with’t! Away with it!/put it out to interest make itself two double in value (by increasing at a rate of ten percent per year)
120 principal initial investment
122 How what
123 it i.e., virginity
124 gloss freshness/shine lying remaining unused (may play on the sense of “lying down”)
125 vendible saleable, marketable Answer…request respond to current consumer demand
126 suited dressed unsuitable unfashionable toothpick ornate toothpicks were fashionable for a period
127 wear not are not in fashion date fruit/age/penis pie with vaginal connotations porridge stew (with vaginal connotations) in your cheek i.e., as sign of increasing age
129 pears with vaginal connotations eats dryly tastes dry
132 There i.e., at court
133 mother here begins a list of names and relationships found in love poetry
134 phoenix i.e., paragon, wonder (literally, mythical Arabian bird that was consumed by fire every five hundred years, then resurrected from the ashes; only one existed at a time)
138 concord harmony dulcet sweet
139 disaster unlucky star
140 fond affectionate/foolish adoptious adopted christendoms baptismal (Christian) names
141 blinking blind gossips is godparent to
142 well fortune
147 body i.e., something tangible
149 baser stars lesser fortunes shut…in confine us to
150 effects of them i.e., fulfilled wishes
151 alone must think must only think (not do)
152 Returns us thanks give us gratitude, reward
156 Mars Roman god of war ay “I” in Folio, but likely to be heard by the audience as an ironic “yes” (Mars not being known for charity)
159 under down/in a lowly position
160 predominant in the ascendant, dominant
161 retrograde moving in a contrary direction, backward
163 backward i.e., in retreat, fleeing the enemy
164 advantage tactical gain (Helen shifts the sense to “personal interest”)
165 composition mixture/constitution (plays on the sense of “trace”)
166 wing ability to fly swiftly/jacket’s shoulder flap (may pun on the sense of “flank of troops”)
167 wear fashion
169 perfect (the) complete in the which i.e., in which manner naturalize accustom
170 capable of receptive to/have (sexual) capacity for
171 thrust with sexual connotations
172 makes thee away sees you off leisure opportunity
173 use treat/employ sexually
176 fated fateful/with power over destiny
178 designs undertakings/plans dull sluggish
180 feed satisfy (my longing)
181 The across the space in fortune gap in social status/difference in fortunes
182 like likes kindred affections native closely related/of similar rank/natural
183 strange attempts extraordinary endeavors (to be united)
184 weigh…sense evaluate their efforts according to common-sense
186 miss fail to achieve
1.2 Location: Paris Flourish fanfare, usually accompanying a person in authority divers various
1 Florentines people from Florence (northern Italian city, capital of Tuscany) Senoys people from Siena by th’ears at odds, fighting
3 braving defiant
6 cousin fellow monarch of
7 move urge, appeal to
8 dearest friend i.e., Austria
9 Prejudicates prejudges
10 make denial i.e., deny aid to the Florentines
12 Approved established, proved
13 credence trust
14 armed fortified (against entreaties)
15 Florence ruler of Florence
16 for as for see i.e., take part in
17 service military service
18 stand serve, fight part side
20 nursery training-ground sick longing
21 breathing and exploit active military employment
26 Frank generous rather…haste more fastidious than hasty
27 parts qualities
30 corporal soundess good physical health
32 tried tested did…service had deep knowledge of military matters
33 was Discipled of taught/was taught by
34 bravest boldest/finest/noblest
35 haggish hag-like, repulsive/frosty
36 out of act down beyond action repairs restores, revives
40 scorn mockery return…unnoted goes unheeded/is visited back upon them
41 Ere before levity in honour light-heartedness in honorable action
42 contempt neither contempt
44 equal i.e., social equal awaked provoked
45 Clock to itself true to itself, reliable, self-governing true exact
46 Exception grievance/disapproval
47 hand hand of action/hand of his honor’s clock, showing the appropriate time Who those who
48 used treated another place different (higher) rank
49 top head
51 humbled humbled himself
52 copy example/model
53 them …backward men of today to be merely inferior
57 So …epitaph his epitaph is nowhere so profoundly confirmed approof proof, experience/approbation
60 plausive praising
61 scattered not did not disperse randomly grafted cultivated deliberately
62 bear i.e., bear fruit
64 On …heel at the conclusion and end pastime entertainment, leisure activity
65 out over
66 snuff burnt-out wick/hindrance
67 apprehensive perceptive/quick-witted
69 Mere …garments only capable of inventing new fashions constancies loyalties
71 I…too I, surviving him, also wish (plays on idea of following into death)
72 nor neither
73 were would be dissolvèd released
74 labourers productive bees
76 lend show, give it i.e., love lack miss
82 the rest i.e., other physicians
83 several various applications treatments
84 Debate contend over it i.e., his health
1.3 Location: Rossillion Lavatch probably from the French la vache (“the cow”)
1 gentlewoman i.e., Helen
2 even your content please you
3 calendar record
4 clearness purity deservings merits, deserts of…them we speak openly of our own merits
5 sirrah sir (used to a social inferior)
9 poor wretched, humble (sense then shifts to “impoverished”)
10 Well i.e., go on (Lavatch shifts the sense to “satisfactory”)
12 go …world i.e., get married Isbel typical name for a whore
13 woman female servant/whore do act/have sex
14 needs of necessity
17 case puns on the sense of “vagina” Service employment as a servant (plays on the sense of “sex”) heritage inheritance (for children)
18 issue …body i.e., children bairns children
22 go puns on the sense of “have sex”
23 your worship title of mock respect
24 holy i.e., sanctioned by marriage (puns on “holey,” i.e., vaginal)
25 world mankind, i.e., secular people
27 repent regret marrying/atone for sex out of wedlock
29 for …sake to keep my wife company (with suggestion of sexual activity)
31 shallow lacking in judgment in of do with sexual connotations
32 ears ploughs/has sex with/impregnates land i.e., wife spares my team takes the load off my sexual organs gives me leave allows/enables
33 in harvest/bring in crop i.e., of children cuckold man with an unfaithful wife drudge slave/menial worker comforts pleasures (sexually)
34 cherisher nourisher/sustainer (in procreative sense)
35 ergo “therefore” (Latin)
36 what they are i.e., cuckolds
37 Charbon the Puritan meat-eating puritan (from French chair bonne: “good flesh,” eaten on fast-days) Poysam the Papist fish-eating Catholic (from French poisson: “fish,” eaten on fast-days)
38 howsome’er howsoever/although both one alike (in being cuckolds)
39 jowl dash, knock
40 ever always calumnious slanderous
41 next nearest/most direct
45 kind nature, i.e., to be a cuckold (which sounds like “cuckoo”) is natural
46 anon at another time
50 fair face i.e., of Helen of Troy, the most beautiful woman in the world, whose abduction by Paris caused the Trojan war she perhaps Hecuba, wife of Priam
51 sackèd plundered Troy ancient city of West Turkey, besieged for ten years during the Trojan war
52 Fond foolishly
53 King Priam King of Troy, killed during the conflict
56 sentence maxim, wise saying
57 Among along with
60 corrupt the song presumably Lavatch has inverted the words of a well-known song; it may have originally read “Among nine good if one be bad, / There’s yet nine good in ten”
61 purifying cleansing, improving
62 serve the world i.e., by consistently providing one good woman in ten
63 tithe-woman tenth woman (i.e., one in ten); the tithe was the tenth of one’s farm produce able to be claimed by the parson An if
64 but …earthquake i.e., rarely blazing star comet mend…well improve the odds
65 draw pull one i.e., a good woman
67 That to think that
68 honesty truth/virtue wear…heart i.e., conform by hiding pride beneath an outward appearance of obedience, just as Puritans wore the prescribed Anglican surplice over the more extreme Calvinist black gown
69 forsooth in truth
73 bequeathed left (by will)/entrusted
74 advantage financial interest/additional personal benefits make title lay claim
76 late recently
78 stranger sense other person’s or stranger’s hearing matter subject, theme
80 estates stations in life no i.e., unworthy of being a
81 only where qualities except where ranks Dian Diana, Roman goddess of chastity, the moon, and hunting suffer allow
82 surprised to be captured/attacked
83 touch feeling/expression/note
84 withal with sithence since
85 loss harm something somewhat
86 discharged performed likelihoods indications
88 misdoubt disbelieve Stall confine, lodge, hide
92 these difficulties/pangs of love
94 blood passion
95 show appearance/display seal sign/confirmation
96 impressed imprinted, stamped
98 or or rather/but
99 observe see through/note
104 Methought it seemed to me
105 start flinch
107 enwombèd mine carried in my womb
108 Adoption i.e., (love for) adopted children strives competes nature i.e., (love for) one’s own children choice…seeds we choose to graft a cutting from another plant onto our stock, and thus make it into our own
110 mother’s groan i.e., in labor
112 curd curdle
114 distempered distressed/unseasonal, inclement
115 Iris Greek goddess of the rainbow rounds encircles
117 not i.e., not your daughter-in-law
122 note mark of distinction parents ancestors
124 vassal subject/servant
128 So provided that
129 both our mothers mother of us both
130 no …than as much as
131 Can’t no other can it be no other way
134 shield ensure/forbid
136 catched caught fondness foolishness/affection
137 loveliness many editors emend to “loneliness” (solitary melancholy)
138 head source sense perception gross obvious
139 Invention (your) devising of excuse
140 Against in the face of
145 kind natural way (i.e., by weeping)
147 That …suspected for fear that truth will be regarded with suspicion/to ensure that truth will not be guessed at
148 clew ball (of thread)
149 forswear’t deny it (under oath) howe’er in any case charge command
150 avail benefit
157 Go not about don’t be roundabout (in answering) bond i.e., maternal bond
158 takes note recognizes
160 appeached informed against (you)
163 before more than
165 friends relatives
168 token sign, evidence, indication (plays on the sense of “love token”) presumptuous suit unwarranted aim/expectant courtship
172 captious capacious/eager to take in/deceptive intenible incapable of holding
173 still continually
174 lack …still yet do not run out of more to pour in and waste/do not run out of more to keep continuously pouring in and losing
175 Religious ardent/worshipful
177 no more nothing other (than to look on him)
178 encounter with contest, fight
180 cites confirms, acknowledges
183 herself i.e., chastity
185 lend …lose i.e., bestow affection where it is sure of no success
186 that what implies involves, seeks
187 lives …dies i.e., in loving Bertram, Helen is doomed to eternal disappointment
191 Wherefore? Why?
192 grace God’s grace
193 prescriptions ancient customs/instructions/doctor’s prescriptions
195 manifest evident
196 sovereignty efficacy/healing
197 In…them to reserve them for use with the greatest care
198 notes instructions/doctor’s prescriptions faculties inclusive comprehensive capabilities
199 in note recognized to be
200 approved tested, proven
201 desp’rate despairing, hopeless
202 rendered lost deemed incurable
206 conversation processes, reflections
207 Haply perhaps
209 tender offer
211 a mind the same opinion
212 credit believe/trust
213 schools universities, medical faculties
214 Embowelled disemboweled, emptied doctrine learning, science left off abandoned
218 receipt prescription/remedy
219 sanctified blessed
221 try success find out what happens venture risk
222 well-lost i.e., lost for a good cause
223 such a a specific
225 knowingly i.e., securely, with confidence
226 leave permission
229 into unto/upon
231 miss lack
2.1 Location: Paris
1 principles i.e., advice
2 throw from you forget
4 gift i.e., of advice
7 well-entered (becoming) experienced
10 owes owns
13 higher Italy high-ranking Italians/northern Italy (Tuscany)
14 Those …monarchy except those who merely inherit their places from what is left of the Holy Roman Empire/they that are cast down by having merely the remains of the Holy Roman Empire
16 woo court, flirt with wed i.e., own, be bound to
17 questant seeker, one on a quest shrinks recoils (plays on the sense of “loses his erection”)
18 cry proclaim
21 lack …deny i.e., cannot say no
22 captives i.e., to the girls’ charms
23 serve fight (plays on the sense of “have sex”)
27 spark young man about town
28 brave splendid
30 here to stay here kept a coil fussed over
32 bravely boldly/worthily
33 forehorse …smock lead horse in a team led by a woman
34 masonry stonework floor (i.e., not a battlefield)
35 bought up won by others
36 one …with i.e., an ornamental weapon steal sneak (the First Lord plays on the sense of “rob”)
40 grow to become attached to a tortured body like a body being torn apart
43 a word in a word
44 metals blades/spirits (“mettles”)
45 Spurio “counterfeit” (Italian) cicatrice scar sinister left
46 entrenched gashed, grooved reports response
48 Mars may Mars novices recruits
50 Stay wait on/obey (Second Folio repunctuates “Stay:” which changes the sense to “Wait: the king is coming”)
51 spacious ceremony ample courtesy
52 list boundary
53 wear …time i.e., are fashionable/notable muster true gait display correct bearing/behavior
54 received fashionable
55 measure stately dance dilated extended
57 like likely sinewy muscular, energetic
58 tidings news
59 fee pay
60 brought his pardon i.e., something to earn it
63 broke thy pate given you a blow to the skull
65 across i.e., a clumsy hit (in jousting, to break a lance across rather than striking directly with the point showed poor skill)
68 will …fox in Aesop’s fable the fox declared the grapes were sour because he couldn’t reach them; the king dismisses the idea of recovery because he thinks it impossible
69 will will eat/want an if if
70 medicine doctor
72 Quicken give life to canary a lively Spanish dance
73 simple minimal/herbal/medicinal
74 araise raise from the dead/sexually arouse King Pippin eighth-century French king, father of Charlemain (Charlemagne)
75 pen plays on the sense of “penis”
81 light light-hearted/sexually suggestive deliverance delivery, reporting
82 profession claims of skill
84 blame attribute to weakness partiality, susceptibility
88 admiration object of wonder
89 spend expend take off reduce, remove
90 took’st conceived of, caught
91 fit satisfy
93 special nothing particular trifles ever prologues always introduces Enter Helen some editors suppose that she is disguised, since in Act 2 Scene 3 Lafew appears surprised at her identity, despite having met her in Act 1 Scene 1; this is possible, but it seems more likely that he is complicit with her plan (hence Cressid’s uncle) and that the later surprise is feigned
94 come your ways come along
99 Cressid’s uncle Pandarus, go-between for the lovers Troilus and Cressida
101 follow relate to
104 profess practice, make a profession of well found of established skill
108 receipts recipes for medical cures
109 issue product
110 th’only the foremost/peerless
111 triple third
112 Safer more safely
114 cause …power disease (cause) for which the worth of my father’s gift is most effective
116 tender offer appliance remedy/treatment
117 bound prepared/dutiful
119 credulous readily believing
121 congregated college i.e., of doctors
122 art skill/scholarship/science
123 inaidible unable to be assisted
125 prostitute submit (basely)
126 empirics quack doctors dissever divide
127 great self kingly person credit reputation esteem give merit to, believe in
128 senseless foolish sense rational hope deem judge (it to be)
129 duty i.e., as a subject (having tried to help you) pains efforts
130 office services, duty
132 modest one slight thought/thought that confirms my modest, seemly behavior to…again for me to return with/to conduct me home
133 to than to
136 at full in detail no part not at all
137 art (sufficient) medical skill
139 set …rest stake everything (derived from the card game primero)
140 He i.e., God
142 holy writ the Bible, which contains several examples of the young being wiser than their elders babes foolish/inexperienced
143 great …sources Moses struck rock from which water flowed for the thirsty Israelites (Exodus 17)
144 simple small great…dried Moses led the Israelites through the Red Sea, which parted, allowing them to pass on dry ground (Exodus 14)
145 great’st great persons, such as Pharaoh, who complained about God’s power
147 hits succeeds
148 shifts operates
150 by …paid be their own reward
151 Proffers offers for as
152 Inspirèd divinely inspired (plays on the sense of “inhaled”) breath words
154 square shape shows appearances
156 count consider
158 experiment trial
159 impostor swindler proclaim…aim declare my success before attempting to hit the target/claim skill that is greater than my ability
163 space period of time
165 greatest i.e., God’s
167 torcher torchbearer, the sun god, who was carried across the sky in a horse-drawn chariot diurnal ring daily circuit
168 occidental western (i.e., sunset)
169 Hesperus the evening star (Venus)
170 pilot’s glass nautical hourglass
175 venture risk/wager
176 Tax accusation
177 strumpet’s harlot’s/whore’s
178 Traduced slandered
179 Seared branded extended stretched on a rack
183 slay deny, extinguish
184 sense higher wisdom/natural feeling, instinct
185 rate value
186 estimate value
188 prime youth
189 Thou …hazard your willingness to risk this needs necessarily
190 monstrous desperate unnaturally reckless
191 practicer practitioner physic medical advice/medicine
192 ministers delivers (plays on the sense of “dispenses healing”)
193 break time miss my deadline property any particular respect
195 Not in not
198 make it even fulfill it
201 What whatever
202 Exempted far removed
208 premises observed conditions noted/fulfilled
209 performance carrying out (of the request)
210 of in
211 resolved determined still always
214 tended on attended
215 Unquestioned unquestionably
217 high as word amply as promised
2.2 Location: Rossillion
1 put…height thoroughly test breeding education/upbringing
2 highly fed overfed lowly inadequately
4 make you do you think put off dismiss
6 put pass
7 make a leg bow
9 answer throughout the exchange this word seems to have phallic connotations (question thus suggests “vagina”)
11 pin narrow/sharp quatch probably squat/fat
12 brawn meaty/well-rounded
13 fit suitably
14 groats fourpenny coins French crown gold coin/bald head (symptom of syphilis)
15 taffety punk finely dressed whore Tib typical name for lower-class girl/whore (diminutive of “Isabel”) rush ring made of reeds/vagina Tom typical name for a rogue forefinger with phallic connotations pancake traditionally eaten on Shrove Tuesday, the feasting day before Lent
16 morris morris dance nail with phallic connotations his its hole with vaginal connotations cuckold man with an unfaithful wife horn traditionally cuckolds were supposed to sprout horns
17 quean prostitute (puns on “queen”) wrangling knave quarrelsome servant/rogue
18 pudding sausage (perhaps with phallic connotations) his its
22 neither on the contrary
25 fool in question ignorant/inexperienced in questioning (you)
27 putting off evasion
29 O lord, sir! a fashionable phrase among affected courtiers Thick quickly
30 homely meat plain food
35 is very sequent follows logically answer reply cleverly/respond well
36 bound to’t obliged to reply/tied up for it
39 noble used ironically, as she is wasting time
43 present immediate Commend me convey my regards
47 fruitfully abundantly before my legs i.e., very quickly
48 again back again
2.3 Location: Paris
1 philosophical persons scholars of “natural philosophy”
2 modern everyday things things that seem causeless inexplicable by natural causes
3 ensconcing ourselves into fortifying ourselves with
4 unknown fear fear of the unknown
5 rarest most extraordinary argument topic, issue shot out suddenly appeared latter most recent
8 relinquished of abandoned by artists scholars, medical practitioners
9 Galen famous second-century Greek physician Paracelsus famous sixteenth-century Swiss physician
10 authentic fellows accredited members of the medical profession
12 gave him out proclaimed him to be
17 Just exactly
19 showing visible/printed form
23 dolphin puns on “dauphin” (i.e., heir to the French throne) ’Fore me before me; mild oath, like “upon my soul”
24 brief …tedious short and the long
25 facinerious extremely wicked
29 debile minister feeble agent
32 Generally universally
34 Lustigue lusty, vigorous (from the German lustig) Dutchman German
35 tooth sweet tooth, i.e., appetite for pleasure coranto lively dance
36 Mor du vinager! pseudo-French oath, literally, “death of/by vinegar”
40 banished sense loss of feeling
41 repealed recalled, given a second chance
43 attends awaits
44 parcel group
45 my bestowing my power to give in marriage
47 frank election free choice
48 forsake refuse
51 bay …furniture my bay horse with a docked tail (curtal), and all his trappings
52 My …boys’ to have as many teeth/to be as little broken to the bit (i.e., youthful) as these boys
53 writ to be able to claim/exhibit She…Lord some editors suppose that this direction is misplaced and belongs with the later line spoken to First Lord
59 protest declare
61 whisper whisper to
63 white death pallor of death
66 Who he who his…me my love for him
67 Dian Diana, Roman goddess of chastity
68 Love i.e., Cupid, god of love
71 All …mute there is no more to be said
72 ames-ace double ace, lowest throw in dice for my life were my life at stake
73 honour high status/willingness to marry/admiration
75 Love may Love
76 Her …wishes i.e., myself, Helen
77 No better i.e., I wish for nothing better than your humble love
81 th’Turk i.e., non-Christian barbarian
86 Sure surely
87 got conceived
88 happy fortunate
91 grape i.e., fruit of good lineage drunk wine i.e., to give you good blood
92 known seen through
104 bring me down i.e., by making me marry a social inferior (with associations of bringing into the marriage bed, and, possibly, of losing one’s erection)
106 breeding upbringing charge order/expense
108 corrupt debase/contaminate ever forever
109 title lack of title
112 confound distinction be indistinguishable stands off separate
117 proceed come forth
119 great …none titles puff us up rather than virtue (swell’s: “swell is,” elided for meter)
120 dropsied swollen/proud/diseased
122 property inherent quality go i.e., be known
124 heir because the qualities are inherited from nature
125 That…sire true honor is scornful of inherited title when accompanying behavior not worthy of it
129 foregoers ancestors
130 Deboshed debauched, corrupted
131 trophy memorial
133 honoured bones indeed i.e., the remains of those who were truly honorable
136 dower dowry
137 strive attempt
138 choose assert your own choice
139 restored cured
141 at the stake tied up like a bear to be baited, under attack which which threat
143 this of this
144 misprision scorn
145 desert right/recompense That you who
146 We the royal plural poising weighing defective i.e., lighter (as she is humble)
147 weigh…beam outweigh you and tip your scale up to the crossbar
148 in us within my royal power
149 Check restrain
150 travails in labors for
151 Believe not deny presently immediately
155 the staggers giddiness, unsteadiness (also, a horse disease affecting balance) careless untended/reckless/irresponsible lapse decline
157 Loosing being loosed, inflicted
158 all terms any form
160 fancy desire
161 great creation creation of greatness dole portion
162 which late who recently
164 who i.e., Helen
168 counterpoise equal weight (i.e., in dowry) not not equal
169 replete complete/perfect/abundant
172 whose…brief the formal accomplishment of which (i.e., marriage) shall quite properly follow the present agreement
175 more…space have to wait for a time
176 Expecting waiting for (the arrival of) As as long as
177 religious sacred/true/dutiful err go astray
183 succeeding consequences (i.e., a fight)
185 companion comrade/rascal
186 man manly/mankind (Lafew shifts the sense to “servant”)
188 too old i.e., for a duel satisfy appease (in place of a duel)
189 write claim to be
190 dare…do have the courage to accomplish only too well, I dare not because of your old age
191 ordinaries standard meals
192 vent utterance scarfs military sashes bannerets small banners
193 vessel ship, adorned with flags
194 burden cargo found seen through thee i.e., your company
195 taking up arresting/calling to account
196 antiquity old age
197 trial testing of supposed courage
198 hen i.e., not a bold cock; perhaps also refers to Parolles’ “plumage” window of lattice ale-house (whose red lattice windows signified its function)
199 casement window
200 egregious outrageous
203 dram small amount bate lessen scruple tiny amount
204 wiser i.e., in future
205 pull…contrary swallow a good quantity of your foolishness
207 bondage what binds you (i.e., the scarves of which he is proud) hold maintain
208 in the default when you fail know understand/see through
210 poor doing inadequate ability to inflict vexation doing action (plays on the sense of “having sex”)
211 will will pass (puns on past as “passed”) in…leave with what movement age will allow me
212 shall…me upon whom I will vent my anger for these insults scurvy contemptible
213 fettering imprisoning
214 with any convenience on a suitable occasion an even if
219 reservation concealment
220 wrongs insults good lord i.e., patron (rather than employer) Whom he whom
223 garter tie (withs carves)
224 hose stockings, usually tied up with garters set…stands put your penis where your nose should be/smell your bottom
227 breathe exercise (through fighting)
229 measure treatment/judgment
230 Go to expression of dismissive impatience picking…pomegranate i.e., a small offense, as an excuse
231 vagabond itinerant vagrant, traveling without license true honest/licensed saucy insolent
232 commission warrant, allowance
233 heraldry i.e., authority, entitlement
235 Undone ruined cares troubles, sorrows
244 import content, sense
247 box container/vagina
248 kicky-wicky woman
249 Spending expending/wasting/ejaculating marrow vitality/sexual energy/semen
250 curvet horse’s leap
252 jades worn-out horses
258 furnish me to equip me for fields battlefields
260 To compared to dark house gloomy house/lunatic asylum
261 capriccio “whim” (Italian) Art are you
263 straight immediately
265 balls bound tennis balls bounce (i.e., are spirited, to be reckoned with; plays on the sense of “testicles”)
266 marred ruined (plays on married)
1 kindly affectionately/as a mother
2 well i.e., at rest, dead
3 wants lacks
12 them i.e., your good fortune them i.e., my prayers
14 So provided that did may pun on “died”
16 man’s servant’s shakes out brings about
18 title status as man or servant/name (“Parolles,” or “words”; also puns on “tittle”—i.e., “tiny amount”)
20 Before in the presence of Before me i.e., upon my soul
22 Go to i.e., enough of that found thee found you out, found you to be a fool
23 me i.e., folly
24 even to i.e., enough for
26 well fed probably refers to “better fed than taught” (proverbial); possibly “energetic, spirited”
29 rite of love i.e., sexual consummation of marriage
31 to owing to
32 Whose…delay the delay and absence of which sweets sweet-scented flowers
33 they i.e., want and delay curbèd restrained
35 drown overflow
36 else besides
38 make represent as as if it were proceeding course of action/idea
39 apology excuse
40 probable need plausible necessity
43 Attend await pleasure command, will
2 approof proven quality/testimony
3 deliverance utterance
5 dial timepiece/compass I…bunting i.e., I underestimated him; reversal of “to take a bunting for a lark” (proverbial; the lark was the superior bird)
6 accordingly suitably
9 state i.e., condition of my soul find find it
12 tailor refers to Parolles’ garments; “the tailor makes the man” is proverbial
18 you’ll have you wanted
23 something i.e., an asset, with plenty of stories to tell the guests
24 three thirds i.e., all the time
26 unkindness ill-will
28 made shift contrived him…custard the jester who traditionally jumped into custard at the Lord Mayor’s annual feast in London
29 suffer question endure questioning
30 residence i.e., why you are there
31 mistaken misjudged/misidentified (Lafew shifts the sense to “been offended by him”)
34 heavy serious/not light
35 them tame such creatures as pets
36 to deserve deserve
38 idle foolish
40 know i.e., rather than merely think
42 pass reputation clog hindrance (block of wood tied to man or animal to prevent escape)
45 present parting immediate departure
49 colour appropriate character time i.e., the immediate aftermath of marriage
50 ministration…particular duty and obligation of me as husband
55 muse wonder
56 respects reasons
57 appointments purposes, affairs
66 observance dutiful service eke out supplement, increase
67 homely stars humble origins
68 great fortune i.e., as your wife
69 Hie hurry
72 owe own
74 fain willingly
75 vouch affirm to be
78 would want
80 sunder part
81 stay delay
87 corragio “courage” (Italian)
3.1 Location: Florence
1 from…point in every detail
3 Whose great decision the deciding of which
6 black wicked
7 opposer enemy’s part
8 cousin i.e., fellow sovereign
9 bosom heart
10 borrowing prayers entreaties for assistance
12 yield give up, share
13 But except as common…man ordinary external observer
14 figure scheme, devisings frames constructs, guesses at
15 self-unable motion inadequate conjectures
19 his pleasure as he (the King of France) wishes
20 younger …nature young men of our temperament, outlook (some editors emend “nature” to “nation”)
21 surfeit…ease grow sick of overindulgence in leisure
22 physic cure, perhaps by letting blood through war
24 fly from be bestowed by
26 better fall better places fall vacant avails advantages (as you may fill them)
3.2 Location: Rossillion
3 troth faith
4 observance observation, signs
5 mend adjust
7 sold who sold
9 mind to inclination for lings salt cod, slang for “vaginas/whores” (similar play possible in country)
10 brains plays on the sense of “semen” (thus making Cupid a personified penis and giving knocked out sexual connotations)
12 stomach appetite
14 E’en just, the same as
15 recovered cured
16 not with a pun on the marital knot
18 hold remain at
21 fly flee
23 misprizing despising/undervaluing
24 of empire even of an emperor
25 heavy sad/serious within inside
32 standing to’t standing one’s ground/having an erection (both courses of action may lead to death—literally and in the sense of “orgasm”) getting begetting, conception
34 Save God save
38 quirks turns
39 face appearance on the start at its sudden arrival
40 woman make behave like a woman, i.e., weep
42 thitherward on his way there thence from there
43 dispatch in hand settlement of business
44 bend direct our steps
45 passport license to travel
48 sentence statement/judgment
51 have…cheer bear a happier countenance/be encouraged
52 engrossest monopolize are that are
53 moiety share/half
55 all my my only
60 convenience propriety
67 haply perhaps
72 rude ignorant/unkind/rough
79 a well-derivèd his own well-descended
80 his inducement Parolles’ bad influence
82 deal quantity that influence
83 holds…have maintains and benefits him considerably
88 Written in writing
91 but…courtesies only insofar as I am able to repay your courtesy change exchange
92 draw near come along (with me)
95 Rossillion i.e., Bertram
98 event outcome
100 sportive playful/lighthearted/amorous
101 mark target
102 leaden messengers i.e., bullets
104 move part/stir (to pity) (sometimes emended to “cleave” or “wound”) still-peering ever watchful (some editors emend to “still-piecing”)
105 sings i.e., whistles as a bullet pierces it/cries in pain/sings in indifference
106 set him there put him in the position
107 forward in the front line/facing the enemy
108 caitiff wretch
111 ravin ravenous
112 constraint compulsion
113 owes owns
115 Whence…scar from where honor merely earns a scar by undergoing danger
116 oft often as all i.e., life
118 do’t i.e., keep you away although even if
120 officed all carried out all household duties
121 pitiful compassionate
122 consolate console
123 steal creep (plays on the sense of “rob”)
3.3 Location: Florence Drum and Trumpets i.e., a drummer and a trumpeter
2 Great pregnant/swelling lay wager credence trust, faith
7 th’extreme edge the utmost limit
9 helm helmet
12 file rank of soldiers
13 like my thoughts i.e., valiant
3.4 Location: Rossillion
1 of from
4 ‘I…free’ this letter is cast in the form of a sonnet Saint Jaques Saint James, whose shrine was at Compostella, in northwest Spain
7 sainted holy/dedicated to a saint
9 hie hasten
12 taken undertaken
13 despiteful cruel, malicious Juno supreme goddess, who imposed twelve labors on Hercules
14 camping tent-dwelling (i.e., army)
17 Whom i.e., death
19 advice judgment
22 prevented forestalled
24 at overnight last night
29 whom i.e., both Helen and her prayers
32 unworthy husband husband unworthy
33 weigh heavy of emphasize
37 When haply perhaps when
41 sense perception
42 Provide equip
3.5 Location: Florence tucket trumpet fanfare Diana significantly, given her role, the name of the goddess of chastity and hunting; the Folio entry direction calls her “Violenta,” which was perhaps Shakespeare’s first thought for the name
1 lose all entirely miss
3 their i.e., Siena’s
7 suffice satisfy
8 earl i.e., Bertram name reputation
9 honesty chastity
10 solicited entreated, courted
12 officer agent
13 suggestions promptings toward evil/entreaties for on behalf of
14 engines devices/plots go under appear to be
16 wreck of maidenhood loss of virginity
17 succession (others from) doing the same that for all that limed trapped (like birds caught in lime, a sticky substance smeared on twigs)
18 grace virtue
19 though even if further…lost worse risk than the loss of virginity (i.e., pregnancy)
20 fear fear for
21 lie lodge
25 palmers pilgrims
26 Saint Francis inn with the sign of Saint Francis port city gate
30 tarry wait
33 for because
34 ample well, fully
37 stay upon await leisure convenience
46 Whatsome’er whoever
47 bravely taken highly regarded
48 for because
50 mere absolutely
55 believe agree
56 argument any issue to in comparison with
57 mean lowly/unworthy
58 All her deserving her only merit
59 reservèd honesty well-guarded chastity
60 examined called into question
64 write style her (some editors emend to “warrant”)
66 shrewd malicious
71 brokes bargains, negotiates suit endeavor, request
74 honestest most chaste colours battle-flags
75 else (that it should be) otherwise
82 honester more honorable
89 jackanapes monkey
92 shrewdly sorely
94 courtesy curtsy (i.e., bow) ring-carrier pimp
96 host lodge enjoined penitents those bound by oath to undertake pilgrimage as penance for sin
100 Please it if it please
101 charge expense
102 for me mine
103 precepts of advice on
105 kindly gratefully
3.6 Location: battlefield
1 to’t to the test
2 hilding good-for-nothing
3 bubble i.e., nothing/showy/easily destroyed
6 as as if he were
8 entertainment patronage
9 reposing trusting, relying
10 trusty requiring trustworthiness
11 try test
12 fetch off rescue/retrieve
14 surprise ambush, attack
15 knows not cannot distinguish hoodwink blindfold/deceive
16 leaguer military camp
19 intelligence secret information
20 oath i.e., the vow he took never to divulge the intelligence
23 bottom extent
24 ore precious metal give…entertainment i.e., beat him/cast him out (proverbial)
25 inclining partiality, liking (for Parolles)
27 in any hand in any case
28 sticks…disposition is really upsetting you sticks stabs
29 pox plague
31 wings flanks, on either side of the main body of troops rend tear apart, devastate
33 in upon command…service military orders
40 But were it not
41 hic jacet i.e., I shall die—literally “here lies” (Latin), phrase found on tombstones
42 stomach appetite/courage mystery skill
43 his its
44 grace honor
45 speed fare/succeed
46 becomes befits
49 slumber in it i.e., delay
50 presently immediately pen write dilemmas choices of action
51 mortal preparation spiritual readiness either for my death or those of the men I kill
55 possibility competence, capacity
56 subscribe vouch
60 damns himself i.e., by swearing falsely
63 have have a true understanding of
64 make no deed perform no part/make no attempt
67 probable plausible embossed hunted down/driven to exhaustion
68 for worthy of
69 case skin, unmask
70 smoked smoked out, exposed
71 sprat small fish (i.e., contemptible person)
72 look my twigs see to my bird-trap
73 Your…me i.e., Bertram pulls rank and orders the Second Lord to accompany him in his pursuit of Diana, leaving the First Lord to undertake the ambush on Parolles
80 coxcomb fool (literally, fool’s cap) have i’th’wind have scented, are tracking
3.7 Location: Florence
1 misdoubt disbelieve, suspect
3 But…upon without losing the foundations my plans rely on
4 estate worldly fortune
10 sworn counsel private hearing that you have vowed to keep secret
11 so…word true in every word
12 By with respect to
15 approves proves, demonstrates
20 found it received your help
21 wanton lascivious
22 carry win in fine in the end/to sum up
23 bear manage
24 important blood urgent sexual passion
25 county count
29 rich choice high esteem idle fire foolish ardor
30 will sexual desire
33 bottom essence
34 lawful to be lawful
36 appoints…encounter arranges a meeting with him
39 marry her enable her to marry
40 is passed has been given
42 persever proceed
44 coherent fitting
45 musics musicians/instruments/music
46 unworthiness humble status/because convincing her to do an unworthy deed steads profits
47 chide scold, drive away
48 lay depended
50 assay try speed succeed
51 meaning intention (on Bertram’s part) lawful deed i.e., marital sex
53 fact i.e., Bertram’s belief that he is having sex with another woman
4.1 Location: battlefield
1 sally burst out
2 terrible terrifying
3 unless except for
8 linsey-woolsey cloth made of flax and wool (i.e., verbal mixture, nonsense) again in response
10 strangers foreigners entertainment employment
11 smack taste, smattering
12 fancy creativity to know knowing so so long as
13 know straight directly achieve choughs jackdaws, plays on “chuff,” meaning “rustic, clown”
14 politic cunning
15 couch lie down, hide beguile while away
18 plausive plausible it it off
19 smoke smoke out, suspect
21 creatures i.e., soldiers not…tongue and I am afraid to carry out my boasts
25 hurts wounds
27 instance motive (for doing this)/proof (of my supposed exploits) Tongue…mouth with sexual connotations butter-woman dairywoman/whore (i.e., chatty/lecherous)
28 of from Bajazet’s mule mules were proverbially silent and sometimes associated with Turks, but emperors such as Bajazet had “mute” slaves, so some editors emend accordingly; or there may be a garbled allusion to Balaam’s ass in the Bible, which only spoke at God’s command
31 serve the turn suffice
33 afford allow/let (you) off
34 baring shaving in stratagem an act of cunning, for disguise
38 citadel presumably the enemy fortress
40 Thirty fathom 180 feet Alarum call to arms
49 Muskos probably Muscovites
51 low Dutch “low Dutch” and “high Dutch” were distinct languages
53 discover reveal
55 betake thee entrust thyself poniards daggers
60 hoodwinked blindfolded lead thee on take you elsewhere/direct the conversation
61 gather gain information
70 space time/a temporary reprieve
72 woodcock proverbially stupid bird muffled blindfolded
75 A he
76 Inform on report
4.2 Location: Florence
1 Fontybell i.e., “beautiful fountain”
3 goddess Diana was the goddess of chastity and hunting
4 worth worthy of addition additional distinction
5 frame being, shape quality part
6 quick lively
7 monument statue
11 got conceived
12 honest chaste (i.e., married; Bertram shifts the sense to “frank, open”)
18 vows i.e., of love for Diana/to have nothing to do with Helen
20 constraint compulsion
21 rights duties
23 serve gratify sexually roses virginities/vaginas
24 barely in a naked state/only just thorns…ourselves i.e., with shame (quibbles on the idea that this is in place of a man’s prick)
25 bareness loss of the rose of virginity/defenselessness
30 high’st i.e., God to as our
31 Jove supreme Roman god
33 ill imperfectly/immorally holding consistency (i.e., is untenable)
34 protest profess
36 words mere words conditions contracts unsealed i.e., not valid legally
38 it i.e., your opinion
39 holy-cruel cruel by being holy
40 crafts skills/deceits
42 sick i.e., needing cure
43 Who which will recovers recover
45 scarre sense unclear; some editors emend to “snare”
50 honour object of distinction
52 obloquy disgrace
54 honour’s virginity’s ring with vaginal connotations
58 proper personal
63 bid commanded
65 order take make arrangements
66 band bond
67 yet maiden still virgin
72 proceeds comes to pass
73 token betoken, signify
75 wife i.e., by having sex hope i.e., of marrying Bertram be done ends
81 like same
83 braid i.e., twisted, deceitful
84 Marry let those marry
85 disguise deceptive role
86 cozen trick
4.3 Location: battlefield
2 since ago
4 worthy deserved
7 his bounty (the instrument of) his generosity
8 darkly secretly
10 perverted seduced/corrupted
11 fleshes rewards with meat (as hounds were given a piece of the kill; sexual connotations) will sexual desire/penis spoil plundered loot/despoiling/meat given to hounds
12 monumental i.e., serving as a reminder of his ancestry made successful
13 composition bargain (plays on the sense of “something made”)
14 delay subdue rebellion rebellious, lustful appetites ourselves i.e., human
15 Merely entirely
16 still always themselves i.e., their true, traitorous natures attain to reach ends objectives/deaths he i.e., Bertram
17 contrives conspires proper stream own current of desire
19 Is…meant does it not show (as)
21 dieted…hour restricted to his appointed time
22 apace quickly company companion
23 anatomized dissected, revealed
24 curiously…counterfeit elaborately he has displayed this false jewel (Parolles)
25 him i.e., Parolles he…his i.e., Bertram
26 the other i.e., Parolles
28 overture opening, move toward
30 higher further
32 demand question of his council in his confidence
33 deal…act partaker in his affairs
34 pretence purpose
36 sanctimony holiness
39 justified proved
41 office role
42 rector priest/ruler
44 arming establishment, strengthening
45 verity truth
47 make…of take comfort in
50 encountered met
53 cherished comforted, pitied
55 solemn formal
56 for leave for offered given
58 needful necessary if even if more…commend stronger commendations than Bertram deserves
62 dispatched settled by…success quickly and successfully/here follows a summary of my success
63 congied with taken ceremonious leave of
64 nearest closest company
65 entertained my convoy hired my means of transport parcels of dispatch major items of business
66 nicer more delicate/lascivious
69 hear of it i.e., because Diana may be pregnant and/or may claim him as her husband
71 module model (of a soldier) double-meaning prophesier ambiguous, equivocal oracle
73 stocks instrument of public punishment in which the arms, head, or legs were confined gallant showy, ostentatious
74 usurping laying false claim to spurs symbols of knightly valor
75 carry bear, conduct (the Second Lord puns on the sense of “transport”)
77 shed spilled
79 time…remembrance beginning of his memory instant disaster current misfortune
81 a he
85 Hoodman term for the blindfolded player in the game Blind Man’s Bluff
87 constraint force pasty meat pie with pinched crusts
92 note memorandum/list
94 horse cavalry is strong i.e., has
100 take the sacrament i.e., swear most religiously how and which however and whichever
101 All’s one it’s all the same past-saving beyond redemption
103 theoric theory
104 chape metal plate covering the point of the sheath
105 clean free from blood/polished
111 con i.e., give in the nature considering the way in which
114 marvellous extremely
115 a-foot in terms of foot soldiers
117 live i.e., live only for
118 so as
121 muster-file official list of soldiers rotten and sound (of those both) sick and healthy poll heads, i.e., soldiers
122 cassocks soldier’s cloaks/coats
125 condition (military) character
130 well-weighing heavy/persuasive
132 particular individual points inter’gatories questions
135 botcher mender (of clothes and shoes) ’prentice apprentice
136 shrieve’s fool idiot girl in the sheriff’s care innocent fool
137 him nay no to him
138 his…falls i.e., he is in danger of a sudden death
141 lousy lice-infested/contemptible
145 o’th’band of the military company
147 good sadness all seriousness
154 advertisement advice, warning proper respectable
156 ruttish lustful up back
157 favour permission
160 fry young fish
161 both-sides two-faced
162 drop offer, pay with
163 scores incurs a bill
164 Half…it one is halfway there if the bargain is well-made, so set out your terms clearly (or “be even”) and succeed
165 after-debts outstanding bills it i.e., payment
167 mell mingle/have sex
168 For count on account/so be sure
169 before in advance
171 in’s on his
172 manifold linguist speaker of many languages
173 armipotent powerful in arms
175 fain obliged
177 nature my natural life
182 egg…cloister i.e., trifling thing, even from a holy place
183 Nessus centaur who tried to rape Hercules’ wife professes not does not make a practice of
184 Hercules Greek hero famed for feats of strength
185 swine-drunk drunk as a pig (i.e., excessively drunk— and thus likely to wet his bed-clothes)
186 they i.e., the servants who put him to bed
187 conditions habits
194 led…tragedians drums announced a performance by actors belie tell lies about
196 Mile-end field outside the city of London where citizen militia were trained
197 doubling of files simple military maneuver
203 cardecue quart d’écu, small French silver coin fee-simple absolute possession (legal term used of land or property)
204 cut…perpetually prevent inheritance to all subsequent heirs forever
210 for as
211 lackey errand-running servant
212 coming on advancing
214 captain…horse cavalry commander
216 no more have nothing more to do with
217 beguile the supposition deceive the opinion
221 discovered revealed
222 pestiferous malicious, pestilent held regarded
230 you you send for bound for
231 in on
232 a very an absolute
234 undone ruined/undressed
236 but only
237 impudent shameless, immodest
239 great big/noble
243 Who he who
247 fooled made a fool of/tricked
4.4 Location: Florence
2 One…world i.e., the French king
3 surety guarantor
6 which gratitude gratitude for which
7 Through even through Tartar inhabitant of Central Asia, considered pitiless and savage
10 convenient convoy suitable means of transport
11 breaking disbanding
12 hies him hastens
14 our welcome i.e., we are expected
21 be i.e., provide dower dowry
22 motive agent/means
25 saucy trusting lecherous acceptance cozened deluded
26 Defiles blackens/pollutes pitchy dark (pitch is a tar-like substance)
27 loathes i.e., Helen for…away i.e., in place of Diana
29 yet further
31 death and honesty i.e., a chaste death
32 Go with i.e., result from impositions commands
33 Upon at
34 Yet for a while
35 the word sense unclear; perhaps refers to the fulfilment of the plan
38 revives will reinvigorate
39 fine’s end’s
40 renown i.e., important thing
4.5 Location: Rossillion
1 with by snipt-taffeta in slashed silk, indicative of showiness
2 saffron orange-red dye used to color ruffs and food unbaked uncooked/immature/impressionable doughy dough-like/malleable
3 Your i.e., had it not been for Parolles, your
4 humble-bee bumble-bee
8 dearest direst/most precious groans…mother i.e., in labor
9 rooted established/planted (Lafew develops this sense)
11 light on come across
12 sweet marjoram type of herb herb of grace rue, herb associated with repentance (suggests Helen’s spiritual grace)
14 herbs edible salad plants nose-herbs scented plants for smelling
15 Nebuchadnezzar Babylonian king, forced from his kingdom and made to eat grass grace puns on “grass”
16 Whether which of the two
17 fool supposedly fools had big penises service employment/sexual service
19 cozen cheat service duty, i.e., sex
21 bauble fool’s baton with a carved head on one end/penis do with sexual connotations
22 subscribe vouch/answer
27 maine mane, like that of a royal English lion/meinie, family, retinue fisnomy physiognomy, facial features hotter in France choleric, angry, warlike (to the French)/susceptible to the “French disease” (syphilis)
30 black prince Edward the Black Prince of England, son of Edward III
31 Hold thee be quiet suggest tempt
33 woodland rustic, i.e., simple fire also “hellfire”
34 prince…world another title for the devil
35 narrow gate according to the Bible, the route to salvation (Matthew 7:13)
36 pomp proud, showy people
37 many majority chill faint-hearted/sensitive to cold (thus preferring the warmth of hellfire) tender fond of comfort
39 Go thy ways be off before now, before I grow truly fed up with you
41 tricks i.e., tampering with the horse’s feed to save hay
42 jades’ tricks mischief caused by badly behaved horses
44 shrewd cunning, mischievous unhappy unlucky/discontented/mischievous
45 gone dead (i.e., her husband the count)
47 pace restraint, obedient movement (horse-training term)
49 lady’s i.e., Helen’s moved urged, persuaded
50 minority youth, when they were minors
51 self-gracious remembrance his own thoughtfulness, without prompting propose i.e., for marriage to Bertram
56 post rapidly
57 numbered was aged him i.e., a messenger
58 intelligence information
62 with…admitted how I might with propriety be allowed to be present (at the meeting of Bertram and the king)
63 but only your honourable privilege the privilege due your honored self
64 charter claim
65 patch of velvet used to cover either battle scars or those resulting from syphilis treatment
66 knows plays on no
67 two…half i.e., covered with thick velvet
68 worn bare without a velvet patch/hairless (from syphilis)
69 liv’ry badge belike probably
70 carbonadoed slashed (like meat for cooking)/cut in the manner of incisions made for syphilis treatment
4.4 Location: Marseilles
1 exceeding posting exceptional haste
2 wear wear out
5 bold confident my requital the reward I shall give you
6 In happy time fortunately met Gentle Astringer gentleman keeper of hawks
8 spend exert
12 fall’n less than/altered
14 sharp urgent occasions needs
15 nice overscrupulous put urge/compel
20 petition request
26 hence removed departed from here
27 use custom
28 pains efforts
35 like likely
36 Commend commit
37 presume assure (you)
40 means…means resources will enable us
43 falls more else happens
44 provide prepare
5.2 Location: Rossillion
1 Lavache Parolles clarifies the name’s probable derivation (vache is French for “cow”)
3 mood anger/temper (puns on “mud”)
5 sluttish a whore/dirty
6 butt’ring preparation/cooking allow the wind i.e., stand downwind of me, so I don’t have to smell you
8 stop block
11 me for me
12 paper i.e., soiled with excrement close-stool toilet/chamber-pot enclosed in a stool
14 purr knave, jack in a card game/cat noise/animal dung musk-cat i.e., perfume, the musky substance obtained from the anal glands of the civet cat
16 withal with it carp fish bred in ponds/chatterer
17 ingenious wily/ungenious, i.e., stupid smiles of comfort gloating (ironic usage)
20 pare trim
23 cardecue small silver coin justices magistrates, responsible for dealing with beggars under Elizabethan law
28 ‘word’ a single word, as Parolles’ name means “words” Cox my passion! By God’s passion! (i.e., Christ’s suffering) Cox cock’s (i.e., God’s)
30 me me out
31 sooth truth lost parted with/abandoned
32 in into grace favor out of favor
33 Out upon thee expression of frustration and condemnation
35 inquire…me ask for me later
1 of in our esteem my worth
4 home fully, truly
6 make consider
7 Natural i.e., of the passions i’th’blade in the greenness, immaturity (sometimes emended to “blaze” for consistency with subsequent fire imagery)
12 high bent pulled fully taut for action (like a bow)
13 watched awaited
15 my pardon i.e., you to pardon me
19 astonish stun/dazzle survey sight, gaze
20 richest most noble/most experienced
25 view sight (of him) kill All repetition put an end to going over past wrongs
27 dead forgotten (also a reminder that Helen is supposedly dead)
29 incensing relics anger-rousing memories
30 stranger i.e., person whose story is unknown
32 GENTLEMAN i.e., an attendant
34 hath reference to is at the disposal of
38 day of season i.e., inclined to one unchanging disposition season time of year/weather
41 Distracted breaking/agitated
43 high-repented blames bitterly regretted faults
44 to in
45 whole mended/well
46 consumèd used up/passed
47 take…top tug occasion by the forelock (hair at the front of the head)
48 quick’st most lively/urgent
53 stuck fixed
54 Durst dared herald messenger
55 Where i.e., in my heart impression image (of Lafew’s daughter) infixing was implanted/fastened onto
56 perspective optical glass that produced a distorted image
57 favour (woman’s) face
58 fair colour beautiful appearance/pale complexion (considered attractive) expressed deemed (it to be) stolen i.e., falsely created with cosmetics
59 Extended or contracted (the perspective) distorted by elongating or shortening
60 object spectacle/sight
61 she i.e., Helen
65 scores debts
66 great count large account/judgment day
67 remorseful compassionate pardon reprieve from death slowly carried i.e., delivered too late
68 turns becomes
70 Make trivial price undervalue
71 knowing acknowledging know their grave i.e., lose them
72 displeasures wrongs
73 weep weep over, mourn dust remains
75 out through
76 knell funeral bell
77 Maudlin Magdalen, Lafew’s daughter; means “sorrowful” (may recall Mary Magdalene)
78 main consents i.e., agreements of the most important parties
81 they meet Bertram and Maudlin marry/the first and second marriages become similar cesse variant form of “cease” (some editors assign the closing couplet to the countess, though with no warrant from the Folio)
83 digested incorporated favour love token
85 come yield/come forth
89 last last time took her leave said farewell to her
95 bade told
96 Necessitied to in dire need of
97 reave deprive/rob
98 stead help, support
103 reckoned valued
104 At as highly as rate worth
107 casement window
110 engaged pledged (to her) subscribed To acknowledged
112 answer…overture respond honorably to her advances
114 heavy satisfaction sad resignation
116 Plutus Greek god of wealth
117 tinct tincture, elixir multiplying med’cine alchemical formula for turning base metals into gold
118 science knowledge
123 to surety as witness
127 Upon…disaster in the event of some terrible misfortune befalling her
130 conjectural speculative
131 fain willingly
137 fore-past former fall turn out
138 Shall…vanity will not reprove my fears for being foolish; rather my fears have foolishly not been apprehensive enough
139 vainly stupidly/wrongly
140 sift examine carefully Gentleman [the Astringer] though no mention is made here of his status as a hawk-keeper
149 for on account of removes stages in a royal progress (Helen kept missing the king) short i.e., too late
150 tender offer
151 Vanquished won
152 this this time
153 looks manifests itself
154 importing visage countenance full of urgency
155 brief summary
159 honour’s paid i.e., virginity’s surrendered taking no leave without saying good-bye
163 in at fair i.e., where stolen or poor-quality goods were for sale; Lafew reasons that even there he would receive a better deal than in accepting Bertram for his daughter toll for this sell Bertram at a market (where vendors paid a fee and entered their goods in the toll-book)
165 suitors petitioners
167 afeard afraid
168 foully snatched i.e., that she was murdered (on Bertram’s orders)
170 sith since
171 that since fly…lordship flee them as soon as you promise to marry them
174 Derivèd descended
179 both shall cease i.e., she will die in dishonor
183 strange like a stranger
186 this hand i.e., Bertram’s
189 embodied yours made part of your body/united as one
194 fond foolish
198 you…friend they are not friendly toward you
199 gain them win them over again
205 impudent shamless, immodest
206 gamester sexual player, prostitute
210 validity value
211 parallel equal
212 commoner prostitute
214 ’tis hit the mark is hit, this is true
215 Of by
216 testament will th’sequent issue the successive heir
217 owed owned
222 instrument agent, means
226 quoted for regarded as perfidious treacherous
227 With by spots stains, vices taxed censured deboshed debauched, corrupted
228 but merely
229 or…for (to be judged) one or the other according to
233 boarded accosted sexually wanton playful/lascivious
234 knew her distance knew her inferiority of rank/knew how to tease from a distance
235 Madding maddening, provoking
236 fancy’s love’s/desire’s
238 insuite possibly “unusual” (some editors emend to “infinite”) modern commonplace
239 Subdued me made me submit rate price
243 turned cast
244 diet restrain (from what I deserve)
253 goes is
257 boggle shy away (like a horse) shrewdly sharply, greatly starts startles
262 just proceeding honest speaking
263 By about
265 Tricks lustful tendencies
271 He…not i.e., wanted to have sex with her, but didn’t want to marry her
272 companion fellow/rascal
274 drum drummer naughty wicked/unskilled
280 Limbo region on the border of hell for unbaptized infants and those born before the time of Christ Furies three classical goddesses of vengeance in…them so trusted by
281 motions proposals/sexual movements
282 derive bring
285 fine subtle
297 easy loose-fitting/sexually compliant glove plays on the sense of “vagina” goes…on plays on the sense of “orgasms and has sex” at pleasure at will/for sexual pleasure
299 aught anything
306 put in provide
307 customer prostitute
308 if…you i.e., my virginity is intact knew had sex with
317 owes owns
318 surety act as guarantor for for as for
320 quit acquit/repay
324 quick alive
327 Beguiles tricks truer office accurate function
330 shadow ghost/image/poor reflection/illusion
333 like disguised as
339 know understand
342 Deadly divorce divorcing death
345 handkercher handkerchief
346 Wait on accompany make sport joke
347 court’sies polite gestures/bows
349 even plain, exact
354 progress…less greater and lesser details of events
355 Resolvedly in a way that resolves all questions
356 meet fittingly
357 past being past
360 express content i.e., with applause and calls of approval
361 strife striving, endeavor exceeding after
362 Ours…parts i.e., let us reverse roles: the actors will listen patiently while the audience applauds actively
363 Your…us i.e., applaud hearts gratitude