Translate the following piece of the original text from the play, Hamlet, by William Shakespeare into modern text.

"You must not take for fire. From this time

Be somewhat scanter of your maiden presence.

Set your entreatments at a higher rate

Than a command to parley. For Lord Hamlet,

Believe so much in him that he is young,

125And with a larger tether may he walk

Than may be given you. In few, Ophelia,

Do not believe his vows, for they are brokers

Not of that dye which their investments show,

But mere implorators of unholy suits,

130Breathing like sanctified and pious bawds,

The better to beguile. This is for all:

I would not, in plain terms, from this time forth,

Have you so slander any moment leisure,

As to give words or talk with the Lord Hamlet."

Question

English

Lucy Bray

19 April, 17:18

Translate the following piece of the original text from the play, Hamlet, by William Shakespeare into modern text.

"You must not take for fire. From this time

Be somewhat scanter of your maiden presence.

Set your entreatments at a higher rate

Than a command to parley. For Lord Hamlet,

Believe so much in him that he is young,

125And with a larger tether may he walk

Than may be given you. In few, Ophelia,

Do not believe his vows, for they are brokers

Not of that dye which their investments show,

But mere implorators of unholy suits,

130Breathing like sanctified and pious bawds,

The better to beguile. This is for all:

I would not, in plain terms, from this time forth,

Have you so slander any moment leisure,

As to give words or talk with the Lord Hamlet."

+1

Answers (1)

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Emely Osborne · Answer 1

These lines belong to Act 3 Scene 1 in the tragedy of Hamlet. Polonious is telling her daughter that she should be careful about Hamlet. (Hamlet and Ophelia are apparently in love, but her father believes that it is only "lust", because Hamlet is a prince and Ophelia doesn't match that nobility rank).

You must not take for fire = You must not believe that this is real love.

From this time be somewhat scanter of your maiden presence = As from now, be moderate with your presence,

Set your entreatments at a higher rate than a command to parley = Make your presence a precious object. (Don't let him see you all the time or whenever he requests your presence)

For Lord Hamlet, believe so much in him that he is young with a larger tether may he walk than may be given you = Know that Hamlet is young and he has more freedom than you.

In few Ophelia, do not belive his vows, To sum up, Ophelia, do not believe his promises,

... for they are brokers not of that dye which their implorators of unholy suits, breathing like sactified and pious bawds the better to beguile = because they are like flashy pimps to attract you but he wants to deceive you and make you do not so pure things, but he will make them look as if they were pure.

I would not, in plain terms, from this time forth, have you so slander any moment leisure, as to give words or talk with Lord Hamlet. = From this time on, what I plainly ask you not to talk with Lord Hamlet.