34 If ... won if the lover fails to win his lady then all that he will have gained is sorrow and effort 35 However whatever the outcome
35 but merely
35 a folly foolishness
37 circumstance elaborate speech
38 circumstance situation
39 Love refers here to Cupid
39 cavil quibble/complain
41 yoked bound/controlled
42 chronicled for recorded as being
44 eating canker worm that feeds off and destroys plants
46 forward early
47 blow bloom
49 blasting withering
50 verdure green freshness
50 prime spring
51 effects outcome
52 wherefore why
52 counsel advise
53 votary devoted worshipper
53 fond foolish/doting
54 road harbor
55 shipped dispatched on board a ship
58 Milan northern Italian dukedom
59 success destiny
60 Betideth takes place
61 mine i.e. my letters full of news
62 bechance happen
65 dignify honor (by improving his own reputation in the world) 66 leave abandon/neglect
67 Julia possiby named after the Juliet in Arthur Brooke's poem Romeus and Juliet; her name may also signify passion, being derived from the hot month of July 69 War disagree
70 musing pondering
70 Speed a name suggesting quick wit; possibly ironic in places as Speed is sometimes slow to go about his errands 71 'save you God save you
72 But just
74 sheep puns on "ship"
76 An if if
80 my ... horns as he owns me my horns belong to him (Speed implies that this makes Valentine a cuckold) 85 circumstance reasoned argument
86 It ... another it'll be unfortunate if I can't prove the point with a different explanation 90 fodder food
94 baa puns on the contemptuous "bah"
96 mutton sheep
97 laced-mutton a prostitute wearing either lace or a tightly laced bodice 99 store great quantity
100 overcharged overcrowded
100 stick slaughter/have sex with
102 astray wandering into error (puns on the idea of "a stray sheep") 102 pound confine in an animal pound/beat
103 pound reference to money, though still punning on a beating 105 pinfold animal pen
106 pin insignificant amount
106 Fold multiply (puns on pinfold) with additional suggestions of folding a letter 110 'noddy' fool
114 take ... pains have it as a reward for the trouble you have taken 117 fain to bear obliged to put up (with suggestions of carrying on behalf of) 119 Marry by the Virgin Mary
119 orderly dutifully/properly
121 Beshrew the devil take
123 open the matter reveal the information
128 hardly with great difficulty
129 perceive understand/glean
131 perceive receive (may play on purse) 132 ducat gold coin
133 brought your mind conveyed your feelings to her
134 in ... mind when you tell her of your emotions in person 134 token lover's gift
135 stones jewels
138 bounty generosity
138 testerned me given me sixpence (a "testern")
139 requital whereof return for which
140 commend present greetings from
141 begone go away (expression of annoyance)
143 drier death i.e. hanging
145 deign my lines accept my letter
146 post messenger/idiot
Act 1 Scene 2
1.2 Lucetta diminutive form of "Lucy"
3 so providing that
3 stumble trip/have sex
3 unheedfully carelessly/recklessly
4 resort company
5 parle talk
9 Sir Eglamour almost certainly a different Eglamour from the one who appears later in the play; amor is Latin for "love"
10 neat elegant
12 Mercatio his name suggests that he is a merchant
14 gentle well-born/honorable
16 passion outburst
17 passing surpassing, extreme (puns on passion) 19 censure pass judgment on
25 cast bestow
26 cast away wasted
27 moved wooed
29 little speaking very few words on the subject
39 being ... it happening to meet him I took the letter on your behalf 41 goodly broker fine intermediary
42 wanton passionate/lewd
44 office position
48 fee recompense
50 That ... ruminate (yes) in order to enable you to think
51 I had o'erlooked I wish I had read
53 pray her to beg her to commit
53 chid rebuked
57 have ... 'ay' rather the person making the offer interpreted as "yes"
58 wayward perverse, unreasonable
59 testy irritable
60 presently immediately
60 kiss the rod be obedient
60 rod cane
61 churlishly roughly. ungraciously
63 angerly angrily
66 remission forgiveness
71 kill your stomach satisfy your appetite/calm your bad temper (meat was pronounced "mate" and thus puns on maid) 79 let ... concerns leave it there for those it is intended for 80 lie ... concerns fib about its contents
81 false interpreter untrustworthy/untrue reader
83 That in order that
84 set set to music (in the next line Julia intends the sense of "set store by") 85 toys trifles
86 'Light o' love' a popular tune
87 heavy serious/burdensome
87 light frivolous/of little weight
88 burden bass accompaniment/chorus/heavy load 91 reach so high sing at such a high pitch/win someone of Proteus' status 92 minion minx, mischievous one
93 tune melody/temper
93 so ... out in that way you will finish the song/rid yourself of your mood 96 sharp shrill/cross
98 flat tunelessly low in pitch/blunt
99 mar spoil
99 concord harmony
99 descant harmonious variation on the tune
100 mean middle point/method/tenor (a male voice--i.e. that of Proteus) 101 unruly bass uncontrolled bass voice/unworthy. low behavior 102 bid the base sing the male part/challenge to a chase
104 coil with protestation fuss about declarations of love 106 fing'ring fiddling with/stealing
107 makes it strange pretends she doesn't care
109 would ... same I wish that I had the letter back to be able to appear enraged by it/I wish that it really was anger that I was feeling about the letter 111 Injurious wasps unjust/harmful wasps (i.e. fingers)
113 several paper scrap of the torn-up letter
114 Unkind cruel/unnatural
115 As as if
119 my ... thee I shall keep the scrap of paper with your name on it in my breast pocket/my heart will nurture your name 120 throughly thoroughly
121 search clean/probe (a wound)
121 sovereign healing
126 ragged rugged
130 that i.e. the part with her name on it
131 sith since
132 He ... names he links my name to his lamenting one
133 Thus ... another Julia folds the paper so that her name is lying upon that of Proteus (the sexual nature of this is continued in the following line in which the actions described become increasingly physical) 134 contend grapple, engage with sexually
135 stays waits
138 respect value
139 taken up rebuked
140 for lest they should
141 month's mind to preference for
143 judge I wink think my eyes are shut
Act 1 Scene 3
1.3 Pantino possibly from "pantler," a type of servant, and the Italian diminutive ino
16 impeachment ... age discredit to him when he is older
19 hammering thinking hard about
21 perfect complete/fully rounded and experienced
22 tried tested
26 ignorant unaware
28 emperor the Duke of Milan--he is referred to as both "emperor" and "duke" in the play 31 practise tilts take part in jousts
32 sweet discourse elegant conversation
33 in eye of witness to
37 execution carrying out
38 expedition haste
43 commend commit
45 in good time just at the right moment
45 break with reveal the plan to
47 hand handwriting
48 pawn pledge
50 seal ratify/complete
54 commendations greeting
59 graced favored
61 stand you affected are you inclined
63 his i.e. Valentine's
64 something sorted somewhat in agreement
65 Muse wonder
69 maintenance allowance
69 friends supporters/relatives
70 Like exhibition the same amount
72 Excuse it not make no excuses
72 peremptory resolved
73 provided equipped
75 Look see that
76 No ... stay no further talk of lingering
82 take exceptions make objections
83 vantage benefit
84 excepted most against caused the greatest obstacle to
91 accords agrees
Act 2 Scene 1
2.1 Location: Milan
2 on pronounced "one" (thus allowing for the pun in the following line) 5 ornament item of clothing
5 decks adorns
6 Silvia from the Latin "silva" meaning "woods"; also signifies a woodland deity or spirit 8 sirrah sir (authoritative)
12 still always
12 forward hasty/lively
14 Go to expression of dismissive impatience
17 special marks particular signs
18 wreathe fold (considered a sign of melancholy)
19 malcontent discontented person
19 relish sing/have a taste for/enjoy
20 pestilence plague (victims were shunned for fear of infection) 21 lost his A B C lost his schoolbook/forgotten the alphabet 22 grandam grandmother
23 watch remain awake
24 puling whiningly
24 beggar at Hallowmas beggars traditionally made special requests for aid on All Saints' Day (1 November) 24 wont accustomed previously
26 presently immediately
27 want lack
31 without ye externally
32 Without me out of my presence
33 without unless
35 you ... you you surround these follies so fully that they are visible within you/you are so simple that even without these external signs of folly your internal folly would shine through 36 water ... urinal urine in a glass vessel used by doctors for diagnosis 37 malady illness
40 Even she herself
44 hard-favoured ugly
45 well-favoured attractive/gracious
48 of you, well-favoured preferred by you
49 favour good will/charm
51 painted artificial (painted on with cosmetics)
51 out ... count beyond calculation
55 counts of esteems, values
56 How ... me? i.e. Do you think nothing, then, of my judgment?
57 deformed disfigured/transformed by love in Valentine's eyes 64 Love is blind Cupid was traditionally depicted as blind
65 lights clear-sightedness
66 ungartered with his garters undone (i.e. disheveled, traditionally a sign of one in love) 69 hose breeches (Valentine is in an even worse condition than Proteus, who at least managed to put on his hose) 74 swinged beat
76 stand affected to love (in his reply, Speed plays on the sense of stand as "have an erection") 77 set calm/seated
85 motion puppet show
86 interpret to her provide the words for the puppet (Silvia) 88 'give ... ev'n God give you a plain "good evening" (instead of these elaborate greetings) 88 million of excessive quantity
89 servant a lover who served and was devoted to his lady
90 He ... him as her lover, Valentine should express personal interest in Silvia, yet she gives him financial interest by doubling the number of greetings he has given her 92 friend lover
95 clerkly scholarly
96 came hardly off was accomplished with difficulty
98 doubtfully hesitantly
99 Perchance ... pains perhaps you think it is not worth making so much effort 100 so ... you as long as it is of help to you
103 pretty period fine/clever pause/conclusion
103 the sequel what was to come next
105 this i.e. the letter
109 quaintly skillfully
110 again back
114 none of have nothing to do with
118 so so be it
120 for your labour as payment for your efforts
124 sues to pleads with/courts
126 device scheme/invention
129 reasoning talking/debating
134 figure ingenious device/number
142 earnest to be serious (the following line plays on the sense of "financial deposit") 143 none nothing
146 end end to the matter/purpose
148 warrant assure
150 want lack
151 discover reveal
153 in print very precisely, as if quoting from a book
155 I have dined implying that he has feasted upon Silvia's looks 156 chameleon ... air Love was supposed to be changeable, like the chameleon, a creature that can alter its color and that was reputed to survive on air 158 victuals food
158 fain willingly
159 moved sympathetic/persuaded to go to dinner
Act 2 Scene 2
2.2 Location: Verona
2 is there is
4 turn change, become unfaithful
5 remembrance love token, keepsake
8 constancy fidelity
9 o'erslips passes by unnoticed
11 mischance misfortune
13 stays awaits
15 stay detain
18 grace adorn/do honor to
Act 2 Scene 3
2.3 Lance short form of Lancelot; the name may also be derived from the Old French l'ancelot ("attendant") 1 ere before
2 kind family
3 proportion malapropism for "portion" (i.e. "allowance")
3 prodigious malapropism for "prodigal," a reference to the well-known Bible story 4 Imperial's emperor's
4 Crab from "crab-apple," a sour fruit
8 cur dog
10 Jew considered to be pitiless
12 manner of it way it happened
12 shoe Lance uses his shoes to represent his parents
13 left thought to be inferior to the right
15 sole puns on "soul" (women supposedly had souls inferior to those of men) 15 hole plays on the sense of "vagina"
16 A vengeance on't a mild oath: Lance is struggling to remove his shoe 17 staff tall walking stick
18 small slim
18 wand slender stick
21 your i.e. I ask for your
24 wood mad (playing on the fact that Lance's shoe is wooden) 25 mother's breath Lance is smelling the shoe
25 up and down in every way/exactly
26 mark note
27 lay the dust dampen the dust underfoot
30 post hasten
31 lose miss
33 tied i.e. Crab (puns on tide)
37 flood sea's tide
42 lose lose/loosen
44 tale talk, story
45 tail anus
50 call summon
Act 2 Scene 4
2.4 Location: Milan Turio Latin for "sprig, young shoot," perhaps suggesting the character's immaturity 7 'Twere ... knocked it would be a good idea to hit
10 that what
12 counterfeits fakes, impostors
16 instance evidence
18 quote observe (pronounced like "coat," this plays on jerkin in the next line) 19 jerkin jacket worn over a doublet
20 doublet close-fitting jacket
22 How? What?
25 live ... air live near you/listen to you speak/live off the same air you breathe (like a chameleon) 28 done finished/acted (as opposed to having said) 28 this time the moment (Turio suggests that in the future he may "do" more, i.e. fight Valentine) 29 end ... begin stop before you've started (i.e. before actually dueling) 30 volley discharge (of weapons)
34 the fire i.e. the spark to set off the volley/ignite the guns 36 kindly naturally/lovingly
37 spend spend like money/waste
39 exchequer treasury
41 bare liveries shabby uniforms (worn by a gentleman's servants or dependents) 45 hard beset energetically besieged (by suitors)
50 happy messenger messenger bringing good news
51 countryman man from the same country
53 worth wealth/rank/worthiness
53 worthy estimation deserving of respect
54 without desert undeservedly
62 Omitting disregarding
63 age present age/eventual old age
67 unmellowed young (with no gray hairs)
67 ripe mature
70 complete perfect
70 feature physical appearance
72 make this good lives up to this description
76 potentates powerful rulers
82 cite urge
85 Had come would have come
86 looks gaze
87 Belike that perhaps
87 enfranchised ... fealty freed his eyes in return for an alternative pledge of loyalty/freed them in favor of another lover's pledge of loyalty 93 Love ... all Cupid was blind
95 homely plain/unattractive
95 wink shut its eyes
99 warrant guarantee
101 entertain receive
103 low humble/short
103 high dignified/superior/tall
104 mean unworthy
106 Leave ... disability stop this talk of inadequacy
108 duty i.e. a servant's duty
109 want his meed lack its recompense
111 die i.e. in a fight
111 but except for
121 them much commended conveyed their hearty greetings
125 were wont to used to
128 contemning condemning, despising
129 imperious magisterial/commanding
130 penitential undergoing penance
133 enthralled enslaved
134 watchers of sleepless over/vigilant over
137 no ... correction no misery as bad as that which results from Love's punishment 138 to in comparison to
141 very naked mere
143 this i.e. Silvia
144 Even she she indeed/exactly so
145 paragon person of surpassing excellence
149 sick i.e. with love (for Julia)
149 bitter pills i.e. did not indulge me, but administered unpleasant-tasting medicine 150 minister the like give you the same treatment