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Much Ado About Nothing: Act 1, Scene 2 Translation

A side-by-side translation of Act 1, Scene 2 of Much Ado About Nothing from the original Shakespeare into modern English.

  Original Text

 Translated Text

  Source: Folger Shakespeare Library

Enter Leonato, meeting an old man, brother to
Leonato.

LEONATO How now, brother, where is my cousin, your
son? Hath he provided this music?

LEONATO’S BROTHER He is very busy about it. But,
brother, I can tell you strange news that you yet
dreamt not of. 5

LEONATO Are they good?

LEONATO’S BROTHER As the events stamps them, but
they have a good cover; they show well outward.
The Prince and Count Claudio, walking in a thick-pleached
alley in mine orchard, were thus much 10
overheard by a man of mine: the Prince discovered
to Claudio that he loved my niece your daughter and
meant to acknowledge it this night in a dance, and if
he found her accordant, he meant to take the
present time by the top and instantly break with you 15
of it.

LEONATO Hath the fellow any wit that told you this?

LEONATO’S BROTHER A good sharp fellow. I will send
for him, and question him yourself.

Leonato chats with his brother, Antonio, who is bursting with gossip. Antonio reports that one of his men overheard Prince Don Pedro and Claudio talking in the orchard.

Antonio reports that his man heard the Prince declare his love for Hero, and his intention to reveal his love for Hero that night. 

He says that if Hero accepts the Prince's love, then the Prince will tell Leonato right away, so they can be married.

Okay. So obviously Antonio's man completely misunderstood what he heard, but hey—why would a dad double check big news like a potential marriage proposal to his daughter?

LEONATO No, no, we will hold it as a dream till it 20
appear itself. But I will acquaint my daughter
withal, that she may be the better prepared for an
answer, if peradventure this be true. Go you and tell
her of it.

Enter Antonio’s son, with a Musician and Attendants.

Cousins, you know what you have to do.—O, I cry 25
you mercy, friend. Go you with me and I will use
your skill.—Good cousin, have a care this busy
time.

They exit.

Leonato decides he’ll spring this news on Hero, so she can be prepared to deliver a proper answer. Mm hm. Another good plan that we can't see backfiring in any way.