Twelfth Night, or What You Will: Act 3, Scene 3 Translation

A side-by-side translation of Act 3, Scene 3 of Twelfth Night, or What You Will from the original Shakespeare into modern English.

Original Text	Translated Text
Source: Folger Shakespeare Library
Enter Sebastian and Antonio. SEBASTIAN I would not by my will have troubled you, But, since you make your pleasure of your pains, I will no further chide you. ANTONIO I could not stay behind you. My desire, More sharp than filèd steel, did spur me forth; 5 And not all love to see you, though so much As might have drawn one to a longer voyage, But jealousy what might befall your travel, Being skill-less in these parts, which to a stranger, Unguided and unfriended, often prove 10 Rough and unhospitable. My willing love, The rather by these arguments of fear, Set forth in your pursuit. SEBASTIAN My kind Antonio, I can no other answer make but thanks, 15 And thanks, and ever thanks; and oft good turns Are shuffled off with such uncurrent pay. But were my worth, as is my conscience, firm, You should find better dealing. What’s to do? Shall we go see the relics of this town? 20	Meanwhile, Sebastian has rolled up in Illyria and stands in a street chatting with Antonio, who, apparently, has insisted on following his beloved Sebastian. Antonio says his desire (like sharp "steel") drove him to follow Sebastian to Illyria, even though he's afraid of the dangers that he might face. (We don't quite know what these dangers are yet.) Sebastian says something like, "Thanks a million. Should we catch the sights?"
ANTONIO Tomorrow, sir. Best first go see your lodging. SEBASTIAN I am not weary, and ’tis long to night. I pray you, let us satisfy our eyes With the memorials and the things of fame That do renown this city. 25 ANTONIO Would you’d pardon me. I do not without danger walk these streets. Once in a sea fight ’gainst the Count his galleys I did some service, of such note indeed That were I ta’en here it would scarce be answered. 30 SEBASTIAN Belike you slew great number of his people? ANTONIO Th’ offense is not of such a bloody nature, Albeit the quality of the time and quarrel Might well have given us bloody argument. It might have since been answered in repaying 35 What we took from them, which, for traffic’s sake, Most of our city did. Only myself stood out, For which, if I be lapsèd in this place, I shall pay dear. SEBASTIAN Do not then walk too open. 40	Antonio doesn't want to play tourist and suggests that they go back to the motel, but Sebastian's not having any of that and wants to do some sightseeing. Antonio reveals that he's not really supposed to be in Illyria since he's kind of a pirate and helped steal some money from Duke Orsino. He also doesn't have enough money to pay off the authorities if he's caught in Illyria. Sebastian asks if Antonio killed a bunch of men and Antonio says no, but the skirmish cost the Duke a lot of money.
ANTONIO It doth not fit me. Hold, sir, here’s my purse. Giving him money. In the south suburbs, at the Elephant, Is best to lodge. I will bespeak our diet Whiles you beguile the time and feed your knowledge 45 With viewing of the town. There shall you have me. SEBASTIAN Why I your purse? ANTONIO Haply your eye shall light upon some toy You have desire to purchase, and your store, I think, is not for idle markets, sir. 50 SEBASTIAN I’ll be your purse-bearer and leave you For an hour. ANTONIO To th’ Elephant. SEBASTIAN I do remember. They exit in different directions.	Antonio gives Sebastian a little money and tells him to buy himself something nice, Antonio's treat. Sebastian takes the money and says he's going to shop for about an hour and then he'll meet Antonio back at the Inn (the Elephant).

Original Text

Translated Text

Enter Sebastian and Antonio.

SEBASTIAN
I would not by my will have troubled you,
But, since you make your pleasure of your pains,
I will no further chide you.

ANTONIO
I could not stay behind you. My desire,
More sharp than filèd steel, did spur me forth; 5
And not all love to see you, though so much
As might have drawn one to a longer voyage,
But jealousy what might befall your travel,
Being skill-less in these parts, which to a stranger,
Unguided and unfriended, often prove 10
Rough and unhospitable. My willing love,
The rather by these arguments of fear,
Set forth in your pursuit.

SEBASTIAN My kind Antonio,
I can no other answer make but thanks, 15
And thanks, and ever thanks; and oft good turns
Are shuffled off with such uncurrent pay.
But were my worth, as is my conscience, firm,
You should find better dealing. What’s to do?
Shall we go see the relics of this town? 20

Meanwhile, Sebastian has rolled up in Illyria and stands in a street chatting with Antonio, who, apparently, has insisted on following his beloved Sebastian.

Antonio says his desire (like sharp "steel") drove him to follow Sebastian to Illyria, even though he's afraid of the dangers that he might face. (We don't quite know what these dangers are yet.)

Sebastian says something like, "Thanks a million. Should we catch the sights?"

ANTONIO
Tomorrow, sir. Best first go see your lodging.

SEBASTIAN
I am not weary, and ’tis long to night.
I pray you, let us satisfy our eyes
With the memorials and the things of fame
That do renown this city. 25

ANTONIO Would you’d pardon me.
I do not without danger walk these streets.
Once in a sea fight ’gainst the Count his galleys
I did some service, of such note indeed
That were I ta’en here it would scarce be answered. 30

SEBASTIAN
Belike you slew great number of his people?

ANTONIO
Th’ offense is not of such a bloody nature,
Albeit the quality of the time and quarrel
Might well have given us bloody argument.
It might have since been answered in repaying 35
What we took from them, which, for traffic’s sake,
Most of our city did. Only myself stood out,
For which, if I be lapsèd in this place,
I shall pay dear.

SEBASTIAN Do not then walk too open. 40

Antonio doesn't want to play tourist and suggests that they go back to the motel, but Sebastian's not having any of that and wants to do some sightseeing.

Antonio reveals that he's not really supposed to be in Illyria since he's kind of a pirate and helped steal some money from Duke Orsino. He also doesn't have enough money to pay off the authorities if he's caught in Illyria.

Sebastian asks if Antonio killed a bunch of men and Antonio says no, but the skirmish cost the Duke a lot of money.

ANTONIO
It doth not fit me. Hold, sir, here’s my purse.
Giving him money.
In the south suburbs, at the Elephant,
Is best to lodge. I will bespeak our diet
Whiles you beguile the time and feed your
knowledge 45
With viewing of the town. There shall you have me.

SEBASTIAN Why I your purse?

ANTONIO
Haply your eye shall light upon some toy
You have desire to purchase, and your store,
I think, is not for idle markets, sir. 50

SEBASTIAN
I’ll be your purse-bearer and leave you
For an hour.

ANTONIO To th’ Elephant.

SEBASTIAN I do remember.

They exit in different directions.

Antonio gives Sebastian a little money and tells him to buy himself something nice, Antonio's treat.

Sebastian takes the money and says he's going to shop for about an hour and then he'll meet Antonio back at the Inn (the Elephant).

Twelfth Night, or What You Will: Act 3, Scene 3 Translation

A side-by-side translation of Act 3, Scene 3 of Twelfth Night, or What You Will from the original Shakespeare into modern English.

Original Text

Translated Text

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