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Question: Elizabethan To English Please!.!?
This is from the play i would like to know what it means in modern English!.
The Merchant Of Venice
Gratiano: If i do not put on a sober habit, Talk with respect, and swear but now and then!. Wear prayer books in my pocket, look demureley!. Nay more, while grace is saying, hood mine eyes Thus with with my hat, and sigh and say amen!. Use all observance of civility Like one well studied in a sad ostent TO please his grandam, never trust me more!.
I would appreciate it if anyone could help me!.Www@QuestionHome@Com
Best Answer - Chosen by Asker:
Gratiano is responding to Bassanio here, who's just said:
!.!.!.Pray thee, take pain
To allay with some cold drops of modesty
Thy skipping spirit, lest through thy wild behavior
I be misconstrued in the place I go to,
And lose my hopes!.
In other words, "Settle down or you'll make me look bad!." Gratiano's response means basically "Trust me!. I'll look and behave like a sober, reverent, and civil person!."Www@QuestionHome@Com
I can't be positive because I haven't actually read that one so I don't know the context, but it looks like whoever this Gratiano person is talking to, they're just basically telling them to act civily and properly, like a gentleman (or lady whichever the case may be), be demure, unassuming, quiet, etc!. Hope that's at least some help!.Www@QuestionHome@Com