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Tudor Dialect Exercises
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Exercise 2 of 13:
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MAN:
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What ho, good master! I am in search
of one known as the Rhyming Wizard. Canst
thou aid me in mine endeavor? |
WIZARD: |
I must confess, I look a mess, and
ale has made me weak, But judge me not. I am
no sot, but I am who you seek. |
MAN:
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Wondrous! Good mage, I prithee, I am
in dire need of some verse. |
WIZARD: |
Ah, verse, indeed! What kind dost
need? My repertoire's not shallow. A melody
to comfort thee, or a tune to turn men
sallow'! A song so sweet, a number neat, a
madrigal most mellow? Or wouldst desire a
tune for lyre? What lack you, pretty fellow? |
MAN:
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I need soft verse to win my lady
fair. Look here, good sir, that is her
standing there. |
WIZARD: |
My, is she fair! What lustrous hair!
Ah, this will be a labour. For sweet
romance, pay in advance. 'Tis fifteen pence,
good neighbor! |
MAN:
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Fie! Fifteen pence! Thou trojan!
Hence! Thou whoreson, cozening scab! She is
no common drab! |
WIZARD: |
Why verily, that I can see. Good
sir, I'm quite sincere. Her looks inspire,
so don't inquire wherefore why she be so
dear! |
MAN:
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I'll pay thy share, for she is fair.
She makes me feel like sighing. But by my
troth! Thou monstrous rogue! Thou'st got me
versifying! |
WIZARD: |
What sayest thou? Oh, 'sblood, hov
•. now! Thy rhyming makes me sure! For the
rhymes I've spurred, pay by the word, and
give me five groats more! |
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Vocabulary Used:
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Tudor Word |
Modern Translation |
What Ho |
A Greeting
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Mage |
Magician
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I Prithee
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I pray thee, please
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What lack you?
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What do you need?
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Trojan
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Thief
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Hence
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Go away
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Whoreson, Scab, Rogue
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Insults of a person's character
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Cozening
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Conning
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Drab
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Whore
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Verily
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Truly
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By my troth
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I swear
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Wherefore
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Why
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Share
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Price of something
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Dear
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Expensive
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'Sblood
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By God's Blood (an oath)
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Thou'st |
Thou hast |
Groat |
Nickels |
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