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Tudor Dialect Exercises
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Exercise 12 of 13:
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MALE:
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Milady, wherefore com'st thou at me
in such a haste? |
FEMALE: |
Oh, quickly, quickly, goodly sir,
canst thou tell me where be the privy? |
MALE:
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Alas, fair maid, I know not. |
FEMALE: |
Fie! What a dolt thou art! 'Tis but
meet that every man should know of such base
matters as that! Art thou a twit? |
MALE:
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A what? |
FEMALE: |
Twit, man, twit. Forsooth, thou
knowest what be that, at least. |
MALE:
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Nay, madam, 'tis a word beyond my
lowly comprehension. |
FEMALE: |
'Sblood, thou varlet! Thou base,
miserable peasant! 'Tis a word of the King's
own making, and for no less a personage as
thee! Why, were I not a woman, I would give
thee such a clout about thy noggin as thou
wouldst ne'er recover, I warrant thee! |
MALE:
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Be not so furious, madam! I am not
to blame for mine ignorance! Why, wouldst
thou smite a child for his innocence? |
FEMALE: |
Fie, away with thee, vile villain;
hie thee hence! I shall find the privy by
mine own accord! |
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Vocabulary Used:
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Tudor Word |
Modern Translation |
Hi thee hence |
Go away
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Privy
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Restroom
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Wherefore
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Why
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I warrant thee
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For sure, or certainly
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Fie, forsooth
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Mild oaths
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'Sboold
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By God's Blood (an oath)
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Varlet, Peasant, Villain
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Contemptuous terms of address
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Clout
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Knock or hit
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Noggin
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Head
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