Original: A woman sometimes scorns what best contents her.
Modern: A woman sometimes rejects what would actually make her happiest.

Original: Send her another; never give her o’er;
Modern: Send her another message; never give up on her;

Original: For scorn at first makes after-love the more.
Modern: Because rejection at first only makes the love that follows stronger.

Original: If she do frown, ‘tis not in hate of you,
Modern: If she frowns at you, it’s not because she hates you,

Original: But rather to beget more love in you:
Modern: But rather to create even more love in you:

Original: If she do chide, ‘tis not to have you gone;
Modern: If she scolds you, it’s not because she wants you to leave;

Original: For why, the fools are mad, if left alone.
Modern: Because women go crazy when they’re left by themselves.

Original: Take no repulse, whatever she doth say;
Modern: Don’t accept any rejection, no matter what she says;

Original: For ‘get you gone,’ she doth not mean ‘away!’
Modern: When she says ‘go away,’ she doesn’t really mean it!

Original: Flatter and praise, commend, extol their graces;
Modern: Flatter and praise them, compliment and celebrate their beauty;

Original: Though ne’er so black, say they have angels’ faces.
Modern: Even if they’re dark-skinned, tell them they have faces like angels.

Original: That man that hath a tongue, I say, is no man,
Modern: Any man who has the ability to speak, I say, is not a real man,

Original: If with his tongue he cannot win a woman.
Modern: If he can’t use his words to win over a woman.

In Act III, Scene 1 of “The Two Gentlemen of Verona,” the Duke of Milan questions Valentine about his seemingly melancholy demeanor and his frequent solitary walks. Valentine claims he is simply enjoying the pleasant weather and exercise. The Duke then reveals that he seeks Valentine’s counsel regarding his daughter Silvia, who has been disobedient and refuses to marry Thurio, the suitor the Duke has chosen for her. The Duke explains that Silvia claims she is too young for marriage, though he believes this is merely an excuse, and asks Valentine for advice on how to woo a reluctant woman, pretending the question is for a friend.

Valentine, unaware that the Duke is speaking about Silvia, provides detailed advice on courtship tactics, including how to gain access to a lady’s chamber through her waiting-woman, how to write persuasive love letters, and various strategies for winning a woman’s affection. When the Duke asks about reaching a woman confined to a high tower, Valentine suggests using a rope ladder. The Duke then discovers the rope ladder and a letter hidden in Valentine’s cloak, realizing that Valentine himself is planning to elope with Silvia. Furious at this betrayal, the Duke banishes Valentine from Milan immediately, threatening death if he returns. Valentine is forced to leave, devastated by his exile and separation from Silvia.

The Two Gentlemen of Verona follows the friendship and romantic entanglements of Valentine and Proteus, two young gentlemen from Verona. The play opens with Valentine departing for Milan to experience court life, leaving behind his friend Proteus, who is deeply in love with Julia. Soon after, Proteus is also sent to Milan by his father, forcing him to leave Julia, though they secretly exchange rings as tokens of their love. Meanwhile, Julia decides to disguise herself as a young man named Sebastian and follow Proteus to Milan.

In Milan, Valentine has fallen in love with Silvia, the Duke’s daughter, and she returns his affection. However, when Proteus arrives and meets Silvia, he immediately forgets his love for Julia and becomes infatuated with his friend’s beloved. In an act of betrayal, Proteus reveals Valentine’s secret plan to elope with Silvia to her father, the Duke. As punishment, Valentine is banished from Milan and becomes the leader of a group of outlaws in the forest.

The climax unfolds in the forest where all the characters converge. Proteus pursues the disguised Julia (still dressed as Sebastian, who has become his page) and attempts to force his attentions on Silvia, who has fled to find Valentine. Valentine arrives just in time to stop the assault, and when Proteus expresses remorse, Valentine magnanimously offers to give up Silvia to restore their friendship. At this moment, Julia faints and reveals her true identity. The play concludes with the Duke’s arrival, his pardon of Valentine and the outlaws, and the restoration of proper romantic pairings: Valentine with Silvia and Proteus reunited with the forgiving Julia.