Original: Ay, ay; and she hath offer’d to the doom—
Modern: Yes, yes; and she has pleaded against the sentence—

Original: Which, unreversed, stands in effectual force—
Modern: Which, unchanged, remains in full effect—

Original: A sea of melting pearl, which some call tears:
Modern: An ocean of liquid pearls, which people call tears:

Original: Those at her father’s churlish feet she tender’d;
Modern: These she offered at her father’s cruel feet;

Original: With them, upon her knees, her humble self;
Modern: Along with tears, she humbly knelt down;

Original: Wringing her hands, whose whiteness so became them
Modern: Twisting her hands, whose paleness suited them so well

Original: As if but now they waxed pale for woe:
Modern: As if they had just turned white from sorrow:

Original: But neither bended knees, pure hands held up,
Modern: But neither her bent knees, nor her pure hands raised up,

Original: Sad sighs, deep groans, nor silver-shedding tears,
Modern: Nor sad sighs, deep moans, nor silvery flowing tears,

Original: Could penetrate her uncompassionate sire;
Modern: Could soften her merciless father’s heart;

Original: But Valentine, if he be ta’en, must die.
Modern: Valentine, if he’s captured, must still die.

Original: Besides, her intercession chafed him so,
Modern: Besides, her pleading made him so angry,

Original: When she for thy repeal was suppliant,
Modern: When she begged him to cancel your punishment,

Original: That to close prison he commanded her,
Modern: That he ordered her locked up in prison,

Original: With many bitter threats of biding there.
Modern: With many harsh threats of staying there forever.

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.