Original: The more thou damm’st it up, the more it burns.
Modern: The more you try to block it, the more it burns with passion.

Original: The current that with gentle murmur glides,
Modern: A stream that flows peacefully with a soft, quiet sound,

Original: Thou know’st, being stopp’d, impatiently doth rage;
Modern: You know that when it’s blocked, it becomes violent and angry;

Original: But when his fair course is not hindered,
Modern: But when its natural path isn’t blocked,

Original: He makes sweet music with the enamell’ed stones,
Modern: It makes beautiful sounds as it flows over smooth, polished stones,

Original: Giving a gentle kiss to every sedge
Modern: Softly touching every plant along the water’s edge

Original: He overtaketh in his pilgrimage,
Modern: That it passes by on its journey,

Original: And so by many winding nooks he strays
Modern: And so it wanders through many twisting corners

Original: With willing sport to the wild ocean.
Modern: Happily playing its way to the vast ocean.

Original: Then let me go and hinder not my course
Modern: So let me go and don’t block my path

Original: I’ll be as patient as a gentle stream
Modern: I’ll be as calm and patient as a peaceful stream

Original: And make a pastime of each weary step,
Modern: And I’ll find joy in every tiring step,

Original: Till the last step have brought me to my love;
Modern: Until my final step brings me to my beloved;

Original: And there I’ll rest, as after much turmoil
Modern: And there I’ll find peace, just like after great struggle

Original: A blessed soul doth in Elysium.
Modern: A soul finds eternal happiness in paradise.

Two Gentlemen of Verona — Act II, Scene vii

In this scene, Julia speaks with her waiting-woman Lucetta in Verona, expressing her deep longing to travel to Milan to be with Proteus, who has been sent there by his father. Julia confides that her love for Proteus is so strong that she cannot bear the separation and is determined to follow him, despite the considerable distance and difficulty of the journey. Lucetta, ever the practical and cautious attendant, raises concerns about the hardships Julia would face traveling so far, questioning whether such a journey is wise or safe for a young woman of her standing.

Julia, undeterred by Lucetta’s reservations, asks for her help in devising a plan to make the journey possible. The two women discuss the idea of Julia disguising herself as a man in order to travel more safely and without drawing unwanted attention. Lucetta assists in thinking through the details of the disguise, including what clothing would be appropriate for Julia to wear. By the end of the scene, Julia has resolved firmly to leave Verona and make her way to Milan, driven entirely by her devotion to Proteus, and Lucetta agrees to help her prepare for the journey, setting the plan into motion.

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.