Modern translation of the Tempest

Modern Text

A tempestuous noise of thunder and lightning heard Enter a MASTER and a BOATSWAIN

MASTER

Boatswain!

MASTER BOATSWAIN

Here, master. What cheer?

BOATSWAIN

I’m here, sir. How can I help you?

MASTER

Good, speak to th' mariners. Fall to ’t yarely, or we run ourselves aground. Bestir, bestir.

MASTER

My good boy, give the other sailors a pep talk—and do it fast, before we’re shipwrecked. Hurry, hurry!

Exit MASTER

The MASTER exits.

Enter MARINERS

SAILORS enter.

BOATSWAIN

Heigh, my hearts! Cheerly, cheerly, my hearts! Yare! Yare!

Take in the topsail.—Tend to th' master’s whistle.—Blow, till thou burst thy wind, if room enough!

BOATSWAIN

Come on, men! That’s the way to do it! Quickly! Quickly! Take in the upper sail. Listen to the master’s orders. —Blow your heart out, storm! So long as we have enough room to avoid running aground!

Enter ALONSO, SEBASTIAN, ANTONIO, FERDINAND, GONZALO, and others

ALONSO, SEBASTIAN, ANTONIO, FERDINAND, GONZALO, and others enter.

ALONSO

Good Boatswain, have care. Where’s the Master?

Play the men.

ALONSO

Be careful, good Boatswain! Where’s the Master? Make these men work.

BOATSWAIN

I pray now, keep below.

BOATSWAIN

Please stay below deck, sir.

ANTONIO

Where is the Master, Boatswain?

ANTONIO