QUOTES FROM THE BARD

PLAY: Richard III
ACT/SCENE: 4.3
SPEAKER: King Richard III
CONTEXT:
RATCLIFFE
Bad news, my lord. Morton is fled to Richmond,
And Buckingham, backed with the hardy Welshmen,
Is in the field, and still his power increaseth.
RICHARD
Ely with Richmond troubles me more near
Than Buckingham and his rash-levied strength.
Come, I have learned that fearful commenting
Is leaden servitor to dull delay;
Delay leads impotent and snail-paced beggary;
Then fiery expedition be my wing,
Jove’s Mercury, and herald for a king.
Go, muster men. My counsel is my shield.
We must be brief when traitors brave the field.

DUTCH:
Dit heb ik geleerd, dat angstig wikken
De looden dienaar is van traag verzuim,
Verzuim slaktrage, macht’looze armoe brengt .

MORE:
Proverb: As slow as a snail

Troubles me more near=Is a more immediate concern
Rash-levied=Hastily recruited
Strength=Army
Leaden=Slow
Beggary=Ruin
Expedition=Speed
Counsel is my shield=My shield is my advisor
Brief=Act quickly
Brave the field=Go to battle
Compleat:
Rash=Voorbaarig, haastig, onbedacht, roekeloos
To levy=(soldiers) Soldaaten ligten, krygsvolk werven
Strength=Sterkte, kracht
To gather strength=Zyne krachten weer krygen
Beggary=Bedelaary
Expeditious=Vaerdig, afgerecht
Brief=Kort
To brave=Trotsen, braveeren, trotseeren; moedig treeden

Topics: proverbs and idioms, haste, advice, defence