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Sarram Posted 20 years ago
Grammar
Quotation by Charles I "go very near so"
Good morning,
First, let me briefly introduce myself. I am 21 and I'm learning translation in Brussels. This year I have to do a dissertion. The book I've decided to translate is called "The king and the gentleman" which deals with two major historical characters: Cromwell and Charles I
In this book, I regurlarly come across a number of quotations of the 17th century. One of these is currently troubling me. Would you be so kind as to help me understand the meaning of the quotation? I would be very grateful.
'The failing to one friend hath, indeed, gone very near me; wherefore I am resolved that no consideration whatsoever shall ever make me do the like'. (Charles I)
The main thing I don't understand is the meaning of 'gone very near me' in this context.
Thank you in advance
François Sarramagnan
First, let me briefly introduce myself. I am 21 and I'm learning translation in Brussels. This year I have to do a dissertion. The book I've decided to translate is called "The king and the gentleman" which deals with two major historical characters: Cromwell and Charles I
In this book, I regurlarly come across a number of quotations of the 17th century. One of these is currently troubling me. Would you be so kind as to help me understand the meaning of the quotation? I would be very grateful.
'The failing to one friend hath, indeed, gone very near me; wherefore I am resolved that no consideration whatsoever shall ever make me do the like'. (Charles I)
The main thing I don't understand is the meaning of 'gone very near me' in this context.
Thank you in advance
François Sarramagnan
Top answer
Several alternatives are possible. My reading, without context: Breaking the confidence of one/someone (or even committing treason against one/someone) has happened to (has been committed by) some of those which are close to me, and I definitely want to avoid that character flaw, thus ... or: Failing someone/Treason has showed up lately amongst my entourage/friends, and I want to avoid doing it myself ...
- Several alternatives are possible.
- My reading, without context: Breaking the confidence of one/someone (or even committing treason against one/someone) has happened to (has been committed by) some of those which are close to me, and I definitely want to avoid that character flaw, thus ...
- or: Failing someone/Treason has showed up lately amongst my entourage/friends, and I want to avoid doing it myself ...
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6 Answers
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Several alternatives are possible. My reading, without context:
Breaking the confidence of one/someone (or even committing treason against one/someone) has happened to (has been committed by) some of those which are close to me, and I definitely want to avoid that character flaw, thus ...
or:
Failing someone/Treason has showed up lately amongst my entourage/fr
Breaking the confidence of one/someone (or even committing treason against one/someone) has happened to (has been committed by) some of those which are close to me, and I definitely want to avoid that character flaw, thus ...
or:
Failing someone/Treason has showed up lately amongst my entourage/fr
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Thank you very much for answering so quickly.
Unfortunately, I don't think that these solutions can suit in this context. Actually, Charles I was the one who betrayed somebody, namely Thomas Wentworth, one of the main royal advisers. Charles I did nothing to prevent the parliament from trying him. He was sentenced to death...
Unfortunately, I don't think that these solutions can suit in this context. Actually, Charles I was the one who betrayed somebody, namely Thomas Wentworth, one of the main royal advisers. Charles I did nothing to prevent the parliament from trying him. He was sentenced to death...
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SarramThank you very much for answering so quickly.We're no
Unfortunately, I don't think that these solutions can suit in this context. Actually, Charles I was the one who betrayed somebody, namely Thomas Wentworth, one of the main royal advisers. Charles I did nothing to prevent the parliament from trying him. He was sentenced to death...
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But of course, we can take the opposite tack and say that he meant:
"I myself [see the "very near to me" which may be an euphemism for himself] have been tempted to fail/disappoint my friends, but I will resist."
"I myself [see the "very near to me" which may be an euphemism for himself] have been tempted to fail/disappoint my friends, but I will resist."
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Don't ask me why, but my first impression upon reading this -- not necessarily correct -- was:
The failing of a friend of mine has [moved / affected / saddened] me very deeply indeed.
CJ
The failing of a friend of mine has [moved / affected / saddened] me very deeply indeed.
CJ
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Now I realize that without further context we don't know what Charles I meant by "the like" (it could've been previously mentioned, not necessarily in this sentence).
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