The Importance of Being Earnest

THE IMPORTANCE OF
BEING EARNEST
WEBSTER'S SPANISH THESAURUS
EDITION
for ESL, EFL, ELP, TOEFL®, TOEIC®, and AP® Test Preparation
Oscar Wilde
TOEFL, TOEIC, AP and Advanced Placement are trademarks of the Educational Testing Service which has
neither reviewed nor endorsed this book. All rights reserved.
The Importance of
Being Earnest
Webster's Spanish
Thesaurus Edition
for ESL, EFL, ELP, TOEFL®, TOEIC®, and AP® Test
Preparation
Oscar Wilde
TOEFL®, TOEIC®, AP® and Advanced Placement® are trademarks of the Educational Testing Service which
has neither reviewed nor endorsed this book. All rights reserved.
ii
ICON CLASSICS
Published by ICON Group International, Inc.
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www.icongrouponline.com
The Importance of Being Earnest: Webster's Spanish Thesaurus Edition for ESL, EFL, ELP, TOEFL®,
TOEIC®, and AP® Test Preparation
This edition published by ICON Classics in 2005
Printed in the United States of America.
Copyright ©2005 by ICON Group International, Inc.
Edited by Philip M. Parker, Ph.D. (INSEAD); Copyright ©2005, all rights reserved.
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Service which has neither reviewed nor endorsed this book. All rights reserved.
ISBN 0-497-26155-3
iii
Contents
PREFACE FROM THE EDITOR ........................................................................................ 1
THE PERSONS IN THE PLAY ........................................................................................... 2
THE SCENES OF THE PLAY ............................................................................................ 3
FIRST ACT ...................................................................................................................... 4
SECOND ACT ............................................................................................................... 38
THIRD ACT ................................................................................................................... 81
GLOSSARY ................................................................................................................. 103
Oscar Wilde
1
PREFACE FROM THE EDITOR
Webster’s paperbacks take advantage of the fact that classics are frequently assigned readings in
English courses. By using a running English-to-Spanish thesaurus at the bottom of each page, this
edition of The Importance of Being Earnest: A Trvial Comedy for Serious People by Oscar Wilde
was edited for three audiences. The first includes Spanish-speaking students enrolled in an English
Language Program (ELP), an English as a Foreign Language (EFL) program, an English as a
Second Language Program (ESL), or in a TOEFL® or TOEIC® preparation program. The second
audience includes English-speaking students enrolled in bilingual education programs or Spanish
speakers enrolled in English speaking schools. The third audience consists of students who are
actively building their vocabularies in Spanish in order to take foreign service, translation
certification, Advanced Placement® (AP®)1 or similar examinations. By using the Webster's
Spanish Thesaurus Edition when assigned for an English course, the reader can enrich their
vocabulary in anticipation of an examination in Spanish or English.
Webster’s edition of this classic is organized to expose the reader to a maximum number of
difficult and potentially ambiguous English words. Rare or idiosyncratic words and expressions are
given lower priority compared to “difficult, yet commonly used” words. Rather than supply a single
translation, many words are translated for a variety of meanings in Spanish, allowing readers to
better grasp the ambiguity of English, and avoid them using the notes as a pure translation crutch.
Having the reader decipher a word’s meaning within context serves to improve vocabulary
retention and understanding. Each page covers words not already highlighted on previous pages. If
a difficult word is not translated on a page, chances are that it has been translated on a previous
page. A more complete glossary of translations is supplied at the end of the book; translations are
extracted from Webster’s Online Dictionary.
Definitions of remaining terms as well as translations can be found at www.websters-onlinedictionary.org. Please send suggestions to websters@icongroupbooks.com
The Editor
Webster’s Online Dictionary
www.websters-online-dictionary.org
TOEFL®, TOEIC®, AP® and Advanced Placement® are trademarks of the Educational Testing Service which
has neither reviewed nor endorsed this book. All rights reserved.
1
2
The Importance of Being Earnest
THE PERSONS IN THE PLAY
John Worthing, J.P.
Algernon Moncrieff
Rev. Canon Chasuble, D.D.
Merriman, Butler
Lane, Manservant
Lady Bracknell
Hon. Gwendolen Fairfax
Cecily Cardew
Miss Prism, Governess
Oscar Wilde
THE SCENES OF THE PLAY
ACT I.
Algernon Moncrieff's Flat in Half-Moon Street, W.
ACT II.
The Garden at the Manor House, Woolton.
ACT III.
Drawing-Room at the Manor House, Woolton.
TIME:
The Present.
3
4
The Importance of Being Earnest
FIRST ACT
SCENE—Morning-room%in Algernon's flat in Half-Moon Street. The room is
luxuriously and artistically furnished. The sound of a piano is heard in the
adjoining room. [LANE is arranging afternoon tea on the table, and after the
music has ceased, ALGERNON enters.]
ALGERNON.
Did you hear what I was playing, Lane?
LANE.
I didn't think it polite to listen, sir.
ALGERNON.
I'm sorry for that, for your sake. I don't play accurately - any one can play
accurately - but I play with wonderful expression. As far as the piano is
concerned, sentiment is my forte. I keep science for Life.
LANE.
Yes, sir.
ALGERNON.
And, speaking of the science of Life, have you got the cucumber sandwiches
cut for Lady Bracknell?
Spanish
accurately: exactamente, precisión.
adjoining: contiguo, vecino,
adyacente.
afternoon: tarde, la tarde.
arranging: arreglando, organizando,
disponiendo.
artistically: artísticamente.
ceased: ceso, Cesado.
cucumber: pepino, el pepino.
cut: cortar, corte, cortado, cortadura.
don't: no.
expression: expresión.
flat: plano, llano, apartamento, piso,
liso, bemol, bastidor, desinflado,
cuarto.
forte: zona de fuerte de la hoja, fuerte.
furnished: amueblado.
lane: calleja, senda, carril, pista,
camino.
listen: escuchar, escuche, escucha,
escuchas, escuchad, escuchen,
escucho, escucháis, escuchamos,
escuchan, oír.
luxuriously: lujosamente.
piano: el piano, piano.
playing: jugando, tocando, jugar.
polite: cortés, educado.
sake: motivo, fin, bien, causa.
sandwiches: sándwichs.
science: ciencia, la ciencia.
sentiment: sentimiento, opinión,
sensibilidad, parecer,
sentimentalismo.
speaking: hablando, parlante.
tea: té, te.
wonderful: maravilloso.
Oscar Wilde
5
LANE.
Yes, sir. [Hands them on a salver.]
ALGERNON.
[Inspects them, takes two, and sits down on the sofa.] Oh!... by the way, Lane,
I see from your book that on Thursday night, when Lord Shoreman and Mr.
Worthing were dining with me, eight bottles of champagne are entered as
having been consumed.%
LANE.
Yes, sir; eight bottles and a pint.
ALGERNON.
Why is it that at a bachelor's establishment the servants invariably drink the
champagne? I ask merely for information.
LANE.
I attribute it to the superior quality of the wine, sir. I have often observed
that in married households the champagne is rarely of a first-rate brand.
ALGERNON.
Good heavens! Is marriage so demoralising as that?
LANE.
I believe it IS a very pleasant state, sir. I have had very little experience of it
myself up to the present. I have only been married once. That was in
consequence of a misunderstanding between myself and a young person.
ALGERNON.
[Languidly.] I don't know that I am much interested in your family life, Lane.
LANE.
No, sir; it is not a very interesting subject. I never think of it myself.
ALGERNON.
Very natural, I am sure. That will do, Lane, thank you.
LANE.
Thank you, sir. [LANE goes out.]
Spanish
attribute: atributo, atribuir.
bottles: las botellas.
brand: marca, marcar.
champagne: champaña, champán.
consequence: consecuencia, secuela.
demoralising: desmoralizar.
dining: cenando.
drink: beber, bebida, tomar, el
refresco, trago, copa.
entered: entrado, inscrito, montado.
establishment: establecimiento.
first-rate: primera clase, superfino, de
primera categoría, de primera clase.
heavens: cielo, cielos.
households: hogares.
interested: interesado.
interesting: interesante.
invariably: invariablemente.
marriage: matrimonio, casamiento,
enlace.
married: casado, casada, se casado,
conyugal.
merely: meramente, simplemente,
sólo.
misunderstanding: malentendido,
equivocación.
observed: observado.
pint: pinta.
pleasant: agradable, simpático,
placentero, grato.
rarely: raramente, rara vez.
servants: servicio.
sits: asienta, siente, sopla, empolla, se
sienta.
superior: jefe, superior.
wine: vino, el vino.
6
The Importance of Being Earnest
ALGERNON.
Lanes views on marriage seem somewhat lax. Really, if the lower orders
don't set us a good example, what on earth is the use of them? They seem, as
a class, to have absolutely no sense of moral responsibility.%
[Enter LANE.]
LANE.
Mr. Ernest Worthing.
[Enter JACK.]
[LANE goes out.]
ALGERNON.
How are you, my dear Ernest? What brings you up to town?
JACK.
Oh, pleasure, pleasure! What else should bring one anywhere? Eating as
usual, I see, Algy!
ALGERNON.
[Stiffly.] I believe it is customary in good society to take some slight
refreshment at five o'clock. Where have you been since last Thursday?
JACK.
[Sitting down on the sofa.] In the country.
ALGERNON.
What on earth do you do there?
JACK.
[Pulling off his gloves.] When one is in town one amuses oneself. When one
is in the country one amuses other people. It is excessively boring.
ALGERNON.
And who are the people you amuse?
JACK.
[Airily.] Oh, neighbours, neighbours.
Spanish
absolutely: absolutamente,
verdaderamente, en efecto, en
realidad, de veras.
amuse: divertir, diviértete, diviértase,
diviértanse, divértidos, me divierto,
nos divertimos, os divertís, se
divierte, se divierten, te diviertes.
amuses: se divierte, entretiene.
anywhere: dondequiera, en cualquier
parte.
boring: aburrido, perforación,
taladrar.
brings: trae.
customary: acostumbrado.
dear: caro, querido, estimado.
eating: comiendo.
enter: entrar, entro, entra, entrad,
entráis, entramos, entran, entras,
entren, entre, inscribir.
excessively: excesivamente.
jack: gato, jota, sota, para conectar
algún aparto electrotécnico, clavija,
para sujetar el coche cuando se
cambia una rueda.
lax: flojo.
moral: moral, moraleja.
o'clock: hora, en punto.
oneself: uno mismo.
pleasure: placer, agrado, gusto,
complacencia, el gusto.
refreshment: refresco.
slight: leve, desaire.
somewhat: algo, poco, bastante.
usual: común, general, universal,
acostumbrado, habitual.
views: Vistas, puntos de vista.
Oscar Wilde
7
ALGERNON.
Got nice neighbours in your part of Shropshire?
JACK.
Perfectly horrid! Never speak to one of them.%
ALGERNON.
How immensely you must amuse them! [Goes over and takes sandwich.] By
the way, Shropshire is your county, is it not?
JACK.
Eh? Shropshire? Yes, of course. Hallo! Why all these cups? Why cucumber
sandwiches? Why such reckless extravagance in one so young? Who is
coming to tea?
ALGERNON.
Oh! merely Aunt Augusta and Gwendolen.
JACK.
How perfectly delightful!
ALGERNON.
Yes, that is all very well; but I am afraid Aunt Augusta won't quite approve
of your being here.
JACK.
May I ask why?
ALGERNON.
My dear fellow, the way you flirt with Gwendolen is perfectly disgraceful. It
is almost as bad as the way Gwendolen flirts with you.
JACK.
I am in love with Gwendolen. I have come up to town expressly to propose
to her.
ALGERNON.
I thought you had come up for pleasure?... I call that business.
Spanish
afraid: miedoso, temeroso, asustado,
medroso, miedo, encogido,
angustioso, tímido, be - tener miedo.
approve: aprobar, aprueban, apruebo,
apruebas, aprueba, aprobamos,
aprobáis, aprobad, aprueben,
apruebe.
bad: malo, mal, podrido.
coming: viniendo, proveniente,
próximo, originario, natural.
county: condado, provincia.
cups: taza.
delightful: bonito, lindo, delicioso,
encantador, deleitoso.
disgraceful: vergonzoso, deshonroso.
expressly: expresamente.
extravagance: extravagancia, derroche.
fellow: compañero, hombre, socio,
tipo, becario.
flirt: flirtear.
goes: va, marcha.
hallo: hola.
horrid: hórrido.
immensely: inmensamente.
nice: agradable, amable, bueno,
bonito, rico, simpático, lindo, Niza.
perfectly: perfectamente.
propose: proponer, propon, proponed,
propongo, propongan, propones,
proponen, proponéis, propone,
proponemos, proponga.
reckless: temerario, imprudente.
speak: hablar, hablamos, hablo,
hablas, habláis, hablad, hablen, habla,
hablan, hable.
takes: toma, desempeña.
8
The Importance of Being Earnest
JACK.
How utterly unromantic you are!
ALGERNON.
I really don't see anything romantic in proposing. It is very romantic to be in
love. But there is nothing romantic about a definite proposal. Why, one may
be accepted. One usually is, I believe. Then the excitement is all over. The
very essence of romance is uncertainty. If ever I get married, I'll certainly try
to forget the fact.%
JACK.
I have no doubt about that, dear Algy. The Divorce Court was specially
invented for people whose memories are so curiously constituted.
ALGERNON.
Oh! there is no use speculating on that subject. Divorces are made in Heaven
- [JACK puts out his hand to take a sandwich. ALGERNON at once
interferes.] Please don't touch the cucumber sandwiches. They are ordered
specially for Aunt Augusta. [Takes one and eats it.]
JACK.
Well, you have been eating them all the time.
ALGERNON.
That is quite a different matter. She is my aunt. [Takes plate from below.]
Have some bread and butter. The bread and butter is for Gwendolen.
Gwendolen is devoted to bread and butter.
JACK.
[Advancing to table and helping himself.] And very good bread and butter it
is too.
ALGERNON.
Well, my dear fellow, you need not eat as if you were going to eat it all. You
behave as if you were married to her already. You are not married to her
already, and I don't think you ever will be.
Spanish
aunt: tía.
behave: conducirse, comportarse.
bread: pan, el pan.
butter: mantequilla, la mantequilla,
manteca, untar con mantequilla.
constituted: constituido.
curiously: curiosamente.
definite: definido.
devoted: afectuoso, consagrado,
dedicado, adicto, fiel.
doubt: dudar, duda.
eats: come.
essence: esencia.
excitement: excitación, agitación.
helping: ración.
invented: inventado.
memories: memorias, recuerdos.
ordered: ordenado.
plate: plato, placa, lámina, libra, el
plato, plancha, chapa, chapar.
proposal: propuesta, proposición,
oferta, pretensión, ofrecimiento.
proposing: proponiendo.
puts: pone, mete, coloca.
romance: amorío, cuento,
enamoramiento, fantasear, libro de
caballerías, lo romántico, neolatino,
románico, exagerar, romance,
romanza.
romantic: romántico.
sandwich: bocadillo, sándwich,
emparedado, el bocadillo, torta.
specially: especialmente.
speculating: especulando.
uncertainty: incertidumbre.
utterly: absolutamente.
Oscar Wilde
9
JACK.
Why on earth do you say that?
ALGERNON.
Well, in the first place girls never marry the men they flirt with. Girls don't
think it right.%
JACK.
Oh, that is nonsense!
ALGERNON.
It isn't. It is a great truth. It accounts for the extraordinary number of
bachelors that one sees all over the place. In the second place, I don't give my
consent.
JACK.
Your consent!
ALGERNON.
My dear fellow, Gwendolen is my first cousin. And before I allow you to
marry her, you will have to clear up the whole question of Cecily. [Rings
bell.]
JACK.
Cecily! What on earth do you mean? What do you mean, Algy, by Cecily! I
don't know any one of the name of Cecily.
[Enter LANE.]
ALGERNON.
Bring me that cigarette case Mr. Worthing left in the smoking-room the last
time he dined here.
LANE.
Yes, sir. [LANE goes out.]
JACK.
Do you mean to say you have had my cigarette case all this time? I wish to
Spanish
accounts: cuentas.
bachelors: bachilleres, solteros.
cigarette: cigarrillo, el cigarrillo.
consent: aprobación, acordar,
declaración, declarar, consentimiento,
autorización.
cousin: primo, prima, el primo.
dined: cenado.
don't: no.
enter: entrar, entro, entra, entrad,
entráis, entramos, entran, entras,
entren, entre, inscribir.
extraordinary: extraordinario.
fellow: compañero, hombre, socio,
tipo, becario.
flirt: flirtear.
girls: las muchachas.
jack: gato, jota, sota, para conectar
algún aparto electrotécnico, clavija,
para sujetar el coche cuando se
cambia una rueda.
lane: calleja, senda, carril, pista,
camino.
marry: casarse, casar, cásese, se casan,
se casa, nos casamos, me caso, te
casas, cásense, cásate, cásados.
nonsense: tontería.
rings: timbres, anillos, anillas.
sees: Ve, serra.
smoking-room: fumadero.
truth: verdad, veras, la verdad.
wish: desear, deseo, voluntad, querer,
tener, gana.
10
The Importance of Being Earnest
goodness you had let me know. I have been writing frantic letters to
Scotland Yard about it. I was very nearly offering a large reward.%
ALGERNON.
Well, I wish you would offer one. I happen to be more than usually hard up.
JACK.
There is no good offering a large reward now that the thing is found.
[Enter LANE with the cigarette case on a salver. ALGERNON takes it at once.
LANE goes out.]
ALGERNON.
I think that is rather mean of you, Ernest, I must say. [Opens case and
examines it.] However, it makes no matter, for, now that I look at the
inscription inside, I find that the thing isn't yours after all.
JACK.
Of course it's mine. [Moving to him.] You have seen me with it a hundred
times, and you have no right whatsoever to read what is written inside. It is a
very ungentlemanly thing to read a private cigarette case.
ALGERNON.
Oh! it is absurd to have a hard and fast rule about what one should read and
what one shouldn't. More than half of modern culture depends on what one
shouldn't read.
JACK.
I am quite aware of the fact, and I don't propose to discuss modern culture. It
isn't the sort of thing one should talk of in private. I simply want my cigarette
case back.
ALGERNON.
Yes; but this isn't your cigarette case. This cigarette case is a present from
some one of the name of Cecily, and you said you didn't know any one of
that name.
JACK.
Well, if you want to know, Cecily happens to be my aunt.
Spanish
absurd: absurdo.
aware: consciente.
culture: cultura, cultivo.
depends: depende.
discuss: discutir, discutan, discutimos,
discutid, discutes, discuten, discute,
discuto, discutís, discuta, debatir.
examines: examina, registra.
fast: rápido, ayunar, fijo, de prisa,
pronto, veloz, ligero, firme, ayuno.
frantic: frenético.
goodness: bondad.
happen: pasar, pasad, pasáis,
pasamos, pasan, pasas, pasen, paso,
pase, acontecer, pasa.
happens: pasa, acontece, ocurre,
sucede, acaece.
inscription: inscripción.
letters: letras.
mine: mina, mío, minar.
moving: conmovedor.
nearly: casi.
offering: ofrenda, oferta, ofrecer.
opens: abre.
reward: recompensa, recompensar,
galardonar, premiar.
rule: regla, gobernar, la regla, norma,
fallar, refrenar, dominio, subyugar,
reprimir, regir, contener.
salver: salvilla, bandeja.
shouldn't: contracción de should not.
whatsoever: lo que, en absoluto, todo
lo que, cualquier cosa, cualquier.
writing: escribiendo, escritura, letra,
inscripción.
yours: vuestro, suyo, el tuyo.
Oscar Wilde
11
ALGERNON.
Your aunt!
JACK.
Yes. Charming old lady she is, too. Lives at Tunbridge Wells. Just give it
back to me, Algy.%
ALGERNON.
[Retreating to back of sofa.] But why does she call herself little Cecily if she is
your aunt and lives at Tunbridge Wells? [Reading.] 'From little Cecily with
her fondest love.'
JACK.
[Moving to sofa and kneeling upon it.] My dear fellow, what on earth is there
in that? Some aunts are tall, some aunts are not tall. That is a matter that
surely an aunt may be allowed to decide for herself. You seem to think that
every aunt should be exactly like your aunt! That is absurd! For Heaven's
sake give me back my cigarette case. [Follows ALGERNON round the room.]
ALGERNON.
Yes. But why does your aunt call you her uncle? 'From little Cecily, with her
fondest love to her dear Uncle Jack.' There is no objection, I admit, to an aunt
being a small aunt, but why an aunt, no matter what her size may be, should
call her own nephew her uncle, I can't quite make out. Besides, your name
isn't Jack at all; it is Ernest.
JACK.
It isn't Ernest; it's Jack.
ALGERNON.
You have always told me it was Ernest. I have introduced you to every one
as Ernest. You answer to the name of Ernest. You look as if your name was
Ernest. You are the most earnest-looking person I ever saw in my life. It is
perfectly absurd your saying that your name isn't Ernest. It's on your cards.
Here is one of them. [Taking it from case.] 'Mr. Ernest Worthing, B. 4, The
Albany.' I'll keep this as a proof that your name is Ernest if ever you attempt
Spanish
admit: confesar, confesad, confesáis,
confieso, confiesen, confiese,
confiesas, confiesan, confiesa,
confesamos, admitir.
allowed: permitido, dejado.
besides: además, demás, además de,
amén de.
can't: no puede.
cards: la baraja, tarjetas, los naipes.
charming: encantador, simpático,
lindo, bonito, coquetón, amable.
decide: decidir, decida, decides,
decidís, decido, decidid, decide,
decidan, decidimos, deciden,
decidirse.
exactly: exactamente, justamente, en
punto.
follows: sigue.
herself: sí, ella misma, se, sí misma.
introduced: presentado, introducido.
kneeling: arrodillar, arrodillarse, estar
de rodillas, arrodillado, de rodillas,
arrodillando.
lady: dama, señora.
lives: Vive, habita.
nephew: sobrino, el sobrino.
objection: objeción.
proof: prueba, demostración,
probanza.
saying: diciendo, dicho, decir, refrán.
size: tamaño, talla, calibre, formato,
ajustar tamaño, dimensión, grandor.
sofa: sofá, canapé.
surely: seguramente, ciertamente.
tall: alto.
uncle: tío.
12
The Importance of Being Earnest
to deny it to me, or to Gwendolen, or to any one else. [Puts the card in his
pocket.]
JACK.
Well, my name is Ernest in town and Jack in the country, and the cigarette
case was given to me in the country.%
ALGERNON.
Yes, but that does not account for the fact that your small Aunt Cecily, who
lives at Tunbridge Wells, calls you her dear uncle. Come, old boy, you had
much better have the thing out at once.
JACK.
My dear Algy, you talk exactly as if you were a dentist. It is very vulgar to
talk like a dentist when one isn't a dentist. It produces a false impression,
ALGERNON.
Well, that is exactly what dentists always do. Now, go on! Tell me the whole
thing. I may mention that I have always suspected you of being a confirmed
and secret Bunburyist; and I am quite sure of it now.
JACK.
Bunburyist? What on earth do you mean by a Bunburyist?
ALGERNON.
I'll reveal to you the meaning of that incomparable expression as soon as you
are kind enough to inform me why you are Ernest in town and Jack in the
country.
JACK.
Well, produce my cigarette case first.
ALGERNON.
Here it is. [Hands cigarette case.] Now produce your explanation, and pray
make it improbable. [Sits on sofa.]
JACK.
My dear fellow, there is nothing improbable about my explanation at all. In
fact it's perfectly ordinary. Old Mr. Thomas Cardew, who adopted me when I
Spanish
adopted: adoptado, adoptivo,
prohijado.
calls: llama, llamadas.
card: tarjeta, carta, ficha.
confirmed: confirmado, empedernido.
dentist: dentista, el dentista.
deny: negar, negad, niego, niegas,
niegan, negáis, negamos, nieguen,
niega, niegue, desmentir.
explanation: explicación.
false: falso.
impression: impresión.
improbable: inverosímil, improbable.
incomparable: incomparable.
inform: informar, informe, informen,
informo, informa, informad,
informáis, informamos, informas,
informan, enterar.
meaning: intención, significado,
sentido, significación.
mention: mencionar, mención.
pray: rezar, rezáis, rezas, rezamos,
rezad, reza, recen, rece, rezan, rezo,
rogar.
produces: produce.
reveal: revelar, revele, revelo, revela,
revelad, reveláis, revelan, revelas,
revelen, revelamos, divulgar.
secret: secreto, el secreto, arcano,
clandestino.
suspected: sospechoso, desconfiar de,
sospechado, sospechar.
vulgar: chabacano, cursi, grosero,
cutre, corriente, vulgo, vulgar,
ramplón, ordinario, ordinaria,
común.
Oscar Wilde
13
was a little boy, made me in his will guardian to his grand-daughter, Miss
Cecily Cardew. Cecily, who addresses me as her uncle from motives of
respect that you could not possibly appreciate, lives at my place in the
country under the charge of her admirable governess, Miss Prism.%
ALGERNON.
Where in that place in the country, by the way?
JACK.
That is nothing to you, dear boy. You are not going to be invited... I may tell
you candidly that the place is not in Shropshire.
ALGERNON.
I suspected that, my dear fellow! I have Bunburyed all over Shropshire on
two separate occasions. Now, go on. Why are you Ernest in town and Jack in
the country?
JACK.
My dear Algy, I don't know whether you will be able to understand my real
motives. You are hardly serious enough. When one is placed in the position
of guardian, one has to adopt a very high moral tone on all subjects. It's
one's duty to do so. And as a high moral tone can hardly be said to conduce
very much to either one's health or one's happiness, in order to get up to
town I have always pretended to have a younger brother of the name of
Ernest, who lives in the Albany, and gets into the most dreadful scrapes.
That, my dear Algy, is the whole truth pure and simple.
ALGERNON.
The truth is rarely pure and never simple. Modern life would be very tedious
if it were either, and modern literature a complete impossibility!
JACK.
That wouldn't be at all a bad thing.
ALGERNON.
Literary criticism is not your forte, my dear fellow. Don't try it. You should
leave that to people who haven't been at a University. They do it so well in
Spanish
addresses: direcciones.
admirable: admirable, estupendo.
adopt: adoptar, adoptan, adopto,
adopten, adoptas, adoptáis, adoptad,
adopta, adoptamos, adopte, prohijar.
appreciate: apreciar, aprecia, apreciad,
apreciáis, apreciamos, aprecian,
aprecias, aprecien, aprecio, aprecie,
gustar.
candidly: cándidamente.
conduce: conduzco, conducen,
conduzcan, conducís, conducimos,
conduces, conduce, conducid,
conduzca, conducir a, conducir.
criticism: crítica, reparo, censura.
dreadful: terrible, espantoso.
governess: institutriz, aya.
grand-daughter: nieta.
guardian: guardián, tutor.
happiness: felicidad, alegría, dicha.
haven't: no tener.
impossibility: imposibilidad.
literature: literatura, la literatura.
one's: uno, propio.
placed: situado.
possibly: posiblemente, quizás, tal
vez.
pretended: fingido, pretendido.
pure: puro, limpio.
respect: respetar, respeto, estima,
estimación.
scrapes: raspaduras.
subjects: temas.
tedious: tedioso.
tone: tono.
younger: menor.
14
The Importance of Being Earnest
the daily papers. What you really are is a Bunburyist. I was quite right in
saying you were a Bunburyist. You are one of the most advanced
Bunburyists I know.%
JACK.
What on earth do you mean?
ALGERNON.
You have invented a very useful younger brother called Ernest, in order that
you may be able to come up to town as often as you like. I have invented an
invaluable permanent invalid called Bunbury, in order that I may be able to
go down into the country whenever I choose. Bunbury is perfectly
invaluable. If it wasn't for Bunbury's extraordinary bad health, for instance, I
wouldn't be able to dine with you at Willis's to-night, for I have been really
engaged to Aunt Augusta for more than a week.
JACK.
I haven't asked you to dine with me anywhere to-night.
ALGERNON.
I know. You are absurdly careless about sending out invitations. It is very
foolish of you. Nothing annoys people so much as not receiving invitations.
JACK.
You had much better dine with your Aunt Augusta.
ALGERNON.
I haven't the smallest intention of doing anything of the kind. To begin with,
I dined there on Monday, and once a week is quite enough to dine with one's
own relations. In the second place, whenever I do dine there I am always
treated as a member of the family, and sent down with either no woman at
all, or two. In the third place, I know perfectly well whom she will place me
next to, to-night. She will place me next Mary Farquhar, who always flirts
with her own husband across the dinner-table. That is not very pleasant.
Indeed, it is not even decent... and that sort of thing is enormously on the
increase. The amount of women in London who flirt with their own
Spanish
absurdly: absurdamente.
advanced: avanzado, adelantado.
annoys: molesta, enfada, enoja.
begin: empezar, empiecen, empezad,
empezáis, empiece, empieza,
empiezan, empiezas, empiezo,
empezamos, comenzar.
brother: hermano, el hermano,
cofrade.
careless: descuidado, sin cuidado,
negligente.
choose: escoger, escojan, escoges,
escogen, escogemos, escogéis,
escoged, escojo, escoge, escoja, elegir.
daily: diariamente, diario, cotidiano,
de todos los días, todos los días.
dine: cenar, cenáis, ceno, cenen, cenas,
cenamos, cenad, cenan, cena, cene.
engaged: ocupado, comprometido,
engranado, prometido.
enormously: enormemente.
foolish: zote, tonto, necio, bobo.
instance: instancia, ejemplo, ejemplar.
intention: intención.
invalid: inválido, no válido, nulo.
invaluable: inapreciable, inestimable.
papers: papeles.
permanent: permanente, continuo.
receiving: recibiendo, recepción,
receptor.
sending: enviando, mandando,
despachando, envío.
smallest: menor.
treated: tratado.
whenever: cada vez que, cuando
quiera que, cuando.
Oscar Wilde
15
husbands is perfectly scandalous. It looks so bad. It in simply washing one's
clean linen in public. Besides, now that I know you to be a confirmed
Bunburyist I naturally want to talk to you about Bunburying. I want to tell
you the rules.%
JACK.
I'm not a Bunburyist at all. If Gwendolen accepts me, I am going to kill my
brother, indeed I think I'll kill him in any case. Cecily is a little too much
interested in him. It is rather a bore. So I am going to get rid of Ernest. And I
strongly advise you to do the same with Mr... with your invalid friend who
has the absurd name.
ALGERNON.
Nothing will induce me to part with Bunbury, and if you ever get married,
which seems to me extremely problematic, you will be very glad to know
Bunbury. A man who marries without knowing Bunbury has a very tedious
time of it.
JACK.
That is nonsense. If I marry a charming girl like Gwendolen, and she is the
only girl I ever saw in my life that I would marry, I certainly won't want to
know Bunbury.
ALGERNON.
Then your wife will. You don't seem to realise, that in married life three is
company and two is none.
JACK.
[Sententiously.] That, my dear young friend, is the theory that the corrupt
French Drama has been propounding for the last fifty years.
ALGERNON.
Yes; and that the happy English home has proved in half the time.
JACK.
For heaven's sake, don't try to be cynical. It's perfectly easy to be cynical.
Spanish
accepts: acepta, admite, aceptar.
advise: aconsejar, aconsejan,
aconsejen, aconsejas, aconsejo,
aconsejamos, aconsejáis, aconsejad,
aconseja, aconseje, anunciar.
bore: aburrir, barrena, taladrar,
calibre, perforar, barrenar, barreno,
perforación.
corrupt: corrupto, corromper,
adulterar, corrompa, corrompido,
corrompan, corrompo, corrompes,
corrompemos, corromped, corrompe.
cynical: cínico.
glad: alegre, contento.
induce: inducir, induzca, inducís,
induzcan, inducimos, inducid,
induces, inducen, induce, induzco,
provocar.
kill: matar.
knowing: sabiendo, conociendo.
linen: lino, lencería, ropa blanca.
marries: se casa.
naturally: naturalmente.
none: ninguno, nadie, nada.
problematic: problemático.
propounding: proponiendo, proponer.
proved: evidenciar, demostrar, pret de
prove, probado, probar, poner a
prueba.
realise: captar, percatar.
rid: librar, libro, librad, librado, libráis,
libramos, libran, libras, libre, libren,
libra.
scandalous: escandaloso.
strongly: fuertemente.
washing: lavando, lavado.
16
The Importance of Being Earnest
ALGERNON.
My dear fellow, it isn't easy to be anything nowadays. There's such a lot of
beastly competition about. [The sound of an electric bell is heard.] Ah! that
must be Aunt Augusta. Only relatives, or creditors, ever ring in that
Wagnerian manner. Now, if I get her out of the way for ten minutes, so that
you can have an opportunity for proposing to Gwendolen, may I dine with
you to- night at Willis's?
JACK.
I suppose so, if you want to.%
ALGERNON.
Yes, but you must be serious about it. I hate people who are not serious
about meals. It is so shallow of them.
[Enter LANE, LADY BRACKNELL, and MISS FAIRFAX. ALGERNON goes
forward to meet them. Enter LADY BRACKNELL and GWENDOLEN.]
LADY BRACKNELL.
Good afternoon, dear Algernon, I hope you are behaving very well.
ALGERNON.
I'm feeling very well, Aunt Augusta.
LADY BRACKNELL.
That's not quite the same thing. In fact the two things rarely go together. [Sees
JACK and bows to him with icy coldness.]
ALGERNON.
[To GWENDOLEN.] Dear me, you are smart!
GWENDOLEN.
I am always smart! Am I not, Mr. Worthing?
JACK.
You're quite perfect, Miss Fairfax.
GWENDOLEN.
Oh! I hope I am not that. It would leave no room for developments, and I
Spanish
beastly: bestial.
behaving: comportándose,
conduciendo, funcionando, portando,
Comportar.
bell: timbre, campana, campanilla, la
campana.
competition: competencia, concurso,
competición.
creditors: acreedores.
easy: fácil.
electric: eléctrico.
feeling: sentimiento, sintiendo,
palpando, sensación.
hate: odiar, odio, aborrecer, detestar.
icy: helado, álgido.
lot: lote, porción, solar.
manner: manera.
meals: las comidas.
nowadays: hoy día, ahora,
actualmente, hoy en día, al presente.
opportunity: acontecimiento,
oportunidad, ocasión.
perfect: perfecto, perfeccionar.
relatives: parientes.
ring: anillo, el anillo, llamar, aro,
anilla, argolla, tocar la campanilla,
sonar, sortija, corro.
serious: serio, grave, importante,
crítico.
shallow: poco profundo, somero, de
poca profundidad, superficial.
smart: listo, inteligente, astuto, majo.
suppose: suponer, suponéis, supongo,
supon, suponed, suponemos,
suponen, supones, supongan,
supone, suponga.
Oscar Wilde
17
intend to develop in many directions. [GWENDOLEN and JACK sit down
together in the corner.]
LADY BRACKNELL.
I'm sorry if we are a little late, Algernon, but I was obliged to call on dear
Lady Harbury. I hadn't been there since her poor husband's death. I never
saw a woman so altered; she looks quite twenty years younger. And now I'll
have a cup of tea, and one of those nice cucumber sandwiches you promised
me.%
ALGERNON.
Certainly, Aunt Augusta. [Goes over to tea-table.]
LADY BRACKNELL.
Won't you come and sit here, Gwendolen?
GWENDOLEN.
Thanks, mamma, I'm quite comfortable where I am.
ALGERNON.
[Picking up empty plate in horror.] Good heavens! Lane! Why are there no
cucumber sandwiches? I ordered them specially.
LANE.
[Gravely.] There were no cucumbers in the market this morning, sir. I went
down twice.
ALGERNON.
No cucumbers!
LANE.
No, sir. Not even for ready money.
ALGERNON.
That will do, Lane, thank you.
LANE.
Thank you, sir. [Goes out.]
Spanish
altered: cambiado, alterado, mudado.
call: llamada, llamar, llaman, llamen,
llamad, llamas, llamo, llamamos,
llamáis, llame, llama.
comfortable: cómodo, agradable.
cucumber: pepino, el pepino.
cup: taza, la taza, copa.
develop: revelar, reveláis, revela,
revelo, revelad, revele, revelas,
revelen, revelan, revelamos,
desarrollar.
directions: instrucciones, indicaciones.
empty: vacío, vaciar, evacuar,
desocupado, desocupar.
hadn't: no ha.
intend: querer decir, tener el
propósito.
late: tarde, tardío, tardo.
looks: mira.
mamma: mama.
obliged: obligado.
poor: pobre, malo, deplorable,
indigente, miserable.
promised: prometido.
ready: listo, preparado, propenso,
disponible.
sir: señor.
sit: sentarse, estar sentado, sentar.
sorry: afligido, arrepentido, pesaroso,
siento, triste.
thank: agradecer, agradezco,
agradeces, agradezcan, agradece,
agradezca, agradecemos, agradeced,
agradecen, agradecéis, dar gracias.
twenty: veinte.
twice: dos veces.
18
The Importance of Being Earnest
ALGERNON.
I am greatly distressed, Aunt Augusta, about there being no cucumbers, not
even for ready money.%
LADY BRACKNELL.
It really makes no matter, Algernon. I had some crumpets with Lady
Harbury, who seems to me to be living entirely for pleasure now.
ALGERNON.
I hear her hair has turned quite gold from grief.
LADY BRACKNELL.
It certainly has changed its colour. From what cause I, of course, cannot say.
[ALGERNON crosses and hands tea.] Thank you. I've quite a treat for you tonight, Algernon. I am going to send you down with Mary Farquhar. She is
such a nice woman, and so attentive to her husband. It's delightful to watch
them.
ALGERNON.
I am afraid, Aunt Augusta, I shall have to give up the pleasure of dining with
you to-night after all.
LADY BRACKNELL.
[Frowning.] I hope not, Algernon. It would put my table completely out.
Your uncle would have to dine upstairs. Fortunately he is accustomed to
that.
ALGERNON.
It is a great bore, and, I need hardly say, a terrible disappointment to me, but
the fact is I have just had a telegram to say that my poor friend Bunbury is
very ill again. [Exchanges glances with JACK.] They seem to think I should
be with him.
LADY BRACKNELL.
It is very strange. This Mr. Bunbury seems to suffer from curiously bad
health.
Spanish
accustomed: acostumbrado.
attentive: atento.
cannot: presente de no poder.
changed: cambio, cambió, cambiado.
completely: completamente.
disappointment: desilusión,
decepción.
distressed: afligido, penado,
angustioso, angustiado.
entirely: enteramente, completamente,
totalmente.
exchanges: bolsas de valores, pago
entre bancos mediante compensación
de diferencias.
fortunately: afortunadamente, por
fortuna.
gold: oro, el oro, de oro.
greatly: muy, grandemente.
grief: pesar, dolor.
ill: enfermo, malo, doliente.
i've: he, Tengo.
send: enviar, envío, envía, envíe,
enviad, enviáis, enviamos, envían,
envías, envíen, mandar.
strange: extraño, raro, ajeno.
suffer: sufrir, sufres, sufro, sufrís,
sufrid, sufren, sufre, sufran, sufrimos,
sufra, padecer.
telegram: telegrama.
terrible: terrible.
treat: tratar, curar, obsequio.
upstairs: arriba.
watch: reloj, mirar, observar, reloj de
pulsera, ver, contemplar, el reloj,
prestar atención, vigilar, guardia,
guardar.
Oscar Wilde
19
ALGERNON.
Yes; poor Bunbury is a dreadful invalid.
LADY BRACKNELL.
Well, I must say, Algernon, that I think it is high time that Mr. Bunbury made
up his mind whether he was going to live or to die. This shilly-shallying with
the question is absurd. Nor do I in any way approve of the modern sympathy
with invalids. I consider it morbid. Illness of any kind is hardly a thing to be
encouraged in others. Health is the primary duty of life. I am always telling
that to your poor uncle, but he never seems to take much notice... as far as
any improvement in his ailment goes. I should be much obliged if you would
ask Mr. Bunbury, from me, to be kind enough not to have a relapse on
Saturday, for I rely on you to arrange my music for me. It is my last
reception, and one wants something that will encourage conversation,
particularly at the end of the season when every one has practically said
whatever they had to say, which, in most cases, was probably not much.%
ALGERNON.
I'll speak to Bunbury, Aunt Augusta, if he is still conscious, and I think I can
promise you he'll be all right by Saturday. Of course the music is a great
difficulty. You see, if one plays good music, people don't listen, and if one
plays bad music people don't talk. But I'll ran over the programme I've drawn
out, if you will kindly come into the next room for a moment.
LADY BRACKNELL.
Thank you, Algernon. It is very thoughtful of you. [Rising, and following
ALGERNON.] I'm sure the programme will be delightful, after a few
expurgations. French songs I cannot possibly allow. People always seem to
think that they are improper, and either look shocked, which is vulgar, or
laugh, which is worse. But German sounds a thoroughly respectable
language, and indeed, I believe is so. Gwendolen, you will accompany me.
GWENDOLEN.
Certainly, mamma.
Spanish
accompany: acompañar, acompañen,
acompaña, acompaño, acompañas,
acompañan, acompañamos,
acompañáis, acompañad, acompañe.
ailment: enfermedad, padecimiento,
achaque.
arrange: arreglar, arreglen, arreglan,
arreglamos, arregláis, arregla,
arreglad, arreglas, arreglo, arregle,
organizar.
conscious: consciente.
encouraged: animado, alentado,
espoleado.
illness: enfermedad.
improper: impropio.
kindly: amablemente,
bondadosamente, amable.
laugh: reír, reírse, risa, carcajada.
morbid: morboso, mórbido.
plays: juega, toca.
practically: prácticamente.
reception: recepción, acogida,
recibimiento.
relapse: recaída.
rely: confiar, confíe, confías, confían,
confíen, confiáis, confío, confiad,
confía, confiamos.
respectable: respetable, honorable.
rising: creciente, subida, alcista.
shocked: ofendido, sacudido,
escandalizado, conmocionado,
sorprendido, groggy.
sympathy: simpatía.
thoroughly: completamente.
thoughtful: pensativo, atento,
prudente, circunspecto.
20
The Importance of Being Earnest
[LADY BRACKNELL and ALGERNON
GWENDOLEN remains behind.]
go
into
the
music-room,
JACK.
Charming day it has been, Miss Fairfax.%
GWENDOLEN.
Pray don't talk to me about the weather, Mr. Worthing. Whenever people
talk to me about the weather, I always feel quite certain that they mean
something else. And that makes me so nervous.
JACK.
I do mean something else.
GWENDOLEN.
I thought so. In fact, I am never wrong.
JACK.
And I would like to be allowed to take advantage of Lady Bracknell's
temporary absence...
GWENDOLEN.
I would certainly advise you to do so. Mamma has a way of coming back
suddenly into a room that I have often had to speak to her about.
JACK.
[Nervously.] Miss Fairfax, ever since I met you I have admired you more
than any girl... I have ever met since... I met you.
GWENDOLEN.
Yes, I am quite well aware of the fact. And I often wish that in public, at any
rate, you had been more demonstrative. For me you have always had an
irresistible fascination. Even before I met you I was far from indifferent to
you. [JACK looks at her in amazement.] We live, as I hope you know, Mr
Worthing, in an age of ideals. The fact is constantly mentioned in the more
expensive monthly magazines, and has reached the provincial pulpits, I am
told; and my ideal has always been to love some one of the name of Ernest.
There is something in that name that inspires absolute confidence. The
Spanish
absolute: absoluto, completo, cabal.
admired: admirado.
advantage: ventaja, provecho, la
ventaja.
certainly: ciertamente, desde luego.
confidence: confianza, confidencia.
constantly: constantemente, siempre,
continuamente.
demonstrative: demostrativo,
pronombre demostrativo.
expensive: caro, costoso.
fascination: fascinación.
ideal: ideal.
ideals: ideales.
indifferent: indiferente.
inspires: inspira.
irresistible: irresistible.
magazines: las revistas.
makes: hace, comete, confecciona.
mentioned: acotado, Mencionado.
met: encontrado, hallado.
monthly: mensualmente, mensual.
nervous: nervioso.
provincial: provinciano.
reached: alcanzado.
remains: restos, resta, permanece.
suddenly: de repente, de golpe,
repentinamente, de sopetón.
talk: hablar, hablas, hablan, hablad,
habláis, hablamos, hablo, hable,
hablen, habla, charla.
temporary: provisional, temporal,
temporario.
weather: tiempo, el tiempo, clima.
wrong: malo, mal, falso, incorrecto,
entuerto, agravio, impropio, erróneo.
Oscar Wilde
21
moment Algernon first mentioned to me that he had a friend called Ernest, I
knew I was destined to love you.
JACK.
You really love me, Gwendolen?
GWENDOLEN.
Passionately!
JACK.
Darling! You don't know how happy you've made me.%
GWENDOLEN.
My own Ernest!
JACK.
But you don't really mean to say that you couldn't love me if my name wasn't
Ernest?
GWENDOLEN.
But your name is Ernest.
JACK.
Yes, I know it is. But supposing it was something else? Do you mean to say
you couldn't love me then?
GWENDOLEN.
[Glibly.] Ah! that is clearly a metaphysical speculation, and like most
metaphysical speculations has very little reference at all to the actual facts of
real life, as we know them.
JACK.
Personally, darling, to speak quite candidly, I don't much care about the
name of Ernest... I don't think the name suits me at all.
GWENDOLEN.
It suits you perfectly. It is a divine name. It has a music of its own. It
produces vibrations.
Spanish
actual: real, actual, verdadero,
efectivo.
candidly: cándidamente.
clearly: claramente.
couldn't: no fue posible.
darling: querido, amado.
destined: destinado.
divine: divino.
don't: no.
facts: datos.
friend: amigo, amiga, el amigo.
happy: feliz, alegre, contento.
jack: gato, jota, sota, para conectar
algún aparto electrotécnico, clavija,
para sujetar el coche cuando se
cambia una rueda.
mentioned: acotado, Mencionado.
metaphysical: metafísico.
music: música.
perfectly: perfectamente.
produces: produce.
reference: referencia.
speak: hablar, hablamos, hablo,
hablas, habláis, hablad, hablen, habla,
hablan, hable.
speculation: especulación.
speculations: especulaciones.
supposing: suponiendo.
vibrations: vibraciones, vibración.
22
The Importance of Being Earnest
JACK.
Well, really, Gwendolen, I must say that I think there are lots of other much
nicer names. I think Jack, for instance, a charming name.
GWENDOLEN.
Jack?... No, there is very little music in the name Jack, if any at all, indeed. It
does not thrill. It produces absolutely no vibrations... I have known several
Jacks, and they all, without exception, were more than usually plain.
Besides, Jack is a notorious domesticity for John! And I pity any woman who
is married to a man called John. She would probably never be allowed to
know the entrancing pleasure of a single moment's solitude. The only really
safe name is Ernest
JACK.
Gwendolen, I must get christened at once - I mean we must get married at
once. There is no time to be lost.%
GWENDOLEN.
Married, Mr. Worthing?
JACK.
[Astounded.] Well... surely. You know that I love you, and you led me to
believe, Miss Fairfax, that you were not absolutely indifferent to me.
GWENDOLEN.
I adore you. But you haven't proposed to me yet. Nothing has been said at all
about marriage. The subject has not even been touched on.
JACK.
Well... may I propose to you now?
GWENDOLEN.
I think it would be an admirable opportunity. And to spare you any possible
disappointment, Mr. Worthing, I think it only fair to tell you quite frankly
before-hand that I am fully determined to accept you.
JACK.
Gwendolen!
Spanish
adore: adorar, adoran, adoren, adore,
adoro, adoras, adoramos, adoráis,
adora, adorad.
christened: bautizado.
determined: determinado, decidido.
domesticity: domesticidad, capa.
entrancing: fascinante, encantar,
encantador.
exception: excepción.
fair: justo, rubio, mercado, feria,
verbena, bazar, equitativo, hermoso.
frankly: francamente.
fully: completamente.
led: guiado, conducido, dirigido.
lots: muchos.
names: nombres, Michael.
notorious: notorio, fragante, infamo.
pity: dolerse por, piedad, compadecer
a, lástima, compasión.
plain: llanura, llano, claro, evidente,
liso, plano.
proposed: propuesto.
safe: seguro, caja fuerte, salvo, a salvo,
caja de caudales.
solitude: soledad.
spare: sobrante, ahorrar, recambio,
perdonar.
thrill: excitación, sensación, ilusión,
conmoverse, emoción, estremecer,
esperanzar, emocionado,
estremecimiento, esperanza, excitar.
touched: palpar, tocar, tocado,
pulsación, toque, emocionado,
conmover, chiflado, alcanzar, tacto,
conmovido.
usually: normalmente, usualmente.
Oscar Wilde
23
GWENDOLEN.
Yes, Mr. Worthing, what have you got to say to me?
JACK.
You know what I have got to say to you.%
GWENDOLEN.
Yes, but you don't say it.
JACK.
Gwendolen, will you marry me? [Goes on his knees.]
GWENDOLEN.
Of course I will, darling. How long you have been about it! I am afraid you
have had very little experience in how to propose.
JACK.
My own one, I have never loved any one in the world but you.
GWENDOLEN.
Yes, but men often propose for practice. I know my brother Gerald does. All
my girl-friends tell me so. What wonderfully blue eyes you have, Ernest!
They are quite, quite, blue. I hope you will always look at me just like that,
especially when there are other people present. [Enter LADY BRACKNELL.]
LADY BRACKNELL.
Mr. Worthing! Rise, sir, from this semi-recumbent posture. It is most
indecorous.
GWENDOLEN.
Mamma! [He tries to rise; she restrains him.] I must beg you to retire. This is
no place for you. Besides, Mr. Worthing has not quite finished yet.
LADY BRACKNELL.
Finished what, may I ask?
GWENDOLEN.
I am engaged to Mr. Worthing, mamma. [They rise together.]
Spanish
beg: mendigar, mendigas, mendiguen,
mendigan, mendigáis, mendiga,
mendigad, mendigamos, mendigo,
mendigue, pedir limosna.
blue: azul, azular.
darling: querido, amado.
don't: no.
especially: sobre todo, principalmente,
especialmente, sobretodo.
finished: acabado, terminado, listo,
concluido.
hope: esperanza, esperar, espera,
espere, esperen, esperas, esperan,
esperamos, esperáis, esperad, espero.
indecorous: indecoroso.
loved: amado, estimado, querido,
considerado.
mamma: mama.
posture: postura.
practice: ejercicio, practicar, emplear,
práctica, ejercer.
present: presente, actual, presentar,
regalo, contemporáneo, ofrecer,
reproducir, retratar.
propose: proponer, propon, proponed,
propongo, propongan, propones,
proponen, proponéis, propone,
proponemos, proponga.
restrains: refrena, contiene, reprime.
retire: retirarse.
rise: subir, levantarse, aumento,
levantamiento, alza, subida.
wonderfully: maravillosamente.
24
The Importance of Being Earnest
LADY BRACKNELL.
Pardon me, you are not engaged to any one. When you do become engaged
to some one, I, or your father, should his health permit him, will inform you
of the fact. An engagement should come on a young girl as a surprise,
pleasant or unpleasant, as the case may be. It is hardly a matter that she
could be allowed to arrange for herself... And now I have a few questions to
put to you, Mr. Worthing. While I am making these inquiries, you,
Gwendolen, will wait for me below in the carriage.%
GWENDOLEN.
[Reproachfully.] Mamma!
LADY BRACKNELL.
In the carriage, Gwendolen! [GWENDOLEN goes to the door. She and JACK
blow kisses to each other behind LADY BRACKNELL'S back. LADY
BRACKNELL looks vaguely about as if she could not understand what the
noise was. Finally turns round.] Gwendolen, the carriage!
GWENDOLEN.
Yes, mamma. [Goes out, looking back at JACK.]
LADY BRACKNELL.
[Sitting down.] You can take a seat, Mr. Worthing.
[Looks in her pocket for note-book and pencil.]
JACK.
Thank you, Lady Bracknell, I prefer standing.
LADY BRACKNELL.
[Pencil and note-book in hand.] I feel bound to tell you that you are not down
on my list of eligible young men, although I have the same list as the dear
Duchess of Bolton has. We work together, in fact. However, I am quite ready
to enter your name, should your answers be what a really affectionate
mother requires. Do you smoke?
JACK.
Well, yes, I must admit I smoke.
Spanish
affectionate: afectuoso, zalamero,
mimoso, cariñoso, amante.
answers: respuestas.
blow: soplar, golpe.
bound: encuadernado, saltar, salto,
ligado, límite, obligado.
carriage: coche, carro, cureña.
eligible: elegible.
engagement: obligación, compromiso,
contrato, contratación.
kisses: besos.
noise: ruido, alboroto, el ruido.
note-book: cuaderno.
permit: permitir, permiso, licencia,
pase.
pocket: bolsillo, el bolsillo, bolsa,
casilla.
prefer: preferir, prefiero, prefieres,
prefieren, prefiere, prefieran, preferís,
preferimos, preferid, prefiera.
requires: necesita, exige.
seat: asiento, el asiento, sitio, sede,
asentar, sentar.
smoke: fumar, fumo, fume, fumas,
fuman, fumamos, fumáis, fumad,
fuma, fumen, humo.
standing: permanente, posición.
surprise: sorprender, sorpresa, la
sorpresa.
turns: gira, vuelve, trastorna.
unpleasant: desagradable, bronco,
brusco.
vaguely: vagamente.
wait: esperar, espera, espere, esperad,
espero, esperen, esperas, esperan,
esperamos, esperáis, aguardar.
Oscar Wilde
25
LADY BRACKNELL.
I am glad to hear it. A man should always have an occupation of some kind.
There are far too many idle men in London as it is. How old are you?
JACK.
Twenty-nine.%
LADY BRACKNELL.
A very good age to be married at. I have always been of opinion that a man
who desires to get married should know either everything or nothing. Which
do you know?
JACK.
[After some hesitation.] I know nothing, Lady Bracknell.
LADY BRACKNELL.
I am pleased to hear it. I do not approve of anything that tampers with
natural ignorance. Ignorance is like a delicate exotic fruit; touch it and the
bloom is gone. The whole theory of modern education is radically unsound.
Fortunately in England, at any rate, education produces no effect whatsoever.
If it did, it would prove a serious danger to the upper classes, and probably
lead to acts of violence in Grosvenor Square. What is your income?
JACK.
Between seven and eight thousand a year.
LADY BRACKNELL.
[Makes a note in her book.] In land, or in investments?
JACK.
In investments, chiefly.
LADY BRACKNELL.
That is satisfactory. What between the duties expected of one during one's
lifetime, and the duties exacted from one after one's death, land has ceased to
be either a profit or a pleasure. It gives one position, and prevents one from
keeping it up. That's all that can be said about land.
Spanish
acts: hechos.
bloom: flor, florecer, veladura,
floración, florecimiento.
chiefly: principalmente, sobretodo.
danger: peligro, el peligro.
delicate: delicado, fino.
exotic: exótico.
fruit: fruta, la fruta, fruto.
idle: ocioso, haraganear, perezoso,
inactivo, en reposo.
ignorance: ignorancia.
investments: inversiones.
keeping: guardando, vigilando,
custodia, cuidado, conservando,
preservando.
lifetime: vida.
occupation: ocupación, oficio,
profesión, empleo, trabajo.
opinion: opinión, dictamen, juicio,
parecer.
pleased: contento.
prevents: impide, previene.
profit: beneficio, provecho, ganancia,
aprovecharse, ganar, lucro,
rendimiento.
prove: probar, probad, prueban,
pruebas, pruebo, probamos, probáis,
prueben, prueba, pruebe, verificar.
radically: radicalmente.
satisfactory: satisfactorio.
tampers: manosea.
touch: tocar, toque, tacto, palpar,
contacto, rozar.
unsound: enfermo.
upper: superior, alto.
violence: violencia.
26
The Importance of Being Earnest
JACK.
I have a country house with some land, of course, attached to it, about fifteen
hundred acres, I believe; but I don't depend on that for my real income. In
fact, as far as I can make out, the poachers are the only people who make
anything out of it.%
LADY BRACKNELL.
A country house! How many bedrooms? Well, that point can be cleared up
afterwards. You have a town house, I hope? A girl with a simple, unspoiled
nature, like Gwendolen, could hardly be expected to reside in the country.
JACK.
Well, I own a house in Belgrave Square, but it is let by the year to Lady
Bloxham. Of course, I can get it back whenever I like, at six months' notice.
LADY BRACKNELL.
Lady Bloxham? I don't know her.
JACK.
Oh, she goes about very little. She is a lady considerably advanced in years.
LADY BRACKNELL.
Ah, nowadays that is no guarantee of respectability of character. What
number in Belgrave Square?
JACK.
149.
LADY BRACKNELL.
[Shaking her head.] The unfashionable side. I thought there was something.
However, that could easily be altered.
JACK.
Do you mean the fashion, or the side?
LADY BRACKNELL.
[Sternly.] Both, if necessary, I presume. What are your polities?
Spanish
afterwards: después, luego, más
adelante.
attached: fijado, adjuntado, adjunto,
sujetado.
bedrooms: el dormitorios.
character: carácter, seña, naturaleza,
índole, personaje.
cleared: limpiado, depurado.
considerably: considerablemente.
depend: depender, dependéis,
dependes, dependo, dependemos,
depende, dependan, depended,
dependen, dependa.
easily: fácilmente.
expected: esperado, previsto.
fashion: moda.
fifteen: quince.
guarantee: garantía, fianza, aval,
garantizar, afianzamiento, garantir.
hardly: apenas.
income: ingresos, ingreso, renta,
rédito, entrada.
notice: cartel, aviso, anuncio, notar,
advertir, nota, notificación, noticias,
noticia, percibir, publicación.
presume: suponer, supone, supongan,
suponen, supones, supongo,
suponemos, suponéis, suponed,
supon, suponga.
reside: residir, resida, residan, resido,
residís, residimos, residid, resides,
residen, reside.
respectability: respetabilidad.
unfashionable: pasado de moda.
unspoiled: sin estropear, nuevo,
intacto, incorrupto.
Oscar Wilde
27
JACK.
Well, I am afraid I really have none. I am a Liberal Unionist.
LADY BRACKNELL.
Oh, they count as Tories. They dine with us. Or come in the evening, at any
rate. Now to minor matters. Are your parents living?
JACK.
I have lost both my parents.%
LADY BRACKNELL.
To lose one parent, Mr. Worthing, may be regarded as a misfortune; to lose
both looks like carelessness. Who was your father? He was evidently a man
of some wealth. Was he born in what the Radical papers call the purple of
commerce, or did he rise from the ranks of the aristocracy?
JACK.
I am afraid I really don't know. The fact is, Lady Bracknell, I said I had lost
my parents. It would be nearer the truth to say that my parents seem to have
lost me... I don't actually know who I am by birth. I was... well, I was found.
LADY BRACKNELL.
Found!
JACK.
The late Mr. Thomas Cardew, an old gentleman of a very charitable and
kindly disposition, found me, and gave me the name of Worthing, because
he happened to have a first-class ticket for Worthing in his pocket at the
time. Worthing is a place in Sussex. It is a seaside resort.
LADY BRACKNELL.
Where did the charitable gentleman who had a first-class ticket for this
seaside resort find you?
JACK.
[Gravely.] In a hand-bag.
LADY BRACKNELL.
A hand-bag?
Spanish
aristocracy: aristocracia.
birth: nacimiento, parto, el
nacimiento.
born: nacido, nato.
carelessness: descuido.
charitable: caritativo, misericordioso.
commerce: comercio.
count: contar, recuento, cuenta, conde,
calcular, entrar en cuenta, computar,
unidad de cuenta, cargo.
disposition: disposición, talento,
capacidad.
evidently: evidentemente.
first-class: primera clase.
gentleman: caballero, señor,
gentilhombre.
hand-bag: bolsa.
happened: pasado, acontecido,
ocurrido, sucedido, acaecido.
living: viviendo, habitando, vivo,
viviente.
lose: perder, pierda, pierdo, perdéis,
perdemos, pierdan, pierde, pierden,
pierdes, perded, adelgazar.
minor: menor.
misfortune: infortunio, desgracia,
desdicha, desventura.
parent: padre, madre.
purple: morado, púrpura, purpúreo,
lila.
regarded: mirado.
resort: recurso.
seaside: costa, playa.
ticket: billete, boleto, billete de viaje, el
billete, boleta, entrada.
wealth: riqueza, abundancia, caudal.
28
The Importance of Being Earnest
JACK.
[Very seriously.] Yes, Lady Bracknell. I was in a hand-bag - a somewhat large,
black leather hand-bag, with handles to it - an ordinary hand-bag in fact.%
LADY BRACKNELL.
In what locality did this Mr. James, or Thomas, Cardew come across this
ordinary hand-bag?
JACK.
In the cloak-room at Victoria Station. It was given to him in mistake for his
own.
LADY BRACKNELL.
The cloak-room at Victoria Station?
JACK.
Yes. The Brighton line.
LADY BRACKNELL.
The line is immaterial. Mr. Worthing, I confess I feel somewhat bewildered
by what you have just told me. To be born, or at any rate bred, in a hand-bag,
whether it had handles or not, seems to me to display a contempt for the
ordinary decencies of family life that reminds one of the worst excesses of the
French Revolution. And I presume you know what that unfortunate
movement led to? As for the particular locality in which the hand-bag was
found, a cloak-room at a railway station might serve to conceal a social
indiscretion - has probably, indeed, been used for that purpose before nowbut it could hardly be regarded as an assured basis for a recognised position
in good society.
JACK.
May I ask you then what you would advise me to do? I need hardly say I
would do anything in the world to ensure Gwendolen's happiness.
LADY BRACKNELL.
I would strongly advise you, Mr. Worthing, to try and acquire some relations
Spanish
acquire: adquirir, adquieran, adquiere,
adquieren, adquieres, adquiero,
adquirid, adquirimos, adquirís,
adquiera, conseguir.
assured: asegurado.
bewildered: descarriado,
desconcertado.
bred: pret y pp de breed, Criado.
cloak-room: la sala de equipajes.
conceal: ocultar, ocultamos, oculten,
ocultan, ocultáis, ocultad, oculta,
ocultas, oculto, oculte, recatar.
confess: confesar, confiesan, confiesen,
confieso, confiesas, confesamos,
confesad, confesáis, confiesa,
confiese, declarar.
contempt: desprecio, menosprecio.
display: pantalla, exhibición,
visualización, exponer, exposición,
desplegar.
handles: asas.
immaterial: inmaterial.
indiscretion: indiscreción.
leather: cuero, duro, el cuero, piel.
locality: localidad, situación.
mistake: error, equivocación, yerro, la
falta.
ordinary: ordinario, común.
recognised: reconocido, reconocico.
reminds: recuerda.
serve: servir, sirva, sirvo, servimos,
servid, servís, sirvan, sirve, sirven,
sirves.
unfortunate: desgraciado,
infortunado.
worst: peor.
Oscar Wilde
29
as soon as possible, and to make a definite effort to produce at any rate one
parent, of either sex, before the season is quite over.%
JACK.
Well, I don't see how I could possibly manage to do that. I can produce the
hand-bag at any moment. It is in my dressing-room at home. I really think
that should satisfy you, Lady Bracknell.
LADY BRACKNELL.
Me, sir! What has it to do with me? You can hardly imagine that I and Lord
Bracknell would dream of allowing our only daughter - a girl brought up
with the utmost care - to marry into a cloak-room, and form an alliance with
a parcel? Good morning, Mr. Worthing!
[LADY BRACKNELL sweeps out in majestic indignation.]
JACK.
Good morning! [ALGERNON, from the other room, strikes up the Wedding
March. Jack looks perfectly furious, and goes to the door.] For goodness' sake
don't play that ghastly tune, Algy. How idiotic you are!
[The music stops and ALGERNON enters cheerily.]
ALGERNON.
Didn't it go off all right, old boy? You don't mean to say Gwendolen refused
you? I know it is a way she has. She is always refusing people. I think it is
most ill-natured of her.
JACK.
Oh, Gwendolen is as right as a trivet. As far as she is concerned, we are
engaged. Her mother is perfectly unbearable. Never met such a Gorgon... I
don't really know what a Gorgon is like, but I am quite sure that Lady
Bracknell is one. In any case, she is a monster, without being a myth, which is
rather unfair... I beg your pardon, Algy, I suppose I shouldn't talk about your
own aunt in that way before you.
ALGERNON.
My dear boy, I love hearing my relations abused. It is the only thing that
Spanish
abused: maltratado.
alliance: alianza.
allowing: permitiendo, dejando.
dressing-room: camerino, camarino,
camarín.
enters: entra, inscribe, monta.
furious: torcido, furioso, furibundo.
ghastly: horrible, horroroso, lúgubre.
hearing: oyendo, oído, audiencia,
vista, audición.
idiotic: idiota, tonto.
ill-natured: malévolo.
majestic: majestuoso.
manage: administrar, administras,
administro, administren, administre,
administrad, administráis,
administramos, administra,
administran, mandar.
monster: monstruo.
myth: mito.
parcel: paquete, parcela.
pardon: perdón, perdonar, indulto,
indultar.
refused: rehusado.
refusing: Rehusar.
satisfy: complacer, complacen,
complazca, complazcan, complaces,
complazco, complacéis, complace,
complaced, complacemos, satisfacer.
stops: para, detiene.
strikes: golpea.
sweeps: barre.
trivet: trébedes, base, trípode.
tune: melodía, acomodar, adaptar.
unbearable: insufrible, insoportable.
utmost: sumo.
30
The Importance of Being Earnest
makes me put up with them at all. Relations are simply a tedious pack of
people, who haven't got the remotest knowledge of how to live, nor the
smallest instinct about when to die.%
JACK.
Oh, that is nonsense!
ALGERNON.
It isn't!
JACK.
Well, I won't argue about the matter. You always want to argue about things.
ALGERNON.
That is exactly what things were originally made for.
JACK.
Upon my word, if I thought that, I'd shoot myself... [A pause.] You don't
think there is any chance of Gwendolen becoming like her mother in about a
hundred and fifty years, do you, Algy?
ALGERNON.
All women become like their mothers. That is their tragedy. No man does.
That's his.
JACK.
Is that clever?
ALGERNON.
It is perfectly phrased! and quite as true as any observation in civilised life
should be.
JACK.
I am sick to death of cleverness. Everybody is clever nowadays. You can't go
anywhere without meeting clever people. The thing has become an absolute
public nuisance. I wish to goodness we had a few fools left.
ALGERNON.
We have.
Spanish
argue: discutir, discuto, discutís,
discutan, discute, discuten, discutes,
discutid, discutimos, argüir, discuta.
becoming: conveniente, aconteciendo.
chance: azar, suerte, acontecimiento,
acaso, oportunidad.
civilised: civilizado.
clever: hábil, diestro, experto, ágil,
listo, inteligente.
cleverness: habilidad.
everybody: todos, cada uno, cada,
todo el mundo, todo.
fifty: cincuenta.
instinct: instinto.
knowledge: conocimiento, saber.
live: vivir, viven, vive, vivo, vivan,
vivís, vivimos, vives, viva, vivid,
habitar.
meeting: encontrando, reunión,
encuentro, hallando, sesión,
entrevista, cita, asamblea.
mothers: las madres.
nor: ni, tampoco.
nuisance: molestia.
observation: observación, reparo,
censura.
originally: originalmente.
pack: paquete, empacar, embalar,
empaquetar, manada, envolver.
phrased: expresado.
relations: relaciones.
shoot: tirar, tiren, tiráis, tiramos, tiran,
tirad, tire, tiras, tiro, tira, disparar.
sick: enfermo.
tragedy: tragedia.
true: verdadero, cierto.
Oscar Wilde
31
JACK.
I should extremely like to meet them. What do they talk about?
ALGERNON.
The fools? Oh! about the clever people, of course.%
JACK.
What fools!
ALGERNON.
By the way, did you tell Gwendolen the truth about your being Ernest in
town, and Jack in the country?
JACK.
[In a very patronising manner.] My dear fellow, the truth isn't quite the sort
of thing one tells to a nice, sweet, refined girl. What extraordinary ideas you
have about the way to behave to a woman!
ALGERNON.
The only way to behave to a woman is to make love to her, if she is pretty,
and to some one else, if she is plain.
JACK.
Oh, that is nonsense.
ALGERNON.
What about your brother? What about the profligate Ernest?
JACK.
Oh, before the end of the week I shall have got rid of him. I'll say he died in
Paris of apoplexy. Lots of people die of apoplexy, quite suddenly, don't they?
ALGERNON.
Yes, but it's hereditary, my dear fellow. It's a sort of thing that runs in
families. You had much better say a severe chill.
JACK.
You are sure a severe chill isn't hereditary, or anything of that kind?
Spanish
apoplexy: apoplejía.
behave: conducirse, comportarse.
chill: frío, enfriar.
clever: hábil, diestro, experto, ágil,
listo, inteligente.
die: morir, morid, mueran, muere,
morís, mueren, mueres, muero,
morimos, muera, molde.
died: muerto.
don't: no.
extremely: extremamente,
extremadamente, sumamente.
families: familias.
girl: muchacha, chica, niña, la
muchacha.
hereditary: hereditario.
meet: encontrar, encontrad, encuentro,
encuentren, encuentre, encuentras,
encuentran, encontramos, encontráis,
encuentra, quedar.
nonsense: tontería.
patronising: patrocinando.
plain: llanura, llano, claro, evidente,
liso, plano.
pretty: bonito, lindo, majo, amable,
guapo, bastante, guapa.
profligate: pródigo, libertino, disoluto,
derrochador.
refined: fino, refinado.
runs: corre.
severe: severo, inclemente, áspero,
grave.
sure: seguro, cierto.
sweet: dulce, caramelo, postre.
tells: cuenta, relata.
32
The Importance of Being Earnest
ALGERNON.
Of course it isn't!
JACK.
Very well, then. My poor brother Ernest to carried off suddenly, in Paris, by a
severe chill. That gets rid of him.%
ALGERNON.
But I thought you said that... Miss Cardew was a little too much interested in
your poor brother Ernest? Won't she feel his loss a good deal?
JACK.
Oh, that is all right. Cecily is not a silly romantic girl, I am glad to say. She
has got a capital appetite, goes long walks, and pays no attention at all to
her lessons.
ALGERNON.
I would rather like to see Cecily.
JACK.
I will take very good care you never do. She is excessively pretty, and she is
only just eighteen.
ALGERNON.
Have you told Gwendolen yet that you have an excessively pretty ward who
is only just eighteen?
JACK.
Oh! one doesn't blurt these things out to people. Cecily and Gwendolen are
perfectly certain to be extremely great friends. I'll bet you anything you like
that half an hour after they have met, they will be calling each other sister.
ALGERNON.
Women only do that when they have called each other a lot of other things
first. Now, my dear boy, if we want to get a good table at Willis's, we really
must go and dress. Do you know it is nearly seven?
JACK.
[Irritably.] Oh! It always is nearly seven.
Spanish
appetite: apetito, el apetito.
attention: atención, firmes.
bet: apostar, apuesta.
blurt: decir bruscamente.
boy: chico, muchacho, niño, el
muchacho, criado, chamaco.
calling: llamando, llamada.
capital: capital, capitel, mayúscula, la
capital.
carried: Llevado, cargado,
transportado.
chill: frío, enfriar.
course: curso, plato, cursillo, rumbo,
transcurso, recorrido.
deal: trato, transacción.
dress: vestido, vestir, vendar, vestirse,
el vestido, ponerse, revestir.
eighteen: dieciocho, diez y ocho.
excessively: excesivamente.
friends: amigos, los amigos.
gets: obtiene.
glad: alegre, contento.
hour: hora, la hora.
loss: pérdida, perdida, pérdidas,
siniestro, atenuación.
pays: paga.
perfectly: perfectamente.
rid: librar, libro, librad, librado, libráis,
libramos, libran, libras, libre, libren,
libra.
romantic: romántico.
seven: siete.
silly: tonto, necio, absurdo, bobo.
sister: hermana, la hermana, cuñada.
walks: anda, camina.
ward: pupilo.
Oscar Wilde
33
ALGERNON.
Well, I'm hungry.%
JACK.
I never knew you when you weren't...
ALGERNON.
What shall we do after dinner? Go to a theatre?
JACK.
Oh no! I loathe listening.
ALGERNON.
Well, let us go to the Club?
JACK.
Oh, no! I hate talking.
ALGERNON.
Well, we might trot round to the Empire at ten?
JACK.
Oh, no! I can't bear looking at things. It is so silly.
ALGERNON.
Well, what shall we do?
JACK.
Nothing!
ALGERNON.
It is awfully hard work doing nothing. However, I don't mind hard work
where there is no definite object of any kind.
[Enter LANE.]
LANE.
Miss Fairfax.
[Enter GWENDOLEN. LANE goes out.]
ALGERNON.
Gwendolen, upon my word!
Spanish
awfully: terriblemente.
bear: oso, llevar, el oso, bajista,
producir, dar a luz, parir, portar,
soportar.
can't: no puede.
definite: definido.
dinner: cena, comida, banquete.
don't: no.
enter: entrar, entro, entra, entrad,
entráis, entramos, entran, entras,
entren, entre, inscribir.
goes: va, marcha.
hard: duro, difícil, tieso.
hate: odiar, odio, aborrecer, detestar.
jack: gato, jota, sota, para conectar
algún aparto electrotécnico, clavija,
para sujetar el coche cuando se
cambia una rueda.
lane: calleja, senda, carril, pista,
camino.
listening: escuchando.
loathe: detestar, aborrecer,
detestamos, detesto, detesten,
deteste, detestan, detestáis, detestad,
detesta, detestas.
object: objeto, el objeto, objetar.
silly: tonto, necio, absurdo, bobo.
talking: hablando, parlante,
charlando, hablar.
theatre: teatro.
trot: trote, trotar.
word: palabra, la palabra, vocablo,
término, formular.
34
The Importance of Being Earnest
GWENDOLEN.
Algy, kindly turn your back. I have something very particular to say to Mr.
Worthing.%
ALGERNON.
Really, Gwendolen, I don't think I can allow this at all.
GWENDOLEN.
Algy, you always adopt a strictly immoral attitude towards life. You are not
quite old enough to do that.
[ALGERNON retires to the fireplace.]
JACK.
My own darling!
GWENDOLEN.
Ernest, we may never be married. From the expression on mamma's face I
fear we never shall. Few parents nowadays pay any regard to what their
children say to them. The old-fashioned respect for the young is fast dying
out. Whatever influence I ever had over mamma, I lost at the age of three. But
although she may prevent us from becoming man and wife, and I may marry
some one else, and marry often, nothing that she can possibly do can alter my
eternal devotion to you.
JACK.
Dear Gwendolen!
GWENDOLEN.
The story of your romantic origin, as related to me by mamma, with
unpleasing comments, has naturally stirred the deeper fibres of my nature.
Your Christian name has an irresistible fascination. The simplicity of your
character makes you exquisitely incomprehensible to me. Your town
address at the Albany I have. What is your address in the country?
JACK.
The Manor House, Woolton, Hertfordshire.
Spanish
address: dirección, dirigir, discurso,
señas, dirigirse a, alocución, dirigirse,
domicilio, dirigir la palabra a.
alter: cambiar, cambia, cambien,
cambie, cambias, cambian, cambio,
cambiamos, cambiáis, cambiad,
alterar.
attitude: actitud, posición, postura.
devotion: devoción.
dying: muriendo, agonizante.
eternal: eterno.
exquisitely: exquisitamente,
primorosamente.
fear: temer, miedo, temor, angustia,
recelar.
immoral: inmoral.
incomprehensible: incomprensible.
old-fashioned: anticuado, pasado de
moda.
origin: origen, procedencia,
descendencia.
prevent: impedir, impedid, impido,
impides, impiden, impide, impidan,
impida, impedimos, impedís,
prevenir.
regard: mirar, considerar, mira, miran,
miráis, miro, miramos, mirad, miras,
mire, miren.
related: relacionado, contado,
emparentado, conexo.
retires: dimite, jubila, recoge, retira,
abandona.
simplicity: simplicidad, sencillez.
stirred: batido.
strictly: estrictamente.
unpleasing: desagradable.
Oscar Wilde
35
[ALGERNON, who has been carefully listening, smiles to himself, and
writes the address on his shirt-cuff. Then picks up the Railway Guide.]
GWENDOLEN.
There is a good postal service, I suppose? It may be necessary to do
something desperate. That of course will require serious consideration. I will
communicate with you daily.%
JACK.
My own one!
GWENDOLEN.
How long do you remain in town?
JACK.
Till Monday.
GWENDOLEN.
Good! Algy, you may turn round now.
ALGERNON.
Thanks, I've turned round already.
GWENDOLEN.
You may also ring the bell.
JACK.
You will let me see you to your carriage, my own darling?
GWENDOLEN.
Certainly.
JACK.
[To LANE, who now enters.] I will see Miss Fairfax out.
LANE.
Yes, sir. [JACK and GWENDOLEN go off.]
[LANE presents several letters on a salver to ALGERNON.
It is to be surmised that they are bills, as ALGERNON, after looking at the
envelopes, tears them up.]
Spanish
bell: timbre, campana, campanilla, la
campana.
bills: efectos, billetes.
carefully: cuidadosamente.
carriage: coche, carro, cureña.
communicate: comunicar,
comunicamos, comuniquen,
comunico, comunican, comunicáis,
comunicad, comunica, comunicas,
comunique, contagiar.
consideration: consideración,
contraprestación, contemplación.
darling: querido, amado.
desperate: desesperado.
lane: calleja, senda, carril, pista,
camino.
listening: escuchando.
necessary: necesario.
picks: pica.
postal: tarjeta postal.
presents: presenta, la presente.
remain: quedarse, restar, permanecer,
restas, resto, reste, restan, restamos,
restáis, restad, resta.
require: necesitar, necesita, necesiten,
necesite, necesitas, necesito,
necesitan, necesitamos, necesitáis,
necesitad, exigir.
salver: salvilla, bandeja.
surmised: Supuesto.
tears: desgarra, rasga.
town: ciudad, pueblo, población, el
pueblo.
turned: girado, vuelto, trastornado.
writes: escribe.
36
The Importance of Being Earnest
ALGERNON.
A glass of sherry, Lane.%
LANE.
Yes, sir.
ALGERNON.
To-morrow, Lane, I'm going Bunburying.
LANE.
Yes, sir.
ALGERNON.
I shall probably not be back till Monday. You can put up my dress clothes,
my smoking jacket, and all the Bunbury suits...
LANE.
Yes, sir. [Handing sherry.]
ALGERNON.
I hope to-morrow will be a fine day, Lane.
LANE.
It never is, sir.
ALGERNON.
Lane, you're a perfect pessimist.
LANE.
I do my best to give satisfaction, sir.
[Enter JACK. LANE goes off.]
JACK.
There's a sensible, intellectual girl! the only girl I ever cared for in my life.
[ALGERNON is laughing immoderately.] What on earth are you so amused
at?
ALGERNON.
Oh, I'm a little anxious about poor Bunbury, that in all.
Spanish
amused: se divertido, entretenido.
anxious: inquieto, ansioso.
cared: Cuidado.
clothes: ropa, viste, la ropa, ropaje.
dress: vestido, vestir, vendar, vestirse,
el vestido, ponerse, revestir.
enter: entrar, entro, entra, entrad,
entráis, entramos, entran, entras,
entren, entre, inscribir.
fine: multa, fino, multar, excelente,
bonito, delgado, bien, estupendo,
bueno.
girl: muchacha, chica, niña, la
muchacha.
glass: vidrio, vaso, cristal, copa, el
vidrio.
goes: va, marcha.
handing: entregar.
intellectual: intelectual.
jacket: chaqueta, americana, la
chaqueta, cubierta, funda, envoltura,
camisa, cazadora.
lane: calleja, senda, carril, pista,
camino.
laughing: riendo.
perfect: perfecto, perfeccionar.
pessimist: pesimista.
poor: pobre, malo, deplorable,
indigente, miserable.
satisfaction: satisfacción.
sensible: sensato, razonable.
sherry: jerez.
smoking: fumando, humeando,
fumar, ahumar.
till: caja, hasta que, hasta, a que.
to-morrow: mañana.
Oscar Wilde
37
JACK.
If you don't take care, your friend Bunbury will get you into a serious scrape
some day.%
ALGERNON.
I love scrapes. They are the only things that are never serious.
JACK.
Oh, that's nonsense, Algy. You never talk anything but nonsense.
ALGERNON.
Nobody ever does.
[JACK looks indignantly at him, and leaves the room. ALGERNON lights a
cigarette, reads his shirt-cuff, and smiles.]
[ACT DROP]
Spanish
cigarette: cigarrillo, el cigarrillo.
don't: no.
friend: amigo, amiga, el amigo.
indignantly: con indignación,
indignadamente.
jack: gato, jota, sota, para conectar
algún aparto electrotécnico, clavija,
para sujetar el coche cuando se
cambia una rueda.
leaves: sale, deja, hojas, las hojas.
lights: luces.
looks: mira.
nonsense: tontería.
reads: lee, estudia, indica.
scrape: raspadura, rascar, raspar.
scrapes: raspaduras.
serious: serio, grave, importante,
crítico.
talk: hablar, hablas, hablan, hablad,
habláis, hablamos, hablo, hable,
hablen, habla, charla.
38
The Importance of Being Earnest
SECOND ACT
SCENE—Garden at the Manor House. A flight of grey stone steps leads up
to the house. The garden, an old-fashioned one, full of roses. Time of year,
July. Basket chairs, and a table covered with books, are set under a large
yew-tree.%
[MISS PRISM discovered seated at the table. CECILY is at the back watering
flowers.]
MISS PRISM.
[Calling.] Cecily, Cecily! Surely such a utilitarian occupation as the watering
of flowers is rather Moulton's duty than yours? Especially at a moment when
intellectual pleasures await you. Your German grammar is on the table. Pray
open it at page fifteen. We will repeat yesterday's lesson.
CECILY.
[Coming over very slowly.] But I don't like German. It isn't at all a becoming
language. I know perfectly well that I look quite plain after my German
lesson.
MISS PRISM.
Child, you know how anxious your guardian is that you should improve
yourself in every way. He laid particular stress on your German, as he was
Spanish
await: esperar, esperen, espere,
esperas, esperan, esperamos,
esperáis, espero, esperad, espera,
aguardar.
basket: cesto, cesta, la cesta, canasta,
barquilla, canasto.
chairs: las sillas.
covered: cubierto, cubierto de verdor.
discovered: descubierto.
duty: deber, servicio, obligación,
impuesto.
flight: vuelo, huida, escape.
flowers: las flores.
garden: jardín, el jardín.
grammar: gramática.
grey: gris, pardo.
improve: mejorar, mejora, mejore,
mejoran, mejoramos, mejoráis,
mejorad, mejoren, mejoro, mejoras.
laid: puesto, colocado, recostado,
acostado.
leads: guía, conduce, conductores,
dirige.
lesson: lección.
page: página, paje, botones.
repeat: repetir, repita, repitan, repito,
repites, repetid, repite, repetís,
repetimos, repiten, reiterar.
seated: sentado.
steps: pasos.
stone: piedra, la piedra, cálculo.
stress: tensión, estrés, acento, esfuerzo,
acentuar, presión, recalcar, el estrés,
la presión.
utilitarian: utilitario.
watering: riego.
Oscar Wilde
39
leaving for town yesterday. Indeed, he always lays stress on your German
when he is leaving for town.%
CECILY.
Dear Uncle Jack is so very serious! Sometimes he is so serious that I think he
cannot be quite well
MISS PRISM.
[Drawing herself up.] Your guardian enjoys the best of health, and his
gravity of demeanour is especially to be commanded in one so
comparatively young as he is. I know no one who has a higher sense of duty
and responsibility.
CECILY.
I suppose that is why he often looks a little bored when we three are together.
MISS PRISM.
Cecily! I am surprised at you. Mr. Worthing has many troubles in his life.
Idle merriment and triviality would be out of place in his conversation. You
must remember his constant anxiety about that unfortunate young man his
brother.
CECILY.
I wish Uncle Jack would allow that unfortunate young man, his brother, to
come down here sometimes. We might have a good influence over him, Miss
Prism. I am sure you certainly would. You know German, and geology, and
things of that kind influence a man very much. [CECILY begins to write in
her diary.]
MISS PRISM.
[Shaking her head.] I do not think that even I could produce any effect on a
character that according to his own brother's admission is irretrievably weak
and vacillating. Indeed I am not sure that I would desire to reclaim him. I am
not in favour of this modern mania for turning bad people into good people
at a moment's notice. As a man sows so let him reap. You must put away
your diary, Cecily. I really don't see why you should keep a diary at all.
Spanish
according: conforme, de acuerdo con.
admission: admisión, entrada,
ingreso, confesión, precio de entrada,
declaración, aceptación.
anxiety: ansiedad.
begins: empieza, principia.
bored: aburrido.
commanded: Ordenado.
comparatively: comparativamente,
relativamente.
demeanour: portizaje, porte,
comportamiento, conducta, modo de
portarse.
diary: diario, agenda.
enjoys: disfruta, goza.
favour: favor, favorecer.
geology: geología.
gravity: gravedad.
irretrievably: irreparablemente,
irrecuperablemente,
incobrablemente.
lays: pone, coloca.
mania: manía.
merriment: alegría.
reap: cosechar, cosechamos, cosechen,
cosecho, cosecháis, cosechad,
cosechas, cosechan, cosecha, coseche,
segar.
reclaim: reclamar, reclama, reclamo,
reclamen, reclame, reclamas,
reclamáis, reclamamos, reclamad,
reclaman, regenerar.
triviality: trivialidad.
troubles: nubes.
vacillating: vacilando, vacilante.
weak: débil, flojo.
40
The Importance of Being Earnest
CECILY.
I keep a diary in order to enter the wonderful secrets of my life. If I didn't
write them down, I should probably forget all about them.%
MISS PRISM.
Memory, my dear Cecily, is the diary that we all carry about with us.
CECILY.
Yes, but it usually chronicles the things that have never happened, and
couldn't possibly have happened. I believe that Memory is responsible for
nearly all the three-volume novels that Mudie sends us.
MISS PRISM.
Do not speak slightingly of the three-volume novel, Cecily. I wrote one
myself in earlier days.
CECILY.
Did you really, Miss Prism? How wonderfully clever you are! I hope it did
not end happily? I don't like novels that end happily. They depress me so
much.
MISS PRISM.
The good ended happily, and the bad unhappily. That is what Fiction means.
CECILY.
I suppose so. But it seems very unfair. And was your novel ever published?
MISS PRISM.
Alas! no. The manuscript unfortunately was abandoned. [CECILY starts.] I
use the word in the sense of lost or mislaid. To your work, child, these
speculations are profitless.
CECILY.
[Smiling.] But I see dear Dr. Chasuble coming up through the garden.
MISS PRISM.
[Rising and advancing.] Dr. Chasuble! This is indeed a pleasure.
[Enter CANON CHASUBLE.]
Spanish
abandoned: abandonado,
desamparado, dejado, abandonados,
abandonada, olvidado, abandonadas.
carry: llevar, llevamos, lleváis, llevad,
lleva, lleven, llevo, llevan, llevas,
lleve, cargar.
chasuble: casulla.
depress: deprimir, deprimid, deprimo,
deprimís, deprimimos, deprimes,
deprimen, deprime, deprima,
depriman.
ended: finalizó, terminado.
forget: olvidar, olvidan, olviden,
olvidas, olvidamos, olvidáis, olvidad,
olvida, olvide, olvido, olvidarse.
happily: alegremente, felizmente,
afortunadamente.
lost: perdido, adelgazado.
manuscript: manuscrito.
mislaid: pret y pp de mislay,
extraviado, traspapelado.
myself: yo mismo.
novel: novela, nuevo, la novela.
profitless: inútil, infructuoso, no
rentable, improductivo.
published: publicado.
responsible: responsable.
secrets: misterios, partes pudendas.
sends: envía, manda, despacha.
slightingly: despreciativamente.
unfair: injusto, desleal.
unfortunately: desgraciadamente, es
una lástima, por fortuna,
desafortunadamente.
unhappily: infelizmente.
wrote: escribió.
Oscar Wilde
41
CHASUBLE.
And how are we this morning? Miss Prism, you are, I trust, well?
CECILY.
Miss Prism has just been complaining of a slight headache. I think it would
do her so much good to have a short stroll with you in the Park, Dr.
Chasuble.%
MISS PRISM.
Cecily, I have not mentioned anything about a headache.
CECILY.
No, dear Miss Prism, I know that, but I felt instinctively that you had a
headache. Indeed I was thinking about that, and not about my German
lesson, when the Rector came in.
CHASUBLE.
I hope, Cecily, you are not inattentive.
CECILY.
Oh, I am afraid I am.
CHASUBLE.
That is strange. Were I fortunate enough to be Miss Prism's pupil, I would
hang upon her lips. [MISS PRISM glares.] I spoke metaphorically. - My
metaphor was drawn from bees. Ahem! Mr. Worthing, I suppose, has not
returned from town yet?
MISS PRISM.
We do not expect him till Monday afternoon.
CHASUBLE.
Ah yes, he usually likes to spend his Sunday in London. He is not one of
those whose sole aim is enjoyment, as, by all accounts, that unfortunate
young man his brother seems to be. But I must not disturb Egeria and her
pupil any longer.
MISS PRISM.
Egeria? My name is Laetitia, Doctor.
Spanish
ahem: ejém, ejem.
aim: fin, objeto, objetivo, querer decir,
apuntar, tratar de, esforzarse por,
apuntáis, apunten, apuntas, apunto.
complaining: regañando,
demandando, lamentando,
quejándose, querellándose,
reclamando, quejumbroso, quejar.
disturb: molestar, moleste, molestad,
molestáis, molestamos, molestan,
molestas, molesta, molesto, molesten,
incomodar.
enjoyment: goce, disfrute.
fortunate: afortunado.
hang: colgar.
headache: dolor de cabeza, jaqueca,
cefalea.
inattentive: distraído.
instinctively: instintivamente.
likes: aprecia, inclinaciones, hechizos,
gustos, entendimientos, ensalmos,
encantos, efusiones, cariños,
simpatías, arreglos.
lips: labios, los labios.
metaphor: metáfora, lenguaje
figurado.
metaphorically: metafóricamente.
pupil: pupila, alumno, pupilo, a
alumno.
returned: devuelto.
sole: lenguado, suela, único, solo,
planta.
spoke: decir, radio, rayo, raya,
radioactivo, rayo de rueda, hablar,
pret de speak, expresar.
stroll: paseo, andar.
42
The Importance of Being Earnest
CHASUBLE.
[Bowing.] A classical allusion merely, drawn from the Pagan authors. I shall
see you both no doubt at Evensong?
MISS PRISM.
I think, dear Doctor, I will have a stroll with you. I find I have a headache
after all, and a walk might do it good.%
CHASUBLE.
With pleasure, Miss Prism, with pleasure. We might go as far as the schools
and back.
MISS PRISM.
That would be delightful. Cecily, you will read your Political Economy in my
absence. The chapter on the Fall of the Rupee you may omit. It is somewhat
too sensational. Even these metallic problems have their melodramatic side.
[Goes down the garden with DR. CHASUBLE.]
CECILY.
[Picks up books and throws them back on table.] Horrid Political Economy!
Horrid Geography! Horrid, horrid German!
[Enter MERRIMAN with a card on a salver.]
MERRIMAN.
Mr. Ernest Worthing has just driven over from the station. He has brought
his luggage with him.
CECILY.
[Takes the card and reads it.] 'Mr. Ernest Worthing, B. 4, The Albany, W.'
Uncle Jack's brother! Did you tell him Mr. Worthing was in town?
MERRIMAN.
Yes, Miss. He seemed very much disappointed. I mentioned that you and
Miss Prism were in the garden. He said he was anxious to speak to you
privately for a moment.
Spanish
absence: ausencia, falta.
allusion: alusión.
anxious: inquieto, ansioso.
books: los libros.
brought: Traído.
classical: clásico.
delightful: bonito, lindo, delicioso,
encantador, deleitoso.
disappointed: decepcionado.
drawn: dibujado, encantado, trazado.
driven: conducido, manejado.
enter: entrar, entro, entra, entrad,
entráis, entramos, entran, entras,
entren, entre, inscribir.
headache: dolor de cabeza, jaqueca,
cefalea.
horrid: hórrido.
luggage: equipaje, equipajes.
melodramatic: melodramático.
mentioned: acotado, Mencionado.
metallic: metálico.
omit: omitir, omitís, omite, omiten,
omites, omitimos, omito, omitan,
omitid, omita.
pleasure: placer, agrado, gusto,
complacencia, el gusto.
privately: privadamente.
reads: lee, estudia, indica.
sensational: sensacional.
somewhat: algo, poco, bastante.
station: estación.
stroll: paseo, andar.
walk: andar, andamos, ando, anden,
ande, andas, andáis, andad, anda,
andan, caminar.
Oscar Wilde
43
CECILY.
Ask Mr. Ernest Worthing to come here. I suppose you had better talk to the
housekeeper about a room for him.%
MERRIMAN.
Yes, Miss.
[MERRIMAN goes off.]
CECILY.
I have never met any really wicked person before. I feel rather frightened. I
am so afraid he will look just like every one else.
[Enter ALGERNON, very gay and debonnair.] He does!
ALGERNON.
[Raising his hat.] You are my little cousin Cecily, I'm sure.
CECILY.
You are under some strange mistake. I am not little. In fact, I believe I am
more than usually tall for my age. [ALGERNON is rather taken aback.] But I
am your cousin Cecily. You, I see from your card, are Uncle Jack's brother,
my cousin Ernest, my wicked cousin Ernest.
ALGERNON.
Oh! I am not really wicked at all, cousin Cecily. You mustn't think that I am
wicked.
CECILY.
If you are not, then you have certainly been deceiving us all in a very
inexcusable manner. I hope you have not been leading a double life,
pretending to be wicked and being really good all the time. That would be
hypocrisy.
ALGERNON.
[Looks at her in amazement.] Oh! Of course I have been rather reckless.
CECILY.
I am glad to hear it.
Spanish
afraid: miedoso, temeroso, asustado,
medroso, miedo, encogido,
angustioso, tímido, be - tener miedo.
brother: hermano, el hermano,
cofrade.
card: tarjeta, carta, ficha.
cousin: primo, prima, el primo.
deceiving: engañando.
double: doble, doblar, doblado.
enter: entrar, entro, entra, entrad,
entráis, entramos, entran, entras,
entren, entre, inscribir.
frightened: espantado, asustado.
gay: alegre, homosexual.
glad: alegre, contento.
hear: oír, oigan, oyes, oyen, oye, oís,
oigo, oíd, oímos, oiga.
housekeeper: ama de casa, ama de
llaves.
hypocrisy: hipocresía.
inexcusable: imperdonable.
leading: guiando, conduciendo,
dirigiendo.
manner: manera.
met: encontrado, hallado.
mistake: error, equivocación, yerro, la
falta.
pretending: fingiendo, pretendiendo.
reckless: temerario, imprudente.
strange: extraño, raro, ajeno.
suppose: suponer, suponéis, supongo,
supon, suponed, suponemos,
suponen, supones, supongan,
supone, suponga.
tall: alto.
wicked: malo, malvado.
44
The Importance of Being Earnest
ALGERNON.
In fact, now you mention the subject, I have been very bad in my own small
way.%
CECILY.
I don't think you should be so proud of that, though I am sure it must have
been very pleasant.
ALGERNON.
It is much pleasanter being here with you.
CECILY.
I can't understand how you are here at all. Uncle Jack won't be back till
Monday afternoon.
ALGERNON.
That is a great disappointment. I am obliged to go up by the first train on
Monday morning. I have a business appointment that I am anxious... to miss?
CECILY.
Couldn't you miss it anywhere but in London?
ALGERNON.
No: the appointment is in London.
CECILY.
Well, I know, of course, how important it is not to keep a business
engagement, if one wants to retain any sense of the beauty of life, but still I
think you had better wait till Uncle Jack arrives. I know he wants to speak to
you about your emigrating.
ALGERNON.
About my what?
CECILY.
Your emigrating. He has gone up to buy your outfit.
ALGERNON.
I certainly wouldn't let Jack buy my outfit. He has no taste in neckties at all.
Spanish
anywhere: dondequiera, en cualquier
parte.
appointment: cita, nombramiento,
designación, la cita.
arrives: llega.
beauty: belleza, la belleza.
buy: comprar, compra, procurarse,
adquisición.
can't: no puede.
disappointment: desilusión,
decepción.
don't: no.
emigrating: emigrando.
engagement: obligación, compromiso,
contrato, contratación.
obliged: obligado.
outfit: traje, equipo.
pleasant: agradable, simpático,
placentero, grato.
proud: orgulloso.
retain: retener, retenga, retenéis,
retengo, retienes, retienen, retiene,
retenemos, reten, retened, retengan.
subject: asunto, tema, asignatura,
someter, sujeto, cuestión, materia.
taste: gusto, saborear, sabor, probar,
catar.
till: caja, hasta que, hasta, a que.
train: tren, adiestrar, el tren, entrenar,
entrenarse, ferrocarril, ejercitar.
uncle: tío.
wants: quiere, desea.
Oscar Wilde
45
CECILY.
I don't think you will require neckties. Uncle Jack is sending you to
Australia.%
ALGERNON.
Australia! I'd sooner die.
CECILY.
Well, he said at dinner on Wednesday night, that you would have to choose
between this world, the next world, and Australia.
ALGERNON.
Oh, well! The accounts I have received of Australia and the next world, are
not particularly encouraging. This world is good enough for me, cousin
Cecily.
CECILY.
Yes, but are you good enough for it?
ALGERNON.
I'm afraid I'm not that. That is why I want you to reform me. You might
make that your mission, if you don't mind, cousin Cecily.
CECILY.
I'm afraid I've no time, this afternoon.
ALGERNON.
Well, would you mind my reforming myself this afternoon?
CECILY.
It is rather Quixotic of you. But I think you should try.
ALGERNON.
I will. I feel better already.
CECILY.
You are looking a little worse.
ALGERNON.
That is because I am hungry.
Spanish
accounts: cuentas.
afraid: miedoso, temeroso, asustado,
medroso, miedo, encogido,
angustioso, tímido, be - tener miedo.
afternoon: tarde, la tarde.
choose: escoger, escojan, escoges,
escogen, escogemos, escogéis,
escoged, escojo, escoge, escoja, elegir.
cousin: primo, prima, el primo.
die: morir, morid, mueran, muere,
morís, mueren, mueres, muero,
morimos, muera, molde.
dinner: cena, comida, banquete.
don't: no.
encouraging: animando, alentador,
alentando, espoleando.
hungry: hambriento.
i'd: Hago.
mission: misión.
myself: yo mismo.
received: recibido.
reform: reforma, reformar, enmendar.
reforming: correctivo, reformar.
require: necesitar, necesita, necesiten,
necesite, necesitas, necesito,
necesitan, necesitamos, necesitáis,
necesitad, exigir.
sending: enviando, mandando,
despachando, envío.
sooner: más pronto.
uncle: tío.
worse: peor.
46
The Importance of Being Earnest
CECILY.
How thoughtless of me. I should have remembered that when one is going
to lead an entirely new life, one requires regular and wholesome meals.
Won't you come in?
ALGERNON.
Thank you. Might I have a buttonhole first? I never have any appetite unless
I have a buttonhole first.%
CECILY.
A Marechal Niel? [Picks up scissors.]
ALGERNON.
No, I'd sooner have a pink rose.
CECILY.
Why? [Cuts a flower.]
ALGERNON.
Because you are like a pink rose, Cousin Cecily.
CECILY.
I don't think it can be right for you to talk to me like that. Miss Prism never
says such things to me.
ALGERNON.
Then Miss Prism is a short-sighted old lady. [CECILY puts the rose in his
buttonhole.] You are the prettiest girl I ever saw.
CECILY.
Miss Prism says that all good looks are a snare.
ALGERNON.
They are a snare that every sensible man would like to be caught in.
CECILY.
Oh, I don't think I would care to catch a sensible man. I shouldn't know what
to talk to him about.
[They pass into the house. MISS PRISM and DR. CHASUBLE return.]
Spanish
appetite: apetito, el apetito.
buttonhole: ojal.
catch: coger, cogéis, cojan, coged,
cogemos, cogen, coges, coja, coge,
cojo, asir.
caught: cogido, asido, acertado.
chasuble: casulla.
cuts: reducciones, recortes, corta,
cortes.
don't: no.
entirely: enteramente, completamente,
totalmente.
lead: plomo, guiar, guía, conducir,
guiáis, guiamos, guían, guías, guíe,
guíen, guío.
meals: las comidas.
pass: pasar, adelantar, paso, pase,
desfiladero, entregar, pasada,
aprobar, alargar, paso de montaña,
llegar.
picks: pica.
pink: rosado, rosa, clavel.
prettiest: bastante.
puts: pone, mete, coloca.
regular: regular, normal.
remembered: recordado.
requires: necesita, exige.
rose: rosa, la rosa.
sensible: sensato, razonable.
short-sighted: miope.
shouldn't: contracción de should not.
snare: trampa, astucia.
sooner: más pronto.
thoughtless: desconsiderado.
unless: a menos que, a no ser que.
wholesome: sano.
Oscar Wilde
47
MISS PRISM.
You are too much alone, dear Dr. Chasuble. You should get married. A
misanthrope I can understand - a womanthrope, never!
CHASUBLE.
[With a scholar's shudder.] Believe me, I do not deserve so neologistic a
phrase. The precept as well as the practice of the Primitive Church was
distinctly against matrimony.%
MISS PRISM.
[Sententiously.] That is obviously the reason why the Primitive Church has
not lasted up to the present day. And you do not seem to realise, dear Doctor,
that by persistently remaining single, a man converts himself into a
permanent public temptation. Men should be more careful; this very
celibacy leads weaker vessels astray.
CHASUBLE.
But is a man not equally attractive when married?
MISS PRISM.
No married man is ever attractive except to his wife.
CHASUBLE.
And often, I've been told, not even to her.
MISS PRISM.
That depends on the intellectual sympathies of the woman. Maturity can
always be depended on. Ripeness can be trusted. Young women are green.
[DR. CHASUBLE starts.] I spoke horticulturally. My metaphor was drawn
from fruits. But where is Cecily?
CHASUBLE.
Perhaps she followed us to the schools.
[Enter JACK slowly from the back of the garden. He is dressed in the deepest
mourning, with crape hatband and black gloves.]
MISS PRISM.
Mr. Worthing!
Spanish
alone: solo, único, solamente, sólo.
astray: desencaminado.
attractive: atractivo, atrayente.
careful: cuidadoso, prudente,
circunspecto, precavido.
celibacy: celibato.
crape: crespón.
depended: dependido.
deserve: merecer, merecemos,
merezcan, merezco, merecen,
mereced, merece, mereces, merecéis,
merezca.
distinctly: distintamente.
dressed: vestido, con guarnición de.
equally: ídem, igualmente.
except: excepto, menos, exceptuar,
además de, amén de.
green: verde.
hatband: cuerda de sombrero, cinta
del sombrero, cinta.
horticulturally: hortícolamente.
lasted: Durado.
maturity: madurez, vencimiento.
misanthrope: misántropo.
mourning: luto, deplorando, duelo.
persistently: continuamente,
persistentemente.
phrase: frase, expresar, expresión.
precept: precepto.
remaining: restante, restando,
permaneciendo.
ripeness: madurez.
slowly: lentamente, despacio.
temptation: tentación.
trusted: confiado, confidente.
vessels: embarcaciones.
48
The Importance of Being Earnest
CHASUBLE.
Mr. Worthing?
MISS PRISM.
This is indeed a surprise. We did not look for you till Monday afternoon.%
JACK.
[Shakes MISS PRISM'S hand in a tragic manner.] I have returned sooner than
I expected. Dr. Chasuble, I hope you are well?
CHASUBLE.
Dear Mr. Worthing, I trust this garb of woe does not betoken some terrible
calamity?
JACK.
My brother.
MISS PRISM.
More shameful debts and extravagance?
CHASUBLE.
Still leading his life of pleasure?
JACK.
[Shaking his head.] Dead!
CHASUBLE.
Your brother Ernest dead?
JACK.
Quite dead.
MISS PRISM.
What a lesson for him! I trust he will profit by it.
CHASUBLE.
Mr. Worthing, I offer you my sincere condolence. You have at least the
consolation of knowing that you were always the most generous and
forgiving of brothers.
Spanish
betoken: presagiado.
brothers: hermanos.
calamity: calamidad.
chasuble: casulla.
condolence: condolencia, pésame.
consolation: consuelo.
dead: muerto.
extravagance: extravagancia, derroche.
forgiving: perdonando, perdonador.
garb: vestido.
generous: generoso, dadivoso.
indeed: verdaderamente, en efecto, de
veras, en realidad, efectivamente.
jack: gato, jota, sota, para conectar
algún aparto electrotécnico, clavija,
para sujetar el coche cuando se
cambia una rueda.
knowing: sabiendo, conociendo.
least: menos, mínimo, menor.
lesson: lección.
offer: oferta, ofrecer, ofrecimiento,
proposición, presentar, proponer,
pretensión, retratar, reproducir.
pleasure: placer, agrado, gusto,
complacencia, el gusto.
shameful: vergonzoso.
sincere: sincero.
sooner: más pronto.
surprise: sorprender, sorpresa, la
sorpresa.
terrible: terrible.
till: caja, hasta que, hasta, a que.
tragic: trágico.
trust: confiar, fideicomiso, confianza,
fiduciario.
woe: ay, penas.
Oscar Wilde
49
JACK.
Poor Ernest! He had many faults, but it is a sad, sad blow.%
CHASUBLE.
Very sad indeed. Were you with him at the end?
JACK.
No. He died abroad; in Paris, in fact. I had a telegram last night from the
manager of the Grand Hotel.
CHASUBLE.
Was the cause of death mentioned?
JACK.
A severe chill, it seems.
MISS PRISM.
As a man sows, so shall he reap.
CHASUBLE.
[Raising his hand.] Charity, dear Miss Prism, charity! None of us are perfect. I
myself am peculiarly susceptible to draughts. Will the interment take place
here?
JACK.
No. He seems to have expressed a desire to be buried in Paris.
CHASUBLE.
In Paris! [Shakes his head.] I fear that hardly points to any very serious state
of mind at the last. You would no doubt wish me to make some slight
allusion to this tragic domestic affliction next Sunday. [JACK presses his
hand convulsively.] My sermon on the meaning of the manna in the
wilderness can be adapted to almost any occasion, joyful, or, as in the
present case, distressing. [All sigh.] I have preached it at harvest
celebrations, christenings, confirmations, on days of humiliation and festal
days. The last time I delivered it was in the Cathedral, as a charity sermon on
behalf of the Society for the Prevention of Discontent among the Upper
Spanish
abroad: en el extranjero, fuera, en el la
extranjero, al extranjero.
adapted: adaptado.
affliction: aflicción.
behalf: nombre.
buried: enterrado.
celebrations: festividades.
charity: caridad, limosna,
misericordia, beneficencia.
christenings: bautiza.
delivered: entregado.
desire: desear, deseo, tener, querer,
gana, codiciar.
distressing: penoso.
draughts: damas, juego de damas.
expressed: expresado.
faults: desperfecto, fallas.
festal: feriado, festivo.
harvest: cosecha, cosechar, siega,
recolección, vendimia.
humiliation: humillación.
interment: entierro, enterramiento.
joyful: alegre.
manna: maná.
peculiarly: raramente, peculiarmente,
particularmente, de una manera
extraña.
points: puntos, aguja.
preached: predicado, sermoneado.
presses: Prensas, prensa.
sad: triste, afligido.
sermon: sermón.
shakes: sacude.
susceptible: sensible, propenso,
impresionable.
wilderness: desierto.
50
The Importance of Being Earnest
Orders. The Bishop, who was present, was much struck by some of the
analogies I drew.
JACK.
Ah! that reminds me, you mentioned christenings I think, Dr. Chasuble? I
suppose you know how to christen all right? [DR. CHASUBLE looks
astounded.] I mean, of course, you are continually christening, aren't you?
MISS PRISM.
It is, I regret to say, one of the Rector's most constant duties in this parish. I
have often spoken to the poorer classes on the subject. But they don't seem to
know what thrift is.%
CHASUBLE.
But is there any particular infant in whom you are interested, Mr. Worthing?
Your brother was, I believe, unmarried, was he not?
JACK.
Oh yes.
MISS PRISM.
[Bitterly.] People who live entirely for pleasure usually are.
JACK.
But it is not for any child, dear Doctor. I am very fond of children. No! the
fact is, I would like to be christened myself, this afternoon, if you have
nothing better to do.
CHASUBLE.
But surely, Mr. Worthing, you have been christened already?
JACK.
I don't remember anything about it.
CHASUBLE.
But have you any grave doubts on the subject?
Spanish
chasuble: casulla.
christen: bautizar, bauticen, bautizas,
bautizan, bautizamos, bautizáis,
bautizad, bautiza, bautizo, bautice,
cristianizar.
christened: bautizado.
christening: bautizando, bautizo,
bautismo.
christenings: bautiza.
constant: constante, continuo.
continually: continuamente, siempre.
don't: no.
doubts: duda.
fond: aficionado.
grave: tumba, grave, crítico, sepulcro.
infant: niño, infante, infantil, lactante,
criatura.
mentioned: acotado, Mencionado.
parish: parroquia.
pleasure: placer, agrado, gusto,
complacencia, el gusto.
regret: sentir, lamentar, deplorar,
arrepentirse, pesar.
remember: recordar, recuerde,
recuerdo, recuerdan, recuerdas,
recuerden, recordamos, recordad,
recordáis, recuerda, acordarse de.
reminds: recuerda.
seem: parecer, parezca, parecen,
parezcan, pareces, parezco,
parecemos, parecéis, parece, pareced.
spoken: hablado.
struck: pret y pp de strike, golpeado.
thrift: ahorro, economía.
unmarried: soltero.
whom: quien, quién, que.
Oscar Wilde
51
JACK.
I certainly intend to have. Of course I don't know if the thing would bother
you in any way, or if you think I am a little too old now.
CHASUBLE.
Not at all. The sprinkling, and, indeed, the immersion of adults is a perfectly
canonical practice.%
JACK.
Immersion!
CHASUBLE.
You need have no apprehensions. Sprinkling is all that is necessary, or indeed
I think advisable. Our weather is so changeable. At what hour would you
wish the ceremony performed?
JACK.
Oh, I might trot round about five if that would suit you.
CHASUBLE.
Perfectly, perfectly! In fact I have two similar ceremonies to perform at that
time. A case of twins that occurred recently in one of the outlying cottages on
your own estate. Poor Jenkins the carter, a most hard-working man.
JACK.
Oh! I don't see much fun in being christened along with other babies. It
would be childish. Would half-past five do?
CHASUBLE.
Admirably! Admirably! [Takes out watch.] And now, dear Mr. Worthing, I
will not intrude any longer into a house of sorrow. I would merely beg you
not to be too much bowed down by grief. What seem to us bitter trials are
often blessings in disguise.
MISS PRISM.
This seems to me a blessing of an extremely obvious kind.
[Enter CECILY from the house.]
Spanish
admirably: admirablemente.
adults: los adultos.
advisable: aconsejable.
babies: criaturas, bebes.
bitter: amargo, agrio.
blessing: bendiciendo, bendición.
bother: molestar, fastidiar, incomodar,
molestia, estorbar, preocuparse.
bowed: agobiado, arqueado,
cabizbajo, encorvado, inclinado.
canonical: canónico.
carter: carretero.
ceremonies: feriar.
ceremony: ceremonia.
changeable: cambiable.
childish: aniñado, pueril, infantil.
disguise: disfraz, disfrazar.
fun: diversión, divertido, placer,
divertimento.
hard-working: trabajador.
immersion: inmersión.
intrude: meterse, molestar,
entremeterse, entrometerse, estorbar,
imponer en, imponga, incursionar,
intervenir, meter, encajarse.
occurred: ocurrido.
outlying: aislado, lejano, periférico,
remoto, exterior.
perform: hacer, hacemos, hago, hagan,
haga, hace, hacen, haz, hacéis, haced,
haces.
performed: hecho.
sorrow: tristeza, pena, dolor.
sprinkling: rociadura.
trials: juicios.
twins: gemelos.
52
The Importance of Being Earnest
CECILY. %
Uncle Jack! Oh, I am pleased to see you back. But what horrid clothes you
have got on! Do go and change them.
MISS PRISM.
Cecily!
CHASUBLE.
My child! my child! [CECILY goes towards JACK; he kisses her brow in a
melancholy manner.]
CECILY.
What is the matter, Uncle Jack? Do look happy! You look as if you had
toothache, and I have got such a surprise for you. Who do you think is in the
dining-room? Your brother!
JACK.
Who?
CECILY.
Your brother Ernest. He arrived about half an hour ago.
JACK.
What nonsense! I haven't got a brother.
CECILY.
Oh, don't say that. However badly he may have behaved to you in the past
he is still your brother. You couldn't be so heartless as to disown him. I'll tell
him to come out. And you will shake hands with him, won't you, Uncle Jack?
[Runs back into the house.]
CHASUBLE.
These are very joyful tidings.
MISS PRISM.
After we had all been resigned to his loss, his sudden return seems to me
peculiarly distressing.
Spanish
arrived: llegado.
badly: mal, malamente.
behaved: se comportado, portado,
funcionado, conducido, educado,
Comportado, comportarse bien,
comportar.
brow: ceja, frente.
chasuble: casulla.
couldn't: no fue posible.
dining-room: comedor.
disown: repudiar, repudias, repudia,
repudiad, repudiáis, repudian,
repudie, repudien, repudio,
repudiamos.
distressing: penoso.
don't: no.
hands: las manos.
haven't: no tener.
heartless: sin corazón.
horrid: hórrido.
joyful: alegre.
melancholy: melancolía, melancólico.
peculiarly: raramente, peculiarmente,
particularmente, de una manera
extraña.
resigned: dimitido, resignado.
return: volver, devolver, regresar,
retorno, devolución, rendimiento,
vuelta.
shake: sacudir, sacuda, sacudimos,
sacudís, sacudid, sacudes, sacuden,
sacude, sacudan, sacudo, sacudida.
sudden: repentino, brusco, súbito.
tidings: noticias.
toothache: dolor de muelas.
Oscar Wilde
53
JACK. %
My brother is in the dining-room? I don't know what it all means. I think it is
perfectly absurd.
[Enter ALGERNON and CECILY hand in hand. They come slowly up to
JACK.]
JACK.
Good heavens! [Motions ALGERNON away.]
ALGERNON.
Brother John, I have come down from town to tell you that I am very sorry
for all the trouble I have given you, and that I intend to lead a better life in
the future. [JACK glares at him and does not take his hand.]
CECILY.
Uncle Jack, you are not going to refuse your own brother's hand?
JACK.
Nothing will induce me to take his hand. I think his coming down here
disgraceful. He knows perfectly well why.
CECILY.
Uncle Jack, do be nice. There is some good in every one. Ernest has just been
telling me about his poor invalid friend Mr. Bunbury whom he goes to visit
so often. And surely there must be much good in one who is kind to an
invalid, and leaves the pleasures of London to sit by a bed of pain.
JACK.
Oh! he has been talking about Bunbury, has he?
CECILY.
Yes, he has told me all about poor Mr. Bunbury, and his terrible state of
health.
JACK.
Bunbury! Well, I won't have him talk to you about Bunbury or about
anything else. It is enough to drive one perfectly frantic.
Spanish
absurd: absurdo.
dining-room: comedor.
disgraceful: vergonzoso, deshonroso.
don't: no.
drive: conducir, conducen, conduzcan,
conduzco, conducís, conducimos,
conduzca, conduces, conduce,
conducid, propulsión.
frantic: frenético.
future: futuro, porvenir, próximo,
entrante, el futuro.
glares: deslumbra.
heavens: cielo, cielos.
induce: inducir, induzca, inducís,
induzcan, inducimos, inducid,
induces, inducen, induce, induzco,
provocar.
intend: querer decir, tener el
propósito.
invalid: inválido, no válido, nulo.
knows: sabe, conoce.
motions: movimientos.
pain: dolor, el dolor, pena,
sufrimiento.
refuse: rehusar, rechazar, denegar,
desecho, desechos, detrito, negar.
telling: contando, relatando,
narración.
trouble: molestar, prueba,
inconveniente, incomodar, molestia,
perturbación, problema, dificultad,
avería, esfuerzo.
visit: visitar, visita, visitad, visiten,
visitan, visitas, visito, visitamos,
visitáis, visite.
54
The Importance of Being Earnest
ALGERNON.
Of course I admit that the faults were all on my side. But I must say that I
think that Brother John's coldness to me is peculiarly painful. I expected a
more enthusiastic welcome, especially considering it is the first time I have
come here.%
CECILY.
Uncle Jack, if you don't shake hands with Ernest I will never forgive you.
JACK.
Never forgive me?
CECILY.
Never, never, never!
JACK.
Well, this is the last time I shall ever do it. [Shakes with ALGERNON and
glares.]
CHASUBLE.
It's pleasant, is it not, to see so perfect a reconciliation? I think we might
leave the two brothers together.
MISS PRISM.
Cecily, you will come with us.
CECILY.
Certainly, Miss Prism. My little task of reconciliation is over.
CHASUBLE.
You have done a beautiful action to-day, dear child.
MISS PRISM.
We must not be premature in our judgments.
CECILY.
I feel very happy. [They all go off except JACK and ALGERNON.]
Spanish
admit: confesar, confesad, confesáis,
confieso, confiesen, confiese,
confiesas, confiesan, confiesa,
confesamos, admitir.
beautiful: bonito, hermoso, bello,
precioso.
chasuble: casulla.
coldness: frialdad.
considering: considerando.
don't: no.
enthusiastic: entusiasmado,
entusiasta.
faults: desperfecto, fallas.
forgive: perdonar, perdona, perdonad,
perdono, perdonen, perdonas,
perdonan, perdonamos, perdonáis,
perdone.
painful: doloroso, penoso.
peculiarly: raramente, peculiarmente,
particularmente, de una manera
extraña.
pleasant: agradable, simpático,
placentero, grato.
premature: prematuro.
reconciliation: conciliación,
reconciliación.
shake: sacudir, sacuda, sacudimos,
sacudís, sacudid, sacudes, sacuden,
sacude, sacudan, sacudo, sacudida.
shakes: sacude.
to-day: hoy.
welcome: dar la bienvenida,
bienvenida, bienvenido, acoger,
grato, agradable, acogida, acogen,
acojan, acojo, acoges.
Oscar Wilde
55
JACK.
You young scoundrel, Algy, you must get out of this place as soon as
possible. I don't allow any Bunburying here.
[Enter MERRIMAN.]
MERRIMAN.
I have put Mr. Ernest's things in the room next to yours, sir. I suppose that is
all right?
JACK.
What?
MERRIMAN.
Mr. Ernest's luggage, sir. I have unpacked it and put it in the room next to
your own.%
JACK.
His luggage?
MERRIMAN.
Yes, sir. Three portmanteaus, a dressing-case, two hat- boxes, and a large
luncheon-basket.
ALGERNON.
I am afraid I can't stay more than a week this time.
JACK.
Merriman, order the dog-cart at once. Mr. Ernest has been suddenly called
back to town.
MERRIMAN.
Yes, sir. [Goes back into the house.]
ALGERNON.
What a fearful liar you are, Jack. I have not been called back to town at all.
JACK.
Yes, you have.
Spanish
afraid: miedoso, temeroso, asustado,
medroso, miedo, encogido,
angustioso, tímido, be - tener miedo.
allow: permitir, permitan, permitid,
permiten, permites, permitimos,
permite, permito, permitís, permita,
dejar.
boxes: las cajas.
can't: no puede.
don't: no.
enter: entrar, entro, entra, entrad,
entráis, entramos, entran, entras,
entren, entre, inscribir.
fearful: temeroso, medroso,
angustioso.
hat: sombrero, el sombrero.
jack: gato, jota, sota, para conectar
algún aparto electrotécnico, clavija,
para sujetar el coche cuando se
cambia una rueda.
liar: mentiroso, embustero, el
mentiroso.
luggage: equipaje, equipajes.
scoundrel: bribón, sinvergüenza,
canalla.
soon: pronto, luego.
stay: quedarse, quedar, queden,
quede, quedas, quedan, quedamos,
quedáis, quedad, queda, quedo.
suppose: suponer, suponéis, supongo,
supon, suponed, suponemos,
suponen, supones, supongan,
supone, suponga.
unpacked: desembalado,
desempaquetado.
yours: vuestro, suyo, el tuyo.
56
The Importance of Being Earnest
ALGERNON.
I haven't heard any one call me.
JACK.
Your duty as a gentleman calls you back.
ALGERNON.
My duty as a gentleman has never interfered with my pleasures in the
smallest degree.%
JACK.
I can quite understand that.
ALGERNON.
Well, Cecily is a darling.
JACK.
You are not to talk of Miss Cardew like that. I don't like it.
ALGERNON.
Well, I don't like your clothes. You look perfectly ridiculous in them. Why
on earth don't you go up and change? It is perfectly childish to be in deep
mourning for a man who is actually staying for a whole week with you in
your house as a guest. I call it grotesque.
JACK.
You are certainly not staying with me for a whole week as a guest or
anything else. You have got to leave... by the four- five train.
ALGERNON.
I certainly won't leave you so long as you are in mourning. It would be most
unfriendly. If I were in mourning you would stay with me, I suppose. I
should think it very unkind if you didn't.
JACK.
Well, will you go if I change my clothes?
Spanish
calls: llama, llamadas.
childish: aniñado, pueril, infantil.
clothes: ropa, viste, la ropa, ropaje.
darling: querido, amado.
deep: profundo, hondo.
don't: no.
gentleman: caballero, señor,
gentilhombre.
grotesque: grotesco.
guest: huésped, invitado, visita.
haven't: no tener.
heard: oído.
interfered: intervenido, interpuesto,
obstruido, perturbado, introducido,
entrometido, injerido, entremetido,
inmiscuido, interferido.
jack: gato, jota, sota, para conectar
algún aparto electrotécnico, clavija,
para sujetar el coche cuando se
cambia una rueda.
leave: salir, sal, sale, salís, salimos,
salgo, salgan, salga, sales, salen,
saled.
mourning: luto, deplorando, duelo.
perfectly: perfectamente.
ridiculous: ridículo.
smallest: menor.
staying: quedando, permaneciendo.
train: tren, adiestrar, el tren, entrenar,
entrenarse, ferrocarril, ejercitar.
understand: entender, entiendes,
entienda, entiendan, entendemos,
entendéis, entended, entienden,
entiendo, entiende, comprender.
unfriendly: poco amistoso, hostil.
unkind: brusco, bronco.
Oscar Wilde
57
ALGERNON.
Yes, if you are not too long. I never saw anybody take so long to dress, and
with such little result.
JACK.
Well, at any rate, that is better than being always over- dressed as you are.
ALGERNON.
If I am occasionally a little over-dressed, I make up for it by being always
immensely over-educated.%
JACK.
Your vanity is ridiculous, your conduct an outrage, and your presence in my
garden utterly absurd. However, you have got to catch the four-five, and I
hope you will have a pleasant journey back to town. This Bunburying, as
you call it, has not been a great success for you.
[Goes into the house.]
ALGERNON.
I think it has been a great success. I'm in love with Cecily, and that is
everything.
[Enter CECILY at the back of the garden. She picks up the can and begins to
water the flowers.] But I must see her before I go, and make arrangements for
another Bunbury. Ah, there she is.
CECILY.
Oh, I merely came back to water the roses. I thought you were with Uncle
Jack.
ALGERNON.
He's gone to order the dog-cart for me.
CECILY.
Oh, is he going to take you for a nice drive?
ALGERNON.
He's going to send me away.
Spanish
absurd: absurdo.
ah: ay.
anybody: alguien, alguno, cierto,
cualquiera.
arrangements: acuerdos.
begins: empieza, principia.
catch: coger, cogéis, cojan, coged,
cogemos, cogen, coges, coja, coge,
cojo, asir.
conduct: conducir, guiar, dirigir,
conducta, comportamiento.
dress: vestido, vestir, vendar, vestirse,
el vestido, ponerse, revestir.
dressed: vestido, con guarnición de.
enter: entrar, entro, entra, entrad,
entráis, entramos, entran, entras,
entren, entre, inscribir.
everything: todo.
gone: ido, marchado.
i'm: soy.
immensely: inmensamente.
journey: viaje, viajar.
occasionally: de vez en cuando, a
veces, ocasionalmente.
outrage: ultraje.
picks: pica.
pleasant: agradable, simpático,
placentero, grato.
presence: presencia.
rate: tasa, fila, estimar, tipo, velocidad,
tarifa, cadencia, valorar, proporción,
ritmo, arancel.
ridiculous: ridículo.
success: éxito, acierto, desarrollo.
utterly: absolutamente.
vanity: vanidad.
58
The Importance of Being Earnest
CECILY.
Then have we got to part?
ALGERNON.
I am afraid so. It's a very painful parting.
CECILY.
It is always painful to part from people whom one has known for a very brief
space of time. The absence of old friends one can endure with equanimity.
But even a momentary separation from anyone to whom one has just been
introduced is almost unbearable.%
ALGERNON.
Thank you.
[Enter MERRIMAN.]
MERRIMAN.
The dog-cart is at the door, sir. [ALGERNON looks appealingly at CECILY.]
CECILY.
It can wait, Merriman for... five minutes.
MERRIMAN.
Yes, Miss. [Exit MERRIMAN.]
ALGERNON.
I hope, Cecily, I shall not offend you if I state quite frankly and openly that
you seem to me to be in every way the visible personification of absolute
perfection.
CECILY.
I think your frankness does you great credit, Ernest. If you will allow me, I
will copy your remarks into my diary. [Goes over to table and begins writing
in diary.]
ALGERNON.
Do you really keep a diary? I'd give anything to look at it. May I?
Spanish
absolute: absoluto, completo, cabal.
appealingly: apelar, atrayentemente,
suplicantemente.
begins: empieza, principia.
brief: breve, corto, informe, conciso.
copy: copiar, copia, traslado, trasladar,
la copia.
credit: crédito, haber, acreditar.
diary: diario, agenda.
endure: durar, duráis, duro, duren,
dure, duras, duran, duramos, dura,
durad, tolerar.
enter: entrar, entro, entra, entrad,
entráis, entramos, entran, entras,
entren, entre, inscribir.
equanimity: equidad, ecuanimidad.
exit: salida, salir, la salida.
frankly: francamente.
frankness: franqueza.
i'd: Hago.
momentary: momentáneo.
offend: ofender, ofendo, ofendan,
ofende, ofended, ofendéis,
ofendemos, ofenden, ofendes,
ofenda, injuriar.
openly: abiertamente, públicamente.
painful: doloroso, penoso.
parting: separación.
perfection: perfección.
personification: personificación.
remarks: observaciones.
separation: separación, retiro,
aislamiento.
space: espacio, el espacio, espaciar.
visible: visible.
Oscar Wilde
59
CECILY.
Oh no. [Puts her hand over it.] You see, it is simply a very young girl's record
of her own thoughts and impressions, and consequently meant for
publication. When it appears in volume form I hope you will order a copy.
But pray, Ernest, don't stop. I delight in taking down from dictation. I have
reached 'absolute perfection'. You can go on. I am quite ready for more.
ALGERNON.
[Somewhat taken aback.] Ahem! Ahem!
CECILY.
Oh, don't cough, Ernest. When one is dictating one should speak fluently
and not cough. Besides, I don't know how to spell a cough. [Writes as
ALGERNON speaks.]
ALGERNON.
[Speaking very rapidly.] Cecily, ever since I first looked upon your wonderful
and incomparable beauty, I have dared to love you wildly, passionately,
devotedly, hopelessly.%
CECILY.
I don't think that you should tell me that you love me wildly, passionately,
devotedly, hopelessly. Hopelessly doesn't seem to make much sense, does it?
ALGERNON.
Cecily!
[Enter MERRIMAN.]
MERRIMAN.
The dog-cart is waiting, sir.
ALGERNON.
Tell it to come round next week, at the same hour.
MERRIMAN.
[Looks at CECILY, who makes no sign.] Yes, sir.
[MERRIMAN retires.]
Spanish
ahem: ejém, ejem.
appears: aparece, comparece.
consequently: por consiguiente.
cough: toser, tos, la tos.
dared: atrevido, aventurado, se
atrevido, se arriesgado, osado,
desafiado.
delight: deleitar, delicia, encantar.
devotedly: fielmente,
consagradamente, adictamente, con
devoción, dedicadamente,
devotamente, fervientemente.
dictating: dictando.
dictation: dictado.
don't: no.
fluently: elocuentemente, con fluidez,
fluídamente, fluidamente.
hopelessly: desesperadamente.
incomparable: incomparable.
meant: pret de mean.
passionately: apasionadamente.
pray: rezar, rezáis, rezas, rezamos,
rezad, reza, recen, rece, rezan, rezo,
rogar.
publication: publicación.
spell: deletrear, el hechizo, el encanto.
stop: parar, paran, paras, paren,
paráis, parad, paramos, pare, para,
paro, parada.
thoughts: pensamientos.
volume: volumen, tomo.
waiting: esperando, espera,
aguardando, servicio.
wildly: ferozmente.
60
The Importance of Being Earnest
CECILY.
Uncle Jack would be very much annoyed if he knew you were staying on till
next week, at the same hour.
ALGERNON.
Oh, I don't care about Jack. I don't care for anybody in the whole world but
you. I love you, Cecily. You will marry me, won't you?
CECILY.
You silly boy! Of course. Why, we have been engaged for the last three
months.%
ALGERNON.
For the last three months?
CECILY.
Yes, it will be exactly three months on Thursday.
ALGERNON.
But how did we become engaged?
CECILY.
Well, ever since dear Uncle Jack first confessed to us that he had a younger
brother who was very wicked and bad, you of course have formed the chief
topic of conversation between myself and Miss Prism. And of course a man
who is much talked about is always very attractive. One feels there must be
something in him, after all. I daresay it was foolish of me, but I fell in love
with you, Ernest.
ALGERNON.
Darling! And when was the engagement actually settled?
CECILY.
On the 14th of February last. Worn out by your entire ignorance of my
existence, I determined to end the matter one way or the other, and after a
long struggle with myself I accepted you under this dear old tree here. The
next day I bought this little ring in your name, and this is the little bangle
with the true lover's knot I promised you always to wear.
Spanish
accepted: aceptado, admitido.
annoyed: fastidiado, molestado,
enojado, enfadado.
bangle: brazalete, ajorca, brazalete
tubular, esclava, pulsera ancha.
bought: comprado.
chief: jefe, principal, caudillo, dueño,
capitán, comandante, arzo, patrón,
archi, amo, caporal.
confessed: confesado, reconocido.
conversation: conversación.
daresay: dicho atrevido.
don't: no.
engagement: obligación, compromiso,
contrato, contratación.
entire: entero, todo, completo, cabal,
total.
existence: existencia.
feels: siente, palpa.
fell: talar, derribar.
foolish: zote, tonto, necio, bobo.
formed: formó, formado.
ignorance: ignorancia.
knot: nudo, correlimos gordo, lazo.
matter: materia, asunto, particular,
caso, importar.
settled: despachado.
struggle: batalla, forcejeo, lucha,
contienda.
talked: Hablado, charlado.
topic: tema, asunto.
tree: árbol.
wear: llevar, desgaste, usar, tener
puesto, vestir, uso, llevar puesto.
wicked: malo, malvado.
worn: gastado, usado.
Oscar Wilde
61
ALGERNON.
Did I give you this? It's very pretty, isn't it?
CECILY.
Yes, you've wonderfully good taste, Ernest. It's the excuse I've always given
for your leading such a bad life. And this is the box in which I keep all your
dear letters. [Kneels at table, opens box, and produces letters tied up with
blue ribbon.]
ALGERNON.
My letters! But, my own sweet Cecily, I have never written you any letters.%
CECILY.
You need hardly remind me of that, Ernest. I remember only too well that I
was forced to write your letters for you. I wrote always three times a week,
and sometimes oftener.
ALGERNON.
Oh, do let me read them, Cecily?
CECILY.
Oh, I couldn't possibly. They would make you far too conceited. [Replaces
box.] The three you wrote me after I had broken of the engagement are so
beautiful, and so badly spelled, that even now I can hardly read them
without crying a little.
ALGERNON.
But was our engagement ever broken off?
CECILY.
Of course it was. On the 22nd of last March. You can see the entry if you like.
[Shows diary.] 'To-day I broke off my engagement with Ernest. I feel it is
better to do so. The weather still continues charming.'
ALGERNON.
But why on earth did you break it of? What had I done? I had done nothing
at all. Cecily, I am very much hurt indeed to hear you broke it off.
Particularly when the weather was so charming.
Spanish
box: caja, estuche, arca, casilla, boxear,
la caja, jarro, recuadro, olla, palco,
cajetín.
break: romper, descanso, interrupción,
rotura, quebrar, corte, pausa,
adiestrar, fractura, interrumpir.
broke: bollado, rotura, rompió,
romper, pret de break, interrupción,
fracturar, sin blanca, comienzo,
pelado, descanso.
broken: roto, estropeado,
entrecortado, quebrado.
conceited: presumido, hueco.
continues: continúa, dura.
couldn't: no fue posible.
crying: llorando.
entry: entrada, asiento, ingreso,
partida, inscripción, acceso.
excuse: excusa, excusar, disculpa,
disculpar.
forced: forzado.
hurt: doler, herir, dañar, herida,
lastimar.
kneels: arrodilla.
remind: recordar, recuerdo, recuerde,
recuerdas, recuerdan, recuerda,
recordamos, recordáis, recordad,
recuerden.
replaces: sustituye, reemplaza.
shows: muestra.
spelled: deletreado.
tied: atado.
write: escribir, escriba, escriban,
escribo, escribís, escribimos, escribid,
escribes, escribe, escriben.
written: escrito.
62
The Importance of Being Earnest
CECILY.
It would hardly have been a really serious engagement if it hadn't been
broken off at least once. But I forgave you before the week was out.
ALGERNON.
[Crossing to her, and kneeling.] What a perfect angel you are, Cecily.
CECILY.
You dear romantic boy. [He kisses her, she puts her fingers through his
hair.] I hope your hair curls naturally, does it?
ALGERNON.
Yes, darling, with a little help from others.%
CECILY.
I am so glad.
ALGERNON.
You'll never break of our engagement again, Cecily?
CECILY.
I don't think I could break it off now that I have actually met you. Besides, of
course, there is the question of your name.
ALGERNON.
Yes, of course. [Nervously.]
CECILY.
You must not laugh at me, darling, but it had always been a girlish dream of
mine to love some one whose name was Ernest. [ALGERNON rises, CECILY
also.] There is something in that name that seems to inspire absolute
confidence. I pity any poor married woman whose husband is not called
Ernest.
ALGERNON.
But, my dear child, do you mean to say you could not love me if I had some
other name?
Spanish
absolute: absoluto, completo, cabal.
angel: ángel.
besides: además, demás, además de,
amén de.
broken: roto, estropeado,
entrecortado, quebrado.
curls: rizos.
darling: querido, amado.
dear: caro, querido, estimado.
don't: no.
dream: soñar, sueño, ensueño.
engagement: obligación, compromiso,
contrato, contratación.
fingers: los dedos.
forgave: perdonó, pret de forgive.
girlish: juvenil, de chica, de moza, de
muchacha, de niña.
glad: alegre, contento.
hadn't: no ha.
hair: pelo, cabello, el pelo, vello.
husband: marido, esposo, el esposo.
inspire: inspirar, animar, inspiráis,
inspiro, inspiren, inspire, inspiras,
inspiramos, inspirad, inspira,
inspiran.
kisses: besos.
laugh: reír, reírse, risa, carcajada.
least: menos, mínimo, menor.
mine: mina, mío, minar.
naturally: naturalmente.
perfect: perfecto, perfeccionar.
pity: dolerse por, piedad, compadecer
a, lástima, compasión.
puts: pone, mete, coloca.
romantic: romántico.
whose: cuyo, cuya.
Oscar Wilde
63
CECILY.
But what name?
ALGERNON.
Oh, any name you like - Algernon - for instance...
CECILY.
But I don't like the name of Algernon.
ALGERNON.
Well, my own dear, sweet, loving little darling, I really can't see why you
should object to the name of Algernon. It is not at all a bad name. In fact, it is
rather an aristocratic name. Half of the chaps who get into the Bankruptcy
Court are called Algernon. But seriously, Cecily... [Moving to her]... if my
name was Algy, couldn't you love me?
CECILY.
[Rising.] I might respect you, Ernest, I might admire your character, but I fear
that I should not be able to give you my undivided attention.%
ALGERNON.
Ahem! Cecily! [Picking up hat.] Your Rector here is, I suppose, thoroughly
experienced in the practice of all the rites and ceremonials of the Church?
CECILY.
Oh, yes. Dr. Chasuble is a most learned man. He has never written a single
book, so you can imagine how much he knows.
ALGERNON.
I must see him at once on a most important christening - I mean on most
important business.
CECILY.
Oh!
ALGERNON.
I shan't be away more than half an hour.
Spanish
admire: admirar, admiran, admiro,
admiren, admiras, admiramos,
admiráis, admirad, admira, admire.
aristocratic: aristocrático.
can't: no puede.
ceremonials: ceremonial.
chaps: rajar, resquebrajar, quijada,
muchacho, grieta, carrillo, agrietar,
zajones.
chasuble: casulla.
christening: bautizando, bautizo,
bautismo.
couldn't: no fue posible.
darling: querido, amado.
dear: caro, querido, estimado.
don't: no.
experienced: experimentado, experto,
hábil.
imagine: figurarse, imaginar,
imaginad, imaginen, imagine,
imaginas, imaginan, imagino,
imaginamos, imagináis, imagina.
learned: aprendido, estudiado, docto,
erudito, sabio.
loving: cariñoso, amoroso.
moving: conmovedor.
object: objeto, el objeto, objetar.
picking: picando.
respect: respetar, respeto, estima,
estimación.
seriously: seriamente, gravemente.
single: soltero, solo, único, simple,
individual.
sweet: dulce, caramelo, postre.
thoroughly: completamente.
undivided: indiviso.
64
The Importance of Being Earnest
CECILY.
Considering that we have been engaged since February the 14th, and that I
only met you to-day for the first time, I think it is rather hard that you should
leave me for so long a period as half an hour. Couldn't you make it twenty
minutes?
ALGERNON.
I'll be back in no time.
[Kisses her and rushes down the garden.]
CECILY.
What an impetuous boy he is! I like his hair so much. I must enter his
proposal in my diary.%
[Enter MERRIMAN.]
MERRIMAN.
A Miss Fairfax has just called to see Mr. Worthing. On very important
business, Miss Fairfax states.
CECILY.
Isn't Mr. Worthing in his library?
MERRIMAN.
Mr. Worthing went over in the direction of the Rectory some time ago.
CECILY.
Pray ask the lady to come out here; Mr. Worthing is sure to be back soon.
And you can bring tea.
MERRIMAN.
Yes, Miss. [Goes out.]
CECILY.
Miss Fairfax! I suppose one of the many good elderly women who are
associated with Uncle Jack in some of his philanthropic work in London. I
don't quite like women who are interested in philanthropic work. I think it is
so forward of them.
Spanish
associated: asociado.
bring: traer, traigan, trae, traed, traéis,
traemos, traen, traigo, traes, traiga,
llevar.
couldn't: no fue posible.
direction: dirección, rumbo.
don't: no.
elderly: mayor, anciano.
engaged: ocupado, comprometido,
engranado, prometido.
enter: entrar, entro, entra, entrad,
entráis, entramos, entran, entras,
entren, entre, inscribir.
forward: adelante, delantero, reenviar,
hacia delante, enviar, remitir, hacia
adelante.
impetuous: impetuoso.
interested: interesado.
kisses: besos.
lady: dama, señora.
library: biblioteca, la biblioteca.
minutes: acta, minutos, multa, proceso
verbal.
philanthropic: filantrópico.
proposal: propuesta, proposición,
oferta, pretensión, ofrecimiento.
rushes: copiones.
states: estados.
suppose: suponer, suponéis, supongo,
supon, suponed, suponemos,
suponen, supones, supongan,
supone, suponga.
tea: té, te.
to-day: hoy.
Oscar Wilde
65
[Enter MERRIMAN.]
MERRIMAN.
Miss Fairfax.
[Enter GWENDOLEN.]
[Exit MERRIMAN.]
CECILY.
[Advancing to meet her.] Pray let me introduce myself to you. My name is
Cecily Cardew.
GWENDOLEN.
Cecily Cardew? [Moving to her and shaking hands.] What a very sweet
name! Something tells me that we are going to be great friends. I like you
already more than I can say. My first impressions of people are never
wrong.%
CECILY.
How nice of you to like me so much after we have known each other such a
comparatively short time. Pray sit down.
GWENDOLEN.
[Still standing up.] I may call you Cecily, may I not?
CECILY.
With pleasure!
GWENDOLEN.
And you will always call me Gwendolen, won't you?
CECILY.
If you wish.
GWENDOLEN.
Then that is all quite settled, is it not?
CECILY.
I hope so. [A pause. They both sit down together.]
Spanish
comparatively: comparativamente,
relativamente.
enter: entrar, entro, entra, entrad,
entráis, entramos, entran, entras,
entren, entre, inscribir.
friends: amigos, los amigos.
introduce: presentar, presente,
presento, presenta, presentad,
presentáis, presentamos, presentan,
presenten, presentas, introducir.
meet: encontrar, encontrad, encuentro,
encuentren, encuentre, encuentras,
encuentran, encontramos, encontráis,
encuentra, quedar.
moving: conmovedor.
myself: yo mismo.
nice: agradable, amable, bueno,
bonito, rico, simpático, lindo, Niza.
pause: descanso, pausa, pausar, hacer
una pausa, la pausa.
pleasure: placer, agrado, gusto,
complacencia, el gusto.
pray: rezar, rezáis, rezas, rezamos,
rezad, reza, recen, rece, rezan, rezo,
rogar.
settled: despachado.
shaking: sacudiendo, sacudida.
short: corto, bajo, breve.
sit: sentarse, estar sentado, sentar.
standing: permanente, posición.
sweet: dulce, caramelo, postre.
tells: cuenta, relata.
wish: desear, deseo, voluntad, querer,
tener, gana.
66
The Importance of Being Earnest
GWENDOLEN.
Perhaps this might be a favourable opportunity for my mentioning who I
am. My father is Lord Bracknell. You have never heard of papa, I suppose?
CECILY.
I don't think so.
GWENDOLEN.
Outside the family circle, papa, I am glad to say, is entirely unknown. I think
that is quite as it should be. The home seems to me to be the proper sphere
for the man. And certainly once a man begins to neglect his domestic duties
he becomes painfully effeminate, does he not? And I don't like that. It
makes men so very attractive. Cecily, mamma, whose views on education are
remarkably strict, has brought me up to be extremely short-sighted; it is part
of her system; so do you mind my looking at you through my glasses?
CECILY.
Oh! not at all, Gwendolen. I am very fond of being looked at.%
GWENDOLEN.
[After examining CECILY carefully through a lorgnette.] You are here on a
short visit, I suppose.
CECILY.
Oh no! I live here.
GWENDOLEN.
[Severely.] Really? Your mother, no doubt, or some female relative of
advanced years, resides here also?
CECILY.
Oh no! I have no mother, nor, in fact, any relations.
GWENDOLEN.
Indeed?
CECILY.
My dear guardian, with the assistance of Miss Prism, has the arduous task of
looking after me.
Spanish
advanced: avanzado, adelantado.
arduous: arduo, difícil.
assistance: ayuda, asistencia, socorro,
auxilio.
becomes: acontece.
begins: empieza, principia.
circle: círculo, rodear, cerco.
domestic: indígena, doméstico,
nacional.
don't: no.
effeminate: afeminado.
examining: examinando, registrando,
examinar.
favourable: favorable.
female: hembra, femenino.
fond: aficionado.
glad: alegre, contento.
glasses: gafas, lentes, anteojos.
guardian: guardián, tutor.
mamma: mama.
mentioning: mencionar.
neglect: descuidar, desatender.
painfully: dolorosamente.
papa: papá.
proper: conveniente, preciso, correcto,
apropiado, propio, debido.
relative: pariente, familiar, relativo,
deudo.
remarkably: notablemente.
resides: reside.
short-sighted: miope.
sphere: esfera, esfero.
strict: estricto, severo, riguroso,
áspero, inclemente.
task: tarea, quehacer, trabajo.
unknown: desconocido, incógnita.
Oscar Wilde
67
GWENDOLEN.
Your guardian?
CECILY.
Yes, I am Mr. Worthing's ward.
GWENDOLEN.
Oh! It is strange he never mentioned to me that he had a ward. How secretive
of him! He grows more interesting hourly. I am not sure, however, that the
news inspires me with feelings of unmixed delight. [Rising and going to
her.] I am very fond of you, Cecily; I have liked you ever since I met you! But
I am bound to state that now that I know that you are Mr. Worthing's ward, I
cannot help expressing a wish you were - well, just a little older than you
seem to be - and not quite so very alluring in appearance. In fact, if I may
speak candidly CECILY.
Pray do! I think that whenever one has anything unpleasant to say, one
should always be quite candid.%
GWENDOLEN.
Well, to speak with perfect candour, Cecily, I wish that you were fully fortytwo, and more than usually plain for your age. Ernest has a strong upright
nature. He is the very soul of truth and honour. Disloyalty would be as
impossible to him as deception. But even men of the noblest possible moral
character are extremely susceptible to the influence of the physical charms of
others. Modern, no less than Ancient History, supplies us with many most
painful examples of what I refer to. If it were not so, indeed, History would
be quite unreadable.
CECILY.
I beg your pardon, Gwendolen, did you say Ernest?
GWENDOLEN.
Yes.
Spanish
alluring: seductor, tentando.
appearance: aspecto, apariencia,
aparición, comparecencia, vista,
apersonamiento.
candidly: cándidamente.
candour: sinceridad, franqueza,
candor.
cannot: presente de no poder.
charms: amuletos.
deception: engaño.
disloyalty: deslealtad.
examples: ejemplo.
expressing: expresando.
forty-two: cuarenta y dos.
grows: crece, aumenta.
honour: honor, homenaje.
hourly: cada hora, por hora.
impossible: imposible.
influence: influencia, influir en,
influir, influenciar.
inspires: inspira.
liked: apreciable, estimado, apreciado.
modern: moderno.
nature: naturaleza, índole, carácter.
news: noticias, noticia, nueva, las
noticias.
older: mayor.
physical: físico.
refer: remitir, referirse, referir.
secretive: callado, reservado.
soul: alma, espíritu, ánimo.
strong: fuerte, intenso, marcado.
supplies: suministros.
unmixed: puro.
unreadable: ilegible.
upright: vertical, montante, derecho.
68
The Importance of Being Earnest
CECILY. %
Oh, but it is not Mr. Ernest Worthing who is my guardian. It is his brother his elder brother.
GWENDOLEN.
[Sitting down again.] Ernest never mentioned to me that he had a brother.
CECILY.
I am sorry to say they have not been on good terms for a long time.
GWENDOLEN.
Ah! that accounts for it. And now that I think of it I have never heard any
man mention his brother. The subject seems distasteful to most men. Cecily,
you have lifted a load from my mind. I was growing almost anxious. It
would have been terrible if any cloud had come across a friendship like ours,
would it not? Of course you are quite, quite sure that it is not Mr. Ernest
Worthing who is your guardian?
CECILY.
Quite sure. [A pause.] In fact, I am going to be his.
GWENDOLEN.
[Inquiringly.] I beg your pardon?
CECILY.
[Rather shy and confidingly.] Dearest Gwendolen, there is no reason why I
should make a secret of it to you. Our little county newspaper is sure to
chronicle the fact next week. Mr. Ernest Worthing and I are engaged to be
married.
GWENDOLEN.
[Quite politely, rising.] My darling Cecily, I think there must be some slight
error. Mr. Ernest Worthing is engaged to me. The announcement will appear
in the MORNING POST on Saturday at the latest.
CECILY.
[Very politely, rising.] I am afraid you must be under some misconception.
Ernest proposed to me exactly ten minutes ago. [Shows diary.]
Spanish
announcement: anuncio, publicación,
aviso, noticias, noticia, prospecto.
appear: aparecer, aparece, aparezco,
aparezcan, apareces, aparecen,
aparecemos, aparecéis, apareced,
aparezca, parecer.
beg: mendigar, mendigas, mendiguen,
mendigan, mendigáis, mendiga,
mendigad, mendigamos, mendigo,
mendigue, pedir limosna.
chronicle: crónica.
cloud: nube, la nube, nublar.
darling: querido, amado.
distasteful: desagradable.
elder: mayor, anciano, saúco.
engaged: ocupado, comprometido,
engranado, prometido.
error: equivocación, error, yerro.
friendship: amistad.
growing: creciendo, aumentando,
creciente, crecimiento.
latest: último.
lifted: levantado.
load: carga, cargar, la carga, cargo.
misconception: concepto erróneo.
newspaper: periódico, diario, gaceta.
ours: nuestro.
pardon: perdón, perdonar, indulto,
indultar.
politely: comedidamente,
cortésmente, educadamente,
refinadamente.
shy: tímido, vergonzoso.
terms: condiciones, condición.
Oscar Wilde
69
GWENDOLEN.
[Examines diary through her lorgnettte carefully.] It is certainly very curious,
for he asked me to be his wife yesterday afternoon at 5.30. If you would care
to verify the incident, pray do so. [Produces diary of her own.] I never travel
without my diary. One should always have something sensational to read in
the train. I am so sorry, dear Cecily, if it is any disappointment to you, but I
am afraid I have the prior claim.
CECILY.
It would distress me more than I can tell you, dear Gwendolen, if it caused
you any mental or physical anguish, but I feel bound to point out that since
Ernest proposed to you he clearly has changed his mind.%
GWENDOLEN.
[Meditatively.] If the poor fellow has been entrapped into any foolish
promise I shall consider it my duty to rescue him at once, and with a firm
hand.
CECILY.
[Thoughtfully and sadly.] Whatever unfortunate entanglement my dear boy
may have got into, I will never reproach him with it after we are married.
GWENDOLEN.
Do you allude to me, Miss Cardew, as an entanglement? You are
presumptuous. On an occasion of this kind it becomes more than a moral
duty to speak one's mind. It becomes a pleasure.
CECILY.
Do you suggest, Miss Fairfax, that I entrapped Ernest into an engagement?
How dare you? This is no time for wearing the shallow mask of manners.
When I see a spade I call it a spade.
GWENDOLEN.
[Satirically.] I am glad to say that I have never seen a spade. It is obvious that
our social spheres have been widely different.
Spanish
allude: aludir, aludid, aludes,
aludimos, aludo, alude, aludan,
aludís, aluden, aluda.
anguish: angustia, miedo, angustiar.
curious: curioso.
dare: atreverse, reto, cariño.
distress: afligir, indigencia, entristecer,
acongojar, dolor.
entanglement: greña, enredo,
enmarañamiento, embrollo,
alambradas de obstáculo, maraña.
entrapped: atrapado.
incident: incidente.
manners: modales, educación.
mask: máscara, careta, mascarilla,
enmascarar, antifaz.
presumptuous: presuntuoso.
prior: pasada, anterior, previo.
promise: prometer, prometéis,
prometemos, prometen, prometo,
promete, prometan, prometa,
prometes, prometed, promesa.
reproach: reproche, censurar,
reprender, reprobar, desaprobar,
reprochar.
rescue: salvar, rescate, rescatar,
socorro, salvamento.
spade: cavar, pala, laya.
spheres: esferos.
verify: controlar, comprobar, revisar,
controlamos, controla, controlo,
controlen, controle, controlan,
controláis, controlad.
wearing: llevando, llevar, llevar
puesto, usar, uso, desgastado,
usando.
70
The Importance of Being Earnest
[Enter MERRIMAN, followed by the footman. He carries a salver, table
cloth, and plate stand. CECILY is about to retort. The presence of the
servants exercises a restraining influence, under which both girls chafe.]
MERRIMAN.
Shall I lay tea here as usual, Miss?
CECILY.
[Sternly, in a calm voice.] Yes, as usual. [MERRIMAN begins to clear table
and lay cloth. A long pause. CECILY and GWENDOLEN glare at each other.]
GWENDOLEN.
Are there many interesting walks in the vicinity, Miss Cardew?
CECILY.
Oh! yes! a great many. From the top of one of the hills quite close one can see
five counties.%
GWENDOLEN.
Five counties! I don't think I should like that; I hate crowds.
CECILY.
[Sweetly.] I suppose that is why you live in town? [GWENDOLEN bites her
lip, and beats her foot nervously with her parasol.]
GWENDOLEN.
[Looking round.] Quite a well-kept garden this is, Miss Cardew.
CECILY.
So glad you like it, Miss Fairfax.
GWENDOLEN.
I had no idea there were any flowers in the country.
CECILY.
Oh, flowers are as common here, Miss Fairfax, as people are in London.
GWENDOLEN.
Personally I cannot understand how anybody manages to exist in the
Spanish
calm: tranquilo, calma, calmar, quieto,
silencio, sosegado, sosegar, aquietar,
sereno.
cannot: presente de no poder.
carries: Lleva, carga, transporta.
close: cerrar, cierras, cierra, cierren,
cerráis, cerrad, cerramos, cierro,
cierre, cierran, cerca.
cloth: tela, trapo, paño, la tela, mantel,
tejido.
common: común.
don't: no.
exercises: maniobras, ceremonias.
exist: existir, existimos, existid, existo,
existen, existe, existan, existes, existís,
exista.
followed: seguido.
foot: pie, pata, el pie, pujamen.
footman: lacayo.
glare: deslumbramiento, deslumbrar.
lay: poner, colocar, coloque,
colocamos, pongan, ponga, pones,
ponen, ponemos, ponéis, poned.
lip: labio, el labio.
manages: administra, maneja,
gestiona, dirige.
nervously: nerviosamente.
restraining: conteniendo, refrenando,
reprimiendo.
retort: replicar, retorta.
stand: estar de pie, puesto, levantarse,
granero, posición, cabina, soporte,
base, estante, caseta, pararse.
top: cima, superficie, parte superior,
superior, cumbre.
vicinity: vecindad.
Oscar Wilde
71
country, %if anybody who is anybody does. The country always bores me to
death.
CECILY.
Ah! This is what the newspapers call agricultural depression, is it not? I
believe the aristocracy are suffering very much from it just at present. It is
almost an epidemic amongst them, I have been told. May I offer you some
tea, Miss Fairfax?
GWENDOLEN.
[With elaborate politeness.] Thank you. [Aside.] Detestable girl! But I require
tea!
CECILY.
[Sweetly.] Sugar?
GWENDOLEN.
[Superciliously.] No, thank you. Sugar is not fashionable any more. [CECILY
looks angrily at her, takes up the tongs and puts four lumps of sugar into the
cup.]
CECILY.
[Severely.] Cake or bread and butter?
GWENDOLEN.
[In a bored manner.] Bread and butter, please. Cake is rarely seen at the best
houses nowadays.
CECILY.
[Cuts a very large slice of cake, and puts it on the tray.] Hand that to Miss
Fairfax.
[MERRIMAN does so, and goes out with footman. GWENDOLEN drinks the
tea and makes a grimace. Puts down cup at once, reaches out her hand to the
bread and butter, looks at it, and finds it is cake. Rises in indignation.]
GWENDOLEN.
You have filled my tea with lumps of sugar, and though I asked most
distinctly for bread and butter, you have given me cake. I am known for the
Spanish
agricultural: agrícola, agrario.
amongst: entre.
angrily: con enojo, enconadamente,
airadamente, enojadamente.
aristocracy: aristocracia.
bored: aburrido.
bores: taladra.
cake: pastel, queque, torta, tarta, el
pastel, bizcocho, endurecerse.
depression: crisis, depresión.
distinctly: distintamente.
drinks: bebidas.
elaborate: elaborar, detallado,
elaborado.
epidemic: epidemia, epidémico.
fashionable: de moda.
filled: llenar, completar, despachar,
terraplén, relleno, rellenar,
redondear, ocupar, lleno, atestado,
llenó.
finds: funda, funde.
footman: lacayo.
grimace: mueca, gesto.
houses: casas.
lumps: amontona.
nowadays: hoy día, ahora,
actualmente, hoy en día, al presente.
please: por favor, agradar, gustar,
complacer, haz el favor, contentar,
haz favor.
slice: rebanar, tajada, cortar, trozo,
rodaja, rebanada, filete, corte, loncha.
suffering: sufriendo, padeciendo,
sufrimiento.
sugar: azúcar, azucarar.
tongs: tenazas.
72
The Importance of Being Earnest
gentleness of my disposition, and the extraordinary sweetness of my nature,
but I warn you, Miss Cardew, you may go too far.
CECILY.
[Rising.] To save my poor, innocent, trusting boy from the machinations of
any other girl there are no lengths to which I would not go.
GWENDOLEN.
From the moment I saw you I distrusted you. I felt that you were false and
deceitful. I am never deceived in such matters. My first impressions of
people are invariably right.
CECILY.
It seems to me, Miss Fairfax, that I am trespassing on your valuable time. No
doubt you have many other calls of a similar character to make in the
neighbourhood.%
[Enter JACK.]
GWENDOLEN.
[Catching sight of him.] Ernest! My own Ernest!
JACK.
Gwendolen! Darling! [Offers to kiss her.]
GWENDOLEN.
[Draws back.] A moment! May I ask if you are engaged to be married to this
young lady? [Points to CECILY.]
JACK.
[Laughing.] To dear little Cecily! Of course not! What could have put such an
idea into your pretty little head?
GWENDOLEN.
Thank you. You may! [Offers her cheek.]
CECILY.
[Very sweetly.] I knew there must be some misunderstanding, Miss Fairfax.
Spanish
calls: llama, llamadas.
darling: querido, amado.
deceitful: engañoso, falaz.
deceived: engañado.
disposition: disposición, talento,
capacidad.
engaged: ocupado, comprometido,
engranado, prometido.
extraordinary: extraordinario.
false: falso.
gentleness: apacibilidad, suavidad.
innocent: inocente, inculpable, el
inocente.
invariably: invariablemente.
jack: gato, jota, sota, para conectar
algún aparto electrotécnico, clavija,
para sujetar el coche cuando se
cambia una rueda.
kiss: besar, beso, besarse.
misunderstanding: malentendido,
equivocación.
save: guardar, guarda, guardan,
guardáis, guardamos, guardas,
guarde, guardo, guardad, guarden,
salvar.
sight: vista, aspecto, mira, avistar.
similar: semejante, similar, parecido.
sweetness: dulzura.
trespassing: entrar ilegalmente, violar,
ofensa, entrada ilegal, violación.
trusting: confiar.
valuable: valioso, caro.
warn: avisar, aviso, avisa, avise,
avisas, avisan, avisamos, avisen,
avisad, avisáis, advertir.
Oscar Wilde
73
The gentleman whose arm is at present round your waist is my guardian,
Mr. John Worthing.
GWENDOLEN.
I beg your pardon?
CECILY.
This is Uncle Jack.
GWENDOLEN.
[Receding.] Jack! Oh!
[Enter ALGERNON.]
CECILY.
Here is Ernest.%
ALGERNON.
[Goes straight over to CECILY without noticing any one else.] My own love!
[Offers to kiss her.]
CECILY.
[Drawing back.] A moment, Ernest! May I ask you - are you engaged to be
married to this young lady?
ALGERNON.
[Looking round.] To what young lady? Good heavens! Gwendolen!
CECILY.
Yes! to good heavens, Gwendolen, I mean to Gwendolen.
ALGERNON.
[Laughing.] Of course not! What could have put such an idea into your pretty
little head?
CECILY.
Thank you. [Presenting her cheek to be kissed.] You may. [ALGERNON
kisses her.]
Spanish
arm: brazo, armar, el brazo, arma.
ask: preguntar, preguntáis, preguntad,
pregunto, pregunten, preguntas,
preguntan, preguntamos, pregunte,
pregunta, pedir.
beg: mendigar, mendigas, mendiguen,
mendigan, mendigáis, mendiga,
mendigad, mendigamos, mendigo,
mendigue, pedir limosna.
cheek: mejilla, la mejilla, carrillo.
engaged: ocupado, comprometido,
engranado, prometido.
enter: entrar, entro, entra, entrad,
entráis, entramos, entran, entras,
entren, entre, inscribir.
gentleman: caballero, señor,
gentilhombre.
guardian: guardián, tutor.
heavens: cielo, cielos.
kiss: besar, beso, besarse.
kisses: besos.
lady: dama, señora.
married: casado, casada, se casado,
conyugal.
noticing: notando.
pardon: perdón, perdonar, indulto,
indultar.
present: presente, actual, presentar,
regalo, contemporáneo, ofrecer,
reproducir, retratar.
presenting: presentar, presentación.
pretty: bonito, lindo, majo, amable,
guapo, bastante, guapa.
straight: derecho, recto, directamente,
recta.
waist: cintura, la cintura, talle.
74
The Importance of Being Earnest
GWENDOLEN. %
I felt there was some slight error, Miss Cardew. The gentleman who is now
embracing you is my cousin, Mr. Algernon Moncrieff.
CECILY.
[Breaking away from ALGERNON.] Algernon Moncrieff! Oh! [The two girls
move towards each other and put their arms round each other's waists
protection.]
CECILY.
Are you called Algernon?
ALGERNON.
I cannot deny it.
CECILY.
Oh!
GWENDOLEN.
Is your name really John?
JACK.
[Standing rather proudly.] I could deny it if I liked. I could deny anything if I
liked. But my name certainly is John. It has been John for years.
CECILY.
[To GWENDOLEN.] A gross deception has been practised on both of us.
GWENDOLEN.
My poor wounded Cecily!
CECILY.
My sweet wronged Gwendolen!
GWENDOLEN.
[Slowly and seriously.] You will call me sister, will you not? [They embrace.
JACK and ALGERNON groan and walk up and down.]
Spanish
arms: brazos, los brazos, armas.
cannot: presente de no poder.
cousin: primo, prima, el primo.
deception: engaño.
deny: negar, negad, niego, niegas,
niegan, negáis, negamos, nieguen,
niega, niegue, desmentir.
embrace: abrazar, abarcar.
embracing: abrazar, abrazarse, abrazo,
adoptar, abarcamiento.
error: equivocación, error, yerro.
gentleman: caballero, señor,
gentilhombre.
girls: las muchachas.
groan: gemir, gemido.
gross: bruto, asqueroso, grueso, doce
docenas.
jack: gato, jota, sota, para conectar
algún aparto electrotécnico, clavija,
para sujetar el coche cuando se
cambia una rueda.
liked: apreciable, estimado, apreciado.
other's: otro.
poor: pobre, malo, deplorable,
indigente, miserable.
practised: experto, hábil.
sister: hermana, la hermana, cuñada.
slight: leve, desaire.
sweet: dulce, caramelo, postre.
walk: andar, andamos, ando, anden,
ande, andas, andáis, andad, anda,
andan, caminar.
wounded: herido, herida.
wronged: explotado.
Oscar Wilde
75
CECILY.
[Rather brightly.] There is just one question I would like to be allowed to ask
my guardian.
GWENDOLEN.
An admirable idea! Mr. Worthing, there is just one question I would like to
be permitted to put to you. Where is your brother Ernest? We are both
engaged to be married to your brother Ernest, so it is a matter of some
importance to us to know where your brother Ernest is at present.
JACK.
[Slowly and hesitatingly.] Gwendolen - Cecily - it is very painful for me to be
forced to speak the truth. It is the first time in my life that I have ever been
reduced to such a painful position, and I am really quite inexperienced in
doing anything of the kind. However, I will tell you quite frankly that I have
no brother Ernest. I have no brother at all. I never had a brother in my life,
and I certainly have not the smallest intention of ever having one in the
future.%
CECILY.
[Surprised.] No brother at all?
JACK.
[Cheerily.] None!
GWENDOLEN.
[Severely.] Had you never a brother of any kind?
JACK.
[Pleasantly.] Never. Not even of an kind.
GWENDOLEN.
I am afraid it is quite clear, Cecily, that neither of us is engaged to be married
to any one.
CECILY.
It is not a very pleasant position for a young girl suddenly to find herself in.
Is it?
Spanish
admirable: admirable, estupendo.
afraid: miedoso, temeroso, asustado,
medroso, miedo, encogido,
angustioso, tímido, be - tener miedo.
allowed: permitido, dejado.
brother: hermano, el hermano,
cofrade.
engaged: ocupado, comprometido,
engranado, prometido.
forced: forzado.
frankly: francamente.
girl: muchacha, chica, niña, la
muchacha.
guardian: guardián, tutor.
importance: importancia.
inexperienced: inexperto.
intention: intención.
jack: gato, jota, sota, para conectar
algún aparto electrotécnico, clavija,
para sujetar el coche cuando se
cambia una rueda.
married: casado, casada, se casado,
conyugal.
neither: tampoco, ninguno, nadie, ni.
painful: doloroso, penoso.
permitted: lícito, permitido.
pleasant: agradable, simpático,
placentero, grato.
reduced: reducido, reducir, achicado.
smallest: menor.
speak: hablar, hablamos, hablo,
hablas, habláis, hablad, hablen, habla,
hablan, hable.
suddenly: de repente, de golpe,
repentinamente, de sopetón.
truth: verdad, veras, la verdad.
76
The Importance of Being Earnest
GWENDOLEN.
Let us go into the house. They will hardly venture to come after us there.
CECILY.
No, men are so cowardly, aren't they?
[They retire into the house with scornful looks.]
JACK.
This ghastly state of things is what you call Bunburying, I suppose?
ALGERNON.
Yes, and a perfectly wonderful Bunbury it is. The most wonderful Bunbury I
have ever had in my life.
JACK.
Well, you've no right whatsoever to Bunbury here.
ALGERNON.
That is absurd. One has a right to Bunbury anywhere one chooses. Every
serious Bunburyist knows that.%
JACK.
Serious Bunburyist! Good heavens!
ALGERNON.
Well, one must be serious about something, if one wants to have any
amusement in life. I happen to be serious about Bunburying. What on earth
you are serious about I haven't got the remotest idea. About everything, I
should fancy. You have such an absolutely trivial nature.
JACK.
Well, the only small satisfaction I have in the whole of this wretched
business is that your friend Bunbury is quite exploded. You won't be able to
run down to the country quite so often as you used to do, dear Algy. And a
very good thing too.
ALGERNON.
Your brother is a little off colour, isn't he, dear Jack? You won't be able to
Spanish
absolutely: absolutamente,
verdaderamente, en efecto, en
realidad, de veras.
absurd: absurdo.
amusement: diversión, divertimento,
entretenimiento, distracción.
anywhere: dondequiera, en cualquier
parte.
chooses: escoge, elige.
colour: color, colorear, coloración.
cowardly: cobarde.
dear: caro, querido, estimado.
exploded: estallado.
fancy: figurarse, de fantasía,
imaginación.
ghastly: horrible, horroroso, lúgubre.
haven't: no tener.
heavens: cielo, cielos.
jack: gato, jota, sota, para conectar
algún aparto electrotécnico, clavija,
para sujetar el coche cuando se
cambia una rueda.
knows: sabe, conoce.
perfectly: perfectamente.
retire: retirarse.
satisfaction: satisfacción.
scornful: desdeñoso, despreciativo.
trivial: trivial.
venture: arriesgar, ventura,
aventurarse, aventurar, empresa.
whatsoever: lo que, en absoluto, todo
lo que, cualquier cosa, cualquier.
wonderful: maravilloso.
wretched: miserable, menesteroso,
pobre, infeliz, necesitado,
desdichado.
Oscar Wilde
77
disappear to London quite so frequently as your wicked custom was. And
not a bad thing either.
JACK.
As for your conduct towards Miss Cardew, I must say that your taking in a
sweet, simple, innocent girl like that is quite inexcusable. To say nothing of
the fact that she is my ward.
ALGERNON.
I can see no possible defence at all for your deceiving a brilliant, clever,
thoroughly experienced young lady like Miss Fairfax. To say nothing of the
fact that she is my cousin.
JACK.
I wanted to be engaged to Gwendolen, that is all. I love her.
ALGERNON.
Well, I simply wanted to be engaged to Cecily. I adore her.%
JACK.
There is certainly no chance of your marrying Miss Cardew.
ALGERNON.
I don't think there is much likelihood, Jack, of you and Miss Fairfax being
united.
JACK.
Well, that is no business of yours.
ALGERNON.
If it was my business, I wouldn't talk about it. [Begins to eat muffins.] It is
very vulgar to talk about one's business. Only people like stock-brokers do
that, and then merely at dinner parties.
JACK.
How can you sit there, calmly eating muffins when we are in this horrible
trouble, I can't make out. You seem to me to be perfectly heartless.
Spanish
adore: adorar, adoran, adoren, adore,
adoro, adoras, adoramos, adoráis,
adora, adorad.
brilliant: brillante, magnífico, genial.
calmly: calmadamente, serenamente.
can't: no puede.
custom: costumbre, usanza.
deceiving: engañando.
defence: defensa, retaguardia.
disappear: desaparecer, desapareced,
desaparecéis, desaparecemos,
desaparecen, desapareces,
desaparezcan, desaparezco,
desaparece, desaparezca.
don't: no.
eat: comer, comemos, comes, coméis,
comed, coman, como, comen, coma,
Come.
engaged: ocupado, comprometido,
engranado, prometido.
frequently: a menudo,
frecuentemente.
heartless: sin corazón.
horrible: temeroso, abominable,
lúgubre, horroroso, horrible.
inexcusable: imperdonable.
likelihood: probabilidad.
marrying: casándose.
simple: sencillo, simple.
simply: simplemente, sencillamente.
united: reunido, unido.
vulgar: chabacano, cursi, grosero,
cutre, corriente, vulgo, vulgar,
ramplón, ordinario, ordinaria,
común.
wicked: malo, malvado.
78
The Importance of Being Earnest
ALGERNON. %
Well, I can't eat muffins in an agitated manner. The butter would probably
get on my cuffs. One should always eat muffins quite calmly. It is the only
way to eat them.
JACK.
I say it's perfectly heartless your eating muffins at all, under the
circumstances.
ALGERNON.
When I am in trouble, eating is the only thing that consoles me. Indeed, when
I am in really great trouble, as any one who knows me intimately will tell
you, I refuse everything except food and drink. At the present moment I am
eating muffins because I am unhappy. Besides, I am particularly fond of
muffins. [Rising.]
JACK.
[Rising.] Well, that is no reason why you should eat them all in that greedy
way. [Takes muffins from ALGERNON.]
ALGERNON.
[Offering tea-cake.] I wish you would have tea-cake instead. I don't like teacake.
JACK.
Good heavens! I suppose a man may eat his own muffins in his own garden.
ALGERNON.
But you have just said it was perfectly heartless to eat muffins.
JACK.
I said it was perfectly heartless of you, under the circumstances. That is a
very different thing.
ALGERNON.
That may be. But the muffins are the same. [He seizes the muffin-dish from
JACK.]
Spanish
agitated: agitado, inquieto.
besides: además, demás, además de,
amén de.
butter: mantequilla, la mantequilla,
manteca, untar con mantequilla.
calmly: calmadamente, serenamente.
can't: no puede.
circumstances: circunstancias,
circunstancia.
don't: no.
drink: beber, bebida, tomar, el
refresco, trago, copa.
eat: comer, comemos, comes, coméis,
comed, coman, como, comen, coma,
Come.
eating: comiendo.
except: excepto, menos, exceptuar,
además de, amén de.
fond: aficionado.
greedy: codicioso, ávido, goloso.
heartless: sin corazón.
heavens: cielo, cielos.
instead: en cambio.
intimately: íntimamente.
jack: gato, jota, sota, para conectar
algún aparto electrotécnico, clavija,
para sujetar el coche cuando se
cambia una rueda.
manner: manera.
perfectly: perfectamente.
refuse: rehusar, rechazar, denegar,
desecho, desechos, detrito, negar.
seizes: agarra, ase.
unhappy: infeliz, triste.
Oscar Wilde
79
JACK.
Algy, I wish to goodness you would go.
ALGERNON.
You can't possibly ask me to go without having some dinner. It's absurd. I
never go without my dinner. No one ever does, except vegetarians and
people like that. Besides I have just made arrangements with Dr. Chasuble to
be christened at a quarter to six under the name of Ernest.
JACK.
My dear fellow, the sooner you give up that nonsense the better. I made
arrangements this morning with Dr. Chasuble to be christened myself at 5.30,
and I naturally will take the name of Ernest. Gwendolen would wish it. We
can't both be christened Ernest. It's absurd. Besides, I have a perfect right to
be christened if I like. There is no evidence at all that I have ever been
christened by anybody. I should think it extremely probable I never was, and
so does Dr. Chasuble. It is entirely different in your case. You have been
christened already.%
ALGERNON.
Yes, but I have not been christened for years.
JACK.
Yes, but you have been christened. That is the important thing.
ALGERNON.
Quite so. So I know my constitution can stand it. If you are not quite sure
about your ever having been christened, I must say I think it rather
dangerous your venturing on it now. It might make you very unwell. You
can hardly have forgotten that some one very closely connected with you
was very nearly carried off this week in Paris by a severe chill.
JACK.
Yes, but you said yourself that a severe chill was not hereditary.
Spanish
absurd: absurdo.
anybody: alguien, alguno, cierto,
cualquiera.
besides: además, demás, además de,
amén de.
can't: no puede.
chasuble: casulla.
chill: frío, enfriar.
christened: bautizado.
closely: estrechamente.
connected: conectado, conexo.
constitution: constitución,
complexión.
dangerous: peligroso.
except: excepto, menos, exceptuar,
además de, amén de.
fellow: compañero, hombre, socio,
tipo, becario.
forgotten: olvidado.
goodness: bondad.
hereditary: hereditario.
jack: gato, jota, sota, para conectar
algún aparto electrotécnico, clavija,
para sujetar el coche cuando se
cambia una rueda.
naturally: naturalmente.
nonsense: tontería.
probable: probable.
quarter: barrio, cuarto, trimestre.
severe: severo, inclemente, áspero,
grave.
sooner: más pronto.
unwell: enfermo.
vegetarians: vegetarianos.
venturing: Aventurar.
yourself: tú mismo, se.
80
The Importance of Being Earnest
ALGERNON.
It usen't to be, I know - but I daresay it is now. Science is always making
wonderful improvements in things.
JACK.
[Picking up the muffin-dish.] Oh, that is nonsense; you are always talking
nonsense.
ALGERNON.
Jack, you are at the muffins again! I wish you wouldn't. There are only two
left. [Takes them.] I told you I was particularly fond of muffins.
JACK.
But I hate tea-cake.
ALGERNON.
Why on earth then do you allow tea-cake to be served up for your guests?
What ideas you have of hospitality!
JACK. %
Algernon! I have already told you to go. I don't want you here. Why don't
you go!
ALGERNON.
I haven't quite finished my tea yet! and there is still one muffin left. [JACK
groans, and sinks into a chair. ALGERNON still continues eating.]
[ACT DROP]
Spanish
allow: permitir, permitan, permitid,
permiten, permites, permitimos,
permite, permito, permitís, permita,
dejar.
chair: silla, la silla, presidencia,
cátedra.
continues: continúa, dura.
daresay: dicho atrevido.
don't: no.
finished: acabado, terminado, listo,
concluido.
fond: aficionado.
hate: odiar, odio, aborrecer, detestar.
haven't: no tener.
hospitality: hospitalidad.
jack: gato, jota, sota, para conectar
algún aparto electrotécnico, clavija,
para sujetar el coche cuando se
cambia una rueda.
muffin: mollete, el panquecito, bollo o
panecillo redondo, panecillo.
nonsense: tontería.
science: ciencia, la ciencia.
served: servido.
takes: toma, desempeña.
talking: hablando, parlante,
charlando, hablar.
tea: té, te.
wish: desear, deseo, voluntad, querer,
tener, gana.
wonderful: maravilloso.
Oscar Wilde
81
THIRD ACT
SCENE--Morning-room%at the Manor House. [GWENDOLEN and CECILY
are at the window, looking out into the garden.]
GWENDOLEN.
The fact that they did not follow us at once into the house, as any one else
would have done, seems to me to show that they have some sense of shame
left.
CECILY.
They have been eating muffins. That looks like repentance.
GWENDOLEN.
[After a pause.] They don't seem to notice us at all. Couldn't you cough?
CECILY.
But I haven't got a cough.
GWENDOLEN.
They're looking at us. What effrontery!
CECILY.
They're approaching. That's very forward of them.
Spanish
approaching: acercamiento, acercar,
aproximado, acercarse, aproximar,
aproximarse, dirigirse a uno,
venidero, tocar un tema, semejante,
que se acerca.
cough: toser, tos, la tos.
couldn't: no fue posible.
don't: no.
eating: comiendo.
effrontery: descaro.
follow: seguir, seguid, sigues, siguen,
sigue, sigo, sigan, seguís, seguimos,
siga, venir después.
parecemos, parecéis, parece, pareced.
forward: adelante, delantero, reenviar, shame: vergüenza, verguenza, pudor,
hacia delante, enviar, remitir, hacia
oprobio, avergonzar.
adelante.
window: ventana, taquilla, la ventana,
haven't: no tener.
ventanilla.
looks: mira.
notice: cartel, aviso, anuncio, notar,
advertir, nota, notificación, noticias,
noticia, percibir, publicación.
repentance: arrepentimiento.
seem: parecer, parezca, parecen,
parezcan, pareces, parezco,
82
The Importance of Being Earnest
GWENDOLEN.
Let us preserve a dignified silence.%
CECILY.
Certainly. It's the only thing to do now. [Enter JACK followed by
ALGERNON.
They whistle some dreadful popular air from a British Opera.]
GWENDOLEN.
This dignified silence seems to produce an unpleasant effect.
CECILY.
A most distasteful one.
GWENDOLEN.
But we will not be the first to speak.
CECILY.
Certainly not.
GWENDOLEN.
Mr. Worthing, I have something very particular to ask you. Much depends
on your reply.
CECILY.
Gwendolen, your common sense is invaluable. Mr. Moncrieff, kindly answer
me the following question. Why did you pretend to be my guardian's
brother?
ALGERNON.
In order that I might have an opportunity of meeting you.
CECILY.
[To GWENDOLEN.] That certainly seems a satisfactory explanation, does it
not?
GWENDOLEN.
Yes, dear, if you can believe him.
Spanish
brother: hermano, el hermano,
cofrade.
dear: caro, querido, estimado.
depends: depende.
dignified: dignificado, digno.
distasteful: desagradable.
dreadful: terrible, espantoso.
enter: entrar, entro, entra, entrad,
entráis, entramos, entran, entras,
entren, entre, inscribir.
explanation: explicación.
invaluable: inapreciable, inestimable.
kindly: amablemente,
bondadosamente, amable.
popular: popular.
preserve: conservar, guardar,
preservar, confitura, conserva.
pretend: fingir, fingimos, finjo, fingís,
fingid, finges, fingen, finge, finjan,
finja, pretender.
produce: producir, producid,
produzco, produzcan, produzca,
producimos, produces, producen,
produce, producís, realizar.
reply: respuesta, responder,
contestación, contestar.
satisfactory: satisfactorio.
silence: silencio, acallar, hacer callar,
el silencio.
unpleasant: desagradable, bronco,
brusco.
whistle: silbar, silbato, silbido, pito.
Oscar Wilde
83
CECILY.
I don't. But that does not affect the wonderful beauty of his answer.%
GWENDOLEN.
True. In matters of grave importance, style, not sincerity is the vital thing.
Mr. Worthing, what explanation can you offer to me for pretending to have a
brother? Was it in order that you might have an opportunity of coming up to
town to see me as often as possible?
JACK.
Can you doubt it, Miss Fairfax?
GWENDOLEN.
I have the gravest doubts upon the subject. But I intend to crush them. This
is not the moment for German scepticism. [Moving to CECILY.] Their
explanations appear to be quite satisfactory, especially Mr. Worthing's. That
seems to me to have the stamp of truth upon it.
CECILY.
I am more than content with what Mr. Moncrieff said. His voice alone
inspires one with absolute credulity.
GWENDOLEN.
Then you think we should forgive them?
CECILY.
Yes. I mean no.
GWENDOLEN.
True! I had forgotten. There are principles at stake that one cannot
surrender. Which of us should tell them? The task is not a pleasant one.
CECILY.
Could we not both speak at the same time?
GWENDOLEN.
An excellent idea! I nearly always speak at the same time as other people.
Will you take the time from me?
Spanish
affect: afectar, afecte, afectas, afecten,
afectan, afectáis, afecta, afectad,
afectamos, afecto, conmover.
cannot: presente de no poder.
content: contenido, contento,
satisfecho.
credulity: credulidad.
crush: compresión, aplastar.
don't: no.
doubts: duda.
excellent: excelente.
forgive: perdonar, perdona, perdonad,
perdono, perdonen, perdonas,
perdonan, perdonamos, perdonáis,
perdone.
grave: tumba, grave, crítico, sepulcro.
inspires: inspira.
intend: querer decir, tener el
propósito.
pleasant: agradable, simpático,
placentero, grato.
pretending: fingiendo, pretendiendo.
principles: principios.
satisfactory: satisfactorio.
scepticism: escepticismo.
sincerity: sinceridad.
stake: poste, estaca, apostar, puesta.
stamp: sello, timbrar, sellar, cuño,
estampilla, sello de correos, marca,
estampillar, estampa, estampar, el
sello.
style: estilo.
surrender: capitular, rendirse,
rendición, renuncia, entregar,
entrega, cesión.
vital: esencial.
84
The Importance of Being Earnest
CECILY.
Certainly. [GWENDOLEN beats time with uplifted finger.]
GWENDOLEN and CECILY [Speaking together.] Your Christian names are still
an insuperable barrier. That is all!
JACK and ALGERNON [Speaking together.] Our Christian names! Is that all?
But we are going to be christened this afternoon.%
GWENDOLEN.
[To JACK.] For my sake you are prepared to do this terrible thing?
JACK.
I am.
CECILY.
[To ALGERNON.] To please me you are ready to face this fearful ordeal?
ALGERNON.
I am!
GWENDOLEN.
How absurd to talk of the equality of the sexes! Where questions of selfsacrifice are concerned, men are infinitely beyond us.
JACK.
We are. [Clasps hands with ALGERNON.]
CECILY.
They have moments of physical courage of which we women know
absolutely nothing.
GWENDOLEN.
[To JACK.] Darling!
ALGERNON.
[To CECILY.] Darling! [They fall into each other's arms.]
[Enter MERRIMAN.
When he enters he coughs loudly, seeing the situation.]
Spanish
absolutely: absolutamente,
verdaderamente, en efecto, en
realidad, de veras.
absurd: absurdo.
barrier: barrera, reja, obstrucción.
beyond: más allá de, a través de,
luego, después, allende, más allá.
christened: bautizado.
concerned: interesado, en cuestión,
dicho.
courage: valor, coraje, ánimo, virtud.
enters: entra, inscribe, monta.
equality: igualdad.
fall: caer, os caéis, cáedos, se caen, se
cae, te caes, caígase, cáete, caíganse,
me caigo, nos caemos.
fearful: temeroso, medroso,
angustioso.
infinitely: infinitamente.
insuperable: infranqueable, sin
superable.
jack: gato, jota, sota, para conectar
algún aparto electrotécnico, clavija,
para sujetar el coche cuando se
cambia una rueda.
loudly: en alta voz, ruidosamente.
names: nombres, Michael.
ordeal: ordalías.
other's: otro.
physical: físico.
prepared: preparado.
questions: preguntas.
sake: motivo, fin, bien, causa.
seeing: viendo, serrando.
terrible: terrible.
uplifted: inspiró.
Oscar Wilde
85
MERRIMAN.
Ahem! Ahem! Lady Bracknell!
JACK.
Good heavens!
[Enter LADY BRACKNELL.
The couples separate in alarm. Exit MERRIMAN.]
LADY BRACKNELL.
Gwendolen! What does this mean?
GWENDOLEN.
Merely that I am engaged to be married to Mr. Worthing, mamma.%
LADY BRACKNELL.
Come here. Sit down. Sit down immediately. Hesitation of any kind is a sign
of mental decay in the young, of physical weakness in the old. [Turns to
JACK.] Apprised, sir, of my daughter's sudden flight by her trusty maid,
whose confidence I purchased by means of a small coin, I followed her at
once by a luggage train. Her unhappy father is, I am glad to say, under the
impression that she is attending a more than usually lengthy lecture by the
University Extension Scheme on the Influence of a permanent income on
Thought. I do not propose to undeceive him. Indeed I have never
undeceived him on any question. I would consider it wrong. But of course,
you will clearly understand that all communication between yourself and my
daughter must cease immediately from this moment. On this point, as indeed
on all points, I am firm.
JACK.
I am engaged to be married to Gwendolen Lady Bracknell!
LADY BRACKNELL.
You are nothing of the kind, sir. And now, as regards Algernon!... Algernon!
ALGERNON.
Yes, Aunt Augusta.
Spanish
alarm: alarma, preocupar, alarmar.
attending: asistiendo.
cease: cesar, parar, cese.
coin: moneda.
communication: comunicación,
noticia, noticias, publicación.
daughter: hija, la hija, Nina.
decay: decadencia, decaimiento,
putrefacción, baja, deterioración,
descomposición.
firm: firma, firme, fijo, empresa,
sólido, fuerte, compañía.
hesitation: vacilación, duda.
lecture: conferencia.
lengthy: largo.
maid: criada, sirvienta, doncella, la
criada.
mental: psíquico, mental.
purchased: comprado, adquirido.
regards: mira, recuerdos.
separate: separado, separar, apartar,
aparte, particular, dividir, separarse,
segregar, independiente, compartir.
sign: firmar, señal, seña, signo, agüero,
letrero, prueba, el letrero, rótulo,
muestra.
trusty: fiel.
undeceive: desengañar, sacar de
engaño, desengañamos, desengaño,
desengañen, desengañe, desengañan,
desengañáis, desengañad, desengaña,
desengañas.
undeceived: desengañado.
weakness: debilidad.
86
The Importance of Being Earnest
LADY BRACKNELL.
May I ask if it is in this house that your invalid friend Mr. Bunbury resides?
ALGERNON.
[Stammering.] Oh! No! Bunbury doesn't live here. Bunbury is somewhere
else at present. In fact, Bunbury is dead,
LADY BRACKNELL.
Dead! When did Mr. Bunbury die? His death must have been extremely
sudden.%
ALGERNON.
[Airily.] Oh! I killed Bunbury this afternoon. I mean poor Bunbury died this
afternoon.
LADY BRACKNELL.
What did he die of?
ALGERNON.
Bunbury? Oh, he was quite exploded.
LADY BRACKNELL.
Exploded! Was he the victim of a revolutionary outrage? I was not aware
that Mr. Bunbury was interested in social legislation. If so, he is well
punished for his morbidity.
ALGERNON.
My dear Aunt Augusta, I mean he was found out! The doctors found out that
Bunbury could not live, that is what I mean - so Bunbury died.
LADY BRACKNELL.
He seems to have had great confidence in the opinion of his physicians. I am
glad, however, that he made up his mind at the last to some definite course
of action, and acted under proper medical advice. And now that we have
finally got rid of this Mr. Bunbury, may I ask, Mr. Worthing, who is that
young person whose hand my nephew Algernon is now holding in what
seems to me a peculiarly unnecessary manner?
Spanish
acted: Actuado.
advice: consejo, noticias,
asesoramiento, publicación, noticia,
el consejo.
definite: definido.
die: morir, morid, mueran, muere,
morís, mueren, mueres, muero,
morimos, muera, molde.
exploded: estallado.
extremely: extremamente,
extremadamente, sumamente.
finally: finalmente, al fin, por fin.
glad: alegre, contento.
holding: mantenimiento, tenencia.
invalid: inválido, no válido, nulo.
killed: matado.
legislation: legislación.
manner: manera.
medical: médico.
morbidity: morbilidad, morbosidad.
nephew: sobrino, el sobrino.
outrage: ultraje.
peculiarly: raramente, peculiarmente,
particularmente, de una manera
extraña.
proper: conveniente, preciso, correcto,
apropiado, propio, debido.
punished: castigado.
resides: reside.
revolutionary: revolucionario.
rid: librar, libro, librad, librado, libráis,
libramos, libran, libras, libre, libren,
libra.
somewhere: en alguna parte.
unnecessary: innecesario.
victim: víctima.
Oscar Wilde
87
JACK.
That lady is Miss Cecily Cardew, my ward. [LADY BRACKNELL bows
coldly to CECILY.]
ALGERNON.
I am engaged to be married to Cecily, Aunt Augusta.%
LADY BRACKNELL.
I beg your pardon?
CECILY.
Mr. Moncrieff and I are engaged to be married, Lady Bracknell.
LADY BRACKNELL.
[With a shiver, crossing to the sofa and sitting down.] I do not know whether
there is anything peculiarly exciting in the air of this particular part of
Hertfordshire, but the number of engagements that go on seems to me
considerably above the proper average that statistics have laid down for our
guidance. I think some preliminary inquiry on my part would not be out of
place. Mr. Worthing, is Miss Cardew at all connected with any of the larger
railway stations in London? I merely desire information. Until yesterday I
had no idea that there were any families or persons whose origin was a
Terminus. [JACK looks perfectly furious, but restrains himself.]
JACK.
[In a clear, cold voice.] Miss Cardew is the grand-daughter of the late Mr.
Thomas Cardew of 149 Belgrave Square, S.W.; Gervase Park, Dorking,
Surrey; and the Sporran, Fifeshire, N.B.
LADY BRACKNELL.
That sounds not unsatisfactory. Three addresses always inspire confidence,
even in tradesmen. But what proof have I of their authenticity?
JACK.
I have carefully preserved the Court Guides of the period. They are open to
your inspection, Lady Bracknell.
Spanish
authenticity: autenticidad.
average: promedio, medio, media,
centro, medianía, avería, media
aritmética.
cold: frío, resfriado, catarro,
constipado.
coldly: fríamente.
crossing: cruce, cruzamiento, travesía.
exciting: excitante, instigando,
excitando, emocionante.
grand-daughter: nieta.
guidance: guía, orientación.
inquiry: encuesta, pregunta,
investigación, interrogación,
demanda.
inspection: inspección, visitación,
registro, control.
inspire: inspirar, animar, inspiráis,
inspiro, inspiren, inspire, inspiras,
inspiramos, inspirad, inspira,
inspiran.
peculiarly: raramente, peculiarmente,
particularmente, de una manera
extraña.
preliminary: preliminar.
preserved: en conserva.
railway: ferrocarril, vía férrea.
restrains: refrena, contiene, reprime.
shiver: tiritar, temblar, escalofrío.
sitting: sesión, sentada.
statistics: estadística, estadísticas.
tradesmen: trabajadores
especializados.
unsatisfactory: insatisfactorio, poco
satisfactorio.
88
The Importance of Being Earnest
LADY BRACKNELL.
[Grimly.] I have known strange errors in that publication.%
JACK.
Miss Cardew's family solicitors are Messrs. Markby, Markby, and Markby.
LADY BRACKNELL.
Markby, Markby, and Markby? A firm of the very highest position in their
profession. Indeed I am told that one of the Mr. Markby's is occasionally to
be seen at dinner parties. So far I am satisfied.
JACK.
[Very irritably.] How extremely kind of you, Lady Bracknell! I have also in
my possession, you will be pleased to hear, certificates of Miss Cardew's
birth, baptism, whooping cough, registration, vaccination, confirmation,
and the measles; both the German and the English variety.
LADY BRACKNELL.
Ah! A life crowded with incident, I see; though perhaps somewhat too
exciting for a young girl. I am not myself in favour of premature
experiences. [Rises, looks at her watch.] Gwendolen! the time approaches for
our departure. We have not a moment to lose. As a matter of form, Mr.
Worthing, I had better ask you if Miss Cardew has any little fortune?
JACK.
Oh! about a hundred and thirty thousand pounds in the Funds. That is all.
Goodbye, Lady Bracknell. So pleased to have seen you.
LADY BRACKNELL.
[Sitting down again.] A moment, Mr. Worthing. A hundred and thirty
thousand pounds! And in the Funds! Miss Cardew seems to me a most
attractive young lady, now that I look at her. Few girls of the present day
have any really solid qualities, any of the qualities that last, and improve
with time. We live, I regret to say, in an age of surfaces. [To CECILY.] Come
over here, dear. [CECILY goes across.] Pretty child! your dress is sadly
simple, and your hair seems almost as Nature might have left it. But we can
Spanish
approaches: aproches.
baptism: bautismo.
certificates: certificados.
confirmation: confirmación.
cough: toser, tos, la tos.
crowded: atestado.
departure: salida, partida, desviación.
exciting: excitante, instigando,
excitando, emocionante.
experiences: experiencias.
favour: favor, favorecer.
fortune: suerte, fortuna.
goodbye: adiós, despedida, hasta
luego, hasta la vista.
highest: sumo, el más alto, suma,
máximo, sumamente, alto, máxima.
incident: incidente.
measles: sarampión.
pleased: contento.
possession: posesión, tenencia.
premature: prematuro.
profession: profesión, oficio.
registration: registro, inscripción,
matriculación, matrícula.
regret: sentir, lamentar, deplorar,
arrepentirse, pesar.
sadly: tristemente.
satisfied: satisfecho, contento,
complacido.
solid: sólido, fuerte, macizo.
surfaces: Superficies.
thirty: treinta.
thousand: mil.
vaccination: vacuna, vacunación.
variety: variedad, cambio.
whooping: Gritar.
Oscar Wilde
89
soon alter all that. A thoroughly experienced French maid produces a really
marvellous result in a very brief space of time. I remember recommending
one to young Lady Lancing, and after three months her own husband did not
know her.%
JACK.
And after six months nobody knew her.
LADY BRACKNELL.
[Glares at JACK for a few moments. Then bends, with a practised smile, to
CECILY.] Kindly turn round, sweet child. [CECILY turns completely round.]
No, the side view is what I want. [CECILY presents her profile.] Yes, quite as
I expected. There are distinct social possibilities in your profile. The two
weak points in our age are its want of principle and its want of profile. The
chin a little higher, dear. Style largely depends on the way the chin is worn.
They are worn very high, just at present. Algernon!
ALGERNON.
Yes, Aunt Augusta!
LADY BRACKNELL.
There are distinct social possibilities in Miss Cardew's profile.
ALGERNON.
Cecily is the sweetest, dearest, prettiest girl in the whole world. And I don't
care twopence about social possibilities.
LADY BRACKNELL.
Never speak disrespectfully of Society, Algernon. Only people who can't get
into it do that. [To CECILY.] Dear child, of course you know that Algernon
has nothing but his debts to depend upon. But I do not approve of mercenary
marriages. When I married Lord Bracknell I had no fortune of any kind. But I
never dreamed for a moment of allowing that to stand in my way. Well, I
suppose I must give my consent.
ALGERNON.
Thank you, Aunt Augusta.
Spanish
alter: cambiar, cambia, cambien,
cambie, cambias, cambian, cambio,
cambiamos, cambiáis, cambiad,
alterar.
approve: aprobar, aprueban, apruebo,
apruebas, aprueba, aprobamos,
aprobáis, aprobad, aprueben,
apruebe.
bends: enfermedad de buzo.
can't: no puede.
chin: barba, barbilla, la barbilla,
mentón.
disrespectfully: irrespetuosamente.
distinct: claro, distinto, evidente.
don't: no.
dreamed: soñado.
few: pocos.
higher: superior.
largely: ampliamente.
maid: criada, sirvienta, doncella, la
criada.
marvellous: maravilloso.
mercenary: mercenario.
nobody: nadie, ninguno.
possibilities: posibilidades.
practised: experto, hábil.
presents: presenta, la presente.
prettiest: bastante.
principle: principio.
profile: perfil, perfilar.
recommending: recomendando,
encareciendo, ensalzando.
smile: sonrisa, sonreír, la sonrisa,
sonreírse.
turn: girar, gira, giro, giráis, giramos,
giran, giras, gire, giren, girad, vuelta.
90
The Importance of Being Earnest
LADY BRACKNELL.
Cecily, you may kiss me!
CECILY.
[Kisses her.] Thank you, Lady Bracknell.%
LADY BRACKNELL.
You may also address me as Aunt Augusta for the future.
CECILY.
Thank you, Aunt Augusta.
LADY BRACKNELL.
The marriage, I think, had better take place quite soon.
ALGERNON.
Thank you, Aunt Augusta.
CECILY.
Thank you, Aunt Augusta.
LADY BRACKNELL.
To speak frankly, I am not in favour of long engagements. They give people
the opportunity of finding out each other's character before marriage, which
I think is never advisable.
JACK.
I beg your pardon for interrupting you, Lady Bracknell, but this engagement
is quite out of the question. I am Miss Cardew's guardian, and she cannot
marry without my consent until she comes of age. That consent I absolutely
decline to give.
LADY BRACKNELL.
Upon what grounds may I ask? Algernon is an extremely, I may almost say
an ostentatiously, eligible young man. He has nothing, but he looks
everything. What more can one desire?
JACK.
It pains me very much to have to speak frankly to you, Lady Bracknell, about
Spanish
advisable: aconsejable.
beg: mendigar, mendigas, mendiguen,
mendigan, mendigáis, mendiga,
mendigad, mendigamos, mendigo,
mendigue, pedir limosna.
cannot: presente de no poder.
consent: aprobación, acordar,
declaración, declarar, consentimiento,
autorización.
decline: declinar, desmejorarse,
retroceso, rehusar, declinación,
decadencia, rechazar, baja, descenso,
ocaso.
desire: desear, deseo, tener, querer,
gana, codiciar.
eligible: elegible.
engagement: obligación, compromiso,
contrato, contratación.
favour: favor, favorecer.
finding: fundando, hallazgo,
fundiendo, encontrar.
frankly: francamente.
guardian: guardián, tutor.
interrupting: interrumpir.
kiss: besar, beso, besarse.
marry: casarse, casar, cásese, se casan,
se casa, nos casamos, me caso, te
casas, cásense, cásate, cásados.
ostentatiously: ostentosamente,
aparatosamente, vistosamente.
other's: otro.
pains: dolores del parto, esfuerzos,
desvelos.
pardon: perdón, perdonar, indulto,
indultar.
Oscar Wilde
91
your nephew, but the fact is that I do not approve at all of his moral
character. I suspect him of being untruthful. [ALGERNON and CECILY look
at him in indignant amazement.]
LADY BRACKNELL.
Untruthful! My nephew Algernon? Impossible! He is an Oxonian.%
JACK.
I fear there can be no possible doubt about the matter. This afternoon during
my temporary absence in London on an important question of romance, he
obtained admission to my house by means of the false pretence of being my
brother. Under an assumed name he drank, I've just been informed by my
butler, an entire pint bottle of my Perrier-Jouet, Brut, '89; wine I was specially
reserving for myself. Continuing his disgraceful deception, he succeeded in
the course of the afternoon in alienating the affections of my only ward. He
subsequently stayed to tea, and devoured every single muffin. And what
makes his conduct all the more heartless is, that he was perfectly well aware
from the first that I have no brother, that I never had a brother, and that I
don't intend to have a brother, not even of any kind. I distinctly told him so
myself yesterday afternoon.
LADY BRACKNELL.
Ahem! Mr. Worthing, after careful consideration I have decided entirely to
overlook my nephew's conduct to you.
JACK.
That is very generous of you, Lady Bracknell. My own decision, however, is
unalterable. I decline to give my consent.
LADY BRACKNELL.
[To CECILY.] Come here, sweet child. [CECILY goes over.] How old are you,
dear?
CECILY.
Well, I am really only eighteen, but I always admit to twenty when I go to
evening parties.
Spanish
alienating: alienando, enajenando.
assumed: asumido, supuesto.
bottle: botella, la botella, embotellar,
vaciar, frasco, biberón.
butler: mayordomo.
continuing: continuando, durando.
deception: engaño.
decided: decidido.
decision: decisión, sentencia,
resolución judicial.
devoured: devorado.
disgraceful: vergonzoso, deshonroso.
distinctly: distintamente.
don't: no.
drank: pret de drink, bebió.
evening: tarde, noche, anochecer.
heartless: sin corazón.
indignant: indignado.
informed: informado, enterado.
muffin: mollete, el panquecito, bollo o
panecillo redondo, panecillo.
nephew: sobrino, el sobrino.
obtained: obtenido.
overlook: pasar por alto.
pretence: pretensión, derecho.
reserving: Reservar.
stayed: quedado, permanecido.
subsequently: después,
subsiguientemente, posteriormente,
luego, más adelante.
succeeded: conseguido.
suspect: sospechar, dudar,
sospechoso.
unalterable: inalterable.
untruthful: mentiroso.
yesterday: ayer.
92
The Importance of Being Earnest
LADY BRACKNELL.
You are perfectly right in making some slight alteration. Indeed, no woman
should ever be quite accurate about her age. It looks so calculating... [In a
meditative manner.] Eighteen, but admitting to twenty at evening parties.
Well, it will not be very long before you are of age and free from the
restraints of tutelage. So I don't think your guardian's consent is, after all, a
matter of any importance.%
JACK.
Pray excuse me, Lady Bracknell, for interrupting you again, but it is only fair
to tell you that according to the terms of her grandfather's will Miss Cardew
does not come legally of age till she is thirty-five.
LADY BRACKNELL.
That does not seem to me to be a grave objection. Thirty-five is a very
attractive age. London society is full of women of the very highest birth who
have, of their own free choice, remained thirty-five for years. Lady
Dumbleton is an instance in point. To my own knowledge she has been
thirty-five ever since she arrived at the age of forty, which was many years
ago now. I see no reason why our dear Cecily should not be even still more
attractive at the age you mention than she is at present. There will be a large
accumulation of property.
CECILY.
Algy, could you wait for me till I was thirty-five?
ALGERNON.
Of course I could, Cecily. You know I could.
CECILY.
Yes, I felt it instinctively, but I couldn't wait all that time. I hate waiting even
five minutes for anybody. It always makes me rather cross. I am not punctual
myself, I know, but I do like punctuality in others, and waiting, even to be
married, is quite out of the question.
Spanish
according: conforme, de acuerdo con.
accumulation: acumulación, cúmulo.
accurate: preciso, exacto, meticuloso,
escrupuloso, atinado.
admitting: confesando, admitiendo.
ago: hace.
alteration: alteración, modificación,
cambio.
choice: elección, opción, selección,
surtido.
couldn't: no fue posible.
cross: cruz, atravesar, cruzar,
transversal, aspa, cruce.
don't: no.
forty: cuarenta.
grave: tumba, grave, crítico, sepulcro.
hate: odiar, odio, aborrecer, detestar.
instance: instancia, ejemplo, ejemplar.
instinctively: instintivamente.
interrupting: interrumpir.
legally: legalmente.
meditative: meditativo.
objection: objeción.
property: propiedad, bienes, finca,
calidad, granja, ralea, característica,
tenencia.
punctual: puntual.
punctuality: puntualidad.
reason: motivo, causa, razón, lugar,
razonar.
remained: restado, Permanecido.
restraints: restricciones, sujetadores,
anclajes.
slight: leve, desaire.
thirty-five: treinta y cinco.
tutelage: tutela.
Oscar Wilde
93
ALGERNON.
Then what is to be done, Cecily?
CECILY.
I don't know, Mr. Moncrieff.%
LADY BRACKNELL.
My dear Mr. Worthing, as Miss Cardew states positively that she cannot wait
till she is thirty-five - a remark which I am bound to say seems to me to show
a somewhat impatient nature - I would beg of you to reconsider your
decision.
JACK.
But my dear Lady Bracknell, the matter is entirely in your own hands. The
moment you consent to my marriage with Gwendolen, I will most gladly
allow your nephew to form an alliance with my ward.
LADY BRACKNELL.
[Rising and drawing herself up.] You must be quite aware that what you
propose is out of the question.
JACK.
Then a passionate celibacy is all that any of us can look forward to.
LADY BRACKNELL.
That is not the destiny I propose for Gwendolen. Algernon, of course, can
choose for himself. [Pulls out her watch.] Come, dear, [GWENDOLEN rises]
we have already missed five, if not six, trains. To miss any more might
expose us to comment on the platform.
[Enter DR. CHASUBLE.]
CHASUBLE.
Everything is quite ready for the christenings.
LADY BRACKNELL.
The christenings, sir! Is not that somewhat premature?
Spanish
beg: mendigar, mendigas, mendiguen,
mendigan, mendigáis, mendiga,
mendigad, mendigamos, mendigo,
mendigue, pedir limosna.
cannot: presente de no poder.
celibacy: celibato.
christenings: bautiza.
destiny: destino, suerte.
don't: no.
expose: exponer, exponen, expongo,
expongan, expones, exponemos,
exponéis, exponed, expon, expone,
exponga.
gladly: alegremente.
impatient: impaciente.
nephew: sobrino, el sobrino.
passionate: apasionado.
platform: plataforma, andén,
programa.
positively: positivamente.
premature: prematuro.
propose: proponer, propon, proponed,
propongo, propongan, propones,
proponen, proponéis, propone,
proponemos, proponga.
pulls: tira, hala.
reconsider: reconsiderar, reconsidera,
reconsideras, reconsideren,
reconsidero, reconsidere,
reconsideramos, reconsiderad,
reconsideráis, reconsideran.
remark: comentario, observación,
reparo, censura, nota, notar.
thirty-five: treinta y cinco.
trains: trenes.
94
The Importance of Being Earnest
CHASUBLE.
[Looking rather puzzled, and pointing to JACK and ALGERNON.] Both
these gentlemen have expressed a desire for immediate baptism.%
LADY BRACKNELL.
At their age? The idea is grotesque and irreligious! Algernon, I forbid you to
be baptized. I will not hear of such excesses. Lord Bracknell would be highly
displeased if he learned that that was the way in which you wasted your
time and money.
CHASUBLE.
Am I to understand then that there are to he no christenings at all this
afternoon?
JACK.
I don't think that, as things are now, it would be of much practical value to
either of us, Dr. Chasuble.
CHASUBLE.
I am grieved to hear such sentiments from you, Mr. Worthing. They savour
of the heretical views of the Anabaptists, views that I have completely
refuted in four of my unpublished sermons. However, as your present mood
seems to be one peculiarly secular, I will return to the church at once. Indeed,
I have just been informed by the pew-opener that for the last hour and a half
Miss Prism has been waiting for me in the vestry.
LADY BRACKNELL.
[Starting.] Miss Prism! Did I bear you mention a Miss Prism?
CHASUBLE.
Yes, Lady Bracknell. I am on my way to join her.
LADY BRACKNELL.
Pray allow me to detain you for a moment. This matter may prove to be one
of vital importance to Lord Bracknell and myself. Is this Miss Prism a female
of repellent aspect, remotely connected with education?
Spanish
aspect: aspecto, vista.
baptized: bautizado.
chasuble: casulla.
christenings: bautiza.
detain: retener, retengo, retienes,
retiene, retengan, retenemos, retenéis,
retened, reten, retienen, retenga.
displeased: desagradado, disgustado.
forbid: prohibir, prohibid, prohiban,
prohibo, prohibimos, prohibes,
prohiben, prohibe, prohibís, prohiba.
gentlemen: señores.
grieved: afligido, apenado.
heretical: herético.
highly: muy, sumamente.
immediate: inmediato.
irreligious: irreligioso.
join: juntar, junta, junto, reunir,
reunirse, junten, juntáis, juntamos,
juntan, juntas, junte.
lord: señor, caballero.
mood: humor, el humor, estado de
ánimo, capricho.
pointing: rejuntado.
practical: práctico.
puzzled: perplejo, desconcertado.
refuted: refutado.
remotely: lejos.
repellent: repelente.
savour: sabor, gusto.
secular: seglar.
unpublished: inédito.
value: valor, valorar, estimar, tasar,
apreciar.
vestry: sacristía.
wasted: gastado, acabado.
Oscar Wilde
95
CHASUBLE.
[Somewhat indignantly.] She is the most cultivated of ladies, and the very
picture of respectability.%
LADY BRACKNELL.
It is obviously the same person. May I ask what position she holds in your
household?
CHASUBLE.
[Severely.] I am a celibate, madam.
JACK.
[Interposing.] Miss Prism, Lady Bracknell, has been for the last three years
Miss Cardew's esteemed governess and valued companion.
LADY BRACKNELL.
In spite of what I hear of her, I must see her at once. Let her be sent for.
CHASUBLE.
[Looking off.] She approaches; she is nigh.
[Enter MISS PRISM hurriedly.]
MISS PRISM.
I was told you expected me in the vestry, dear Canon. I have been waiting for
you there for an hour and three-quarters. [Catches sight of LADY
BRACKNELL, who has fixed her with a stony glare. MISS PRISM grows pale
and quails. She looks anxiously round as if desirous to escape.]
LADY BRACKNELL.
[In a severe, judicial voice.] Prism! [MISS PRISM bows her head in shame.]
Come here, Prism! [MISS PRISM approaches in a humble manner.] Prism!
Where is that baby? [General consternation. The CANON starts back in
horror. ALGERNON and JACK pretend to be anxious to shield CECILY and
GWENDOLEN from hearing the details of a terrible public scandal.] Twentyeight years ago, Prism, you left Lord Bracknell's house, Number 104, Upper
Grosvenor Street, in charge of a perambulator that contained a baby of the
male sex. You never returned. A few weeks later, through the elaborate
Spanish
anxiously: ansiosamente.
baby: bebé, nene, bebe, criatura.
catches: coge, ase, acierta.
celibate: célibe.
charge: carga, cargo, acusación, gastos,
cargar, cobro, cobrar, imputación.
companion: acompañante,
compañero.
consternation: consternación.
contained: contenido.
cultivated: cultivado, culto.
desirous: deseoso.
esteemed: estimado.
fixed: fijo, fijado, reparado.
horror: horror, aversión.
household: hogar, casa.
humble: humilde, humillar.
judicial: judicial.
ladies: damas, señoras.
male: masculino, macho, varón.
nigh: cercano.
pale: pálido, palidecer, descolorido.
perambulator: cochecito de niño.
picture: imagen, cuadro, grabado,
pintura, retrato, el cuadro,
reproducción, ilustración, foto.
sent: enviado, mandado, despachado.
sex: sexo, el sexo, tener sexo.
shield: escudo, blindaje, pantalla,
blindar, proteger.
spite: rencor.
stony: pedregoso.
valued: aprecio, estimado, estimación,
apreciado, estimable, estimar,
valuado, valorar, valorado, cotizado,
valor.
96
The Importance of Being Earnest
investigations of the Metropolitan police, the perambulator was discovered
at midnight, standing by itself in a remote corner of Bayswater. It contained
the manuscript of a three-volume novel of more than usually revolting
sentimentality. [MISS PRISM starts in involuntary indignation.] But the baby
was not there! [Every one looks at MISS PRISM.] Prism! Where is that baby?
[A pause.]
MISS PRISM.
Lady Bracknell, I admit with shame that I do not know. I only wish I did. The
plain facts of the case are these. On the morning of the day you mention, a
day that is for ever branded on my memory, I prepared as usual to take the
baby out in its perambulator. I had also with me a somewhat old, but
capacious hand-bag in which I had intended to place the manuscript of a
work of fiction that I had written during my few unoccupied hours. In a
moment of mental abstraction, for which I never can forgive myself, I
deposited the manuscript in the basinette, and placed the baby in the handbag.%
JACK.
[Who has been listening attentively.] But where did you deposit the handbag?
MISS PRISM.
Do not ask me, Mr. Worthing.
JACK.
Miss Prism, this is a matter of no small importance to me. I insist on knowing
where you deposited the hand-bag that contained that infant.
MISS PRISM.
I left it in the cloak-room of one of the larger railway stations in London.
JACK.
What railway station?
MISS PRISM.
[Quite crushed.] Victoria. The Brighton line. [Sinks into a chair.]
Spanish
abstraction: abstracción, robo,
sustracción.
branded: de marca reconocida.
capacious: espacioso, capaz.
cloak-room: la sala de equipajes.
corner: esquina, ángulo, rincón.
deposit: depositar, depósito,
yacimiento, sedimento, ingreso,
fianza, poner en depósito, señal,
ingresar, imposición.
deposited: depositado.
fiction: ficción.
forgive: perdonar, perdona, perdonad,
perdono, perdonen, perdonas,
perdonan, perdonamos, perdonáis,
perdone.
hand-bag: bolsa.
insist: insistir, insista, insiste, insisto,
insistís, insistimos, insistid, insistes,
insisten, insistan, instar.
intended: destinado, destinado a,
intencional, intentar, pensar,
proponerse, proyectado, querer, ser
destinado a, tener la intención de, a
propósito.
involuntary: involuntario.
manuscript: manuscrito.
midnight: medianoche, media noche,
la medianoche.
perambulator: cochecito de niño.
remote: remoto, lejano, apartado,
aislado, separado.
revolting: indignante.
sentimentality: sentimentalismo.
unoccupied: desocupado.
Oscar Wilde
97
JACK.
I must retire to my room for a moment. Gwendolen, wait here for me.%
GWENDOLEN.
If you are not too long, I will wait here for you all my life. [Exit JACK in great
excitement.]
CHASUBLE.
What do you think this means, Lady Bracknell?
LADY BRACKNELL.
I dare not even suspect, Dr. Chasuble. I need hardly tell you that in families
of high position strange coincidences are not supposed to occur. They are
hardly considered the thing.
[Noises heard overhead as if some one was throwing trunks about. Every
one looks up.]
CECILY.
Uncle Jack seems strangely agitated.
CHASUBLE.
Your guardian has a very emotional nature.
LADY BRACKNELL.
This noise is extremely unpleasant. It sounds as if he was having an
argument. I dislike arguments of any kind. They are always vulgar, and
often convincing.
CHASUBLE.
[Looking up.] It has stopped now. [The noise is redoubled.]
LADY BRACKNELL.
I wish he would arrive at some conclusion.
GWENDOLEN.
This suspense is terrible. I hope it will last. [Enter JACK with a hand-bag of
black leather in his hand.]
Spanish
agitated: agitado, inquieto.
argument: argumento, discusión, el
argumento.
arguments: argumentos.
arrive: llegar, llega, llego, llegas,
llegan, llegamos, lleguen, llegad,
llegáis, llegue, arribar.
chasuble: casulla.
conclusion: conclusión.
considered: considerado.
convincing: convenciendo,
convincente.
dislike: aversión, repugnancia,
detestar, detesto, detesten, deteste,
detestas, detestan, detesta,
detestamos, detestáis.
emotional: emocional.
hand-bag: bolsa.
occur: ocurrir, ocurrimos, ocurrís,
ocurro, ocurres, ocurren, ocurran,
ocurrid, acontecer, ocurra, ocurre.
overhead: arriba, gastos generales.
stopped: parado, detenido.
strangely: extrañamente.
supposed: supuesto.
suspense: incertidumbre, emoción,
suspenso, suspense, tensión,
ansiedad.
throwing: lanzamiento.
trunks: traje de baño, bañador,
mampara encerradora de la escotilla,
pantaloneta, pantalón de baño.
vulgar: chabacano, cursi, grosero,
cutre, corriente, vulgo, vulgar,
ramplón, ordinario, ordinaria,
común.
98
The Importance of Being Earnest
JACK.
[Rushing over to MISS PRISM.] Is this the handbag, Miss Prism? Examine it
carefully before you speak. The happiness of more than one life depends on
your answer.%
MISS PRISM.
[Calmly.] It seems to be mine. Yes, here is the injury it received through the
upsetting of a Gower Street omnibus in younger and happier days. Here is
the stain on the lining caused by the explosion of a temperance beverage, an
incident that occurred at Leamington. And here, on the lock, are my initials.
I had forgotten that in an extravagant mood I had had them placed there. The
bag is undoubtedly mine. I am delighted to have it so unexpectedly restored
to me. It has been a great inconvenience being without it all these years.
JACK.
[In a pathetic voice.] Miss Prism, more is restored to you than this hand-bag.
I was the baby you placed in it.
MISS PRISM.
[Amazed.] You?
JACK.
[Embracing her.] Yes... mother!
MISS PRISM.
[Recoiling in indignant astonishment.] Mr. Worthing! I am unmarried
JACK.
Unmarried! I do not deny that is a serious blow. But after all, who has the
right to cast a stone against one who has suffered? Cannot repentance wipe
out an act of folly? Why should there be one law for men, and another for
women? Mother, I forgive you. [Tries to embrace her again.]
MISS PRISM.
[Still more indignant.] Mr. Worthing, there is some error. [Pointing to LADY
BRACKNELL.] There is the lady who can tell you who you really are.
Spanish
beverage: bebida.
cast: lanzar, lanzamiento, arrojar,
echar, colar, elenco, molde.
delighted: encantado, gozoso.
examine: examinar, examina,
examinen, examine, examinas,
examinan, examinamos, examináis,
examinad, examino, registrar.
explosion: explosión.
extravagant: extravagante.
folly: tontería.
handbag: maletín, bolso, cartera,
bolsa, la bolsa.
inconvenience: molestia, molestar.
initials: iniciales.
injury: lesión, herida, daño.
lining: forro, revestimiento.
lock: cerradura, esclusa, cerrar, la
cerradura, cerrojo, bloquear, la
esclusa, bucle, mechón, bloqueo,
cerrar con llave.
omnibus: autobús, ómnibus.
pathetic: patético.
restored: restaurado, restablecido.
stain: manchar, mancha, mancilla,
teñir, tintura, la mancha.
suffered: sufrido, padecido.
temperance: templanza.
undoubtedly: indudablemente, sin
duda.
unexpectedly: inesperadamente.
upsetting: desconcertante.
wipe: limpiar, enjugar, limpien,
limpiad, limpiáis, limpiamos,
limpian, limpias, limpie, limpio,
limpia.
Oscar Wilde
99
JACK.
[After a pause.] Lady Bracknell, I hate to seem inquisitive, but would you
kindly inform me who I am?
LADY BRACKNELL.
I am afraid that the news I have to give you will not altogether please you.
You are the son of my poor sister, Mrs. Moncrieff, and consequently
Algernon's elder brother.%
JACK.
Algy's elder brother! Then I have a brother after all. I knew I had a brother! I
always said I had a brother! Cecily, - how could you have ever doubted that I
had a brother? [Seizes hold of ALGERNON.] Dr. Chasuble, my unfortunate
brother. Miss Prism, my unfortunate brother. Gwendolen, my unfortunate
brother. Algy, you young scoundrel, you will have to treat me with more
respect in the future. You have never behaved to me like a brother in all your
life.
ALGERNON.
Well, not till to-day, old boy, I admit. I did my best, however, though I was
out of practice.
[Shakes hands.]
GWENDOLEN.
[To JACK.] My own! But what own are you? What is your Christian name,
now that you have become some one else?
JACK.
Good heavens!... I had quite forgotten that point. Your decision on the subject
of my name is irrevocable, I suppose?
GWENDOLEN.
I never change, except in my affections.
CECILY.
What a noble nature you have, Gwendolen!
Spanish
admit: confesar, confesad, confesáis,
confieso, confiesen, confiese,
confiesas, confiesan, confiesa,
confesamos, admitir.
altogether: todo, en conjunto.
behaved: se comportado, portado,
funcionado, conducido, educado,
Comportado, comportarse bien,
comportar.
chasuble: casulla.
consequently: por consiguiente.
doubted: dudado.
elder: mayor, anciano, saúco.
forgotten: olvidado.
hate: odiar, odio, aborrecer, detestar.
hold: tener, sujetar, continuar,
retención, sostener, contener,
mantener, retenido, presa, bodega.
inform: informar, informe, informen,
informo, informa, informad,
informáis, informamos, informas,
informan, enterar.
inquisitive: curioso, inquisitivo.
irrevocable: irrevocable.
kindly: amablemente,
bondadosamente, amable.
noble: hidalgo, noble.
scoundrel: bribón, sinvergüenza,
canalla.
seizes: agarra, ase.
shakes: sacude.
son: hijo, el hijo.
to-day: hoy.
treat: tratar, curar, obsequio.
unfortunate: desgraciado,
infortunado.
100
The Importance of Being Earnest
JACK.
Then the question had better be cleared up at once. Aunt Augusta, a
moment. At the time when Miss Prism left me in the hand-bag, had I been
christened already?
LADY BRACKNELL.
Every luxury that money could buy, including christening, had been
lavished on you by your fond and doting parents.%
JACK.
Then I was christened! That is settled. Now, what name was I given? Let me
know the worst.
LADY BRACKNELL.
Being the eldest son you were naturally christened after your father.
JACK.
[Irritably.] Yes, but what was my father's Christian name?
LADY BRACKNELL.
[Meditatively.] I cannot at the present moment recall what the General's
Christian name was. But I have no doubt he had one. He was eccentric, I
admit. But only in later years. And that was the result of the Indian climate,
and marriage, and indigestion, and other things of that kind.
JACK.
Algy! Can't you recollect what our father's Christian name was?
ALGERNON.
My dear boy, we were never even on speaking terms. He died before I was a
year old.
JACK.
His name would appear in the Army Lists of the period, I suppose, Aunt
Augusta?
LADY BRACKNELL.
The General was essentially a man of peace, except in his domestic life. But I
have no doubt his name would appear in any military directory.
Spanish
admit: confesar, confesad, confesáis,
confieso, confiesen, confiese,
confiesas, confiesan, confiesa,
confesamos, admitir.
aunt: tía.
cannot: presente de no poder.
can't: no puede.
christened: bautizado.
christening: bautizando, bautizo,
bautismo.
cleared: limpiado, depurado.
climate: clima, el clima.
directory: directorio, catálogo.
doting: chocheando.
eccentric: excéntrico, extravagante.
eldest: mayor.
essentially: esencialmente.
except: excepto, menos, exceptuar,
además de, amén de.
fond: aficionado.
hand-bag: bolsa.
indigestion: indigestión, empacho.
jack: gato, jota, sota, para conectar
algún aparto electrotécnico, clavija,
para sujetar el coche cuando se
cambia una rueda.
lavished: Prodigó.
luxury: lujo, el lujo.
naturally: naturalmente.
recall: recordar, llamada, hacer volver,
recuerdo.
recollect: recordar.
settled: despachado.
speaking: hablando, parlante.
worst: peor.
Oscar Wilde
101
JACK.
The Army Lists of the last forty years are here. These delightful records
should have been my constant study. [Rushes to bookcase and tears the
books out.] M. Generals... Mallam, Maxbohm, Magley, what ghastly names
they have - Markby, Migsby, Mobbs, Moncrieff! Lieutenant 1840, Captain,
Lieutenant-Colonel, Colonel, General 1869, Christian names, Ernest John.
[Puts book very quietly down and speaks quite calmly.] I always told you,
Gwendolen, my name was Ernest, didn't I? Well, it is Ernest after all. I mean
it naturally is Ernest.%
LADY BRACKNELL.
Yes, I remember now that the General was called Ernest, I knew I had some
particular reason for disliking the name.
GWENDOLEN.
Ernest! My own Ernest! I felt from the first that you could have no other
name!
JACK.
Gwendolen, it is a terrible thing for a man to find out suddenly that all his
life he has been speaking nothing but the truth. Can you forgive me?
GWENDOLEN.
I can. For I feel that you are sure to change.
JACK.
My own one!
CHASUBLE.
[To MISS PRISM.] Laetitia! [Embraces her]
MISS PRISM.
[Enthusiastically.] Frederick! At last!
ALGERNON.
Cecily! [Embraces her.] At last!
JACK.
Gwendolen! [Embraces her.] At last!
Spanish
bookcase: librería, estante para libros,
armario para libros, biblioteca, el
estante de libros.
books: los libros.
chasuble: casulla.
constant: constante, continuo.
delightful: bonito, lindo, delicioso,
encantador, deleitoso.
disliking: detestando.
forgive: perdonar, perdona, perdonad,
perdono, perdonen, perdonas,
perdonan, perdonamos, perdonáis,
perdone.
forty: cuarenta.
ghastly: horrible, horroroso, lúgubre.
jack: gato, jota, sota, para conectar
algún aparto electrotécnico, clavija,
para sujetar el coche cuando se
cambia una rueda.
lieutenant: teniente, lugarteniente.
names: nombres, Michael.
naturally: naturalmente.
puts: pone, mete, coloca.
quietly: calladamente,
silenciosamente.
records: archivos, archivo, registros.
rushes: copiones.
speaking: hablando, parlante.
speaks: habla.
suddenly: de repente, de golpe,
repentinamente, de sopetón.
sure: seguro, cierto.
tears: desgarra, rasga.
terrible: terrible.
truth: verdad, veras, la verdad.
102
The Importance of Being Earnest
LADY BRACKNELL.
My nephew, you seem to be displaying signs of triviality.%
JACK.
On the contrary, Aunt Augusta, I've now realised for the first time in my life
the vital Importance of Being Earnest.
[TABLEAU]
Spanish
contrary: contrario.
displaying: demostrar.
nephew: sobrino, el sobrino.
seem: parecer, parezca, parecen,
parezcan, pareces, parezco,
parecemos, parecéis, parece, pareced.
signs: señales, carteles de señalización,
signo.
tableau: cuadro.
vital: esencial.
Oscar Wilde
103
GLOSSARY
aback: hacia atrás,
desprevenidamente, por sorpresa,
de improviso
abandoned: abandonado,
desamparado, dejado, abandonados,
abandonada, olvidado,
abandonadas
abroad: en el extranjero, fuera, en el
la extranjero, al extranjero
absence: ausencia, falta
absolute: absoluto, completo, cabal
absolutely: absolutamente,
verdaderamente, en efecto, en
realidad, de veras
abstraction: abstracción, robo,
sustracción
absurd: absurdo
absurdly: absurdamente
abused: maltratado
accept: aceptar, acepta, acepten,
acepto, aceptas, aceptan, aceptamos,
aceptáis, aceptad, acepte, admitir
accepted: aceptado, admitido
accepts: acepta, admite, aceptar
accompany: acompañar, acompañen,
acompaña, acompaño, acompañas,
acompañan, acompañamos,
acompañáis, acompañad, acompañe
according: conforme, de acuerdo con
account: cuenta, considerar,
comunicación, creer, contemplar,
lugar, tomar en consideración,
motivo, noticia, explicación,
información
accounts: cuentas
accumulation: acumulación, cúmulo
accurate: preciso, exacto, meticuloso,
escrupuloso, atinado
accurately: exactamente, precisión
accustomed: acostumbrado
acquire: adquirir, adquieran,
adquiere, adquieren, adquieres,
adquiero, adquirid, adquirimos,
adquirís, adquiera, conseguir
acted: Actuado
acts: hechos
actual: real, actual, verdadero,
efectivo
adapted: adaptado
address: dirección, dirigir, discurso,
señas, dirigirse a, alocución,
dirigirse, domicilio, dirigir la
palabra a
addresses: direcciones
adjoining: contiguo, vecino,
adyacente
admirable: admirable, estupendo
admirably: admirablemente
admire: admirar, admiran, admiro,
admiren, admiras, admiramos,
admiráis, admirad, admira, admire
admired: admirado
admission: admisión, entrada,
ingreso, confesión, precio de
entrada, declaración, aceptación
admit: confesar, confesad, confesáis,
confieso, confiesen, confiese,
confiesas, confiesan, confiesa,
confesamos, admitir
admitting: confesando, admitiendo
adopt: adoptar, adoptan, adopto,
adopten, adoptas, adoptáis,
adoptad, adopta, adoptamos,
adopte, prohijar
adopted: adoptado, adoptivo,
prohijado
adore: adorar, adoran, adoren, adore,
adoro, adoras, adoramos, adoráis,
adora, adorad
adults: los adultos
advanced: avanzado, adelantado
advancing: avanzar, movimiento
hacia adelante
advantage: ventaja, provecho, la
ventaja
advice: consejo, noticias,
asesoramiento, publicación, noticia,
el consejo
advisable: aconsejable
advise: aconsejar, aconsejan,
aconsejen, aconsejas, aconsejo,
aconsejamos, aconsejáis, aconsejad,
aconseja, aconseje, anunciar
affect: afectar, afecte, afectas, afecten,
afectan, afectáis, afecta, afectad,
afectamos, afecto, conmover
affectionate: afectuoso, zalamero,
mimoso, cariñoso, amante
affliction: aflicción
afraid: miedoso, temeroso, asustado,
medroso, miedo, encogido,
angustioso, tímido, be - tener miedo
afternoon: tarde, la tarde
afterwards: después, luego, más
adelante
agitated: agitado, inquieto
ago: hace
agricultural: agrícola, agrario
ah: ay
ahem: ejém, ejem
ailment: enfermedad, padecimiento,
achaque
aim: fin, objeto, objetivo, querer decir,
apuntar, tratar de, esforzarse por,
apuntáis, apunten, apuntas, apunto
air: aire, airear, el aire, aéreo, orear
alarm: alarma, preocupar, alarmar
alienating: alienando, enajenando
alliance: alianza
allow: permitir, permitan, permitid,
permiten, permites, permitimos,
permite, permito, permitís, permita,
dejar
allowed: permitido, dejado
allowing: permitiendo, dejando
allude: aludir, aludid, aludes,
aludimos, aludo, alude, aludan,
aludís, aluden, aluda
alluring: seductor, tentando
allusion: alusión
alone: solo, único, solamente, sólo
along: a lo largo de, por
alter: cambiar, cambia, cambien,
cambie, cambias, cambian, cambio,
cambiamos, cambiáis, cambiad,
alterar
alteration: alteración, modificación,
cambio
altered: cambiado, alterado, mudado
altogether: todo, en conjunto
amazement: asombro, pasmo
104
amongst: entre
amount: cantidad, importe, suma,
número, monto, monta
amuse: divertir, diviértete, diviértase,
diviértanse, divértidos, me divierto,
nos divertimos, os divertís, se
divierte, se divierten, te diviertes
amused: se divertido, entretenido
amusement: diversión, divertimento,
entretenimiento, distracción
amuses: se divierte, entretiene
ancient: antiguo, vetusto
angel: ángel
angrily: con enojo, enconadamente,
airadamente, enojadamente
anguish: angustia, miedo, angustiar
announcement: anuncio, publicación,
aviso, noticias, noticia, prospecto
annoyed: fastidiado, molestado,
enojado, enfadado
annoys: molesta, enfada, enoja
answer: respuesta, responder,
contestar, contestación, responder a,
corresponder al, contestar a, la
respuesta, réplica
answers: respuestas
anxiety: ansiedad
anxious: inquieto, ansioso
anxiously: ansiosamente
anybody: alguien, alguno, cierto,
cualquiera
anyone: alguien, cualquiera
anywhere: dondequiera, en cualquier
parte
apoplexy: apoplejía
appealingly: apelar, atrayentemente,
suplicantemente
appear: aparecer, aparece, aparezco,
aparezcan, apareces, aparecen,
aparecemos, aparecéis, apareced,
aparezca, parecer
appearance: aspecto, apariencia,
aparición, comparecencia, vista,
apersonamiento
appears: aparece, comparece
appetite: apetito, el apetito
appointment: cita, nombramiento,
designación, la cita
appreciate: apreciar, aprecia,
apreciad, apreciáis, apreciamos,
aprecian, aprecias, aprecien, aprecio,
aprecie, gustar
apprised: Informado
approaches: aproches
approaching: acercamiento, acercar,
aproximado, acercarse, aproximar,
aproximarse, dirigirse a uno,
venidero, tocar un tema, semejante,
que se acerca
approve: aprobar, aprueban,
apruebo, apruebas, aprueba,
aprobamos, aprobáis, aprobad,
The Importance of Being Earnest
aprueben, apruebe
arduous: arduo, difícil
argue: discutir, discuto, discutís,
discutan, discute, discuten, discutes,
discutid, discutimos, argüir, discuta
argument: argumento, discusión, el
argumento
arguments: argumentos
aristocracy: aristocracia
aristocratic: aristocrático
arm: brazo, armar, el brazo, arma
arms: brazos, los brazos, armas
army: ejército
arrange: arreglar, arreglen, arreglan,
arreglamos, arregláis, arregla,
arreglad, arreglas, arreglo, arregle,
organizar
arrangements: acuerdos
arranging: arreglando, organizando,
disponiendo
arrive: llegar, llega, llego, llegas,
llegan, llegamos, lleguen, llegad,
llegáis, llegue, arribar
arrived: llegado
arrives: llega
artistically: artísticamente
aside: aparte, al lado
ask: preguntar, preguntáis,
preguntad, pregunto, pregunten,
preguntas, preguntan, preguntamos,
pregunte, pregunta, pedir
aspect: aspecto, vista
assistance: ayuda, asistencia, socorro,
auxilio
associated: asociado
assumed: asumido, supuesto
assured: asegurado
astonishment: asombro
astounded: pasmado, pasmar,
aturdir, asombrado, sorprender
astray: desencaminado
attached: fijado, adjuntado, adjunto,
sujetado
attempt: intentar, intenta, intentad,
intentáis, intentamos, intentas,
intente, intenten, intentan, intento,
tentativa
attending: asistiendo
attention: atención, firmes
attentive: atento
attentively: atentamente
attitude: actitud, posición, postura
attractive: atractivo, atrayente
attribute: atributo, atribuir
aunt: tía
australia: Australia
authenticity: autenticidad
average: promedio, medio, media,
centro, medianía, avería, media
aritmética
await: esperar, esperen, espere,
esperas, esperan, esperamos,
esperáis, espero, esperad, espera,
aguardar
aware: consciente
awfully: terriblemente
b: si, segundo
babies: criaturas, bebes
baby: bebé, nene, bebe, criatura
bachelors: bachilleres, solteros
bad: malo, mal, podrido
badly: mal, malamente
bag: bolso, bolsa, saco
bangle: brazalete, ajorca, brazalete
tubular, esclava, pulsera ancha
bankruptcy: quiebra, bancarrota
quiebra, bancarrota
baptism: bautismo
baptized: bautizado
barrier: barrera, reja, obstrucción
basis: base
basket: cesto, cesta, la cesta, canasta,
barquilla, canasto
bear: oso, llevar, el oso, bajista,
producir, dar a luz, parir, portar,
soportar
beastly: bestial
beautiful: bonito, hermoso, bello,
precioso
beauty: belleza, la belleza
becomes: acontece
becoming: conveniente, aconteciendo
bed: cama, lecho, cauce, la cama,
bancada, cuadro, madre
bedrooms: el dormitorios
beg: mendigar, mendigas,
mendiguen, mendigan, mendigáis,
mendiga, mendigad, mendigamos,
mendigo, mendigue, pedir limosna
begin: empezar, empiecen, empezad,
empezáis, empiece, empieza,
empiezan, empiezas, empiezo,
empezamos, comenzar
begins: empieza, principia
behalf: nombre
behave: conducirse, comportarse
behaved: se comportado, portado,
funcionado, conducido, educado,
Comportado, comportarse bien,
comportar
behaving: comportándose,
conduciendo, funcionando,
portando, Comportar
bell: timbre, campana, campanilla, la
campana
below: abajo, debajo de, debajo, bajo,
por debajo de, en el fondo
bends: enfermedad de buzo
besides: además, demás, además de,
amén de
bet: apostar, apuesta
betoken: presagiado
beverage: bebida
bewildered: descarriado,
Oscar Wilde
desconcertado
beyond: más allá de, a través de,
luego, después, allende, más allá
bills: efectos, billetes
birth: nacimiento, parto, el
nacimiento
bishop: obispo, alfil
bitter: amargo, agrio
blessing: bendiciendo, bendición
bloom: flor, florecer, veladura,
floración, florecimiento
blow: soplar, golpe
blue: azul, azular
blurt: decir bruscamente
bookcase: librería, estante para libros,
armario para libros, biblioteca, el
estante de libros
books: los libros
bore: aburrir, barrena, taladrar,
calibre, perforar, barrenar, barreno,
perforación
bored: aburrido
bores: taladra
boring: aburrido, perforación,
taladrar
born: nacido, nato
bother: molestar, fastidiar,
incomodar, molestia, estorbar,
preocuparse
bottle: botella, la botella, embotellar,
vaciar, frasco, biberón
bottles: las botellas
bought: comprado
bound: encuadernado, saltar, salto,
ligado, límite, obligado
bowed: agobiado, arqueado,
cabizbajo, encorvado, inclinado
box: caja, estuche, arca, casilla,
boxear, la caja, jarro, recuadro, olla,
palco, cajetín
boxes: las cajas
boy: chico, muchacho, niño, el
muchacho, criado, chamaco
brand: marca, marcar
branded: de marca reconocida
bread: pan, el pan
break: romper, descanso,
interrupción, rotura, quebrar, corte,
pausa, adiestrar, fractura,
interrumpir
bred: pret y pp de breed, Criado
brief: breve, corto, informe, conciso
brightly: brillantemente
brilliant: brillante, magnífico, genial
bring: traer, traigan, trae, traed,
traéis, traemos, traen, traigo, traes,
traiga, llevar
brings: trae
broke: bollado, rotura, rompió,
romper, pret de break, interrupción,
fracturar, sin blanca, comienzo,
pelado, descanso
broken: roto, estropeado,
entrecortado, quebrado
brother: hermano, el hermano,
cofrade
brothers: hermanos
brought: Traído
brow: ceja, frente
buried: enterrado
butler: mayordomo
butter: mantequilla, la mantequilla,
manteca, untar con mantequilla
buttonhole: ojal
buy: comprar, compra, procurarse,
adquisición
cake: pastel, queque, torta, tarta, el
pastel, bizcocho, endurecerse
calamity: calamidad
call: llamada, llamar, llaman, llamen,
llamad, llamas, llamo, llamamos,
llamáis, llame, llama
calling: llamando, llamada
calls: llama, llamadas
calm: tranquilo, calma, calmar,
quieto, silencio, sosegado, sosegar,
aquietar, sereno
calmly: calmadamente, serenamente
candid: franco, sincero
candidly: cándidamente
candour: sinceridad, franqueza,
candor
cannot: presente de no poder
canon: canónico, Criterio, de Canon,
canonizar, canónigo
canonical: canónico
can't: no puede
capacious: espacioso, capaz
capital: capital, capitel, mayúscula, la
capital
captain: capitán
card: tarjeta, carta, ficha
cards: la baraja, tarjetas, los naipes
cared: Cuidado
careful: cuidadoso, prudente,
circunspecto, precavido
carefully: cuidadosamente
careless: descuidado, sin cuidado,
negligente
carelessness: descuido
carriage: coche, carro, cureña
carried: Llevado, cargado,
transportado
carries: Lleva, carga, transporta
carry: llevar, llevamos, lleváis, llevad,
lleva, lleven, llevo, llevan, llevas,
lleve, cargar
carter: carretero
cast: lanzar, lanzamiento, arrojar,
echar, colar, elenco, molde
catch: coger, cogéis, cojan, coged,
cogemos, cogen, coges, coja, coge,
cojo, asir
catches: coge, ase, acierta
105
cathedral: catedral
caught: cogido, asido, acertado
cause: causa, causar, ocasionar, dar
lugar a, instigar, producir,
maquinar, provocar
caused: causado
cease: cesar, parar, cese
ceased: ceso, Cesado
celebrations: festividades
celibacy: celibato
celibate: célibe
ceremonials: ceremonial
ceremonies: feriar
ceremony: ceremonia
certainly: ciertamente, desde luego
certificates: certificados
chafe: rozadura, rozar
chair: silla, la silla, presidencia,
cátedra
chairs: las sillas
champagne: champaña, champán
chance: azar, suerte, acontecimiento,
acaso, oportunidad
changeable: cambiable
changed: cambio, cambió, cambiado
chaps: rajar, resquebrajar, quijada,
muchacho, grieta, carrillo, agrietar,
zajones
chapter: capítulo, capitulo, sección
character: carácter, seña, naturaleza,
índole, personaje
charge: carga, cargo, acusación,
gastos, cargar, cobro, cobrar,
imputación
charitable: caritativo, misericordioso
charity: caridad, limosna,
misericordia, beneficencia
charming: encantador, simpático,
lindo, bonito, coquetón, amable
charms: amuletos
chasuble: casulla
cheek: mejilla, la mejilla, carrillo
cheerily: alegremente
chief: jefe, principal, caudillo, dueño,
capitán, comandante, arzo, patrón,
archi, amo, caporal
chiefly: principalmente, sobretodo
childish: aniñado, pueril, infantil
chill: frío, enfriar
chin: barba, barbilla, la barbilla,
mentón
choice: elección, opción, selección,
surtido
choose: escoger, escojan, escoges,
escogen, escogemos, escogéis,
escoged, escojo, escoge, escoja, elegir
chooses: escoge, elige
christen: bautizar, bauticen, bautizas,
bautizan, bautizamos, bautizáis,
bautizad, bautiza, bautizo, bautice,
cristianizar
christened: bautizado
106
christening: bautizando, bautizo,
bautismo
christenings: bautiza
christian: cristiano
chronicle: crónica
cigarette: cigarrillo, el cigarrillo
circle: círculo, rodear, cerco
circumstances: circunstancias,
circunstancia
civilised: civilizado
claim: reclamación, derecho,
pretensión, demanda,
reivindicación, crédito, pretender,
afirmación
class: clase, curso, cursillo, la clase,
promoción, categoría
classical: clásico
clean: limpio, limpiar, limpiáis,
limpiad, limpien, limpie, limpias,
limpiamos, limpian, limpia, puro
cleared: limpiado, depurado
clearly: claramente
clever: hábil, diestro, experto, ágil,
listo, inteligente
cleverness: habilidad
climate: clima, el clima
cloak-room: la sala de equipajes
close: cerrar, cierras, cierra, cierren,
cerráis, cerrad, cerramos, cierro,
cierre, cierran, cerca
closely: estrechamente
cloth: tela, trapo, paño, la tela,
mantel, tejido
clothes: ropa, viste, la ropa, ropaje
cloud: nube, la nube, nublar
club: garrote, club
coin: moneda
cold: frío, resfriado, catarro,
constipado
coldly: fríamente
coldness: frialdad
colonel: coronel
colour: color, colorear, coloración
comes: Viene
comfortable: cómodo, agradable
coming: viniendo, proveniente,
próximo, originario, natural
commanded: Ordenado
comment: comentario, observación
commerce: comercio
common: común
communicate: comunicar,
comunicamos, comuniquen,
comunico, comunican, comunicáis,
comunicad, comunica, comunicas,
comunique, contagiar
communication: comunicación,
noticia, noticias, publicación
companion: acompañante,
compañero
comparatively: comparativamente,
relativamente
The Importance of Being Earnest
competition: competencia, concurso,
competición
complaining: regañando,
demandando, lamentando,
quejándose, querellándose,
reclamando, quejumbroso, quejar
complete: completo, lleno, completar,
llenar, cabal, concluir, cumplido
completely: completamente
conceal: ocultar, ocultamos, oculten,
ocultan, ocultáis, ocultad, oculta,
ocultas, oculto, oculte, recatar
conceited: presumido, hueco
concerned: interesado, en cuestión,
dicho
conclusion: conclusión
condolence: condolencia, pésame
conduce: conduzco, conducen,
conduzcan, conducís, conducimos,
conduces, conduce, conducid,
conduzca, conducir a, conducir
conduct: conducir, guiar, dirigir,
conducta, comportamiento
confess: confesar, confiesan,
confiesen, confieso, confiesas,
confesamos, confesad, confesáis,
confiesa, confiese, declarar
confessed: confesado, reconocido
confidence: confianza, confidencia
confidingly: crédulamente, confiar,
confiadamente
confirmation: confirmación
confirmed: confirmado,
empedernido
connected: conectado, conexo
conscious: consciente
consent: aprobación, acordar,
declaración, declarar,
consentimiento, autorización
consequence: consecuencia, secuela
consequently: por consiguiente
consider: considerar, considerad,
considero, consideren, consideras,
consideran, consideramos,
consideráis, considera, considere,
contemplar
considerably: considerablemente
consideration: consideración,
contraprestación, contemplación
considered: considerado
considering: considerando
consolation: consuelo
constant: constante, continuo
constantly: constantemente, siempre,
continuamente
consternation: consternación
constituted: constituido
constitution: constitución,
complexión
consumed: consumido
contained: contenido
contempt: desprecio, menosprecio
content: contenido, contento,
satisfecho
continually: continuamente, siempre
continues: continúa, dura
continuing: continuando, durando
contrary: contrario
conversation: conversación
convincing: convenciendo,
convincente
convulsively: convulsivamente
copy: copiar, copia, traslado,
trasladar, la copia
corner: esquina, ángulo, rincón
corrupt: corrupto, corromper,
adulterar, corrompa, corrompido,
corrompan, corrompo, corrompes,
corrompemos, corromped,
corrompe
cough: toser, tos, la tos
couldn't: no fue posible
count: contar, recuento, cuenta,
conde, calcular, entrar en cuenta,
computar, unidad de cuenta, cargo
county: condado, provincia
courage: valor, coraje, ánimo, virtud
course: curso, plato, cursillo, rumbo,
transcurso, recorrido
cousin: primo, prima, el primo
covered: cubierto, cubierto de verdor
cowardly: cobarde
crape: crespón
credit: crédito, haber, acreditar
creditors: acreedores
credulity: credulidad
criticism: crítica, reparo, censura
cross: cruz, atravesar, cruzar,
transversal, aspa, cruce
crossing: cruce, cruzamiento, travesía
crowded: atestado
crush: compresión, aplastar
crushed: aplastado
crying: llorando
cucumber: pepino, el pepino
cultivated: cultivado, culto
culture: cultura, cultivo
cup: taza, la taza, copa
cups: taza
curious: curioso
curiously: curiosamente
curls: rizos
custom: costumbre, usanza
customary: acostumbrado
cut: cortar, corte, cortado, cortadura
cuts: reducciones, recortes, corta,
cortes
cynical: cínico
daily: diariamente, diario, cotidiano,
de todos los días, todos los días
danger: peligro, el peligro
dangerous: peligroso
dare: atreverse, reto, cariño
dared: atrevido, aventurado, se
Oscar Wilde
atrevido, se arriesgado, osado,
desafiado
daresay: dicho atrevido
darling: querido, amado
daughter: hija, la hija, Nina
dead: muerto
deal: trato, transacción
dear: caro, querido, estimado
decay: decadencia, decaimiento,
putrefacción, baja, deterioración,
descomposición
deceitful: engañoso, falaz
deceived: engañado
deceiving: engañando
deception: engaño
decide: decidir, decida, decides,
decidís, decido, decidid, decide,
decidan, decidimos, deciden,
decidirse
decided: decidido
decision: decisión, sentencia,
resolución judicial
decline: declinar, desmejorarse,
retroceso, rehusar, declinación,
decadencia, rechazar, baja, descenso,
ocaso
deep: profundo, hondo
defence: defensa, retaguardia
definite: definido
degree: grado, título, licencia
delicate: delicado, fino
delight: deleitar, delicia, encantar
delighted: encantado, gozoso
delightful: bonito, lindo, delicioso,
encantador, deleitoso
delivered: entregado
demeanour: portizaje, porte,
comportamiento, conducta, modo
de portarse
demonstrative: demostrativo,
pronombre demostrativo
demoralising: desmoralizar
dentist: dentista, el dentista
deny: negar, negad, niego, niegas,
niegan, negáis, negamos, nieguen,
niega, niegue, desmentir
departure: salida, partida, desviación
depend: depender, dependéis,
dependes, dependo, dependemos,
depende, dependan, depended,
dependen, dependa
depended: dependido
depends: depende
deposit: depositar, depósito,
yacimiento, sedimento, ingreso,
fianza, poner en depósito, señal,
ingresar, imposición
deposited: depositado
depress: deprimir, deprimid,
deprimo, deprimís, deprimimos,
deprimes, deprimen, deprime,
deprima, depriman
depression: crisis, depresión
deserve: merecer, merecemos,
merezcan, merezco, merecen,
mereced, merece, mereces, merecéis,
merezca
desire: desear, deseo, tener, querer,
gana, codiciar
desirous: deseoso
desperate: desesperado
destined: destinado
destiny: destino, suerte
details: orden del día, entresijos,
detalles
detain: retener, retengo, retienes,
retiene, retengan, retenemos,
retenéis, retened, reten, retienen,
retenga
determined: determinado, decidido
detestable: detestable
develop: revelar, reveláis, revela,
revelo, revelad, revele, revelas,
revelen, revelan, revelamos,
desarrollar
devoted: afectuoso, consagrado,
dedicado, adicto, fiel
devotedly: fielmente,
consagradamente, adictamente, con
devoción, dedicadamente,
devotamente, fervientemente
devotion: devoción
devoured: devorado
diary: diario, agenda
dictating: dictando
dictation: dictado
die: morir, morid, mueran, muere,
morís, mueren, mueres, muero,
morimos, muera, molde
died: muerto
difficulty: dificultad, inconveniente
dignified: dignificado, digno
dine: cenar, cenáis, ceno, cenen,
cenas, cenamos, cenad, cenan, cena,
cene
dined: cenado
dining: cenando
dining-room: comedor
dinner: cena, comida, banquete
direction: dirección, rumbo
directions: instrucciones,
indicaciones
directory: directorio, catálogo
disappear: desaparecer, desapareced,
desaparecéis, desaparecemos,
desaparecen, desapareces,
desaparezcan, desaparezco,
desaparece, desaparezca
disappointed: decepcionado
disappointment: desilusión,
decepción
discontent: disgustado, descontento
discovered: descubierto
discuss: discutir, discutan,
107
discutimos, discutid, discutes,
discuten, discute, discuto, discutís,
discuta, debatir
disgraceful: vergonzoso, deshonroso
disguise: disfraz, disfrazar
dislike: aversión, repugnancia,
detestar, detesto, detesten, deteste,
detestas, detestan, detesta,
detestamos, detestáis
disliking: detestando
disloyalty: deslealtad
disown: repudiar, repudias, repudia,
repudiad, repudiáis, repudian,
repudie, repudien, repudio,
repudiamos
display: pantalla, exhibición,
visualización, exponer, exposición,
desplegar
displaying: demostrar
displeased: desagradado, disgustado
disposition: disposición, talento,
capacidad
disrespectfully: irrespetuosamente
distasteful: desagradable
distinct: claro, distinto, evidente
distinctly: distintamente
distress: afligir, indigencia,
entristecer, acongojar, dolor
distressed: afligido, penado,
angustioso, angustiado
distressing: penoso
disturb: molestar, moleste, molestad,
molestáis, molestamos, molestan,
molestas, molesta, molesto,
molesten, incomodar
divine: divino
divorce: divorcio, divorciar,
divorciarse
doctor: médico, doctor
domestic: indígena, doméstico,
nacional
domesticity: domesticidad, capa
don't: no
doting: chocheando
double: doble, doblar, doblado
doubt: dudar, duda
doubted: dudado
doubts: duda
drama: drama
drank: pret de drink, bebió
draughts: damas, juego de damas
drawing: dibujando, dibujo,
encantando, trazando, plano, giro
drawn: dibujado, encantado, trazado
dreadful: terrible, espantoso
dream: soñar, sueño, ensueño
dreamed: soñado
dress: vestido, vestir, vendar,
vestirse, el vestido, ponerse, revestir
dressed: vestido, con guarnición de
dressing-room: camerino, camarino,
camarín
108
drink: beber, bebida, tomar, el
refresco, trago, copa
drinks: bebidas
drive: conducir, conducen,
conduzcan, conduzco, conducís,
conducimos, conduzca, conduces,
conduce, conducid, propulsión
driven: conducido, manejado
drop: gota, caer, disminuir, amainar,
decrecer, menguar, caída, descenso,
dejar caer
duchess: duquesa
duty: deber, servicio, obligación,
impuesto
dying: muriendo, agonizante
earlier: mas temprano
earnest: serio
easily: fácilmente
easy: fácil
eat: comer, comemos, comes, coméis,
comed, coman, como, comen, coma,
Come
eating: comiendo
eats: come
eccentric: excéntrico, extravagante
economy: economía
effeminate: afeminado
effort: esfuerzo, afán
effrontery: descaro
eight: ocho
eighteen: dieciocho, diez y ocho
elaborate: elaborar, detallado,
elaborado
elder: mayor, anciano, saúco
elderly: mayor, anciano
eldest: mayor
electric: eléctrico
eligible: elegible
embrace: abrazar, abarcar
embracing: abrazar, abrazarse,
abrazo, adoptar, abarcamiento
emigrating: emigrando
emotional: emocional
empire: imperio
empty: vacío, vaciar, evacuar,
desocupado, desocupar
encourage: animar, animad, animo,
animáis, animamos, animan,
animas, animen, anima, anime,
alentar
encouraged: animado, alentado,
espoleado
encouraging: animando, alentador,
alentando, espoleando
ended: finalizó, terminado
endure: durar, duráis, duro, duren,
dure, duras, duran, duramos, dura,
durad, tolerar
engaged: ocupado, comprometido,
engranado, prometido
engagement: obligación,
compromiso, contrato, contratación
The Importance of Being Earnest
english: inglés, inglesa
enjoyment: goce, disfrute
enjoys: disfruta, goza
enormously: enormemente
ensure: asegurar, asegura, aseguro,
aseguren, aseguras, aseguran,
aseguramos, aseguráis, asegurad,
asegure
entanglement: greña, enredo,
enmarañamiento, embrollo,
alambradas de obstáculo, maraña
enter: entrar, entro, entra, entrad,
entráis, entramos, entran, entras,
entren, entre, inscribir
entered: entrado, inscrito, montado
enters: entra, inscribe, monta
enthusiastic: entusiasmado,
entusiasta
entire: entero, todo, completo, cabal,
total
entirely: enteramente,
completamente, totalmente
entrancing: fascinante, encantar,
encantador
entrapped: atrapado
entry: entrada, asiento, ingreso,
partida, inscripción, acceso
epidemic: epidemia, epidémico
equality: igualdad
equally: ídem, igualmente
equanimity: equidad, ecuanimidad
error: equivocación, error, yerro
escape: escaparse, escapar, huida,
fuga, escape, evadir, escapada, huir
especially: sobre todo,
principalmente, especialmente,
sobretodo
essence: esencia
essentially: esencialmente
establishment: establecimiento
estate: finca, granja, propiedad,
herencia, hacienda, patrimonio
esteemed: estimado
eternal: eterno
evening: tarde, noche, anochecer
evensong: vísperas
everybody: todos, cada uno, cada,
todo el mundo, todo
everything: todo
evidently: evidentemente
exactly: exactamente, justamente, en
punto
examine: examinar, examina,
examinen, examine, examinas,
examinan, examinamos, examináis,
examinad, examino, registrar
examines: examina, registra
examining: examinando, registrando,
examinar
example: ejemplo, el ejemplo
examples: ejemplo
excellent: excelente
except: excepto, menos, exceptuar,
además de, amén de
exception: excepción
excessively: excesivamente
exchanges: bolsas de valores, pago
entre bancos mediante
compensación de diferencias
excitement: excitación, agitación
exciting: excitante, instigando,
excitando, emocionante
excuse: excusa, excusar, disculpa,
disculpar
exercises: maniobras, ceremonias
exist: existir, existimos, existid, existo,
existen, existe, existan, existes,
existís, exista
existence: existencia
exit: salida, salir, la salida
exotic: exótico
expect: esperar, esperad, espero,
esperen, esperáis, esperamos,
esperas, esperan, espera, espere
expected: esperado, previsto
expensive: caro, costoso
experienced: experimentado, experto,
hábil
experiences: experiencias
explanation: explicación
exploded: estallado
explosion: explosión
expose: exponer, exponen, expongo,
expongan, expones, exponemos,
exponéis, exponed, expon, expone,
exponga
expressed: expresado
expressing: expresando
expression: expresión
expressly: expresamente
exquisitely: exquisitamente,
primorosamente
extension: extensión, prórroga,
ampliación, prolongación
extraordinary: extraordinario
extravagance: extravagancia,
derroche
extravagant: extravagante
extremely: extremamente,
extremadamente, sumamente
facts: datos
fair: justo, rubio, mercado, feria,
verbena, bazar, equitativo, hermoso
fall: caer, os caéis, cáedos, se caen, se
cae, te caes, caígase, cáete, caíganse,
me caigo, nos caemos
false: falso
families: familias
fancy: figurarse, de fantasía,
imaginación
fascination: fascinación
fashion: moda
fashionable: de moda
fast: rápido, ayunar, fijo, de prisa,
Oscar Wilde
pronto, veloz, ligero, firme, ayuno
faults: desperfecto, fallas
favour: favor, favorecer
favourable: favorable
fear: temer, miedo, temor, angustia,
recelar
fearful: temeroso, medroso,
angustioso
february: febrero
feeling: sentimiento, sintiendo,
palpando, sensación
feels: siente, palpa
fell: talar, derribar
fellow: compañero, hombre, socio,
tipo, becario
female: hembra, femenino
festal: feriado, festivo
few: pocos
fiction: ficción
fifteen: quince
fifty: cincuenta
filled: llenar, completar, despachar,
terraplén, relleno, rellenar,
redondear, ocupar, lleno, atestado,
llenó
finally: finalmente, al fin, por fin
finding: fundando, hallazgo,
fundiendo, encontrar
finds: funda, funde
fine: multa, fino, multar, excelente,
bonito, delgado, bien, estupendo,
bueno
finger: dedo, el dedo, tocar, manga
fingers: los dedos
finished: acabado, terminado, listo,
concluido
fireplace: chimenea, la chimenea, el
hogar, hogar
firm: firma, firme, fijo, empresa,
sólido, fuerte, compañía
first-class: primera clase
first-rate: primera clase, superfino, de
primera categoría, de primera clase
fixed: fijo, fijado, reparado
flat: plano, llano, apartamento, piso,
liso, bemol, bastidor, desinflado,
cuarto
flight: vuelo, huida, escape
flirt: flirtear
flower: flor, la flor, florecer
flowers: las flores
fluently: elocuentemente, con
fluidez, fluídamente, fluidamente
follow: seguir, seguid, sigues, siguen,
sigue, sigo, sigan, seguís, seguimos,
siga, venir después
followed: seguido
follows: sigue
folly: tontería
fond: aficionado
food: comida, alimento, comestibles,
alimentos, plato
foolish: zote, tonto, necio, bobo
foot: pie, pata, el pie, pujamen
footman: lacayo
forbid: prohibir, prohibid, prohiban,
prohibo, prohibimos, prohibes,
prohiben, prohibe, prohibís, prohiba
forced: forzado
forgave: perdonó, pret de forgive
forget: olvidar, olvidan, olviden,
olvidas, olvidamos, olvidáis,
olvidad, olvida, olvide, olvido,
olvidarse
forgive: perdonar, perdona,
perdonad, perdono, perdonen,
perdonas, perdonan, perdonamos,
perdonáis, perdone
forgiving: perdonando, perdonador
forgotten: olvidado
formed: formó, formado
forte: zona de fuerte de la hoja, fuerte
fortunate: afortunado
fortunately: afortunadamente, por
fortuna
fortune: suerte, fortuna
forty: cuarenta
forty-two: cuarenta y dos
forward: adelante, delantero,
reenviar, hacia delante, enviar,
remitir, hacia adelante
frankly: francamente
frankness: franqueza
frantic: frenético
french: francés
frequently: a menudo,
frecuentemente
friend: amigo, amiga, el amigo
friends: amigos, los amigos
friendship: amistad
frightened: espantado, asustado
fruit: fruta, la fruta, fruto
fully: completamente
fun: diversión, divertido, placer,
divertimento
funds: fondos
furious: torcido, furioso, furibundo
furnished: amueblado
future: futuro, porvenir, próximo,
entrante, el futuro
garb: vestido
garden: jardín, el jardín
gay: alegre, homosexual
generous: generoso, dadivoso
gentleman: caballero, señor,
gentilhombre
gentlemen: señores
gentleness: apacibilidad, suavidad
geography: geografía
geology: geología
gets: obtiene
ghastly: horrible, horroroso, lúgubre
girl: muchacha, chica, niña, la
muchacha
109
girlish: juvenil, de chica, de moza, de
muchacha, de niña
girls: las muchachas
gives: da
glad: alegre, contento
gladly: alegremente
glare: deslumbramiento, deslumbrar
glares: deslumbra
glass: vidrio, vaso, cristal, copa, el
vidrio
glasses: gafas, lentes, anteojos
gloves: guantes, los guantes
goes: va, marcha
gold: oro, el oro, de oro
gone: ido, marchado
goodbye: adiós, despedida, hasta
luego, hasta la vista
goodness: bondad
gorgon: gorgona
governess: institutriz, aya
grammar: gramática
grand: magnífico, grande, grandioso
grand-daughter: nieta
grave: tumba, grave, crítico, sepulcro
gravity: gravedad
greatly: muy, grandemente
greedy: codicioso, ávido, goloso
green: verde
grey: gris, pardo
grief: pesar, dolor
grieved: afligido, apenado
grimace: mueca, gesto
groan: gemir, gemido
gross: bruto, asqueroso, grueso, doce
docenas
grotesque: grotesco
grounds: terreno
growing: creciendo, aumentando,
creciente, crecimiento
grows: crece, aumenta
guarantee: garantía, fianza, aval,
garantizar, afianzamiento, garantir
guardian: guardián, tutor
guest: huésped, invitado, visita
guidance: guía, orientación
guide: guía, guiar, mandar, dirigir,
conducir
guides: guías
hadn't: no ha
hair: pelo, cabello, el pelo, vello
half-moon: media luna
hallo: hola
handbag: maletín, bolso, cartera,
bolsa, la bolsa
hand-bag: bolsa
handing: entregar
handles: asas
hands: las manos
hang: colgar
happen: pasar, pasad, pasáis,
pasamos, pasan, pasas, pasen, paso,
pase, acontecer, pasa
110
happened: pasado, acontecido,
ocurrido, sucedido, acaecido
happens: pasa, acontece, ocurre,
sucede, acaece
happily: alegremente, felizmente,
afortunadamente
happiness: felicidad, alegría, dicha
happy: feliz, alegre, contento
hard: duro, difícil, tieso
hardly: apenas
hard-working: trabajador
harvest: cosecha, cosechar, siega,
recolección, vendimia
hat: sombrero, el sombrero
hatband: cuerda de sombrero, cinta
del sombrero, cinta
hate: odiar, odio, aborrecer, detestar
haven't: no tener
headache: dolor de cabeza, jaqueca,
cefalea
hear: oír, oigan, oyes, oyen, oye, oís,
oigo, oíd, oímos, oiga
heard: oído
hearing: oyendo, oído, audiencia,
vista, audición
heartless: sin corazón
heaven: cielo
heavens: cielo, cielos
helping: ración
hereditary: hereditario
heretical: herético
herself: sí, ella misma, se, sí misma
hesitatingly: con vacilación, vacilar
hesitation: vacilación, duda
higher: superior
highest: sumo, el más alto, suma,
máximo, sumamente, alto, máxima
highly: muy, sumamente
history: historia, la historia
hold: tener, sujetar, continuar,
retención, sostener, contener,
mantener, retenido, presa, bodega
holding: mantenimiento, tenencia
honour: honor, homenaje
hope: esperanza, esperar, espera,
espere, esperen, esperas, esperan,
esperamos, esperáis, esperad, espero
hopelessly: desesperadamente
horrible: temeroso, abominable,
lúgubre, horroroso, horrible
horrid: hórrido
horror: horror, aversión
horticulturally: hortícolamente
hospitality: hospitalidad
hotel: hotel, el hotel, hotelero
hour: hora, la hora
hourly: cada hora, por hora
hours: horas, las horas
household: hogar, casa
households: hogares
housekeeper: ama de casa, ama de
llaves
The Importance of Being Earnest
houses: casas
humble: humilde, humillar
humiliation: humillación
hundred: ciento, cien, centenar
hungry: hambriento
hurriedly: precipitadamente,
apresuradamente
hurt: doler, herir, dañar, herida,
lastimar
husband: marido, esposo, el esposo
hypocrisy: hipocresía
icy: helado, álgido
i'd: Hago
ideal: ideal
ideals: ideales
idiotic: idiota, tonto
idle: ocioso, haraganear, perezoso,
inactivo, en reposo
ignorance: ignorancia
ill: enfermo, malo, doliente
ill-natured: malévolo
illness: enfermedad
i'm: soy
imagine: figurarse, imaginar,
imaginad, imaginen, imagine,
imaginas, imaginan, imagino,
imaginamos, imagináis, imagina
immaterial: inmaterial
immediate: inmediato
immediately: inmediatamente, ahora
mismo, directamente, en seguida, en
el acto
immensely: inmensamente
immersion: inmersión
immoderately: inmoderadamente,
desmedidamente
immoral: inmoral
impatient: impaciente
impetuous: impetuoso
importance: importancia
impossibility: imposibilidad
impossible: imposible
impression: impresión
improbable: inverosímil, improbable
improper: impropio
improve: mejorar, mejora, mejore,
mejoran, mejoramos, mejoráis,
mejorad, mejoren, mejoro, mejoras
improvement: mejora, mejoramiento,
mejoría, progreso
inattentive: distraído
incident: incidente
income: ingresos, ingreso, renta,
rédito, entrada
incomparable: incomparable
incomprehensible: incomprensible
inconvenience: molestia, molestar
increase: aumentar, ampliación,
acrecentar, incremento, aumento
indecorous: indecoroso
indeed: verdaderamente, en efecto,
de veras, en realidad, efectivamente
indian: indio, indico, amerindio,
indio americano
indifferent: indiferente
indigestion: indigestión, empacho
indignant: indignado
indignantly: con indignación,
indignadamente
indignation: indignación
indiscretion: indiscreción
induce: inducir, induzca, inducís,
induzcan, inducimos, inducid,
induces, inducen, induce, induzco,
provocar
inexcusable: imperdonable
inexperienced: inexperto
infant: niño, infante, infantil, lactante,
criatura
infinitely: infinitamente
influence: influencia, influir en,
influir, influenciar
inform: informar, informe, informen,
informo, informa, informad,
informáis, informamos, informas,
informan, enterar
informed: informado, enterado
initials: iniciales
injury: lesión, herida, daño
innocent: inocente, inculpable, el
inocente
inquiry: encuesta, pregunta,
investigación, interrogación,
demanda
inquisitive: curioso, inquisitivo
inscription: inscripción
inside: dentro, dentro de, interior,
adentro, en, por, interna
insist: insistir, insista, insiste, insisto,
insistís, insistimos, insistid, insistes,
insisten, insistan, instar
inspection: inspección, visitación,
registro, control
inspire: inspirar, animar, inspiráis,
inspiro, inspiren, inspire, inspiras,
inspiramos, inspirad, inspira,
inspiran
inspires: inspira
instance: instancia, ejemplo, ejemplar
instead: en cambio
instinct: instinto
instinctively: instintivamente
insuperable: infranqueable, sin
superable
intellectual: intelectual
intend: querer decir, tener el
propósito
intended: destinado, destinado a,
intencional, intentar, pensar,
proponerse, proyectado, querer, ser
destinado a, tener la intención de, a
propósito
intention: intención
interested: interesado
Oscar Wilde
interesting: interesante
interfered: intervenido, interpuesto,
obstruido, perturbado, introducido,
entrometido, injerido, entremetido,
inmiscuido, interferido
interferes: interviene, interfiere,
perturba, obstruye, interpone,
inmiscuye, injiere, entromete,
entremete, introduce
interment: entierro, enterramiento
interrupting: interrumpir
intimately: íntimamente
introduce: presentar, presente,
presento, presenta, presentad,
presentáis, presentamos, presentan,
presenten, presentas, introducir
introduced: presentado, introducido
intrude: meterse, molestar,
entremeterse, entrometerse,
estorbar, imponer en, imponga,
incursionar, intervenir, meter,
encajarse
invalid: inválido, no válido, nulo
invaluable: inapreciable, inestimable
invariably: invariablemente
invented: inventado
investments: inversiones
involuntary: involuntario
irreligious: irreligioso
irresistible: irresistible
irretrievably: irreparablemente,
irrecuperablemente,
incobrablemente
irrevocable: irrevocable
irritably: irasciblemente,
coléricamente, irritablemente
i've: he, Tengo
jack: gato, jota, sota, para conectar
algún aparto electrotécnico, clavija,
para sujetar el coche cuando se
cambia una rueda
jacket: chaqueta, americana, la
chaqueta, cubierta, funda, envoltura,
camisa, cazadora
jacks: jota
james: Santiago, Jaime, Jacobo, Diego
join: juntar, junta, junto, reunir,
reunirse, junten, juntáis, juntamos,
juntan, juntas, junte
journey: viaje, viajar
joyful: alegre
judicial: judicial
july: julio
keeping: guardando, vigilando,
custodia, cuidado, conservando,
preservando
kill: matar
killed: matado
kindly: amablemente,
bondadosamente, amable
kiss: besar, beso, besarse
kissed: Besado
kisses: besos
kneeling: arrodillar, arrodillarse,
estar de rodillas, arrodillado, de
rodillas, arrodillando
kneels: arrodilla
knees: rodillas
knot: nudo, correlimos gordo, lazo
knowing: sabiendo, conociendo
knowledge: conocimiento, saber
knows: sabe, conoce
ladies: damas, señoras
lady: dama, señora
laid: puesto, colocado, recostado,
acostado
land: tierra, aterrizar, país, abordar,
atracar, la tierra, terreno
lane: calleja, senda, carril, pista,
camino
language: lengua, lenguaje, idioma, el
idioma, la lengua, el lenguaje
largely: ampliamente
larger: Mayor
lasted: Durado
late: tarde, tardío, tardo
latest: último
laugh: reír, reírse, risa, carcajada
laughing: riendo
lavished: Prodigó
lax: flojo
lay: poner, colocar, coloque,
colocamos, pongan, ponga, pones,
ponen, ponemos, ponéis, poned
lays: pone, coloca
lead: plomo, guiar, guía, conducir,
guiáis, guiamos, guían, guías, guíe,
guíen, guío
leading: guiando, conduciendo,
dirigiendo
leads: guía, conduce, conductores,
dirige
learned: aprendido, estudiado, docto,
erudito, sabio
least: menos, mínimo, menor
leather: cuero, duro, el cuero, piel
leave: salir, sal, sale, salís, salimos,
salgo, salgan, salga, sales, salen,
saled
leaves: sale, deja, hojas, las hojas
leaving: saliendo, dejando
lecture: conferencia
led: guiado, conducido, dirigido
legally: legalmente
legislation: legislación
lengthy: largo
lesson: lección
letters: letras
liar: mentiroso, embustero, el
mentiroso
liberal: espléndido, abundante,
generoso, libertario, tolerante
library: biblioteca, la biblioteca
lieutenant: teniente, lugarteniente
111
lieutenant-colonel: teniente coronel
lifetime: vida
lifted: levantado
lights: luces
liked: apreciable, estimado,
apreciado
likelihood: probabilidad
likes: aprecia, inclinaciones, hechizos,
gustos, entendimientos, ensalmos,
encantos, efusiones, cariños,
simpatías, arreglos
linen: lino, lencería, ropa blanca
lining: forro, revestimiento
lip: labio, el labio
lips: labios, los labios
list: lista, listar, la lista, listado,
minuta
listen: escuchar, escuche, escucha,
escuchas, escuchad, escuchen,
escucho, escucháis, escuchamos,
escuchan, oír
listening: escuchando
lists: orilla, liza
literature: literatura, la literatura
live: vivir, viven, vive, vivo, vivan,
vivís, vivimos, vives, viva, vivid,
habitar
lives: Vive, habita
living: viviendo, habitando, vivo,
viviente
load: carga, cargar, la carga, cargo
loathe: detestar, aborrecer,
detestamos, detesto, detesten,
deteste, detestan, detestáis, detestad,
detesta, detestas
locality: localidad, situación
lock: cerradura, esclusa, cerrar, la
cerradura, cerrojo, bloquear, la
esclusa, bucle, mechón, bloqueo,
cerrar con llave
longer: más, más tiempo
looks: mira
lord: señor, caballero
lorgnette: impertinentes
lose: perder, pierda, pierdo, perdéis,
perdemos, pierdan, pierde, pierden,
pierdes, perded, adelgazar
loss: pérdida, perdida, pérdidas,
siniestro, atenuación
lost: perdido, adelgazado
lot: lote, porción, solar
lots: muchos
loudly: en alta voz, ruidosamente
loved: amado, estimado, querido,
considerado
loving: cariñoso, amoroso
lower: bajar, baja, bajo, bajen, baje,
bajas, bajan, bajamos, bajáis, bajad,
inferior
luggage: equipaje, equipajes
lumps: amontona
luxuriously: lujosamente
112
luxury: lujo, el lujo
magazines: las revistas
maid: criada, sirvienta, doncella, la
criada
majestic: majestuoso
makes: hace, comete, confecciona
male: masculino, macho, varón
mamma: mama
manage: administrar, administras,
administro, administren, administre,
administrad, administráis,
administramos, administra,
administran, mandar
manager: gerente, director,
administrador, gestor, jefe, el
gerente
manages: administra, maneja,
gestiona, dirige
mania: manía
manna: maná
manner: manera
manners: modales, educación
manor: feudo, casa solariega, finca
manuscript: manuscrito
marriage: matrimonio, casamiento,
enlace
married: casado, casada, se casado,
conyugal
marries: se casa
marry: casarse, casar, cásese, se casan,
se casa, nos casamos, me caso, te
casas, cásense, cásate, cásados
marrying: casándose
marvellous: maravilloso
mary: María
mask: máscara, careta, mascarilla,
enmascarar, antifaz
matrimony: matrimonio
matter: materia, asunto, particular,
caso, importar
maturity: madurez, vencimiento
meals: las comidas
meaning: intención, significado,
sentido, significación
meant: pret de mean
measles: sarampión
medical: médico
meditative: meditativo
meet: encontrar, encontrad,
encuentro, encuentren, encuentre,
encuentras, encuentran,
encontramos, encontráis, encuentra,
quedar
meeting: encontrando, reunión,
encuentro, hallando, sesión,
entrevista, cita, asamblea
melancholy: melancolía, melancólico
melodramatic: melodramático
member: miembro, partidario, socio
memories: memorias, recuerdos
memory: memoria, recuerdo, la
memoria
The Importance of Being Earnest
mental: psíquico, mental
mention: mencionar, mención
mentioned: acotado, Mencionado
mentioning: mencionar
mercenary: mercenario
merely: meramente, simplemente,
sólo
merriment: alegría
messrs: Señores, Sres
met: encontrado, hallado
metallic: metálico
metaphor: metáfora, lenguaje
figurado
metaphorically: metafóricamente
metaphysical: metafísico
metropolitan: metropolitano
midnight: medianoche, media noche,
la medianoche
military: militar, ejército
mine: mina, mío, minar
minor: menor
minutes: acta, minutos, multa,
proceso verbal
misanthrope: misántropo
misconception: concepto erróneo
misfortune: infortunio, desgracia,
desdicha, desventura
mislaid: pret y pp de mislay,
extraviado, traspapelado
missed: perdido
mission: misión
mistake: error, equivocación, yerro,
la falta
misunderstanding: malentendido,
equivocación
modern: moderno
momentary: momentáneo
monday: lunes, el lunes
monster: monstruo
monthly: mensualmente, mensual
mood: humor, el humor, estado de
ánimo, capricho
moral: moral, moraleja
morbid: morboso, mórbido
morbidity: morbilidad, morbosidad
mothers: las madres
motions: movimientos
mourning: luto, deplorando, duelo
move: mover, conmover, moverse,
mudar, mudanza, movimiento,
trasladar, traslado, mudarse, jugada
movement: movimiento, el
movimiento
moving: conmovedor
mrs: Sra., señorita
muffin: mollete, el panquecito, bollo
o panecillo redondo, panecillo
music: música
myself: yo mismo
myth: mito
names: nombres, Michael
natural: natural
naturally: naturalmente
nature: naturaleza, índole, carácter
nearly: casi
necessary: necesario
neglect: descuidar, desatender
neighbourhood: barrio, vecindad,
vecindario
neither: tampoco, ninguno, nadie, ni
nephew: sobrino, el sobrino
nervous: nervioso
nervously: nerviosamente
news: noticias, noticia, nueva, las
noticias
newspaper: periódico, diario, gaceta
nice: agradable, amable, bueno,
bonito, rico, simpático, lindo, Niza
nigh: cercano
noble: hidalgo, noble
nobody: nadie, ninguno
noise: ruido, alboroto, el ruido
none: ninguno, nadie, nada
nonsense: tontería
nor: ni, tampoco
note: nota, apuntar, billete, anotar,
apunte, anotación, notar
note-book: cuaderno
notice: cartel, aviso, anuncio, notar,
advertir, nota, notificación, noticias,
noticia, percibir, publicación
noticing: notando
notorious: notorio, fragante, infamo
novel: novela, nuevo, la novela
nowadays: hoy día, ahora,
actualmente, hoy en día, al presente
nuisance: molestia
object: objeto, el objeto, objetar
objection: objeción
obliged: obligado
observation: observación, reparo,
censura
observed: observado
obtained: obtenido
obvious: obvio, evidente
obviously: evidentemente,
obviamente
occasion: motivo, ocasión, lugar,
oportunidad
occasionally: de vez en cuando, a
veces, ocasionalmente
occupation: ocupación, oficio,
profesión, empleo, trabajo
occur: ocurrir, ocurrimos, ocurrís,
ocurro, ocurres, ocurren, ocurran,
ocurrid, acontecer, ocurra, ocurre
occurred: ocurrido
o'clock: hora, en punto
offend: ofender, ofendo, ofendan,
ofende, ofended, ofendéis,
ofendemos, ofenden, ofendes,
ofenda, injuriar
offer: oferta, ofrecer, ofrecimiento,
proposición, presentar, proponer,
Oscar Wilde
pretensión, retratar, reproducir
offering: ofrenda, oferta, ofrecer
older: mayor
old-fashioned: anticuado, pasado de
moda
omit: omitir, omitís, omite, omiten,
omites, omitimos, omito, omitan,
omitid, omita
omnibus: autobús, ómnibus
one's: uno, propio
oneself: uno mismo
openly: abiertamente, públicamente
opens: abre
opera: ópera
opinion: opinión, dictamen, juicio,
parecer
opportunity: acontecimiento,
oportunidad, ocasión
ordeal: ordalías
ordered: ordenado
ordinary: ordinario, común
origin: origen, procedencia,
descendencia
originally: originalmente
ostentatiously: ostentosamente,
aparatosamente, vistosamente
other's: otro
ours: nuestro
outfit: traje, equipo
outlying: aislado, lejano, periférico,
remoto, exterior
outrage: ultraje
overhead: arriba, gastos generales
overlook: pasar por alto
oxonian: oxoniense
pack: paquete, empacar, embalar,
empaquetar, manada, envolver
pagan: pagano
page: página, paje, botones
pain: dolor, el dolor, pena,
sufrimiento
painful: doloroso, penoso
painfully: dolorosamente
pains: dolores del parto, esfuerzos,
desvelos
pale: pálido, palidecer, descolorido
papa: papá
papers: papeles
parasol: sombrilla
parcel: paquete, parcela
pardon: perdón, perdonar, indulto,
indultar
parent: padre, madre
parents: padres, padre y madre
paris: París
parish: parroquia
park: parque, aparcar, el parque,
estacionar
parting: separación
pass: pasar, adelantar, paso, pase,
desfiladero, entregar, pasada,
aprobar, alargar, paso de montaña,
llegar
passionate: apasionado
passionately: apasionadamente
pathetic: patético
patronising: patrocinando
pause: descanso, pausa, pausar, hacer
una pausa, la pausa
pays: paga
peace: paz, la paz
peculiarly: raramente, peculiarmente,
particularmente, de una manera
extraña
pencil: lápiz
perambulator: cochecito de niño
perfect: perfecto, perfeccionar
perfection: perfección
perfectly: perfectamente
perform: hacer, hacemos, hago,
hagan, haga, hace, hacen, haz,
hacéis, haced, haces
performed: hecho
permanent: permanente, continuo
permit: permitir, permiso, licencia,
pase
permitted: lícito, permitido
persistently: continuamente,
persistentemente
personification: personificación
pessimist: pesimista
philanthropic: filantrópico
phrase: frase, expresar, expresión
phrased: expresado
physical: físico
piano: el piano, piano
picking: picando
picks: pica
picture: imagen, cuadro, grabado,
pintura, retrato, el cuadro,
reproducción, ilustración, foto
pink: rosado, rosa, clavel
pint: pinta
pity: dolerse por, piedad,
compadecer a, lástima, compasión
placed: situado
plain: llanura, llano, claro, evidente,
liso, plano
plate: plato, placa, lámina, libra, el
plato, plancha, chapa, chapar
platform: plataforma, andén,
programa
play: jugar, jueguen, juega, juegan,
juegue, jugad, jugáis, jugamos,
juegas, juego, tocar
playing: jugando, tocando, jugar
plays: juega, toca
pleasant: agradable, simpático,
placentero, grato
please: por favor, agradar, gustar,
complacer, haz el favor, contentar,
haz favor
pleased: contento
pleasure: placer, agrado, gusto,
113
complacencia, el gusto
pocket: bolsillo, el bolsillo, bolsa,
casilla
pointing: rejuntado
points: puntos, aguja
polite: cortés, educado
politely: comedidamente,
cortésmente, educadamente,
refinadamente
politeness: cortesía, educación,
atenciones
poor: pobre, malo, deplorable,
indigente, miserable
popular: popular
positively: positivamente
possession: posesión, tenencia
possibilities: posibilidades
possibly: posiblemente, quizás, tal
vez
post: poste, correo, empleo, cargo,
puesto, oficio, apostar, posta,
función, fijar, estaca
postal: tarjeta postal
posture: postura
practical: práctico
practically: prácticamente
practice: ejercicio, practicar, emplear,
práctica, ejercer
practised: experto, hábil
pray: rezar, rezáis, rezas, rezamos,
rezad, reza, recen, rece, rezan, rezo,
rogar
preached: predicado, sermoneado
precept: precepto
prefer: preferir, prefiero, prefieres,
prefieren, prefiere, prefieran,
preferís, preferimos, preferid,
prefiera
preliminary: preliminar
premature: prematuro
prepared: preparado
presence: presencia
present: presente, actual, presentar,
regalo, contemporáneo, ofrecer,
reproducir, retratar
presenting: presentar, presentación
presents: presenta, la presente
preserve: conservar, guardar,
preservar, confitura, conserva
preserved: en conserva
presses: Prensas, prensa
presume: suponer, supone,
supongan, suponen, supones,
supongo, suponemos, suponéis,
suponed, supon, suponga
presumptuous: presuntuoso
pretence: pretensión, derecho
pretend: fingir, fingimos, finjo, fingís,
fingid, finges, fingen, finge, finjan,
finja, pretender
pretended: fingido, pretendido
pretending: fingiendo, pretendiendo
114
prettiest: bastante
pretty: bonito, lindo, majo, amable,
guapo, bastante, guapa
prevent: impedir, impedid, impido,
impides, impiden, impide, impidan,
impida, impedimos, impedís,
prevenir
prevention: prevención
prevents: impide, previene
primary: primario, primero
primitive: primitivo, primitiva
principle: principio
principles: principios
prior: pasada, anterior, previo
prism: prisma
private: privado, soldado raso
privately: privadamente
probable: probable
problematic: problemático
produce: producir, producid,
produzco, produzcan, produzca,
producimos, produces, producen,
produce, producís, realizar
produces: produce
profession: profesión, oficio
profile: perfil, perfilar
profit: beneficio, provecho, ganancia,
aprovecharse, ganar, lucro,
rendimiento
profitless: inútil, infructuoso, no
rentable, improductivo
profligate: pródigo, libertino,
disoluto, derrochador
programme: programa
promise: prometer, prometéis,
prometemos, prometen, prometo,
promete, prometan, prometa,
prometes, prometed, promesa
promised: prometido
proof: prueba, demostración,
probanza
proper: conveniente, preciso,
correcto, apropiado, propio, debido
property: propiedad, bienes, finca,
calidad, granja, ralea, característica,
tenencia
proposal: propuesta, proposición,
oferta, pretensión, ofrecimiento
propose: proponer, propon,
proponed, propongo, propongan,
propones, proponen, proponéis,
propone, proponemos, proponga
proposed: propuesto
proposing: proponiendo
propounding: proponiendo,
proponer
protection: protección, amparo,
defensa
proud: orgulloso
proudly: engreídamente,
orgullosamente
prove: probar, probad, prueban,
The Importance of Being Earnest
pruebas, pruebo, probamos, probáis,
prueben, prueba, pruebe, verificar
proved: evidenciar, demostrar, pret
de prove, probado, probar, poner a
prueba
provincial: provinciano
publication: publicación
published: publicado
pulls: tira, hala
punctual: puntual
punctuality: puntualidad
punished: castigado
pupil: pupila, alumno, pupilo, a
alumno
purchased: comprado, adquirido
pure: puro, limpio
purple: morado, púrpura, purpúreo,
lila
purpose: fin, objeto, finalidad,
propósito, intención
puts: pone, mete, coloca
puzzled: perplejo, desconcertado
quality: calidad, ralea, cualidad, la
calidad
quarter: barrio, cuarto, trimestre
questions: preguntas
quietly: calladamente,
silenciosamente
quixotic: quijotesco
radical: radical
radically: radicalmente
railway: ferrocarril, vía férrea
ran: corrió, participio pasivo del
verbo run, pret de run
rapidly: rápidamente
rarely: raramente, rara vez
rate: tasa, fila, estimar, tipo,
velocidad, tarifa, cadencia, valorar,
proporción, ritmo, arancel
reached: alcanzado
reading: leyendo, lectura, la lectura
reads: lee, estudia, indica
ready: listo, preparado, propenso,
disponible
realise: captar, percatar
reap: cosechar, cosechamos,
cosechen, cosecho, cosecháis,
cosechad, cosechas, cosechan,
cosecha, coseche, segar
reason: motivo, causa, razón, lugar,
razonar
recall: recordar, llamada, hacer
volver, recuerdo
received: recibido
receiving: recibiendo, recepción,
receptor
recently: recientemente, hace poco,
recién
reception: recepción, acogida,
recibimiento
reckless: temerario, imprudente
reclaim: reclamar, reclama, reclamo,
reclamen, reclame, reclamas,
reclamáis, reclamamos, reclamad,
reclaman, regenerar
recognised: reconocido, reconocico
recollect: recordar
recommending: recomendando,
encareciendo, ensalzando
reconciliation: conciliación,
reconciliación
reconsider: reconsiderar, reconsidera,
reconsideras, reconsideren,
reconsidero, reconsidere,
reconsideramos, reconsiderad,
reconsideráis, reconsideran
record: registro, registrar, récord,
disco, expediente, grabar, inscribir,
acta, certificar, ficha
records: archivos, archivo, registros
rector: director, rector, párroco
rectory: rectoría
redoubled: redoblado
reduced: reducido, reducir, achicado
refer: remitir, referirse, referir
reference: referencia
refined: fino, refinado
reform: reforma, reformar, enmendar
reforming: correctivo, reformar
refreshment: refresco
refuse: rehusar, rechazar, denegar,
desecho, desechos, detrito, negar
refused: rehusado
refusing: Rehusar
refuted: refutado
regard: mirar, considerar, mira,
miran, miráis, miro, miramos,
mirad, miras, mire, miren
regarded: mirado
regards: mira, recuerdos
registration: registro, inscripción,
matriculación, matrícula
regret: sentir, lamentar, deplorar,
arrepentirse, pesar
regular: regular, normal
relapse: recaída
related: relacionado, contado,
emparentado, conexo
relations: relaciones
relative: pariente, familiar, relativo,
deudo
relatives: parientes
rely: confiar, confíe, confías, confían,
confíen, confiáis, confío, confiad,
confía, confiamos
remain: quedarse, restar, permanecer,
restas, resto, reste, restan, restamos,
restáis, restad, resta
remained: restado, Permanecido
remaining: restante, restando,
permaneciendo
remains: restos, resta, permanece
remark: comentario, observación,
reparo, censura, nota, notar
Oscar Wilde
remarkably: notablemente
remarks: observaciones
remember: recordar, recuerde,
recuerdo, recuerdan, recuerdas,
recuerden, recordamos, recordad,
recordáis, recuerda, acordarse de
remembered: recordado
remind: recordar, recuerdo, recuerde,
recuerdas, recuerdan, recuerda,
recordamos, recordáis, recordad,
recuerden
reminds: recuerda
remote: remoto, lejano, apartado,
aislado, separado
remotely: lejos
repeat: repetir, repita, repitan, repito,
repites, repetid, repite, repetís,
repetimos, repiten, reiterar
repellent: repelente
repentance: arrepentimiento
replaces: sustituye, reemplaza
reply: respuesta, responder,
contestación, contestar
reproach: reproche, censurar,
reprender, reprobar, desaprobar,
reprochar
require: necesitar, necesita, necesiten,
necesite, necesitas, necesito,
necesitan, necesitamos, necesitáis,
necesitad, exigir
requires: necesita, exige
rescue: salvar, rescate, rescatar,
socorro, salvamento
reserving: Reservar
reside: residir, resida, residan, resido,
residís, residimos, residid, resides,
residen, reside
resides: reside
resigned: dimitido, resignado
resort: recurso
respect: respetar, respeto, estima,
estimación
respectability: respetabilidad
respectable: respetable, honorable
responsibility: responsabilidad,
autoría
responsible: responsable
restored: restaurado, restablecido
restraining: conteniendo, refrenando,
reprimiendo
restrains: refrena, contiene, reprime
restraints: restricciones, sujetadores,
anclajes
retain: retener, retenga, retenéis,
retengo, retienes, retienen, retiene,
retenemos, reten, retened, retengan
retire: retirarse
retires: dimite, jubila, recoge, retira,
abandona
retort: replicar, retorta
return: volver, devolver, regresar,
retorno, devolución, rendimiento,
vuelta
returned: devuelto
reveal: revelar, revele, revelo, revela,
revelad, reveláis, revelan, revelas,
revelen, revelamos, divulgar
revolting: indignante
revolution: revolución, vuelta
revolutionary: revolucionario
reward: recompensa, recompensar,
galardonar, premiar
ribbon: cinta
rid: librar, libro, librad, librado,
libráis, libramos, libran, libras, libre,
libren, libra
ridiculous: ridículo
ring: anillo, el anillo, llamar, aro,
anilla, argolla, tocar la campanilla,
sonar, sortija, corro
rings: timbres, anillos, anillas
ripeness: madurez
rise: subir, levantarse, aumento,
levantamiento, alza, subida
rising: creciente, subida, alcista
romance: amorío, cuento,
enamoramiento, fantasear, libro de
caballerías, lo romántico, neolatino,
románico, exagerar, romance,
romanza
romantic: romántico
rose: rosa, la rosa
rule: regla, gobernar, la regla, norma,
fallar, refrenar, dominio, subyugar,
reprimir, regir, contener
rules: reglamento, reglas
runs: corre
rupee: rupia
rushes: copiones
sad: triste, afligido
sadly: tristemente
safe: seguro, caja fuerte, salvo, a
salvo, caja de caudales
sake: motivo, fin, bien, causa
salver: salvilla, bandeja
sandwich: bocadillo, sándwich,
emparedado, el bocadillo, torta
sandwiches: sándwichs
satisfaction: satisfacción
satisfactory: satisfactorio
satisfied: satisfecho, contento,
complacido
satisfy: complacer, complacen,
complazca, complazcan, complaces,
complazco, complacéis, complace,
complaced, complacemos, satisfacer
saturday: sábado
save: guardar, guarda, guardan,
guardáis, guardamos, guardas,
guarde, guardo, guardad, guarden,
salvar
savour: sabor, gusto
saying: diciendo, dicho, decir, refrán
scandal: escándalo
115
scandalous: escandaloso
scepticism: escepticismo
scheme: esquema, propósito, plan,
intrigar
schools: escuelas
science: ciencia, la ciencia
scissors: tijeras, las tijeras
scornful: desdeñoso, despreciativo
scotland: Escocia
scoundrel: bribón, sinvergüenza,
canalla
scrape: raspadura, rascar, raspar
scrapes: raspaduras
seaside: costa, playa
season: estación, temporada,
condimentar
seat: asiento, el asiento, sitio, sede,
asentar, sentar
seated: sentado
secret: secreto, el secreto, arcano,
clandestino
secretive: callado, reservado
secrets: misterios, partes pudendas
secular: seglar
seeing: viendo, serrando
seem: parecer, parezca, parecen,
parezcan, pareces, parezco,
parecemos, parecéis, parece, pareced
sees: Ve, serra
seizes: agarra, ase
send: enviar, envío, envía, envíe,
enviad, enviáis, enviamos, envían,
envías, envíen, mandar
sending: enviando, mandando,
despachando, envío
sends: envía, manda, despacha
sensational: sensacional
sensible: sensato, razonable
sent: enviado, mandado, despachado
sentiment: sentimiento, opinión,
sensibilidad, parecer,
sentimentalismo
sentimentality: sentimentalismo
separate: separado, separar, apartar,
aparte, particular, dividir, separarse,
segregar, independiente, compartir
separation: separación, retiro,
aislamiento
serious: serio, grave, importante,
crítico
seriously: seriamente, gravemente
sermon: sermón
servants: servicio
serve: servir, sirva, sirvo, servimos,
servid, servís, sirvan, sirve, sirven,
sirves
served: servido
settled: despachado
seven: siete
severe: severo, inclemente, áspero,
grave
sex: sexo, el sexo, tener sexo
116
shake: sacudir, sacuda, sacudimos,
sacudís, sacudid, sacudes, sacuden,
sacude, sacudan, sacudo, sacudida
shakes: sacude
shaking: sacudiendo, sacudida
shallow: poco profundo, somero, de
poca profundidad, superficial
shame: vergüenza, verguenza, pudor,
oprobio, avergonzar
shameful: vergonzoso
sherry: jerez
shield: escudo, blindaje, pantalla,
blindar, proteger
shiver: tiritar, temblar, escalofrío
shocked: ofendido, sacudido,
escandalizado, conmocionado,
sorprendido, groggy
shoot: tirar, tiren, tiráis, tiramos,
tiran, tirad, tire, tiras, tiro, tira,
disparar
short: corto, bajo, breve
short-sighted: miope
shouldn't: contracción de should not
shows: muestra
shudder: estremecerse
shy: tímido, vergonzoso
sick: enfermo
sigh: suspirar, suspiro
sight: vista, aspecto, mira, avistar
sign: firmar, señal, seña, signo,
agüero, letrero, prueba, el letrero,
rótulo, muestra
signs: señales, carteles de
señalización, signo
silence: silencio, acallar, hacer callar,
el silencio
silly: tonto, necio, absurdo, bobo
similar: semejante, similar, parecido
simple: sencillo, simple
simplicity: simplicidad, sencillez
simply: simplemente, sencillamente
sincere: sincero
sincerity: sinceridad
single: soltero, solo, único, simple,
individual
sir: señor
sister: hermana, la hermana, cuñada
sit: sentarse, estar sentado, sentar
sits: asienta, siente, sopla, empolla, se
sienta
sitting: sesión, sentada
situation: situación
size: tamaño, talla, calibre, formato,
ajustar tamaño, dimensión, grandor
slice: rebanar, tajada, cortar, trozo,
rodaja, rebanada, filete, corte, loncha
slight: leve, desaire
slightingly: despreciativamente
slowly: lentamente, despacio
smallest: menor
smart: listo, inteligente, astuto, majo
smile: sonrisa, sonreír, la sonrisa,
The Importance of Being Earnest
sonreírse
smoke: fumar, fumo, fume, fumas,
fuman, fumamos, fumáis, fumad,
fuma, fumen, humo
smoking: fumando, humeando,
fumar, ahumar
smoking-room: fumadero
snare: trampa, astucia
sofa: sofá, canapé
sole: lenguado, suela, único, solo,
planta
solid: sólido, fuerte, macizo
solitude: soledad
somewhat: algo, poco, bastante
somewhere: en alguna parte
son: hijo, el hijo
soon: pronto, luego
sooner: más pronto
sorrow: tristeza, pena, dolor
sorry: afligido, arrepentido, pesaroso,
siento, triste
soul: alma, espíritu, ánimo
sound: sonido, sonar, ruido, tocar,
sano, sondear, legítimo, auscultar,
sólido, oscilación acústica, vibración
acústica
space: espacio, el espacio, espaciar
spade: cavar, pala, laya
spare: sobrante, ahorrar, recambio,
perdonar
speak: hablar, hablamos, hablo,
hablas, habláis, hablad, hablen,
habla, hablan, hable
speaking: hablando, parlante
speaks: habla
specially: especialmente
speculating: especulando
speculation: especulación
speculations: especulaciones
spell: deletrear, el hechizo, el encanto
spelled: deletreado
spend: gastar, gastáis, gastas, gasten,
gastad, gasta, gastamos, gastan,
gasto, gaste, pasar
sphere: esfera, esfero
spheres: esferos
spite: rencor
spoke: decir, radio, rayo, raya,
radioactivo, rayo de rueda, hablar,
pret de speak, expresar
spoken: hablado
sporran: monedero que se lleva por
encima del kilt escocés
sprinkling: rociadura
square: plaza, cuadrado, cuadro,
escuadra, el cuadro, en Ángulo
Recto, glorieta, cuadrar, casilla
stain: manchar, mancha, mancilla,
teñir, tintura, la mancha
stake: poste, estaca, apostar, puesta
stamp: sello, timbrar, sellar, cuño,
estampilla, sello de correos, marca,
estampillar, estampa, estampar, el
sello
stand: estar de pie, puesto,
levantarse, granero, posición,
cabina, soporte, base, estante, caseta,
pararse
standing: permanente, posición
states: estados
station: estación
statistics: estadística, estadísticas
stay: quedarse, quedar, queden,
quede, quedas, quedan, quedamos,
quedáis, quedad, queda, quedo
stayed: quedado, permanecido
staying: quedando, permaneciendo
steps: pasos
stirred: batido
stone: piedra, la piedra, cálculo
stony: pedregoso
stop: parar, paran, paras, paren,
paráis, parad, paramos, pare, para,
paro, parada
stopped: parado, detenido
stops: para, detiene
story: historia, piso, cuento, relato, el
cuento
straight: derecho, recto, directamente,
recta
strange: extraño, raro, ajeno
strangely: extrañamente
street: calle, la calle
stress: tensión, estrés, acento,
esfuerzo, acentuar, presión, recalcar,
el estrés, la presión
strict: estricto, severo, riguroso,
áspero, inclemente
strictly: estrictamente
strikes: golpea
stroll: paseo, andar
strong: fuerte, intenso, marcado
strongly: fuertemente
struck: pret y pp de strike, golpeado
struggle: batalla, forcejeo, lucha,
contienda
style: estilo
subject: asunto, tema, asignatura,
someter, sujeto, cuestión, materia
subjects: temas
subsequently: después,
subsiguientemente, posteriormente,
luego, más adelante
succeeded: conseguido
success: éxito, acierto, desarrollo
sudden: repentino, brusco, súbito
suddenly: de repente, de golpe,
repentinamente, de sopetón
suffer: sufrir, sufres, sufro, sufrís,
sufrid, sufren, sufre, sufran,
sufrimos, sufra, padecer
suffered: sufrido, padecido
suffering: sufriendo, padeciendo,
sufrimiento
Oscar Wilde
sugar: azúcar, azucarar
suggest: sugerir, sugerid, sugiero,
sugieres, sugieren, sugiere, sugieran,
sugerís, sugerimos, sugiera, indicar
suit: traje, convenir, el traje, pleito
sunday: domingo, el domingo
superior: jefe, superior
supplies: suministros
suppose: suponer, suponéis,
supongo, supon, suponed,
suponemos, suponen, supones,
supongan, supone, suponga
supposed: supuesto
supposing: suponiendo
sure: seguro, cierto
surely: seguramente, ciertamente
surfaces: Superficies
surmised: Supuesto
surprise: sorprender, sorpresa, la
sorpresa
surprised: sorprendido
surrender: capitular, rendirse,
rendición, renuncia, entregar,
entrega, cesión
susceptible: sensible, propenso,
impresionable
suspect: sospechar, dudar,
sospechoso
suspected: sospechoso, desconfiar de,
sospechado, sospechar
suspense: incertidumbre, emoción,
suspenso, suspense, tensión,
ansiedad
sweeps: barre
sweet: dulce, caramelo, postre
sweetly: dulcemente
sweetness: dulzura
sympathy: simpatía
tableau: cuadro
takes: toma, desempeña
talk: hablar, hablas, hablan, hablad,
habláis, hablamos, hablo, hable,
hablen, habla, charla
talked: Hablado, charlado
talking: hablando, parlante,
charlando, hablar
tall: alto
tampers: manosea
task: tarea, quehacer, trabajo
taste: gusto, saborear, sabor, probar,
catar
tea: té, te
tears: desgarra, rasga
tedious: tedioso
telegram: telegrama
telling: contando, relatando,
narración
tells: cuenta, relata
temperance: templanza
temporary: provisional, temporal,
temporario
temptation: tentación
terminus: estación terminal, término
terms: condiciones, condición
terrible: terrible
thank: agradecer, agradezco,
agradeces, agradezcan, agradece,
agradezca, agradecemos, agradeced,
agradecen, agradecéis, dar gracias
theatre: teatro
theory: teoría
thinking: pensando, reflexionando,
pensamiento, pensante
thirty: treinta
thirty-five: treinta y cinco
thoroughly: completamente
thoughtful: pensativo, atento,
prudente, circunspecto
thoughtless: desconsiderado
thoughts: pensamientos
thousand: mil
thrift: ahorro, economía
thrill: excitación, sensación, ilusión,
conmoverse, emoción, estremecer,
esperanzar, emocionado,
estremecimiento, esperanza, excitar
throwing: lanzamiento
thursday: jueves, el jueves
ticket: billete, boleto, billete de viaje,
el billete, boleta, entrada
tidings: noticias
tied: atado
till: caja, hasta que, hasta, a que
to-day: hoy
to-morrow: mañana
tone: tono
tongs: tenazas
toothache: dolor de muelas
top: cima, superficie, parte superior,
superior, cumbre
topic: tema, asunto
tories: Conservadores
touch: tocar, toque, tacto, palpar,
contacto, rozar
touched: palpar, tocar, tocado,
pulsación, toque, emocionado,
conmover, chiflado, alcanzar, tacto,
conmovido
town: ciudad, pueblo, población, el
pueblo
tradesmen: trabajadores
especializados
tragedy: tragedia
tragic: trágico
train: tren, adiestrar, el tren, entrenar,
entrenarse, ferrocarril, ejercitar
trains: trenes
travel: viajar, viaje, viajo, viaja, viajas,
viajan, viajamos, viajen, viajad,
viajáis, conducir
tray: bandeja
treat: tratar, curar, obsequio
treated: tratado
tree: árbol
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trespassing: entrar ilegalmente,
violar, ofensa, entrada ilegal,
violación
trials: juicios
trivet: trébedes, base, trípode
trivial: trivial
triviality: trivialidad
trot: trote, trotar
trouble: molestar, prueba,
inconveniente, incomodar, molestia,
perturbación, problema, dificultad,
avería, esfuerzo
troubles: nubes
true: verdadero, cierto
trunks: traje de baño, bañador,
mampara encerradora de la
escotilla, pantaloneta, pantalón de
baño
trust: confiar, fideicomiso, confianza,
fiduciario
trusted: confiado, confidente
trusting: confiar
trusty: fiel
truth: verdad, veras, la verdad
tune: melodía, acomodar, adaptar
turn: girar, gira, giro, giráis, giramos,
giran, giras, gire, giren, girad, vuelta
turned: girado, vuelto, trastornado
turning: girando, volviendo,
trastornando
turns: gira, vuelve, trastorna
tutelage: tutela
twenty: veinte
twenty-eight: veintiocho
twice: dos veces
twins: gemelos
unalterable: inalterable
unbearable: insufrible, insoportable
uncertainty: incertidumbre
uncle: tío
undeceive: desengañar, sacar de
engaño, desengañamos, desengaño,
desengañen, desengañe,
desengañan, desengañáis,
desengañad, desengaña, desengañas
undeceived: desengañado
understand: entender, entiendes,
entienda, entiendan, entendemos,
entendéis, entended, entienden,
entiendo, entiende, comprender
undivided: indiviso
undoubtedly: indudablemente, sin
duda
unexpectedly: inesperadamente
unfair: injusto, desleal
unfashionable: pasado de moda
unfortunate: desgraciado,
infortunado
unfortunately: desgraciadamente, es
una lástima, por fortuna,
desafortunadamente
unfriendly: poco amistoso, hostil
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unhappily: infelizmente
unhappy: infeliz, triste
unionist: unionista
united: reunido, unido
university: universidad, la
universidad, universitario
unkind: brusco, bronco
unknown: desconocido, incógnita
unless: a menos que, a no ser que
unmarried: soltero
unmixed: puro
unnecessary: innecesario
unoccupied: desocupado
unpacked: desembalado,
desempaquetado
unpleasant: desagradable, bronco,
brusco
unpleasing: desagradable
unpublished: inédito
unreadable: ilegible
unsatisfactory: insatisfactorio, poco
satisfactorio
unsound: enfermo
unspoiled: sin estropear, nuevo,
intacto, incorrupto
untruthful: mentiroso
unwell: enfermo
uplifted: inspiró
upper: superior, alto
upright: vertical, montante, derecho
upsetting: desconcertante
upstairs: arriba
useful: útil
usual: común, general, universal,
acostumbrado, habitual
usually: normalmente, usualmente
utilitarian: utilitario
utmost: sumo
utterly: absolutamente
vaccination: vacuna, vacunación
vacillating: vacilando, vacilante
vaguely: vagamente
valuable: valioso, caro
value: valor, valorar, estimar, tasar,
apreciar
valued: aprecio, estimado,
estimación, apreciado, estimable,
estimar, valuado, valorar, valorado,
cotizado, valor
vanity: vanidad
variety: variedad, cambio
vegetarians: vegetarianos
venture: arriesgar, ventura,
aventurarse, aventurar, empresa
venturing: Aventurar
verify: controlar, comprobar, revisar,
controlamos, controla, controlo,
controlen, controle, controlan,
controláis, controlad
vessels: embarcaciones
vestry: sacristía
vibrations: vibraciones, vibración
The Importance of Being Earnest
vicinity: vecindad
victim: víctima
victoria: Victoria
views: Vistas, puntos de vista
violence: violencia
visible: visible
visit: visitar, visita, visitad, visiten,
visitan, visitas, visito, visitamos,
visitáis, visite
vital: esencial
volume: volumen, tomo
vulgar: chabacano, cursi, grosero,
cutre, corriente, vulgo, vulgar,
ramplón, ordinario, ordinaria,
común
w: doble v, peso
waist: cintura, la cintura, talle
wait: esperar, espera, espere, esperad,
espero, esperen, esperas, esperan,
esperamos, esperáis, aguardar
waiting: esperando, espera,
aguardando, servicio
walk: andar, andamos, ando, anden,
ande, andas, andáis, andad, anda,
andan, caminar
walks: anda, camina
wants: quiere, desea
ward: pupilo
warn: avisar, aviso, avisa, avise,
avisas, avisan, avisamos, avisen,
avisad, avisáis, advertir
washing: lavando, lavado
wasted: gastado, acabado
watch: reloj, mirar, observar, reloj de
pulsera, ver, contemplar, el reloj,
prestar atención, vigilar, guardia,
guardar
watering: riego
weak: débil, flojo
weakness: debilidad
wealth: riqueza, abundancia, caudal
wear: llevar, desgaste, usar, tener
puesto, vestir, uso, llevar puesto
wearing: llevando, llevar, llevar
puesto, usar, uso, desgastado,
usando
weather: tiempo, el tiempo, clima
wedding: boda, casándose, la boda
wednesday: miércoles
weeks: semanas
welcome: dar la bienvenida,
bienvenida, bienvenido, acoger,
grato, agradable, acogida, acogen,
acojan, acojo, acoges
whatever: cualquier, lo que, cualquier
cosa
whatsoever: lo que, en absoluto, todo
lo que, cualquier cosa, cualquier
whenever: cada vez que, cuando
quiera que, cuando
whistle: silbar, silbato, silbido, pito
wholesome: sano
whom: quien, quién, que
whooping: Gritar
whose: cuyo, cuya
wicked: malo, malvado
widely: extensamente
wife: esposa, mujer, la esposa
wilderness: desierto
wildly: ferozmente
window: ventana, taquilla, la
ventana, ventanilla
wine: vino, el vino
wipe: limpiar, enjugar, limpien,
limpiad, limpiáis, limpiamos,
limpian, limpias, limpie, limpio,
limpia
wish: desear, deseo, voluntad,
querer, tener, gana
woe: ay, penas
wonderful: maravilloso
wonderfully: maravillosamente
word: palabra, la palabra, vocablo,
término, formular
worn: gastado, usado
worse: peor
worst: peor
wounded: herido, herida
wretched: miserable, menesteroso,
pobre, infeliz, necesitado,
desdichado
write: escribir, escriba, escriban,
escribo, escribís, escribimos,
escribid, escribes, escribe, escriben
writes: escribe
writing: escribiendo, escritura, letra,
inscripción
written: escrito
wrong: malo, mal, falso, incorrecto,
entuerto, agravio, impropio, erróneo
wronged: explotado
wrote: escribió
yard: patio, corral, yarda, grave
yesterday: ayer
younger: menor
yours: vuestro, suyo, el tuyo
yourself: tú mismo, se
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