First Folio Romeo and Juliet Title Page

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KickAss Shakespeare isn't just Shakespeare: it is readable Shakespeare. Below is the whole play with both common text (think of the paperback books) and the primary text as published in 1623 right beside it.

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The Tragedie of Romeo & Juliet

(Updated text and data: 1 October 2017)

Verona, just seventy miles west of Venice in northern Italy, was doing well in the 1300s. But two families continued their simmering feud even though no one remembered the original cause. While the older generation of Juliet's Capulets and Romeo's Montagues were happy to let things be, some of the younger men of both houses kept the feud, and sometimes violence, alive. Juliet's favorite cousin Tybalt was especially aggressive in defending his families honor, and in insulting the others.

But Romeo tries to stay out of the fray. He is desperately in love with Rosaline, but since Rosaline wants nothing to do with Romeo, he is spending his days moping about and feeling sorry for himself. He loves her madly, that is, until he sees young Juliet, after which he never gives Rosaline another thought. But this time Juliet returns his love as ferociously as he gives his. And that, as they say, is when all hell breaks loose...

Prologue

1
 

Chorus (1)

notes...

Two households, both alike in dignityequal in social standing,

(In fair Verona, where we lay our scene)

From ancient grudgehatred break tocreate new mutinydiscord,

Where civil blood makes civil hands unclean.

From forth the fatal loins of these two foeshostile families

A pair of star-cross'd loverslovers condemned by the stars to ill-fortune take their life;

Whose misadventuredunfortunate and piteouspitiful overthrowsruin,

Do with their death bury their parents' strife.

The fearful passageterrible course of their death-mark'd love,

10

And the continuance of their parents' rage,

Which, butexcept for their children's enddeath, noughtnothing could remove,

Is now the two hours' traffic of our stage;

The whichWhich if you with patient ears attendlisten to the play,

What here shall missI have left out of this summary, our toilpresentation of this play shall strive to mend.

Two households, both alike in dignityequal in social standing (in fair Verona, where we lay our scene) from ancient grudgehatred break tocreate new mutinydiscord, where civil blood makes civil hands unclean. From forth the fatal loins of these two foeshostile families a pair of star-cross'd loverslovers condemned by the stars to ill-fortune take their life: whose misadventuredunfortunate and piteouspitiful overthrowsruin, do with their death bury their parents' strife.

The fearful passageterrible course of their death-mark'd love, and the continuance of their parents' rage, which, butexcept for their children's enddeath, noughtnothing could remove, is now the two hours' traffic of our stage. The whichWhich if you with patient ears attendlisten to the play, what here shall missI have left out of this summary, our toilpresentation of this play shall strive to mend.

THE TRAGEDIE OF ROMEO and IVLIET

The Prologue.

Chorus

[From the Second Quarto]

Two housholds both alike in dignitie,

(In faire Verona where we lay our Scene)

From auncient grudge, breake to new mutinie,

Where ciuill bloud makes ciuill hands vncleane:

From forth the fatall loynes of these two foes,

A paire of starre-crost louers, take their life:

Whose misaduentur'd pittious ouerthrowes,

Doth with their death burie their Parents strife.

The fearfull passage of their death-markt loue,

And the continuance of their Parents rage:

Which but their childrens end nought could remoue:

Is now the two houres trafficque of our Stage.

The which if you with patient eares attend,

What heare shall misse, our toyle shall striue to mend.

Prologue, This prologue, which is written on the same metrical scheme as the Sonnets, rather than the blank verse found in most of the play, is omitted in the folios, and by some is supposed not to be Shakespeare's.DeightonRJ But it is just too good and too famous to leave out.KickAss

Where = 'In which strife'. In civil blood, civil hands, civil means that which relates to the community of citizens, there is probably in the latter phrase a play upon the word civil in its sense of 'polite,' 'well-mannered.'DeightonRJ

civil, One quarto (Q4) prints 'cruel' for 'civil'.HudsonRJ

expandMe Act I

expandMe Act I. Scene I. Verona. A public place.

1 - 1:    Act I. Scene I. Verona. A public place.

Sampson and Benvolio, two men of the House of Capulet (Juliet's family), are idly strolling around Verona's main square, bragging to each other about how they would not allow themselves to be insulted by anyone from the House of Montague (Rome's family), when Abraham and Balthasar of the Montagues enter and strut past the Capulets. Thumb biting and insults follow, but the situation only gets out of hand when Juliet's cousin Tybalt enters, and starts the fighting in earnest.

Then citizens of Verona swarm into the square and the scene becomes more chaotic. Finally, the Prince of Verona arrives and rebukes everyone, telling the Capulets and Montagues that whomever fights again will pay with their lives for disturbing the peace.

After most have left the square Romeo's friend, Benvolio, tries to find out:
   What sadness lengthens Romeo's hours?
And all he gets back from Romeo is:
   Not having that, which, having, makes them short.

Enter Sampson and Gregory, of the house of Capulet, armed with swords and bucklers

2
 

Sampson (2)

notes...

Gregory, o' my word, we'll not carry coalsbe insulted.

Gregory, o' my word we'll not carry coalsbe insulted.

Actus Primus. Scoena Prima.

Enter Sampson and Gregory, with Swords and Bucklers,
of the House of Capulet.

Sampson. Gregory: A my word wee'l not carry coales.

buckler, A small shield held in one hand to fend off blows from others in a sword fight

carry coals, "put up with insults". A phrase very common by the old dramatists and owing its origin to the fact that the carriers of coals were the lowest of menials. DeightonRJ
The carrying of coal and wood to stoke the fires of a home or business was the lowest of the jobs available. And those people would never dare to challenge an insult from someone above them.

Sampson and Gregory are servants to the Capulets (Juliet's family). Sampson relishes antagonizing the men of the Montague house and Gregory backs him up though a bit reluctantly.

3
 

Gregory (3)

notes...

No, for then we should be colliersdirty and contemptable coal carriers.

No, for then we should be colliersdirty and contemptable coal carriers.

Greg. No, for then we should be Colliars.

colliers, a term of contempt, not merely from their being ready to carry coals, i.e. put up with insults, but from the blackness of their appearance from their grimy work.DeightonRJ

4
 

Sampson (4)

notes...

I mean, if we be in choler, we'll drawheated anger, we'll draw our swords.

I mean, if we be in choler, we'll drawheated anger, we'll draw our swords.

Samp. I mean, if we be in choller, wee'l draw.

5
 

Gregory (5)

notes...

Ay, while you live, draw your neck out o' the collarkeep out of trouble.

Ay, while you live, draw your neck out o' the collarkeep out of trouble.

Greg. I, While you liue, draw your necke out

o'th Collar.

Ay, ... collar. 'Yes, so long as you live, do your best to get out of difficulties.'
Merely said for the sake of the pun on colliers, choler, and collar. DeightonRJ

6
 

Sampson (6)

notes...

I strike quickly, being movedprovoked to anger.

I strike quickly, being movedprovoked to anger.

Samp. I strike quickly, being mou'd.

7
 

Gregory (7)

notes...

But thou art not quickly moved to strike.

But thou art not quickly moved to strike.

Greg. But thou art not quickly mou'd to strike.

8
 

Sampson (8)

notes...

aAnyss="l">A dog of the house of Montague movesangers me.

aAnyss="ml">A dog of the house of Montague movesangers me.

Samp. A dog of the house of Mountague, moues me.

9
 

Gregory (9)

notes...

To move is to stir; and to be valiant is to stand:

therefore, if thou art moved, thou runn'st away.

To move is to stir, and to be valiant is to stand. Therefore, if thou art moved, thou runn'st away.

Greg. To moue, is to stir: and to be valiant, is to stand:

Therefore, if thou art mou'd, thou runst away.

10
 

Sampson (10)

notes...

A dog of that house shall move me to stand: I will

10

take the wallnot step aside of any man or maid of Montague's.

A dog of that house shall move me to stand. I will take the wallnot step aside of any man or maid of Montague's.

Samp. A dogge of that house shall moue me to stand.

I will take the wall of any Man or Maid of Mountagues.

take the wall When walking down streets the safest place to walk was right along side the walls of buildings because the occupants of the buildings threw their waste, human and otherwise, out onto the middle of the streets. No indoor plumbing in those days.

11
 

Gregory (11)

notes...

That shows thee a weak slave; for the weakest goesin a fight is thrown

to the wall.

That shows thee a weak slave, for the weakest goesin a fight is thrown to the wall.

Greg. That shewes thee a weake slaue, for the wea-

kest goes to the wall.

12
 

Sampson (12)

notes...

True; and therefore women, being the weaker vessels,

are ever thrust to the wallpushed to the wall for man's pleasure: therefore I will push

Montague's men from the wall, and thrust his maids

to the wall.

True, and therefore women -- being the weaker vessels -- are ever thrust to the wallpushed to the wall for man's pleasure. Therefore I will push Montague's men from the wall, and thrust his maids to the wall.

Samp. True, and therefore women being the weaker

Vessels, are euer thrust to the wall: therefore I will push

Mountagues men from the wall, and thrust his Maides to

the wall.

women...are ever thrust to the wall, a reference to a sexual act few want to comment on.
Here 'thrust' would mean 'attack with the point of a sharp weapon'KickAss

13
 

Gregory (13)

notes...

The quarrel is between our masters and us, their mentheir men, not their women.

The quarrel is between our masters and us, their mentheir men, not their women.

Greg. The Quarrell is betweene our Masters, and vs their men.

14
 

Sampson (14)

notes...

'Tis all one, I will show myself a tyrant: when I

have fought with the men, I will be cruel with the

20

maids, and cut off their heads.

'Tis all one. I will show myself a tyrant: when I have fought with the men, I will be cruel with the maids, and cut off their heads.

Samp. 'Tis all one, I will shew my selfe a tyrant: when

I haue fought with the men, I will bee ciuill with the

Maids, and cut off their heads.

15
 

Gregory (15)

notes...

The heads of the maids?

The heads of the maids?

Greg. The heads of the Maids?

16
 

Sampson (16)

notes...

Ay, the heads of the maids, or their maidenheadsvirginity;

take it in what sense thou wilt.

Ay, the heads of the maids, or their maidenheadsvirginity. Take it in what sense thou wilt.

Sam. I, the heads of the Maids, or their Maiden-heads,

Take it in what sence thou wilt.

17
 

Gregory (17)

notes...

They must take it in sense thatthe way that they feel it.

They must take it in sense thatthe way that they feel it.

Greg. They must take it sence, that feele it.

18
 

Sampson (18)

notes...

Me they shall feel while I am able to stand: and

'tis known I am a pretty piece of flesh.

Me they shall feel while I am able to stand. And 'tis known I am a pretty piece of flesh.

Samp. Me they shall feele while I am able to stand:

And 'tis knowne I am a pretty peece of flesh.

19
 

Gregory (19)

notes...

'Tis well thou art not fish; if thou hadstwere, thou

hadst beenwould be poor Johna cheap tasteless fish. Enter two servants of the Montague house, Abraham and BalthasarDraw thy toolsword! here comes

two of the house of the Montagues.

'Tis well thou art not fish: if thou hadstwere, thou hadst beenwould be poor Johna cheap tasteless fish.

Enter two servants of the Montague house, Abraham and BalthasarDraw thy toolsword! Here comes two of the house of the Montagues.

Greg. 'Tis well thou art not Fish: If thou had'st, thou

had'st beene poore Iohn. Draw thy Toole, here comes of

the House of the Mountagues.

poor John, Hake. A coarse, cod-like fish that at the time was dried and salted and cheap, and not very good for eating. In this instance an insult.KAGlossHudsonRJ

here comes two of the house of the Montagues, The members of the Montague family, their men and their servants, wore a token in their hats to distinguish them from their enemies the Capulets. Hence throughout this play they are easily identified even at a distance. HudsonRJ

20
 

Sampson (20)

notes...
30

My naked weaponsword is out: quarrel, I will back thee.

Enter two other servants of the Capulet house.

My naked weaponsword is out. Quarrel, I will back thee.

Enter two other Seruingmen.

Sam. My naked weapon is out: quarrel, I wil back thee

21
 

Gregory (21)

notes...

How? turnby turning thy back and runrunning?

How? TurnBy turning thy back and runrunning?

Gre. How? Turne thy backe, and run.

22
 

Sampson (22)

notes...

Fear me not.

Fear me not.

Sam. Feare me not.

23
 

Gregory (23)

notes...

No, marry;by the sweet Virgin Marry! I fear thee!

No, marry, I fear thee!

Gre. No marry: I feare thee.

marry, A corruption of 'Mary, the Mother of Jesus' equivalent to 'by Mary,' and used as a petty oath. Used to express
- indignant surprise
- affirmation of anything, 'indeed' or 'to be sure'
- contempt
and more...
Sometimes employed in order to avoid laws against profane swearing. KickAssGloss DeightonRJ
Expresses something like today's 'Holy Cow!'

24
 

Sampson (24)

notes...

Let us take the law of our sideson our side; let them begin.

Let us take the law of our sideson our side: let them begin.

Sam. Let vs take the Law of our sides: let them begin.

25
 

Gregory (25)

notes...

I will frown as I pass by, and let them take it as

they listwant.

I will frown as I pass by, and let them take it as they listwant.

Gr. I wil frown as I passe by, & let them take it as they list

26
 

Sampson (26)

notes...

Nay, as they dare. I will bite my thumb at them;

which is a disgrace to them, if they bear it.

Nay, as they dare. I will bite my thumb at them, which is a disgrace to them, if they bear it.

Sam. Nay, as they dare. I wil bite my Thumb at them,

which is a disgrace to them, if they beare it.

bite my thumb, This was a common mode of insult and a good way to begin a quarrel. It was performed by putting the thumb nail into the mouth, and with a quick jerk (from the upper teeth) flick it out making a snapping sound.HudsonRJ

27
 

Abraham (27)

notes...

Do you bite your thumb at us, sir?

Do you bite your thumb at us, sir?

Abra. Do you bite your Thumbe at vs sir?

Abraham and Balthasar. Balthasar is more than just Romeo's servant, he is his friend.
Abraham is a servant in the Montague house. He and Balthasar encounter the two Capulets at the beginning of the play and help provoke the fight that ensues.

28
 

Sampson (28)

notes...
40

I do bite my thumb, sir.

I do bite my thumb, sir.

Samp. I do bite my Thumbe, sir.

29
 

Abraham (29)

notes...

Do you bite your thumb at us, sir?

Do you bite your thumb at us, sir?

Abra. Do you bite your Thumb at vs, sir?

30
 

Sampson (30)

notes...

[Aside to Gregory]
Is the law of our side, if I say

ay?

[Aside to Gregory]
Is the law of our side if I say ay?

Sam. Is the Law of our side, if I say I?

31
 

Gregory (31)

notes...

No.

No.

Gre. No.

32
 

Sampson (32)

notes...

No, sir, I do not bite my thumb at you, sir, but I

bite my thumb, sir.

No, sir, I do not bite my thumb at you, sir, but I bite my thumb, sir.

Sam. No sir, I do not bite my Thumbe at you sir: but

I bite my Thumbe sir.

33
 

Gregory (33)

notes...

Do you quarrel sir?

Do you quarrel sir?

Greg. Do you quarrell sir?

34
 

Abraham (34)

notes...

Quarrel sir? no, sir.

Quarrel sir? No, sir.

Abra. Quarrell sir? no sir.

35
 

Sampson (35)

notes...

If you do, sir, I am for you: I serve as good a man as you.

If you do, sir, I am for you: I serve as good a man as you.

Sam. If you do sir, I am for you, I serue as good a man as you

36
 

Abraham (36)

notes...
50

No better?

No better?

Abra. No better?

37
 

Sampson (37)

notes...

Well sir.

Well sir.

Samp. Well sir.

38

Enter Benvolio

 

Gregory (38)

notes...

Say 'better': here comes one of my master's kinsmen.

Say 'better', here comes one of my master's kinsmen.

Enter Benuolio.

Gr. Say better: here comes one of my masters kinsmen.

39
 

Sampson (39)

notes...

Yes, better, sir.

Yes, better, sir.

Samp. Yes, better.

First Folio or Q2, If you read an edtion that has 'sir' at the end of this line, then that edition (or at least this speech in that edition) is probably based on the Second Quarto. If it is not there, then it is most likely based on the First Folio.
This is sometimes cloudy as many editions of Shakespeare's plays are based on other modern edtions, rather than on original (late 16th and early 17th century) sources.

40
 

Abraham (40)

notes...

You lie.

You lie.

Abra. You Lye.

41
 

Sampson (41)

notes...

Draw if you be men. Gregory, remember thy swashingsmashing blow.

They fight

Draw if you be men.

Gregory, remember thy swashingsmashing blow.

They fight

Samp. Draw if you be men. Gregory, remember thy

washing blow.

They Fight.

42
 

Benvolio (42)

notes...

Part, fools!

Put up your swords; you know not what you do.

Beats down their swords with his

Part, fools! Put up your swords. You know not what you do.

Beats down their swords with his

Ben. Part Fooles, put vp your Swords, you know not

what you do.

Benvolio is Romeo's cousin, and like Romeo has little interest in the feud.
He tries to find out why Romeo is so unhappy at the beginning of the play.

43

Enter Tybalt

 

Tybalt (43)

notes...

What, art thou drawn among these heartless hindscowardly lowlifes?

Turn thee, Benvolio, look upon thy death.

What, art thou drawn among these heartless hindscowardly lowlifes? Turn thee, Benvolio, look upon thy death.

Enter Tibalt.

Tyb. What art thou drawne, among these heartlesse

Hindes? Turne thee Benuolio, looke vpon thy death.

Tybalt is Juliet's favorite cousin but he hates the Montagues with a fiery passion. He becomes even more inflamed when he discovers Romeo at a Capulet party. After (sort of) accidentally killing Romeo's friend - the Prince's cousin Mercutio - Typbalt is killed in a fight with Romeo.

hinds, The female of red deer. An insult to be sure, but one you won't hear much in the 21st century.

44
 

Benvolio (44)

notes...
60

I do butnothing but keep the peace: put up thy sword,

Or manage it to part these men with me.

I do butnothing but keep the peace. Put up thy sword or manage it to part these men with me.

Ben. I do but keepe the peace, put vp thy Sword,

Or manage it to part these men with me.

45
 

Tybalt (45)

notes...

What drawdraw your sword and talk of peace! I hate the word,

As I hate hell, all Montagues, and thee:

HaveI'll have at thee, coward!

They fight

What drawdraw your sword and talk of peace! I hate the word as I hate hell, all Montagues, and thee.

HaveI'll have at thee, coward!

They fight

Tyb. What draw, and talke of peace? I hate the word

As I hate hell, all Mountagues, and thee:

Haue at thee Coward. Fight.

46

Enter, several men from both houses, who join the fray.
After them enter citizens, with clubs

 

First Citizen (46)

notes...

Clubs, billspikes, and partisansbattle-axes! strike! beat them down!

Down with the Capulets! down with the Montagues!

Clubs, billspikes, and partisansbattle-axes! Strike! Beat them down! Down with the Capulets! Down with the Montagues!

Enter three or foure Citizens with cubs.

Offi. Clubs, Bils, and Partisons, strike, beat them down

Downe with the Capulets, downe with the Mountagues.

partisan A long pole with a large, double-edged blade or small battle-axe affixed to the end of it.
This is a completely different meaning than 'partisan' referring to someone who supports a cause, party or group.

Clubs, bills, and partisans!, A common alarm sounded in London for armed persons to come, surround, and part the combatants. The clubs were those borne by the London apprentices, who were called in for this purpose, though sometimes the cry was raised to stir up a disturbance.DeightonRJ
Yes, in London not in Verona. Shakespeare used what he knew.

Citizens of Verona, are tired of the feud between the Capulets and the Montagues, especially of the violence the feud brings to their streets.

47

Enter Capulet in his gown, and Lady Capulet

 

Capulet (47)

notes...

What noise is this? Give me my long sword, ho!

What noise is this? Give me my long sword, ho!

Enter old Capulet in his Gowne, and his wife.

Cap. What noise is this? Giue me my long Sword ho.

48
 

Lady Capulet (48)

notes...

A crutch, a crutch! why call you for a sword?

A crutch, a crutch! Why call you for a sword?

Wife. A crutch, a crutch: why call you for a Sword?

49
 

Capulet (49)

notes...

My sword, I say! Old Montague is come,

70

And flourishes his blade in spite ofwith ill-will towards me.

My sword, I say! Old Montague is come and flourishes his blade in spite ofwith ill-will towards me.

Cap. My Sword I say: Old Mountague is come,

And flourishes his Blade in spight of me.

50

Enter Montague and Lady Montague

 

Montague (50)

notes...

Thou villain Capulet. Turns to his wife who is desperately holding on to his arm.Hold me not, let me go.

Thou villain Capulet. Turns to his wife who is desperately holding on to his arm.Hold me not, let me go.

Enter old Mountague, & his wife.

Moun. Thou villaine Capulet. Hold me not, let me go

51
 

Lady Montague (51)

notes...

Thou shalt not stir amove one foot to seek a foe.

Thou shalt not stir amove one foot to seek a foe.

2.Wife. Thou shalt not stir a foote to seeke a Foe.

52

Enter Prince, with attendants

 

Prince (52)

notes...

Rebellious subjects, enemies to peace,

Profaners of this neighbour-stained steelYou who dishonor these weapons by using them on your neighbors,

Turning to his own men and then returning to the brawling men in the square

Will they not hear? What ho, you men, you beasts,

That quenchput out the fire of your perniciouswicked rage

With purple fountains issuing from your veins,

On pain of torture, from those bloody hands

Throw your mistemper'devil weapons to the ground,

80

And hear the sentence of your movedangry and wrathful Prince.

Three civilpublic brawls, bred of an airy wordstarted with taunting words,

By thee old Capulet and Montague,

Have thrice disturb'd the quiet of our streets,

And made Verona's ancientelderly citizens

Cast byPut down their grave beseeming ornamentscanes appropriate to their elderly age,

To wield old partisansweapons, in hands as old,

Canker'dEvilCorrosive and evil withCorroded by years of peace, to partseparate your canker'd hate:

If ever you disturb our streets again,

Your lives shall pay the forfeit ofthe penalty for breaking the peace.

90

For this time, all the rest depart away:

You Capulet; shall go along with me:

And Montague come you this afternoon,

To know our further pleasure in this case,

To old Free-town, our common judgment-placewhere we make our official judgments.

Once more, on pain of death, all men depart.

Exeunt all but Montague, Lady Montague, and Benvolio

Rebellious subjects, enemies to peace, profaners of this neighbour-stained steelyou who dishonor these weapons by using them on your neighbors, Turning to his own men and then returning to the brawling men in the square will they not hear?

Turning back to the fightersWhat ho, you men, you beasts, that quenchput out the fire of your perniciouswicked rage with purple fountains issuing from your veins, on pain of torture, from those bloody hands throw your mistemper'devil weapons to the ground, and hear the sentence of your movedangry and wrathful Prince.

Three civilpublic brawls, bred of an airy wordstarted with taunting words, by thee old Capulet and Montague, have thrice disturb'd the quiet of our streets, and made Verona's ancientelderly citizens cast byput down their grave beseeming ornamentscanes appropriate to their elderly age, to wield old partisansweapons, in hands as old, vanker'd with peace, to partseparate your canker'dcorrosive and evil hate.

If ever you disturb our streets again your lives shall pay the forfeit ofthe penalty for breaking the peace. For this time, all the rest depart away. You Capulet, shall go along with me. And Montague come you this afternoon, to know our further pleasure in this case, to old Free-town, our common judgment-placewhere we make our official judgments.

Once more, on pain of death, all men depart.

Exeunt all but Montague, Lady Montague, and Benvolio

Enter Prince Eskales, with his Traine.

Prince. Rebellious Subiects, Enemies to peace,

Prophaners of this Neighbor-stained Steele,

Will they not heare? What hoe, you Men, you Beasts,

That quench the fire of your pernitious Rage,

With purple Fountaines issuing from your Veines:

On paine of Torture, from those bloody hands

Throw your mistemper'd Weapons to the ground,

And heare the Sentence of your mooued Prince.

Three ciuill Broyles, bred of an Ayery word,

By thee old Capulet and Mountague,

Haue thrice disturb'd the quiet of our streets,

And made Verona's ancient Citizens

Cast by their Graue beseeming Ornaments,

To wield old Partizans, in hands as old,

Cankred with peace, to part your Cankred hate,

If euer you disturbe our streets againe,

Your liues shall pay the forfeit of the peace.

For this time all the rest depart away:

You Capulet shall goe along with me,

And Mountague come you this afternoone,

To know our Fathers pleasure in this case:

To old Free-towne, our common iudgement place:

Once more on paine of death, all men depart.

Exeunt.

Prince Escalus, Prince Escalus rules Verona, but only appears in the play after somethng really bad has happened. He is fed up with the feud between the Capulets and the Montagues. He has two relatives in the play, Count Paris and Mercutio, who both die due to the feud.

mistemper'd, 'made for an evil purpose'. But involving the idea of tempered, welded, fashioned, to an evil use.
To 'temper' steel is to bring it to the proper degree of hardness by plunging it into icy-cold water when red-hot. DeightonRJ
So 'mistemered' can mean 'made for an evil purpose'.

53
 

Montague (53)

notes...

Speaking to Benvolio

Who set this ancient quarrel new abroachrunning again?

Speak nephew, were you by, when it began?

Speaking to Benvolio

Who set this ancient quarrel new abroachrunning again? Speak nephew, were you by, when it began?

Moun. Who set this auncient quarrell new abroach?

Speake Nephew, were you by, when it began:

abroach, 'abroach' equals 'on broach' equals 'to broach' which is to pierce a cask in order to set the liquor flowing out of it by inserting a peg or spit (broach) into it.DeightonRJ

54
 

Benvolio (54)

notes...

Here were the servants of your adversaryenemy,

And yours close fighting erebefore I did approach:

100

I drewdrew my sword to part them: in the instantand at that very time came

The fiery Tybalt, with his sword prepared,

Which, as he breathed defiance to my ears,

He swungswung his sword about his head and cut the winds,

Who nothing hurt withalHis sword, not hurting anyting in the end, hiss'dhiss'd at him in scorn:

While we were interchanging thrusts and blows,

Came more and more and foughtmen who fought on part and partone side or the other,

Till the Prince came, who parted either partseparated them.

Here were the servants of your adversaryenemy, and yours close nephew, were you by approach. I drewdrew my sword to part them. In the instantAnd at that very time came the fiery Tybalt with his sword prepared, which, as he breathed defiance to my ears, he swungswung his sword about his head and cut the winds, who nothing hurt withalhis sword, not hurting anyting in the end, hiss'dhiss'd at him in scorn. While we were interchanging thrusts and blows, came more and more and foughtmen who fought on part and partone side or the other, till the Prince came, who parted either partseparated them.

Ben. Heere were the seruants of your aduersarie,

And yours close fighting ere I did approach,

I drew to part them, in the instant came

The fiery Tibalt, with his sword prepar'd,

Which as he breath'd defiance to my eares,

He swong about his head, and cut the windes,

Who nothing hurt withall, hist him in scorne.

While we were enterchanging thrusts and blowes,

Came more and more, and fought on part and part,

Till the Prince came, who parted either part.

55
 

Lady Montague (55)

notes...

O where is Romeo, saw you him today?

Right glad I am he was not at this fray.

O where is Romeo, saw you him today? Right glad I am he was not at this fray.

Wife. O where is Romeo, saw you him to day?

Right glad am I, he was not at this fray.

"I am" vs "am I", Compare the common text with the source text. The former has "glad I am", the latter "glad am I'. Different editors of the play will decide for themselves which to use. "Glad I am" is from the second quarto (published 1599) and "glad am I" is from the First Folio (published 1623). Many of the plays have these variations as different editors place greater or lesser value on the different original source texts. (Though other texts, some eighteen of the plays, have almost none of these incidents as they were only - or at least were first - published in the First Folio of 1623). Romeo and Juliet is not one of them.

56
 

Benvolio (56)

notes...
110

Madam, an hour before the worshipp'd sunthe sun we ador so much

Peer'd forth the golden window of the eastRose,

A troubled mind drove me to walk abroadtake a walk outside;

Where, underneath the grove of sycamore

That westward rootethgrows from the city's side,

So early walking did I see your son:

Towards him I made, but he was ware of meaware of my approach

And stole into the covertthicket of the wood:

I, measuring his affections by my own,

That most are busiedI am busiest when they'rei'm most alone,

120

Pursued my humour not pursuing his,

And gladly shunn'd who gladly fled from me.

Madam, an hour before the worshipp'd sunthe sun we ador so much peer'd forth the golden window of the eastrose, a troubled mind drove me to walk abroadtake a walk outside, where, underneath the grove of sycamore that westward rootethgrows from the city's side, so early walking did I see your son. Towards him I made, but he was ware of meaware of my approach and stole into the covertthicket of the wood. I, measuring his affections by my own, that most are busiedI am busiest when they'rei'm most alone, pursued my humour not pursuing his, and gladly shunn'd who gladly fled from me.

Ben. Madam, an houre before the worshipt Sun

Peer'd forth the golden window of the East,

A troubled mind draue me to walke abroad,

Where vnderneath the groue of Sycamour,

That West-ward rooteth from this City side:

So earely walking did I see your Sonne:

Towards him I made, but he was ware of me,

And stole into the couert of the wood,

I measuring his affections by my owne,

Which then most sought, wher most might not be found:

Being one too many by my weary selfe,

Pursued my Honour, not pursuing his

And gladly shunn'd, who gladly fled from me.

before...east,
an hour before the worshipp'd sun
Peer'd forth the golden window of the east

Shakespeare's way of saying, "before sunrise".
A modern reader should be excused for sometimes wondering if Shakespeare was paid by the word.

humour / honour, See the comment about "glad I am" vs "glad am I" above.

57
 

Montague (57)

notes...

Many a morning hath he there been seen,

With tears augmentinghis tears adding to the fresh morning dew.

Adding to clouds more clouds with his deep sighs;

But all so soon as the all-cheering sun

Should in the furthest east begin to draw

The shady curtains from Aurora'sThe goddess of the morning's bed,

Away from the light steals home my heavy son,

And privatealone in his chamber pensconfines himself,

130

Shuts up his windows, locks far daylight out

And makes himself an artificial night:

Black and portentousominous must this humour prove,

Unless good counseladvice may the cause remove.

Many a morning hath he there been seen with tears augmentinghis tears adding to the fresh morning dew. Adding to clouds more clouds with his deep sighs. But all so soon as the all-cheering sun should in the furthest east begin to draw the shady curtains from Aurora'sThe goddess of the morning's bed, away from the light steals home my heavy son, and privatealone in his chamber pensconfines himself, shuts up his windows, locks far daylight out and makes himself an artificial night. Black and portentousominous must this humour prove,

unless good counseladvice may the cause remove.

Mount. Many a morning hath he there beene seene,

With teares augmenting the fresh mornings deaw,

Adding to cloudes, more cloudes with his deepe sighes,

But all so soone as the all-cheering Sunne,

Should in the farthest East begin to draw

The shadie Curtaines from Auroras bed,

Away from light steales home my heauy Sonne,

And priuate in his Chamber pennes himselfe,

Shuts vp his windowes, lockes faire day-light out,

And makes himselfe an artificiall night:

Blacke and portendous must this humour proue,

Vnlesse good counsell may the cause remoue.

Aurora, In Roman mythology Aurora was the goddess of the morning.

58
 

Benvolio (58)

notes...

My noble uncle, do you know the cause?

My noble uncle, do you know the cause?

Ben. My Noble Vncle doe you know the cause?

59
 

Montague (59)

notes...

I neither know it, nor can learn of him.

I neither know it, nor can learn of him.

Moun. I neither know it, nor can learne of him.

60
 

Benvolio (60)

notes...

Have you importuned himpressed him hard, to find out by any means?

Have you importuned himpressed him hard, to find out by any means?

Ben. Haue you importun'd him by any meanes?

61
 

Montague (61)

notes...

Both by myself and many other friends:

But he, his own affections' counsellorkeeping his feelings to himself,

Is to himselfIs his only confident--I will not say how true--

140

But to himself so secret and so close,

So far from sounding and discovery,

As is the bud bit with an enviousthe bud of a flower eaten by a malicious worm,

EreBefore he can spread his sweet leaves to the air,

Or dedicate his beauty to the sun.

Could we but learn from whence his sorrows grow,

We would as willingly give cure as knowWe would want to help him just as much as we have tried to find out what is wrong.

Both by myself and many other friends. But he, his own affections' counsellorkeeping his feelings to himself, is to himselfis his only confident - I will not say how true - but to himself so secret and so close, so far from sounding and discovery, as is the bud bit with an enviousthe bud of a flower eaten by a malicious worm, erebefore he can spread his sweet leaves to the air, or dedicate his beauty to the sun.

Could we but learn from whence his sorrows grow, we would as willingly give cure as knowwe would want to help him just as much as we have tried to find out what is wrong.

Moun. Both by my selfe and many other Friends,

But he his owne affections counseller,

Is to himselfe (I will not say how true)

But to himselfe so secret and so close,

So farre from sounding and discouery,

As is the bud bit with an enuious worme,

Ere he can spread his sweete leaues to the ayre,

Or dedicate his beauty to the same.

Could we but learne from whence his sorrowes grow,

We would as willingly giue cure, as know.

62

Enter Romeo

 

Benvolio (62)

notes...

See, wherehere he comes: so please you, step asideleave me alone with him;

I'll know his grievancethe cause of his sorrow, or be much deniedwill make him deny telling me many times.

See, wherehere he comes. So please you, step asideleave me alone with him, I'll know his grievancethe cause of his sorrow, or be much deniedwill make him deny telling me many times.

Enter Romeo.

Ben. See where he comes, so please you step aside,

Ile know his greeuance, or be much denide.

63
 

Montague (63)

notes...

I would thou werthope you will be so happyfortunate by thy stay,

150

To hear true shrifthis true confession as to what the problem is. Come, madam, let's away.

Exeunt Montague and Lady Montague

I would thou werthope you will be so happyfortunate by thy stay to hear true shrifthis true confession as to what the problem is. Come, madam, let's away.

Exeunt Montague and Lady Montague

Moun. I would thou wert so happy by thy stay,

To heare true shrift. Come Madam let's away.

Exeunt.

64
 

Benvolio (64)

notes...

Good-morrowmorning, cousin.

Good-morrowmorning, cousin.

Ben. Good morrow Cousin.

Good-morrow, 'good morrow,' or 'good day,' was the salutation used until noon, after which time it became 'good e'en' (evening).DeightonRJ
This was the use in Elizabethan England - as elsewhere Shakespeare used what he knew.

65
 

Romeo (65)

notes...

Is the day so young?

Is the day so young?

Rom. Is the day so young?

66
 

Benvolio (66)

notes...

But newOnly just now struck nine.

But newOnly just now struck nine.

Ben. But new strooke nine.

67
 

Romeo (67)

notes...

Ay me! sad hours seem long.

Was that my father that went hence so fast?

Ay me! Sad hours seem long. Was that my father that went hence so fast?

Rom. Aye me, sad houres seeme long:

Was that my Father that went hence so fast?

68
 

Benvolio (68)

notes...

It was. What sadness lengthens Romeo's hours?

It was. What sadness lengthens Romeo's hours?

Ben. It was: what sadnes lengthens Romeo's houres?

69
 

Romeo (69)

notes...

Not having that, which, having, makes them short.

Not having that, which having, makes them short.

Ro. Not hauing that, which hauing, makes them short

70
 

Benvolio (70)

notes...

In love?

In love?

Ben. In loue.

71
 

Romeo (71)

notes...

Out.

Out.

Romeo. Out.

72
 

Benvolio (72)

notes...
160

Of love?

Of love?

Ben. Of loue.

73
 

Romeo (73)

notes...

Out of her favour, wherewith whom I am in love.

Out of her favour, wherewith whom I am in love.

Rom. Out of her fauour where I am in loue.

74
 

Benvolio (74)

notes...

Alas, that love, so gentle in his view,

Should be so tyrannouscruel and pitiless and rough in proofreality!

Alas, that love, so gentle in his view, should be so tyrannouscruel and pitiless and rough in proofreality!

Ben. Alas that loue so gentle in his view,

Should be so tyrannous and rough in proofe.

his / its (as in 'in his view'), 'Its' was just creeping into use at the beginning of the seventeenth century. It does not occur once in the King James version of the Bible as originally printed; it occurs only ten times in the First Folio, generally in the form 'it 's.' HudsonHamlet
Sometimes what it is referring to can be quite ambiguous: reading it different ways gives different meanings.

75
 

Romeo (75)

notes...

Alas, that love, whose view is muffledblindfolded still,

Should, without eyes, see pathways to his willways to get what he wants where there are none!

Where shall we dine? Looking down and seeing blood on the ground around himO me! What frayfight was here?

Yet tell me not, for I have heard it all.

Here's much to do with hate, but more with love.

Why then, O brawling love! O loving hate!

170

O anything, of nothing first createfrom nothing created!

O heavy lightness! serious vanity!

Mis-shapen chaos of well-seeming forms!

Feather of lead, bright smoke, cold fire,

sick health!

Still-waking sleepSleeping while awake, that is not what it is!

This love feel I, that feel no love in thisthat I have, but gives me no love in return.

Dost thou not laughAre you laughing?

Alas, that love, whose view is muffledblindfolded still, should, without eyes, see pathways to his willways to get what he wants where there are none! Where shall we dine? Looking down and seeing blood on the ground around himO me! What frayfight was here? Yet tell me not, for I have heard it all. Here's much to do with hate, but more with love. Why then, O brawling love! O loving hate! O anything, of nothing first createfrom nothing created! O heavy lightness! Serious vanity! Mis-shapen chaos of well-seeming forms! Feather of lead, bright smoke, cold fire, sick health!

Still-waking sleepSleeping while awake, that is not what it is! This love feel I, that feel no love in thisthat I have, but gives me no love in return.

Dost thou not laughAre you laughing?

Rom. Alas that loue, whose view is muffled still,

Should without eyes, see path-wayes to his will:

Where shall we dine? O me: what fray was heere?

Yet tell me not, for I haue heard it all:

Heere's much to do with hate, but more with loue:

Why then, O brawling loue, O louing hate,

O any thing, of nothing first created:

O heauie lightnesse, serious vanity,

Mishapen Chaos of welseeming formes,

Feather of lead, bright smoake, cold fire, sicke health,

Still waking sleepe, that is not what it is:

This loue feele I, that feele no loue in this.

Doest thou not laugh?

Yet tell me not, for I have heard it all. Perhaps the best explanation of this string of mutually exclusive images is that such an affected way of speaking aptly shows the state of Romeo's mind: that his love is self-generated rather than being inspired by any object.
In any case, as compared with his style of speech after meeting Juliet, it serves to mark the difference between being lovesick and being in love.HudsonRJ

76
 

Benvolio (76)

notes...

No cozcousin, I rather weep.

No cozcousin, I rather weep.

Ben. No Coze, I rather weepe.

77
 

Romeo (77)

notes...

Good heartDear friend, at what?

Good heartDear friend, at what?

Rom. Good heart, at what?

78
 

Benvolio (78)

notes...
180

At thy good heart's oppressionheavy burden.

At thy good heart's oppressionheavy burden.

Ben. At thy good hearts oppression.

79
 

Romeo (79)

notes...

Why such is love's transgressioncrime.

Griefs of mine own lie heavy in my breast,

Which thou wilt propagateincrease, to have it presthaving them pressed together with

With more of thineYours: this love that thou hast shown

Doth add more grief to too much of mine own.

Love is a smokesmoke raised with the fume of sighs;

Being purged, a fire sparkling in lovers' eyes;

Being vex'din distress, a sea nourish'd withfed by lovers' tears:

What is it else? a madness most discreet,

190

A choking gallbitterness, and a preservingand at the same time, a delicious sweet.

Farewell, my coz.

Why such is love's transgressioncrime. Griefs of mine own lie heavy in my breast, which thou wilt propagateincrease, to have it presthaving them pressed together with with more of thineyours. This love that thou hast shown doth add more grief to too much of mine own. Love is a smokesmoke raised with the fume of sighs; being purged, a fire sparkling in lovers' eyes; being vex'din distress, a sea nourish'd withfed by lovers' tears, What is it else? a madness most discreet, A choking gallbitterness, and a preservingand at the same time, a delicious sweet.

Farewell, my coz.

Rom. Why such is loues transgression.

Griefes of mine owne lie heauie in my breast,

Which thou wilt propagate to haue it preast

With more of thine, this loue that thou hast showne,

Doth adde more griefe, to too much of mine owne.

Loue, is a smoake made with the fume of sighes,

Being purg'd, a fire sparkling in Louers eyes,

Being vext, a Sea nourisht with louing teares,

What is it else? a madnesse, most discreet,

A choking gall, and a preseruing sweet:

Farewell my Coze.

preserving sweet, seems to mean a sweet of the kind used for preserving. DeightonRJ

80
 

Benvolio (80)

notes...

Soft! I will go alongalong with you;

An if you leave me so, you do me wrong.

Soft! I will go alongalong with you, an if you leave me so, you do me wrong.

Ben. Soft I will goe along.

And if you leaue me so, you do me wrong.

I will go along, with you. The omission of 'with me, you,' etc., is frequent in shakespeare.DeightonRJ

tut, 'Tut' is an interjection expressing contempt of what has been said by anotherKickAss Glossary

81
 

Romeo (81)

notes...

TutNonsense, I have lost myself; I am not here;

This is not Romeo, he's some other wheresomewhere else.

TutNonsense, I have lost myself. I am not here: this is not Romeo, he's some other wheresomewhere else.

Rom. Tut I haue lost my selfe, I am not here,

This is not Romeo, hee's some other where.

82
 

Benvolio (82)

notes...

Tell me in sadnessall seriousness, who is that you love.

Tell me in sadnessall seriousness, who is that you love.

Ben. Tell me in sadnesse, who is that you loue?

sadness, seriousnessKickAss Glossary; in all sober truth, in earnest. A meaning frequent in Shakespeare.DeightonRJ
Thus 'sadly' can mean 'seriously' as in But sadly tell me who.HudsonRJ

83
 

Romeo (83)

notes...

What, shall I groando you want me to give a heavy sigh of resignation and tell thee?

What, shall I groando you want me to give a heavy sigh of resignation and tell thee?

Rom. What shall I grone and tell thee?

84
 

Benvolio (84)

notes...

Groan! why, no.

But sadlyseriously tell me who.

Groan! Why, no. But sadlyseriously tell me who.

Ben. Grone, why no: but sadly tell me who.

85
 

Romeo (85)

notes...
200

Bid a sick man in sadness makes his will:

A word ill urged to one that is so ill!

In sadnessseriousness, cousin, I do love a woman.

Bid a sick man in sadness makes his will: a word ill urged to one that is so ill!

In sadnessseriousness, cousin, I do love a woman.

Rom. A sicke man in sadnesse makes his will:

A word ill vrg'd to one that is so ill:

In sadnesse Cozin, I do loue a woman.

86
 

Benvolio (86)

notes...

I aim'd so near, when I supposed you loved.

I aim'd so near, when I supposed you loved.

Ben. I aym'd so neare, when I suppos'd you lou'd.

87
 

Romeo (87)

notes...

A right good mark-manmarksman! And she's fair I lovethe one I love is pretty.

A right good mark-manmarksman!

And she's fair I lovethe one I love is pretty.

Rom. A right good marke man, and shee's faire I loue

88
 

Benvolio (88)

notes...

A right fairbeautiful mark, fair coz, is soonest hit.

A right fairbeautiful mark, fair coz, is soonest hit.

Ben. A right faire marke, faire Coze, is soonest hit.

89
 

Romeo (89)

notes...

Well, in that hit you miss: she'll not be hit

With Cupid's arrow; she hath Dian's witThe Roman goddess Dian's ability to repell all lovers;

And, in strong proof of chastityto protect her virginity, she is well arm'd,

From love'sFrom Cupid's weak childish bow she lives unharm'd.

210

She will not staytolerate the siege of loving termsthe use of loving words,

Nor bide the encounter of assailingleering eyes,

Nor ope her lapopen her legs to saint-seducing gold:

O she is rich in beauty, only poor,

That when she dies, with beauty dies her storeshe will be the last of her beautiful line, for she will have no children carry on her beauty.

Well, in that hit you miss: she'll not be hit with Cupid's arrow. She hath Dian's witThe Roman goddess Dian's ability to repell all lovers. And, in strong proof of chastityto protect her virginity, she is well arm'd, from love'sfrom Cupid's weak childish bow she lives unharm'd. She will not staytolerate the siege of loving termsthe use of loving words, nor bide the encounter of assailingleering eyes, nor ope her lapopen her legs to saint-seducing gold. O she is rich in beauty, only poor, that when she dies, with beauty dies her storeshe will be the last of her beautiful line, for she will have no children carry on her beauty.

Rom. Well in that hit you misse, sheel not be hit

With Cupids arrow, she hath Dians wit:

And in strong proofe of chastity well arm'd:

From loues weake childish Bow, she liues vncharm'd.

Shee will not stay the siege of louing tearmes,

Nor bid th' encounter of assailing eyes.

Nor open her lap to Sainct-seducing Gold:

O she is rich in beautie, onely poore,

That when she dies, with beautie dies her store.

proof, 'armour of proof' or 'proof-armour' is armour which has been tested when it is made by a severe strain being put upon it; so we speak of swords, guns, cannon, being 'proved' before they are issued for use. DeightonRJ

90
 

Benvolio (90)

notes...

Then she hath sworn that she will still live chasteremain a virgin?

Then she hath sworn that she will still live chasteremain a virgin?

Ben. Then she hath sworne, that she will still liue chast?

91
 

Romeo (91)

notes...

She hath, and in that sparingrefusal she makes huge waste,

For beauty starved withwasted away by her severitymerciless rejection of love

Cuts beauty off from all posterity.

She is too fair, too wise, wisely too fair,

220

To meritdeserve bliss by making me despair:

She hath forswornsworn not to love, and in that vow

Do I live dead that live to tell it now.

She hath, and in that sparingrefusal she makes huge waste, for beauty starved withwasted away by her severitymerciless rejection of love cuts beauty off from all posterity. She is too fair, too wise, wisely too fair, to meritdeserve bliss by making me despair. She hath forswornsworn not to love, and in that vow do I live dead that live to tell it now.

Rom. She hath, and in that sparing make huge wast?

For beauty steru'd with her seuerity,

Cuts beauty off from all posteritie.

She is too faire, too wise: wisely too faire,

To merit blisse by making me dispaire:

She hath forsworne to loue, and in that vow

Do I liue dead, that liue to tell it now.

cuts beauty off from all posterity, She won't have any children to pass along her beauty to future generations.

92
 

Benvolio (92)

notes...

Be ruledguided by me, forget to think of herforget her.

Be ruledguided by me, forget to think of herforget her.

Ben. Be rul'd by me, forget to thinke of her.

93
 

Romeo (93)

notes...

O, teach me how I should forget to think.

O, teach me how I should forget to think.

Rom. O teach me how I should forget to thinke.

94
 

Benvolio (94)

notes...

By giving liberty unto thine eyesletting your eyes roam;

Examine other beauties.

By giving liberty unto thine eyesletting your eyes roam. Examine other beauties.

Ben. By giuing liberty vnto thine eyes,

Examine other beauties,

95
 

Romeo (95)

notes...

'TisThat is the way

To call hers exquisiteTo show how beautiful she is, in question moreeven more than before:

These happylucky masks that kiss fair ladies' browsthe ladies wear,

230

Being black, put us in mind they hide the fairtheir beauty;

He that is strucken blind cannot forget

The precious treasure of his eyesight lostlost eyesight:

Show me a mistress that is passing fairbeyond beautiful,

What doth her beauty serve, but as a notewritten note

WhereIn which I may read who pass'd that passing fairis even more beautiful than her?

Farewell: thou canst not teach me to forget.

'TisThat is the way to call hers exquisiteto show how beautiful she is, in question moreeven more than before. These happylucky masks that kiss fair ladies' browsthe ladies wear, being black, put us in mind they hide the fairtheir beauty. He that is strucken blind cannot forget the precious treasure of his eyesight lostlost eyesight. Show me a mistress that is passing fairbeyond beautiful, what doth her beauty serve, but as a notewritten note wherein which I may read who pass'd that passing fairis even more beautiful than her?

Farewell: thou canst not teach me to forget.

Ro. 'Tis the way to cal hers (exquisit) in question more,

These happy maskes that kisse faire Ladies browes,

Being blacke, puts vs in mind they hide the faire:

He that is strooken blind, cannot forget

The precious treasure of his eye-sight lost:

Shew me a Mistresse that is passing faire,

What doth her beauty serue but as a note,

Where I may read who past that passing faire.

Farewell thou can'st not teach me to forget,

These happy masks ... fair?, The gist of these lines is; when we behold the masks worn by ladies, the fact of the masks being black only serves to make us think of the fair complexions they hide; and so, if I look at other beauties, I shall only be led to think of Rosaline: men may lose their eyesight, but that does not prevent them from remembering, with a yearning regret, that they once had that precious possession; and so, if I examine other features, my doing so will only serve to call up the painful remembrance that I have already looked on other features more beautiful (i.e., those of Rosaline): if you show me someone exquisitely lovely, the only result will be to put me in mind of one whose loveliness far surpassed hers.DeightonRJ

96
 

Benvolio (96)

notes...

I'll pay that doctrineteach you to forget, or else die in debtstill owing you that service.

Exeunt

I'll pay that doctrineteach you to forget, or else die in debtstill owing you that service.

Exeunt

Ben. Ile pay that doctrine, or else die in debt.

Exeunt.

expandMe Act I. Scene II. A street.

1 - 2:    Act I. Scene II. A street.

Count Paris, a relative of the Prince of Verona, tries to convince old Capulet that Juliet should marry him, but Capulet says Juliet is too young.

Capulet then hands a servant a list of names and tells him to go and invite everyone on that list to come to the Capulet's house that evening for a big dinner and dancing party – unaware that the servant can't read.

Running across Romeo and Benvolio in the street, the servant asks them to help with reading the list. Seeing that there is a party that night, Benvolio has the idea that they should go to the party too, even though it is at the rival family's house. After all, Romeo's love, Rosaline, will be there.

Enter Capulet, Paris, and Servant

97
 

Capulet (97)

notes...
Speaking to Count Paris

But Montague is boundordered to keep the peace as well as I,

In penalty alike; and 'tis not hard I think,

For men so old as we, to keep the peace.

Speaking to Count Paris

But Montague is boundordered to keep the peace as well as I, in penalty alike. And 'tis not hard I think, for men so old as we, to keep the peace.

Enter Capulet, Countie Paris, and the Clowne.

Capu. Mountague is bound as well as I,

In penalty alike, and 'tis not hard I thinke,

For men so old as wee, to keepe the peace.

98
 

Paris (98)

notes...

Of honourable reckoningRespected are you both;

And pity 'tis you lived at odds so long.

But now, my lord, what say you to my suitproposal?

Of honourable reckoningRespected are you both. And pity 'tis you lived at odds so long. But now, my lord, what say you to my suitproposal?

Par. Of Honourable reckoning are you both,

And pittie 'tis you liu'd at ods so long:

But now my Lord, what say you to my sute?

Count Paris, a relative of the Prince, is desperate to wed Juliet and has petitioned her father for her hand but has to convince her parents that she isn't too young (she was just under 14 at the time). Even though Juliet rejects him - she is already married to Romeo - he remains in love with her until he dies in a fight with Romeo at Juliet's tomb.

99
 

Capulet (99)

notes...

ButBy saying o'eragain what I have said before:

My child is yet a stranger in the world;

She hath not seen the change of fourteen years,

10

Let two more summers wither in their pridepass,

EreBefore we may think her ripe to be a bride.

ButBy saying o'eragain what I have said before. My child is yet a stranger in the world: she hath not seen the change of fourteen years. Let two more summers wither in their pridepass erebefore we may think her ripe to be a bride.

Capu. But saying ore what I haue said before,

My Child is yet a stranger in the world,

Shee hath not seene the change of fourteene yeares,

Let two more Summers wither in their pride,

Ere we may thinke her ripe to be a Bride.

100
 

Paris (100)

notes...

Younger than she are happy mothers made.

Younger than she are happy mothers made.

Pari. Younger then she, are happy mothers made.

101
 

Capulet (101)

notes...

And too soon marr'dgrown up and aged are those so early mademothers made.

The earth hath swallow'd all my hopes but she,

She is the hopeful lady of my earth:

But woo her gentle Paris, get her heart,

My will to her consentagreeing to whom she will marry is but a part;

AnIf she agree, within her scope of choice

Lies my consent and fair according voiceapproval.

20

This night I hold an old accustom'd feastour usual feast and party for this time of year,

Whereto I have invited many a guest,

Such as I loveMy good friends; and you, among the storebeing among that group of those I love,

One more, most welcome, makes my number more.

At my poor house look to behold this night

Earth-treading starsBeautiful lights that make dark heaven light:

Such comfortjoy and happiness as do lusty young men feel

When well-apparell'dthe good weather of April onis on the heel

Of limping winter treads, even such delight

Among fresh female budsyoung girls shall you this night

30

InheritEnjoy at my house; hear all, all see,

And like her most whose merit most shall bewho is most worthy:

Which on more view, of many mine being oneJuliet is only one

May stand in number, though in reckoning none,

Come, go with me.

Giving a paper to a servant

Go sirrah, trudge about

Through fair Verona; find those persons out

Whose names are written there, and to them say,

My house and welcome on their pleasure stayI am waiting to welcome them to my house tonight.

Exeunt Capulet and Paris

And too soon marr'dgrown up and aged are those so early mademothers made. The earth hath swallow'd all my hopes but she, she is the hopeful lady of my earth. But woo her gentle Paris, get her heart, my will to her consentagreeing to whom she will marry is but a part: AnIf she agree, within her scope of choice lies my consent and fair according voiceapproval.

This night I hold an old accustom'd feastour usual feast and party for this time of year, whereto I have invited many a guest, such as I lovemy good friends. And you, among the storebeing among that group of those I love, one more, most welcome, makes my number more. At my poor house look to behold this night earth-treading starsbeautiful lights that make dark heaven light. Such comfortjoy and happiness as do lusty young men feel, when well-apparell'dthe good weather of April onis on the heel of limping winter treads, even such delight among fresh female budsyoung girls shall you this night inheritenjoy at my house.

Hear all, all see, and like her most whose merit most shall bewho is most worthy: which on more view, of many mine being oneJuliet is only one, may stand in number, though in reckoning none, come, go with me.

Giving a paper to a servant

Go sirrah, trudge about through fair Verona. Find those persons out whose names are written there, and to them say, my house and welcome on their pleasure stayI am waiting to welcome them to my house tonight.

Exeunt Capulet and Paris

Capu. And too soone mar'd are those so early made:

Earth hath swallowed all my hopes but she,

Shee's the hopefull Lady of my earth:

But wooe her gentle Paris, get her heart,

My will to her consent, is but a part,

And shee agree, within her scope of choise,

Lyes my consent, and faire according voice:

This night I hold an old accustom'd Feast,

Whereto I haue inuited many a Guest,

Such as I loue, and you among the store,

One more, most welcome makes my number more:

At my poore house, looke to behold this night,

Earth-treading starres, that make darke heauen light,

Such comfort as do lusty young men feele,

When well apparrel'd Aprill on the heele

Of limping Winter treads, euen such delight

Among fresh Fennell buds shall you this night

Inherit at my house: heare all, all see:

And like her most, whose merit most shall be:

Which one more veiw, of many, mine being one,

May stand in number, though in reckning none.

Come, goe with me: goe sirrah trudge about,

Through faire Verona, find those persons out,

Whose names are written there, and to them say,

My house and welcome, on their pleasure stay.

Exit.

marr'd, (or marred, mar'd) Too soon grown up and their beauty faded.DeightonRJ

102
 

Servant (102)

notes...

Mumbling to himself

Find them out whose names are written here! It is

40

written, that the shoemaker should meddlework with his

yardyard of cloth, and the tailor with his lastmold for making shoes, the fisher with

his pencil, and the painter with his nets; but I am

sent to find those persons whose names are here

writ, and can never find what names the writing

person hath here writ. I must to the learnedfind someone who is educated and can read. The servant suddenly notices Benvolio and Romeo approaching him--In good timeAh, perfect timing for here they come.

Mumbling to himself

Find them out whose names are written here! It is written, that the shoemaker should meddlework with his yardyard of cloth, and the tailor with his lastmold for making shoes, the fisher with his pencil, and the painter with his nets.

But I am sent to find those persons whose names are here writ, and can never find what names the writing person hath here writ. I must to the learnedfind someone who is educated and can read. In good timeAh, perfect timing for here they come.

Ser. Find them out whose names are written. Heere it

is written, that the Shoo-maker should meddle with his

Yard, and the Tayler with his Last, the Fisher with his

Pensill, and the Painter with his Nets. But I am sent to

find those persons whose names are writ, & can neuer find

what names the writing person hath here writ (I must to

the learned) in good time.

It is written...nets, The servant is, of course, turning the sayings topsy-turvy. DeightonRJ
He is confused and frustrated.

103

Enter Benvolio and Romeo

 

Benvolio (103)

notes...
To Romeo

Tut, man, one fire burns out another's burning,

One pain is lessen'd by another's anguishanother pain's hurt;

Turn giddyBecome dizzy, and be holphelped by backward turningturning around the other way;

One desperate grief cures with another's languish:

50

Take thou some new infection to thy eye,

And the rankstrong poison of the old will die.

To Romeo

Tut, man, one fire burns out another's burning; one pain is lessen'd by another's anguishanother pain's hurt: Turn giddyBecome dizzy, and be holphelped by backward turningturning around the other way; one desperate grief cures with another's languish.

Take thou some new infection to thy eye,

And the rankstrong poison of the old will die.

Enter Benuolio, and Romeo.

Ben. Tut man, one fire burnes out anothers burning,

One paine is lesned by anothers anguish:

Turne giddie, and be holpe by backward turning:

One desparate greefe, cures with anothers languish:

Take thou some new infection to the eye,

And the rank poyson of the old wil die.

104
 

Romeo (104)

notes...

Your plaintain-leafThe plantain-leaf, which you know so well, is excellent for that.

Your plaintain-leafThe plantain-leaf, which you know so well, is excellent for that.

Rom. Your Plantan leafe is excellent for that.

plaintain-leaf. The leaf of this herb, or rather weed, was supposed to be good for fresh wounds and various other ailments.

105
 

Benvolio (105)

notes...

For what I pray thee?

For what I pray thee?

Ben. For what I pray thee?

106
 

Romeo (106)

notes...

For your broken shin.

For your broken shin.

Rom. For your broken shin.

107
 

Benvolio (107)

notes...

Why Romeo art thou mad?

Why Romeo art thou mad?

Ben. Why Romeo art thou mad?

108
 

Romeo (108)

notes...

Not mad, but boundtied up more than a mad-man is;

Shut up in prison, kept without my food,

Whipp'd and tormented and Seeing the Capulet servant approach with the guest list in hand.God-denGood evening, good fellow.

Not mad, but boundtied up more than a mad-man is: shut up in prison, kept without my food, whipp'd and tormented and--

God-denGood evening, good fellow.

Rom. Not mad, but bound more then a mad man is:

Shut vp in prison, kept without my foode,

Whipt and tormented: and Godden good fellow,

God-den, (Or 'Godden') A contraction of 'God give you good even,' found in many similar forms, such as that given in the reply by the servant. DeightonRJ

109
 

Servant (109)

notes...

God gi' god-denGod give you a good evening. I pray sir, can you read?

God gi' god-denGod give you a good evening. I pray sir, can you read?

Ser. Godgigoden, I pray sir can you read?

110
 

Romeo (110)

notes...
60

Ay, mine own fortune in my miserymiserable fortune.

Ay, mine own fortune in my miserymiserable fortune.

Rom. I mine owne fortune in my miserie.

111
 

Servant (111)

notes...

Perhaps you have learned it without book: but, I

pray, can you read anything you see?

Perhaps you have learned it without book, but I pray, can you read anything you see?

Ser. Perhaps you haue learn'd it without booke:

But I pray can you read any thing you see?

112
 

Romeo (112)

notes...

Ay, if I know the letters and the language.

Ay, if I know the letters and the language.

Rom. I, if I know the Letters and the Language.

113
 

Servant (113)

notes...

Ye say honestlyThanks for telling me the truth: rest you merrygoodbye and good luck to you!

Ye say honestlyThanks for telling me the truth. Rest you merryGoodbye and good luck to you!

Ser. Ye say honestly, rest you merry.

rest you merry, Or "God rest you merry", was a common form of farewell among the lower orders, and equivalent to 'good luck to you.' DeightonRJ

114
 

Romeo (114)

notes...

Stay fellow, I can read.

Reads

Signior Martino and his wife and daughters;

CountyCount Anselme and his beauteous sisters;

the lady widow of Vitravio;

Signior Placentio and his lovely nieces;

70

Mercutio and his brother Valentine;

mine uncle Capulet, his wife and daughters;

my fair niece Rosaline;

Livia;

Signior Valentio and his cousin Tybalt,

Lucio and the lively Helena.

A fair assembly: whitherto where should they come?

Stay fellow, I can read.

Reads

Signior Martino and his wife and daughters;

CountyCount Anselme and his beauteous sisters;

the lady widow of Vitravio;

Signior Placentio and his lovely nieces;

Mercutio and his brother Valentine;

mine uncle Capulet, his wife and daughters;

my fair niece Rosaline;

Livia;

Signior Valentio and his cousin Tybalt,

Lucio and the lively Helena.

A fair assembly, whitherto where should they come?

Rom. Stay fellow, I can read.

He reades the Letter.

Seigneur Martino, and his wife and daughter: County An-selme

and his beautious sisters: the Lady widdow of Vtru-uio,

Seigneur Placentio, and his louely Neeces: Mercutio and

his brother Valentine: mine vncle Capulet his wife and daugh-ters:

my faire Neece Rosaline, Liuia, Seigneur Valentio, & his

Cosen Tybalt: Lucio and the liuely Helena.

A faire assembly, whither should they come?

County, Another form of 'Count,' often used by Shakespeare. Originally meaning a companion, usually to some great leader. The modern 'county' = shire, being the portion of territory over which the Count ruled. DeightonRJ

115
 

Servant (115)

notes...

Up.

Up.

Ser. Vp.

116
 

Romeo (116)

notes...

Whither? To supper?

Whither? To supper?

Rom. Whither? to supper?

117
 

Servant (117)

notes...

To our house.

To our house.

Ser. To our house.

118
 

Romeo (118)

notes...
80

Whose house?

Whose house?

Rom. Whose house?

119
 

Servant (119)

notes...

My master's.

My master's.

Ser. My Maisters.

120
 

Romeo (120)

notes...

Indeed, I should have ask'd you that before.

Indeed, I should have ask'd you that before.

Rom. Indeed I should haue askt you that before.

121
 

Servant (121)

notes...

Now I'll tell you without asking: my master is the

greatvery rich Capulet; and if you be not of the house

of Montagues, I pray,I hope you will come and crushdrink a cup of wine.

Rest you merryGoodbye and good luck to you!

Exit

Now I'll tell you without asking. My master is the greatvery rich Capulet, and if you be not of the house of Montagues, I pray,I hope you will come and crushdrink a cup of wine.

Rest you merryGoodbye and good luck to you!

Exit

Ser. Now Ile tell you without asking. My maister is

the great rich Capulet, and if you be not of the house of

Mountagues I pray come and crush a cup of wine. Rest

you merry.

Exit.

122
 

Benvolio (122)

notes...

At this same ancienttime-honored feast of Capulet's

Sups the fair Rosaline, whom thou so lovest,

With all the admired beautiesother beautiful women of Verona:

90

Go thither; and with unattaintedimpartial eye,

Compare her face with some that I shall show,

And I will make thee think thy swan a crowis an ugly crow.

At this same ancienttime-honored feast of Capulet's sups the fair Rosaline, whom thou so lovest, with all the admired beautiesother beautiful women of Verona. Go thither and with unattaintedimpartial eye, compare her face with some that I shall show, and I will make thee think thy swan a crowis an ugly crow.

Ben. At this same auncient Feast of Capulets

Sups the faire Rosaline, whom thou so loues:

With all the admired Beauties of Verona,

Go thither and with vnattainted eye,

Compare her face with some that I shall show,

And I will make thee thinke thy Swan a Crow.

this same, The expression 'this same' or ' that same' is frequently used with a contemptuous tone, like the modern vulgarity 'this here' and even when no contempt is intended there is generally an implied familiarity.DeightonRJ

123
 

Romeo (123)

notes...

When the devout religion of mine eye

MaintainsSees such falsehood, then turn tears to fires;

And these, who often drown'd could never die,

Transparent heretics be burnt for liars!

One fairer than my love, the all-seeing sun

Ne'er saw her match since first the world begun.

When the devout religion of mine eye maintainssees such falsehood, then turn tears to fires, and these, who often drown'd could never die, transparent heretics be burnt for liars!

One fairer than my love, the all-seeing sun ne'er saw her match since first the world begun.

Rom. When the deuout religion of mine eye

Maintaines such falshood, then turne teares to fire:

And these who often drown'd could neuer die,

Transparent Heretiques be burnt for liers.

One fairer then my loue: the all-seeing Sun

Nere saw her match, since first the world begun.

124
 

Benvolio (124)

notes...

Tut, you saw her fair, none else being byno other girls being around,

100

Herself poisedcompared with herself in either eye:

But in that crystal scalesyour clear eyes and fair judgment let there be weigh'd

Your lady's loveThe lady you love against some other maid

That I will show you shining at this feast,

And she shall scanthardly show well, thatwho now shows best.

Tut, you saw her fair, none else being byno other girls being around, herself poisedcompared with herself in either eye. But in that crystal scalesyour clear eyes and fair judgment let there be weigh'd your lady's lovethe lady you love against some other maid that I will show you shining at this feast, and she shall scanthardly show well, thatwho now shows best.

Ben. Tut, you saw her faire, none else being by,

Herselfe poys'd with herselfe in either eye:

But in that Christall scales, let there be waid,

Your Ladies loue against some other Maid

That I will show you, shining at this Feast,

And she shew scant shell, well, that now shewes best.

125
 

Romeo (125)

notes...

I'll go along, no such sight to be shown,

But to rejoice inin the splendor of mine ownmy Rosaline.

Exeunt

I'll go along, no such sight to be shown, but to rejoice inin the splendor of mine ownmy Rosaline.

Exeunt

Rom. Ile goe along, no such sight to be showne,

But to reioyce in splendor of mine owne.

expandMe Act I. Scene III. A room in Capulet's house.

1 - 3:    Act I. Scene III. A room in Capulet's house.

Lady Capulet and the Nurse discuss Juliet's age (she is just two weeks shy of being fourteen years old), and whether or not she is ready to be married. The Nurse blabbers on and on about what a cute baby Juliet was.

Juliet's mother then queries Juliet as to whether or not she likes Count Paris, and if she would like to marry him. Juliet is evasive and noncommittal.

A servant then enters and tells them that guests are arriving and the party is ready to get started.

Enter Lady Capulet and Nurse

126
 

Lady Capulet (126)

notes...

Nurse, where's my daughter? call her forth to me.

Nurse, where's my daughter? Call her forth to me.

Enter Capulets Wife and Nurse.

Wife. Nurse wher's my daughter? call her forth to me.

127
 

Nurse (127)

notes...

Now, by my maidenhead, at twelve year old,

I bade her come. WhatWhere are you, lamb! what, ladybirdmy little dove!

God forbidGod forbid that anything should have happened to her! Where's this girl? WhatWhere are you, Juliet!

Now, by my maidenhead at twelve year oldI swear by my virginty when I was but twelve years old, I bade her come.

WhatWhere are you, lamb; what, ladybirdmy little dove!

God forbidGod forbid that anything should have happened to her! Where's this girl? WhatWhere are you, Juliet!

Nurse. Now by my Maidenhead, at twelue yeare old

I bad her come, what Lamb: what Ladi-bird, God forbid,

Where's this Girle? what Iuliet?

Nurse is the former nurse to baby Juliet and her current cherished servant. In many ways Juliet is closer to Nurse than she is to her mother, and she eventually confides everything to her, making the Nurse an active accomplice in the marriage between Juliet and Romeo.

ladybird, lady-bird, a term of endearment: the lady-bird is really a small scarlet insect which flits about from leaf to leaf.DeightonJC

what, an exclamation of impatience at not finding her. why is frequently used in the same way~DeightonJC

128

Enter Juliet

 

Juliet (128)

notes...

How nowWhat's the matter! who calls?

How nowWhat's the matter! Who calls?

Enter Iuliet.

Iuliet. How now, who calls?

129
 

Nurse (129)

notes...

Your mother.

Your mother.

Nur. Your Mother.

130
 

Juliet (130)

notes...

Madam, I am here, what is your will?

Madam, I am here, what is your will?

Iuliet. Madam I am heere, what is your will?

131
 

Lady Capulet (131)

notes...

This is the matter: Nurse, give leaveleave us alone for awhile,

We must talk in secret. Nurse come back again;

10

I have remember'd meOn second thought stay, thou's hear our counsel.

Thou know'st my daughter's of a prettygrown-up and marriageable age.

This is the matter.

Nurse, give leaveleave us alone for awhile, we must talk in secret.

Nurse come back again: I have remember'd meOn second thought stay, thou's hear our counsel.

Thou know'st my daughter's of a prettygrown-up and marriageable age.

Wife. This is the matter: Nurse giue me leaue awhile, we

must talke in secret. Nurse come backe againe, I haue re-

membred me, thou'se heare our counsell. Thou knowest

my daughter's of a prety age.

132
 

Nurse (132)

notes...

FaithTruly, I can tell her age unto an hour.

FaithTruly, I can tell her age unto an hour.

Nurse. Faith I can tell her age vnto an houre.

133
 

Lady Capulet (133)

notes...

She's not fourteen.

She's not fourteen.

Wife. Shee's not fourteene.

134
 

Nurse (134)

notes...

I'll laybet fourteen of my teeth,

And yet, to my teensorrow be it spoken,

I have but four, she is not fourteen.

How long is it now to Lammas-tide?

I'll laybet fourteen of my teeth, and yet, to my teensorrow be it spoken, I have but four, she is not fourteen.

How long is it now to Lammas-tide?

Nurse. Ile lay fourteene of my teeth,

And yet to my teene be it spoken,

I haue but foure, shee's not fourteene.

How long is it now to Lammas tide?

Lammas-tide, A name for the first day of August. The literal sense is 'loaf-mass' because a loaf was offered on this day as an offering of the first fruits of the harvest. DeightonRJ

135
 

Lady Capulet (135)

notes...

A fortnight and oddTwo weeks and a few days.

A fortnight and oddTwo weeks and a few days.

Wife. A fortnight and odde dayes.

136
 

Nurse (136)

notes...

Even or odd, of all days in the year,

20

Come Lammas-eve at night shall she be fourteen.

SusanMy own daughter Susan and she--God rest all Christian souls!--

Were of anthe same age: well, Susan is with God;

She was too good for me: but as I said,

On Lammas-eve at night shall she be fourteen;

That shall she, marry; I remember it well.

'Tis since the earthquake now eleven years;

And she was wean'd -- I never shall forget it --

Of all the days of the year, upon that day:

For I had then laid wormwood to my dugrubbed wormwood on my nipples so the child wouldn't want to suckle there anymore,

30

Sitting in the sun under the dove-house wallwall of the house where the doves are kept;

My lord and you were then at Mantua --

Nay, I do bear a brainhave a good head and memory -- but, as I said,

When itbaby Juliet did taste the wormwood on the nipple

Of my dug and felt it bitter, pretty fool,

To see it tetchyher fretful and angry and fall out with the dug!

Shake quoth the dove-houseThe dove-house shook: 'twas no need, I trowknow,

To bid me trudgeTo tell me that my duties as a wet nurse were done:

And since that time it is eleven years;

For then she could stand alone; nay, by the roodcross of Christ,

40

She could have run and waddled all about;

For even the day before, she broke her browcut her forehead while running about:

And then my husband--God be with his soul!

A' was a merry man--took up the child:

"Yea," quoth he, "dost thou fall upon thy face?

Thou wilt fall backward when thou hast more witexperience;

Wilt thou not, JuleJuliet?" and, by my holidamesalvation,

The pretty wretch leftstopped crying and said "Ay."

To see, now, how a jest shall come about!

I warrant, an I should live a thousand years,

50

I never should forget it: "Wilt thou not, JuleJuliet?" quoth he;

And, pretty foollittle baby, it stintedstopped crying and said "Ay."

Even or odd, of all days in the year, come Lammas-eve at night shall she be fourteen. SusanMy own daughter Susan and she -- God rest all Christian souls -- were of anthe same age. Well, Susan is with God: she was too good for me. But as I said, on Lammas-eve at night shall she be fourteen, that shall she.

Marry, I remember it well. 'Tis since the earthquake now eleven years, and she was wean'd -- I never shall forget it -- of all the days of the year, upon that day. For I had then laid wormwood to my dugrubbed wormwood on my nipples so the child wouldn't want to suckle there anymore, sitting in the sun under the dove-house wallwall of the house where the doves are kept. My lord and you were then at Mantua -- nay, I do bear a brainhave a good head and memory -- but, as I said, when itbaby Juliet did taste the wormwood on the nipple of my dug and felt it bitter, pretty fool, to see it tetchyher fretful and angry and fall out with the dug! Shake quoth the dove-houseThe dove-house shook: 'twas no need, I trowknow, to bid me trudgeto tell me that my duties as a wet nurse were done.

And since that time it is eleven years; For then she could stand alone; nay, by the roodcross of Christ, she could have run and waddled all about; for even the day before, she broke her browcut her forehead while running about. And then my husband -- God be with his soul, a' was a merry man -- took up the child. "Yea," quoth he, "dost thou fall upon thy face? Thou wilt fall backward when thou hast more witexperience, Wilt thou not, JuleJuliet?" And, by my holidamesalvation, the pretty wretch leftstopped crying and said "Ay." To see, now, how a jest shall come about!

I warrant, an I should live a thousand years, I never should forget it: "Wilt thou not, JuleJuliet?" quoth he, and, pretty foollittle baby, it stintedstopped crying and said "Ay."

Nurse. Euen or odde, of all daies in the yeare come

Lammas Eue at night shall she be fourteene. Susan & she,

God rest all Christian soules, were of an age. Well Susan

is with God, she was too good for me. But as I said, on La-mas

Eue at night shall she be fourteene, that shall she ma-

rie, I remember it well. 'Tis since the Earth-quake now

eleuen yeares, and she was wean'd I neuer shall forget it,

of all the daies of the yeare, vpon that day: for I had then

laid Worme-wood to my Dug sitting in the Sunne vnder

the Douehouse wall, my Lord and you were then at

Mantua, nay I doe beare a braine. But as I said, when it

did tast the Worme-wood on the nipple of my Dugge,

and felt it bitter, pretty foole, to see it teachie, and fall out

with the Dugge, Shake quoth the Doue-house, 'twas no

neede I trow to bid mee trudge, and since that time it is

a eleuen yeares, for then she could stand alone, nay bi'th'

roode she could haue runne, & wadled all about: for euen

the day before she broke her brow, & then my Husband

God be with his soule, a was a merrie man, tooke vp the

Child, yea quoth hee, doest thou fall vpon thy face? thou

wilt fall backeward when thou hast more wit, wilt thou

not Iule? And by my holy-dam, the pretty wretch lefte

crying, & said I: to see now how a Iest shall come about.

I warrant, & I shall liue a thousand yeares, I neuer should

forget it: wilt thou not Iule quoth he? and pretty foole it

stinted, and said I.

137
 

Lady Capulet (137)

notes...

Enough of this; I pray thee hold thy peace.

Enough of this. I pray thee hold thy peace.

Old La. Inough of this, I pray thee hold thy peace.

138
 

Nurse (138)

notes...

Yes madam, yet I cannot choose but laugh,

To think it should leavestop crying and say "Ay."

And yet I warrant it had upon its brow

A bump as big as a young cockerel's stonerooster's testicle;

A parlous knockperilous knock on its head; and it cried bitterly:

"Yea," quoth my husband, "fall'st upon thy face?

Thou wilt fall backward when thou comest to age;

60

Wilt thou not, JuleJuliet?" It stinted, and said "Ay."

Yes madam, yet I cannot choose but laugh to think it should leavestop crying and say "Ay." And yet I warrant it had upon its brow a bump as big as a young cockerel's stonerooster's testicle. A parlous knockperilous knock on its head and it cried bitterly. "Yea," quoth my husband, "fall'st upon thy face? Thou wilt fall backward when thou comest to age, Wilt thou not, JuleJuliet?" It stinted, and said "Ay."

Nurse. Yes Madam, yet I cannot chuse but laugh, to

thinke it should leaue crying, & say I: and yet I warrant

it had vpon it brow, a bumpe as big as a young Cockrels

stone? A perilous knock, and it cryed bitterly. Yea quoth

my husband, fall'st vpon thy face, thou wilt fall back-

ward when thou commest to age: wilt thou not Iule? It

stinted: and said I.

139
 

Juliet (139)

notes...

And stintcease thou too, I pray thee, nurse, say I.

And stintcease thou too, I pray thee, nurse, say I.

Iule. And stint thou too, I pray thee Nurse, say I.

140
 

Nurse (140)

notes...

Turning towards Juliet

Peace, I have done. God mark thee to his graceMay God set the mark of his favor upon you!

Thou wast the prettiest babe that e'er I nursedthat I ever nursed:

And I might live to see thee married oncesometime,

IIf I have my wish.

Turning towards Juliet

Peace, I have done. God mark thee to his graceMay God set the mark of his favor upon you! Thou wast the prettiest babe that e'er I nursedthat I ever nursed. And I might live to see thee married oncesometime, IIf I have my wish.

Nur. Peace I haue done: God marke thee too his grace

thou wast the prettiest Babe that ere I nurst, and I might

liue to see thee married once, I haue my wish.

141
 

Lady Capulet (141)

notes...

Marry, thatIndeed! That "marry" is the very theme

I came to talk of. Tell me daughter Juliet,

How stands your disposition to bethoughts on getting married?

Marry, thatIndeed! That "marry" is the very theme I came to talk of. Tell me daughter Juliet, how stands your disposition to bethoughts on getting married?

Old La. Marry that marry is the very theame

I came to talke of, tell me daughter Iuliet,

How stands your disposition to be Married?

142
 

Juliet (142)

notes...

It is an honour that I dream not of.

It is an honour that I dream not of.

Iuli. It is an houre that I dreame not of.

143
 

Nurse (143)

notes...
70

An honour! were not I thine only nurse,

I would say thou hadst suck'd wisdom from thymy teat.

An honour! Were not I thine only nurse, I would say thou hadst suck'd wisdom from thymy teat.

Nur. An houre, were I not thine onely Nurse, I would

say thou had'st suckt wisedome from thy teat.

144
 

Lady Capulet (144)

notes...

Well think of marriage now; younger than you,

Here in Verona, ladies of esteem,

Are made already mothers: by my count,

I was your mother much upon these yearsat the same age

That you are now a maid. Thus then in brief:

The valiant Paris seeks you for his love.

Well think of marriage now. Younger than you, here in Verona, ladies of esteem, are made already mothers. By my count I was your mother much upon these yearsat the same age that you are now a maid.

Thus then in brief: the valiant Paris seeks you for his love.

Old La. Well thinke of marriage now, yonger then you

Heere in Verona, Ladies of esteeme,

Are made already Mothers. By my count

I was your Mother, much vpon these yeares

That you are now a Maide, thus then in briefe:

The valiant Paris seekes you for his loue.

By my count...you are now a maid, So Juliet's mother is now somewhere near twenty-eight years old and had Juliet when she was fourteen or so. Life came and went much faster in both Shakespeare's time and that of Romeo and Juliet. KickAss Shakespeare

145
 

Nurse (145)

notes...

A man young lady! lady, such a man

As all the world. Why, he's a man of waxbeautiful man.

A man young lady! Lady, such a man as all the world. Why, he's a man of waxbeautiful man.

Nurse. A man young Lady, Lady, such a man as all

the world. Why hee's a man of waxe.

a man of wax, Well made, as if he had heen modelled in wax.DeightonRJ

146
 

Lady Capulet (146)

notes...
80

Verona's summer hath not such a flowerflower as he.

Verona's summer hath not such a flowerflower as he.

Old La. Veronas Summer hath not such a flower.

147
 

Nurse (147)

notes...

Nay, he's a flower; in faithindeed a very flower.

Nay, he's a flower, in faithindeed a very flower.

Nurse. Nay hee's a flower, infaith a very flower.

148
 

Lady Capulet (148)

notes...

What say you, can you love the gentleman?

This night you shall behold him at our feast;

Read o'er the volume ofLook carefully at young Paris' face,

And find delight writbeauty and pleasure written there with beauty's pen;

Examine every married lineamentharmonious feature,

And see how one anothereach one lends content

And what obscured in this fair volume lies

Find written in the margentmargin of his eyes.

90

This precious book of love, this unboundunmarried lover,

To beautify himmake him even more beautiful, only lacks a coverwife:

The fish lives in the sea, and 'tis much pride

For fair without the fair within to hide:

That book in many's eyes doth share the glory,

That in gold clasps locks in the golden story;

So shall you share all that he doth possess,

By having him, making yourself no less.

What say you, can you love the gentleman? This night you shall behold him at our feast. Read o'er the volume ofLook carefully at young Paris' face, and find delight writbeauty and pleasure written there with beauty's pen. Examine every married lineamentharmonious feature, and see how one anothereach one lends content and what obscured in this fair volume lies find written in the margentmargin of his eyes.

This precious book of love, this unboundunmarried lover, to beautify himmake him even more beautiful, only lacks a coverwife. The fish lives in the sea, and 'tis much pride for fair without the fair within to hide. That book in many's eyes doth share the glory, that in gold clasps locks in the golden story. So shall you share all that he doth possess, by having him, making yourself no less.

Old La. What say you, can you loue the Gentleman?

This night you shall behold him at our Feast,

Read ore the volume of young Paris face,

And find delight, writ there with Beauties pen:

Examine euery seuerall liniament,

And see how one another lends content:

And what obscur'd in this faire volume lies,

Find written in the Margent of his eyes.

This precious Booke of Loue, this vnbound Louer,

To Beautifie him, onely lacks a Couer.

The fish liues in the Sea, and 'tis much pride

For faire without, the faire within to hide:

That Booke in manies eyes doth share the glorie,

That in Gold claspes, Lockes in the Golden storie:

So shall you share all that he doth possesse,

By hauing him, making your selfe no lesse.

The fish lives ... hide, as the beauty of the water in which it lives sets off the beauty of the fish, so man is graced by his union with woman.DeightonRJ

So shall you share ... making yourself no less, The hope for their children's social climbing evidently isn't new to 21st century mothers.KAS

149
 

Nurse (149)

notes...

No less! Nay, bigger: women growswell their bellies by men.

No less! Nay, bigger: women growswell their bellies by men.

Nurse. No lesse, nay bigger: women grow by men.

No less! Nay, bigger: women grow by men, Snicker, snicker: the nurse is referring to a woman's pregnant belly.KAS

150
 

Lady Capulet (150)

notes...

Speak briefly, can you like ofaccept Paris' love?

Speak briefly, can you like ofaccept Paris' love?

Old La. Speake briefly, can you like of Paris loue?

151
 

Juliet (151)

notes...
100

I'll look to like, if looking liking moveI will look with the intent of liking, if looking is likely to cause liking:

But no more deep will I endartset darts in mine eye

Than your consent gives strength to make itthem fly.

I'll look to like, if looking liking moveI will look with the intent of liking, if looking is likely to cause liking. But no more deep will I endartset darts in mine eye than your consent gives strength to make itthem fly.

Iuli. Ile looke to like, if looking liking moue.

But no more deepe will I endart mine eye,

Then your consent giues strength to make flye.

152

Enter a Servant

 

Servant (152)

notes...

Madam, the guests are come, supper served up, you

called, my young lady asked for, the nurse cursed in

the pantry, and every thing in extremityis at a breaking point. I must

hence to wait; I beseech you, follow straight.

Madam, the guests are come, supper served up, you called, my young lady asked for, the nurse cursed in the pantry, and every thing in extremityis at a breaking point. I must hence to wait, I beseech you, follow straight.

Enter a Seruing man.

Ser. Madam, the guests are come, supper seru'd vp, you

cal'd, my young Lady askt for, the Nurse cur'st in the Pan-

tery, and euery thing in extremitie: I must hence to wait, I

beseech you follow straight.

Exit.

Madam, the guests are come... Panic before a party is not a modern phenomenon.DeightonRJ

153
 

Lady Capulet (153)

notes...

We follow thee.

Exit Servant

Juliet, the county staysCount Paris is waiting for you.

We follow thee.

Exit Servant

Juliet, the county staysCount Paris is waiting for you.

Mo. We follow thee, Iuliet, the Countie staies.

154
 

Nurse (154)

notes...

Go girl, seek happy nights to happy daysfind a man that will give you happy nights at the end of happy days.

Exeunt

Go girl, seek happy nights to happy daysfind a man that will give you happy nights at the end of happy days.

Exeunt

Nurse. Goe Gyrle, seeke happie nights to happy daies.

Exeunt.

expandMe Act I. Scene IV. A street.

1 - 4:    Act I. Scene IV. A street.

Late afternoon finds a reluctant Romeo and his adventurous friends discussing that evening's party at the Montagues. They decide to go, but Romeo is wary.

Enter Romeo, Mercutio, Benvolio, with five or six Maskers, Torch-bearers, and others

155
 

Romeo (155)

notes...

What, shall this speechperpared speech be spoke for our excusereason for being here?

Or shall we ongo in without an apology?

What, shall this speechperpared speech be spoke for our excusereason for being here, or shall we ongo in without an apology?

Enter Romeo, Mercutio, Benuolio, with fiue or sixe
other Maskers, Torch-bearers.

Rom. What shall this spech be spoke for our excuse?

Or shall we on without Apologie?

Maskers. Men wearing masks and prepared to take part in a masquerade, i.e. an assembly of maskers or buffoons. (Not the same as masque where entertainers dance and act wearing masks.).DeightonRJ

Speech. The wearing of masks was a custom observed by those who came to a party without an invitation: with a desire to conceal themselve; for the sake of intrigue; or just to enjoy a greater freedom of conversation.

Their entry on these occasions was always prefaced by some speech in praise of the beauty of the ladies, or the generosity of the host. HudsonRJ

hoodwinked To 'hoodwink' is to blind the eyes by covering the head with a hood, as hawks were blinded by a hood drawn over their eyes until the moment arrived for releasing them at their prey.DeightonRJ

156
 

Benvolio (156)

notes...

The date is out ofOut of fashion is such prolixitylengthy and tedious giving of thanks to the host in a speech on arrival:

We'll have no Cupid hoodwink'dblinded with a scarf,

Bearing a Tartar's painted bow of lathmade from simple wood,

Scaring the ladies like a crow-keeperscarecrow scares the crows away;

ButRather let them measurejudge us by what they will;

We'll measuredance to the music for them a measure, and be gone.

The date is out ofOut of fashion is such prolixitylengthy and tedious giving of thanks to the host in a speech on arrival. We'll have no Cupid hoodwink'dblinded with a scarf, bearing a Tartar's painted bow of lathmade from simple wood, scaring the ladies like a crow-keeperscarecrow scares the crows away. ButRather let them measurejudge us by what they will, we'll measuredance to the music for them a measure, and be gone.

Ben. The date is out of such prolixitie,

Weele haue no Cupid, hood winkt with a skarfe,

Bearing a Tartars painted Bow of lath,

Skaring the Ladies like a Crow-keeper.

But let them measure vs by what they will,

Weele measure them with a Measure, and be gone.

measure, 'measure' has three meanings in this speech:
   1) judge,
   2) to dance and,
   3) a piece of music to which people dance.
DeightonRJ

157
 

Romeo (157)

notes...

Give me a torch: I am not for this amblingdancing;

10

Being but heavyheavy of heart, I will bearcarry the light.

Give me a torch. I am not for this amblingdancing: being but heavyheavy of heart, I will bearcarry the light.

Rom. Giue me a Torch, I am not for this ambling.

Being but heauy I will beare the light.

158
 

Mercutio (158)

notes...

Nay gentle Romeo, we must have you dance.

Nay gentle Romeo, we must have you dance.

Mer. Nay gentle Romeo, we must haue you dance.

Mercutio. Romeo's friend Mercutio, is also a cousin to the Prince, and while not a Montague, he is on their side. His reckless taunting of the Capulets, especially Tybalt, leads to fights and his own death.

159
 

Romeo (159)

notes...

Not I believe me: you have dancing shoes

With nimble soles: I have a soul of leadsuch a heavy heart

So stakesIt pins me to the ground, I cannot move.

Not I believe me. You have dancing shoes with nimble soles -- I have a soul of leadsuch a heavy heart so stakesit pins me to the ground, I cannot move.

Rom. Not I beleeue me, you haue dancing shooes

With nimble soles, I haue a soale of Lead

So stakes me to the ground, I cannot moue.

160
 

Mercutio (160)

notes...

You are a lover; borrow Cupid's wings,

And soar with them above a common boundhigher than you could normally leap.

You are a lover. Borrow Cupid's wings, and soar with them above a common boundhigher than you could normally leap.

Mer. You are a Louer, borrow Cupids wings,

And soare with them aboue a common bound.

161
 

Romeo (161)

notes...

I am too sore enpiercedgreviously wounded with his shaft

To soar with his light feathers, and so boundjump like that,

I cannot bound a pitchjump above dull woe:

20

Under love's heavy burden do I sink.

I am too sore enpiercedgreviously wounded with his shaft to soar with his light feathers, and so boundjump like that, I cannot bound a pitchjump above dull woe. Under love's heavy burden do I sink.

Rom. I am too sore enpearced with his shaft,

To soare with his light feathers, and to bound:

I cannot bound a pitch aboue dull woe,

Vnder loues heauy burthen doe I sinke.

162
 

Mercutio (162)

notes...

And, to sink in it, should you burden love;

Too great oppression for a tender thing.

And, to sink in it, should you burden love, too great oppression for a tender thing.

Hora. And to sinke in it should you burthen loue,

Too great oppression for a tender thing.

163
 

Romeo (163)

notes...

Is love a tender thing? it is too rough,

Too rude, too boisterous, and it pricks like thorn.

Is love a tender thing? It is too rough, too rude, too boisterous, and it pricks like thorn.

Rom. Is loue a tender thing? it is too rough,

Too rude, too boysterous, and it pricks like thorne.

164
 

Mercutio (164)

notes...

If love be rough with you, be rough with love;

Prick love for pricking, andIf you sting love for having stung you you beat love down.

Give me a casemask to put my visageface in:

A visor for a visor! what care I

What curious eye doth quote deformitiessees my ugliness?

30

Here are the beetle browsmy bushy eyebrows that shall blush for me.

If love be rough with you, be rough with love. Prick love for pricking, andIf you sting love for having stung you you beat love down. Give me a casemask to put my visageface in: a visor for a visor! What care I what curious eye doth quote deformitiessees my ugliness? Here are the beetle browsmy bushy eyebrows that shall blush for me.

Mer. If loue be rough with you, be rough with loue,

Pricke loue for pricking, and you beat loue downe,

Giue me a Case to put my visage in,

A Visor for a Visor, what care I

What curious eye doth quote deformities:

Here are the Beetle-browes shall blush for me.

165
 

Benvolio (165)

notes...

Come, knock and enter; and no sooner in,

But every man betake him to his legsstart dancing and mingle with the others.

Come, knock and enter; and no sooner in, but every man betake him to his legsstart dancing and mingle with the others.

Ben. Come knocke and enter, and no sooner in,

But euery man betake him to his legs.

166
 

Romeo (166)

notes...

A torch for me: let wantonsthe playful among you who are light of heart

Tickle the senseless rushesunfeeling leaves on the floor with their heels,

For I am proverb'd with a grandsire phrase;

I'll be a candle-holder, and look on.

The game was ne'er so fairsomething I liked, and I am done.

A torch for me. Let wantonsthe playful among you who are light of heart tickle the senseless rushesunfeeling leaves on the floor with their heels, for I am proverb'd with a grandsire phrase. I'll be a candle-holder and look on. The game was ne'er so fairsomething I liked, and I am done.

Rom. A Torch for me, let wantons light of heart

Tickle the sencelesse rushes with their heeles:

For I am prouerb'd with a Grandsier Phrase,

Ile be a Candle-holder and looke on,

The game was nere so faire, and I am done.

For I am proverb'd with a grandsire phrase, Possibly someting like:
I am guided by grandfather's saying, "If you are the one to hold a candle at a game you can not loose."

167
 

Mercutio (167)

notes...

Tut, dun's the mouse, the constable's own word:

If thou art dun, we'll draw thee from the mire

40

Of this sir-reverence love, wherein thou stick'st

Up to the ears. Come, we burnare wasting daylight, ho!

Tut, dun's the mouse, the constable's own word. If thou art dun, we'll draw thee from the mire of this sir-reverence love, wherein thou stick'st up to the ears.

Come, we burnare wasting daylight, ho!

Mer. Tut, duns the Mouse, the Constables owne word,

If thou art dun, weele draw thee from the mire.

Or saue your reuerence loue, wherein thou stickest

Vp to the eares, come we burne day-light ho.

dun. The color gray, tan or gray-gold.
Here Mercutio is pretending to misunderstand that Romeo said he was 'done'.

dun's the mouse. A proverbial saying of vague origin, Alluding to the color of the mouse; but frequently employed with no other intent than making a pun on the word 'done.'
To 'draw dun out of the mire' was an old Christmas pastime, in which 'dun' meant a dun horse, stuck in the mire, and often represented by one of the persons who played, sometimes by a log of wood.

168
 

Romeo (168)

notes...

Nay, that's not so.

Nay, that's not so.

Rom. Nay that's not so.

169
 

Mercutio (169)

notes...

I mean sir, in delayby delaying going to the party

We waste our lights in vain, likelike using lamps by day.

Take our good meaning, for our judgment sits

Five times in that ere once in our five witsbetter than using our five senses.

I mean sir, in delayby delaying going to the party we waste our lights in vain, likelike using lamps by day. Take our good meaning, for our judgment sits five times in that ere once in our five witsbetter than using our five senses.

Mer. I meane sir I delay,

We wast our lights in vaine, lights, lights, by day;

Take our good meaning, for our Iudgement sits

Fiue times in that, ere once in our fiue wits.

five wits, A common phrase denoting the five senses. It was sometimes used also of the intellectual faculties, which were supposed to correspond to the five senses.HudsonRJ
The five wits were: common wit, imagination, fantasy, estimation [i.e. judgment), and memory. The phrase was sometimes used as an equivalent to the five senses.DeightonRJ

Take our good meaning ... wits,"Take our words as they were meant, for it is in that meaning that our good sense shows itself much more often than when we use of our five wits: if our words are strictly taken, they are often misunderstood."~DeightonJC

One of the most difficult passages in all of Shakespeare to figure out.

170
 

Romeo (170)

notes...

And we mean well in going to this maskmasked ball,

But 'tis no witnot smart to go.

And we mean well in going to this maskmasked ball, but 'tis no witnot smart to go.

Rom. And we meane well in going to this Maske,

But 'tis no wit to go.

171
 

Mercutio (171)

notes...

Why, may one ask?

Why, may one ask?

Mer. Why may one aske?

172
 

Romeo (172)

notes...
50

I dreampt a dream tonightlast night.

I dreampt a dream tonightlast night.

Rom. I dreampt a dreame to night.

to night (tonight), Shakespeare often uses 'to night' to mean what we would call 'last night.

to night (tonight), Shakespeare often uses 'to night' to mean what we would call 'last night.

173
 

Mercutio (173)

notes...

And so did I.

And so did I.

Mer. And so did I.

174
 

Romeo (174)

notes...

Well what was yours?

Well what was yours?

Rom. Well what was yours?

175
 

Mercutio (175)

notes...

That dreamers often lie.

That dreamers often lie.

Mer. That dreamers often lye.

176
 

Romeo (176)

notes...

In bed asleep while they do dream things true.

In bed asleep while they do dream things true.

Ro. In bed a sleepe while they do dreame things true.

177
 

Mercutio (177)

notes...

O, then I see Queen Mab hath been with you.

She is the fairies' midwife, and she comes

In shape no bigger than an agate-stoneagate stone on a ring

On the fore-finger of an alderman,

Drawn with a team of little atomies, tiny things

60

AthwartAcross men's noses as they lie asleep;

Her wagon-spokes made of long spiders' legs,

The cover of the wings of grasshoppers,

The tracesharness of the smallest spider's web,

The collars of the moonshine's watery beams,

Her whip of cricket's bone, the lash of filmwhip's lashes of fine threads,

Her wagoner a small grey-coated gnat,

Not so big as a round little worm

Prick'd from the lazy finger of a maidfinger of a lazy maid;

Her chariot is an empty hazel-nut

70

Made by the joinercarpenter squirrel or old grubworm,

Time out o' mindFrom time immemorial the fairies' coachmakers.

And in this state shewith this pomp an splendour gallops night by night

Through lovers' brains, and then they dream of love;

O'er courtiers' knees, that dream on court'sies straightof immediately bowing and cringing in the presence of those whose favour they seek to win,

O'er lawyers' fingers, who straight dream onimmediately dream about their fees fees,

O'er ladies ' lips, who straight onimmediately of kisses dream,

Which oft the angry Mab with blisters plagues,

Because their breaths with sweetmeatssweet preserved fruits tainted are:

Sometime she gallops o'er a courtier's nose,

80

And then dreams he of smelling out a suithe dreams of representing somebody's petition to a king;

And sometime comes she with a tithe-pig's tailsmall pig's tail

Tickling a parson's nose as a' lies asleep,

Then dreams he, of another beneficea better and more profitable appointment:

Sometime she driveth o'er a soldier's neck,

And then dreams he of cutting foreign throats,

Of breachesopenings in forts, ambuscadoesambushes, Spanish bladesToledo swords,

Of healthstoasts to his health five-fathom deepfrom very deep cups; and then anonsoon

Drums in his ear, at which he starts and wakes,

And being thus frighted swearssays a prayer or two

90

And sleeps again. This is that very Mab

That platstangles the manes of horses in the night,

And bakes the elflockscreates elf knots in foul sluttishdirty, grimy hairs,

Which once untangled, much misfortune bodesbrings them a lot of bad luck:

This is the hag, when maids lie on their backs,

That presses them and learnsteaches them first to bearbear the weight of men and then bear children,

Making them women of good carriage:

This is she.

O, then I see Queen Mab hath been with you. She is the fairies' midwife, and she comes in shape no bigger than an agate-stoneagate stone on a ring on the fore-finger of an alderman, drawn with a team of little atomies, tiny things athwartacross men's noses as they lie asleep. Her wagon-spokes made of long spiders' legs, the cover of the wings of grasshoppers, the tracesharness of the smallest spider's web, the collars of the moonshine's watery beams, her whip of cricket's bone, the lash of filmwhip's lashes of fine threads, her wagoner a small grey-coated gnat, not so big as a round little worm prick'd from the lazy finger of a maidfinger of a lazy maid. Her chariot is an empty hazel-nut made by the joinercarpenter squirrel or old grubworm, time out o' mindfrom time immemorial the fairies' coachmakers.

And in this state shewith this pomp an splendour gallops night by night through lovers' brains, and then they dream of love; o'er courtiers' knees, that dream on court'sies straightof immediately bowing and cringing in the presence of those whose favour they seek to win; o'er lawyers' fingers, who straight dream onimmediately dream about their fees fees; o'er ladies ' lips, who straight onimmediately of kisses dream -- which oft the angry Mab with blisters plagues, because their breaths with sweetmeatssweet preserved fruits tainted are.

Sometime she gallops o'er a courtier's nose, and then dreams he of smelling out a suithe dreams of representing somebody's petition to a king; and sometime comes she with a tithe-pig's tailsmall pig's tail tickling a parson's nose as a' lies asleep, then dreams he, of another beneficea better and more profitable appointment. Sometime she driveth o'er a soldier's neck, and then dreams he of cutting foreign throats, of breachesopenings in forts, ambuscadoesambushes, Spanish bladesToledo swords, of healthstoasts to his health five-fathom deepfrom very deep cups. And then anonsoon drums in his ear, at which he starts and wakes, and being thus frighted swearssays a prayer or two and sleeps again.

This is that very Mab that platstangles the manes of horses in the night, and bakes the elflockscreates elf knots in foul sluttishdirty, grimy hairs, which once untangled, much misfortune bodesbrings them a lot of bad luck. This is the hag, when maids lie on their backs, that presses them and learnsteaches them first to bearbear the weight of men and then bear children, making them women of good carriage.

This is she.

Mer. O then I see Queene Mab hath beene with you:

She is the Fairies Midwife, & she comes in shape no big-

ger then Agat-stone, on the fore-finger of an Alderman,

drawne with a teeme of little Atomies, ouer mens noses as

they lie asleepe: her Waggon Spokes made of long Spin-

ners legs: the Couer of the wings of Grashoppers, her

Traces of the smallest Spiders web, her coullers of the

Moonshines watry Beames, her Whip of Crickets bone,

the Lash of Philome, her Waggoner, a small gray-coated

Gnat, not halfe so bigge as a round little Worme, prickt

from the Lazie-finger of a man. Her Chariot is an emptie

Haselnut, made by the Ioyner Squirrel or old Grub, time

out a mind, the Faries Coach-makers: & in this state she

gallops night by night, through Louers braines: and then

they dreame of Loue. On Courtiers knees, that dreame on

Cursies strait: ore Lawyers fingers, who strait dreampt on

Fees, ore Ladies lips, who strait on kisses dreame, which

oft the angry Mab with blisters plagues, because their

breath with Sweet meats tainted are. Sometime she gal-

lops ore a Courtiers nose, & then dreames he of smelling

out a sute: & somtime comes she with Tith pigs tale, tick-

ling a Parsons nose as a lies asleepe, then he dreames of

another Benefice. Sometime she driueth ore a Souldiers

necke, & then dreames he of cutting Forraine throats, of

Breaches, Ambuscados, Spanish Blades: Of Healths fiue

Fadome deepe, and then anon drums in his eares, at which

he startes and wakes; and being thus frighted, sweares a

prayer or two & sleepes againe: this is that very Mab that

plats the manes of Horses in the night: & bakes the Elk-

locks in foule sluttish haires, which once vntangled, much

misfortune bodes,

This is the hag, when Maides lie on their backs,

That presses them, and learnes them first to beare,

Making them women of good carriage:

This is she.

Queen Mab, was Queen of the fairies. Sometimes called Fairy Queen Mab. It is possible the Shakespeare was the first to refer to Mab as a Queen. She is referred to as the midwife who helps give birth to sleeping people's dreams. Mercutio describes her as a small creature that visits sleeping people, drives her chariot across their noses and "delivers the fancies of sleeping men."

fairies' midwife, a member of the fairy nation whose job it was to deliver sleeping men's fancies of their dreams, those "children of an idle brain".HudsonRJ

atomies, another form of atons. Literally something so small as to be incapable of division.DeightonRJ

film, extremely fine threads

Prick'd from the lazy finger of a maid, Taken out with a needle from the finger of a lazy maid. It was popularly believed that small parasites were sometimes harboured in the flesh of the fingers of lazy persons. DeightonRJ

tithe-pig's, A pig given to a priest in payment of tithes, or tenth parts of the parishioner's annual income.

Mab ... in the night, It was believed that certain malignant spirits occasionally assumed the likenesses of women clothed in white; who then haunted stables in the night, carrying in their hands wax candles, which they dropped on the horses' manes, thereby platting them into inextricable knots to the great annoyance of the poor animals, and the vexation of their masters. HudsonRJ

Her chariot ... coachmakers., The squirrel and the grub, because the squirl is fond of cracking nuts, and the grub is fond of boring its way through the shell, both eating the kernel thus hollowing out the shell which thereby becomes fitted for a coach for fairies.DeightonRJ

another benefice, i.e. an increase to his income by his being presented with a richer living, better church preferment, or perhaps a living in addition to that already held by him, it being common in those days for priests to hold more than one living at a time.DeightonRJ

178
 

Romeo (178)

notes...

PeaceStop, peaceStop, stop, Mercutio, peace!

Thou talk'st of nothingnonsense.

PeaceStop, peaceStop, stop, Mercutio, peace! Thou talk'st of nothingnonsense.

Rom. Peace, peace, Mercutio peace,

Thou talk'st of nothing.

179
 

Mercutio (179)

notes...
100

True, I talk of dreams,

Which are the children of an idle brain,

Begot ofCreated out of nothing but vain fantasy,

Which is as thin of substance as the air

And more inconstantunreliable than the wind, who wooeswarms and softens

Even now the frozen bosom of the north,

And, being anger'd, puffs away from thencemoves away from there,

Turning his face to the dew-droppingrainy south.

True, I talk of dreams, which are the children of an idle brain, begot ofcreated out of nothing but vain fantasy, which is as thin of substance as the air and more inconstantunreliable than the wind, who wooeswarms and softens even now the frozen bosom of the north, and, being anger'd, puffs away from thencemoves away from there, turning his face to the dew-droppingrainy south.

Mer. True, I talke of dreames:

Which are the children of an idle braine,

Begot of nothing, but vaine phantasie,

Which is as thin of substance as the ayre,

And more inconstant then the wind, who wooes

Euen now the frozen bosome of the North:

And being anger'd, puffes away from thence,

Turning his side to the dew dropping South.

180
 

Benvolio (180)

notes...

This wind you talk of blows us from ourselves;

Supper is done, and we shall comearrive too late.

This wind you talk of blows us from ourselves: supper is done, and we shall comearrive too late.

Ben. This wind you talke of blowes vs from our selues,

Supper is done, and we shall come too late.

181
 

Romeo (181)

notes...
110

I fear too early: for my mind misgivesfears evil from

Some consequenceSomething bad yet hanging in the starsto happen,

Shall bitterly beginWill start with bad consequences his fearful date

With this night's revels and expirebring to an end the term

Of a despisedworthless life closed in my breast

By some vile forfeitpenalty of untimely death.

But he that hath the steerage of my course,

Direct my sail! On lusty gentlemen.

I fear too early: for my mind misgivesfears evil from some consequencesomething bad yet hanging in the starsto happen, shall bitterly beginwill start with bad consequences his fearful date with this night's revels and expirebring to an end the term of a despisedworthless life closed in my breast by some vile forfeitpenalty of untimely death.

But he that hath the steerage of my course, direct my sail! On lusty gentlemen.

Rom. I feare too early, for my mind misgiues,

Some consequence yet hanging in the starres,

Shall bitterly begin his fearefull date

With this nights reuels, and expire the tearme

Of a despised life clos'd in my brest:

By some vile forfeit of vntimely death.

But he that hath the stirrage of my course,

Direct my sute: on lustie Gentlemen.

But he that hath. Some editors have capitalized 'he' indicating the 'He' refers to God. But the original texts do not capitalize it so 'he' could easily be refering to Benvolio.

182
 

Benvolio (182)

notes...

Turning to a servant who has a drum.

Strike, drumBeat the drum and lets continue.

Exeunt

Turning to a servant who has a drum.

Strike, drumBeat the drum and lets continue.

Exeunt

Ben. Strike Drum.

They march about the Stage, and Seruingmen come forth
with their napkins.

expandMe Act I. Scene V. A hall in Capulet's house.

1 - 5:    Act I. Scene V. A hall in Capulet's house.

The feast has just finished at Capulet's house and the servants are clearing the room to make it ready for dancing. Romeo sees Juliet for the first time. Tybalt see's Romeo and protests to Capulet that there is a Montague in their midst, but Capulet tells Tybalt to cool down, it is OK. Juliet sees Romeo and finds out – and then laments - that he is a Montague.

Musicians waiting. Enter Servingmen with napkins

183
 

Head Servant (183)

notes...

Where's Potpan, that he helps not to take awaydoesn't help clear the tables? He

shift a trencherremove a wooden plate? he scrapescrape clean a trencher!

Where's Potpan, that he helps not to take awaydoesn't help clear the tables? He shift a trencherremove a wooden plate? He scrapescrape clean a trencher!

Enter Seruant.

Ser. Where's Potpan, that he helpes not to take away?

He shift a Trencher? he scrape a Trencher?

184
 

First Servant (184)

notes...

When good manners shall lie all inis only remembered by one or two men's

hands and theythey are unwashed too, 'tis a foulshameful thing.

When good manners shall lie all inis only remembered by one or two men's hands, and theythey are unwashed too, 'tis a foulshameful thing.

1. When good manners, shall lie in one or two mens

hands, and they vnwasht too, 'tis a foule thing.

185
 

Head Servant (185)

notes...
Speaking to all the servants who straightening up the room

Away with the joint-stoolsstools, remove the

court-moveable cupboard, look to the platesilver dishes and settings. Good thou, save

me a piece of marchpanedessert; and, as thou lovest me, let

the porter let in Susan Grindstone and Nell,

Antony, and Potpan!

Speaking to all the servants who straightening up the room

Away with the joint-stoolsstools, remove the court-moveable cupboard, look to the platesilver dishes and settings. Good thou, save me a piece of marchpanedessert. And, as thou lovest me, let the porter let in Susan Grindstone and Nell, Antony, and Potpan!

Ser. Away with the Ioynstooles, remoue the Court-

cubbord, looke to the Plate: good thou, saue mee a piece

of Marchpane, and as thou louest me, let the Porter let in

Susan Grindstone, and Nell, Anthonie and Potpan.

joint-stools, Stools made from separate pieces of would and crafted by a joiner (fine carpenter).

marchpane, A confection common in desserts, the ingredients being principally almonds, filberts, sugar, and flour.DeightonRJ

186
 

Second Servant (186)

notes...
10

Ay boy, ready.

Ay boy, ready.

2. I Boy readie.

187
 

Head Servant (187)

notes...

You are looked for and called for, asked for and

sought for, in the great chamber.

You are looked for and called for, asked for and sought for, in the great chamber.

Ser. You are lookt for, and cal'd for, askt for, & sought

for, in the great Chamber.

188
 

First Servant (188)

notes...

We cannot be here and there too. Cheerly boys; be

brisk awhile, and the longer liverthe person who lives longest take all.

We cannot be here and there too. Cheerly boys. Be brisk awhile, and the longer liverthe person who lives longest take all.

1. We cannot be here and there too, chearly Boyes,

Be brisk awhile, and the longer liuer take all.

Exeunt.

189

Enter Capulet, with Juliet and others of his house, meeting the Guests and Maskers

 

Capulet (189)

notes...

Welcome gentlemen! Ladies that have their toes

Unplagued withNot affected by corns will have a boutdance with you.

Capulet turns to some of the ladies standing around the room

Ah my mistressesladies! which of you all

Will now denyrefuse to dance? she that makes daintyhesitates to dance,

She, I'll swear, hath corns; am I come near ye now?

More guests arrive

20

Welcome, gentlemen! I have seen the dayI can well recall the time

That I have worn a visormask and could tell

A whispering tale in a fair lady's ear,

Such as would please: 'tis gone, 'tis gone, 'tis gonebut that part of my life is long past:

Even more guests arrive.

You are welcome, gentlemen! come, musicians, play.

A hall, a hallClear the room for dancing! give room! and foot itdance away, girls.

Music plays, and they dance

More light, you knaves; and turn the tables upfold up the tables and clear them out of the way,

And quench the fire, the room is grown too hot.

turning to his cousinAh sirrah, this unlook'd-for sport comes well.

Nay sit, nay sit, good cousin Capulet;

30

For you and I are past our dancing days:

How long is't now since last yourself and I

Were inWore a mask?

Welcome gentlemen! Ladies that have their toes unplagued withnot affected by corns will have a boutdance with you. Capulet turns to some of the ladies standing around the room Ah my mistressesladies! Which of you all will now denyrefuse to dance? She that makes daintyhesitates to dance, she, I'll swear, hath corns: am I come near ye now? More guests arrive Welcome, gentlemen! I have seen the dayI can well recall the time that I have worn a visormask and could tell a whispering tale in a fair lady's ear, such as would please. 'Tis gone, 'tis gone, 'tis gonebut that part of my life is long past. Even more guests arrive. You are welcome, gentlemen! Come, musicians, play. A hall, a hallClear the room for dancing! Give room, and foot itdance away, girls.

Music plays, and they dance

More light, you knaves, and turn the tables upfold up the tables and clear them out of the way, and quench the fire, the room is grown too hot.

turning to his cousinAh sirrah, this unlook'd-for sport comes well. Nay sit, nay sit, good cousin Capulet: for you and I are past our dancing days. How long is't now since last yourself and I were inwore a mask?

Enter all the Guests and Gentlewomen to the
Maskers.

1. Capu. Welcome Gentlemen,

Ladies that haue their toes

Vnplagu'd with Cornes, will walke about with you:

Ah my Mistresses, which of you all

Will now deny to dance? She that makes dainty,

She Ile sweare hath Cornes: am I come neare ye now?

Welcome Gentlemen, I haue seene the day

That I haue worne a Visor, and could tell

A whispering tale in a faire Ladies eare:

Such as would please: 'tis gone, 'tis gone, 'tis gone,

You are welcome Gentlemen, come Musitians play:

Musicke plaies: and they dance.

A Hall, Hall, giue roome, and foote it Girles,

More light you knaues, and turne the Tables vp:

And quench the fire, the Roome is growne too hot.

Ah sirrah, this vnlookt for sport comes well:

Nay sit, nay sit, good Cozin Capulet,

For you and I are past our dauncing daies:

How long 'ist now since last your selfe and I

Were in a Maske?

cousin, A common expression for ' kinsman.' The elder Capulet is really his uncle. HudsonRJ

190
 

Second Capulet (190)

notes...

By'r ladyBy the Virgin Mary, thirty years.

By'r ladyBy the Virgin Mary, thirty years.

2. Capu. Berlady thirty yeares.

By'r lady, By our lady, i.e. the Virgm Mary, Mother of Christ; a common form of petty oath. DeightonRJ

191
 

Capulet (191)

notes...

What, man! 'tis not so much, 'tis not so much:

'Tis since the nuptialsmarriage of Lucentio,

Come pentecost as quickly as it will,

Some five and twenty years; and then we mask'dsince we took part in a masquerade.

What, man! 'Tis not so much, 'tis not so much. 'Tis since the nuptialsmarriage of Lucentio, come pentecost as quickly as it will, some five and twenty years, and then we mask'dsince we took part in a masquerade.

1. Capu. What man: 'tis not so much, 'tis not so much,

'Tis since the Nuptiall of Lucentio,

Come Pentycost as quickely as it will,

Some fiue and twenty yeares, and then we Maskt.

192
 

Second Capulet (192)

notes...

'Tis more, 'tis more, his son is elderolder now, sir;

His son is thirty.

'Tis more, 'tis more, his son is elderolder now, sir. His son is thirty.

2. Cap. 'Tis more, 'tis more, his Sonne is elder sir:

His Sonne is thirty.

193
 

Capulet (193)

notes...
40

Will you tell me that?

His son was but a wardstill a minor just two years ago.

Will you tell me that? His son was but a wardstill a minor just two years ago.

3. Cap. Will you tell me that?

His Sonne was but a Ward two yeares agoe.

194
 

Romeo (194)

notes...

To a Servingman

What lady is that, which doth enrich the handhold the hand

Of yonder knight?

To a Servingman

What lady is that, which doth enrich the handhold the hand of yonder knight?

Rom. What Ladie is that which doth inrich the hand

Of yonder Knight?

195
 

Servant (195)

notes...

I know not, sir.

I know not, sir.

Ser. I know not sir.

196
 

Romeo (196)

notes...

O she doth teachshow the torches to burnhow to burn bright!

It seems she hangs upon the cheek of night

Like a rich jewel in an Ethiope'sa black man's ear;

Beauty too rich for use, for earth too dear!

So shows a snowy dove trooping withamong a group of crows,

50

As yonder lady o'er her fellowsthe other young women shows.

The measuredance done, I'll watch her place of standwhere she stands,

And touching hers, make blessed my rude hand.

Did my heart love till now? forswear it, sightmy eyes will attest that I have not,

For I ne'er saw true beauty till this night.

O she doth teachshow the torches to burnhow to burn bright! It seems she hangs upon the cheek of night like a rich jewel in an Ethiope'sa black man's ear. Beauty too rich for use, for earth too dear! So shows a snowy dove trooping withamong a group of crows, as yonder lady o'er her fellowsthe other young women shows. The measuredance done, I'll watch her place of standwhere she stands, and touching hers, make blessed my rude hand.

Did my heart love till now? Forswear it, sightMy eyes will attest that I have not, for I ne'er saw true beauty till this night.

Rom. O she doth teach the Torches to burne bright:

It seemes she hangs vpon the cheeke of night,

As a rich Iewel in an Aethiops eare:

Beauty too rich for vse, for earth too deare:

So shewes a Snowy Doue trooping with Crowes,

As yonder Lady ore her fellowes showes;

The measure done, Ile watch her place of stand,

And touching hers, make blessed my rude hand.

Did my heart loue till now, forsweare it sight,

For I neuer saw true Beauty till this night.

Ethiope, Ethiopian. Used generically for any dark-skinned race and even figuratively
Such Ethiop words, blacker in their effect
Than in their countenance.

(A.Y.L.I iv 3.35) DeightonRJ

197
 

Tybalt (197)

notes...

Looking at Romeo, across the room.

This, by his voice, should be a Montague.

Fetch me my rapier, boy. WhatHow dares the slavewretch

Come hither, cover'd with an antic facea fanciful mask,

To fleergrin, mock and scorn at our solemnityfestivities?

Now by the stock and honour of my kin,

60

To strike him dead, I hold it not a sin.

Looking at Romeo, across the room.

This, by his voice, should be a Montague. Fetch me my rapier, boy. WhatHow dares the slavewretch come hither, cover'd with an antic facea fanciful mask, to fleergrin, mock and scorn at our solemnityfestivities?

Now by the stock and honour of my kin, to strike him dead, I hold it not a sin.

Tib. This by his voice, should be a Mountague.

Fetch me my Rapier Boy, what dares the slaue

Come hither couer'd with an antique face,

To fleere and scorne at our Solemnitie?

Now by the stocke and Honour of my kin,

To strike him dead I hold it not a sin.

198
 

Capulet (198)

notes...

Why how now kinsman! wherefore storm you sowhy do you look so angry?

Why how now kinsman, wherefore storm you sowhy do you look so angry?

Cap. Why how now kinsman,

Wherefore storme you so?

199
 

Tybalt (199)

notes...

Uncle this is a Montague, our foe,

A villain that is hither come in spitewith a malicious intention,

To scorn at our solemnityfestivities this night.

Uncle this is a Montague, our foe. A villain that is hither come in spitewith a malicious intention, to scorn at our solemnityfestivities this night.

Tib. Vncle this is a Mountague, our foe:

A Villaine that is hither come in spight,

To scorne at our Solemnitie this night.

200
 

Capulet (200)

notes...

Young Romeo is it?

Young Romeo is it?

Cap. Young Romeo is it?

201
 

Tybalt (201)

notes...

'Tis he, that villain Romeo.

'Tis he, that villain Romeo.

Tib. 'Tis he, that Villaine Romeo.

202
 

Capulet (202)

notes...

Content theeKeep your temper gentle coz, let him alone;

He bears himhimself like a portlywell-behaved gentleman;

And to say truth, Verona bragsThe people of Verona say good things of him

70

To be a virtuous and well-govern'd youth:

I would not for the wealth of all the town

Here in my house do him disparagementinjury:

Therefore be patient, take no note of him:

It is my will, the which if thou respect,

Show a fair presenceLook pleasant and courteous and put off these frowns,

An ill-beseeming semblanceA bad attitude for a feast.

Content theeKeep your temper gentle coz, let him alone. He bears himhimself like a portlywell-behaved gentleman and to say truth, Verona bragsThe people of Verona say good things of him to be a virtuous and well-govern'd youth. I would not for the wealth of all the town here in my house do him disparagementinjury, therefore be patient, take no note of him. It is my will, the which if thou respect, show a fair presencelook pleasant and courteous and put off these frowns, an ill-beseeming semblancea bad attitude for a feast.

Cap. Content thee gentle Coz, let him alone,

A beares him like a portly Gentleman:

And to say truth, Verona brags of him,

To be a vertuous and well gouern'd youth:

I would not for the wealth of all the towne,

Here in my house do him disparagement:

Therfore be patient, take no note of him,

It is my will, the which if thou respect,

Shew a faire presence, and put off these frownes,

An ill beseeming semblance for a Feast

203
 

Tybalt (203)

notes...

It fitsMy frowning fits when such a villain is a guest:

I'll not endure him.

It fitsMy frowning fits when such a villain is a guest. I'll not endure him.

Tib. It fits when such a Villaine is a guest,

Ile not endure him.

204
 

Capulet (204)

notes...
Speaking forcefully

He shall be endured:

Capulet grows more and more annoyed

80

What goodman boy! I say, he shall: go to;

Am I the master here, or you? go todon't talk nonsense.

You'll not endure him! God shall mend my soul!

You'll make a mutiny among my guests!

You will set cock-a-hoopscrew everything up! you'll be the man!

Speaking forcefully

He shall be endured. Capulet grows more and more annoyed What goodman boy! I say, he shall: go to.

Am I the master here, or you? go todon't talk nonsense.

You'll not endure him? God shall mend my soul! You'll make a mutiny among my guests!/p> You will set cock-a-hoopscrew everything up! you'll be the man!

Cap. He shall be endur'd.

What goodman boy, I say he shall, go too,

Am I the Maister here or you? go too,

Youle not endure him, God shall mend my soule,

Youle make a Mutinie among the Guests:

You will set cocke a hoope, youle be the man.

205
 

Tybalt (205)

notes...

Why, uncle, 'tis a shame.

Why, uncle, 'tis a shame.

Tib. Why Vncle, 'tis a shame.

206

While talking to Tybalt Capulet keeps an eye on the festivities and his guests.

 

Capulet (206)

notes...

Go to, go to;Go on, go on...

You are a saucyinsolent boy: is't so indeed?

This trick may chance to scathedamage you, I know what:

You must contrarycross me! marry, 'tis time.

Turning to some of the dancers as they swirl by

90

Well said, my hearts! You are a princoxconceited upstart; go:

Be quiet, or--Suddenly telling some servants to light more candlesMore light, more light! For shame!

Back Tybalt

I'll make you quiet. What, cheerly my heartshearties!

Go to, go to, you are a saucyinsolent boy: is't so indeed? This trick may chance to scathedamage you, I know what. You must contrarycross me! Marry, 'tis time. Turning to some of the dancers as they swirl by Well said, my hearts! You are a princoxconceited upstart, go. Be quiet, or--

More light, more light! For shame!

Back Tybalt

I'll make you quiet.

Turning back to the dancers again

What, cheerly my heartshearties!

Cap. Go too, go too,

You are a sawcy Boy, 'ist so indeed?

This tricke may chance to scath you, I know what,

You must contrary me, marry 'tis time.

Well said my hearts, you are a Princox, goe,

Be quiet, or more light, more light for shame,

Ile make you quiet. What, chearely my hearts.

207
 

Tybalt (207)

notes...

Patience perforceForced patience with wilful cholerpastionate anger meeting

Makes my flesh tremble in their different greetingwhen they meet.

I will withdrawbackdown for now: but this intrusion shall

Now seeming sweet convert to bitter gallSoon change from what now seems to be sweetness to extreme bitterness.

Exit

Patience perforceForced patience with wilful cholerpastionate anger meeting makes my flesh tremble in their different greetingwhen they meet.

I will withdrawbackdown for now. But this intrusion shall now seeming sweet convert to bitter gallsoon change from what now seems to be sweetness to extreme bitterness.

Exit

Tib. Patience perforce, with wilfull choler meeting,

Makes my flesh tremble in their different greeting:

I will withdraw, but this intrusion shall

Now seeming sweet, conuert to bitter gall.

Exit.

208
 

Romeo (208)

notes...

To Juliet

If I profanedisrespect with my unworthiest hand

This holy shrine, the gentle finepenalty I must pay is this:

My lips, two blushing pilgrims, ready stand

100

To smoothsmooth over that rough touch with a tender kiss.

To Juliet

If I profanedisrespect with my unworthiest hand this holy shrine, the gentle finepenalty I must pay is this: my lips, two blushing pilgrims, ready stand to smoothsmooth over that rough touch with a tender kiss.

Rom. If I prophane with my vnworthiest hand,

This holy shrine, the gentle sin is this,

My lips to blushing Pilgrims did ready stand,

To smooth that rough touch, with a tender kisse.

209
 

Juliet (209)

notes...

Good pilgrim, you do wrongdisrespect your hand too much,

Which mannerly devotioncourteous reverence shows in this;

For saints have hands that pilgrims' hands do touch,

And palm to palmyour palm pressed against mine is holy palmer's kiss.

Good pilgrim, you do wrongdisrespect your hand too much, which mannerly devotioncourteous reverence shows in this. For saints have hands that pilgrims' hands do touch, and palm to palmyour palm pressed against mine is holy palmer's kiss.

Iul. Good Pilgrime,

You do wrong your hand too much.

Which mannerly deuotion shewes in this,

For Saints haue hands, that Pilgrims hands do tuch,

And palme to palme, is holy Palmers kisse.

holy palmer. In the Middle Ages, a palmer was a Christian Pilgrim, normally from Western Europe, who had visited the holy places in Palestine and who, as a token of his visits to the Holy Land, brought back a palm leaf or a palm leaf folded into a cross.Wikipedia

210
 

Romeo (210)

notes...

Have not saintsDon't saints have lips, and holy palmers too?

Have not saintsDon't saints have lips, and holy palmers too?

Rom. Haue not Saints lips, and holy Palmers too?

211
 

Juliet (211)

notes...

Ay pilgrim, lips that they must use in prayer.

Ay pilgrim, lips that they must use in prayer.

Iul. I Pilgrim, lips that they must vse in prayer.

212
 

Romeo (212)

notes...

O then dear saint, let lips do what hands do;

They pray, grant thouyou grant what they pray for, lest faithotherwise love will turn to despair.

O then dear saint, let lips do what hands do: they pray, grant thouyou grant what they pray for, lest faithotherwise love will turn to despair.

Rom. O then deare Saint, let lips do what hands do,

They pray (grant thou) least faith turne to dispaire.

213
 

Juliet (213)

notes...

Saints do not movechange their minds, thougheven though they grant for prayers' sake.

Saints do not movechange their minds, thougheven though they grant for prayers' sake.

Iul. Saints do not moue,

Though grant for prayers sake.

214
 

Romeo (214)

notes...
110

Then move not, while my prayer's effectresult I take.

Thus from my lips, by yours,your lips take and my sin is purged.

Then move not, while my prayer's effectresult I take. Thus from my lips, by yours,your lips take and my sin is purged.

Rom. Then moue not while my prayers effect I take:

Thus from my lips, by thine my sin is purg'd.

215
 

Juliet (215)

notes...

Romeo kisses Juliet

Then have my lipsdo my lips now have the sin that they have tooktook from yours.

Romeo kisses Juliet

Then have my lipsdo my lips now have the sin that they have tooktook from yours.

Iul. Then haue my lips the sin that they haue tooke.

216
 

Romeo (216)

notes...

Sin from thy lips? O trespass sweetly urgedsuch sin so sweetly encouraged by your lips!

Give me my sin again.

Sin from thy lips? O trespass sweetly urgedsuch sin so sweetly encouraged by your lips! Give me my sin again.

Rom. Sin from my lips? O trespasse sweetly vrg'd:

Giue me my sin againe.

217
 

Juliet (217)

notes...

Romeo kisses her again.

You kiss by the bookrule book.

Romeo kisses her again.

You kiss by the bookrule book.

Iul. You kisse by'th' booke.

218
 

Nurse (218)

notes...

Nurse comes over to Juliet and Romeo

Madam, your mother craves a word with you.

Nurse comes over to Juliet and Romeo

Madam, your mother craves a word with you.

Nur. Madam your Mother craues a word with you.

219
 

Romeo (219)

notes...

WhatWho is her mother?

WhatWho is her mother?

Rom. What is her Mother?

220
 

Nurse (220)

notes...

Marry, bachelorBy the Virgin Mary, sir,

Her mother is the lady of the house,

120

And a good lady, and a wise and virtuousvirtuous lady..

I nursed her daughter, that you talk'd withaljust talk'd with;

I tell you, he that can lay hold of herwin her as his bride

Shall have the chinksmoney.

Marry, bachelorBy the Virgin Mary, sir, her mother is the lady of the house, and a good lady, and a wise and virtuousvirtuous lady.. I nursed her daughter, that you talk'd withaljust talk'd with. I tell you, he that can lay hold of herwin her as his bride shall have the chinksmoney.

Nurs. Marrie Batcheler,

Her Mother is the Lady of the house,

And a good Lady, and a wise, and Vertuous,

I Nur'st her Daughter that you talkt withall:

I tell you, he that can lay hold of her,

Shall haue the chincks.

221
 

Romeo (221)

notes...

Is she a Capulet?

To himself

O dear account!this is my comeuppance my life is my foe's debthands.

Is she a Capulet? To himself O dear account: my life is my foe's debthands.

Rom. Is she a Capulet?

O deare account! My life is my foes debt.

222
 

Benvolio (222)

notes...

Away, begoneLet's go; the sport isfun has already been at the best.

Away, begone. The sport isfun has already been at the best.

Ben. Away, be gone, the sport is at the best.

223
 

Romeo (223)

notes...

Ay, so I fear; the more is my unrestthat I'll never be this happy again distrubes me.

Ay, so I fear. The more is my unrestThat I'll never be this happy again distrubes me.

Rom. I so I feare, the more is my vnrest.

224
 

Capulet (224)

notes...

Nay, gentlemen, prepare not to be gone;

We have a triflinginsignificant and foolish banquet towardsdesert table that is nearly ready.

130

Is it e'en so? why then I thank you allall for coming

I thank you, honest gentlemen; good night.

Romeo and Benvolio leave

More torches here! Come on then, let's to bed.

Ah, sirrah, by my fay it waxesfaith it grows late late:

I'll to my rest.

Exeunt all but Juliet and Nurse

Nay, gentlemen, prepare not to be gone: we have a triflinginsignificant and foolish banquet towardsdesert table that is nearly ready. Is it e'en so? Why then I thank you allall for coming I thank you, honest gentlemen, good night.

Romeo and Benvolio leave

More torches here! Come on then, let's to bed. Ah, sirrah, by my fay it waxesfaith it grows late late, I'll to my rest.

Exeunt all but Juliet and Nurse

Cap. Nay Gentlemen prepare not to be gone,

We haue a trifling foolish Banquet towards:

Is it e'ne so? why then I thanke you all.

I thanke you honest Gentlemen, good night:

More Torches here: come on, then let's to bed.

Ah sirrah, by my faie it waxes late,

Ile to my rest.

banquet, A banquet, or rere-supper, as it was sometimes called, was similar to the modern dessert. DeightonRJ

225
 

Juliet (225)

notes...

Come hither, nurse. WhatWho is yond gentleman?

Come hither, nurse. WhatWho is yond gentleman?

Iuli. Come hither Nurse,

What is yond Gentleman:

226
 

Nurse (226)

notes...

TheThat is Benvolio the son and heir of old Tiberio.

TheThat is Benvolio the son and heir of old Tiberio.

Nur. The Sonne and Heire of old Tyberio.

227
 

Juliet (227)

notes...

What'sWho is he that now is going out of door?

What'sWho is he that now is going out of door?

Iuli. What's he that now is going out of doore?

228
 

Nurse (228)

notes...

Marry, that I think be young Petrucio.

Marry, that I think be young Petrucio.

Nur. Marrie that I thinke be young Petruchio.

229
 

Juliet (229)

notes...

Juliet points to Romeo as he heads out the door

What'sWho's he that follows there, that would not dance?

Juliet points to Romeo as he heads out the door

What'sWho's he that follows there, that would not dance?

Iul. What's he that follows here that would not dance?

230
 

Nurse (230)

notes...
140

I know not.

I know not.

Nur. I know not.

231
 

Juliet (231)

notes...

Go ask his name: if he be married,

My grave is like to be my wedding bed.

Go ask his name. If he be married, My grave is like to be my wedding bed.

Iul. Go aske his name: if he be married,

My graue is like to be my wedded bed.

232
 

Nurse (232)

notes...

The nurse returns from asking about Romeo

His name is Romeo, and a Montague;

The only son of your great enemy.

The nurse returns from asking about Romeo

His name is Romeo, and a Montague. The only son of your great enemy.

Nur. His name is Romeo, and a Mountague,

The onely Sonne of your great Enemie.

233
 

Juliet (233)

notes...

My only love sprung from my only hate!

Too early seen unknown, and knownI saw him before I knew who he was, and found out who he was too late!

ProdigiousFearful birth of love it is to me,

That I must love a loathed enemy.

My only love sprung from my only hate!

Too early seen unknown, and knownI saw him before I knew who he was, and found out who he was too late!

ProdigiousFearful birth of love it is to me,

That I must love a loathed enemy.

Iul. My onely Loue sprung from my onely hate,

Too early seene, vnknowne, and knowne too late,

Prodigious birth of Loue it is to me,

That I must loue a loathed Enemie.

234
 

Nurse (234)

notes...

What's this? what's this?What are you talking about?

What's this? what's this?What are you talking about?

Nur. What's this? whats this?

235
 

Juliet (235)

notes...

Juliet pretends to have spoken absentminded.

150

A rhymeOh, it is just a rhyme I learn'd even now

OfFrom one I danced withalwith.

Juliet pretends to have spoken absentminded.

A rhymeOh, it is just a rhyme I learn'd even now offrom one I danced withalwith.

Iul. A rime, I learne euen now

Of one I dan'st withall.

One cals within, Iuliet

One cals within, Iuliet.

I danced withal. "I danced with". Even Shakespeare dangled prepositions.

236

A call from within 'Juliet.'

 

Nurse (236)

notes...

Anon, anonWe're coming, we're coming!

Come, let's away; the strangers all are gone.

Exeunt

Anon, anonWe're coming, we're coming! Come, let's away. The strangers all are gone.

Exeunt

Nur. Anon, anon:

Come let's away, the strangers all are gone.

Exeunt.

expandMe Act II

expandMe Act II. Scene I. A lane by the wall of Capulet's orchard.

2 - 1:    Act II. Scene I. A lane by the wall of Capulet's orchard.

Benvolio and Mercutio search for Romeo who has given them the slip.

 

237

Enter Chorus

 

Chorus (237)

notes...

Now old desire dothlove does in hisits death-bed lie,

And young affection gapeseagerly wants to be his heir;

That fairbeautiful girl for which love groan'd for and would diedie for,

With tender Juliet match'dcompared, is now not fairso pretty.

Now Romeo is belovedloved and loves again,

AlikeThey are both betwitched by the charm of looks,

But to his foe supposedhis family's enemies he must complainpetition,

And she steal love's sweet bait from fearfuldangerous hooks:

Being heldconsidered a foe, he may not have access

10

To breathespeak such vows as lovers use to swearnormally swear;

And she as much in love, her meansability much less

To meet her new-beloved anywhere:

But passion lends them power, time,time provides the means to meet

Tempering extremitiesCountering difficulties with extreme sweetthe strength of their sweet love.

Exit

Now old desire dothlove does in hisits death-bed lie,

And young affection gapeseagerly wants to be his heir;

That fairbeautiful girl for which love groan'd for and would diedie for,

With tender Juliet match'dcompared, is now not fairso pretty.

Now Romeo is belovedloved and loves again,

AlikeThey are both betwitched by the charm of looks,

But to his foe supposedhis family's enemies he must complainpetition,

And she steal love's sweet bait from fearfuldangerous hooks:

Being heldconsidered a foe, he may not have access

To breathespeak such vows as lovers use to swearnormally swear;

And she as much in love, her meansability much less

To meet her new-beloved anywhere:

But passion lends them power, time,time provides the means to meet

Tempering extremitiesCountering difficulties with extreme sweetthe strength of their sweet love.

Exit

Chorus.

Now old desire doth in his death bed lie,

And yong affection gapes to be his Heire,

That faire, for which Loue gron'd for and would die,

With tender Iuliet matcht, is now not faire.

Now Romeo is beloued, and Loues againe,

A like bewitched by the charme of lookes:

But to his foe suppos'd he must complaine,

And she steale Loues sweet bait from fearefull hookes:

Being held a foe, he may not haue accesse

To breath such vowes as Louers vse to sweare,

And she as much in Loue, her meanes much lesse,

To meete her new Beloued any where:

But passion lends them Power, time, meanes to meete,

Temp'ring extremities with extreame sweete.

238

Enter Romeo by himself

 

Romeo (238)

notes...

Can I go forwardon with my life when my heart is here?

Turn back dull earthbody, and find thy centre outheart.

He climbs the wall of the Capulet compound and leaps down into the yard on the other side.

Can I go forwardon with my life when my heart is here? turn back dull earthbody, and find thy centre outheart.

He climbs the wall of the Capulet compound and leaps down into the yard on the other side.

Enter Romeo alone.

Rom. Can I goe forward when my heart is here?

Turne backe dull earth, and find thy Center out.

239

Enter Benvolio and Mercutio

 

Benvolio (239)

notes...

Benvolio and Mercutio search for Romeo

Romeo! my cousin Romeo! Romeo.

Romeo! Mmy cousin Romeo! Romeo.

Enter Benuolio, with Mercutio.

Ben. Romeo, my Cozen Romeo, Romeo.

240
 

Mercutio (240)

notes...

He is wise;

And on my life, hath stol'n himhe has gone home to bed.

He is wise, and on my life, hath stol'n himhe has gone home to bed.

Merc. He is wise,

And on my life hath stolne him home to bed.

241
 

Benvolio (241)

notes...
20

He ran this way and leap'd this orchard wall:

Call good Mercutio.

Nay, I'll conjureuse magic and incantations too.

He ran this way and leap'd this orchard wall. Call good Mercutio. Nay, I'll conjureuse magic and incantations too.

Ben. He ran this way and leapt this Orchard wall.

Call good Mercutio:

Nay, Ile coniure too.

242
 

Mercutio (242)

notes...

Mecutio starts talking as if he were witch trying to call up a spirt.

Romeo! Humours! Madman! Passion! Lover!

Appear thou in the likeness of a sigh:

Speak but one rhyme, and I am satisfiedsatisfied that you are unhurt;

Cry but 'Ay me!' pronounce but 'love' and 'dove;'

Speak to my gossipdear friend Venus one fair word,

One nick-name for her purblindalmost completely blind son and heir,

Young Abraham Cupid, he that shot so true,

30

When King Cophetua loved the beggar-maid!

Speaking to Benvolio.

He heareth not, he stirreth not, he moveth not;

The apepoor fool is dead, and I must conjure him.

Starts mock conjuring again (he thinks Romeo is still in love with Rosaline)

I conjure thee by Rosaline's bright eyes,

By her high forehead and her scarlet lip,

By her fine foot, straight leg and quivering thigh

And the demesnesregions that there adjacent lie,

That in thy likeness thou appear to us!

Mecutio starts talking as if he were witch trying to call up a spirt.

Romeo! Humours! Madman! Passion! Lover! Appear thou in the likeness of a sigh. Speak but one rhyme, and I am satisfiedsatisfied that you are unhurt. Cry but 'Ay me!' pronounce but 'love' and 'dove". Speak to my gossipdear friend Venus one fair word, one nick-name for her purblindalmost completely blind son and heir, young Abraham Cupid, he that shot so true, when King Cophetua loved the beggar-maid!

Speaking to Benvolio.

He heareth not, he stirreth not, he moveth not: the apepoor fool is dead, and I must conjure him. Starts mock conjuring again (he thinks Romeo is still in love with Rosaline) I conjure thee by Rosaline's bright eyes, by her high forehead and her scarlet lip, by her fine foot, straight leg and quivering thigh snd the demesnes that there adjacent lie, that in thy likeness thou appear to us!

Mer. Romeo, Humours, Madman, Passion, Louer,

Appeare thou in the likenesse of a sigh,

Speake but one rime, and I am satisfied:

Cry me but ay me, Prouant, but Loue and day,

Speake to my goship Venus one faire word,

One Nickname for her purblind Sonne and her,

Young Abraham Cupid he that shot so true,

When King Cophetua lou'd the begger Maid,

He heareth not, he stirreth not, he moueth not,

The Ape is dead, I must coniure him,

I coniure thee by Rosalines bright eyes,

By her High forehead, and her Scarlet lip,

By her Fine foote, Straight leg, and Quiuering thigh,

And the Demeanes, that there Adiacent lie,

That in thy likenesse thou appeare to vs.

gossip, A gossip is literally a god-relative, a sponsor in baptism, and as these sponsors were frequently talkative old women, it came to mean an idle, chattering person, and finally just 'idle talk', its modern meaning.DeightonRJ

King Cophetua loved the beggar-maid. According to tradition, Cophetua was an African king known for his lack of any sexual attraction to women. One day while looking out a palace window he witnesses a young beggar (Penelophon) suffering for lack of clothes. Struck by love at first sight, Cophetua decides that he will either have the beggar as his wife or commit suicide. Wikipedia

243
 

Benvolio (243)

notes...

And if he hear thee, thou wilt anger him.

And if he hear thee, thou wilt anger him.

Ben. And if he heare thee thou wilt anger him.

244
 

Mercutio (244)

notes...

This cannot anger him: 'twouldit would anger him

40

To raise a spirit in his mistress' circleRosaline, his love's, bedroom

Of some strange nature, letting it there stand

Till she had laid it and conjured it down;

That were some spitewould be cruel.

My invocationcall to the spirt is fair and honest, and in his mistress' name

I conjure only but to raise up him.

This cannot anger him. 'Twouldit would anger him to raise a spirit in his mistress' circleRosaline, his love's, bedroom of some strange nature, letting it there stand till she had laid it and conjured it down, that were some spitewould be cruel.

My invocationcall to the spirt is fair and honest, and in his mistress' name. I conjure only but to raise up him.

Mer. This cannot anger him, t'would anger him

To raise a spirit in his Mistresse circle,

Of some strange nature, letting it stand

Till she had laid it, and coniured it downe,

That were some spight.

My inuocation is faire and honest, & in his Mistris name,

I coniure onely but to raise vp him.

Till she had laid it and conjured it down, Sexual innuendo runs throughout Mercutio's speech. 'stand', 'laid it', 'down' and more.

245
 

Benvolio (245)

notes...

Come, he hath hid himself among these trees,

To be consortedblend in with the humoroushumid night:

Blind is his love andas best befits the dark.

Come, he hath hid himself among these trees, to be consortedblend in with the humoroushumid night: blind is his love andas best befits the dark.

Ben. Come, he hath hid himselfe among these Trees

To be consorted with the Humerous night:

Blind is his Loue, and best befits the darke.

246
 

Mercutio (246)

notes...

If love be blind, love cannot hit the mark.

50

Now will he sit under a medlar tree,

And wish his mistress were that kind of fruit

As maids call medlars, when they laugh alone.

Romeo that she were, O, that she were

An open, or thou a poperin pearpear!

Romeo good night: I'll to my truckle-bedtrundle-bed;

This field-bed is too cold for me to sleep:

Come, shall we go?

If love be blind, love cannot hit the mark. Now will he sit under a medlar tree and wish his mistress were that kind of fruit as maids call medlars, when they laugh alone. Romeo that she were, O, that she were an open, or thou a poperin pearpear! Romeo good night. I'll to my truckle-bedtrundle-bed: This field-bed is too cold for me to sleep.

Come, shall we go?

Mer. If Loue be blind, Loue cannot hit the marke,

Now will he sit vnder a Medler tree,

And wish his Mistresse were that kind of Fruite,

As Maides cal Medlers when they laugh alone,

O Romeo that she were, O that she were

An open, or thou a Poprin Peare,

Romeo goodnight, Ile to my Truckle bed,

This Field-bed is to cold for me to sleepe,

Come shall we go?

medlar tree. The tree Mespilus Germanica, and its fruit (good for making a pun with meddler)

247
 

Benvolio (247)

notes...

Go then; for 'tis in vain

To seek him here thatwhen he means not to be found.

Exeunt

Go then, for 'tis in vain to seek him here thatwhen he means not to be found.

Exeunt

Ben. Go then, for 'tis in vaine to seeke him here

That meanes not to be found.

Exeunt.

expandMe Act II. Scene II. Capulet's orchard.

2 - 2:    Act II. Scene II. Capulet's orchard..

Avoiding his two friends, Romeo hides in the garden to Juliet's house and becomes an unapologetic peeping Tom when he sees Juliet on the balcony of her bedroom as he is filled with even more love as he watches he. Finally he speaks, she speaks, then it is all verbal hugs and kisses until Juliet is called back inside by Nurse.

Enter Romeo

248
 

Romeo (248)

notes...

He jests atscorns the scars that neverwho never felt a wound.

Juliet appears at a window above Romeo

But softhush, what light through yonder window breaks?

It is the east, and Juliet is the sun.

Arise fair sun and kill the envious moon,

Who is already sick and pale with grief,

That thou her maid art far more fair than she:

Be not her maid, since she is envious;

Her vestal liveryvirginal dress is but sick and green

And none but fools do wear it; cast it off.

10

It is my lady, O it is my love!

O that she knew she wereif only she knew that I loved her!

She speaks yet she says nothing: what of that?

Her eye discoursesThe look she gives speaks eloquently; I will answer it.

I am too bold, 'tis not to me she speaks:

Two of the fairest stars in all the heaven,

Having some business, do entreat her eyes

To twinkle in their spheres till they return.

What if her eyes were there, they in her head?

The brightness of her cheek would shame those stars,

20

As daylight doth a lamp; her eyes in heaven

Would through the airy regionsky stream so bright

That birds would sing and think it were not night.

See how she leans her cheek upon her hand!

O that I were a glove upon that hand,

That I might touch that cheek!

He jests atscorns the scars that neverwho never felt a wound.

Juliet appears at a window above Romeo

But softhush, what light through yonder window breaks? It is the east, and Juliet is the sun. Arise fair sun and kill the envious moon, who is already sick and pale with grief, that thou her maid art far more fair than she.

Be not her maid, since she is envious, her vestal liveryvirginal dress is but sick and green and none but fools do wear it, cast it off.

It is my lady, O it is my love! O that she knew she wereif only she knew that I loved her! She speaks yet she says nothing. What of that? Her eye discoursesThe look she gives speaks eloquently, I will answer it. I am too bold, 'tis not to me she speaks. Two of the fairest stars in all the heaven, having some business, do entreat her eyes to twinkle in their spheres till they return.

What if her eyes were there, they in her head? The brightness of her cheek would shame those stars, as daylight doth a lamp. Her eyes in heaven would through the airy regionsky stream so bright that birds would sing and think it were not night. See how she leans her cheek upon her hand! O that I were a glove upon that hand that I might touch that cheek!

Rom. He ieasts at Scarres that neuer felt a wound,

But soft, what light through yonder window breaks?

It is the East, and Iuliet is the Sunne,

Arise faire Sun and kill the enuious Moone,

Who is already sicke and pale with griefe,

That thou her Maid art far more faire then she:

Be not her Maid since she is enuious,

Her Vestal liuery is but sicke and greene,

And none but fooles do weare it, cast it off:

It is my Lady, O it is my Loue, O that she knew she were,

She speakes, yet she sayes nothing, what of that?

Her eye discourses, I will answere it:

I am too bold 'tis not to me she speakes:

Two of the fairest starres in all the Heauen,

Hauing some businesse do entreat her eyes,

To twinckle in their Spheres till they returne.

What if her eyes were there, they in her head,

The brightnesse of her cheeke would shame those starres,

As day-light doth a Lampe, her eye in heauen,

Would through the ayrie Region streame so bright,

That Birds would sing, and thinke it were not night:

See how she leanes her cheeke vpon her hand.

O that I were a Gloue vpon that hand,

That I might touch that cheeke.

vestial livery Vesta was the Roman goddess of the home and her priestesses were vowed to a life of chastity and celibacy. Wikipedia

249
 

Juliet (249)

notes...

Ay me!

Ay me!

Iul. Ay me.

250
 

Romeo (250)

notes...

She speaks:

Oh speak again, bright angel! for thou art

As glorious to this night being o'erabove my head

30

As is a winged messengeran angel of heaven

UntoIs to the white-upturned wondering eyes

Of mortals that fallstand back to gaze on himthe angel

When he bestrides the lazy-pacingslowly drifing clouds

And sails upon the bosom of the air.

She speaks.

Oh speak again, bright angel for thou art as glorious to this night being o'erabove my head as is a winged messengeran angel of heaven untois to the white-upturned wondering eyes of mortals that fallstand back to gaze on himthe angel when he bestrides the lazy-pacingslowly drifing clouds and sails upon the bosom of the air.

Rom. She speakes.

Oh speake againe bright Angell, for thou art

As glorious to this night being ore my head,

As is a winged messenger of heauen

Vnto the white vpturned wondring eyes

Of mortalls that fall backe to gaze on him,

When he bestrides the lazie puffing Cloudes,

And sailes vpon the bosome of the ayre.

251
 

Juliet (251)

notes...

O Romeo, Romeo, whereforewhy art thou Romeo?A Montague?

Deny thy father and refuse thy name;

Or if thou wilt not, be but swornswear to be my true love my love,

And I'll no longer be a Capulet.

O Romeo, Romeo, whereforewhy art thou Romeo?A Montague? Deny thy father and refuse thy name. Or if thou wilt not, be but swornswear to be my true love my love, and I'll no longer be a Capulet.

Iul. O Romeo, Romeo, wherefore art thou Romeo?

Denie thy Father and refuse thy name:

Or if thou wilt not, be but sworne to my Loue,

And Ile no longer be a Capulet.

252
 

Romeo (252)

notes...

Shall I hear more, or shall I speak at this?

Shall I hear more, or shall I speak at this?

Rom. Shall I heare more, or shall I speake at this?

253
 

Juliet (253)

notes...
40

'Tis but thy name that is my enemy;

Thou art thyself, thougheven if you were not a Montague.

What's Montague? it is nor hand, nor foot,

Nor arm, nor face, nor any other part

Belonging to a man. O, be some other name!

What's in a name? that which we call a rose

By any other name would smell as sweet;

So Romeo would, were he not Romeo call'dNamed Romeo,

Retain that dear perfection which he owesowns

Without that title. Romeo, doffchange thy name,

50

AndAnd in return for changing for that name which is no part of thee

Take all myselfme.

'Tis but thy name that is my enemy. Thou art thyself, thougheven if you were not a Montague. What's Montague? It is nor hand, nor foot, nor arm, nor face, nor any other part belonging to a man. O, be some other name!

What's in a name? That which we call a rose by any other name would smell as sweet. So Romeo would, were he not Romeo call'dNamed Romeo, retain that dear perfection which he owesowns without that title. Romeo, doffchange thy name, andand in return for changing for that name which is no part of thee take all myselfme.

Iu. 'Tis but thy name that is my Enemy:

Thou art thy selfe, though not a Mountague,

What's Mountague? it is nor hand nor foote,

Nor arme, nor face, O be some other name

Belonging to a man.

What? in a names that which we call a Rose,

By any other word would smell as sweete,

So Romeo would, were he not Romeo cal'd,

Retaine that deare perfection which he owes,

Without that title Romeo, doffe thy name,

And for thy name which is no part of thee,

Take all my selfe.

254
 

Romeo (254)

notes...

Speaking now so that Juliet can hear him

I take thee at thy word:

Call me but love, and I'll be new baptizedbaptized with a new name;

Henceforth I never will be Romeo.

I take thee at thy word. Call me but love, and I'll be new baptizedbaptized with a new name: henceforth I never will be Romeo.

Rom. I take thee at thy word:

Call me but Loue, and Ile be new baptiz'd,

Hence foorth I neuer will be Romeo.

255
 

Juliet (255)

notes...

What man art thou that thus bescreen'dconceals himself in night

So stumblest on my counselAnd stumbles on my secret thoughts?

What man art thou that thus bescreen'dconceals himself in night so stumblest on my counseland stumbles on my secret thoughts?

Iuli. What man art thou, that thus bescreen'd in night

So stumblest on my counsell?

256
 

Romeo (256)

notes...

By a name

I know not how to tell thee who I am:

My name dear saint, is hateful to myself,

60

Because it is an enemy to thee;

Had I it written, I would tear the wordthe paper up.

By a name I know not how to tell thee who I am. My name dear saint, is hateful to myself, because it is an enemy to thee. Had I it written, I would tear the wordthe paper up.

Rom. By a name,

I know not how to tell thee who I am:

My name deare Saint, is hatefull to my selfe,

Because it is an Enemy to thee,

Had I it written, I would teare the word.

257
 

Juliet (257)

notes...

My ears have not yet drunk a hundred words

Of that tongue's utterance, yet I know the sound:

Art thou not Romeo, and a Montague?

My ears have not yet drunk a hundred words of that tongue's utterance, yet I know the sound: Art thou not Romeo, and a Montague?

Iuli. My eares haue yet not drunke a hundred words

Of thy tongues vttering, yet I know the sound.

Art thou not Romeo, and a Montague?

258
 

Romeo (258)

notes...

Neither fair maidyou beautiful young and innocent girl, if either thee dislike.

Neither fair maidyou beautiful young and innocent girl, if either thee dislike.

Rom. Neither faire Saint, if either thee dislike.

259
 

Juliet (259)

notes...

How camest thou hither, tell me, and whereforewhy?

The orchard walls are high and hard to climb,

And the placethis house death, considering who thou art,

If any of my kinsmen find thee here.

How camest thou hither, tell me, and whereforewhy? The orchard walls are high and hard to climb, and the placethis house death, considering who thou art, if any of my kinsmen find thee here.

Iul. How cam'st thou hither.

Tell me, and wherefore?

The Orchard walls are high, and hard to climbe,

And the place death, considering who thou art,

If any of my kinsmen find thee here,

260
 

Romeo (260)

notes...
70

With love's light wings did I o'er-perchjump over these walls;

For stony limitswalls cannot hold love out,

And what love can do that dares love attempt;

Therefore thy kinsmen are no stopobstacle to me.

With love's light wings did I o'er-perchjump over these walls: for stony limitswalls cannot hold love out. And what love can do that dares love attempt. Therefore thy kinsmen are no stopobstacle to me.

Rom. With Loues light wings

Did I ore-perch these Walls,

For stony limits cannot hold Loue out,

And what Loue can do, that dares Loue attempt:

Therefore thy kinsmen are no stop to me.

261
 

Juliet (261)

notes...

If they do see thee, they will murder thee.

If they do see thee, they will murder thee.

Iul. If they do see thee, they will murther thee.

262
 

Romeo (262)

notes...

AlackHoly cow! there lies more peril in thine eye

Than twenty of their swords: look thou but sweet,

And I am proofsafe against their enmityhatred.

AlackHoly cow! there lies more peril in thine eye than twenty of their swords: look thou but sweet, and I am proofsafe against their enmityhatred.

Rom. Alacke there lies more perill in thine eye,

Then twenty of their Swords, looke thou but sweete,

And I am proofe against their enmity.

263
 

Juliet (263)

notes...

I would not for the world they saw thee here.

I would not for the world they saw thee here.

Iul. I would not for the world they saw thee here.

264
 

Romeo (264)

notes...

I have night's cloak to hide me from their sight;

80

And but thouif you do not love me, let them find me here:

My life were better ended by their hate,

Than death prorogueddeath delayed wanting ofwithout thy love.

I have night's cloak to hide me from their sight. And but thouif you do not love me, let them find me here: my life were better ended by their hate, than death prorogueddeath delayed wanting ofwithout thy love.

Rom. I haue nights cloake to hide me from their eyes

And but thou loue me, let them finde me here,

My life were better ended by their hate,

Then death proroged wanting of thy Loue.

265
 

Juliet (265)

notes...

By whose direction found'st thou out this place?

By whose direction found'st thou out this place?

Iul. By whose direction found'st thou out this place?

266
 

Romeo (266)

notes...

By love who first did prompt me to inquire;

He lent me counsel and I lent him eyes.

I am no pilotship's pilot; yet wert thou as farfar away

As that vast shore wash'd withon the edge of the farthest sea,

I would adventure for such merchandiseas you.

By love, that first did prompt me to inquire. He lent me counsel and I lent him eyes. I am no pilotship's pilot, yet wert thou as farfar away as that vast shore wash'd withon the edge of the farthest sea, I would adventure for such merchandiseas you.

Rom. By Loue that first did prompt me to enquire,

He lent me counsell, and I lent him eyes,

I am no Pylot, yet wert thou as far

As that vast-shore-washet with the farthest Sea,

I should aduenture for such Marchandise.

267
 

Juliet (267)

notes...

Thou know'st the mask of night is on my face,

90

ElseOtherwise would a maiden blush bepaint my cheekmy cheeks would blush

For that which thou hast heard me speak tonight

FainGladly would I dwell on form, fain, faingladly, willingly deny

What I have spoke: but farewell complimentto the formalities!

Dost thou love me? I know thou wilt say 'Ay,'

And I will take thy word: yet if thou swear'stpromise it,

Thou mayst prove false; at lovers' perjuriesfalse promises

They say, JoveJupiter, the supreme god of the Romans laughs. O gentle Romeo,

If thou dost love, pronounce it faithfully:

Or if thou think'st I am too quickly won,

100

I'll frown and be perversecold to you an say thee nay,

So thou wilt woo; but else not for the world.

In truth fairhandsome Montague I am too fondfoolishly in love,

And therefore thou mayst think my 'haviorbehavior light:

But trust me gentleman, I'll prove more true

Than those that have more cunning to be strangeskill in being coy.

I should have been more strangecoy, I must confess,

But that thou overheard'st, ere I was warebefore I was aware,

My true love's passion: therefore pardon me,

And not imputeattribute this yielding to lightfrivolous love,

110

Which the darkunder the cover of night hath soyou have discovered.

Thou know'st the mask of night is on my face, elseotherwise would a maiden blush bepaint my cheekmy cheeks would blush for that which thou hast heard me speak tonight faingladly would I dwell on form, fain, faingladly, willingly deny what I have spoke, but farewell complimentto the formalities! Dost thou love me? I know thou wilt say 'Ay,' and I will take thy word. Yet if thou swear'stpromise it, thou mayst prove false. At lovers' perjuriesfalse promises they say, JoveJupiter, the supreme god of the Romans laughs. O gentle Romeo, if thou dost love, pronounce it faithfully. Or if thou think'st I am too quickly won, I'll frown and be perversecold to you an say thee nay, so thou wilt woo, but else not for the world.

In truth fairhandsome Montague I am too fondfoolishly in love, and therefore thou mayst think my 'haviorbehavior light. But trust me gentleman, I'll prove more true than those that have more cunning to be strangeskill in being coy. I should have been more strangecoy, I must confess, but that thou overheard'st, ere I was warebefore I was aware, my true love's passion. Therefore pardon me, and not imputeattribute this yielding to lightfrivolous love, which the darkunder the cover of night hath soyou have discovered.

Iul. Thou knowest the maske of night is on my face,

Else would a Maiden blush bepaint my cheeke,

For that which thou hast heard me speake to night,

Faine would I dwell on forme, faine, faine, denie

What I haue spoke, but farewell Complement,

Doest thou Loue? I know thou wilt say I,

And I will take thy word, yet if thou swear'st,

Thou maiest proue false: at Louers periuries

They say Ioue laught, oh gentle Romeo,

If thou dost Loue, pronounce it faithfully:

Or if thou thinkest I am too quickly wonne,

Ile frowne and be peruerse, and say thee nay,

So thou wilt wooe: But else not for the world.

In truth faire Mountague I am too fond:

And therefore thou maiest thinke my behauiour light,

But trust me Gentleman, Ile proue more true,

Then those that haue coying to be strange,

I should haue beene more strange, I must confesse,

But that thou ouer heard'st ere I was ware

My true Loues passion, therefore pardon me,

And not impute this yeelding to light Loue,

Which the darke night hath so discouered.

Then say Jove laughs, This famous proverb is thus given in Marlowe's translation of Ovid's Art of Love:
        For Jove himself sits in the azure skies,
       And laughs below at lovers' perjuries.

DeightonRJ

268
 

Romeo (268)

notes...

Lady, by yonder blessed moon I vowswear

That tips with silverits silver light all these fruit-tree tops--

Lady, by yonder blessed moon I vowswear that tips with silverits silver light all these fruit-tree tops--

Rom. Lady, by yonder Moone I vow,

That tips with siluer all these Fruite tree tops.

269
 

Juliet (269)

notes...

O swear not by the moon, the inconstantever changing moon,

That monthly changes in her circled orb,

LestFor fear that thy love prove likewise variable.

O swear not by the moon, the inconstantever changing moon that monthly changes in her circled orb, lestfor fear that thy love prove likewise variable.

Iul. O sweare not by the Moone, th' inconstant Moone,

That monethly changes in her circled Orbe,

Least that thy Loue proue likewise variable.

270
 

Romeo (270)

notes...

What shall I swear by?

What shall I swear by?

Rom. What shall I sweare by?

271
 

Juliet (271)

notes...

Do not swear at all;

Or if thou wilt swear by thy graciousvirtuous self,

Which is the god of my idolatrythat I worship,

120

And I'll believe thee.

Do not swear at all. Or if thou wilt swear by thy graciousvirtuous self, which is the god of my idolatrythat I worship, and I'll believe thee.

Iul. Do not sweare at all:

Or if thou wilt sweare by thy gratious selfe,

Which is the God of my Idolatry,

And Ile beleeue thee.

272
 

Romeo (272)

notes...

If my heart's dear love.

If my heart's dear love.

Rom. If my hearts deare loue.

273
 

Juliet (273)

notes...

Well do not swear: although I joyfind happiness in thee,

I have no joyfeel no happiness of this contractin swearing our love for each other tonight:

It is too rash, too unadvised, too sudden;

Too like the lightning, which doth cease to be

EreBefore one can say "It lightens." Sweet, good night!

This bud ofbeginning love, by summer's ripening breath,

May prove a beauteous flower when next we meet.

Good night, good night! as sweet repose and rest

130

Come to thy heart as thatthat heart within my breast!

Well do not swear: although I joyfind happiness in thee, I have no joyfeel no happiness of this contractin swearing our love for each other tonight: it is too rash, too unadvised, too sudden, too like the lightning, which doth cease to be erebefore one can say "It lightens." Sweet, good night. This bud ofbeginning love, by summer's ripening breath, may prove a beauteous flower when next we meet.

Good night, good night, as sweet repose and rest come to thy heart as thatthat heart within my breast!

Iuli. Well do not sweare, although I ioy in thee:

I haue no ioy of this contract to night,

It is too rash, too vnaduis'd, too sudden,

Too like the lightning which doth cease to be

Ere, one can say, it lightens, Sweete good night:

This bud of Loue by Summers ripening breath,

May proue a beautious Flower when next we meete:

Goodnight, goodnight, as sweete repose and rest,

Come to thy heart, as that within my brest.

274
 

Romeo (274)

notes...

O wilt thou leave me so unsatisfied?

O wilt thou leave me so unsatisfied?

Rom. O wilt thou leaue me so vnsatisfied?

275
 

Juliet (275)

notes...

What satisfaction can'st thou have tonight?

What satisfaction can'st thou have tonight?

Iuli. What satisfaction can'st thou haue to night?

276
 

Romeo (276)

notes...

The exchange of thy love's faithful vow for mine.

The exchange of thy love's faithful vow for mine.

Ro. Th' exchange of thy Loues faithfull vow for mine.

277
 

Juliet (277)

notes...

I gave thee mine before thou didst request it:

And yet I would it were towish I hadn't so that I could give again.

I gave thee mine before thou didst request it, and yet I would it were towish I hadn't so that I could give again.

Iul. I gaue thee mine before thou did'st request it:

And yet I would it were to giue againe.

278
 

Romeo (278)

notes...

Wouldst thou withdraw it? for what purpose, love?

Wouldst thou withdraw it? For what purpose, love?

Rom. Would'st thou withdraw it,

For what purpose Loue?

279
 

Juliet (279)

notes...

But to be frank and give it thee again.

And yet I wish but for the thing I have:

My bounty isblessings are as boundless as the sea,

140

My love as deep; the more I give to thee,

The more I have, for both are infinite.

Nurse calls within

I hear some noise within; dear love adieu!

Turning and talking to the nurse inside.

Anon good nurse! Sweet Montague be true.

Stay but a little, I will come again.

Exit, above

But to be frank and give it thee again. And yet I wish but for the thing I have: my bounty isblessings are as boundless as the sea, my love as deep. The more I give to thee the more I have, for both are infinite.

Nurse calls within

I hear some noise within. Dear love adieu! Turning and talking to the nurse inside. Anon good nurse! Sweet Montague be true. Stay but a little, I will come again.

Exit back into the her rooms

Iul. But to be franke and giue it thee againe,

And yet I wish but for the thing I haue,

My bounty is as boundlesse as the Sea,

My Loue as deepe, the more I giue to thee

The more I haue, for both are Infinite:

I heare some noyse within deare Loue adue:

Cals within.

Anon good Nurse, sweet Mountague be true:

Stay but a little, I will come againe.

280
 

Romeo (280)

notes...

O blessed, blessed night! I am afeard.

Being in night, all this is but a dream,

Too flattering-sweetgood to be substantialreal.

O blessed, blessed night! I am afeard. Being in night, all this is but a dream, too flattering-sweetgood to be substantialreal.

Rom. O blessed blessed night, I am afear'd

Being in night, all this is but a dreame,

Too flattering sweet to be substantiall.

281

Enter Juliet on a balcony above

 

Juliet (281)

notes...

Three words dear Romeo, and good night indeed.

If that thy bent of lovepupose of your love for me be honourable,

150

Thy purposeIf thy thy purpose be marriage, send me word tomorrow,

By one that I'll procure to comesend to thee,

Where and what time thou wilt perform the rite;

And all my fortunes at thy foot I'll lay

And follow thee my lord throughout the world.

Three words dear Romeo, and good night indeed. If that thy bent of lovepupose of your love for me be honourable, thy purposeif thy thy purpose be marriage, send me word tomorrow by one that I'll procure to comesend to thee, where and what time thou wilt perform the rite. And all my fortunes at thy foot I'll lay and follow thee my lord throughout the world.

Iul. Three words deare Romeo,

And goodnight indeed,

If that thy bent of Loue be Honourable,

Thy purpose marriage, send me word to morrow,

By one that Ile procure to come to thee,

Where and what time thou wilt performe the right,

And all my Fortunes at thy foote Ile lay,

And follow thee my Lord throughout the world.

Within: Madam.

I come, anon: but if thou meanest not well,

I do beseech thee

Within: Madam.

(By and by I come)

To cease thy strife, and leaue me to my griefe,

To morrow will I send.

282
 

Nurse (282)

notes...

[Within]
Madam!

[Within]
Madam!

[In the First Folio the nurse calling from within is treated as a stage direction not a separate speech. So Juliet's "Three words" speech is all one in the First Folio.]

283
 

Juliet (283)

notes...

I come, anon.--But if thou mean'stTurning back to Romeo not well,

I do beseech thee--

I come, anon. But if thou mean'st not well, I do beseech thee--

[See comment above]

284
 

Nurse (284)

notes...

[Within]
Madam!

[Within]
Madam!

[See comment above]

285
 

Juliet (285)

notes...

By and by I come

160

To cease thy suit, and leave me to my grief:

Tomorrow will I send.

(By and by I come.)

To cease thy suit, and leave me to my grief. Tomorrow will I send.

[See comment above]

286
 

Romeo (286)

notes...

So thriveproserper my soul--

So thriveproserper my soul.

Rom. So thriue my soule.

287
 

Juliet (287)

notes...

A thousand times good night!

Exit, above

A thousand times good night!

Exit, above

Iu. A thousand times goodnight.

Exit.

288
 

Romeo (288)

notes...

A thousand times the worse to wantbecause it will be missing thy light.

Love goes toward love, as schoolboys from

their books,

But love from love, toward school with heavy looks.

Retiring

A thousand times the worse to wantbecause it will be missing thy light. Love goes toward love, as schoolboys from their books, but love from love, toward school with heavy looks.

Retiring

Rome. A thousand times the worse to want thy light,

Loue goes toward Loue as school-boyes fro[m] their books

But Loue fro[m] Loue, towards schoole with heauie lookes.

289

Juliet comes back out on the balcony

 

Juliet (289)

notes...

Juliet tries to quietly - and privately - get Romeo's attention.

Hist Romeo, hist!Sssst Romeo, are you there? O for a falconer's voice,

To lure this tassel-gentlemy falcon, Romeo back again!

170

Bondage isFear of being discovered makes me hoarse, and may not speak aloud;

Else would I tear the cave where Echo lies,

And make her airy tonguelight voice more hoarse than mine,

With repetition of my Romeo's name.

Juliet tries to quietly - and privately - get Romeo's attention.

Hist Romeo, hist!Sssst Romeo, are you there? O for a falconer's voice, to lure this tassel-gentlemy falcon, Romeo back again! Bondage isFear of being discovered makes me hoarse, and may not speak aloud, else would I tear the cave where Echo lies, and make her airy tonguelight voice more hoarse than mine, with repetition of my Romeo's name.

Enter Iuliet againe.

Iul. Hist Romeo hist: O for a Falkners voice,

To lure this Tassell gentle backe againe,

Bondage is hoarse, and may not speake aloud,

Else would I teare the Caue where Eccho lies,

And make her ayrie tongue more hoarse, then

With repetition of my Romeo.

Echo. In Roman mythology Echo is a mountain nymph who by Juno was changed into a being that was neither able to speak until somebody had spoken, nor able to be silent after anybody had spoken.

290
 

Romeo (290)

notes...

It is my soul that calls upon my name:

How silver-sweet sound lovers' tongues by night,

Like softest music to attendinglistening ears!

It is my soul that calls upon my name. How silver-sweet sound lovers' tongues by night, like softest music to attendinglistening ears!

Rom. It is my soule that calls vpon my name.

How siluer sweet, sound Louers tongues by night,

Like softest Musicke to attending eares.

291
 

Juliet (291)

notes...

Romeo!

Romeo!

Iul. Romeo.

292
 

Romeo (292)

notes...

My dear?

My dear?

Rom. My Neece.

293
 

Juliet (293)

notes...

At what o'clock tomorrow

180

Shall I send tofor thee?

At what o'clock tomorrow shall I send tofor thee?

Iul. What a clock to morrow

Shall I send to thee?

294
 

Romeo (294)

notes...

At the hour of nine.

At the hour of nine.

Rom. By the houre of nine.

295
 

Juliet (295)

notes...

I will not fail: 'tis twenty years till then.

I have forgot why I did call thee back.

I will not fail: 'tis twenty years till then.

I have forgot why I did call thee back.

Iul. I will not faile, 'tis twenty yeares till then,

I haue forgot why I did call thee backe.

296
 

Romeo (296)

notes...

Let me stand here till thou remember it.

Let me stand here till thou remember it.

Rom. Let me stand here till thou remember it.

297
 

Juliet (297)

notes...

I shall forget, to have thee still stand there,

Remembering how I love thy company.

I shall forget, to have thee still stand there, remembering how I love thy company.

Iul. I shall forget, to haue thee still stand there,

Remembring how I Loue thy company.

298
 

Romeo (298)

notes...

And I'll still stay, to have thee still forget,

Forgetting any other home but this.

And I'll still stay, to have thee still forget, forgetting any other home but this.

Rom. And Ile still stay, to haue thee still forget,

Forgetting any other home but this.

299
 

Juliet (299)

notes...

'Tis almost morning; I would have thee gone:

190

And yet no further than a wanton'smischievous girl's pet bird;

Who lets it hop a little from her hand,

Like a poor prisoner in his twisted gyvesleash,

And with a silk thread plucks it back again,

So loving-jealousloving yet so jealous of his liberty.

'Tis almost morning, I would have thee gone. And yet no further than a wanton'smischievous girl's pet bird, who lets it hop a little from her hand, like a poor prisoner in his twisted gyvesleash, and with a silk thread plucks it back again, so loving-jealousloving yet so jealous of his liberty.

Iul. 'Tis almost morning, I would haue thee gone,

And yet no further then a wantons Bird,

That let's it hop a little from his hand,

Like a poore prisoner in his twisted Gyues,

And with a silken thred plucks it backe againe,

So louing Iealous of his liberty.

300
 

Romeo (300)

notes...

I would I were thy bird.

I would I were thy bird.

Rom. I would I were thy Bird.

301
 

Juliet (301)

notes...

Sweet, so would I:

Yet I should kill thee with much cherishing.

Good night, good night!

Sweet, so would I. Yet I should kill thee with much cherishing.

Good night, good night!

Iul. Sweet so would I,

Yet I should kill thee with much cherishing:

Good night, good night.

302
 

Romeo (302)

notes...

Parting is such sweet sorrow,

200

That I shall say good night till it be morrow.

Exit above

Parting is such sweet sorrow that I shall say good night till it be morrow.

Exit above

Rom. Parting is such sweete sorrow,

That I shall say goodnight, till it be morrow.

303
 

Juliet (303)

notes...

Sleep dwell upon thine eyes, peace in thy breast!

Sleep dwell upon thine eyes, peace in thy breast!

Iul. Sleepe dwell vpon thine eyes, peace in thy brest.

304
 

Romeo (304)

notes...

Would I were sleep and peace, so sweet to rest!

Hence will I to my ghostly father'spriest's cell,

His help to crave, and my dear hapgood fortune to tell.

Exit

Would I were sleep and peace, so sweet to rest! Hence will I to my ghostly father'spriest's cell, his help to crave, and my dear hapgood fortune to tell.

Exit

Rom. Would I were sleepe and peace so sweet to rest,

The gray ey'd morne smiles on the frowning night,

Checkring the Easterne Clouds with streakes of light,

And darkenesse fleckel'd like a drunkard reeles,

From forth dayes pathway, made by Titans wheeles.

Hence will I to my ghostly Friers close Cell,

His helpe to craue, and my deare hap to tell.

Exit.

expandMe Act II. Scene III. Friar Laurence's cell.

2 - 3:    Act II. Scene III. Friar Laurence's cell.

Romeo visits Friar Laurence and tells him of his new love.

 

Enter Friar Laurence, with a basket

305
 

Friar Laurence (305)

notes...

The grey-eyed mornearly morning smiles on the frowning night,

Chequering the eastern clouds with streaks of light,

And flecked darkness like a drunkard reels

From forth day's path and Titan's fiery wheels:

Now, erebefore the sun advance his burning eye,

The day to cheer and night's dank dew to dry,

I must up-fillfill up this osier cagewillow basket of ours

With balefulharmful weeds and precious-juiced flowersflowers with their valuable juice.

The earth that's nature's mother is heris also her tomb;

10

What is her burying grave that is her womb,

And from her womb children of divers kindmany kinds

We sucking on her natural bosom find,

Many for many virtues excellent,

None but for some and yet all different.

O mickle is the powerful grace that lies

In herbs, plants, stones, and their true qualitiesqualities for helping us heal:

For noughtnothing is so vilebad that on the earth doth live

But to the earth some special good doth give,

Nor aught so good but strain'd from that fair use

20

Revolts from true birth, stumbling on abuse:

Virtue itself turns vice, being misapplied;

And vice sometimes by action dignified.

Within the infant rindskin of this small flower

Poison hath residence and medicine power:

For this being smelt, with that partthe oder cheers each part;

Being tasted, slays all senses with the heart.

Two such opposed kings encamp them still

In man as well as herbs, grace and rude willbrutal obstinacy;

And where the worserworse one is predominant,

30

Full soon the canker deathdeadly worm eats up that plant.

CHECK CAREFULLY!! The grey-eyed mornearly morning smiles on the frowning night,

chequering the eastern clouds with streaks of light,

and flecked darkness like a drunkard reels

from forth day's path and Titan's fiery wheels.

Now, erebefore the sun advance his burning eye,

the day to cheer and night's dank dew to dry,

I must up-fillfill up this osier cagewillow basket of ours

with balefulharmful weeds and precious-juiced flowersflowers with their valuable juice.

The earth that's nature's mother is heris also her tomb.

What is her burying grave that is her womb,

and from her womb children of divers kindmany kinds

we sucking on her natural bosom find,

many for many virtues excellent,

none but for some and yet all different.

 

O mickle is the powerful grace that lies

In herbs, plants, stones, and their true qualitiesqualities for helping us heal:

for noughtnothing is so vilebad that on the earth doth live

but to the earth some special good doth give,

nor aught so good but strain'd from that fair use

revolts from true birth, stumbling on abuse.

virtue itself turns vice, being misapplied,

and vice sometimes by action dignified.

Within the infant rindskin of this small flower

poison hath residence and medicine power:

for this being smelt, with that partthe oder cheers each part,

being tasted, slays all senses with the heart.

Two such opposed kings encamp them still

in man as well as herbs, grace and rude willbrutal obstinacy.

And where the worserworse one is predominant,

full soon the canker deathdeadly worm eats up that plant.

Enter Frier alone with a basket.

Fri. The gray ey'd morne smiles on the frowning night,

Checkring the Easterne Cloudes with streaks of light:

And fleckled darknesse like a drunkard reeles,

From forth daies path, and Titans burning wheeles:

Now ere the Sun aduance his burning eye,

The day to cheere, and nights danke dew to dry,

I must vpfill this Osier Cage of ours,

With balefull weedes, and precious Iuiced flowers,

The earth that's Natures mother, is her Tombe,

What is her burying graue that is her wombe:

And from her wombe children of diuers kind

We sucking on her naturall bosome find:

Many for many vertues excellent:

None but for some, and yet all different.

O mickle is the powerfull grace that lies

In Plants, Hearbs, stones, and their true qualities:

For nought so vile, that on earth doth liue,

But to the earth some speciall good doth giue.

Nor ought so good, but strain'd from that faire vse,

Reuolts from true birth, stumbling on abuse.

Vertue it selfe turnes vice being misapplied,

And vice sometime by action dignified.

Enter Romeo.

Within the infant rind of this weake flower,

Poyson hath residence, and medicine power:

For this being smelt, with that part cheares each part,

Being tasted stayes all sences with the heart.

Two such opposed Kings encampe them still,

In man as well as Hearbes, grace and rude will:

And where the worser is predominant,

Full soone the Canker death eates vp that Plant.

Titan's fiery wheels, The original Titans dwelt in heaven, from which, after a contest, they were hurled by Zeus beneath Tartarus; among their descendants were Helios (the sun) and Selene (the moon); the fiery wheels are those of the chariot which Helios drove around the world each twenty-four hours. DeightonRJ

306

Enter Romeo

 

Romeo (306)

notes...

Good morrow, father.

Good morrow, father.

Rom. Good morrow Father.

307
 

Friar Laurence (307)

notes...

BenediciteGod bless you!

What early tonguevoice so sweet salutethgreets me so sweetly me?

Young son, it argues a distemper'ddisturbed head

So soon to bid good morrow to thy bedrise:

Care keeps his watch in every old man's eye,

And where care lodges, sleep will never lie;

But where unbruisedunhurt youth with unstuff'da worry free brain

Doth couch his limbs, there golden sleep doth reign:

40

Therefore thy earliness doth me assure

Thou art up-rousedwoken up by some distemperatureproblem;

Or if not so, then here I hit it right,

Our Romeo hath not been in bed tonight.

BenediciteGod bless you!

What early tonguevoice so sweet salutethgreets me so sweetly me?

Young son, it argues a distemper'ddisturbed head

So soon to bid good morrow to thy bedrise:

Care keeps his watch in every old man's eye,

And where care lodges, sleep will never lie;

But where unbruisedunhurt youth with unstuff'da worry free brain

Doth couch his limbs, there golden sleep doth reign:

Therefore thy earliness doth me assure

Thou art up-rousedwoken up by some distemperatureproblem;

Or if not so, then here I hit it right,

Our Romeo hath not been in bed tonight.

Fri. Benedecite.

What early tongue so sweet saluteth me?

Young Sonne, it argues a distempered head,

So soone to bid goodmorrow to thy bed;

Care keepes his watch in euery old mans eye,

And where Care lodges, sleepe will neuer lye:

But where vnbrused youth with vnstuft braine

Doth couch his lims, there, golden sleepe doth raigne;

Therefore thy earlinesse doth me assure,

Thou art vprous'd with some distemprature;

Or if not so, then here I hit it right.

Our Romeo hath not beene in bed to night.

Benedicite, An ecclesiastical salutation at meeting or parting; literally 'bless God, praise God' DeightonRJ

308
 

Romeo (308)

notes...

That last is true; the sweeter rest was mine.

That last is true; the sweeter rest was mine.

Rom. That last is true, the sweeter rest was mine.

309
 

Friar Laurence (309)

notes...

God pardon sin! wast thou with Rosaline?

God pardon sin! Wast thou with Rosaline?

Fri. God pardon sin: wast thou with Rosaline?

310
 

Romeo (310)

notes...

With Rosaline, my ghostlyspiritual father? no;

I have forgot that name, and that name's woegrief.

With Rosaline, my ghostlyspiritual father? No,

I have forgot that name, and that name's woegrief.

Rom. With Rosaline, my ghostly Father? No,

I haue forgot that name, and that names woe.

311
 

Friar Laurence (311)

notes...

That's my good son: but where hast thou been, then?

That's my good son. But where hast thou been, then?

Fri. That's my good Son, but wher hast thou bin then?

312
 

Romeo (312)

notes...

I'll tell thee erebefore thou ask it me again.

50

I have been feastingat a party with mine enemy,

Where on a suddensuddenly one hath wounded memade me fall in love with her,

That's by me woundedAnd who has fallen in love with me: both our remedies

Within thy help and holy physichealing powers lies:

I bear no hatred, blessed man, for, lo,

My intercession likewise steadsalso benefits my foe.

I'll tell thee erebefore thou ask it me again. I have been feastingat a party with mine enemy, where on a suddensuddenly one hath wounded memade me fall in love with her, that's by me woundedand who has fallen in love with me: both our remedies within thy help and holy physichealing powers lies. I bear no hatred, blessed man, for, lo, my intercession likewise steadsalso benefits my foe.

Rom. Ile tell thee ere thou aske it me agen:

I haue beene feasting with mine enemie,

Where on a sudden one hath wounded me,

That's by me wounded: both our remedies

Within thy helpe and holy phisicke lies:

I beare no hatred, blessed man: for loe

My intercession likewise steads my foe.

313
 

Friar Laurence (313)

notes...

Be plain good son, and homely in thy driftspeech;

Riddling confessionA confession in riddles finds but riddling shriftwill only receive an absolution in riddles.

Be plain good son, and homely in thy driftspeech. Riddling confessionA confession in riddles finds but riddling shriftwill only receive an absolution in riddles.

Fri. Be plaine good Son, rest homely in thy drift,

Ridling confession, findes but ridling shrift.

314
 

Romeo (314)

notes...

Then plainly know my heart's dear love is set

On the fair daughter of rich Capulet:

60

As mine on hers, so hers is set on mine;

And all combined, save what thou must combine

By holy marriage: when and where and how

We met, we wooed and made exchange of vow,

I'll tell thee as we passwalkl along; but this I pray,

That thou consent to marry us today.

Then plainly know my heart's dear love is set on the fair daughter of rich Capulet. As mine on hers, so hers is set on mine, and all combined, save what thou must combine by holy marriage. When and where and how we met, we wooed and made exchange of vow, I'll tell thee as we passwalkl along. But this I pray, that thou consent to marry us today.

Rom. Then plainly know my hearts deare Loue is set,

On the faire daughter of rich Capulet:

As mine on hers, so hers is set on mine;

And all combin'd, saue what thou must combine

By holy marriage: when and where, and how,

We met, we wooed, and made exchange of vow:

Ile tell thee as we passe, but this I pray,

That thou consent to marrie vs to day.

315
 

Friar Laurence (315)

notes...

Holy Saint Francis, what a change is here!

Is Rosaline, whom thou didst love so dear,

So soon forsaken? young men's love then lies

Not truly in their hearts, but in their eyes.

70

Jesu MariaO Jesus, son of the Virgin Mary, what a deal of brinesalty water

Hath wash'd thy sallow cheeks for Rosaline!

How much salt water thrown away in waste,

To season love that of it doth not taste!

The sun not yet thy sighs from heaven clears,

Thy old groans ring yet in my ancient ears;

Lo, here upon thy cheek the stain doth sit

Of an old tear that is not wash'd off yet:

If e'er thou wast thyself and these woes thine,

Thou and these woes were all for Rosaline:

80

And art thou changed? pronounce this sentence then,

Women may fallmorally fail, when there's no strength in men.

Holy Saint Francis, what a change is here! Is Rosaline, whom thou didst love so dear, so soon forsaken? Young men's love then lies not truly in their hearts, but in their eyes. Jesu MariaO Jesus, son of the Virgin Mary, what a deal of brinesalty water hath wash'd thy sallow cheeks for Rosaline! How much salt water thrown away in waste, to season love that of it doth not taste! The sun not yet thy sighs from heaven clears, thy old groans ring yet in my ancient ears. Lo, here upon thy cheek the stain doth sit of an old tear that is not wash'd off yet. If e'er thou wast thyself and these woes thine, thou and these woes were all for Rosaline. And art thou changed? Pronounce this sentence then, 'Women may fallmorally fail, when there's no strength in men.'

Fri. Holy S[aint]. Francis, what a change is heere?

Is Rosaline that thou didst Loue so deare

So soone forsaken? young mens Loue then lies

Not truely in their hearts, but in their eyes.

Iesu Maria, what a deale of brine

Hath washt thy sallow cheekes for Rosaline?

How much salt water throwne away in wast,

To season Loue that of it doth not tast.

The Sun not yet thy sighes, from heauen cleares,

Thy old grones yet ringing in my auncient eares:

Lo here vpon thy cheeke the staine doth sit,

Of an old teare that is not washt off yet.

If ere thou wast thy selfe, and these woes thine,

Thou and these woes, were all for Rosaline.

And art thou chang'd? pronounce this sentence then,

Women may fall, when there's no strength in men.

316
 

Romeo (316)

notes...

Thou chid'stscolded me oft for loving Rosaline.

Thou chid'stscolded me oft for loving Rosaline.

Rom. Thou chid'st me oft for louing Rosaline.

317
 

Friar Laurence (317)

notes...

For dotingirrationally loving, not for loving, pupil mine.

For dotingirrationally loving, not for loving, pupil mine.

Fri. For doting, not for louing pupill mine.

318
 

Romeo (318)

notes...

And bad'st metold me to bury love.

And bad'st metold me to bury love.

Rom. And bad'st me bury Loue.

319
 

Friar Laurence (319)

notes...

Not in a grave,

To lay one in, anotherand another to take out to have.

Not in a grave, to lay one in, anotherand another to take out to have.

Fri. Not in a graue,

To lay one in, another out to haue.

320
 

Romeo (320)

notes...

I pray thee, chidescold me not; she whom I love now

Doth grace for graceDoth return kindness for kindness and love for love allow;

The other did not so.

I pray thee, chidescold me not. She whom I love now doth grace for gracedoth return kindness for kindness and love for love allow: the other did not so.

Rom. I pray thee chide me not, her I Loue now

Doth grace for grace, and Loue for Loue allow:

The other did not so.

321
 

Friar Laurence (321)

notes...
90

O she knew well

Thy love did read by rote and could not spell.

But come young waverer, come, go with me,

In one respectFor one reason I'll thy assistant be;

For this alliance may so happy prove,

To turn your households' rancour to pure love.

O she knew well thy love did read by rote and could not spell. But come young waverer, come, go with me, in one respectfor one reason I'll thy assistant be: for this alliance may so happy prove, to turn your households' rancour to pure love.

Fri. O she knew well,

Thy Loue did read by rote, that could not spell:

But come young wauerer, come goe with me,

In one respect, Ile thy assistant be:

For this alliance may so happy proue,

To turne your houshould rancor to pure Loue.

322
 

Romeo (322)

notes...

O let us hencego quickly; I stand on sudden hasteTo succeed I must loose no time.

O let us hencego quickly. I stand on sudden hasteTo succeed I must loose no time.

Rom. O let vs hence, I stand on sudden hast.

323
 

Friar Laurence (323)

notes...

Wisely and slow; they stumble that run fast.

Exeunt

Wisely and slow; They stumble that run fast.

Exeunt

Fri. Wisely and slow, they stumble that run fast.

Exeunt.

expandMe Act II. Scene IV. A street.

2 - 4:    Act II. Scene IV. A street.

The next morning Benvolio and Mercutio are out and about and run into Romeo they joke about a bit before Juliet's nurse finds them and talks to Romeo and they agree when he and Juliet will meet. Romeo and Nurse discuss how he and Juliet can hook up at Friar Laurence's room.

Enter Benvolio and Mercutio

324
 

Mercutio (324)

notes...

Where the devil should this Romeo be?

Came he not home tonightlast night?

Where the devil should this Romeo be? Came he not home tonightlast night?

Enter Benuolio and Mercutio.

Mer. Where the deule should this Romeo be? came he

not home to night?

325
 

Benvolio (325)

notes...

Not to his father's; I spoke with his manservant.

Not to his father's, I spoke with his manservant.

Ben. Not to his Fathers, I spoke with his man.

326
 

Mercutio (326)

notes...

Why, that same pale hard-hearted wench, that Rosaline.

Torments him so, that he will sure run mad.

Why, that same pale hard-hearted wench, that Rosaline. torments him so, that he will sure run mad.

Mer. Why that same pale hard-harted wench, that Ro-saline

torments him so, that he will sure run mad.

327
 

Benvolio (327)

notes...

Tybalt, the kinsman of old Capulet,

Hath sent a letter to his father's house.

Tybalt, the kinsman of old Capulet, hath sent a letter to his father's house.

Ben. Tibalt, the kinsman to old Capulet, hath sent a Let-

ter to his Fathers house.

328
 

Mercutio (328)

notes...

A challengechallenge to fight him on my life.

A challengechallenge to fight him on my life.

Mer. A challenge on my life.

329
 

Benvolio (329)

notes...

Romeo will answer it.

Romeo will answer it.

Ben. Romeo will answere it.

330
 

Mercutio (330)

notes...
10

Any man that can write may answer a letter.

Any man that can write may answer a letter.

Mer. Any man that can write, may answere a Letter.

331
 

Benvolio (331)

notes...

Nay, he will answer the letter's master, how he

dares, being dared.

Nay, he will answer the letter's master, how he dares, being dared.

Ben. Nay, he will answere the Letters Maister how he

dares, being dared.

332
 

Mercutio (332)

notes...

Alas poor Romeo! he is already dead; stabbed with a

white wench's blackevil eye; shot through the ear with a

love-song; the very pin of his heart, cleftpierced with the

blind bow-boy's butt-shaftCupid's arrow: and is he a man to

encounter Tybalt?

Alas poor Romeo, he is already dead. Stabbed with a white wench's blackevil eye; shot through the ear with a love-song; the very pin of his heart, cleftpierced with the blind bow-boy's butt-shaftCupid's arrow. And is he a man to encounter Tybalt?

Mer. Alas poore Romeo, he is already dead stab'd with

a white wenches blacke eye, runne through the eare with

a Loue song, the very pinne of his heart, cleft with the

blind Bowe-boyes but-shaft, and is he a man to encounter

Tybalt?

333
 

Benvolio (333)

notes...

Why, what is Tybalt?

Why, what is Tybalt?

Ben. Why what is Tibalt?

334
 

Mercutio (334)

notes...

More than Prince of cats, I can tell you. O, he is

20

the courageous captain of compliments. He fights as

you sing prick-songfrom printed music, keeps time, distance, and

proportion; rests me his minim rest, one, two, and

the third in your bosom: the very butcher of a silk

button, a duellist, a duellist; a gentleman of the

very first housetop tier of dualists, of the first and second causewho will fight for any reason be it the first or second reason:

ah, the immortal passadoforward thrust, the punto reversobackhanded stroke, the haiand the home thrust.

More than Prince of cats, I can tell you. O, he is the courageous captain of compliments. He fights as you sing prick-songfrom printed music, keeps time, distance, and proportion; rests me his minim rest, one, two, and the third in your bosom. The very butcher of a silk button, a duellist, a duellist. A gentleman of the very first housetop tier of dualists, of the first and second causewho will fight for any reason be it the first or second reason. Ah, the immortal passadoforward thrust, the punto reversobackhanded stroke, the haiand the home thrust.

Mer. More then Prince of Cats. Oh hee's the Couragi-

ous Captaine of Complements: he fights as you sing

pricksong, keeps time, distance, and proportion, he rests

his minum, one, two, and the third in your bosom: the ve-

ry butcher of a silk button, a Dualist, a Dualist: a Gentleman

of the very first house of the first and second cause: ah the

immortall Passado, the Punto reuerso, the Hay.

Prince of cats. 'Tybert' (sometimes 'Tibert' and 'Tibalt') is the name given to a cat in the old story of Reynard the Fox and in other stories, "Tho' you were Tybert, the Iong-tail'd prince of cats." The name became a common one for cats. DeightonRJ HudsonRJ
In this scene there are a number references to Tybalt as a cat, many of them used tauntingly.

335
 

Benvolio (335)

notes...

The what?

The what?

Ben. The what?

336
 

Mercutio (336)

notes...

The pox ofA curse on such antic, lisping, affectingfrivolous, lisping, artificial

fantasticoesfantastic duellers; these new tuners of accentsoriginators of new words and phrases! "By Jesu,

30

a very good bladeswordsman! a very tall man! a very good

whore!" Why is not this a lamentable thing,

grandsire, that we should be thus afflicted with

these strange fliesfoppish men buzzing about, these fashion-mongers, these

pardon-me's, who stand so much on the new formcurrent fashions,

that they cannot at ease on the old bench? O, their

bones, their bones!

The pox ofA curse on such antic, lisping, affectingfrivolous, lisping, artificial fantasticoesfantastic duellers: these new tuners of accentsoriginators of new words and phrases! "By Jesu, a very good bladeswordsman! a very tall man! a very good whore!" Why is not this a lamentable thing, grandsire, that we should be thus afflicted with these strange fliesfoppish men buzzing about, these fashion-mongers, these pardon-me's, who stand so much on the new formcurrent fashions, that they cannot at ease on the old bench? O, their bones, their bones!

Mer. The Pox of such antique lisping affecting phan-

tacies, these new tuners of accent: Iesu a very good blade,

a very tall man, a very good whore. Why is not this a la-

mentable thing Grandsire, that we should be thus afflicted

with these strange flies: these fashion Mongers, these par-don-mee's,

who stand so much on the new form, that they

cannot sit at ease on the old bench. O their bones, their

bones.

new form ... old bench, During the ridiculous fashion which prevailed of great padded pants, it is said to have been necessary to cut away hollow places in the benches of the House of Commons, without which those who "stood on the new form" could not "sit at ease on the old bench." Mercutio is poking fun at the fantastical affectations of those smart rapier and dagger experts, with their fencing-school jargon, who explode in boyish ecstasies at every slight turn of agility, shouting "Bon!" that is, 'good,' 'well done,' as often as a clever thrust or parry occurs in the practice of their fellows. HudsonRJ

337

Enter Romeo

 

Benvolio (337)

notes...

Here comes Romeo here comes Romeo.

Here comes Romeo here comes Romeo.

Enter Romeo.

Ben. Here comes Romeo, here comes Romeo.

338
 

Mercutio (338)

notes...

Without his roe, like a dried herringLike a dried herring without its eggs: flesh, flesh,

how art thou fishified! Now is he for the numbersgiven up to such love songs

40

that PetrarchThe famous Italian poet, Petrarch, flowed in: Laura to his ladyTo his lady, Laura, who was but a

kitchen-wench; marry, she had a better lovelover to

be-rhyme herput her in poety; Dido a dowdyThe queen of Carthage a sun burnt vagabond; Cleopatra a gipsy;

Helen and Hero hildingswere menial wretches. and harlots; Thisbe a grey

eye or so, but not to the purpose. Signior

Romeo, bon jour! there's a French salutation

to your French slop. You gave us the counterfeitdeceived us

fairly last night.

Without his roe, like a dried herringLike a dried herring without its eggs: flesh, flesh, how art thou fishified! Now is he for the numbersgiven up to such love songs that PetrarchThe famous Italian poet, Petrarch, flowed in: Laura to his ladyTo his lady, Laura, who was but a kitchen-wench; marry, she had a better lovelover to be-rhyme herput her in poety: Dido a dowdyThe queen of Carthage a sun burnt vagabond; Cleopatra a gipsy; Helen and Hero hildingswere menial wretches. and harlots; Thisbe a grey eye or so, but not to the purpose. Signior Romeo, bon jour! There's a French salutation to your French slop.

You gave us the counterfeitdeceived us fairly last night.

Mer. Without his Roe, like a dryed Hering. O flesh,

flesh, how art thou fishified? Now is he for the numbers

that Petrarch flowed in: Laura to his Lady, was a kitchen

wench, marrie she had a better Loue to berime her: Dido

a dowdie, Cleopatra a Gipsie, Hellen and Hero, hildings

and Harlots: Thisbie a gray eie or so, but not to the purpose.

Signior Romeo, Bon iour, there's a French salutation to your

French slop: you gaue vs the counterfait fairely last

night.

339
 

Romeo (339)

notes...

Good morrow to you both. What counterfeitdeceit did I give you?

Good morrow to you both. What counterfeitdeceit did I give you?

Romeo. Good morrow to you both, what counterfeit

did I giue you?

340
 

Mercutio (340)

notes...

The slip, sir, the slip; can you not conceiveunderstand the joke?

The slip, sir, the slip. Can you not conceiveunderstand the joke?

Mer. The slip sir, the slip, can you not conceiue?

slip. Slips were pieces of counterfeit money, brass covered over with silver, and to 'give one the slip' is to play one the trick of stealing away unnoticed. DeightonRJ

341
 

Romeo (341)

notes...
50

Pardon, good Mercutio, my business was great; and in

such a case as mine a man may straindispose of the normal courtesy.

Pardon, good Mercutio, my business was great, and in such a case as mine a man may straindispose of the normal courtesy.

Rom. Pardon good Mercutio, my businesse was great, and in

such a case as mine, a man may straine curtesie.

342
 

Mercutio (342)

notes...

That's as much as to say, such a case as yours

constrains a man to bow in the hamslow and be particularly polite.

That's as much as to say, such a case as yours constrains a man to bow in the hamslow and be particularly polite.

Mer. That's as much as to say, such a case as yours con-

strains a man to bow in the hams.

343
 

Romeo (343)

notes...

Meaning, to court'sy.

Meaning, to court'sy.

Rom. Meaning to cursie.

344
 

Mercutio (344)

notes...

Thou hast most kindlyaccurately hit it.

Thou hast most kindlyaccurately hit it.

Mer. Thou hast most kindly hit it.

345
 

Romeo (345)

notes...

A most courteous expositioninterpretation.

A most courteous expositioninterpretation.

Rom. A most curteous exposition.

346
 

Mercutio (346)

notes...

Nay, I am the very pink of courtesy.

Nay, I am the very pink of courtesy.

Mer. Nay, I am the very pinck of curtesie.

347
 

Romeo (347)

notes...

Pink forYou say pink to mean flower.

Pink forYou say pink to mean flower.

Rom. Pinke for flower.

348
 

Mercutio (348)

notes...

Right.

Right.

Mer. Right.

349
 

Romeo (349)

notes...
60

Why then is my pumpare my flowery shoes well flowered.

Why then is my pumpare my flowery shoes well flowered.

Rom. Why then is my Pump well flowr'd.

350
 

Mercutio (350)

notes...

Well said: follow me this jest now till thou hast

worn out thy pump, that when the single sole of itof the shoe

is worn, the jest may remain after the wearing, sole singular.

Well said. Follow me this jest now till thou hast worn out thy pump, that when the single sole of itof the shoe is worn, the jest may remain after the wearing, sole singular.

Mer. Sure wit, follow me this ieast, now till thou hast

worne out thy Pump, that when the single sole of it is

worne, the ieast may remaine after the wearing, sole-singular.

351
 

Romeo (351)

notes...

O singlefeeble-soled jest, solely singularunique for the

singleness.

O singlefeeble-soled jest, solely singularunique for the singleness.

Rom. O single sol'd ieast,

Soly singular for the singlenesse.

352
 

Mercutio (352)

notes...

Come between us good Benvolio; my wits faintgrow weak.

Come between us good Benvolio, my wits faintgrow weak.

Mer. Come betweene vs good Benuolio, my wits faints.

353
 

Romeo (353)

notes...

SwitchWhipsWhips and spurs, switch and spurs; or I'll cry a matchdone.

SwitchWhipsWhips and spurs, switch and spurs, or I'll cry a matchdone.

Rom. Swits and spurs,

Swits and spurs, or Ile crie a match.

354
 

Mercutio (354)

notes...

Nay, if thy wits run the wild-goose chase, I have

done, for thou hast more of the wild-goose in one of

70

thy wits than, I am sure, I have in my whole five:

was I with you there for the goose?

Nay, if thy wits run the wild-goose chase, I have done, for thou hast more of the wild-goose in one of thy wits than, I am sure, I have in my whole five.

Was I with you there for the goose?

Mer. Nay, if our wits run the Wild-Goose chase, I am

done: For thou hast more of the Wild-Goose in one of

thy wits, then I am sure I haue in my whole fiue. Was I

with you there for the Goose?

in my whole five i.e my five wits. A common phrase denoting the five senses. It was sometimes used also of the intellectual faculties, which were supposed to correspond to the five senses.HudsonRJ
The five wits were common wit, imagination, fantasy, estimation [i.e. judgment), and memory; though the phrase was sometimes used as an equivalent to the five senses.DeightonRJ

355
 

Romeo (355)

notes...

Thou wast never with me for anything when thou wast

not there for the goose.

Thou wast never with me for anything when thou wast not there for the goose.

Rom. Thou wast neuer with mee for any thing, when

thou wast not there for the Goose.

356
 

Mercutio (356)

notes...

I will bite thee by the ear for that jest.

I will bite thee by the ear for that jest.

Mer. I will bite thee by the eare for that iest.

357
 

Romeo (357)

notes...

Nay, good goose, bite not.

Nay, good goose, bite not.

Rom. Nay, good Goose bite not.

358
 

Mercutio (358)

notes...

Thy witjoke is a very bitter sweetingvery bittersweet; it is a most

sharp sauce.

Thy witjoke is a very bitter sweetingvery bittersweet: it is a most sharp sauce.

Mer. Thy wit is a very Bitter-sweeting,

It is a most sharpe sawce.

359
 

Romeo (359)

notes...

And is it not well served in to a sweet goose?

And is it not well served in to a sweet goose?

Rom. And is it not well seru'd into a Sweet-Goose?

360
 

Mercutio (360)

notes...

O here's a witjoke of cheverilflexible leather, that stretches from an

80

inch narrow to an ell broadan ell| brpad|forty-five inches wide!

O here's a witjoke of cheverilflexible leather, that stretches from an inch narrow to an ell broadan ell| brpad|forty-five inches wide!

Mer. Oh here's a wit of Cheuerell, that stretches from

an ynch narrow, to an ell broad.

361
 

Romeo (361)

notes...

I stretch it out for that word 'broadwide;' which added

to the goose, proves thee far and wide, a broadfat goose.

I stretch it out for that word 'broadwide;' which added to the goose, proves thee far and wide, a broadfat goose.

Rom. I stretch it out for that word, broad, which added

to the Goose, proues thee farre and wide, abroad Goose.

362
 

Mercutio (362)

notes...

Why is not this better now, than groaning for love?

now art thou sociable, now art thou Romeo; now art

thou what thou art, by art as well as by nature:

for this drivellingfoolish love is like a great naturalloutish idiot,

that runs lolling up and down to hide his baubletoy in a hole.

Why is not this better now, than groaning for love? Now art thou sociable, now art thou Romeo; now art thou what thou art, by art as well as by nature. For this drivellingfoolish love is like a great naturalloutish idiot, that runs lolling up and down to hide his baubletoy in a hole.

Mer. Why is not this better now, then groning for

Loue, now art thou sociable, now art thou Romeo: now art

thou what thou art, by Art as well as by Nature, for this

driueling Loue is like a great Naturall, that runs lolling

vp and downe to hid his bable in a hole.

363
 

Benvolio (363)

notes...

Stop there, stop there.

Stop there, stop there.

Ben. Stop there, stop there.

364
 

Mercutio (364)

notes...

Thou desirestYou want me to stop in my tale against the hairwhile it goes against the grain.

Thou desirestYou want me to stop in my tale against the hairwhile it goes against the grain.

Mer. Thou desir'st me to stop in my tale against the haire.

against the hair, In the opposite direction that hair or fur naturally lies. Think of rubbing a dog's fur against the way it normally lies.

365
 

Benvolio (365)

notes...
90

Thou wouldst else have made thy tale large.

Thou wouldst else have made thy tale large.

Ben. Thou would'st else haue made thy tale large.

366
 

Mercutio (366)

notes...

O thou art deceivedmistaken about my state of mind; I would have made it short:

for I was come to the whole depth of my tale; and

meant, indeed, to occupydiscuss the argumentmatter no longer.

O thou art deceivedmistaken about my state of mind, I would have made it short: for I was come to the whole depth of my tale, and meant, indeed, to occupydiscuss the argumentmatter no longer.

Mer. O thou art deceiu'd, I would haue made it short,

or I was come to the whole depth of my tale, and meant

indeed to occupie the argument no longer.

367

Enter Nurse and Peter

 

Romeo (367)

notes...

Here's goodly geara pretty business!

A sail, a sail.

Here's goodly geara pretty business!

A sail, a sail.

Enter Nurse and her man.

Rom. Here's a goodly geare.

A sayle, a sayle.

A sail, a sail, The exclamation of the lookout at sea when a strange vessel is seen approaching.

368
 

Mercutio (368)

notes...

Two, two; a shirt and a smockman and a woman.

Two, two; a shirt and a smockman and a woman.

Mer. Two, two: a Shirt and a Smocke.

369
 

Nurse (369)

notes...

Peter!

Peter!

Nur. Peter?

370
 

Peter (370)

notes...

Anon!

Anon!

Peter. Anon.

371
 

Nurse (371)

notes...

My fan Peter.

My fan Peter.

Nur. My Fan Peter?

fan, a hand fan for cooling and also for hiding a woman's face

372
 

Mercutio (372)

notes...
100

Good PeterGive it to her, to hide her face; for her fan's the

fairer face.

Good Peter to hide her face, for her fan's the fairer face.

Mer. Good Peter, to hide her face,

For her Fans the fairer face?

373
 

Nurse (373)

notes...

Walking towards Mercutio and Benvolio.

God ye good morrowgive you good moring , gentlemen.

Walking towards Mercutio and Benvolio.

God ye good morrowgive you good moring , gentlemen.

Nur. God ye good morrow Gentlemen.

374
 

Mercutio (374)

notes...

God ye good dengive you good afternoon , fair gentlewoman.

God ye good dengive you good afternoon , fair gentlewoman.

Mer. God ye gooden faire Gentlewoman.

375
 

Nurse (375)

notes...

Is it good denalready afternoon?

Is it good denalready afternoon?

Nur. Is it gooden?

376
 

Mercutio (376)

notes...

'Tis no less, I tell you, for the bawdylusty hand of the

dial is now upon the prickmark of noon.

'Tis no less, I tell you, for the bawdylusty hand of the dial is now upon the prickmark of noon.

Mer. 'Tis no lesse I tell you: for the bawdy hand of the

Dyall is now vpon the pricke of Noone.

377
 

Nurse (377)

notes...

The nurse is clearly flustered by Mercutio's sexual innuendo

Out upon youGet out of here! whatwhat kind of a man are you!

The nurse is clearly flustered by Mercutio's sexual innuendo

Out upon youGet out of here! WhatWhat kind of a man are you!

Nur. Out vpon you: what a man are you?

378
 

Romeo (378)

notes...

One, gentlewoman, that God hath made for himself to marruin.

One, gentlewoman, that God hath made for himself to marruin.

Rom. One Gentlewoman, that God hath made, himselfe to mar

379
 

Nurse (379)

notes...

By my troth, it is well said; "for himself to marruin,"

110

quoth aquote he"? Gentlemen, can any of you tell me where I

may find the young Romeo?

By my troth, it is well said; "for himself to marruin," quoth aquote he"? Gentlemen, can any of you tell me where I may find the young Romeo?

Nur. By my troth it is said, for himselfe to, mar qua-

tha: Gentlemen, can any of you tel me where I may find

the young Romeo?

380
 

Romeo (380)

notes...

I can tell you; but young Romeo will be older when

you have found him than he was when you sought him:

I am the youngest of that name, for fault of a worsethe lack of there being any younger.

I can tell you, but young Romeo will be older when you have found him than he was when you sought him. I am the youngest of that name, for fault of a worsethe lack of there being any younger.

Romeo. I can tell you: but young Romeo will be older

when you haue found him, then he was when you sought

him: I am the youngest of that name, for fault of a worse.

381
 

Nurse (381)

notes...

You say well.

You say well.

Nur. You say well.

382
 

Mercutio (382)

notes...

Yea, is the worst well? very well took, i' faith;

wisely, wisely.

Yea, is the worst well? Very well took, i' faith, wisely, wisely.

Mer. Yea is the worst wel, very wel took, ifaith, wisely, wisely.

383
 

Nurse (383)

notes...

If you be he, sir, I desire some confidenceprivate talk with

you.

If you be he, sir, I desire some confidenceprivate talk with you.

Nur. If you be he sir,

I desire some confidence with you?

384
 

Benvolio (384)

notes...
120

She will inditeinvite him to some supper.

She will inditeinvite him to some supper.

Ben. She will endite him to some Supper.

385
 

Mercutio (385)

notes...

A bawd, a bawd, a bawdA song, a song, a song! so ho!

A bawd, a bawd, a bawdA song, a song, a song! So ho!

Mer. A baud, a baud, a baud. So ho.

386
 

Romeo (386)

notes...

What hast thou found?

What hast thou found?

Rom. What hast thou found?

387
 

Mercutio (387)

notes...

No harerabbit, sir; unless a hare, sir, in a lentenpoor pie,

that is something stale and hoar ere it be spentmoldy before it is gone.

Sings

An old hare hoar,

And an old hare hoar,

Is very good meat in lent

But a hare that is hoar

Is too much for a score,

130

When it hoars ere it be spent.

Romeo, will you come to your father's? we'll

to dinner, thithergo to dinner there.

No harerabbit, sir. Unless a hare, sir, in a lentenpoor pie that is something stale and hoar ere it be spentmoldy before it is gone.

Sings

An old hare hoar,

And an old hare hoar,

Is very good meat in lent

But a hare that is hoar

Is too much for a score,

When it hoars ere it be spent.

 

Romeo, will you come to your father's? we'll to dinner, thithergo to dinner there.

Mer. No Hare sir, vnlesse a Hare sir in a Lenten pie,

that is something stale and hoare ere it be spent.

An old Hare hoare, and an old Hare hoare is very good

meat in Lent.

But a Hare that is hoare is too much for a score, when it

hoares ere it be spent,

Romeo will you come to your Fathers? Weele to dinner

thither.

388
 

Romeo (388)

notes...

I will follow you.

I will follow you.

Rom. I will follow you.

389
 

Mercutio (389)

notes...

Farewell, ancient lady; farewell,

'lady, lady, lady.'

Exeunt Mercutio and Benvolio

Farewell, ancient lady, farewell, 'lady, lady, lady.'

Exeunt Mercutio and Benvolio

Mer. Farewell auncient Lady, farewell Lady, Lady, Lady.

Exit Mercutio, Benuolio.

390
 

Nurse (390)

notes...

I pray you, sir, what saucy merchantcon man was this,

that was so full of his roperyroguery?

I pray you, sir, what saucy merchantcon man was this that was so full of his roperyroguery?

Nur. I pray you sir, what sawcie Merchant was this

that was so full of his roperie?

391
 

Romeo (391)

notes...

A gentleman, nurse, that loves to hear himself talk,

and will speak more in a minute than he will stand toactually do

140

in a month.

A gentleman, nurse, that loves to hear himself talk and will speak more in a minute than he will stand toactually do in a month.

Rom. A Gentleman Nurse, that loues to heare himselfe

talke, and will speake more in a minute, then he will stand

to in a Moneth.

392
 

Nurse (392)

notes...

And a' speak anything against me, I'll take him

down, and a' were lustier than he is, and twenty such

Jacks; and if I cannot, I'll find those that shall.

ScurvyVile knave! I am none of his flirt-gillsflirting girls; I am

none of his skains-ne'er-do-well mates. And thou must stand by

too, and sufferallow every knave to use me at his pleasure?

And a' speak anything against me, I'll take him down, and a' were lustier than he is, and twenty such Jacks; and if I cannot, I'll find those that shall. ScurvyVile knave! I am none of his flirt-gillsflirting girls,; I am none of his skains-ne'er-do-well mates. And thou must stand by too, and sufferallow every knave to use me at his pleasure?

Nur. And a speake any thing against me, Ile take him

downe, and a were lustier then he is, and twentie such Iacks:

and if I cannot, Ile finde those that shall: scuruie knaue, I

am none of his flurt-gils, I am none of his skaines mates,

and thou must stand by too and suffer euery knaue to vse

me at his pleasure.

393
 

Peter (393)

notes...

I saw no man use you at hisfor his pleasure; if I had, my weapon

should quickly have been out, I warrant you: I dare

draw as soon as another man, if I see occasion in a

150

good quarrel, and the law on my side.

I saw no man use you at hisfor his pleasure. If I had, my weapon should quickly have been out, I warrant you. I dare draw as soon as another man, if I see occasion in a good quarrel, and the law on my side.

Pet. I saw no man vse you at his pleasure: if I had, my

weapon should quickly haue beene out, I warrant you, I

dare draw assoone as another man, if I see occasion in a

good quarrell, and the law on my side.

394
 

Nurse (394)

notes...

Now, aforebefore God, I am so vexedfrustrated, that every part about

me quivers. Scurvy knave! Pray you sir, a word:

and as I told you, my young lady bade me inquire you

out; what she bade me say, I will keep to myself:

but first let me tell ye, if ye should lead her into

a fool's paradise, as they say, it were a very gross

kind of behavior, as they say: for the gentlewoman

is young; and therefore, if you should deal double

with her, truly it were an ill thing to be offered

160

to any gentlewoman, and very weak dealingpoor behavior.

Now, aforebefore God, I am so vexedfrustrated that every part about me quivers. Scurvy knave! Pray you sir, a word. And as I told you, my young lady bade me inquire you out; what she bade me say, I will keep to myself. But first let me tell ye, if ye should lead her into a fool's paradise, as they say, it were a very gross kind of behavior, as they say. For the gentlewoman is young and therefore if you should deal double with her, truly it were an ill thing to be offered to any gentlewoman, and very weak dealingpoor behavior.

Nur. Now afore God, I am so vext, that euery part about

me quiuers, skuruy knaue: pray you sir a word: and as I

told you, my young Lady bid me enquire you out, what

she bid me say, I will keepe to my selfe: but first let me

tell ye, if ye should leade her in a fooles paradise, as they

say, it were a very grosse kind of behauiour, as they say:

for the Gentlewoman is yong: & therefore, if you should

deale double with her, truely it were an ill thing to be of-

fered to any Gentlewoman, and very weake dealing.

395
 

Romeo (395)

notes...

Nurse, commend me to thy lady and mistress. I

protest untosolemnly promise thee--

Nurse, commend me to thy lady and mistress. I protest untosolemnly promise thee--

Nur. Nurse commend me to thy Lady and Mistresse, I

protest vnto thee.

396
 

Nurse (396)

notes...

GoodYou have a good heart, and i' faith, I will tell her as much:

Lord, Lord, she will be a joyful woman.

GoodYou have a good heart, and i' faith, I will tell her as much. Lord, Lord, she will be a joyful woman.

Nur. Good heart, and yfaith I will tell her as much:

Lord, Lord she will be a ioyfull woman.

397
 

Romeo (397)

notes...

What wilt thou tell her, nurse? thou dost not marklisten to me.

What wilt thou tell her, nurse? Thou dost not marklisten to me.

Rom. What wilt thou tell her Nurse? thou doest not

marke me?

398
 

Nurse (398)

notes...

I will tell her, sir, that you do protestpropose marriage; which, as

I take it, is a gentlemanlike offer.

I will tell her, sir, that you do protestpropose marriage, which, as I take it, is a gentlemanlike offer.

Nur. I will tell her sir, that you do protest, which as I

take it, is a Gentleman-like offer.

protest, As elsewhere in this speech and other speeches the Nurse really mangles the language sometimes as she does here mistakenly using 'protest' for 'propose'. The language Shakespeare uses for the Nurse is very different that that of Romeo, Juliet and others of their place in society. The use of language to emphasize social differences runs throughout Shakespeare's plays (and that of any good story teller).

399
 

Romeo (399)

notes...

Bid her devise

Some means to come to shriftconfession this afternoon;

170

And there she shall at Friar Laurence's cell

Be shrived andMake confession and be married. Romeo pulls out some coins.Here is for thy pains.

Bid her devise some means to come to shriftconfession this afternoon, and there she shall at Friar Laurence's cell be shrived andmake confession and be married.

Here is for thy pains.

Rom. Bid her deuise some meanes to come to shrift this afternoone,

And there she shall at Frier Lawrence Cell

Be shriu'd and married: here is for thy paines.

400
 

Nurse (400)

notes...

No truly sir; not a penny.

No truly sir, not a penny.

Nur. No truly sir not a penny.

401
 

Romeo (401)

notes...

Go toNonsense you must; I say you shall.

Go to. I say you shall.

Rom. Go too, I say you shall.

402
 

Nurse (402)

notes...
Speaking forcefully

This afternoon, sir? well, she shall be there.

Speaking forcefully

This afternoon, sir? Well, she shall be there.

Nur. This afternoone sir? well she shall be there.

403
 

Romeo (403)

notes...

And stay, good nurse, behind the abbey wall:

Within this hour my man shall be with thee

And bring thee cords made like a tackled stairrope ladder;

Which to the high top-gallanttopmost sail of my joy

MustWill be my convoytransportation in the secret night.

180

Farewell; be trusty, and I'll quit thy painsrepay you for your trouble:

Farewell; commend megive my best wishes to thy mistress.

And stay, good nurse, behind the abbey wall. Within this hour my man shall be with thee and bring thee cords made like a tackled stairrope ladder, which to the high top-gallanttopmost sail of my joy mustwill be my convoytransportation in the secret night. Farewell, be trusty, and I'll quit thy painsrepay you for your trouble.

Farewell. Commend meGive my best wishes to thy mistress.

Ro. And stay thou good Nurse behind the Abbey wall,

Within this houre my man shall be with thee,

And bring thee Cords made like a tackled staire,

Which to the high top gallant of my ioy,

Must be my conuoy in the secret night.

Farewell, be trustie and Ile quite thy paines:

Farewell, commend me to thy Mistresse.

404
 

Nurse (404)

notes...

Now God in heaven bless thee! Hark youListen to me, sir.

Now God in heaven bless thee! Hark youListen to me, sir.

Nur. Now God in heauen blesse thee: harke you sir,

405
 

Romeo (405)

notes...

What say'st thou, my dear nurse?

What say'st thou, my dear nurse?

Rom. What saist thou my deare Nurse?

406
 

Nurse (406)

notes...

Is your man secretdiscreet? Did you ne'er hear say,

Two may keep counselsecret, putting one awayif one doesn't know it?

Is your man secretdiscreet? Did you ne'er hear say,

Two may keep counselsecret, putting one awayif one doesn't know it?

Nurse. Is your man secret, did you nere heare say two

may keepe counsell putting one away.

407
 

Romeo (407)

notes...

I warrantguarantee thee, my man's as true as steel.

I warrantguarantee thee, my man's as true as steel.

Ro. Warrant thee my man is true as steele.

408
 

Nurse (408)

notes...

Well sir; my mistress is the sweetest lady. Lord,

Lord, when 'twas a little prating thing. O, there

is a nobleman in town, one Paris, that would fainlove to

190

lay knife aboard; but she, good soul, had as liefgladly

see a toad, a very toad, as see him. I anger her

sometimes and tell her that Paris is the properer

man; but I'll warrant you, when I say so, she looks

as pale as any clout in the versaluniversal world. Doth not

rosemary and Romeo begin both with a letter?

Well sir, my mistress is the sweetest lady. Lord, Lord, when 'twas a little prating thing.

O, there is a nobleman in town, one Paris, that would fainlove to lay knife aboard. But she, good soul, had as liefgladly see a toad, a very toad, as see him. I anger her sometimes and tell her that Paris is the properer man; but I'll warrant you, when I say so, she looks as pale as any clout in the versaluniversal world. Doth not

rosemary and Romeo begin both with a letter?

Nur. Well sir, my Mistresse is the sweetest Lady, Lord,

Lord, when 'twas a little prating thing. O there is a No-

ble man in Towne one Paris, that would faine lay knife a-

board: but she good soule had as leeue see a Toade, a very

Toade as see him: I anger her sometimes, and tell her that

Paris is the properer man, but Ile warrant you, when I say

so, shee lookes as pale as any clout in the versall world.

Doth not Rosemarie and Romeo begin both with a letter?

versal, 'universal'. Another instance of the nurse mangling the language.

409
 

Romeo (409)

notes...

Ay, nurse; what of that? both with an R.

Ay, nurse; what of that? Both with an R.

Rom. I Nurse, what of that? Both with an R

410
 

Nurse (410)

notes...

Ah. mocker! that's the dog's name; R is for

the -- No, I know it begins with some other

letter -- and she hath the prettiest sententiousobservations of

200

it, of you and rosemary, that it would do you good

to hear it.

Ah. mocker! That's the dog's name. R is for the -- No, I know it begins with some other letter -- and she hath the prettiest sententiousobservations of it, of you and rosemary, that it would do you good to hear it.

Nur. A mocker that's the dogs name. R. is for the no,

I know it begins with some other letter, and she hath the

prettiest sententious of it, of you and Rosemary, that it

would do you good to heare it.

411
 

Romeo (411)

notes...

Commend me to thy lady.

Commend me to thy lady.

Rom. Commend me to thy Lady.

412
 

Nurse (412)

notes...

Ay, a thousand times.

Exit Romeo

Peter!

Ay, a thousand times.

Exit Romeo

Peter!

Nur. I a thousand times. Peter?

413
 

Peter (413)

notes...

Anon!

Anon!

Pet. Anon.

414
 

Nurse (414)

notes...

Before and apaceGo before me, and quickly.

Exeunt

Before and apaceGo before me, and quickly.

Exeunt

Nur. Before and apace.

Exit Nurse and Peter.

expandMe Act II. Scene V. Capulet's orchard

2 - 5:    Act II. Scene V. Capulet's orchard

Juliet frets and worries, worries and frets but Nurse finally returns and gives Juliet the news, reports that Romeo wants to get married, and delivers the instructions as to what to do next.

Enter Juliet

415
 

Juliet (415)

notes...

The clock struck nine when I did send the nurse;

In half an hour she promised to return.

PerchanceMaybe she cannot meet him: that's not so.

O, she is lame! love's heralds should be thoughts,

Which ten times faster glide than the sun's beams,

Driving back shadows over louringlowering hills:

Therefore do nimble-pinion'dfeathered doves draw love,

And therefore hath the wind-swiftswift as the wind Cupid wings.

Now is the sun upon the highmost hill

10

Of this day's journey, and from nine till twelve

Is three long hours, yet she is not come.

Had she affections and warm youthful blood,

She would be as swift in motion as a ball;

My words would bandy her to my sweet love,

And his to me:

But old folks, many feign asact as if they were dead;

Unwieldy, slow, heavy and pale as lead.

Enter Nurse and Peter

O God, she comes!

O honey nurse, what news?

20

Hast thou met with him? Send thy man away.

The clock struck nine when I did send the nurse, in half an hour she promised to return. PerchanceMaybe she cannot meet him: that's not so. O, she is lame! Love's heralds should be thoughts, which ten times faster glide than the sun's beams, driving back shadows over louringlowering hills. Therefore do nimble-pinion'dfeathered doves draw love, and therefore hath the wind-swiftswift as the wind Cupid wings. Now is the sun upon the highmost hill of this day's journey, and from nine till twelve is three long hours, yet she is not come. Had she affections and warm youthful blood, she would be as swift in motion as a ball. My words would bandy her to my sweet love, and his to me.

But old folks many feign asact as if they were dead:

unwieldy, slow, heavy and pale as lead.

Enter Nurse and Peter

O God, she comes! O honey nurse, what news? Hast thou met with him? Send thy man away.

Enter Iuliet.

Iul. The clocke strook nine, when I did send the Nurse,

In halfe an houre she promised to returne,

Perchance she cannot meete him: that's not so:

Oh she is lame, Loues Herauld should be thoughts,

Which ten times faster glides then the Sunnes beames,

Driuing backe shadowes ouer lowring hils.

Therefore do nimble Pinion'd Doues draw Loue,

And therefore hath the wind-swift Cupid wings:

Now is the Sun vpon the highmost hill

Of this daies iourney, and from nine till twelue,

Is three long houres, yet she is not come.

Had she affections and warme youthfull blood,

She would be as swift in motion as a ball,

My words would bandy her to my sweete Loue,

And his to me, but old folkes,

Many faine as they were dead,

Vnwieldie, slow, heauy, and pale as lead.

Enter Nurse.

O God she comes, O hony Nurse what newes?

Hast thou met with him? send thy man away.

416
 

Nurse (416)

notes...

Peter, stay at the gate.

Exit Peter

Peter, stay at the gate.

Exit Peter

Nur. Peter stay at the gate.

417
 

Juliet (417)

notes...

Now, good sweet nurse:

O Lord, why look'st thou sad?

Though news be sad, yet tell them merrily;

If good, thou shamest the music of sweet news

By playing it to me with so sour a face.

Now, good sweet nurse -- O Lord, why look'st thou sad? Though news be sad, yet tell them merrily; if good, thou shamest the music of sweet news by playing it to me with so sour a face.

Iul. Now good sweet Nurse:

O Lord, why lookest thou sad?

Though newes, be sad, yet tell them merrily.

If good thou sham'st the musicke of sweet newes,

By playing it to me, with so sower a face.

418
 

Nurse (418)

notes...

I am a-wearytired and out of breath, give me leave awhile:

FieGood grief, how my bones ache! what a jaunt have I had!

I am a-wearytired and out of breath, give me leave awhile. FieGood grief, how my bones ache! What a jaunt have I had!

Nur. I am a weary, giue me leaue awhile,

Fie how my bones ake, what a iaunt haue I had?

Fie, An exclamation of contempt or dislike. Expressing impatience rather than contempt or disdain. KickAssGlossary

419
 

Juliet (419)

notes...

I would thou hadst my bones, and I thy news:

30

Nay, come, I pray thee, speak; good, good nurse, speak.

I would thou hadst my bones, and I thy news. Nay, come I pray thee speak, good, good nurse speak.

Iul. I would thou had'st my bones, and I thy newes:

Nay come I pray thee speake, good good Nurse speake.

420
 

Nurse (420)

notes...

Jesu, what haste? can you not staywait awhile?

Do you not see that I am out of breath?

Jesu, what haste? Can you not staywait awhile? Do you not see that I am out of breath?

Nur. Iesu what hast? can you not stay a while?

Do you not see that I am out of breath?

421
 

Juliet (421)

notes...

How art thou out of breath, when thou hast breath

To say to me that thou art out of breath?

The excuse that thou dost make in this delay

Is longer than the tale thou dost excuse.

Is thy news good or bad? answer to that;

Say either, and I'll stay the circumstance:

Let me be satisfied, is't good or bad?

How art thou out of breath, when thou hast breath to say to me that thou art out of breath? The excuse that thou dost make in this delay is longer than the tale thou dost excuse. Is thy news good or bad? Answer to that. Say either, and I'll stay the circumstance. Let me be satisfied, is't good or bad?

Iul. How art thou out of breath, when thou hast breth

To say to me, that thou art out of breath?

The excuse that thou dost make in this delay,

Is longer then the tale thou dost excuse.

Is thy newes good or bad? answere to that,

Say either, and Ile stay the circumstance:

Let me be satisfied, ist good or bad?

422
 

Nurse (422)

notes...
40

Well, you have made a simple choice; you know not

how to choose a man: Romeo! no, not he; though his

face be better than any man's, yet his leg excels

all men's; and for a hand, and a foot, and a body,

though they be not to be talked on, yet they are

past comparebetter than all others: he is not the flower of courtesy,

but, I'll warrantguarantee him, as gentle as a lamb. Go thy

ways, wench; serve God. What, have you dined at home?

Well, you have made a simple choice; you know not how to choose a man. Romeo! No, not he. Though his face be better than any man's, yet his leg excels all men's; and for a hand, and a foot, and a body, though they be not to be talked on, yet they are past comparebetter than all others, he is not the flower of courtesy, but, I'll warrantguarantee him, as gentle as a lamb. Go thy ways, wench. Serve God.

What, have you dined at home?

Nur. Well, you haue made a simple choice, you know

not how to chuse a man: Romeo, no not he though his face

be better then any mans, yet his legs excels all mens, and

for a hand, and a foote, and a body, though they be not to

be talkt on, yet they are past compare: he is not the flower

of curtesie, but Ile warrant him as gentle a Lambe: go thy

waies wench, serue God. What haue you din'd at home?

423
 

Juliet (423)

notes...

No, no: but all this did I know before.

What says he of our marriage? what of that?

No, no. But all this did I know before. What says he of our marriage? What of that?

Iul. No no: but all this did I know before

What saies he of our marriage? what of that?

424
 

Nurse (424)

notes...
50

Lord, how my head aches! what a head have I!

It beats as it would fall in twenty pieces.

My back o' t' other sideother hand -- O, my back, my back!

BeshrewDamn your heart for sending me about,

To catch my death with jaunting up and down!

Lord, how my head aches! What a head have I: it beats as it would fall in twenty pieces. My back o' t' other sideother hand -- O, my back, my back! BeshrewDamn your heart for sending me about to catch my death with jaunting up and down.

Nur. Lord how my head akes, what a head haue I?

It beates as it would fall in twenty peeces.

My backe a tother side: o my backe, my backe:

Beshrew your heart for sending me about

To catch my death with iaunting vp and downe.

425
 

Juliet (425)

notes...

I' faithTruly, I am sorry that thou art not well.

Sweet, sweet, sweet nurse, tell me what says my love?

I' faithTruly, I am sorry that thou art not well. Sweet, sweet, sweet nurse, tell me what says my love?

Iul. Ifaith: I am sorrie that thou art so well.

Sweet sweet, sweet Nurse, tell me what saies my Loue?

426
 

Nurse (426)

notes...

Your love says, like an honest gentleman, and a

courteous, and a kind, and a handsome, and, I

warrant, a virtuous: Where is your mother?

Your love says, like an honest gentleman, and a courteous, and a kind, and a handsome, and, I warrant, a virtuous.

Where is your mother?

Nur. Your Loue saies like an honest Gentleman,

And a courteous, and a kind, and a handsome,

And I warrant a vertuous: where is your Mother?

427
 

Juliet (427)

notes...
60

Where is my mother? Why, she is within;

Where should she be? How oddly thou repliest!

"Your love says, like an honest gentleman,

Where is your mother?"

Where is my mother? Why, she is within,

Where should she be? How oddly thou repliest!

"Your love says, like an honest gentleman,

Where is your mother?"

Iul. Where is my Mother?

Why she is within, where should she be?

How odly thou repli'st:

Your Loue saies like an honest Gentleman:

Where is your Mother?

428
 

Nurse (428)

notes...

O God's ladyBy the blessed Virgin dear!

Are you so hot? marry, come up, I trowknow;

The Nurse sees a medicated cloth on a table

Is this the poulticemedicated cloth for my aching bones?

Henceforward do your messages yourself.

O God's ladyBy the blessed Virgin dear!

Are you so hot? Marry, come up, I trowknow.

The Nurse sees a medicated cloth on a table

Is this the poulticemedicated cloth for my aching bones?

Henceforward do your messages yourself.

Nur. O Gods Lady deare,

Are you so hot? marrie come vp I trow,

Is this the Poultis for my aking bones?

Henceforward do your messages your selfe.

429
 

Juliet (429)

notes...

Here's such a coilconfusion! come, what says Romeo?

Here's such a coilconfusion! Come, what says Romeo?

Iul. Heere's such a coile, come what saies Romeo?

430
 

Nurse (430)

notes...

Have you got leave to go to shriftconfession today?

Have you got leave to go to shriftconfession today?

Nur. Haue you got leaue to go to shift to day?

431
 

Juliet (431)

notes...
70

I have.

I have.

Iul. I haue.

432
 

Nurse (432)

notes...

Then hie you hencego you there to Friar Laurence's cell;

There stays a husband to make you a wife:

Now comes the wantonlustful blood up in your cheeks,

They'll be in scarlet straightimmediately at any news.

HieHasten you to church; I mustmust go another way,

To fetch a ladder, by the which your love

Must climb a bird's nest soon whenas soon as it is dark:

I am the drudge and toil inservant who toils for your delight,

But you shall bear the burden soon at night.

80

Go; I'll to dinner: hie you to the cellFriar Laurence's small room.

Then hie you hencego you there to Friar Laurence's cell, there stays a husband to make you a wife. Now comes the wantonlustful blood up in your cheeks, they'll be in scarlet straightimmediately at any news. HieHasten you to church. I mustmust go another way to fetch a ladder, by the which your love must climb a bird's nest soon whenas soon as it is dark. I am the drudge and toil inservant who toils for your delight, but you shall bear the burden soon at night.

Go. I'll to dinner, hie you to the cellFriar Laurence's small room.

Nur. Then high you hence to Frier Lawrence Cell,

There staies a Husband to make you a wife:

Now comes the wanton bloud vp in your cheekes,

Thei'le be in Scarlet straight at any newes:

Hie you to Church, I must an other way,

To fetch a Ladder by the which your Loue

Must climde a birds nest Soone when it is darke:

I am the drudge, and toile in your delight:

But you shall beare the burthen soone at night.

Go Ile to dinner, hie you to the Cell.

433
 

Juliet (433)

notes...

Hie to high fortune! Honest nurse, farewell.

Exeunt

Hie to high fortune! Honest nurse, farewell.

Exeunt

Iul. Hie to high Fortune, honest Nurse, farewell.

Exeunt.

expandMe Act II. Scene VI. Friar Laurence's cell.

2 - 6:    Act II. Scene VI. Friar Laurence's cell.

Juliet joins Romeo at Friar Laurences's room and the good Friar leads them off to get married.

Enter Friar Laurence and Romeo

434
 

Friar Laurence (434)

notes...

So smile the heavensMay the heavens smile upon this holy actmarriage,

That after hoursin the future with sorrow chidescold us not!

So smile the heavensMay the heavens smile upon this holy actmarriage, that after hoursin the future with sorrow chidescold us not!

Enter Frier and Romeo.

Fri. So smile the heauens vpon this holy act,

That after houres, with sorrow chide vs not.

with sorrow chide us not, the heavens will not scold us in the future by bringing sorrow upon us

435
 

Romeo (435)

notes...

Amen, amenSo be it, so be it! but come what sorrow canwhatever sorrow may come,

It cannot countervailoutweigh the exchange of joy

That one short minute gives me in her sight:

Do thou but closeAll you have to do is join our hands with holy words,

Then love-devouring deathdeath that kills all love do what he dare;

It is enough I may but callThat I once called her mine.

Amen, amenSo be it, so be it, but come what sorrow canwhatever sorrow may come, it cannot countervailoutweigh the exchange of joy that one short minute gives me in her sight. Do thou but closeAll you have to do is join our hands with holy words, then love-devouring deathdeath that kills all love do what he dare, it is enough I may but callThat I once called her mine.

Rom. Amen, amen, but come what sorrow can,

It cannot counteruaile the exchange of ioy

That one short minute giues me in her sight:

Do thou but close our hands with holy words.

Then Loue-deuouring death do what he dare,

It is inough. I may call her mine.

exchange of joy, Exchange means the enjoyment of happiness in the present, which may have to be exchanged for sorrow hereafter. DeightonRJ

436
 

Friar Laurence (436)

notes...

These violentpassionate delights have violent ends

10

And in their triumphat their height die, like fire and powdergunpowder,

Which as they kiss consumeconsume themselves: the sweetest honey

Is loathsomedetestable in his own deliciousness

And in the taste confoundsdestroys the appetite:

Therefore love moderately; longlong lasting love doth so;

Too swift arrives as tardy as too slow.

Enter Juliet

Here comes the lady: Oh so light a foot

Will ne'er wear out the everlasting flint:

A lover may bestride the gossamerspider threads

That idleslays about in the wantonluxuriant summer air,

20

And yet not fall; so light is vanity.

These violentpassionate delights have violent ends and in their triumphat their height die, like fire and powdergunpowder, which as they kiss consumeconsume themselves. The sweetest honey is loathsomedetestable in his own deliciousness and in the taste confoundsdestroys the appetite. Therefore love moderately: longlong lasting love doth so. Too swift arrives as tardy as too slow.

Enter Juliet

Here comes the lady. Oh so light a foot will ne'er wear out the everlasting flint. A lover may bestride the gossamerspider threads that idleslays about in the wantonluxuriant summer air, and yet not fall, so light is vanity.

Fri. These violent delights haue violent endes,

And in their triumph: die like fire and powder;

Which as they kisse consume. The sweetest honey

Is loathsome in his owne deliciousnesse,

And in the taste confoundes the appetite.

Therefore Loue moderately, long Loue doth so,

Too swift arriues as tardie as too slow.

Enter Iuliet.

Here comes the Lady. Oh so light a foot

Will nere weare out the euerlasting flint,

A Louer may bestride the Gossamours,

That ydles in the wanton Summer ayre,

And yet not fall, so light is vanitie.

437
 

Juliet (437)

notes...

Good evenevening to my ghostlyspiritual confessor.

Good evenevening to my ghostlyspiritual confessor.

Iul. Good euen to my ghostly Confessor.

438
 

Friar Laurence (438)

notes...

Romeo shall thank thee, daughter, for us both.

Romeo shall thank thee, daughter, for us both.

Fri. Romeo shall thanke thee Daughter for vs both.

439
 

Juliet (439)

notes...

As muchThe same to him, else is his thanks too much.

As muchThe same to him, else is his thanks too much.

Iul. As much to him, else in his thanks too much.

440
 

Romeo (440)

notes...

Ah Juliet, if the measure of thy joy

Be heap'd like mine and that thy skill be more

To blazonAble to explain it, then sweeten with thy breath

This neighbour air, and let rich music's tongue

Unfold the imagined happiness that both

Receive in either by this dear encounter.

Ah Juliet, if the measure of thy joy be heap'd like mine and that thy skill be more to blazonable to explain it, then sweeten with thy breath this neighbour air, and let rich music's tongue unfold the imagined happiness that both receive in either by this dear encounter.

Fri. Ah Iuliet, if the measure of thy ioy

Be heapt like mine, and that thy skill be more

To blason it, then sweeten with thy breath

This neighbour ayre, and let rich musickes tongue,

Vnfold the imagin'd happinesse that both

Receiue in either, by this deere encounter.

441
 

Juliet (441)

notes...
30

Conceit, more rich in matter than in words,

Brags of his substance, not of ornament:

They are but beggars that can count their worth;

But my true love is grown to such excess

I cannot sum up sum of half my wealth.

Conceit, more rich in matter than in words, brags of his substance, not of ornament. They are but beggars that can count their worth. But my true love is grown to such excess I cannot sum up sum of half my wealth.

Iul. Conceit more rich in matter then in words,

Brags of his substance, not of Ornament:

They are but beggers that can count their worth,

But my true Loue is growne to such excesse,

I cannot sum vp some of halfe my wealth.

442
 

Friar Laurence (442)

notes...

Come, come with me, and we will make short work;

For by your leavespermission, you shall not stay alonebe left alone together

Till holy church incorporate twobring together two into in one.

Exeunt

Come, come with me, and we will make short work, for by your leavespermission, you shall not stay alonebe left alone together till holy church incorporate twobring together two into in one.

Exeunt

Fri. Come, come with me, & we will make short worke,

For by your leaues, you shall not stay alone,

Till holy Church incorporate two in one.

expandMe Act III

expandMe Act III. Scene I. A public place.

3 - 1:    Act III. Scene I. A public place.

Later that afternoon Tybalt meets Benvolio and Mercutio on a street and tries to find out where Romeo is. Romeo refuses to fight his new cousin by marriage but Mercutio does and is killed by Tybalt. Romeo kills Tybalt. The Prince of Verona enters, is really pissed and banishes Romeo from the Verona.

Enter Mercutio, Benvolio, Page, and Servants

443
 

Benvolio (443)

notes...

I pray thee good Mercutio let's retirego home:

The day is hot, the Capulets abroadare out and about town,

And if we meet, we shall not scapeescape a brawl;

For now these hot days, is the mad blood stirring.

I pray thee good Mercutio let's retirego home: the day is hot, the Capulets abroadare out and about town, and if we meet, we shall not scapeescape a brawl. For now these hot days, is the mad blood stirring.

Enter Mercutio, Benuolio, and men.

Ben. I pray thee good Mercutio lets retire,

The day is hot, the Capulets abroad:

And if we meet, we shal not scape a brawle, for now these

hot dayes, is the mad blood stirring.

444
 

Mercutio (444)

notes...

Thou art like one of those fellows that when he

enters the confines of a tavern claps meslaps his sword

upon the table and says "God send me no need of

thee!" and by the operation of the second cup

draws itdraws the sword on the drawerwaiter, when indeed there is no need.

Thou art like one of those fellows that when he enters the confines of a tavern claps meslaps his sword upon the table and says "God send me no need of thee!" and by the operation of the second cup draws itdraws the sword on the drawerwaiter, when indeed there is no need.

Mer. Thou art like one of these fellowes, that when he

enters the confines of a Tauerne, claps me his Sword vpon

the Table, and sayes, God send me no need of thee: and by

the operation of the second cup, drawes him on the Draw-

er, when indeed there is no need.

445
 

Benvolio (445)

notes...
10

Am I like such a fellow?

Am I like such a fellow?

Ben. Am I like such a Fellow?

446
 

Mercutio (446)

notes...

Come, come, thou art as hotpassionate a JackSilly fellow in thy mood as

any in Italy, and as soon moved to be moody, and as

soon moody to be movedmoved to action.

Come, come, thou art as hotpassionate a JackSilly fellow in thy mood as any in Italy, and as soon moved to be moody, and as soon moody to be movedmoved to action.

Mer. Come, come, thou art as hot a Iacke in thy mood,

as any in Italie: and assoone moued to be moodie, and as-

soone moodie to be mou'd.

Jack, A term of contempt for saucy and paltry, or silly fellows. KickAssGlossary

447
 

Benvolio (447)

notes...

And what to?

And what to?

Ben. And what too?

448
 

Mercutio (448)

notes...

Nay, anif there were two such, we should have none

shortly, for one would kill the other.

 

Thou! why, thou wilt quarrel with a man that hath a hair

more, or a hair less, in his beard, than thou hast.

20

 

Thou wilt quarrel with a man for cracking nuts, having

no other reason but because thou hast hazel eyes.

What eye but such an eye would spyseek out such a quarrel?

 

Thy head is as full of quarrels as an egg is full of

meat, and yet thy head hath been beaten as addlescrambled as

an egg for quarrelling.

 

Thou hast quarrelled with a man for coughing

30

in the street, because he hath wakened thy dog

that hath lain asleep in the sun.

 

Didst thou not fall out with a tailor for wearing

his new doublet before Easter?

 

With another, for tying his new shoes with old ribandsilk ribbon?

 

And yet thou wilt tutor me frominstruct me to stop quarrelling?

Nay, anif there were two such, we should have none shortly, for one would kill the other.

Thou, why, thou wilt quarrel with a man that hath a hair more, or a hair less, in his beard, than thou hast.

Thou wilt quarrel with a man for cracking nuts, having no other reason but because thou hast hazel eyes. What eye but such an eye would spyseek out such a quarrel?

Thy head is as full of quarrels as an egg is full of meat, and yet thy head hath been beaten as addlescrambled as an egg for quarrelling.

Thou hast quarrelled with a man for coughing in the street because he hath wakened thy dog that hath lain asleep in the sun.

Didst thou not fall out with a tailor for wearing his new doublet before Easter?

With another, for tying his new shoes with old ribandsilk ribbon?

And yet thou wilt tutor me frominstruct me to stop quarrelling?

Mer. Nay, and there were two such, we should haue

none shortly, for one would kill the other: thou, why thou

wilt quarrell with a man that hath a haire more, or a haire

lesse in his beard, then thou hast: thou wilt quarrell with a

man for cracking Nuts, hauing no other reason, but be-

cause thou hast hasell eyes: what eye, but such an eye,

would spie out such a quarrell? thy head is full of quar-

rels, as an egge is full of meat, and yet thy head hath bin

beaten as addle as an egge for quarreling: thou hast quar-rel'd

with a man for coffing in the street, because he hath

wakened thy Dog that hath laine asleepe in the Sun. Did'st

thou not fall out with a Tailor for wearing his new Doub-

let before Easter? with another, for tying his new shooes

with old Riband, and yet thou wilt Tutor me from quar-

relling?

Speech formatting. The modern version of this speech has been reformatted, namely breaking thoughts into separate lines, to make it more readable and easier to understand.

riband, a long and narrow web of silk, worn for ornament. KickAssGlossary

449
 

Benvolio (449)

notes...

And IIf I were so aptquick to quarrel as thou art, any man

40

should buy the fee-simpleabsolute ownership of my life for an hour and a quarter.

And IIf I were so aptquick to quarrel as thou art, any man should buy the fee-simpleabsolute ownership of my life for an hour and a quarter.

Ben. And I were so apt to quarell as thou art, any man

should buy the Fee-simple of my life, for an houre and a

quarter.

fee-simple, A piece of property that someone owns without any mortgage or any other claim to it. In other words the owner is free to sell or dispose of the property on their own.

450
 

Mercutio (450)

notes...

The fee-simple? O simple.

The fee-simple? O simple.

Mer. The Fee-simple? O simple.

451

Enter Tybalt and others.

 

Benvolio (451)

notes...

By my head, here come the Capulets.

By my head, here come the Capulets.

Enter Tybalt, Petruchio, and others.

Ben. By my head here comes the Capulets.

452
 

Mercutio (452)

notes...

By my heelWell, I care not.

By my heelWell, I care not.

Mer. By my heele I care not.

453
 

Tybalt (453)

notes...

Follow me close, for I will speak to them.

Gentlemen, good dengood afternoon: a word with one of you.

Follow me close, for I will speak to them. Gentlemen, good dengood afternoon. A word with one of you.

Tyb. Follow me close, for I will speake to them.

Gentlemen, Good den, a word with one of you.

454
 

Mercutio (454)

notes...

And but one word with one of us? couple it with

Addressing Mercutio and Benvolio

something; make it a word and a blowfight.

And but one word with one of us? Couple it with Addressing Mercutio and Benvolio something: make it a word and a blowfight.

Mer. And but one word with one of vs? couple it with

something, make it a word and a blow.

455
 

Tybalt (455)

notes...

You shall find me apt enough to that, sir, an youif you

will give me occasion.

You shall find me apt enough to that, sir, an youif you will give me occasion.

Tib. You shall find me apt inough to that sir, and you

will giue me occasion.

456
 

Mercutio (456)

notes...
50

Could you not take some occasion without giving?

Could you not take some occasion without giving?

Mercu. Could you not take some occasion without

giuing?

457
 

Tybalt (457)

notes...

Mercutio, thou consort'st withare a friend of Romeo

Mercutio, thou consort'st withare a friend of Romeo

Tib. Mercutio thou consort'st with Romeo.

458
 

Mercutio (458)

notes...

Mercutio quicly interrupts Tybalt

Consort? what, dost thou make us minstrels? an

thou make minstrels of us, look to hear nothing but

discords: here's my fiddlestick; here's that shall

make you dance. 'Zounds, consorta group of musicians!

Mercutio quicly interrupts Tybalt

Consort? What, dost thou make us minstrels? An thou make minstrels of us, look to hear nothing but discords: here's my fiddlestick; here's that shall make you dance. 'Zounds, consorta group of musicians!

Mer. Consort? what dost thou make vs Minstrels? &

thou make Minstrels of vs, looke to heare nothing but dis-

cords: heere's my fiddlesticke, heere's that shall make you

daunce. 'Zounds consort.

Consort, A company of musicians. Also means to keep company with. Another pun for Shakespeare

'Zounds, A corruption of "God's wounds," i.e. the wounds of Christ when crucified, often spelt 'sounds; so 'sblood for "God's blood," 'sbody for "God's body," etc. DeightonRJ

459
 

Benvolio (459)

notes...

We talkare talking here in the public haunt of menplace where many men gather:

Either withdraw unto some private place,

And reason coldly ofcalmly discuss your grievances,

Or else depart; here all eyes gaze on us.

We talkare talking here in the public haunt of menplace where many men gather. Either withdraw unto some private place, and reason coldly ofcalmly discuss your grievances, or else depart. Here all eyes gaze on us.

Ben. We talke here in the publike haunt of men,

Either withdraw vnto some priuate place,

Or reason coldly of your greeuances:

Or else depart, here all eies gaze on vs.

460
 

Mercutio (460)

notes...
60

Men's eyes were made to look, andso let them gaze;

I will not budge for nofor any man's pleasure, I.

Men's eyes were made to look, andso let them gaze. I will not budge for nofor any man's pleasure, I.

Mer. Mens eyes were made to looke, and let them gaze.

I will not budge for no mans pleasure I.

461

Enter Romeo

 

Tybalt (461)

notes...

Well peace be with you sir, here comes my manthe man I'm looking for.

Well peace be with you sir, here comes my manthe man I'm looking for.

Enter Romeo.

Tib. Well peace be with you sir, here comes my man.

462
 

Mercutio (462)

notes...

But I'll be hanged, sir, if he wear your liveryclothes in the style of your men:

Marry, go before to field, he'll be your follower;

Your worship in that sense may call him 'man.'

But I'll be hanged, sir, if he wear your liveryclothes in the style of your men. Marry, go before to field, he'll be your follower. Your worship in that sense may call him 'man.'

Mer. But Ile be hang'd sir if he weare your Liuery.

Marry go before to field, heele be your follower,

Your worship in that sense, may call him man.

463
 

Tybalt (463)

notes...

Romeo, the love I bear thee can afford

No better term than this: Thou art a villain.

Romeo, the love I bear thee can afford no better term than this: thou art a villain.

Tib. Romeo, the loue I beare thee, can affoord

No better terme then this: Thou art a Villaine.

hate / love, Some modern texts have the hate I bear and other the love I bear. This is because the first quarto uses hate while all the other quartos and folios have love. We stick with Q2 and the First Folio. DeightonRJ & KickAssGlossary

464
 

Romeo (464)

notes...

Tybalt, the reason that I have to love thee

Doth much excuse the appertaining ragerage attached

70

To such a greeting: villain am I none;

Therefore farewell, I see thou know'st me not.

Tybalt, the reason that I have to love thee doth much excuse the appertaining ragerage attached to such a greeting. Villain am I none. Therefore farewell, I see thou know'st me not.

Rom. Tibalt, the reason that I haue to loue thee,

Doth much excuse the appertaining rage

To such a greeting: Villaine am I none;

Therefore farewell, I see thou know'st me not.

465
 

Tybalt (465)

notes...

Boy, this shall not excuse the injuries

That thou hast done me; therefore turn and draw.

Boy, this shall not excuse the injuries that thou hast done me, therefore turn and draw.

Tib. Boy, this shall not excuse the iniuries

That thou hast done me, therefore turne and draw.

466
 

Romeo (466)

notes...

I do protest, I never injured thee,

But love thee better than thou canst deviseimagine,

TillUntil thou shalt know the reason of my love:

And so, good Capulet -- which name I tendercherish

As dearly as my own -- be satisfied.

I do protest, I never injured thee, but love thee better than thou canst deviseimagine, tilluntil thou shalt know the reason of my love. And so, good Capulet -- which name I tendercherish as dearly as my own -- be satisfied.

Rom. I do protest I neuer iniur'd thee,

But lou'd thee better then thou can'st deuise:

Till thou shalt know the reason of my loue,

And so good Capulet, which name I tender

As dearely as my owne, be satisfied.

467
 

Mercutio (467)

notes...

Talking to Romeo in disgust

O calm, dishonourable, vile submission!

80

Alla stoccataA thrust of the sword carries it awaywill end this.

Draws

Turns to Tybalt

Tybalt, you rat-catcher, will you walkwalk with me?

Talking to Romeo in disgust

O calm, dishonourable, vile submission! Alla stoccataA thrust of the sword carries it awaywill end this.

Draws

Turns to Tybalt

Tybalt, you rat-catcher, will you walkwalk with me?

Mer. O calme, dishonourable, vile submission:

Alla stucatho carries it away.

Tybalt, you Rat-catcher, will you walke?

Alla stoccata, An Italian term for a thrust or stab with a rapier. HudsonRJ

468
 

Tybalt (468)

notes...

What wouldst thou have withwant to do with me?

What wouldst thou have withwant to do with me?

Tib. What wouldst thou haue with me?

469
 

Mercutio (469)

notes...

Good king of cats, nothing but one of your nine

lives; that I mean to make bold withalto take the liberty of ending, and as you

shall use me hereafter, drybeatbeat up without drawing blood the rest of the

eight. Will you pluck your sword out of his pilcherits scabbard

by the ears? make haste, lest mine be aboutthrough your

ears ere it be out.

Good king of cats, nothing but one of your nine lives; that I mean to make bold withalto take the liberty of ending, and as you shall use me hereafter, drybeatbeat up without drawing blood the rest of the eight. Will you pluck your sword out of his pilcherits scabbard by the ears? Make haste, lest mine be aboutthrough your ears ere it be out.

Mer. Good King of Cats, nothing but one of your nine

liues, that I meane to make bold withall, and as you shall

vse me hereafter dry beate the rest of the eight. Will you

pluck your Sword out of his Pilcher by the eares? Make

hast, least mine be about your eares ere it be out.

king of cats. 'Tybert' (sometimes 'Tibert' and 'Tibalt') is the name given to a cat in the old story of Reynard the Fox and in other stories, "Tho' you were Tybert, the Iong-tail'd prince of cats." The name became a common one for cats. DeightonRJ HudsonRJ
In other scenes there are a number references to Tybalt as a cat, many of them used tauntingly.

470
 

Tybalt (470)

notes...

I am for you.

Drawing

I am for you.

Drawing

Tib. I am for you.

471
 

Romeo (471)

notes...
90

Gentle Mercutio, put thy rapier up.

Gentle Mercutio, put thy rapier up.

Rom. Gentle Mercutio, put thy Rapier vp.

472
 

Mercutio (472)

notes...

Ignoring Romeo

Come sir, your passadothrust your sword.

They fight

Ignoring Romeo

Come sir, your passadothrust your sword.

They fight

Mer. Come sir, your Passado.

473
 

Romeo (473)

notes...

Draw Benvolio; beat down their weaponsstop them from fighting.

Addressing Tybalt and Mercutio

Gentlemen, for shame, forbear this outrage!

Tybalt, Mercutio, the Prince expressly hath

Forbidden bandyingconfrontation and fighting in Verona streets:

Hold, Tybalt! good Mercutio!

Draw Benvolio, beat down their weaponsstop them from fighting. Addressing Tybalt and Mercutio Gentlemen, for shame, forbear this outrage! Tybalt, Mercutio, the Prince expressly hath forbidden bandyingconfrontation and fighting in Verona streets.

Hold, Tybalt, good Mercutio!

Rom. Draw Benuolio, beat downe their weapons:

Gentlemen, for shame forbeare this outrage,

Tibalt, Mercutio, the Prince expresly hath

Forbidden bandying in Verona streetes.

Hold Tybalt, good Mercutio.

Exit Tybalt.