Welcome!
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.
And now for KickAss Shakespeare's presentation of
The Tragedie of Romeo & Juliet
(Updated text and data: 1 October 2017)
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
Two households, both
(In fair Verona, where we lay our scene)
From ancient
Where civil blood makes civil hands unclean.
From forth the fatal loins of these two
A pair of
Whose
Do with their death bury their parents' strife.
The
And the continuance of their parents' rage,
Which,
Is now the two hours' traffic of our stage;
What
Two households, both
The
THE TRAGEDIE OF ROMEO and IVLIET
The Prologue.
[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
Act I
Act I. Scene I. Verona. A public place.
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
Gregory, o' my word, we'll not
Gregory, o' my word we'll not
Actus Primus. Scoena Prima.
Enter Sampson and Gregory, with Swords and Bucklers,
of the House of Capulet.
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.
No, for then we should be
No, for then we should be
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
I mean, if we be in
I mean, if we be in
Ay, while you live,
Ay, while you live,
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
I strike quickly, being
I strike quickly, being
But thou art not quickly moved to strike.
But thou art not quickly moved to strike.
aAnyss="l">A dog of the house of Montague
aAnyss="ml">A dog of the house of Montague
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.
Therefore, if thou art mou'd, thou runst away.
A dog of that house shall move me to stand: I will
10A dog of that house shall move me to stand. I will
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.
That shows thee a weak slave; for the weakest
to the wall.
That shows thee a weak slave, for the weakest
kest goes to the wall.
True; and therefore women, being the weaker vessels,
are ever
Montague's men from the wall, and thrust his maids
to the wall.
True, and therefore women -- being the weaker vessels --
are ever
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
The quarrel is between our masters and us,
The quarrel is between our masters and us,
'Tis all one, I will show myself a tyrant: when I
have fought with the men, I will be cruel with the
20maids, 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.
I haue fought with the men, I will bee ciuill with the
Maids, and cut off their heads.
The heads of the maids?
The heads of the maids?
Ay, the heads of the maids, or their
take it in what sense thou wilt.
Ay, the heads of the maids, or their
Take it in what sence thou wilt.
They must take it in
They must take it in
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.
And 'tis knowne I am a pretty peece of flesh.
'Tis well thou art not fish; if thou
two of the house of the Montagues.
'Tis well thou art not fish: if 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
My naked
Enter two other servants of the Capulet house.
My naked
Enter two other Seruingmen.
How?
How?
Fear me not.
Fear me not.
No,
No, marry, I fear 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!'
Let us take the law
Let us take the law
I will frown as I pass by, and let them take it as
they
I will frown as I pass by, and let them take it as
they
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.
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
Do you bite your thumb at us, sir?
Do you bite your thumb at us, 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.
I do bite my thumb, sir.
I do bite my thumb, sir.
Do you bite your thumb at us, sir?
Do you bite your thumb at us, sir?
[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?
No.
No.
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.
I bite my Thumbe sir.
Do you quarrel sir?
Do you quarrel sir?
Quarrel sir? no, sir.
Quarrel sir? No, sir.
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.
No better?
No better?
Well sir.
Well sir.
Enter Benvolio
Say 'better': here comes one of my master's kinsmen.
Say 'better', here comes one of my master's kinsmen.
Enter Benuolio.
Yes, better, sir.
Yes, better, sir.
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.
You lie.
You lie.
Draw if you be men. Gregory, remember thy
They fight
Draw if you be men.
Gregory, remember thy
They fight
washing blow.
They Fight.
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
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.
Enter Tybalt
What, art thou drawn among these
Turn thee, Benvolio, look upon thy death.
What, art thou drawn among these
Enter Tibalt.
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.
I do
Or manage it to part these men with me.
I do
Or manage it to part these men with me.
What
As I hate hell, all Montagues, and thee:
They fight
What
They fight
As I hate hell, all Mountagues, and thee:
Haue at thee Coward. Fight.
Enter, several men from both houses, who join the fray.
After them enter citizens, with clubs
Clubs,
Down with the Capulets! down with the Montagues!
Clubs,
Enter three or foure Citizens with cubs.
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.
Enter Capulet in his gown, and Lady Capulet
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.
A crutch, a crutch! why call you for a sword?
A crutch, a crutch! Why call you for a sword?
My sword, I say! Old Montague is come,
70And flourishes his blade
My sword, I say! Old Montague is come
and flourishes his blade
And flourishes his Blade in spight of me.
Enter Montague and Lady Montague
Thou villain Capulet.
Thou villain Capulet.
Enter old Mountague, & his wife.
Thou shalt not
Thou shalt not
Enter Prince, with attendants
Rebellious subjects, enemies to peace,
Will they not hear? What ho, you men, you beasts,
That
With purple fountains issuing from your veins,
On pain of torture, from those bloody hands
Throw your
And hear the sentence of your
Three
By thee old Capulet and Montague,
Have thrice disturb'd the quiet of our streets,
And made Verona's
To wield old
If ever you disturb our streets again,
Your lives shall pay the
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,
Once more, on pain of death, all men depart.
Exeunt all but Montague, Lady Montague, and Benvolio
Rebellious subjects, enemies to peace,
Three
If ever you disturb our streets again
your lives shall pay the
Once more, on pain of death, all men depart.
Exeunt all but Montague, Lady Montague, and Benvolio
Enter Prince Eskales, with his Traine.
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'.
Who set this ancient quarrel
Speak nephew, were you by, when it began?
Who set this ancient quarrel
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
Here were the servants of your
And yours close fighting
I
The fiery Tybalt, with his sword prepared,
Which, as he breathed defiance to my ears,
He
While we were interchanging thrusts and blows,
Came more and more
Till the Prince came, who
Here were the servants of your
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.
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.
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.
Madam, an hour before the
A troubled mind drove me to
Where, underneath the grove of sycamore
That westward
So early walking did I see your son:
Towards him I made, but he was
And stole into the
I, measuring his affections by my own,
Pursued my humour not pursuing his,
And gladly shunn'd who gladly fled from me.
Madam, an hour before the
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.
Many a morning hath he there been seen,
With
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
Away from the light steals home my heavy son,
And
Shuts up his windows, locks far daylight out
And makes himself an artificial night:
Black and
Unless good
Many a morning hath he there been seen
with
unless good
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.
My noble uncle, do you know the cause?
My noble uncle, do you know the cause?
I neither know it, nor can learn of him.
I neither know it, nor can learn of him.
Have you
Have you
Both by myself and many other friends:
But he,
But to himself so secret and so close,
So far from sounding and discovery,
As is the
Or dedicate his beauty to the sun.
Could we but learn from whence his sorrows grow,
Both by myself and many other friends.
But he,
Could we but learn from whence his sorrows grow,
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.
Enter Romeo
See,
I'll know
See,
Enter Romeo.
Ile know his greeuance, or be much denide.
I
To hear
Exeunt Montague and Lady Montague
I
Exeunt Montague and Lady Montague
To heare true shrift. Come Madam let's away.
Exeunt.
Good-
Good-
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.
Is the day so young?
Is the day so young?
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?
Was that my Father that went hence so fast?
It was. What sadness lengthens Romeo's hours?
It was. What sadness lengthens Romeo's hours?
Not having that, which, having, makes them short.
Not having that, which having, makes them short.
In love?
In love?
Out.
Out.
Of love?
Of love?
Out of her favour,
Out of her favour,
Alas, that love, so gentle in his view,
Should be so
Alas, that love, so gentle in his view,
should be so
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.
Alas, that love, whose view is
Should, without eyes, see
Where shall we dine?
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!
170O anything,
O heavy lightness! serious vanity!
Mis-shapen chaos of well-seeming forms!
Feather of lead, bright smoke, cold fire,
sick health!
This love
Alas, that love, whose view is
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
No
No
At thy good heart's
At thy good heart's
Why such is love's
Griefs of mine own lie heavy in my breast,
Which thou wilt
Doth add more grief to too much of mine own.
Love is
Being purged, a fire sparkling in lovers' eyes;
Being
What is it else? a madness most discreet,
190A choking
Farewell, my coz.
Why such is love's
Farewell, my coz.
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
Soft! I will go
An if you leave me so, you do me wrong.
Soft! I will go
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
This is not Romeo, he's
This is not Romeo, hee's some other where.
Tell me in
Tell me in
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
What,
What,
Groan! why, no.
But
Groan! Why, no.
But
Bid a sick man in sadness makes his will:
A word ill urged to one that is so ill!
In
Bid a sick man in sadness makes his will: a word ill urged to one that is so ill!
In
A word ill vrg'd to one that is so ill:
In sadnesse Cozin, I do loue a woman.
I aim'd so near, when I supposed you loved.
I aim'd so near, when I supposed you loved.
A right good
A right good
And
A
A
Well, in that hit you miss: she'll not be hit
With Cupid's arrow; she hath
And,
She will not
Nor bide the encounter of
Nor
O she is rich in beauty, only poor,
That when she dies,
Well, in that hit you miss: she'll not be hit
with Cupid's arrow. She hath
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
Then she hath sworn that she will
Then she hath sworn that she will
She hath, and in that
For beauty
Cuts beauty off from all posterity.
She is too fair, too wise, wisely too fair,
220To
She hath
Do I live dead that live to tell it now.
She hath, and in that
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.
Be
Be
O, teach me how I should forget to think.
O, teach me how I should forget to think.
By
Examine other beauties.
By
Examine other beauties,
These
Being black, put us in mind they hide
He that is strucken blind cannot forget
The precious treasure of his
Show me a mistress that is
What doth her beauty serve, but as a
Farewell: thou canst not teach me to forget.
Farewell: thou canst not teach me to forget.
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
I'll
Exeunt
I'll
Exeunt
Exeunt.
Act I. Scene II. A street.
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
But Montague is
In penalty alike; and 'tis not hard I think,
For men so old as we, to keep the peace.
But Montague is
Enter Capulet, Countie Paris, and the Clowne.
In penalty alike, and 'tis not hard I thinke,
For men so old as wee, to keepe the peace.
And pity 'tis you lived at odds so long.
But now, my lord, what say you to my
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.
My child is yet a stranger in the world;
She hath not seen the change of fourteen years,
10Let two more summers
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.
Younger than she are happy mothers made.
Younger than she are happy mothers made.
And too soon
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
Lies my consent and
This night I hold
Whereto I have invited many a guest,
One more, most welcome, makes my number more.
At my poor house look to behold this night
Such
When
Of limping winter treads, even such delight
Among fresh
And like her most
Which on more view, of many
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,
Exeunt Capulet and Paris
And too soon
This night I hold
Hear all, all see,
and like her most
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,
Exeunt Capulet and Paris
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
Find them out whose names are written here! It is
40written, that the shoemaker should
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
Find them out whose names are written here! It is
written, that the shoemaker should
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
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.
Enter Benvolio and Romeo
Tut, man, one fire burns out another's burning,
One pain is lessen'd by
One desperate grief cures with another's languish:
50Take thou some new infection to thy eye,
And the
Tut, man, one fire burns out another's burning;
one pain is lessen'd by
Take thou some new infection to thy eye,
And the
Enter Benuolio, and Romeo.
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.
plaintain-leaf. The leaf of this herb, or rather weed, was supposed to be good for fresh wounds and various other ailments.
For what I pray thee?
For what I pray thee?
For your broken shin.
For your broken shin.
Why Romeo art thou mad?
Why Romeo art thou mad?
Not mad, but
Shut up in prison, kept without my food,
Whipp'd and tormented and
Not mad, but
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
Ay, mine own
Ay, mine own
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?
But I pray can you read any thing you see?
Ay, if I know the letters and the language.
Ay, if I know the letters and the language.
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
Stay fellow, I can read.
Reads
Signior Martino and his wife and daughters;
the lady widow of Vitravio;
Signior Placentio and his lovely nieces;
70Mercutio 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:
Stay fellow, I can read.
Reads
Signior Martino and his wife and daughters;
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,
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
Up.
Up.
Whither? To supper?
Whither? To supper?
To our house.
To our house.
Whose house?
Whose house?
My master's.
My master's.
Indeed, I should have ask'd you that before.
Indeed, I should have ask'd you that before.
Now I'll tell you without asking: my master is the
of Montagues,
Exit
Now I'll tell you without asking. My master is the
Exit
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.
At this same
Sups the fair Rosaline, whom thou so lovest,
With all the
Go thither; and with
Compare her face with some that I shall show,
And I will make thee think thy swan
At this same
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
When the devout religion of mine eye
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
One fairer than my love, the all-seeing sun ne'er saw her match since first the world begun.
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.
Tut, you saw her fair,
Herself
But in
That I will show you shining at this feast,
And she shall
Tut, you saw her fair,
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.
I'll go along, no such sight to be shown,
But to rejoice
Exeunt
I'll go along, no such sight to be shown,
but to rejoice
Exeunt
But to reioyce in splendor of mine owne.
Act I. Scene III. A room in Capulet's house.
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
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.
Now, by my maidenhead, at twelve year old,
I bade her come.
Now,
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
Enter Juliet
Enter Iuliet.
Your mother.
Your mother.
Madam, I am here, what is your will?
Madam, I am here, what is your will?
This is the matter: Nurse,
We must talk in secret. Nurse come back again;
10Thou know'st my daughter's of a
This is the matter.
Nurse,
Nurse come back again:
Thou know'st my daughter's of a
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.
She's not fourteen.
She's not fourteen.
I'll
And yet, to my
I have but four, she is not fourteen.
How long is it now to Lammas-tide?
I'll
How long is it now to Lammas-tide?
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
Even or odd, of all days in the year,
20Come Lammas-eve at night shall she be fourteen.
Were
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
Sitting in the sun under the
My lord and you were then at Mantua --
Nay, I do
When
Of my dug and felt it bitter, pretty fool,
To see
And since that time it is eleven years;
For then she could stand alone; nay, by the
She could have run and waddled all about;
For even the day before, she
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
Wilt thou not,
The pretty wretch
To see, now, how a jest shall come about!
I warrant, an I should live a thousand years,
50I never should forget it: "Wilt thou not,
And, pretty
Even or odd, of all days in the year,
come Lammas-eve at night shall she be fourteen.
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
And since that time it is eleven years;
For then she could stand alone; nay, by the
I warrant, an I should live a thousand years,
I never should forget it: "Wilt thou not,
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.
Enough of this; I pray thee hold thy peace.
Enough of this. I pray thee hold thy peace.
Yes madam, yet I cannot choose but laugh,
To think it should
And yet I warrant it had upon its brow
A bump as big as a young
A
"Yea," quoth my husband, "fall'st upon thy face?
Thou wilt fall backward when thou comest to age;
60Wilt thou not,
Yes madam, yet I cannot choose but laugh
to think it should
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.
And
And
Peace, I have done.
Thou wast the prettiest babe that
And I might live to see thee married
Peace, I have done.
thou wast the prettiest Babe that ere I nurst, and I might
liue to see thee married once, I haue my wish.
I came to talk of. Tell me daughter Juliet,
How stands your
I came to talke of, tell me daughter Iuliet,
How stands your disposition to be Married?
It is an honour that I dream not of.
It is an honour that I dream not of.
An honour! were not I thine only nurse,
I would say thou hadst suck'd wisdom from
An honour! Were not I thine only nurse,
I would say thou hadst suck'd wisdom from
say thou had'st suckt wisedome from thy teat.
Well think of marriage now; younger than you,
Here in Verona, ladies of esteem,
Are
I was your mother
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
Thus then in brief: the valiant Paris seeks you for his love.
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
A man young lady! lady, such a man
As all the world. Why, he's a
A man young lady! Lady, such a man
as all the world. Why, he's a
the world. Why hee's a man of waxe.
a man of wax, Well made, as if he had heen modelled in wax.DeightonRJ
Verona's summer hath not such a
Verona's summer hath not such a
Nay, he's a flower;
Nay, he's a flower,
What say you, can you love the gentleman?
This night you shall behold him at our feast;
And find
Examine every
And see how
And what obscured in this fair volume lies
Find written in the
This precious book of love, this
To
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.
This precious book of love, this
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
No less! Nay, bigger: women
No less! Nay, bigger: women
No less! Nay, bigger: women grow by men, Snicker, snicker: the nurse is referring to a woman's pregnant belly.KAS
Speak briefly, can you
Speak briefly, can you
But no more deep will I
Than your consent gives strength to make
But no more deepe will I endart mine eye,
Then your consent giues strength to make flye.
Enter a Servant
Madam, the guests are come, supper served up, you
called, my young lady asked for, the nurse cursed in
the pantry, and every thing
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
Enter a Seruing man.
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
We follow thee.
Exit Servant
Juliet, the
We follow thee.
Exit Servant
Juliet, the
Go girl,
Exeunt
Go girl,
Exeunt
Exeunt.
Act I. Scene IV. A street.
Enter Romeo, Mercutio, Benvolio, with five or six Maskers, Torch-bearers, and others
What, shall this
Or shall we
What, shall this
Enter Romeo, Mercutio, Benuolio, with fiue or sixe
other Maskers, Torch-bearers.
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
We'll have no Cupid
Bearing a Tartar's painted bow
Scaring the ladies like a
We'll
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
Give me a torch: I am not for this
Being but
Give me a torch. I am not for this
Being but heauy I will beare the light.
Nay gentle Romeo, we must have you dance.
Nay gentle Romeo, we must have 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.
Not I believe me: you have dancing shoes
With nimble soles: I have a
Not I believe me. You have dancing shoes
with nimble soles -- I have a
With nimble soles, I haue a soale of Lead
So stakes me to the ground, I cannot moue.
You are a lover; borrow Cupid's wings,
And soar with them
You are a lover. Borrow Cupid's wings,
and soar with them
And soare with them aboue a common bound.
I am too
To soar with his light feathers, and so
I cannot
Under love's heavy burden do I sink.
I am too
To soare with his light feathers, and to bound:
I cannot bound a pitch aboue dull woe,
Vnder loues heauy burthen doe I sinke.
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.
Too great oppression for a tender thing.
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.
Too rude, too boysterous, and it pricks like thorne.
If love be rough with you, be rough with love;
Give me a
A visor for a visor! what care I
What curious eye
Here are
If love be rough with you, be rough with love.
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.
Come, knock and enter; and no sooner in,
But every man
Come, knock and enter; and no sooner in,
but every man
But euery man betake him to his legs.
A torch for me: let
Tickle the
For I am proverb'd with a grandsire phrase;
I'll be a candle-holder, and look on.
The game was ne'er
A torch for me. Let
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."
Tut, dun's the mouse, the constable's own word:
If thou art dun, we'll draw thee from the mire
40Of this sir-reverence love, wherein thou stick'st
Up to the ears. Come, we
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
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.
Nay, that's not so.
Nay, that's not so.
I mean sir,
We waste our lights in vain,
Take our good meaning, for our judgment sits
Five times
I mean sir,
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.
And we mean well in going to this
But 'tis
And we mean well in going to this
But 'tis no wit to go.
Why, may one ask?
Why, may one ask?
I dreampt a dream
I dreampt a dream
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.
And so did I.
And so did I.
Well what was yours?
Well what was yours?
That dreamers often lie.
That dreamers often lie.
In bed asleep while they do dream things true.
In bed asleep while they do dream things true.
O, then I see Queen Mab hath been with you.
She is the fairies' midwife, and she comes
In shape no bigger than an
On the fore-finger of an alderman,
Drawn with a team of little
Her wagon-spokes made of long spiders' legs,
The cover of the wings of grasshoppers,
The
The collars of the moonshine's watery beams,
Her whip of cricket's bone, the
Her wagoner a small grey-coated gnat,
Not so big as a round little worm
Prick'd from the
Her chariot is an empty hazel-nut
70Made by the
And
Through lovers' brains, and then they dream of love;
O'er courtiers' knees, that dream
O'er lawyers' fingers, who
O'er ladies ' lips, who
Which oft the angry Mab with blisters plagues,
Because their breaths with
Sometime she gallops o'er a courtier's nose,
80And then
And sometime comes she with a
Tickling a parson's nose as a' lies asleep,
Then dreams he, of
Sometime she driveth o'er a soldier's neck,
And then dreams he of cutting foreign throats,
Of
Of
Drums in his ear, at which he starts and wakes,
And being thus frighted
And sleeps again. This is that very Mab
That
And
Which once untangled,
This is the hag, when maids lie on their backs,
That presses them and
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
And
Sometime she gallops o'er a courtier's nose,
and then
This is that very Mab
that
This is she.
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
Thou talk'st
Thou talk'st of nothing.
True, I talk of dreams,
Which are the children of an idle brain,
Which is as thin of substance as the air
And more
Even now the frozen bosom of the north,
And, being anger'd,
Turning his face to the
True, I talk of dreams,
which are the children of an idle brain,
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.
This wind you talk of blows us from ourselves;
Supper is done, and we shall
This wind you talk of blows us from ourselves:
supper is done, and we shall
Supper is done, and we shall come too late.
I fear too early: for my mind
With this night's revels and
Of a
By some vile
But he that hath the steerage of my course,
Direct my sail! On lusty gentlemen.
I fear too early: for my mind
But he that hath the steerage of my course, direct my sail! On lusty gentlemen.
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.
Exeunt
Exeunt
They march about the Stage, and Seruingmen come forth
with their napkins.
Act I. Scene V. A hall in Capulet's house.
Musicians waiting. Enter Servingmen with napkins
Where's Potpan, that he
Where's Potpan, that he
Enter Seruant.
He shift a Trencher? he scrape a Trencher?
When good manners
hands and
When good manners
hands, and they vnwasht too, 'tis a foule thing.
Away with the
me a piece of
the porter let in Susan Grindstone and Nell,
Antony, and Potpan!
Away with the
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
Ay boy, ready.
Ay boy, ready.
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.
for, in the great Chamber.
We cannot be here and there too. Cheerly boys; be
brisk awhile, and the
We cannot be here and there too. Cheerly boys. Be
brisk awhile, and the
Be brisk awhile, and the longer liuer take all.
Exeunt.
Enter Capulet, with Juliet and others of his house, meeting the Guests and Maskers
Welcome gentlemen! Ladies that have their toes
Ah
Will
She, I'll swear, hath corns; am I come near ye now?
Welcome, gentlemen!
That I have worn a
A whispering tale in a fair lady's ear,
Such as would please:
You are welcome, gentlemen! come, musicians, play.
Music plays, and they dance
More light, you knaves; and
And quench the fire, the room is grown too hot.
Nay sit, nay sit, good cousin Capulet;
30For you and I are past our dancing days:
How long is't now since last yourself and I
Welcome gentlemen! Ladies that have their toes
Music plays, and they dance
More light, you knaves, and
Enter all the Guests and Gentlewomen to the
Maskers.
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
By'r lady, By our lady, i.e. the Virgm Mary, Mother of Christ; a common form of petty oath. DeightonRJ
What, man! 'tis not so much, 'tis not so much:
'Tis since the
Come pentecost as quickly as it will,
Some five and twenty years;
What, man! 'Tis not so much, 'tis not so much.
'Tis since the
'Tis since the Nuptiall of Lucentio,
Come Pentycost as quickely as it will,
Some fiue and twenty yeares, and then we Maskt.
'Tis more, 'tis more, his son is
His son is thirty.
'Tis more, 'tis more, his son is
His Sonne is thirty.
Will you tell me that?
His son was
Will you tell me that?
His son was
His Sonne was but a Ward two yeares agoe.
To a Servingman
What lady is that, which doth
Of yonder knight?
To a Servingman
What lady is that, which doth
Of yonder Knight?
I know not, sir.
I know not, sir.
O she doth
It seems she hangs upon the cheek of night
Like a rich jewel in
Beauty too rich for use, for earth too dear!
So shows a snowy dove
As yonder lady o'er
The
And touching hers, make blessed my rude hand.
Did my heart love till now?
For I ne'er saw true beauty till this night.
O she doth
Did my heart love till now?
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
This, by his voice, should be a Montague.
Fetch me my rapier, boy.
Come hither, cover'd with
To
Now by the stock and honour of my kin,
60To strike him dead, I hold it not a sin.
This, by his voice, should be a Montague.
Fetch me my rapier, boy.
Now by the stock and honour of my kin, to strike him dead, I hold it not a sin.
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.
Why how now kinsman!
Why how now kinsman,
Wherefore storme you so?
Uncle this is a Montague, our foe,
A villain that is hither come
To scorn at our
Uncle this is a Montague, our foe.
A villain that is hither come
A Villaine that is hither come in spight,
To scorne at our Solemnitie this night.
Young Romeo is it?
Young Romeo is it?
'Tis he, that villain Romeo.
'Tis he, that villain Romeo.
He bears
And to say truth,
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
Therefore be patient, take no note of him:
It is my will, the which if thou respect,
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
I'll not endure him.
Ile not endure him.
He shall be endured:
What goodman boy! I say, he shall: go to;
Am I the master here, or you?
You'll not endure him! God shall mend my soul!
You'll make a mutiny among my guests!
You will
He shall be endured.
Am I the master here, or you?
You'll not endure him? God shall mend my soul!
You'll make a mutiny among my guests!/p>
You will
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.
Why, uncle, 'tis a shame.
Why, uncle, 'tis a shame.
You are a
This trick may chance to
You must
Well said, my hearts! You are a
Be quiet, or--
I'll make you quiet. What, cheerly my
Go to, go to,
you are a
More light, more light! For shame!
I'll make you quiet.
What, cheerly my
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.
Makes my flesh tremble
I will
Exit
I will
Exit
Makes my flesh tremble in their different greeting:
I will withdraw, but this intrusion shall
Now seeming sweet, conuert to bitter gall.
Exit.
To Juliet
If I
This holy shrine, the
My lips, two blushing pilgrims, ready stand
100To
To Juliet
If I
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.
Good pilgrim, you
Which
For saints have hands that pilgrims' hands do touch,
And
Good pilgrim, you
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
Ay pilgrim, lips that they must use in prayer.
Ay pilgrim, lips that they must use in prayer.
O then dear saint, let lips do what hands do;
They pray,
O then dear saint, let lips do what hands do:
they pray,
They pray (grant thou) least faith turne to dispaire.
Saints do
Saints do
Though grant for prayers sake.
Then move not, while my prayer's
Thus from my lips,
Then move not, while my prayer's
Thus from my lips, by thine my sin is purg'd.
Then
Then
Sin from thy lips? O
Give me my sin again.
Sin from thy lips? O
Giue me my sin againe.
You kiss by the
You kiss by the
Madam, your mother craves a word with you.
Madam, your mother craves a word with you.
Her mother is the lady of the house,
120And a good lady, and a wise and
I nursed her daughter, that you
I tell you, he that can
Shall have the
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.
Is she a Capulet?
O
Is she a Capulet?
O deare account! My life is my foes debt.
Away, begone. The
Ay, so I fear;
Ay, so I fear.
Nay, gentlemen, prepare not to be gone;
We have a
Is it e'en so? why then I thank you
I thank you, honest gentlemen; good night.
More torches here! Come on then, let's to bed.
Ah, sirrah, by my
I'll to my rest.
Exeunt all but Juliet and Nurse
Nay, gentlemen, prepare not to be gone:
we have a
More torches here! Come on then, let's to bed.
Ah, sirrah, by my
Exeunt all but Juliet and Nurse
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
Come hither, nurse.
Come hither, nurse.
What is yond Gentleman:
Marry, that I think be young Petrucio.
Marry, that I think be young Petrucio.
I know not.
I know not.
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.
My graue is like to be my wedded bed.
His name is Romeo, and a Montague;
The only son of your great enemy.
His name is Romeo, and a Montague. The only son of your great enemy.
The onely Sonne of your great Enemie.
My only love sprung from my only hate!
That I must love a loathed enemy.
My only love sprung from my only hate!
That I must love a loathed enemy.
Too early seene, vnknowne, and knowne too late,
Prodigious birth of Loue it is to me,
That I must loue a loathed Enemie.
Of one I dan'st withall.
One cals within, Iuliet
One cals within, Iuliet.
I danced withal. "I danced with". Even Shakespeare dangled prepositions.
A call from within 'Juliet.'
Come, let's away; the strangers all are gone.
Exeunt
Exeunt
Come let's away, the strangers all are gone.
Exeunt.
Act II
Act II. Scene I. A lane by the wall of Capulet's orchard.
Enter Chorus
Now old
And young affection
That
With tender Juliet
Now Romeo is
But to
And she steal love's sweet bait from
Being
To
And she as much in love, her
To meet her new-beloved anywhere:
But passion lends them power,
Exit
Now old
And young affection
That
With tender Juliet
Now Romeo is
But to
And she steal love's sweet bait from
Being
To
And she as much in love, her
To meet her new-beloved anywhere:
But passion lends them power,
Exit
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.
Enter Romeo by himself
Can I go
Turn back dull
He climbs the wall of the Capulet compound and leaps down into the yard on the other side.
Can I go
He climbs the wall of the Capulet compound and leaps down into the yard on the other side.
Enter Romeo alone.
Turne backe dull earth, and find thy Center out.
Enter Benvolio and Mercutio
Romeo! my cousin Romeo! Romeo.
Romeo! Mmy cousin Romeo! Romeo.
Enter Benuolio, with Mercutio.
He is wise;
And on my life,
He is wise,
and on my life,
And on my life hath stolne him home to bed.
He ran this way and leap'd this orchard wall:
Call good Mercutio.
Nay, I'll
He ran this way and leap'd this orchard wall.
Call good Mercutio.
Nay, I'll
Call good Mercutio:
Nay, Ile coniure too.
Romeo! Humours! Madman! Passion! Lover!
Appear thou in the likeness of a sigh:
Speak but one rhyme, and I am
Cry but 'Ay me!' pronounce but 'love' and 'dove;'
Speak to my
One nick-name for her
Young Abraham Cupid, he that shot so true,
30When King Cophetua loved the beggar-maid!
He heareth not, he stirreth not, he moveth not;
The
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
That in thy likeness thou appear to us!
Romeo! Humours! Madman! Passion! Lover!
Appear thou in the likeness of a sigh.
Speak but one rhyme, and I am
He heareth not, he stirreth not, he moveth not:
the
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
And if he hear thee, thou wilt anger him.
And if he hear thee, thou wilt anger him.
This cannot anger him:
To raise a spirit in
Of some strange nature, letting it there stand
Till she had laid it and conjured it down;
That
My
I conjure only but to raise up him.
This cannot anger him.
My
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.
Come, he hath hid himself among these trees,
To
Blind is his love
Come, he hath hid himself among these trees,
to
To be consorted with the Humerous night:
Blind is his Loue, and best befits the darke.
If love be blind, love cannot hit the mark.
50Now 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
Romeo good night: I'll to my
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
Come, shall we go?
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)
Go then; for 'tis in vain
To seek him here
Exeunt
Go then, for 'tis in vain
to seek him here
Exeunt
That meanes not to be found.
Exeunt.
Act II. Scene II. Capulet's orchard.
Enter Romeo
He
Juliet appears at a window above Romeo
But
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
And none but fools do wear it; cast it off.
10It is my lady, O it is my love!
O
She speaks yet she says nothing: what of that?
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,
20As daylight doth a lamp; her eyes in heaven
Would through the
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
Juliet appears at a window above Romeo
But
Be not her maid, since she is envious,
her
It is my lady, O it is my love!
O
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
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
Ay me!
Ay me!
She speaks:
Oh speak again, bright angel! for thou art
As glorious to this night
As is
Of mortals that
When he bestrides the
And sails upon the bosom of the air.
She speaks.
Oh speak again, bright angel for thou art
as glorious to this night
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.
O Romeo, Romeo,
Deny thy father and refuse thy name;
Or if thou wilt not,
And I'll no longer be a Capulet.
O Romeo, 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.
Shall I hear more, or shall I speak at this?
Shall I hear more, or shall I speak at this?
'Tis but thy name that is my enemy;
Thou art thyself,
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
Retain that dear perfection which he
Without that title. Romeo,
Take
'Tis but thy name that is my enemy.
Thou art thyself,
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
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.
I take thee at thy word:
Call me but love, and I'll be new
Henceforth I never will be Romeo.
I take thee at thy word.
Call me but love, and I'll be new
Call me but Loue, and Ile be new baptiz'd,
Hence foorth I neuer will be Romeo.
What man art thou that thus
What man art thou that thus
So stumblest on my counsell?
By a name
I know not how to tell thee who I am:
My name dear saint, is hateful to myself,
60Because it is an enemy to thee;
Had I it written, I would tear
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
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.
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?
Of thy tongues vttering, yet I know the sound.
Art thou not Romeo, and a Montague?
Neither
Neither
How camest thou hither, tell me, and
The orchard walls are high and hard to climb,
And
If any of my kinsmen find thee here.
How camest thou hither, tell me, and
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,
With love's light wings did I
For stony
And what love can do that dares love attempt;
Therefore thy kinsmen are no
With love's light wings did I
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.
If they do see thee, they will murder thee.
If they do see thee, they will murder thee.
Than twenty of their swords: look thou but sweet,
And I am
Then twenty of their Swords, looke thou but sweete,
And I am proofe against their enmity.
I would not for the world they saw thee here.
I would not for the world they saw thee here.
I have night's cloak to hide me from their sight;
80And
My life were better ended by their hate,
Than
I have night's cloak to hide me from their sight.
And
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.
By whose direction found'st thou out this place?
By whose direction found'st thou out this place?
By love who first did prompt me to inquire;
He lent me counsel and I lent him eyes.
I am no
As that vast shore
I would adventure for such
By love, that first did prompt me to inquire.
He lent me counsel and I lent him eyes.
I am no
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.
Thou know'st the mask of night is on my face,
90For that which thou hast heard me speak tonight
What I have spoke: but farewell
Dost thou love me? I know thou wilt say 'Ay,'
And I will take thy word: yet if thou
Thou mayst prove false; at lovers'
They say,
If thou dost love, pronounce it faithfully:
Or if thou think'st I am too quickly won,
100I'll frown and be
So thou wilt woo; but else not for the world.
In truth
And therefore thou mayst think my
But trust me gentleman, I'll prove more true
Than those that have more
I should have been more
But that thou overheard'st,
My true love's passion: therefore pardon me,
And not
Which
Thou know'st the mask of night is on my face,
In truth
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
Lady, by yonder blessed moon I
That tips with
Lady, by yonder blessed moon I
That tips with siluer all these Fruite tree tops.
O swear not by the moon, the
That monthly changes in her circled orb,
O swear not by the moon, the
That monethly changes in her circled Orbe,
Least that thy Loue proue likewise variable.
What shall I swear by?
What shall I swear by?
Do not swear at all;
Or if thou wilt swear by thy
Which is the god
And I'll believe thee.
Do not swear at all.
Or if thou wilt swear by thy
Or if thou wilt sweare by thy gratious selfe,
Which is the God of my Idolatry,
And Ile beleeue thee.
If my heart's dear love.
If my heart's dear love.
Well do not swear: although I
I
It is too rash, too unadvised, too sudden;
Too like the lightning, which doth cease to be
This
May prove a beauteous flower when next we meet.
Good night, good night! as sweet repose and rest
130Come to thy heart as
Well do not swear: although I
Good night, good night, as sweet repose and rest
come to thy heart as
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.
O wilt thou leave me so unsatisfied?
O wilt thou leave me so unsatisfied?
What satisfaction can'st thou have tonight?
What satisfaction can'st thou have tonight?
The exchange of thy love's faithful vow for mine.
The exchange of thy love's faithful vow for mine.
I gave thee mine before thou didst request it:
And yet I
I gave thee mine before thou didst request it,
and yet I
And yet I would it were to giue againe.
Wouldst thou withdraw it? for what purpose, love?
Wouldst thou withdraw it? For what purpose, love?
For what purpose Loue?
But to be frank and give it thee again.
And yet I wish but for the thing I have:
My
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!
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
Nurse calls within
I hear some noise within. Dear love adieu!
Exit back into the her rooms
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.
O blessed, blessed night! I am afeard.
Being in night, all this is but a dream,
Too
O blessed, blessed night! I am afeard.
Being in night, all this is but a dream,
too
Being in night, all this is but a dreame,
Too flattering sweet to be substantiall.
Enter Juliet on a balcony above
Three words dear Romeo, and good night indeed.
If that thy
By one that I'll
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
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.
[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.]
I come, anon.--
I do beseech thee--
I come, anon. But if thou mean'st not well, I do beseech thee--
[See comment above]
[Within]
Madam!
[Within]
Madam!
[See comment above]
By and by I come
160To 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]
So
So
A thousand times good night!
Exit, above
A thousand times good night!
Exit, above
Exit.
A thousand times the worse
Love goes toward love, as schoolboys from
their books,
But love from love, toward school with heavy looks.
Retiring
A thousand times the worse
Retiring
Loue goes toward Loue as school-boyes fro[m] their books
But Loue fro[m] Loue, towards schoole with heauie lookes.
Juliet comes back out on the balcony
To lure
Else would I tear the cave where Echo lies,
And make her
With repetition of my Romeo's name.
Enter Iuliet againe.
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.
It is my soul that calls upon my name:
How silver-sweet sound lovers' tongues by night,
Like softest music to
It is my soul that calls upon my name.
How silver-sweet sound lovers' tongues by night,
like softest music to
How siluer sweet, sound Louers tongues by night,
Like softest Musicke to attending eares.
Romeo!
Romeo!
My dear?
My dear?
At what o'clock tomorrow
180Shall I send
At what o'clock tomorrow
shall I send
Shall I send to thee?
At the hour of nine.
At the hour of nine.
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.
I haue forgot why I did call thee backe.
Let me stand here till thou remember it.
Let me stand here till thou remember it.
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.
Remembring how I Loue thy company.
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.
Forgetting any other home but this.
'Tis almost morning; I would have thee gone:
190And yet no further than a
Who lets it hop a little from her hand,
Like a poor prisoner in his twisted
And with a silk thread plucks it back again,
So
'Tis almost morning, I would have thee gone.
And yet no further than a
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.
I would I were thy bird.
I would I were thy bird.
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!
Yet I should kill thee with much cherishing:
Good night, good night.
Parting is such sweet sorrow,
200That 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
That I shall say goodnight, till it be morrow.
Sleep dwell upon thine eyes, peace in thy breast!
Sleep dwell upon thine eyes, peace in thy breast!
Would I were sleep and peace, so sweet to rest!
Hence will I to my
His help to crave, and my
Exit
Would I were sleep and peace, so sweet to rest!
Hence will I to my
Exit
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.
Act II. Scene III. Friar Laurence's cell.
Enter Friar Laurence, with a basket
The
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,
The day to cheer and night's dank dew to dry,
I must
With
The earth that's nature's mother
What is her burying grave that is her womb,
And from her womb children of
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
For
But to the earth some special good doth give,
Nor aught so good but strain'd from that fair use
20Revolts from true birth, stumbling on abuse:
Virtue itself turns vice, being misapplied;
And vice sometimes by action dignified.
Within the infant
Poison hath residence and medicine power:
For this being smelt, with
Being tasted, slays all senses with the heart.
Two such opposed kings encamp them still
In man as well as herbs, grace and
And where the
Full soon the
CHECK CAREFULLY!! The
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,
the day to cheer and night's dank dew to dry,
I must
with
The earth that's nature's mother
What is her burying grave that is her womb,
and from her womb children of
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
for
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
poison hath residence and medicine power:
for this being smelt, with
being tasted, slays all senses with the heart.
Two such opposed kings encamp them still
in man as well as herbs, grace and
And where the
full soon the
Enter Frier alone with a basket.
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
Enter Romeo
Good morrow, father.
Good morrow, father.
What early
Young son, it argues a
So soon to
Care keeps his watch in every old man's eye,
And where care lodges, sleep will never lie;
But where
Doth couch his limbs, there golden sleep doth reign:
40Therefore thy earliness doth me assure
Thou art
Or if not so, then here I hit it right,
Our Romeo hath not been in bed tonight.
What early
Young son, it argues a
So soon to
Care keeps his watch in every old man's eye,
And where care lodges, sleep will never lie;
But where
Doth couch his limbs, there golden sleep doth reign:
Therefore thy earliness doth me assure
Thou art
Or if not so, then here I hit it right,
Our Romeo hath not been in bed tonight.
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
That last is true; the sweeter rest was mine.
That last is true; the sweeter rest was mine.
God pardon sin! wast thou with Rosaline?
God pardon sin! Wast thou with Rosaline?
With Rosaline, my
I have forgot that name, and that name's
With Rosaline, my
I have forgot that name, and that name's
I haue forgot that name, and that names woe.
That's my good son: but where hast thou been, then?
That's my good son. But where hast thou been, then?
I'll tell thee
I have been
Where
Within thy help and holy
I bear no hatred, blessed man, for, lo,
My intercession
I'll tell thee
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.
Be plain good son, and homely in thy
Be plain good son, and homely in thy
Ridling confession, findes but ridling shrift.
Then plainly know my heart's dear love is set
On the fair daughter of rich Capulet:
60As 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
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
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.
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.
70Hath 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:
80And art thou changed? pronounce this sentence then,
Women may
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.
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.
Thou
Thou
For
For
And
And
Not in a grave,
To lay one in,
Not in a grave,
to lay one in,
To lay one in, another out to haue.
I pray thee,
The other did not so.
I pray thee,
Doth grace for grace, and Loue for Loue allow:
The other did not so.
O she knew well
Thy love did read by rote and could not spell.
But come young waverer, come, go with me,
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,
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.
O let us
O let us
Wisely and slow; they stumble that run fast.
Exeunt
Wisely and slow; They stumble that run fast.
Exeunt
Exeunt.
Act II. Scene IV. A street.
Enter Benvolio and Mercutio
Where the devil should this Romeo be?
Came he not home
Where the devil should this Romeo be?
Came he not home
Enter Benuolio and Mercutio.
not home to night?
Not to his father's; I spoke with his
Not to his father's, I spoke with his
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.
torments him so, that he will sure run mad.
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.
ter to his Fathers house.
A
A
Romeo will answer it.
Romeo will answer it.
Any man that can write may answer a letter.
Any man that can write may answer a letter.
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.
dares, being dared.
Alas poor Romeo! he is already dead; stabbed with a
white wench's
love-song; the very pin of his heart,
encounter Tybalt?
Alas poor Romeo, he is already dead. Stabbed with a
white wench's
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?
Why, what is Tybalt?
Why, what is Tybalt?
More than Prince of cats, I can tell you. O, he is
20the courageous captain of compliments. He fights as
you sing
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
ah, the immortal
More than Prince of cats, I can tell you. O, he is
the courageous captain of compliments. He fights as
you sing
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.
The what?
The what?
a very good
whore!" Why is not this a lamentable thing,
grandsire, that we should be thus afflicted with
these
pardon-me's, who stand so much on the
that they cannot at ease on the old bench? O, their
bones, their bones!
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
Enter Romeo
Here comes Romeo here comes Romeo.
Here comes Romeo here comes Romeo.
Enter Romeo.
how art thou fishified! Now is he
that
kitchen-wench; marry, she had a better
Helen and Hero
eye or so, but not to the purpose. Signior
Romeo, bon jour! there's a French salutation
to your French slop. You
fairly last night.
You
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.
Good morrow to you both. What
Good morrow to you both. What
did I giue you?
The slip, sir, the slip; can you not
The slip, sir, the slip. Can you not
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
Pardon, good Mercutio, my business was great; and in
such a case as mine a man may
Pardon, good Mercutio, my business was great, and in
such a case as mine a man may
such a case as mine, a man may straine curtesie.
That's as much as to say, such a case as yours
constrains a man to bow
That's as much as to say, such a case as yours
constrains a man to bow
strains a man to bow in the hams.
Meaning, to court'sy.
Meaning, to court'sy.
Thou hast most
Thou hast most
A most courteous
A most courteous
Nay, I am the very pink of courtesy.
Nay, I am the very pink of courtesy.
Right.
Right.
Why then
Why then
Well said: follow me this jest now till thou hast
worn out thy pump, that when the single sole
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
worne out thy Pump, that when the single sole of it is
worne, the ieast may remaine after the wearing, sole-singular.
O
singleness.
O
Soly singular for the singlenesse.
Come between us good Benvolio; my wits
Come between us good Benvolio, my wits
Swits and spurs, or Ile crie a match.
Nay, if thy wits run the wild-goose chase, I have
done, for thou hast more of the wild-goose in one of
70thy 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?
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
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.
thou wast not there for the Goose.
I will bite thee by the ear for that jest.
I will bite thee by the ear for that jest.
Nay, good goose, bite not.
Nay, good goose, bite not.
Thy
sharp sauce.
Thy
It is a most sharpe sawce.
And is it not well served in to a sweet goose?
And is it not well served in to a sweet goose?
O here's a
inch
O here's a
an ynch narrow, to an ell broad.
I stretch it out for that word '
to the goose, proves thee far and wide, a
I stretch it out for that word '
to the Goose, proues thee farre and wide, abroad Goose.
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
that runs lolling up and down to hide his
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
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.
Stop there, stop there.
Stop there, stop there.
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.
Thou wouldst else have made thy tale large.
Thou wouldst else have made thy tale large.
O thou art
for I was come to the whole depth of my tale; and
meant, indeed, to
O thou art
or I was come to the whole depth of my tale, and meant
indeed to occupie the argument no longer.
Enter Nurse and Peter
Here's
A sail, a sail.
Here's
A sail, a sail.
Enter Nurse and her man.
A sayle, a sayle.
A sail, a sail, The exclamation of the lookout at sea when a strange vessel is seen approaching.
Two, two; a
Two, two; a
Peter!
Peter!
Anon!
Anon!
My fan Peter.
My fan Peter.
fan, a hand fan for cooling and also for hiding a woman's face
fairer face.
Good Peter to hide her face, for her fan's the fairer face.
For her Fans the fairer face?
God
God
God
God
Is it
Is it
'Tis no less, I tell you, for the
dial is now upon the
'Tis no less, I tell you, for the
Dyall is now vpon the pricke of Noone.
One, gentlewoman, that God hath made for himself to
One, gentlewoman, that God hath made for himself to
By my troth, it is well said; "for himself to
may find the young Romeo?
By my troth, it is well said; "for himself to
tha: Gentlemen, can any of you tel me where I may find
the young Romeo?
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
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
when you haue found him, then he was when you sought
him: I am the youngest of that name, for fault of a worse.
You say well.
You say well.
Yea, is the worst well? very well took, i' faith;
wisely, wisely.
Yea, is the worst well? Very well took, i' faith, wisely, wisely.
If you be he, sir, I desire some
you.
If you be he, sir, I desire some
I desire some confidence with you?
She will
She will
What hast thou found?
What hast thou found?
No
that is something stale and
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,
130When it hoars ere it be spent.
Romeo, will you come to your father's? we'll
No
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
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.
I will follow you.
I will follow you.
Farewell, ancient lady; farewell,
'lady, lady, lady.'
Exeunt Mercutio and Benvolio
Farewell, ancient lady, farewell, 'lady, lady, lady.'
Exeunt Mercutio and Benvolio
Exit Mercutio, Benuolio.
I pray you, sir, what saucy
that was so full of his
I pray you, sir, what saucy
that was so full of his roperie?
A gentleman, nurse, that loves to hear himself talk,
and will speak more in a minute than he will
in a month.
A gentleman, nurse, that loves to hear himself talk
and will speak more in a minute than he will
talke, and will speake more in a minute, then he will stand
to in a Moneth.
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.
none of his
too, and
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.
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.
I saw no man use you
should quickly have been out, I warrant you: I dare
draw as soon as another man, if I see occasion in a
150good quarrel, and the law on my side.
I saw no man use you
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.
Now,
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
160to any gentlewoman, and very
Now,
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.
Nurse, commend me to thy lady and mistress. I
Nurse, commend me to thy lady and mistress. I
protest vnto thee.
Lord, Lord, she will be a joyful woman.
Lord, Lord she will be a ioyfull woman.
What wilt thou tell her, nurse? thou dost not
What wilt thou tell her, nurse? Thou dost not
marke me?
I will tell her, sir, that you do
I take it, is a gentlemanlike offer.
I will tell her, sir, that you do
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).
Bid her devise
Some means to come to
And there she shall at Friar Laurence's cell
Bid her devise
some means to come to
Here is for thy pains.
And there she shall at Frier Lawrence Cell
Be shriu'd and married: here is for thy paines.
No truly sir; not a penny.
No truly sir, not a penny.
Go to. I say you shall.
This afternoon, sir? well, she shall be there.
This afternoon, sir? Well, she shall be there.
And stay, good nurse, behind the abbey wall:
Within this hour my man shall be with thee
And bring thee cords made like a
Which to the high
Farewell; be trusty, and I'll
Farewell;
And stay, good nurse, behind the abbey wall.
Within this hour my man shall be with thee
and bring thee cords made like a
Farewell.
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.
Now God in heaven bless thee!
Now God in heaven bless thee!
What say'st thou, my dear nurse?
What say'st thou, my dear nurse?
Is your man
Two may keep
Is your man
Two may keep
may keepe counsell putting one away.
I
I
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
lay knife aboard; but she, good soul, had as
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
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
rosemary and Romeo begin both with a letter?
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.
Ay, nurse; what of that? both with an R.
Ay, nurse; what of that? Both with an R.
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
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
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.
Commend me to thy lady.
Commend me to thy lady.
Ay, a thousand times.
Exit Romeo
Peter!
Ay, a thousand times.
Exit Romeo
Peter!
Anon!
Anon!
Exeunt
Exeunt
Exit Nurse and Peter.
Act II. Scene V. Capulet's orchard
Enter Juliet
The clock struck nine when I did send the nurse;
In half an hour she promised to return.
O, she is lame! love's heralds should be thoughts,
Which ten times faster glide than the sun's beams,
Driving back shadows over
Therefore do nimble-
And therefore hath the
Now is the sun upon the highmost hill
10Of 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
Unwieldy, slow, heavy and pale as lead.
Enter Nurse and Peter
O God, she comes!
O honey nurse, what news?
20Hast 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.
But old folks many
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.
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.
Peter, stay at the gate.
Exit Peter
Peter, stay at the gate.
Exit Peter
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.
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.
I am
I am
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
I would thou hadst my bones, and I thy news:
30Nay, 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.
Nay come I pray thee speake, good good Nurse speake.
Jesu, what haste? can you not
Do you not see that I am out of breath?
Jesu, what haste? Can you not
Do you not see that I am out of breath?
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?
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?
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
but, I'll
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
What, have you dined at home?
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?
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?
What saies he of our marriage? what of that?
Lord, how my head aches! what a head have I!
It beats as it would fall in twenty pieces.
My back o' t'
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'
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.
Sweet, sweet, sweet nurse, tell me what says my love?
Sweet sweet, sweet Nurse, tell me what saies my Loue?
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?
And a courteous, and a kind, and a handsome,
And I warrant a vertuous: 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?"
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?"
Why she is within, where should she be?
How odly thou repli'st:
Your Loue saies like an honest Gentleman:
Where is your Mother?
O
Are you so hot? marry, come up, I
Is this the
Henceforward do your messages yourself.
O
Are you so hot? Marry, come up, I
Is this the
Henceforward do your messages yourself.
Are you so hot? marrie come vp I trow,
Is this the Poultis for my aking bones?
Henceforward do your messages your selfe.
Here's such a
Here's such a
Have you got leave to go to
Have you got leave to go to
I have.
I have.
Then
There stays a husband to make you a wife:
Now comes the
They'll be in scarlet
To fetch a ladder, by the which your love
Must climb a bird's nest
I am the
But you shall bear the burden soon at night.
80Go; I'll to dinner: hie you to
Then
Go. I'll to dinner, hie you to
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.
Hie to high fortune! Honest nurse, farewell.
Exeunt
Hie to high fortune! Honest nurse, farewell.
Exeunt
Exeunt.
Act II. Scene VI. Friar Laurence's cell.
Enter Friar Laurence and Romeo
That
Enter Frier and Romeo.
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
It cannot
That one short minute gives me in her sight:
Then
It is enough
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
These
And
Which as they kiss
Is
And in the taste
Therefore love moderately;
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
That
And yet not fall; so light is vanity.
These
Enter Juliet
Here comes the lady. Oh so light a foot
will ne'er wear out the everlasting flint.
A lover may bestride the
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.
Good
Good
Romeo shall thank thee, daughter, for us both.
Romeo shall thank thee, daughter, for us both.
Ah Juliet, if the measure of thy joy
Be heap'd like mine and that thy skill be more
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
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.
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.
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.
Come, come with me, and we will make short work;
For by your
Till holy church
Exeunt
Come, come with me, and we will make short work,
for by your
Exeunt
For by your leaues, you shall not stay alone,
Till holy Church incorporate two in one.
Act III
Act III. Scene I. A public place.
Enter Mercutio, Benvolio, Page, and Servants
I pray thee good Mercutio let's
The day is hot, the Capulets
And if we meet, we shall not
For now these hot days, is the mad blood stirring.
I pray thee good Mercutio let's
Enter Mercutio, Benuolio, and men.
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.
Thou art like one of those fellows that when he
enters the confines of a tavern
upon the table and says "God send me no need of
thee!" and by the operation of the second cup
Thou art like one of those fellows that when he
enters the confines of a tavern
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.
Am I like such a fellow?
Am I like such a fellow?
Come, come, thou art as
any in Italy, and as soon moved to be moody, and as
soon moody to be
Come, come, thou art as
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
And what to?
And what to?
Nay,
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
Thy head is as full of quarrels as an egg is full of
meat, and yet thy head hath been beaten as
an egg for quarrelling.
Thou hast quarrelled with a man for coughing
30in 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
And yet thou wilt
Nay,
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
Thy head is as full of quarrels as an egg is full of
meat, and yet thy head hath been beaten as
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
And yet thou wilt
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
should buy the
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.
The fee-simple? O simple.
The fee-simple? O simple.
Enter Tybalt and others.
By my head, here come the Capulets.
By my head, here come the Capulets.
Enter Tybalt, Petruchio, and others.
Follow me close, for I will speak to them.
Gentlemen,
Follow me close, for I will speak to them.
Gentlemen,
Gentlemen, Good den, a word with one of you.
And but one word with one of us? couple it with
something; make it a word and a
And but one word with one of us? Couple it with
something, make it a word and a blow.
You shall find me apt enough to that, sir,
will give me occasion.
You shall find me apt enough to that, sir,
will giue me occasion.
Could you not take some occasion without giving?
Could you not take some occasion without giving?
giuing?
Mercutio, thou
Mercutio, thou
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,
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,
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
We
Either withdraw unto some private place,
And
Or else depart; here all eyes gaze on us.
We
Either withdraw vnto some priuate place,
Or reason coldly of your greeuances:
Or else depart, here all eies gaze on vs.
Men's eyes were made to look,
I will not budge
Men's eyes were made to look,
I will not budge for no mans pleasure I.
Enter Romeo
Well peace be with you sir, here comes
Well peace be with you sir, here comes
Enter Romeo.
But I'll be hanged, sir, if he wear
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
Marry go before to field, heele be your follower,
Your worship in that sense, may call him man.
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.
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
Tybalt, the reason that I have to love thee
Doth much excuse the
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
Doth much excuse the appertaining rage
To such a greeting: Villaine am I none;
Therefore farewell, I see thou know'st me not.
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.
That thou hast done me, therefore turne and draw.
I do protest, I never injured thee,
But love thee better than thou canst
And so, good Capulet -- which name I
As dearly as my own -- be satisfied.
I do protest, I never injured thee,
but love thee better than thou canst
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.
O calm, dishonourable, vile submission!
80Draws
Tybalt, you rat-catcher, will you
O calm, dishonourable, vile submission!
Draws
Tybalt, you rat-catcher, will you
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
What wouldst thou
What wouldst thou
Good king of cats, nothing but one of your nine
lives; that I mean to
shall use me hereafter,
eight. Will you pluck your sword out of
by the ears? make haste, lest mine be
ears ere it be out.
Good king of cats, nothing but one of your nine
lives; that I mean to
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.
I am for you.
Drawing
I am for you.
Drawing
Gentle Mercutio, put thy rapier up.
Gentle Mercutio, put thy rapier up.
Come sir, your
They fight
Come sir, your
They fight
Draw Benvolio;
Gentlemen, for shame, forbear this outrage!
Tybalt, Mercutio, the Prince expressly hath
Forbidden
Hold, Tybalt! good Mercutio!
Draw Benvolio,
Hold, Tybalt, good Mercutio!
Gentlemen, for shame forbeare this outrage,
Tibalt, Mercutio, the Prince expresly hath
Forbidden bandying in Verona streetes.
Hold Tybalt, good Mercutio.
Exit Tybalt.