Romeo and Juliet

No Fear Shakespeare Romeo and Juliet (by SparkNotes)
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Prologue
Enter CHORUS CHORUS Two households, both alike in dignity (In fair Verona, where we lay our scene), From ancient grudge break to new mutiny, Where civil blood makes civil hands unclean. 5 From forth the fatal loins of these two foes A pair of star-crossed lovers take their life, Whose misadventured piteous overthrows Doth with their death bury their parents' strife. The fearful passage of their death-marked love 10 And the continuance of their parents' rage, Which, but their childrens end, naught could remove, Is now the two hours' traffic of our stage The which, if you with patient ears attend, What here shall miss, our toil shall strive to mend. Exit The CHORUS enters. CHORUS In the beautiful city of Verona, where our story takes place, a long-standing hatred between two families erupts into new violence, and citizens stain their hands with the blood of their fellow citizens. Two unlucky children of these enemy families become lovers and commit suicide. Their unfortunate deaths put an end to their parents' feud. For the next two hours, we will watch the story of their doomed love and their parents' anger, which nothing but the childrens deaths could stop. If you listen to us patiently, well make up for everything weve left out in this prologue onstage. The CHORUS exits.
Act 1, Scene 1
Enter SAMPSON and GREGORY of the house of Capulet, with swords and bucklers SAMPSON Gregory, on my word, well not carry coals. GREGORY No, for then we should be colliers. SAMPSON I mean, an we be in choler, well draw. GREGORY Ay, while you live, draw your neck out of collar. SAMPSON 5 I strike quickly, being moved. GREGORY But thou art not quickly moved to strike. SAMPSON A dog of the house of Montague moves me. GREGORY To move is to stir, and to be valiant is to stand. Therefore if thou art moved thou runnst away. SAMPSON 10 A dog of that house shall move me to stand. I will take the wall of any man or maid of Montagues. SAMPSON and GREGORY, servants of the Capulet family, enter carrying swords and small shields. SAMPSON Gregory, I swear, we cant let them humiliate us. We wont take their garbage. GREGORY (teasing SAMPSON) No, because then wed be garbagemen. SAMPSON What I mean is, if they make us angry well pull out our swords. GREGORY Maybe you should focus on pulling yourself out of trouble, Sampson. SAMPSON I hit hard when Im angry. GREGORY But its hard to make you angry. SAMPSON One of those dogs from the Montague house can make me angry. GREGORY Angry enough to run away. You wont stand and fight. SAMPSON A dog from that house will make me angry enough to take a stand. If I pass one of them on the street, Ill take the side closer to the wall and let him walk in the gutter.
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Act 1, Scene 1, Page 2

GREGORY That shows thee a weak slave, for the weakest goes to the wall. SAMPSON 'Tis true, and therefore women, being the weaker vessels, are ever thrust to the wall. Therefore I will push Montagues men from the wall, and thrust his maids to the wall. GREGORY The quarrel is between our masters and us their men. SAMPSON 'Tis all one. I will show myself a tyrant. When I have fought with the men, I will be civil with the maids. I will cut off their heads. GREGORY The heads of the maids? SAMPSON Ay, the heads of the maids, or their maidenheads. Take it in what sense thou wilt. GREGORY 25 They must take it in sense that feel it. SAMPSON Me they shall feel while I am able to stand, and tis known I am a pretty piece of flesh. GREGORY 'Tis well thou art not fish. If thou hadst, thou hadst been poor-john. Enter ABRAM and another SERVINGMAN Draw thy tool! Here comes of the house of Montagues. SAMPSON 30 My naked weapon is out. Quarrel! I will back thee. GREGORY That means youre the weak one, because weaklings get pushed up against the wall. SAMPSON Youre right. Thats why girls get pushed up against wallstheyre weak. So what Ill do is push the Montague men into the street and the Montague women up against the wall. GREGORY The fight is between our masters, and we men who work for them. SAMPSON Its all the same. Ill be a harsh master to them. After I fight the men, Ill be nice to the womenIll cut off their heads. GREGORY Cut off their heads? You mean theirmaidenheads? SAMPSON Cut off their heads, take their maidenheads whatever. Take my remark in whichever sense you like. GREGORY The women you rape are the ones wholl have to sense it. SAMPSON Theyll feel me as long as I can keep an erection. Everybody knows Im a nice piece of flesh. GREGORY Its a good thing youre not a piece of fish. Youredried and shriveled like salted fish. ABRAM and another servant of the Montagues enter. Pull out your tool now. These guys are from the house of Montague. SAMPSON I have my naked sword out. Fight, Ill back you up.

GREGORY How? Turn thy back and run? SAMPSON Fear me not. GREGORY No, marry. I fear thee. SAMPSON Let us take the law of our sides. Let them begin. GREGORY How will you back me upby turning your back and running away? SAMPSON Dont worry about me. GREGORY No, really. I am worried about you! SAMPSON Lets not break the law by starting a fight. Let
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GREGORY 35 I will frown as I pass by, and let them take it as they list. SAMPSON Nay, as they dare. I will bite my thumb at them, which is a disgrace to them, if they bear it. (bites his thumb)
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them start something. GREGORY Ill frown at them as they pass by, and they can react however they want. SAMPSON You mean however they dare. Ill bite my thumb at them. Thats an insult, and if they let me get away with it theyll be dishonored. (SAMPSONbites his thumb) ABRAM Hey, are you biting your thumb at us? SAMPSON Im biting my thumb. ABRAM Are you biting your thumb at us? SAMPSON (aside to GREGORY) Is the law on our side if I say yes? GREGORY (aside to SAMPSON) No. SAMPSON (to ABRAM) No, sir, Im not biting my thumb at you, but I am biting my thumb. GREGORY Are you trying to start a fight? ABRAM Start a fight? No, sir.
ABRAM Do you bite your thumb at us, sir? SAMPSON I do bite my thumb, sir. ABRAM Do you bite your thumb at us, sir? SAMPSON 40 (aside to GREGORY) Is the law of our side if I say ay? GREGORY (aside to SAMPSON) No. SAMPSON No, sir. I do not bite my thumb at you, sir, but I bite my thumb, sir. GREGORY 45 Do you quarrel, sir? ABRAM Quarrel, sir? No, sir.

SAMPSON But if you do, sir, I am for you. I serve as good a man as you. ABRAM No better. SAMPSON Well, sir. Enter BENVOLIO GREGORY 50 (aside to SAMPSON) Say better. Here comes one of my masters kinsmen. SAMPSON (to ABRAM) Yes, better, sir. ABRAM You lie. SAMPSON Draw, if you be men.Gregory, remember thy washing blow. They fight SAMPSON If you want to fight, Im your man. My employer is as good as yours. ABRAM But hes not better than mine. SAMPSON Well then. BENVOLIO enters. GREGORY (speaking so that only SAMPSON can hear) Say better. Here comes one of my employers relatives. SAMPSON (to ABRAM) Yes, better, sir. ABRAM You lie. SAMPSON Pull out your swords, if youre men. Gregory, remember how to slash. They fight.
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BENVOLIO (draws his sword) Part, fools! 55 Put up your swords. You know not what you do. Enter TYBALT TYBALT What, art thou drawn among these heartless hinds? Turn thee, Benvolio. Look upon thy death.
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BENVOLIO (pulling out his sword) Break it up, you fools. Put your swords away. You dont know what youre doing. TYBALT enters. TYBALT What? Youve pulled out your sword to fight with these worthless servants? Turn around, Benvolio, and look at the man whos going to kill you.

BENVOLIO I do but keep the peace. Put up thy sword, Or manage it to part these men with me. TYBALT 60 What, drawn, and talk of peace? I hate the word, As I hate hell, all Montagues, and thee. Have at thee, coward! They fight Enter three or four CITIZENS, with clubs or partisans CITIZENS Clubs, bills, and partisans! Strike! Beat them down! Down with the Capulets! Down with the Montagues! Enter old CAPULET in his gown, and his wife, LADY CAPULET CAPULET 65 What noise is this? Give me my long sword, ho! LADY CAPULET A crutch, a crutch! Why call you for a sword? Enter old MONTAGUE and his wife, LADY MONTAGUE CAPULET My sword, I say! Old Montague is come, And flourishes his blade in spite of me. MONTAGUE Thou villain Capulet! Hold me not. Let me go. LADY MONTAGUE 70 Thou shalt not stir one foot to seek a foe. BENVOLIO Im only trying to keep the peace. Either put away your sword or use it to help me stop this fight. TYBALT What? You take out your sword and then talk about peace? I hate the word peace like I hate hell, all Montagues, and you. Lets go at it, coward! BENVOLIO and TYBALT fight. Three or fourCITIZENS of the watch enter with clubs and spears. CITIZENS Use your clubs and spears! Hit them! Beat them down! Down with the Capulets! Down with the Montagues! CAPULET enters in his gown, together with his wife, LADY CAPULET. CAPULET Whats this noise? Give me my long sword! Come on! LADY CAPULET A crutch, you need a crutchwhy are you asking for a sword? MONTAGUE enters with his sword drawn,together with his wife, LADY MONTAGUE. CAPULET I want my sword. Old Montague is here, and hes waving his sword around just to make me mad. MONTAGUE Capulet, you villain! (his wife holds him back)Dont stop me. Let me go. LADY MONTAGUE Youre not taking one step toward an enemy.

Enter PRINCE ESCALUS, with his train PRINCE Rebellious subjects, enemies to peace, Profaners of this neighbor-staind steel! PRINCE ESCALUS enters with his escort. PRINCE (shouting at the rioters) You rebels! Enemies of the peace! Men who turn their weapons against
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Will they not hear?What, ho! You men, you beasts, That quench the fire of your pernicious rage With purple fountains issuing from your veins, On pain of torture, from those bloody hands Throw your mistempered weapons to the ground, And hear the sentence of your movd prince. Three civil brawls, bred of an airy word, By thee, old Capulet, and Montague, Have thrice disturbed the quiet of our streets And made Veronas ancient citizens Cast by their grave-beseeming ornaments, To wield old partisans in hands as old, Cankered with peace, to part your cankered hate. If ever you disturb our streets again, Your lives shall pay the forfeit of the peace. For this time, all the rest depart away. You, Capulet, shall go along with me, And, Montague, come you this afternoon To know our farther pleasure in this case, To old Free-town, our common judgment-place. Once more, on pain of death, all men depart. Exeunt all but MONTAGUE, LADY MONTAGUE, and BENVOLIO MONTAGUE Who set this ancient quarrel new abroach? 95 Speak, nephew. Were you by when it began?
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their own neighborsThey wont listen to me? You there! You men, you beasts, who satisfy your anger with fountains of each others' blood! Ill have you tortured if you dont put down your swords and listen to your angry prince.(MONTAGUE, CAPULET, and their followers throw down their weapons) Three times now riots have broken out in this city, all because of a casual word from you, old Capulet and Montague. Three times the peace has been disturbed in our streets, and Veronas old citizens have had to take off their dress clothes and pick up rusty old spears to part you. If you ever cause a disturbance on our streets again, youll pay for it with your lives. Everyone else, go away for now. (to CAPULET) You, Capulet, come with me. (to MONTAGUE) Montague, this afternoon come to old Free-town, the court where I deliver judgments, and Ill tell you what else I want from you. As for the rest of you, Ill say this once more: go away or be put to death. Everyone exits except MONTAGUE, LADY MONTAGUE, and BENVOLIO. MONTAGUE Who started this old fight up again? Speak, nephew. Were you here when it started?
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BENVOLIO Here were the servants of your adversary, And yours, close fighting ere I did approach. I drew to part them. In the instant came The fiery Tybalt, with his sword prepared, 100 Which, as he breathed defiance to my ears, He swung about his head and cut the winds, Who, nothing hurt withal, hissed him in scorn. While we were interchanging thrusts and blows, Came more and more and fought on part and part, 105 Till the Prince came, who parted either part. LADY MONTAGUE Oh, where is Romeo? Saw you him today? Right glad I am he was not at this fray. BENVOLIO Madam, an hour before the worshipped sun Peered forth the golden window of the east, 110 A troubled mind drove me to walk abroad, Where, underneath the grove of sycamore That westward rooteth from this city side, So early walking did I see your son. Towards him I made, but he was 'ware of me 115 And stole into the covert of the wood. I, measuring his affections by my own, Which then most sought where most might not be found, BENVOLIO Your servants were fighting your enemys servants before I got here. I drew my sword to part them. Right then, that hothead Tybalt showed up with his sword ready. He taunted me and waved his sword around, making the air hiss. As we were trading blows, more and more people showed up to join the fight, until the Prince came and broke everyone up.
LADY MONTAGUE Oh, wheres Romeo? Have you seen him today? Im glad he wasnt here for this fight. BENVOLIO Madam, I had a lot on my mind an hour before dawn this morning, so I went for a walk. Underneath the Sycamore grove that grows on the west side of the city, I saw your son taking an early-morning walk. I headed toward him, but he saw me coming and hid in the woods. I thought he must be feeling the same way I waswanting to be alone and tired of his own company. I figured he was avoiding me, and I was perfectly happy to leave him alone and keep to myself.
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Being one too many by my weary self, 120 Pursued my humor not pursuing his, And gladly shunned who gladly fled from me. MONTAGUE Many a morning hath he there been seen, With tears augmenting the fresh mornings dew, Adding to clouds more clouds with his deep sighs. But all so soon as the all-cheering sun 125 Should in the farthest east begin to draw The shady curtains from Auroras bed, Away from light steals home my heavy son,
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MONTAGUE Hes been seen there many mornings, crying tears that add drops to the morning dew and making a cloudy day cloudier with his sighs. But as soon as the sun rises in the east, my sad son comes home to escape the light.

And private in his chamber pens himself, Shuts up his windows, locks fair daylight out, 130 And makes himself an artificial night. Black and portentous must this humor prove Unless good counsel may the cause remove. BENVOLIO My noble uncle, do you know the cause? MONTAGUE I neither know it nor can learn of him. BENVOLIO 135 Have you importuned him by any means? MONTAGUE Both by myself and many other friends. But he, his own affections' counselor, Is to himselfI will not say how true, But to himself so secret and so close, 140 So far from sounding and discovery, As is the bud bit with an envious worm, Ere he can spread his sweet leaves to the air, Or dedicate his beauty to the same. Could we but learn from whence his sorrows grow. 145 We would as willingly give cure as know. Enter ROMEO BENVOLIO See, where he comes. So please you, step aside. Ill know his grievance or be much denied. MONTAGUE I would thou wert so happy by thy stay To hear true shrift.Come, madam, lets away. Exeunt MONTAGUE and LADY MONTAGUE He locks himself up alone in his bedroom, shuts his windows to keep out the beautiful daylight, and makes himself an artificial night. This mood of his is going to bring bad news, unless someone smart can fix whats bothering him. BENVOLIO My noble uncle, do you know why he acts this way? MONTAGUE I dont know, and he wont tell me. BENVOLIO Have you done everything you could to make him tell you the reason? MONTAGUE Ive tried, and many of our friends have tried to make him talk, but he keeps his thoughts to himself. He doesnt want any friend but himself, and though I dont know whether hes a goodfriend to himself, he certainly keeps his own secrets. Hes like a flower bud that wont open itself up to the world because its been poisoned from within by parasites. If we could only find out why hes sad, wed be as eager to help him as we were to learn the reason for his sadness. ROMEO enters. BENVOLIO Lookhere he comes. If you dont mind, please step aside. Hell either have to tell me whats wrong or else tell me no over and over. MONTAGUE I hope youre lucky enough to hear the true story by sticking around. (to his wife) Come, madam, lets go. MONTAGUE and LADY MONTAGUE exit.

BENVOLIO BENVOLIO
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150 Good morrow, cousin. ROMEO Is the day so young? BENVOLIO But new struck nine. ROMEO Ay me! Sad hours seem long. Was that my father that went hence so fast? BENVOLIO It was. What sadness lengthens Romeos hours? ROMEO Not having that which, having, makes them short. BENVOLIO 155 In love? ROMEO Out. BENVOLIO Of love? ROMEO Out of her favor, where I am in love. BENVOLIO Alas, that love, so gentle in his view, 160 Should be so tyrannous and rough in proof! ROMEO Alas, that love, whose view is muffled still, Should, without eyes, see pathways to his will! Where shall we dine?O me! What fray was here? Yet tell me not, for I have heard it all. 165 Heres much to do with hate but more with love. Why then, O brawling love, O loving hate, O anything of nothing first created! O heavy lightness, serious vanity, Misshapen chaos of well-seeming forms! 170 Feather of lead, bright smoke, cold fire, sick health, Still-waking sleep, that is not what it is! This love feel I, that feel no love in this. Dost thou not laugh?
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Good morning, cousin. ROMEO Is it that early in the day? BENVOLIO Its only just now nine o'clock. ROMEO Oh my, time goes by slowly when youre sad. Was that my father who left here in such a hurry? BENVOLIO It was. Whats making you so sad and your hours so long? ROMEO I dont have the thing that makes time fly. BENVOLIO Youre in love? ROMEO Out. BENVOLIO Out of love? ROMEO I love someone. She doesnt love me. BENVOLIO Its sad. Love looks like a nice thing, but its actually very rough when you experience it. ROMEO Whats sad is that love is supposed to be blind, but it can still make you do whatever it wants. So, where should we eat? (seeing blood) Oh my! What fight happened here? No, dont tell meI know all about it. This fight has a lot to do with hatred, but it has more to do with love. O brawling love! O loving hate! Love that comes from nothing! Sad happiness! Serious foolishness! Beautiful things muddled together into an ugly mess! Love is heavy and light, bright and dark, hot and cold, sick and healthy, asleep and awakeits everything except what it is! This is the love I feel, though no one loves me back. Are you laughing?

BENVOLIO No, coz, I rather weep. ROMEO Good heart, at what? BENVOLIO 175 At thy good hearts oppression. ROMEO Why, such is loves transgression. Griefs of mine own lie heavy in my breast, Which thou wilt propagate, to have it pressed BENVOLIO No, cousin, Im crying. ROMEO Good man, why are you crying? BENVOLIO Im crying because of how sad you are. ROMEO Yes, this is what love does. My sadness sits heavy in my chest, and you want to add your own sadness to mine so theres even more. I
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With more of thine. This love that thou hast shown 180 Doth add more grief to too much of mine own. Love is a smoke raised with the fume of sighs; Being purged, a fire sparkling in lovers' eyes; Being vexed, a sea nourished with loving tears. What is it else? A madness most discreet, 185 A choking gall, and a preserving sweet. Farewell, my coz. BENVOLIO Soft! I will go along. And if you leave me so, you do me wrong. ROMEO Tut, I have lost myself. I am not here. This is not Romeo. Hes some other where. BENVOLIO 190 Tell me in sadness, who is that you love. ROMEO What, shall I groan and tell thee? BENVOLIO Groan! Why, no. But sadly, tell me who.
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have too much sadness already, and now youre going to make me sadder by feeling sorry for you. Heres what love is: a smoke made out of lovers' sighs. When the smoke clears, love is a fire burning in your lovers eyes. If you frustrate love, you get an ocean made out of lovers' tears. What else is love? Its a wise form of madness. Its a sweet lozenge that you choke on. Goodbye, cousin. BENVOLIO Wait. Ill come with you. If you leave me like this, youre doing me wrong. ROMEO Im not myself. Im not here. This isnt Romeo hes somewhere else. BENVOLIO Tell me seriously, who is the one you love? ROMEO Seriously? You mean I should groan and tell you? BENVOLIO Groan? No. But tell me seriously who it is.

ROMEO A sick man in sadness makes his will, A word ill urged to one that is so ill. 195 In sadness, cousin, I do love a woman. BENVOLIO I aimed so near when I supposed you loved. ROMEO A right good markman! And shes fair I love. BENVOLIO A right fair mark, fair coz, is soonest hit. ROMEO Well, in that hit you miss. Shell not be hit 200 With Cupids arrow. She hath Dians wit. And, in strong proof of chastity well armed From loves weak childish bow, she lives uncharmed. She will not stay the siege of loving terms, 205 Nor bide th' encounter of assailing eyes, Nor ope her lap to saint-seducing gold. Oh, she is rich in beauty, only poor That when she dies, with beauty dies her store. BENVOLIO Then she hath sworn that she will still live chaste? ROMEO She hath, and in that sparing makes huge waste, ROMEO You wouldnt tell a sick man he seriously has to make his willit would just make him worse. Seriously, cousin, I love a woman. BENVOLIO I guessed that already when I guessed you were in love. ROMEO Then you were right on target. The woman I love is beautiful. BENVOLIO A beautiful target is the one that gets hit the fastest. ROMEO Well, youre not on target there. She refuses to be hit by Cupids arrow. Shes as clever as Diana, and shielded by the armor of chastity. She cant be touched by the weak and childish arrows of love. She wont listen to words of love, or let you look at her with loving eyes, or open her lap to receive gifts of gold. Shes rich in beauty, but shes also poor, because when she dies her beauty will be destroyed with her. BENVOLIO So shes made a vow to be a virgin forever? ROMEO Yes she has, and by keeping celibate, she
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210 For beauty, starved with her severity, Cuts beauty off from all posterity. She is too fair, too wise, wisely too fair, To merit bliss by making me despair. She hath forsworn to love, and in that vow 215 Do I live dead that live to tell it now. BENVOLIO Be ruled by me. Forget to think of her. ROMEO O, teach me how I should forget to think!
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wastes her beauty. If you starve yourself of sex you cant ever have children, and so your beauty is lost to future generations. Shes too beautiful and too wise to deserve heavens blessing by making me despair. Shes sworn off love, and that promise has left me alive but dead, living only to talk about it now. BENVOLIO Take my advice. Dont think about her. ROMEO Teach me to forget to think!

BENVOLIO By giving liberty unto thine eyes. Examine other beauties. ROMEO 'Tis the way 220 To call hers exquisite, in question more. These happy masks that kiss fair ladies' brows, Being black, puts us in mind they hide the fair. He that is strucken blind cannot forget The precious treasure of his eyesight lost. 225 Show me a mistress that is passing fair; What doth her beauty serve but as a note Where I may read who passed that passing fair? Farewell. Thou canst not teach me to forget. BENVOLIO Ill pay that doctrine or else die in debt. Exeunt BENVOLIO Do it by letting your eyes wander freely. Look at other beautiful girls. ROMEO That will only make me think more about how beautiful she is. Beautiful women like to wear black masks over their facesthose black masks only make us think about how beautiful they are underneath. A man who goes blind cant forget the precious eyesight he lost. Show me a really beautiful girl. Her beauty is like a note telling me where I can see someone even more beautiful. Goodbye. You cant teach me to forget. BENVOLIO Ill show you how to forget, or else Ill die owing you that lesson. They exit.
Act 1, Scene 2
Enter CAPULET, County PARIS, and PETER, a servant CAPULET But Montague is bound as well as I, In penalty alike. And tis not hard, I think, For men so old as we to keep the peace. PARIS Of honorable reckoning are you both. 5 And pity tis you lived at odds so long. But now, my lord, what say you to my suit? CAPULET But saying o'er what I have said before. My child is yet a stranger in the world. She hath not seen the change of fourteen years. 10 Let two more summers wither in their pride Ere we may think her ripe to be a bride. PARIS CAPULET enters with County PARIS, followed by PETER, a servant. CAPULET (continuing a conversation) But Montague has sworn an oath just like I have, and hes under the same penalty. I dont think it will be hard for men as old as we are to keep the peace. PARIS You both have honorable reputations, and its too bad youve been enemies for so long. But what do you say to my request? CAPULET I can only repeat what Ive said before. My daughter is still very young. Shes not even fourteen years old. Lets wait two more summers before we start thinking shes ready to get married. PARIS
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Younger than she are happy mothers made. CAPULET And too soon marred are those so early made. Earth hath swallowed all my hopes but she. 15 Shes the hopeful lady of my earth. But woo her, gentle Paris, get her heart. My will to her consent is but a part. An she agreed within her scope of choice, Lies my consent and fair according voice. 20 This night I hold an old accustomed feast, Whereto I have invited many a guest Such as I love. And you among the store, One more, most welcome, makes my number more. At my poor house look to behold this night 25 Earth-treading stars that make dark heaven light.
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Girls younger than she often marry and become happy mothers. CAPULET Girls who marry so young grow up too soon. But go ahead and charm her, gentle Paris; make her love you. My permission is only part of her decision. If she agrees to marry you, my blessing and fair words will confirm her choice. Tonight Im having a feast that weve celebrated for many years. Ive invited many of my closest friends, and Id like to welcome you and add you to the guest list. At my humble house tonight, you can expect to see dazzling stars that walk on the ground and light the sky from below.

Such comfort as do lusty young men feel When well-appareled April on the heel Of limping winter treads. Even such delight Among fresh fennel buds shall you this night 30 Inherit at my house. Hear all, all see, And like her most whose merit most shall be Which on more view of many, mine, being one, May stand in number, though in reckoning none, Come, go with me. 35 (to PETER, giving him a paper) Go, sirrah, trudge about Through fair Verona. Find those persons out Whose names are written there, and to them say My house and welcome on their pleasure stay. Exeunt CAPULET and PARIS PETER Find them out whose names are written here? It is written, that the shoemaker should meddle with his yard and the tailor with his last, the fisher with his pencil and the painter with his nets. But I am sent to find those persons whose names are here writ, and can never find what names the writing person hath here writ. I must to the learned in good time! Youll be delighted by young women as fresh as spring flowers. Look at anyone you like, and choose whatever woman seems best to you. Once you see a lot of girls, you might not think my daughters the best anymore. Come along with me.
(to PETER, handing him a paper) Go, little fellow, walk all around Verona. Find the people on this list and tell them theyre welcome at my house tonight. CAPULET and PARIS exit. PETER Find the people whose names are on this list? It is written that shoemakers and tailors should play with each others' tools, that fisherman should play with paints, and painters should play with with fishing nets. But Ive been sent to find the people whose names are written on this list, and I cant read! Ill never find them on my own. Ive got to find somebody who knows how to read to help me. But here come some people, right in the nick of time. BENVOLIO and ROMEO enter BENVOLIO (to ROMEO) Come on, man. You can put out one fire by starting another. A new pain will make the one you already have seem less. If you make yourself dizzy, you can cure yourself by spinning back around in the opposite direction. A new grief will put the old one out of your mind. Make yourself lovesick by gazing at some new girl, and
Enter BENVOLIO and ROMEO BENVOLIO 45 Tut man, one fire burns out anothers burning. One pain is lessened by anothers anguish. Turn giddy, and be helped by backward turning. One desperate grief cures with anothers languish. Take thou some new infection to thy eye, 50 And the rank poison of the old will die.
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your old lovesickness will be cured.

ROMEO Your plantain leaf is excellent for that. BENVOLIO For what, I pray thee? ROMEO For your broken shin. BENVOLIO Why Romeo, art thou mad? ROMEO 55 Not mad, but bound more than a madman is, Shut up in prison, kept without my food, Whipped and tormented andGood e'en, good fellow. PETER God 'i' good e'en. I pray, sir, can you read? ROMEO Ay, mine own fortune in my misery. PETER 60 Perhaps you have learned it without book. But I pray, can you read anything you see? ROMEO Ay, if I know the letters and the language. PETER Ye say honestly. Rest you merry. ROMEO Stay, fellow. I can read. (he reads the letter) 65 Seigneur Martino and his wife and daughters; County Anselme and his beauteous sisters; The lady widow of Vitruvio; Seigneur Placentio and his lovely nieces; Mercutio and his brother Valentine; 70 Mine uncle Capulet, his wife and daughters; My fair niece Rosaline and Livia; ROMEO The plantain leaf is excellent for that. BENVOLIO For what, Romeo? ROMEO For when you cut your shin. BENVOLIO What? Romeo, are you crazy? ROMEO Im not crazy, but Im tied up tighter than a mental patient in a straitjacket. Im locked up in a prison and deprived of food. Im whipped and tortured (to PETER) Good evening, good fellow. PETER May God give you a good evening. Excuse me, sir, do you know how to read? ROMEO I can read my own fortune in my misery. PETER Perhaps youve learned from life and not from books. But please tell me, can you read anything you see? ROMEO Yes, if I know the language and the letters. PETER I see. Well, thats an honest answer. Have a nice day. ROMEO Stay, fellow. I can read. (he reads the letter) Signor Martino and his wife and daughters, Count Anselme and his beautiful sisters, Vitruvios widow, Signor Placentio and his lovely nieces, Mercutio and his brother Valentine, My uncle Capulet and his wife and daughters, My fair niece Rosaline and Livia,

Seigneur Valentio and his cousin Tybalt; Lucio and the lively Helena. A fair assembly. Whither should they come? PETER 75 Up. ROMEO Whither? To supper? PETER Signor Valentio and his cousin Tybalt, Lucio and the lively Helena. Thats a nice group of people. Where are they supposed to come? PETER Up. ROMEO Where? To supper? PETER
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To our house. ROMEO Whose house? PETER My masters. ROMEO 80 Indeed, I should have asked thee that before. PETER Now Ill tell you without asking. My master is the great rich Capulet, and if you be not of the house of Montagues, I pray come and crush a cup of wine. Rest you merry! Exit PETER BENVOLIO At this same ancient feast of Capulets 85 Sups the fair Rosaline whom thou so loves With all the admired beauties of Verona. Go thither, and with unattainted eye Compare her face with some that I shall show, And I will make thee think thy swan a crow. ROMEO 90 When the devout religion of mine eye Maintains such falsehood, then turn tears to fires, And these, who, often drowned, could never die, Transparent heretics, be burnt for liars! One fairer than my love? The all-seeing sun 95 Ne'er saw her match since first the world begun. To our house. ROMEO Whose house?
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PETER My masters house. ROMEO Indeed, I should have asked you before who he was. PETER Now Ill tell you so you dont have to ask. My master is the great and rich Capulet, and if you dont belong to the house of Montague, please come and drink a cup of wine. Have a nice day! PETER exits. BENVOLIO The beautiful Rosaline whom you love so much will be at Capulets traditional feast, along with every beautiful woman in Verona. Go there and compare her objectively to some other girls Ill show you. The woman who you think is as beautiful as a swan is going to look as ugly as a crow to you. ROMEO If my eyes ever lie to me like that, let my tears turn into flames and burn them for being such obvious liars! A woman more beautiful than the one I love? The sun itself has never seen anyone as beautiful since the world began.

BENVOLIO Tut, you saw her fair, none else being by, Herself poised with herself in either eye. But in that crystal scales let there be weighed Your ladys love against some other maid 100 That I will show you shining at the feast, And she shall scant show well that now shows best. ROMEO Ill go along, no such sight to be shown, But to rejoice in splendor of mine own. Exeunt BENVOLIO Come on, you first decided she was beautiful when no one else was around. There was no one to compare her to except herself. But let your eyes compare her to another beautiful woman who Ill show you at this feast, and you wont think shes the best anymore. ROMEO Ill go with you. Not because I think youll show me anything better, but so I can see the woman I love. They exit.
Act 1, Scene 3
Enter LADY CAPULET and NURSE LADY CAPULET Nurse, wheres my daughter? Call her forth to me. NURSE LADY CAPULET and the NURSE enter. LADY CAPULET Nurse, wheres my daughter? Tell her to come to me. NURSE
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Now, by my maidenhead at twelve year old I bade her come. What, lamb! What, ladybird! God forbid! Wheres this girl? What, Juliet! Enter JULIET JULIET 5 How now, who calls? NURSE Your mother. JULIET Madam, I am here. What is your will? LADY CAPULET This is the matter.Nurse, give leave awhile, We must talk in secret.Nurse, come back again. 10 I have remembered me. Thous hear our counsel. Thou knowst my daughters of a pretty age. NURSE Faith, I can tell her age unto an hour. LADY CAPULET Shes not fourteen. NURSE Ill lay fourteen of my teethand yet, to my teen be it spoken, I have but fourshe is not fourteen. How long is it now to Lammastide? LADY CAPULET A fortnight and odd days.
Modern Text
I swear to you by my virginity at age twelve, I already told her to come. Come on! Where is she? What is she doing? What, Juliet! JULIET enters. JULIET What is it? Whos calling me? NURSE Your mother. JULIET Madam, Im here. What do you want? LADY CAPULET Ill tell you whats the matterNurse, leave us alone for a little while. We must talk privately Nurse, come back here. I just remembered, you can listen to our secrets. You know how young my daughter is. NURSE Yes, I know her age down to the hour. LADY CAPULET Shes not even fourteen. NURSE Id bet fourteen of my own teethbut, Im sorry to say, I only have four teethshes not fourteen. How long is it until Lammastide? LADY CAPULET Two weeks and a few odd days.

NURSE Even or odd, of all days in the year, Come Lammas Eve at night shall she be fourteen. Susan and sheGod rest all Christian souls! Were of an age. Well, Susan is with God. She was too good for me. But, as I said, On Lammas Eve at night shall she be fourteen. That shall she. Marry, I remember it well. 'Tis since the earthquake now eleven years, And she was weanedI never shall forget it Of all the days of the year, upon that day. For I had then laid wormwood to my dug, Sitting in the sun under the dovehouse wall. My lord and you were then at Mantua. Nay, I do bear a brain.But, as I said, When it did taste the wormwood on the nipple Of my dug and felt it bitter, pretty fool, To see it tetchy and fall out with the dug! Shake! quoth the dovehouse. 'Twas no need, I trow, To bid me trudge. And since that time it is eleven years, For then she could stand alone. Nay, by the rood, She could have run and waddled all about, For even the day before, she broke her brow. NURSE Whether its even or odd, of all the days in the year, on the night of Lammas Eve, shell be fourteen. She and SusanGod rest her and all Christian soulswere born on the same day. Well, Susan died and is with God. She was too good for me. But like I said, on the night of Lammas Eve, she will be fourteen. Yes, she will. Indeed, I remember it well. Its been eleven years since the earthquake. She stopped nursing from my breast on that very day. Ill never forget it. I had put bitter wormwood on my breast as I was sitting in the sun, under the wall of the dovehouse. You and your husband were in Mantua. Boy, do I have some memory! But like I said, when she tasted the bitter wormwood on my nipple, the pretty little babe got irritated and started to quarrel with my breast. Then the dovehouse shook with the earthquake. There was no need to tell me to get out of there. That was eleven years ago. By then she could stand up all by herself. No, I swear, by that time she could run and waddle all around. I remember because she had cut her forehead just the day before. My
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And then my husbandGod be with his soul! He was a merry mantook up the child. Yea, quoth he, Dost thou fall upon thy face? Thou wilt fall backward when thou hast more wit, 45 Wilt thou not, Jule? and, by my holy dame, The pretty wretch left crying and said ay. To see now, how a jest shall come about! I warrant, an I should live a thousand years, I never should forget it. Wilt thou not, Jule? quoth 50 he. And, pretty fool, it stinted and said ay. LADY CAPULET Enough of this. I pray thee, hold thy peace.
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husbandGod rest his soul, he was a happy manpicked up the child. Oh, he said, Did you fall on your face? Youll fall backwardwhen you grow smarter. Wont you, Jule. And I swear, the poor pretty thing stopped crying and said, Yes. Oh, to watch a joke come true! I bet if I live a thousand years, Ill never forget it. Wont you, Jule, he said. And the pretty fool stopped crying and said, Yes.
LADY CAPULET Enough of this. Please be quiet.

NURSE Yes, madam. Yet I cannot choose but laugh To think it should leave crying and say ay. And yet, I warrant, it had upon its brow 55 A bump as big as a young cockerels stone, A perilous knock, and it cried bitterly. Yea, quoth my husband, Fallst upon thy face? Thou wilt fall backward when thou comest to age. Wilt thou not, Jule? It stinted and said ay. JULIET 60 And stint thou too, I pray thee, Nurse, say I. NURSE Peace, I have done. God mark thee to his grace! Thou wast the prettiest babe that e'er I nursed. An I might live to see thee married once, I have my wish. LADY CAPULET 65 Marry, that marry is the very theme I came to talk of. Tell me, daughter Juliet, How stands your disposition to be married? JULIET It is an honor that I dream not of. NURSE An honor! Were not I thine only nurse, 70 I would say thou hadst sucked wisdom from thy teat. LADY CAPULET Well, think of marriage now. Younger than you Here in Verona, ladies of esteem Are made already mothers. By my count, I was your mother much upon these years 75 That you are now a maid. Thus then in brief: The valiant Paris seeks you for his love. NURSE A man, young lady! Lady, such a man As all the world. Why, hes a man of wax. NURSE Yes ,madam. But I cant help laughing to think that the baby stopped crying and said, Yes. I swear, she had a bump on her forehead as big as a roosters testicle. It was a painful bruise, and she was crying bitterly. Yes, said my husband, Did you fall on your face? Youll fall backward when you grow up, wont you, Jule? And she stopped crying and said, Yes. JULIET Now you stop too, Nurse, please. NURSE Peace. Im done talking. May God choose you to receive his grace. You were the prettiest baby I ever nursed. If I live to see you get married someday, all my wishes will come true. LADY CAPULET Well, marriage is exactly what we have to discuss. Tell me, my daughter Juliet, what is your attitude about getting married? JULIET It is an honor that I do not dream of. NURSE An honor? If I werent your only nurse, Id say you had sucked wisdom from the breast that fed you. LADY CAPULET Well, start thinking about marriage now. Here in Verona there are girls younger than yougirls from noble familieswho have already become mothers. By my count, I was already your mother at just about your age, while you remain a virgin. Well then, Ill say this quickly: the valiant Paris wants you as his bride. NURSE What a man, young lady. Hes as great a man as any in the whole world. Hes as perfect as if he
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were sculpted from wax.

LADY CAPULET Veronas summer hath not such a flower. NURSE 80 Nay, hes a flower. In faith, a very flower. LADY CAPULET What say you? Can you love the gentleman? This night you shall behold him at our feast. Read o'er the volume of young Paris' face And find delight writ there with beautys pen. 85 Examine every married lineament And see how one another lends content, And what obscured in this fair volume lies Find written in the margin of his eyes. This precious book of love, this unbound lover, 90 To beautify him only lacks a cover. The fish lives in the sea, and tis much pride For fair without the fair within to hide. That book in manys eyes doth share the glory That in gold clasps locks in the golden story. 95 So shall you share all that he doth possess By having him, making yourself no less. NURSE No less? Nay, bigger. Women grow by men. LADY CAPULET Speak briefly. Can you like of Paris, love? JULIET Ill look to like if looking liking move. 100 But no more deep will I endart mine eye Than your consent gives strength to make it fly. Enter PETER LADY CAPULET Summertime in Verona has no flower as fine as him. NURSE No, hes a fine flower, truly, a flower. LADY CAPULET (to JULIET) What do you say? Can you love this gentleman? Tonight youll see him at our feast. Study Pariss face and find pleasure in his beauty. Examine every line of his features and see how they work together to make him handsome. If you are confused, just look into his eyes. This man is single, and he lacks only a bride to make him perfect and complete. As is right, fish live in the sea, and its wrong for a beauty like you to hide from a handsome man like him. Many people think hes handsome, and whoever becomes his bride will be just as admired. You would share all that he possesses, and by having him, you would lose nothing.
NURSE Lose nothing? In fact, youd get bigger. Men make women bigger by getting them pregnant. LADY CAPULET (to JULIET) Give us a quick answer. Can you accept Pariss love? JULIET Ill look at him and try to like him, at least if what I see is likable. But I wont let myself fall for him any more than your permission allows. PETER enters.

PETER Madam, the guests are come, supper served up, you called, my young lady asked for, the Nurse cursed in the pantry, and every thing in extremity. I must hence to wait. I beseech you, follow straight. LADY CAPULET We follow thee.Juliet, the county stays. NURSE Go, girl, seek happy nights to happy days. Exeunt PETER Madam, the guests are here, dinner is served, people are calling for you, people have asked for Juliet, and in the pantry, people are cursing the Nurse. Everythings out of control. I must go and serve the guests. Please, follow straight after me. LADY CAPULET Well follow you. Juliet, the count is waiting for you. NURSE Go, girl, look for a man wholl give you happy nights at the end of happy days. They all exit.
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Act 1, Scene 4
Enter ROMEO, MERCUTIO, BENVOLIO, with five or six other MASKERS and TORCHBEARERS ROMEO What, shall this speech be spoke for our excuse? Or shall we on without apology? BENVOLIO The date is out of such prolixity. Well have no Cupid hoodwinked with a scarf, 5 Bearing a Tartars painted bow of lath, Scaring the ladies like a crowkeeper, Nor no without-book prologue, faintly spoke After the prompter for our entrance. But let them measure us by what they will. 10 Well measure them a measure and be gone. ROMEO Give me a torch. I am not for this ambling. Being but heavy, I will bear the light. MERCUTIO Nay, gentle Romeo, we must have you dance. ROMEO Not I, believe me. You have dancing shoes 15 With nimble soles. I have a soul of lead So stakes me to the ground I cannot move. MERCUTIO You are a lover. Borrow Cupids wings And soar with them above a common bound. ROMEO I am too sore enpiercd with his shaft 20 To soar with his light feathers, and so bound, I cannot bound a pitch above dull woe. Under loves heavy burden do I sink. ROMEO, MERCUTIO, and BENVOLIO enter dressed as maskers, along with five or six otherMASKERS , carrying a drum and torches. ROMEO What will we say is our excuse for being here? Or should we enter without apologizing? BENVOLIO Its out of fashion to give lengthy explanations like that. Were not going to introduce our dance by having someone dress up as Cupid, blindfolded and carrying a toy bow to frighten the ladies like a scarecrow. Nor are we going to recite a memorized speech to introduce ourselves. Let them judge us however they please. Well give them a dance and then hit the road. ROMEO Give me a torch. I dont want to dance. I feel sad, so let me be the one who carries the light. MERCUTIO No, noble Romeo, youve got to dance. ROMEO Not me, believe me. Youre wearing dancing shoes with nimble soles. My soul is made out of lead, and its so heavy it keeps me stuck on the ground so I cant move. MERCUTIO Youre a lover. Take Cupids wings and fly higher than the average man. ROMEO His arrow has pierced me too deeply, so I cant fly high with his cheerful feathers. Because this wound keeps me down, I cant leap any higher than my dull sadness. I sink under the heavy weight of love.

MERCUTIO And to sink in it, should you burthen love Too great oppression for a tender thing. ROMEO 25 Is love a tender thing? It is too rough, Too rude, too boisterous, and it pricks like thorn. MERCUTIO If love be rough with you, be rough with love. Prick love for pricking, and you beat love down. Give me a case to put my visage in! 30 A visor for a visor.What care I What curious eye doth cote deformities? Here are the beetle brows shall blush for me. MERCUTIO If you sink, youre dragging love down. Its not right to drag down something as tender as love. ROMEO Is love really tender? I think its too rough, too rude, too rowdy, and it pricks like a thorn. MERCUTIO If love plays rough with you, play rough with love. If you prick love when it pricks you, youll beat love down. Give me a mask to put my face in. A mask to put over my other mask. What do I care if some curious person sees my flaws? Let this mask, with its black eyebrows, blush for me.(they put on masks)
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BENVOLIO Come, knock and enter. And no sooner in But every man betake him to his legs. ROMEO 35 A torch for me. Let wantons light of heart Tickle the senseless rushes with their heels. For I am proverbed with a grandsire phrase, Ill be a candle holder, and look on. The game was ne'er so fair, and I am done. MERCUTIO 40 Tut, duns the mouse, the constables own word. If thou art dun, well draw thee from the mire, Orsave your reverencelove, wherein thou stickst Up to the ears. Come, we burn daylight, ho!
Modern Text
BENVOLIO Come on, lets knock and go in. The minute we get in lets all start dancing. ROMEO Ill take a torch. Let playful people with light hearts dance. Theres an old saying that applies to me: you cant lose if you dont play the game. Ill just hold a torch and watch you guys. It looks like a lot of fun, but Ill sit this one out. MERCUTIO Hey, youre being a stick in the mud, as cautious as a policemen on night patrol. If youre a stick in the mud, well pull you out of the mudI mean out of love, if youll excuse me for being so rudewhere youre stuck up to your ears. Come on, were wasting precious daylight. Lets go! ROMEO No were notits night. MERCUTIO I mean, were wasting the light of our torches by delaying, which is like wasting the sunshine during the day. Use your common sense to figure out what I mean, instead of trying to be clever or trusting your five senses.
ROMEO Nay, thats not so. MERCUTIO I mean, sir, in delay. 45 We waste our lights in vain, like lights by day. Take our good meaning, for our judgment sits Five times in that ere once in our fine wits.

ROMEO And we mean well in going to this mask, But tis no wit to go. MERCUTIO Why, may one ask? ROMEO 50 I dreamt a dream tonight. MERCUTIO And so did I. ROMEO Well, what was yours? MERCUTIO That dreamers often lie. ROMEO In bed asleep while they do dream things true. MERCUTIO Oh, then, I see Queen Mab hath been with you. BENVOLIO Queen Mab, whats she MERCUTIO 55 She is the fairies' midwife, and she comes In shape no bigger than an agate stone On the forefinger of an alderman, Drawn with a team of little atomi Over mens noses as they lie asleep. ROMEO We mean well by going to this masquerade ball, but its not smart of us to go. MERCUTIO Why, may I ask? ROMEO I had a dream last night. MERCUTIO So did I. ROMEO Well, what was your dream? MERCUTIO My dream told me that dreamers often lie. ROMEO They lie in bed while they dream about the truth. MERCUTIO Oh, then I see youve been with Queen Mab. BENVOLIO Whos Queen Mab? MERCUTIO Shes the fairies' midwife. Shes no bigger than the stone on a city councilmans ring. She rides around in a wagon drawn by tiny little atoms, and she rides over mens noses as they lie sleeping. The spokes of her wagon are made of spiders'
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60 Her wagon spokes made of long spinners' legs, The cover of the wings of grasshoppers, Her traces of the smallest spiders web, Her collars of the moonshines watery beams, Her whip of crickets bone, the lash of film, 65 Her wagoner a small gray-coated gnat, Not half so big as a round little worm Pricked from the lazy finger of a maid.
Modern Text
legs. The cover of her wagon is made of grasshoppers' wings. The harnesses are made of the smallest spiderwebs. The collars are made out of moonbeams. Her whip is a thread attached to a crickets bone. Her wagon driver is a tiny bug in a gray coat; hes not half the size of a little round worm that comes from the finger of a lazy young girl.

70 Her chariot is an empty hazelnut Made by the joiner squirrel or old grub, Time out o' mind the fairies' coachmakers. And in this state she gallops night by night Through lovers' brains, and then they dream of love; On courtiers' knees, that dream on curtsies straight; O'er lawyers' fingers, who straight dream on fees; O'er ladies' lips, who straight on kisses dream, Which oft the angry Mab with blisters plagues, Because their breaths with sweetmeats tainted are. Sometime she gallops o'er a courtiers nose, And then dreams he of smelling out a suit. And sometime comes she with a tithe-pigs tail Tickling a parsons nose as he lies asleep, Then he dreams of another benefice. Sometime she driveth o'er a soldiers neck, And then dreams he of cutting foreign throats, Of breaches, ambuscadoes, Spanish blades, Of healths five fathom deep, and then anon Drums in his ear, at which he starts and wakes, And being thus frighted swears a prayer or two And sleeps again. This is that very Mab That plaits the manes of horses in the night And bakes the elflocks in foul sluttish hairs, Which once untangled, much misfortune bodes. This is the hag, when maids lie on their backs, That presses them and learns them first to bear, Making them women of good carriage. This is she ROMEO Peace, peace, Mercutio, peace! Thou talkst of nothing. MERCUTIO True, I talk of dreams, Which are the children of an idle brain, Begot of nothing but vain fantasy, 100 Which is as thin of substance as the air And more inconstant than the wind, who woos Even now the frozen bosom of the north, And, being angered, puffs away from thence, Turning his face to the dew-dropping south. Her chariot is a hazelnut shell. It was made by a carpenter squirrel or an old grubworm; theyve made wagons for the fairies as long as anyone can remember. In this royal wagon, she rides every night through the brains of lovers and makes them dream about love. She rides over courtiers' knees, and they dream about curtsying. She rides over lawyers' fingers, and right away, they dream about their fees. She rides over ladies' lips, and they immediately dream of kisses. Queen Mab often puts blisters on their lips because their breath smells like candy, which makes her mad. Sometimes she rides over a courtiers lips, and he dreams of making money off of someone. Sometimes she tickles a priests nose with a tithe-pigs tail, and he dreams of a large donation. Sometimes she rides over a soldiers neck, and he dreams of cutting the throats of foreign enemies, of breaking down walls, of ambushes, of Spanish swords, and of enormous cups of liquor. And then, drums beat in his ear and he wakes up. Hes frightened, so he says a couple of prayers and goes back to sleep. She is the same Mab who tangles the hair in horses' manes at night and makes the tangles hard in the dirty hairs, which bring bad luck if theyre untangled. Mab is the old hag who gives false sex dreams to virgins and teaches them how to hold a lover and bear a child. Shes the one ROMEO Enough, enough! Mercutio, be quiet. Youre talking nonsense. MERCUTIO True. Im talking about dreams, which are the products of a brain thats doing nothing. Dreams are nothing but silly imagination, as thin as air, and less predictable than the wind, which sometimes blows on the frozen north and then gets angry and blows south.
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BENVOLIO 105 This wind you talk of, blows us from ourselves. Supper is done, and we shall come too late. ROMEO I fear too early, for my mind misgives Some consequence yet hanging in the stars Shall bitterly begin his fearful date 110 With this nights revels, and expire the term Of a despisd life closed in my breast By some vile forfeit of untimely death. But he that hath the steerage of my course, Direct my sail. On, lusty gentlemen. BENVOLIO 115 Strike, drum. March about the stage and exeunt BENVOLIO The wind youre talking about is blowing us off our course. Dinner is over, and were going to get there too late. ROMEO Im worried well get there too early. I have a feeling this party tonight will be the start of something bad, something that will end with my own death. But whoevers in charge of where my lifes going can steer me wherever they want. Onward, lover boys!
BENVOLIO Beat the drum. They march about the stage and exit.
Act 1, Scene 5
PETER and other SERVINGMEN come forth with napkins PETER Wheres Potpan, that he helps not to take away? He shift a trencher? He scrape a trencher! FIRST SERVINGMAN When good manners shall lie all in one or two mens hands, and they unwashed too, tis a foul thing. PETER 5 Away with the joint-stools, remove the court-cupboard, look to the plate. Good thou, save me a piece of marchpane, and, as thou loves me, let the porter let in Susan Grindstone and Nell.Antony and Potpan! SECOND SERVINGMAN Ay, boy, ready. PETER 10 You are looked for and called for, asked for and sought for, in the great chamber. FIRST SERVINGMAN We cannot be here and there too. Cheerly, boys. Be brisk 0awhile, and the longer liver take all. PETER and other SERVINGMEN come forward with napkins. PETER Wheres Potpan? Why isnt he helping us clear the table? He should be moving and scraping plates! FIRST SERVINGMAN When only one or two men have all the good manners, and even they are dirty, things are bad. PETER Take away the stools, the sideboards, and the plates. You, good friend, save me a piece of marzipan, and if you love me, have the porter let in Susan Grindstone and Nell. Antony and Potpan! SECOND SERVINGMAN Yes, boy, Im ready. PETER Theyre looking for you in the great chamber. FIRST SERVINGMAN We cant be in two places at once, both here and there! Cheers, boys. Be quick for a while and let the one who lives the longest take everything. PETER and the SERVINGMEN exit. CAPULET enters with his COUSIN, TYBALT,LADY CAPULET, JULIET, and other members of the house. They meet ROMEO, BENVOLIO,MERCUTIO,
Exeunt PETER and SERVINGMEN Enter CAPULET with CAPULET'S COUSIN,TYBALT, LADY CAPULET, JULIET, and others of the house, meeting ROMEO, BENVOLIO,MERCUTIO, and other GUESTS and MASKERS
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CAPULET Welcome, gentlemen! Ladies that have their toes Ah, my mistresses! Which of you all Unplagued with corns will walk a bout with you. Will now deny to dance? She that makes dainty, She, Ill swear, hath corns. Am I come near ye now? Welcome, gentlemen! I have seen the day That I have worn a visor and could tell A whispering tale in a fair ladys ear Such as would please. 'Tis gone, tis gone, tis gone. You are welcome, gentlemen.Come, musicians, play. (music plays and they dance) A hall, a hall, give room!And foot it, girls. More light, you knaves! And turn the tables up, And quench the fire. The room is grown too hot. Ah, sirrah, this unlooked-for sport comes well. Nay, sit, nay, sit, good cousin Capulet, For you and I are past our dancing days. How long is t now since last yourself and I Were in a mask?
Modern Text
and other guests and MASKERS CAPULET Welcome, gentlemen. The ladies who dont have corns on their toes will dance with you. Ha, my ladies, which of you will refuse to dance now? Whichever of you acts shy, Ill swear she has corns. Does that hit close to home? Welcome, gentlemen. There was a time when I could wear a mask over my eyes and charm a lady by whispering a story in her ear. That time is gone, gone, gone. You are welcome gentlemen. Come on, musicians, play music. (music plays and they dance, ROMEO stands apart) Make room in the hall. Make room in the hall. Shake a leg, girls. (to SERVINGMEN) More light, you rascals. Flip over the tables and get them out of the way. And put the fire out its getting too hot in here.(to his COUSIN) Ah, my man, this unexpected fun feels good. No, sit down, sit down, my good Capulet cousin. You and I are too old to dance.(CAPULET and his COUSIN sit down) How long is it now since you and I last wore masks at a party like this?
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CAPULETS' COUSIN By'r Lady, thirty years. CAPULET What, man, tis not so much, tis not so much. 'Tis since the nuptials of Lucentio, 35 Come Pentecost as quickly as it will, Some five and twenty years, and then we masked. CAPULET'S COUSIN 'Tis more, tis more. His son is elder, sir. His son is thirty. CAPULET Will you tell me that? His son was but a ward two years ago. ROMEO 40 (to a SERVINGMAN) What lady is that which doth enrich the hand Of yonder knight? SERVINGMAN I know not, sir. ROMEO Oh, she doth teach the torches to burn bright! It seems she hangs upon the cheek of night Like a rich jewel in an Ethiopes ear, 45 Beauty too rich for use, for earth too dear. CAPULET'S COUSIN I swear, it must be thirty years. CAPULET What, man? Its not that long, its not that long. Its been since Lucentios wedding. Let the years fly by as fast as they like, its only been twentyfive years since we wore masks. CAPULET'S COUSIN Its been longer, its been longer. Lucentios son is older than that, sir. Hes thirty years old. CAPULET Are you really going to tell me that? His son was a minor only two years ago. ROMEO (to a SERVINGMAN) Who is the girl on the arm of that lucky knight over there? SERVINGMAN I dont know, sir. ROMEO Oh, she shows the torches how to burn bright! She stands out against the darkness like a jeweled earring hanging against the cheek of an African. Her beauty is too good for this world;
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So shows a snowy dove trooping with crows As yonder lady o'er her fellows shows. The measure done, Ill watch her place of stand, And, touching hers, make blessd my rude hand. 50 Did my heart love till now? Forswear it, sight! For I ne'er saw true beauty till this night.
Modern Text
shes too beautiful to die and be buried. She outshines the other women like a white dove in the middle of a flock of crows. When this dance is over, Ill see where she stands, and then Ill touch her hand with my rough and ugly one. Did my heart ever love anyone before this moment? My eyes were liars, then, because I never saw true beauty before tonight.

TYBALT This, by his voice, should be a Montague. (to his PAGE) Fetch me my rapier, boy. What, dares the slave 55 Come hither, covered with an antic face, To fleer and scorn at our solemnity? Now, by the stock and honor of my kin, To strike him dead I hold it not a sin. CAPULET Why, how now, kinsman? Wherefore storm you so? TYBALT 60 Uncle, this is a Montague, our foe, A villain that is hither come in spite To scorn at our solemnity this night. CAPULET Young Romeo is it? TYBALT 'Tis he, that villain Romeo. CAPULET Content thee, gentle coz. Let him alone. 65 He bears him like a portly gentleman, And, to say truth, Verona brags of him To be a virtuous and well-governed youth. I would not for the wealth of all the town Here in my house do him disparagement. 70 Therefore be patient. Take no note of him. It is my will, the which if thou respect, Show a fair presence and put off these frowns, An ill-beseeming semblance for a feast. TYBALT I can tell by his voice that this man is a Montague. (to his PAGE) Get me my sword, boy.What, does this peasant dare to come here with his face covered by a mask to sneer at and scorn our celebration? Now, by the honor of our family, I do not consider it a crime to kill him. CAPULET Why, whats going on here, nephew? Why are you acting so angry? TYBALT Uncle, this man is a Montagueour enemy. Hes a scoundrel whos come here out of spite to mock our party. CAPULET Is it young Romeo? TYBALT Thats him, that villain Romeo. CAPULET Calm down, gentle cousin. Leave him alone. He carries himself like a dignified gentleman, and, to tell you the truth, he has a reputation throughout Verona as a virtuous and well-behaved young man. I wouldnt insult him in my own house for all the wealth in this town. So calm down. Just ignore him. Thats what I want, and if you respect my wishes, youll look nice and stop frowning because thats not the way you should behave at a feast.

TYBALT It fits when such a villain is a guest. 75 Ill not endure him. CAPULET He shall be endured. What, goodman boy! I say, he shall. Go to. Am I the master here, or you? Go to. Youll not endure him! God shall mend my soul, Youll make a mutiny among my guests. 80 You will set cock-a-hoop. Youll be the man! TYBALT Its the right way to act when a villain like him shows up. I wont tolerate him. CAPULET You will tolerate him. What, little man? I say you will. What theAm I the boss here or you? What theYou wont tolerate him! God help me! Youll start a riot among my guests! There will be chaos! It will be your fault, youll be the rabble-rouser!
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TYBALT Why, uncle, tis a shame. CAPULET Go to, go to. You are a saucy boy. Is t so, indeed? This trick may chance to scathe you, I know what. You must contrary me. Marry, tis time. 85 Well said, my hearts!You are a princox, go. Be quiet, orMore light, more light!For shame! Ill make you quiet.What, cheerly, my hearts!
Modern Text
TYBALT But, uncle, were being disrespected. CAPULET Go on, go on. Youre an insolent little boy. Is that how it is, really? This stupidity will come back to bite you. I know what Ill do. You have to contradict me, do you? Ill teach you a lesson. (to the GUESTS) Well done, my dear guests! (toTYBALT) Youre a punk, get away. Keep your mouth shut, or else (to SERVINGMEN) more light, more light! (to TYBALT) You should be ashamed. ll shut you up. (to the guests) Keep having fun, my dear friends! The music plays again, and the guests dance TYBALT The combination of forced patience and pure rage is making my body tremble. Ill leave here now, but Romeos prank, which seems so sweet to him now, will turn bitter to him later. TYBALT exits.
Music plays again, and the guests dance TYBALT Patience perforce with willful choler meeting Makes my flesh tremble in their different greeting. 90 I will withdraw, but this intrusion shall Now seeming sweet, convert to bitterest gall. Exit TYBALT

ROMEO (taking JULIETs hand) If I profane with my unworthiest hand This holy shrine, the gentle sin is this: 95 My lips, two blushing pilgrims, ready stand To smooth that rough touch with a tender kiss. JULIET Good pilgrim, you do wrong your hand too much, Which mannerly devotion shows in this, For saints have hands that pilgrims' hands do touch, And palm to palm is holy palmers' kiss. ROMEO 100 Have not saints lips, and holy palmers too? JULIET Ay, pilgrim, lips that they must use in prayer. ROMEO O, then, dear saint, let lips do what hands do. They pray; grant thou, lest faith turn to despair. JULIET Saints do not move, though grant for prayers' sake. ROMEO 105 Then move not, while my prayers effect I take. Kisses her Thus from my lips, by thine, my sin is purged. ROMEO (taking JULIETs hand) Your hand is like a holy place that my hand is unworthy to visit. If youre offended by the touch of my hand, my two lips are standing here like blushing pilgrims, ready to make things better with a kiss. JULIET Good pilgrim, you dont give your hand enough credit. By holding my hand you show polite devotion. After all, pilgrims touch the hands of statues of saints. Holding one palm against another is like a kiss. ROMEO Dont saints and pilgrims have lips too? JULIET Yes, pilgrimthey have lips that theyre supposed to pray with. ROMEO Well then, saint, let lips do what hands do. Im praying for you to kiss me. Please grant my prayer so my faith doesnt turn to despair. JULIET Saints dont move, even when they grant prayers. ROMEO Then dont move while I act out my prayer. He kisses her. Now my sin has been taken from my lips by
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yours. JULIET Then have my lips the sin that they have took. ROMEO Sin from thy lips? O trespass sweetly urged! 110 Give me my sin again. They kiss again
Modern Text
JULIET Then do my lips now have the sin they took from yours? ROMEO Sin from my lips? You encourage crime with your sweetness. Give me my sin back. They kiss again

JULIET You kiss by th' book. NURSE Madam, your mother craves a word with you. JULIET moves away ROMEO What is her mother? NURSE Marry, bachelor, Her mother is the lady of the house, And a good lady, and a wise and virtuous. 115 I nursed her daughter that you talked withal. I tell you, he that can lay hold of her Shall have the chinks. ROMEO (aside) Is she a Capulet? O dear account! My life is my foes debt. BENVOLIO (to ROMEO) Away, begone. The sport is at the best. ROMEO 120 Ay, so I fear. The more is my unrest. CAPULET Nay, gentlemen, prepare not to be gone. We have a trifling foolish banquet towards. Is it e'en so? Why, then, I thank you all. I thank you, honest gentlemen. Good night. 125 More torches here!Come on then, lets to bed. Ah, sirrah, by my fay, it waxes late. Ill to my rest. All but JULIET and NURSE move to exit ROMEO Who is her mother? NURSE Indeed, young man, her mother is the lady of the house. She is a good, wise, and virtuous lady. I nursed her daughter, whom you were just talking to. Let me tell you, the man who marries her will become very wealthy. ROMEO (to himself) Is she a Capulet? Oh, this is a heavy price to pay! My life is in the hands of my enemy. BENVOLIO (to ROMEO) Come on, lets go. Right when things are the most fun is the best time to leave. ROMEO Yes, but Im afraid Im in more trouble than ever. CAPULET No gentlemen, dont get ready to go now. We have a little dessert coming up. (they whisper in his ear) Is that really true? Well, then, I thank you both. I thank you, honest gentlemen. Good night. Bring more torches over here! Come on, lets all get to bed. (to his COUSIN) Ah, my man, I swear, its getting late. Im going to get some rest. Everyone except JULIET and NURSE begins to exit. JULIET You kiss like youve studied how. NURSE Madam, your mother wants to talk to you. JULIET moves away

JULIET Come hither, Nurse. What is yond gentleman? NURSE The son and heir of old Tiberio. JULIET JULIET Come over here, nurse. Who is that gentleman? NURSE He is the son and heir of old Tiberio. JULIET
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130 Whats he that now is going out of door? NURSE Marry, that, I think, be young Petruchio. JULIET Whats he that follows here, that would not dance? NURSE I know not. JULIET Go ask his name.If he be married. 135 My grave is like to be my wedding bed. NURSE His name is Romeo, and a Montague, The only son of your great enemy. JULIET (aside) My only love sprung from my only hate! Too early seen unknown, and known too late! 140 Prodigious birth of love it is to me, That I must love a loathd enemy. NURSE Whats this? Whats this? JULIET A rhyme I learned even now Of one I danced withal. One calls within Juliet! NURSE Anon, anon! Come, lets away. The strangers all are gone. Exeunt
Modern Text
Whos the one whos going out the door right now? NURSE Well, that one, I think, is young Petruchio. JULIET Whos the one following over there, the one who wouldnt dance? NURSE I dont know his name. JULIET Go ask. (the nurse leaves) If hes married, I think Ill die rather than marry anyone else. NURSE (returning) His name is Romeo. Hes a Montague. Hes the only son of your worst enemy. JULIET (to herself) The only man I love is the son of the only man I hate! I saw him too early without knowing who he was, and I found out who he was too late! Love is a monster for making me fall in love with my worst enemy. NURSE Whats this? Whats this? JULIET Just a rhyme I learned from somebody I danced with at the party. Somebody calls, Juliet! from offstage. NURSE Right away, right away. Come, lets go. The strangers are all gone. They exit.
Act 2, Prologue
Enter CHORUS CHORUS Now old desire doth in his deathbed lie, And young affection gapes to be his heir. That fair for which love groaned for and would die With tender Juliet matched, is now not fair. 5 Now Romeo is beloved and loves again, Alike bewitchd by the charm of looks, But to his foe supposed he must complain, And she steal loves sweet bait from fearful hooks. Being held a foe, he may not have access 10 To breathe such vows as lovers use to swear. And she as much in love, her means much less To meet her new beloved anywhere. But passion lends them power, time means, to meet, Tempering extremities with extreme sweet. The CHORUS enters. CHORUS Now Romeos old feelings of desire are dying, and a new desire is eager to take their place. Romeo groaned for the beautiful Rosaline and said he would die for her, but compared with tender Juliet, Rosaline doesnt seem beautiful now. Now someone loves Romeo, and hes in love againboth of them falling for each others' good looks. But he has to make his speeches of love to a woman whos supposed to be his enemy. And shes been hooked by someone she should fear. Because hes an enemy, Romeo has no chance to see Juliet and say the things a lover normally says. And Juliets just as much in love as he, but she has even less opportunity to meet her lover. But love gives them power, and time
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Modern Text
gives them the chance to meet, sweetening the extreme danger with intense pleasure. Exit The CHORUS exits.
Act 2, Scene 1
Enter ROMEO alone ROMEO Can I go forward when my heart is here? Turn back, dull earth, and find thy center out. Moves away Enter BENVOLIO with MERCUTIO BENVOLIO Romeo, my cousin Romeo! Romeo! MERCUTIO He is wise, And, on my life, hath stol'n him home to bed. BENVOLIO 5 He ran this way and leapt this orchard wall. Call, good Mercutio. MERCUTIO Nay, Ill conjure too! Romeo! Humours, madman, passion, lover! Appear thou in the likeness of a sigh! Speak but one rhyme, and I am satisfied. 10 Cry but Ay me! Pronounce but love and dove. Speak to my gossip Venus one fair word, One nickname for her purblind son and heir, Young Abraham Cupid, he that shot so true When King Cophetua loved the beggar maid. 15 He heareth not, he stirreth not, he moveth not. The ape is dead, and I must conjure him. I conjure thee by Rosalines bright eyes, By her high forehead and her scarlet lip, By her fine foot, straight leg, and quivering thigh, 20 And the demesnes that there adjacent lie, That in thy likeness thou appear to us. ROMEO enters alone. ROMEO Can I go away while my heart stays here? I have to go back to where my heart is. ROMEO moves away. BENVOLIO andMERCUTIO enter. BENVOLIO (calling) Romeo, my cousin, Romeo, Romeo! MERCUTIO Hes a smart boy. I bet he slipped away and went home to bed. BENVOLIO He ran this way and jumped over this orchard wall. Call to him, Mercutio. MERCUTIO Ill conjure him as if I were summoning a spirit. Romeo! Madman! Passion! Lover! Show yourself in the form of a sigh. Speak one rhyme, and Ill be satisfied. Just cry out, Ah me! Just say love and dove. Say just one lovely word to my good friend Venus. Just say the nickname of her blind son Cupid, the one who shot arrows so well in the old story.Romeo doesnt hear me. He doesnt stir. He doesnt move. The silly ape is dead, but I must make him appear.I summon you by Rosalines bright eyes, by her high forehead and her red lips, by her fine feet, by her straight legs, by her trembling thighs, and by the regions right next to her thighs. In the name of all of these things, I command you to appear before us in your true form.

BENVOLIO An if he hear thee, thou wilt anger him. MERCUTIO This cannot anger him. 'Twould anger him To raise a spirit in his mistress' circle 25 Of some strange nature, letting it there stand Till she had laid it and conjured it down. That were some spite. My invocation Is fair and honest. In his mistress' name I conjure only but to raise up him. BENVOLIO 30 Come, he hath hid himself among these trees, To be consorted with the humorous night. BENVOLIO If he hears you, youll make him angry. MERCUTIO What Im saying cant anger him. He would be angry if I summoned a strange spirit for her to have sex withthats what would make him angry. The things Im saying are fair and honest. All Im doing is saying the name of the woman he loves to lure him out of the darkness. BENVOLIO Come on. Hes hidden behind these trees to keep the night company. His love is blind, so it belongs
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Original Text
Blind is his love and best befits the dark. MERCUTIO If love be blind, love cannot hit the mark. Now will he sit under a medlar tree 35 And wish his mistress were that kind of fruit As maids call medlars when they laugh alone. O Romeo, that she were! Oh, that she were An open arse, and thou a poperin pear. Romeo, good night. Ill to my truckle bed. 40 This field-bed is too cold for me to sleep. Come, shall we go? BENVOLIO Go, then, for tis in vain To seek him here that means not to be found. Exeunt in the dark.
Modern Text
MERCUTIO If love is blind, it cant hit the target. Now hell sit under a medlar tree and wish his mistress were one of those fruits that look like female genitalia. Oh Romeo, I wish she were an open-arse, and you a Popperin pear to pop her in. Good night, Romeo. Ill go to my little trundle bed. This open field is too cold a place for me to sleep. (toBENVOLIO) Come on, should we go? BENVOLIO Lets go. Theres no point in looking for him if he doesnt want to be found. BENVOLIO and MERCUTIO exit.
Act 2, Scene 2
ROMEO returns ROMEO He jests at scars that never felt a wound. JULIET appears in a window above But soft! What light through yonder window breaks? It is the east, and Juliet is the sun. Arise, fair sun, and kill the envious moon, Who is already sick and pale with grief, That thou, her maid, art far more fair than she. Be not her maid since she is envious. Her vestal livery is but sick and green, And none but fools do wear it. Cast it off! It is my lady. Oh, it is my love. Oh, that she knew she were! She speaks, yet she says nothing. What of that? Her eye discourses. I will answer it. I am too bold. 'Tis not to me she speaks. Two of the fairest stars in all the heaven, Having some business, do entreat her eyes To twinkle in their spheres till they return. What if her eyes were there, they in her head? The brightness of her cheek would shame those stars As daylight doth a lamp. Her eye in heaven Would through the airy region stream so bright That birds would sing and think it were not night. See how she leans her cheek upon her hand. Oh, that I were a glove upon that hand That I might touch that cheek! JULIET Ay me! ROMEO returns. ROMEO Its easy for someone to joke about scars if theyve never been cut. JULIET enters on the balcony. But wait, whats that light in the window over there? It is the east, and Juliet is the sun. Rise up, beautiful sun, and kill the jealous moon. The moon is already sick and pale with grief because you, Juliet, her maid, are more beautiful than she. Dont be her maid, because she is jealous. Virginity makes her look sick and green. Only fools hold on to their virginity. Let it go. Oh, theres my lady! Oh, it is my love. Oh, I wish she knew how much I love her. Shes talking, but shes not saying anything. So what? Her eyes are saying something. I will answer them. I am too bold. Shes not talking to me. Two of the brightest stars in the whole sky had to go away on business, and theyre asking her eyes to twinkle in their places until they return. What if her eyes were in the sky and the stars were in her head? The brightness of her cheeks would outshine the stars the way the sun outshines a lamp. If her eyes were in the night sky, they would shine so brightly through space that birds would start singing, thinking her light was the light of day. Look how she leans her hand on her cheek. Oh, I wish I was the glove on that hand so that I could touch that cheek. JULIET Oh, my!
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Original Text
ROMEO (aside) She speaks. O, speak again, bright angel! For thou art As glorious to this night, being o'er my head, As is a wingd messenger of heaven Unto the white, upturnd, wondering eyes 30 Of mortals that fall back to gaze on him When he bestrides the lazy-puffing clouds And sails upon the bosom of the air. JULIET O Romeo, Romeo! Wherefore art thou Romeo? Deny thy father and refuse thy name. 35 Or, if thou wilt not, be but sworn my love, And Ill no longer be a Capulet. ROMEO (aside) Shall I hear more, or shall I speak at this? JULIET 'Tis but thy name that is my enemy. Thou art thyself, though not a Montague. 40 Whats Montague? It is nor hand, nor foot, Nor arm, nor face, nor any other part Belonging to a man. O, be some other name! Whats in a name? That which we call a rose By any other word would smell as sweet. 45 So Romeo would, were he not Romeo called, Retain that dear perfection which he owes Without that title. Romeo, doff thy name, And for that name, which is no part of thee Take all myself. ROMEO I take thee at thy word. 50 Call me but love, and Ill be new baptized. Henceforth I never will be Romeo. JULIET What man art thou that, thus bescreened in night, So stumblest on my counsel?
Modern Text
ROMEO (to himself) She speaks. Oh, speak again, bright angel. You are as glorious as an angel tonight. You shine above me, like a winged messenger from heaven who makes mortal men fall on their backs to look up at the sky, watching the angel walking on the clouds and sailing on the air.
JULIET (not knowing ROMEO hears her) Oh, Romeo, Romeo, why do you have to be Romeo? Forget about your father and change your name. Or else, if you wont change your name, just swear you love me and Ill stop being a Capulet. ROMEO (to himself) Should I listen for more, or should I speak now? JULIET (still not knowing ROMEO hears her) Its only your name thats my enemy. Youd still be yourself even if you stopped being a Montague. Whats a Montague anyway? It isnt a hand, a foot, an arm, a face, or any other part of a man. Oh, be some other name! What does a name mean? The thing we call a rose would smell just as sweet if we called it by any other name. Romeo would be just as perfect even if he wasnt called Romeo. Romeo, lose your name. Trade in your namewhich really has nothing to do with youand take all of me in exchange. ROMEO (to JULIET) I trust your words. Just call me your love, and I will take a new name. From now on I will never be Romeo again. JULIET Who are you? Why do you hide in the darkness and listen to my private thoughts?

ROMEO By a name I know not how to tell thee who I am. 55 My name, dear saint, is hateful to myself Because it is an enemy to thee. Had I it written, I would tear the word. JULIET My ears have not yet drunk a hundred words Of that tongues uttering, yet I know the sound. 60 Art thou not Romeo, and a Montague? ROMEO Neither, fair maid, if either thee dislike. ROMEO I dont know how to tell you who I am by telling you a name. I hate my name, dear saint, because my name is your enemy. If I had it written down, I would tear up the paper. JULIET I havent heard you say a hundred words yet, but I recognize the sound of your voice. Arent you Romeo? And arent you a Montague? ROMEO I am neither of those things if you dislike them.
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Original Text
JULIET How camest thou hither, tell me, and wherefore? The orchard walls are high and hard to climb, And the place death, considering who thou art, 65 If any of my kinsmen find thee here. ROMEO With loves light wings did I o'erperch these walls, For stony limits cannot hold love out, And what love can do, that dares love attempt. Therefore thy kinsmen are no stop to me. JULIET 70 If they do see thee they will murder thee. ROMEO Alack, there lies more peril in thine eye Than twenty of their swords. Look thou but sweet, And I am proof against their enmity. JULIET I would not for the world they saw thee here. ROMEO 75 I have nights cloak to hide me from their eyes, And but thou love me, let them find me here. My life were better ended by their hate Than death prorogud, wanting of thy love.
Modern Text
JULIET Tell me, how did you get in here? And why did you come? The orchard walls are high, and its hard to climb over them. If any of my relatives find you here theyll kill you because of who you are. ROMEO I flew over these walls with the light wings of love. Stone walls cant keep love out. Whatever a man in love can possibly do, his love will make him try to do it. Therefore your relatives are no obstacle. JULIET If they see you, theyll murder you. ROMEO Alas, one angry look from you would be worse than twenty of your relatives with swords. Just look at me kindly, and Im invincible against their hatred. JULIET Id give anything to keep them from seeing you here. ROMEO The darkness will hide me from them. And if you dont love me, let them find me here. Id rather they killed me than have to live without your love.

JULIET By whose direction foundst thou out this place? ROMEO 80 By love, that first did prompt me to inquire. He lent me counsel and I lent him eyes. I am no pilot. Yet, wert thou as far As that vast shore washed with the farthest sea, I would adventure for such merchandise. JULIET 85 Thou knowst the mask of night is on my face, Else would a maiden blush bepaint my cheek For that which thou hast heard me speak tonight. Fain would I dwell on form. Fain, fain deny What I have spoke. But farewell compliment! 90 Dost thou love me? I know thou wilt say ay, And I will take thy word. Yet if thou swearst Thou mayst prove false. At lovers' perjuries, They say, Jove laughs. O gentle Romeo, If thou dost love, pronounce it faithfully. 95 Or if thou thinkst I am too quickly won, Ill frown and be perverse and say thee nay, So thou wilt woo. But else, not for the world. In truth, fair Montague, I am too fond, And therefore thou mayst think my 'havior light. 100 But trust me, gentleman, Ill prove more true JULIET Who told you how to get here below my bedroom? ROMEO Love showed me the waythe same thing that made me look for you in the first place. Love told me what to do, and I let love borrow my eyes. Im not a sailor, but if you were across the farthest sea, I would risk everything to gain you. JULIET You cant see my face because its dark out. Otherwise, youd see me blushing about the things youve heard me say tonight. I would be happy to keep up good manners and deny the things I said. But forget about good manners. Do you love me? I know youll say yes, and Ill believe you. But if you swear you love me, you might turn out to be lying. They say Jove laughs when lovers lie to each other. Oh Romeo, if you really love me, say it truly. Or if you think its too easy and quick to win my heart, Ill frown and play hard-to-get, as long as that will make you try to win me, but otherwise I wouldnt act that way for anything. In truth, handsome Montague, I like you too much, so you may think my behavior is loose. But trust me, gentleman, Ill prove myself
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Original Text
Than those that have more coying to be strange. I should have been more strange, I must confess, But that thou overheardst, ere I was 'ware, My true loves passion. Therefore pardon me, 105 And not impute this yielding to light love, Which the dark night hath so discovered. ROMEO Lady, by yonder blessd moon I vow, That tips with silver all these fruit-tree tops
Modern Text
more faithful than girls who act coy and play hard-to-get. I should have been more standoffish, I confess, but you overheard me talking about the love in my heart when I didnt know you were there. So excuse me, and do not assume that because you made me love you so easily my love isnt serious. ROMEO Lady, I swear by the sacred moon above, the moon that paints the tops of fruit trees with silver

JULIET O, swear not by the moon, th' inconstant moon, 110 That monthly changes in her circle orb, Lest that thy love prove likewise variable. ROMEO What shall I swear by? JULIET Do not swear at all. Or, if thou wilt, swear by thy gracious self, Which is the god of my idolatry, 115 And Ill believe thee. ROMEO If my hearts dear love JULIET Well, do not swear. Although I joy in thee, I have no joy of this contract tonight. It is too rash, too unadvised, too sudden, Too like the lightning, which doth cease to be 120 Ere one can say It lightens. Sweet, good night. This bud of love, by summers ripening breath, May prove a beauteous flower when next we meet. Good night, good night! As sweet repose and rest Come to thy heart as that within my breast. JULIET Dont swear by the moon. The moon is always changing. Every month its position in the sky shifts. I dont want you to turn out to be that inconsistent too. ROMEO What should I swear by? JULIET Dont swear at all. But if you have to swear, swear by your wonderful self, which is the god I worship like an idol, and then Ill believe you. ROMEO If my hearts dear love JULIET Well, dont swear. Although you bring me joy, I cant take joy in this exchange of promises tonight. Its too crazy. We havent done enough thinking. Its too sudden. Its too much like lightning, which flashes and then disappears before you can say, its lightning. My sweet, good night. Our love, which right now is like a flower bud in the summer air, may turn out to be a beautiful flower by the next time we meet. I hope you enjoy the same sweet peace and rest I feel in my heart. ROMEO Oh, are you going to leave me so unsatisfied? JULIET What satisfaction could you possibly have tonight? ROMEO I would be satisfied if we made each other true promises of love. JULIET I pledged my love to you before you asked me to. Yet I wish I could take that promise back, so I had it to give again. ROMEO
ROMEO 125 O, wilt thou leave me so unsatisfied? JULIET What satisfaction canst thou have tonight? ROMEO Th' exchange of thy loves faithful vow for mine. JULIET I gave thee mine before thou didst request it, And yet I would it were to give again. ROMEO
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130 Wouldst thou withdraw it? For what purpose, love?
Modern Text
You would take it back? Why would you do that, my love?

JULIET But to be frank, and give it thee again. And yet I wish but for the thing I have. My bounty is as boundless as the sea, My love as deep. The more I give to thee, 135 The more I have, for both are infinite. NURSE calls from 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 JULIET, above ROMEO O blessd, blessd night! I am afeard, 140 Being in night, all this is but a dream, Too flattering sweet to be substantial. Enter JULIET, above JULIET Three words, dear Romeo, and good night indeed. If that thy bent of love be honorable, Thy purpose marriage, send me word tomorrow 145 By one that Ill procure to come to thee Where and what time thou wilt perform the rite, And all my fortunes at thy foot Ill lay And follow thee my lord throughout the world. NURSE (from within) Madam! JULIET 150 I come, anon.But if thou meanst not well, I do beseech thee NURSE (from within) Madam! JULIET Only to be generous and give it to you once more. But Im wishing for something I already have. My generosity to you is as limitless as the sea, and my love is as deep. The more love I give you, the more I have. Both loves are infinite. The NURSE calls from offstage. I hear a noise inside. Dear love, goodbyeJust a minute, good Nurse. Sweet Montague, be true. Stay here for a moment. Ill come back. JULIET exits. ROMEO Oh, blessed, blessed night! Because its dark out, Im afraid all this is just a dream, too sweet to be real. JULIET enters on her balcony. JULIET Three words, dear Romeo, and then its good night for real. If your intentions as a lover are truly honorable and you want to marry me, send me word tomorrow. Ill send a messenger to you, and you can pass on a message telling me where and when well be married. Ill lay all my fortunes at your feet and follow you, my lord, all over the world. NURSE (offstage) Madam! JULIET (to the NURSE) Ill be right there! (to ROMEO)But if you dont have honorable intentions, I beg you NURSE (offstage) Madam!

JULIET By and by, I come. To cease thy strife and leave me to my grief. 155 Tomorrow will I send. ROMEO So thrive my soul JULIET A thousand times good night! Exit JULIET, above ROMEO A thousand times the worse to want thy light. JULIET Alright, Im coming!I beg you to stop trying for me and leave me to my sadness. Tomorrow Ill send the messenger. ROMEO My soul depends on it JULIET A thousand times good night. JULIET exits. ROMEO Leaving you is a thousand times worse than
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Love goes toward love as schoolboys from their 160 books, But love from love, toward school with heavy looks.
Modern Text
being near you. A lover goes toward his beloved as enthusiastically as a schoolboy leaving his books, but when he leaves his girlfriend, he feels as miserable as the schoolboy on his way to school. ROMEO starts to leave. JULIET returns, on her balcony. JULIET Hist, Romeo! Hist! Oh, I wish I could make afalconers call, so I could bring my little falcon back again. Im trapped in my familys house, so I must be quiet. Otherwise I would rip open the cave where Echo sleeps. I would make her repeat his name until her voice grew more hoarse than mine by repeating, My Romeo! ROMEO My soul is calling out my name. The sound of lovers calling each others names through the night is silver-sweet. Its the sweetest sound a lover ever hears.
Moves to exit Reenter JULIET, above JULIET Hist! Romeo, hist!Oh, for a falconers voice, To lure this tassel-gentle back again! Bondage is hoarse, and may not speak aloud, Else would I tear the cave where Echo lies, 165 And make her airy tongue more hoarse than mine, With repetition of My Romeo! ROMEO It is my soul that calls upon my name. How silver-sweet sound lovers' tongues by night, Like softest music to attending ears!

JULIET 170 Romeo! ROMEO My nyas? JULIET What o'clock tomorrow Shall I send to thee? ROMEO By the hour of nine. JULIET I will not fail. 'Tis twenty year till then. I have forgot why I did call thee back. ROMEO Let me stand here till thou remember it. JULIET 175 I shall forget, to have thee still stand there, Remembering how I love thy company. ROMEO And Ill still stay, to have thee still forget, Forgetting any other home but this. JULIET 'Tis almost morning. I would have thee gone. 180 And yet no further than a wantons bird, That lets it hop a little from his hand Like a poor prisoner in his twisted gyves, And with a silken thread plucks it back again, JULIET Romeo! ROMEO My baby hawk? JULIET What time tomorrow should I send a messenger to you? ROMEO By nine o'clock. JULIET I wont fail. From now until then seems like twenty years. I have forgotten why I called you back. ROMEO Let me stand here until you remember your reason. JULIET Ill forget it, and youll have to stand there forever. Ill only remember how much I love your company. ROMEO Ill keep standing here, even if you keep forgetting. Ill forget that I have any home besides this spot right here. JULIET Its almost morning. I want to make you go, but Id only let you go as far as a spoiled child lets his pet bird go. He lets the bird hop a little from his hand and then yanks him back by a string.
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So loving-jealous of his liberty. ROMEO 185 I would I were thy bird. JULIET Sweet, so would I. Yet I should kill thee with much cherishing. Good night, good night! Parting is such sweet sorrow That I shall say good night till it be morrow. Exit JULIET, above
Modern Text
ROMEO I wish I was your bird. JULIET My sweet, so do I. But I would kill you by petting you too much. Good night, good night. Parting is such sweet sorrow that Ill say good night until tonight becomes tomorrow. JULIET exits.

ROMEO Sleep dwell upon thine eyes, peace in thy breast. 190 Would I were sleep and peace, so sweet to rest. Hence will I to my ghostly friars close cell, His help to crave and my dear hap to tell. Exit ROMEO I hope you sleep peacefully. I wish I were Sleep and Peace, so I could spend the night with you. Now Ill go see my priest, to ask for his help and tell him about my good luck. He exits.
Act 2, Scene 3
Enter FRIAR LAWRENCE, with a basket FRIAR LAWRENCE The gray-eyed morn smiles on the frowning night, Checkering the eastern clouds with streaks of light, And fleckled darkness like a drunkard reels From forth days path and Titans fiery wheels. Now, ere the sun advance his burning eye, The day to cheer and nights dank dew to dry, I must upfill this osier cage of ours With baleful weeds and precious-juicd flowers. The earth, thats natures mother, is her tomb. What is her burying, grave that is her womb. And from her womb children of divers kind We sucking on her natural bosom find, Many for many virtues excellent, None but for some and yet all different. Oh, mickle is the powerful grace that lies In herbs, plants, stones, and their true qualities. For naught so vile that on the earth doth live But to the earth some special good doth give. Nor aught so good but, strained from that fair use Revolts from true birth, stumbling on abuse. Virtue itself turns vice, being misapplied, And vice sometime by action dignified. Enter ROMEO Within the infant rind of this small flower Poison hath residence and medicine power. 25 For this, being smelt, with that part cheers each part; Being tasted, stays all senses with the heart. Two such opposd kings encamp them still, In man as well as herbsgrace and rude will. FRIAR LAWRENCE enters by himself, carrying a basket. FRIAR LAWRENCE The smiling morning is replacing the frowning night. Darkness is stumbling out of the suns path like a drunk man. Now, before the sun comes up and burns away the dew, I have to fill this basket of mine with poisonous weeds and medicinal flowers. The Earth is natures mother and also natures tomb. Plants are born out of the Earth, and they are buried in the Earth when they die. From the Earths womb, many different sorts of plants and animals come forth, and the Earth provides her children with many excellent forms of nourishment. Evertything nature creates has some special property, and each one is different. Herbs, plants, and stones possess great power. There is nothing on Earth that is so evil that it does not provide the earth with some special quality. And there is nothing that does not turn bad if its put to the wrong use and abused. Virtue turns to vice if its misused. Vice sometimes becomes virtue through the right activity.
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ROMEO enters. Inside the little rind of this weak flower, there is both poison and powerful medicine. If you smell it, you feel good all over your body. But if you taste it, you die. There are two opposite elements in everything, in men as well as in herbsgood and evil.
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And where the worser is predominant, 30 Full soon the canker death eats up that plant. ROMEO Good morrow, Father. FRIAR LAWRENCE Benedicite. What early tongue so sweet saluteth me? Young son, it argues a distempered head So soon to bid good morrow to thy bed. 35 Care keeps his watch in every old mans eye, And where care lodges, sleep will never lie. But where unbruisd youth with unstuffed brain Doth couch his limbs, there golden sleep doth reign. Therefore thy earliness doth me assure 40 Thou art uproused by some distemperature. Or if not so, then here I hit it right: Our Romeo hath not been in bed tonight. ROMEO That last is true. The sweeter rest was mine. FRIAR LAWRENCE God pardon sin! Wast thou with Rosaline? ROMEO 45 With Rosaline, my ghostly Father? No. I have forgot that name and that names woe. FRIAR LAWRENCE Thats my good son. But where hast thou been, then? ROMEO Ill tell thee ere thou ask it me again. I have been feasting with mine enemy, 50 Where on a sudden one hath wounded me, Thats by me wounded. Both our remedies Within thy help and holy physic lies. I bear no hatred, blessd man, for, lo, My intercession likewise steads my foe. When evil is dominant, death soon kills the body like cancer. ROMEO Good morning, father. FRIAR LAWRENCE God bless you. Who greets me so early in the morning? Young man, somethings wrong if youre getting out of bed this early. Every old man has worries, and worried men never get any sleep, but young men shouldnt have a care in the world. They should get to bed early and get plenty of sleep. Therefore, the fact that youre awake this early tells me youve been upset with some anxiety. If thats not the case, then this must be the answer: You, Romeo, have not been to bed tonight. ROMEO Your last guess is right. I enjoyed a sweeter rest than sleep. FRIAR LAWRENCE May God forgive you if youve sinned!Were you with Rosaline? ROMEO With Rosaline, father? No, I have forgotten that girl and all the sadness she brought me. FRIAR LAWRENCE Thats good, my boy. But where have you been? ROMEO Ill tell you before you have to ask me again. I have been feasting with my enemy. Suddenly someone wounded me with love and was wounded with love by me. You have the sacred power to cure both of us. I carry no hatred, holy man, because my request will benefit my enemy.

FRIAR LAWRENCE 55 Be plain, good son, and homely in thy drift. Riddling confession finds but riddling shrift. ROMEO Then plainly know my hearts dear love is set On the fair daughter of rich Capulet. As mine on hers, so hers is set on mine, 60 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, Ill tell thee as we pass, but this I pray: That thou consent to marry us today. FRIAR LAWRENCE Speak plainly, make your meaning clear, my son. A jumbled confession can only receive a jumbled absolution. ROMEO I love rich Capulets daughter. I love her, and she loves me. Were bound to each other in every possible way, except we need you to marry us. Ill tell you more later about when and where we met, how we fell in love, and how we exchanged promises, but now Im begging you: please, agree to marry us today.
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Original Text
FRIAR LAWRENCE 65 Holy Saint Francis, what a change is here! Is Rosaline, whom thou didst love so dear, So soon forsaken? Young mens love then lies Not truly in their hearts, but in their eyes. Jesu Maria, what a deal of brine 70 Hath washed 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. 75 Lo, here upon thy cheek the stain doth sit Of an old tear that is not washed off yet. If e'er thou wast thyself and these woes thine, Thou and these woes were all for Rosaline. And art thou changed? Pronounce this sentence 80 then: Women may fall when theres no strength in men. ROMEO Thou chidst me oft for loving Rosaline. FRIAR LAWRENCE For doting, not for loving, pupil mine. ROMEO And badest me bury love.
Modern Text
FRIAR LAWRENCE Holy Saint Francis, this is a drastic change! Have you given up so quickly on Rosaline, whom you loved so much? Then young men love with their eyes, not with their hearts. Jesus and Mary, how many tears did you cry for Rosaline? How many salty tear-drops did you waste salting a love you never tasted? The sun hasnt yet melted away the fog you made with all your sighs. The groans you used to make are still ringing in my old ears. Theres still a stain on your cheek from an old tear that hasnt been washed off yet. If you were ever yourself, and this sadness was yours, you and your sadness were all for Rosaline. And now youve changed? Then repeat this after me: you cant expect women to be faithful when men are so unreliable. ROMEO You scolded me often for loving Rosaline. FRIAR LAWRENCE I scolded you for obsessing about her, not for loving her, my student. ROMEO And you told me to bury my love.

FRIAR LAWRENCE Not in a grave, To lay one in, another out to have. ROMEO 85 I pray thee, chide not. Her I love now Doth grace for grace and love for love allow. The other did not so. FRIAR LAWRENCE Oh, she knew well Thy love did read by rote, that could not spell. But come, young waverer, come, go with me, 90 In one respect Ill thy assistant be, For this alliance may so happy prove To turn your households' rancor to pure love. ROMEO Oh, let us hence. I stand on sudden haste. FRIAR LAWRENCE Wisely and slow. They stumble that run fast. Exeunt FRIAR LAWRENCE I didnt tell you to get rid of one love and replace her with another. ROMEO Please, I beg you, dont scold me. The girl I love now returns my love. The other girl did not love me. FRIAR LAWRENCE Oh, she knew very well that you were acting like you were in love without really knowing what love means. But come on, inconsistent young man, come with me. Ill help you with your secret wedding. This marriage may be lucky enough to turn the hatred between your families into pure love. ROMEO Lets get out of here. Im in a rush. FRIAR LAWRENCE Go wisely and slowly. Those who rush stumble and fall. They exit.
Act 2, Scene 4
Enter BENVOLIO and MERCUTIO BENVOLIO and MERCUTIO enter.
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MERCUTIO Where the devil should this Romeo be? Came he not home tonight? BENVOLIO Not to his fathers. I spoke with his man. MERCUTIO Why, that same pale hard-hearted wench, that 5 Rosaline, Torments him so, that he will sure run mad. BENVOLIO Tybalt, the kinsman to old Capulet, Hath sent a letter to his fathers house. MERCUTIO A challenge, on my life. BENVOLIO Romeo will answer it. MERCUTIO 10 Any man that can write may answer a letter. BENVOLIO Nay, he will answer the letters master, how he dares, being dared. MERCUTIO Alas, poor Romeo! He is already dead, stabbed with a white wenchs black eye, shot through the ear with a love song, the very pin of his heart cleft with the blind bow-boys butt shaft. And is he a man to encounter Tybalt? BENVOLIO Why, what is Tybalt? MERCUTIO More than Prince of Cats. Oh, hes the courageous captain of compliments. He fights as you sing pricksong, keeps time, distance, and proportion. He rests his minim restsone, two, and the third in your bosom. The very butcher of a silk button, a duelist, a duelist, a gentleman of the very first house of the first and second cause. Ah, the immortalpassado, the punto reverso, the hai!
Modern Text
MERCUTIO Where the devil can Romeo be? Didnt he come home last night? BENVOLIO Not to his fathers house. I asked a servant. MERCUTIO That fair-skinned, hard-hearted hussy, Rosaline is going to torment him until he goes insane. BENVOLIO Tybalt, old Capulets nephew, has sent a letter to Romeos fathers house. MERCUTIO I bet its a challenge. BENVOLIO Romeo will answer the challenge. MERCUTIO Any man who knows how to write can answer a letter. BENVOLIO No, Romeo will respond to the letters writer, telling him whether he accepts the challenge. MERCUTIO Oh, poor Romeo! Hes already dead. Hes been stabbed by a white girls black eye. Hes been cut through the ear with a love song. The center of his heart has been split by blind Cupids arrow. Is he man enough at this point to face off with Tybalt? BENVOLIO Why, whats Tybalts story? MERCUTIO Hes tougher than the Prince of Cats. He does everything by the book. He fights like you sing at a recital, paying attention to time, distance, and proportion. He takes the proper breaks: one, two, and the third in your heart. Hes the butcher who can hit any silk button. A master of duels. Hes a gentleman from the finest school of fencing. He knows how to turn any argument into a swordfight. He knows passadothe forward thrustthe punto reversothe backhand thrust and the haithe thrust that goes straight through.

BENVOLIO 15 The what? MERCUTIO The pox of such antic, lisping, affecting fantasmines, these new tuners of accents! By Jesu, a very good blade! A very tall man! A very good whore! Why, is not this a lamentable thing, grandsire, that we should BENVOLIO He knows what? MERCUTIO I hate these crazy, affected guys who use foreign phrases and newfangled expressions. I hate their strange manners and their weird accents! I hate it when they say, By Jesus, this is a very good
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be thus afflicted with these strange flies, these fashion-mongers, these pardon mes, who stand so much on the new form, that they cannot sit at ease on the old bench? Oh, their bones, their bones!
Modern Text
blade, a very brave man, a very good whore. Isnt this a sad thing, my good man? Why should we put up with these foreign buzzards, these fashionmongers, these guys who say pardon me, these guys who care so much about manners that they cant kick back on a bench without whining? Oh, my aching bones! ROMEO enters. BENVOLIO Here comes Romeo, here comes Romeo! MERCUTIO He looks skinny, like a dried herring without its eggs, and he hasnt got his girl. O flesh, flesh, youve turned pale and weak like a fish. Now hes ready for Petrarchs poetry. Compared to Romeos girl, Laura was a kitchen slave. Surely she has a better love to make rhymes for her. Dido was shabbily dressed. Cleopatra was a gypsy girl. Helen and Hero were sluts and harlots. Thisbe might have had a blue eye or two, but that doesnt matter. Signor Romeo, bonjour.Theres a French greeting that matches your drooping French-style pants. You faked us out pretty good last night.
Enter ROMEO BENVOLIO Here comes Romeo, here comes Romeo. MERCUTIO Without his roe, like a dried herring. O flesh, flesh, how art thou fishified! Now is he for the numbers that Petrarch flowed in. Laura to his lady was but a kitchen-wench marry, she had a better love to berhyme herDido a dowdy, Cleopatra a gypsy, Helen and Hero hildings and harlots, Thisbe a grey eye or so, but not to the purpose. Signior Romeo,bonjour! Theres a French salutation to your French slop. You gave us the counterfeit fairly last night.

ROMEO Good morrow to you both. What counterfeit did I give you? MERCUTIO 20 The slip, sir, the slip. Can you not conceive? ROMEO Pardon, good Mercutio, my business was great, and in such a case as mine a man may strain courtesy. MERCUTIO Thats as much as to say, such a case as yours constrains a man to bow in the hams. ROMEO Meaning to curtsy? MERCUTIO Thou hast most kindly hit it. ROMEO 25 A most courteous exposition. MERCUTIO Nay, I am the very pink of courtesy. ROMEO Pink for flower. MERCUTIO ROMEO Good morning to you both. What do you mean I faked you out? MERCUTIO You gave us the slip, sir, the slip. Cant you understand what Im saying? ROMEO Excuse me, good Mercutio. I had very important business to take care of. It was so important that I had to forget about courtesy and good manners. MERCUTIO In other words important business made youflex your buttocks. ROMEO You mean do a curtsy? MERCUTIO Youve hit the target, sir. ROMEO Thats a very polite and courteous explanation. MERCUTIO Yes, I am the pink flowerthe master, of courtesy and manners. ROMEO The pink flower. MERCUTIO
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Right. Right.
Modern Text

ROMEO Why, then is my pump well flowered. MERCUTIO 30 Sure wit, follow me this jest now till thou hast worn out thy pump, that when the single sole of it is worn, the jest may remain, after the wearing solely singular. ROMEO O single-soled jest, solely singular for the singleness. MERCUTIO Come between us, good Benvolio. My wits faints. ROMEO Switch and spurs, switch and spurs, or Ill cry a match. MERCUTIO Nay, if our wits run the wild-goose chase, I am done, for thou hast more of the wild-goose in one of thy wits than, I am sure, I have in my whole five. Was I with you there for the goose? ROMEO 35 Thou wast never with me for anything when thou wast not there for the goose. MERCUTIO I will bite thee by the ear for that jest. ROMEO Nay, good goose, bite not. MERCUTIO Thy wit is a very bitter sweeting. It is a most sharp sauce. ROMEO And is it not well served into a sweet goose? MERCUTIO 40 Oh, heres a wit of cheveril, that stretches from an inch narrow to an ell broad! ROMEO Well, then my pump is well decorated with flowers. MERCUTIO Alright my witty friend, this joke has worn out your pump. Its thin skin is all worn out. The joke is all you have left. ROMEO This is a bad joke. Its all silliness. MERCUTIO Come break this up, Benvolio. Im losing this duel of wits. ROMEO Keep going, keep going, or Ill declare myself the winner. MERCUTIO Now, if our jokes go on a wild-goose chase, Im finished. You have more wild goose in one of your jokes than I have in five of mine. Was I even close to you in the chase for the goose? ROMEO You were never with me for anything if you werent there for the goose. MERCUTIO Ill bite you on the ear for that joke. ROMEO No, good goose, dont bite me. MERCUTIO Your joke is a very bitter apple. Your humor is a spicy sauce. ROMEO Then isnt it just the right dish for a sweet goose? MERCUTIO Oh, thats a joke made out of leather that spreads itself thin, from the width of an inch to as fat as a yard.

ROMEO I stretch it out for that word broad, which, added to the goose, proves thee far and wide a broad goose. MERCUTIO Why, is not this better now than groaning for love? Now art thou sociable. Now art thou Romeo. Now art thou what thou artby art as well as by nature, for this driveling love is like a great natural that runs ROMEO I stretch my joke for that word fat. If you add that word to the word goose, it shows that you are a fat goose. MERCUTIO Why, isnt all this joking better than groaning about love? Now youre sociable. Now youre Romeo. Now you are what youve learned to be and what you are naturally. This love of yours
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lolling up and down to hide his bauble in a hole. BENVOLIO Stop there, stop there. MERCUTIO Thou desirest me to stop in my tale against the hair. BENVOLIO 45 Thou wouldst else have made thy tale large. MERCUTIO Oh, thou art deceived. I would have made it short, for I was come to the whole depth of my tale, and meant, indeed, to occupy the argument no longer. Enter NURSE and her man PETER ROMEO Heres goodly gear. BENVOLIO A sail, a sail! MERCUTIO Two, twoa shirt and a smock. NURSE 50 Peter!
Modern Text
was like a blithering idiot who runs up and down looking for a hole to hide his toy in. BENVOLIO Stop there, stop there. MERCUTIO You want me to stop my tale before Im done. BENVOLIO Otherwise your tale would have gotten too long. MERCUTIO Oh, youre wrong. I would have made it short. I had come to the deepest part of my tale, and I planned to say nothing more on the topic. The NURSE enters with her servant, PETER. ROMEO Heres something good. BENVOLIO A sail, a sail! MERCUTIO Theres twoa man and a woman. NURSE Peter!

PETER Anon! NURSE My fan, Peter. MERCUTIO Good, Peter, to hide her face, for her fans the fairer face. NURSE God ye good morrow, gentlemen. MERCUTIO 55 God ye good e'en, fair gentlewoman. NURSE Is it good e'en? MERCUTIO 'Tis no less, I tell you, for the bawdy hand of the dial is now upon the prick of noon. NURSE Out upon you! What a man are you? MERCUTIO One, gentlewoman, that God hath made, himself to mar. NURSE 60 By my troth, it is well said. For himself to mar, quoth he? Gentlemen, can any of you tell me where I may find the young Romeo? ROMEO I can tell you, but young Romeo will be older when PETER Im at your service. NURSE Give me my fan, Peter. MERCUTIO Good Peter, give her her fan to hide her face. Her fan is prettier than her face. NURSE Good morning, gentlemen. MERCUTIO Good afternoon, fair lady. NURSE Is it now afternoon? MERCUTIO Its not earlier than that, I tell you. The lusty handof the clock is now pricking noon. NURSE Get out of here! What kind of man are you? MERCUTIO Im a man, my lady, that God has made for himself to ruin. NURSE I swear, you speak the truth. For himself to ruin, he says. Gentlemen, can any of you tell me where I can find young Romeo? ROMEO I can tell you, but young Romeo will be older
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Original Text
you have found him than he was when you sought him. I am the youngest of that name, for fault of a worse. NURSE You say well.
Modern Text
when you find him than he was when you started looking for him. I am the youngest man by that name, because there is no one younger, or worse. NURSE You speak well.

MERCUTIO Yea, is the worst well? Very well took, i' faith, wisely, wisely. NURSE If you be he, sir, I desire some confidence with you. BENVOLIO 65 She will indite him to some supper. MERCUTIO A bawd, a bawd, a bawd! So ho! ROMEO What hast thou found? MERCUTIO No hare, sir, unless a hare, sir, in a Lenten piethat is, something stale and hoar ere it be spent. (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. 70 (speaks) Romeo, will you come to your fathers? Well to dinner, thither. ROMEO I will follow you. MERCUTIO Is the worst well? Very well taken, I believe, very wise. NURSE (to ROMEO) If youre the Romeo Im looking for, sir, I would like to have a confidence with you. BENVOLIO She will indite him to some dinner party. MERCUTIO A pimp! A pimp! A pimp! Ive found it out. ROMEO What have you found out? MERCUTIO Shes not a prostitute unless shes using her ugliness to hide her promiscuity. (he walks by them and sings) Old rabbit meat is good to eat, If you cant get anything else. But if its so old, That it goes bad before you eat it, Then it was a waste of money. (speaking) Romeo, are you going to your fathers for lunch? Lets go there. ROMEO Ill follow after you.

MERCUTIO Farewell, ancient lady. Farewell, lady, lady, lady. Exeunt MERCUTIO and BENVOLIO NURSE I pray you, sir, what saucy merchant was this that was so full of his ropery? ROMEO 75 A gentleman, Nurse, that loves to hear himself talk, and will speak more in a minute than he will stand to in a month. NURSE An he speak any thing against me, Ill take him down, an he were lustier than he is, and twenty such Jacks. MERCUTIO Goodbye, old lady. Goodbye, lady, lady, lady. BENVOLIO and MERCUTIO exit. NURSE Please tell me, sir, who was that foulmouthed punk who was so full of crude jokes? ROMEO Nurse, hes a man who likes to hear the sound of his own voice. He says more in one minute than he does in a whole month. NURSE If he says anything against me, Ill humble him, even if he were stronger than he isand twenty
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Original Text
And if I cannot, Ill find those that shall. Scurvy knave! I am none of his flirt-gills. I am none of his skainsmates. (to PETER) And thou must stand by, too, and suffer every knave to use me at his pleasure? PETER I saw no man use you at his pleasure. If I had, my weapon should quickly have been out, I warrant you. I dare draw as soon as another man if I see occasion in a good quarrel and the law on my side. NURSE Now, afore God, I am so vexed that every part about me quivers. Scurvy knave! (to ROMEO) Pray you, sir, a word. And as I told you, my young lady bid 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 fools paradise, as they say, it were a very gross kind of behavior, as they say. For the gentlewoman is young, and therefore, if you should deal double with her, truly it were an ill thing to be offered to any gentlewoman, and very weak dealing.
Modern Text
punks like him. If I cant do it myself, Ill find someone who can. That dirty rat! Im not one of his sluts. Im not one of his punk friends who carries a knife. (to PETER) And you just stand there letting every jerk make fun of me for kicks. PETER I didnt see anybody use you for kicks. If I had seen something like that, I would have quickly pulled out my weapon. Believe me, Ill draw my sword as quick as any other man if I see a fight starting and the law is on my side. NURSE Now, I swear, Im so angry that Im shaking all over. That rotten scoundrel! (to ROMEO) Now, please, may I have a word with you, sir? My young mistress asked me to find you. What she asked me to say Ill keep to myself. But let me tell you this first. If you lead her into a fools paradise, as the saying goes, it would be an outrageous crime because the girl is so young. And if you try to trick her, it would be an evil thing to do to any woman and very poor behavior.

ROMEO 80 Nurse, commend me to thy lady and mistress. I protest unto thee NURSE Good heart, and i' faith, I will tell her as much. Lord, Lord, she will be a joyful woman. ROMEO What wilt thou tell her, Nurse? Thou dost not mark me. NURSE I will tell her, sir, that you do protest, which, as I take it, is a gentlemanlike offer. ROMEO Bid her devise 85 Some means to come to shrift this afternoon. And there she shall at Friar Lawrence' cell Be shrived and married. (gives her coins) Here is for thy pains. NURSE No, truly, sir. Not a penny. ROMEO Go to. I say you shall. NURSE 90 (takes the money) This afternoon, sir? Well, she shall be there. ROMEO And stay, good Nurse. Behind the abbey wall ROMEO Nurse, give my regards to to your lady. I swear to you NURSE You have a good heart, and believe me, Ill tell her that. Lord, Lord, shell be a happy woman. ROMEO What are you going to tell her, Nurse? Youre not paying attention to me. NURSE Sir, Ill tell her that you protest to her, which I think is the gentlemanly thing to do.. ROMEO Tell her to devise a plan to get out of her house and come to confession at the abbey this afternoon. At Friar Lawrences cell she can make confession and be married. (giving her coins) Here is a reward for your efforts. NURSE No, really, I wont take a penny. ROMEO Go on, I insist you take it. NURSE (taking the money) This afternoon, sir? Shell be there. ROMEO Wait good Nurse. Within an hour, one of my men
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Within this hour my man shall be with thee And bring thee cords made like a tackled stair, Which to the high top-gallant of my joy 95 Must be my convoy in the secret night. Farewell. Be trusty, and Ill quit thy pains. Farewell. Commend me to thy mistress.
Modern Text
will come to you behind the abbey wall and give you a rope ladder. Ill use the rope ladder to climb over the walls at night. Then Ill meet Juliet joyfully and in secret. Goodbye. Be honest and helpful, and Ill repay you for your efforts. Goodbye. Sing my praises to your mistress.

NURSE Now God in heaven bless thee! Hark you, sir. ROMEO What sayst thou, my dear Nurse? NURSE 100 Is your man secret? Did you ne'er hear say, Two may keep counsel, putting one away? ROMEO Warrant thee, my mans as true as steel. NURSE Well, sir, my mistress is the sweetest lady.Lord, Lord! when twas a little prating thing.Oh, there is a nobleman in town, one Paris, that would fain lay knife aboard, but she, good soul, had as lief see a toad, a very toad, as see him. I anger her sometimes and tell her that Paris is the properer man. But, Ill warrant you, when I say so, she looks as pale as any clout in the versal world. Doth notrosemary and Romeo begin both with a letter? ROMEO Ay, Nurse, what of that? Both with an R. NURSE 105 Ah, mocker, thats the dogs name. R is for theNo, 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 hear it. ROMEO Commend me to thy lady. NURSE Ay, a thousand times.Peter! PETER Anon! NURSE Before and apace. Exeunt NURSE May God in heaven bless you. Now please listen, sir. ROMEO What do you have to say, my dear Nurse? NURSE Can your man keep a secret? Havent you ever heard the saying, Two can conspire to put one away? ROMEO I assure you, my man is as true as steel. NURSE Well, sir, my mistress is the sweetest lady. Lord, Lord, when she was a little babyOh, there is one nobleman in the city, a guy named Paris, who would be happy to claim her as his own. Juliet would rather look at a toad than at him. I make her angry sometimes by saying that Paris is more handsome than you are. But when I say so, I swear she turns white as a sheet. Dont rosemary and Romeo begin with the same letter? ROMEO Yes, Nurse, what about that? They both begin with the letter R. NURSE Ah, you jokesterthats the dogs name. R is for theno, I know it begins with another letter. She says the most beautiful things about you and rosemary. It would be good for you to hear the things she says. ROMEO Give my compliments to your lady. NURSE Yes, a thousand times. Peter! PETER Im ready. NURSE (giving PETER her fan) Go ahead. Go quickly. They all exit.
Act 2, Scene 5
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Enter JULIET JULIET The clock struck nine when I did send the Nurse. In half an hour she promised to return. Perchance she cannot meet him. Thats not so. Oh, she is lame! Loves heralds should be thoughts, 5 Which ten times faster glide than the suns beams, Driving back shadows over louring hills. Therefore do nimble-pinioned doves draw love And therefore hath the wind-swift Cupid wings. Now is the sun upon the highmost hill 10 Of this days 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, 15 And his to me. But old folks, many feign as they were dead, Unwieldy, slow, heavy, and pale as lead. Enter NURSE and PETER O God, she comes.O honey Nurse, what news? Hast thou met with him? Send thy man away. NURSE 20 Peter, stay at the gate. Exit PETER JULIET Now, good sweet Nurse O Lord, why lookst 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.
Modern Text
JULIET enters. JULIET I sent the Nurse at nine o'clock. Maybe she cant find him. That cant be. Oh, shes slow! Loves messengers should be thoughts, which fly ten times faster than sunbeams. They should be strong enough to push shadows over the dark hills. Thats the way doves carry Venus so fast, and thats why Cupid has wings that let him fly as fast as the wind. Now its noon. Thats three hours since nine o'clock, but she hasnt come back. If she was young and passionate, shed move as fast as a ball. My words would bounce her to my sweet love, and his words would bounce her back to me. But a lot of old people act like theyre already deadsluggish, slow, fat, and colorless, like lead.
The NURSE and PETER enter. Oh my God, here she comes! Oh sweet Nurse, what news do you bring? Have you spoken to him? Send your man away. NURSE Peter, wait for me at the gate. PETER exits. JULIET Now, good sweet NurseOh Lord, why do you look so sad? Even if the news is sad, tell me with a smile on your face. If the news is good, youre ruining the sweet news by playing a trick with a sour face like that.

NURSE 25 I am aweary. Give me leave awhile. Fie, how my bones ache! What a jaunt have I! JULIET I would thou hadst my bones and I thy news. Nay, come, I pray thee, speak. Good, good Nurse, speak. NURSE Jesu, what haste! Can you not stay awhile? 30 Do you not see that I am out of breath? JULIET 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. 35 Is thy news good, or bad? Answer to that. NURSE I am tired. Leave me alone for a minute. Oh my, my bones ache so much. Ive been running all over the place. JULIET I wish you had my bones, and I had your news. Come on now, I beg you, speak, good Nurse, speak. NURSE Sweet Jesus, youre in such a hurry! Cant you wait for a moment? Dont you see that Im out of breath? JULIET How can you be out of breath when you have enough breath to tell me that youre out of breath? The excuse you make to delay the news is longer than the news itself. Is the news good or bad? Answer that question. Tell me if its good or
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Say either, and Ill stay the circumstance. Let me be satisfied. Is t good or bad? NURSE 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 mans, yet his leg excels all mens, and for a hand and a foot and a body, though they be not to be talked on, yet they are past compare. He is not the flower of courtesy, but, Ill warrant him, as gentle as a lamb. Go thy ways, wench. Serve God. What, have you dined at home? JULIET No, no. But all this did I know before. 40 What says he of our marriage? What of that? NURSE Lord, how my head aches! What a head have I! It beats as it would fall in twenty pieces. My back a' t' other side. Ah, my back, my back! Beshrew your heart for sending me about, 45 To catch my death with jaunting up and down!
Modern Text
bad, and Ill wait for the details. Tell me so I can be satisfied. Is it good or bad? NURSE Well, you have made a foolish choice. You dont know how to pick a man. Romeo? No, not him, though his face is more handsome than any mans, and his legs are prettier, and as for his hands and feet and body, theyre not much to speak of, and yet theyre beyond compare. Hes not the most polite man in the world, but, believe me, hes gentle as a lamb. Well, do what you want. Be good. Have you had lunch yet? JULIET No, I havent had lunch. Everything you told me I already knew. What does he say about our marriage? What about that? NURSE Lord, what a headache Ive got! My head is pounding. It feels like itll break into twenty pieces. My back aches too(JULIET rubs her back) Ooh, on the other sideah, my poor aching back! Curse your heart for sending me running all over town. I could get sick and die.

JULIET I' faith, I am sorry that thou art not well. Sweet, sweet, sweet Nurse, tell me, what says my love? NURSE 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? JULIET 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?' NURSE O Gods lady dear, 55 Are you so hot? Marry, come up, I trow. Is this the poultice for my aching bones? Henceforward do your messages yourself. JULIET Heres such a coil. Come, what says Romeo? NURSE Have you got leave to go to shrift today? JULIET 60 I have. NURSE JULIET Believe me, Im sorry youre in pain. Sweet, sweet, sweet Nurse, tell me, what did my love Romeo say? NURSE Your love says, like an honorable gentleman, who is courteous, kind, handsome, and, I believe, virtuous where is your mother? JULIET Where is my mother? Why, shes inside. Where else would she be? Your answer is so strange! Your love says, like an honorable gentleman, 'Where is your mother?' NURSE Oh holy Mary, mother of God! Are you this impatient? Come on, youre being ridiculous! Is this the cure for my aching bones? From now on, take care of your messages yourself. JULIET Youre making such a fuss. Come on, what did Romeo say? NURSE Do you have permission to go out and take confession today? JULIET I do. NURSE
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Then hie you hence to Friar Lawrences cell. There stays a husband to make you a wife. Now comes the wanton blood up in your cheeks. Theyll be in scarlet straight at any news. 65 Hie you to church. I must another way To fetch a ladder, by the which your love Must climb a birds nest soon when it is dark. I am the drudge and toil in your delight, But you shall bear the burden soon at night. 70 Go. Ill to dinner. Hie you to the cell.
Modern Text
Then hurry up and rush over to Friar Lawrences cell. Theres a husband there whos waiting to make you his wife. Now I see the blood rushing to your cheeks. You blush bright red as soon as you hear any news. Go to the church. I must go by a different path to get a rope ladder. Your love will use it to climb up to your window while its dark. I do the drudge work for your pleasure. But soon youll be doing a wifes work all night long. Go. Ill go to lunch. You go to Friar Lawrences cell.

JULIET Hie to high fortune! Honest Nurse, farewell. Exeunt JULIET Wish me luck. Thank you, dear Nurse. They exit.
Act 2, Scene 6
Enter FRIAR LAWRENCE and ROMEO FRIAR LAWRENCE So smile the heavens upon this holy act That after-hours with sorrow chide us not. ROMEO Amen, amen. But come what sorrow can, It cannot countervail the exchange of joy 5 That one short minute gives me in her sight. Do thou but close our hands with holy words, Then love-devouring death do what he dare; It is enough I may but call her mine. FRIAR LAWRENCE These violent delights have violent ends 10 And in their triumph die, like fire and powder, Which, as they kiss, consume. The sweetest honey Is loathsome in his own deliciousness And in the taste confounds the appetite. Therefore love moderately. Long love doth so. 15 Too swift arrives as tardy as too slow. Enter JULIET, somewhat fast, and embracethROMEO Here comes the lady. Oh, so light a foot Will ne'er wear out the everlasting flint. A lover may bestride the gossamers That idles in the wanton summer air, 20 And yet not fall. So light is vanity. JULIET Good even to my ghostly confessor. FRIAR LAWRENCE Romeo shall thank thee, daughter, for us both. FRIAR LAWRENCE and ROMEO enter. FRIAR LAWRENCE May the heavens be happy with this holy act of marriage, so nothing unfortunate happens later to make us regret it. ROMEO Amen, amen. But whatever misfortunes occur, they cant ruin the joy I feel with one look at her. All you have to do is join our hands with holy words, then love-destroying death can do whatever it pleases. Its enough for me if I can call her mine. FRIAR LAWRENCE These sudden joys have sudden endings. They burn up in victory like fire and gunpowder. When they meet, as in a kiss, they explode. Too much honey is delicious, but it makes you sick to your stomach. Therefore, love each other in moderation. That is the key to long-lasting love. Too fast is as bad as too slow. JULIET enters in a rush and embraces ROMEO. Here comes the lady. Oh,a footstep as light as hers will never endure the rocky road of life. Lovers are so light they can walk on a spiderweb floating on a summer breeze, and yet not fall. Thats how flimsy and unreal pleasure is. JULIET Good evening, my spiritual confessor. FRIAR LAWRENCE Romeo will thank you, my girl, for both of us.
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JULIET As much to him, else is his thanks too much. ROMEO Ah, Juliet, if the measure of thy joy 25 Be heaped like mine, and that thy skill be more To blazon it, then sweeten with thy breath This neighbor air, and let rich musics tongue Unfold the imagined happiness that both Receive in either by this dear encounter. JULIET 30 Conceit, more rich in matter than in words, Brags of his substance, not of ornament. They are but beggars that can count their worth. But my true love is grown to such excess I cannot sum up sum of half my wealth. FRIAR LAWRENCE 35 Come, come with me, and we will make short work. For, by your leaves, you shall not stay alone Till holy church incorporate two in one. Exeunt
Modern Text
JULIET Ill give him equal thanks, so were even. ROMEO Ah, Juliet if youre as happy as I am, and youre better with words, tell me about the happiness you imagine well have in our marriage.
JULIET I can imagine more than I can sayI have more on my mind than words. Anyone who can count how much he has is poor. My true love has made me so rich that I cant count even half of my wealth. FRIAR LAWRENCE Come, come with me, and well do the job quickly. Because if you dont mind, Im not leaving you two alone until youre united in marriage. They exit.
Act 3, Scene 1
Enter MERCUTIO, BENVOLIO, Mercutios PAGE, and others BENVOLIO I pray thee, good Mercutio, lets retire. The day is hot; the Capulets, abroad; And if we meet we shall not scape a brawl, For now, these hot days, is the mad blood stirring. MERCUTIO 5 Thou art like one of those fellows that, when he enters the confines of a tavern, claps me his sword upon the table and says God send me no need of thee! and, by the operation of the second cup, draws it on the drawer when indeed there is no need. BENVOLIO Am I like such a fellow? MERCUTIO Come, come, thou art as hot a Jack in thy mood as any in Italy, and as soon moved to be moody, and as soon moody to be moved. MERCUTIO, his page, and BENVOLIO enter with other men. BENVOLIO Im begging you, good Mercutio, lets call it a day. Its hot outside, and the Capulets are wandering around. If we bump into them, well certainly get into a fight. When its hot outside, people become angry and hot-blooded. MERCUTIO Youre like one of those guys who walks into a bar, slams his sword on the table, and then says, I pray I never have to use you. By the time he orders his second drink, he pulls his sword on the bartender for no reason at all. BENVOLIO Am I really like one of those guys? MERCUTIO Come on, you can be as angry as any guy in Italy when youre in the mood. When someone does the smallest thing to make you angry, you get angry. And when youre in the mood to get angry, you find something to get angry about. BENVOLIO And what about that? MERCUTIO If there were two men like you, pretty soon thered be none because the two of you would kill each other. You would fight with a man if he had one more whisker or one less whisker in his beard than you have in your beard. Youll fight with a
BENVOLIO And what to? MERCUTIO Nay, an there were two such, we should have none shortly, for one would kill the other. Thou, why, thou wilt quarrel with a man that hath a hair more or a hair less in his beard than thou hast. Thou wilt quarrel with a man for cracking nuts, having no other reason but
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because thou hast hazel eyes. What eye but such an eye would spy out such a quarrel? Thy head is as full of quarrels as an egg is full of meat, and yet thy head hath been beaten as addle as an egg for quarreling. Thou hast quarreled 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 ribbon? And yet thou wilt tutor me from quarreling!
Modern Text
man whos cracking nuts just because you have hazelnut-colored eyes. Only you would look for a fight like that. Your head is as full of fights as an egg is full of yolk, but your head has been beaten like scrambled eggs from so much fighting. You started a fight with a man who coughed in the street because he woke up a dog that was sleeping in the sun. Didnt you argue it out with your tailor for wearing one of his new suits before the right season? And with another for tying the new shoes he made with old laces? And yet youre the one who wants to teach me about restraint!

BENVOLIO 10 An I were so apt to quarrel as thou art, any man should buy the fee simple of my life for an hour and a quarter. MERCUTIO The fee simple? O simple! Enter TYBALT, PETRUCHIO, and other CAPULETS BENVOLIO By my head, here comes the Capulets. MERCUTIO By my heel, I care not. TYBALT Follow me close, for I will speak to them. 15 Gentlemen, good e'en. A word with one of you. BENVOLIO If I were in the habit of fighting the way you are, my life insurance rates would be sky high. MERCUTIO Your life insurance? Thats foolish. TYBALT, PETRUCHIO, and CAPULETS enter. BENVOLIO Oh great, here come the Capulets. MERCUTIO Well, well, I dont care. TYBALT (to PETRUCCIO and others) Follow me closely, Ill talk to them. (to the MONTAGUES) Good afternoon, gentlemen. Id like to have a word with one of you. MERCUTIO You just want one word with one of us? Put it together with something else. Make it a word and a blow. TYBALT Youll find me ready enough to do that, sir, if you give me a reason. MERCUTIO Cant you find a reason without my giving you one? TYBALT Mercutio, you hang out with Romeo.
MERCUTIO And but one word with one of us? Couple it with something. Make it a word and a blow. TYBALT You shall find me apt enough to that, sir, an you will give me occasion. MERCUTIO Could you not take some occasion without giving? TYBALT Mercutio, thou consortst with Romeo.

MERCUTIO 20 Consort? What, dost thou make us minstrels? An thou make minstrels of us, look to hear nothing but discords. Heres my fiddlestick. Heres that shall make you dance. Zounds, consort! MERCUTIO Hang out? Who do you think we are, musicians in a band? If we look like musicians to you, you can expect to hear nothing but noise. (touching the blade of his sword) This is my fiddlestick. Ill use it to make you dance. GoddammitHang
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Original Text
out! BENVOLIO We talk here in the public haunt of men. Either withdraw unto some private place, And reason coldly of your grievances, Or else depart. Here all eyes gaze on us. MERCUTIO 25 Mens eyes were made to look and let them gaze. I will not budge for no mans pleasure, I. Enter ROMEO TYBALT Well, peace be with you, sir. Here comes my man. MERCUTIO But Ill be hanged, sir, if he wear your livery. Marry, go before to field, hell be your follower. 30 Your worship in that sense may call him man. TYBALT Romeo, the love I bear thee can afford No better term than this: thou art a villain. ROMEO Tybalt, the reason that I have to love thee Doth much excuse the appertaining rage 35 To such a greeting. Villain am I none. Therefore, farewell. I see thou knowst me not. TYBALT Boy, this shall not excuse the injuries That thou hast done me. Therefore turn and draw.
Modern Text
BENVOLIO Were talking here in a public place. Either go someplace private, or talk it over rationally, or else just go away. Out here everybody can see us. MERCUTIO Mens eyes were made to see things, so let them watch. I wont move to please anybody. ROMEO enters. TYBALT Well, may peace be with you. Here comes my man, the man Im looking for. MERCUTIO Hes not your man. Alright, walk out into a field, and hell chase you. In that sense you can call him your man. TYBALT Romeo, theres only one thing I can call you. Youre a villain. ROMEO Tybalt, I have a reason to love you that lets me put aside the rage I should feel and excuse that insult. I am no villain. So, goodbye. I can tell that you dont know who I am. TYBALT Boy, your words cant excuse the harm youve done to me. So now turn and draw your sword.

ROMEO I do protest I never injured thee, 40 But love thee better than thou canst devise, Till thou shalt know the reason of my love. And so, good Capuletwhich name I tender As dearly as my ownbe satisfied. MERCUTIO O calm dishonourable, vile submission! 45 Alla stoccata carries it away. (draws his sword) Tybalt, you ratcatcher, will you walk? TYBALT What wouldst thou have with me? MERCUTIO Good King of Cats, nothing but one of your nine lives, that I mean to make bold withal, and, as you shall use me hereafter, dry-beat the rest of the eight. Will you pluck your sword out of his pilcher by the ears? Make haste, lest mine be about your ears ere it be out. TYBALT ROMEO I disagree. Ive never done you harm. I love you more than you can understand until you know the reason why I love you. And so, good Capulet which is a name I love like my own nameyou should be satisfied with what I say. MERCUTIO This calm submission is dishonorable and vile. The thrust of a sword will end this surrender.(draws his sword)Tybalt, you ratcatcher, will you go fight me? TYBALT What do you want from me? MERCUTIO Good King of Cats, I want to take one of your nine lives. Ill take one, and, depending on how you treat me after that, I might beat the other eight out of you too. Will you pull your sword out of its sheath? Hurry up, or Ill smack you on the ears with my sword before you have yours drawn. TYBALT
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Original Text
I am for you. (draws his sword) ROMEO 50 Gentle Mercutio, put thy rapier up. MERCUTIO Come, sir, your passado. MERCUTIO and TYBALT fight ROMEO (draws his sword) Draw, Benvolio. Beat down their weapons. Gentlemen, for shame! Forbear this outrage. 55 Tybalt, Mercutio! The Prince expressly hath Forbidden bandying in Verona streets. Hold, Tybalt! Good Mercutio!
Modern Text
Ill fight you. (he draws his sword) ROMEO Noble Mercutio, put your sword away. MERCUTIO (to TYBALT) Come on, sir, perform your forward thrust, your passado. MERCUTIO and TYBALT fight (drawing his sword) Draw your sword, Benvolio. Lets beat down their weapons. Gentlemen, stop this disgraceful fight. Tybalt, Mercutio, the Prince has banned fighting in the streets of Verona. Stop, Tybalt. Stop, good Mercutio.

ROMEO tries to break up the fight TYBALT stabsMERCUTIO under ROMEOs am PETRUCHIO Away, Tybalt. Exeunt TYBALT, PETRUCHIO, and the otherCAPULETS MERCUTIO I am hurt. A plague o' both your houses! I am sped. 60 Is he gone and hath nothing? BENVOLIO What, art thou hurt? MERCUTIO Ay, ay, a scratch, a scratch. Marry, tis enough. Where is my page?Go, villain, fetch a surgeon. Exit MERCUTIO'S PAGE ROMEO Courage, man. The hurt cannot be much. MERCUTIO No, tis not so deep as a well nor so wide as a 65 church-door, but tis enough, twill serve. Ask for me tomorrow, and you shall find me a grave man. I am peppered, I warrant, for this world. A plague o' both your houses! Zounds, a dog, a rat, a mouse, a cat to scratch a man to death! A braggart, a rogue, a villain that fights by the book of arithmetic! Why the devil came you between us? I was hurt under your arm. ROMEO tries to break up the fight. TYBALTreaches under ROMEOs arm and stabsMERCUTIO. PETRUCHIO Lets get away, Tybalt. TYBALT, PETRUCHIO, and the otherCAPULETS exit. MERCUTIO Ive been hurt. May a plague curse both your families. Im finished. Did he get away clean? BENVOLIO What, are you hurt? MERCUTIO Yes, yes. Its a scratch, just a scratch. But its enough. Where is my page? Go, boy. Get me a doctor. MERCUTIO'S PAGE exits. ROMEO Have courage, man. The wound cant be that bad. MERCUTIO No, its not as deep as a well, or as wide as a church door, but its enough. Itll do the job. Ask for me tomorrow, and youll find me in a grave. Im done for in this world, I believe. May a plague strike both your houses. Goddammit! I cant believe that dog, that rat, that mouse, that cat could scratch me to death! That braggart, punk villain who fights like he learned swordsmanship from a manual! Why the hell did you come in between us? He struck me from under your arm. ROMEO I thought it was the right thing to do.
ROMEO I thought all for the best.
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MERCUTIO Help me into some house, Benvolio, Or I shall faint. A plague o' both your houses! They have made worms' meat of me. I have it, 70 And soundly too. Your houses! Exeunt MERCUTIO and BENVOLIO ROMEO This gentleman, the Princes near ally, My very friend, hath got his mortal hurt In my behalf. My reputation stained With Tybalts slander.Tybalt, that an hour 75 Hath been my kinsman! O sweet Juliet, Thy beauty hath made me effeminate And in my temper softened valors steel! Enter BENVOLIO BENVOLIO O Romeo, Romeo, brave Mercutio is dead! That gallant spirit hath aspired the clouds, 80 Which too untimely here did scorn the earth. ROMEO This days black fate on more days doth depend. This but begins the woe others must end. Enter TYBALT BENVOLIO Here comes the furious Tybalt back again. ROMEO Alive in triumphand Mercutio slain! 85 Away to heaven, respective lenity, And fire-eyed fury be my conduct now. Now, Tybalt, take the villain back again That late thou gavest me, for Mercutios soul Is but a little way above our heads, 90 Staying for thine to keep him company. Either thou or I, or both, must go with him. MERCUTIO Take me inside some house, Benvolio, or Ill pass out. May a plague strike both your families! Theyve turned me into food for worms. Im done for. Curse your families! MERCUTIO and BENVOLIO exit. ROMEO This gentleman Mercutio, a close relative of the Prince and my dear friend, was killed while defending me from Tybalts slanderTybalt, who had been my cousin for a whole hour! Oh, sweet Juliet, your beauty has made me weak like a woman, and you have softened my bravery, which before was as hard as steel. BENVOLIO enters. BENVOLIO Oh Romeo, Romeo, brave Mercutio is dead! His brave spirit has floated up to heaven, but it was too early for him to leave life on earth. ROMEO The future will be affected by todays terrible events. Today is the start of a terror that will end in the days ahead. TYBALT enters. BENVOLIO Here comes the furious Tybalt back again. ROMEO Hes alive and victorious, and Mercutios dead? Enough with mercy and consideration. Its time for rage to guide my actions. Now, Tybalt, you can call me villain the way you did before. Mercutios soul is floating right above our heads. Hes waiting for you to keep him company on the way up to heaven. Either you, or I, or both of us have to go with him.

TYBALT Thou, wretched boy, that didst consort him here Shalt with him hence. ROMEO This shall determine that. They fight. TYBALT falls BENVOLIO Romeo, away, be gone! 95 The citizens are up, and Tybalt slain. Stand not amazed. The Prince will doom thee death If thou art taken. Hence, be gone, away! ROMEO Oh, I am fortunes fool! TYBALT Wretched boy, you hung out with him here, and youre going to go to heaven with him. ROMEO This fight will decide who dies. They fight. TYBALT falls and dies BENVOLIO Romeo, get out of here. The citizens are around, and Tybalt is dead. Dont stand there shocked. The Prince will give you the death penalty if you get caught. So get out of here! ROMEO Oh, I have awful luck.
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BENVOLIO Why dost thou stay? Exit ROMEO Enter CITIZENS OF THE WATCH CITIZEN OF THE WATCH Which way ran he that killed Mercutio? 100 Tybalt, that murderer, which way ran he? BENVOLIO There lies that Tybalt. CITIZEN OF THE WATCH (to TYBALT) Up, sir, go with me. I charge thee in the Princes name, obey. Enter PRINCE, MONTAGUE, CAPULET, LADY MONTAGUE, LADY CAPULET, and OTHERS
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BENVOLIO Why are you waiting? ROMEO exits. The CITIZENS OF THE WATCH enter. CITIZEN OF THE WATCH The man who killed Mercutio, which way did he go? Tybalt, that murderer, which way did he run? BENVOLIO Tybalt is lying over there. CITIZEN OF THE WATCH (to TYBALT) Get up, sir, and come with me. I command you, by the authority of the Prince, to obey me. The PRINCE enters with MONTAGUE,CAPULET, LADY MONTAGUE, LADY CAPULET, and OTHERS.

PRINCE Where are the vile beginners of this fray? BENVOLIO 105 O noble prince, I can discover all The unlucky manage of this fatal brawl. There lies the man, slain by young Romeo, That slew thy kinsman, brave Mercutio. LADY CAPULET Tybalt, my cousin! O my brothers child! 110 O Prince! O cousin! Husband! Oh, the blood is spilled Of my dear kinsman! Prince, as thou art true, For blood of ours shed blood of Montague. O cousin, cousin! PRINCE Benvolio, who began this bloody fray? BENVOLIO Tybalt here slain, whom Romeos hand did slay. 115 Romeo, that spoke him fair, bade him bethink How nice the quarrel was and urged withal Your high displeasure. All this uttered With gentle breath, calm look, knees humbly bowed, Could not take truce with the unruly spleen 120 Of Tybalt deaf to peace, but that he tilts With piercing steel at bold Mercutios breast, Who, all as hot, turns deadly point to point, And, with a martial scorn, with one hand beats Cold death aside and with the other sends 125 It back to Tybalt, whose dexterity, Retorts it. Romeo, he cries aloud, Hold, friends! Friends, part! and, swifter than his tongue, His agile arm beats down their fatal points, PRINCE Where are the evil men who started this fight? BENVOLIO Oh, noble prince, I can tell you everything about the unfortunate circumstances of this deadly fight. Over there Tybalt is lying dead. He killed your relative, brave Mercutio, and then young Romeo killed him. LADY CAPULET Tybalt was my nephew! He was my brothers son! Oh Prince, oh nephew, oh husband! Oh, my nephew is dead! Oh Prince, as you are a man of honor, take revenge for this murder by killing someone from the Montague family. Oh cousin, cousin! PRINCE Benvolio, who started this fight? BENVOLIO Tybalt started the fight before he was killed by Romeo. Romeo spoke to Tybalt politely and told him how silly this argument was. He mentioned that you would not approve of the fight. He said all of this gently and calmly, kneeling down out of respect. But he could not make peace with Tybalt, who was in an angry mood and wouldnt listen to talk about peace. Tybalt and Mercutio began to fight each other fiercely, lunging at one another and dodging each others blows. Romeo cried out, Stop, my friends. Break it up. Then he jumped in between them and forced them to put their swords down. But Tybalt reached under Romeos arm and thrust his sword into brave Mercutio. Then Tybalt fled the scene.
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130 And twixt them rushesunderneath whose arm An envious thrust from Tybalt hit the life Of stout Mercutio, and then Tybalt fled.
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But by and by comes back to Romeo, Who had but newly entertained revenge, And to t they go like lightning, for ere I 135 Could draw to part them was stout Tybalt slain. And, as he fell, did Romeo turn and fly. This is the truth, or let Benvolio die. LADY CAPULET He is a kinsman to the Montague. Affection makes him false. He speaks not true. 140 Some twenty of them fought in this black strife, And all those twenty could but kill one life. I beg for justice, which thou, Prince, must give. Romeo slew Tybalt. Romeo must not live. But pretty soon he came back to meet Romeo, who was overcome with the desire for revenge. As quick as lightning, they started fighting. Before I could break up the fight, Tybalt was killed. Romeo ran away when Tybalt fell dead. Im telling you the truth, I swear on my life. LADY CAPULET Benvolio is part of the Montague family. His loyalties to the Montagues make him tell lies. Hes not telling the truth. There were twenty Montagues fighting in this awful riot, and together those twenty could only kill one man. I demand justice. You, Prince, are the man who can give me justice. Romeo killed Tybalt. Romeo must die. PRINCE Romeo killed Tybalt. Tybalt killed Mercutio. Who should now pay the price for Mercutios life? MONTAGUE Not Romeo, Prince. He was Mercutios friend. His crime did justices job by taking Tybalts life. PRINCE And for that crime, Romeo is hereby exiled from Verona. Im involved in your rivalry. Mercutio was my relative, and he lies dead because of your bloody feud. Ill punish you so harshly that youll regret causing me this loss. I wont listen to your pleas or excuses. You cant get out of trouble by praying or crying, so dont bother. Tell Romeo to leave the city immediately, or else, if he is found, he will be killed. Take away this body, and do what I say. Showing mercy by pardoning killers only causes more murders. They exit.
PRINCE Romeo slew him; he slew Mercutio. 145 Who now the price of his dear blood doth owe? MONTAGUE Not Romeo, Prince, he was Mercutios friend. His fault concludes but what the law should end, The life of Tybalt. PRINCE And for that offence Immediately we do exile him hence. 150 I have an interest in your hearts' proceeding. My blood for your rude brawls doth lie a-bleeding. But Ill amerce you with so strong a fine That you shall all repent the loss of mine. I will be deaf to pleading and excuses. 155 Nor tears nor prayers shall purchase out abuses, Therefore use none. Let Romeo hence in haste, Else, when hes found, that hour is his last. Bear hence this body and attend our will. Mercy but murders, pardoning those that kill. Exeunt
Act 3, Scene 2
Enter JULIET alone JULIET Gallop apace, you fiery-footed steeds, Toward Phoebus' lodging. Such a wagoner As Phaeton would whip you to the west And bring in cloudy night immediately. 5 Spread thy close curtain, love-performing night, That runaways' eyes may wink, and Romeo Leap to these arms, untalked of and unseen. JULIET enters alone. I wish the sun would hurry up and set and night would come immediately. When the night comes and everyone goes to sleep, Romeo will leap into my arms, and no one will know. Beauty makes it possible for lovers to see how to make love in the dark. Or else love is blind, and its best time is the night. I wish night would come, like a widow dressed in black, so I can learn how to submit to
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Lovers can see to do their amorous rites By their own beauties, or, if love be blind, It best agrees with night. Come, civil night, Thou sober-suited matron, all in black, And learn me how to lose a winning match Played for a pair of stainless maidenhoods. Hood my unmanned blood bating in my cheeks, With thy black mantle, till strange love, grow bold, Think true love acted simple modesty. Come, night. Come, Romeo. Come, thou day in night, For thou wilt lie upon the wings of night Whiter than new snow upon a ravens back. Come, gentle night, come, loving, black-browed night, Give me my Romeo. And when I shall die, Take him and cut him out in little stars, And he will make the face of heaven so fine That all the world will be in love with night And pay no worship to the garish sun. Oh, I have bought the mansion of a love, But not possessed it, and though I am sold, Not yet enjoyed. So tedious is this day As is the night before some festival To an impatient child that hath new robes And may not wear them.
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my husband and lose my virginity. Let the blood rushing to my cheeks be calmed. In the darkness, let me, a shy virgin, learn the strange act of sex so that it seems innocent, modest, and true. Come, night. Come, Romeo. Youre like a day that comes during the night. Youre whiter than snow on the black wings of a raven. Come, gentle night. Come, loving, dark night. Give me my Romeo. And when I die, turn him into stars and form a constellation in his image. His face will make the heavens so beautiful that the world will fall in love with the night and forget about the garish sun. Oh, I have bought loves mansion, but I havent moved in yet.I belong to Romeo now, but he hasnt taken possession of me yet. This day is so boring that I feel like a child on the night before a holiday, waiting to put on my fancy new clothes.
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Enter NURSE with cords Oh, here comes my Nurse, And she brings news, and every tongue that speaks But Romeos name speaks heavenly eloquence. Now, Nurse, what news? What hast thou there? The 35 cords That Romeo bid thee fetch? NURSE Ay, ay, the cords. JULIET Ay me, what news? Why dost thou wring thy hands? NURSE Ah, welladay! Hes dead, hes dead, hes dead! We are undone, lady, we are undone! 40 Alack the day! Hes gone, hes killed, hes dead! JULIET Can heaven be so envious? NURSE Romeo can, Though heaven cannot. O Romeo, Romeo! Who ever would have thought it? Romeo! JULIET The NURSE enters with the rope ladder in her pouch. Oh, here comes my Nurse, and she brings news. Every voice that mentions Romeos name sounds beautiful. Now, Nurse, whats the news? Is that the rope ladder Romeo told you to pick up?
NURSE Yes, yes, this is the rope ladder. JULIET Oh my, whats the news? Why do you look so upset? NURSE Oh, its a sad day! Hes dead. Hes dead. Hes dead! Were ruined, lady, were ruined! What an awful day! Hes gone. Hes been killed. Hes dead! JULIET Can God be so jealous and hateful? NURSE Romeo is hateful, even though God isnt. Oh, Romeo, Romeo, who ever would have thought it would be Romeo? JULIET
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What devil art thou that dost torment me thus? 45 This torture should be roared in dismal hell. Hath Romeo slain himself? Say thou but ay, And that bare vowel I shall poison more Than the death-darting eye of cockatrice. I am not I if there be such an I, 50 Or those eyes shut that makes thee answer ay. If he be slain, say ay, or if not, no. Brief sounds determine of my weal or woe. NURSE I saw the wound, I saw it with mine eyes God save the mark!here on his manly breast. 55 A piteous corse, a bloody piteous corse. Pale, pale as ashes, all bedaubed in blood, All in gore blood. I swoond at the sight.
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What kind of devil are you to torture me like this? This is as bad as the tortures of hell. Has Romeo killed himself? Just say Yes and I will turn more poisonous than the snake with the evil eye. I will no longer be myself if you tell me Romeo killed himself. If hes been killed, say Yes. If not, say No. These short words will determine my joy or my pain. NURSE I saw the wound. I saw it with my own eyes. God bless that wound, here on his manly chest. A pitiful corpse, a bloody, pitiful corpse. Pale as ashes and drenched in blood. All the dried blood was so gory. I fainted when I saw it.

JULIET O, break, my hear, poor bankrupt, break at once! To prison, eyes, ne'er look on liberty. 60 Vile earth, to earth resign. End motion here, And thou and Romeo press one heavy bier. JULIET Oh, my heart is breaking. Oh, my bankrupt heart is breaking. Ill send my eyes to prison, and theyll never be free to look at anything again. Ill give my vile body back to the earth. Ill never move again. My body and Romeos will lie together in one sad coffin. NURSE Oh, Tybalt, Tybalt, he was the best friend I had. Oh, polite Tybalt, he was an honorable gentleman. I wish I had not lived long enough to see him die. JULIET What disaster is this? Has Romeo been killed, and is Tybalt dead too? Tybalt was my dearest cousin. Romeo was even dearer to me as my husband. Let the trumpets play the song of doom, because who can be alive if those two are gone? NURSE Tybalt is dead, and Romeo has been banished. Romeo killed Tybalt, and his punishment was banishment. JULIET Oh God, did Romeos hand shed Tybalts blood? NURSE It did, it did. Curse the day this happened, but it did. JULIET Oh, hes like a snake disguised as a flower. Did a dragon ever hide in such a beautiful cave? Hes a beautiful tyrant and a fiendish angel! Hes a raven with the feathers of the dove. Hes a lamb who hunts like a wolf! I hate him, yet he seemed the most wonderful man. Hes turned out to be the exact opposite of what he seemed. Hes a saint who should be damned. Hes a villain who
NURSE O Tybalt, Tybalt, the best friend I had! O courteous Tybalt! Honest gentleman! That ever I should live to see thee dead. JULIET 65 What storm is this that blows so contrary? Is Romeo slaughtered, and is Tybalt dead? My dearest cousin and my dearer lord? Then, dreadful trumpet, sound the general doom! For who is living if those two are gone? NURSE 70 Tybalt is gone, and Romeo banishd. Romeo that killed himhe is banishd. JULIET O God, did Romeos hand shed Tybalts blood? NURSE It did, it did. Alas the day, it did. JULIET O serpent heart hid with a flowering face! 75 Did ever dragon keep so fair a cave? Beautiful tyrant! Fiend angelical! Dove-feathered raven, wolvish-ravening lamb! Despisd substance of divinest show, Just opposite to what thou justly seemst. 80 A damnd saint, an honorable villain! O nature, what hadst thou to do in hell
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When thou didst bower the spirit of a fiend In moral paradise of such sweet flesh? Was ever book containing such vile matter 85 So fairly bound? Oh, that deceit should dwell In such a gorgeous palace!
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seemed honorable. Oh nature, what were you doing in hell? Why did you put the soul of a criminal in the perfect body of a man? Was there ever such an evil book with such a beautiful cover? Oh, I cant believe the deepest evil lurked inside something so beautiful!

NURSE Theres no trust, No faith, no honesty in men. All perjured, All forsworn, all naught, all dissemblers. Ah, wheres my man?Give me some aqua vitae. 90 These griefs, these woes, these sorrows make me old. Shame come to Romeo! JULIET Blistered be thy tongue For such a wish! He was not born to shame. Upon his brow shame is ashamed to sit, For tis a throne where honor may be crowned. 95 Sole monarch of the universal earth, Oh, what a beast was I to chide at him! NURSE Will you speak well of him that killed your cousin? JULIET Shall I speak ill of him that is my husband? Ah, poor my lord, what tongue shall smooth thy 100 name, When I, thy three hours' wife, have mangled it? But wherefore, villain, didst thou kill my cousin? That villain cousin would have killed my husband. Back, foolish tears, back to your native spring. 105 Your tributary drops belong to woe, Which you, mistaking, offer up to joy. My husband lives, that Tybalt would have slain, And Tybalts dead, that would have slain my husband. 110 All this is comfort. Wherefore weep I then? Some word there was, worser than Tybalts death, That murdered me. I would forget it fain, But oh, it presses to my memory, Like damnd guilty deeds to sinners' minds. Tybalt is dead, and Romeo banishd. NURSE There is no trust, no faith, no honesty in men. All of them lie. All of them cheat. Theyre all wicked. Ah, wheres my servant?Give me some brandy.These griefs, these pains, these sorrows make me old. Shame on Romeo!
JULIET I hope sores cover your tongue for a wish like that! He was not born to be shameful. Shame does not belong with Romeo. He deserves only honor, complete honor. Oh, I was such a beast to be angry at him. NURSE Are you going to say good things about the man who killed your cousin? JULIET Am I supposed to say bad things about my own husband? Ah, my poor husband, who will sing your praises when I, your wife of three hours, have been saying awful things about you? But why, you villain, did you kill my cousin? Probably because my cousin the villain would have killed my husband. Im not going to cry any tears. I would cry with joy that Romeo is alive, but I should cry tears of grief because Tybalt is dead. My husband, whom Tybalt wanted to kill, is alive. Tybalt, who wanted to kill my husband, is dead. All this is comforting news. Why, then, should I cry? There is news worse than the news that Tybalt is dead, news that makes me want to die. I would be glad to forget about it, but it weighs on my memory like sins linger in guilty minds. Tybalt is dead, and Romeo has been banished.

That banishd, that one word banishd 115 Hath slain ten thousand Tybalts. Tybalts death Was woe enough, if it had ended there. Or, if sour woe delights in fellowship And needly will be ranked with other griefs, That banishment is worse than the murder of ten thousand Tybalts. Tybalts death would be bad enough if that was all. Maybe pain likes to have company and cant come without bringing more pain. It would have been better if, after she said,
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Why followed not, when she said Tybalts dead, 120 Thy father or thy mother, nay, or both, Which modern lamentations might have moved? But with a rearward following Tybalts death, Romeo is banishd. To speak that word, Is father, mother, Tybalt, Romeo, Juliet, 125 All slain, all dead. Romeo is banishd. There is no end, no limit, measure, bound, In that words death. No words can that woe sound. Where is my father and my mother, Nurse? NURSE Weeping and wailing over Tybalts corse. 130 Will you go to them? I will bring you thither. JULIET Wash they his wounds with tears? Mine shall be spent When theirs are dry, for Romeos banishment. Take up those cords.Poor ropes, you are beguiled, 135 Both you and I, for Romeo is exiled. He made you for a highway to my bed, But I, a maid, die maiden-widowd. Come, cords.Come, Nurse. Ill to my wedding bed. And death, not Romeo, take my maidenhead! NURSE Hie to your chamber. Ill find Romeo 140 To comfort you. I wot well where he is. Hark ye, your Romeo will be here at night. Ill to him. He is hid at Lawrence' cell.
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Tybalts dead, she told me my mother or my father, or both, were gone. That would have made me make the normal cries of sadness. But to say that Tybalts dead and then say, Romeo has been banished. To say that is like saying that my father, my mother, Tybalt, Romeo, and Juliet have all been killed, theyre all dead. Romeo has been banished. That news brings infinite death. No words can express the pain. Where are my father and my mother, Nurse? NURSE They are crying and moaning over Tybalts corpse. Are you going to join them? Ill bring you there. JULIET Are they washing out his wounds with their tears? Ill cry my tears for Romeos banishment when their tears are dry. Pick up this rope ladder. This poor rope ladder, its useless now, just like me, because Romeo has been exiled. He made this rope ladder to be a highway to my bed, but I am a virgin, and I will die a virgin and a widow. Lets go, rope ladder. Nurse, Im going to lie in my wedding bed. And death, not Romeo, can take my virginity! NURSE Go to your bedroom. Ill find Romeo to comfort you. I know where he is. Listen, your Romeo will be here tonight. Ill go to him. Hes hiding out in Friar Lawrences cell.

JULIET (gives the NURSE a ring)O, find him! Give this ring to my true knight, And bid him come to take his last farewell. Exeunt JULIET (giving her a ring) Oh, find him! Give this ring to my true knight! And tell him to come here to say his last goodbye. They exit.
Act 3, Scene 3
Enter FRIAR LAWRENCE FRIAR LAWRENCE Romeo, come forth. Come forth, thou fearful man. Affliction is enamoured of thy parts, And thou art wedded to calamity. Enter ROMEO ROMEO Father, what news? What is the Princes doom? 5 What sorrow craves acquaintance at my hand That I yet know not? FRIAR LAWRENCE Too familiar FRIAR LAWRENCE enters. FRIAR LAWRENCE Romeo, come out. Come out, you frightened man. Trouble likes you, and youre married to disaster. ROMEO enters. ROMEO Father, whats the news? What punishment did the Prince announce? What suffering lies in store for me that I dont know about yet? FRIAR LAWRENCE You know too much about suffering. I have news
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Is my dear son with such sour company. I bring thee tidings of the Princes doom. ROMEO What less than doomsday is the Princes doom? FRIAR LAWRENCE 10 A gentler judgment vanished from his lips: Not bodys death, but bodys banishment. ROMEO Ha, banishment! Be merciful, say death, For exile hath more terror in his look, Much more than death. Do not say banishment. FRIAR LAWRENCE 15 Hence from Verona art thou banishd. Be patient, for the world is broad and wide. ROMEO There is no world without Verona walls But purgatory, torture, hell itself. Hence banishd is banished from the world, 20 And worlds exile is death. Then banishd,
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for you about the Princes punishment. ROMEO Is the Princes punishment any less awful than doomsday? FRIAR LAWRENCE He made a gentler decision. You wont die, but youll be banished from the city. ROMEO Ha, banishment? Be merciful and say death. Exile is much worse than death. Dont say banishment. FRIAR LAWRENCE From now on, you are banished from Verona. You should be able to endure this because the world is broad and wide. ROMEO There is no world for me outside the walls of Verona, except purgatory, torture, and hell itself. So to be banished from Verona is like being banished from the world, and being banished from the world is death.

Is death mistermed. Calling death banishment, Thou cuttst my head off with a golden ax And smilest upon the stroke that murders me. FRIAR LAWRENCE O deadly sin! O rude unthankfulness! 25 Thy fault our law calls death, but the kind Prince, Taking thy part, hath rushed aside the law, And turned that black word death to banishment. This is dear mercy, and thou seest it not. ROMEO 'Tis torture and not mercy. Heaven is here, Where Juliet lives, and every cat and dog And little mouse, every unworthy thing, Live here in heaven and may look on her, But Romeo may not. More validity, More honorable state, more courtship lives In carrion flies than Romeo. They may seize On the white wonder of dear Juliets hand And steal immortal blessing from her lips, Who even in pure and vestal modesty, Still blush, as thinking their own kisses sin. But Romeo may not. He is banishd. Flies may do this, but I from this must fly. They are free men, but I am banishd. And sayst thou yet that exile is not death? Hadst thou no poison mixed, no sharp-ground knife, No sudden mean of death, though ne'er so mean, Banishment is death by the wrong name. Calling death banishment is like cutting off my head with a golden ax and smiling while Im being murdered. FRIAR LAWRENCE Oh, deadly sin! Oh, rude and unthankful boy! You committed a crime that is punishable by death, but our kind Prince took sympathy on you and ignored the law when he substituted banishment for death. This is kind mercy, and you dont realize it. ROMEO Its torture, not mercy. Heaven is here because Juliet lives here. Every cat and dog and little mouse, every unworthy animal that lives here can see her, but Romeo cant. Flies are healthier and more honorable and better suited for romance than Romeo. They can take hold of Juliets wonderful white hand and they can kiss her sweet lips. Even while she remains a pure virgin, she blushes when her lips touch each other because she thinks its a sin. But Romeo cant kiss her or hold her hand because hes been banished. Flies can kiss her, but I must flee the city. Flies are like free men, but I have been banished. And yet you say that exile is not death? Did you have no poison, no sharp knife, no weapon you could use to kill me quickly, nothing so disgraceful, except banishment? Oh Friar, damned souls use the
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But banishd to kill me?Banishd! O Friar, the damnd use that word in hell. Howling attends it. How hast thou the heart, Being a divine, a ghostly confessor, 50 A sin-absolver, and my friend professed, To mangle me with that word banishd? FRIAR LAWRENCE Thou fond mad man, hear me a little speak.
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word banishment to describe hell. They howl about banishment. If youre a member of a divine spiritual order of men who forgive sins, and you say youre my friend, how do you have the heart to mangle me with the word banishment? FRIAR LAWRENCE You foolish madman, listen to me for a moment.

ROMEO Oh, thou wilt speak again of banishment. FRIAR LAWRENCE Ill give thee armor to keep off that word 55 Adversitys sweet milk, philosophy To comfort thee though thou art banishd. ROMEO Yet banishd? Hang up philosophy! Unless philosophy can make a Juliet, Displant a town, reverse a princes doom, 60 It helps not, it prevails not. Talk no more. FRIAR LAWRENCE Oh, then I see that madmen have no ears. ROMEO How should they, when that wise men have no eyes? FRIAR LAWRENCE Let me dispute with thee of thy estate. ROMEO Thou canst not speak of that thou dost not feel. 65 Wert thou as young as I, Juliet thy love, An hour but married, Tybalt murderd, Doting like me, and like me banishd, Then mightst thou speak, then mightst thou tear thy hair 70 And fall upon the ground, as I do now, Taking the measure of an unmade grave. ROMEO Oh, youre just going to talk about banishment again. FRIAR LAWRENCE Ill give you protection from that word. Ill give you the antidote for trouble: philosophy. Philosophy will comfort you even though youve been banished. ROMEO Youre still talking about banished? Forget about philosophy! Unless philosophy can create a Juliet, or pick up a town and put it somewhere else, or reverse a princes punishment, it doesnt do me any good. Dont say anything else. FRIAR LAWRENCE Oh, so madmen like you are also deaf. ROMEO How should madmen hear, if wise men cant even see? FRIAR LAWRENCE Let me talk to you about your situation. ROMEO You cant talk about something that you dont feel. If you were as young as I am, if you were in love with Juliet, if you had just married her an hour ago, if then you murdered Tybalt, if you were lovesick like me, and if you were banished, then you might talk about it. You might also tear your hair out of your head and collapse to the ground the way I do right now. (ROMEO falls on the ground) You might kneel down and measure the grave that hasnt yet been dug. Knocking from offstage. FRIAR LAWRENCE Get up. Somebodys knocking. Hide yourself, good Romeo.
Knocking from within FRIAR LAWRENCE Arise. One knocks. Good Romeo, hide thyself.

ROMEO Not I, unless the breath of heartsick groans, Mistlike, infold me from the search of eyes. ROMEO I wont hide unless all the mist from my heartsick groans envelopes me like fog and conceals me
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Knocking FRIAR LAWRENCE Hark, how they knock!Whos there?Romeo, 75 arise. Thou wilt be taken.Stay awhile.Stand up. Knocking Run to my study.By and by!Gods will, What simpleness is this!I come, I come. Knocking Who knocks so hard? Whence come you? Whats your will? NURSE (from within) Let me come in, and you shall know my 80 errand. I come from Lady Juliet. FRIAR LAWRENCE (opens the door) Welcome then. Enter NURSE NURSE O holy Friar, O, tell me, holy Friar, Where is my ladys lord? Wheres Romeo?
Modern Text
from peoples searching eyes. Knocking. FRIAR LAWRENCE Listen, theyre still knocking!(to the person at the door) Whos there?(to ROMEO) Romeo, get up. Theyll arrest you.(to the person at the door) Hold on a moment.(to ROMEO) Get up. Knocking Run and hide in my study.Just a minuteFor the love of God, why are you being so stupid? Im coming. Im coming. Knocking. Why are you knocking so hard? Where do you come from? What do you want? NURSE (from offstage) Let me come in, and Ill tell you why I came. I come from Lady Juliet. FRIAR LAWRENCE (opening the door) Welcome, then. The NURSE enters. NURSE Oh, holy Friar, Oh, tell me, holy Friar, where is my ladys husband? Wheres Romeo?

FRIAR LAWRENCE There on the ground, with his own tears made drunk. NURSE Oh, he is even in my mistress' case, 85 Just in her case. O woeful sympathy, Piteous predicament! Even so lies she, Blubbering and weeping, weeping and blubbering. Stand up, stand up. Stand, an you be a man. For Juliets sake, for her sake, rise and stand. 90 Why should you fall into so deep an O? ROMEO Nurse! NURSE Ah sir, ah sir. Deaths the end of all. ROMEO Spakest thou of Juliet? How is it with her? Doth she not think me an old murderer, 95 Now I have stained the childhood of our joy With blood removed but little from her own? Where is she? And how doth she? And what says My concealed lady to our canceled love? NURSE Oh, she says nothing, sir, but weeps and weeps, FRIAR LAWRENCE Hes there on the ground. Hes been getting drunk on his own tears. NURSE Oh, hes acting just like Juliet, just like her. Oh painful sympathy! What a pitiful problem! Shes lying on the ground just like him, blubbering and weeping, weeping and blubbering. Stand up. Stand up. Stand up if youre really a man. For Juliets sake, for her sake, rise and stand up. Why should you fall into so deep a moan? ROMEO Nurse! NURSE Ah sir, ah sir. Well, death is the end for everybody. ROMEO Were you talking about Juliet? How is she? Does she think that Im a practiced murderer because I tainted our newfound joy by killing one of her close relatives? Where is she? How is she doing? What does my hidden wife say about our ruined love? NURSE Oh, she doesnt say anything, sir. She just
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100 And now falls on her bed, and then starts up, And Tybalt calls, and then on Romeo cries, And then down falls again. ROMEO As if that name, Shot from the deadly level of a gun, Did murder her, as that names cursed hand 105 Murdered her kinsman. O, tell me, Friar, tell me, In what vile part of this anatomy Doth my name lodge? Tell me, that I may sack The hateful mansion. (draws his dagger)
Modern Text
weeps and weeps. She falls on her bed and then starts to get up. Then she calls out Tybalts name and cries Romeo, and then she falls down again. ROMEO Shes calling out my name as if I were a bullet murdering her, just like I murdered her relative. Tell me, Friar, in what part of my body is my name embedded? Tell me, so I can cut it out of myself. (he draws his dagger)

FRIAR LAWRENCE Hold thy desperate hand. Art thou a man? Thy form cries out thou art. Thy tears are womanish. Thy wild acts denote The unreasonable fury of a beast. Unseemly woman in a seeming man, And ill-beseeming beast in seeming both! Thou hast amazed me. By my holy order, I thought thy disposition better tempered. Hast thou slain Tybalt? Wilt thou slay thyself, And slay thy lady that in thy life lives By doing damnd hate upon thyself? Why railst thou on thy birth, the heaven, and earth? Since birth and heaven and earth, all three do meet In thee at once, which thou at once wouldst lose? Fie, fie, thou shamest thy shape, thy love, thy wit, Which, like a usurer, aboundst in all And usest none in that true use indeed Which should bedeck thy shape, thy love, thy wit. Thy noble shape is but a form of wax, Digressing from the valor of a man; Thy dear love sworn but hollow perjury, Killing that love which thou hast vowed to cherish; Thy wit, that ornament to shape and love, Misshapen in the conduct of them both, Like powder in a skill-less soldiers flask, Is set afire by thine own ignorance; And thou dismembered with thine own defence. What, rouse thee, man! Thy Juliet is alive, For whose dear sake thou wast but lately dead There art thou happy. Tybalt would kill thee, But thou slewst Tybaltthere art thou happy. The law that threatened death becomes thy friend And turns it to exilethere art thou happy. A pack of blessings light upon thy back, Happiness courts thee in her best array, FRIAR LAWRENCE Hold on, and dont act out of desperation. Are you a man? You look like a man, but your tears make you look like a woman. Your wild actions resemble the irrational fury of a beast. Youre a shameful woman who looks like a man or else an ugly creature whos half-man, half-beast. You have amazed me. I swear by my holy order, I thought you were smarter and more rational than this. Have you killed Tybalt? Will you kill yourself? And would you also kill your wife, who shares your life, by committing the sin of killing yourself? Why do you complain about your birth, the heavens, and the earth? Life is the union of soul in body through the miracle of birth, but you would throw all that away. You bring shame to your body, your love, and your mind. You have so much natural talent, but like someone who hoards money, you use none of your talent for the right purposenot your body, not your love, not your mind. Your body is just a wax figure, without the honor of a man. The love that you promised was a hollow lie. Youre killing the love that you vowed to cherish. Your mind, which aids both your body and your love, has mishandled both of them. Youre like a stupid soldier whose gunpowder explodes because hes careless. The things you were supposed to use to defend yourself end up killing you. Get up, man! Your Juliet is alive. It was for her that you were almost killed earlier. Be happy that shes alive. Tybalt wanted to kill you, but you killed Tybalt. Be happy that youre alive. The law that threatened your life was softened into exile. Be happy about that. Your life is full of blessings. You have the best sorts of happiness to enjoy.
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But, like a misbehaved and sullen wench, But like a misbehaved, sullen girl, youre whining
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Thou poutst upon thy fortune and thy love. 145 Take heed, take heed, for such die miserable. Go, get thee to thy love, as was decreed. Ascend her chamber, hence, and comfort her. But look thou stay not till the watch be set, For then thou canst not pass to Mantua, 150 Where thou shalt live, till we can find a time To blaze your marriage, reconcile your friends, Beg pardon of the Prince, and call thee back With twenty hundred thousand times more joy Than thou wentst forth in lamentation. 155 Go before, Nurse. Commend me to thy lady, And bid her hasten all the house to bed, Which heavy sorrow makes them apt unto. Romeo is coming. NURSE O Lord, I could have stayed here all the night 160 To hear good counsel. Oh, what learning is! My lord, Ill tell my lady you will come. ROMEO Do so, and bid my sweet prepare to chide. NURSE Here, sir, a ring she bid me give you, sir. (gives ROMEO JULIETs ring) 165 Hie you, make haste, for it grows very late. Exit NURSE ROMEO How well my comfort is revived by this!
Modern Text
about your bad luck and your love. Listen, listen, people who act like that die miserable. Go be with your love, as it was decided at your wedding. Climb up to her bedroom and comfort her. But get out of there before the night watchmen take their positions. Then you will escape to the city of Mantua, where youll live until we can make your marriage public and make peace between your families. Well ask the Prince to pardon you. Then well welcome you back with twenty thousand times more joy than youll have when you leave this town crying. Go ahead, Nurse. Give my regards to your lady, and tell her to hurry everybody in the house to bed. Im sure theyre all so sad that theyll be ready to sleep. Romeo is coming. NURSE O Lord, I could stay here all night listening to such good advice. Educated men are so impressive! (speaking to ROMEO) My lord, Ill tell my lady you will come. ROMEO Do so, and tell my sweet to be ready to scold me. NURSE Here, sir, this is a ring she asked me to give you. Hurry up, its getting late. (she givesROMEO JULIETs ring) The NURSE exits. ROMEO This makes me feel so much better!

FRIAR LAWRENCE Go hence. Good night. And here stands all your state: Either be gone before the watch be set, 170 Or by the break of day disguised from hence. Sojourn in Mantua. Ill find out your man, And he shall signify from time to time Every good hap to you that chances here. Give me thy hand. 'Tis late. Farewell, good night. ROMEO But that a joy past joy calls out on me, 175 It were a grief so brief to part with thee. Farewell. Exeunt FRIAR LAWRENCE Now get out of here. Good night. Everything depends on this: either be out of here before the night watchmen take their positions, or leave in disguise after daybreak. Take a little vacation in Mantua. Ill find your servant, and hell update you now and then on your case as it stands here. Give me your hand. Its late. Farewell. Good night. ROMEO Im off to experience the greatest joy of all, but still its sad to leave you in such a rush. Farewell. They exit.
Act 3, Scene 4
Enter CAPULET, LADY CAPULET, and PARIS CAPULET Things have fall'n out, sir, so unluckily, Enter CAPULET, LADY CAPULET, and PARIS CAPULET Things have turned out so unluckily, sir, that we
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That we have had no time to move our daughter. Look you, she loved her kinsman Tybalt dearly, And so did I. Well, we were born to die. 5 'Tis very late. Shell not come down tonight. I promise you, but for your company, I would have been abed an hour ago. PARIS These times of woe afford no time to woo. Madam, good night. Commend me to your daughter. LADY CAPULET 10 I will, and know her mind early tomorrow. Tonight she is mewed up to her heaviness. CAPULET Sir Paris, I will make a desperate tender Of my childs love. I think she will be ruled In all respects by me. Nay, more, I doubt it not. 15 Wife, go you to her ere you go to bed. Acquaint her here of my son Paris' love, And bid her, mark you me, on Wednesday next But, soft! What day is this? PARIS Monday, my lord. CAPULET 20 Monday! Ha, ha. Well, Wednesday is too soon, O' Thursday let it be.O' Thursday, tell her, She shall be married to this noble earl. Will you be ready? Do you like this haste? Well keep no great ado, a friend or two. 25 For, hark you, Tybalt being slain so late, It may be thought we held him carelessly, Being our kinsman, if we revel much. Therefore well have some half a dozen friends, And there an end. But what say you to Thursday?
Modern Text
havent had time to convince our daughter to marry you. Listen, she loved her cousin Tybalt dearly, and so did I. Well, we were all born to die. Its very late, she wont be coming downstairs tonight. Believe me, if you werent here visiting me, I myself would have gone to bed an hour ago. PARIS These times of pain are bad times for romance. Madam, good night. Give my regards to your daughter. LADY CAPULET I will. And Ill find out what she thinks about marriage early tomorrow. Tonight she is shut up in her room, alone with her sadness. CAPULET Sir Paris, Ill make a desperate argument for my childs love. I think shell do whatever I say. No, I think shell do all that and more. I have no doubt about it. Wife, visit her in her room before you go to bed. Tell her about my son Pariss love for her. And tell her, listen to me, on WednesdayWait What day is today? PARIS Monday, my lord. CAPULET Monday! Ha, ha! Well, Wednesday is too soon. Let it be on Thursday. On Thursday, tell her, shell be married to this noble earl. Will you be ready? Do you think its a good idea to rush? We shouldnt have too big a celebrationwe can invite a friend or two. Listen, because Tybalt was just killed, people might think that we dont care about his memory as our relative if we have too grand a party. Therefore well have about half a dozen friends to the wedding, and thats it. What do you think about Thursday?

PARIS 30 My lord, I would that Thursday were tomorrow. CAPULET Well get you gone. O' Thursday be it, then. Go you to Juliet ere you go to bed. Prepare her, wife, against this wedding day. Farewell, my lord.Light to my chamber, ho! 35 Afore me! It is so very late, That we may call it early by and by. Good night. Exeunt PARIS My lord, I wish Thursday were tomorrow. CAPULET Well go on home. Thursday it is, then. (to LADY CAPULET) Visit Juliet before you go to bed. Get her ready, my wife, for this wedding day. (toPARIS) Farewell, my lord. Now Im off to bed. Oh my! Its so late that we might as well call it early. Good night. They all exit.
Act 3, Scene 5
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Enter ROMEO and JULIET aloft JULIET Wilt thou be gone? It is not yet near day. It was the nightingale, and not the lark, That pierced the fearful hollow of thine ear. Nightly she sings on yon pomegranate tree. 5 Believe me, love, it was the nightingale. ROMEO It was the lark, the herald of the morn, No nightingale. Look, love, what envious streaks Do lace the severing clouds in yonder east. Nights candles are burnt out, and jocund day 10 Stands tiptoe on the misty mountain tops. I must be gone and live, or stay and die. JULIET Yon light is not daylight, I know it, I. It is some meteor that the sun exhales To be to thee this night a torchbearer, 15 And light thee on thy way to Mantua. Therefore stay yet. Thou needst not to be gone. ROMEO Let me be ta'en. Let me be put to death. I am content, so thou wilt have it so. Ill say yon grey is not the mornings eye. 20 'Tis but the pale reflex of Cynthias brow. Nor that is not the lark, whose notes do beat The vaulty heaven so high above our heads. I have more care to stay than will to go. Come, death, and welcome! Juliet wills it so. 25 How is t, my soul? Lets talk. It is not day.
Modern Text
ROMEO and JULIET enter above the stage. JULIET Are you going? Its still a long time until daybreak. Dont be afraid. That sound you heard was the nightingale, not the lark. Every night the nightingale chirps on that pomegranate-tree. Believe me, my love, it was the nightingale. ROMEO It was the lark, the bird that sings at dawn, not the nightingale. Look, my love, what are those streaks of light in the clouds parting in the east? Night is over, and day is coming. If I want to live, I must go. If I stay, Ill die. JULIET That light is not daylight, I know it. Its some meteor coming out of the sun to light your way to Mantua. So stay for a while. You dont have to go yet. ROMEO Let me be captured. Let me be put to death. I am content, if thats the way you want it. Ill say the light over there isnt morning. Ill say its the reflection of the moon. Ill say that sound isnt the lark ringing in the sky. I want to stay more than I want to go. Come, death, and welcome! Juliet wants it this way. How are you, my love? Lets talk. Its not daylight.

JULIET It is, it is. Hie hence! Be gone, away! It is the lark that sings so out of tune, Straining harsh discords and unpleasing sharps. Some say the lark makes sweet division. 30 This doth not so, for she divideth us. Some say the lark and loathd toad change eyes. Oh, now I would they had changed voices too, Since arm from arm that voice doth us affray, Hunting thee hence with hunts-up to the day. 35 O, now be gone. More light and light it grows. ROMEO More light and light, more dark and dark our woes! Enter NURSE NURSE Madam. JULIET Nurse? NURSE Your lady mother is coming to your chamber. NURSE Madam. JULIET Nurse? NURSE Your mother is coming to your bedroom. Day has JULIET It is, it is. Get out of here, be gone, go away! Its the lark that sings so out of tune, making such harsh noise. Some say the lark makes a sweet division between day and night. Its not true because she separates us. Some say the lark traded its eyes with the toad. Oh, now I wish they had traded voices too! Because the larks voice tears us out of each others arms, and now there will be men hunting for you. Oh, go away now. I see more and more light. ROMEO More and more light. More and more pain for us. The NURSE enters.
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40 The day is broke. Be wary, look about. Exit NURSE JULIET Then, window, let day in and let life out. ROMEO Farewell, farewell. One kiss, and Ill descend. Kiss. ROMEO goes down
Modern Text
broken. Be careful. Watch out. The NURSE exits. JULIET Then the window lets day in, and life goes out the window. ROMEO Farewell, farewell! Give me one kiss, and Ill go down. They kiss. ROMEO drops the ladder and goes down.

JULIET Art thou gone so, love, lord? Ay, husband, friend, I must hear from thee every day in the hour, 45 For in a minute there are many days. Oh, by this count I shall be much in years Ere I again behold my Romeo. ROMEO Farewell! I will omit no opportunity That may convey my greetings, love, to thee. JULIET 50 Oh, thinkst thou we shall ever meet again? ROMEO I doubt it not, and all these woes shall serve For sweet discourses in our time to come. JULIET O God, I have an ill-divining soul. Methinks I see thee now, thou art so low 55 As one dead in the bottom of a tomb. Either my eyesight fails, or thou lookst pale. ROMEO And trust me, love, in my eye so do you. Dry sorrow drinks our blood. Adieu, adieu! Exit ROMEO JULIET O fortune, fortune! All men call thee fickle. 60 If thou art fickle, what dost thou with him That is renowned for faith? Be fickle, fortune, For then, I hope, thou wilt not keep him long, But send him back. LADY CAPULET (from within) Ho, daughter, are you up? JULIET Are you gone like that, my love, my lord? Yes, my husband, my friend! I must hear from you every day in the hour. In a minute there are many days. Oh, by this count Ill be many years older before I see my Romeo again. ROMEO Farewell! I wont miss any chance to send my love to you. JULIET Oh, do you think well ever meet again? ROMEO I have no doubts. All these troubles will give us stories to tell each other later in life. JULIET Oh God, I have a soul that predicts evil things! Now that you are down there, you look like someone dead in the bottom of a tomb. Either my eyesight is failing me, or you look pale. ROMEO And trust me, love, you look pale to me too. Sadness takes away our color. Goodbye, Goodbye! ROMEO exits. JULIET Oh luck, luck. Everyone says you cant make up your mind. If you change your mind so much, what are you going to do to Romeo, whos so faithful? Change your mind, luck. I hope maybe then youll send him back home soon. LADY CAPULET (offstage) Hey, daughter! Are you awake?

JULIET 65 Who is t that calls? Is it my lady mother? Is she not down so late or up so early? JULIET Whos that calling? Is it my mother? Isnt she up very late? Or is she up very early? What strange
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What unaccustomed cause procures her hither? Enter LADY CAPULET LADY CAPULET Why, how now, Juliet? JULIET Madam, I am not well. LADY CAPULET Evermore weeping for your cousins death? 70 What, wilt thou wash him from his grave with tears? An if thou couldst, thou couldst not make him live. Therefore, have done. Some grief shows much of love, But much of grief shows still some want of wit. JULIET Yet let me weep for such a feeling loss. LADY CAPULET 75 So shall you feel the loss, but not the friend Which you weep for. JULIET Feeling so the loss, Cannot choose but ever weep the friend. LADY CAPULET Well, girl, thou weepst not so much for his death, As that the villain lives which slaughtered him. JULIET 80 What villain, madam? LADY CAPULET That same villain, Romeo.
Modern Text
reason could she have for coming here? LADY CAPULET enters. LADY CAPULET Whats going on, Juliet? JULIET Madam, I am not well. LADY CAPULET Will you cry about your cousins death forever? Are you trying to wash him out of his grave with tears? If you could, you couldnt bring him back to life. So stop crying. A little bit of grief shows a lot of love. But too much grief makes you look stupid. JULIET Let me keep weeping for such a great loss. LADY CAPULET You will feel the loss, but the man you weep for will feel nothing. JULIET Feeling the loss like this, I cant help but weep for him forever. LADY CAPULET Well, girl, youre weeping not for his death as much as for the fact that the villain who killed him is still alive. JULIET What villain, madam? LADY CAPULET That villain, Romeo.

JULIET (aside) Villain and he be many miles asunder. (to LADY CAPULET) God pardon him! I do, with all my heart, And yet no man like he doth grieve my heart. LADY CAPULET That is because the traitor murderer lives. JULIET 85 Ay, madam, from the reach of these my hands. Would none but I might venge my cousins death! LADY CAPULET We will have vengeance for it, fear thou not. Then weep no more. Ill send to one in Mantua, Where that same banished runagate doth live, 90 Shall give him such an unaccustomed dram That he shall soon keep Tybalt company. And then, I hope, thou wilt be satisfied. JULIET JULIET (speaking so that LADY CAPULET cant hear)Hes far from being a villain. (to LADY CAPULET) May God pardon him! I do, with all my heart. And yet no man could make my heart grieve like he does. LADY CAPULET Thats because the murderer is alive. JULIET Yes, madam, he lies beyond my reach. I wish that no one could avenge my cousins death except me! LADY CAPULET Well have revenge for it. Dont worry about that. Stop crying. Ill send a man to Mantua, where that exiled rogue is living. Our man will poison Romeos drink, and Romeo will join Tybalt in death. And then, I hope, youll be satisfied. JULIET
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Indeed, I never shall be satisfied With Romeo, till I behold himdead 95 Is my poor heart for a kinsman vexed. Madam, if you could find out but a man To bear a poison, I would temper it, That Romeo should, upon receipt thereof, Soon sleep in quiet. Oh, how my heart abhors 100 To hear him named, and cannot come to him. To wreak the love I bore my cousin Upon his body that slaughtered him! LADY CAPULET Find thou the means, and Ill find such a man. But now Ill tell thee joyful tidings, girl. JULIET 105 And joy comes well in such a needy time. What are they, beseech your ladyship?
Modern Text
Ill never be satisfied with Romeo until I see him . . . deaddead is how my poor heart feels when I think about my poor cousin. Madam, if you can find a man to deliver the poison, Ill mix it myself so that Romeo will sleep quietly soon after he drinks it. Oh, how I hate to hear people say his name and not be able to go after him. I want to take the love I had for my cousin and take it out on the body of the man who killed him. LADY CAPULET Find out the way, and Ill find the right man. But now I have joyful news for you, girl. JULIET And its good to have joy in such a joyless time. Whats the news? Please tell me.

LADY CAPULET Well, well, thou hast a careful father, child. One who, to put thee from thy heaviness, Hath sorted out a sudden day of joy 110 That thou expectst not, nor I looked not for. JULIET Madam, in happy time, what day is that? LADY CAPULET Marry, my child, early next Thursday morn, The gallant, young, and noble gentleman, The County Paris, at Saint Peters Church, 115 Shall happily make thee there a joyful bride. JULIET Now, by Saint Peters Church and Peter too, He shall not make me there a joyful bride. I wonder at this haste, that I must wed Ere he, that should be husband, comes to woo. 120 I pray you, tell my lord and father, madam, I will not marry yet. And when I do, I swear It shall be Romeo, whom you know I hate, Rather than Paris. These are news indeed! LADY CAPULET Here comes your father. Tell him so yourself, 125 And see how he will take it at your hands. Enter CAPULET and NURSE CAPULET When the sun sets the air doth drizzle dew, But for the sunset of my brothers son It rains downright. How now? A conduit, girl? What, still in tears, 130 Evermore showering? In one little body Thou counterfeitst a bark, a sea, a wind, For still thy eyes, which I may call the sea, Do ebb and flow with tears. The bark thy body is, LADY CAPULET Well, well, you have a careful father, child. He has arranged a sudden day of joy to end your sadness. A day that you did not expect and that I did not seek out. JULIET Madam, tell me quickly, what day is that? LADY CAPULET Indeed, my child, at Saint Peters Church early Thursday morning, the gallant, young, and noble gentleman Count Paris will happily make you a joyful bride. JULIET Now, I swear by Saint Peters Church and Peter too, he will not make me a joyful bride there. This is a strange rush. How can I marry him, this husband, before he comes to court me? Please, tell my father, madam, I wont marry yet. And, when I do marry, I swear, it will be Romeo, whom you know I hate, rather than Paris. Thats really news! LADY CAPULET Here comes your father. Tell him so yourself, and see how he takes the news. CAPULET and the NURSE enter. CAPULET When the sun sets, the air drizzles dew. But at the death of my brothers son, it rains a downpour. What are you, girl? Some kind of fountain? Why are you still crying? Will you cry forever? In one little body you seem like a ship, the sea, and the winds. Your eyes, which I call the sea, flow with tears. The ship is your body which is sailing on the salt flood of your tears.
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Sailing in this salt flood. The winds thy sighs, 135 Who, raging with thy tears, and they with them, Without a sudden calm will overset Thy tempest-tossd body.How now, wife? Have you delivered to her our decree?
Modern Text
The winds are your sighs. Your sighs and your tears are raging. Unless you calm down, tears and sighs will overwhelm your body and sink your ship. So where do things stand, wife? Have you told her our decision?

LADY CAPULET Ay, sir, but she will none, she gives you thanks. 140 I would the fool were married to her grave! CAPULET Soft, take me with you, take me with you, wife. How, will she none? Doth she not give us thanks? Is she not proud? Doth she not count her blessed, Unworthy as she is, that we have wrought 145 So worthy a gentleman to be her bride? JULIET Not proud you have, but thankful that you have. Proud can I never be of what I hate, But thankful even for hate that is meant love. LADY CAPULET Yes, sir, I told her. But she wont agree. She says thank you but refuses. I wish the fool were dead and married to her grave! CAPULET Wait! Hold on, wife. I dont understand. How can this be? She refuses? Isnt she grateful? Isnt she proud of such a match? Doesnt she realize what a blessing this is? Doesnt she realize how unworthy she is of the gentleman we have found to be her bridegroom? JULIET I am not proud of what you have found for me. But I am thankful that you have found it. I can never be proud of what I hate. But I can be thankful for something I hate, if it was meant with love. CAPULET What is this? What is this fuzzy logic? What is this? I hear you say proud and I thank you, and then no thank you and not proud, you spoiled little girl. Youre not really giving me any thanks or showing me any pride. But get yourself ready for Thursday. Youre going to Saint Peters Church to marry Paris. And if you dont go on your own, Ill drag you there. You disgust me, you little bug! You worthless girl! You pale face! LADY CAPULET Shame on you! What, are you crazy? JULIET Good father, Im begging you on my knees, be patient and listen to me say just one thing.
CAPULET How, how, how, how? Chopped logic! What is this? 150 Proud, and I thank you, and I thank you not, And yet not proud? Mistress minion you, Thank me no thankings, nor proud me no prouds, But fettle your fine joints 'gainst Thursday next To go with Paris to Saint Peters Church, 155 Or I will drag thee on a hurdle thither. Out, you green sickness, carrion! Out, you baggage! You tallow face! LADY CAPULET Fie, fie! What, are you mad? JULIET Good Father, I beseech you on my knees, Hear me with patience but to speak a word.

CAPULET 160 Hang thee, young baggage! Disobedient wretch! I tell thee what: get thee to church o' Thursday, Or never after look me in the face. Speak not. Reply not. Do not answer me. My fingers itch.Wife, we scarce thought us blest 165 That God had lent us but this only child, But now I see this one is one too much And that we have a curse in having her. Out on her, hilding! CAPULET Forget about you, you worthless girl! You disobedient wretch! Ill tell you what. Go to church on Thursday or never look me in the face again. Dont say anything. Dont reply. Dont talk back to me. (JULIET rises) I feel like slapping you. Wife, we never thought ourselves blessed that God only gave us this one child. But now I see that this one is one too many. We were cursed when we had her. She
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NURSE God in heaven bless her! You are to blame, my lord, to rate her so. CAPULET 170 And why, my Lady Wisdom? Hold your tongue, Good prudence. Smatter with your gossips, go. NURSE I speak no treason. CAPULET Oh, God 'i' good e'en. NURSE May not one speak? CAPULET Peace, you mumbling fool! Utter your gravity o'er a gossips bowl, 175 For here we need it not. LADY CAPULET You are too hot. CAPULET Gods bread! It makes me mad. Day, night, hour, tide, time, work, play, Alone, in company, still my care hath been To have her matched. And having now provided A gentleman of noble parentage, Of fair demesnes, youthful, and nobly trained, Stuffed, as they say, with honorable parts, Proportioned as ones thought would wish a man And then to have a wretched puling fool, A whining mammet, in her fortunes tender, To answer Ill not wed, I cannot love, I am too young, I pray you, pardon me. But, an you will not wed, Ill pardon you. Graze where you will, you shall not house with me. Look to t, think on t, I do not use to jest. Thursday is near. Lay hand on heart, advise. An you be mine, Ill give you to my friend. An you be not, hang, beg, starve, die in the streets, For, by my soul, Ill ne'er acknowledge thee, Nor what is mine shall never do thee good. Trust to t, bethink you. Ill not be forsworn.
Modern Text
disgusts me, the little hussy! NURSE God in heaven bless her! My lord, youre wrong to berate her like that. CAPULET And why, wise lady? You shut up, old woman. Go blabber with your gossiping friends. NURSE Ive said nothing wrong. CAPULET Oh, for Gods sake. NURSE Cant I say something? CAPULET Be quiet, you mumbling fool! Say your serious things at lunch with your gossiping friends. We dont need to hear it. LADY CAPULET Youre getting too angry. CAPULET Goddammit! It makes me mad. Day and night, hour after hour, all the time, at work, at play, alone, in company, my top priority has always been to find her a husband. Now Ive provided a husband from a noble family, who is goodlooking, young, well-educated. Hes full of good qualities. Hes the man of any girls dreams. But this wretched, whimpering fool, like a whining puppet, she looks at this good fortune and answers, I wont get married. I cant fall in love. Im too young. Please, excuse me. Well, if you wont get married, Ill excuse you. Eat wherever you want, but you can no longer live under my roof. Consider that. Think about it. Im not in the habit of joking. Thursday is coming. Put your hand on your heart and listen to my advice. If you act like my daughter, Ill marry you to my friend. If you dont act like my daughter, you can beg, starve, and die in the streets. I swear on my soul, I will never take you back or do anything for you. Believe me. Think about it. I wont break this promise.
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Exit CAPULET JULIET Is there no pity sitting in the clouds That sees into the bottom of my grief? O sweet my mother, cast me not away! 200 Delay this marriage for a month, a week. Or, if you do not, make the bridal bed CAPULET exits. JULIET Is there no pity in the sky that can see my sadness? Oh, my sweet mother, dont throw me out! Delay this marriage for a month, or a week. Or, if you dont delay, make my wedding bed in the tomb where Tybalt lies.
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In that dim monument where Tybalt lies. LADY CAPULET Talk not to me, for Ill not speak a word. Do as thou wilt, for I have done with thee. Exit LADY CAPULET JULIET 205 O God!O Nurse, how shall this be prevented? My husband is on earth, my faith in heaven. How shall that faith return again to earth, Unless that husband send it me from heaven By leaving earth? Comfort me. Counsel me. 210 Alack, alack, that heaven should practice stratagems Upon so soft a subject as myself. What sayst thou? Hast thou not a word of joy? Some comfort, Nurse.
Modern Text
LADY CAPULET Dont talk to me, because I wont say a word. Do as you please, because Im done worrying about you. LADY CAPULET exits. JULIET Oh God!Oh Nurse, how can this be stopped? My husband is alive on earth, my vows of marriage are in heaven. How can I bring those promises back down to earth, unless my husband sends them back down to me by dying and going to heaven? Give me comfort. Give me advice. Oh no! Oh no! Why does heaven play tricks on someone as weak as me? What do you say? Dont you have one word of joy? Give me some comfort, Nurse.

NURSE Faith, here it is. Romeo is banishd, and all the world to nothing 215 That he dares ne'er come back to challenge you. Or, if he do, it needs must be by stealth. Then, since the case so stands as now it doth, I think it best you married with the county. Oh, hes a lovely gentleman. 220 Romeos a dishclout to him. An eagle, madam, Hath not so green, so quick, so fair an eye As Paris hath. Beshrew my very heart, I think you are happy in this second match, For it excels your first. Or if it did not, 225 Your first is dead, or twere as good he were, As living here and you no use of him. JULIET Speakest thou from thy heart? NURSE And from my soul too, else beshrew them both. JULIET Amen! NURSE 230 What? JULIET Well, thou hast comforted me marvelous much. Go in, and tell my lady I am gone, Having displeased my father, to Lawrences cell To make confession and to be absolved. NURSE 235 Marry, I will, and this is wisely done. Exit NURSE NURSE This is what I have to say: Romeo has been banished. And its a sure thing that he will never come back to challenge you. If he does come back, hell have to sneak back undercover. Then, since things are the way they are, I think the best thing to do is to marry the count. Oh, hes a lovely gentleman! Romeos a dishcloth compared to him. Madam, an eagle does not have eyes as green, as quick, and as fair as the eyes of Paris. Curse my very heart, but I think you should be happy in this second marriage, because its better than your first. Even if its not better, your first marriage is over. Or if Romeo is as good as Paris, Romeo doesnt live here, so you dont get to enjoy him. JULIET Are you speaking from your heart? NURSE I speak from my heart and from my soul too. If not, curse them both. JULIET Amen! NURSE What? JULIET Well, you have given me great comfort. Go inside and tell my mother that Im gone. I made my father angry, so I went to Friar Lawrences cell to confess and be forgiven. NURSE Alright, I will. This is a good idea. The NURSE exits.
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Modern Text

JULIET Ancient damnation! O most wicked fiend! Is it more sin to wish me thus forsworn, Or to dispraise my lord with that same tongue Which she hath praised him with above compare 240 So many thousand times? Go, counselor. Thou and my bosom henceforth shall be twain. Ill to the friar to know his remedy. If all else fail, myself have power to die. Exit JULIET That damned old lady! Oh, that most wicked fiend! Is it a worse sin for her to want me to break my vows or for her to say bad things about my husband after she praised him so many times before? Away with you and your advice, Nurse. From now on, I will never tell you what I feel in my heart. Im going to the Friar to find out his solution. If everything else fails, at least I have the power to take my own life. JULIET exits.
Act 4, Scene 1
Enter FRIAR LAWRENCE and PARIS FRIAR LAWRENCE On Thursday, sir? The time is very short. PARIS My father Capulet will have it so, And I am nothing slow to slack his haste. FRIAR LAWRENCE You say you do not know the ladys mind. 5 Uneven is the course. I like it not. PARIS Immoderately she weeps for Tybalts death, And therefore have I little talked of love, For Venus smiles not in a house of tears. Now, sir, her father counts it dangerous 10 That she do give her sorrow so much sway, And in his wisdom hastes our marriage To stop the inundation of her tears Which, too much minded by herself alone, May be put from her by society. 15 Now do you know the reason of this haste. FRIAR LAWRENCE (aside) I would I knew not why it should be slowed. Look, sir, here comes the lady toward my cell. FRIAR LAWRENCE and PARISenter. FRIAR LAWRENCE On Thursday, sir? Thats very soon. PARIS Thats how my future father-in-law Capulet wants it, and Im not dragging my feet. FRIAR LAWRENCE You say you dont know what the girl thinks. Thats a rocky road to be riding. I dont like it. PARIS Shes grieving too much over the death of Tybalt. So I havent had the chance to talk to her about love. Romantic love doesnt happen when people are in mourning. Now, sir, her father thinks its dangerous that she allows herself to become so sad. Hes being smart by rushing our marriage to stop her from crying. She cries too much by herself. If she had someone to be with her, she would stop crying. Now you know the reason for the rush. FRIAR LAWRENCE (to himself) I wish I didnt know the reason why the marriage should be slowed down. Look, sir, here comes the lady walking toward my cell. JULIET enters. PARIS Im happy to meet you, my lady and my wife. JULIET That might be the case sir, after Im married.
Enter JULIET PARIS Happily met, my lady and my wife. JULIET That may be, sir, when I may be a wife.

PARIS 20 That may be must be, love, on Thursday next. JULIET What must be shall be. PARIS That may be must be, love, on Thursday. JULIET What must be will be.
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FRIAR LAWRENCE Thats a certain text. PARIS Come you to make confession to this Father? JULIET To answer that, I should confess to you. PARIS 25 Do not deny to him that you love me. JULIET I will confess to you that I love him. PARIS So will ye, I am sure, that you love me. JULIET If I do so, it will be of more price Being spoke behind your back than to your face. PARIS 30 Poor soul, thy face is much abused with tears. JULIET The tears have got small victory by that, For it was bad enough before their spite. PARIS Thou wrongst it more than tears with that report. JULIET That is no slander, sir, which is a truth, 35 And what I spake, I spake it to my face. PARIS Thy face is mine, and thou hast slandered it. JULIET It may be so, for it is not mine own. Are you at leisure, holy Father, now, Or shall I come to you at evening mass?
Modern Text
FRIAR LAWRENCE That is a certain truth. PARIS Have you come to make confession to this father? JULIET If I answered that question, Id be making confession to you. PARIS Dont deny to him that you love me. JULIET Ill confess to you that I love him. PARIS You will also confess, Im sure, that you love me. JULIET If I do so, it will mean more if I say it behind your back than if I say it to your face. PARIS You poor soul, your face has suffered many tears. JULIET The tears havent done much because my face looked bad enough before I started to cry. PARIS Youre treating your face even worse by saying that. JULIET What I say isnt slander, sir. Its the truth. And what I said, I said to my face. PARIS Your face is mine, and you have slandered it. JULIET That may be the case, because my face doesnt belong to me.Do you have time for me now, Father, or should I come to you at evening mass?

FRIAR LAWRENCE 40 My leisure serves me, pensive daughter, now. My lord, we must entreat the time alone. PARIS God shield I should disturb devotion! Juliet, on Thursday early will I rouse ye. (kisses her) Till then, adieu, and keep this holy kiss. Exit PARIS JULIET 45 O, shut the door! And when thou hast done so, Come weep with me, past hope, past cure, past help. FRIAR LAWRENCE I have time for you now, my sad daughter. (toPARIS) My lord, we must ask you to leave us alone. PARIS God forbid that I should prevent sacred devotion! Juliet, I will wake you early on Thursday. (kissing her) Until then, good-bye, and keep this holy kiss. PARIS exits. JULIET Oh, shut the door, and after you shut it, come over here and weep with me. This mess is beyond hope, beyond cure, beyond help!
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FRIAR LAWRENCE O Juliet, I already know thy grief. It strains me past the compass of my wits. I hear thou must, and nothing may prorogue it, 50 On Thursday next be married to this county. JULIET Tell me not, Friar, that thou hearst of this, Unless thou tell me how I may prevent it. If in thy wisdom thou canst give no help, Do thou but call my resolution wise, 55 And with this knife Ill help it presently. (shows him a knife) God joined my heart and Romeos, thou our hands. And ere this hand, by thee to Romeo sealed, Shall be the label to another deed, 60 Or my true heart with treacherous revolt Turn to another, this shall slay them both. Therefore out of thy long-experienced time, Give me some present counsel, or, behold, 'Twixt my extremes and me this bloody knife 65 Shall play the umpire, arbitrating that Which the commission of thy years and art Could to no issue of true honor bring. Be not so long to speak. I long to die If what thou speakst speak not of remedy.
Modern Text
FRIAR LAWRENCE Oh, Juliet, I already know about your sad situation. Its a problem too hard for me to solve. I hear that you must marry this count on Thursday, and that nothing can delay it. JULIET Dont tell me that youve heard about this marriage, Friar, unless you can tell me how to prevent it. If you who are so wise cant help, please be kind enough to call my solution wise.(she shows him a knife) And Ill solve the problem now with this knife. God joined my heart to Romeos. You joined our hands. And before I who was married to Romeo by youam married to another man, Ill kill myself. You are wise and you have so much experience. Give me some advice about the current situation. Or watch. Caught between these two difficulties, Ill act like a judge with my bloody knife. I will truly and honorably resolve the situation that you cant fix, despite your experience and education. Dont wait long to speak. I want to die if what you say isnt another solution.

FRIAR LAWRENCE 70 Hold, daughter. I do spy a kind of hope, Which craves as desperate an execution As that is desperate which we would prevent. If, rather than to marry County Paris, Thou hast the strength of will to slay thyself, 75 Then is it likely thou wilt undertake A thing like death to chide away this shame, That copest with death himself to scape from it. An if thou darest, Ill give thee remedy. JULIET O, bid me leap, rather than marry Paris, 80 From off the battlements of yonder tower; Or walk in thievish ways; or bid me lurk Where serpents are; chain me with roaring bears; Or shut me nightly in a charnel house, O'ercovered quite with dead mens rattling bones, 85 With reeky shanks and yellow chapless skulls; Or bid me go into a new-made grave And hide me with a dead man in his shroud Things that, to hear them told, have made me tremble 90 And I will do it without fear or doubt, To live an unstained wife to my sweet love. FRIAR LAWRENCE Hold, then. Go home, be merry. Give consent To marry Paris. Wednesday is tomorrow. FRIAR LAWRENCE Hold on, daughter, I see some hope. But we must act boldly because the situation is so desperate. If youve made up your mind to kill yourself instead of marrying Count Paris, then youll probably be willing to try something like death to solve this shameful problem. You can wrestle with death to escape from shame. And if you dare to do it, Ill give you the solution. JULIET Oh, you can tell me to jump off the battle posts of any tower, or to walk down the crime-ridden streets of a slum. Or tell me to sit in a field full of poisonous snakes. Chain me up with wild bears. Hide me every night in a morgue full of dead bodies with wet, smelly flesh and skulls without jawbones. Or tell me to climb down into a freshly dug grave, and hide me with a dead man in his tomb. All those ideas make me tremble when I hear them named. But I will do them without fear or dread in order to be a pure wife to my sweet love. FRIAR LAWRENCE Hold on, then. Go home, be cheerful, and tell them you agree to marry Paris. Tomorrow is
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Tomorrow night look that thou lie alone. Let not the Nurse lie with thee in thy chamber. (shows her a vial) Take thou this vial, being then in bed, And this distilld liquor drink thou off, When presently through all thy veins shall run A cold and drowsy humor, for no pulse Shall keep his native progress, but surcease. No warmth, no breath shall testify thou livest. The roses in thy lips and cheeks shall fade To paly ashes, thy eyes' windows fall Like death when he shuts up the day of life. Each part, deprived of supple government, Shall, stiff and stark and cold, appear like death. And in this borrowed likeness of shrunk death Thou shalt continue two and forty hours, And then awake as from a pleasant sleep. Now, when the bridegroom in the morning comes To rouse thee from thy bed, there art thou dead. Then, as the manner of our country is, In thy best robes uncovered on the bier Thou shalt be borne to that same ancient vault Where all the kindred of the Capulets lie. In the meantime, against thou shalt awake, Shall Romeo by my letters know our drift, And hither shall he come, and he and I Will watch thy waking, and that very night Shall Romeo bear thee hence to Mantua. And this shall free thee from this present shame, If no inconstant toy, nor womanish fear, Abate thy valor in the acting it.
Modern Text
Wednesday. Tomorrow night make sure that you are alone. Dont let the Nurse stay with you in your bedroom. (showing her a vial) When youre in bed, take this vial, mix its contents with liquor, and drink. Then a cold, sleep-inducing drug will run through your veins, and your pulse will stop. Your flesh will be cold, and youll stop breathing. The red in your lips and your cheeks will turn pale, and your eyes will shut. It will seem like youre dead. You wont be able to move, and your body will be stiff like a corpse. Youll remain in this deathlike state for forty-two hours, and then youll wake up as if from a pleasant sleep. Now, when the bridegroom comes to get you out of bed on Thursday morning, youll seem dead. Then, as tradition demands, youll be dressed up in your best clothes, put in an open coffin, and carried to the Capulet family tomb. Meanwhile, Ill send Romeo word of our plan. Hell come here, and well keep a watch for when you wake up. That night, Romeo will take you away to Mantua. This plan will free you from the shameful situation that troubles you now as long as you dont change your mind, or become scared like a silly woman and ruin your brave effort.
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JULIET Give me, give me! O, tell not me of fear! FRIAR LAWRENCE 125 (gives her a vial) Hold. Get you gone. Be strong and prosperous In this resolve. Ill send a friar with speed To Mantua with my letters to thy lord. JULIET Love give me strength, and strength shall help 130 afford. Farewell, dear Father. Exeunt, separately JULIET Give me the vial. Give it to me! Dont talk to me about fear. FRIAR LAWRENCE (giving her the vial) Now go along on your way. Be strong and successful in this decision. Ill send a friar quickly to Mantua with my letter for Romeo. JULIET Love will give me strength, and strength will help me accomplish this plan. Goodbye, dear Father. They exit separately.
Act 4, Scene 2
Enter CAPULET, LADY CAPULET, NURSE, and two or three SERVINGMEN CAPULET (gives paper to FIRST SERVINGMAN) So many CAPULET enters with LADY CAPULET, theNURSE, and two or three SERVINGMEN. CAPULET (giving the FIRST SERVINGMAN a piece of
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guests invite as here are writ. Exit FIRST SERVINGMAN (to SECOND SERVINGMAN) Sirrah, go hire me twenty cunning cooks. SECOND SERVINGMAN You shall have none ill, sir, for Ill try if they can lick their fingers. CAPULET How canst thou try them so? SECOND SERVINGMAN 5 Marry, sir, tis an ill cook that cannot lick his own fingers. Therefore he that cannot lick his fingers goes not with me. CAPULET Go, be gone. We shall be much unfurnished for this time. Exit SECOND SERVINGMAN What, is my daughter gone to Friar Lawrence?
Modern Text
paper) Invite all the guests on this list. The FIRST SERVINGMAN exits. (to SECOND SERVINGMAN) Boy, go hire twenty skilled cooks. SECOND SERVINGMAN You wont get any bad cooks from me. Ill test them by making them lick their fingers. CAPULET How can you test them like that? SECOND SERVINGMAN Easy, sir. Its a bad cook who cant lick his own fingers. So the cooks who cant lick their fingers arent hired. CAPULET Go, get out of here. The SECOND SERVINGMAN exits. Were unprepared for this wedding celebration.(to the NURSE) What, has my daughter gone to see Friar Lawrence? NURSE Yes, thats true. CAPULET Well, theres a chance he may do her some good. Shes a stubborn little brat. JULIET enters.
NURSE Ay, forsooth. CAPULET 10 Well, he may chance to do some good on her. A peevish self-willed harlotry it is. Enter JULIET

NURSE See where she comes from shrift with merry look. CAPULET How now, my headstrong? Where have you been gadding? JULIET Where I have learned me to repent the sin 15 Of disobedient opposition To you and your behests, and am enjoined By holy Lawrence to fall prostrate here To beg your pardon. (falls to her knees) Pardon, I beseech you! 20 Henceforward I am ever ruled by you. CAPULET Send for the county. Go tell him of this. Ill have this knot knit up tomorrow morning. JULIET I met the youthful lord at Lawrence' cell, And gave him what becomd love I might, 25 Not stepping o'er the bounds of modesty. CAPULET NURSE Look, shes come home from confession with a happy look on her face. CAPULET So, my headstrong daughter, where have you been? JULIET I went somewhere where I learned that being disobedient to my father is a sin. Holy Father Lawrence instructed me to fall on my knees and beg your forgiveness. (she kneels down) Forgive me, I beg you. From now on Ill do whatever you say. CAPULET Send for the Count. Go tell him about this. Ill make this wedding happen tomorrow morning. JULIET I met the young man at Lawrences cell. I treated him with the proper love, as well as I could, while still being modest. CAPULET
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Why, I am glad on t. This is well. Stand up. JULIET stands up This is as t should be.Let me see the county. Ay, marry, go, I say, and fetch him hither. Now, afore God, this reverend holy friar! 30 Our whole city is much bound to him. JULIET Nurse, will you go with me into my closet To help me sort such needful ornaments As you think fit to furnish me tomorrow?
Modern Text
Well, Im glad about this. This is good. Stand up. JULIET stands up. This is the way is should be. I want to see the count. Yes, alright, go, I say, and bring him here. Now, before God, our whole city owes this friar a great debt. JULIET Nurse, will you come with me to my closet and help me pick out the clothes and the jewelry Ill need to wear tomorrow?

LADY CAPULET No, not till Thursday. There is time enough. CAPULET 35 Go, Nurse. Go with her. Well to church tomorrow. Exeunt JULIET and NURSE LADY CAPULET We shall be short in our provision. 'Tis now near night. CAPULET Tush, I will stir about, And all things shall be well, I warrant thee, wife. Go thou to Juliet, help to deck up her. 40 Ill not to bed tonight. Let me alone. Ill play the housewife for this once. LADY CAPULET exits. What, ho? They are all forth?Well, I will walk myself To County Paris, to prepare him up Against tomorrow. My heart is wondrous light 45 Since this same wayward girl is so reclaimed. Exit LADY CAPULET No, not until Thursday. Theres plenty of time. CAPULET Go, Nurse, go with her. Well have the wedding at the church tomorrow. JULIET and the NURSE exit. LADY CAPULET Our supplies will be short for the party. Its already almost night. CAPULET Dont worry, I will set things in motion. And everything will be alright, I promise you, wife. You should go to Juliet and dress her up. Im not going to bed tonight. Leave me alone. Ill pretend to be the housewife for once. LADY CAPULET exits. Hey! What? Theyre all gone? Well, I will walk by myself to Count Paris to get him ready for tomorrow. My heart is wonderfully happy because this troubled girl has been taken back and now will be married. CAPULET exits.
Act 4, Scene 3
Enter JULIET and NURSE JULIET Ay, those attires are best. But, gentle Nurse, I pray thee, leave me to myself tonight, For I have need of many orisons To move the heavens to smile upon my state, 5 Which, well thou knowst, is cross and full of sin. Enter LADY CAPULET LADY CAPULET What, are you busy, ho? Need you my help? JULIET No, madam. We have culled such necessaries As are behooveful for our state tomorrow. So please you, let me now be left alone, JULIET and the NURSE enter. JULIET Yes, those are the best clothes. But, gentle Nurse, please leave me alone tonight. I have to say a lot of prayers to make the heavens bless me. You know that my life is troubled and full of sin. LADY CAPULET enters. LADY CAPULET What, are you busy? Do you need my help? JULIET No, madam, weve figured out the best things for me to wear tomorrow at the ceremony. So if its okay with you, Id like to be left alone now. Let the
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10 And let the Nurse this night sit up with you. For, I am sure, you have your hands full all In this so sudden business. LADY CAPULET Good night. Get thee to bed and rest, for thou hast need. Exeunt LADY CAPULET and NURSE JULIET Farewell!God knows when we shall meet again. 15 I have a faint cold fear thrills through my veins That almost freezes up the heat of life. Ill call them back again to comfort me. Nurse!What should she do here?
Modern Text
Nurse sit up with you tonight. Im sure you have your hands full preparing for the sudden festivities. LADY CAPULET Good night. Go to bed and get some rest. Im sure you need it. LADY CAPULET and the NURSE exit. JULIET Good-bye. Only God knows when well meet again. There is a slight cold fear cutting through my veins. It almost freezes the heat of life. Ill call them back here to comfort me. Nurse!Oh, what good would she do here? In my desperate situation, I have to act alone.

My dismal scene I needs must act alone. 20 Come, vial. (holds out the vial) What if this mixture do not work at all? Shall I be married then tomorrow morning? No, no. This shall forbid it. Lie thou there. (lays her knife down) 25 What if it be a poison, which the friar Subtly hath ministered to have me dead, Lest in this marriage he should be dishonored Because he married me before to Romeo? I fear it is. And yet, methinks, it should not, 30 For he hath still been tried a holy man. How if, when I am laid into the tomb, I wake before the time that Romeo Come to redeem me? Theres a fearful point. Shall I not, then, be stifled in the vault 35 To whose foul mouth no healthsome air breathes in, And there die strangled ere my Romeo comes? Or, if I live, is it not very like The horrible conceit of death and night, Together with the terror of the place 40 As in a vault, an ancient receptacle, Where for these many hundred years the bones Of all my buried ancestors are packed; Where bloody Tybalt, yet but green in earth, Lies festering in his shroud; where, as they say, 45 At some hours in the night spirits resort? Alack, alack, is it not like that I, So early waking, what with loathsome smells, And shrieks like mandrakes torn out of the earth, That living mortals, hearing them, run mad? Alright, heres the vial. What if this mixture doesnt work at all? Will I be married tomorrow morning? No, no, this knife will stop it. Lie down right there. (she lays down the knife) What if the Friar mixed the potion to kill me? Is he worried that he will be disgraced if I marry Paris after he married me to Romeo? Im afraid that its poison. And yet, it shouldnt be poison because he is a trustworthy holy man. What if, when I am put in the tomb, I wake up before Romeo comes to save me? Thats a frightening idea. Wont I suffocate in the tomb? Theres no healthy air to breathe in there. Will I die of suffocation before Romeo comes? Or if I live, Ill be surrounded by death and darkness. It will be terrible. There will be bones hundreds of years old in that tomb, my ancestors' bones. Tybalts body will be in there, freshly entombed, and his corpse will be rotting. They say that during the night the spirits are in tombs. Oh no, oh no. Ill wake up and smell awful odors. Ill hear screams that would drive people crazy.

50 Oh, if I wake, shall I not be distraught, Environd with all these hideous fears, And madly play with my forefathers joints, If I wake up too early, wont I go insane with all these horrible, frightening things around me, start playing with my ancestors' bones, and pull
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And pluck the mangled Tybalt from his shroud, And, in this rage, with some great kinsmans bone, 55 As with a club, dash out my desperate brains? Oh, look! Methinks I see my cousins ghost Seeking out Romeo, that did spit his body Upon a rapiers point. Stay, Tybalt, stay! Romeo, Romeo, Romeo! Heres drink. I drink to thee. She drinks and falls down on the bed, hidden by the bed curtains
Modern Text
Tybalts corpse out of his death shroud? Will I grab one of my dead ancestors bones and bash in my own skull? Oh, look! I think I see my cousin Tybalts ghost. Hes looking for Romeo because Romeo killed him with his sword. Wait, Tybalt, wait! Romeo, Romeo, Romeo! Heres a drink. I drink to you. She drinks from the vial and falls on her bed, hidden by her bed curtains.
Act 4, Scene 4
Enter LADY CAPULET and NURSE LADY CAPULET Hold, take these keys, and fetch more spices, Nurse. NURSE They call for dates and quinces in the pastry. Enter CAPULET CAPULET Come, stir, stir, stir! The second cock hath crowed. The curfew bell hath rung. 'Tis three o'clock. 5 Look to the baked meats, good Angelica. Spare not for the cost. NURSE Go, you cot-quean, go. Get you to bed, faith. Youll be sick tomorrow For this nights watching. CAPULET No, not a whit, what. I have watched ere now 10 All night for lesser cause, and ne'er been sick. LADY CAPULET Ay, you have been a mouse-hunt in your time, But I will watch you from such watching now. Exeunt LADY CAPULET and NURSE CAPULET A jealous hood, a jealous hood! Enter three or four SERVINGMEN with spits and logs and baskets Now, fellow, What is there? LADY CAPULET and the NURSE enter. LADY CAPULET Wait. Take these keys and get more spices, Nurse. NURSE Theyre calling for dates and quinces in the pastry kitchen. CAPULET enters. CAPULET Come on, wake up, wake up, wake up! The second cock crowed. The curfew-bell rang. Its three o'clock. Go get the baked meats, good Angelica. Dont worry about the cost. NURSE Go, you old housewife, go. Go to bed, dear. Youll be sick tomorrow because youve stayed up all night. CAPULET No, not at all. What? Ive stayed up all night many times before for less important matters, and Ive never gotten sick. LADY CAPULET Yes, youve been a ladies' man in your time. But Ill make sure you dont stay up any later now. LADY CAPULET and the NURSE exit. CAPULET A jealous woman, a jealous woman! Three or four SERVINGMEN enter with spits, logs, and baskets. Now, fellow, what have you got there?

FIRST SERVINGMAN 15 Things for the cook, sir, but I know not what. CAPULET Make haste, make haste, sirrah. Exit FIRST SERVINGMAN FIRST SERVINGMAN Things for the cook, sir. But I dont know what they are. CAPULET Hurry up, hurry up. The FIRST SERVINGMAN exits.
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(to SECOND SERVINGMAN) Fetch drier logs. Call Peter. He will show thee where they are. SECOND SERVINGMAN I have a head, sir, that will find out logs, 20 And never trouble Peter for the matter. Exit SECOND SERVINGMAN CAPULET Mass, and well said. A merry whoreson, ha! Thou shalt be loggerhead.Good faith, tis day. The county will be here with music straight, For so he said he would. I hear him near. Music plays within 25 Nurse! Wife! What, ho? What, Nurse, I say! Enter NURSE Go waken Juliet. Go and trim her up. Ill go and chat with Paris. Hie, make haste, Make haste. The bridegroom he is come already. Make haste, I say. Exeunt
Modern Text
(to SECOND SERVINGMAN) You, fetch logs that are drier than these. Call Peter, hell show you where they are. SECOND SERVINGMAN Im smart enough to find the logs myself without bothering Peter. The SECOND SERVINGMAN exits. CAPULET Right, and well said. That guys funny. Hes got a head full of logs. Goodness, its daylight. The count will be here soon with music. At least he said he would. I hear him coming near. Music plays offstage. Nurse! Wife! What? Hey, Nurse! The NURSE returns. Go wake Juliet. Go and get her dressed. Ill go and chat with Paris. Hey, hurry up, hurry up! The bridegroom is already here. Hurry up, I say. They exit.
Act 4, Scene 5
Enter NURSE NURSE Mistress! What, mistress! Juliet!Fast, I warrant her, she. Why, lamb! Why, lady! Fie, you slug-a-bed. Why, love, I say. Madam! Sweet-heart! Why, bride! 5 What, not a word? You take your pennyworths now. Sleep for a week, for the next night, I warrant, The County Paris hath set up his rest That you shall rest but little.God forgive me, Marry, and amen. How sound is she asleep! 10 I must needs wake her.Madam, madam, madam! Ay, let the county take you in your bed. Hell fright you up, i' faith. Will it not be? (opens the bed curtains) What, dressed and in your clothes, and down again? 15 I must needs wake you. Lady, lady, lady! Alas, alas! Help, help! My ladys dead! Oh, welladay, that ever I was born! Some aqua vitae, ho!My lord! My lady! Enter LADY CAPULET LADY CAPULET What noise is here? NURSE O lamentable day! LADY CAPULET What is the matter? NURSE Look, look. O heavy day! The NURSE enters. NURSE Mistress! Hey, mistress! Juliet! I bet shes fast asleep. Hey, lamb! Hey, lady! Hey, you lazy bones! Hey, love, I say! Madam! Sweetheart! Hey, bride! What, you dont say a word? You take your beauty sleep now. Get yourself a weeks worth of sleep. Tomorrow night, I bet, Count Paris wont let you get much rest. God forgive me. Alright, and amen. How sound asleep she is! I must wake her up. Madam, madam, madam! Yes, let the count take you in your bed. Hell wake you up, I bet. Wont he? (she opens the bed curtains) What? Youre still dressed in all your clothes. But youre still asleep. I must wake you up. Lady! Lady! Lady! Oh no, oh no! Help, help! My ladys dead! Oh curse the day that I was born! Ho! Get me some brandy! My lord! My lady! LADY CAPULET enters. LADY CAPULET Whats all the noise in here? NURSE Oh, sad day! LADY CAPULET What is the matter? NURSE Look, look! Oh, what a sad day!
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Modern Text

LADY CAPULET 20 O me, O me! My child, my only life, Revive, look up, or I will die with thee! Help, help! Call help. Enter CAPULET CAPULET For shame, bring Juliet forth. Her lord is come. NURSE Shes dead, deceased, shes dead. Alack the day! LADY CAPULET 25 Alack the day. Shes dead, shes dead, shes dead! CAPULET Ha? Let me see her. Out, alas! Shes cold. Her blood is settled, and her joints are stiff. Life and these lips have long been separated. Death lies on her like an untimely frost 30 Upon the sweetest flower of all the field. NURSE O lamentable day! LADY CAPULET O woeful time. CAPULET Death, that hath ta'en her hence to make me wail, Ties up my tongue and will not let me speak. Enter FRIAR LAWRENCE, County PARIS, andMUSICIANS FRIAR LAWRENCE Come, is the bride ready to go to church? CAPULET 35 Ready to go, but never to return. O son! The night before thy wedding day Hath death lain with thy wife. There she lies, Flower as she was, deflowered by him. LADY CAPULET Oh my, Oh my! My child, my reason for living, wake up, look up, or Ill die with you! Help, help! Call for help. CAPULET enters. CAPULET For shame, bring Juliet out here. Her bridegroom is here. NURSE Shes dead, deceased, shes dead. Curse the day! LADY CAPULET Curse the day! Shes dead, shes dead, shes dead! CAPULET No! Let me see her. Oh no! Shes cold. Her blood has stopped, and her joints are stiff. Shes been dead for some time. Shes dead, like a beautiful flower, killed by an unseasonable frost. NURSE Oh, sad day! LADY CAPULET Oh, this is a painful time! CAPULET Death, which has taken her away to make me cry, now ties up my tongue and wont let me speak. FRIAR LAWRENCE and PARIS enter withMUSICIANS. FRIAR LAWRENCE Come, is the bride ready to go to church? CAPULET Shes ready to go, but shell never return. (toPARIS) Oh son! On the night before your wedding day, death has taken your wife. There she lies. She was a flower, but death deflowered her.

Death is my son-in-law. Death is my heir. 40 My daughter he hath wedded. I will die, And leave him all. Life, living, all is Deaths. PARIS Have I thought long to see this mornings face, And doth it give me such a sight as this? LADY CAPULET Accursed, unhappy, wretched, hateful day! Death is my son-in-law. Death is my heir. My daughter married death. I will die and leave Death everything. Life, wealth, everything belongs to Death. PARIS Have I waited so long to see this morning, only to see this? LADY CAPULET Accursed, unhappy, wretched, hateful day! This is
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45 Most miserable hour that e'er time saw In lasting labor of his pilgrimage. But one, poor one, one poor and loving child, But one thing to rejoice and solace in, And cruel death hath catched it from my sight! NURSE 50 O woe! O woeful, woeful, woeful day! Most lamentable day, most woeful day That ever, ever, I did yet behold! O day, O day, O day, O hateful day! Never was seen so black a day as this. 55 O woeful day, O woeful day! PARIS Beguiled, divorcd, wrongd, spited, slain! Most detestable Death, by thee beguiled, By cruel, cruel thee quite overthrown! O love! O life! Not life, but love in death. CAPULET 60 Despised, distressd, hated, martyred, killed! Uncomfortable time, why camest thou now To murder, murder our solemnity? O child, O child! My soul, and not my child! Dead art thou! Alack, my child is dead, 65 And with my child my joys are buried. FRIAR LAWRENCE Peace, ho, for shame! Confusions cure lives not In these confusions. Heaven and yourself Had part in this fair maid. Now heaven hath all,
Modern Text
the most miserable hour of all time! I had only one child, one poor child, one poor and loving child, the one thing I had to rejoice and comfort myself, and cruel Death has stolen it from me! NURSE Oh pain! Oh painful, painful, painful day! The saddest day, most painful day that I ever, ever did behold! Oh day! Oh day! Oh day! Oh hateful day! There has never been so black a day as today. Oh painful day, Oh painful day! PARIS She was tricked, divorced, wronged, spited, killed! Death, the most despicable thing, tricked her. Cruel, cruel Death killed her. Oh love! Oh life! There is no life, but my love is dead! CAPULET Despised, distressed, hated, martyred, killed! Why did this have to happen now? Why did Death have to ruin our wedding? Oh child! Oh child! My soul and not my child! You are dead! Oh no! My child is dead. My child will be buried, and so will my joys. FRIAR LAWRENCE Be quiet, for shame! The cure for confusion is not yelling and screaming. You had this child with the help of heaven. Now heaven has her.

And all the better is it for the maid. 70 Your part in her you could not keep from death, But heaven keeps his part in eternal life. The most you sought was her promotion, For twas your heaven she should be advanced. And weep ye now, seeing she is advanced 75 Above the clouds, as high as heaven itself? Oh, in this love, you love your child so ill That you run mad, seeing that she is well. Shes not well married that lives married long, But shes best married that dies married young. 80 Dry up your tears and stick your rosemary On this fair corse, and, as the custom is, And in her best array, bear her to church. For though some nature bids us all lament, Yet natures tears are reasons merriment. CAPULET 85 All things that we ordained festival Turn from their office to black funeral. Our instruments to melancholy bells, Our wedding cheer to a sad burial feast. Our solemn hymns to sullen dirges change, 90 Our bridal flowers serve for a buried corse, She is in a better place. You could not prevent her from dying someday, but heaven will give her eternal life. The most you hope for was for her to marry wealthy and rise up the social ladderthat was your idea of heaven. And now you cry, even though she has risen up above the clouds, as high as heaven itself? Oh, in this love, you love your child so badly, that you go mad, even though she is in heaven. It is best to marry well and die young, better than to be married for a long time. Dry up your tears, and put your rosemary on this beautiful corpse. And, in accordance with custom, carry her to the church in her best clothes. Its natural for us to shed tears for her, but the truth is, we should be happy for her. CAPULET All the things that we prepared for the wedding party will now be used for the funeral. Our happy music will now be sad. Our wedding banquet will become a sad burial feast. Our celebratory hymns will change to sad funeral marches. Our bridal flowers will cover a buried corpse. And
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And all things change them to the contrary. FRIAR LAWRENCE Sir, go you in, and, madam, go with him; And go, Sir Paris. Every one prepare To follow this fair corse unto her grave. 95 The heavens do lour upon you for some ill. Move them no more by crossing their high will. Exeunt CAPULET, LADY CAPULET, PARIS, andFRIAR LAWRENCE FIRST MUSICIAN Faith, we may put up our pipes and be gone.
Modern Text
everything will be used for the opposite purpose from what we intended. FRIAR LAWRENCE Sir, you go in. And, madam, go with him. And you go too, Sir Paris. Everyone prepare to take this beautiful corpse to her grave. The heavens hang threateningly over you for some past sin. Dont disturb the heavens any more by trying to go against heavens will. CAPULET, LADY CAPULET, PARIS, and FRIAR LAWRENCE exit. FIRST MUSICIAN Well, we can put away our pipes and go home.

NURSE Honest good fellows, ah, put up, put up, For, well you know, this is a pitiful case. Exit FIRST MUSICIAN 100 Ay, by my troth, the case may be amended. Enter PETER PETER Musicians, O musicians, Hearts Ease, Hearts Ease. O, an you will have me live, play Hearts Ease. FIRST MUSICIAN Why Hearts ease? PETER O musicians, because my heart itself plays My Heart is Full. O, play me some merry dump to comfort me. FIRST MUSICIAN Not a dump, we. 'Tis no time to play now. PETER 105 You will not then? FIRST MUSICIAN No. PETER I will then give it you soundly. FIRST MUSICIAN What will you give us? PETER No money, on my faith, but the gleek. I will give you the minstrel. FIRST MUSICIAN 110 Then I will give you the serving creature. NURSE Honest good boys, ah, put 'em away, put 'em away. As you know, this is a sad case. The NURSE exits. FIRST MUSICIAN Yes, well, things could get better. PETER enters. PETER Musicians, oh, musicians, play Hearts Ease, Hearts Ease. Oh, Ill die if you dont play Hearts Ease. FIRST MUSICIAN Why Hearts Ease? PETER Oh, musicians, because my heart is singing My Heart is Full of Woe. Oh, play me some happy sad song to comfort me. FIRST MUSICIAN No, not a sad song. Its not the right time to play. PETER You wont, then? FIRST MUSICIAN No. PETER Then Ill really give it to you. FIRST MUSICIAN What will you give us? PETER No money, I swear. But Ill play a trick on you. Ill call you a minstrel. FIRST MUSICIAN Then Ill call you a serving-creature.
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PETER Then will I lay the serving creatures dagger on your pate. I will carry no crotchets. Ill re you, Ill fa you. Do you note me? FIRST MUSICIAN An you re us and fa us, you note us. SECOND MUSICIAN Pray you, put up your dagger and put out your wit. PETER Then have at you with my wit. I will dry-beat you with an iron wit and put up my iron dagger. Answer me like men. (sings) When griping grief the heart doth wound And doleful dumps the mind oppress, Then music with her silver sound (speaks) Why silver sound? Why music with her silver sound? What say you, Simon Catling? FIRST MUSICAN 120 Marry, sir, because silver hath a sweet sound. PETER Prates.What say you, Hugh Rebeck? SECOND MUSICIAN I say, silver sound because musicians sound for silver. PETER Prates too.What say you, James Soundpost? THIRD MUSICIAN Faith, I know not what to say.
Modern Text
PETER Then Ill smack you on the head with the servingcreatures knife. I wont mess around. Ill make you sing. Do you hear me? FIRST MUSICIAN If you make us sing, youll hear us. SECOND MUSICIAN Please, put down your knife and stop kidding around. PETER So you dont like my kidding around! Ill kid you to death, and then Ill put down my knife. Answer me like men. (sings) When sadness wounds your heart, And pain takes over your mind, Then music with her silver sound (speaks) Why the line silver sound? What do they mean, music with her silver sound? What do you say, Simon Catling? FIRST MUSICIAN Well, sir, because silver has a sweet sound. PETER Thats a stupid answer! What do you say, HughRebeck? SECOND MUSICIAN I say silver sound, because musicians play to earn silver. PETER Another studpid answer! What do you say, James Soundpost? THIRD MUSICIAN Well, I dont know what to say.

PETER 125 Oh, I cry you mercy, you are the singer. I will say for you. It is music with her silver sound because musicians have no gold for sounding. (sings) Then music with her silver sound With speedy help doth lend redress. Exit PETER FIRST MUSICIAN What a pestilent knave is this same! SECOND MUSICIAN Hang him, Jack! Come, well in here, tarry for the mourners and stay dinner. Exeunt FIRST MUSICIAN What an annoying man, this guy is! SECOND MUSICIAN Forget about him, Jack! Come, well go in there. Well wait for the mourners and stay for dinner. The MUSICIANS exit. PETER Oh, I beg your pardon. Youre the singer. Ill answer for you. It is music with her silver sound, because musicians have no gold to use to make sounds. (sings) Then music with her silver sound makes you feel just fine. PETER exits.
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Act 5, Scene 1
Enter ROMEO ROMEO If I may trust the flattering truth of sleep, My dreams presage some joyful news at hand. My bosoms lord sits lightly in his throne, And all this day an unaccustomed spirit 5 Lifts me above the ground with cheerful thoughts. I dreamt my lady came and found me dead Strange dream, that gives a dead man leave to think And breathed such life with kisses in my lips 10 That I revived and was an emperor. Ah me! How sweet is love itself possessed When but loves shadows are so rich in joy! Enter ROMEOs man BALTHASAR News from Verona!How now, Balthasar? Dost thou not bring me letters from the friar? How doth my lady? Is my father well? 15 How fares my Juliet? That I ask again, For nothing can be ill if she be well. BALTHASAR Then she is well, and nothing can be ill. Her body sleeps in Capels' monument, And her immortal part with angels lives. 20 I saw her laid low in her kindreds vault And presently took post to tell it you. O, pardon me for bringing these ill news, Since you did leave it for my office, sir. ROMEO enters. ROMEO If I can trust my dreams, then some joyful news is coming soon. Love rules my heart, and all day long a strange feeling has been making me cheerful. I had a dream that my lady came and found me dead. Its a strange dream that lets a dead man think! She came and brought me back to life by kissing my lips. I rose from the dead and was an emperor. Oh my! How sweet it it would be to actually have the woman I love, when merely thinking about love makes me so happy.
ROMEOs servant BALTHASAR enters. Do you have news from Verona!What is it, Balthasar? Do you bring me a letter from the friar? How is my wife? Is my father well? How is my Juliet? I ask that again because nothing can be wrong if she is well. BALTHASAR Then she is well, and nothing is wrong. Her body sleeps in the Capulet tomb, and her immortal soul lives with the angels in heaven. I saw her buried in her familys tomb, and then I came here to tell you the news. Oh, pardon me for bringing this bad news, but you told me it was my job, sir.

ROMEO Is it e'en so? Then I defy you, stars! 25 Thou knowst my lodging. Get me ink and paper, And hire post horses. I will hence tonight. BALTHASAR I do beseech you, sir, have patience. Your looks are pale and wild, and do import Some misadventure. ROMEO 30 Tush, thou art deceived. Leave me and do the thing I bid thee do. Hast thou no letters to me from the friar? BALTHASAR No, my good lord. ROMEO No matter. Get thee gone, 35 And hire those horses. Ill be with thee straight. Exit BALTHASAR Well, Juliet, I will lie with thee tonight. ROMEO Is it really true? Then I rebel against you, stars! You know where I live. Get me some ink and paper, and hire some horses to ride. I will leave here for Verona tonight. BALTHASAR Please, sir, have patience. You look pale and wild as if youre going to hurt yourself. ROMEO Tsk, youre wrong. Leave me and do what I told you to do. Dont you have a letter for me from the friar? BALTHASAR No, my good lord. ROMEO No matter. Get on your way and hire those horses. Ill be with you right away. BALTHASAR exits. Well, Juliet, Ill lie with you tonight. Lets see how.
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Lets see for means. O mischief, thou art swift To enter in the thoughts of desperate men! I do remember an apothecary 40 And hereabouts he dwellswhich late I noted In tattered weeds, with overwhelming brows, Culling of simples. Meager were his looks, Sharp misery had worn him to the bones, And in his needy shop a tortoise hung, 45 An alligator stuffed, and other skins Of ill-shaped fishes; and about his shelves A beggarly account of empty boxes, Green earthen pots, bladders and musty seeds, Remnants of packthread and old cakes of roses, 50 Were thinly scattered to make up a show.
Modern Text
Destructive thoughts come quickly to the minds of desperate men! I remember a pharmacist who lives nearby. I remember he wears shabby clothes and has bushy eyebrows. He makes drugs from herbs. He looks poor and miserable and worn out to the bone. He had a tortoise shell hanging up in his shop as well as a stuffed alligator and other skins of strange fish. There were a few empty boxes on his shelves, as well as green clay pots, and some musty seeds. There were a few strands of string and mashed rose petals on display.

Noting this penury, to myself I said, An if a man did need a poison now Whose sale is present death in Mantua Here lives a caitiff wretch would sell it him. 55 Oh, this same thought did but forerun my need, And this same needy man must sell it me. As I remember, this should be the house. Being holiday, the beggars shop is shut. What, ho! Apothecary! Enter APOTHECARY APOTHECARY Who calls so loud? ROMEO 60 Come hither, man. I see that thou art poor. Hold, there is forty ducats. Let me have A dram of poison, such soon-speeding gear As will disperse itself through all the veins That the life-weary taker may fall dead, 65 And that the trunk may be discharged of breath As violently as hasty powder fired Doth hurry from the fatal cannons womb. APOTHECARY Such mortal drugs I have, but Mantuas law Is death to any he that utters them. ROMEO 70 Art thou so bare and full of wretchedness, And fearst to die? Famine is in thy cheeks. Need and oppression starveth in thine eyes. Contempt and beggary hangs upon thy back. The world is not thy friend nor the worlds law. 75 The world affords no law to make thee rich. Then be not poor, but break it, and take this. (holds out money) Noticing all this poverty, I said to myself, If a man needed some poisonwhich they would immediately kill you for selling in Mantuahere is a miserable wretch whod sell it to him. Oh, this idea came before I needed the poison. But this same poor man must sell it to me. As I remember, this should be the house. Todays a holiday, so the beggars shop is shut. Hey! Pharmacist! The APOTHECARY enters. APOTHECARY Whos that calling so loud? ROMEO Come here, man. I see that you are poor. Here are forty ducats. Let me have a shot of poison, something that works so fast that the person who takes it will die as fast as gunpowder exploding in a canon.
APOTHECARY I have lethal poisons like that. But its against the law to sell them in Mantua, and the penalty is death. ROMEO Youre this poor and wretched and still afraid to die? Your cheeks are thin because of hunger. I can see in your eyes that youre starving. Anyone can see that youre a beggar. The world is not your friend, and neither is the law. The world doesnt make laws to make you rich. So dont be poor. Break the law, and take this money. (he holds out money)
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APOTHECARY My poverty, but not my will, consents. ROMEO I pay thy poverty and not thy will. APOTHECARY 80 (gives ROMEO poison) Put this in any liquid thing you will And drink it off; and, if you had the strength Of twenty men, it would dispatch you straight. ROMEO (gives APOTHECARY money) There is thy gold, worse poison to mens souls, 85 Doing more murder in this loathsome world, Than these poor compounds that thou mayst not sell. I sell thee poison. Thou hast sold me none. Farewell. Buy food, and get thyself in flesh. Come, cordial and not poison, go with me 90 To Juliets grave, for there must I use thee. Exeunt
Modern Text
APOTHECARY I agree because Im poor, not because I want to. ROMEO I pay you because youre poor, not because you want me to buy this. APOTHECARY (gives ROMEO poison) Put this in any kind of liquid you want and drink it down. Even if you were as strong as twenty men, it would kill you immediately. ROMEO (gives APOTHECARY money) There is your gold. Money is a worse poison to mens souls, and commits more murders in this awful world, than these poor poisons that youre not allowed to sell. Ive sold you poison. You havent sold me any. Goodbye. Buy yourself food, and put some flesh on your bones. Ill take this mixture, which is a medicine, not a poison, to Juliets grave. Thats where I must use it. They exit.
Act 5, Scene 2
Enter FRIAR JOHN FRIAR JOHN Holy Franciscan Friar! Brother, ho! Enter FRIAR LAWRENCE FRIAR LAWRENCE This same should be the voice of Friar John. Welcome from Mantua. What says Romeo? Or, if his mind be writ, give me his letter. FRIAR JOHN 5 Going to find a barefoot brother out, One of our order, to associate me, Here in this city visiting the sick, And finding him, the searchers of the town, Suspecting that we both were in a house 10 Where the infectious pestilence did reign, Sealed up the doors and would not let us forth. So that my speed to Mantua there was stayed. FRIAR LAWRENCE Who bare my letter, then, to Romeo? FRIAR JOHN I could not send ithere it is again 15 (gives FRIAR LAWRENCE a letter) Nor get a messenger to bring it thee, So fearful were they of infection. FRIAR LAWRENCE Unhappy fortune! By my brotherhood, The letter was not nice but full of charge, 20 Of dear import, and the neglecting it FRIAR JOHN enters. FRIAR JOHN Holy Franciscan Friar! Brother, hey! FRIAR LAWRENCE enters. FRIAR LAWRENCE That sounds like the voice of Friar John. Welcome back from Mantua. What does Romeo say? Or, if he wrote down his thoughts, give me his letter. FRIAR JOHN I went to find another poor friar from our order to accompany me. He was here in this city visiting the sick. When I found him, the town health officials suspected that we were both in a house that had been hit with the plague. They quarantined the house, sealed up the doors, and refused to let us out. I couldnt go to Mantua because I was stuck there. FRIAR LAWRENCE Then who took my letter to Romeo? FRIAR JOHN I couldnt send it. Here it is. (he gives FRIAR LAWRENCE a letter) I couldnt get a messenger to bring it to you either because they were scared of spreading the infection. FRIAR LAWRENCE Unhappy fortune! By my brotherhood, the letter was not just a nice greeting. It was full of very important information. Its very dangerous that it
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May do much danger. Friar John, go hence. Get me an iron crow and bring it straight Unto my cell.
Modern Text
hasnt been sent. Friar John, go and get me an iron crowbar. Bring it straight back to my cell.

FRIAR JOHN Brother, Ill go and bring it thee. Exit FRIAR JOHN FRIAR LAWRENCE Now must I to the monument alone. 25 Within this three hours will fair Juliet wake. She will beshrew me much that Romeo Hath had no notice of these accidents. But I will write again to Mantua, And keep her at my cell till Romeo come. 30 Poor living corse, closed in a dead mans tomb! Exit FRIAR JOHN Brother, Ill go and bring it to you. FRIAR JOHN exits. FRIAR LAWRENCE Now I must go to the tomb alone. Within three hours Juliet will wake up. Shell be very angry with me that Romeo doesnt know what happened. But Ill write again to Mantua, and Ill keep her in my cell until Romeo comes. That poor living corpse. Shes shut inside a dead mans tomb! FRIAR LAWRENCE exits.
Act 5, Scene 3
Enter PARIS and his PAGE PARIS Give me thy torch, boy. Hence, and stand aloof. Yet put it out, for I would not be seen. Under yon yew trees lay thee all along, Holding thine ear close to the hollow ground 5 So shall no foot upon the churchyard tread, Being loose, unfirm, with digging up of graves, But thou shalt hear it. Whistle then to me, As signal that thou hearst something approach. Give me those flowers. Do as I bid thee, go. PAGE extinguishes torch, gives PARIS flowers PAGE 10 (aside) I am almost afraid to stand alone Here in the churchyard. Yet I will adventure. PAGE moves aside PARIS (scatters flowers at JULIET'S closed tomb) Sweet flower, with flowers thy bridal bed I strew O woe! Thy canopy is dust and stones 15 Which with sweet water nightly I will dew. Or, wanting that, with tears distilled by moans, The obsequies that I for thee will keep Nightly shall be to strew thy grave and weep. PAGE whistles The boy gives warning something doth approach. 20 What cursd foot wanders this way tonight To cross my obsequies and true loves rite? What with a torch! Muffle me, night, awhile. PARIS enters with his PAGE. PARIS Give me your torch, boy. Go away and stay apart from me. Put the torch out, so I cant be seen. Hide under the yew-trees over there. Listen to make sure no one is coming through the graveyard. If you hear any one, whistle to me to signal that someone is approaching. Give me those flowers. Do as I tell you. Go.
The PAGE puts out the torch and gives PARISthe flowers. PAGE (to himself) I am almost afraid to stand alone here in the graveyard, but Ill take the risk. The PAGE moves aside PARIS (he scatters flowers at JULIETs closed tomb)Sweet flower, Im spreading flowers over your bridal bed. Oh, pain! Your canopy is dust and stones. Ill water these flowers every night with sweet water. Or, if I dont do that, my nightly rituals to remember you will be to put flowers on your grave and weep. The PAGE whistles The boy is warning me that someone approaches. Who could be walking around here tonight? Whos ruining my rituals of true love? Its someone with a torch! I must hide in the darkness for awhile.
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PARIS moves away from the tomb Enter ROMEOand BALTHASAR ROMEO Give me that mattock and the wrenching iron. (takes them from BALTHASAR) Hold, take this letter. Early in the morning See thou deliver it to my lord and father. (gives letter to BALTHASAR) Give me the light. (takes torch from BALTHASAR) Upon thy life I charge thee, Whate'er thou hearst or seest, stand all aloof, And do not interrupt me in my course. Why I descend into this bed of death Is partly to behold my ladys face, But chiefly to take thence from her dead finger A precious ring, a ring that I must use In dear employment. Therefore hence, be gone. But if thou, jealous, dost return to pry In what I farther shall intend to do, By heaven, I will tear thee joint by joint And strew this hungry churchyard with thy limbs. The time and my intents are savage, wild, More fierce and more inexorable far Than empty tigers or the roaring sea. PARIS hides in the darkness. ROMEO andBALTHASAR enter with a torch, a pickax, and an iron crowbar. ROMEO Give me that pickax and the crowbar. (he takes them from BALTHASAR) Here, take this letter. Early in the morning deliver it to my father. (he gives the letter to BALTHASAR) Give me the light.(he takes the torch from BALTHASAR) Swear on your life, I command you, whatever you hear or see, stay away from me and do not interrupt me in my plan. Im going down into this tomb of the dead, partly to behold my wifes face. But my main reason is to take a precious ring from her dead finger. I must use that ring for an important purpose. So go on your way. But if you get curious and return to spy on me, I swear Ill tear you apart limb by limb and spread your body parts around to feed the hungry animals in the graveyard. My plan is wild and savage. I am more fierce in this endeavor than a hungry tiger or the raging sea.
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BALTHASAR 45 I will be gone, sir, and not trouble you. ROMEO So shalt thou show me friendship. Take thou that. (gives BALTHASAR money) Live and be prosperous, and farewell, good fellow.
BALTHASAR Ill go, sir, and I wont bother you. ROMEO Thats the way to show me friendship. Take this.(he gives BALTHASAR money) Live and be prosperous. Farewell, good fellow.

BALTHASAR (aside) For all this same, Ill hide me hereabout. 50 His looks I fear, and his intents I doubt. BALTHASAR (speaking so that only PARIS can hear) Despite what I said, Ill hide nearby. Im frightened by the look on his face, and I have doubts about his intentions. BALTHASAR moves aside and falls asleep. ROMEO (speaking to the tomb) You horrible mouth of death! Youve eaten up the dearest creature on Earth. Now Im going to force open your rotten jaws and make you eat another body. (ROMEObegins to open the tomb with his tools) PARIS (speaking so that ROMEO cant hear) Its that arrogant Montague, the one whos been banished. Hes the one who murdered my loves
BALTHASAR moves aside, falls asleep ROMEO Thou detestable maw, thou womb of death, Gorged with the dearest morsel of the earth, Thus I enforce thy rotten jaws to open, And in despite Ill cram thee with more food! 55 (begins to opens the tomb with his tools) PARIS (aside) This is that banished haughty Montague, That murdered my loves cousin, with which grief, It is supposed the fair creature died.
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And here is come to do some villainous shame 60 To the dead bodies. I will apprehend him. (to ROMEO) Stop thy unhallowed toil, vile Montague! Can vengeance be pursued further than death? Condemnd villain, I do apprehend thee. Obey and go with me, for thou must die. 65
Modern Text
cousin Tybalt. They think she died with grief for that cousin. This guy has come here to commit awful crimes against the dead bodies. Ill catch him.
(to ROMEO) Stop your evil work, vile Montague! Can you take revenge on dead bodies? Condemned villain, Ive caught you. Obey and come with me. You must die. ROMEO I must indeed. Thats why I came here. Good and noble young man, dont mess with someone whos desperate. Get away from here and leave me. Think about the ones who have died. Let them put fear in your heart. Please, young man, dont make me angry. I dont want to commit another crime. Oh, go away! I swear, I love you more than I love myself. For Ive come here with weapons to use against myself. Dont stay here, go away. Live, and from now on, say a madman mercifully told you to run away.
ROMEO I must indeed, and therefore came I hither. Good gentle youth, tempt not a desperate man. Fly hence and leave me. Think upon these gone. Let them affright thee. I beseech thee, youth, 70 Put not another sin upon my head By urging me to fury. O, be gone! By heaven, I love thee better than myself, For I come hither armed against myself. Stay not, be gone. Live, and hereafter say 75 A madmans mercy bid thee run away.

PARIS I do defy thy commination And apprehend thee for a felon here. ROMEO Wilt thou provoke me? Then have at thee, boy! ROMEO and PARIS fight PAGE O Lord, they fight! I will go call the watch. Exit PAGE PARIS 80 (falls) Oh, I am slain! If thou be merciful, Open the tomb. Lay me with Juliet. PARIS dies ROMEO In faith, I will.Let me peruse this face. Mercutios kinsman, noble County Paris. What said my man, when my betossd soul 85 Did not attend him as we rode? I think He told me Paris should have married Juliet. Said he not so? Or did I dream it so? Or am I mad, hearing him talk of Juliet, To think it was so?O, give me thy hand, 90 One writ with me in sour misfortunes book. Ill bury thee in a triumphant grave. ROMEO opens the tomb to reveal JULIET inside A grave? Oh, no. A lantern, slaughtered youth, PARIS I refuse your request. Im arresting you as a criminal. ROMEO Are you going to provoke me? Alright, lets fight, boy! ROMEO and PARIS fight. PAGE Oh Lord, theyre fighting! Ill go call the watch. The PAGE exits. PARIS (he falls) Oh, Ive been killed! If you are merciful, open the tomb and lay me next to Juliet. PARIS dies. ROMEO Alright, I will. Let me look at this face. Its Mercutios relative, noble Count Paris! What did my man say? I was worried, so I wasnt listening to him while we were riding. I think he told me Paris was about to marry Juliet. Isnt that what he said? Or was I dreaming? Or am I crazy? Did I hear him say something about Juliet and jump to conclusions? Oh, give me your hand. Both of us had such bad luck! Ill bury you in a magnificent grave. ROMEO opens the tomb to reveal JULIETinside. A grave? Oh no! This is a lantern, dead Paris.
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For here lies Juliet, and her beauty makes This vault a feasting presence full of light. 95 Death, lie thou there, by a dead man interred. (lays PARIS in the tomb)
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Juliet lies here, and her beauty fills this tomb with light. Dead men, lie there. You are being buried by another dead man. (he lays PARIS in the tomb)

How oft when men are at the point of death Have they been merry, which their keepers call A lightning before death! Oh, how may I Call this a lightning?O my love, my wife! Death, that hath sucked the honey of thy breath, Hath had no power yet upon thy beauty. Thou art not conquered. Beautys ensign yet Is crimson in thy lips and in thy cheeks, And deaths pale flag is not advancd there. Tybalt, liest thou there in thy bloody sheet? O, what more favor can I do to thee, Than with that hand that cut thy youth in twain To sunder his that was thine enemy? Forgive me, cousin.Ah, dear Juliet, Why art thou yet so fair? Shall I believe That unsubstantial death is amorous, And that the lean abhorrd monster keeps Thee here in dark to be his paramour? For fear of that, I still will stay with thee, And never from this palace of dim night Depart again. Here, here will I remain With worms that are thy chamber maids. Oh, here Will I set up my everlasting rest, And shake the yoke of inauspicious stars From this world-wearied flesh. Eyes, look your last. Arms, take your last embrace. And, lips, O you The doors of breath, seal with a righteous kiss A dateless bargain to engrossing death. (kisses JULIET, takes out the poison) Come, bitter conduct, come, unsavoury guide. Thou desperate pilot, now at once run on The dashing rocks thy seasick, weary bark. Heres to my love! (drinks the poison) O true apothecary, Thy drugs are quick. Thus with a kiss I die. ROMEO dies How often are men happy right before they die! They call it the lightness before death. Oh, how can I call this lightness? Oh, my love! My wife! Death has sucked the honey from your breath, but it has not yet ruined your beauty. You havent been conquered. There is still red in your lips and in your cheeks. Death has not yet turned them pale. Tybalt, are you lying there in your bloody death shroud? Oh, what better favor can I do for you than to kill the man who killed you with the same hand that made you die young. Forgive me, cousin! Ah, dear Juliet, why are you still so beautiful? Should I believe that death is in love with you, and that the awful monster keeps you here to be his mistress? I dont like that idea, so Ill stay with you. And I will never leave this tomb. Here, here Ill remain with worms that are your chamber-maids. Oh, Ill rest here forever. Ill forget about all the bad luck that has troubled me. Eyes, look out for the last time! Arms, make your last embrace! And lips, you are the doors of breath. Seal with a righteous kiss the deal I have made with death forever. (ROMEO kisses JULIET and takes out the poison) Come, bitter poison, come, unsavory guide! You desperate pilot, lets crash this seaweary ship into the rocks! Heres to my love! ROMEO drinks the poison. Oh, that pharmacist was honest! His drugs work quickly. So I die with a kiss.
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ROMEO dies.

Enter FRIAR LAWRENCE with lantern, crow, and spade FRIAR LAWRENCE Saint Francis be my speed! How oft tonight Have my old feet stumbled at graves!Whos there? BALTHASAR Heres one, a friend, and one that knows you well. FRIAR LAWRENCE enters with a lantern, crowbar, and shovel. FRIAR LAWRENCE Saint Francis, help me! How often tonight have my old feet stumbled on gravestones! Whos there? BALTHASAR Im a friend, a friend who knows you well.
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FRIAR LAWRENCE Bliss be upon you! Tell me, good my friend, 135 What torch is yond that vainly lends his light To grubs and eyeless skulls? As I discern, It burneth in the Capels' monument. BALTHASAR It doth so, holy sir, and theres my master, One that you love. FRIAR LAWRENCE Who is it? BALTHASAR Romeo. FRIAR LAWRENCE 140 How long hath he been there? BALTHASAR Full half an hour. FRIAR LAWRENCE Go with me to the vault. BALTHASAR I dare not, sir. My master knows not but I am gone hence, And fearfully did menace me with death If I did stay to look on his intents. FRIAR LAWRENCE 145 Stay, then. Ill go alone. Fear comes upon me. Oh, much I fear some ill unthrifty thing.
Modern Text
FRIAR LAWRENCE God bless you! Tell me, my good friend, what is that light over there? The one that vainly lights up the darkness for worms and skulls without eyes? It looks to me like its burning in the Capulet tomb. BALTHASAR That is where its burning, father. My master is there. The one you love. FRIAR LAWRENCE Who is it? BALTHASAR Romeo. FRIAR LAWRENCE How long has he been there? BALTHASAR For a full half hour. FRIAR LAWRENCE Go with me to the tomb. BALTHASAR I dont dare, sir. My master doesnt know Im still here. He threatened me with death if I stayed to look at what he was doing. FRIAR LAWRENCE Stay, then. Ill go alone. Im suddenly afraid. Oh, Im very scared something awful has happened.

BALTHASAR As I did sleep under this yew tree here, I dreamt my master and another fought, And that my master slew him. FRIAR LAWRENCE 150 (approaches the tomb) Romeo! Alack, alack, what blood is this, which stains The stony entrance of the sepulcher? What mean these masterless and gory swords To lie discolored by this place of peace? 155 (looks inside the tomb) Romeo! O, pale!Who else? What, Paris too? And steeped in blood?Ah, what an unkind hour Is guilty of this lamentable chance! The lady stirs. JULIET wakes JULIET 160 O comfortable Friar! Where is my lord? I do remember well where I should be, And there I am. Where is my Romeo? A noise sounds from outside the tomb BALTHASAR As I slept under this yew-tree here, I had a dream that my master and someone else were fighting and that my master killed him. FRIAR LAWRENCE (approaching the tomb) Romeo! Oh no! What is this blood that stains the stony entrance of this tomb? Why are these bloody swords lying here, abandoned by their masters? Next to this place of peace? (he looks inside the tomb) Romeo! Oh, hes pale! Who else? What, Paris too? And hes covered in blood? Ah, when did these horrible things happen? The ladys moving.
JULIET wakes up. JULIET Oh friendly friar! Where is my husband? I remember very well where I should be, and here I am. Where is my Romeo? A noise sounds from outside the tomb.
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FRIAR LAWRENCE I hear some noise. Lady, come from that nest Of death, contagion, and unnatural sleep. 165 A greater power than we can contradict Hath thwarted our intents. Come, come away. Thy husband in thy bosom there lies dead, And Paris too. Come, Ill dispose of thee Among a sisterhood of holy nuns. 170 Stay not to question, for the watch is coming. Come, go, good Juliet. I dare no longer stay.
Modern Text
FRIAR LAWRENCE I hear some noise. Lady, come out of the tomb. A greater power than we can fight has ruined our plan. Come, come away. Your husband lies dead there, and Paris too. Come, Ill place you among the sisterhood of holy nuns. Dont wait to ask questions. The watch is coming. Come, lets go, good Juliet, I dont dare stay any longer.

JULIET Go, get thee hence, for I will not away. Exit FRIAR LAWRENCE Whats here? A cup, closed in my true loves hand? Poison, I see, hath been his timeless end. 175 O churl, drunk all, and left no friendly drop To help me after? I will kiss thy lips. Haply some poison yet doth hang on them, To make me die with a restorative. (kisses ROMEO) 180 Thy lips are warm. Enter WATCHMEN and PARISs PAGE CHIEF WATCHMAN (to PAGE) Lead, boy. Which way? JULIET Yea, noise? Then Ill be brief. O happy dagger, This is thy sheath. There rust and let me die. (stabs herself with ROMEOs dagger and dies) JULIET Go, get out of here. Im not going anywhere. FRIAR LAWRENCE exits. Whats this here? Its a cup, closed in my true loves hand? Poison, I see, has been the cause of his death. How rude! He drank it all, and didnt leave any to help me afterward. I will kiss your lips. Perhaps theres still some poison on them, to make me die with a medicinal kiss.(she kisses ROMEO) Your lips are warm. WATCHMEN and PARISs PAGE enter. CHIEF WATCHMAN (coming to the PAGE) Lead, boy. Which way? JULIET Oh, noise? Then Ill be quick. Oh, good, a knife! My body will be your sheath. Rust inside my body and let me die. (she stabs herself with ROMEOs dagger and dies) PAGE This is the place. There, where the torch is burning. CHIEF WATCHMAN The ground is bloody. Search the graveyard. Go, some of you, arrest whoever you find. Some WATCHMEN exit. This is a pitiful sight! The count is dead. Juliet is bleeding. Her body is warm, and she seems to have been dead only a short time, even though she has been buried for two days. Go, tell the Prince. Run to the Capulets. Wake up the Montagues. Have some others search. Some other WATCHMEN exit in several directions.
PAGE 185 This is the place. There, where the torch doth burn. CHIEF WATCHMAN The ground is bloody.Search about the churchyard. Go, some of you. Whoe'er you find, attach. Exeunt some WATCHMEN Pitiful sight! Here lies the county slain, And Juliet bleeding, warm and newly dead, 190 Who here hath lain these two days buried. Go, tell the Prince. Run to the Capulets. Raise up the Montagues. Some others search. Exeunt more WATCHMEN

We see the ground whereon these woes do lie, We see the cause of all this pain. But well have
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195 But the true ground of all these piteous woes We cannot without circumstance descry. Reenter SECOND WATCHMAN with ROMEOs man BALTHASAR SECOND WATCHMAN Heres Romeos man. We found him in the churchyard. CHIEF WATCHMAN Hold him in safety till the Prince come hither. Reenter THIRD WATCHMAN with FRIAR LAWRENCE THIRD WATCHMAN Here is a friar that trembles, sighs and weeps. 200 We took this mattock and this spade from him As he was coming from this churchyards side. CHIEF WATCHMAN A great suspicion. Stay the friar too. Enter the PRINCE with ATTENDANTS PRINCE What misadventure is so early up That calls our person from our morning rest? Enter CAPULET and LADY CAPULET CAPULET 205 What should it be that is so shrieked abroad? LADY CAPULET Oh, the people in the street cry Romeo, Some Juliet, and some Paris, and all run With open outcry toward our monument.
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to investigate to discover the whole story. The SECOND WATCHMAN reenters withBALTHASAR. SECOND WATCHMAN Heres Romeos man. We found him in the churchyard. CHIEF WATCHMAN Hold him in custody until the Prince gets here. The THIRD WATCHMAN reenters with FRIAR LAWRENCE. THIRD WATCHMAN Here is a friar whos trembling, sighing and weeping. We took this pickax and this shovel from him, as he was walking from this side of the graveyard. CHIEF WATCHMAN Very suspicious. Hold the friar too. The PRINCE enters with ATTENDANTS. PRINCE What crimes happen so early in the morning that I have to wake up before the usual time? CAPULET and LADY CAPULET enter. CAPULET Whats the problem, that they cry out so loud? LADY CAPULET Some people in the street are crying Romeo. Some are crying Juliet, and some are crying Paris. Theyre all running in an open riot toward our tomb.

PRINCE What fear is this which startles in our ears? CHIEF WATCHMAN 210 Sovereign, here lies the County Paris slain, And Romeo dead, and Juliet, dead before, Warm and new killed. PRINCE Search, seek, and know how this foul murder comes. CHIEF WATCHMAN Here is a friar, and slaughtered Romeos man, 215 With instruments upon them fit to open These dead mens tombs. CAPULET O heavens! O wife, look how our daughter bleeds! This dagger hath mista'enfor, lo, his house Is empty on the back of Montague, 220 And it mis-sheathd in my daughters bosom. PRINCE Whats this awful thing that everyones crying about? CHIEF WATCHMAN Prince, here lies Count Paris killed. And Romeo dead. And Juliet. She was dead before, but now shes warm and hasnt been dead for long. PRINCE Investigate how this foul murder came about. CHIEF WATCHMAN Here is a friar, and dead Romeos man. Theyve got tools on themtools they could use to open these tombs. CAPULET Oh heavens! Oh wife, look at how our daughter bleeds! That knife should be in its sheath on that Montagues back, but instead its mis-sheathed in my daughters breast.
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LADY CAPULET O me! This sight of death is as a bell, That warns my old age to a sepulcher. Enter MONTAGUE PRINCE Come, Montague, for thou art early up To see thy son and heir now early down. MONTAGUE 225 Alas, my liege, my wife is dead tonight. Grief of my sons exile hath stopped her breath. What further woe conspires against mine age? PRINCE Look, and thou shalt see. MONTAGUE (to ROMEO) O thou untaught! What manners is in 230 this, To press before thy father to a grave?
Modern Text
LADY CAPULET Oh my! This sight of death is like a bell that warns me Im old and Ill die soon. MONTAGUE enters. PRINCE Come, Montague. Youre up early to see your son down early. MONTAGUE Oh, my liege, my wife died tonight. Sadness over my sons exile stopped her breath. What further pain must I endure in my old age? PRINCE Look, and youll see. MONTAGUE (seeing ROMEO's body) Oh, you undisciplined boy! Where are your manners? Its not right for a son to push past his father on his way to the grave.

PRINCE Seal up the mouth of outrage for a while, Till we can clear these ambiguities And know their spring, their head, their true descent, And then will I be general of your woes, 235 And lead you even to death. Meantime forbear, And let mischance be slave to patience. Bring forth the parties of suspicion. FRIAR LAWRENCE I am the greatest, able to do least, Yet most suspected, as the time and place 240 Doth make against me, of this direful murder. And here I stand, both to impeach and purge, Myself condemnd and myself excused. PRINCE Then say at once what thou dost know in this. FRIAR LAWRENCE I will be brief, for my short date of breath 245 Is not so long as is a tedious tale. Romeo, there dead, was husband to that Juliet, And she, there dead, that Romeos faithful wife. I married them, and their stol'n marriage day Was Tybalts doomsday, whose untimely death 250 Banished the new-made bridegroom from the city For whom, and not for Tybalt, Juliet pined. You, to remove that siege of grief from her, Betrothed and would have married her perforce To County Paris. Then comes she to me, 255 And with wild looks bid me devise some mean To rid her from this second marriage, Or in my cell there would she kill herself. Then gave I her, so tutored by my art, PRINCE Be quiet and hold back your remarks of outrage, until we can clear up these questions. We want to know how it started and what really happened. And then Ill be the leader of pain, and maybe Ill lead you as far as death. In the meantime, hold on, and be patient. Bring forth the men under suspicion. FRIAR LAWRENCE I am the greatest, but I was able to do the least. I am under the most suspicion, because I was here at the time of this awful murder. And here I stand, you can question me and punish me. I have already condemned and excused myself. PRINCE Tell us what you know about this affair. FRIAR LAWRENCE I will be brief because Im not going to live long enough to tell a boring story. Romeo, who lies there dead, was the husband of that Juliet. And she, who lies there dead, was that Romeos faithful wife. I married them; their secret wedding day was the day Tybalt died. His untimely death caused the bridegroom to be banished from the city. Juliet was sad because Romeo was gone, not because of Tybalts death. To cure her sadness, you arranged a marriage for her with Count Paris. Then she came to me, and, looking wild, she asked me to devise a plan to get her out of this second marriage. She threatened to kill herself in my cell if I didnt help her. So I gave her a sleeping potion that I had mixed with my
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A sleeping potion, which so took effect 260 As I intended, for it wrought on her The form of death.
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special skills. It worked as planned. She seemed to everyone to be dead.

Meantime I writ to Romeo, That he should hither come as this dire night, To help to take her from her borrowed grave, Being the time the potions force should cease. But he which bore my letter, Friar John, Was stayed by accident, and yesternight Returned my letter back. Then all alone At the prefixd hour of her waking Came I to take her from her kindreds vault, Meaning to keep her closely at my cell Till I conveniently could send to Romeo, But when I came, some minute ere the time Of her awakening, here untimely lay The noble Paris and true Romeo dead. She wakes, and I entreated her come forth, And bear this work of heaven with patience. But then a noise did scare me from the tomb, And she, too desperate, would not go with me, But, as it seems, did violence on herself. All this I know, and to the marriage Her Nurse is privy. And if aught in this Miscarried by my fault, let my old life Be sacrificed some hour before his time Unto the rigor of severest law. In the meantime I wrote to Romeo and told him to come here on this awful night to help remove her from her temporary grave when the sleeping potion wore off. But the man who carried my letter, Friar John, was held up by an accident. Last night he gave me the letter back. So I came here alone at the hour when she was supposed to wake up. I came to take her out of her familys tomb, hoping to hide her in my cell until I could make contact with Romeo. But by the time I got here, just a few minutes before Juliet woke up, Paris and Romeo were already dead. She woke up, and I asked her to come out of the tomb with me and endure this tragedy with patience. But then a noise sent me running scared from the tomb. She was too desperate to come with me, and it seems that she killed herself. I know all of this. And her Nurse knows about the marriage too. If any part of this tragedy is my fault, let my old life be sacrificed and let me suffer the most severe punishment.
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PRINCE 285 We still have known thee for a holy man. Wheres Romeos man? What can he say in this? BALTHASAR I brought my master news of Juliets death, And then in post he came from Mantua To this same place, to this same monument. 290 (shows a letter) This letter he early bid me give his father, And threatened me with death, going in the vault, If I departed not and left him there.
PRINCE We have always known you to be a holy man. Wheres Romeos man? What does he have to say about this? BALTHASAR I brought my master news of Juliets death. And then he rode from Mantua here to this tomb. (he shows a letter) Earlier this morning he asked me to give this letter to his father. When he went into the vault, he threatened me with death if I didnt leave him alone there.

PRINCE Give me the letter. I will look on it. (takes letter from BALTHASAR) 295 Where is the countys page, that raised the watch? Sirrah, what made your master in this place? PAGE He came with flowers to strew his ladys grave, And bid me stand aloof, and so I did. Anon comes one with light to ope the tomb, PRINCE Give me the letter. Ill look at it. (he takes the letter from BALTHASAR) Where is the counts page, the one who called the watch? Boy, what was your master doing here? PAGE He came with flowers to spread on his ladys grave. And he asked me to stand far away and leave him alone, and so I did. Then someone
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300 And by and by my master drew on him, And then I ran away to call the watch. PRINCE (skims the letter) This letter doth make good the friars words, Their course of love, the tidings of her death. 305 And here he writes that he did buy a poison Of a poor 'pothecary, and therewithal Came to this vault to die and lie with Juliet. Where be these enemies?Capulet! Montague! See what a scourge is laid upon your hate, 310 That heaven finds means to kill your joys with love! And I, for winking at your discords, too Have lost a brace of kinsmen. All are punished. CAPULET O brother Montague, give me thy hand. This is my daughters jointure, for no more Can I demand. MONTAGUE But I can give thee more, 315 For I will raise her statue in pure gold, That whiles Verona by that name is known, There shall no figure at such rate be set As that of true and faithful Juliet. CAPULET As rich shall Romeos by his ladys lie, 320 Poor sacrifices of our enmity.
Modern Text
with a torch came to open the tomb. So my master drew on him. And then I ran away to call the watch. PRINCE (skimming the letter) This letter confirms the friars account. It describes the course of their love and mentions the news of her death. Here he writes that he bought poison from a poor pharmacist. He brought that poison with him to this vault to die and lie with Juliet. Where are these enemies? Capulet! Montague! Do you see what a great evil results from your hate? Heaven has figured out how to kill your joys with love. Because I looked the other way when your feud flared up, Ive lost several members of my family as well. Everyone is punished. CAPULET Oh, brother Montague, give me your hand. This is my daughters dowry. I can ask you for nothing more. MONTAGUE But I can give you more. Ill raise her statue in pure gold. As long as this city is called Verona, there will be no figure praised more than that of true and faithful Juliet. CAPULET The statue I will make of Romeo to lie beside his Juliet will be just as rich. They were poor sacrifices of our rivalry!

PRINCE A glooming peace this morning with it brings. The sun, for sorrow, will not show his head. Go hence, to have more talk of these sad things. Some shall be pardoned, and some punishd. 325 For never was a story of more woe Than this of Juliet and her Romeo. Exeunt PRINCE We settle a dark peace this morning. The sun is too sad to show itself. Lets go, to talk about these sad things some more. Some will be pardoned, and some will be punished. There was never a story more full of pain than the story of Romeo and Juliet. They all exit.

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No Fear Shakespeare Romeo and Juliet (by SparkNotes)

No Fear Shakespeare Romeo and Juliet (by SparkNotes)

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No Fear Shakespeare Romeo and Juliet (by SparkNotes)

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No Fear Shakespeare Romeo and Juliet (by SparkNotes)

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No Fear Shakespeare Romeo and Juliet (by SparkNotes)

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No Fear Shakespeare Romeo and Juliet (by SparkNotes)

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No Fear Shakespeare Romeo and Juliet (by SparkNotes)

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No Fear Shakespeare Romeo and Juliet (by SparkNotes)

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No Fear Shakespeare Romeo and Juliet (by SparkNotes)

Act 1, Scene 2, Page 3

Act 1, Scene 2, Page 4

No Fear Shakespeare Romeo and Juliet (by SparkNotes)

Act 1, Scene 2, Page 5

No Fear Shakespeare Romeo and Juliet (by SparkNotes)

Act 1, Scene 3, Page 2

No Fear Shakespeare Romeo and Juliet (by SparkNotes)

LADY CAPULET Enough of this. Please be quiet.

Act 1, Scene 3, Page 3

No Fear Shakespeare Romeo and Juliet (by SparkNotes)

Act 1, Scene 3, Page 4

Act 1, Scene 3, Page 5

No Fear Shakespeare Romeo and Juliet (by SparkNotes)

Act 1, Scene 4, Page 2

No Fear Shakespeare Romeo and Juliet (by SparkNotes)

Act 1, Scene 4, Page 3

No Fear Shakespeare Romeo and Juliet (by SparkNotes)

Act 1, Scene 4, Page 4

No Fear Shakespeare Romeo and Juliet (by SparkNotes)

Act 1, Scene 4, Page 5

No Fear Shakespeare Romeo and Juliet (by SparkNotes)

Act 1, Scene 5, Page 2

No Fear Shakespeare Romeo and Juliet (by SparkNotes)

Act 1, Scene 5, Page 3

Act 1, Scene 5, Page 4

No Fear Shakespeare Romeo and Juliet (by SparkNotes)

Act 1, Scene 5, Page 5

No Fear Shakespeare Romeo and Juliet (by SparkNotes)

Act 1, Scene 5, Page 6

Act 1, Scene 5, Page 7

No Fear Shakespeare Romeo and Juliet (by SparkNotes)

No Fear Shakespeare Romeo and Juliet (by SparkNotes)

Act 2, Scene 1, Page 2

No Fear Shakespeare Romeo and Juliet (by SparkNotes)

Act 2, Scene 2, Page 2

No Fear Shakespeare Romeo and Juliet (by SparkNotes)