First Servingman. Where’s Potpan, the one that doesn’t help clear tables? He moved one plate! He scraped one plate!
Second Servingman. It’s not right when good manners lie in the hands of one or two men, and they’re not washed either.
First Servingman. Remove the joint-stools, remove the sideboard, clear away the plates. Good man, save me a piece of Marzipan, and, as you love me, have the porter let in Susan Grindstone and Nell. Anthony, and Potpan!
Second Servingman. Yes, boy, do as (s)he says.
First Servingman. They’ve been looking all over for you in the great chamber.
Third Servingman. We can’t be everywhere. Exeunt.
Enter [Capulet, his Wife, Juliet, Tybalt, Nurse, and] all the guests and gentlewomen to the maskers.
Capulet. Welcome, gentlemen! The ladies will dance with you if they don’t have corns. Now ladies, will you deny to dance? If you decline, I’ll swear you have corns. Do I make my point clear? Welcome gentlemen! I remember when I wore a mask, and could whisper a pleasing tale in a fair ladies ear. But those times are gone for me. You are welcome, gentlemen! Come, musicians, play. Clear the floor, make room! And dance girls. More light servants, and turn the tables up. And put the fire out, the room is too hot. My good man, these unexpected guests are most fortunate. Wait, sit, good cousin; for we are past our dancing days. How long has it been since we wore masks.
Second Capulet. 30 years, I believe.
Capulet. What? It hasn’t been that long. It’s only been since the nuptial of Lucentio, come pentecost as quickly as it will. About 25 years, since we were masked.
Second Capulet. No, it’s been longer than that. His son is thirty years old.
Capulet. You think so? His son was only ward two years ago.
Romeo. Who’s that lady that enriches that knight’s hand?
Servingman. I don’t know sir.
Romeo. She shows the torches how to be bright! Everything else looks like night compared to her. As bright as a rich jewel in a black person’s ear— beauty too rich for use, to divine for Earth! She stands out as a snowy dove stands out among crows. When the song is over, I’ll go over to her, and touch her hand, which will be a blessing to mine. Did I love before this? Not possible! For I have never seen anyone nearly this beautiful before.
Tybalt. He sounds like a Montague. Bring me my sword, servant. What? He dares to come here, in his fancy mask, to crash our party? For the honor of my kin, I’d kill him without second thought.
Capulet. What’s wrong? Why are you so upset?
Tybalt. Uncle, he is a Montague, our enemy, a villain, that is here rudely to mock us tonight.
Capulet. Romeo, is it?
Tybalt. It’s him, the villain Romeo.
Capulet. Content thee, gentle cousin, leave him alone. Be a gentleman. Honestly, Verona brags of him to be a good, disciplined boy. I wouldn’t bother him here in my home for all the wealth in this town. So, be patient; ignore him. That’s what I say, and if you respect it, stop frowning and enjoy the party.
Tybalt. Frowns are expected when such a villain is a guest. I won’t tolerate him.
Capulet. You will tolerate him. What are you thinking? I told you to ignore him! Who do you think is in charge here? If you keep this foolishness up, you’ll cause trouble with the guests! Quit trying to be tough and manly.
Tybalt. Sure, whatever.
Capulet. You’re a sassy boy, aren’t you? Aren’t you? This attitude will get you into trouble. You always argue with me! Enough of this now--Well said, friends!--you’re a stupid child. Be quiet or--More light, more light! For shame! I’ll make you quiet. What?--Enjoy yourselves, friends!
Tybalt. I am torn between forcing my self to be patient, or confronting Romeo. I will leave him alone for now, but I will have revenge.
Romeo. If I harm you, a Holy shrine, by touching you with my unworthy hand, I will kiss you to correct the wrong I have done.
Juliet. You speak to lowly of your hand, and this shows you to be polite and devoted; for saints have hands hat pilgrims hands touch, and palmers kiss by touching hands.
Romeo. Don’t saints have lips, and holy palmers too?
Juliet. Yes, pilgrim, lips that they must use in prayer.
Romeo. Then dear saint, let lips do what hands do! They pray; for if not, all is lost.
Juliet. Saints don’t take action, except to grant prayers.
Romeo. Then stay still while I get what I prayed for. Now, from this kiss, my sin is gone.
Juliet. Then you’ve given your sin to me?
Romeo. Give my sin to you? I didn’t want to do that! Give my sin back to me.
Juliet. You take me literally to get more kisses.
Nurse. Madam, your mother wishes to speak to you.
Romeo. Who is her mother?
Nurse. Her mother is the lady of the house, a wise lady. I nursed Juliet. I tell you, whoever marrys her will get a lot of money.
Romeo. She’s a Capulet? Oh no! My heart belongs to my enemy!
Benvolio. It’s a good time to get going.
Romeo. Yes, I was afraid of that.
Capulet. No, gentleman, don’t leave yet. We are preparing a banquet. Must you really leave? Then I thank you all. Good night. More light over here! All right, let’s go to bed.
Juliet. Come her nurse. Who is that gentleman?
Nurse. The son and heir of old Tiberio.
Juliet. Who’s that going out the door?
Nurse. I think that’s young Petrucio.
Juliet. Who’s the one who came but wouldn’t dance.
Nurse. I don’t know.
Juliet. Go ask his name. If he’s married, I’ll die.
Nurse. His name is Romeo, and a Montague, the only son of your great enemy.
Juliet. My only love, the child of my only enemy. I met him before I knew who he was, and found out too late. It’s a terrible cause of love, that I love a despised enemy.
Nurse. What? What are you talking about?
Juliet. A rhyme I learned earlier from a guest.
[Someone calls for Juliet from inside.]
Nurse. Come, let’s go; the guests are all gone.
Romeo. He tries to hurt me by mocking things which I don’t care about.
[Juliet comes to a window]
What? What’s that bright light in the window? It’s the East, and Juliet is the sun! Come fair sun, and kill the envious moon, who is pale from grief. Because you, her maid, are far fairer than she. But you cannot be her maid, if she is envious of you. Her light is sick and green, and only fools would be fond of it. Cast it off! It’s my lady! Oh, it is my love. If only she knew I loved her. She speaks, but says nothing. What’s she doing? She’s looking this way; I should say something. No, I’m too presumptuous. She couldn’t be talking about me. Two of the fairest stars in the sky, do, for some reason, live and twinkle in her eyes until they return. What if her eyes where in the heavens, and the stars in her head? The brightness of her cheek would shame those stars the way daylight outshines a lamp; her eyes in heaven would be so bright that birds would sing, thinking it was day. See how she rests her cheek upon her hand. I wish I were a glove upon her hand, so that I could touch that cheek.
Juliet. Why me?
Romeo. She speaks. Speak again bright angel, for you are as glorious to the night there on the balcony over my head, as an angel is to the wandering eyes of mortals.
Juliet. Romeo, why are you a Montague?
Romeo.
[Aside.] Should I keep listening or say something now?
Juliet. It’s only your name that is my enemy. You are yourself, whatever you are called. What’s “Montague”? It isn’t a hand, or foot, or arm, or face, or anything else that belongs to a man. What does a name matter? If that which is called a rose, were called something else, it would smell just as good. So Romeo, with a different name, would retain that dear perfection. Romeo, drop your name, and for your name, which isn’t any part of you, you can have me.
Romeo. I believe you. Say you love me, and I’ll take a new name. Thereafter, I will not be called Romeo.
Juliet. Who are you that has overheard me under the cover of darkness?
Romeo. I don’t know what name to give you, dear saint, for I hate my name, because it is an enemy of yours. If I had it written, I would tear the word.
Juliet. I haven’t heard a hundred words of your voice, but I know the sound. Aren’t you Romeo, and a Montague?
Romeo. Neither, fair maid, if you dislike either of them.
Juliet. How did you get in here? And why? The orchard walls are high and hard to climb, and the guards will kill you if they find you.
Romeo. I flew over with the help of love, for walls cannot hold love out, and what love wants to do, it can.. Your kinsmen cannot stop me.
Juliet. If they see you, they’ll kill you.
Romeo. Your eyes hold more power than twenty of their swords! If you love me, than they cannot hurt me.
Juliet. I wouldn’t want them to see you here for all the world.
Romeo. I have darkness to hide me from them. And if you don’t love me, let them find me. It would be better to die from their hatred than live wishing you loved me.
Juliet. Who told you how to get here?
Romeo. Love made me ask. He lent counsel, and I lent him eyes. I am no pilot, but even if you were as far as the vast shore washed with the farthest sea, I would risk the journey to find you.
Juliet. You can’t see me because it’s dark; otherwise, you would see me blushing because of what you overheard tonight. So much for being discriminate. Do you love me? I know you will say “yes,” and I will take your word. Yet, if you swear you love me, you may turn out to be lying. They say the gods laugh at what lovers say. Oh gentle Romeo, if you love me, pronounce it faithfully. Or if you think I am too easy to get, I’ll act like I don’t love you, so that you will woo me, but otherwise, I won’t say I don’t love you for the world. In truth, fair Montague, I am to affectionate, and so you may think my behavior superficial, but trust me gentleman, I’ll be more true than those who keep more distance in love. I should have kept more distance, I confess, but I didn’t know you were there listening to me. So, pardon me, and don’t think that I don’t love you just because I said all this, which you heard from the darkness.
Romeo. Lady, I swear by the moon, that tips all these treetops silver--
Juliet. Don’t swear by the moon, for it is inconsistent, monthly changing in its orbit, incase your love would prove similarly inconsistent.
Romeo. What should I swear by?
Juliet. Don’t swear at all; or if you’re going to, swear by yourself, the most valued thing in my life, and I’ll believe you.
Romeo. If my heart’s dear love--
Juliet. Well, don’t swear. Although I love you, I do not love this agreement. It is too sudden and thoughtless. Too much like lightning which is gone before you can say it is there. Sweet, good night! This beginning of love will grow with time, and may be fully developed next time we meet. Good night, good night! Sleep as happily as I feel right now.
Romeo. Are you going to leave me so unsatisfied?
Juliet. What satisfaction can you have tonight?
Romeo. The exchange of your faithful vow for mine.
Juliet. You heard mine before you said anything; and yet I wish I could give it to you.
Romeo. Are you withdrawing it? Why, love?
Juliet. So I could be generous and give it to you again. I wish for what I have. My willingness to give is as boundless as the sea, and my love as deep. The more I give you, the more I have, for both are infinite. I hear something inside. Goodbye dear love!
[Nurse call from inside.]
Coming Nurse! Sweet Montague, be true. Wait here a minute, I’ll be back.
[Exit.]
Romeo. Oh blessed night! Because it is night, I am scared this could all be a dream, too flattering and sweet to be substantial.
[Juliet comes back out.]
Juliet. Three words, dear Romeo, and then good night for certain. If the aim of your love is honorable, ask me to marry you, and send for me tomorrow, early enough that I can get there. Set a time and place for the ceremony, and I’ll be yours, and go with you anywhere in the world.
[Nurse. Inside.] Madam!
Juliet. I’m coming.--But if you don’t mean well, I beg you--
[Nurse. Inside.] Madam!
Juliet. I’ll be right there.--to stop acting this way and leave me to weep. I’ll send to you tomorrow.
Romeo. I live for it--
Juliet. A thousand times good night!
[Exit.]
Romeo. It is a thousand times worse, for I’d rather be in your light.
[Juliet returns again.]
Juliet. Shame, Romeo, shame! To lure me back like a falconer. I can’t yell because my family would hear, otherwise I would destroy the cave where Echo lives, and make her voice more hoarse than mine, as I repeated “My Romeo!”
Romeo. You are my soul when you call to me. Your voice sounds so sweet in ight, like the softest music to attentive ears.
Juliet. Romeo!
Romeo. My sweet?
Juliet. What time should I send to you?
Romeo. By nine o’clock.
Juliet. I won’t fail. It seems like twenty years until then. I’ve forgotten why I called you back.
Romeo. Then I’ll stand here until you remember it.
Juliet. I won’t remember with you here, because I love your company so much.
Romeo. And I’ll still stay, while you still don’t remember, forgetting anywhere else.
Juliet. It’s almost morning, you should leave--but not any farther than a tethered bird, which can hop a little from my hand, like a poor prisoner, and is pulled back by a silk thread. So loving-jealous of it’s liberty.
Romeo. I wish I were your bird.
Juliet. I wish you were too. But I would love you to death. Good night, good night! I can’t bear to leave, so I will say good night until it is tomorrow.
[Exit.]
Romeo. May you sleep well! Now I will go to the friars cell, and ask his help.
[Exit.]
[Enter Mercutio, Benvolio, and Men.]
Benvolio. Please, Mercutio, lets go home. It’s hot, the Capulets are out, and if we meet, we’re sure to brawl, for mad blood is stirring these hot days.
Mercutio. You’re like one of the fellows who pulls a sword on the waiter for no reason on his second drink.
Benvolio. Am I really?
Mercutio. Come on, you’re as hot a Jack as anyone in Italy; as moody and quick-tempered.
Benvolio. Quick to do what?
Mercutio. No. If there were two such people, we would soon have none, for they would kill each other. You! Why you would fight with a man for having a hair more or less in his beard than you. You would fight with a man who cracked nuts, just because you have hazel eyes. Who else would pick a fight like that? Your head is as full or quarrels as an egg is of meat. You’ve quarreled with a man for coughing in the street because he woke up your dog. Didn’t you argue with a tailor for wearing his new suit before Easter? And another for wearing his new ribbon? And you tell me not to quarrel?
Benvolio. If I were as apt to quarrel as you, I’d get arrested or killed immediately.
Mercutio. Get arrested? Arrested?
[Enter Tybalt, Petruchio, and others.]
Benvolio. Here come the Capulets.
Mercutio. I don’t care.
Tybalt. Stay close, I will speak to them. Good day gentlemen. A word with one of you?
Mercutio. Only a word? Make it a word and a blow.
Tybalt. I’m willing to do that, if you give me opportunity.
Mercutio. Can’t you take an opportunity without having it given to you?
Tybalt. Mercutio, you band with Romeo.
Mercutio. Band? If you think we’re musicians, you won’t be hearing any harmony. Here’s my fiddlestick to make you dance.
Benvolio. We’re in public. Either go somewhere private, or settle this without fighting. Or leave. Everyone is watching.
Mercutio. Eyes were made to look, so let them. I’m not leaving just because someone wants me to.
[Enter Romeo.]
Tybalt. Nevermind you, here’s the one I’m looking for.
Mercutio. I’ll be hanged if he’ll work for you. Go to duel, and he’ll follow. You may cal him a man only if it is for admiration in that respect.
Tybalt. Romeo, my feelings about you can be summarized by this: you are a criminal.
Romeo. The reason I have for loving you overcomes the expected rage caused by such a greeting. I’m not a villain. So good bye, I see you don’t know me.
Tybalt. This doesn’t excuse your actions. Come back and fight.
Romeo. I say I’ve never harmed you, but love you more than you know until you know the reason of my love; and so, good Capulet, whose name I cherish as dearly as my own, be satisfied.
Mercutio. Such calm, dishonorable, vile submission. Alla Stoccata walks.
[Draws.]
Tybalt, you ratcatcher, are you stepping aside?
Tybalt. What do you want from me?
Mercutio. Nothing but one of your nine lives, good King of Cats. I intend to follow through, and as you would still bother me, I will thrash out the other eight. Are you going to draw your sword by the ears? Hurry, or my sword will be about your face before it is out.
Tybalt. I am for you.
Romeo. Gentle Mercutio, put your sword down.
Mercutio. Come, sir, fight.
[They fight.]
Romeo. Draw Benvolio; disarm them. Gentlemen, for shame! Stop this outrage! Tybalt, Mercutio, the prince has specifically forbid this fighting in Verona streets. Hold Tybalt! Good Mercutio!
[Tybalt stabs Mercutio under Romeo’s sword, then runs.]
Mercutio. I’m hurt! Curse both your houses! I am wounded. Has he escaped unharmed? Where is my page? Go villain, fetch a doctor.
[Exit Page.]
Romeo. Courage man. It can’t be that bad.
Mercutio. No, it’s not as deep as a well, or as wide as a church door, but it’s enough. Ask for me tomorrow, and you’ll find me a grave man. I’ve been mortally wounded; prepared to leave this world. It’s fitting that a rat would scratch a man to death. A villain that fights by formal rules. Why did you come between us? I was hurt under your sword!
Romeo. I was trying to keep something like this from happening.
Mercutio. Get me inside, Benvolio, or I will faint. Curse both your houses! They have made worms’ meat of me.
[Exit Mercutio and Benvolio.]
Romeo. This man, the prince’s close relative, has been mortally wounded while trying to help me--my reputation stained by Tybalt’s talk--Tybalt, that has been my cousin for an hour. Oh sweet Juliet, your beauty has made me passive, and softened my temper!
Benvolio. Romeo, Romeo, brave Mercutio is dead! His spirit has risen to the clouds, which unfortunately scorned this place.
Romeo. The effects of today depend on tomorrow; this is the beginning of troubles which others must end.
[Enter Tybalt.]
Benvolio. Here comes Tybalt again.
Romeo. Alive and victorious? And Mercutio is slain? Enough with manners and respectfulness, rage will be my guide now! Now Tybalt, take the “villain” that you gave me back again; for Mercutio’s soul is just above our heads, waiting for you to accompany him. Either you, or I, or both, must go with him.
Tybalt. You, wretched boy, that consorted with him, shall now go with him.
Romeo. We’ll see about that.
[They fight. Romeo kills Tybalt.]
Benvolio. Romeo, run, hide! The citizens are upset, and Tybalt is slain. Don’t just stand there. The prince will condemn you to death if he finds you. Go!
Romeo. Oh, I am fortune’s fool.
Benvolio. Why are you still here?
[Exit Romeo.]
[Enter Citizens.]
Citizen. Where’s the man that killed Mercutio? Tybalt, that murderer, which way did he run?
Benvolio. There’s Tybalt.
Citizen. Come, sir, go with me. By the prince’s authority, obey me.
[Enter Montague, Capulet, their wives, and all.]
Prince. Who started this?
Benvolio. Oh noble prince, I can reveal the unfortunate cause of this fatal brawl. There’s the man, killed by Romeo, who killed your relative Mercutio.
Lady Capulet. Tybalt, my cousin! My brother’s child! Husband! The blood of my dear cousin is spilled.
Prince. Benvolio, who began this bloody fight?
Benvolio. Tybalt, here killed, whom Romeo did slay. Romeo spoke well of him, said the conflict was trivial, and urged them to stop in your name. All this--said kindly, calmly, and politely--could not bring a truce between the unruly combatants, and Tybalt, who was deaf to peace, thrust at Mercutio, who, just as unruly, countered. Romeo cried “hold friends! Friends, part!” and even quicker beat down their swords. It was underneath Romeo’s sword that Tybalt struck Mercutio, then fled; but eventually came back to Romeo, who had just considered revenge, and they went at it like lightning, for before I could draw to part them, Tybalt was slain; and, as he fell, Romeo turned and ran. If this is not the truth, you can kill me.
Lady Capulet. He’s a relative of the Montagues; he lies to protect them. About twenty people fought here, and together they only managed to kill one person. I beg for justice, which you must give. Romeo killed Tybalt; Romeo must not live. Prince. Romeo killed him, he killed Mercutio. What is owed for his life?
Montague. Not Romeo, Prince; he was Mercutio’s friend; his action serves the same purpose as the law, ending Tybalt’s life.
Prince. And for that, he is exiled. Now I am involved in your feuding. My relative has been killed. But I’ll make you sorry that this has happened. I won’t hear any complaints or pleading. If Romeo is found in Verona after sunrise tomorrow, he will be killed.
[Exit, with others]
Juliet. Are you leaving? It isn’t near morning yet. It was the nightingale, not a lark, that your worried ear heard. Nightly she sings on the pomegranate tree. Trust me, it was a nightingale.
Romeo. It was the lark, who sings at sunrise; not a nightingale. Look, love, the clouds in the East are streaked with light. The night is over, and we are on the verge of a new day. I must leave and be free, or stay and be killed.
Juliet. That light isn’t daylight; I know it. It’s a meteor sent to light your way to Mantua. So stay, you don’t have to leave.
Romeo. Then let me be taken and put to death. I am happy, because it is your wish. I’ll pretend that’s not sunlight on the horizon, just moonlight; and that it’s not the lark who sings. I’d rather stay with you and die than leave and remain alive. Welcome, death! Juliet wants it. Let’s talk, it isn’t day.
Juliet. Yes, it is! Go! It is the lark which signs discords. Some think that the lark makes beautiful separation, but it isn’t so, because it separates us. Now go! It’s getting lighter.
Romeo. More light outside--more dark our woes.
[Enter Nurse.]
Nurse. Madam!
Juliet. Nurse?
Nurse. Your mother is coming to your chamber. It’s day, watch out.
[Exit.]
Juliet. Then, as the window lets day in, it lets life out.
Romeo. Farewell! One kiss, and I’ll descend.
[He goes down.]
Juliet. So that’s how you’re leaving, husband-friend? I must hear from you every day in the hour, for every minute seems like days. Oh, at this rate, I’ll be much older before I see you again!
Romeo. Farewell! I’ll write every chance I get.
Juliet. Do you think we’ll ever meet again?
Romeo. I don’t doubt it; and all these woes will be joy.
Juliet. You look like a dead person. Either I’m going blind, or you’re pale.
Romeo. Trust me, love, you are pale as well. Sorrow drinks our blood. Good bye!
[Exit.]
Juliet. Oh fortune! Men think you are insignificant. If you are, what business do you have with Romeo? I hope you are insignificant, then maybe you will not keep him long, but send him back.
[Enter mother.]
Lady Capulet. Daughter, what are you doing up?
Juliet. Who is it? My mother. If she up so late, or up so early? Why would she be here at this time?
Lady Capulet. How are you, Juliet?
Juliet. Madam, I’m not well.
Lady Capulet. Are you still crying over Tybalt’s death? Are you going to flood his grave with tears? Even if you did, it wouldn’t bring him back. So, stop. Some sorrow shows love; much sorrow shows ignorance.
Juliet. But let me feel sorrow for such a terrible loss.
Lady Capulet. Now you’re just weeping over the loss; you’re not thinking about your friend anymore.
Juliet. Feeling the loss, I cannot help but feel the friend.
Lady Capulet. Well, you’re not weeping for his death as much as because the villain that killed him is still alive.
Juliet. What villain?
Lady Capulet. That villain Romeo.
Juliet.[Aside] He may be a villain--God pardon him! I do with all my heart; but no other man has captured my heart like he has.
Juliet. I will be the one who avenges my cousin’s death!
Lady Capulet. Don’t worry, we will have our revenge. Don’t cry any more. I’ll ask a person in Mantua, where that renegade lives, to give him a poison which will send him to accompany Tybalt; then I hope you will be satisfied.
Juliet. I will never be satisfied with Romeo until I behold him--dead--is my heart for weeping for a cousin. If you can find a man to bear a poison, I would temper it; so that when Romeo receives it, he will sleep quietly. My heart hates to hear his name and not be able to go to him, to wreak the love that I had for my cousin upon him.
Lady Capulet. If you find a way, I’ll find such a man. But now, I’ll tell you some good news.
Juliet. Now would be an excellent time for good news. What is it?
Lady Capulet. Well, you have a concerned father; one who has arranged a sudden day of joy to cheer you up.
Juliet. Wonderful! What is this day?
Lady Capulet. Next Thursday morning, you will be happily wed to the noble County Paris at Saint Peter’s Church.
Juliet. I swear by Saint Peter’s Church, and Saint Peter too, that I will not marry him! Something is wrong when he is going to be my husband before he even tries to woo me. Please tell my father that I will not marry yet, and when I do, I swear it will be to Romeo, whom you know I hate, rather than Paris. Some news indeed!
Lady Capulet. Here comes your father. Tell him yourself, and see how he reacts.
[Enter Capulet and Nurse]
Capulet. What’s this? You’re still crying? In one little body, you seem to be a bark, a sea, and a wind: For your eyes, which give the appearance of the sea, ebb and flow with tears; your body is the bark, floating in this salt flood; your sighs are the winds, who rage with your tears, and with out an unlikely halt, they will overcome you. What’s going on wife? Have you told her the news?
Lady Capulet. Yes, but she refuses. She gives you thanks. I think she must be married to her grave!
Capulet. What? What do you mean? She refuses? Isn’t she proud? Doesn’t she see how lucky she is, that even though she is unworthy, we have such a worthy gentleman to be her husband?
Juliet. Not proud that you have, but thankful that you have. I couldn’t be proud of something I hate, but I am thankful because you intentions were loving.
Capulet. What are you talking about??? “Proud”--and “I thank you”--and “I thank you not”--and yet “not proud”? You weasel, thank me no thankings, nor proud me no prouds, but get ready for next Thursday, to go to Saint Peter’s Church, or I will drag you there. Out you ill carrion! Out, you baggage! You tallow-face!
Lady Capulet. Are you insane?
Juliet. Good father, I beg you, let me say something.
Capulet. Quiet, young baggage! Disobedient wretch! I’ll tell you what--go to church on Thursday, or never look me in the face again. Don’t talk, don’t reply, don’t answer me! Wife, we scare thought ourselves blessed that God has given us only one child, but now I see that one is too many, and we are cursed having her.
Nurse. God in heaven bless her! It’s your fault for scolding her like that.
Capulet. And why, my Lady Wisdom? Stay quiet. Save it for your fellow gossips.
Nurse. I have said nothing wrong.
Capulet. Get out of here!
Nurse. Can’t I speak?
Capulet. Quiet, you mumbling fool! Say what you like to the gossips, we don’t need it here.
Lady Capulet. Calm down.
Capulet. God it makes me mad! Alone, in company; still I have matched her with a noble gentlemen, of fair domain, youthful, and nobly trained, stuffed, as they say, with honorable parts, proportioned as a woman would wish--and then have a wretched whining fool, in spite of her good fortune, say “I won’t marry him, I can’t love him, I’m too young, please forgive me”! If you won’t marry him, I’ll “forgive” you! Go where you want, you can’t live with me. I am not joking. Thursday is near; with your heart, consider: if you marry him, I will love you once again; if you don’t, you can hang, beg, starve, or die in the streets, for I swear to God, I won’t acknowledge you and I won’t help you.
[Exit.]
Juliet. God, don’t you understand my grief? Sweet mother, don’t cast me away! Delay this marriage for a month, or a week; or if you don’t, make the bridal bed in the monument where Tybalt lies.
Lady Capulet. Don’t talk to me, I’m not in this. Do what you will, I’ll have no part in it.
Juliet. Oh God!--Oh nurse, what can I do? My husband is alive, and my vow recorded in heaven. The only way that vow can be given back to me is for my husband to send it to me from heaven by leaving Earth. Help me, counsel me. Why must heaven practice stratagems upon me? What do you think? Don’t you have anything helpful to say?
Nurse. All right, here it is. Romeo is banished, and surely he will not come back, or if he does, it would have to be by stealth. Then, because of the situation, I think you should marry the county. He’s a lovely gentleman. Romeo is a rag compared to him. An eagle doesn’t have as green, quick, fair eyes as Paris has. I think you will be happy in this second match, for it excels your first; or if it doesn’t, your first is dead--or close enough. He is banished and of no use.
Juliet. Do you speak from your heart?
Nurse. And frommy soul too; or curse them both.
Juliet. Amen!
Nurse. What?
Juliet. Well, you just done an excellent job comforting me. Tell the lady that, because I have displeased my father, I have gone to Friar Lawrence’s cell to make confession and be absolved.
Nurse. I will; and this is wisely done.
[Exit.]
Juliet. Damned old woman! Wicked fiend! It is more a sin to wish me guilty of breaking a vow, or to dispraise my lord with the same tongue which has praised him beyond compare thousands of times. Go, counselor! From now on you are separated from my trust. I’ll go to the friar to see if he has a solution, and if all else fails, I have the power to die.
[Exit.]
[Enter Father Capulet, Mother, Nurse, and Servingmen (two or three).]
Capulet. Invite the guests on this list.
[Exit a servingman.]
Sirrah, go hire 20 skilled cooks.
Servingman. You’ll have no bad cooks, sir; for I’ll see if they can lick their fingers.
Capulet. How can you try them like that?
Servingman. Sir, it is an poor cook that will not taste his own cooking. Therefor, any cooks that can’t lick their fingers won’t be coming with me.
Capulet. Be gone.
[Exit Servingman.]
We will be unfurbished for the time being. Is my daughter gone to Friar Lawrence?
Nurse. Yes, she is.
Capulet. Maybe he will do her some good. She’s a silly good-for-nothing.
[Enter Juliet.]
Nurse. Look, she’s back, and she looks happy.
Capulet. What have you been doing, my headstrong?
Juliet. I have learned to repent the sin of disobedient opposition. To you and your friends, I am encouraged by Friar Lawrence, to kneel here and beg your pardon. Pardon, I beseech you! From now on, I will obey you.
Capulet. Send for the County. Tell him the news. I’ll have the situation cleared up by morning.
Juliet. I met him at the friar’s cell, and gave him the proper love I could, without stepping over the bounds of modesty.
Capulet. Why, I am glad of this. This is well. Stand up. This is as it should be. Let me see the county. Yes go, bring him here. Now, before God, this reverend holy friar, all of our family is bound to him.
Juliet. Nurse, will you come with me to my closet to help me find what to wear?
Lady Capulet. No, not until Thursday. There is plenty of time.
Capulet. Go nurse. We’ll go to church tomorrow.
[Exit Juliet and Nurse]
Lady Capulet. We’ll be short on provisions. It’s almost night.
Capulet. Don’t worry, I’ll take care of it. Go help Juliet. I’m not going to bed tonight; I’ll be the housewife this time. When everything’s ready, I’ll go to Paris myself, and get him ready. My heart is light now that this wayward girl is reclaimed.
[Exit, with Mother.]
[Enter Romeo.]
Romeo. If I may trust the illusions of sleep, there is some joyful news coming. My heart is light, and all day an unaccustomed spirit lifts me up with cheerful thoughts. I dreamt that my lady came and found me dead, and revived me with kisses. Love is sweet, and even love’s dreams are rich is joy!
[Enter Romeo’s man, Balthasar]
News from Verona! What is it Balthasar? Do you bring a letter from the friar? How is my lady? Is my father well? How is Juliet? I ask again, because nothing can be wrong if she is well.
Man. Then she is well, and nothing can be ill. Her body lies in the Capulet monument, and her soul lives with angels. I saw her laid down in her family’s vault, and rushed to tell you. Pardon me from bringing this bad news, since I thought it my duty, sir.
Romeo. Is it really so? Then I defy you, stars! You know of my love. Hire post horses, I’m going there tonight.
Man. Please, sir, have patience. You look pale and wild, and as if you are going to do somethign rash.
Romeo. You are mistaken. Leave me and do what I asked. Don’t you have any letters from the friar?
Man. No, lord.
Romeo. Oh well. Get going. And hire those horses. I’ll be right there.
[Exit Balthasar.]
Well, Juliet, I will lie with you tonight. I’ll find a way. Oh mischief, you are quick to enter the minds of desperate men! I do remember an apothecary that lives around here, which, I noticed, was very poor. It was so bad that I thought, “If a man needed a quick, deadly poison, here’s a miserable wretch who would sell him one.” It is this same needy man that will sell me one. If I remember correctly, this is the house. Apothecary!
[Enter Apothecary]
Apothecary. Who calls so loud?
Romeo. Come here, man. I see you are poor. Here is forty ducats. Let me have a dram of poison, such a fast working one, that the taker will fall dead, and the body discharged of breath, and quickly and violently as hastily fired powder comes from a cannon.
Apothecary. I have such a poison, but if I am found dispensing it, I will be put to death.
Romeo. You are this poor and yet afraid to die? There is famine in your cheeks, need and oppression in your eyes, contempt and beggary on your back; the world is hard on you, as is the world’s law; the world affords no law to make you rich; so don’t be poor, break the law and take this.
Apothecary. My poverty, but not my will consents.
Romeo. Then I will pay your poverty, and not your will.
Apothecary. Put this in any liquid, and drink it off, and even if you had the strength of twenty men, it would kill you instantly.
Romeo. Here’s your gold--worse poison to men’s souls, the cause of more deaths, than these drugs that you can’t sell. I sell you poison, but you’ve given me none. Farewell. Buy food and restore your health. I will take my restorative, not poison, to Juliet’s grave where I will use it.
[Exit.]