Romeo and Juliet Act I Scene V
Original
Modern
Notes
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SCENE V. A Hall in Capulet’s House.
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SCENE V. A hall in Capulet’s house.
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[Musicians waiting. Enter Servants.]
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[Musicians are waiting. Enter Servants.]
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FIRST SERVANT. Where’s Potpan, that he helps not to take away? He shift a trencher! He scrape a trencher!
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FIRST SERVANT. Where’s Potpan, that he isn’t helping to clear away? Him shift a plate! Him scrape a plate!
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SECOND SERVANT. When good manners shall lie all in one or two men’s hands, and they unwash’d too, ’tis a foul thing.
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SECOND SERVANT. When good manners are left entirely in the hands of one or two men, and those hands unwashed too, it’s a foul business.
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FIRST SERVANT. Away with the join-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!
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FIRST SERVANT. Clear away the joint-stools, remove the sideboard, look after the silver. Good fellow, save me a piece of marzipan; and as you love me, tell the porter to let in Susan Grindstone and Nell. Antony and Potpan!
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SECOND SERVANT. Ay, boy, ready.
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SECOND SERVANT. Yes, boy, ready.
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FIRST SERVANT. You are looked for and called for, asked for and sought for, in the great chamber.
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FIRST SERVANT. You are looked for and called for, asked for and sought for, in the great chamber.
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SECOND SERVANT. We cannot be here and there too. Cheerly, boys. Be brisk awhile, and the longer liver take all.
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SECOND SERVANT. We can’t be here and there at the same time. Cheerfully, boys. Be brisk for a while, and the one who lives longest takes all.
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[Exeunt.]
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[They exit.]
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[Enter Capulet, &c. with the Guests and Gentlewomen to the Maskers.]
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[Enter Capulet and others, with the Guests and Gentlewomen, meeting the Maskers.]
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CAPULET. Welcome, gentlemen, ladies that have their toes Unplagu’d with corns will have a bout with you. Ah my mistresses, which of you all Will now deny to dance? She that makes dainty, She I’ll 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 lady’s ear, Such as would please; ’tis gone, ’tis gone, ’tis gone, You are welcome, gentlemen! Come, musicians, play. A hall, a hall, give room! And foot it, girls.
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CAPULET. Welcome, gentlemen! Ladies whose toes are not plagued with corns will have a dance with you. Ah, my ladies, which of you all will now refuse to dance? The one who plays coy, I’ll swear she has corns. Have I hit the mark now? Welcome, gentlemen! I have seen the day when I wore a mask and could whisper a pleasing tale in a fair lady’s ear; that time is gone, gone, gone. You are welcome, gentlemen! Come, musicians, play. Make room, make room! And dance, girls.
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[Music plays, and they dance.]
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[Music plays, and they dance.]
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CAPULET. More light, you knaves; and turn the tables up, And quench the fire, the room is grown too hot. Ah sirrah, this unlook’d-for sport comes well. Nay sit, nay sit, good cousin Capulet, For you and I are past our dancing days; How long is’t now since last yourself and I Were in a mask?
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CAPULET. More light, you knaves; and turn the tables up, and put out the fire—the room has grown too hot. Ah, sirrah, this unexpected sport comes at a good time. No, sit, sit, good cousin Capulet, for you and I are past our dancing days. How long is it now since you and I last wore masks?
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CAPULET’S COUSIN. By’r Lady, thirty years.
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CAPULET’S COUSIN. By our Lady, thirty years.
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CAPULET. What, man, ’tis not so much, ’tis not so much: ’Tis since the nuptial of Lucentio, Come Pentecost as quickly as it will, Some five and twenty years; and then we mask’d.
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CAPULET. What, man, it’s not so long, not so long. It’s since the wedding of Lucentio—come Pentecost as soon as it will—some twenty-five years; and then we wore masks.
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CAPULET’S COUSIN. ’Tis more, ’tis more, his son is elder, sir; His son is thirty.
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CAPULET’S COUSIN. It’s more, it’s more—his son is older, sir; his son is thirty.
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CAPULET. Will you tell me that? His son was but a ward two years ago.
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CAPULET. Will you tell me that? His son was only a ward two years ago.
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ROMEO. What lady is that, which doth enrich the hand Of yonder knight?
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ROMEO. What lady is that who enriches the hand of that knight over there?
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SERVANT. I know not, sir.
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SERVANT. I do not know, sir.
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ROMEO. O, she doth teach the torches to burn bright! It seems she hangs upon the cheek of night As a rich jewel in an Ethiop’s ear; Beauty too rich for use, for earth too dear! So shows a snowy dove trooping with crows As yonder lady o’er her fellows shows. The measure done, I’ll watch her place of stand, And touching hers, make blessed my rude hand. Did my heart love till now? Forswear it, sight! For I ne’er saw true beauty till this night.
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ROMEO. Oh, she teaches the torches to burn bright! It seems she hangs upon the cheek of night like a rich jewel in an Ethiopian’s ear; beauty too rich for ordinary use, too precious for the earth! So a snowy dove appears among crows as that lady appears among her companions. When the dance is done, I’ll watch where she stands, and by touching her hand make my rough hand blessed. Did my heart love until now? Sight, forswear it! For I never saw true beauty till this night.
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TYBALT. This by his voice, should be a Montague. Fetch me my rapier, boy. What, dares the slave Come hither, cover’d with an antic face, To fleer and scorn at our solemnity? Now by the stock and honour of my kin, To strike him dead I hold it not a sin.
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TYBALT. By his voice, this should be a Montague. Fetch me my rapier, boy. What—does the slave dare come here, covered with a grotesque mask, to sneer and mock at our celebration? Now by the lineage and honour of my family, I hold it no sin to strike him dead.
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CAPULET. Why how now, kinsman! Wherefore storm you so?
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CAPULET. Why, what’s this, kinsman! Why are you raging so?
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TYBALT. Uncle, this is a Montague, our foe; A villain that is hither come in spite, To scorn at our solemnity this night.
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TYBALT. Uncle, this is a Montague, our enemy; a villain who has come here out of spite to mock our celebration tonight.
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CAPULET. Young Romeo, is it?
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CAPULET. Young Romeo, is it?
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TYBALT. ’Tis he, that villain Romeo.
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TYBALT. It is he, that villain Romeo.
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CAPULET. Content thee, gentle coz, let him alone, A bears him like a portly gentleman; And, to say truth, Verona brags of him To be a virtuous and well-govern’d youth. I would not for the wealth of all the town Here in my house do him disparagement. 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.
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CAPULET. Calm yourself, gentle cousin, leave him alone. He carries himself like a dignified gentleman; and, to tell the truth, Verona boasts of him as a virtuous and well-behaved youth. I would not, for the wealth of the whole town, insult him here in my house. Therefore be patient, take no notice of him—it is my will. If you respect that, put on a pleasant face and stop frowning; such a look is unbecoming at a feast.
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TYBALT. It fits when such a villain is a guest: I’ll not endure him.
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TYBALT. It is fitting when such a villain is a guest. I will not put up with him.
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CAPULET. He shall be endur’d. What, goodman boy! I say he shall, go to; Am I the master here, or you? Go to. You’ll not endure him! God shall mend my soul, You’ll make a mutiny among my guests! You will set cock-a-hoop, you’ll be the man!
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CAPULET. He shall be put up with. What, goodman boy! I say he shall—go to! Am I the master here, or you? Go to. You will not put up with him! God mend my soul, you’ll start a riot among my guests! You’ll set everything in an uproar, you’ll be the big man!
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TYBALT. Why, uncle, ’tis a shame.
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TYBALT. Why, uncle, it is a shame.
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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. Well said, my hearts!—You are a princox; go: Be quiet, or—More light, more light!—For shame! I’ll make you quiet. What, cheerly, my hearts.
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CAPULET. Go to, go to! You are a saucy boy. Is that so, indeed? This behaviour may end up hurting you—I know what I’m talking about. You must contradict me! Indeed, it’s time. Well said, my friends!—You are a conceited young upstart; go. Be quiet, or—More light, more light!—For shame! I’ll make you quiet. What, cheerfully, my friends!
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TYBALT. Patience perforce with wilful choler meeting Makes my flesh tremble in their different greeting. I will withdraw: but this intrusion shall, Now seeming sweet, convert to bitter gall.
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TYBALT. Forced patience meeting wilful anger makes my flesh tremble at their conflicting encounter. I will withdraw; but this intrusion, which now seems sweet, shall turn to bitter gall.
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[Exit.]
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[Exit.]
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ROMEO. [To Juliet.] If I profane with my unworthiest hand This holy shrine, the gentle sin is this, My lips, two blushing pilgrims, ready stand To smooth that rough touch with a tender kiss.
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ROMEO. [To Juliet.] If I profane with my most unworthy hand this holy shrine, the gentle sin is this: my lips, two blushing pilgrims, stand ready to smooth that rough touch with a tender kiss.
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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.
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JULIET. Good pilgrim, you wrong your hand too much, which shows proper devotion in this act; for saints have hands that pilgrims’ hands do touch, and palm to palm is holy pilgrims’ kiss.
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ROMEO. Have not saints lips, and holy palmers too?
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ROMEO. Have not saints lips, and holy pilgrims too?
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JULIET. Ay, pilgrim, lips that they must use in prayer.
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JULIET. Yes, pilgrim, lips that they must use in prayer.
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ROMEO. O, then, dear saint, let lips do what hands do: They pray, grant thou, lest faith turn to despair.
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ROMEO. Oh, then, dear saint, let lips do what hands do: they pray—grant it, lest faith turn to despair.
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JULIET. Saints do not move, though grant for prayers’ sake.
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JULIET. Saints do not move, though they grant for the sake of prayers.
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ROMEO. Then move not while my prayer’s effect I take. Thus from my lips, by thine my sin is purg’d.
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ROMEO. Then do not move while I take the effect of my prayer. Thus from my lips, by yours, my sin is purged.
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[Kissing her.]
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[He kisses her.]
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JULIET. Then have my lips the sin that they have took.
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JULIET. Then my lips have the sin that they have taken.
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ROMEO. Sin from my lips? O trespass sweetly urg’d! Give me my sin again.
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ROMEO. Sin from my lips? Oh, a sweetly urged trespass! Give me my sin again.
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JULIET. You kiss by the book.
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JULIET. You kiss by the book.
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NURSE. Madam, your mother craves a word with you.
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NURSE. Madam, your mother wants a word with you.
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ROMEO. What is her mother?
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ROMEO. Who is her mother?
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NURSE. Marry, bachelor, Her mother is the lady of the house, And a good lady, and a wise and virtuous. I nurs’d her daughter that you talk’d withal. I tell you, he that can lay hold of her Shall have the chinks.
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NURSE. Indeed, young man, her mother is the lady of the house, and a good lady, wise and virtuous. I nursed her daughter that you were talking with. I tell you, the man who can get hold of her shall have the money.
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ROMEO. Is she a Capulet? O dear account! My life is my foe’s debt.
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ROMEO. Is she a Capulet? Oh, costly reckoning! My life is owed to my enemy.
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BENVOLIO. Away, be gone; the sport is at the best.
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BENVOLIO. Away, be gone; the entertainment is at its best.
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ROMEO. Ay, so I fear; the more is my unrest.
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ROMEO. Yes, so I fear; the greater is my unrest.
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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. More torches here! Come on then, let’s to bed. Ah, sirrah, by my fay, it waxes late, I’ll to my rest.
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CAPULET. No, gentlemen, do not prepare to leave; we have a trifling, foolish banquet coming. Is it even so? Why then, I thank you all; I thank you, honest gentlemen; good night. More torches here! Come on then, let’s to bed. Ah, sirrah, by my faith, it grows late; I’ll go to my rest.
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[Exeunt all but Juliet and Nurse.]
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[Exit all but Juliet and the Nurse.]
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JULIET. Come hither, Nurse. What is yond gentleman?
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JULIET. Come here, Nurse. Who is that gentleman over there?
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NURSE. The son and heir of old Tiberio.
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NURSE. The son and heir of old Tiberio.
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JULIET. What’s he that now is going out of door?
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JULIET. Who is the one now going out of the door?
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NURSE. Marry, that I think be young Petruchio.
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NURSE. Indeed, I think that is young Petruchio.
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JULIET. What’s he that follows here, that would not dance?
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JULIET. Who is the one following here, who would not dance?
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NURSE. I know not.
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NURSE. I do not know.
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JULIET. Go ask his name. If he be married, My grave is like to be my wedding bed.
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JULIET. Go and ask his name. If he is married, my grave is likely to be my wedding bed.
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NURSE. His name is Romeo, and a Montague, The only son of your great enemy.
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NURSE. His name is Romeo, and a Montague, the only son of your great enemy.
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JULIET. My only love sprung from my only hate! Too early seen unknown, and known too late! Prodigious birth of love it is to me, That I must love a loathed enemy.
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JULIET. My only love sprung from my only hate! Seen too early while unknown, and known too late! It is a monstrous birth of love for me, that I must love a hated enemy.
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NURSE. What’s this? What’s this?
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NURSE. What’s this? What’s this?
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JULIET. A rhyme I learn’d even now Of one I danc’d withal.
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JULIET. A rhyme I learned just now from one I danced with.
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[One calls within, ‘Juliet’.]
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[Someone calls from within, ‘Juliet’.]
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NURSE. Anon, anon! Come let’s away, the strangers all are gone.
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NURSE. Coming, coming! Come, let’s go—the strangers are all gone.
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[Exeunt.]
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[They exit.]
Idiom · Disorder
Set cock-a-hoop – To cast off all restraint, create disorder or uproar. Capulet accuses Tybalt of wanting to cause a complete disturbance.
Insult · Youth
Princox – A conceited, saucy young upstart. Capulet uses it to put Tybalt firmly in his place.
Religious · Pilgrimage
Palmers – Pilgrims who carried a palm leaf as a sign they had been to the Holy Land. Romeo and Juliet develop an elaborate metaphor of pilgrimage, saints, and holy kisses.
Slang · Money
Chinks – Coins, money (from the sound of clinking metal). The Nurse means the man who wins Juliet will gain a rich dowry.