No Fear Shakespeare: Romeo and Juliet: Act 1 Scene 5

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Romeo and Juliet

William Shakespeare

Original Text

Modern Text

Original Text

Modern Text

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Original Text	Modern Text
PETER and other SERVINGMEN come forth with napkins	PETER and other SERVINGMEN come forth with napkins
PETER Where’s Potpan, that he helps not to take away? He shift a trencher? He scrape a trencher!	PETER Where’s 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 men’s hands, and they unwashed too, ’tis a foul thing.	FIRST SERVINGMAN When good manners shall lie all in one or two men’s hands, and they unwashed too, ’tis a foul thing.
PETER 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!	PETER 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.	SECOND SERVINGMAN Ay, boy, ready.
PETER You are looked for and called for, asked for and sought for, in the great chamber.	PETER 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.	FIRST SERVINGMAN We cannot be here and there too. Cheerly, boys. Be brisk 0awhile, and the longer liver take all.
Exeunt PETER and SERVINGMEN	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	Enter CAPULET with CAPULET'S COUSIN , TYBALT , LADY CAPULET , JULIET , and others of the house, meeting ROMEO , BENVOLIO , MERCUTIO , and other GUESTS and MASKERS
CAPULET Welcome, gentlemen! Ladies that have their toes 15 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, I’ll swear, hath corns. Am I come near ye now?— Welcome, gentlemen! I have seen the day 20 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. (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, 30 For you and I are past our dancing days. How long is ’t now since last yourself and I Were in a mask?	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, 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. (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?
CAPULETS' COUSIN By'r Lady, thirty years.	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 What, man, ’tis not so much, ’tis not so much. 'Tis since the nuptials of Lucentio, 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'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.	CAPULET Will you tell me that? His son was but a ward two years ago.
ROMEO (to a SERVINGMAN) What lady is that which doth enrich the hand Of yonder knight?	ROMEO (to a SERVINGMAN) What lady is that which doth enrich the hand Of yonder knight?
SERVINGMAN I know not, sir.	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 Ethiope’s ear, 45 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 blessèd my rude hand. 50 Did my heart love till now? Forswear it, sight! For I ne'er saw true beauty till this night.	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 Ethiope’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 blessèd my rude hand. Did my heart love till now? Forswear it, sight! For I ne'er saw true beauty till this night.
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.	TYBALT This, by his voice, should be a Montague.— (to his PAGE) Fetch me my rapier, boy.— What, dares the slave 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?	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.	TYBALT 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?	CAPULET Young Romeo is it?
TYBALT 'Tis he, that villain Romeo.	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.	CAPULET Content thee, gentle coz. Let him alone. 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. 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 It fits when such a villain is a guest. 75 I’ll not endure him.	TYBALT It fits when such a villain is a guest. I’ll 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. You’ll not endure him! God shall mend my soul, You’ll make a mutiny among my guests. 80 You will set cock-a-hoop. You’ll be the man!	CAPULET He shall be endured. 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!
TYBALT Why, uncle, ’tis a shame.	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, or—More light, more light!—For shame! I’ll make you quiet.—What, cheerly, my hearts!	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!
Music plays again, and the guests dance	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.	TYBALT Patience perforce with willful choler meeting Makes my flesh tremble in their different greeting. I will withdraw, but this intrusion shall Now seeming sweet, convert to bitterest gall.
Exit TYBALT	Exit TYBALT
ROMEO (taking JULIET’s hand) If I profane with my unworthiest hand This holy shrine, the gentle sin is this: My lips, two blushing pilgrims, ready stand 95 To smooth that rough touch with a tender kiss.	ROMEO (taking JULIET’s hand) 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.
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.	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?	ROMEO Have not saints lips, and holy palmers too?
JULIET Ay, pilgrim, lips that they must use in prayer.	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.	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.	JULIET Saints do not move, though grant for prayers' sake.
ROMEO 105 Then move not, while my prayer’s effect I take.	ROMEO Then move not, while my prayer’s effect I take.
Kisses her	Kisses her
Thus from my lips, by thine, my sin is purged.	Thus from my lips, by thine, my sin is purged.
JULIET Then have my lips the sin that they have took.	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.	ROMEO Sin from thy lips? O trespass sweetly urged! Give me my sin again.
They kiss again	They kiss again
JULIET You kiss by th' book.	JULIET You kiss by th' book.
NURSE Madam, your mother craves a word with you.	NURSE Madam, your mother craves a word with you.
JULIET moves away	JULIET moves away
ROMEO What is her mother?	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.	NURSE Marry, bachelor, Her mother is the lady of the house, And a good lady, and a wise and virtuous. 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 foe’s debt.	ROMEO (aside) Is she a Capulet? O dear account! My life is my foe’s debt.
BENVOLIO (to ROMEO) Away, begone. The sport is at the best.	BENVOLIO (to ROMEO) Away, begone. The sport is at the best.
ROMEO 120 Ay, so I fear. The more is my unrest.	ROMEO 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.— More torches here!—Come on then, let’s to bed. Ah, sirrah, by my fay, it waxes late. I’ll to my rest.	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.
All but JULIET and NURSE move to exit	All but JULIET and NURSE move to exit
JULIET Come hither, Nurse. What is yond gentleman?	JULIET Come hither, Nurse. What is yond gentleman?
NURSE The son and heir of old Tiberio.	NURSE The son and heir of old Tiberio.
JULIET 130 What’s he that now is going out of door?	JULIET What’s he that now is going out of door?
NURSE Marry, that, I think, be young Petruchio.	NURSE Marry, that, I think, be young Petruchio.
JULIET What’s he that follows here, that would not dance?	JULIET What’s he that follows here, that would not dance?
NURSE I know not.	NURSE I know not.
JULIET Go ask his name.—If he be married. 135 My grave is like to be my wedding bed.	JULIET Go ask his name.—If he be married. My grave is like to be my wedding bed.
NURSE His name is Romeo, and a Montague, The only son of your great enemy.	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 loathèd enemy.	JULIET (aside) 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 loathèd enemy.
NURSE What’s this? What’s this?	NURSE What’s this? What’s this?
JULIET A rhyme I learned even now Of one I danced withal.	JULIET A rhyme I learned even now Of one I danced withal.
One calls within “Juliet!”	One calls within “Juliet!”
NURSE Anon, anon! Come, let’s away. The strangers all are gone.	NURSE Anon, anon! Come, let’s away. The strangers all are gone.
Exeunt	Exeunt