The Complete Works of William Shakespeare In Plain and Simple English (Translated) (1009 page)

Capulet

No way; his son was a minor just two years ago.

Will you tell me that? His son was but a ward two years ago.

Romeo

(To a servant.)  Who is that lady with the knight?

What lady is that, which doth enrich the hand Of yonder knight?

Servant

I don’t know, sir.

I know not, sir.

Romeo

Like the light of the torch, she brings light to my eyes.  She is as beautiful as a jewel in the ear of an Ethiopian.  She stands out like a dove among crows.  I will watch her and hope to touch her hand.  Have I ever been in love before?  My eyes have lied to me, because I have never seen anyone so beautiful.

O, she doth teach the torches to burn bright! It seems she hangs upon the cheek of night Like 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.

Tybalt

I know that voice.  You are a Montague.  (To a page.)  Fetch me my sword.  How dare he come to the house of Capulet?  For that grievance, I will kill him.

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.

Capulet

What’s going on, Tybalt?  Why are you so angry?

Why, how now, kinsman! wherefore storm you so?

Tybalt

Uncle, a Montague, our enemy is here.  He has crashed our party to destroy our fun.

Uncle, this is a Montague, our foe; A villain, that is hither come in spite, To scorn at our solemnity this night.

Capulet

Is it young Romeo?

Young Romeo, is it?

Tybalt

It is, that little villain.

'Tis he, that villain, Romeo.

Capulet

Calm down then.  He is not bothering anyone.  He is favored in the city of Verona.  It would not look well if we insulted him.  Be patient and leave him alone, if you have any respect for me.  This is no way to behave at a party.  Have a good time.

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-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.

Tybalt
I am behaving exactly the way I should with a villain in my presence.  I will not have him crashing our party.
It fits, when such a villain is a guest: I'll not endure him.

Capulet

You will have it, if I say you will.  Who is the master here, you?  You’ll not have it, and make a scene at my party among my guests.  I don’t think so, you trouble-maker.

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!

Tybalt

Why?  That is a shame!

Why, uncle, 'tis a shame.

Capulet

Get out of my face, you rude boy before your actions bring harm to you.  How dare you contradict me?  It is time for you to grow up.  (To the guests)  Having a good time?  Wonderful.  (To Tybalt)  Be quiet or I’ll make you shut up.  (To the guests)  Have a good time.

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.

Tybalt

I will abide by my uncle this time, although my anger makes me tremble, but I will not forget what Romeo has done.  What he thinks is a fun trick now, will not be so funny when I get through with him.

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.

(Exit.)

Romeo

(To Juliet.)  If you find my rough hand offensive, let me offer you two smooth lips to kiss.

[To Juliet.] If I profane with my unworthiest hand This holy shrine, the gentle fine is this,-- My lips, two blushing pilgrims, ready stand To smooth that rough touch with a tender kiss.

Juliet

Boy, I do not find your hand rough offensive.  Doesn’t everyone have hands?  Holding hands is the nearest thing to kissing.  Palm to palm, instead of lip to lip.

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

Doesn’t everyone have lips, too?

Have not saints lips, and holy palmers too?

Juliet

Yes, but lips have many uses, like praying.

Ay, pilgrim, lips that they must use in prayer.

Romeo

Then, let lips do what hands do.  I pray you grant me a kiss or I will lose my faith.

O, then, dear saint, let lips do what hands do; They pray, grant thou, lest faith turn to despair.

Juliet

That will not make you lose your faith.  

Saints do not move, though grant for prayers' sake.

Romeo

Then don’t move.  Stay still while I kiss you, and my sin will be purged.

Then move not while my prayer's effect I take. Thus from my lips, by thine my sin is purg'd.

(They kiss.)

Juliet

Am I a sinner now?  Have you passed on your sin to me?

Then have my lips the sin that they have took.

Romeo

Because you kissed me?  Well, let me take my sin back.

Sin from my lips? O trespass sweetly urg'd! Give me my sin again.

(They kiss again.)

Juliet

You kiss perfectly!

You kiss by the book.

Nurse

Madam, your mother wants to talk with you.

Madam, your mother craves a word with you.

Romeo

(To Nurse.)  Who is her mother?

What is her mother?

Nurse

Young man, her mother is the lady who lives in this house.  She is a good lady, wise and virtuous.  I am her daughter’s nurse, the girl you were talking to.  He, who wins her heart, will have it made.

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.

Romeo

Is she a Capulet?  Oh my God!  I have just fallen for the daughter of my enemy.

Is she a Capulet? O dear account! my life is my foe's debt.

Benvolio

Come on; let’s go before it is too late.

Away, be gone; the sport is at the best.

Romeo

I’m afraid it is already too late.

Ay, so I fear; the more is my unrest.

Capulet

Don’t go yet, gentlemen.  We still have more food coming.  Is that so?  Well, thank you all.  Thank you for coming.  We need more light over here.  Let’s go to bed.  (To Cousin.)  I did not know it was so late.  I’m going to bed.

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 [to 2 Capulet], by my fay, it waxes late; I'll to my rest.

(Exit all but Juliet and Nurse.)

Juliet

Come here, Nurse.  Who was that young gentleman?

Come hither, nurse. What is yond gentleman?

Nurse

He is the son and heir of old Tiberio.

The son and heir of old Tiberio.

Juliet

Not him; the one who is going out the door.

What's he that now is going out of door?

Nurse

I think his name is Petruchio.

Marry, that, I think, be young Petruchio.

Juliet

No, not him either.  Who was the one that would not dance?

What's he that follows there, that would not dance?

Nurse

I don’t know his name.

I know not.

Juliet

Well go find out, and ask if he is married.  I’m likely to die if I don’t marry him.

Go ask his name: if he be married, My grave is like to be my wedding-bed.

Nurse

His name is Romeo, and he is a Montague.  He is the only son of your worst enemy.

His name is Romeo, and a Montague; The only son of your great enemy.

Juliet

Oh no!  The only man I love is the son of the only man I hate.  Why couldn’t I have known this before?  Unfair love, why must I love someone I hate?

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.

Nurse

What are you talking about?

What's this? What's this?

Juliet

Oh nothing.

A rhyme I learn'd even now Of one I danc'd withal.

(Someone calls for Juliet.)

Nurse

Here we are.  Come on let’s go.  The guests are all gone.

Anon, anon! Come, let's away; the strangers all are gone.

(Exit all.)

(Enter Chorus.)

Chorus

Old desire dies,

And young affection takes its place;

Rosaline, whom Romeo groaned for,

Has been replaced by Juliet.

Now Romeo’s love is returned;

Both falling for looks alone.

But he loves the enemy;

And she has fallen for her foe.

Thus, he is forbidden to pursue her;

And she cannot sneak away to meet him.

But passion makes them powerful;

And chance favors them to meet.

They test extreme danger,

For extreme pleasure.

Now old desire doth in his deathbed lie,

And young affection gapes to be his heir;

That fair for which love groan'd for,

and would die,

With tender Juliet match'd, is now not fair.

Now Romeo is belov'd, and loves again,

Alike bewitched by the charm of looks;

But to his foe suppos'd he must complain,

And she steal love's sweet bait from fearful hooks:

Being held a foe, he may not have access

To breathe such vows as lovers us'd 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.

Scene I:  An open place adjoining Capulet’s garden.