Romeo and Juliet · Act 1, Scene 5

Listen in app

Original

Modern English

Musicians waiting. Enter Servants.
MUSICIANS waiting and SERVANTS enter.
First Servant

Where’s Potpan, that he helps not to take away?

First Servant

Where is Potpan, who helps us with clearing the tables?

He shift a trencher! He scrape a trencher!

He should be moving and scraping plates.

Second Servant

When good manners shall lie all in one or two men’s hands, and they unwash’d too,’tis a foul thing.

Second Servant

When good manners live in the hands of one or two men and even their hands are dirty, things are bad!

First Servant

Away with the join-stools, remove the court-cupboard, look to the plate.

First Servant

Take away the stools, the sideboards, and the plates.

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!

Good fellow, save me a piece of marzipan, and if you love me, have the porter let in Susan Grindstone and Nell. Antony and Potpan!

Second Servant

Ay, boy, ready.

Second Servant

Yes, boy, I am ready.

First Servant

You are looked for and called for, asked for and sought for, in the great chamber.

First Servant

You are being called in the the great chamber.

Second Servant

We cannot be here and there too.

Second Servant

We cannot be in two places at one time, here and there too.

Cheerly, boys. Be brisk awhile, and the longer liver take all.

Cheers, boys! Be quick for a while, and let the one who lives the longest take everything.

Exeunt.
PETER and SERVINGMEN exit.
Enter Capulet,&c. with the Guests and Gentlewomen to the Maskers.
CAPULET enters with LADY CAPULET, his cousin TYBALT, daughter JULIET, and other members of the family. They meet ROMEO, BENVOLIO, MERCUTIO and other masked guests at the party.
Capulet

Welcome, gentlemen,

Capulet

Welcome, gentlemen!

ladies that have their toes Unplagu’d with corns will have a bout with you.

Women who does not have corns on their toes will dance with you.

Ah my mistresses, which of you all Will now deny to dance?

Ah my ladies, which of you will now deny to dance?

She that makes dainty, She I’ll swear hath corns.

Whichever of you acts shy, I will swear, she has corns.

Am I come near ye now?

Does that hit close to home?

Welcome, gentlemen!

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,

I have seen days where I could wear a mask and could still charm a lady by whispering a story in a lady’s ear.

Such as would please;’tis gone,’tis gone,’tis gone,

Such times are gone now. Gone! gone! gone!

You are welcome, gentlemen!

You are welcome, gentlemen!

Come, musicians, play.

Come, musicians, play.

A hall, a hall, give room! And foot it, girls.

Make space in the room, give room! Shake your legs, girls.

Music plays, and they dance.
Music plays, and they dance while ROMEO stands apart.
Capulet

More light, you knaves; and turn the tables up,

Capulet

More light, you knaves; and get these tables out of the way.

And quench the fire, the room is grown too hot.

And put out the fire, it’s getting too hot inside.

Ah sirrah, this unlook’d-for sport comes well.

Ah man, this unexpected fun feels good.

Nay sit, nay sit, good cousin Capulet, For you and I are past our dancing days;

No sit, no sit, good cousin Capulet. You and I are too old to dance now.

How long is’t now since last yourself and I Were in a mask?

[CAPULET and his COUSIN sit down] How long it has been since you and I last wore masks at a party like this?

CAPULET’S COUSIN.

CAPULET’S COUSIN.

By’r Lady, thirty years.

I swear, it must be more than thirty years.

What, man,’tis not so much,’tis not so much:

What, man! It’s not that long, it’s not that long.

’Tis since the nuptial of Lucentio,

The last time was Lucentio’s wedding.

Come Pentecost as quickly as it will, Some five and twenty years; and then we mask’d.

Let the time fly by as fast as it likes, it’s only twenty five years since we wore masks.

CAPULET’S COUSIN.

CAPULET’S COUSIN.

’Tis more,’tis more,

It’s been longer, it’s been longer.

his son is elder, sir; His son is thirty.

Lucentio’s son is older than that, maybe around thirty years old.

Will you tell me that?

Don’t tell me.

His son was but a ward two years ago.

His son was a minor just two years ago.

Romeo

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

Romeo

[TO A SERVANT] Who is that lady holding the arm of that man over there?

Servant

I know not, sir.

Servant

I do not know, sir.

Romeo

O, she doth teach the torches to burn bright!

Romeo

Oh, she can teach the torches how to burn brighter!

It seems she hangs upon the cheek of night As a rich jewel in an Ethiop’s ear;

She would glow like a jewel in the darkness, in the ears of an African.

Beauty too rich for use, for earth too dear!

Her beauty is too much to be used, too precious for this Earth.

So shows a snowy dove trooping with crows As yonder lady o’er her fellows shows.

She surpasses all women here, just like a white dove would look amongst a flock of crows.

The measure done, I’ll watch her place of stand, And touching hers, make blessed my rude hand.

When the dance is over, I will notice where she stands and I am going to bless my ugly hands by touching her hands.

Did my heart love till now? Forswear it, sight! For I ne’er saw true beauty till this night.

Did my heart love anyone else until now? My eyes were liars then because I never saw true beauty until this moment.

Tybalt

This by his voice, should be a Montague.

Tybalt

Judging by his voice, this man should be a Montague.

Fetch me my rapier, boy.

[TO HIS PAGE] Fetch me my sword, boy.

What, dares the slave Come hither, cover’d with an antic face, To fleer and scorn at our solemnity?

[TO HIMSELF] How dare this peasant come here with his face covered by a mask to mock and frown on our celebrations?

Now by the stock and honour of my kin, To strike him dead I hold it not a sin.

Now to save the honor of my family, I do not think that killing him would be a sin.

Capulet

Why how now, kinsman! Wherefore storm you so?

Capulet

What happened now, nephew! Why are you so angry?

Tybalt

Uncle, this is a Montague, our foe;

Tybalt

Uncle, this is a Montague, our enemy.

A villain that is hither come in spite, To scorn at our solemnity this night.

A villain who has come here to mock and frown at our celebrations.

Capulet

Young Romeo, is it?

Capulet

Young Romeo, is it?

Tybalt

’Tis he, that villain Romeo.

Tybalt

That’s him, that villain Romeo.

Capulet

Content thee, gentle coz,

Capulet

Calm down, gentle cousin.

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.

Let him be. He carries himself like a true gentlemen and in fact, he holds a repetition of a well behaved young man through Verona.

I would not for the wealth of all the town Here in my house do him disparagement.

I would not insult him in my house for all the wealth in the world.

Therefore be patient, take no note of him,

Therefore be patient, and ignore 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.

It is my will and if you respect me, you will stop staring at him because that’s not how you behave at feast.

Tybalt

It fits when such a villain is a guest:

Tybalt

It is the way to behave when a scoundrel like him shows up.

I’ll not endure him.

I will not endure him.

Capulet

He shall be endur’d. What, goodman boy! I say he shall, go to;

Capulet

You have to let him be. What, boy! I say you will. Get out of here.

Am I the master here, or you? Go to.

Am I the master here, or you? Get out.

You’ll not endure him! God shall mend my soul,

You will not stand him! God save my soul.

You’ll make a mutiny among my guests!

You will start a riot here amongst my guests.

You will set cock-a-hoop, you’ll be the man!

If you start a chaos here, it will be on you.

Tybalt

Why, uncle,’tis a shame.

Tybalt

But uncle, we are being ashamed here.

Capulet

Go to, go to! You are a saucy boy.

Capulet

Go on, Go on! You are a rude boy.

Is’t so, indeed?

Is that how you think, Is it?

This trick may chance to scathe you,

This stupidity is likely to come back to harm you.

I know what. You must contrary me! Marry,’tis time.

I know what I am doing but you need to contradict me, do you? I will teach you a lesson.

Well said, my hearts!—

[TO THE GUESTS] Well done, my hearts!

You are a princox; go: Be quiet, or—

[TO TYBALT] You are an arrogant young boy. Stay quiet now or-

More light, more light!—

[TO SERVANTS] More light, more light!

For shame! I’ll make you quiet. What,

[TO TYBALT] Have some shame! I will shut you up.

cheerly, my hearts.

Have fun, my friends! [The music starts playing again]

Tybalt

Patience perforce with wilful choler meeting Makes my flesh tremble in their different greeting.

Tybalt

Patience combined with burning anger makes my flesh tremble.

I will withdraw: but this intrusion shall, Now seeming sweet, convert to bitter gall.

I will leave, but Romeo will regret this prank later, which seems fun to him now.

Exit.
TYBALT exits.
Romeo

[

Romeo

] If I disrespect you by touching your holy hands with my unworth hands,

To Juliet.
] If I disrespect you by touching your holy hands with my unworth hands,
Romeo

] If I profane with my unworthiest hand This holy shrine, the gentle sin is this,

Romeo

] If I disrespect you by touching your holy hands with my unworth hands,

My lips, two blushing pilgrims, ready stand To smooth that rough touch with a tender kiss.

then my lips stand ready like two pilgrims, to smoothen my rough touch with a gentle kiss.

Juliet

Good pilgrim, you do wrong your hand too much,

Juliet

Good pilgrim, you discredit your hand too much.

Which mannerly devotion shows in this;

By holding my hands, you show polite devotion.

For saints have hands that pilgrims’hands do touch, And palm to palm is holy palmers’kiss.

Saints have their hands touched by pilgrims all the time. Holding one palm against the other is like a kiss.

Romeo

Have not saints lips, and holy palmers too?

Romeo

Don’t saints and pilgrims have lips too?

Juliet

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

Juliet

Yes, pilgrim - they are supposed to use their lips to pray.

Romeo

O, then, dear saint, let lips do what hands do:

Romeo

Oh, then, dear saint, let lips do what hands do.

They pray, grant thou, lest faith turn to despair.

I pray to you to kiss me. Please grant me my wishes so my faith does not turn to despair.

Juliet

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

Juliet

Saints do not move, even though they grant prayers.

Romeo

Then move not while my prayer’s effect I take.

Romeo

Then do not move while I am praying.

Thus from my lips, by thine my sin is purg’d. [

]

Kissing her.
]
Romeo

]

Romeo

]

Juliet

Then have my lips the sin that they have took.

Juliet

Then, my lips have the sin they took from you.

Romeo

Sin from my lips?

Romeo

Sin from my lips?

O trespass sweetly urg’d! Give me my sin again.

Oh, now you urge me to commit another crime. Give me my sin back. [Romeo kisses Juliet again]

Juliet

You kiss by the book.

Juliet

You kiss as if you have studied it in the books.

Nurse

Madam, your mother craves a word with you.

Nurse

Madam, your mother wants to speak with you. [Juliet leaves]

Romeo

What is her mother?

Romeo

Who is her mother?

Nurse

Marry, bachelor, Her mother is the lady of the house, And a good lady, and a wise and virtuous.

Nurse

Well, young man, her mother is the lady of the house, and a good lady, a wise and virtuous one.

I nurs’d her daughter that you talk’d withal.

I nursed her daughter that you were just now talking with.

I tell you, he that can lay hold of her Shall have the chinks.

I tell you, he that who marries her, will be rich.

Romeo

Is she a Capulet?

Romeo

[TO HIMSELF] Is she a Capulet?

O dear account! My life is my foe’s debt.

Oh what a price! My life is now debted to my enemy.

Benvolio

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

Benvolio

[TO ROMEO] Let’s go, let’s go, now while everything is going good.

Romeo

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

Romeo

Yes, I fear so but it will never be this perfect again.

Capulet

Nay, gentlemen, prepare not to be gone,

Capulet

No, gentlemen, don’t leave now.

We have a trifling foolish banquet towards.

We have some more desserts arriving soon.

Is it e’en so?

[They whisper something to him] Is that so?

Why then, I thank you all; I thank you, honest gentlemen; good night.

Then, I thank you. I thank you, honest gentlemen. Good night.

More torches here! Come on then, let’s to bed.

Bring lights here! Come on, let’s go to bed.

Ah, sirrah, by my fay, it waxes late, I’ll to my rest.

[TO HIS COUSIN] Ah sir, good, it’s too late, I am going to sleep.

Exeunt all but Julietand Nurse.
Everyone except JULIET and NURSE exits
Juliet

Come hither, Nurse. What is yond gentleman?

Juliet

Come here, Nurse. Who are those gentlemen?

Nurse

The son and heir of old Tiberio.

Nurse

The son and heir of old Tiberio.

Juliet

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

Juliet

Who is the one going out of the door now?

Nurse

Marry, that I think be young Petruchio.

Nurse

Lord, I think, that would be young Petruchio.

Juliet

What’s he that follows here, that would not dance?

Juliet

Who is the one that follows him, the one who would not dance?

Nurse

I know not.

Nurse

I don’t know him.

Juliet

Go ask his name. If he be married,

Juliet

Go ask his name. [The Nurse exits]

My grave is like to be my wedding bed.

[TO HERSELF] If he is married, I would die rather than marrying someone else.

Nurse

His name is Romeo,

Nurse

[Returning] His name is Romeo.

and a Montague, The only son of your great enemy.

He is a Montague, the only son of your family’s enemy.

Juliet

My only love sprung from my only hate!

Juliet

[TO HERSELF]The one man I love is the one man I hate.

Too early seen unknown, and known too late!

I saw him too early and I got to know him too late.

Prodigious birth of love it is to me, That I must love a loathed enemy.

What remarkable love is to make me love my worst enemy.

Nurse

What’s this? What’s this?

Nurse

What’s this? What’s this?

Juliet

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

Juliet

A rhyme I learned just now from somebody I danced with.

One calls within,‘Juliet’.
Someone calls Juliet offstage.
Nurse

Anon, anon!

Nurse

Coming, coming!

Come let’s away, the strangers all are gone.

Come along, let’s go! The strangers have all left.

Exeunt.
JULIET and NURSE exits.

End of Act 1, Scene 5

That's the end of this scene. Want to keep going? Pick up the next one below — or hear it narrated in the app.

Get the iOS app Get the Android app

Read the summary & analysis →

♪ Listen with the app Get it free →