Romeo and Juliet
Shakescleare Translation

Romeo and Juliet Translation Act 1, Scene 5

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PETER and other SERVINGMEN enter, carrying napkins.

PETER

Where’s Potpan, that he helps not to take away? He shift a trencher? He scrape a trencher!

PETER

Where’s Potpan, who’s not helping us clear the table? Has he even moved or scraped a plate?

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 all the good manners are owned by just one or two men, and even those two are dirty, it’s a bad 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

Clear away the stools, sideboards, and plates. My friend, save me a piece of marzipan, and if you love me, have the porter let in Susan Grindstone and Nell. Antony and Potpan!

SECOND SERVINGMAN

Ay, boy, ready.

SECOND SERVINGMAN

Yes, boy, I’m ready.

PETER

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

PETER

You’re being called for, asked after, and looked for in the great chamber.

FIRST SERVINGMAN

We cannot be here and there too. Cheerly, boys. Be briska while, and the longer liver take all.

FIRST SERVINGMAN

We can’t be both here and there at once! Be cheerful, boys. Be quick for a while, and may the longest lived take everything.

PETER and the SERVINGMEN come and go, setting forth tables and chairs.

CAPULET

Welcome, gentlemen! Ladies that have their toes Unplagued with corns will walk 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. [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?

CAPULET

Welcome, gentlemen. All the ladies who aren’t suffering from corns on their feet will dance with you. Ha ha! My ladies, now which of you will refuse to dance now? If any of you acts shyly, I’ll swear she has corns. Have I hit the mark? Welcome, gentlemen. Once there was a time when I could wear a mask and charm a girl by whispering a story in her ear. No more, no more, no more. You are welcome gentlemen. Come, musicians, play. [Music plays and they dance] Make room in the hall! Make room! Dance, girls. 

[To SERVINGMEN] More light. Move the tables out of the way. Put out the fire—it’s getting hot in here. 

[To his COUSIN] Ah, sir, these unexpected guests are welcome. No, sit, sit, my Capulet cousin. We’re too old to dance. How long has it been since you and I last wore masks?

CAPULETS’ COUSIN

By’r Lady, thirty years.

CAPULET'S COUSIN

By the Virgin Mary, I’d swear thirty years.

CAPULET enters with his cousin, TYBALT, LADY CAPULET, JULIET, The NURSE, and other Capulets. They meet ROMEO, BENVOLIO, MERCUTIO, and other guests and MASKERS

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

What, man? It’s not been that long, not that long. It was at Lucentio’s wedding. No matter how quickly the years fly by, it’s been just twenty-five years since we last wore masks.

CAPULET’S COUSIN

‘Tis more, ’tis more. His son is elder, sir.His son is thirty.

CAPULET’S COUSIN

Longer, longer. Lucentio’s son is older than that, sir. He’s thirty.

CAPULET

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

CAPULET

How can you say that? His son was still a minor two years ago.

ROMEO

[To a SERVINGMAN] What lady is that which doth enrich the handOf yonder knight?

ROMEO

[To a SERVINGMAN] Who is that girl on the arm of that man over there?

SERVINGMAN

I know not, sir.

SERVINGMAN

I don’t know, 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, 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.

ROMEO

Oh, she teaches the torches to burn bright! She glows in the darkness like a jewel in the ear of an African. Her beauty is too good to be used and worn, too precious for this world. Like a white dove in a flock of crows, she surpasses all the other women. When this dance ends, I’ll note where she stands, and then I’ll touch her hand and thereby bless my ugly one. Did I ever love anyone before this moment? Renounce that love, my eyes! I never saw true beauty until this night.

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.

TYBALT

By his voice I know that this man is a Montague. 

[To his PAGE] Get my sword, boy.

[To himself] How dare this punk come here with his face covered by a mask so he can mock and scorn our celebration? To defend the honor of my family, I don’t think it would be a sin to kill him.

CAPULET

Why, how now, kinsman? Wherefore storm you so?

CAPULET

What’s all this, nephew? Why are you so furious?

TYBALT

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

TYBALT

Uncle, that is a Montague—our rival. He’s a rogue who’s come here out of spite to scorn our celebration.

CAPULET

Young Romeo is it?

CAPULET

It’s young Romeo, right?

TYBALT

‘Tis he, that villain Romeo.

TYBALT

That’s him, that villain Romeo.

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.

CAPULET

Calm yourself, gentle nephew. Leave him be. He holds himself like a gentleman of good manners, and, to be honest, everyone in Verona says that he is a virtuous and well-behaved youth. Not for all the wealth in this town would I insult him in my own house. Be calm. Pretend you never saw him. That is my command, and if you respect me, you’ll stop with all these frowns, which is no way to behave at a party.

TYBALT

It fits when such a villain is a guest. I’ll not endure him.

TYBALT

It’s the way to behave when a scoundrel like him shows up. I won’t stand him coming here.

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!

CAPULET

You will stand him. What, boy? I say you will. Get out of here. Am I the master here, or you? Get out. You won’t stand him? God save my soul, you’ll start a riot among my guests! And you’ll crow like a rooster, like you’re the man!

TYBALT

Why, uncle, ’tis a shame.

TYBALT

But, uncle, we’re being dishonored.

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!

CAPULET

Come on, come on. You’re an impertinent boy. Is that really how you think it is? This silliness is likely to come back to harm you. I know what I’m doing, but you feel the need to contradict me. Well, I’ll show you a thing or two. 

[To the GUESTS] Well done, my dears! 

[To TYBALT] You’re an insolent boy, now go. Keep your mouth shut. 

[To SERVINGMEN] More light, more light! 

[To TYBALT] You should be ashamed of yourself! I’ll make you be quiet. 

[To the GUESTS] Party on, my friends!

The music plays again, and the guests dance

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.

TYBALT

The blend of enforced restraint with my burning rage is making me tremble. I’ll leave. But I’ll make Romeo regret this prank, which at the moment seems to him like such great fun.

TYBALT exits.

ROMEO

[Taking JULIET’s hand] If I profane with my unworthiesthand This holy shrine, the gentle sin is this: My lips, two blushing pilgrims, ready stand To smooth that rough touch with a tender kiss.

ROMEO

[Taking JULIET’s hand] If I offend you by touching your holy hand with my own unworthy one, then my lips stand ready, like two blushing pilgrims, to smooth my rough touch with a gentle 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 are unfair to your hand. Your hand shows proper devotion by touching mine, just as pilgrims reach out to touch the hands of saints. Holding palm to palm is like a pilgrim’s kiss.

ROMEO

Have not saints lips, and holy palmers too?

ROMEO

Don’t saints have lips? And pilgrims, too?

JULIET

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

JULIET

Yes, pilgrim—lips they’re supposed to use to pray.

ROMEO

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

ROMEO

Oh, then, saint, let lips do what hands do: pray. Grant my prayer or my faith will turn to despair.

JULIET

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

JULIET

Saints don’t move, though they do grant prayers.

ROMEO

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

ROMEO

Then remain still while I pray.

He kisses her.

Thus from my lips, by thine, my sin is purged.

Now your lips have cleaned the sin from mine.

JULIET

Then have my lips the sin that they have took.

JULIET

Then my lips now have the sin they took from yours.

ROMEO

Sin from thy lips? O trespass sweetly urged! Give me my sin again.

ROMEO

Sin from my lips? Oh, how you urge me on to another crime. Give me back my sin.

JULIET

You kiss by th’ book.

JULIET

You kiss as if you’ve studied how

They kiss again

NURSE

Madam, your mother craves a word with you.

NURSE

Madam, your mother wants to speak with you.

JULIET moves away

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

NURSE

Well, young man, her mother is the lady of the house. A good, wise, and virtuous lady. I nursed her daughter, who you were talking to just now. I tell you, the man who marries that girl will be rich.

ROMEO

[Aside] Is she a Capulet?O dear account! My life is my foe’s debt.

ROMEO

[To himself] Is she a Capulet? Oh, what a price I’ve paid! My life is now owned by my enemy.

BENVOLIO

[To ROMEO] Away, begone. The sport is at the best.

BENVOLIO

[To ROMEO] Let’s go, let’s go, now while everything is still perfect.

ROMEO

Ay, so I fear. The more is my unrest.

ROMEO

Yes, it is still perfect now. But I’m afraid it will never be perfect again.

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

No, gentlemen, don’t leave now. We have a bit of dessert arriving any moment. [They whisper something to him] Is that so? Then, I thank you. I thank you, honest gentlemen. Good night. Bring more torches over here! Come on, let’s all get to bed. 

[To his COUSIN] Ah, good sir, by God, it’s late. I’m going sleep.

Everyone except JULIET and NURSE begins to exit.

JULIET

Come hither, Nurse. What is yond gentleman?

JULIET

Come here, nurse. Who is that gentleman over there?

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’s the one going out the door?

NURSE

Marry, that, I think, be young Petruchio.

NURSE

That, I think, is young Petruchio.

JULIET

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

JULIET

What about the one over there, who wouldn’t dance?

NURSE

I know not.

NURSE

I don’t know him.

JULIET

Go ask his name.

JULIET

Go ask him for his name.

The NURSE goes.

If he be married.My grave is like to be my wedding bed.

[To herself] If he’s married, I’d rather die than marry someone else.

NURSE

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

NURSE

[Returning] His name is Romeo. He’s a Montague. He’s the only son of your greatest 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.

JULIET

[To herself] The one man I love is the son of the one man I hate! I saw him before I knew who he was, and learned who he was too late! What a monster 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 learned even nowOf one I danced withal.

JULIET

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

Somebody calls “Juliet!” offstage.

NURSE

Anon, anon. Come, let's away. The strangers are all gone.

NURSE

On our way, on our way! Come along, let's go. The strangers have all left.

They exit.