爱斯卡勒斯
维洛那亲王
帕里斯
少年贵族,亲王的亲戚
蒙太古 凯普莱特
互相敌视的两家家长
罗密欧
蒙太古之子
茂丘西奥
亲王的亲戚
班伏里奥
蒙太古之侄 罗密欧的朋友
提伯尔特
凯普莱特夫人之内侄
劳伦斯神父
法兰西斯派教士
约翰神父
与劳伦斯同门的教士
鲍尔萨泽
罗密欧的仆人
山普孙 葛莱古里
凯普莱特的仆人
彼得
朱丽叶乳媪的从仆
亚伯拉罕
蒙太古的仆人
卖药人
乐工三人
茂丘西奥的侍童
帕里斯的侍童
蒙太古夫人
凯普莱特夫人
朱丽叶
凯普莱特之女
朱丽叶的乳媪
维洛那市民;两家男女亲属;跳舞者、卫士、巡丁及侍从等
致辞者
地点 维洛那;第五幕第一场在曼多亚
开场诗
致辞者上。
故事发生在维洛那名城,
有两家门第相当的巨族,
累世的宿怨激起了新争,
鲜血把市民的白手污渎。
是命运注定这两家仇敌,
生下了一双不幸的恋人,
他们的悲惨凄凉的殒灭,
和解了他们交恶的尊亲。
这一段生生死死的恋爱,
还有那两家父母的嫌隙,
把一对多情的儿女杀害,
演成了今天这一本戏剧。
交代过这几句挈领提纲,
请诸位耐着心细听端详。(下。)
Escalus, Prince of Verona.
Paris, a young Nobleman, kinsman to the Prince.
Montague,}Heads of two Houses at variance with each other. Capulet, } An Old Man, Uncle to Capulet.
Romeo, Son to Montague.
Mercutio, Kinsman to the Prince, and Friend to Romeo.
Benvolio, Nephew to Montague, and Friend to Romeo.
Tybalt, Nephew to Lady Capulet.
Friar Lawrence, a Franciscan.
Friar John, of the same Order.
Balthasar, Servant to Romeo.
Sampson, Servant to Capulet.
Gregory, Servant to Capulet.
Peter, Servant to Juliet's Nurse.
Abraham, Servant to Montague. An Apothecary.
Three Musicians.
Chorus.
Page to Paris; another Page.
An Officer.
Lady Montague, Wife to Montague.
Lady Capulet, Wife to Capulet.
Juliet, Daughter to Capulet.
Nurse to Juliet.
Citizens of Verona; several Men and Women, relations to both houses; Maskers, Guards, Watchmen, and Attendants.
SCENE.--During the greater part of the Play in Verona; once, in the Fifth Act, at Mantua.
(Enter Chorus.)
Chor. Two households, both alike in dignity, In fair Verona, where we lay our scene, From ancient grudge break to new mutiny, Where civil blood makes civil hands unclean. From forth the fatal loins of these two foes A pair of star-cross'd lovers take their life; Whose misadventur'd piteous overthrows Doth with their death bury their parents' strife. The fearful passage of their death-mark'd love, And the continuance of their parents' rage, Which but their children's end naught could remove, Is now the two hours' traffic of our stage; The which, if you with patient ears attend, What here shall miss, our toil shall strive to mend.
维洛那亲王
帕里斯
少年贵族,亲王的亲戚
蒙太古 凯普莱特
互相敌视的两家家长
罗密欧
蒙太古之子
茂丘西奥
亲王的亲戚
班伏里奥
蒙太古之侄 罗密欧的朋友
提伯尔特
凯普莱特夫人之内侄
劳伦斯神父
法兰西斯派教士
约翰神父
与劳伦斯同门的教士
鲍尔萨泽
罗密欧的仆人
山普孙 葛莱古里
凯普莱特的仆人
彼得
朱丽叶乳媪的从仆
亚伯拉罕
蒙太古的仆人
卖药人
乐工三人
茂丘西奥的侍童
帕里斯的侍童
蒙太古夫人
凯普莱特夫人
朱丽叶
凯普莱特之女
朱丽叶的乳媪
维洛那市民;两家男女亲属;跳舞者、卫士、巡丁及侍从等
致辞者
地点 维洛那;第五幕第一场在曼多亚
开场诗
致辞者上。
故事发生在维洛那名城,
有两家门第相当的巨族,
累世的宿怨激起了新争,
鲜血把市民的白手污渎。
是命运注定这两家仇敌,
生下了一双不幸的恋人,
他们的悲惨凄凉的殒灭,
和解了他们交恶的尊亲。
这一段生生死死的恋爱,
还有那两家父母的嫌隙,
把一对多情的儿女杀害,
演成了今天这一本戏剧。
交代过这几句挈领提纲,
请诸位耐着心细听端详。(下。)
Escalus, Prince of Verona.
Paris, a young Nobleman, kinsman to the Prince.
Montague,}Heads of two Houses at variance with each other. Capulet, } An Old Man, Uncle to Capulet.
Romeo, Son to Montague.
Mercutio, Kinsman to the Prince, and Friend to Romeo.
Benvolio, Nephew to Montague, and Friend to Romeo.
Tybalt, Nephew to Lady Capulet.
Friar Lawrence, a Franciscan.
Friar John, of the same Order.
Balthasar, Servant to Romeo.
Sampson, Servant to Capulet.
Gregory, Servant to Capulet.
Peter, Servant to Juliet's Nurse.
Abraham, Servant to Montague. An Apothecary.
Three Musicians.
Chorus.
Page to Paris; another Page.
An Officer.
Lady Montague, Wife to Montague.
Lady Capulet, Wife to Capulet.
Juliet, Daughter to Capulet.
Nurse to Juliet.
Citizens of Verona; several Men and Women, relations to both houses; Maskers, Guards, Watchmen, and Attendants.
SCENE.--During the greater part of the Play in Verona; once, in the Fifth Act, at Mantua.
(Enter Chorus.)
Chor. Two households, both alike in dignity, In fair Verona, where we lay our scene, From ancient grudge break to new mutiny, Where civil blood makes civil hands unclean. From forth the fatal loins of these two foes A pair of star-cross'd lovers take their life; Whose misadventur'd piteous overthrows Doth with their death bury their parents' strife. The fearful passage of their death-mark'd love, And the continuance of their parents' rage, Which but their children's end naught could remove, Is now the two hours' traffic of our stage; The which, if you with patient ears attend, What here shall miss, our toil shall strive to mend.
第一场 维洛那。广场
山普孙及葛莱古里各持盾剑上。
山普孙 葛莱古里,咱们可真的不能让人家当做苦力一样欺侮。
葛莱古里 对了,咱们不是可以随便给人欺侮的。
山普孙 我说,咱们要是发起脾气来,就会拔剑动武。
葛莱古里 对了,你可不要把脖子缩到领口里去。
山普孙 我一动性子,我的剑是不认人的。
葛莱古里 可是你不大容易动性子。
山普孙 我见了蒙太古家的狗子就生气。
葛莱古里 有胆量的,生了气就应当站住不动;逃跑的不是好汉。
山普孙 我见了他们家里的狗子,就会站住不动;蒙太古家里任何男女碰到了我,就像是碰到墙壁一样。
葛莱古里 这正说明你是个软弱无能的奴才;只有最没出息的家伙,才去墙底下躲难。
山普孙 的确不错;所以生来软弱的女人,就老是被人逼得不能动:我见了蒙太古家里人来,是男人我就把他们从墙边推出去,是女人我就把她们望着墙壁摔过去。
葛莱古里 吵架是咱们两家主仆男人们的事,与她们女人有什么相干?
山普孙 那我不管,我要做一个杀人不眨眼的魔王;一面跟男人们打架,一面对娘儿们也不留情面,我要她们的命。
葛莱古里 要娘儿们的性命吗?
山普孙 对了,娘儿们的性命,或是她们视同性命的童贞,你爱怎么说就怎么说。
葛莱古里 那就要看对方怎样感觉了。
山普孙 只要我下手,她们就会尝到我的辣手:就是有名的一身横肉呢。
葛莱古里 幸而你还不是一身鱼肉;否则你便是一条可怜虫了。拔出你的家伙来;有两个蒙太古家的人来啦。
亚伯拉罕及鲍尔萨泽上。
山普孙 我的剑已经出鞘;你去跟他们吵起来,我就在你背后帮你的忙。
葛莱古里 怎么?你想转过背逃走吗?
山普孙 你放心吧,我不是那样的人。
葛莱古里 哼,我倒有点不放心!
山普孙 还是让他们先动手,打起官司来也是咱们的理直。
葛莱古里 我走过去向他们横个白眼,瞧他们怎么样。
山普孙 好,瞧他们有没有胆量。我要向他们咬我的大拇指,瞧他们能不能忍受这样的侮辱。
亚伯拉罕 你向我们咬你的大拇指吗?
山普孙 我是咬我的大拇指。
亚伯拉罕 你是向我们咬你的大拇指吗?
山普孙 (向葛莱古里旁白)要是我说是,那么打起官司来是谁的理直?
葛莱古里 (向山普孙旁白)是他们的理直。
山普孙 不,我不是向你们咬我的大拇指;可是我是咬我的大拇指。
葛莱古里 你是要向我们挑衅吗?
亚伯拉罕 挑衅!不,哪儿的话。
山普孙 你要是想跟我们吵架,那么我可以奉陪;你也是你家主子的奴才,我也是我家主子的奴才,难道我家的主子就比不上你家的主子?
亚伯拉罕 比不上。
山普孙 好。
葛莱古里 (向山普孙旁白)说“比得上”;我家老爷的一位亲戚来了。
山普孙 比得上。
亚伯拉罕 你胡说。
山普孙 是汉子就拔出剑来。葛莱古里,别忘了你的杀手剑。(双方互斗。)
班伏里奥上。
班伏里奥 分开,蠢才!收起你们的剑;你们不知道你们在干些什么事。(击下众仆的剑。)
提伯尔特上。
提伯尔特 怎么!你跟这些不中用的奴才吵架吗?过来,班伏里奥,让我结果你的性命。
班伏里奥 我不过维持和平;收起你的剑,或者帮我分开这些人。
提伯尔特 什么!你拔出了剑,还说什么和平?我痛恨这两个字,就跟我痛恨地狱、痛恨所有蒙太古家的人和你一样。照剑,懦夫!(二人相斗。)
两家各有若干人上,加入争斗;一群市民持枪棍继上。
众市民 打!打!打!把他们打下来!凯普莱特!蒙太古!
凯普莱特穿长袍及凯普莱特夫人同上。
凯普莱特 什么事吵得这个样子?喂!把我的长剑拿来。
凯普莱特夫人 拐杖呢?拐杖呢?你要剑干什么?
凯普莱特 快拿剑来!蒙太古那老东西来啦;他还晃着他的剑,明明在跟我寻事。
蒙太古及蒙太古夫人上。
蒙太古 凯普莱特,你这奸贼!——别拉住我;让我走。
蒙太古夫人 你要去跟人家吵架,我连一步也不让你走。
亲王率侍从上。
亲王 目无法纪的臣民,扰乱治安的罪人,你们的刀剑都被你们邻人的血玷污了;——他们不听我的话吗?喂,听着!你们这些人,你们这些畜生,你们为了扑灭你们怨毒的怒焰,不惜让殷红的流泉从你们的血管里喷涌出来;他们要是畏惧刑法,赶快从你们血腥的手里丢下你们的凶器,静听你们震怒的君王的判决。凯普莱特,蒙太古,你们已经三次为了一句口头上的空言,引起了市民的械斗,扰乱了我们街道上的安宁,害得维洛那的年老公民,也不能不脱下他们尊严的装束,在他们习于安乐的苍老衰弱的手里夺过古旧的长枪,分解你们溃烂的纷争。要是你们以后再在市街上,就要把你们的生命作为扰乱治安的代价。现在别人都给我退下去;凯普莱特,你跟我来;蒙太古,你今天下午到自由村的审判厅里来,听候我对于今天这一案的宣判。大家散开去,倘有逗留不去的,格杀勿论!(除蒙太古夫妇及班伏里奥外皆下。)
蒙太古 这一场宿怨是谁又重新煽风点火?侄儿,对我说,他们动手的时候,你也在场吗?
班伏里奥 我还没有到这儿来,您的仇家的仆人跟你们家里的仆人已经打成一团了。我拔出剑来分开他们;就在这时候,那个性如烈火的提伯尔特提着剑来了,他对我出言不逊,把剑在他自己头上舞得嗖嗖直响,就像风在那儿讥笑他的装腔作势一样。当我们正在剑来剑去的时候,人越来越多,有的帮这一面,有的帮那一面,乱哄哄地互相争斗,直等亲王来了,方才把两边的人喝开。
蒙太古夫人 啊,罗密欧呢?你今天见过他吗?我很高兴他没有参加这场争斗。
班伏里奥 伯母,在尊严的太阳开始从东方的黄金窗里探出头来的一小时以前,我因为心中烦闷,到郊外去散步,在城西一丛枫树的下面,我看见罗密欧兄弟一早在那儿走来走去。我正要向他走过去,他已经看见了我,就躲到树林深处去了。我因为自己也是心灰意懒,觉得连自己这一身也是多余的,只想找一处没有人迹的地方,所以凭着自己的心境推测别人的心境,也就不去找他多事,彼此互相避开了。
蒙太古 好多天的早上曾经有人在那边看见过他,用眼泪洒为清晨的露水,用长叹嘘成天空的云雾;可是一等到鼓舞众生的太阳在东方的天边开始揭起黎明女神床上灰黑色的帐幕的时候,我那怀着一颗沉重的心的儿子,就逃避了光明,溜回到家里;一个人关起了门躲在房间里,闭紧了窗子,把大好的阳光锁在外面,为他自己造成了一个人工的黑夜。他这一种怪脾气恐怕不是好兆,除非良言劝告可以替他解除心头的烦恼。
班伏里奥 伯父,您知道他的烦恼的根源吗?
蒙太古 我不知道,也没有法子从他自己嘴里探听出来。
班伏里奥 您有没有设法探问过他?
蒙太古 我自己以及许多其他的朋友都曾经探问过他,可是他把心事一古脑儿闷在自己肚里,总是守口如瓶,不让人家试探出来,正像一条初生的蓓蕾,还没有迎风舒展它的嫩瓣,向太阳献吐它的娇艳,就给妒嫉的蛀虫咬啮了一样。只要能够知道他的悲哀究竟是从什么地方来的,我们一定会尽心竭力替他找寻治疗的方案。
班伏里奥 瞧,他来了;请您站在一旁,等我去问问他究竟有些什么心事,看他理不理我。
蒙太古 但愿你留在这儿,能够听到他的真情的吐露。来,夫人,我们去吧。(蒙太古夫妇同下。)
罗密欧上。
班伏里奥 早安,兄弟。
罗密欧 天还是这样早吗?
班伏里奥 刚敲过九点钟。
罗密欧 唉!在悲哀里度过的时间似乎是格外长的。急忙忙地走过去的那个人,不就是我的父亲吗?
班伏里奥 正是。什么悲哀使罗密欧的时间过得这样长?
罗密欧 因为我缺少了可以使时间变为短促的东西。
班伏里奥 你跌进恋爱的网里了吗?
罗密欧 我还在门外徘徊——
班伏里奥 在恋爱的门外?
罗密欧 我不能得到我的意中人的欢心。
班伏里奥 唉!想不到爱神的外表这样温柔,实际上却是如此残暴!
罗密欧 唉!想不到爱神蒙着眼睛,却会一直闯进人们的心灵!我们在什么地方吃饭?嗳哟!又是谁在这儿打过架了?可是不必告诉我,我早就知道了。这些都是怨恨造成的后果,可是爱情的力量比它要大过许多。啊,吵吵闹闹的相爱,亲亲热热的怨恨!啊,无中生有的一切!啊,沉重的轻浮,严肃的狂妄,整齐的混乱,铅铸的羽毛,光明的烟雾,寒冷的火焰,憔悴的健康,永远觉醒的睡眠,否定的存在!我感觉到的爱情正是这么一种东西,可是我并不喜爱这一种爱情。你不会笑我吗?
班伏里奥 不,兄弟,我倒是有点儿想哭。
罗密欧 好人,为什么呢?
班伏里奥 因为瞧着你善良的心受到这样的痛苦。
罗密欧 唉!这就是爱情的错误,我自己已经有太多的忧愁重压在我的心头,你对我表示的同情,徒然使我在太多的忧愁之上再加上一重忧愁。爱情是叹息吹起的一阵烟;恋人的眼中有它净化了的火星;恋人的眼泪是它激起的波涛。它又是最智慧的疯狂,哽喉的苦味,吃不到嘴的蜜糖。再见,兄弟。(欲去。)
班伏里奥 且慢,让我跟你一块儿去;要是你就这样丢下了我,未免太不给我面子啦。
罗密欧 嘿!我已经遗失了我自己;我不在这儿;这不是罗密欧,他是在别的地方。
班伏里奥 老实告诉我,你所爱的是谁?
罗密欧 什么!你要我在痛苦中说出她的名字来吗?
班伏里奥 痛苦!不,你只要告诉我她是谁就得了。
罗密欧 叫一个病人郑重其事地立起遗嘱来!啊,对于一个病重的人,还有什么比这更刺痛他的心?老实对你说,兄弟,我是爱上了一个女人。
班伏里奥 我说你一定在恋爱,果然猜得不错。
罗密欧 好一个每发必中的射手!我所爱的是一位美貌的姑娘。
班伏里奥 好兄弟,目标越好,射得越准。
罗密欧 你这一箭就射岔了。丘匹德的金箭不能射中她的心;她有狄安娜女神的圣洁,不让爱情软弱的弓矢损害她的坚不可破的贞操。她不愿听任深怜密爱的词句把她包围,也不愿让灼灼逼人的眼光向她进攻,更不愿接受可以使圣人动心的黄金的;啊!美貌便是她巨大的财富,只可惜她一死以后,她的美貌也要化为黄土!
班伏里奥 那么她已经立誓终身守贞不嫁了吗?
罗密欧 她已经立下了这样的誓言,为了珍惜她自己,造成了莫大的浪费;因为她让美貌在无情的岁月中日渐枯萎,不知道替后世传留下她的绝世容华。她是个太美丽、太聪明的人儿,不应该剥夺她自身的幸福,使我抱恨终天。她已经立誓割舍爱情,我现在活着也就等于死去一般。
班伏里奥 听我的劝告,别再想起她了。
罗密欧 啊!那么你教我怎样忘记吧。
班伏里奥 你可以放纵你的眼睛,让它们多看几个世间的美人。
罗密欧 那不过格外使我觉得她的美艳无双罢了。那些吻着美人娇额的幸运的面罩,因为它们是黑色的缘故,常常使我们想起被它们遮掩的面庞不知多么娇丽。突然盲目的人,永远不会忘记存留在他消失了的视觉中的宝贵的影像。给我着一个姿容绝代的美人,她的美貌除了使我记起世上有一个人比她更美以外,还有什么别的用处?再见,你不能教我怎样忘记。
班伏里奥 我一定要证明我的意见不错,否则死不瞑目。(同下。)
第二场 同前。街道
凯普莱特、帕里斯及仆人上。
凯普莱特 可是蒙太古也负着跟我同样的责任;我想像我们这样有了年纪的人,维持和平还不是难事。
帕里斯 你们两家都是很有名望的大族,结下了这样不解的冤仇,真是一件不幸的事。可是,老伯,您对于我的求婚有什么见教?
凯普莱特 我的意思早就对您表示过了。我的女儿今年还没有满十四岁,完全是一个不懂事的孩子;再过两个夏天,才可以谈到亲事。
帕里斯 比她年纪更小的人,都已经做了幸福的母亲了。
凯普莱特 早结果的树木一定早雕。我在这世上已经什么希望都没有了,只有她是我的唯一的安慰。可是向她求爱吧,善良的帕里斯,得到她的欢心;只要她愿意,我的同意是没有问题的。今天晚上,我要按照旧例,举行一次宴会,邀请许多亲友参加;您也是我所要邀请的一个,请您接受我的最诚意的欢迎。在我的寒舍里,今晚您可以见到灿烂的群星翩然下降,照亮黑暗的天空;在蓓蕾一样娇艳的女郎丛里,您可以充分享受青春的愉快,正像盛装的四月追随着残冬的足迹降临人世,在年轻人的心里充满着活跃的欢欣一样。您可以听一个够,看一个饱,从许多美貌的女郎中间,连我的女儿也在内,拣一个最好的做您的意中人。来,跟我去。(以一纸交仆)你到维洛那全城去走一转,挨着这单子上一个一个的名字去找人,请他们到我的家里来。(凯普莱特、帕里斯同下。)
仆人 挨着这单子上的名字去找人!人家说,鞋匠的针线,裁缝的钉锤,渔夫的笔,画师的网,各人有各人的职司;可是我们的老爷却叫我挨着这单子上的名字去找人,我怎么知道写字的人在这上面写着些什么?我一定要找个识字的人。来得正好。
班伏里奥及罗密欧上。
班伏里奥 不,兄弟,新的火焰可以把旧的火焰扑灭,大的苦痛可以使小的苦痛减轻;头晕目眩的时候,只要转身向后;一桩绝望的忧伤,也可以用另一桩烦恼把它驱除。给你的眼睛找一个新的迷惑,你的原来的痼疾就可以霍然脱体。
罗密欧 你的药草只好医治——
班伏里奥 医治什么?
罗密欧 医治你的跌伤的胫骨。
班伏里奥 怎么,罗密欧,你疯了吗?
罗密欧 我没有疯,可是比疯人更不自由;关在牢狱里,不进饮食,挨受着鞭挞和酷刑——晚安,好朋友!
仆人 晚安!请问先生,您念过书吗?
罗密欧 是的,这是我的不幸中的资产。
仆人 也许您只会背诵;可是请问您会不会看着字一个一个地念?
罗密欧 我认得的字,我就会念。
仆人 您说得很老实;愿您一生快乐!(欲去。)
罗密欧 等一等,朋友;我会念。“玛丁诺先生暨夫人及诸位令嫒;安赛尔美伯爵及诸位令妹;寡居之维特鲁维奥夫人;帕拉森西奥先生及诸位令侄女;茂丘西奥及其令弟凡伦丁;凯普莱特叙父暨婶母及诸位贤妹;罗瑟琳贤侄女;里维娅;伐伦西奥先生及其令表弟提伯尔特;路西奥及活泼之海丽娜。”好一群名士贤媛!请他们到什么地方去?
仆人 到——
罗密欧 哪里?
仆人 到我们家里吃饭去。
罗密欧 谁的家里?
仆人 我的主人的家里。
罗密欧 对了,我该先问你的主人是谁才是。
仆人 您也不用问了,我就告诉您吧。我的主人就是那个有财有势的凯普莱特;要是您不是蒙太古家里的人,请您也来跟我们喝一杯酒,愿您一生快乐!(下。)
班伏里奥 在这一个凯普莱特家里按照旧例举行的宴会中间,你所热恋的美人罗瑟琳也要跟着维洛那城里所有的绝色名媛一同去赴宴。你也到那儿去吧,用着不带成见的眼光,把她的容貌跟别人比较比较,你就可以知道你的天鹅不过是一只乌鸦罢了。
罗密欧 要是我的虔敬的眼睛会相信这种谬误的幻象,那么让眼泪变成火焰,把这一双罪状昭著的异教邪徒烧成灰烬吧!比我的爱人还美!烛照万物的太阳,自有天地以来也不曾看见过一个可以和她媲美的人。
班伏里奥 嘿!你看见她的时候,因为没有别人在旁边,你的两只眼睛里只有她一个人,所以你以为她是美丽的;可是在你那水晶的天秤里,要是把你的恋人跟另外一个我可以在这宴会里指点给你看的美貌的姑娘同时较量起来,那么她现在虽然仪态万方,那时候就要自惭形秽了。
罗密欧 我倒要去这一次;不是去看你所说的美人,只要看看我自己的爱人怎样大放光彩,我就心满意足了。(同下。)
第三场 同前。凯普莱特家中一室
凯普莱特夫人及乳媪上。
奶妈,我的女儿呢?叫她出来见我。
乳媪 凭着我十二岁时候的童贞发誓,我早就叫过她了。喂,小绵羊!喂,小鸟儿!上帝保佑!这孩子到什么地方去啦?喂,朱丽叶!
朱丽叶上。
朱丽叶 什么事?谁叫我?
乳媪 你的母亲。
朱丽叶 母亲,我来了。您有什么吩咐?
凯普莱特夫人 是这么一件事。奶妈,你出去一会儿。我们要谈些秘密的话。——奶妈,你回来吧;我想起来了,你也应当听听我们的谈话。你知道我的女儿年纪也不算怎么小啦。
乳媪 对啊,我把她的生辰记得清清楚楚的。
凯普莱特夫人 她现在还不满十四岁。
乳媪 我可以用我的十四颗牙齿打赌——唉,说来伤心,我的牙齿掉得只剩四颗啦!——她还没有满十四岁呢。现在离开收获节还有多久?
凯普莱特夫人 两个星期多一点。
乳媪 不多不少,不先不后,到收获节的晚上她才满十四岁。苏珊跟她同年——上帝安息一切徒的灵魂!唉!苏珊是跟上帝在一起啦,我命里不该有这样一个孩子。可是我说过的,到收获节的晚上,她就要满十四岁啦;正是,一点不错,我记得清清楚楚的。自从地震那一年到现在,已经十一年啦;那时候她已经断了奶,我永远不会忘记,不先不后,刚巧在那一天;因为我在那时候用艾叶涂在奶头上,坐在鸽棚下面晒着太阳;老爷跟您那时候都在曼多亚。瞧,我的记性可不算坏。可是我说的,她一尝到我奶头上的艾叶的味道,觉得变苦啦,嗳哟,这可爱的小傻瓜!她就发起脾气来,把奶头摔开啦。那时候地震,鸽棚都在摇动呢:这个说来话长,算来也有十一年啦;后来她就慢慢地会一个人站得直挺挺的,还会摇呀摆的到处乱跑,就是在她跌破额角的那一天,我那去世的丈夫——上帝安息他的灵魂!他是个喜欢说说笑笑的人,把这孩子抱了起来,“啊!”他说,“你往前扑了吗?等你年纪一大,你就要往后仰了;是不是呀,朱丽?”谁知道这个可爱的坏东西忽然停住了哭声,说“嗯。”嗳哟,真把人都笑死了!要是我活到一千岁,我也再不会忘记这句话。“是不是呀,朱丽?”他说;这可爱的小傻瓜就停住了哭声,说“嗯。”
凯普莱特夫人 得了得了,请你别说下去了吧。
乳媪 是,太太。可是我一想到她会停往了哭说“嗯”,就禁不住笑起来。不说假话,她额角上肿起了像小雄鸡的那么大的一个包哩;她痛得放声大哭;“啊!”我的丈夫说,“你往前扑了吗?等你年纪一大,你就要往后仰了;是不是呀,朱丽?”她就停住了哭声,说“嗯。”
朱丽叶 我说,奶妈,你也可以停住嘴了。
乳媪 好,我不说啦,我不说啦。上帝保佑你!你是在我手里抚养长大的一个最可爱的小宝贝;要是我能够活到有一天瞧着你嫁了出去,也算了结我的一桩心愿啦。
凯普莱特夫人 是呀,我现在就是要谈起她的亲事。朱丽叶,我的孩子,告诉我,要是现在把你嫁了出去,你觉得怎么样?
朱丽叶 这是我做梦也没有想到过的一件荣誉。
乳媪 一件荣誉!倘不是你只有我这一个奶妈,我一定要说你的聪明是从奶头上得来的。
凯普莱特夫人 好,现在你把婚姻问题考虑考虑吧。在这儿维洛那城里,比你再年轻点儿的千金小姐们,都已经做了母亲啦。就拿我来说吧,我在你现在这样的年纪,也已经生下了你。废话用不着多说,少年英俊的帕里斯已经来向你求过婚啦。
乳媪 真是一位好官人,小姐!像这样的一个男人,小姐,真是天下少有。嗳哟!他真是一位十全十美的好郎君。
凯普莱特夫人 维洛那的夏天找不到这样一朵好花。
(Enter Sampson and Gregory armed with swords and bucklers.)
Sampson. Gregory, o' my word, we'll not carry coals.
Gregory. No, for then we should be colliers.
Sampson. I mean, an we be in choler we'll draw.
Gregory. Ay, while you live, draw your neck out o' the collar.
Sampson. I strike quickly, being moved.
Gregory. But thou art not quickly moved to strike.
Sampson. A dog of the house of Montague moves me.
Gregory. To move is to stir; and to be valiant is to stand: therefore, if thou art moved, thou runn'st away.
Sampson. A dog of that house shall move me to stand: I will take the wall of any man or maid of Montague's.
Gregory. That shows thee a weak slave; for the weakest goes to the wall.
Sampson. True; and therefore women, being the weaker vessels, are ever thrust to the wall: therefore I will push Montague's men from the wall and thrust his maids to the wall.
Gregory. The quarrel is between our masters and us their men.
Sampson. 'Tis all one, I will show myself a tyrant: when I have fought with the men I will be cruel with the maids, I will cut off their heads.
Gregory. The heads of the maids?
Sampson. Ay, the heads of the maids, or their maidenheads; take it in what sense thou wilt.
Gregory. They must take it in sense that feel it.
Sampson. Me they shall feel while I am able to stand: and 'tis known I am a pretty piece of flesh.
Gregory. 'Tis well thou art not fish; if thou hadst, thou hadst been poor-John.--Draw thy tool; Here comes two of the house of Montagues.
Sampson. My naked weapon is out: quarrel! I will back thee.
Gregory. How! turn thy back and run?
Sampson. Fear me not.
Gregory. No, marry; I fear thee!
Sampson. Let us take the law of our sides; let them begin.
Gregory. I will frown as I pass by; and let them take it as they list.
Sampson. Nay, as they dare. I will bite my thumb at them; which is disgrace to them if they bear it.
(Enter Abraham and Balthasar.)
Abraham. Do you bite your thumb at us, sir?
Sampson. I do bite my thumb, sir.
Abraham. Do you bite your thumb at us, sir?
Sampson. Is the law of our side if I say ay?
Gregory. No.
Sampson. No, sir, I do not bite my thumb at you, sir; but I bite my thumb, sir.
Gregory. Do you quarrel, sir?
Abraham. Quarrel, sir! no, sir.
Sampson. But if you do, sir, am for you: I serve as good a man as you.
Abraham. No better.
Sampson. Well, sir.
Gregory. Say better; here comes one of my master's kinsmen.
Sampson. Yes, better, sir.
Abraham. You lie.
Sampson. Draw, if you be men.--Gregory, remember thy swashing blow.
(They fight.)
(Enter Benvolio.)
Benvolio. Part, fools! put up your swords; you know not what you do. (Beats down their swords.)
(Enter Tybalt.)
Tybalt. What, art thou drawn among these heartless hinds? Turn thee Benvolio, look upon thy death.
Benvolio. I do but keep the peace: put up thy sword, Or manage it to part these men with me.
Tybalt. What, drawn, and talk of peace! I hate the word As I hate hell, all Montagues, and thee: Have at thee, coward!
(They fight.)
(Enter several of both Houses, who join the fray; then enter Citizens with clubs.)
1 Citizen. Clubs, bills, and partisans! strike! beat them down! Down with the Capulets! Down with the Montagues!
(Enter Capulet in his gown, and Lady Capulet.)
Capulet. What noise is this?--Give me my long sword, ho!
Lady Capulet. A crutch, a crutch!--Why call you for a sword?
Capulet. My sword, I say!--Old Montague is come, And flourishes his blade in spite of me.
(Enter Montague and his Lady Montague.)
Montague. Thou villain Capulet!-- Hold me not, let me go.
Lady Montague. Thou shalt not stir one foot to seek a foe.
(Enter Prince, with Attendants.)
Prince. Rebellious subjects, enemies to peace, Profaners of this neighbour-stained steel,-- Will they not hear?--What, ho! you men, you beasts, That quench the fire of your pernicious rage With purple fountains issuing from your veins,-- On pain of torture, from those bloody hands Throw your mistemper'd weapons to the ground And hear the sentence of your moved prince.-- Three civil brawls, bred of an airy word, By thee, old Capulet, and Montague, Have thrice disturb'd the quiet of our streets; And made Verona's ancient citizens Cast by their grave beseeming ornaments, To wield old partisans, in hands as old, Canker'd with peace, to part your canker'd hate: If ever you disturb our streets again, Your lives shall pay the forfeit of the peace. For this time, all the rest depart away:-- You, Capulet, shall go along with me;-- And, Montague, come you this afternoon, To know our farther pleasure in this case, To old Free-town, our common judgment-place.-- Once more, on pain of death, all men depart.
(Exeunt Prince and Attendants; Capulet, Lady Capulet, Tybalt, Citizens, and Servants.)
Montague. Who set this ancient quarrel new abroach?-- Speak, nephew, were you by when it began?
Benvolio. Here were the servants of your adversary And yours, close fighting ere I did approach: I drew to part them: in the instant came The fiery Tybalt, with his sword prepar'd; Which, as he breath'd defiance to my ears, He swung about his head, and cut the winds, Who, nothing hurt withal, hiss'd him in scorn: While we were interchanging thrusts and blows, Came more and more, and fought on part and part, Till the prince came, who parted either part.
Lady Montague. O, where is Romeo?--saw you him to-day?-- Right glad I am he was not at this fray.
Benvolio. Madam, an hour before the worshipp'd sun Peer'd forth the golden window of the east, A troubled mind drave me to walk abroad; Where,--underneath the grove of sycamore That westward rooteth from the city's side,-- So early walking did I see your son: Towards him I made; but he was ware of me, And stole into the covert of the wood: I, measuring his affections by my own,-- That most are busied when they're most alone,-- Pursu'd my humour, not pursuing his, And gladly shunn'd who gladly fled from me.
Montague. Many a morning hath he there been seen, With tears augmenting the fresh morning's dew, Adding to clouds more clouds with his deep sighs: But all so soon as the all-cheering sun Should in the farthest east begin to draw The shady curtains from Aurora's bed, Away from light steals home my heavy son, And private in his chamber pens himself; Shuts up his windows, locks fair daylight out And makes himself an artificial night: Black and portentous must this humour prove, Unless good counsel may the cause remove.
Benvolio. My noble uncle, do you know the cause?
Montague. I neither know it nor can learn of him.
Benvolio. Have you importun'd him by any means?
Montague. Both by myself and many other friends; But he, his own affections' counsellor, Is to himself,--I will not say how true,-- But to himself so secret and so close, So far from sounding and discovery, As is the bud bit with an envious worm Ere he can spread his sweet leaves to the air, Or dedicate his beauty to the sun. Could we but learn from whence his sorrows grow, We would as willingly give cure as know.
Benvolio. See, where he comes: so please you step aside; I'll know his grievance or be much denied.
Montague. I would thou wert so happy by thy stay To hear true shrift.--Come, madam, let's away,
(Exeunt Montague and Lady.)
(Enter Romeo.)
Benvolio. Good morrow, cousin.
Romeo. Is the day so young?
Benvolio. But new struck nine.
Romeo. Ay me! sad hours seem long. Was that my father that went hence so fast?
Benvolio. It was.--What sadness lengthens Romeo's hours?
Romeo. Not having that which, having, makes them short.
Benvolio. In love?
Romeo. Out,--
Benvolio. Of love?
Romeo. Out of her favour where I am in love.
Benvolio. Alas, that love, so gentle in his view, Should be so tyrannous and rough in proof!
Romeo. Alas that love, whose view is muffled still, Should, without eyes, see pathways to his will!-- Where shall we dine?--O me!--What fray was here? Yet tell me not, for I have heard it all. Here's much to do with hate, but more with love:-- Why, then, O brawling love! O loving hate! O anything, of nothing first create! O heavy lightness! serious vanity! Mis-shapen chaos of well-seeming forms! Feather of lead, bright smoke, cold fire, sick health! Still-waking sleep, that is not what it is!-- This love feel I, that feel no love in this. Dost thou not laugh?
Benvolio. No, coz, I rather weep.
Romeo. Good heart, at what?
Benvolio. At thy good heart's oppression.
Romeo. Why, such is love's transgression.-- Griefs of mine own lie heavy in my breast; Which thou wilt propagate, to have it prest With more of thine: this love that thou hast shown Doth add more grief to too much of mine own. Love is a smoke rais'd with the fume of sighs; Being purg'd, a fire sparkling in lovers' eyes; Being vex'd, a sea nourish'd with lovers' tears: What is it else? a madness most discreet, A choking gall, and a preserving sweet.-- Farewell, my coz.
(Going.)
Benvolio. Soft! I will go along: An if you leave me so, you do me wrong.
Romeo. Tut! I have lost myself; I am not here: This is not Romeo, he's some other where.
Benvolio. Tell me in sadness who is that you love?
Romeo. What, shall I groan and tell thee?
Benvolio. Groan! why, no; But sadly tell me who.
Romeo. Bid a sick man in sadness make his will,-- Ah, word ill urg'd to one that is so ill!-- In sadness, cousin, I do love a woman.
Benvolio. I aim'd so near when I suppos'd you lov'd.
Romeo. A right good markman!--And she's fair I love.
Benvolio. A right fair mark, fair coz, is soonest hit.
Romeo. Well, in that hit you miss: she'll not be hit With Cupid's arrow,--she hath Dian's wit; And, in strong proof of chastity well arm'd, From love's weak childish bow she lives unharm'd. She will not stay the siege of loving terms Nor bide th' encounter of assailing eyes, Nor ope her lap to saint-seducing gold: O, she's rich in beauty; only poor That, when she dies, with beauty dies her store.
Benvolio. Then she hath sworn that she will still live chaste?
Romeo. She hath, and in that sparing makes huge waste; For beauty, starv'd with her severity, Cuts beauty off from all posterity. She is too fair, too wise; wisely too fair, To merit bliss by making me despair: She hath forsworn to love; and in that vow Do I live dead that live to tell it now.
Benvolio. Be rul'd by me, forget to think of her.
Romeo. O, teach me how I should forget to think.
Benvolio. By giving liberty unto thine eyes; Examine other beauties.
Romeo. 'Tis the way To call hers, exquisite, in question more: These happy masks that kiss fair ladies' brows, Being black, puts us in mind they hide the fair; He that is strucken blind cannot forget The precious treasure of his eyesight lost: Show me a mistress that is passing fair, What doth her beauty serve but as a note Where I may read who pass'd that passing fair? Farewell: thou canst not teach me to forget.
Benvolio. I'll pay that doctrine, or else die in debt.
(Exeunt.)
Scene II. A Street.
(Enter Capulet, Paris, and Servant.)
Capulet. But Montague is bound as well as I, In penalty alike; and 'tis not hard, I think, For men so old as we to keep the peace.
Paris. Of honourable reckoning are you both; And pity 'tis you liv'd at odds so long. But now, my lord, what say you to my suit?
Capulet. But saying o'er what I have said before: My child is yet a stranger in the world, She hath not seen the change of fourteen years; Let two more summers wither in their pride Ere we may think her ripe to be a bride.
Paris. Younger than she are happy mothers made.
Capulet. And too soon marr'd are those so early made. The earth hath swallowed all my hopes but she,-- She is the hopeful lady of my earth: But woo her, gentle Paris, get her heart, My will to her consent is but a part; An she agree, within her scope of choice Lies my consent and fair according voice. This night I hold an old accustom'd feast, Whereto I have invited many a guest, Such as I love; and you among the store, One more, most welcome, makes my number more. At my poor house look to behold this night Earth-treading stars that make dark heaven light: Such comfort as do lusty young men feel When well apparell'd April on the heel Of limping winter treads, even such delight Among fresh female buds shall you this night Inherit at my house; hear all, all see, And like her most whose merit most shall be: Which, among view of many, mine, being one, May stand in number, though in reckoning none. Come, go with me.--Go, sirrah, trudge about Through fair Verona; find those persons out Whose names are written there, (gives a paper) and to them say, My house and welcome on their pleasure stay.
(Exeunt Capulet and Paris).
Servant.Find them out whose names are written here! It is written that the shoemaker should meddle with his yard and the tailor with his last, the fisher with his pencil, and the painter with his nets; but I am sent to find those persons whose names are here writ, and can never find what names the writing person hath here writ. I must to the learned:--in good time!
(Enter Benvolio and Romeo.)
Benvolio. Tut, man, one fire burns out another's burning, One pain is lessen'd by another's anguish; Turn giddy, and be holp by backward turning; One desperate grief cures with another's languish: Take thou some new infection to thy eye, And the rank poison of the old will die.
Romeo. Your plantain-leaf is excellent for that.
Benvolio. For what, I pray thee?
Romeo. For your broken shin.
Benvolio. Why, Romeo, art thou mad?
Romeo. Not mad, but bound more than a madman is; Shut up in prison, kept without my food, Whipp'd and tormented and--God-den, good fellow.
Servant. God gi' go-den.--I pray, sir, can you read?
Romeo. Ay, mine own fortune in my misery.
Servant. Perhaps you have learned it without book: but I pray, can you read anything you see?
Romeo. Ay, If I know the letters and the language.
Servant. Ye say honestly: rest you merry!
Romeo. Stay, fellow; I can read. (Reads.) 'Signior Martino and his wife and daughters; County Anselmo and his beauteous sisters; the lady widow of Vitruvio; Signior Placentio and his lovely nieces; Mercutio and his brother Valentine; mine uncle Capulet, his wife, and daughters; my fair niece Rosaline; Livia; Signior Valentio and his cousin Tybalt; Lucio and the lively Helena.' A fair assembly. (Gives back the paper): whither should they come?
Servant. Up.
Romeo. Whither?
Servant. To supper; to our house.
Romeo. Whose house?
Servant. My master's.
Romeo. Indeed I should have ask'd you that before.
Servant. Now I'll tell you without asking: my master is the great rich Capulet; and if you be not of the house of Montagues, I pray, come and crush a cup of wine. Rest you merry!
(Exit.)
Benvolio. At this same ancient feast of Capulet's Sups the fair Rosaline whom thou so lov'st; With all the admired beauties of Verona. Go thither; and, with unattainted eye, Compare her face with some that I shall show, And I will make thee think thy swan a crow.
Romeo. When the devout religion of mine eye Maintains such falsehood, then turn tears to fires; And these,--who, often drown'd, could never die,-- Transparent heretics, be burnt for liars! One fairer than my love? the all-seeing sun Ne'er saw her match since first the world begun.
Benvolio. Tut, you saw her fair, none else being by, Herself pois'd with herself in either eye: But in that crystal scales let there be weigh'd Your lady's love against some other maid That I will show you shining at this feast, And she shall scant show well that now shows best.
Romeo. I'll go along, no such sight to be shown, But to rejoice in splendour of my own.
(Exeunt.)
Scene III. Room in Capulet's House.
(Enter Lady Capulet, and Nurse.)
Lady Capulet. Nurse, where's my daughter? call her forth to me.
Nurse. Now, by my maidenhea,--at twelve year old,-- I bade her come.--What, lamb! what ladybird!-- God forbid!--where's this girl?--what, Juliet!
(Enter Juliet.)
Juliet. How now, who calls?
Nurse. Your mother.
Juliet. Madam, I am here. What is your will?
Lady Capulet. This is the matter,--Nurse, give leave awhile, We must talk in secret: nurse, come back again; I have remember'd me, thou's hear our counsel. Thou knowest my daughter's of a pretty age.
Nurse. Faith, I can tell her age unto an hour.
Lady Capulet. She's not fourteen.
Nurse. I'll lay fourteen of my teeth,-- And yet, to my teen be it spoken, I have but four,-- She is not fourteen. How long is it now To Lammas-tide?
Lady Capulet. A fortnight and odd days.
Nurse. Even or odd, of all days in the year, Come Lammas-eve at night shall she be fourteen. Susan and she,--God rest all Christian souls!-- Were of an age: well, Susan is with God; She was too good for me:--but, as I said, On Lammas-eve at night shall she be fourteen; That shall she, marry; I remember it well. 'Tis since the earthquake now eleven years; And she was wean'd,--I never shall forget it--, Of all the days of the year, upon that day: For I had then laid wormwood to my dug, Sitting in the sun under the dove-house wall; My lord and you were then at Mantua: Nay, I do bear a brain:--but, as I said, When it did taste the wormwood on the nipple Of my dug and felt it bitter, pretty fool, To see it tetchy, and fall out with the dug! Shake, quoth the dove-house: 'twas no need, I trow, To bid me trudge. And since that time it is eleven years; For then she could stand alone; nay, by the rood She could have run and waddled all about; For even the day before, she broke her brow: And then my husband,--God be with his soul! 'A was a merry man,--took up the child: 'Yea,' quoth he, 'dost thou fall upon thy face? Thou wilt fall backward when thou hast more wit; Wilt thou not, Jule?' and, by my holidame, The pretty wretch left crying, and said 'Ay:' To see now how a jest shall come about! I warrant, an I should live a thousand yeas, I never should forget it; 'Wilt thou not, Jule?' quoth he; And, pretty fool, it stinted, and said 'Ay.'
Lady Capulet. Enough of this; I pray thee hold thy peace.
Nurse. Yes, madam;--yet I cannot choose but laugh, To think it should leave crying, and say 'Ay:' And yet, I warrant, it had upon its brow A bump as big as a young cockerel's stone; A parlous knock; and it cried bitterly. 'Yea,' quoth my husband, 'fall'st upon thy face? Thou wilt fall backward when thou com'st to age; Wilt thou not, Jule?' it stinted, and said 'Ay.'
Juliet. And stint thou too, I pray thee, nurse, say I.
Nurse. Peace, I have done. God mark thee to his grace! Thou wast the prettiest babe that e'er I nurs'd: An I might live to see thee married once, I have my wish.
Lady Capulet. Marry, that marry is the very theme I came to talk of.--Tell me, daughter Juliet, How stands your disposition to be married?
山普孙及葛莱古里各持盾剑上。
山普孙 葛莱古里,咱们可真的不能让人家当做苦力一样欺侮。
葛莱古里 对了,咱们不是可以随便给人欺侮的。
山普孙 我说,咱们要是发起脾气来,就会拔剑动武。
葛莱古里 对了,你可不要把脖子缩到领口里去。
山普孙 我一动性子,我的剑是不认人的。
葛莱古里 可是你不大容易动性子。
山普孙 我见了蒙太古家的狗子就生气。
葛莱古里 有胆量的,生了气就应当站住不动;逃跑的不是好汉。
山普孙 我见了他们家里的狗子,就会站住不动;蒙太古家里任何男女碰到了我,就像是碰到墙壁一样。
葛莱古里 这正说明你是个软弱无能的奴才;只有最没出息的家伙,才去墙底下躲难。
山普孙 的确不错;所以生来软弱的女人,就老是被人逼得不能动:我见了蒙太古家里人来,是男人我就把他们从墙边推出去,是女人我就把她们望着墙壁摔过去。
葛莱古里 吵架是咱们两家主仆男人们的事,与她们女人有什么相干?
山普孙 那我不管,我要做一个杀人不眨眼的魔王;一面跟男人们打架,一面对娘儿们也不留情面,我要她们的命。
葛莱古里 要娘儿们的性命吗?
山普孙 对了,娘儿们的性命,或是她们视同性命的童贞,你爱怎么说就怎么说。
葛莱古里 那就要看对方怎样感觉了。
山普孙 只要我下手,她们就会尝到我的辣手:就是有名的一身横肉呢。
葛莱古里 幸而你还不是一身鱼肉;否则你便是一条可怜虫了。拔出你的家伙来;有两个蒙太古家的人来啦。
亚伯拉罕及鲍尔萨泽上。
山普孙 我的剑已经出鞘;你去跟他们吵起来,我就在你背后帮你的忙。
葛莱古里 怎么?你想转过背逃走吗?
山普孙 你放心吧,我不是那样的人。
葛莱古里 哼,我倒有点不放心!
山普孙 还是让他们先动手,打起官司来也是咱们的理直。
葛莱古里 我走过去向他们横个白眼,瞧他们怎么样。
山普孙 好,瞧他们有没有胆量。我要向他们咬我的大拇指,瞧他们能不能忍受这样的侮辱。
亚伯拉罕 你向我们咬你的大拇指吗?
山普孙 我是咬我的大拇指。
亚伯拉罕 你是向我们咬你的大拇指吗?
山普孙 (向葛莱古里旁白)要是我说是,那么打起官司来是谁的理直?
葛莱古里 (向山普孙旁白)是他们的理直。
山普孙 不,我不是向你们咬我的大拇指;可是我是咬我的大拇指。
葛莱古里 你是要向我们挑衅吗?
亚伯拉罕 挑衅!不,哪儿的话。
山普孙 你要是想跟我们吵架,那么我可以奉陪;你也是你家主子的奴才,我也是我家主子的奴才,难道我家的主子就比不上你家的主子?
亚伯拉罕 比不上。
山普孙 好。
葛莱古里 (向山普孙旁白)说“比得上”;我家老爷的一位亲戚来了。
山普孙 比得上。
亚伯拉罕 你胡说。
山普孙 是汉子就拔出剑来。葛莱古里,别忘了你的杀手剑。(双方互斗。)
班伏里奥上。
班伏里奥 分开,蠢才!收起你们的剑;你们不知道你们在干些什么事。(击下众仆的剑。)
提伯尔特上。
提伯尔特 怎么!你跟这些不中用的奴才吵架吗?过来,班伏里奥,让我结果你的性命。
班伏里奥 我不过维持和平;收起你的剑,或者帮我分开这些人。
提伯尔特 什么!你拔出了剑,还说什么和平?我痛恨这两个字,就跟我痛恨地狱、痛恨所有蒙太古家的人和你一样。照剑,懦夫!(二人相斗。)
两家各有若干人上,加入争斗;一群市民持枪棍继上。
众市民 打!打!打!把他们打下来!凯普莱特!蒙太古!
凯普莱特穿长袍及凯普莱特夫人同上。
凯普莱特 什么事吵得这个样子?喂!把我的长剑拿来。
凯普莱特夫人 拐杖呢?拐杖呢?你要剑干什么?
凯普莱特 快拿剑来!蒙太古那老东西来啦;他还晃着他的剑,明明在跟我寻事。
蒙太古及蒙太古夫人上。
蒙太古 凯普莱特,你这奸贼!——别拉住我;让我走。
蒙太古夫人 你要去跟人家吵架,我连一步也不让你走。
亲王率侍从上。
亲王 目无法纪的臣民,扰乱治安的罪人,你们的刀剑都被你们邻人的血玷污了;——他们不听我的话吗?喂,听着!你们这些人,你们这些畜生,你们为了扑灭你们怨毒的怒焰,不惜让殷红的流泉从你们的血管里喷涌出来;他们要是畏惧刑法,赶快从你们血腥的手里丢下你们的凶器,静听你们震怒的君王的判决。凯普莱特,蒙太古,你们已经三次为了一句口头上的空言,引起了市民的械斗,扰乱了我们街道上的安宁,害得维洛那的年老公民,也不能不脱下他们尊严的装束,在他们习于安乐的苍老衰弱的手里夺过古旧的长枪,分解你们溃烂的纷争。要是你们以后再在市街上,就要把你们的生命作为扰乱治安的代价。现在别人都给我退下去;凯普莱特,你跟我来;蒙太古,你今天下午到自由村的审判厅里来,听候我对于今天这一案的宣判。大家散开去,倘有逗留不去的,格杀勿论!(除蒙太古夫妇及班伏里奥外皆下。)
蒙太古 这一场宿怨是谁又重新煽风点火?侄儿,对我说,他们动手的时候,你也在场吗?
班伏里奥 我还没有到这儿来,您的仇家的仆人跟你们家里的仆人已经打成一团了。我拔出剑来分开他们;就在这时候,那个性如烈火的提伯尔特提着剑来了,他对我出言不逊,把剑在他自己头上舞得嗖嗖直响,就像风在那儿讥笑他的装腔作势一样。当我们正在剑来剑去的时候,人越来越多,有的帮这一面,有的帮那一面,乱哄哄地互相争斗,直等亲王来了,方才把两边的人喝开。
蒙太古夫人 啊,罗密欧呢?你今天见过他吗?我很高兴他没有参加这场争斗。
班伏里奥 伯母,在尊严的太阳开始从东方的黄金窗里探出头来的一小时以前,我因为心中烦闷,到郊外去散步,在城西一丛枫树的下面,我看见罗密欧兄弟一早在那儿走来走去。我正要向他走过去,他已经看见了我,就躲到树林深处去了。我因为自己也是心灰意懒,觉得连自己这一身也是多余的,只想找一处没有人迹的地方,所以凭着自己的心境推测别人的心境,也就不去找他多事,彼此互相避开了。
蒙太古 好多天的早上曾经有人在那边看见过他,用眼泪洒为清晨的露水,用长叹嘘成天空的云雾;可是一等到鼓舞众生的太阳在东方的天边开始揭起黎明女神床上灰黑色的帐幕的时候,我那怀着一颗沉重的心的儿子,就逃避了光明,溜回到家里;一个人关起了门躲在房间里,闭紧了窗子,把大好的阳光锁在外面,为他自己造成了一个人工的黑夜。他这一种怪脾气恐怕不是好兆,除非良言劝告可以替他解除心头的烦恼。
班伏里奥 伯父,您知道他的烦恼的根源吗?
蒙太古 我不知道,也没有法子从他自己嘴里探听出来。
班伏里奥 您有没有设法探问过他?
蒙太古 我自己以及许多其他的朋友都曾经探问过他,可是他把心事一古脑儿闷在自己肚里,总是守口如瓶,不让人家试探出来,正像一条初生的蓓蕾,还没有迎风舒展它的嫩瓣,向太阳献吐它的娇艳,就给妒嫉的蛀虫咬啮了一样。只要能够知道他的悲哀究竟是从什么地方来的,我们一定会尽心竭力替他找寻治疗的方案。
班伏里奥 瞧,他来了;请您站在一旁,等我去问问他究竟有些什么心事,看他理不理我。
蒙太古 但愿你留在这儿,能够听到他的真情的吐露。来,夫人,我们去吧。(蒙太古夫妇同下。)
罗密欧上。
班伏里奥 早安,兄弟。
罗密欧 天还是这样早吗?
班伏里奥 刚敲过九点钟。
罗密欧 唉!在悲哀里度过的时间似乎是格外长的。急忙忙地走过去的那个人,不就是我的父亲吗?
班伏里奥 正是。什么悲哀使罗密欧的时间过得这样长?
罗密欧 因为我缺少了可以使时间变为短促的东西。
班伏里奥 你跌进恋爱的网里了吗?
罗密欧 我还在门外徘徊——
班伏里奥 在恋爱的门外?
罗密欧 我不能得到我的意中人的欢心。
班伏里奥 唉!想不到爱神的外表这样温柔,实际上却是如此残暴!
罗密欧 唉!想不到爱神蒙着眼睛,却会一直闯进人们的心灵!我们在什么地方吃饭?嗳哟!又是谁在这儿打过架了?可是不必告诉我,我早就知道了。这些都是怨恨造成的后果,可是爱情的力量比它要大过许多。啊,吵吵闹闹的相爱,亲亲热热的怨恨!啊,无中生有的一切!啊,沉重的轻浮,严肃的狂妄,整齐的混乱,铅铸的羽毛,光明的烟雾,寒冷的火焰,憔悴的健康,永远觉醒的睡眠,否定的存在!我感觉到的爱情正是这么一种东西,可是我并不喜爱这一种爱情。你不会笑我吗?
班伏里奥 不,兄弟,我倒是有点儿想哭。
罗密欧 好人,为什么呢?
班伏里奥 因为瞧着你善良的心受到这样的痛苦。
罗密欧 唉!这就是爱情的错误,我自己已经有太多的忧愁重压在我的心头,你对我表示的同情,徒然使我在太多的忧愁之上再加上一重忧愁。爱情是叹息吹起的一阵烟;恋人的眼中有它净化了的火星;恋人的眼泪是它激起的波涛。它又是最智慧的疯狂,哽喉的苦味,吃不到嘴的蜜糖。再见,兄弟。(欲去。)
班伏里奥 且慢,让我跟你一块儿去;要是你就这样丢下了我,未免太不给我面子啦。
罗密欧 嘿!我已经遗失了我自己;我不在这儿;这不是罗密欧,他是在别的地方。
班伏里奥 老实告诉我,你所爱的是谁?
罗密欧 什么!你要我在痛苦中说出她的名字来吗?
班伏里奥 痛苦!不,你只要告诉我她是谁就得了。
罗密欧 叫一个病人郑重其事地立起遗嘱来!啊,对于一个病重的人,还有什么比这更刺痛他的心?老实对你说,兄弟,我是爱上了一个女人。
班伏里奥 我说你一定在恋爱,果然猜得不错。
罗密欧 好一个每发必中的射手!我所爱的是一位美貌的姑娘。
班伏里奥 好兄弟,目标越好,射得越准。
罗密欧 你这一箭就射岔了。丘匹德的金箭不能射中她的心;她有狄安娜女神的圣洁,不让爱情软弱的弓矢损害她的坚不可破的贞操。她不愿听任深怜密爱的词句把她包围,也不愿让灼灼逼人的眼光向她进攻,更不愿接受可以使圣人动心的黄金的;啊!美貌便是她巨大的财富,只可惜她一死以后,她的美貌也要化为黄土!
班伏里奥 那么她已经立誓终身守贞不嫁了吗?
罗密欧 她已经立下了这样的誓言,为了珍惜她自己,造成了莫大的浪费;因为她让美貌在无情的岁月中日渐枯萎,不知道替后世传留下她的绝世容华。她是个太美丽、太聪明的人儿,不应该剥夺她自身的幸福,使我抱恨终天。她已经立誓割舍爱情,我现在活着也就等于死去一般。
班伏里奥 听我的劝告,别再想起她了。
罗密欧 啊!那么你教我怎样忘记吧。
班伏里奥 你可以放纵你的眼睛,让它们多看几个世间的美人。
罗密欧 那不过格外使我觉得她的美艳无双罢了。那些吻着美人娇额的幸运的面罩,因为它们是黑色的缘故,常常使我们想起被它们遮掩的面庞不知多么娇丽。突然盲目的人,永远不会忘记存留在他消失了的视觉中的宝贵的影像。给我着一个姿容绝代的美人,她的美貌除了使我记起世上有一个人比她更美以外,还有什么别的用处?再见,你不能教我怎样忘记。
班伏里奥 我一定要证明我的意见不错,否则死不瞑目。(同下。)
第二场 同前。街道
凯普莱特、帕里斯及仆人上。
凯普莱特 可是蒙太古也负着跟我同样的责任;我想像我们这样有了年纪的人,维持和平还不是难事。
帕里斯 你们两家都是很有名望的大族,结下了这样不解的冤仇,真是一件不幸的事。可是,老伯,您对于我的求婚有什么见教?
凯普莱特 我的意思早就对您表示过了。我的女儿今年还没有满十四岁,完全是一个不懂事的孩子;再过两个夏天,才可以谈到亲事。
帕里斯 比她年纪更小的人,都已经做了幸福的母亲了。
凯普莱特 早结果的树木一定早雕。我在这世上已经什么希望都没有了,只有她是我的唯一的安慰。可是向她求爱吧,善良的帕里斯,得到她的欢心;只要她愿意,我的同意是没有问题的。今天晚上,我要按照旧例,举行一次宴会,邀请许多亲友参加;您也是我所要邀请的一个,请您接受我的最诚意的欢迎。在我的寒舍里,今晚您可以见到灿烂的群星翩然下降,照亮黑暗的天空;在蓓蕾一样娇艳的女郎丛里,您可以充分享受青春的愉快,正像盛装的四月追随着残冬的足迹降临人世,在年轻人的心里充满着活跃的欢欣一样。您可以听一个够,看一个饱,从许多美貌的女郎中间,连我的女儿也在内,拣一个最好的做您的意中人。来,跟我去。(以一纸交仆)你到维洛那全城去走一转,挨着这单子上一个一个的名字去找人,请他们到我的家里来。(凯普莱特、帕里斯同下。)
仆人 挨着这单子上的名字去找人!人家说,鞋匠的针线,裁缝的钉锤,渔夫的笔,画师的网,各人有各人的职司;可是我们的老爷却叫我挨着这单子上的名字去找人,我怎么知道写字的人在这上面写着些什么?我一定要找个识字的人。来得正好。
班伏里奥及罗密欧上。
班伏里奥 不,兄弟,新的火焰可以把旧的火焰扑灭,大的苦痛可以使小的苦痛减轻;头晕目眩的时候,只要转身向后;一桩绝望的忧伤,也可以用另一桩烦恼把它驱除。给你的眼睛找一个新的迷惑,你的原来的痼疾就可以霍然脱体。
罗密欧 你的药草只好医治——
班伏里奥 医治什么?
罗密欧 医治你的跌伤的胫骨。
班伏里奥 怎么,罗密欧,你疯了吗?
罗密欧 我没有疯,可是比疯人更不自由;关在牢狱里,不进饮食,挨受着鞭挞和酷刑——晚安,好朋友!
仆人 晚安!请问先生,您念过书吗?
罗密欧 是的,这是我的不幸中的资产。
仆人 也许您只会背诵;可是请问您会不会看着字一个一个地念?
罗密欧 我认得的字,我就会念。
仆人 您说得很老实;愿您一生快乐!(欲去。)
罗密欧 等一等,朋友;我会念。“玛丁诺先生暨夫人及诸位令嫒;安赛尔美伯爵及诸位令妹;寡居之维特鲁维奥夫人;帕拉森西奥先生及诸位令侄女;茂丘西奥及其令弟凡伦丁;凯普莱特叙父暨婶母及诸位贤妹;罗瑟琳贤侄女;里维娅;伐伦西奥先生及其令表弟提伯尔特;路西奥及活泼之海丽娜。”好一群名士贤媛!请他们到什么地方去?
仆人 到——
罗密欧 哪里?
仆人 到我们家里吃饭去。
罗密欧 谁的家里?
仆人 我的主人的家里。
罗密欧 对了,我该先问你的主人是谁才是。
仆人 您也不用问了,我就告诉您吧。我的主人就是那个有财有势的凯普莱特;要是您不是蒙太古家里的人,请您也来跟我们喝一杯酒,愿您一生快乐!(下。)
班伏里奥 在这一个凯普莱特家里按照旧例举行的宴会中间,你所热恋的美人罗瑟琳也要跟着维洛那城里所有的绝色名媛一同去赴宴。你也到那儿去吧,用着不带成见的眼光,把她的容貌跟别人比较比较,你就可以知道你的天鹅不过是一只乌鸦罢了。
罗密欧 要是我的虔敬的眼睛会相信这种谬误的幻象,那么让眼泪变成火焰,把这一双罪状昭著的异教邪徒烧成灰烬吧!比我的爱人还美!烛照万物的太阳,自有天地以来也不曾看见过一个可以和她媲美的人。
班伏里奥 嘿!你看见她的时候,因为没有别人在旁边,你的两只眼睛里只有她一个人,所以你以为她是美丽的;可是在你那水晶的天秤里,要是把你的恋人跟另外一个我可以在这宴会里指点给你看的美貌的姑娘同时较量起来,那么她现在虽然仪态万方,那时候就要自惭形秽了。
罗密欧 我倒要去这一次;不是去看你所说的美人,只要看看我自己的爱人怎样大放光彩,我就心满意足了。(同下。)
第三场 同前。凯普莱特家中一室
凯普莱特夫人及乳媪上。
奶妈,我的女儿呢?叫她出来见我。
乳媪 凭着我十二岁时候的童贞发誓,我早就叫过她了。喂,小绵羊!喂,小鸟儿!上帝保佑!这孩子到什么地方去啦?喂,朱丽叶!
朱丽叶上。
朱丽叶 什么事?谁叫我?
乳媪 你的母亲。
朱丽叶 母亲,我来了。您有什么吩咐?
凯普莱特夫人 是这么一件事。奶妈,你出去一会儿。我们要谈些秘密的话。——奶妈,你回来吧;我想起来了,你也应当听听我们的谈话。你知道我的女儿年纪也不算怎么小啦。
乳媪 对啊,我把她的生辰记得清清楚楚的。
凯普莱特夫人 她现在还不满十四岁。
乳媪 我可以用我的十四颗牙齿打赌——唉,说来伤心,我的牙齿掉得只剩四颗啦!——她还没有满十四岁呢。现在离开收获节还有多久?
凯普莱特夫人 两个星期多一点。
乳媪 不多不少,不先不后,到收获节的晚上她才满十四岁。苏珊跟她同年——上帝安息一切徒的灵魂!唉!苏珊是跟上帝在一起啦,我命里不该有这样一个孩子。可是我说过的,到收获节的晚上,她就要满十四岁啦;正是,一点不错,我记得清清楚楚的。自从地震那一年到现在,已经十一年啦;那时候她已经断了奶,我永远不会忘记,不先不后,刚巧在那一天;因为我在那时候用艾叶涂在奶头上,坐在鸽棚下面晒着太阳;老爷跟您那时候都在曼多亚。瞧,我的记性可不算坏。可是我说的,她一尝到我奶头上的艾叶的味道,觉得变苦啦,嗳哟,这可爱的小傻瓜!她就发起脾气来,把奶头摔开啦。那时候地震,鸽棚都在摇动呢:这个说来话长,算来也有十一年啦;后来她就慢慢地会一个人站得直挺挺的,还会摇呀摆的到处乱跑,就是在她跌破额角的那一天,我那去世的丈夫——上帝安息他的灵魂!他是个喜欢说说笑笑的人,把这孩子抱了起来,“啊!”他说,“你往前扑了吗?等你年纪一大,你就要往后仰了;是不是呀,朱丽?”谁知道这个可爱的坏东西忽然停住了哭声,说“嗯。”嗳哟,真把人都笑死了!要是我活到一千岁,我也再不会忘记这句话。“是不是呀,朱丽?”他说;这可爱的小傻瓜就停住了哭声,说“嗯。”
凯普莱特夫人 得了得了,请你别说下去了吧。
乳媪 是,太太。可是我一想到她会停往了哭说“嗯”,就禁不住笑起来。不说假话,她额角上肿起了像小雄鸡的那么大的一个包哩;她痛得放声大哭;“啊!”我的丈夫说,“你往前扑了吗?等你年纪一大,你就要往后仰了;是不是呀,朱丽?”她就停住了哭声,说“嗯。”
朱丽叶 我说,奶妈,你也可以停住嘴了。
乳媪 好,我不说啦,我不说啦。上帝保佑你!你是在我手里抚养长大的一个最可爱的小宝贝;要是我能够活到有一天瞧着你嫁了出去,也算了结我的一桩心愿啦。
凯普莱特夫人 是呀,我现在就是要谈起她的亲事。朱丽叶,我的孩子,告诉我,要是现在把你嫁了出去,你觉得怎么样?
朱丽叶 这是我做梦也没有想到过的一件荣誉。
乳媪 一件荣誉!倘不是你只有我这一个奶妈,我一定要说你的聪明是从奶头上得来的。
凯普莱特夫人 好,现在你把婚姻问题考虑考虑吧。在这儿维洛那城里,比你再年轻点儿的千金小姐们,都已经做了母亲啦。就拿我来说吧,我在你现在这样的年纪,也已经生下了你。废话用不着多说,少年英俊的帕里斯已经来向你求过婚啦。
乳媪 真是一位好官人,小姐!像这样的一个男人,小姐,真是天下少有。嗳哟!他真是一位十全十美的好郎君。
凯普莱特夫人 维洛那的夏天找不到这样一朵好花。
(Enter Sampson and Gregory armed with swords and bucklers.)
Sampson. Gregory, o' my word, we'll not carry coals.
Gregory. No, for then we should be colliers.
Sampson. I mean, an we be in choler we'll draw.
Gregory. Ay, while you live, draw your neck out o' the collar.
Sampson. I strike quickly, being moved.
Gregory. But thou art not quickly moved to strike.
Sampson. A dog of the house of Montague moves me.
Gregory. To move is to stir; and to be valiant is to stand: therefore, if thou art moved, thou runn'st away.
Sampson. A dog of that house shall move me to stand: I will take the wall of any man or maid of Montague's.
Gregory. That shows thee a weak slave; for the weakest goes to the wall.
Sampson. True; and therefore women, being the weaker vessels, are ever thrust to the wall: therefore I will push Montague's men from the wall and thrust his maids to the wall.
Gregory. The quarrel is between our masters and us their men.
Sampson. 'Tis all one, I will show myself a tyrant: when I have fought with the men I will be cruel with the maids, I will cut off their heads.
Gregory. The heads of the maids?
Sampson. Ay, the heads of the maids, or their maidenheads; take it in what sense thou wilt.
Gregory. They must take it in sense that feel it.
Sampson. Me they shall feel while I am able to stand: and 'tis known I am a pretty piece of flesh.
Gregory. 'Tis well thou art not fish; if thou hadst, thou hadst been poor-John.--Draw thy tool; Here comes two of the house of Montagues.
Sampson. My naked weapon is out: quarrel! I will back thee.
Gregory. How! turn thy back and run?
Sampson. Fear me not.
Gregory. No, marry; I fear thee!
Sampson. Let us take the law of our sides; let them begin.
Gregory. I will frown as I pass by; and let them take it as they list.
Sampson. Nay, as they dare. I will bite my thumb at them; which is disgrace to them if they bear it.
(Enter Abraham and Balthasar.)
Abraham. Do you bite your thumb at us, sir?
Sampson. I do bite my thumb, sir.
Abraham. Do you bite your thumb at us, sir?
Sampson. Is the law of our side if I say ay?
Gregory. No.
Sampson. No, sir, I do not bite my thumb at you, sir; but I bite my thumb, sir.
Gregory. Do you quarrel, sir?
Abraham. Quarrel, sir! no, sir.
Sampson. But if you do, sir, am for you: I serve as good a man as you.
Abraham. No better.
Sampson. Well, sir.
Gregory. Say better; here comes one of my master's kinsmen.
Sampson. Yes, better, sir.
Abraham. You lie.
Sampson. Draw, if you be men.--Gregory, remember thy swashing blow.
(They fight.)
(Enter Benvolio.)
Benvolio. Part, fools! put up your swords; you know not what you do. (Beats down their swords.)
(Enter Tybalt.)
Tybalt. What, art thou drawn among these heartless hinds? Turn thee Benvolio, look upon thy death.
Benvolio. I do but keep the peace: put up thy sword, Or manage it to part these men with me.
Tybalt. What, drawn, and talk of peace! I hate the word As I hate hell, all Montagues, and thee: Have at thee, coward!
(They fight.)
(Enter several of both Houses, who join the fray; then enter Citizens with clubs.)
1 Citizen. Clubs, bills, and partisans! strike! beat them down! Down with the Capulets! Down with the Montagues!
(Enter Capulet in his gown, and Lady Capulet.)
Capulet. What noise is this?--Give me my long sword, ho!
Lady Capulet. A crutch, a crutch!--Why call you for a sword?
Capulet. My sword, I say!--Old Montague is come, And flourishes his blade in spite of me.
(Enter Montague and his Lady Montague.)
Montague. Thou villain Capulet!-- Hold me not, let me go.
Lady Montague. Thou shalt not stir one foot to seek a foe.
(Enter Prince, with Attendants.)
Prince. Rebellious subjects, enemies to peace, Profaners of this neighbour-stained steel,-- Will they not hear?--What, ho! you men, you beasts, That quench the fire of your pernicious rage With purple fountains issuing from your veins,-- On pain of torture, from those bloody hands Throw your mistemper'd weapons to the ground And hear the sentence of your moved prince.-- Three civil brawls, bred of an airy word, By thee, old Capulet, and Montague, Have thrice disturb'd the quiet of our streets; And made Verona's ancient citizens Cast by their grave beseeming ornaments, To wield old partisans, in hands as old, Canker'd with peace, to part your canker'd hate: If ever you disturb our streets again, Your lives shall pay the forfeit of the peace. For this time, all the rest depart away:-- You, Capulet, shall go along with me;-- And, Montague, come you this afternoon, To know our farther pleasure in this case, To old Free-town, our common judgment-place.-- Once more, on pain of death, all men depart.
(Exeunt Prince and Attendants; Capulet, Lady Capulet, Tybalt, Citizens, and Servants.)
Montague. Who set this ancient quarrel new abroach?-- Speak, nephew, were you by when it began?
Benvolio. Here were the servants of your adversary And yours, close fighting ere I did approach: I drew to part them: in the instant came The fiery Tybalt, with his sword prepar'd; Which, as he breath'd defiance to my ears, He swung about his head, and cut the winds, Who, nothing hurt withal, hiss'd him in scorn: While we were interchanging thrusts and blows, Came more and more, and fought on part and part, Till the prince came, who parted either part.
Lady Montague. O, where is Romeo?--saw you him to-day?-- Right glad I am he was not at this fray.
Benvolio. Madam, an hour before the worshipp'd sun Peer'd forth the golden window of the east, A troubled mind drave me to walk abroad; Where,--underneath the grove of sycamore That westward rooteth from the city's side,-- So early walking did I see your son: Towards him I made; but he was ware of me, And stole into the covert of the wood: I, measuring his affections by my own,-- That most are busied when they're most alone,-- Pursu'd my humour, not pursuing his, And gladly shunn'd who gladly fled from me.
Montague. Many a morning hath he there been seen, With tears augmenting the fresh morning's dew, Adding to clouds more clouds with his deep sighs: But all so soon as the all-cheering sun Should in the farthest east begin to draw The shady curtains from Aurora's bed, Away from light steals home my heavy son, And private in his chamber pens himself; Shuts up his windows, locks fair daylight out And makes himself an artificial night: Black and portentous must this humour prove, Unless good counsel may the cause remove.
Benvolio. My noble uncle, do you know the cause?
Montague. I neither know it nor can learn of him.
Benvolio. Have you importun'd him by any means?
Montague. Both by myself and many other friends; But he, his own affections' counsellor, Is to himself,--I will not say how true,-- But to himself so secret and so close, So far from sounding and discovery, As is the bud bit with an envious worm Ere he can spread his sweet leaves to the air, Or dedicate his beauty to the sun. Could we but learn from whence his sorrows grow, We would as willingly give cure as know.
Benvolio. See, where he comes: so please you step aside; I'll know his grievance or be much denied.
Montague. I would thou wert so happy by thy stay To hear true shrift.--Come, madam, let's away,
(Exeunt Montague and Lady.)
(Enter Romeo.)
Benvolio. Good morrow, cousin.
Romeo. Is the day so young?
Benvolio. But new struck nine.
Romeo. Ay me! sad hours seem long. Was that my father that went hence so fast?
Benvolio. It was.--What sadness lengthens Romeo's hours?
Romeo. Not having that which, having, makes them short.
Benvolio. In love?
Romeo. Out,--
Benvolio. Of love?
Romeo. Out of her favour where I am in love.
Benvolio. Alas, that love, so gentle in his view, Should be so tyrannous and rough in proof!
Romeo. Alas that love, whose view is muffled still, Should, without eyes, see pathways to his will!-- Where shall we dine?--O me!--What fray was here? Yet tell me not, for I have heard it all. Here's much to do with hate, but more with love:-- Why, then, O brawling love! O loving hate! O anything, of nothing first create! O heavy lightness! serious vanity! Mis-shapen chaos of well-seeming forms! Feather of lead, bright smoke, cold fire, sick health! Still-waking sleep, that is not what it is!-- This love feel I, that feel no love in this. Dost thou not laugh?
Benvolio. No, coz, I rather weep.
Romeo. Good heart, at what?
Benvolio. At thy good heart's oppression.
Romeo. Why, such is love's transgression.-- Griefs of mine own lie heavy in my breast; Which thou wilt propagate, to have it prest With more of thine: this love that thou hast shown Doth add more grief to too much of mine own. Love is a smoke rais'd with the fume of sighs; Being purg'd, a fire sparkling in lovers' eyes; Being vex'd, a sea nourish'd with lovers' tears: What is it else? a madness most discreet, A choking gall, and a preserving sweet.-- Farewell, my coz.
(Going.)
Benvolio. Soft! I will go along: An if you leave me so, you do me wrong.
Romeo. Tut! I have lost myself; I am not here: This is not Romeo, he's some other where.
Benvolio. Tell me in sadness who is that you love?
Romeo. What, shall I groan and tell thee?
Benvolio. Groan! why, no; But sadly tell me who.
Romeo. Bid a sick man in sadness make his will,-- Ah, word ill urg'd to one that is so ill!-- In sadness, cousin, I do love a woman.
Benvolio. I aim'd so near when I suppos'd you lov'd.
Romeo. A right good markman!--And she's fair I love.
Benvolio. A right fair mark, fair coz, is soonest hit.
Romeo. Well, in that hit you miss: she'll not be hit With Cupid's arrow,--she hath Dian's wit; And, in strong proof of chastity well arm'd, From love's weak childish bow she lives unharm'd. She will not stay the siege of loving terms Nor bide th' encounter of assailing eyes, Nor ope her lap to saint-seducing gold: O, she's rich in beauty; only poor That, when she dies, with beauty dies her store.
Benvolio. Then she hath sworn that she will still live chaste?
Romeo. She hath, and in that sparing makes huge waste; For beauty, starv'd with her severity, Cuts beauty off from all posterity. She is too fair, too wise; wisely too fair, To merit bliss by making me despair: She hath forsworn to love; and in that vow Do I live dead that live to tell it now.
Benvolio. Be rul'd by me, forget to think of her.
Romeo. O, teach me how I should forget to think.
Benvolio. By giving liberty unto thine eyes; Examine other beauties.
Romeo. 'Tis the way To call hers, exquisite, in question more: These happy masks that kiss fair ladies' brows, Being black, puts us in mind they hide the fair; He that is strucken blind cannot forget The precious treasure of his eyesight lost: Show me a mistress that is passing fair, What doth her beauty serve but as a note Where I may read who pass'd that passing fair? Farewell: thou canst not teach me to forget.
Benvolio. I'll pay that doctrine, or else die in debt.
(Exeunt.)
Scene II. A Street.
(Enter Capulet, Paris, and Servant.)
Capulet. But Montague is bound as well as I, In penalty alike; and 'tis not hard, I think, For men so old as we to keep the peace.
Paris. Of honourable reckoning are you both; And pity 'tis you liv'd at odds so long. But now, my lord, what say you to my suit?
Capulet. But saying o'er what I have said before: My child is yet a stranger in the world, She hath not seen the change of fourteen years; Let two more summers wither in their pride Ere we may think her ripe to be a bride.
Paris. Younger than she are happy mothers made.
Capulet. And too soon marr'd are those so early made. The earth hath swallowed all my hopes but she,-- She is the hopeful lady of my earth: But woo her, gentle Paris, get her heart, My will to her consent is but a part; An she agree, within her scope of choice Lies my consent and fair according voice. This night I hold an old accustom'd feast, Whereto I have invited many a guest, Such as I love; and you among the store, One more, most welcome, makes my number more. At my poor house look to behold this night Earth-treading stars that make dark heaven light: Such comfort as do lusty young men feel When well apparell'd April on the heel Of limping winter treads, even such delight Among fresh female buds shall you this night Inherit at my house; hear all, all see, And like her most whose merit most shall be: Which, among view of many, mine, being one, May stand in number, though in reckoning none. Come, go with me.--Go, sirrah, trudge about Through fair Verona; find those persons out Whose names are written there, (gives a paper) and to them say, My house and welcome on their pleasure stay.
(Exeunt Capulet and Paris).
Servant.Find them out whose names are written here! It is written that the shoemaker should meddle with his yard and the tailor with his last, the fisher with his pencil, and the painter with his nets; but I am sent to find those persons whose names are here writ, and can never find what names the writing person hath here writ. I must to the learned:--in good time!
(Enter Benvolio and Romeo.)
Benvolio. Tut, man, one fire burns out another's burning, One pain is lessen'd by another's anguish; Turn giddy, and be holp by backward turning; One desperate grief cures with another's languish: Take thou some new infection to thy eye, And the rank poison of the old will die.
Romeo. Your plantain-leaf is excellent for that.
Benvolio. For what, I pray thee?
Romeo. For your broken shin.
Benvolio. Why, Romeo, art thou mad?
Romeo. Not mad, but bound more than a madman is; Shut up in prison, kept without my food, Whipp'd and tormented and--God-den, good fellow.
Servant. God gi' go-den.--I pray, sir, can you read?
Romeo. Ay, mine own fortune in my misery.
Servant. Perhaps you have learned it without book: but I pray, can you read anything you see?
Romeo. Ay, If I know the letters and the language.
Servant. Ye say honestly: rest you merry!
Romeo. Stay, fellow; I can read. (Reads.) 'Signior Martino and his wife and daughters; County Anselmo and his beauteous sisters; the lady widow of Vitruvio; Signior Placentio and his lovely nieces; Mercutio and his brother Valentine; mine uncle Capulet, his wife, and daughters; my fair niece Rosaline; Livia; Signior Valentio and his cousin Tybalt; Lucio and the lively Helena.' A fair assembly. (Gives back the paper): whither should they come?
Servant. Up.
Romeo. Whither?
Servant. To supper; to our house.
Romeo. Whose house?
Servant. My master's.
Romeo. Indeed I should have ask'd you that before.
Servant. Now I'll tell you without asking: my master is the great rich Capulet; and if you be not of the house of Montagues, I pray, come and crush a cup of wine. Rest you merry!
(Exit.)
Benvolio. At this same ancient feast of Capulet's Sups the fair Rosaline whom thou so lov'st; With all the admired beauties of Verona. Go thither; and, with unattainted eye, Compare her face with some that I shall show, And I will make thee think thy swan a crow.
Romeo. When the devout religion of mine eye Maintains such falsehood, then turn tears to fires; And these,--who, often drown'd, could never die,-- Transparent heretics, be burnt for liars! One fairer than my love? the all-seeing sun Ne'er saw her match since first the world begun.
Benvolio. Tut, you saw her fair, none else being by, Herself pois'd with herself in either eye: But in that crystal scales let there be weigh'd Your lady's love against some other maid That I will show you shining at this feast, And she shall scant show well that now shows best.
Romeo. I'll go along, no such sight to be shown, But to rejoice in splendour of my own.
(Exeunt.)
Scene III. Room in Capulet's House.
(Enter Lady Capulet, and Nurse.)
Lady Capulet. Nurse, where's my daughter? call her forth to me.
Nurse. Now, by my maidenhea,--at twelve year old,-- I bade her come.--What, lamb! what ladybird!-- God forbid!--where's this girl?--what, Juliet!
(Enter Juliet.)
Juliet. How now, who calls?
Nurse. Your mother.
Juliet. Madam, I am here. What is your will?
Lady Capulet. This is the matter,--Nurse, give leave awhile, We must talk in secret: nurse, come back again; I have remember'd me, thou's hear our counsel. Thou knowest my daughter's of a pretty age.
Nurse. Faith, I can tell her age unto an hour.
Lady Capulet. She's not fourteen.
Nurse. I'll lay fourteen of my teeth,-- And yet, to my teen be it spoken, I have but four,-- She is not fourteen. How long is it now To Lammas-tide?
Lady Capulet. A fortnight and odd days.
Nurse. Even or odd, of all days in the year, Come Lammas-eve at night shall she be fourteen. Susan and she,--God rest all Christian souls!-- Were of an age: well, Susan is with God; She was too good for me:--but, as I said, On Lammas-eve at night shall she be fourteen; That shall she, marry; I remember it well. 'Tis since the earthquake now eleven years; And she was wean'd,--I never shall forget it--, Of all the days of the year, upon that day: For I had then laid wormwood to my dug, Sitting in the sun under the dove-house wall; My lord and you were then at Mantua: Nay, I do bear a brain:--but, as I said, When it did taste the wormwood on the nipple Of my dug and felt it bitter, pretty fool, To see it tetchy, and fall out with the dug! Shake, quoth the dove-house: 'twas no need, I trow, To bid me trudge. And since that time it is eleven years; For then she could stand alone; nay, by the rood She could have run and waddled all about; For even the day before, she broke her brow: And then my husband,--God be with his soul! 'A was a merry man,--took up the child: 'Yea,' quoth he, 'dost thou fall upon thy face? Thou wilt fall backward when thou hast more wit; Wilt thou not, Jule?' and, by my holidame, The pretty wretch left crying, and said 'Ay:' To see now how a jest shall come about! I warrant, an I should live a thousand yeas, I never should forget it; 'Wilt thou not, Jule?' quoth he; And, pretty fool, it stinted, and said 'Ay.'
Lady Capulet. Enough of this; I pray thee hold thy peace.
Nurse. Yes, madam;--yet I cannot choose but laugh, To think it should leave crying, and say 'Ay:' And yet, I warrant, it had upon its brow A bump as big as a young cockerel's stone; A parlous knock; and it cried bitterly. 'Yea,' quoth my husband, 'fall'st upon thy face? Thou wilt fall backward when thou com'st to age; Wilt thou not, Jule?' it stinted, and said 'Ay.'
Juliet. And stint thou too, I pray thee, nurse, say I.
Nurse. Peace, I have done. God mark thee to his grace! Thou wast the prettiest babe that e'er I nurs'd: An I might live to see thee married once, I have my wish.
Lady Capulet. Marry, that marry is the very theme I came to talk of.--Tell me, daughter Juliet, How stands your disposition to be married?