Cinna's Easy Plays from Shakespeare 3ROMEO
AND JULIET
SCENE
1
(Enter
TYBALT and MERCUTIO, separately.)
Tybalt:
Who are you ?
Mercutio:
I am Mercutio.
Tybalt
(angry)
: Ah ! A friend of the Montagues, then.
Mercutio:
Yes, and you ?
Tybalt:
I am Tybalt.
Mercutio
(angry)
: You are a Capulet then, run to them !
Tybalt:
Capulets do not run from Montagues.
Mercutio:
Montagues do not waste their time with Capulets.
Tybalt
(drawing sword)
: Good. Then let us not waste time. Mercutio : Have you no friends
? I can hardly fight with only one Capulet.
Tybalt:
Draw your sword !
(MERCUTIO
draws sword.)
Tybalt:
Capulets ! Come ! The Montagues are attacking us.
(2ND
CAPULET enters.)
2nd
Cap.
What's the matter ?
Mercutio:
That's better. I can fight with two of you.
(They
fight. 2nd MONTAGUE enters.)
2nd
Montague:
A fight!
Mercutio:
Yes. The Capulets are playing again.
3rd
Capulet (Enters)
: Look! Montagues !
3rd
Montague (Enters)
: Capulets again! Kill them !
( They fight. Enter CAPULET and LADY CAPULET in night
clothes.)
Capulet:
Another fight in the streets ! Where is my sword ?
(Enter MONTAGUE and LADY MONTAGUE in night clothes.)
Montague:
There is old Capulet! He is starting another fight against us. Capulet!
I will kill you this time.
Capulet
(as LADY CAPULET holds him)
: Let go of me. I must help my men.
Montague:
You coward, Capulet. Come here and be killed.
Lady
Montague:
Are you mad ? Here comes the prince.
(Enter PRINCE of VERONA')
Prince:
Stop ! Put down your swords. :
(MONTAGUES and CAPULETS are now all fighting; no one hears
the prince.)
Prince:
Silence ! Stop ! Do you hear me!
(All
stop. Silence.) Montagues ! Capulets ! Fighting in the streets again
! This is the third time you have quarreled in public.
Mercutio:
Tybalt started it.
Prince:
I said silence. Old Capulet and Old Montague! You two old men fighting
here like idiot boys ? This is enough. The next man who fights in our streets
will die. My officers will hang every man who fights ! Do you understand
me ?
Capulet:
But . . . .
Prince:
Capulet, come to my house and hear my anger. Montague, you come tomorrow
and I will tell you more of my anger. Everybody, go home !
(Exit all but MONTAGUE, LADY MONTAGUE, MERCUTIO.)
Montague:
Did Tybalt start this fight?
Mercutio:
He did.
Lady
Montague:
But you were glad enough to take part ! You foolish boy ! Where is my son
Romeo? I did not see him here.
Mercutio:
He had no part in the fight.
Lady
Montague:
I'm glad to hear it.
Montague:
Where is Romeo ?
Mercutio:
He keeps away from me. He thinks only of his lover.
Lady
Montague:
Love is better than fighting. Mercutio, you should do the same as Romeo.
Come, let's go home.
(Exit LADY MONTAGUE and MONTAGUE. Enter ROMEO.) ::
Mercutio:
Good morning, cousin.
Romeo:
Is the day so young ?
Mercutio:
Yes, there is the first light of the sun.
Romeo:
Was that my father just now ?
Mercutio:
Yes, he asked where you were.
Romeo:
I was alone.
Mercutio:
Not with Rosaline ?
Romeo:
No. She will not see me. All she says is No, No, No. I feel like death.
Mercutio:
But love is happy.
Romeo:
She refuses me her love. I try to meet her but she will not let me.
Mercutio:
Tell me about Rosaline. I have never seen her.
Romeo:
Shall I ? Maybe. (Exit both talking.) SCENE 2
(Enter CAPULET, SERVANT, PARIS.)
Capulet:
The prince is very angry !
Paris:
Why, sir ?
Capulet:
The Montague family attacked my men yesterday, and the prince hates any
trouble in Verona.
Paris:
I can understand that.
Capulet:
You are a stranger, Paris, so this family quarrel must seem foolish to
you. :
Paris:
I did not come here for that.
Capulet:
True. Let us talk business. Juliet. My daughter Juliet is ready for marriage
and I must find a husband for her. You are a fine young man of a fine old
family. Will you see her ?
Paris:
I long to see her.
Capulet:
Good. Tonight you shall meet her. I am asking our friends to a little dance.
You shall see her there. :
Paris:
Thank you, Lord Capulet.
Capulet:
Here are the names of my guests. (Gives paper to SERVANT)Go to these people and ask them to come to supper at my house tonight.(to PARIS) Come, County Paris, and tell me more about yourself.
(Exit CAPULET and PARIS)
Servant:
What's this ? Writing ? But I cannot read. The party is tonight, so I must
learn quickly. A. B. C. and then...what? I think it is G.
(Enter MERCUTIO and ROMEO talking.)
Servant:
H is bigger and J is smaller.
Mercutio:
You are tormenting yourself, Romeo. If the girl will not see you, then
forget her.
Romeo:
How can I forget Rosaline ? ( Walks into SERVANT by mistake.) I
beg your pardon, sir.
Servant:
Good day, sir. Can you read ?
Romeo:
Can I what ?
Servant:
Can you read, sir ?
Romeo:
Unhappily, yes.
Servant:
Can you read anything you see ?
Romeo:
If I know the language and the shape of the letters, yes, I can read.
Servant
(peeved)
: Oh, if you want to make a joke, I will go.
Romeo:
Don't go. I will not joke, forgive me.
Servant:
If you can read, then be kind enough to read this for me.
(Gives paper to ROMEO')
Romeo
(reads)
: Signor Martino and his wife and daughters. County Anselm and his beautiful
sisters. The lady widow of Utruvio. Signor Placentio and his lovely nieces.
Mercutio and his brother Valentine. That's you, Mercutio. My uncle Capulet,
his wife and daughters. My fair niece Rosaline.
Mercutio:
Rosaline !
Romeo:
That's what it says. Rosaline and Livia. Signor Valentio and his cousin
Tybalt.
Mercutio:
Tybalt !
Romeo:
Lucio and the lively Helena. A fine crowd of people you have on this list,
my friend. What is it for?
Servant:
My master is giving a party, and he invites these people.
Mercutio:
I am Mercutio.
Servant:
Then come tonight, sir, and also you, sir, unless you are a member of the
Montague family.
Romeo:
Then who is your master ?
Servant:
The great rich lord Capulet.
Romeo:
Lord Capulet !
Servant:
Thank you for your help. Good day.
(Exit SERVANT)
Mercutio:
So we are invited to enter the Capulet house.
Romeo:
You are invited.
Mercutio:
The servant also asked you.
Romeo:
The man's a fool. He has no idea I am Romeo, the unhappy Montague.
Mercutio:
But if you come, you will meet Rosaline, the lovely Capulet. :
Romeo:
Yes ! I must come.
Mercutio:
It will be dangerous.
Romeo:
Surely it will be a masked party? I will wear a mask and no one shall know
me.
Mercutio:
Brilliant ! l (Exit both.) SCENE 3
(Enter LADY CAPULET and NURSE.)
Lady
Capulet:
Nurse, where is Juliet?
Nurse
(shouting)
: Juliet, Juliet, your mother is asking for you.
(Enter
JULIET )
Nurse:
I can't find her. I never know where that dear child hides herself. All
these years I have been....
Juliet:
You talk too much, dear nurse.
Nurse:
Hurry child, hurry, Lady Capulet is waiting for you. There is to be a party
and we have to prepare the house for the guests and I don't know how we
can finish in time.
Capulet:
Stop, nurse, this is enough. Go to the kitchen and see that the servants
are working. This is a secret between Juliet and me. No. Don't go. Stay
and give us your advice.
Nurse
: Ah, yes. I can give a young girl all the advice she needs ! I may be
old, but I have a good memory !
Juliet:
Shhhhh ! Listen.
Lady
Capulet:
Yes. Now. Juliet, you, dearest child, are my only child, but you are no
longer a child.
Juliet:
What do you mean?
Lady
Capulet:
It is time to think of marriage.
Juliet:
Marriage !
Lady
Capulet:
Marriage. Have you ever thought about it ?
Juliet:
No, I have not. Just a little.
Nurse:
I have ! Oh, I remember my husband, dead now, poor man. But that first
night; He was a beast! A demon! He almost killed me ! How I loved him.
Lady
Capulet:
Nurse! Silence ! Now, Juliet, Your father wishes you to think about this,
Tonight our friends will come to a dance here, Among them will be the County
Paris. He is a fine young man, and we think he may be a good husband for
you. Look at him tonight and tell us what you think.
Nurse
: I remember... .
Lady
Capulet:
Nurse ! Go to the kitchen. Not a word, go. (Exit NURSE.) What do
you think, child ?
Juliet:
Must I marry him ?
Lady
Capulet:
Look at him carefully, and decide if marriage with him seems a good idea.
Juliet:
I don't know what to say.
Lady
Capulet:
Of course not, dear, it is too soon.
(SERVANT enters.)
Servant
(excited)
: Madam, the guests are coming, supper is served, Juliet is asked for,
the cook is cursing nurse, and nobody knows what to do. Please come at
once !
Lady
Capulet:
Yes. (Exit all but JULIET) SCENE 4
(Enter CAPULET and guests.)
Capulet:
Welcome, gentlemen, and welcome ladies. Music !
(Music
plays.)Now,
who can refuse to dance ? I am too old! But when I was young, I, too, wore
a mask and said foolish things to young ladies.
Paris:
They were surely wise things.
Capulet:
Not so wise ; once I was young and foolish, and today... What shall I say?
I am old and still rather foolish. Come along, everybody ; who will dance
?
(Music. Guests put masks over their face and dance together.
PARIS and CAPULET stand on one side.)
Paris:
Which is your daughter Juliet ?
Capulet:
There.
Paris:
Where ?
Capulet:
Look.
Paris:
Everybody is dancing. I don't know who you mean.
(Enter ROMEO secretively. He puts on a mask.)
Romeo:
Rosaline. Rosaline ! She does not hear me.
Paris
(to CAPULET)
: I think that lovely girl there must be your daughter.
Capulet
(to PARIS)
: Yes, indeed. You have good eyes.
Paris:
She is certainly a beauty.
(PARIS walks to JULIET and dances with her.)
Romeo
(to SERVANT)
: Who is that lady there ?
(He points to JULIET.)
Servant:
I don't know.
Romeo:
I don't know, either. But she is more beautiful than Rosaline. She teaches
the lights how to shine. Surely, she belongs in the sky, like a star. She
is too lovely to belong to this poor world. When they stop dancing I will
speak to her.
Tybalt
(hearing ROMEO)
: Who is that man?
Servant:
I don't know.
Tybalt
(to CAPULET)
: Who is that?
Capulet:
Whom do you mean ?
Tybalt:
That man in the mask.
Capulet:
I really can't say.
Tybalt:
I heard him. I think it is Romeo. The Montague.
Capulet:
A Montague here ! Impossible.
Tybalt
(angry)
: I will talk to him, and if it is Romeo, I will... .
Capulet:
No, you will not! This is a dance. I will permit no trouble here.
Tybalt:
But I tell you it is Romeo !
Capulet:
Come away. You always get excited,
Tybalt.
I will talk to the fellow later on.
(CAPULET takes TYBALT's arm. The dance ends.)
Ladies
and gentlemen, supper time. Please come to the next room. We must drink
a health to our guest of honour, the County Paris.
Paris:
Thank you.
Capulet:
Come along then, supper time. (All go out, except ROMEO and JULIET.
Both are wearing masks.)
Capulet
(off)
: Juliet, where are you ?
Juliet:
I'm coming, father.
Romeo
(to himself)
: Juliet !
(He kisses her. She is very surprised.)
Juliet:
Oh ! Who are you ?
Romio:
Nobody. I am just a mask.
Juliet:
I also am just a mask.
Romeo:
Let me see.
(He removes JULIET'S mask. JULIET removes ROMEO's mask.
They kiss again. Enter nurse.)
Nurse:
Juliet ! Juliet! Your father is wondering where you are. (She sees them
kissing.)
Oh;
How beautiful ! I remember when I was young. .. .
Juliet
(very embarrassed)
: Nurse! Do stop !
Nurse:
Your father ! Quick !
(Exit JULIET)
Romeo:
Who is this lovely girl ?
Nurse:
Don't you know? You seem quite friendly.
Romeo:
Yes, yes, but who is she ?
Nurse:
Her name is Juliet.
Romeo:
And her family ?
Nurse:
This is her father's house. !
Romeo:
Then she is a Capulet!
Nurse:
Right.
Romeo:
I am a Montague. I love my enemy !
Nurse:
You are a true Christian.
(Exit ROMEO. Enter JULIET.)
Juliet:
Nurse!
Nurse:
Go to your father.
Juliet:
First, tell me who he is.
Nurse:
I don't know.
Juliet:
But you were talking to him. '
Nurse:
You were kissing him.
Juliet:
A girl likes to know the name of the man who kisses her.
Nurse:
He is Tybalt.
Juliet:
No, no, don't joke. Who is he? ,
Nurse:
He is the County Paris.
Juliet:
Stop teasing. What is his name ? Nurse : He is a Montague, and an enemy
of your family.
Juliet:
A Montague! Is he married? If he is married, my wedding will be my grave.
Capulet
(off)
: Juliet!
Nurse:
Go to your father.
(Exit JULIET. Enter MERCUTIO and ROMEO separately.)
Mercutio:
Romeo ! Hasn't Tybalt killed you yet ?
Romeo:
No, but I think Juliet has.
Nurse
(alone)
: Romeo ? Hm.
(Exit NURSE. )
Mercutio:
Juliet ? Capulet's daughter ?
Romeo:
Maybe.
Mercutio:
But you came to see Rosaline.
Romeo:
I don't know any Rosaline.
Mercutio:
You change fast enough ! Let's have some supper.
(Exit MERCUTIO.)
Romeo:
You go and eat. I must see this girl again. Will she walk in this garden?
Will she see this moon ?
(JULIET enters at an upper window.)
Romeo:
Here comes the sun ! Juliet is the dawn. She leans her cheek upon her hand.
I wish I were a glove to touch her face so.
Juliet
(not seeing ROMEO)
: Romeo ! Nurse says you are a Montague. Romeo, Romeo, why are you called
"Romeo"? Change your name for me. You are a Montague, so take
l another name. I am a Capulet, and I also will change my name.
Romeo
(to himself)
: Shall I talk to her ?
Juliet
(to herself)
: Your name is my enemy. You are yourself. What is Montague ? : It is not
hand or foot or arm or face or any other part of a man. What's in a name?
A rose by any other name would smell as sweet. Oh, Romeo, take off your
name, and instead put on me.
Romeo
(to JULIET)
: I will.
Juliet
(surprised)
: What, who are you ?
Romeo:
I am the man with no name.
Juliet:
Ah ! But you have a voice I know. I can't see you. Are you Romeo ?
Romeo:
If you do not like my name, then I am not Romeo.
Juliet:
Go home ! It is dangerous for you here. My cousin Tybalt suspects you are
here, and he will kill you.
Romeo:
No, for Juliet has already overthrown me. But if you smile, I will kill
twenty Tybalts.
Juliet:
They must not see you here.
Romeo:
It is dark, so no one can see me
Juliet:
If it is dark, then you cannot see me blush. Romeo, do you love me ? Just
say yes. No more.
Romeo:
I swear by the moon....
Juliet:
By the moon? But the moon changes every month. That is a poor way to swear.
:
Romeo:
Then how shall I swear ?
Juliet:
Do not swear. Just say Yes. Or if you must swear, swear by yourself, for
you are the god of my idolatry. Good night.
Romeo:
No, no, I am not going. '
Juliet:
Yes, go home. This is the bud of love, so let us wait until it flowers
in the summer.
Romeo:
Can you leave me unsatisfied ?
Juliet:
What satisfaction can you have tonight ?
Romeo:
Give me the promise of your love.
Juliet:
Silly boy ! I gave my promise before you asked.
Nurse
(off)
: Juliet. Juliet: The nurse is calling me. Wait for me, sweet Montague.
(Exit JULIET.)
Romeo:
What a night! Am I dreaming? Perhaps I will wake up soon.
(Enter JULIET.)
Juliet:
Three more words, dear Romeo, and then good night. If you wish to marry
me, send me a message tomorrow.
Romeo:
How ?
Juliet:
I will send my Nurse to you. If you will marry me, then I will leave the
Capulet family and follow you.
Nurse
(off)
: Madam.
Juliet:
I come. Good-bye.
Romeo:
Juliet !
Juliet:
A thousand times good night.
(Exit JULIET. )
Romeo:
A thousand times the worse How can I leave this place ?
(Enter JULIET)
Juliet:
Romeo.
Romeo:
Juliet.
Juliet:
What time tomorrow can you meet my nurse ?
Romeo:
At nine.
Juliet:
It is twenty years till then. But I must wait. Good night, good night.
Parting is such sweet sorrow.
(Exit JULIET.)
Romeo:
Good night. But it is almost morning, I think I will go and talk to my
old friend Friar Laurence. Juliet talks of marriage, and perhaps he will
marry us in secret. (Exit ROMEO.) SCENE 5
(Enter
FRIAR LAURENCE with basket of flowers. Enter ROMEO.)
Romeo:
Good morning, Friar Lawrence.
Friar
Laurence:
Romeo ! You are very early. What time did you get up ?
Romeo:
I have not yet been to bed.
Friar
Laurence:
No ? I suppose you have been with Rosaline, then.
Romeo:
Rosaline ? Who is Rosaline ?
Friar
Laurence:
Have you forgotten Rosaline ?
Romeo:
Almost, yes.
Friar
Laurence:
Good boy, I knew she was just a passing fancy of yours. Young fellows fall
in and out of love at the drop of a hat.
Romeo:
Marry me.
Friar
Laurence:
What ?
Romeo:
Marry us.
Friar
Laurence:
If you have forgotten Rosaline. . . .
Romeo:
Not Rosaline, Juliet.
Friar
Laurence:
Juliet!
Romeo:
Juliet!
Friar
Laurence:
A Montague will marry a Capulet !
Romeo:
Yes, today, and in secret.
Friar
Laurence:
This is too fast for me. I must have time to think.
Romeo:
Do you refuse ?
Friar
Laurence:
No, I do not refuse. In fact I can see that a marriage between a Montague
and a Capulet might end this quarrel between your two families. It might
be a very good thing .
(Exit
FRIAR LAURENCE.) SCENE 6
(Enter MERCUTIO.)
Mercutio:
Romeo. :
Romeo:
Yes, who is it ?
Mercutio:
Mercutio. Your father wants you.
Romeo:
Why ?
Mercutio:
He has received a letter from Tybalt.
Romeo:
Why should Tybalt write to my father ?
Mercutio:
Tybalt says you entered Capulet's house like a thief, and now he wants
to fight you.
Romeo:
Nonsense. I never fight. In any case, the prince does not allow it.
Mercutio:
Tybalt intends to kill you.
Romeo:
He is too late. Another Capulet has overwhelmed me.
Mercutio:
Another Capulet? Which man is this ?
Romeo:
A woman.
(Enter NURSE)
Mercutio:
Is this your lover ? Good afternoon, my lovely madam.
Nurse:
Is it afternoon, sir ?
Mercutio:
It is. Look at the clock.
Nurse:
Tell me, where can I find the Lord Romeo ?
Mercutio:
Why look for Romeo when you can see me ? Am I not handsome ?
Nurse:
Yes, but....
Mercutio:
Then forget Romeo, and romance with me !
Romeo:
Stop all this foolishness. I am here. what do you want, madam ?
Mercutio:
She wants me.
(Put his arm round NURSE who screams with pleasure.)
Romeo:
Mercutio, go home, this is serious.
Mercutio
(to NURSE)
: Meet me at midnight. We have much to discuss.
(Exit MERCUTIO.) Nurse: Who is that saucy me |