Romeo and Juliet

by William Shakespeare


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ACT IV - Scene II


Capulet's house.

Enter Father Capulet, Mother, Nurse, and Servingmen,
two or three.

CAPULET
So many guests invite as here are writ.

[Exit a Servingman.]

Sirrah, go hire me twenty cunning cooks.

SERVANT
You shall have none ill, sir;
for I'll try if they can
lick their fingers.

CAPULET
How canst thou try them so?

SERVANR
Marry, sir, 'tis an ill cook that cannot lick his own
fingers. Therefore he that cannot lick his fingers goes not
with me.

CAPULET
Go, begone.

Exit Servingman.

We shall be much unfurnish'd for this time.
What, is my daughter gone to Friar Laurence?

NURSE
Ay, forsooth.

CAPULET
Well, be may chance to do some good on her.
A peevish self-will'd harlotry it is.

Enter Juliet.

NURSE
See where she comes from shrift with merry look.

CAPULET
How now, my headstrong? Where have you been gadding?

JULIET
Where I have learnt me to repent the sin
Of disobedient opposition
To you and your behests, and am enjoin'd
By holy Laurence to fall prostrate here
To beg your pardon. Pardon, I beseech you!
Henceforward I am ever rul'd by you.

CAPULET
Send for the County. Go tell him of this.
I'll have this knot knit up to-morrow morning.

JULIET
I met the youthful lord at Laurence' cell
And gave him what becomed love I might,
Not stepping o'er the bounds of modesty.

CAPULET
Why, I am glad on't. This is well. Stand up.
This is as't should be. Let me see the County.
Ay, marry, go, I say, and fetch him hither.
Now, afore God, this reverend holy friar,
All our whole city is much bound to him.

JULIET
Nurse, will you go with me into my closet
To help me sort such needful ornaments
As you think fit to furnish me to-morrow?

MOTHER
No, not till Thursday. There is time enough.

CAPULET
Go, nurse, go with her. We'll to church to-morrow.

Exeunt Juliet and Nurse.

MOTHER
We shall be short in our provision.
'Tis now near night.

CAPULET
Tush, I will stir about,
And all things shall be well, I warrant thee, wife.
Go thou to Juliet, help to deck up her.
I'll not to bed to-night;
let me alone.
I'll play the housewife for this once. What, ho!
They are all forth;
well, I will walk myself
To County Paris, to prepare him up
Against to-morrow. My heart is wondrous light,
Since this same wayward girl is so reclaim'd.

Exeunt.

 

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