Scene II. (Enter Capulet, Count Paris, and the clown, his servant)

(A street)

(Enter Capulet, Count Paris, and the clown, his servant)

CAPULET But Montague is bound by this penalty, as well as I, and I do not think it is hard for men as old as us to keep the peace.

PARIS You are both of honourable reputation, and it is a pity that you have been at odds for so long. But now, my lord, what do you say to my request?

CAPULET I say what I have said before. My child is still a stranger in the world, and is scarcely fourteen. Let two more summers pass before she is married.

PARIS Girls still younger than her have become happy mothers.

CAPULET And they have often become unhappy as a result. The earth has swallowed all my children except for her, and she is my only heir. But woo her, gentle Paris and get her heart; if she agrees, then you will have my consent. This night I hold a feast, as is my custom, and I have invited many guests to it. If you join us, you will be most welcome. At my poor house you will see this night Earth-treading stars that make dark heaven light. Hear all, see all, and like her most, who most deserves to be liked. In seeing so many beautiful girls, mine may no longer seem so special. (To servant, giving him a paper) Go, sirrah, walk about through fair Verona, find those persons, whose names are written there and tell them they are welcome to my house.

(Exit with Paris)

SERVANT Find those persons whose names are written here? But I can't read! I must find someone more learned, and quickly!

(Enter Benvolio and Romeo)

BENVOLIO Tut, man, one fire burns out another's burning; one pain is lessened by the anguish of another. Take some new infection to your eye, and the rank poison of the old will die. Come, Romeo, you are mad.

ROMEO Not mad, but bound more than a madman is; whipped and tormented and— Good evening, good fellow.

SERVANT Good evening. I pray you, sir, can you read?

ROMEO Ay, my own fortune in my misery

SERVANT Perhaps you learned that without books. But, I pray, can you read anything you see?

ROMEO Yes, fellow, I can read. (He reads the letter)

"Signor Martino and his wife and daughters;

County Anselm and his beauteous sisters;

The lady widow of Vitruvio;

Signor Placentio and his lovely nieces;

Mercutio and his brother Valentine;

My uncle Capulet, his wife and daughters;

My fair niece Rosaline; Livia;

Signor Valentio and his cousin Tybalt;

Lucio and the lively Helena."

A fair assembly. Where should they come?

SERVANT Up.

ROMEO Where? To supper?

SERVANT To our house.

ROMEO Whose house?

SERVANT My master's.

ROMEO Indeed I should have asked you that before.

SERVANT Now I'll tell you without asking. My master is the great rich Capulet; and if you are not of the house of Montagues, I pray, come and have a drink of wine. May God keep you merry.

BENVOLIO At this same feast of Capulet's sups the fair Rosaline, whom you so love, with all the admired beauties ofVerona. Let's go. You can compare her to some others that I will show And I will make your swan seem like a crow.

ROMEO When my eyes lie to me so falsely, then may my tears turn to fires! One fairer than my love? The all-seeing sun never saw her match since the world was first begun. I'll come with you, not fairer beauties to be shown, but rather to rejoice in the splendour of my own. (Exeunt)

Дата добавления: 2015-08-18