Romeo and Juliet

Act 4, Scene 2

Modern spelling. Stage directions omitted.

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CAPULET

So many guests invite as here are writ.

CAPULET

, go hire me twenty cunning cooks.

SECOND SERVANT

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

CAPULET

How canst try them so?

SECOND SERVANT

Marry, sir, an ill cook that cannot lick his own fingers; therefore he that cannot lick his fingers goes not with me.

CAPULET

Go, begone.

CAPULET

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

NURSE

Ay, .

CAPULET

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

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 Lawrence 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 tomorrow morning.

JULIET

I met the youthful lord at Lawrence’ cell,
And gave him what becomed love I might,
Not stepping 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 .
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 tomorrow?

LADY CAPULET

No, not till Thursday. There is time enough.

CAPULET

Go, Nurse, go with her. We’ll to church tomorrow.

LADY CAPULET

We shall be short in our provision,
now near night.

CAPULET

Tush, I will stir about,
And all things shall be well, I warrant , wife.
Go to Juliet, help to deck up her.
I’ll not to bed tonight, 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 tomorrow. My heart is wondrous light
Since this same wayward girl is so reclaim’d.

All of Romeo and Juliet

Opening and close

Prologue,

Act 1

Act 1, Scene 1Act 1, Scene 2Act 1, Scene 3Act 1, Scene 4Act 1, Scene 5,

Act 2

Act 2Act 2, Scene 1Act 2, Scene 2Act 2, Scene 3Act 2, Scene 4Act 2, Scene 5Act 2, Scene 6,

Act 3

Act 3, Scene 1Act 3, Scene 2Act 3, Scene 3Act 3, Scene 4Act 3, Scene 5,

Act 4

Act 4, Scene 1Act 4, Scene 2Act 4, Scene 3Act 4, Scene 4Act 4, Scene 5,

Act 5

Act 5, Scene 1Act 5, Scene 2Act 5, Scene 3

Open Romeo and Juliet in the 1623 First Folio. See its words in the cloud.

Compare a quarto passage.

Modern spelling for reading. The edition is public domain in the United States. Edition source.