The Complete Works of William Shakespeare In Plain and Simple English (Translated)

by William Shakespeare

  But soft! what light through yonder window breaks? It is the east, and Juliet is the sun!-- Arise, fair sun, and kill the envious moon, Who is already sick and pale with grief, That thou her maid art far more fair than she: Be not her maid, since she is envious; Her vestal livery is but sick and green, And none but fools do wear it; cast it off.-- It is my lady; O, it is my love! O, that she knew she were!-- She speaks, yet she says nothing: what of that? Her eye discourses, I will answer it.-- I am too bold, 'tis not to me she speaks: Two of the fairest stars in all the heaven, Having some business, do entreat her eyes To twinkle in their spheres till they return. What if her eyes were there, they in her head? The brightness of her cheek would shame those stars, As daylight doth a lamp; her eyes in heaven Would through the airy region stream so bright That birds would sing and think it were not night.-- See how she leans her cheek upon her hand! O that I were a glove upon that hand, That I might touch that cheek!

  Juliet

  Ah me!

  Ah me!

  Romeo

  She speaks: Please speak again, bright angel? You are as glorious as an angel, flying through the air, upon which mortal eyes gaze.

  She speaks:-- O, speak again, bright angel! for thou art As glorious to this night, being o'er my head, As is a winged messenger of heaven Unto the white-upturned wondering eyes Of mortals that fall back to gaze on him When he bestrides the lazy-pacing clouds And sails upon the bosom of the air.

  Juliet

  Oh Romeo, Romeo! Where are you Romeo? Do not take the name of your father. Better yet, I will change my name, if you only swear your love to me.

  O Romeo, Romeo! wherefore art thou Romeo? Deny thy father and refuse thy name; Or, if thou wilt not, be but sworn my love, And I'll no longer be a Capulet.

  Romeo

  Do I dare speak or should I listen longer?

  Shall I hear more, or shall I speak at this?

  Juliet

  It is only your name that is my enemy. Not you. What is a Montague? It is not a hand or foot, arm or face, or any other part of a man. Why couldn’t you be someone besides a Montague! What is a name anyway? Wouldn’t a rose smell just as sweet, if we called it something else? Wouldn’t you be just as perfect, if your name was different? Exchange your name, Romeo, and I will give myself to you.

  'Tis but thy name that is my enemy;-- Thou art thyself, though not a Montague. What's Montague? It is nor hand, nor foot, Nor arm, nor face, nor any other part Belonging to a man. O, be some other name! What's in a name? that which we call a rose By any other name would smell as sweet; So Romeo would, were he not Romeo call'd, Retain that dear perfection which he owes Without that title:--Romeo, doff thy name; And for that name, which is no part of thee, Take all myself.

  Romeo

  I hope what you say is true. If you call me your lover, then I will change my name like I have been re-baptized.

  I take thee at thy word: Call me but love, and I'll be new baptiz'd; Henceforth I never will be Romeo.

  Juliet

  Who’s out there? Who is listening to my private thoughts?

  What man art thou that, thus bescreen'd in night, So stumblest on my counsel?

  Romeo

  I do not know what to call myself, since I hate my name, because it is offensive to you. If I saw it written on a piece of paper, I would tear it up.

  By a name I know not how to tell thee who I am: My name, dear saint, is hateful to myself, Because it is an enemy to thee. Had I it written, I would tear the word.

  Juliet

  Even though we have only just met, I know that voice. Aren’t you Romeo, a Montague?

  My ears have yet not drunk a hundred words Of that tongue's utterance, yet I know the sound; Art thou not Romeo, and a Montague?

  Romeo

  Not any longer, if you don’t want me to be.

  Neither, fair saint, if either thee dislike.

  Juliet

  Why are you here? How did you get here? The orchard walls are high and hard to climb, and you will be killed, if you are discovered.

  How cam'st thou hither, tell me, and wherefore? The orchard walls are high and hard to climb; And the place death, considering who thou art, If any of my kinsmen find thee here.

  Romeo

  On the wings of Cupid, I flew over those walls. Nothing could keep my love from you, because it gives me strength to do the unthinkable and courage to face your kinsmen.

  With love's light wings did I o'erperch these walls; For stony limits cannot hold love out: And what love can do, that dares love attempt; Therefore thy kinsmen are no let to me.

  Juliet

  If they see you, they will kill you.

  If they do see thee, they will murder thee.

  Romeo

  A harsh look from you would kill me, but twenty of their swords cannot touch me.

  Alack, there lies more peril in thine eye Than twenty of their swords: look thou but sweet, And I am proof against their enmity.

  Juliet

  I would not have them find you for anything.

  I would not for the world they saw thee here.

  Romeo

  The night hides me from their sight, but if you love me, who cares if they find me? I would rather die knowing you loved me than live without you.

  I have night's cloak to hide me from their sight; And, but thou love me, let them find me here. My life were better ended by their hate Than death prorogued, wanting of thy love.

  Juliet

  How did you find me?

  By whose direction found'st thou out this place?

  Romeo

  My love guided me here. Even though I am not a sailor, I would travel the furthest and most dangerous sea to find you.

  By love, that first did prompt me to enquire; He lent me counsel, and I lent him eyes. I am no pilot; yet, wert thou as far As that vast shore wash'd with the furthest sea, I would adventure for such merchandise.

  Juliet

  If the night did not hide my face, you would see me blush. I did not intend for you to hear my words. I could deny what I have said, but I can’t. Do you love me? I know you will say “yes,” and I will believe you. You might swear it, and turn out to be a liar. You know, they say the king of the gods, Jove, laughs when lovers lie to each other. So don’t lie to me. If you love me, tell me, but don’t think that I am easy. Perhaps, I should play hard-to-get, so you have to prove you love me. However, I’m not that kind of girl. I am truer than the one who acts evasive. I probably should have acted that way, but what I have said here tonight is genuine.

  Thou knowest the mask of night is on my face; Else would a maiden blush bepaint my cheek For that which thou hast heard me speak to-night. Fain would I dwell on form,fain, fain deny What I have spoke; but farewell compliment! Dost thou love me, I know thou wilt say Ay; And I will take thy word: yet, if thou swear'st, Thou mayst prove false; at lovers' perjuries, They say Jove laughs. O gentle Romeo, If thou dost love, pronounce it faithfully: Or if thou thinkest I am too quickly won, I'll frown, and be perverse, and say thee nay, So thou wilt woo: but else, not for the world. In truth, fair Montague, I am too fond; And therefore thou mayst think my 'haviour light: But trust me, gentleman, I'll prove more true Than those that have more cunning to be strange. I should have been more strange, I must confess, But that thou overheard'st, ere I was 'ware, My true-love passion: therefore pardon me; And not impute this yielding to light love, Which the dark night hath so discovered.

  Romeo

  Juliet, I swear by the moon that shines upon these fruit trees…

  Lady, by yonder blessed moon I swear, That tips with silver all these fruit-tree tops,--

  Juliet

  No, do not swear by the moon, because it is constantly changing. I don’t want your love to be like the moon.

  O, swear not by the moon, the inconstant moon, That monthly changes in her circled orb, Lest that thy love prove likewise variable.

  Romeo

  What do you want me to swear by?

  What shall I
swear by?

  Juliet

  You don’t have to swear at all. Your word is good enough.

  Do not swear at all; Or if thou wilt, swear by thy gracious self, Which is the god of my idolatry, And I'll believe thee.

  Romeo

  Then I will swear by my heart…

  If my heart's dear love,--

  Juliet

  Do not swear at all. I can’t take all of this tonight. It is too soon, too dangerous, too hurried. I do not want our love to be like lightning, quickly here and quickly gone. I want our love to be like the budding of a beautiful flower. So, good night. Good night and rest peacefully. I know I will.

  Well, do not swear: although I joy in thee, I have no joy of this contract to-night; It is too rash, too unadvis'd, too sudden; Too like the lightning, which doth cease to be Ere one can say It lightens. Sweet, good night! This bud of love, by summer's ripening breath, May prove a beauteous flower when next we meet. Good night, good night! as sweet repose and rest Come to thy heart as that within my breast!

  Romeo

  You can’t leave me like this, so unsatisfied.

  O, wilt thou leave me so unsatisfied?

  Juliet

  How can I satisfy you tonight?

  What satisfaction canst thou have to-night?

  Romeo

  Let’s exchange lover’s vows.

  The exchange of thy love's faithful vow for mine.

  Juliet

  I already vowed my love to you, but I would do it again, if I had to.

  I gave thee mine before thou didst request it; And yet I would it were to give again.

  Romeo

  You would take back what you said? Why?

  Would'st thou withdraw it? for what purpose, love?

  Juliet

  Only to give it to you again. My only wish is for your love, which you have given me. The more you love me, the more love I have to give to you. Our love is infinite. I hear someone inside, dear love. Farewell! (Nurse calls from inside.) Here I am, Nurse! (To Romeo.) Sweet Montague, be true. Stay for a little while. I will be right back.

  But to be frank and give it thee again. And yet I wish but for the thing I have; My bounty is as boundless as the sea, My love as deep; the more I give to thee, The more I have, for both are infinite. I hear some noise within: dear love, adieu!-- [Nurse calls within.] Anon, good nurse!--Sweet Montague, be true. Stay but a little, I will come again.

  (Exit.)

  Romeo

  What a great night! I am afraid that I am dreaming, because this is too good to be true.

  O blessed, blessed night! I am afeard, Being in night, all this is but a dream, Too flattering-sweet to be substantial.

  (Enter Juliet above.)

  Juliet

  Listen, I only have a few minutes; then you must leave. If you honestly love me and want to marry me, send me word tomorrow. I will send someone to bring me the message. I will meet you wherever and whenever you choose to become your wife. Then, I will put my future in your hands and follow you all the days of my life.

  Three words, dear Romeo, and good night indeed. If that thy bent of love be honourable, Thy purpose marriage, send me word to-morrow, By one that I'll procure to come to thee, Where and what time thou wilt perform the rite; And all my fortunes at thy foot I'll lay And follow thee, my lord, throughout the world.

  Nurse

  (From inside.) Madam!

  [Within.] Madam!

  Juliet

  (To Nurse.) I am coming! (To Romeo.) But if you do not mean what you say, I beg you…

  I come anon.-- But if thou meanest not well, I do beseech thee,--

  Nurse

  (From inside.) Madam!

  [Within.] Madam!

  Juliet

  (To Nurse.) Okay, already. I’m coming! (To Romeo.) I beg you to leave. I will send someone tomorrow.

  By-and-by I come:-- To cease thy suit and leave me to my grief: To-morrow will I send.

  Romeo

  I will think of nothing else!

  So thrive my soul,--

  Juliet

  Okay. Go. A thousand times goodnight!

  A thousand times good night!

  (Exit.)

  Romeo

  I do not want to leave you. It is a thousand times worse when you are not near. Lovers aren’t meant to be separated like a schoolboy from his books. And, when they are, it is as terrible as having to go to school.

  A thousand times the worse, to want thy light!-- Love goes toward love as schoolboys from their books; But love from love, towards school with heavy looks.

  (Retiring slowly.)

  (Re-enter Juliet, above.)

  Juliet

  Psst, Romeo! Psst! Oh, I wish I could make a bird call to bring him back again. I am suffocating in this house. I wish I could find the place where Echo lives and make her repeat my Romeo’s name.

  Hist! Romeo, hist!--O for a falconer's voice To lure this tassel-gentle back again! Bondage is hoarse and may not speak aloud; Else would I tear the cave where Echo lies, And make her airy tongue more hoarse than mine With repetition of my Romeo's name.

  Romeo

  My love, my soul is calling my name. Her voice is like music to my ears.

  It is my soul that calls upon my name: How silver-sweet sound lovers' tongues by night, Like softest music to attending ears!

  Juliet

  Romeo!

  Romeo!

  Romeo

  My dear?

  My dear?

  Juliet

  What time do you want me to send my messenger?

  At what o'clock to-morrow Shall I send to thee?

  Romeo

  At nine o’clock.

  At the hour of nine.

  Juliet

  I will not fail. It feels like tomorrow is twenty years from now. I have forgotten why I called you back.

  I will not fail: 'tis twenty years till then. I have forgot why I did call thee back.

  Romeo

  Let me wait here till you remember.

  Let me stand here till thou remember it.

  Juliet

  I will never remember with you standing there. All I can think about is how much I love you being here.

  I shall forget, to have thee still stand there, Remembering how I love thy company.

  Romeo

  Then, I will never leave. I will forget any other place but this.

  And I'll still stay, to have thee still forget, Forgetting any other home but this.

  Juliet

  It is almost morning. You must go. I don’t want you to, but you must. I don’t want to be like the owner of a little pet bird that lets it freely hop around only to be pulled back in by a string.

  'Tis almost morning; I would have thee gone: And yet no farther than a wanton's bird; That lets it hop a little from her hand, Like a poor prisoner in his twisted gyves, And with a silk thread plucks it back again, So loving-jealous of his liberty.

  Romeo

  I wish I were your pet.

  I would I were thy bird.

  Juliet

  Sweetie, so do I. However, I would probably smother you with my love. Good night, good night! Separating is so hard, and it fills me with sorrow, but we must say good night until tomorrow.

  Sweet, so would I: Yet I should kill thee with much cherishing. Good night, good night! parting is such sweet sorrow That I shall say good night till it be morrow.

  (Exit.)

  Romeo

  Sleep peacefully tonight. I wish I could stay with you. I will go to my priest, tell him my story, and ask for his help.

  Sleep dwell upon thine eyes, peace in thy breast!-- Would I were sleep and peace, so sweet to rest! Hence will I to my ghostly father's cell, His help to crave and my dear hap to tell.

  (Exit all.)

  Scene III: Friar Lawrence’s cell

  (Enter Friar Lawrence with a basket.)

  Friar Lawrence

  The dawn of morning smiles upon the frowns of night, streaking the eastern sky with li
ght. Like a drunk, the darkness stumbles away. Now, before the sun comes up, heating up the earth, drying the dew, I must fill this basket with poisonous weeds and precious flowers. The earth is nature’s mother and her tomb. From her womb, I will collect many different types of natural items that have medicinal qualities so helpful to her children. But, even good things can come to no good, if they are abused. This small flower smells so sweet, but if one were to eat it, their heart would cease to beat. Men, like this flower, possess both natures; good and evil.

  The grey-ey'd morn smiles on the frowning night, Chequering the eastern clouds with streaks of light; And flecked darkness like a drunkard reels From forth day's path and Titan's fiery wheels: Non, ere the sun advance his burning eye, The day to cheer and night's dank dew to dry, I must up-fill this osier cage of ours With baleful weeds and precious-juiced flowers. The earth, that's nature's mother, is her tomb; What is her burying gave, that is her womb: And from her womb children of divers kind We sucking on her natural bosom find; Many for many virtues excellent, None but for some, and yet all different. O, mickle is the powerful grace that lies In plants, herbs, stones, and their true qualities: For naught so vile that on the earth doth live But to the earth some special good doth give; Nor aught so good but, strain'd from that fair use, Revolts from true birth, stumbling on abuse: Virtue itself turns vice, being misapplied; And vice sometimes by action dignified. Within the infant rind of this small flower Poison hath residence, and medicine power: For this, being smelt, with that part cheers each part; Being tasted, slays all senses with the heart. Two such opposed kings encamp them still In man as well as herbs,--grace and rude will; And where the worser is predominant, Full soon the canker death eats up that plant.

  (Enter Romeo.)

  Romeo

  Good morning, father!

  Good morrow, father!

  Friar Laurence

  May God bless you! What causes you to be in such a good mood? Why are you up so early? This hour is for old men who worry, not young men who should be living the care-free life. Are you unwell or have you not been to bed at all?

  Benedicite! What early tongue so sweet saluteth me?-- Young son, it argues a distemper'd head So soon to bid good morrow to thy bed: Care keeps his watch in every old man's eye, And where care lodges sleep will never lie; But where unbruised youth with unstuff'd brain Doth couch his limbs, there golden sleep doth reign: Therefore thy earliness doth me assure Thou art uprous'd with some distemperature; Or if not so, then here I hit it right,-- Our Romeo hath not been in bed to-night.