Internet Shakespeare Editions

Author: William Shakespeare
Editor: Roger Apfelbaum
Not Peer Reviewed

Romeo and Juliet (Quarto 1, 1597)

The most excellent Tragedie,

But he that hath the steerage of my course
Directs my saile, on lustie Gentlemen.
Enter old Capulet with the Ladies.
585Capu: Welcome Gentlemen, welcome Gentlemen,
Ladies that haue their toes vnplagud with Corns
Will haue about with you, ah ha my Mistresses,
Which of you all will now refuse to dance?
Shee that makes daintie, shee Ile sweare hath Corns.
590Am I come neere you now, welcome Gentlemen, wel- (come,
More lights you knaues, & turn these tables vp,
And quench the fire the roome is growne too hote.
600Ah sirra, this vnlookt for sport comes well,
Nay sit, nay sit, good Cosen Capulet:
For you and I are past our standing dayes,
How long is it since you and I were in a Maske?
605Cos: By Ladie sir tis thirtie yeares at least.
Cap: Tis not so much, tis not so much.
Tis since the mariage of Lucentio,
Come Pentecost as quicklie as it will,
Some fiue and twentie yeares, and then we maskt.
610Cos: Tis more, tis more, his sonne is elder far.
Cap: Will you tell me that it cannot be so,
His sonne was but a Ward three yeares agoe,
613.1Good youths I faith. Oh youth's a iolly thing.
Rom: What Ladie is that that doth inrich the hand
615Of yonder Knight? O shee doth teach the torches to
burne bright!
It seemes she hangs vpon the cheeke of night,
Like a rich iewell in an Aethiops eare,
620Beautie too rich for vse, for earth too deare:
So shines a snow-white Swan trouping with Crowes,
As this faire Ladie ouer her fellowes showes.
The