Romeo and Juliet

Share
First folio
Modern text

Definitions

Key line

Enter Benuolio and Mercutio.Enter Benvolio and Mercutio RJ II.iv.1
Mer. MERCUTIO 
Where the deule should this Romeo be? cameWhere the devil should this Romeo be? Came RJ II.iv.1
he not home to night?he not home tonight?tonight (adv.)

old form: to night
last night, this past night
RJ II.iv.2
Ben. BENVOLIO 
Not to his Fathers, I spoke with his man.Not to his father's. I spoke with his man. RJ II.iv.3
Mer. MERCUTIO 
Why that same pale hard-harted wench, that Rosaline Ah, that same pale hard-hearted wench, that Rosaline,wench (n.)
girl, lass
RJ II.iv.4
torments him so, that he will sure run mad.Torments him so that he will sure run mad. RJ II.iv.5
Ben. BENVOLIO 
Tibalt, the kinsman to old Capulet,Tybalt, the kinsman to old Capulet, RJ II.iv.6
hath sent a Letter to his Fathers house.Hath sent a letter to his father's house. RJ II.iv.7
Mer. MERCUTIO 
A challenge on my life.A challenge, on my life. RJ II.iv.8
Ben. BENVOLIO 
Romeo will answere it.Romeo will answer it.answer (v.)

old form: answere
cope with, face, encounter
RJ II.iv.9
Mer. MERCUTIO 
Any man that can write, may answere a Letter.Any man that can write may answer a letter. RJ II.iv.10
Ben. BENVOLIO 
Nay, he will answere the Letters Maister how heNay, he will answer the letter's master, how he RJ II.iv.11
dares, being dared.dares, being dared.dare (v.)
challenge, confront, defy
RJ II.iv.12
Mer. MERCUTIO 
Alas poore Romeo, he is already dead Alas, poor Romeo, he is already dead! –  RJ II.iv.13
stab'd with a white wenches blacke eye, runne through thestabbed with a white wench's black eye; shot through the RJ II.iv.14
eare with a Loue song, the very pinne of his heart, cleft withear with a love song; the very pin of his heart cleft withpin (n.)

old form: pinne
[archery] peg in the middle of a target; centre
RJ II.iv.15
the blind Bowe-boyes but-shaft, and is he a man tothe blind bow-boy's butt-shaft. And is he a man tobutt-shaft (n.)

old form: but-shaft
blunt-headed arrow
RJ II.iv.16
encounter Tybalt?encounter Tybalt? RJ II.iv.17
Ben. BENVOLIO 
Why what is Tibalt?Why, what is Tybalt? RJ II.iv.18
Mer. MERCUTIO 
More then Prince of Cats. OhMore than Prince of Cats, I can tell you. O, RJ II.iv.19
hee's the Couragious Captaine of Complements: he fights ashe's the courageous captain of compliments. He fights ascompliment, complement (n.)

old form: Complements
example of good manners, instance of proper behaviour
RJ II.iv.20
captain (n.)

old form: Captaine
commander, chief, leader
you sing pricksong, keeps time, distance, and proportion,you sing pricksong: keeps time, distance, and proportion.proportion (n.)
proper rhythm, correct value [of notes]
RJ II.iv.21
pricksong (n.)
vocal music written down, printed music
distance (n.)
[fencing] regulation space to be kept between contestants
he rests his minum, one, two, and the third inHe rests his minim rests, one, two, and the third in RJ II.iv.22
your bosom: the very butcher of a silk button, a Dualist,your bosom. The very butcher of a silk button. A duellist, RJ II.iv.23
a Dualist: a Gentleman of the very first house of the a duellist. A gentleman of the very first house, of thehouse (n.)
school of instruction, training school
RJ II.iv.24
first and second cause: ah the immortall Passado, the first and second cause. Ah, the immortal passado! thepassado (n.)
[fencing] forward thrust, lunge
RJ II.iv.25
cause (n.)
[duelling] one of the situations or grounds set out in the code of honour which justifies a duel
Punto reuerso, the Hay.punto reverso! the hay!punto reverso (n.)

old form: reuerso
[fencing] back-handed thrust
RJ II.iv.26
hay (n.)
[fencing] home thrust, thrust through
Ben. BENVOLIO 
The what?The what? RJ II.iv.27
Mer. MERCUTIO 
The Pox of such antique lisping affectingThe pox of such antic, lisping, affectingpox (n.)
venereal disease; also: plague, or any other disease displaying skin pustules
RJ II.iv.28
antic, antick(e), antique (adj.)
fantastic, bizarre, weird
phantacies, these new tuners of accent: Iesu a veryfantasticoes, these new tuners of accent! ‘ By Jesu, a veryfantastico (n.)
absurdity, person of wild ideas
RJ II.iv.29
accent (n.)
talk, speech, utterance, words
good blade, a very tall man, a very good whore. Why isgood blade! a very tall man! a very good whore!’ Why, istall (adj.)
brave, valiant, bold
RJ II.iv.30
not this a lamentable thing Grandsire, that we should benot this a lamentable thing, grandsire, that we should begrandsire (n.)
grandfather
RJ II.iv.31
thus afflicted with these strange flies: these fashion Mongers,thus afflicted with these strange flies, these fashion-mongers,fly (n.)
parasite, flatterer, hanger-on
RJ II.iv.32
these pardon-mee's, who stand so much on thethese ‘ pardon-me's ’, who stand so much on thestand (v.)
make a stand, be resolute [on a point]
RJ II.iv.33
new form, that they cannot sit at ease on the old bench.new form that they cannot sit at ease on the old bench?form (n.)
way of behaving, behaviour, code of conduct
RJ II.iv.34
O their bones, their bones.O, their bones, their bones! RJ II.iv.35
Enter Romeo.Enter Romeo RJ II.iv.36
Ben. BENVOLIO 
Here comes Romeo, here comes Romeo.Here comes Romeo, here comes Romeo! RJ II.iv.36
Mer. MERCUTIO 
Without his Roe, like a dryed Hering. O flesh,Without his roe, like a dried herring. O flesh, RJ II.iv.37
flesh, how art thou fishified? Now is he for the numbersflesh, how art thou fishified! Now is he for the numbersnumber (n.)
(plural) metre, versification
RJ II.iv.38
that Petrarch flowed in: Laura to his Lady, was a kitchenthat Petrarch flowed in. Laura, to his lady, was a kitchenLaura (n.)
lady addressed in Petrarch’s love poetry
RJ II.iv.39
Petrarch (n.)
['petrahrk] Italian poet, 14th-c
wench, marrie she had a better Loue to berime her: wench – marry, she had a better love to berhyme her – marry (int.)
[exclamation] by Mary
RJ II.iv.40
berhyme, be-rime (v.)

old form: berime
celebrate in rhyme, put into rhyme
Dido a dowdie, Cleopatra a Gipsie, Hellen and Hero, Dido a dowdy, Cleopatra a gypsy, Helen and HeroDido (n.)
[pron: 'diydoh] Queen of Carthage who fell in love with Aeneas when he was shipwrecked on her shores; commanded by Jupiter, Aeneas left without seeing Dido again, and she killed herself on a funeral pyre
RJ II.iv.41
Helen (n.)
woman renowned for her beauty, whose abduction from the Greeks by Paris of Troy caused the Trojan War
Hero (n.)
priestess of Aphrodite, in love with Leander
Cleopatra (n.)
Egyptian queen in 1st-c BC
dowdy (n.)

old form: dowdie
unattractive woman, shabbily dressed girl
hildings and Harlots: Thisbie a gray eie or so, but not tohildings and harlots, Thisbe a grey eye or so, but not togrey (adj.)

old form: gray
[of eyes] grey-blue, blue-tinged
RJ II.iv.42
harlot (n.)
prostitute, whore
hilding (n.)
good-for-nothing, worthless individual
Thisbe (n.)
[pron: 'thizbee] lover of Pyramus
the purpose. Signior Romeo, Bon iour, there's a French the purpose. Signor Romeo, bon jour. There's a Frenchpurpose (n.)
point at issue, matter in hand
RJ II.iv.43
bon jour (French adj. + n.)
good day
salutation to your French slop: you gaue vs the the counterfaitsalutation to your French slop. You gave us the counterfeitslop, slops (n.)
large loose breeches, baggy trousers
RJ II.iv.44
counterfeit (n.)

old form: counterfait
false imitation, spurious image
fairely last night.fairly last night.fairly (adv.)

old form: fairely
fully, completely, entirely
RJ II.iv.45
Romeo. ROMEO 
Good morrow to you both, what counterfeit did IGood morrow to you both. What counterfeit did Imorrow (n.)
morning
RJ II.iv.46
giue you?give you? RJ II.iv.47
Mer. MERCUTIO 
The slip sir, the slip, can you not conceiue?The slip, sir, the slip. Can you not conceive?slip (n.)
counterfeit coin; also: evasion
RJ II.iv.48
conceive (v.)

old form: conceiue
understand, comprehend, follow
Rom. ROMEO 
Pardon Mercutio, my businesse was great,Pardon, good Mercutio. My business was great, RJ II.iv.49
and in such a case as mine, a man may straine curtesie.and in such a case as mine a man may strain courtesy. RJ II.iv.50
Mer. MERCUTIO 
That's as much as to say, such a case as yoursThat's as much as to say, such a case as yours RJ II.iv.51
constrains a man to bow in the hams.constrains a man to bow in the hams.hams (n.)
thighs, legs
RJ II.iv.52
Rom. ROMEO 
Meaning to cursie.Meaning, to curtsy. RJ II.iv.53
Mer. MERCUTIO 
Thou hast most kindly hit it.Thou hast most kindly hit it.kindly (adv.)
naturally, spontaneously, convincingly
RJ II.iv.54
Rom. ROMEO 
A most curteous exposition.A most courteous exposition. RJ II.iv.55
Mer. MERCUTIO 
Nay, I am the very pinck of curtesie.Nay, I am the very pink of courtesy. RJ II.iv.56
Rom. ROMEO 
Pinke for flower.Pink for flower. RJ II.iv.57
Mer. MERCUTIO 
Right.Right. RJ II.iv.58
Rom. ROMEO 
Why then is my Pump well flowr'd.Why, then is my pump well-flowered. RJ II.iv.59
Mer. MERCUTIO 
Sure wit, follow me this ieast, now till thou hastSure wit, follow me this jest now till thou hastwit (n.)
mental sharpness, acumen, quickness, ingenuity
RJ II.iv.60
worne out thy Pump, that when the single sole of itworn out thy pump, that, when the single sole of it RJ II.iv.61
is worne, the ieast may remaine after the wearing, sole-is worn, the jest may remain, after the wearing, solely RJ II.iv.62
singular.singular. RJ II.iv.63
Rom. ROMEO 
O single sol'd ieast, / Soly singular for the O single-soled jest, solely singular for thesolely (adv.)

old form: Soly
wholly, entirely, altogether
RJ II.iv.64
single-soled (adj.)

old form: single sol'd
thin, poor, worthless
singular (adj.)
unmatched, pre-eminent, outstanding
singlenesse.singleness!singleness

old form: singlenesse
simplicity, shallowness, silliness
RJ II.iv.65
Mer. MERCUTIO 
Come betweene vs good Benuolio, my witsCome between us, good Benvolio! My witswits, also five wits
faculties of the mind (common wit, imagination, fantasy, estimation, memory) or body (the five senses)
RJ II.iv.66
faints.faint. RJ II.iv.67
Rom. ROMEO 
Swits and spurs, / Swits and spurs, or Ile crie aSwits and spurs, swits and spurs! or I'll cry aswits and spurs
[switches] at full speed, in hot haste
RJ II.iv.68
match.match.match (n.)
victory, success, triumph
RJ II.iv.69
Mer. MERCUTIO 
Nay, if our wits run the Wild-Goose chase, INay, if our wits run the wild goose chase, I RJ II.iv.70
am done: For thou hast more of the Wild-Goose in one ofam done. For thou hast more of the wild goose in one of RJ II.iv.71
thy wits, then I am sure I haue in my whole fiue. Was Ithy wits than, I am sure, I have in my whole five. Was Iwits, also five wits
faculties of the mind (common wit, imagination, fantasy, estimation, memory) or body (the five senses)
RJ II.iv.72
with you there for the Goose?with you there for the goose?goose (n.)
prostitute, whore
RJ II.iv.73
Rom. ROMEO 
Thou wast neuer with mee for any thing, whenThou wast never with me for anything when RJ II.iv.74
thou wast not there for the Goose.thou wast not there for the goose. RJ II.iv.75
Mer. MERCUTIO 
I will bite thee by the eare for that iest.I will bite thee by the ear for that jest. RJ II.iv.76
Rom. ROMEO 
Nay, good Goose bite not.Nay, good goose, bite not. RJ II.iv.77
Mer. MERCUTIO 
Thy wit is a very Bitter-sweeting, / It is a most Thy wit is a very bitter sweeting. It is a mostwit (n.)
mental sharpness, acumen, quickness, ingenuity
RJ II.iv.78
sweeting (n.)
sweet-flavoured variety of apple
sharpe sawce.sharp sauce. RJ II.iv.79
Rom. ROMEO 
And is it not well seru'd into a Sweet-And is it not, then, well served in to a sweet RJ II.iv.80
Goose?goose? RJ II.iv.81
Mer. MERCUTIO 
Oh here's a wit of Cheuerell, that stretches fromO, here's a wit of cheverel, that stretches fromcheverel (n.)

old form: Cheuerell
kid leather [noted for its pliancy]
RJ II.iv.82
an ynch narrow, to an ell broad.an inch narrow to an ell broad!ell (n.)
measure of length [45 inches / c.114 cm in England]
RJ II.iv.83
Rom. ROMEO 
I stretch it out for that word, broad, which addedI stretch it out for that word ‘ broad ’, which, addedbroad (adj.)
plain, evident, obvious
RJ II.iv.84
to the Goose, proues thee farre and wide, abroad Goose.to the goose, proves thee far and wide a broad goose. RJ II.iv.85
Mer. MERCUTIO 
Why is not this better now, then groning forWhy, is not this better now than groaning for RJ II.iv.86
Loue, now art thou sociable, now art thou Romeo: nowlove? Now art thou sociable. Now art thou Romeo. Now RJ II.iv.87
art thou what thou art, by Art as well as by Nature, forart thou what thou art, by art as well as by nature. Forart (n.)
rhetorical art, verbal artistry
RJ II.iv.88
this driueling Loue is like a great Naturall, that runs lollingthis drivelling love is like a great natural that runs lollingnatural (n.)

old form: Naturall
congenital idiot, half-wit, fool
RJ II.iv.89
vp and downe to hid his bable in a hole.up and down to hide his bauble in a hole.bauble (n.)

old form: bable
decorated rod of office, fool's staff
RJ II.iv.90
Ben. BENVOLIO 
Stop there, stop there.Stop there, stop there! RJ II.iv.91
Mer. MERCUTIO 
Thou desir'st me to stop in my tale against Thou desirest me to stop in my tale againsttale (n.)
talking, discourse
RJ II.iv.92
the haire.the hair.hair, against the

old form: haire
against the grain, contrary to inclination
RJ II.iv.93
Ben. BENVOLIO 
Thou would'st else haue made thy tale large.Thou wouldst else have made thy tale large. RJ II.iv.94
Mer. MERCUTIO 
O thou art deceiu'd, I would haue made it O, thou art deceived! I would have made it RJ II.iv.95
short, or I was come to the whole depth of my tale, andshort; for I was come to the whole depth of my tale, and RJ II.iv.96
meant indeed to occupie the argument no longer.meant indeed to occupy the argument no longer.occupy (v.)

old form: occupie
fornicate, have sexual dealings [with]
RJ II.iv.97
argument (n.)
story, subject, plot
Rom. ROMEO 
Here's goodly geare.Here's goodly gear!gear (n.)

old form: geare
business, affair, matter
RJ II.iv.98
goodly (adj.)
splendid, excellent, fine
Enter Nurse and her man.Enter Nurse and her man, Peter RJ II.iv.99
MERCUTIO 
A sayle, a sayle.A sail, a sail! RJ II.iv.99
Mer. BENVOLIO 
Two, two: a Shirt and a Smocke.Two, two. A shirt and a smock.smock (n.)

old form: Smocke
woman's undergarment, shift, slip, chemise
RJ II.iv.100
Nur. NURSE 
Peter?Peter! RJ II.iv.101
Peter. PETER 
Anon.Anon.anon (adv.)
soon, shortly, presently
RJ II.iv.102
Nur. NURSE 
My Fan Peter?My fan, Peter. RJ II.iv.103
Mer. MERCUTIO 
Good Peter to hide her face? / For her Fans theGood Peter, to hide her face. For her fan's the RJ II.iv.104
fairer face?fairer face. RJ II.iv.105
Nur. NURSE 
God ye good morrow Gentlemen.God ye good-morrow, gentlemen.morrow (n.)
morning
RJ II.iv.106
Mer. MERCUTIO 
God ye gooden faire Gentlewoman.God ye good-e'en, fair gentlewoman.gentlewoman (n.)
[formally polite address] madam
RJ II.iv.107
Nur. NURSE 
Is it gooden?Is it good-e'en? RJ II.iv.108
Mer. MERCUTIO 
'Tis no lesse I tell you: for the bawdy hand of'Tis no less, I tell ye, for the bawdy hand of RJ II.iv.109
the Dyall is now vpon the pricke of Noone.the dial is now upon the prick of noon.dial (n.)

old form: Dyall
watch, timepiece, pocket sundial
RJ II.iv.110
Nur. NURSE 
Out vpon you: what a man are you?Out upon you! What a man are you! RJ II.iv.111
Rom. ROMEO 
One Gentlewoman, / That God hath made, himselfeOne, gentlewoman, that God hath made for himself RJ II.iv.112
to mar.to mar. RJ II.iv.113
Nur. NURSE 
By my troth it is said, for himselfe to, marBy my troth, it is well said. ‘ For himself to mar,’troth, by my
by my truth [exclamation emphasizing an assertion]
RJ II.iv.114
quatha: Gentlemen, can any of you tel me where Iquoth 'a? Gentlemen, can any of you tell me where Iquoth (v.)

old form: quatha
said
RJ II.iv.115
may find the young Romeo?may find the young Romeo? RJ II.iv.116
Romeo. ROMEO 
I can tell you: but young Romeo will be olderI can tell you. But young Romeo will be older RJ II.iv.117
when you haue found him, then he was when you soughtwhen you have found him than he was when you sought RJ II.iv.118
him: I am the youngest of that name, for fault of ahim. I am the youngest of that name, for fault of afault of, for (prep.)
in default of, in the absence of
RJ II.iv.119
worse.worse. RJ II.iv.120
Nur. NURSE 
You say well.You say well. RJ II.iv.121
Mer. MERCUTIO 
Yea is the worst well, / Very well tooke: Ifaith,Yea, is the worst well? Very well took, i'faith, RJ II.iv.122
wisely, wisely.wisely, wisely! RJ II.iv.123
Nur. NURSE 
If you be he sir, / I desire some confidence withIf you be he, sir, I desire some confidence withconfidence (n.)
malapropism for ‘conference’
RJ II.iv.124
you?you. RJ II.iv.125
Ben. BENVOLIO 
She will endite him to some Supper.She will endite him to some supper.endite (v.)
deliberate malapropism for ‘invite’
RJ II.iv.126
Mer. MERCUTIO 
A baud, a baud, a baud. So ho.A bawd, a bawd, a bawd! So ho!bawd (n.)

old form: baud
pimp, procurer, pander, go-between
RJ II.iv.127
Rom. ROMEO 
What hast thou found?What hast thou found? RJ II.iv.128
Mer. MERCUTIO 
No Hare sir, vnlesse a Hare sir in a Lenten pie,No hare, sir; unless a hare, sir, in a lenten pie,lenten (adj.)
made in Lent [without meat]
RJ II.iv.129
that is something stale and hoare ere it be spent.that is something stale and hoar ere it be spent.something (adv.)
somewhat, rather
RJ II.iv.130
stale (adj.)
unfresh, old, deteriorating
hoar (adj.)

old form: hoare
mouldy, musty, rotten
spend (v.)
use up, wear out, exhaust, bring to an end
He walks by them and sings RJ II.iv.131
An old Hare hoare,An old hare hoar, RJ II.iv.131
and an old Hare hoareAnd an old hare hoar, RJ II.iv.132
is very good meat in Lent.Is very good meat in Lent.Lent (n.)
in Christian tradition, the 6-week penitential season before Easter
RJ II.iv.133
But a Hare that is hoareBut a hare that is hoar RJ II.iv.134
is too much for a score,Is too much for a scorescore (n.)
tavern bill, alehouse tally
RJ II.iv.135
when it hoares ere it be spent,When it hoars ere it be spent. RJ II.iv.136
Romeo will you come to your Fathers? Weele to dinnerRomeo, will you come to your father's? We'll to dinner RJ II.iv.137
thither.thither. RJ II.iv.138
Rom. ROMEO 
I will follow you.I will follow you. RJ II.iv.139
Mer. MERCUTIO 
Farewell auncient Lady: / FarewellFarewell, ancient lady. Farewell. (He sings) RJ II.iv.140
Lady, Lady, Lady.Lady, lady, lady. RJ II.iv.141
Exit. Mercutio, Benuolio.Exeunt Mercutio and Benvolio RJ II.iv.141
Nur. NURSE 
I pray you sir, what sawcie Merchant was this thatI pray you, sir, what saucy merchant was this thatmerchant (n.)
fellow, character, lad
RJ II.iv.142
saucy (adj.)

old form: sawcie
insolent, impudent, presumptuous, defiant
was so full of his roperie?was so full of his ropery?ropery (n.)

old form: roperie
roguery, tricks, rascal ways
RJ II.iv.143
Rom. ROMEO 
A Gentleman Nurse, that loues to heare himselfeA gentleman, Nurse, that loves to hear himself RJ II.iv.144
talke, and will speake more in a minute, then he will standtalk and will speak more in a minute than he will standstand to (v.)
maintain, uphold, be steadfast in
RJ II.iv.145
to in a Moneth.to in a month. RJ II.iv.146
Nur. NURSE 
And a speake any thing against me, Ile take himAn 'a speak anything against me, I'll take himtake down (v.)

old form: downe
humble, lower, cut down to size
RJ II.iv.147
and, an (conj.)
if, whether
downe, & a were lustier then he is, and twentie suchdown, an 'a were lustier than he is, and twenty suchlusty (adj.)
merry, cheerful, lively
RJ II.iv.148
and, an (conj.)
if, even if
Iacks: and if I cannot, Ile finde those that shall: scuruieJacks; and if I cannot, I'll find those that shall. ScurvyJack (n.)

old form: Iacks
jack-in-office, ill-mannered fellow, lout, knave
RJ II.iv.149
scurvy (adj.)

old form: scuruie
contemptible, despicable, wretched
knaue, I am none of his flurt-gils, I am none of his knave! I am none of his flirt-gills. I am none of hisknave (n.)

old form: knaue
scoundrel, rascal, rogue
RJ II.iv.150
flirt-gill (n.)

old form: flurt-gils
fast girl, loose woman
skaines mates, and thouskains-mates. (She turns to Peter her man) And thouskains-mate (n.)
[unclear meaning] cut-throat fellow
RJ II.iv.151
must stand by too and suffer euery knaue to vse me atmust stand by too, and suffer every knave to use me atsuffer (v.)
allow, permit, let
RJ II.iv.152
knave (n.)

old form: knaue
scoundrel, rascal, rogue
his pleasure.his pleasure! RJ II.iv.153
Pet. PETER 
I saw no man vse you at his pleasure: if I had, myI saw no man use you at his pleasure. If I had, my RJ II.iv.154
weapon should quickly haue beene out, I warrant you,weapon should quickly have been out. I warrant you,warrant (v.)
assure, promise, guarantee, confirm
RJ II.iv.155
I dare draw assoone as another man, if I see occasion inI dare draw as soon as another man, if I see occasion indraw (v.)
draw a sword
RJ II.iv.156
a good quarrell, and the law on my side.a good quarrel, and the law on my side. RJ II.iv.157
Nur. NURSE 
Now afore God, I am so vext, that euery partNow, afore God, I am so vexed that every partafore, 'fore (prep.)
before, in front of
RJ II.iv.158
about me quiuers, skuruy knaue: pray you sir a word:about me quivers. Scurvy knave! Pray you, sir, a word; RJ II.iv.159
and as I told you, my young Lady bid me enquire youand, as I told you, my young lady bid me inquire you RJ II.iv.160
out, what she bid me say, I will keepe to my selfe: but out. What she bid me say, I will keep to myself. But RJ II.iv.161
first let me tell ye, if ye should leade her in a fooles paradise,first let me tell ye, if ye should lead her in a fool's paradise, RJ II.iv.162
as they say, it were a very grosse kind of behauiour,as they say, it were a very gross kind of behaviour,gross (adj.)

old form: grosse
vile, abhorrent, wicked
RJ II.iv.163
as they say: for the Gentlewoman is yong: & therefore,as they say. For the gentlewoman is young; and therefore,gentlewoman (n.)
woman of good breeding, well-born lady
RJ II.iv.164
if you should deale double with her, truely it were anif you should deal double with her, truly it were andouble (adv.)
deceptively, deceitfully, in a two-faced way
RJ II.iv.165
ill thing to be offered to any Gentlewoman, and veryill thing to be offered to any gentlewoman, and very RJ II.iv.166
weake dealing.weak dealing.weak (adj.)

old form: weake
contemptible, despicable, dishonourable
RJ II.iv.167
Nur. ROMEO 
Nurse commend me to thy Lady and Mistresse, INurse, commend me to thy lady and mistress. Icommend (v.)
convey greetings, present kind regards
RJ II.iv.168
protest vnto thee.protest unto thee – protest (v.)
declare, say, swear
RJ II.iv.169
Nur. NURSE 
Good heart, and yfaith I will tell her as much:Good heart, and i'faith I will tell her as much. RJ II.iv.170
Lord, Lord she will be a ioyfull woman.Lord, Lord! She will be a joyful woman. RJ II.iv.171
Rom. ROMEO 
What wilt thou tell her Nurse? thou doest notWhat wilt thou tell her, Nurse? Thou dost not RJ II.iv.172
marke me?mark me.mark (v.)
note, pay attention [to], take notice [of]
RJ II.iv.173
Nur. NURSE 
I will tell her sir, that you do protest, which as II will tell her, sir, that you do protest, which, as Iprotest (v.)
declare love
RJ II.iv.174
take it, is a Gentleman-like offer.take it, is a gentlemanlike offer. RJ II.iv.175
Rom. ROMEO 
Bid her deuise Bid her devise RJ II.iv.176
some meanes to come to shrift this afternoone,Some means to come to shrift this afternoon,shrift (n.)
confession
RJ II.iv.177
And there she shall at Frier Lawrence CellAnd there she shall at Friar Laurence' cellcell (n.)
small humble dwelling
RJ II.iv.178
Be shriu'd and married: here is for thy paines.Be shrived and married. Here is for thy pains.shrive (v.)

old form: shriu'd
hear confession, grant absolution, forgive
RJ II.iv.179
Nur. NURSE 
No truly sir not a penny.No, truly, sir. Not a penny. RJ II.iv.180
Rom. ROMEO 
Go too, I say you shall.Go to! I say you shall. RJ II.iv.181
Nur. NURSE 
This afternoone sir? well she shall be there.This afternoon, sir? Well, she shall be there. RJ II.iv.182
Ro. ROMEO 
And stay thou good Nurse behind the Abbey wall,And stay, good Nurse, behind the abbey wall. RJ II.iv.183
Within this houre my man shall be with thee,Within this hour my man shall be with thee RJ II.iv.184
And bring thee Cords made like a tackled staire,And bring thee cords made like a tackled stair,stair (n.)

old form: staire
ladder
RJ II.iv.185
tackled (adj.)
made of rope
Which to the high top gallant of my ioy,Which to the high topgallant of my joytopgallant (n.)

old form: top gallant
summit, top platform
RJ II.iv.186
Must be my conuoy in the secret night.Must be my convoy in the secret night.convoy (n.)

old form: conuoy
means of transport, method of conveyance
RJ II.iv.187
Farewell, be trustie and Ile quite thy paines:Farewell. Be trusty, and I'll quit thy pains.quit (v.)

old form: quite
pay back, repay, reward
RJ II.iv.188
Farewell, commend me to thy Mistresse.Farewell. Commend me to thy mistress. RJ II.iv.189
Nur. NURSE 
Now God in heauen blesse thee: harke you sir,Now God in heaven bless thee! Hark you, sir. RJ II.iv.190
Rom. ROMEO 
What saist thou my deare Nurse?What sayest thou, my dear Nurse? RJ II.iv.191
Nurse. NURSE 
Is your man secret, did you nere heare sayIs your man secret? Did you ne'er hear say, RJ II.iv.192
two may keepe counsell putting one away.Two may keep counsel, putting one away? RJ II.iv.193
Ro. ROMEO 
Warrant thee my man as true as steele.Warrant thee my man's as true as steel.warrant (v.)
assure, promise, guarantee, confirm
RJ II.iv.194
Nur. NURSE 
Well sir, my Mistresse is the sweetest Lady, Lord,Well, sir, my mistress is the sweetest lady. Lord, RJ II.iv.195
Lord, when 'twas a little prating thing. O there is aLord! when 'twas a little prating thing – O there is aprating (adj.)
prattling, chattering, blathering
RJ II.iv.196
Noble man in Towne one Paris, that would faine lay knifenobleman in town, one Paris, that would fain lay knifelay knife aboard
make a claim, establish a position
RJ II.iv.197
fain (adv.)

old form: faine
gladly, willingly
aboard: but she good soule had as leeue a see Toade, a veryaboard. But she, good soul, had as lief see a toad, a verylief, had as
should like just as much
RJ II.iv.198
Toade as see him: I anger her sometimes, and tell her thattoad, as see him. I anger her sometimes, and tell her that RJ II.iv.199
Paris is the properer man, but Ile warrant you, when I Paris is the properer man. But I'll warrant you, when Iproper (adj.)
good-looking, handsome, comely
RJ II.iv.200
say so, shee lookes as pale as any clout in the versall world.say so, she looks as pale as any clout in the versal world.versal (adj.)

old form: versall
malapropism for ‘universal’
RJ II.iv.201
clout (n.)
piece of cloth, rag; handkerchief
Doth not Rosemarie and Romeo begin both with a letter?Doth not rosemary and Romeo begin both with a letter?rosemary (n.)
aromatic shrub, associated with remembering
RJ II.iv.202
Rom. ROMEO 
I Nurse, what of that? Both with an RAy, Nurse. What of that? Both with an ‘ R.’ RJ II.iv.203
Nur. NURSE 
A mocker that's the dogs name. R. is for theAh, mocker! That's the dog's name. ‘ R ’ is for the –  RJ II.iv.204
no, I know it begins with some other letter, and she hathNo, I know it begins with some other letter; and she hath RJ II.iv.205
the prettiest sententious of it, of you and Rosemary, thatthe prettiest sententious of it, of you and rosemary, thatsententious (adj.)
malapropism for ‘sentences’
RJ II.iv.206
it would do you good to heare it.it would do you good to hear it. RJ II.iv.207
Rom. ROMEO 
Commend me to thy Lady.Commend me to thy lady. RJ II.iv.208
Exit Romeo RJ II.iv.208
Nur. NURSE 
I a thousand times. Peter?Ay, a thousand times. Peter! RJ II.iv.209
Pet. PETER 
Anon.Anon. RJ II.iv.210
Nur. NURSE 
Before and apace. Before, and apace.apace (adv.)
quickly, speedily, at a great rate
RJ II.iv.211
before (adv.)
ahead, in advance
Exit Nurse and Peter.Exeunt RJ II.iv.211
 Previous Act II, Scene IV Next  
x

Jump directly to