Romeo and Juliet Page #3

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begot of nothing

but vain fantasy,

which is as thin

of substance as the air

and more inconstant

than the wind.

Much more of this,

and we shall be too late.

Come, let us brave our

fears and steer our course.

Whatever it may prove.

On, lusty gentlemen.

- (LIGHT MUSIC PLAYING)

- (INDISTINCT CHATTER)

Welcome, gentlemen.

Ladies that have their toes

unplagued with corns

will walk about with you.

(LAUGHTER)

I welcome you all.

Come, musicians play.

(DANCING MUSIC BEGINS)

CAPULET:
A hall, a hall.

Make room.

Methinks we have

the pick of what's on show.

They all look hungrier

than a starving dog.

- (BARKS)

- (CHUCKLES)

PARIS:
My lady Juliet.

Count Paris.

Can I beseech that you will

pity me enough to dance

and warm my evening

with a heavenly smile?

Keep your unmannered hand

for lesser prey...

...and leave the fair one

to her own device.

Is that not Rosaline?

Aye, it is she.

Should you not start

to make your case?

My case? When you

carried me hither,

that I might see

I have no case to make?

Go, you speak with her.

The Montagues

in Capulet's domain?

Messer Benvolio,

have you all run mad?

He that I stand for has run mad

for love of your green eyes.

Since Romeo is here,

why is he in need of deputies?

Of course, he means

to plead his cause himself.

(SCOFFS) Indeed.

From where we stand,

he looks well occupied.

(VOCALIZING)

The lady Rosaline

is well disposed

but trembles

for your safety.

ROMEO:
What lady is that

who doth enrich

the hand of yonder knight?

I do not know.

But Rosaline...

Oh, she does teach

the torches to burn bright.

It seems she hangs

upon the cheek of night

like a fine jewel

in an Ethiope's ear.

Beauty too rich for use,

for earth too dear.

So shows the snowy dove

trooping with crows,

as yonder lady o'er

her fellow shows.

But what of your old love,

Rosaline?

Did my heart love till now?

Forswear the sight.

I never saw true beauty

till this night.

- Sirrah, I must protest.

- I have a prior claim.

WOMAN:
Count Paris,

come dance with me.

What claim is that?

The claim of love

that ever must be heard.

Then shall I take

advantage of this turn,

try my chances

with fair Rosaline?

(LAUGHS)

Now, by the shield

and honor of my blood,

to strike him dead,

I hold it not a sin.

Why, how now, Tybalt,

why storm you so?

Uncle, the man Juliet

is with is a Montague.

- Young Romeo, is it?

- (APPLAUSE)

It's him,

that villain Romeo.

Content thee,

gentle coz.

Let him alone.

You heard the prince's

warning at the joust.

To harm a Montague

under this roof means riot,

and in its bloody wake,

our deaths.

I would not for

the wealth of all the town

let any harm beset him

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