Romeo and Juliet: Act 4, Scene 2





           Enter FATHER CAPULET, Mother
           [LADY CAPULET], NURSE,
           and SERVINGMEN, two or three.

      CAPULET
2. So many guests invite as here are writ: i.e., invite everyone whose name is on this list.
  1   So many guests invite as here are writ.

           [He hands the list to First Servant.
           Exit First Servant.]

2. cunning: skillful
  2   Sirrah, go hire me twenty cunning cooks.

      Second Servant
3. try: test.
  3   You shall have none ill, sir; for I'll try if they
  4   can lick their fingers.

      CAPULET
5. How canst thou try them so?: how would that test work?
  5   How canst thou try them so?

      Second Servant
6-7. Marry, sir, 'tis an ill cook that cannot lick his / own fingers: Indeed, sir, it's a bad cook who cannot lick his own fingers. The point is that if the cook can't lick his own fingers, he doesn't have any confidence in his own cooking.
  6   Marry, sir, 'tis an ill cook that cannot lick his
  7   own fingers; therefore he that cannot lick his
  8   fingers goes not with me.

      CAPULET
  9   Go, be gone.

           [Exit Second Servant.]

10. unfurnished: unprepared.  this time: this occasion [the wedding of Juliet and Paris].
 10   We shall be much unfurnished for this time.
 11   What, is my daughter gone to Friar Laurence?

      Nurse
 12   Ay, forsooth.

      CAPULET
 13   Well, he may chance to do some good on her:
14. harlotry: wench, good-for-nothing.  it is: she is. "It" was used to refer to babies.
 14   A peevish self-will'd harlotry it is.

      Nurse
15. shrift: confession.
 15   See where she comes from shrift with merry look.

           Enter JULIET.

      CAPULET
 16   How now, my headstrong! where have you been
16. gadding: wandering.
        gadding?

      JULIET
 17   Where I have learn'd me to repent the sin
 18   Of disobedient opposition
 19   To you and your behests, and am enjoin'd
 20   By holy Laurence to fall prostrate here,

           [She kneels.]

 21   And beg your pardon. Pardon, I beseech you!
 22   Henceforward I am ever ruled by you.

      CAPULET
 23   Send for the County; go tell him of this:
 24   I'll have this knot knit up tomorrow morning.

      JULIET
 25   I met the youthful lord at Laurence' cell;
26. becomed: befitting.
 26   And gave him what becomed love I might,
 27   Not stepping o'er the bounds of modesty.

      CAPULET
 28   Why, I am glad on't; this is well: stand up:

           [Juliet rises.]

 29   This is as't should be. Let me see the County;
 30   Ay, marry, go, I say, and fetch him hither.
 31   Now, afore God! this reverend holy friar,
 32   All our whole city is much bound to him.

      JULIET
33. closet: private room.
34. sort: select. needful: necessary.
35. furnish me: i.e., adorn me as befits a bride.
 33   Nurse, will you go with me into my closet,
 34   To help me sort such needful ornaments
 35   As you think fit to furnish me tomorrow?

      LADY CAPULET
36. No, not till Thursday: Apparently Lady Capulet didn't hear Capulet the first time he said that he was moving the wedding up from Thursday to Wednesday.
 36   No, not till Thursday; there is time enough.

      CAPULET
 37   Go, nurse, go with her: we'll to church tomorrow.

           Exeunt [Juliet and Nurse].

      LADY CAPULET
38. provision: i.e., food and drink for the wedding feast.
 38   We shall be short in our provision,
 39   'Tis now near night.

      CAPULET
 39                                   Tush, I will stir about,
 40   And all things shall be well, I warrant thee, wife;
 41   Go thou to Juliet, help to deck up her;
42. let me alone: leave everything to me.
 42   I'll not to bed tonight; let me alone;
 43   I'll play the housewife for this once. What, ho!
 44   They are all forth. Well, I will walk myself
 45   To County Paris, to prepare him up
 46   Against to-morrow. My heart is wondrous light,
 47   Since this same wayward girl is so reclaim'd.

           Exeunt.