SHARED IMAGERY
As snow against the sun
| BAN 11 | Aveva tra gli altri Romeo un compagno al quale troppo altamente incresceva che quello, senza speranza di conseguir guiderdone alcuno, dietro ad essa donna andasse perdendo il tempo della sua giovinezza col fior degli anni suoi; onde tra molte altre volte una così gli parlò: “Romeo, a me che come fratello ti amo, troppo di noia dà il vederti a questo modo come neve al sole consumare; e poi che tu vedi con tutto ciò che fai e spendi, e senza onor e profitto spendi, che tu non puoi trar costei che ad amarti si pieghi, e che cosa che tu adopri non ti giova, anzi più ritrosa la ritrovi, a che più indarno affaticarti? |
| BOA 7 (61-5) | Car amour le sollicitait de si près, et lui avait si bien empreinte la beauté de la damoiselle en l’intérieur de son cœur, que n’y pouvant plus résister ilsuccombait au faix, et se fondait peu à peu comme la neige au soleil |
| PAI 7 | he fainted with the charge and consumed by little and little as the snow against the Sun. |
| BR: 9 (92-8) |
In sighs, in tears, in plaint, in care, in sorrow and unrest, He moans the day, he wakes the long and weary night; So deep hath love with piercing hand, y–graved her beauty bright Within his breast, and hath so mastered quite his heart, That he of force must yield as thrall, no way is left to start. He cannot stay his step, but forth still must he run; He languisheth and melts away, as snow against the sun. |
| R&J-Q1 R&J-Q2 | not present |
As in a tempest tossed
| DP | not present |
| BAN 85 | Ella restò sì stordita che proprio pareva tócca dalla saetta del folgorante tuono. |
| BAN 92 | Me poi liberarete da una grandissima vergogna, e tutta la casa mia, perciò che se altra via non ci sarà a levarmi fuor di questo tempestoso mare ove ora in sdruscito legno senza governo mi ritrovo, |
| BOA 18 | Le jeune Roméo doncques se sentant agité de cette nouvelle tempête |
| BOA 85 | Cette journée doncques se passa comme font celles des mariniers, lesquels après avoir été agités de grosses tempêtes, voyant quelque rayon de soleil pénétrer le ciel pour illuminer la terre se rassurent, et pensant avoir évité naufrage, soudain après la mer vient à s’enfler, et mutiner les vagues par telle impétuosité qu’ils retombent en plus grand péril qu’ils n’avaient été au précédent. |
| PAI 18 | The young Rhomeo then feeling himself thus tossed with this new tempest, could not tell what countenance to use, but was so surprised and changed with these last flames, as he had almost forgotten himself, |
| PAI 85 | This journey then fared like the voyages of mariners, who after they have bene tost by great and troublous tempest, seeing some sun beam pierce the heavens to lighten the land, assure them selves again, and thinking to have avoided shipwreck, and suddenly the seas begin to swell, the waves do roar, with such vehemence and noise, as if they were fallen again into greater danger than before. |
| BR 21 (211-13) | When Romeus saw himself in this new tempest tossed, Where both was hope of pleasant port, and danger to be lost, He doubtful, scarcely knew what countenance to keep; |
| BR 21 (1514-126) | Like days the painful mariners are wonted to assay; For, beat with tempest great, when they at length espy Some little beam of Phoebus’ light, that pierceth through the sky, To clear the shadowed earth by clearness of his face, They hope that dreadless they shall run the remnant of their race; Yea, they assure themselves, and quite behind their back They cast all doubt, and thank the gods for ’scaping of the wrack; But straight the boisterous winds with greater fury blow, And overboard the broken mast the stormy blasts do throw; The heavens large are clad with clouds as dark as hell, And twice as high the striving waves begin to roar and swell; With greater dangers dread the men are vexéd more, In greater peril of their life than they had been before. |
| R&J-Q1:32.a (the tempest is absent) | CAPULET Why, how now, evermore show’ring? In one little body thou resemblest a sea, a bark, a storm. For this thy body, which I terme a bark, Still floating in thy ever-falling tears, And tossed with sighs arising from thy heart, Will without succour shipwreck presently. But hear you, wife, what, have you sounded her? What says she to it? |
| R&J-Q2:32.a | CAPULET When the sun sets, the earth doth drizzle dew, But for the sunset of my brother’s son It rains downright. How now, a conduit, girl? What, still in tears? Evermore showering? In one little body Thou counterfeits a bark, a sea, a wind; For still thy eyes, which I may call the sea, Do ebb and flow with tears; the bark thy body is, Sailing in this salt flood; the winds, thy sighs, Who, raging with thy tears and they with them, Without a sudden calm will overset Thy tempest-tossed body. – How now, wife? Have you delivered to her our decree? |
Life as a sea voyage
| BOA 85 | Cette journée doncques se passa comme font celles des mariniers, lesquels après avoir été agités de grosses tempêtes, voyant quelque rayon de soleil pénétrer le ciel pour illuminer la terre se rassurent, et pensant avoir évité naufrage, soudain après la mer vient à s’enfler, et mutiner les vagues par telle impétuosité qu’ils retombent en plus grand péril qu’ils n’avaient été au précédent. |
| PAI 85 | This journey then fared like the voyages of mariners, who after they have bene tost by great and troublous tempest, seeing some sun beam pierce the heavens to lighten the land, assure them selves again, and thinking to have avoided shipwreck, and suddenly the seas begin to swell, the waves do roar, with such vehemence and noise, as if they were fallen again into greater danger than before. |
Love as service
| PAI 26 | “Madame if the heavens have bene so favourable to employ me to do you some agreeable service being repaired hither by chance amongst other gentlemen, I esteem the same well bestowed, craving no greater benefit for satisfaction of all my contestations received in this world, than to serve, obey, and honour you so long as my life doth last, as experience shall yield more ample proof when it shall please you to give further assay. |
Love as a labyrinth
|
DP 12 | Dall’altro canto la giovane poco ad altro ch’a lui solo pensando dopo molti sospiri tra sé istimò lei dover sempre felice essere, se costui per sposo avere potesse. Ma per la nimistà che tra l’una e l’altra casa era, con molto timor poco speme di giugnere a sì lieto grado tenea. Onde fra due pensieri di continuo vivendo a sé stessa più volte disse: “O sciocca me a qual vaghezza mi lascio io in così strano labirinto guidare? Ove senza scorta restando uscire a mia posta non ne potrò. Già che Romeo Montecchi non m’ama, perciò che per la nimistà che ha co miei, altro che la mia vergogna non può cercare. E posto che per sposa egli mi volesse, il mio padre di darmegli non consentirebbe giamai. ”Dapoi nell’altro pensiero venendo dicea: “Chi sa forse che per meglio paceficarsi insieme queste due case, che già stanche e sazie sono di far tra lor guerra mi porria ancor venir fatto d’averlo in quella guisa che io lo disio.” Et in questo fermatasi cominciò esserli d’alcun sguardo cortese. |
| BAN 17 | Entrato Romeo in questo vago laberinto, non avendo ardire di spiare chi la giovane si fosse, |
| PAI 30 | And after she had wondered of long time in this amorous Labyrinth, she knew not whereupon to resolve, but wept incessantly, and accused herself, |
Love as consuming fire
| DP 13 | Accesi dunque gli due amanti di ugual fuoco l’uno dell’altro il bel nome, e l’effigie nel petto scolpita portando, dier principio quando in chiesa, quando a qualche fenestra a vagheggiarsi: in tanto che mai bene ne l’uno ne l’altro avea se non quanto si vedeano |
| DP 100 | Al qual disse la donna: “Padre altro non vi dimando che questa grazia, la quale per lo amore, che voi alla felice memoria di costui portaste, e mostrogli Romeo, mi farete volentieri, e questo fia, di non far mai palese la nostra morte, accio che gli nostri corpi possano insieme sempre in questo sepolcro stare, e se per caso il morir nostro si risapesse, per lo già detto amore vi prego che gli nostri miseri padri in nome de ambo noi vogliate pregare, che quelli gli quali amore in uno istesso foco, e ad una istessa morte arse e guidò; non sia loro grave in uno istesso sepolcro lasciare.” |
| BAN 17 | E così l’amore che all’altra donna portava, vinto da questo nuovo, diede luogo a queste fiamme che mai più dappoi se non per morte si spensero. |
| PAI 6 | But how much the young gentleman saw her whist, and silent, the more he was inflamed, and after he had continued certain months in that service without remedy of his grief, he determined in the end to depart Verona, for proof if by change of the place he might alter his affection, saying to himself: “What doe I mean to love one that is so unkind, and thus doth disdain me. I am all her own, and yet she flieth from me. I can no longer live, except her presence I doe enjoy. And she hath no contented mind, but when she is furthest from me. I will then from henceforth estrange myself from her, for it may so come to pass by not beholding her, that this fire in me which takes increase and nourishment by her fair eyes, by little and little may die and quench”. |
| PAI 10 | And continued in this manner of life 2 or 3 months, thinking by that means to quench the sparks of ancient flames |
| PAI 17 | And feasting her incessantly with piteous looks, the love which he bare to his first gentlewoman was overcome with this new fire, which took such nourishment and vigour in his heart, as he was not able never to quench the same but by death only: as you may understand by one of the strangest discourses, that ever any mortal man devised |
| PAI 26 | Moreover, if you have received any heat by touch of my hand, you may be well assured that those flames be dead in respect of the lively sparks and violent fire which sorts from your fair eyes, which fire hath so fiercely inflamed all the most sensible parts of my body, as if I be not succoured by the favour of your good graces, I doe attend the time to be consumed to dust”. |
Love as sweet poison
| BAN 17 | beveva il dolce amoroso veleno, ogni parte ed ogni gesto di quella meravigliosamente lodando. |
Eye beam
| DP 10 | Costui preso alquanto d’ardire seguì, “Se io a voi con la mia mano la vostra riscaldo, voi co begli occhi il mio core accendete.” La donna dopo un breve sorriso schifando d’essere con lui veduta, o udita ragionare ancora gli disse: “Io vi giuro Romeo per mia fé, che non è qui donna, la quale (come voi siete) a gli occhi mei bella paia.” Alla quale il giovane già tutto di lei acceso rispose: “Qual io mi sia sarò alla vostra beltade (s’a quella non spiacerà) fedel servo.” |
| BAN 19 | e di tal maniera si guardavano che, riscontrandosi talora gli occhi loro ed insieme mescolandosi i focosi raggi della vista dell’uno e dell’altra, di leggero s’avvidero che amorosamente si miravano |
Lantern
| DP 83 | A questo accostatosi Romeo, che forse verso le quatro ore potea essere, e come uomo di gran nerbo ch’egli era, per forza il coperchio levatogli, e con certi legni che seco portati avea in modo pontellato avendolo, che contra sua voglia chiuder non si potea, dentro vi entrò, e lo rinchiuse. Avea seco il sventurato giovane recata una lume orba per la sua donna alquanto vedere, la quale rinchiuso nell’arca di subito tirò fuori, e aperse. |
| BAN 132 | Aveva Pietro, per commissione di Romeo, portato seco una picciola lanternetta che altri chiamano ‘ceca’, altri ‘sorda’, la quale, scoperta, diede loro aita ad aprir l’arca e ben puntellarla. Entrò dentro Romeo, e vide la carissima moglie che invero pareva morta. Cadette subito Romeo tutto svenuto a lato a Giulietta, di quella assai più morto, ed un pezzo stette fuor di sé tanto dal dolore oppresso che fu vicino a morire. In sé poi rivenuto, la carissima moglie abbracciò e più volte baciandola, di caldissime lagrime lo smorto viso le bagnava e, dal dirotto pianto impedito, non poteva formar parola. Egli pianse assai e poi disse di molte parole che averebbero commosso a pietà i più ferrigni animi del mondo. |
Promised faith
| DP 107 | Questo parve a ciascuno quasi impossibile, e somma maraviglia a tutti apportò. Il che udendo frate Lorenzo, e conoscendo non poter più nascondere quello che disiava di celare, in genocchioni dinazi al Signore postosi disse: “Perdonatemi Signore mio se a vostra signoria la bugia di quello, che ella m’ha richiesto dissi, che ciò non fu per malizia né per guadagno alcuno, ma per servare la promessa fede a due miseri e morti amanti.” Et così tutta la passata istoria fu astretto, presenti molti, raccontargli. |
| BR 222 |
As for the irons that were taken in my hand, As now I deem, I need not seek to make ye understand To what use iron first was made, when it began; How of itself it helpeth not, ne yet can help a man. The thing that hurteth is the malice of his will, That such indifferent things is wont to use and order ill. Thus much I thought to say, to cause you so to know That neither these my piteous tears, though ne’er so fast they flow, Ne yet these iron tools, nor the suspected time, Can justly prove the murder done, or damn me of the crime: No one of these hath power, ne power have all the three, To make me other than I am, how so I seem to be. But sure my conscience, if so my guilt deserve, For an appeacher, witness, and a hangman, eke should serve; For through mine age, whose hairs of long time since were hoar, And credit great that I was in, with you, in time tofore, And eke the sojourn short that I on earth must make, That every day and hour do look my journey hence to take, My conscience inwardly should more torment me thrice, Than all the outward deadly pain that all you could devise. But, God I praise, I feel no worm that gnaweth me, And from remorse’s pricking sting I joy that I am free: I mean, as touching this, wherewith you troubled are, Wherewith you should be troubled still, if I my speech should spare. But to the end I may set all your hearts at rest, And pluck out all the scruples that are rooted in your breast, Which might perhaps henceforth, increasing more and more, Within your conscience also increase your cureless sore, I swear by yonder heavens, whither I hope to climb, And for a witness of my words my heart attesteth Him, Whose mighty hand doth wield them in their violent sway, And on the rolling stormy seas the heavy earth doth stay, That I will make a short and eke a true discourse Of this most woeful tragedy, and show both th’end and source Of their unhappy death, which you perchance no less Will wonder at than they, alas, poor lovers in distress, Tormented much in mind, not forcing lively breath, With strong and patient heart did yield themself to cruel death: Such was the mutual love wherein they burnéd both, And of their promised friendship’s faith so steady was the troth.” |
MOTIFS/THEMES
Frail unconstant Fortune
| BR 128 (143-58) |
“My Juliet, my love, my only hope and care, To you I purpose not as now with length of word declare The diverseness and eke the accidents so strange Of frail unconstant Fortune, that delighteth still in change; Who in a moment heaves her friends up to the height Of her swift-turning slippery wheel, then fleets her friendship straight. O wondrous change, even with the twinkling of an eye Whom erst herself had rashly set in pleasant place so high, The same in great despite down headlong doth she throw, And while she treads and spurneth at the lofty state laid low, More sorrow doth she shape within an hour’s space, Than pleasure in an hundred years; so geason is her grace. The proof whereof in me, alas, too plain appears, Whom tenderly my careful friends have fostered with my feres, In prosperous high degree, maintainéd so by fate, That, as yourself did see, my foes envied my noble state. |
| BR 129 (1585-94) |
Yet such is my mishap, O cruel destiny, That still I live, and wish for death, but yet can never die; So that just cause I have to think, as seemeth me, That froward Fortune did of late with cruel Death agree To lengthen loathéd life, to pleasure in my pain, And triumph in my harm, as in the greatest hopéd gain. And thou, the instrument of Fortune’s cruel will, Without whose aid she can no way her tyrannous lust fulfil, Art not a whit ashamed, as far as I can see, To cast me off, when thou hast culled the better part of me. |
| BR 130 (1667-72) |
For Fortune changeth more than fickle fantasy; In nothing Fortune constant is save in unconstancy. Her hasty running wheel is of a restless course, That turns the climbers headlong down, from better to the worse, And those that are beneath she heaveth up again: So we shall rise to pleasure’s mount, out of the pit of pain. |
Juliet’s cross-dressing
| DP 38 | Pure alla fine disse ella a lui: “Che farò io sanza di voi? Di più vivere no mi dà il core, meglio fòra che io con voi, ovunque ve ne andaste, mi venissi. Io m’accorzarò queste chiome e come servo vi verrò dietro, né d’altro meglio o più fedelmente che da me non potrete esser servito.” |
| BAN 90 | Io vorrei, padre mio, che voi mi facessi ritrovar calze, giuppone, ed il resto delle vestimenta da ragazzo, a ciò che vestita che io ne sia, possa la sera sul tardi, od il matino a buonissim’ora, uscirmene di Verona che persona non mi conoscerà, e me ne anderò di lungo a Mantova, e mi ricovererò in casa del mio Romeo”. |
| BR |
Receive me as thy servant, and the fellow of thy smart. Thy absence is my death, thy sight shall give me life; But if perhaps thou stand in dread to lead me as a wife, Art thou all counsel-less? Canst thou no shift devise? What letteth but in other weed I may myself disguise? What, shall I be the first? Hath none done so ere this, To ’scape the bondage of their friends? Thyself can answer, yes. Or dost thou stand in doubt that I thy wife ne can By service pleasure thee as much as may thy hiréd man? Or is my loyalty of both accompted less? Perhaps thou fear’st lest I for gain forsake thee in distress. What, hath my beauty now no power at all on you, Whose brightness, force, and praise, sometime up to the skies you blew? My tears, my friendship and my pleasures done of old, Shall they be quite forgot indeed?” |
| PAI 88 | And therefore if ever there lodged any pity in the heart of Gentleman, I beseech thee Rhomeo with all humility, that it may now find place in thee, and that thou wilt vouchsafe to receive me for thy servant, and the faithful companion of thy mishaps. And if thou think that thou canst not conveniently receive me in the estate and habit of a wife, who shall let me to change mine apparel? Shall I be the first that have used like shifts, to escape the tyranny of parents? |
Romeo’s dressing as a nymph
| DP 4 | perché trattasi la maschera, come ogni altro facea, e in abito di ninfa trovandosi, non fu occhio ch’a rimirarlo non volgesse, sì per la sua bellezza che quella d’ogni donna avanzava, che ivi fosse, agguagliava, come per maraviglia che in quella casa, massimamente la notte, fosse venuto, |
| BR 122 | “Art thou,” quoth he, “a man? Thy shape saith, so thou art; Thy crying, and thy weeping eyes denote a woman’s heart. For manly reason is quite from off thy mind outchased, And in her stead affections lewd and fancies highly placed: So that I stood in doubt, this hour, at the least, If thou a man or woman wert, or else a brutish beast. A wise man in the midst of troubles and distress Still stands not wailing present harm, but seeks his harm’s redress. As when the winter flaws with dreadful noise arise, And heave the foamy swelling waves up to the starry skies, So that the bruiséd bark in cruel seas betost, Despaireth of the happy haven, in danger to be lost, The pilot bold at helm, cries, ‘Mates, strike now your sail,’ And turns her stem into the waves that strongly her assail; Then driven hard upon the bare and wrackful shore, In greater danger to be wracked than he had been before, He seeth his ship full right against the rock to run, But yet he doth what lieth in him the perilous rock to shun: Sometimes the beaten boat, by cunning government, The anchors lost, the cables broke, and all the tackle spent, The rudder smitten off, and overboard the mast, Doth win the long desiréd port, the stormy danger past: But if the master dread, and overpressed with woe Begin to wring his hands, and lets the guiding rudder go, The ship rents on the rock, or sinketh in the deep, And eke the coward drenchéd is: so, if thou still beweep And seek not how to help the changes that do chance, Thy cause of sorrow shall increase, thou cause of thy mischance. Other account thee wise, prove not thyself a fool; Now put in practice lessons learned of old in wisdom’s school. The wise man saith, ‘Beware thou double not thy pain, For one perhaps thou may’st abide, but hardly suffer twain.’ As well we ought to seek things hurtful to decrease, As to endeavour helping things by study to increase. The praise of true freedom in wisdom’s bondage lies, He winneth blame whose deeds be fond, although his words be wise. Sickness the body’s gaol, grief gaol is of the mind, If thou canst ’scape from heavy grief, true freedom shalt thou find. Fortune can fill nothing so full of hearty grief, But in the same a constant mind finds solace and relief. Virtue is always thrall to troubles and annoy, But wisdom in adversity finds cause of quiet joy. And they most wretched are that know no wretchedness, And after great extremity mishaps aye waxen less. Like as there is no weal but wastes away sometime, So every kind of wailéd woe will wear away in time. If thou wilt master quite the troubles that thee spill, Endeavour first by reason’s help to master witless will. A sundry med’cine hath each sundry faint disease, But patience, a common salve, to every wound gives ease. The world is always full of chances and of change, Wherefore the change of chance must not seem to a wise man strange. For tickel Fortune doth, in changing, but her kind, But all her changes cannot change a steady constant mind. Though wavering Fortune turn from thee her smiling face, And Sorrow seek to set himself in banished Pleasure’s place, Yet may thy marred state be mended in a while, And she eftsoons that frowneth now, with peasant cheer shall smile, For as her happy state no long while standeth sure, Even so the heavy plight she brings, not always doth endure. What need so many words to thee that art so wise? Thou better canst advise thyself, than I can thee advise. Wisdom, I see, is vain, if thus in time of need A wise man’s wit unpractised doth stand him in no steed. I know thou hast some cause of sorrow and of care, But well I wot thou hast no cause thus franticly to fare. Affection’s foggy mist thy feebled sight doth blind; But if that reason’s beams again might shine into thy mind, If thou would’st view thy state with an indifferent eye, I think thou would’st condemn thy plaint, thy sighing, and thy cry. With valiant hand thou mad’st thy foe yield up his breath , Thou hast escaped his sword and eke the laws that threaten death. By thy escape thy friends are fraughted full of joy, And by his death thy deadly foes are laden with annoy. Wilt thou with trusty friends of pleasure take some part? Or else to please thy hateful foes be partner of their smart? Why cry’st thou out on love? Why dost thou blame thy fate? Why dost thou so cry after death? Thy life why dost thou hate? Dost thou repent the choice that thou so late didst choose? Love is thy Lord; thou ought’st obey and not thy prince accuse. For thou hast found, thou know’st, great favour in his sight. He granted thee, at thy request, thy only heart’s delight. So that the gods envied the bliss thou lived’st in; To give to such unthankful men is folly and a sin. Methinks I hear thee say, the cruel banishment Is only cause of thy unrest; only thou dost lament That from thy native land and friends thou must depart, Enforced to fly from her that hath the keeping of thy heart: And so oppressed with weight of smart that thou dost feel, Thou dost complain of Cupid’s brand, and Fortune’s turning wheel. Unto a valiant heart there is no banishment, All countries are his native soil beneath the firmament. As to the fish the sea, as to the fowl the air, So is like pleasant to the wise each place of his repair. Though froward Fortune chase thee hence into exile, With doubled honour shall she call thee home within a while. Admit thou should’st abide abroad a year or twain, Should so short absence cause so long and eke so grievous pain? Though thou ne may’st thy friends here in Verona see, They are not banished Mantua, where safely thou may’st be. Thither they may resort, though thou resort not hither, And there in surety may you talk of your affairs together. Yea, but this while, alas, thy Juliet must thou miss, The only pillar of thy health, and anchor of thy bliss. Thy heart thou leav’st with her, when thou dost hence depart, And in thy breast incloséd bear’st her tender friendly heart. But if thou rue so much to leave the rest behind, With thought of passéd joys content thy uncontented mind. So shall the moan decrease wherewith thy mind doth melt, Compared to the heavenly joys which thou hast often felt. He is too nice a weakling that shrinketh at a shower, And he unworthy of the sweet, that tasteth not the sour. Call now again to mind thy first consuming flame, How didst thou vainly burn in love of an unloving dame? Hadst thou not well-nigh wept quite out thy swelling eyne Did not thy parts, fordone with pain, languish away and pine? Those griefs and others like were haply overpast, And thou in height of Fortune’s wheel well placéd at the last! From whence thou art now fall’n, that, raiséd up again, With greater joy a greater while in pleasure may’st thou reign. Compare the present while with times y-past before, And think that Fortune hath for thee great pleasure yet in store. The whilst, this little wrong receive thou patiently, And what of force must needs be done, that do thou willingly. Folly it is to fear that thou canst not avoid, And madness to desire it much that cannot be enjoyed. To give to Fortune place, not aye deserveth blame, But skill it is, according to the times thyself to frame.” |
| R&J-Q1: 28.d | FRIAR Hold, stay thy hand! Art thou a man? Thy form Cries out thou art, but thy wild acts denote The unreasonable furies of a beast. Unseemely woman in a seeming man, Or ill-beseeming beast in seeming both. Thou hast amazed me. By my holy order, I thought thy disposition better tempered. Hast thou slain Tybalt? Wilt thou slay thy self? And slay thy lady too, that lives in thee? Rouse up thy spirits, thy lady Juliet lives, For whose sweet sake thou wert but lately dead There art thou happy. Tybalt would kill thee, But thou slewest Tybalt there art thou happy too. A pack of blessings lights upon thy back, Happiness courts thee in his best array, But like a misbehaved and sullen wench Thou frown’st upon thy Fate that smiles on thee. Take heed, take heed, for such die miserable. |
| R&J-Q2: 28.d | Hold thy desperate hand! Art thou a man? Thy form cries out thou art. Thy tears are womanish; thy wild acts denote The unreasonable fury of a beast. Unseemly woman in a seeming man, And ill-beseeming beast in seeming both. Thou hast amazed me. By my holy order, I thought thy disposition better tempered. Hast thou slain Tybalt? Wilt thou slay thyself? And slay thy lady, that in thy life lives, By doing damned hate upon thyself? Why railest thou on thy birth, the heaven, and earth, Since birth and heaven and earth, all three do meet In thee at once, which thou at once wouldst lose? Fie, fie, thou shamest thy shape, thy love, thy wit, Which like a usurer abound’st in all And usest none in that true use indeed Which should bedeck thy shape, thy love, thy wit. Thy noble shape is but a form of wax, Digressing from the valour of a man; Thy dear love sworn but hollow perjury, Killing that love which thou hast vowed to cherish; Thy wit, that ornament to shape and love, Misshapen in the conduct of them both, Like powder in a skilless soldier’s flask, Is set afire by thine own ignorance, And thou dismembered with thine own defence. What, rouse thee, man! Thy Juliet is alive, For whose dear sake thou wast but lately dead; There art thou happy. Tybalt would kill thee, But thou slew’st Tybalt; there art thou happy. The law that threatened death becomes thy friend, And turns it to exile; there art thou happy. A pack of blessings light upon thy back, Happiness courts thee in her best array, But like a mishaved and sullen wench Thou pouts upon thy fortune and thy love. Take heed, take heed, for such die miserable. |
Phoebus
NAMES (different names for the same characters)
Romeus’ man
| DP | Pietro |
| BAN | Pietro |
| PAI | Petre/Pietro |
The Franciscan brother
| DP | Frate Lorenzo |
| BAN | Fra Lorenzo |
| PAI | Friar Laurence |
Capulet
| DP | Antonio Capelletti |
| BAN | Capelletti |
| PAI | Capellet |
The gentleman dancing with Juliet (cold hands)
| DP | Marcuccio |
| PAI | Mercutio |
| BAN | Marcuccio |
AGE (different age for the same characters)
Juliet
| DP 44 | Onde prima che più si consumi, diria che fusse bono di darle marito, che ogni modo ella deciotto anni questa santa Eufemia fornì. |
| PAI 99 | “Wife, I have many times thought upon that whereof you speak, notwithstading sith as yet she is not attained to the age of xviij yeares, I thought to provide a husband at leisure. |
Romeo
| BAN 15 | I suoi nemici poi non gli ponevano così la mente come forse avrebbero fatto se egli fosse stato di maggior etate |
| PAI 5 | In the time that these things were a-doing, one of the family of Montesches called Rhomeo, of the age of 20 or 21 years, the comeliest and best conditioned Gentleman that was amongst the Veronian youth, |
NARRATIVE/DRAMATIC CONTRACTIONS, EXPANSIONS, DISLOCATIONS
The encounter before the marriage (expansion found only in BAN)
| BAN 37 | Venne il tempo della Quadragesima e, per più sicurezza dei casi suoi, Giulietta si deliberò fidarsi d’una sua vecchia che seco in camera dormiva, e pigliata l’opportunità, tutta l’istoria del suo amore alla buona vecchia scoperse. E quantunque la vecchia assai la sgridasse e dissuadesse da cotal impresa, nondimeno nessuno profitto facendo, condescese al voler di Giulietta, la quale tanto seppe dire che indusse quella a portar una lettera a Romeo. |
| BAN 38 | L’amante, veduto quanto gli era scritto, si ritrovò il più lieto uomo del mondo per ciò che quella gli scriveva, che alle cinque ore della notte egli venisse a parlar alla finestra davanti al casale e portasse seco una scala di corda. |
| BAN 39 | Aveva Romeo un suo fidatissimo servidore del quale in cose di molta importanza più volte s’era fidato e trovatolo sempre presto e leale. A costui, dettoli ciò che far intendeva, diede la cura di trovar la scala di corda e, messo ordine al tutto, all’ora determinata se n’andò con Pietro, che così il servidore aveva nome, al luogo ove trovò Giulietta che l’aspettava. |
| BAN 40 | La quale, come il conobbe, mandò giù lo spago che apprestato aveva e su tirò la scala a quello attaccata e, con l’aiuto della vecchia che seco era, la scala alla ferrata fermamente accomandata, attendeva la salita dell’amante. |
| BAN 41 | Egli su arditamente salì e Pietro dentro al casale si ricoverò. Salito Romeo sulla finestra, che la ferrata aveva molto spessa e forte di modo ch’una mano difficilmente passar vi poteva, si mise a parlar con Giulietta. |
| BAN 42 | E date e ricevute le amorose salutazioni, così Giulietta al suo amante disse: “Signor mio, a me vieppiù caro che la luce degli occhi miei, io vi ci ho fatto venire per ciò che con mia madre ho posto ordine andarmi a confessare venerdì prossimo che viene, nell’ora della predicazione. Avvisatene fra Lorenzo, che provveda del tutto”. |
| BAN 43 | Romeo disse che già il frate era avvertito e disposto di far quanto essi volevano. E ragionato buona pezza tra loro dei loro amori, quanto tempo li parve, Romeo discese giù, e distaccata la fune della corda, e quella presa, con Pietro si partì. |
The cord ladder
| BAN 38 | L’amante, veduto quanto gli era scritto, si ritrovò il più lieto uomo del mondo per ciò che quella gli scriveva, che alle cinque ore della notte egli venisse a parlar alla finestra davanti al casale e portasse seco una scala di corda. |
| BAN 39 | Aveva Romeo un suo fidatissimo servidore del quale in cose di molta importanza più volte s’era fidato e trovatolo sempre presto e leale. A costui, dettoli ciò che far intendeva, diede la cura di trovar la scala di corda e, messo ordine al tutto, all’ora determinata se n’andò con Pietro, che così il servidore aveva nome, al luogo ove trovò Giulietta che l’aspettava. |
|
BOA 49 | Roméo pressé de se retirer, dit secrètement à Juliette, qu’elle lui envoyât après le dîner la vieille, et qu’il ferait faire une échelle de cordes, par laquelle (ce soir même) il monterait en sa chambre par la fenêtre, où plus à loisir ils aviseraient à leurs affaires. |
| PAI 49 | Rhomeo sorry to go from Iulietta said secretly unto her, that she should send unto him after diner the old woman, and that he would cause to be made a corded ladder the same evening, thereby to climb up to her chamber window, where at more leisure they would devise of their affairs. |
| BR 69 |
Then Romeus said to her, both loth to part so soon, “Fair lady, send to me again your nurse this afternoon. Of cord I will bespeak a ladder by that time; By which, this night, while others sleep, I will your window climb. Then will we talk of love and of our old despairs, And then, with longer leisure had, dispose our great affairs.” |
| R&J-Q2:19.e |
ROMEO And stay, good Nurse, behind the abbey wall, Within this hour my man shall be with thee And bring thee cords made like a tackled stair, Which to the high topgallant of my joy, Must be my convoy in the secret night. Farewell; be trusty, and I’ll quit thy pains. Farewell; commend me to thy mistress. |
Killing of Tybalt
|
DP 31 (Romeo kills Tybalt out of rage) | pur alla fine sendo molti di suoi feriti, e quasi tutti della strada cacciati vinto dalla ira sopra Tebaldo Capelletti corso, che il più fiero de suoi nemici parea, di un colpo in terra morto lo distese, e gli altri che già per la morte di costui erano smarriti, in grandissima fuga rivolse. |
|
BAN 59 (Tybalt attacks Romeo) | Queste parole furono quasi da tutti udite, ma Tebaldo, o non intendesse ciò che Romeo diceva o facesse vista di non intenderlo, rispose: “Ah traditore, tu sei morto!” e con furia a dosso si gli avventò per ferirlo sulla testa. |
| BAN 60 | Romeo che aveva le maniche della maglia che sempre portava, ed al braccio sinistro avvolta la cappa, se la pose sovra il capo, e rivoltata la punta della spada verso il nemico quello direttamente ferì nella gola e gliela passò di banda in banda, di modo che Tebaldo subito si lasciò cascar boccone in terra morto. |
Reference to the fictional source of the story
| DP Frame | Aveva io per continuo uso cavalcando di menar meco uno mio arcero omo di forse cinquant’anni pratico nell’arte e piacevolissimo, e come quasi tutti que di Verona (ove egli nacque) sono, parlante molto e chiamato Peregrino. Questi oltra che animoso e esperto soldato fusse, leggiadro e, forse più di quello ch’agli anni suoi si saria convenuto, innamorato sempre si ritrovava, il che al suo valore doppio valore aggiugneva. Onde le più belle novelle, e con miglior ordine e grazia si dilettava di racontare, e massimamente quelle che d’amore parlavano, ch’alcun altro, ch’io udissi giamai. Per la qual cosa partendo io da Gradisca, ove in allogiamenti mi stava, e con costui e due altri mei, forse de Amore sospinto, verso Udine venendo, la qual strada molto solinga, e tutta per la guerra arsa e destrutta in quel tempo era, e molto dal pensiero soppresso e lontano dagli altri venendomi, accostatomisi il detto Peregrino, come quello che miei pensieri indovinava, così mi disse: “Volete voi sempre in trista vita vivere? Perché una bella crudele, altramente mostrando, poco vi ami? Et benché contro a me spesso dica, pure perché meglio si danno, che non si ritengono i consigli, vi dirò, patron mio, che oltra ch’a voi nell’essercizio che siete, lo star molto nella prigion d’Amore si disdica, si tristi son quasi tutti e fini a quali egli ci produce, ch’è uno pericolo il seguirlo. Et in testimonianza di ciò, quand’a voi piacesse, potre’ io una novella nella mia città avenuta, che la strada men solitaria, e men rincrescevole ci faria, raccontarvi: ne la quale sentireste come dui nobili amanti a misera e piatosa morte guidati fossero.” Et già avendo io fatto segno di udirlo volentieri, egli così cominciò. |
| BAN Dedication | Ora ragionandosi un giorno dei casi fortunevoli, che nelle cose dell’amore, avversi avvengono, il capitano Alessandro Peregrino narrò una pietosa istoria,che in Verona, al tempo del signor Bartolomeo Scala, avvenne: la quale per il suo infelice fine, quasi tutti ci fece piangere. E perché mi parve degna di compassione, e d’esser consacrata alla posterità, per ammonir i giovani che imparino moderatamente a governarsi, e non correr a furia, la scrissi. Quella dunque da me scritta, a voi mando e dono, conoscendo per esperienza le ciancie mie esservi grate e che volentieri quelle leggete. I |
| BR 170 |
The wooer hath passed forth the first day in this sort, And many other more than this, in pleasure and disport. At length the wishéd time of long hopéd delight, As Paris thought, drew near; but near approachéd heavy plight. Against the bridal day the parents did prepare Such rich attire, such furniture, such store of dainty fare, That they which did behold the same the night before Did think and say, a man could scarcely wish for any more. Nothing did seem too dear; the dearest things were bought; And, as the written story saith, indeed there wanted nought That ’longed to his degree, and honour of his stock; |
Fortune
| DP 28 | Et così stando intervenne che la fortuna d’ogni mondan diletto nemica, non so qual malvagio seme spargendo, fece tra le loro case la già quasi morta nimistà riverdire, |
| NO BAN | |
| BR 83 |
But who is he that can his present state assure? And say unto himself, thy joys shall yet a day endure? So wavering Fortune’s wheel, her changes be so strange; |
Death of Juliet
| DP 102 | Et detto questo la sua gran sciagura nell’animo recatasi e la perdita del caro amante ricordandosi diliberando di più no vivere raccolto a sé il fiato e alquanto tenutolo, e poscia con un gran grido fuori mandando sopra’l morto corpo morta si rese. |
| BAN 153 | Ella a modo veruno non voleva ascoltarlo ma, nel suo fiero proponimento perseverando, si doleva che non potesse con la vita sua ricuperar quella del suo Romeo. Et in tutto si dispose voler morire. Ristretti adunque in sé gli spirti, con il suo Romeo in grembo, senza dir nulla, se ne morì. |
| BOA 170 | Et ayant tiré la dague que Roméo avait ceinte à son côté se donna de la pointe plusieurs coups au travers du cœur, disant d’une voix foible et piteuse: “Ah mort fin de malheur, et commencement de félicité, tu sois la bienvenue. Ne crains à cette heure de me darder, et ne donne aucune dilation à ma vie, de peur que mon esprit ne travaille à trouver celui de mon Roméo, entre tant de morts. Et toi mon cher seigneur et loyal époux Roméo, s’il te reste encore quelque connaissance, reçois celle que tu as si loyaument aimée, et qui a été cause de ta violente mort, laquelle t’offre volontairement son âme, afin qu’autre que toi ne soit jouissant de l’amour que si justement avais conquis. Et afin que nos esprits, sortant de cette lumière, soient éternellement vivant ensemble, au lieu d’éternelle immortalité.” Et ces propos achevés, elle rendit l’esprit. |
| PAI 170 | And then Iulietta seeing her self alone, and in full liberty, toke again Rhomeo between her arms, kissing him with such affection, as she seemed to be more attainted with love than death, and drawing out the dagger which Rhomeo ware by his side, she pricked her self with many blows against the hart, saying with feeble and pitiful voice: “Ah death the end of sorrow, and beginning of felicity, thou art most heartily welcome: fear not at this time to sharpen thy dart, give no longer delay of life, for fear that my spirit travail not to find Rhomeos ghost amongst such number of carrion corpses. And thou my dear lord and loyal husband Rhomeo, if there rest in thee any knowledge, receive her whom thou hast so faithfully loved, the only cause of thy violent death, which frankly offreth up her soul that none but thou shalt joy the love whereof thou hast made so lawful conquest. And that our souls passing from this light, may eternally live together in the place of everlasting joy”. And when she had ended those words she yielded up her ghost. |
| BR 218 | When Juliet saw herself left in the vault alone, That freely she might work her will, for let or stay was none, Then once for all she took the cause of all her harms, The body dead of Romeus, and clasped it in her arms; Then she with earnest kiss sufficiently did prove, That more than by the fear of death, she was attaint by love; And then past deadly fear, for life ne had she care, With hasty hand she did draw out the dagger that he ware. “O welcome Death,” quoth she, “end of unhappiness, That also art beginning of assuréd happiness, Fear not to dart me now, thy stripe no longer stay, Prolong no longer now my life, I hate this long delay; For straight my parting sprite, out of this carcase fled, At ease shall find my Romeus’ sprite among so many dead. And thou my loving lord, Romeus, my trusty fere, If knowledge yet do rest in thee, if thou these words dost hear, Receive thou her whom thou didst love so lawfully, That caused, alas, thy violent death, although unwillingly; And therefore willingly offers to thee her ghost, To th’end that no wight else but thou might have just cause to boast Th’enjoying of my love, which aye I have reserved Free from the rest, bound unto thee, that hast it well deserved; That so our parted sprites from light that we see here, In place of endless light and bliss may ever live y-fere.” These said, her ruthless hand through-girt her valiant heart: Ah, ladies, help with tears to wail the lady’s deadly smart! She groans, she stretcheth out her limbs, she shuts her eyes, And from her corpse the sprite doth fly; what should I say, she dies. |
R&J-Q1:46.c | JULIET Ay, noise? Then must I be resolute. O happy dagger, thou shalt end my fear. Rest in my bosom, thus I come to thee. She stabs herself and falls. |
R&J-Q2:46.c | JULIET Yea, noise? Then I’ll be brief. O happy dagger This is thy sheath. There rust and let me die. |
Meeting before Romeo’s departure
| DP 35 | Dall’altra parte al giovane per lei sola abbandonare il partirsi dalla sua patria dolea, né volendosene per cosa alcuna partire senza torre da lei lagrimevole combiato, e in casa sua andare non potendo, al frate ricorse. |
| DP 36 | Al quale che ella venire dovesse per uno servo del suo padre molto amico di Romeo fu fatto a sapere. |
| DP 37 | Et ella vi si ridusse. Et andati amen due nel confessoro assai la loro sciagura insieme piansero. |
Sequence of the events in the ending
| DP | BAN | BOA | PAI | BR | Q2 |
| 103. The watchmen of the town find the friars on the Cappelletti’s grave and ask them what they are doing. The friars refuse to answer and the watchmen’s chief says he’ll report to Bartolomeo | 154; 155 | 171 | 171 |
219 | 47.b |
| 104. The Cappelletti are informed that friar Lorenzo was found on Giulietta’s grave and ask Bartolomeo to investigate | 155 | 172 | 172 |
220 | 47.c |
| 105. Bartolomeo summons Friar Lorenzo and interrogates him. The friar lies. | 173 | 173 | 221 | 48.a | |
| 106. Some friars, who hate friar Lorenzo, open the grave, find Romeo’s body and inform everyone | |||||
| 107. Friar Lorenzo finally tells the truth | 174 | 174 | 222 |
48.b 48.c | |
| 108. Bartolomeo and many people go to San Francesco to see the lovers’ bodies, exhibited on two carpets | 156 | 173 | 173 | 220; 221 | |
| 109. The two lovers’ fathers arrive and cry their children’s death. The feud is ended | 159 | 178 | 178 |
226 | 49.c |
Romeo’s death
|
DP 97 (Friar Laurence sees the dying Romeo) | O Padre mio o padre mio ben mandaste la lettera? Ben sarò io maritata? Ben mi guidarete a Romeo? Vedetelo quì nel mio grembo già morto.” E raccontandogli tutto il fatto a lui il mostrò. Frate Lorenzo queste cose sentendo come insensato si stava; e mirando il giovane, il quale per passare di questa all’altra vita era, così dicendo: “O Romeo qual sciagura mi t’ha tolto? Parlami alquanto? Drizza a me un poco gli occhi tuoi? O Romeo vedi la tua carissima Giulietta che ti prega che la miri; perché non rispondi? Almeno a lei, nel cui bel grembo tu giacci?” |
|
BAN 147 (Friar Laurence sees the dying Romeo) | Io la mandai” – rispose il frate – “e la portò frate Anselmo, che pur tu conosci. E perché mi dici tu cotesto?”. Piangendo acerbamente, Giulietta: “Salite su” – disse – “e lo vederete”. Salì il frate e vide Romeo giacersi, che poco più di vita aveva, e disse: “Romeo, figliuol mio, che hai?”. |
|
BR 211 (when the Friar arrives Romeo has already died) |
Then both they entered in, where they, alas, did find The breathless corpse of Romeus, forsaken of the mind: Where they have made such moan, as they may best conceive, That have with perfect friendship loved, whose friend fierce death did reave. |
DIFFERENT CHARACTERS PERFORMING THE SAME ACTIONS
Seeing and falling in love
|
DP 5 (Juliet falls in love) | ma con più efficacia che ad alcun altro, ad una figliola del detto Messer Antonio venne veduto, che egli sola avea. La quale di sopra naturale bellezza e baldanzosa e legiadrissima era. Questa veduto il giovane con tanta forza nell’animo la sua bellezza ricevette: che al primo incontro de loro occhi di più non essere di lei stessa le parve. |
|
BAN 18 (Juliet falls in love) | Egli, come già dissi, era in un canto assiso, nel qual luogo quando si ballava tutti gli passavano per dinanzi. Giulietta – che così aveva nome la garzona che cotanto a Romeo piaceva – era figliuola del padrone della casa e della festa. Non conoscendo anco ella Romeo, ma parendole pure il più bello e leggiadro giovine che trovar si potesse, meravigliosamente della vista s’appagava, e dolcemente e furtivamente talora così, sotto occhio mirandolo, sentiva non so che dolcezza al core che tutta di gioioso ed estremo piacere l’ingombrava. |
| BOA 16 (Romeo) | Au moyen de quoi avec toute liberté il pouvait contempler les dames à son aise, ce qu’il sut si bien faire, et de si bonne grâce qu’il n’y avait celle qui ne reçût quelque plaisir de sa présence. Et après avoir assis un jugement particulier sur l’excellence de chacune, selon que l’affection le conduisait, il avisa une fille entre autres d’une extrême beauté, laquelle encore qu’il ne l’eût jamais vue, elle lui plut sur toutes et lui donnait en son cœur le premier lieu en toute perfection de beauté. |
| BR 19 (Romeo) |
At length he saw a maid, right fair, of perfect shape, Which Theseus or Paris would have chosen to their rape. Whom erst he never saw; of all she pleased him most; Within himself he said to her, “Thou justly may’st thee boast Of perfect shape’s renown, and beauty’s sounding praise, Whose like ne hath, ne shall be seen, ne liveth in our days.” |
Marriage as peace
| DP 12 (Juliet’s idea) | E posto che per sposa egli mi volesse, il mio padre di darmegli non consentirebbe giamai.” Dapoi nell’altro pensiero venendo dicea: “Chi sa forse che per meglio paceficarsi insieme queste due case, che già stanche e sazie sono di far tra lor guerra mi porria ancor venir fatto d’averlo in quella guisa che io lo disio.” Et in questo fermatasi cominciò esserli d’alcun sguardo cortese. |
|
DP 22 (Friar Laurence celebrates the marriage for his own profit) | Il frate di ciò contento fu, si perché a Romeo niuna cosa arìa senza suo gran danno potuta negare, sì anco perché pensava, che forse ancora per mezzo suo sarìa questa cosa succeduta in bene, il che di molto onore gli sarìa stato presso il Signore, e ogn’altro ch’avesse disiato queste due case veder in pace. |
| BAN 35 (Friar Laurence) | Fra Lorenzo, udito questo, promise far tutto ciò che Romeo voleva, sì perché a quello non poteva cosa veruna negare ed altresì che con questo mezzo si persuadeva poter pacificare insieme i Capelletti ed i Montecchi, ed acquistarsi di più in più la grazia del signor Bartolomeo, che infinitamente desiderava che queste due casate facessero pace per levar tutti i tumulti della sua città. |
Asking the friar to celebrate the marriage
| DP 19 (Juliet) | “Facciasi” rispose la donna: “Ma reintegrasi poi nella presenza di frate Lorenzo da San Francesco mio confessore se volete che io in tutto e contenta mi vi dia.” “O” disse a lei Romeo “dunque frate Lorenzo da Reggio è quello, che ogni secreto de cuor vostro sa?” “Sì” diss’ella, “e serbasi per mia sodisfazione a far ogni nostra cosa dinanzi a lui.” Et qui posto discreto modo alle loro cose l’uno dall’altro si partì. |
| BAN 32 (Juliet) | Romeo, che altro non bramava, udendo queste parole lietamente le rispose che questo era tutto il suo disio e che ogni volta che le piacesse la sposeria in quel odo che ella ordinasse. “Ora sta bene” – soggiunse Giulietta – “ma perché le cose nostre ordinatamente si facciano, io vorrei che il nostro sposalizio alla presenza del reverendo frate Lorenzo da Reggio, mio padre spirituale, si facesse”. A questo s’accordarono, e si conchiuse che Romeo con lui il seguente giorno del fatto parlasse, essendo egli molto di quello domestico. |
| BOA 37 (Romeo) | |
| BR 48 (Romeo) |
Then Romeus, whose thought was free from foul desire, And to the top of virtue’s height did worthily aspire, Was filled with greater joy than can my pen express, Or, till they have enjoyed the like, the hearer’s heart can guess. And then with joined hands, heaved up into the skies, He thanks the Gods, and from the heavens for vengeance down he cries If he have other thought but as his lady spake; And then his look he turned to her, and thus did answer make: “Since, lady, that you like to honour me so much As to accept me for your spouse, I yield myself for such. In true witness whereof, because I must depart, Till that my deed do prove my word, I leave in pawn my heart. To-morrow eke betimes before the sun arise, To Friar Laurence will I wend, to learn his sage advice. He is my ghostly sire, and oft he hath me taught What I should do in things of weight, when I his aid have sought. And at this self-same hour, I plight you here my faith, I will be here, if you think good, to tell you what he saith.” |
The friar tries to dissuade Romeo from marrying Juliet (Innovation from BOA)
| BOA 41 | , auquel le bon homme après lui avoir fait plusieurs remontrances, et proposé tous les inconvénients de ce mariage clandestin, l’exhorta d’y penser plus à loisir. |
| BR 52 |
A thousand doubts and moe in th’old man’s head arose, A thousand dangers like to come the old man doth disclose, And from the spousal rites he redeth him refrain, Perhaps he shall be bet advised within a week or twain. |
Organiser of the lovers’ encounter
| BAN 38 (Juliet) | L’amante, veduto quanto gli era scritto, si ritrovò il più lieto uomo del mondo per ciò che quella gli scriveva, che alle cinque ore della notte egli venisse a parlar alla finestra davanti al casale e portasse seco una scala di corda. |
| BOA 49 (Romeo) | Roméo pressé de se retirer, dit secrètement à Juliette, qu’elle lui envoyât après le dîner la vieille, et qu’il ferait faire une échelle de cordes, par laquelle (ce soir même) il monterait en sa chambre par la fenêtre, où plus à loisir ils aviseraient à leurs affaires. |
| BR 69 (Romeo) |
Then Romeus said to her, both loth to part so soon, “Fair lady, send to me again your nurse this afternoon. Of cord I will bespeak a ladder by that time; By which, this night, while others sleep, I will your window climb. Then will we talk of love and of our old despairs, And then, with longer leisure had, dispose our great affairs.” |
Inverted functions
|
BAN 38 (Juliet informs Romeo via the nurse) | L’amante, veduto quanto gli era scritto, si ritrovò il più lieto uomo del mondo per ciò che quella gli scriveva, che alle cinque ore della notte egli venisse a parlar alla finestra davanti al casale e portasse seco una scala di corda. |
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R&J Q2: 19.e (Romeo informs Juliet via the nurse) |
NURSE I pray you, sir, what saucy merchant was this that was so full of his ropery? ROMEO A gentleman, Nurse, that loves to hear himself talk, and will speak more in a minute than he will stand to in a month. NURSE An a speak anything against me, I’ll take him down, an a were lustier than he is, and twenty such jacks; and if I cannot, I’ll find those that shall. Scurvy knave, I am none of his flirt-gills, I am none of his skains-mates. [to her man] And thou must stand by too and suffer every knave to use me at his pleasure. PETER I saw no man use you at his pleasure. If I had, my weapon should quickly have been out. I warrant you, I dare draw as soon as another man, if I see occasion in a good quarrel, and the law on my side. NURSE Now afore God, I am so vexed, that every part about me quivers. Scurvy knave! Pray you, sir, a word. And, as I told you, my young lady bid me enquire you out. What she bid me say, I will keep to myself. But first let me tell ye, if ye should lead her in a fool’s paradise, as they say, it were a very gross kind of behaviour, as they say. For the gentlewoman is young; and therefore, if you should deal double with her, truly it were an ill thing to be offered to any gentlewoman, and very weak dealing. ROMEO Nurse, commend me to thy lady and mistress, I protest unto thee – NURSE Good heart, and i’faith I will tell her as much. Lord, lord, she will be a joyful woman. ROMEO What wilt thou tell her, Nurse? Thou dost not mark me. NURSE I will tell her, sir, that you do protest, which, as I take it, is a gentlemanlike offer. ROMEO Bid her devise some means to come to shrift this afternoon, And there she shall at Friar Laurence’ cell Be shrived and married. Here is for thy pains. NURSE No, truly, sir, not a penny. ROMEO Go to, I say you shall. NURSE This afternoon, sir? Well, she shall be there. ROMEO And stay, good Nurse, behind the abbey wall, Within this hour my man shall be with thee And bring thee cords made like a tackled stair, Which to the high topgallant of my joy, Must be my convoy in the secret night. Farewell; be trusty, and I’ll quit thy pains. Farewell; commend me to thy mistress. NURSE Now God in heaven bless thee! Hark you, sir. ROMEO What sayst thou my dear Nurse? NURSE Is your man secret? Did you ne’er here say “Two may keep counsel, putting one away”? ROMEO Warrant thee, my man’s as true as steel. NURSE Well sir, my mistress is the sweetest lady. Lord, Lord! when ’twas a little prating thing – Oh, there is a nobleman in town, one Paris, That would fain lay knife aboard, but she, good soul, had as lief see a toad, a very toad, as see him. I anger her sometimes and tell her that Paris is the properer man, but I’ll warrant you, when I say so, she looks as pale as any clout in the versal world. Doth not rosemary and Romeo begin both with a letter? ROMEO Ay Nurse, what of that? Both with an “R”. NURSE Ah, mocker, that’s the dog’s name. “R” is for the – no, I know it begins with some other letter, and she hath the prettiest sententious of it, of you and rosemary, that it would do you good to hear it. ROMEO Commend me to thy lady. NURSE Ay, a thousand times. – Peter! PETER Anon. NURSE Before and apace. [Exeuntt.] |
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[R&J-Q2: 20.c] |
JULIET Now good sweet Nurse – O Lord, why lookest thou sad? Though news be sad, yet tell them merrily; If good, thou shamest the music of sweet news By playing it to me with so sour a face. NURSE I am aweary, give me leave a while. Fie, how my bones ache! What a jaunce have I! JULIET I would thou hadst my bones, and I thy news. Nay come, I pray thee, speak, good good Nurse, speak. NURSE Jesu, what haste! Can you not stay awhile? Do you not see that I am out of breath? JULIET How art thou out of breath, when thou hast breath To say to me that thou art out of breath? The excuse that thou dost make in this delay Is longer than the tale thou dost excuse. Is thy news good or bad? Answer to that, Say either, and I’ll stay the circumstance. Let me be satisfied; is’t good or bad? NURSE Well, you have made a simple choice. You know not how to choose a man. Romeo? No, not he, though his face be better then any man’s, yet his leg excels all men’s, and for a hand and a foot and a body, though they be not to be talked on, yet they are past compare. He is not the flower of courtesy, but I’ll warrant him, as gentle as a lamb. Go thy ways, wench, serve God. What, have you dined at home? JULIET No, no. But all this did I know before. What says he of our marriage, what of that? NURSE Lord how my head aches! what a head have I! It beats as it would fall in twenty pieces. My back o’ t’other side, ah, my back, my back! Beshrew your heart for sending me about To catch my death with jauncing up and down. JULIET I’faith, I am sorry that thou art not well. Sweet, sweet, sweet Nurse, tell me what says my love? NURSE Your love says, like an honest gentleman, And a courteous, and a kind, and a handsome, And, I warrant, a virtuous – Where is your mother? JULIET Where is my mother? Why, she is within. Where should she be? How oddly thou repliest: “Your love says, like an honest gentleman, Where is your mother?” NURSE O God’s lady dear, Are you so hot? Marry come up, I trow. Is this the poultice for my aching bones? Henceforward do your messages yourself. JULIET Here’s such a coil. Come, what says Romeo? NURSE Have you got leave to go to shrift today? JULIET I have. NURSE Then high you hence to Friar Laurence’ cell, There stays a husband to make you a wife. Now comes the wanton blood up in your cheeks; They’ll be in scarlet straight at any news. Hie you to church. I must another way, To fetch a ladder by the which your love Must climb a bird’s nest soon when it is dark. I am the drudge and toil in your delight, But you shall bear the burden soon at night. Go. I’ll to dinner. Hie you to the cell. JULIET Hie to high fortune! Honest Nurse, farewell. Exeunt. |
The lover’s first encounter
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DP 6 (They dance together) | Et passando la mezzanotte, e il fine del festeggiare venendo, il ballo del torchio o del cappello, come dire lo vogliamo, e che ancora nel fine delle feste veggiamo usarsi, s’incominciò. Nel quale in cerchio standosi, l’omo la donna e la donna l’uomo a sua voglia permutandosi, piglia. In questa danza d’alcuna donna fu il giovane levato, e a caso appresso la già innamorata fanciulla posto. |
| DP 7 | Era dall’altro canto di lei un nobile giovane Marcuccio Guertio nominato, il quale per natura così il luglio come il genaio le mani sempre freddissime avea. Perché giunto Romeo Montecchi, che così era il giovane chiamato, al manco lato della donna e come in tal ballo se usa, la bella sua mano in mano presa, disse a lui quasi subito la giovane, forse vaga d’udirlo favellare: |
| BAN 20 (Dance) | Ora stando eglino in questo vagheggiamento, venne il fine della festa del ballare e si cominciò a far la danza, ossia il ballo del Torchio, che altri dicono il ballo del Cappello. Facendosi questo giuoco fu Romeo levato da una donna, il quale entrato in ballo fece il dover suo e, dato il torchio ad una donna, andò presso a Giulietta, che così richiedeva l’ordine, e quella prese per mano con piacer inestimabile di tutte due le parti. |
| BAN 21 | Restava Giulietta in mezzo a Romeo ed a uno chiamato Marcuccio il Guercio, che era uomo di corte molto piacevole e generalmente molto ben visto per i suoi motti festevoli e per le piacevolezze che egli sapeva fare, perciò che sempre aveva alcuna novelluccia per le mani da far ridere la brigata e troppo volentieri, senza danno di nessuno, si sollazzava. Aveva poi sempre il verno e la state, e da tutti i tempi, le mani via più fredde e più gelate che un freddissimo ghiaccio alpino. E tutto che buona pezza scaldandole al fuoco se ne stesse, restavano perciò sempre freddissime. |
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BOA 22 (Only Juliet dances) | Amour ayant fait cette brèche au cœur de ces amants, ainsi qu’ils cherchaient tous deux les moyens de parler ensemble, fortune leur en apprêta une prompte occasion, car quelque seigneur de la troupe prit Juliette par la main pour la faire danser au bal de la torche, duquel elle se sut si bien acquitter, et de si bonne grâce, qu’elle gagna pour ce jour le prix d’honneur entre toutes les filles de Vérone. |
| BOA 23 (The lovers sit) | Roméo ayant prévu le lieu où elle se devait retirer, fit ses approches, et sut si discrètement conduire ses affaires qu’il eut le moyen à son retour d’être auprès d’elle. Juliette le bal fini retourna au même lieu duquel elle était partie auparavant, et demeura assise entre Roméo, et un autre appelé Marcucio, courtisan fort aimé de tous, lequel à cause de ses facéties et gentillesses était bien reçu en toutes compagnies. |
| BR 24 (Juliet dances) |
When thus in both their hearts had Cupid made his breach And each of them had sought the mean to end the war by speech, Dame Fortune did assent their purpose to advance, With torch in hand a comely knight did fetch her forth to dance; She quit herself so well, and with so trim a grace, That she the chief praise won that night from all Verona race. |
| BR 25 (Sitting) |
The whilst our Romeus a place had warely won, Nigh to the seat where she must sit, the dance once being done. Fair Juliet turned to her chair with pleasant cheer, And glad she was her Romeus approachéd was so near. At th’one side of her chair her lover Romeo, And on the other side there sat one called Mercutio; A courtier that each where was highly had in price, For he was courteous of his speech, and pleasant of device. Even as a lion would among the lambs be bold, Such was among the bashful maids Mercutio to behold. |
INTER/TEXTUAL CRUCES
Being hateful to oneself
| DP 73 (531,532) | E tu gran padre del cielo, poi che sì tosto come vorei, non posso morire con la tua saetta togli me, a me stessa odiosa.” Così essendo d’alcuna donna sollevata, e sopra il suo letto posta, e da altre con assai parole confortata non restava di piangere e dolersi. |
| R&J 17.c (55) | My name, dear saint, is hateful to myself |
| BOA 88 (730)? | je me suis faite ennemie de moi-même |
Crossed arms
| DP 68 | come s’avesse creduto morire così compose sopra quello il corpo suo meglio che ella seppe, e le mani sopra il suo bel petto poste in croce aspettava ch’el beveraggio operasse, il quale poco oltra a due ore stette a renderla come morta. |
| BOA 136 | Et sentant que ses forces se diminuaient peu à peu, et craignant que, par trop grande débilité, elle ne pût exécuter son entreprise, comme furieuse et forcenée sans y penser plus avant, elle engloutit l’eau contenue en sa fiole, puis croisant ses bras sur son estomac, perdit à l’instant tous les sentiments du corps et demeura en extase. |
| PAI 136 | like a furious and insensate woman, without further care, gulped up the water within the vial, then crossing her arms upon her stomach, she lost at that instant all the powers of her body, resting in a trance. |
| BR 181 |
And up she drank the mixture quite, withouten farther thought. Then on her breast she crossed her arms long and small, And so, her senses failing her, into a trance did fall. |