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Enter CAPULET, County
PARIS, and PETER, a servant
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CAPULET enters with
CountyCounty = Count, a title of nobility. County PARIS, followed by PETER, a servant. |
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CAPULET But Montague is bound as well as I,
In penalty alike. And ’tis not hard, I think,
For men so old as we to keep the peace.
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CAPULET
(continuing a conversation) But
Montague has sworn an oath just like I have, and he’s under
the same penalty. I don’t think it will be hard for men as
old as we are to keep the peace.
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PARIS Of honorable reckoning are you both.
5And pity ’tis you lived at odds so long.
But now, my lord, what say you to my suit?
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PARIS You both have honorable reputations, and it’s too bad
you’ve been enemies for so long. But what do you say to my
request?
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CAPULET But saying o'er what I have said before.
My child is yet a stranger in the world.
She hath not seen the change of fourteen years.
10Let two more summers wither in their pride
Ere we may think her ripe to be a bride.
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CAPULET I can only repeat what I’ve said before. My daughter is
still very young. She’s not even fourteen years old.
Let’s wait two more summers before we start thinking
she’s ready to get married.
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PARIS Younger than she are happy mothers made.
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PARIS Girls younger than she often marry and become happy
mothers.
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CAPULET And too soon marred are those so early made.
Earth hath swallowed all my hopes but she.
15She’s the hopeful lady of my earth.
But woo her, gentle Paris, get her heart.
My will to her consent is but a part.
An she agreed within her scope of choice,
Lies my consent and fair according voice.
20This night I hold an old accustomed feast,
Whereto I have invited many a guest
Such as I love. And you among the store,
One more, most welcome, makes my number more.
At my poor house look to behold this night
25Earth-treading stars that make dark heaven light.
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CAPULET Girls who marry so young grow up too soon. But go ahead and charm
her, gentle Paris; make her love you. My permission is only part of
her decision. If she agrees to marry you, my blessing and fair words
will confirm her choice. Tonight I’m having a feast that
we’ve celebrated for many years. I’ve invited many
of my closest friends, and I’d like to welcome you and add
you to the guest list. At my humble house tonight, you can expect to
see dazzling stars that walk on the ground and light the sky from
below.
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