(As the curtains open the guests are talking and wandering around the ballroom.)
CAPULET: Welcome, gentlemen, ladies! I have seen the day when I wore a mask, and would whisper in a fair lady’s ear, but those days are long past. You are welcome, gentlemen. Come, musicians, play. Give room, everyone dance.
(All but Capulet and the servants dance. As they are dancing, Romeo and Juliet notice each other for the first time, and can’t take their eyes off each other. As the dance ends, the guests mingle.)
ROMEO: What lady’s that which doth enrich the hand of yonder knight?
SERVANT (Boy): I know not sir.
ROMEO: O, she doth teach the torches to burn bright! She is as rich as a jewel, her beauty too rich for use. Did my heart love ‘til now? No, for I ne’er saw true beauty ‘til this night.
TYBALT: (Coming from behind Romeo.) This, by his voice, should be a Montague. Now by the honor of my kin, to strike him dead I hold it not a sin.
CAPULET:nTybalt, why do you storm so?
TYBALT: Uncle, this is a Montague, our foe. (Pointing to Romeo.) A villain that is come to spoil our night.
CAPULET: Young Romeo, is it?
TYBALT: Tis he, that villain Romeo.
CAPULET: Be calm, gentle cousin. Let him alone. He bears himself like a gentleman. Verona brags of him to be a virtuous and well- governed youth. I would not for the wealth of all this town do him insult in my house. Therefore be patient, take no note of him. It is my will. Respect it, and put off these frowns.
TYBALT: I’ll not endure him.
CAPULET: He shall be endured I say he shall. Am I the master here or you? You’ll not endure him? You’ll make a mutiny among my guests?
TYBALT: Why, uncle, ‘tis a shame.
CAPULET: Be quiet, or for shame, I’ll make you quiet!
TYBALT: Uncle, I will withdraw, but this intrusion shall bring bitter fury.
NARRATOR 4: Romeo finally has a change to dance with the beautiful Juliet. He takes her hand and without a word leads her to the center of the floor, where they begin to dance.
NARRATOR 5: As they dance, both realize they have met their true love.
NARRAT0R 6: Juliet’s mother soon interrupts their dance, and calls her away to dance with Paris.
ROMEO: (To the nurse.) What is her mother?
NURSE: Sir, her mother is the lady of the house, and a good, wise, and virtuous lady. I nursed her daughter that you talked with. I tell you, he that gains her, shall have riches.
ROMEO: Is she a Capulet? My happiness is in the hands of mine enemies!
BENVOLIO: Romeo, away. It is best to leave now.
CAPULET: Nay, gentlemen, prepare not to be gone. You must, why then, I thank you all. I thank you, honest gentlemen. Good night. Come on then, let’s to bed. I’ll to my rest.
(Everyone begins to exit, until only Juliet and her nurse are left on stage. Romeo exits towards the audience.)
JULIET: Come hither, Nurse. What is yon gentleman?
NURSE: I know not.
JULIET: Go ask his name. (Nurse goes.) If he be married, to my grave I’ll go unmarried.
NURSE: (Returning) His name is Romeo, and a Montague, the only son of your great enemy.
JULIET: (Aside) My only love sprung from my only hate! O monstrous, that I must love a loathed enemy.
NURSE: What is this you are saying?
JULIET: Just a rhyme I learnt when dancing.
NURSE: Come, let’s away.
(Curtains close.)
