No Fear Shakespeare
Romeo and Juliet
Act 2, Scene 4, Page 3
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ROMEO
Good morrow to you both. What counterfeit did I give you?
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ROMEO
Good morning to you both. What do you mean I faked you out?
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MERCUTIO
The slip, sir, the slip. Can you not conceive?
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MERCUTIO
You gave us the slip, sir, the slip. Can’t you understand
what I’m saying?
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ROMEO
Pardon, good Mercutio, my business was great, and in such a case
as mine a man may strain courtesy.
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ROMEO
Excuse me, good Mercutio. I had very important business to take
care of. It was so important that I had to forget about courtesy and
good manners.
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MERCUTIO
That’s as much as to say, such a case as yours constrains
a man to bow in the hams.
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MERCUTIO
In other words “important business” made
you flex your buttocks.
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ROMEO
Meaning “to curtsy”?
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ROMEO
You mean do a curtsy?
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MERCUTIO
Thou hast most kindly hit it.
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MERCUTIO
You’ve hit the target, sir.
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ROMEO
A most courteous exposition.
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ROMEO
That’s a very polite and courteous explanation.
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MERCUTIO
Nay, I am the very pink of courtesy.
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MERCUTIO
Yes, I am the pink flower—the master, of courtesy and
manners.
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ROMEO
Pink for flower.
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ROMEO
The pink flower.
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MERCUTIO
Right.
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MERCUTIO
Right.
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