PETER and other
SERVINGMEN come forth with napkins
PETER and other
SERVINGMEN come forward with
napkins.
PETER
Where's Potpan, that he helps not to take away? He shift
a
trencher? He scrape a trencher!
PETER
Where's Potpan? Why isn't he helping us clear
the table? He should be moving and scraping plates!
FIRST SERVINGMAN
When good manners shall lie all in one or two men's
hands,
and they unwashed too, 'tis a foul thing.
FIRST SERVINGMAN
When only one or two men have all the good manners, and even they
are dirty, things are bad.
PETER
5
Away with the joint-stools, remove the court-cupboard,
look to the plate. Good thou, save me a piece of marchpane,
and, as thou loves me, let the porter let in Susan Grindstone
and Nell.—Antony and Potpan!
PETER
Take away the stools, the sideboards, and the plates. You, good
friend, save me a piece of marzipan, and if you love me, have the
porter let in Susan Grindstone and Nell. Antony and Potpan!
SECOND SERVINGMAN
Ay, boy, ready.
SECOND SERVINGMAN
Yes, boy, I'm ready.
PETER
10
You are looked for and called for, asked for and sought for,
in the great chamber.
PETER
They're looking for you in the great chamber.
FIRST SERVINGMAN
We cannot be here and there too. Cheerly, boys. Be brisk
0awhile,
and the longer liver take all.
FIRST SERVINGMAN
We can't be in two places at once, both here and there!
Cheers, boys. Be quick for a while and let the one who lives the
longest take everything.
Exeunt PETER and
SERVINGMEN
PETER and the
SERVINGMEN exit.
Enter CAPULET with
CAPULET'SCOUSIN, TYBALT, LADY
CAPULET, JULIET, and others of the house,
meeting ROMEO, BENVOLIO,
MERCUTIO, and other GUESTS and
MASKERS
CAPULET enters with his
COUSIN, TYBALT, LADY
CAPULET, JULIET, and other members of the
house. They meet ROMEO, BENVOLIO,
MERCUTIO, and other guests and
MASKERS
CAPULET
Welcome, gentlemen! Ladies that have their toes
15
Ah, my mistresses! Which of you all
Unplagued with corns will walk a bout with you.—
Will now deny to dance? She that makes dainty,
She, I'll swear, hath corns. Am I come near ye
now?—
Welcome, gentlemen! I have seen the day
20
That I have worn a visor and could tell
A whispering tale in a fair lady's ear
Such as would please. 'Tis gone, 'tis gone,
'tis gone.—
You are welcome, gentlemen.—Come, musicians, play.
(music plays and they dance)
25
A hall, a hall, give room!—And foot it,
girls.—
More light, you knaves! And turn the tables up,
And quench the fire. The room is grown too hot.—
Ah, sirrah, this unlooked-for sport comes well.—
Nay, sit, nay, sit, good cousin Capulet,
30
For you and I are past our dancing days.
How long is 't now since last yourself and I
Were in a mask?
CAPULET
Welcome, gentlemen. The ladies who don't have corns on
their toes will dance with you. Ha, my ladies, which of you will
refuse to dance now? Whichever of you acts shy, I'll swear
she has corns. Does that hit close to home? Welcome, gentlemen.
There was a time when I could wear a mask over my eyes and charm a
lady by whispering a story in her ear. That time is gone, gone,
gone. You are welcome gentlemen. Come on, musicians, play music.
(music plays and they dance, ROMEO
stands apart) Make room in the hall.
Make room in the hall. Shake a leg,
girls. (to
SERVINGMEN) More light, you rascals.
Flip over the tables and get them out of the way. And put the fire
out—it's getting too hot in here.
(to his
COUSIN) Ah, my man, this unexpected
fun feels good. No, sit down, sit down, my good Capulet cousin. You
and I are too old to dance. (CAPULET
and his COUSIN
sit down) How long is it now since
you and I last wore masks at a party like this?
