Student Edition - Perfection Learning

Act 1, Scene 2A street. Capulet, Paris, and the clown (a servant) enter.CapuletMontague is under bond, just like me,and facing the same punishment. It shouldn’t be hard, I think,for men as old as we are to keep the peace.ParisYou both have honorable reputations,and it’s a pity you’ve been fighting for so long. 5But now, my lord, what do you say about my proposedmarriage to your daughter Juliet?CapuletBy saying again what I told you before:my child is too young to know the rules of society.She isn’t quite fourteen years old yet;it will be two more years 10before I think she’ll be ready to be married.ParisYounger girls than she have become happy mothers.CapuletYes, and they were disfigured by that early childbirth.All of my children are dead except her;she is the only hope I have in the world. 15But go ahead and try to win her heart, gentle Paris;my wishes only partially guarantee her consent.If she agrees,I’ll go along with her wishes.Tonight, I am going to give my annual masquerade banquet, 20and I have invited many guestswho are people I love. You are invited, too.One more very welcome guest makes the company all thericher.At my humble house tonight, you’ll seethe most beautiful maidens of Verona that make the night 25bright.Such joy as red-blooded young men feelwhen well-dressed spring treads on the heelAct 1, Scene 2 45