Act 3 Scene 5

In Juliet’s bedroom the two lovers say goodbye# it is already dawn, and Romeo must escape from Verona. Their parting is interrupted by the Nurse, giving warning that Juliet’s mother is looking for her daughter. Lady Capulet brings news of the wedding that has been arranged. Juliet is horrified, and refuses to marry the County Paris — much to her father’s anger.
3	fearful: full of fear.
4	pomegranate: pronounced (for the rhythm) “pom’granate”.
9	Night’s candles: the stars.
13	exhales: the Elizabethans believed that the sun draws up (“exhales”) gases from the earth and sets fire to them, producing shooting stars (meteors).
17	ta’en: taken, caught.
18	so: if.
20	reflex: reflection.
Cynthia’s brow: the moon# Cynthia is another name for the classical goddess of the moon.
21	lark: most birds sing when they are perching, but the lark sings in flight, when it is high in the air.
22	vaulty: arched (like a roof).
23	care: desire.
will: wish.
28	straining: uttering.
sharps: high, shrill notes of music.
29	division: separation# in music, this term describes a passage where each note is sounded clearly and sharply.
31	It was a popular belief that the toad’s fine eyes had once belonged to the lark (whose eyes are ugly).
32	I would: I wish.
33	arm from arm: from each other.
affray: frighten.
34	hunt’s-up: “The hunt is up” was a popular song of the time, calling huntsmen to the field.
40	look about: watch out.
44	Juliet fancies that there are whole days in hours and even in minutes (as well as minutes in hours and hours in days).
46	count: way of reckoning.
much in years: very old.
54	ill-divining: prophesying evil.
55	so low: i.e. because he has climbed down from the balcony.
59	Dry: thirsty# every sigh (the Elizabethans believed) wasted a drop of blood.
66	Is she very late in going to bed, or very early in getting up?
67	procures: brings.
68	how now: what is the matter?
72	have done: stop (i.e. crying).
some . . . love: moderate grief shows great love.
73	But a lot of grief always shows lack of commonsense.
74	such a feeling loss: a loss that I feel so much.
75	By weeping, Juliet will feel the loss of Tybalt, but she will not be able to bring him back to life so that she can touch (i.e. feel) him.
81	Romeo is very far from being a villain.
86	I wish that no one except I might have the power to avenge (“venge”) Tybalt’s death.
88	one: someone I know.
89	runagate: wretch, law-breaker.
90	unaccustomed: unusual.
dram: little drink.
95	vexed: troubled.
96	find out but: only find out.
97	temper: mix.
101	wreak: express.
105	needy: unhappy.
107	careful: caring.
108	heaviness: sorrow.
109	sorted out: selected.
sudden: surprising.
110	look’d not for: did not expect.
111	in happy time: how fortunate.
129	conduit: water-pipe.
131	counterfeit’st: imitate.
bark: boat.
136	Without: unless there is.
138	decree: decision.
139	will none: will not hear of it.
141	Take me with you: let me understand you.
144	wrought: persuaded.
145	bride: bridegroom (in the sixteenth century the word could be used for either partner).
148	meant love: intended as love.
149	chop-logic: one who engages in verbal battles.
151	minion: minx.
152	Capulet tells his daughter not to use the word “thanks” or the word “proud” in his presence.
153	fettle your fine joints: prepare yourself (the phrase would be used to a groom, with reference to his horses).
’gainst: ready for.
155	hurdle: wooden rack — used for dragging traitors to the place of execution.
156	green-sickness: anaemic.
157	tallow-face: Juliet’s grief has made her face waxen (pale).
164	itch: i.e. to strike his daughter.
168	hilding: worthless creature.
169	rate: scold.
171	smatter: chatter.
gossips: old women.
174	gravity: words of wisdom.
175	hot: angry.
176	God’s bread: i.e. the bread consecrated at the mass.
177	still: always.
178	matched: suitably married.
180	demesnes: property.
lined: descended.
181	parts: qualities.
182	Proportioned: shaped
183	puling: whimpering.
184	whining mammet: crying doll.
in her fortune’s tender: when her good luck is offered to her.
188	house: live.
189	do not use to: am not accustomed to.
190	Lay hand on heart: think honestly.
advise: consider.
195	be forsworn: break my word.
201	monument: tomb.
205	Juliet’s marriage vow is registered in heaven, and so long as Romeo is alive, she cannot be released from it.
209	practise stratagems: play cruel tricks.
213	all the world to nothing: the Nurse is willing to lay this bet.
214	challenge you: claim you (as his wife).
219	a dishclout to him: a dishcloth compared to Paris.
221	Beshrew my very heart: curse my heart, indeed.
222	happy: fortunate.
228	Amen: Juliet endorses the Nurse’s curse on her heart and soul.
235	Ancient damnation: damned old woman.
236	sin: sinful.
238	above compare: as being above comparison.
240	twain: two (i.e. Juliet will no longer confide in her Nurse).
241	I’ll to: I’ll go to.
242	myself have power to die: it is in my own power to kill myself.