Capulet energetically directs preparations for the wedding. When Juliet returns from Friar Lawrence and pretends to have learned obedience, Capulet is so delighted that he moves the wedding up to the next day and goes off to tell Paris the new date.
Enter Father Capulet, Mother, Nurse, and Servingmen,
two or three.
CAPULET
2441 So many guests invite as here are writ.
⌜ One or two of the Servingmen exit
with Capulet’s list. ⌝
2442 Sirrah, go hire me twenty cunning cooks.
SERVINGMAN 2443 You shall have none ill, sir, for I’ll try if
2444 they can lick their fingers.
CAPULET 2445 5 How canst thou try them so?
SERVINGMAN 2446 Marry, sir, ’tis an ill cook that cannot lick
2447 his own fingers. Therefore he that cannot lick his
2448 fingers goes not with me.
CAPULET 2449 Go, begone. ⌜ Servingman exits. ⌝
2450 10 We shall be much unfurnished for this time.—
2451 What, is my daughter gone to Friar Lawrence?
NURSE 2452 Ay, forsooth.
CAPULET
2453 Well, he may chance to do some good on her.
2454 A peevish ⌜ self-willed ⌝ harlotry it is.
NURSE
2455 15 See where she comes from shrift with merry look.
CAPULET
2456 How now, my headstrong, where have you been
2457 gadding?
JULIET
2458 Where I have learned me to repent the sin
2459 Of disobedient opposition
2460 20 To you and your behests, and am enjoined
2461 By holy Lawrence to fall prostrate here ⌜ Kneeling. ⌝
2462 To beg your pardon. Pardon, I beseech you.
2463 Henceforward I am ever ruled by you.
CAPULET
2464 Send for the County. Go tell him of this.
2465 25 I’ll have this knot knit up tomorrow morning.
JULIET
2466 I met the youthful lord at Lawrence’ cell
2467 And gave him what becomèd love I might,
2468 Not stepping o’er the bounds of modesty.
CAPULET
2469 Why, I am glad on ’t. This is well. Stand up.
⌜ Juliet rises. ⌝
2470 30 This is as ’t should be.—Let me see the County.
2471 Ay, marry, go, I say, and fetch him hither.—
2472 Now, afore God, this reverend holy friar,
2473 All our whole city is much bound to him.
JULIET
2474 Nurse, will you go with me into my closet
2475 35 To help me sort such needful ornaments
2476 As you think fit to furnish me tomorrow?
LADY CAPULET
2477 No, not till Thursday. There is time enough.
CAPULET
2478 Go, nurse. Go with her. We’ll to church tomorrow.
⌜ Juliet and the Nurse ⌝ exit.
LADY CAPULET
2479 We shall be short in our provision.
2480 40 ’Tis now near night.
CAPULET 2481 Tush, I will stir about,
2482 And all things shall be well, I warrant thee, wife.
2483 Go thou to Juliet. Help to deck up her.
2484 I’ll not to bed tonight. Let me alone.
2485 45 I’ll play the housewife for this once.—What ho!—
2486 They are all forth. Well, I will walk myself
2487 To County Paris, to prepare up him
2488 Against tomorrow. My heart is wondrous light
2489 Since this same wayward girl is so reclaimed.
⌜ They ⌝ exit.