Act 2, Prologue

Prologue Act 1, Scene 1 Act 1, Scene 2 Act 1, Scene 3 Act 1, Scene 4 Act 1, Scene 5 Act 2, Prologue Act 2, Scene 1 Act 2, Scene 2 Act 2, Scene 3 Act 2, Scene 4 Act 2, Scene 5 Act 2, Scene 6 Act 3, Scene 1 Act 3, Scene 2 Act 3, Scene 3 Act 3, Scene 4 Act 3, Scene 5 Act 4, Scene 1 Act 4, Scene 2 Act 4, Scene 3 Act 4, Scene 4 Act 4, Scene 5 Act 5, Scene 1 Act 5, Scene 2 Act 5, Scene 3

Original Text

*Enter Chorus.* CHORUS. Now old desire doth in his deathbed lie, And young affection gapes to be his heir; That fair for which love groan'd for and would die, With tender Juliet match'd, is now not fair.

Modern English

*Enter Chorus.* CHORUS. Romeo's old crush on Rosaline is dying, And a new love is eager to take its place; The beauty he used to groan and swear he'd die for, Next to tender Juliet, doesn't even compare.

Original Text

Now Romeo is belov'd, and loves again, Alike bewitched by the charm of looks; But to his foe suppos'd he must complain, And she steal love's sweet bait from fearful hooks:

Modern English

Now Romeo is loved back, and loves in return, Both of them equally enchanted by each other's looks; But he has to plead his case to his supposed enemy, And she must steal love's sweet prize from dangerous hooks.

Original Text

Being held a foe, he may not have access To breathe such vows as lovers use to swear; And she as much in love, her means much less To meet her new beloved anywhere. But passion lends them power, time means, to meet, Tempering extremities with extreme sweet. *Exit.*

Modern English

Because he's considered an enemy, he can't get close To whisper the kind of vows that lovers usually make; And she's just as deeply in love, with even fewer chances To find a way to meet her new beloved anywhere. But passion gives them strength, and time gives them the chance, Turning impossible hardship into overwhelming sweetness. *Exit.*