Romeo and Juliet: Act 2, Chorus Translation

A side-by-side translation of Act 2, Chorus of Romeo and Juliet from the original Shakespeare into modern English.

Original Text	Translated Text
Source: Folger Shakespeare Library
Enter Chorus. Now old desire doth in his deathbed lie, And young affection gapes to be his heir. That fair for which love groaned for and would die, With tender Juliet matched, is now not fair. Now Romeo is beloved and loves again, 5 Alike bewitchèd by the charm of looks, But to his foe supposed he must complain, And she steal love’s sweet bait from fearful hooks. Being held a foe, he may not have access To breathe such vows as lovers use to swear, 10 And she as much in love, her means much less To meet her new belovèd anywhere. But passion lends them power, time means, to meet, Temp’ring extremities with extreme sweet. Chorus exits.	The Chorus enters the stage and delivers a speech full of stuff you already know if you've been paying attention: Romeo has forgotten all about Rosaline and is now in love with the daughter of his enemy. Rosaline, who he once said he'd die for, didn't stand a chance when compared to Juliet. What the Chorus adds, you probably could have guessed—namely that it's going to be hard for Romeo, a Montague, to get much quality time with Juliet, a Capulet. But...their passion makes them determined, and in time they'll find a way to meet up. Thanks, Chorus! Now we're ready to move on.

Original Text

Translated Text

Enter Chorus.

Now old desire doth in his deathbed lie,
And young affection gapes to be his heir.
That fair for which love groaned for and would die,
With tender Juliet matched, is now not fair.
Now Romeo is beloved and loves again, 5
Alike bewitchèd by the charm of looks,
But to his foe supposed he must complain,
And she steal love’s sweet bait from fearful hooks.
Being held a foe, he may not have access
To breathe such vows as lovers use to swear, 10
And she as much in love, her means much less
To meet her new belovèd anywhere.
But passion lends them power, time means, to meet,
Temp’ring extremities with extreme sweet.

Chorus exits.

The Chorus enters the stage and delivers a speech full of stuff you already know if you've been paying attention: Romeo has forgotten all about Rosaline and is now in love with the daughter of his enemy. Rosaline, who he once said he'd die for, didn't stand a chance when compared to Juliet. What the Chorus adds, you probably could have guessed—namely that it's going to be hard for Romeo, a Montague, to get much quality time with Juliet, a Capulet. But...their passion makes them determined, and in time they'll find a way to meet up. Thanks, Chorus! Now we're ready to move on.

Romeo and Juliet: Act 2, Chorus Translation

A side-by-side translation of Act 2, Chorus of Romeo and Juliet from the original Shakespeare into modern English.

Original Text

Translated Text

Tired of ads?