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| Venus and Adonis |
| Source: The Rhetoric of Love & Seduction |
<< 7. nimble-pinion'd doves draw Love: swift-winged doves pull Venus [in her chariot]. Juliet is thinking of depictions such as the one below, in which doves and cupids hold the reins of Venus' chariot.
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<< 13. ball: Juliet probably has a tennis ball in mind, as can be seen from the next line.
<< 14. bandy: throw back and forth.
<< 16. feign as: act as though
<< 20. gate: From the use of the word "gate," and Juliet's later statement that her mother is "within," we may deduce that this scene takes place in a garden or orchard, perhaps the same one in which Romeo stood and gazed at Juliet.
<< 25. give me leave awhile: let me alone for a while.
<< 26. jaunce: jouncing, jolting journey.
<< 36. stay the circumstance: wait for the details.
<< 38. simple: foolish. In jest, the Nurse here says the opposite of what she thinks, which is that Juliet has chosen the most handsome man in the world.
<< 42. be not to be talked on: are nothing to talk about.
<< 50. a t' other side: on the other side. The Nurse is complaining that she is tortured from two sides, by a headache and a backache.
<< 51. Beshrew your heart: a curse on your heart. This is a very mild oath, and the Nurse is just kidding.
<< 52. jaunting up and down: i.e., running all over.
<< 62. hot: impatient. marry, come up, I trow: i.e., indeed, you should straighten up and calm down, I'm sure.
<< 63. poultice: medicinal salve.
<< 66. leave: permission. shrift: confession.
<< 70. wanton: impetuous. "Wanton" also means "lustful," so Juliet's blush suggests that she is already thinking about the pleasures of the marriage bed.
<< 71. They'll be in scarlet straight at any news: your cheeks always turn scarlet when something excites you.
<< 74. climb a bird's nest: climb up to a bird's nest. The "bird's nest" is Juliet's room, and the most intimate part of her.
<< 75. in your delight: for your delight.
<< 76. bear the burden: (1) do all the work; (2) support the weight of a man.
<< 77. dinner: mid-day meal. hie: hurry.
<< 78. high fortune: [tremendous] good luck. Honest: loyal, reliable, trustworthy.