The brightness of her cheek would shame those stars, Would through the airy region stream so bright, That I might touch that cheek! Jul. Rom. Ah me! She speaks. O, speak again, bright angel! for thou art Unto the white-upturned, wondering eyes Jul. O Romeo, Romeo, wherefore art thou Romeo? Deny thy father, and refuse thy name; Or, if thou wilt not, be but sworn my love, And I'll no longer be a Capulet. Rom. Shall I hear more, or shall I speak at this? Jul. 'Tis but thy name that is my enemy;- Rom. I take thee at thy word. Call me but love, and I'll be new baptized; Henceforth I never will be Romeo. [Aside. Jul. What man art thou, that, thus bescreened in night, So stumblest on my counsel? Rom. By a name I know not how to tell thee who I am. My name, dear saint, is hateful to myself, Because it is an enemy to thee; Had I it written, I would tear the word. Jul. My ears have not yet drunk a hundred words Of that tongue's utterance, yet I know the sound; Rom. Neither, fair saint, if either thee dislike. Rom. With love's light wings did I o'erperch these walls; For stony limits cannot hold love out; And what love can do, that dares love attempt; Jul. If they do see thee, they will murder thee. Jul. I would not for the world they saw thee here. Rom. I have night's cloak to hide me from their sight; And, but thou love me, let them find me here. My life were better ended by their hate, Than death prorogued, wanting of thy love. Jul. By whose direction found'st thou out this place? Rom. By Love, who first did prompt me to inquire; He lent me counsel, and I lent him eyes. I am no pilot; yet, wert thou as far As that vast shore washed with the furthest sea, I would adventure for such merchandise. Jul. Thou know'st, the mask of night is on my face; Else would a maiden blush bepaint my cheek, For that which thou hast heard me speak to-night. Fain would I dwell on form, fain, fain deny What I have spoke; but farewell compliment! Dost thou love me? I know thou wilt say-Ay; And I will take thy word; yet, if thou swear'st, Thou mayst prove false; at lovers' perjuries, They say, Jove laughs. O gentle Romeo, If thou dost love, pronounce it faithfully.Or if thou think'st I am too quickly won, I'll frown, and be perverse, and say thee nay, So thou wilt woo; but, else, not for the world. In truth, fair Montague, I am too fond; And therefore thou mayst think my havior light: But trust me, gentleman, I'll prove more true Than those that have more cunning to be strange. I should have been more strange, I must confess, But that thou overheard'st, ere I was ware, My true love's passion. Therefore pardon me; And not impute this yielding to light love, Rom. Lady, by yonder blessed moon I swear, Jul. O, swear not by the moon, the inconstant moon, That monthly changes in her circled orb, Lest that thy love prove likewise variable. Rom. What shall I swear by? Do not swear at all; Jul. And I'll believe thee. Rom. If my heart's dear love Jul. Well, do not swear. Although I joy in thee, I have no joy of this contract to-night. It is too rash, too unadvised, too sudden; Rom. O, wilt thou leave me so unsatisfied? Rom. Wouldst thou withdraw it? For what purpose, love? And yet I wish but for the thing I have. [Nurse calls within. I hear some noise within; dear love, adieu! Rom. O blessed, blessed night! I am afeard Being in night, all this is but a dream, Too flattering-sweet to be substantial. Re-enter JULIET, above. [Exit. Jul. Three words, dear Romeo, and good night, indeed. If that thy bent of love be honorable, Thy purpose marriage, send me word to-morrow, By one that I'll procure to come to thee, Where, and what time, thou wilt perform the rite; Jul. I come anon.-But if thou mean'st not well, Nurse. [Within.] Madam! Jul. By and by, I come: To cease thy suit, and leave me to my grief: Rom. So thrive my soul,Jul. A thousand times good night! [Exit. Rom. A thousand times the worse, to want thy light,Love goes toward love, as school-boys from their books; But love from love, toward school with heavy looks. [Retiring slowlg. Re-enter JULIET, above. Jul. Hist! Romeo, hist!-0, for a falconer's voice, To lure this tassel-gentle back again! Bondage is hoarse, and may not speak aloud; And make her airy tongue more hoarse than mine Rom. It is my soul, that calls upon my name; Jul. I will not fail; 'tis twenty years till then. I have forgot why I did call thee back. Rom. Let me stand here till thou remember it. Jul. I shall forget, to have thee still stand there, Remembering how I love thy company. Rom. And I'll still stay, to have thee still forget, Forgetting any other home but this. Jul. Tis almost morning; I would have thee gone; And yet no further than a wanton's bird; Who lets it hop a little from her hand, Rom. I would I were thy bird. Sweet, so would I; Jul. Yet I should kill thee with much cherishing. Good night, good night! parting is such sweet sorrow, That I shall say, Good night, till it be morrow. Rom. Sleep dwell upon thine eyes, peace in thy breast!'Would I were sleep and peace, so sweet to rest! Hence will I to my ghostly father's cell; His help to crave, and my dear hap to tell. SCENE III. Friar Laurence's Cell. Enter FRIAR LAURENCE, with a basket. [Exit. [Exit. Fri. The gray-eyed morn smiles on the frowning night, From forth day's pathway, made by Titan's wheels. None but for some, and yet all different. In herbs, plants, stones, and their true qualities; For this, being smelt, with that part cheers each part; In man as well as herbs, grace, and rude will; Full soon the canker death eats up that plant. Enter ROMEO. Rom. Good morrow, father! Fri. Benedicite! |