As maids call medlars, when they laugh alone.- An open et cætera, thou a poperin pear! Come, shall we go? Ben. Go, then; for 'tis in vain To seek him here that means not to be found. [Exeunt. SCENE II. CAPULET's garden. Enter ROMEO. Rom. He jests at scars that never felt a wound.— [Juliet appears above at a window. But, soft! what light through yonder window breaks? It is the east, and Juliet is the sun!— Arise, fair sun, and kill the envious moon, Who is already sick and pale with grief, That thou her maid art far more fair than she: Be not her maid, since she is envious; Her vestal livery is but sick and green, And none but fools do wear it; cast it off. It is my lady; O, it is my love! O, that she knew she were!- She speaks, yet she says nothing: what of that? I am too bold, 'tis not to me she speaks: She speaks: O, speak again, bright angel! for thou art Unto the white-upturnèd wondering eyes Jul. O Romeo, Romeo! wherefore art thou Romeo? 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? [Aside. Jul. 'Tis but thy name that is my enemy;— Thou art thyself though, not a Montague. Rom. I take thee at thy word: Call me but love, and I'll be new baptiz'd; Henceforth I never will be Romeo. Jul. What man art thou, that, thus bescreen'd in night, So stumblest on my counsel ? I know not how to tell thee who I am: My name, dear saint, is hateful to myself, 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: Art thou not Romeo, and a Montague? Rom. Neither, fair saint, if either thee dislike. Jul. How cam'st thou hither, tell me, and wherefore? The orchard walls are high and hard to climb; And the place death, considering who thou art, If any of my kinsmen find thee here. Rom. With love's light wings did I o'er-perch 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 proroguèd, wanting of thy love. Jul. By whose direction found'st thou out this place? He lent me counsel, and I lent him eyes. I am no pilot; yet, wert thou as far As that vast shore wash'd with the furthest sea, I would adventure for such merchandise. Jul. Thou know'st the mask of night is on my face, But trust me, gentleman, I'll prove more true Rom. Lady, by yonder blessèd 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 ? Jul. Do not swear at all; Or, if thou wilt, swear by thy gracious self, 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 unadvis'd, too sudden; Too like the lightning, which doth cease to be Rom. O, wilt thou leave me so unsatisfied? And yet I would it were to give again. Rom. Wouldst thou withdraw it? for what purpose, love? My bounty is as boundless as the sea, [Nurse calls within. Anon, good nurse!-Sweet Montague, be true. Rom. O blessed, blessèd night! I am afeard, Being in night, all this is but a dream, Too flattering-sweet to be substantial. Re-enter JULIET above. [Exit above. Jul. Three words, dear Romeo, and good night indeed. If that thy bent of love be honourable, Thy purpose marriage, send me word to-morrow, By one that I'll procure to come to thee, And follow thee my lord throughout the world. Jul. I come, anon:-But if thou mean'st not well, I do beseech thee, Nurse [within]. Madam! Jul. By and by, I come : To cease thy suit,(18) and leave me to my grief: Rom. So thrive my soul, Jul. A thousand times good night! [Exit above. Rom. A thousand times the worse, to want thy light.— Love goes toward love, as schoolboys from their books; But love from love, toward school with heavy looks. Re-enter JULIET above. [Retiring. Jul. Hist! Romeo, hist!-O, for a falconer's voice, To lure this tassel-gentle back again! Bondage is hoarse, and may not speak aloud; Else would I tear the cave where Echo lies, And make her airy tongue (19) more hoarse than mine, With repetition of my Romeo's name. Rom. It is my soul that calls upon my name : How silver-sweet sound lovers' tongues by night, Like softest music to attending ears! |