Act Two Prologue Friar Laurence?: Now old desire doth in his death bed lie, And young affection gapes to be his heir. That fair for which love groan?d for and would die, With tender Juliet matched, is now not fair. Now Romeo is beloved and loves again, Alike bewitched 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 used to swear?; And she as much in love, her means much less To meet her new beloved any where?: But passion lends them power, time means , to meet, Tempering extremities with extreme sweet. (exit) Scene One Capulet?s orchard Romeo?: He jests at scars that never felt a wound. (Juliet appears at the 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 are far more fair than she. She speaks, yet she says nothing?: what of that?? Her eye discourses, I will answer it. I am too bold, tis not to me she speaks?: Two of the fairest stars in all the heaven, Having some business, do entreat her eyes To twinkle in their spheres till they return. What if her eyes were there, they in her head?? The brightness of her cheek would shame those stars, As daylight does a lamp?; her eyes in heaven Would through the airy region stream so bright That birds would sing and think it were not night?. See, how she leans her cheek upon her hand?! O, that I were a glove upon that hand, That I might touch that cheek?! Juliet?: Ay, me?! Romeo?: She speaks?: O speak again bright angel?! For thou art As glorious to this night, being o?er my head, As is a winged messenger of heaven Unto the upturn?d wondering eyes Of mortals that fall back to gaze on him, When he bestrides the lazy pacing clouds And sails upon the bosom of the air. Juliet?: 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. Romeo?: (aside) Shall I hear more, or shall I speak at this?? Juliet?: ?Tis but thy name that is my enemy?; Thy art thyself, though not a Montague. What?s a Montague?? it is nor hand nor foot Not arm nor face, nor any other part Belonging to a man. O, be some other name?! What?s in a name?? that which we call a rose By any other name would smell as sweet?; So Romeo would, were he not Romeo call?d, Retain that dear perfection which he owes Withiut that title. Romeo doff thy name, And for thy name, which is no part of thee, Take all myself. Romeo?: I take thee at thy word?: Call me but love, andI?ll be newly baptised?; Henceforth I never will be Romeo. Juliet?: What man art thou, that, thus bescreen?d in night So stumblest on my cousel?? Romeo?: 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. Juliet?: My ears have not yet drunk a hundred words Of thy tongue?s uttering, yet I know the sound?: Art thou not Romeo, and a Montague?? Romeo?: Neither, fair maid, if either thee dislike Juliet?: How comest 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. Romeo?: 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 Therefore thy kinsmen are no let to me. Juliet?: I they do see thee, they will murder thee. Romeo?: Alack, there lies more peril in thine eye?; Than twenty of their swords?: look thou but sweet, And I am proof against their enmity. Juliet?: I would not for the world they saw thee here. Romeo?: I have night?s cloak to hide me from their eyes?; 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. Juliet?: Thou knowst the mask of night is on my face, Else would a maiden blush bepaint my cheek For that which thou hast heard me speak tonight, 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?: O gentle Romeo, If thou dost love, pronounce it faithfully?: Or if thou thinkst 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 ?haviour light?: But trust me, gentleman, I?ll prove more true Than those that have more cunning to 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, Which the dark night has so discovered. Romeo?: Lady, by yonder blessed moon I swear, - Juliet?: O, swear not by the moon, th?inconstant moon, That monthly changes in her circled orb, Lest that thy love prove likewise variable. Romeo?: What shall I swear by?? Juliet?: Do not swear at all. Or, if thou wilt, swear by thy gracious self, Which is the god of my idolatry, And I?ll believe thee. Romeo?: If my heart?s dear love ? Juliet?: Well do not swear?: although I joy in thee, I have no joy of this contract tonight. It is too rash, too unadvised, too sudden, Too like the lightening, which doth cease to be Ere one can say ?it lightens?. Sweet, good night?! This bud of love, by summer?s ripening breath, May prove a beauteous flower when next we meet. Good night, good night?! as sweet repose and rest Come to thy heart as that within my breast?! Romeo?: O, wilt thou leave me so unsatisfied?? Juliet?: What satisfaction canst thou have tonight?? Romeo?: The exchange of thy love?s faithful vow for mine. Juliet?: I gave thee mine before thou didst request it?: And yet I would it were to give again. Romeo?: Would?st thou withdraw it?? for what purpose, love?? Juliet?: But to be frank, and give it thee again. And yet I wish but for the thing I have?: My bounty is as boundless as the sea, My love as deep?; the more I give to thee, The more I have, for both are infinite. Nurse?: (off) Juliet?? Juliet?: J?entend du bruit dans la maison. Cher amour adieu?! Anon, good nurse?! Doux Montague, sois fid?le. Attends un moment, je reviens. Romeo?: O blessed, blessed night?! I am afeard, Being in night, all this is but a dream, Too flattering sweet to be substantial. Juliet?: Trois mots encore, cher Romeo, et bonne nuit cette fois. Si l?intention de ton amour est honorable, si ton but est le mariage, fais moi savoir demain, par la personne que je t?enverrai, en quel lieu et en quel moment tu veux accomplir la c?r?monie, et je d?poserai ? tes pieds toutes mes d?stin?es, et je te suivrai, monseigneur, jusqu?au bout du monde. Nurse?: Madame?? Juliet?: I come anon?! ?mais, si ton arri?re pens?e n?est pas bonne, je te conjure ? Nurse?: Madame?! Juliet?: By and By, I come?: ?des cesser tes instances et de me laisser ? ma douleur. J?enverrai demain ? Romeo?: Par le salut de mon ?me? Juliet?: Mille fois bonne nuit. (exit) Romeo?: A thousand times the worse, to want thy light. Love goes towards love, as schoolboys from their books, But love from love, toward school with heavy looks. Juliet?: Hist Romeo, hist?! Romeo?: My dear?? Nurse?: Madame?! Juliet?: J?ai oubli? pourquoi je t?ai rappell? Romeo?: Laisse-moi rester ici jusqu?? ce que tu t?en souviennes. Juliet?: Je l?oublierai pour toujours pour que tu restes l? toujours, me rappellant seulement combien j?aime que tu restes l?. Romeo?: Et je resterai l? pour que tu l?oublies toujours, oubliant que ma maison est ailleurs. Juliet?: ?Tis almost morning, I woiuld have thee gone?: And yet no farther than a wanton?s bird, Who lets it hop a little from her hand, Like a poor prisoner in his twisted gyves, And with a silk thread plucks it back again, So loving jealous of his liberty. ` Romeo?: I would I were thy bird. Juliet?: Sweet, so would I. 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. Romeo?: Sleep dwell upon thine eyes, peace in thy breast?! Would I were sleep and peace, so sweet to rest?! Scene Two Friar Laurence?: The grey-eyed morn smiles on the frowning night, Chequering the eastern clouds with streaks of light?; And flecked darkness like a drunkard reels From forth day?s path and Titan?s fiery wheels?: Now, ere the sun advance his burning eye, The day to cheer and night?s dank dew to dry, I must up-fill this osier cage of ours With baleful weeds and precious juiced flowers. The earth that?s nature?s mother is her tomb?; What is her burying grave, that is her womb?: And from her womb children of divers kind We sucking on her natural bosom find, Many for many virtues excellent, None but for some, and yet all different. O, mickle is the powerful grace that lies In herbs, plants, stones, and their true qualties For nought so vile that on the earth doth live, But to the earth some special good doth give Nor aught so good, but, strain?d from that fair use, Revolts from true birth, stumbling on abuse?: Virtue itself turns vice, being misapplied, And vice sometime?s by action dignified. Enter Romeo Romeo?: Good morrow, father. Friar Laurence?: Benedicte?! What early tongue so sweet saluteth me?? Young son, it argues a distempered head So soon to bid good morrow to thy bed. Therefore thy earliness doth me assure Thou art uproused by some distemperature?; Or if not so, then here I hit it right, Our Romeo hath not been in bed tonight. Romeo?: That last is true?; the sweeter rest was mine. Friar Laurence?: God pardon sin?! (italian) Wast thou not with Rosaline?? Romeo?: With Rosaline, my ghostly father?? No?; I have forgot that name and that name?s woe. Friar Laurence?: That?s my good son?; but where hast thou been then?? Romeo?: I?ll tell thee ere thou ask it me again. I have been feasting with mine enemy?; Where on a sudden one hath wounded me, That?s by me wounded?: both our remedies Within thy help and holy physic lies?: I bear no hatred, blessed man, for, lo, My intercession likewise steads my foe. Friar Laurence?: Be plain, good son, and homely in thy drift?; Riddling confession finds but riddling shrift. Romeo?: Then plainly know my heart?s dear love is set On the fair daughter of rich Capulet?: As mine on hers, so hers is set on mine?; And all combined, save what thou must combine By holy marriage?; where and when and how, We met, we woo?d and made exchange of vow, I?ll tell thee as we pass?; but this I pray, That thou consent to marry us today. Friar Laurence?: Per San Francisco?! What a change is here?! Is Rosaline, that thou didst love so dear, So soon forsaken?? Young men?s love then lies Not truely in their hearts, but in their eyes. Jesus Maria?! What a deal of brine Hath washed thy sallow cheeks for Rosaline?! How much salt water thrown away in waste, To season love, that of it doth not taste?! The sun not yet thy sighs from heaven clears, Thy old groans ring yet in mine ancient ears?; Lo, here upon thy cheek the stain doth sit Of an old tear that is not wash?d off yet?: And art thou changed?? Pronounce this sentence then?: Women may fall when there?s no strength in men. Romeo?: Thou chid?st me oft for loving Rosaline. Friar Laurence?: For doting, not for loving, pupil mine. Romeo?: And badst me bury love. Friar Laurence?: Not in a grave, To lay one in, another out to have. Romeo?: I pray thee chide not, she whom I love now Doth grace for grace and love for love allow?; The other did not so. Friar Laurence?: O, she knew well Thy love did read by rote and could not spell. But come , young waverer, come go with me, In one respect I?ll thy assistant be?; For thois alliance may so happy prove, To turn your households?s rancour to pure love. Romeo?: O, let us hence?; I stand on sudden haste. Friar Laurence?: Wisely and slow?: they stumble that run fast. Scene Three A street Nurse?: God ye good morrow, gentleman. Romeo?: God ye good e?en, fair gentlewoman. Nurse?: Is it good e?en?? Romeo?: Tis no less, I tell you?; for the bawdy hand of the dial is now upon the prick of noon. ` Nurse?: Out upon you, What a man you are?! Romeo?: One gentlewoman, that God hath made himself to mar. Nurse?: By my troth, it is well said?; ?for himself to mar? quoth a??? Gentlemen, can any of you tell me where I may find the young Romeo?? Romeo?: I can tell you, but young Romeo wil be older when you have found him than he was when you sought him?: I am the youngest of that name, for fault of a worse. Nurse?: You say well. Romeo?: Yea, is the worst well?? Very well took, i? faith, wisely, wisely. Nurse?: If you be he, sir, I desire some confidence with you. My young lady bade me enquire you out?; what she bade me say, I will keep to myself?: but first let me tell ye, if ye should lead her into a fool?s paradise, as they say, it were a very gross kind of behaviour, as they say?: for the gentlewoman is young, and therefore if you should deal double with her, truly it were an ill thing to be offered to any gentlewoman, and very weak dealing. Romeo?: Nurse, commend me to thy lady and mistress. I protest unto thee ? Nurse?: Good heart, and, i? faith, I will tell her as much?: Lord, lord, she will be a joyful woman. Romeo?: What wilt thou tell her, nurse?? Thou dost not mark me. Nurse?: I will tell her sir, that you do protest, which, as I take it, is a gentlemanlike offer. Romeo?: Bid her devise Some means to come to shrift this afternoon?; And there she shall at Friar Laurence?s cell Be shrived and married. Here is for thy pains. Nurse?: Nein, wahrlich, mein Herr, kein Groschen Romeo?: Go to, I say you shall. Nurse?: This afternoon sir?? Also denn, sie wird da sein. Romeo?: And stay, good nurse, behind the abbey wall?: Within this hour my man shall be with thee, And bring thee cords made like a tackled stair?; Which to the high top-gallant of my joy Must be my convoy in the secret night. Farewell, commend me to thy mistress. Nurse?: Now God in heaven bless thee?! Hark you, sir. Romeo?: What say?st thou, my dear nurse?? Nurse?: Is your man secret?? Did you ne?er hear say, Two may keep counsel, putting one away?? Romeo?: I warrant thee, my man?s as true as steel. Nurse?: Doth not rosemary and Romeo begin both with a letter?? Romeo?: Ay, nurse, what of that?? Both with an R. Nurse?: Ah, mocker?! That?s the dog?s name?; R is for the ? No?; I know it begins with some other letter- and she hath the prettiest sententious of it, of you and rosemary, that it would do you good to hear it. Romeo?: Commend me to thy lady. Nurse?: Ay, a thousand times. Scene Four Capulet?s Orchard Juliet?: The clock struck nine when I did send the nurse?; In half an hour she promised to return. Perchance she cannot meet him?: that?s not so. O, she is lame?! Love?s heralds should be thoughts, Which ten times faster glide than the sun?s beams, Driving back shadows over louring hills?: Therefore do nimble-pinnion?d doves draw love, And therefore hath the wind swift Cupid?s wings. Now is the sun upon the highmost hill Of this day?s journey, and from nine to twelve Is three long hours?; yet she is not come. Had she affections and warm youthful blood, She would be as swift in motion as a ball?; My words would bandy her to my sweet love, And his to me?: But old folks, many feign as they were dead?; Unwieldy, slow, heavy and pale as lead. Enter Nurse O God, she comes?! O honey nurse, what news?? Hast thou met with him?? Now, good sweet nurse ? O Lord, why lookst thou sad Though news be sad, yet tell them merrily?; If good, thou shamest the music of sweet news By playing it to me with so sour a face. Nurse?: I am a-weary?; give me leave a while. Fie, how my bones ache?!What a jaunce I have had?! Juliet?: I would thou hadst my bones and I thy news?: Nay, come, I pray thee,speak, good, good, nurse speak. Nurse?: Jesu, what haste?! Can you not stay a while?? Do you not see that I am out of breath?? Juliet?: How art thou out of breath, when thou hast breath To say to me that thou art out of breath?? The excuse that thou doth make in this delay Is longer than the tale tho dost excuse. Is thy news good, or bad?? answer to that?; Say either, and I?ll stay the circumstance?: Let me be satisfied, is?t good or bad?? Nurse?: Well?; you have made a simple choice?; you know not how to choose a man. Romeo?! No , not he, though his face be better than any man?s, yet his leg excells all men?s and for a hand and a foot, and a body, though they be not to be talked on, yet they are past compare?: he is not the flower of courtesy, but, I?ll warrant him, as gentle as a lamb. Go thy ways, wench, serve God. What, have you dined at home?? Juliet?: No, no, but all this did I know before. What says he of our marriage?? What of that?? Nurse?: Lord, how my head aches?! What a head have I?! Its beats as it would fall in twenty pieces. My back o? t? other side, - ah, my back, my back?! Beshrew your heart for sending me about, To catch my death with jauncing up and down?! Juliet?: I? faith, I am sorry that thou art not well. Sweet, sweet, sweet nurse tell me, what says my love?? Nurse?: Your love says, like an honest gentleman, and a courteous, and a kind, and a handsome, and, I warrant, a virtuous ? Where?s your mother?? Juliet?: Where is my mother?! Why she is within?; Where should she be?? How oddly thou repliest?! ?Your love says, like and honest gentleman, Wher is your mother??? Nurse?: O God?s lady dear?! Are you so hot?? Marry, come up, I trow?; Is this the poultice for my aching bones?? Henceforward do your messages yourself. Juliet?: Here?s such a coil?! Come , what says Romeo?? Nurse?: have you got leave to go to shrift to-day?? Juliet?: I have. Nurse?: Then hie you hence to Friar Laurence? cell?; There stays a husband to make you wife?: Now comes the wanton blood up in your cheeks, They?ll be in scarlet straight at any news. Hie you to church?; I must another way, To fetch a ladder, by the which your love Must climb a bird?s nest soon when it is dark?; I am the drudge, and toil in your delight?; But you shall bear the burthen soon at night. Go?; I?ll to dinner?; hie you to the cell. Juliet?: Hie to high fortune?! Honest nurse, farewell?! Scene Five Friar Laurence? Cell Friar laurence?: So smile the heavens upon this holy act That after-hours with sorrow chide us not?! Romeo?: Amen, amen?! But come what sorrow can, It cannot contervail the exchange of joy That one short minute gives me in her sight?: Do thou but close our hands with holy words, The love-devouring death do what he dare. It is enough I may but call her mine. Friar Laurence?: These violent delights have violent ends, And in their triumph die?; like fire and powder Which as they kiss consume?; the sweetest honey Is loathesome in his own deliciousness, And in the taste confounds the appetite?: Therefore love moderately?; long love doth so Too swift arrives as tardy as too slow. (Enter Juliet) Here comes the lady. O, so light a foot Will ne?er wear out the everlasting flint. A lover may bestride the gossamer That idles in the wanton summer air And yet not fall?; so light is vanity. Juliet?: Good even to my ghostly confessor. Friar laurence?: Romeo shall thank thee, daughter, for us both. Juliet?: As much to him, else is his thanks too much. Romeo?: Ah, Juliet, if the measure of thy joy Be heap?d like mine, and that thy skill be more To blazon it, then sweeten with thy breath This neighbour air, and let rich music?s tongue Unfold the imagined happiness that both Receive in either by this dear encounter. Juliet?: Conceit, more rich in matter that in words, Brags of his substance, not of ornament?: They are but beggars that can count their worth?; But my true love is grown to such excess, I cannot sum up sum of half my wealth. Friar Laurence?: Come, come with me, and we will make short work?; For, by your leaves, you shall not stay alone Till holy church incorporate two in one. Acte III ©Daniel Soulier