O, that I were a glove upon that hand, Jul. Rom. Aye 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? Or, if thou wilt not, be but sworn my love, And I'll no longer be a Capulet. Rom. (aside). Shall I hear more, or shall I speak at this? Jul. 'Tis but thy name that is my enemy; Thou art thyself, though not a Montague. What's Montague? it is nor hand, nor foot, Nor 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 Without that title. Romeo, doff thy name, And for thy name, which is no part of thee, Take all myself. Rom. I take thee at thy word: Call me but love, and I'll be new baptized; Henceforth I never will be Romeo. Jul. What man art thou, that, thus bescreen'd in night, So stumblest on my counsel? Rom. By a name I know not how to tell thee who I am: Had I it written, I would tear the word. Jul. My ears have yet not drunk a hundred words Of thy tongue's uttering, yet I know the sound: Rom. Neither, fair maid, if either thee dislike. Jul. How camest 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'erperch 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. Jul. If they do see thee, they will murder thee. Rom. Alack, there lies more peril in thine eye Than twenty of their swords: look thou but sweet, And I am proof against their enmity. Jul. I would not for the world they saw thee here. Rom. 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. Jul. By whose direction found'st thou out this place? Rom. By love, that 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 wash'd with the farthest 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 In truth, fair Montague, I am too fond; Rom. Lady, by yonder blessed moon I swear, Jul. O, swear not by the moon, th' 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 unadvised, too sudden, Too like the lightning, which doth cease to be Rom. O, wilt thou leave me so unsatisfied? Jul. What satisfaction canst thou have to-night? Rom. The exchange of thy love's faithful vow for mine. Jul. I gave thee mine before thou didst request it: And yet I would it were to give again. Rom. Wouldst thou withdraw it? for what purpose, love? Jul. 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. I hear some noise within; dear love, adieu! [NURSE calls within. Anon, good nurse! Sweet Montague, be true. Rom. O blessed, blessed night! I am afeard. Reënter JULIET, above. 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, And follow thee my lord throughout the world. [Exit. Nurse (within). Jul. Madam! By and by, I come: To cease thy suit, and leave me to my grief: To-morrow will I send. Rom. [Exit. [Retiring slowly. Reënter JULIET, above. O, for a falconer's voice, Jul. Hist! Romeo, hist! 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 more hoarse than mine, With repetition of my Romeo's name. Romeo! Rom. It is my soul that calls upon my name: How silver-sweet sound lovers' tongues by night, Like softest music to attending ears! 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: Who lets it hop a little from her hand, Rom. I would I were thy bird. Yet I should kill thee with much cherishing. Sweet, so would I: Good night, good night! parting is such sweet sorrow That I shall say good night till it be morrow. [Exit. Rom. Sleep dwell upon thine eyes, peace in thy breast! Would I were sleep and peace, so sweet to rest! [Exit. Hence will I to my ghostly father's cell, His help to crave, and my dear hap to tell. FRIAR LAURENCE's cell Enter FRIAR LAURENCE and ROMEO. Fri. L. So smile the heavens upon this holy act That after-hours with sorrow chide us not! |