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: Jul. Rom. Ah me! She speaks: O, speak again, bright angel! for thou art And sails upon the bosom of the air. 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? [Aside. ! 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 baptis'd; 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 Had I it written I would tear the word. Jul. My ears have yet not drunk a hundred words Of thy tongue's utterance, yet I know the sound; Art thou not Romeo, and a Montague? Rom. Neither, fair maid, 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; Therefore thy kinsmen are no let to me.2 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, 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 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, nay, Rom. Lady, by yonder blessed moon I swear, That tips with silver all these fruit-tree tops—— 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, 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: [Nurse calls within. Rom. O blessed, blessed night! I am afeard, [Exit. Being in night, all this is but a dream, Too flattering sweet to be substantial. Re-enter JULIET, 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, Where, and what time, thou wilt perform the rite; And follow thee my lord throughout the world. Jul. I come, anon :-But if thou mean'st not well, Nurse. [Within.] Madam! Jul. By and by, I come :— So cease thy strife and leave me to my grief: Rom. So thrive my soulJul. A thousand times good-night! [Exit above. 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. Re-enter JULIET, above. [Retiring. Jul. Hist! Romeo, hist !-O, for a falconer's voice, 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 : |