Here in the church-yard; yet I will adventure. Page. I am almost afraid to stand alone Par. Sweet flower, with flowers thy bridal bed I strew. [Retires Fair Juliet, that with angels dost remain, Accept this latest favor at my hands; That living honor'd thee; and, being dead, With funeral praises do adorn thy tomb! [The Boy whistles. The boy gives warning, something doth approach. What cursed foot wanders this way to-night, To cross my obsequies, and true love's rites? What, with a torch!-muffle me, night, a while. [Retires. Enter ROMEO, and BALTHASAR, with a torch, mattock, &c. Rom. Give me that mattock, and the wrenching iron Hold, take this letter; early in the morning And do not interrupt me in my course. But, chiefly, to take thence from her dead finger By heaven, I will tear thee joint by joint, The time and my intents are savage-wild; Than empty tigers, or the roaring sea. Bal. I will be gone, sir, and not trouble you. Rom. So shalt thou show me friendship. -Take thou that Live, and be prosperous; and farewell, good fellow. Bal. For all this same, I'll hide me hereabout; His looks I fear, and his intents I doubt. Rom. Thou detestable maw, Gorg'd with the dearest morsel of the earth, Thus I enforce thy rotten jaws to open, And, in despite, I'll cram thee with more food! Par. Stop thy unhallow'd toil, vile Montague; [Retires [Breaking open the door of the monument [Advances Condemned villain, I do apprehend thee; Obey, and go with me, for thou must die. Rom. I must, indeed; and therefore came I hither. Good gentle youth, tempt not a desperate man, Fly hence and leave me;-think upon these gone; Let them affright thee :-I beseech thee, youth, Can vengeance be pursu'd further than death? Heap not another sin upon my head, Par. I do defy thy conjurations, Rom. Wilt thou provoke me? then have at thee, boy. Par. O, I am slain!-[Falls.] - If thou be merciful, Rom. In faith, I will :---Let me peruse this face ;- Come, bitter conduct, come, unsavory guide! [They fight. [Dies. [Dies. Enter, at the other end of the church-yard, Friar LAURENCE, with a lantern, crow, and spade. Fri. Saint Francis be my speed! how oft to-night Have my old feet stumbled at graves?-Who's Who is it that consorts, so late, the dead? there? Bal. Here's one, a friend, and one that knows you well. Fri. Bliss be upon you! Tell me, good my friend, What torch is yond, that vainly lends his light To grubs and eyeless skulls; as I discern, It burneth in the Capel's monument. Bal. It doth so, holy sir; and there's my master, One that you love. Fri. Bal. Who is it? Romeo. Full half an hour. Fri. How long hath he been there? Fri. Ge with me to the vault. My master knows not, but I am gone hence; I dare not, sir: comes upon me; And fearfully did menace me with death, If I did stay to look on his intents. Fri. Stay then, I'll go alone :-Fear Bal. As I did sleep under this yew-tree here, Fri. Romeo! Advances [Enters the monument. Alack, alack, what blood is this, which stains The lady stirs. Jul. O, comfortable friar! where is my ord? I do remember well where I should be, And there I am: Where is my Romeo?" [JULIET wakes and stirs. [Noise within. Fri. I hear some noise.-Lady, come from that nest Of death, contagion, and unnatural sleep; A greater Power than we can contradict Hath thwarted our intents; come, come away : Thy husband in thy bosom there lies dead; And Paris too; come, I'll dispose of thee Among a sisterhood of holy nuns ; Stay not to question, for the watch is coming; Come, go, good Juliet.- [Noise again.] I dare stay no longer. Jul. Go, get thee hence, for I will not away.- Thy lips are warm! [Ext. [Kisses him 1st Watch. [Within.] Lead, boy :-Which way? [Snatching ROMEO's dagger. This is thy sheath; [Stabs herself.] there rust, and let ine die. [Falls on ROMEO's body, and dies. THE MERCHANT OF VENICE. This Play is justly placed among the most perfect of Shakspeare's compositions. The master-piece of character, as exhibited in Shylock the Jew, would alone entitle it to this classification. The double plot of this Drama was borrowed by Shakspeare from traditionary stories current in his time. The Jews at that period were a despised and persecuted race; the Poet has lent himself to the prejudices entertained by Christians against Jews, and yet he has made Shylock appear as the champion and avenger of an oppressed people, rather than the sordid contemptible character, then thought to be the distinctive qualification of "God's ancient people." dddd SALANIO, SALARINO, GRATIANO, friends to Antonio and Bassanio. LORENZO, in love with Jessica. SHYLOCK, a Jew. TUBAL, a Jew, his friend. LAUNCELOT GOBBO, a clown, servant to Shylock Old Gовво, father to Launcelot. SALERIO, a messenger from Venice. LEONARDO, servant to Bassanio. BALTHAZAR, STEPHANO, servants to Portia. PORTIA, a rich heiress. NERISSA, her waiting-maid. JESSICA, daughter to Shylock. Magnificoes of Venice, Officers of the Court of Justice, Gaoler, Servants, and other Attendants. SCENE,-partly at VENICE, and partly at BELMONT, the Seat of PORTIA, on the Continent. ACT I. SCENE I.- Venice. A Street. Enter ANTONIO, SALARINO, and SALANIO Ant. In sooth, I know not why I am so sad; And such a want-wit sadness makes of me, Salar. Your mind is tossing on the ocean; Salan. Believe me, sir, had I such venture forth, Salar. My wind, cooling my broth, Would blow me to an ague, when I thought Ant. Believe me, no: I thank my fortune for it, |