Gregory, armed with Swords and Bucklers.
Sam.
Gregory, o'my word, we'll not carry coals2 note
* note.
Gre.
No, for then we should be colliers.
-- 8 --
Sam.
I mean, an we be in choler, we'll draw* note.
Gre.
Ay, while you live, draw your neck out of
the collar.
Sam.
I strike quickly, being moved.
Gre.
But thou art not quickly moved to strike.
Sam.
A dog of the house of Montague moves me.
Gre.
To move, is—to stir; and to be valiant, is
—to stand to it: therefore, if thou art moved, thou
run'st away† note.
Sam.
A dog of that house shall move me to
stand! I will take the wall of any man or maid of
Montague's.
Gre.
That shows thee a weak slave; for the
weakest goes to the wall.
Sam.
True; and therefore women, being the
weaker vessels, are ever thrust to the wall:—therefore
I will push Montague's men from the wall, and
thrust his maids to the wall.
-- 9 --
Gre.
The quarrel is between our masters, and
us their men.
Sam.
'Tis all one, I will show myself a tyrant:
when I have fought with the men, I will be cruel
with the maids3 note
; I will cut off their heads.
Gre.
The heads of the maids?
Sam.
Ay, the heads of the maids, or their* note
maidenheads; take it in what sense thou wilt.
Gre.
They must take it in sense, that feel it.
Sam.
Me they shall feel, while I am able to stand:
and, 'tis known, I am a pretty piece† note of flesh.
Gre.
'Tis well, thou art not fish; if thou hadst,
thou hadst been poor John4 note. Draw thy tool; here
comes two of the house of the Montagues5 note
.
-- 10 --
Enter Abram and Balthasar.
Sam.
My naked weapon is out; quarrel, I will
back thee.
Gre.
How? turn thy back, and run?
Sam.
Fear me not.
Gre.
No marry: I fear thee* note!
Sam.
Let us take the law of our sides; let them
begin.
Gre.
I will frown, as I pass by; and let them
take it as they list.
Sam.
Nay, as they dare. I will bite my thumb at
them; which is a disgrace to them, if they bear it6 note
.
-- 11 --
Abr.
Do you bite your thumb at us, sir?
Sam.
I do bite my thumb, sir.
Abr.
Do you bite your thumb at us, sir?
Sam.
Is the law on our side, if I say—ay?
Gre.
No.
Sam.
No, sir, I do not bite my thumb at you,
sir; but I bite my thumb, sir.
Gre.
Do you quarrel, sir?
Abr.
Quarrel, sir? no, sir.
Sam.
If you do, sir, I am for you; I serve as
good a man as you.
Abr.
No better.
Sam.
Well, sir.
Enter Benvolio7 note, at a Distance.
Gre.
Say—better* note; here comes one of my
master's kinsmen8 note
.
Sam.
Yes, better, sir† note.
Abr.
You lie.
Sam.
Draw, if you be men.—Gregory, remember
thy swashing‡ note blow9 note
.
[They fight.
-- 12 --
Ben.
Part, fools; put up your swords; you know
not what you do.
[Beats down their Swords.
Enter Tybalt.
Tyb.
What, art thou drawn among these heartless hinds?
Turn thee, Benvolio, look upon thy death.
Ben.
I do but keep the peace; put up thy sword,
Or manage it to part these men with me.
Tyb.
What, drawn* note, and talk of peace? I hate the word,
As I hate hell, all Montagues, and thee:
Have at thee, coward.
[They fight.
Enter several Partizans of both Houses, who join
the Fray; then enter Citizens, with Clubs.
1 Cit.
Clubs, bills1 note, and partizans! strike! beat them down!
Down with the Capulets! down with the Montagues!
Enter Capulet, in his Gown; and Lady Capulet.
Cap.
What noise is this?—Give me my long sword2 note
, ho!
-- 13 --
La. Cap.
A crutch, a crutch!—Why call you for a sword?
Cap.
My sword, I say!—Old Montague is come,
And flourishes his blade in spite of me.
Enter Montague and Lady Montague.
Mon.
Thou villain Capulet,—Hold me not, let me go.
La. Mon.
Thou shalt not stir one foot to seek a foe3 note.
Enter Prince, with Attendants.
Prin.
Rebellious subjects, enemies to peace,
Profaners of this neighbour-stained steel,—
Will they not hear?—what ho! you men, you beasts,—
That quench the fire of your pernicious rage
With purple fountains issuing from your veins,
On pain of torture, from those bloody hands
Throw your mis-temper'd weapons4 note
to the ground,
-- 14 --
And hear the sentence of your moved prince.—
Three civil brawls* note, bred of an airy word,
By thee, old Capulet, and Montague,
Have thrice disturb'd the quiet of our streets;
And made Verona's ancient citizens
Cast by their grave beseeming ornaments,
To wield old partizans, in hands as old,
Canker'd with peace, to part your canker'd hate:
If ever you disturb our streets again,
Your lives shall pay the forfeit of the peace† note.
For this time, all the rest depart away:
You, Capulet, shall go along with me;
And, Montague, come you this afternoon,
To know our further pleasure in this case,
To old Free-town, our common judgment-place4 note.
Once more, on pain of death, all men depart.
[Exeunt Prince, and Attendants; Capulet,
Lady Capulet, Tybalt, Citizens, and Servants.
Mon.
Who set this ancient quarrel new abroach?—
Speak, nephew, were you by, when it began?
Ben.
Here were the servants of your adversary,
And yours, close fighting ere I did approach:
I drew to part them; in the instant came
The fiery Tybalt, with his sword prepar'd;
Which, as he breath'd defiance to my ears,
He swung about his head, and cut the winds,
Who, nothing hurt withal, hiss'd him in scorn:
While we were interchanging thrusts and blows,
Came more and more, and fought on part and part,
Till the prince came, who parted either part.
-- 15 --
La. Mon.
O, where is Romeo!—saw you him to-day?
Right glad I am, he was not at this fray.
Ben.
Madam, an hour before the worshipp'd sun
Peer'd forth* note the golden window of the east5 note
,
A troubled mind drave me to walk abroad;
Where,—underneath the grove of sycamore,
That westward rooteth from the city's side,—
So early walking did I see your son:
Towards him I made; but he was 'ware of me,
And stole into the covert of the wood:
I, measuring his affections by my own,—
That most are busied when they are most alone6 note
,—
Pursu'd my humour, not pursuing his,
And gladly shunn'd who gladly fled from me7 note.
Mon.
Many a morning hath he there been seen,
With tears augmenting the fresh morning's dew,
Adding to clouds more clouds with his deep sighs:
But all so soon as the all-cheering sun
Should in the furthest east begin to draw
-- 16 --
The shady curtains from Aurora's bed,
Away from light steals home my heavy son,
And private in his chamber pens himself;
Shuts up his windows, locks fair daylight out,
And makes himself an artificial night:
Black and portentous must this humour prove,
Unless good counsel may the cause remove.
Ben.
My noble uncle, do you know the cause?
Mon.
I neither know it, nor can learn of him.
Ben.
Have you impórtun'd him by any means8 note?
Mon.
Both by myself, and many other friends:
But he, his own affections' counsellor,
Is to himself—I will not say, how true—
But to himself so secret and so close,
So far from sounding and discovery,
As is the bud bit with an envious worm,
Ere he can spread his sweet leaves to the air,
Or dedicate his beauty to the same9 note
.
-- 17 --
Could we but learn from whence his sorrows grow,
We would as willingly give cure, as know.
Enter Romeo, at a distance.
Ben.
See, where he comes: So please you, step aside;
I'll know his grievance, or be much denied.
Mon.
I would, thou wert so happy by thy stay,
To hear true shrift.—Come, madam, let's away.
[Exeunt Montague and Lady.
Ben.
Good morrow, cousin.
Rom.
Is the day so young1 note?
Ben.
But new struck nine.
Rom.
Ah me! sad hours seem long.
Was that my father that went hence so fast?
Ben.
It was:—What sadness lengthens Romeo's hours?
Rom.
Not having that, which, having, makes them short.
-- 18 --
Ben.
In love?
Rom.
Out—
Ben.
Of love?
Rom.
Out of her favour, where I am in love.
Ben.
Alas, that love, so gentle in his view,
Should be so tyrannous and rough in proof!
Rom.
Alas, that love, whose view is muffled still,
Should, without eyes, see pathways to his will2 note
!
Where shall we dine?—O me!—What fray was here?
Yet tell me not, for I have heard it all.
Here's much to do with hate, but more with love:—
Why then, O brawling love3 note
! O loving hate!
O any thing, of nothing first create!
-- 19 --
O heavy lightness! serious vanity!
Mis-shapen chaos of well-seeming* note forms!
Feather of lead, bright smoke, cold fire, sick health!
Still-waking sleep, that is not what it is!—
This love feel I, that feel no love in this.
Dost thou not laugh?
Ben.
No, coz, I rather weep.
Rom.
Good heart, at what?
-- 20 --
Ben.
At thy good heart's oppression.
Rom.
Why, such is love's transgression4 note.—
Griefs of my own lie heavy in my breast;
Which thou wilt propagate, to have it prest
With more of thine: this love, that thou hast shown,
Doth add more grief to too much of mine own.
Love is a smoke rais'd* note with the fume of sighs;
Being purg'd, a fire sparkling in lovers' eyes5 note
;
Being vex'd6 note
, a sea nourish'd with lovers' tears† note:
What is it else? a madness most discreet,
A choking gall, and a preserving sweet.
Farewell, my coz.
[Going.
Ben.
Soft, I will go along;
An if you leave me so, you do me wrong.
Rom.
Tut, I have lost myself; I am not here;
This is not Romeo, he's some other where.
-- 21 --
Ben.
Tell me in sadness7 note, whom she is* note you love.
Rom.
What, shall I groan, and tell thee?
Ben.
Groan? why, no;
But sadly tell me, who.
Rom.
Bid a sick man in sadness make his will:—
Ah, word ill urg'd to one that is so ill!—
In sadness, cousin, I do love a woman.
Ben.
I aim'd so near† note, when I suppos'd you lov'd.
Rom.
A right good marks-man!—And she's fair I love.
Ben.
A right fair mark, fair coz, is soonest hit.
Rom.
Well, in that hit, you miss: she'll not be hit
With Cupid's arrow, she hath Dian's wit;
And, in strong proof of chastity well arm'd8 note
,
From love's weak childish bow she lives unharm'd‡ note.
She will not stay the siege of loving terms9 note
,
Nor bide the encounter of assailing eyes,
Nor ope her lap to saint-seducing gold:
O, she is rich in beauty; only poor,
That, when she dies, with beauty dies her store§ note 1 note
.
-- 22 --
Ben.
Then she hath sworn, that she will still live chaste?
Rom.
She hath, and in that sparing makes huge waste2 note
;
For beauty, starv'd with her severity,
Cuts beauty off from all posterity3 note
.
-- 23 --
She is too fair, too wise; wisely too fair4 note
,
To merit bliss by making me despair:
She hath forsworn to love; and, in that vow,
Do I live dead5 note
, that live to tell it now.
Ben.
Be rul'd by me, forget to think of her.
Rom.
O, teach me how I should forget to think.
Ben.
By giving liberty unto thine eyes;
Examine other beauties.
Rom.
'Tis the way
To call hers, exquisite, in question more6 note
:
These happy masks7 note
, that kiss fair ladies' brows,
-- 24 --
Being black, put us in mind they hide the fair;
He, that is strucken blind, cannot forget
The precious treasure of his eyesight lost:
Show me a mistress that is passing fair,
What doth her beauty serve8 note, but as a note
Where I may read, who pass'd that passing fair?
Farewell; thou canst not teach me to forget9 note
.
Ben.
I'll pay that doctrine, or else die in debt.
[Exeunt.
SCENE II.
A Street.
Enter Capulet, Paris, and Servant.
Cap.
And Montague is bound1 note as well as I,
In penalty alike; and 'tis not hard, I think,
For men so old as we to keep the peace.
Par.
Of honourable reckoning are you* note both;
And pity 'tis, you* note liv'd at odds so long.
But now, my lord, what say you to my suit?
Cap.
But saying o'er what I have said before;
My child is yet a stranger in the world,
She hath not seen the change of fourteen years;
Let two more summers wither in their pride2 note
,
-- 25 --
Ere we may think her ripe to be a bride.
Par.
Younger than she are happy mothers made.
Cap.
And too soon marr'd are those so early made3 note
.
The earth hath swallow'd all my hopes but she,
She is the hopeful lady of my earth4 note
:
-- 26 --
But woo her, gentle Paris, get her heart,
My will to her consent is but a part5 note;
An she agree, within her scope of choice
Lies my consent and fair according voice.
This night I hold an old accustom'd feast,
Whereto I have invited many a guest,
Such as I love; and you, among the store,
One more, most welcome, makes my number more.
At my poor house, look to behold this night
Earth-treading stars, that make dark heaven light6 note
:
-- 27 --
Such comfort, as do lusty young men feel7 note
When well-apparell'd April on the heel
-- 28 --
Of limping winter treads, even such delight
Among fresh female buds shall you this night
Inherit at my house8 note; hear all, all see,
And like her most, whose merit most shall be:
Such, amongst view of many, mine, being one,
May stand in number, though in reckoning none9 note
.
-- 29 --
Come, go with me;—Go, sirrah, trudge about
Through fair Verona; find those persons out,
-- 30 --
Whose names are written there1 note
,
[Gives a Paper, and to them say,
My house and welcome on their pleasure stay.
[Exeunt Capulet and Paris.
Serv.
Find them out, whose names are written
here2 note? It is written—that the shoemaker should
meddle with his yard, and the tailor with his last,
the fisher with his pencil, and the painter with his
nets; but I am sent to find those persons, whose
names are here writ, and can never find what names
the writing person hath here writ. I must to the
learned:—
In good time.
Enter Benvolio and Romeo.
Ben.
Tut, man! one fire burns out another's burning,
One pain is lessen'd by another's anguish;
Turn giddy, and be holp by backward turning;
-- 31 --
One desperate grief cures with another's languish3 note
:
Take thou some new infection to thy eye,
And the rank poison of the old will die4 note
.
Rom.
Your plantain leaf is excellent for that5 note
.
-- 32 --
Ben.
For what, I pray thee?
Rom.
For your broken shin.
Ben.
Why, Romeo, art thou mad?
Rom.
Not mad, but bound more than a madman is:
Shut up in prison, kept without my food,
Whipp'd, and tormented, and—Good-e'en, good fellow.
Serv.
God gi' good e'en.—I pray, sir, can you read?
Rom.
Ay, mine own fortune in my misery.
Serv.
Perhaps you have learn'd it without book:
But I pray, can you read any thing you see?
Rom.
Ay, if I know the letters, and the language.
Serv.
Ye say honestly; Rest you merry!
Rom.
Stay, fellow; I can read.
[Reads.
Signior Martino, and his wife, and daughters;
County Anselme, and his beauteous sisters; The lady
widow of Vitruvio; Signior Placentio, and his lovely
nieces; Mercutio, and his brother Valentine; Mine
uncle Capulet, his wife, and daughters; My fair
niece Rosaline; Livia; Signior Valentio, and his
cousin Tybalt; Lucio, and the lively Helena.
A fair assembly; [Gives back the Note;] Whither should they come?
Serv.
Up.
Rom.
Whither?
Serv.
To supper; to our house6 note.
Rom.
Whose house?
Serv.
My master's.
-- 33 --
Rom.
Indeed, I should have asked you that before.
Serv.
Now I'll tell you without asking: My
master is the great rich Capulet; and if you be not
of the house of Montagues, I pray, come and crush
a cup of wine7 note
. Rest you merry.
[Exit.
Ben.
At this same ancient feast of Capulet's
Sups the fair Rosaline, whom thou so lov'st;
With all the admired beauties of Verona:
Go thither; and, with unattainted eye,
Compare her face with some that I shall show,
And I will make thee think thy swan a crow.
Rom.
When the devout religion of mine eye
Maintains such falsehood, then turn tears to fires!
And these,—who, often drown'd, could never die,—
Transparent hereticks, be burnt for liars!
One fairer than my love! the all-seeing sun
Ne'er saw her match, since first the world begun.
Ben.
Tut! you saw her fair, none else being by,
Herself pois'd with herself in either eye:
But in those crystal scales8 note, let there be weigh'd
Your lady's love against some other maid9 note
That I will show you, shining at this feast,
-- 34 --
And she shall scant show well, that now shows* note best.
Rom.
I'll go along, no such sight to be shown,
But to rejoice in splendour of mine own.
[Exeunt.
SCENE III.
A Room in Capulet's House.
Enter Lady Capulet and Nurse1 note.
La. Cap.
Nurse, where's my daughter? call her forth to me.
Nurse.
Now, by my maiden-head,—at twelve year old,—
I bade her come.—What, lamb! what, lady-bird!—
God forbid!—where's this girl?—what, Juliet!
Enter Juliet.
Jul.
How now, who calls?
Nurse.
Your mother.
Jul.
Madam, I am here.
What is your will?
La. Cap.
This is the matter:—Nurse, give leave awhile,
-- 35 --
We must talk in secret.—Nurse, come back again;
I have remember'd me, thou shalt hear our counsel.
Thou know'st my daughter's of a pretty age.
Nurse.
'Faith, I can tell her age unto an hour.
La. Cap.
She's not fourteen.
Nurse.
I'll lay fourteen of my teeth,
And yet, to my teen2 note
be it spoken, I have but four.—
She is not fourteen: How long is it now
To Lammas-tide?
La. Cap.
A fortnight, and odd days.
Nurse.
Even or odd, of all days in the year,
Come Lammas-eve at night, shall she be fourteen.
Susan and she,—God rest all Christian souls!—
Were of an age.—Well, Susan is with God;
She was too good for me: But, as I said,
On Lammas-eve at night shall she be fourteen;
That shall she, marry; I remember it well.
'Tis since the earthquake now eleven years3 note;
And she was wean'd,—I never shall forget it,—
Of all the days of the year, upon that day:
For I had then laid wormwood to my dug,
-- 36 --
Sitting in the sun under the dove-house wall,
My lord and you were then at Mantua:—
Nay, I do bear a brain3 note
:—but, as I said,
When it did taste the wormwood on the nipple
Of my dug, and felt it bitter, pretty fool!
To see it tetchy, and fall out with the dug.
Shake, quoth the dove-house: 'twas no need, I trow,
To bid me trudge.
And since that time it is eleven years:
For then she could stand alone4 note; nay, by the rood,
She could have run and waddled all about* note.
For even the day before, she broke her brow:
And then my husband—God be with his soul!
'A was a merry man;—
took up the child:
Yea, quoth he,
dost thou fall upon thy face?
Thou wilt fall backward, when thou hast more wit;
Wilt thou not, Jule† note and, by my holy-dam,
The pretty wretch left crying, and said—Ay:
To see now, how a jest shall come about!
I warrant, an I should live a thousand years,
I never should forget it; Wilt thou not, Jule† note?
quoth he:
And, pretty fool, it stinted5 note
, and said—Ay.
-- 37 --
La. Cap.
Enough of this; I pray thee, hold thy peace.
Nurse.
Yes, madam; Yet I cannot choose but laugh6 note,
To think it should leave crying, and say—Ay:
And yet, I warrant, it had upon its brow
A bump as big as a young cockrel's stone;
A parlous knock; and it cried bitterly.
Yea, quoth my husband, fall'st upon thy face?
Thou wilt fall backward, when thou com'st to age;
Wilt thou not, Jule? it stinted, and said—Ay.
Jul.
And stint thou too, I pray thee, nurse, say I.
Nurse.
Peace, I have done. God mark thee to his grace!
Thou wast the prettiest babe that e'er I nurs'd:
An I might live to see thee married once,
I have my wish.
La. Cap.
Marry, that marry is the very theme
I came to talk of* note:—Tell me, daughter Juliet,
How stands your disposition† note to be married?
Jul.
It is an honour7 note
that I dream not of.
-- 38 --
Nurse.
An honour! were not I thine only nurse,
I would say, thou hadst suck'd wisdom from thy teat.
La. Cap.
Well8 note
, think of marriage now; younger than you,
Here in Verona, ladies of esteem,
Are made already mothers: by my count,
I was your mother much upon these years
That you are now a maid. Thus then, in brief;—
The valiant Paris seeks you for his love* note.
Nurse.
A man, young lady! lady, such a man,
As all the world—Why, he's a man of wax9 note
.
La. Cap.
Verona's summer hath not such a flower.
Nurse1 note
.
Nay, he's a flower; in faith, a very flower.
-- 39 --
La. Cap.
What say you2 note? can you love the gentleman?
This night you shall behold him at our feast:
Read o'er the volume3 note
of young Paris' face,
And find delight writ there with beauty's pen;
Examine every married lineament4 note
,
And see how one another lends content;
And what obscur'd in this fair volume lies,
Find written in the margin of his eyes5 note
.
-- 40 --
This precious book of love, this unbound lover,
To beautify him, only lacks a cover6 note
:
The fish lives in the sea7 note
; and 'tis much pride,
For fair without the fair within to hide:
That book in many's eyes doth share the glory,
That in gold clasps locks in the golden story8 note
;
So shall you share all that he doth possess,
By having him, making yourself no less.
Nurse.
No less? nay, bigger; women grow by men.
La. Cap.
Speak briefly, can you like of Paris' love* note?
-- 41 --
Jul.
I'll look to like, if looking liking move9 note:
But no more deep will I endart mine eye1 note,
Than your consent gives strength to make it fly.
Enter a Servant.
Serv.
Madam2 note, the guests are come, supper
served up, you called, my young lady asked for, the
nurse cursed in the pantry, and every thing in extremity.
I must hence to wait; I beseech you,
follow straight.
La. Cap.
We follow thee.—Juliet, the county stays.
Nurse.
Go, girl, seek happy nights to happy days.
[Exeunt.
SCENE IV.
A Street.
Enter Romeo, Mercutio3 note
, Benvolio, with five or
six Maskers, Torch-Bearers, and Others.
Rom.
What, shall this speech be spoke for our excuse?
-- 42 --
Or shall we on without apology?
Ben.
The date is out of such prolixity4 note
:
-- 43 --
We'll have no Cupid hood-wink'd with a scarf,
Bearing a Tartar's painted bow of lath5 note,
Scaring the ladies like a crow-keeper6 note;
Nor no without-book prologue7 note, faintly spoke
After the prompter, for our entrance8 note:
But, let them measure us by what they will,
We'll measure them a measure9 note, and be gone.
Rom.
Give me a torch1 note
,—I am not for this ambling;
-- 44 --
Being but heavy, I will bear the light.
Mer.
Nay, gentle Romeo, we* note must have you dance.
Rom.
Not I, believe me: you have dancing shoes,
With nimble soles: I have a soul of lead,
So stakes me to the ground, I cannot move.
Mer.
You are a lover2 note; borrow Cupid's wings,
And soar with them above a common bound.
Rom.
I am too sore enpierced with his shaft,
To soar with his light feathers; and so bound,
I cannot bound a pitch above dull woe3 note
:
Under love's heavy burden do I sink.
Mer.
And, to sink in it, should you burden love4 note;
Too great oppression for a tender thing.
Rom.
Is love a tender thing? it is too rough,
Too rude, too boist'rous; and it pricks like thorn.
Mer.
If love be rough with you, be rough with love;
-- 45 --
Prick love for pricking, and you beat love down.—
Give me a case to put my visage in:
[Putting on a Mask.
A visor for a visor!—what care I,
What curious eye doth quote deformities5 note
?
Here are the beetle-brows, shall blush for me.
Ben.
Come, knock, and enter; and no sooner in,
But every man betake him to his legs.
Rom.
A torch for me: let wantons, light of heart6 note
,
Tickle the senseless rushes with their heels7 note
;
For I am proverb'd with a grandsire phrase8 note
,—
-- 46 --
I'll be a candle-holder, and look on,—
The game was ne'er so fair, and I am done9 note
.
Mer.
Tut! dun's the mouse, the constable's own word1 note
:
-- 47 --
If thou art dun, we'll draw thee from the mire2 note
Of this (save reverence) love3 note
, wherein thou stick'st
-- 48 --
Up to the ears.—Come, we burn day-light, ho* note 4 note
.
Rom.
Nay, that's not so.
-- 49 --
Mer.
I mean, sir, in delay
We waste our lights in vain, like lamps by day* note 5 note.
Take our good meaning, for our judgment sits
Five times in that6 note
, ere once in our five wits.
-- 50 --
Rom.
And we mean well, in going to this mask;
But 'tis no wit to go.
Mer.
Why* note, may one ask?
Rom.
I dreamt a dream to-night.
Mer.
And so did I.
Rom.
Well, what was yours?
Mer.
That dreamers often lie.
Rom.
In bed asleep, while they do dream things true.
Mer.
O, then7 note
, I see, queen Mab hath been with you.
She is the fairies' midwife8 note
; and she comes
-- 51 --
In shape no bigger than an agate-stone
On the fore-finger of an alderman9 note,
Drawn with a team of little atomies1 note
-- 52 --
Athwart* note men's noses as they lie asleep:
Her waggon-spokes made of long spinners' legs;
The cover, of the wings of grasshoppers;
The traces,
of the smallest spider's web;
The collars,
of the moonshine's watry beams:
Her whip† note, of cricket's bone; the lash, of film:
Her waggoner, a small grey-coated gnat,
Not half so big as a round little worm
Prick'd from the lazy finger of a maid‡ note:
Her chariot is an empty hazel-nut,
Made by the joiner squirrel, or old grub,
Time out of mind the fairies' coach-makers.
And in this state she gallops night by night
Through lovers' brains, and then they dream of love:
On courtiers' knees, that dream on court'sies straight:
O'er lawyers' fingers, who straight dream on fees:
O'er ladies' lips, who straight on kisses dream;
Which oft the angry Mab with blisters plagues,
Because their breaths with sweet-meats2 note tainted are.
Sometime she gallops o'er a courtier's nose§ note,
-- 53 --
And then dreams he of smelling out a suit3 note
:
And sometimes comes she with a tithe-pig's tail,
-- 54 --
Tickling a parson's nose as 'a lies asleep,
Then dreams he of another benefice:
-- 55 --
Sometime she driveth o'er a soldier's neck,
And then dreams he of cutting foreign throats,
Of breaches, ambuscadoes, Spanish blades4 note
,
Of healths five fathom deep5 note: and then anon
Drums in his ear; at which he starts, and wakes;
And,
being thus frighted,
swears a prayer or two,
And sleeps again. This is that
very
Mab,
That plats the manes of horses in the night;
And bakes* note the elf-locks6 note
in foul sluttish hairs,
Which, once untangled, much misfortune bodies† note.
-- 56 --
This is the hag,
when maids lie on their backs7 note
,
That presses them, and learns them first to bear,
Making them women of good carriage8 note
.
(§) This, this is she—
Rom.
Peace, peace,
Mercutio, peace;
Thou talk'st of nothing.
Mer.
True, I talk of dreams:
Which are the children of an idle brain,
Begot of nothing but vain fantasy;
Which is as thin of substance as the air;
And more inconstant than the wind, who wooes
Even now the frozen bosom of the north,
And, being anger'd, puffs away from thence9 note,
Turning his face1 note to the dew-dropping south.
Ben.
This wind, you talk of, blows us from ourselves;
Supper is done, and we shall come too late.
Rom.
I fear, too early: for my mind misgives,
-- 57 --
Some consequence, yet hanging in the stars,
Shall bitterly begin* note his fearful date
With this night's revels; and expire† note the term
Of a despised life2 note
, clos'd in my breast,
By some vile forfeit of untimely death‡ note:
But He, that hath the steerage of my course,
Directs my sail3 note
.—On, lusty gentlemen.
Ben.
Strike, drum4 note.
[Exeunt.
5 note.
SCENE V
A Hall in Capulet's House.
Musicians waiting. Enter Servants.
1 Serv.
Where's Potpan, that he helps not to
-- 58 --
take away? he shift a trencher6 note
! he scrape a
trencher!
2 Serv.
When good manners shall lie all in one
or two men's hands, and they unwashed too, 'tis a
foul thing.
1 Serv.
Away with the joint-stools, remove the
court-cupboard7 note
, look to the plate:—good thou,
-- 59 --
save me a piece of marchpane8 note
; and, as thou
lovest me, let the porter let in Susan Grindstone,
and Nell.—Antony! and Potpan!
-- 60 --
2 Serv.
Ay, boy; ready.
1 Serv.
You are looked for, and called for, asked
for, and sought for, in the great chamber.
2 Serv.
We cannot be here and there too.—
Cheerly, boys; be brisk awhile, and the longer
liver take all.
[They retire behind.
Enter Capulet, &c. with the Guests, and the Maskers.
Cap.
Gentlemen, welcome! ladies that have their toes9 note
Unplagu'd with corns, will have a bout with you* note:—
Ah ha, my mistresses! which of you all
Will now deny to dance? she that makes dainty, she,
I'll swear, hath corns; Am I come near you now?
You are welcome, gentlemen!
I have seen the day,
That I have worn a visor; and could tell
A whispering tale in a fair lady's ear,
Such as would please;—'tis gone, 'tis gone, 'tis gone:
You are welcome, gentlemen1 note!—Come, musicians, play.
-- 61 --
A hall! a hall2 note
! give room, and foot it, girls.
[Musick plays, and they dance.
More light, ye knaves; and turn the tables up3 note
,
And quench the fire, the room is grown too hot.—
Ah, sirrah, this unlook'd-for sport comes well.
Nay, sit, nay, sit, good cousin Capulet4 note
;
-- 62 --
For you and I are past our dancing days5 note:
How long is't now, since last yourself and I
Were in a mask?
2. Cap.
By'r lady, thirty years.
1 Cap.
What, man! 'tis not so much, 'tis not so much:
'Tis since the nuptial of Lucentio,
Come pentecost as quickly as it will,
Some five and twenty years; and then we mask'd.
2 Cap.
'Tis more, 'tis more: his son is elder, sir;
His son is thirty.
1 Cap.
Will you tell me that6 note
?
His son was but a ward two years ago.
Rom.
What lady's that, which doth enrich the hand
Of yonder knight7 note
?
-- 63 --
Serv.
I know not, sir.
Rom.
O, she doth teach the torches to burn bright!
It seems she hangs upon the cheek of night8 note
Like a rich jewel in an Ethiop's ear9 note
:
Beauty too rich for use, for earth too dear!
So shows a snowy dove trooping with crows,
As yonder lady o'er her fellows shows.
The measure done, I'll watch her place of stand,
And, touching hers, make happy* note my rude hand.
Did my heart love till now? forswear it, sight!
For I ne'er saw true beauty till this night1 note
.
Tyb.
This, by his voice, should be a Montague:—
-- 64 --
Fetch me my rapier, boy:—What! dares the slave
Come hither, cover'd with an antick face,
To fleer and scorn at our solemnity?
Now, by the stock and honour of my kin,
To strike him dead I hold it not a sin.
1 Cap.
Why, how now kinsman? wherefore storm you so?
Tyb.
Uncle, this is a Montague, our foe;
A villain, that is hither come in spite,
To scorn* note at our solemnity this night.
1 Cap.
Young Romeo is't† note?
Tyb.
'Tis he, that villain Romeo.
1 Cap.
Content thee, gentle coz,
let him alone,
He bears him like a portly gentleman;
And, to say truth, Verona brags of him,
To be a virtuous and well-govern'd youth:
I would not for the wealth of all this town,
Here in my house, do him disparagement;
Therefore be patient, take no note of him,
It is my will; the which if thou respect,
Show‡ note a fair presence, and put off these frowns,
An ill-beseeming semblance for a feast.
Tyb.
It fits, when such a villain is a guest;
I'll not endure him.
1 Cap.
He shall be endured;
What, goodman boy!—I say, he shall;—Go to;—
Am I the master here, or you? go to.
You'll not endure him!—God shall mend my soul—
You'll make a mutiny among my guests!
You will set cock-a-hoop! you'll be the man!
Tyb.
Why, uncle, 'tis a shame.
1 Cap.
Go to, go to,
You are a saucy boy§ note:—Is't so, indeed?—
-- 65 --
This trick may chance to scath you2 note
;—I know what.
You must contráry me3 note
! marry, 'tis time—
Well said, my hearts:—
You are a princox; go4 note
:—
Be quiet, or—More light, more light, for shame!—
I'll make you quiet;
What! — Cheerly, my hearts.
Tyb.
Patience perforce5 note
with wilful choler meeting,
Makes my flesh tremble in their different greeting.
I will withdraw: but this intrusion shall,
Now seeming sweet, convert to bitter gall.
[Exit.
Rom.
If I profane with my unworthiest* note hand
[To Juliet.
-- 66 --
This holy shrine, the gentle fine is this,—
My lips, two blushing pilgrims6 note
, ready stand
To smooth that rough touch with a tender kiss.
Jul.
Good pilgrim, you do wrong your hand too much,
Which mannerly devotion shows in this;
For saints have hands that pilgrims' hands do touch,
And palm to palm is holy palmers' kiss.
Rom.
Have not saints lips, and holy palmers too?
Jul.
Ay, pilgrim, lips that they must use in prayer.
Rom.
O then, dear saint, let lips do what hands do;
They pray, grant thou, lest faith turn to despair7 note
.
Jul.
Saints do not move, though grant for prayers' sake* note.
Rom.
Then move not, while my prayer's effect I take.
Thus from my lips, by yours, my sin is purg'd.
[Kissing her8 note.
-- 67 --
Jul.
Then have my lips the sin that they have took.
Rom.
Sin from my lips? O trespass sweetly urg'd!
Give me my sin again.
Jul.
You kiss by the book9 note
.
Nurse.
Madam, your mother craves a word with you.
Rom.
What is her mother?
Nurse.
Marry, bachelor,
Her mother is the lady of the house,
And a good lady, and a wise, and virtuous:
I nurs'd her daughter, that you talk'd withal;
-- 68 --
I tell you,—he, that can lay hold of her,
Shall have the chinks1 note.
Rom.
Is she a Capulet* note?
O dear account! my life is my foe's debt† note.
Ben.
Away, begone; the sport is at the best.
Rom.
Ay, so I fear; the more is my unrest.
1 Cap.
Nay, gentlemen, prepare not to be gone;
We have a trifling foolish banquet towards2 note
.—
Is it e'en so? Why, then I thank you all;
I thank you, honest gentlemen3 note
; good night:—
More torches here!—Come on, then let's to bed.
Ah, sirrah, [To 2 Cap.] by my fay, it waxes late;
I'll to my rest.
[Exeunt all but Juliet and Nurse.
Jul.
Come hither, nurse: What is yon gentleman4 note
?
-- 69 --
Nurse.
The son and heir of old Tiberio.
Jul.
What's he, that now is going out of door?
Nurse.
Marry, that, I think, be young Petruchio* note.
Jul.
What's he, that follows there, that would not dance?
Nurse.
I know not.
Jul.
Go, ask his name:—if he be married,
My grave is like to be my wedding bed.
Nurse.
His name is Romeo, and a Montague;
The only son of your great enemy.
Jul.
My only love sprung from my only hate!
Too early seen unknown, and known too late!
Prodigious birth of love it is to me,
That I must love a loathed enemy.
Nurse.
What's this? what's this?
Jul.
A rhyme I learn'd even now
Of one I danc'd withal.
[One calls within, Juliet.
Nurse.
Anon, anon:—
Come, let's away; the strangers all are gone.
[Exeunt.
Enter Chorus5 note
.
Now old desire doth in his death-bed lie,
And young affection gapes to be his heir;
That fair6 note, for which love groan'd for7 note
, and would die,
With tender Juliet match'd, is now not fair.
-- 70 --
Now Romeo is belov'd, and loves again,
Alike bewitched by the charm of looks;
But to his foe suppos'd he must complain,
And she steal love's sweet bait from fearful hooks:
-- 71 --
Being held a foe, he may not have access
To breathe such vows as lovers use 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,
Temp'ring extremities with extreme sweet.
[Exit.
James Boswell [1821], The plays and poems of William Shakspeare, with the corrections and illustrations of various commentators: comprehending A Life of the Poet, and an enlarged history of the stage, by the late Edmond Malone. With a new glossarial index (J. Deighton and Sons, Cambridge) [word count] [S10201].
