My name, dear saint, is hateful to myself, Had I it written, I would tear the word. Jul. My ears have not yet drunk a hundred words Of that tongue's utterance, yet I know the sound: Art thou not Romeo and a Montague? Rom. Neither, fair saint, if either thee dislike. Jul. How eamest thou hither, tell me, and wherefore? The orchard walls are high and hard to climb, And the place death, considering who thou art, any of my kinsmen find thee here. If 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; 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 sight; And but thou love me, let them find me here: Than death prorogued, wanting of thy love. Jul. By whose direction found'st thou out this place? Rom. By love, who first did prompt me to inquire; He lent me counsel and I lent him eyes. As that vast shore wash'd with the farthest sea, Jul. Thou know'st the mask of night is on my face, 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, 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, Rom. O, wilt thou leave me so unsatisfied? 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. [Nurse calls within. I hear some noise within; dear love, adieu ! [Exit, above. Rom. O blessed, blessed night! I am afeard, Being in night, all this is but a dream, Too flattering-sweet to be substantial. 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, And follow thee my lord throughout the world. Jul. I come, anon.—But if thou mean'st not well, I do beseech thee— Nurse. [Within] Madam! Jul. By and by, I come :— To cease thy suit, and leave me to my grief: To-morrow will I send. Rom. So thrive my soul— Jul. A thousand times good night! [Exit, above. Rom. A thousand times the worse, to want thy light. Love goes toward love, as schoolboys from their books, But love from love, toward school with heavy looks. [Retiring. Re-enter Juliet, above. Jul. Hist! Romeo, hist! O, for a falconer's voice, To lure this tassel-gentle back again! Bondage is hoarse, and may not speak aloud; Else would I tear the cave where Echo lies, 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: And yet no further than a wanton's bird; Who lets it hop a little from her hand. Like a poor prisoner in his twisted gyves, Rom. I would I were thy bird. Sweet, so would I : |