ACT IV. SCENE I.-Friar Laurence's Cell. Enter Friar LAURENCE and PARIS. Fri. On Thursday, sir? the time is very short. Fri. You say, you do not know the lady's mind; Uneven is the course, I like it not. Par. Immoderately she weeps for Tybalt's death, And therefore have I little talk'd of love: For Venus smiles not in a house of tears. Now, sir, her father counts it dangerous, That she doth give her sorrow so much sway; And in his wisdom, hastes our marriage, To stop the inundation of her tears; Which, too much minded by herself alone, May be put from her by society: Now do you know the reason of this haste. Fri. I would I knew not why it should be slow'd. Look, sir, here comes the lady towards my cell." Enter JULIET. Par. Happily met, my lady, and my wife! [Aside. Par. That may be, must be, love, on Thursday next. Fri. Par. So will you, I am sure, that you love me. Jul. If I do so, it will be of more price, Being spoke behind your back, than to your face. Par. Poor soul, thy face is much abus'd with tears. Jul. The tears have got small victory by that; For it was bad enough, before their spite. Par. Thou wrong'st it, more than tears, with that report. Jul. That is no slander, sir, which is a truth; And what I spake, I spake it to my face. Par. Thy face is mine, and thou hast slander'd it. Jul. It may be so, for it is not mine own. Are you at leisure, holy father, now; Or shall I come to you at evening mass? Fri. My leisure serves me, pensive daughter, now :My lord, we must entreat the time alone. Par. God shield, I should disturb devotion!— Juliet, on Thursday early will I rouse you: Till then, adieu! and keep this holy kiss. [Ex. PARIS. It strains me past the compass of my wits: God join'd my heart and Romeo's, thou our hands; "Twixt my extremes and me this bloody knife A thing like death to chide away this shame, Jul. O, bid me leap, rather than marry Paris, O'er-cover'd quite with dead men's rattling bones, And hide me with a dead man in his shroud; To live an unstain'd wife to my sweet love. Fri. Hold, then; go home, be merry, give consent To marry Paris: Wednesday is to-morrow; To-morrow night look that thou lie alone, Let not thy nurse lie with thee in thy chamber: The roses in thy lips and cheeks shall fade Shall stiff, and stark, and cold, appear like death; Abate thy valour in the acting it. Jul. Give me, give me! O tell not me of fear. In this resolve: I'll send a friar with speed To Mantua, with my letters to thy lord. Jul. Love, give me strength! and strength shall help afford. Farewell, dear father! [Exeunt. SCENE II.-A Room in Capulet's House. Enter CAPULET, LADY CAPULET, NURSE, and Servants. Cap. So many guests invite as here are writ.— [Exit Servant. Sirrah, go hire me twenty cunning cooks. 2 Serv. You shall have none ill, sir; for I'll try if they can lick their fingers. Cap. How canst thou try them so? 2 Serv. Marry, sir, 't is an ill cook that cannot lick his own fingers: therefore he, that cannot lick his fingers, goes not with me. Cap. Go, begone. [Exit Servant. We shall be much unfurnish'd for this time. What, is my daughter gone to friar Laurence? Cap. Well, he may chance to do some good on her: A peevish self-will'd harlotry it is. Enter JULIET. Nurse. See, where she comes from shrift with merry look. Cap. How now, my headstrong? where have you been gadding? Jul. Where I have learn'd me to repent the sin To you, and your behests; and am enjoin'd To beg your pardon :-Pardon, I beseech you! Cap. Send for the county; go tell him of this; Cap. Why, I am glad on 't; this is well,-stand up : All our whole city is much bound to him. |