Reading Help THE TRAGEDY OF ROMEO AND JULIET
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` `
` `
` Scene II. `
` Capulet's orchard. `
` `
` Enter Romeo. `
` `
` Rom. He jests at scars that never felt a wound. `
` `
` Enter Juliet above at a window. `
` `
` But soft! What light through yonder window breaks? `
` It is the East, and Juliet is the sun! `
` 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? `
` Her eye discourses; I will answer it. `
` I am too bold; 'tis not to me she speaks. `
` Two of the fairest stars in all the heaven, `
` Having some business, do entreat her eyes `
` To twinkle in their spheres till they return. `
` What if her eyes were there, they in her head? `
` The brightness of her cheek would shame those stars `
` As daylight doth a lamp; her eyes in heaven `
` Would through the airy region stream so bright `
` That birds would sing and think it were not night. `
` See how she leans her cheek upon her hand! `
` O that I were a glove upon that hand, `
` That I might touch that cheek! `
` Jul. Ay me! `
` Rom. She speaks. `
` O, speak again, bright angel! for thou art `
` As glorious to this night, being o'er my head, `
` As is a winged messenger of heaven `
` Unto the white-upturned wond'ring eyes `
` Of mortals that fall back to gaze on him `
` When he bestrides the lazy-pacing clouds `
` 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. [aside] Shall I hear more, or shall I speak at this? `
` Jul. 'Tis but thy name that is my enemy. `
` Thou art thyself, though not a Montague. `
` What's Montague? it is nor hand, nor foot, `
` Nor arm, nor face, nor any other part `
` Belonging to a man. O, be some other name! `
` What's in a name? That which we call a rose `
` By any other name would smell as sweet. `
` So Romeo would, were he not Romeo call'd, `
` Retain that dear perfection which he owes `
` Without that title. Romeo, doff thy name; `
` And for that name, which is no part of thee, `
` Take all myself. `
` Rom. I take thee at thy word. `
` Call me but love, and I'll be new baptiz'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 `
` I know not how to tell thee who I am. `
` My name, dear saint, is hateful to myself, `
` Because it is an enemy to thee. `
` Had I it written, I would tear the word. `
` Jul. My ears have yet not 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 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'erperch 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. `
` Jul. If they do see thee, they will murther 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. `
` 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 enquire. `
` 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 farthest sea, `
` I would adventure for such merchandise. `
` Jul. Thou knowest the mask of night is on my face; `
` Else would a maiden blush bepaint my cheek `
` For that which thou hast heard me speak to-night. `
` Fain would I dwell on form- fain, fain deny `
` What I have spoke; but farewell compliment! `
` Dost thou love me, I know thou wilt say 'Ay'; `
` And I will take thy word. Yet, if thou swear'st, `
` Thou mayst prove false. At lovers' perjuries, `
` They say Jove laughs. O gentle Romeo, `
` If thou dost love, pronounce it faithfully. `
` Or if thou thinkest I am too quickly won, `
` I'll frown, and be perverse, and say thee nay, `
` So thou wilt woo; but else, not for the world. `
` In truth, fair Montague, I am too fond, `
` And therefore thou mayst think my haviour light; `
` But trust me, gentleman, I'll prove more true `
` Than those that have more cunning to be strange. `
` I should have been more strange, I must confess, `
` But that thou overheard'st, ere I was ware, `
` My true-love passion. Therefore pardon me, `
` And not impute this yielding to light love, `
` Which the dark night hath so discovered. `
` Rom. Lady, by yonder blessed moon I swear, `
` That tips with silver all these fruit-tree tops- `
` Jul. O, swear not by the moon, th' 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, `
` Which is the god of my idolatry, `
` 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 `
` Ere one can say 'It lightens.' Sweet, good night! `
` This bud of love, by summer's ripening breath, `
` May prove a beauteous flow'r when next we meet. `
` Good night, good night! As sweet repose and rest `
` Come to thy heart as that within my breast! `
` Rom. O, wilt thou leave me so unsatisfied? `
` Jul. What satisfaction canst thou have to-night? `
` Rom. Th' exchange of thy love's faithful vow for mine. `
` Jul. I gave thee mine before thou didst request it; `
` And yet I would it were to give again. `
` Rom. Would'st 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. `
` My bounty is as boundless as the sea, `
` My love as deep; the more I give to thee, `
` The more I have, for both are infinite. `
` I hear some noise within. Dear love, adieu! `
` [Nurse] calls within. `
` Anon, good nurse! Sweet Montague, be true. `
` Stay but a little, I will come again. [Exit.] `
` Rom. O blessed, blessed night! I am afeard, `
` Being in night, all this is but a dream, `
` Too flattering-sweet to be substantial. `
` `
` 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 all my fortunes at thy foot I'll lay `
` And follow thee my lord throughout the world. `
` Nurse. (within) Madam! `
` Jul. I come, anon.- But if thou meanest 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. `
` Rom. A thousand times the worse, to want thy light! `
` Love goes toward love as schoolboys from their books; `
` But love from love, towards school with heavy looks. `
` `
` Enter Juliet again, [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, `
` And make her airy tongue more hoarse than mine `
` With repetition of my Romeo's name. `
` Romeo! `
` 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. Romeo! `
` Rom. My dear? `
` Jul. At what o'clock to-morrow `
` Shall I send to thee? `
` Rom. By the hour of nine. `
` Jul. I will not fail. 'Tis twenty years till then. `
` I have forgot why I did call thee back. `
`
` `
` `
` Scene II. `
` Capulet's orchard. `
` `
` Enter Romeo. `
` `
` Rom. He jests at scars that never felt a wound. `
` `
` Enter Juliet above at a window. `
` `
` But soft! What light through yonder window breaks? `
` It is the East, and Juliet is the sun! `
` 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? `
` Her eye discourses; I will answer it. `
` I am too bold; 'tis not to me she speaks. `
` Two of the fairest stars in all the heaven, `
` Having some business, do entreat her eyes `
` To twinkle in their spheres till they return. `
` What if her eyes were there, they in her head? `
` The brightness of her cheek would shame those stars `
` As daylight doth a lamp; her eyes in heaven `
` Would through the airy region stream so bright `
` That birds would sing and think it were not night. `
` See how she leans her cheek upon her hand! `
` O that I were a glove upon that hand, `
` That I might touch that cheek! `
` Jul. Ay me! `
` Rom. She speaks. `
` O, speak again, bright angel! for thou art `
` As glorious to this night, being o'er my head, `
` As is a winged messenger of heaven `
` Unto the white-upturned wond'ring eyes `
` Of mortals that fall back to gaze on him `
` When he bestrides the lazy-pacing clouds `
` 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. [aside] Shall I hear more, or shall I speak at this? `
` Jul. 'Tis but thy name that is my enemy. `
` Thou art thyself, though not a Montague. `
` What's Montague? it is nor hand, nor foot, `
` Nor arm, nor face, nor any other part `
` Belonging to a man. O, be some other name! `
` What's in a name? That which we call a rose `
` By any other name would smell as sweet. `
` So Romeo would, were he not Romeo call'd, `
` Retain that dear perfection which he owes `
` Without that title. Romeo, doff thy name; `
` And for that name, which is no part of thee, `
` Take all myself. `
` Rom. I take thee at thy word. `
` Call me but love, and I'll be new baptiz'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 `
` I know not how to tell thee who I am. `
` My name, dear saint, is hateful to myself, `
` Because it is an enemy to thee. `
` Had I it written, I would tear the word. `
` Jul. My ears have yet not 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 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'erperch 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. `
` Jul. If they do see thee, they will murther 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. `
` 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 enquire. `
` 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 farthest sea, `
` I would adventure for such merchandise. `
` Jul. Thou knowest the mask of night is on my face; `
` Else would a maiden blush bepaint my cheek `
` For that which thou hast heard me speak to-night. `
` Fain would I dwell on form- fain, fain deny `
` What I have spoke; but farewell compliment! `
` Dost thou love me, I know thou wilt say 'Ay'; `
` And I will take thy word. Yet, if thou swear'st, `
` Thou mayst prove false. At lovers' perjuries, `
` They say Jove laughs. O gentle Romeo, `
` If thou dost love, pronounce it faithfully. `
` Or if thou thinkest I am too quickly won, `
` I'll frown, and be perverse, and say thee nay, `
` So thou wilt woo; but else, not for the world. `
` In truth, fair Montague, I am too fond, `
` And therefore thou mayst think my haviour light; `
` But trust me, gentleman, I'll prove more true `
` Than those that have more cunning to be strange. `
` I should have been more strange, I must confess, `
` But that thou overheard'st, ere I was ware, `
` My true-love passion. Therefore pardon me, `
` And not impute this yielding to light love, `
` Which the dark night hath so discovered. `
` Rom. Lady, by yonder blessed moon I swear, `
` That tips with silver all these fruit-tree tops- `
` Jul. O, swear not by the moon, th' 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, `
` Which is the god of my idolatry, `
` 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 `
` Ere one can say 'It lightens.' Sweet, good night! `
` This bud of love, by summer's ripening breath, `
` May prove a beauteous flow'r when next we meet. `
` Good night, good night! As sweet repose and rest `
` Come to thy heart as that within my breast! `
` Rom. O, wilt thou leave me so unsatisfied? `
` Jul. What satisfaction canst thou have to-night? `
` Rom. Th' exchange of thy love's faithful vow for mine. `
` Jul. I gave thee mine before thou didst request it; `
` And yet I would it were to give again. `
` Rom. Would'st 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. `
` My bounty is as boundless as the sea, `
` My love as deep; the more I give to thee, `
` The more I have, for both are infinite. `
` I hear some noise within. Dear love, adieu! `
` [Nurse] calls within. `
` Anon, good nurse! Sweet Montague, be true. `
` Stay but a little, I will come again. [Exit.] `
` Rom. O blessed, blessed night! I am afeard, `
` Being in night, all this is but a dream, `
` Too flattering-sweet to be substantial. `
` `
` 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 all my fortunes at thy foot I'll lay `
` And follow thee my lord throughout the world. `
` Nurse. (within) Madam! `
` Jul. I come, anon.- But if thou meanest 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. `
` Rom. A thousand times the worse, to want thy light! `
` Love goes toward love as schoolboys from their books; `
` But love from love, towards school with heavy looks. `
` `
` Enter Juliet again, [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, `
` And make her airy tongue more hoarse than mine `
` With repetition of my Romeo's name. `
` Romeo! `
` 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. Romeo! `
` Rom. My dear? `
` Jul. At what o'clock to-morrow `
` Shall I send to thee? `
` Rom. By the hour of nine. `
` Jul. I will not fail. 'Tis twenty years till then. `
` I have forgot why I did call thee back. `
`