Nurse. Now, by my maidenhead, at twelve year old, I bade her come.-What, lamb! what, lady-bird !— God forbid !—where's this girl?—what, Juliet ! L. Cap. This is the matter.-Nurse, give leave awhile; We must talk in secret.-Nurse, come back again : Nurse. Faith, can tell her age unto an hour. Nurse. I'll lay fourteen of my teeth,And yet, to my teen 1 be it spoken, I have but four, She is not fourteen. How long is it now To Lammas-tide? L. 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; 1 Sorrow. She was too good for me: but, as I said, To see it tetchy, and fall out with the dug. Shake, quoth the dovehouse: 'twas no need, I trow, To bid me trudge; And since that time it is eleven years: For then she could stand alone; nay, by the rood,1 She could have run and waddled all about: 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; 1 Cross. I never should forget it: Wilt thou not, Jule?' quoth he: And, pretty fool, it stinted,1 and said ‘Ay.' L. Cap. Enough of this: I pray thee, hold thy peace. Nurse. Yes, madam; yet I cannot choose but laugh, To think it should leave crying, and say 'Ay:' Yea,' quoth my husband; ' fall'st upon thy face? Thou wilt fall backward when thou comest to age; Wilt thou not, Jule?' it stinted, and said Ay.' Ju. 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 nursed: I have my wish. L. Cap. Marry, that marry is the very theme I came to talk of.-Tell me, daughter Juliet, How stands your disposition to be married? Ju. It is an honor that I dream not of. Nurse. An honor! were not I thine only nurse, I would say, thou hadst suck'd wisdom from thy teat. 1 Left off crying. L. Cap. Well, think of marriage now; younger than you, Here in Verona, ladies of esteem, Are made already mothers: by my count, As all the world Nurse. A man, young lady! lady, such a man, L. Cap. What say you? can you love the gen tleman ? This night you shall behold him at our feast. And see how one another lends content; The fish lives in the sea; 2 and 'tis much pride, That book in many's eyes doth share the glory, 1 i. e. as well made as if he had been modelled in wax. 2 i. e. is not yet caught, whose skin was wanted to bind him. So shall you share all that he doth possess, Nurse. No less? nay, bigger; women grow by men. L. Cap. Speak briefly, can you like of Paris' love? Ju. I'll look to like, if looking liking move: But no more deep will I endart mine eye, Than your consent gives strength to make it fly. Enter SERVANT. Ser. Madam, 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. L. Cap. We follow thee.-Juliet, the county stays. Nurse. Go, girl; seek happy nights to happy [Exeunt. days. SCENE IV. A street. Enter ROMEO, MERCUTIO, BENVOLIO, with five or six Maskers, Torch-bearers, and others. Ro. What, shall this speech be spoke for our excuse, Or shall we on without apology? Ben. The date is out of such prolixity : |