Retain that dear perfection which he owes,1 Ro. I take thee at thy word: Call me but love, and I'll be new baptized: Henceforth I never will be Romeo. Ju. What man art thou, that, thus bescreen'd in night, So stumblest on my counsel? Ro. By a name I know not how to tell thee who I am. Had I it written, I would tear the word. Ju. 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? Ro. Neither, fair saint, if either thee dislike. Ju. How camest thou hither, tell me, and wherefore? The orchard walls are high, and hard to climb; Ro. 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; 1 Owns, possesses. 2 Do off, lay aside. Therefore thy kinsmen are no let 1 to me. Ju. If they do see thee, they will murder thee. Ro. Alack! there lies more peril in thine eye, Than twenty of their swords: look thou but sweet, And I am proof against their enmity. Ju. I would not for the world, they saw thee here. Ro. 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. Ju. By whose direction found'st thou out this place? Ro. By love, who first did prompt me to inquire: 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. Ju. Thou know'st the mask of night is on my face; Else would a maiden blush bepaint my cheek, They say, Jove laughs. O, gentle Romeo, moon, That monthly changes in her circled orb, Lest that thy love prove likewise variable. Ju. Do not swear at all; Or, if thou wilt, swear by thy gracious self, And I'll believe thee. Ro. If my heart's dear love Ju. Well, do not swear: although I joy in thee, I have no joy of this contract to-night: 1 Shy. It is too rash, too unadvised, 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 flower when next we meet. Good night, good night! as sweet repose and rest Ro. O, wilt thou leave me so unsatisfied? Ju. I gave thee mine before thou didst request it; And yet I would it were to give again. Ro. Wouldst thou withdraw it? for what pur pose, love? Ju. But to be frank, and give it thee again. [Nurse calls within. Ro. O blessed, blessed night! I am afeard, Being in night, all this is but a dream, Too flattering-sweet to be substantial. [Exit. Re-enter JULIET, above. Ju. Three words, dear Romeo, and good night indeed. If that thy bent of love be honorable, Thy purpose marriage, send me word to-morrow, And follow thee my lord throughout the world. Ju. I come, anon :--but if thou mean'st not well, I do beseech thee, Nurse. [within.] Madam. Ju. By and by I come: To cease thy suit, and leave me to my grief: To-morrow will I send. Ro. So thrive my soul, Ju. A thousand times good night! [Exit. Ro. 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 slowly. Re-enter JULIET, above. Ju. Hist! Romeo, hist!-0, for a falconer's |