Jul. It may be So, for it is not mine own.- 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. [Exit Paris. Jul. O, shut the door! and when thou hast done so, Come weep with me; Past hope, past cure, past help! Fri. Ah, Juliet, I already know thy grief; It strains me past the compass of my wits: I hear thou must, and nothing must prorogue it, On Thursday next be married to this county. Jul. Tell me not, friar, that thou hear'st of this, Or my true heart with treacherous revolt (1) Decide the struggle between me and my tresses. (2) Authority or power. dis Which craves as desperate an execution Thou hast the strength of will to slay thyself: A thing like death to chide away this shame, That cop'st with death himself to scape from it; And, if thou dar'st, I'll give thee remedy. 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; Things that, to hear them told, have made me tremble; And I will do it without fear or doubt, To live an unstain'd wife to my sweet love. Now when the bridegroom in the morning comes To rouse thee from thy bed, there art thou dead: Then (as the manner of our country is,) In thy best robes uncover'd on the bier, Thou shalt be borne to that same ancient vault, Jul. Give me, O give me! tell me not of fear. perous In this resolve: I'll send a friar with speed Jul. Love, give me strength! and strength shall 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, 'tis 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 Of disobedient opposition To you, and your behests;2 and am enjoin'd And beg your pardon :-Pardon, I beseech you! Cap. Send for the county; go tell him of this; I'll have this knot knit up to-morrow morning. Jul. I met the youthful lord at Laurence' cell; And gave him what becomed3 love I might, Not stepping o'er the bounds of modesty. Cap. Why, I am glad on't; this is well,-stand up: This is as't should be.-Let me see the county; Ay, marry, go, I say, and fetch him hither.Now, afore God, this reverend holy friar, All our whole city is much bound to him. Jul. Nurse, will you go with me into my closet, To help me sort such needful ornaments As you think fit to furnish me to-morrow? La. Cap. No, not till Thursday; there is time enough. Cap. Go, nurse, go with her :-we'll to church to-morrow. [Exeunt Juliet and Nurse. La. Cap. We shall be short in our provision; 'Tis now near night. Cap. Tush! I will stir about, And all things shall be well, I warrant thee, wife: Go thou to Juliet, help to deck up her; I'll not to bed to-night;-let me alone; I'll play the housewife for this once.-What, ho!They are all forth: Well, I will walk myself (1) Confession. (2) Commands. (3) Becoming. To county Paris, to prepare him up Against to-morrow: my heart is wondrous light, Since this same wayward girl is so reclaim'd. [Exe. SCENE III.-Juliet's chamber. Enter Juliet I and Nurse. Jul. Ay, those attires are best:-But, gentle nurse, pray thee, leave me to myself to-night; For I have need of many orisons! To move the heavens to smile upon my state, Which, well thou know'st, is cross and full of sin, Enter Lady Capulet. La. Cap. What, are you busy? do you need my help? Jul. No, madam; we have cull'd such necessaries And let the nurse this night sit up with you; La. Cap. Good night! Get thee to bed, and rest; for thou hast need. I have a faint cold fear thrills through my veins, I'll call them back again to comfort me; My dismal scene I needs must act alone.- What if this mixture do not work at all? Must I of force be married to the county ?- [Laying down a dagger. What if it be a poison, which the friar (1) Prayers. |