Reading Help THE TRAGEDY OF ROMEO AND JULIET
`
` Enter Juliet. `
` `
` Jul. The clock struck nine when I did send the nurse; `
` In half an hour she 'promis'd to return. `
` Perchance she cannot meet him. That's not so. `
` O, she is lame! Love's heralds should be thoughts, `
` Which ten times faster glide than the sun's beams `
` Driving back shadows over low'ring hills. `
` Therefore do nimble-pinion'd doves draw Love, `
` And therefore hath the wind-swift Cupid wings. `
` Now is the sun upon the highmost hill `
` Of this day's journey, and from nine till twelve `
` Is three long hours; yet she is not come. `
` Had she affections and warm youthful blood, `
` She would be as swift in motion as a ball; `
` My words would bandy her to my sweet love, `
` And his to me, `
` But old folks, many feign as they were dead- `
` Unwieldy, slow, heavy and pale as lead. `
` `
` Enter Nurse [and Peter]. `
` `
` O God, she comes! O honey nurse, what news? `
` Hast thou met with him? Send thy man away. `
` Nurse. Peter, stay at the gate. `
` [Exit Peter.] `
` Jul. Now, good sweet nurse- O Lord, why look'st thou sad? `
` Though news be sad, yet tell them merrily; `
` If good, thou shamest the music of sweet news `
` By playing it to me with so sour a face. `
` Nurse. I am aweary, give me leave awhile. `
` Fie, how my bones ache! What a jaunce have I had! `
` Jul. I would thou hadst my bones, and I thy news. `
` Nay, come, I pray thee speak. Good, good nurse, speak. `
` Nurse. Jesu, what haste! Can you not stay awhile? `
` Do you not see that I am out of breath? `
` Jul. How art thou out of breath when thou hast breath `
` To say to me that thou art out of breath? `
` The excuse that thou dost make in this delay `
` Is longer than the tale thou dost excuse. `
` Is thy news good or bad? Answer to that. `
` Say either, and I'll stay the circumstance. `
` Let me be satisfied, is't good or bad? `
` Nurse. Well, you have made a simple choice; you know not how to `
` choose a man. Romeo? No, not he. Though his face be better `
` than `
` any man's, yet his leg excels all men's; and for a hand and a `
` foot, and a body, though they be not to be talk'd on, yet `
` they `
` are past compare. He is not the flower of courtesy, but, I'll `
` warrant him, as gentle as a lamb. Go thy ways, wench; serve `
` God. `
` What, have you din'd at home? `
` Jul. No, no. But all this did I know before. `
` What says he of our marriage? What of that? `
` Nurse. Lord, how my head aches! What a head have I! `
` It beats as it would fall in twenty pieces. `
` My back o' t' other side,- ah, my back, my back! `
` Beshrew your heart for sending me about `
` To catch my death with jauncing up and down! `
` Jul. I' faith, I am sorry that thou art not well. `
` Sweet, sweet, Sweet nurse, tell me, what says my love? `
` Nurse. Your love says, like an honest gentleman, and a `
` courteous, `
` and a kind, and a handsome; and, I warrant, a virtuous- Where `
` is `
` your mother? `
` Jul. Where is my mother? Why, she is within. `
` Where should she be? How oddly thou repliest! `
` 'Your love says, like an honest gentleman, `
` "Where is your mother?"' `
` Nurse. O God's Lady dear! `
` Are you so hot? Marry come up, I trow. `
` Is this the poultice for my aching bones? `
` Henceforward do your messages yourself. `
` Jul. Here's such a coil! Come, what says Romeo? `
` Nurse. Have you got leave to go to shrift to-day? `
` Jul. I have. `
` Nurse. Then hie you hence to Friar Laurence' cell; `
` There stays a husband to make you a wife. `
` Now comes the wanton blood up in your cheeks: `
` They'll be in scarlet straight at any news. `
` Hie you to church; I must another way, `
` To fetch a ladder, by the which your love `
` Must climb a bird's nest soon when it is dark. `
` I am the drudge, and toil in your delight; `
` But you shall bear the burthen soon at night. `
` Go; I'll to dinner; hie you to the cell. `
` Jul. Hie to high fortune! Honest nurse, farewell. `
` Exeunt. `
` `
` `
` `
` `
` Scene VI. `
` Friar Laurence's cell. `
` `
` Enter Friar [Laurence] and Romeo. `
` `
` Friar. So smile the heavens upon this holy act `
` That after-hours with sorrow chide us not! `
` Rom. Amen, amen! But come what sorrow can, `
` It cannot countervail the exchange of joy `
` That one short minute gives me in her sight. `
` Do thou but close our hands with holy words, `
` Then love-devouring death do what he dare- `
` It is enough I may but call her mine. `
` Friar. These violent delights have violent ends `
` And in their triumph die, like fire and powder, `
` Which, as they kiss, consume. The sweetest honey `
` Is loathsome in his own deliciousness `
` And in the taste confounds the appetite. `
` Therefore love moderately: long love doth so; `
` Too swift arrives as tardy as too slow. `
` `
` Enter Juliet. `
` `
` Here comes the lady. O, so light a foot `
` Will ne'er wear out the everlasting flint. `
` A lover may bestride the gossamer `
` That idles in the wanton summer air, `
` And yet not fall; so light is vanity. `
` Jul. Good even to my ghostly confessor. `
` Friar. Romeo shall thank thee, daughter, for us both. `
` Jul. As much to him, else is his thanks too much. `
` Rom. Ah, Juliet, if the measure of thy joy `
` Be heap'd like mine, and that thy skill be more `
` To blazon it, then sweeten with thy breath `
` This neighbour air, and let rich music's tongue `
` Unfold the imagin'd happiness that both `
` Receive in either by this dear encounter. `
` Jul. Conceit, more rich in matter than in words, `
` Brags of his substance, not of ornament. `
` They are but beggars that can count their worth; `
` But my true love is grown to such excess `
` cannot sum up sum of half my wealth. `
` Friar. Come, come with me, and we will make short work; `
` For, by your leaves, you shall not stay alone `
` Till Holy Church incorporate two in one. `
` [Exeunt.] `
` `
` `
` `
` `
` <<THIS ELECTRONIC VERSION OF THE COMPLETE WORKS OF WILLIAM `
` SHAKESPEARE IS COPYRIGHT 1990-1993 BY WORLD LIBRARY, INC., AND IS `
` PROVIDED BY PROJECT GUTENBERG ETEXT OF CARNEGIE MELLON UNIVERSITY `
` WITH PERMISSION. ELECTRONIC AND MACHINE READABLE COPIES MAY BE `
` DISTRIBUTED SO LONG AS SUCH COPIES (1) ARE FOR YOUR OR OTHERS `
` PERSONAL USE ONLY, AND (2) ARE NOT DISTRIBUTED OR USED `
` COMMERCIALLY. PROHIBITED COMMERCIAL DISTRIBUTION INCLUDES BY ANY `
` SERVICE THAT CHARGES FOR DOWNLOAD TIME OR FOR MEMBERSHIP.>> `
` `
` `
` `
` ACT III. Scene I. `
` A public place. `
` `
` Enter Mercutio, Benvolio, and Men. `
` `
` Ben. I pray thee, good Mercutio, let's retire. `
` The day is hot, the Capulets abroad. `
` And if we meet, we shall not scape a brawl, `
` For now, these hot days, is the mad blood stirring. `
` Mer. Thou art like one of these fellows that, when he enters `
` the `
` confines of a tavern, claps me his sword upon the table and `
` says `
` 'God send me no need of thee!' and by the operation of the `
` second `
` cup draws him on the drawer, when indeed there is no need. `
` Ben. Am I like such a fellow? `
` Mer. Come, come, thou art as hot a jack in thy mood as any in `
` Italy; and as soon moved to be moody, and as soon moody to be `
` moved. `
` Ben. And what to? `
` Mer. Nay, an there were two such, we should have none shortly, `
` for `
` one would kill the other. Thou! why, thou wilt quarrel with a `
` man `
` that hath a hair more or a hair less in his beard than thou `
` hast. `
` Thou wilt quarrel with a man for cracking nuts, having no `
` other `
` reason but because thou hast hazel eyes. What eye but such an `
` eye `
` would spy out such a quarrel? Thy head is as full of quarrels `
` as `
` an egg is full of meat; and yet thy head hath been beaten as `
` addle as an egg for quarrelling. Thou hast quarrell'd with a `
` man `
` for coughing in the street, because he hath wakened thy dog `
` that `
` hath lain asleep in the sun. Didst thou not fall out with a `
` tailor for wearing his new doublet before Easter, with `
` another `
` for tying his new shoes with an old riband? And yet thou wilt `
` tutor me from quarrelling! `
` Ben. An I were so apt to quarrel as thou art, any man should `
` buy `
`
` Enter Juliet. `
` `
` Jul. The clock struck nine when I did send the nurse; `
` In half an hour she 'promis'd to return. `
` Perchance she cannot meet him. That's not so. `
` O, she is lame! Love's heralds should be thoughts, `
` Which ten times faster glide than the sun's beams `
` Driving back shadows over low'ring hills. `
` Therefore do nimble-pinion'd doves draw Love, `
` And therefore hath the wind-swift Cupid wings. `
` Now is the sun upon the highmost hill `
` Of this day's journey, and from nine till twelve `
` Is three long hours; yet she is not come. `
` Had she affections and warm youthful blood, `
` She would be as swift in motion as a ball; `
` My words would bandy her to my sweet love, `
` And his to me, `
` But old folks, many feign as they were dead- `
` Unwieldy, slow, heavy and pale as lead. `
` `
` Enter Nurse [and Peter]. `
` `
` O God, she comes! O honey nurse, what news? `
` Hast thou met with him? Send thy man away. `
` Nurse. Peter, stay at the gate. `
` [Exit Peter.] `
` Jul. Now, good sweet nurse- O Lord, why look'st thou sad? `
` Though news be sad, yet tell them merrily; `
` If good, thou shamest the music of sweet news `
` By playing it to me with so sour a face. `
` Nurse. I am aweary, give me leave awhile. `
` Fie, how my bones ache! What a jaunce have I had! `
` Jul. I would thou hadst my bones, and I thy news. `
` Nay, come, I pray thee speak. Good, good nurse, speak. `
` Nurse. Jesu, what haste! Can you not stay awhile? `
` Do you not see that I am out of breath? `
` Jul. How art thou out of breath when thou hast breath `
` To say to me that thou art out of breath? `
` The excuse that thou dost make in this delay `
` Is longer than the tale thou dost excuse. `
` Is thy news good or bad? Answer to that. `
` Say either, and I'll stay the circumstance. `
` Let me be satisfied, is't good or bad? `
` Nurse. Well, you have made a simple choice; you know not how to `
` choose a man. Romeo? No, not he. Though his face be better `
` than `
` any man's, yet his leg excels all men's; and for a hand and a `
` foot, and a body, though they be not to be talk'd on, yet `
` they `
` are past compare. He is not the flower of courtesy, but, I'll `
` warrant him, as gentle as a lamb. Go thy ways, wench; serve `
` God. `
` What, have you din'd at home? `
` Jul. No, no. But all this did I know before. `
` What says he of our marriage? What of that? `
` Nurse. Lord, how my head aches! What a head have I! `
` It beats as it would fall in twenty pieces. `
` My back o' t' other side,- ah, my back, my back! `
` Beshrew your heart for sending me about `
` To catch my death with jauncing up and down! `
` Jul. I' faith, I am sorry that thou art not well. `
` Sweet, sweet, Sweet nurse, tell me, what says my love? `
` Nurse. Your love says, like an honest gentleman, and a `
` courteous, `
` and a kind, and a handsome; and, I warrant, a virtuous- Where `
` is `
` your mother? `
` Jul. Where is my mother? Why, she is within. `
` Where should she be? How oddly thou repliest! `
` 'Your love says, like an honest gentleman, `
` "Where is your mother?"' `
` Nurse. O God's Lady dear! `
` Are you so hot? Marry come up, I trow. `
` Is this the poultice for my aching bones? `
` Henceforward do your messages yourself. `
` Jul. Here's such a coil! Come, what says Romeo? `
` Nurse. Have you got leave to go to shrift to-day? `
` Jul. I have. `
` Nurse. Then hie you hence to Friar Laurence' cell; `
` There stays a husband to make you a wife. `
` Now comes the wanton blood up in your cheeks: `
` They'll be in scarlet straight at any news. `
` Hie you to church; I must another way, `
` To fetch a ladder, by the which your love `
` Must climb a bird's nest soon when it is dark. `
` I am the drudge, and toil in your delight; `
` But you shall bear the burthen soon at night. `
` Go; I'll to dinner; hie you to the cell. `
` Jul. Hie to high fortune! Honest nurse, farewell. `
` Exeunt. `
` `
` `
` `
` `
` Scene VI. `
` Friar Laurence's cell. `
` `
` Enter Friar [Laurence] and Romeo. `
` `
` Friar. So smile the heavens upon this holy act `
` That after-hours with sorrow chide us not! `
` Rom. Amen, amen! But come what sorrow can, `
` It cannot countervail the exchange of joy `
` That one short minute gives me in her sight. `
` Do thou but close our hands with holy words, `
` Then love-devouring death do what he dare- `
` It is enough I may but call her mine. `
` Friar. These violent delights have violent ends `
` And in their triumph die, like fire and powder, `
` Which, as they kiss, consume. The sweetest honey `
` Is loathsome in his own deliciousness `
` And in the taste confounds the appetite. `
` Therefore love moderately: long love doth so; `
` Too swift arrives as tardy as too slow. `
` `
` Enter Juliet. `
` `
` Here comes the lady. O, so light a foot `
` Will ne'er wear out the everlasting flint. `
` A lover may bestride the gossamer `
` That idles in the wanton summer air, `
` And yet not fall; so light is vanity. `
` Jul. Good even to my ghostly confessor. `
` Friar. Romeo shall thank thee, daughter, for us both. `
` Jul. As much to him, else is his thanks too much. `
` Rom. Ah, Juliet, if the measure of thy joy `
` Be heap'd like mine, and that thy skill be more `
` To blazon it, then sweeten with thy breath `
` This neighbour air, and let rich music's tongue `
` Unfold the imagin'd happiness that both `
` Receive in either by this dear encounter. `
` Jul. Conceit, more rich in matter than in words, `
` Brags of his substance, not of ornament. `
` They are but beggars that can count their worth; `
` But my true love is grown to such excess `
` cannot sum up sum of half my wealth. `
` Friar. Come, come with me, and we will make short work; `
` For, by your leaves, you shall not stay alone `
` Till Holy Church incorporate two in one. `
` [Exeunt.] `
` `
` `
` `
` `
` <<THIS ELECTRONIC VERSION OF THE COMPLETE WORKS OF WILLIAM `
` SHAKESPEARE IS COPYRIGHT 1990-1993 BY WORLD LIBRARY, INC., AND IS `
` PROVIDED BY PROJECT GUTENBERG ETEXT OF CARNEGIE MELLON UNIVERSITY `
` WITH PERMISSION. ELECTRONIC AND MACHINE READABLE COPIES MAY BE `
` DISTRIBUTED SO LONG AS SUCH COPIES (1) ARE FOR YOUR OR OTHERS `
` PERSONAL USE ONLY, AND (2) ARE NOT DISTRIBUTED OR USED `
` COMMERCIALLY. PROHIBITED COMMERCIAL DISTRIBUTION INCLUDES BY ANY `
` SERVICE THAT CHARGES FOR DOWNLOAD TIME OR FOR MEMBERSHIP.>> `
` `
` `
` `
` ACT III. Scene I. `
` A public place. `
` `
` Enter Mercutio, Benvolio, and Men. `
` `
` Ben. I pray thee, good Mercutio, let's retire. `
` The day is hot, the Capulets abroad. `
` And if we meet, we shall not scape a brawl, `
` For now, these hot days, is the mad blood stirring. `
` Mer. Thou art like one of these fellows that, when he enters `
` the `
` confines of a tavern, claps me his sword upon the table and `
` says `
` 'God send me no need of thee!' and by the operation of the `
` second `
` cup draws him on the drawer, when indeed there is no need. `
` Ben. Am I like such a fellow? `
` Mer. Come, come, thou art as hot a jack in thy mood as any in `
` Italy; and as soon moved to be moody, and as soon moody to be `
` moved. `
` Ben. And what to? `
` Mer. Nay, an there were two such, we should have none shortly, `
` for `
` one would kill the other. Thou! why, thou wilt quarrel with a `
` man `
` that hath a hair more or a hair less in his beard than thou `
` hast. `
` Thou wilt quarrel with a man for cracking nuts, having no `
` other `
` reason but because thou hast hazel eyes. What eye but such an `
` eye `
` would spy out such a quarrel? Thy head is as full of quarrels `
` as `
` an egg is full of meat; and yet thy head hath been beaten as `
` addle as an egg for quarrelling. Thou hast quarrell'd with a `
` man `
` for coughing in the street, because he hath wakened thy dog `
` that `
` hath lain asleep in the sun. Didst thou not fall out with a `
` tailor for wearing his new doublet before Easter, with `
` another `
` for tying his new shoes with an old riband? And yet thou wilt `
` tutor me from quarrelling! `
` Ben. An I were so apt to quarrel as thou art, any man should `
` buy `
`