Ben. An if he hear thee, thou wilt anger him. Mer. This cannot anger him: 'twould anger him To raise a spirit in his mistress' circle Of some strange nature, letting it there stand Till she had laid it, and conjur'd it down; That were some spite. My invocation Is fair and honest, and, in his mistress' name, I conjure only but to raise up him. Ben. Come, he hath hid himself among these trees, To be consorted with the humorous night: Blind is his love, and best befits the dark. Mer. If love be blind, love cannot hit the mark. Now will he sit under a medlar tree, And wish his mistress were that kind of fruit, Come, shall we go? Ben. Go, then; for 'tis in vain To seek him here, that means not to be found. Rom. [Scene II. Theobald.] [Exeunt. He jests at scars, that never felt a wound. But, soft! what light through yonder window breaks? [JULIET appears above at her window. It is the East, and Juliet is the sun! Arise, fair sun, and kill the envious moon, That thou, her maid, art far more fair than she: Her vestal livery is but pale and green, And none but fools do wear it; cast it off. [JULIET steps out upon a balcony. It is my lady; O, it is my love! O, that she knew she were ! She speaks, yet she says nothing: what of that? I am too bold, 'tis not to me she speaks: That I might touch that cheek! Jul. Rom. Ah me! She speaks: O, speak again, bright angel! for thou art 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. 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! 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: Had I it written, I would tear the word. Jul. My ears have yet not drunk a hundred words Of that tongue's uttering, yet I know the sound. Rom. Neither, fair maid, if either thee displease. Jul. How cam'st thou hither, tell me? and wherefore? The orchard walls are high, and hard to climb; 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; 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 eyes; And but thou love me, let them find me here: 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 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. Jul. Thou know'st the mask of night is on my face; Else would a maiden blush bepaint my cheek Than those that have more cunning to be strange. Rom. Lady, by yonder blessed moon I swear, Jul. O, swear not by the moon, th' inconstant moon That monthly changes in her circled orb, Jul. Do not swear at all; Or, if thou wilt, swear by thy glorious self, 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; Jul. I gave thee mine before thou did'st request it ; And yet I would it were to give again. Rom. Would'st thou withdraw it? for what purpose, love? |