1 To lure this tassel-gentle 1 back again! Bondage is hoarse, and may not speak aloud; Else would I tear the cave where Echo lies, And make her airy tongue more hoarse than mine With repetition of my Romeo's name. Ro. It is my soul, that calls upon my name: How silver-sweet sound lovers' tongues by night, Like softest music to attending ears! Ju. I will not fail; 'tis twenty years till then. I have forgot why I did call thee back. Ro. Let me stand here till thou remember it. Ju. I shall forget, to have thee still stand there, Remembering how I love thy company. Ro. And I'll still stay, to have thee still forget; Forgetting any other home but this. Ju. 'Tis almost morning: I would have thee gone; And yet no farther than a wanton's bird; Who lets it hop a little from her hand, Ro. I would, I were thy bird. 1 The male of the gosshawk. 2 Fetters. Ju. Sweet, so would I : Yet I should kill thee with much cherishing. Good night, good night! parting is such sweet sorrow, That I shall say—good night, till it be morrow. [Exit. Ro. Sleep dwell upon thine eyes, peace in thy breast! Would I were sleep and peace, so sweet to rest! His help to crave, and my dear hap to tell. [Exit. SCENE III. Friar Laurence's cell. Enter FRIAR LAURENCE, with a basket. F. Lau. The gray-eyed morn smiles on the frowning night, Checkering the eastern clouds with streaks of light; And flecked1 darkness like a drunkard reels 2 From forth day's path, and Titan's fiery wheels. Spotted, streaked. 2 The sun's. And from her womb children of divers kind None but for some, and yet all different. For this, being smelt, with that part cheers each part; Being tasted, slays all senses with the heart. Enter ROMEO. Ro. Good morrow, father! F. Lau. Benedicite! What early tongue so sweet saluteth me?- But where unbruised youth with unstuff'd brain Doth couch his limbs, there golden sleep doth reign : Therefore thy earliness doth me assure, Our Romeo hath not been in bed to-night. Ro. That last is true, the sweeter rest was mine. F. Lau. God pardon sin! wast thou with Rosa line? Ro. With Rosaline, my ghostly father? no; I have forgot that name, and that name's woe. F. Lau. That's my good son: but where hast thou been then? Ro. I'll tell thee, ere thou ask it me again : I have been feasting with mine enemy; I bear no hatred, blessed man; for, lo, My intercession likewise steads my foe. F. Lau. Be plain, good son, and homely in thy drift: Riddling confession finds but riddling shrift.1 Ro. Then plainly know, my heart's dear love is set On the fair daughter of rich Capulet: 1 Absolution. As mine on hers, so hers is set on mine; That thou consent to marry us this day. F. Lau. Holy saint Francis! what a change is here! Is Rosaline, whom thou didst love so dear, Hath wash'd thy sallow cheeks for Rosaline! And art thou changed? pronounce this sentence then ; Women may fall, when there's no strength in men. Ro. Thou chidd'st me oft for loving Rosaline. F. Lau. Not in a grave, To lay one in, another out to have. Ro. I pray thee, chide not: she, whom I love now, Doth grace for grace, and love for love allow; |