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, Love join'd my heart and Romeo's, thou our hands ; Or my true heart with treacherous revolt Fri. Hold, daughter; I do spy a kind of hope, A thing like death to chide away this shame, Jul. O, bid me leap, rather than marry Paris, Where serpents are; chain me with roaring bears; Or shut me nightly in a charnel-house, Decide the struggle between me and my distresses. ; 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. sent To marry Paris: Wednesday is to-morrow; In thy best robes uncover'd on the bier, And this shall free thee from this present shame; 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 help afford. Farewell, dear father ! [Exeunt. SCENE II. A Room in Capulet's House. Enter CAPULET, Lady CAPULET, Nurse, and Servant. Cap. So many guests invite as here are writ. [Exit Servant. [Exit Servant. Sirrah, go hire me twenty cunning cooks. 2 Serv. You shall have none ill, sir. Cap. Go, begone.. 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 *; and am enjoin'd And beg your pardon:- Pardon, I beseech you! Henceforward I am ever rul'd by 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 becomed 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, by my life, 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 Against to-morrow: my heart is wond'rous light, 4 Commands. s Becoming. [Exeunt. SCENE III. Juliet's Chamber. Enter JULIET and Nurse. Jul. Ay, those attires are best:- But, gentle nurse, I pray thee, leave me to myself to-night; For I have need of many orisons 6 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 As are behoveful for our state to-morrow: So please you, let me now be left alone, And let the nurse this night sit up with you; For, I am sure, you have your hands full all, In this so sudden business. 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? 6 Prayers. |