 | Romeo and Juliet |  |
17
SCENE VI.
A Hall in Capulet's House.The Capulets, Ladies, Guests, and Maskers, are discover'd.
Cap.
Welcome, Gentlemen. Ladies, that have your feet
Unplagued with corns, we'll have a bout with you.
Who'll now deny to dance? She that makes dainty,
I'll swear hath corns. I have seen the day e'er now,
That I have worn a Visor, and cou'd tell
A whispering tale in a fair lady's ear,
Such as would please; 'tis gone; 'tis gone; 'tis gone!
[Musick plays, and they dance.
More light ye knaves, and turn the tables up;
And quench the fire, the room is grown too hot.
Ah, Sirrah, this unlook'd-for sport comes well.
Nay sit, nay sit, good cousin Capulet,
For you and I are past our dancing days:
How long is't now since last yourself and I
Were in a mask?
2 Cap.
By'r lady, thirty years.
Cap.
What, man! 'tis not so much, 'tis not so much;
'Tis since the nuptial of Lucentio,
Come Pentecost as quickly as it will,
Some five and twenty years, and then we mask'd.
2 Cap.
'Tis more, 'tis more; his son is elder, Sir:
His son is thirty.
Cap.
Will you tell me that?
His son was but a ward two years ago.
Rom.
Cousin Benvolio, do you mark that Lady, which
Doth enrich the hand of yonder gentleman.
Ben.
I do.
Rom.
Does she not teach the torches how to shine?
Her beauty hangs upon the cheek of night,
Like a rich jewel in an Æthiops' ear;
The measure done, I'll watch her to her place,
And touching hers, make happy my rude hand.
Be still, be still, my fluttering heart.
Tib.
This by his voice should be a Mountague,
Fetch me my rapier, boy; what, dares the slave
Come hither cover'd with an antick face,
18
Now by the stock and honour of my Race,
To strike him dead I hold it not a sin.
Cap.
Why, how now, kinsman, wherefore storm you thus?
Tib.
Uncle, this a Mountague, our foe:
A villain that is hither come in spite,
To scorn and flout at our solemnity.
Cap.
Young Romeo, is't?
Tib.
That villain Romeo.
Cap.
Content thee, gentle coz, let him alone,
He bears him like a courtly gentleman:
And to say truth, Verona brags of him,
To be a virtuous and well-govern'd youth.
I would not for the wealth of all this town
Here in my house do him disparagement:
Therefore be patient, take no note of him.
Tib.
It fits, when such a villain is a guest.
I'll not endure him.
Cap.
He shall be endur'd.
Be quiet, Cousin, or I'll make you quiet—
Tib.
Patience perforce with wilful choler meeting,
Makes my flesh tremble in their difference.
I will withdraw; but this intrusion shall,
Now seeming sweet, convert to bitter gall.
[A Dance here.
Rom.
If I prophane with my unworthy hand
[To Juliet.
This holy shrine, the gentle fine is this.
[Kiss.
Jul.
Good pilgrim, you do wrong your hand too much,
For palm to palm is holy palmer's kiss.
Rom.
Have not saints lips, and holy palmers too?
Jul.
Ay, pilgrim, lips that they must use in prayer.
Rom.
Thus then, dear saint, let lips put up their prayers.
[Kiss.
Nurse.
Madam, your mother craves a word with you.
Ben.
What is her mother?
[To her nurse.
Nurse.
Marry, bachelor,
Her mother is the lady of the house,
And a good lady, and a wise and virtuous,
I nurs'd her daughter that you talk'd withal:
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Shall have the chink.
Ben.
Is she a Capulet?
Romeo, let's be gone, the sport is over.
Rom.
Ay, so I fear, the more is my mishap.
[Ex.
Cap.
Nay, gentlemen, prepare not to be gone,
We have a trifling foolish banquet towards.
Is it e'en so? why then, I thank you all.
I thank you, honest gentlemen, good night:
More torches here—come on, then let's to supper.
[Exeunt.
Jul.
Come hither, nurse. What is yon gentleman?
Nurse.
The son and heir of old Tiberio
Jul.
What's he that is now going out of door?
Nurse.
That, as I think, is young Mercutio.
Jul.
What's he that follows here, that would not dance?
Nurse.
I know not.
Jul.
Go ask his name. If he be married,
My grave is like to be my wedding-bed.
Nurse.
His name is Romeo, and a Mountague,
The only son of your great enemy.
Jul.
My only love sprung from my only hate!
Too early seen, unknown; and known too late.
Nurse.
What's this? what's this?
Jul.
A rhime I learn'd e'en now
Of one I talk'd withal.
[One calls within, Juliet.
Nurse.
Anon, anon—
Come, let's away, the strangers are all gone.
[Exeunt.
| Romeo and Juliet | |