University of Virginia Library

SCENE VI.

The Monastery.
Enter Friar Lawrence and Romeo.
Fri.
So smile the heav'ns upon this holy act,
That after-hours of sorrow chide us not!

Rom.
Amen, amen, but come what sorrow can,
It cannot countervail th'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.

Fri.
These violent delights have violent ends,
And in their triumph die like fire and powder,
Which as they meet, consume. The sweetest honey
Is loathsome in its own deliciousness,
And in the taste confounds the appetite:
Therefore love mod'rately.
Enter Juliet.
Here comes the lady. O so light a foot
Will ne'er wear out the everlasting flint;
A lover may bestride the gossamour,
That idles in the wanton summer air,
And yet not fall, so light is vanity.

Jul.
Good-even to my ghostly confessor.

Fri.
Romeo shall thank thee, daughter, for us both.

Rom.
Ah Juliet, if the measure of thy Joy
Be heapt like mine, and that thy skill be more
To blazon it; then sweeten with thy breath
This neighbour air, and let rich musick's tongue
Unfold th'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,
I cannot sum up one half of my wealth.

Fri.
Come, come with me;
For, by your leaves, you shall not stay alone,
Till holy church incorp'rate two in one.

[Exeunt.