University of Virginia Library

SCENE III.

Before Capulet's House.
Enter Capulet and Paris.
Cap.
And Mountague is bound as well as I,
In penalty alike; and 'tis not hard
For men so old as we to keep the peace.

Par.
Of honourable reck'ning are you both,
And pity 'tis you liv'd at odds so long:
But now, my lord, what say you to my suit?

Cap.
But saying o'er what I have said before,
My child is yet a stranger in the world,
She hath not seen the change of eighteen years;
Let two more summers wither in their pride,
Ere we may think her ripe to be a wife.

Par.
Younger than she are happy mothers made.

Cap.
And too soon marr'd are those so early made:
The earth hath swallow'd all my hopes but her.
But woo her, gentle Paris, get her will,
Fortune to her consent is but a part;
If she agree, within her scope of choice
Lies my consent; so woo her gentle Paris.
This night I hold an old accustom'd feast,
Whereto I have invited many a friend,
Such as I love, and you among the rest;
One more most welcome! Come, go in with me.

[Exeunt.