Enter BENVOLIO, and MERCUTIO. Ben. Romeo! my cousin Romeo ! Mer. He is wise; And, on my life, hath stolen him home to bed. Ben. He ran this way, and leap'd this orchard wall: Call, good Mercutio. Mer. Nay, I'll conjure too. Romeo! humours! madman! passion! lover! Speak but one rhyme, and I am satisfied; Ben. An if he hear thee, thou wilt anger him. To raise a spirit in his mistress' circle Of some strange nature, letting it there stand Is fair and honest, and, in his mistress' name, I conjure only but to raise up him. Ben. Come, he hath hid himself among those trees, To be consorted with the humorous night :6 Blind is his love, and best befits the dark. Mer. If love be blind, love cannot hit the mark. Now will he sit under a medlar tree, And wish his mistress were that kind of fruit, Ben. Go, then; for 'tis in vain To seek him here, that means not to be found. [4] Alluding to the famous archer Adam Bell. [5] See Love's Labour's Lost, p. 32. 61 The humid, the moist dewy night. 12 VOL. VIII. REED. STEEVENS. [Exe. Rom. He jests at scars, that never felt a wound.— [JULIET appears above, at a window. But, soft! what light through yonder window breaks! It is the east, and Juliet is the sun! Arise, fair sun, and kill the envious moon, Who is already sick and pale with grief, That thou her maid art far more fair than she : And none but fools do wear it; cast it off. It is my lady; O, it is my love: O, that she knew she were ! She speaks, yet she says nothing; What of that? I am too bold, 'tis not to me she speaks : O, that I were a glove upon that hand, That I might touch that cheek! Jul. Ah me! Rom. She speaks: O, speak again, bright angel! for thou art Unto the white-upturned wond'ring eyes And sails upon the bosom of the air. Jul. O Romeo, Romeo! wherefore art thou Romeo? Deny thy father, and refuse thy name: Or, if thou wilt not, be but sworn my love, And I'll no longer be a Capulet. Rom.Shall I hear more, or shall I speak at this? [Aside. Jul. 'Tis but thy name, that is my enemy ; [] Be not a votary to the moon, to Diana. JOHNSON. - Thou art thyself though, not a Montague.* Belonging to a man. O, be some other name ! Rom. I take thee at thy word : Call me but love, and I'll be new baptiz'd; Jul.What man art thou, that, thus bescreen'd in night, So stumblest on my counsel ? Rom. By a name I know not how to tell thee who I am: Had I it written, I would tear the word. Jul. My ears have not yet drunk a hundred words Of that tongue's utterance, yet I know the sound; Art thou not Romeo, and a Montague? Rom. Neither, fair saint, if either thee dislike. Jul. How cam'st thou hither, tell me? and wherefore? The orchard walls are high, and hard to climb; And the place death, considering who thou art, If any of my kinsmen find thee here. Rom. With love's light wings did I o'er-perch these walls; For stony limits cannot hold love out : And what love can do, that dares love attempt; Jul. If they do see thee, they will murder thee. Jul. I would not for the world, they saw thee here. Rom. I have night's cloak to hide me from their sight; [8] We must understand though in the sense of then, a sense it is perpetu ally used in by our ancient poets. So in the Merry Wives of Windsor, "I keep but three men and a boy yet-but what though?” Again in K. Henry V. "It is a simple one, but what though." RITSON: And, but thou love me, let them find me here; Than death prorogued, wanting of thy love. Jul. By whose direction found'st thou out this place Rom. By love, who first did prompt me to inquire ; He lent me counsel, and I lent him eyes. I am no pilot; yet, wert thou as far As that vast shore wash'd with the farthest sea, I would adventure for such merchandise. Jul. Thou know'st, the mask of night is on my face; Else would a maiden blush bepaint my cheek, For that which thou hast heard me speak to-night. And therefore thou may'st think my haviour light; Rom. Lady, by yonder blessed moon I swear, Jul. O, swear not by the moon, the inconstant moon That monthly changes in her circled orb, Lest that thy love prove likewise variable, Rom. What shall I swear by ? Jul. Do not swear at all; Or, if thou wilt, swear by thy gracious self, And I'll believe thee, Rom. If my heart's dear love Jul. Well, do not swear: Although I joy in thee, [9] Mr. M. Mason thinks "but thou love me" means unless thou love me He is certainly right. So in Antony and Cleopatra: "But being charg'd, we will be still by land." STEEVENS. I have no joy of this contract to-night : 29 Rom. O, wilt thou leave me so unsatisfied? Jul. What satisfaction canst thou have to-night? Rom. The exchange of thy love's faithful vow for mine. Jul. I gave thee mine before thou didst request it : And yet I would it were to give again. Rom. Wouldst thou withdraw it? for what purpose, love? Jul. But to be frank, and give it thee again. [Nurse calls within. Rom. O blessed blessed night! I am afeard, Being in night, all this is but a dream, Too flattering-sweet to be substantial. Re-enter JULIET, above. [Exit. Jul.Three words, dear Romeo, and good-night, indeed If that thy bent of love be honourable, Thy purpose marriage, send me word to-morrow, Where, and what time, thou wilt perform the rite; And follow thee my lord throughout the world: Jul. I come, anon :-But if thou mean'st not well, Nurse. [Within.] Madam. Jul. By and by, I come : To cease thy suit, and leave me to my grief: To-morrow will I send. Rom. So thrive my soul, Jul. A thousand times good night! [Exit. Rom. A thousand times the worse, to want thy light. Love goes toward love, as school-boys from their books; |