第12章

In truth, fair Montague, I am too fond, And therefore thou mayst think my 'havior light:But trust me, gentleman, I'll prove more true Than those that have more cunning to be strange.

I should have been more strange, I must confess, But that thou overheard'st, ere I was ware, My true love's passion: therefore pardon me, And not impute this yielding to light love, Which the dark night hath so discovered.ROMEO Lady, by yonder blessed moon I swear That tips with silver all these fruit-tree tops-- JULIET O, swear not by the moon, the inconstant moon, That monthly changes in her circled orb, Lest that thy love prove likewise variable.ROMEO What shall I swear by? JULIET Do not swear at all;Or, if thou wilt, swear by thy gracious self, Which is the god of my idolatry, And I'll believe thee.ROMEO If my heart's dear love-- JULIET Well, do not swear: although I joy in thee, I have no joy of this contract to-night:It is too rash, too unadvised, too sudden;Too like the lightning, which doth cease to be Ere one can say 'It lightens.' Sweet, good night!

This bud of love, by summer's ripening breath, May prove a beauteous flower when next we meet.

Good night, good night! as sweet repose and rest Come to thy heart as that within my breast! ROMEO O, wilt thou leave me so unsatisfied? JULIET What satisfaction canst thou have to-night? ROMEO The exchange of thy love's faithful vow for mine.JULIET I gave thee mine before thou didst request it:And yet I would it were to give again.ROMEO Wouldst thou withdraw it? for what purpose, love? JULIET But to be frank, and give it thee again.

And yet I wish but for the thing I have:My bounty is as boundless as the sea, My love as deep; the more I give to thee, The more I have, for both are infinite.

Nurse calls within I hear some noise within; dear love, adieu!

Anon, good nurse! Sweet Montague, be true.

Stay but a little, I will come again.

Exit, above ROMEO 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 JULIET Three words, dear Romeo, and good night indeed.

If that thy bent of love be honourable, Thy purpose marriage, send me word to-morrow, By one that I'll procure to come to thee, Where and what time thou wilt perform the rite;And all my fortunes at thy foot I'll lay And follow thee my lord throughout the world.Nurse [Within] Madam! JULIET I come, anon.--But if thou mean'st not well, I do beseech thee-- Nurse [Within] Madam! JULIET By and by, I come:--To cease thy suit, and leave me to my grief:To-morrow will I send.ROMEO So thrive my soul-- JULIET A thousand times good night!

Exit, above ROMEO A thousand times the worse, to want thy light.

Love goes toward love, as schoolboys from their books, But love from love, toward school with heavy looks.

Retiring Re-enter JULIET, above JULIET Hist! Romeo, hist! O, for a falconer's voice, To lure this tassel-gentle back again!

Bondage is hoarse, and may not speak aloud;Else would I tear the cave where Echo lies, And make her airy tongue more hoarse than mine, With repetition of my Romeo's name.ROMEO It is my soul that calls upon my name:How silver-sweet sound lovers' tongues by night, Like softest music to attending ears! JULIET Romeo! ROMEO My dear? JULIET At what o'clock to-morrow Shall I send to thee? ROMEO At the hour of nine.JULIET I will not fail: 'tis twenty years till then.

I have forgot why I did call thee back.ROMEO Let me stand here till thou remember it.JULIET I shall forget, to have thee still stand there, Remembering how I love thy company.ROMEO And I'll still stay, to have thee still forget, Forgetting any other home but this.JULIET 'Tis almost morning; I would have thee gone:And yet no further than a wanton's bird;

Who lets it hop a little from her hand, Like a poor prisoner in his twisted gyves, And with a silk thread plucks it back again, So loving-jealous of his liberty.ROMEO I would I were thy bird.JULIET Sweet, so would I:Yet I should kill thee with much cherishing.

Good night, good night! parting is such sweet sorrow, That I shall say good night till it be morrow.

Exit above ROMEO Sleep dwell upon thine eyes, peace in thy breast!

Would I were sleep and peace, so sweet to rest!

Hence will I to my ghostly father's cell, His help to crave, and my dear hap to tell.