Romeo and Juliet

Friar Laurence

That's my good son. But where hast thou been, then?

Romeo

I'll tell thee, ere thou ask it me again.
I have been feasting with mine enemy,
Where, on a sudden, one hath wounded me
That's by me wounded. Both our remedies
Within thy help and holy physic lies.
I bear no hatred, blessèd man, for, lo,
My intercession likewise steads my foe.

Friar Laurence

That's my good son. But where hast thou been, then?

Romeo

I'll tell thee, ere thou ask it me again.
I have been feasting with mine enemy,
Where, on a sudden, one hath wounded me
That's by me wounded. Both our remedies
Within thy help and holy physic lies.
I bear no hatred, blessèd man, for, lo,
My intercession likewise steads my foe.

Friar Laurence

The earth that's nature's mother is her tomb;
What is her burying grave, that is her womb.  
And from her womb children of diverse kind
We, sucking on her natural bosom, find;
Many for many virtues excellent,
None but for some, and yet all different.
[Outside Friar Laurence's cottage.  Enter Friar Laurence with a basket]

Friar Laurence

The grey-eyed morn smiles on the frowning night,
Chequering the eastern clouds with streaks of light;
And fleckled darkness, like a drunkard, reels
From forth day's path and Titan's burning wheels.

Juliet

'Tis almost morning, I would have thee gone;
And yet no farther than a wanton's bird,
Who lets it hop a little from his 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.

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.
[Romeo retiring slowly. Re-Enter Juliet, above]

Juliet

Hist, Romeo, hist! O, for a falc'ner'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.'

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.
[Romeo retiring slowly. Re-Enter Juliet, above]

Juliet

Hist, Romeo, hist! O, for a falc'ner'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.'

Juliet

What satisfaction canst thou have tonight?

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.

Juliet

Well, do not swear. Although I joy in thee,
I have no joy of this contract tonight.
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.

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 tonight.
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.           

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