Shall play the umpire; arbitrating that As that is desperate which we would prevent. A thing like death to chide away this shame, Jul. O, bid me leap, rather than marry Paris, From off the battlements of yonder tower; Or walk in thievish ways; or bid me lurk Where serpents are; chain me with roaring bears; Or shut me nightly in a charnel-house, O'er-cover'd quite with dead men's rattling bones, With reeky shanks, and yellow chapless sculls; Or bid me go into a new-made grave, And hide me with a dead man in his shroud; Things that, to hear them told, have made me tremble; And I will do it without fear or doubt, To live an unstain'd wife to my sweet love. Fri. Hold, then; go home, be merry, give consent To marry Paris: Wednesday is to-morrow; To-morrow night look that thou lie alone, Let not thy nurse lie with thee in thy chamber: Take thou this phial, being then in bed, And this distilled liquor drink thou off; 5 Shall play the umpire;] That is, this knife shall decide the struggle between me and my distresses. 6 commission of thy years and art-] Commission is for authority or power. When, presently, through all thy veins shall run Like death, when he shuts up the day of life; present shame Jul. Give me, O give me! tell me not of fear. perous In this resolve: I'll send a friar with speed To Mantua, with my letters to thy lord. Jul. Love, give me strength! and strength shall help afford. Farewell, dear father! [Exeunt, 7 If no unconstant toy, &c.] If no fickle freak, no light caprice, no change of fancy, hinder the performance. SCENE II. A Room in Capulet's House. Enter CAPULET, Lady CAPULET, Nurse, and Servant. Cap. So many guests invite as here are writ.— [Exit Servant. Sirrah, go hire me twenty cunning cooks." 8 2 Serv. You shall have none ill, sir; for I'll try if they can lick their fingers. Cap. How canst thou try them so? 2 Serv. Marry, sir, 'tis an ill cook that cannot lick his own fingers: therefore he, that cannot lick his fingers, goes not with me. Cap. Go, begone. [Exit Servant. We shall be much unfurnish'd for this time. What, is my daughter gone to friar Laurence? Cup. Well, he may chance to do some good on her: A peevish self-will'd harlotry it is. Enter JULIET. Nurse. See, where she comes from shrift with merry look, Cap. How now, my headstrong? where have you been gadding?1 -go hire me twenty cunning cooks.] Twenty cooks for half a dozen guests! Either Capulet has altered his mind strangely, or our author forgot what he had just made him tell us. See p. 79. •from shrift · -] i. e. from confession. 9 I gadding?] The primitive sense of this word was to straggle from house to house, and collect money, under pretence of singing carols to the Blessed Virgin. Jul. Where I have learn'd me to repent the sin Of disobedient opposition To you, and your behests; and am enjoin'd By holy Laurence to fall prostrate here, And beg your pardon :-Pardon, I beseech you! Henceforward I am ever rul'd by you. Cap. Send for the county; go tell him of this; I'll have this knot knit up to-morrow morning. Jul. I met the youthful lord at Laurence' cell; And gave him what becomed love' I might, Not stepping o'er the bounds of modesty. Cap. Why, I am glad on't; this is well,-stand up: This is as't should be.-Let me see the county; Jul. Nurse, will you go with me into my closet, La. Cap. No, not till Thursday; there is time enough. Cap. Go, nurse, go with her :-we'll to church to-morrow. [Exeunt JULIET and Nurse. La. Cap. We shall be short in our provision; "Tis now near night. Cap. Tush! I will stir about, And all things shall be well, I warrant thee, wife: Go thou to Juliet, help to deck up her; I'll not to bed to-night;-let me alone; I'll play the housewife for this once.-What, ho!- becomed love] Becomed for becoming: one participle for the other; a frequent practice with our author. Against to-morrow: my heart is wond'rous light, SCENE III. Juliet's Chamber. Enter JULIET and NURSE. [Exeunt. Jul. Ay, those attires are best:-But, gentle nurse, I pray thee, leave me to myself to-night; For I have need of many orisons3 To move the heavens to smile upon my state, Which, well thou know'st, is cross and full of sin. Enter Lady CAPULET. La. Cap. What, are you busy? do you need my help? Jul. No, madam; we have cull'd such necessaries As are behoveful for our state to-morrow: So please you, let me now be left alone, And let the nurse this night sit up with you; La. Cap. Good night! Get thee to bed, and rest; for thou hast need. Exeunt Lady CAPULET and Nurse. Jul. Farewell!-God knows, when we shall meet again. I have a faint cold fear thrills through my veins, I'll call them back again to comfort me ; 3 For I have need, &o.] Juliet plays most of her pranks under the appearance of religion: perhaps Shakspeare meant to punish her hypocrisy. JOHNSON. |