I hear thou must, and nothing must prorogue it, Jul. Tell me not, Friar, that thou hear'st of this, Fri. Hold, daughter; I do spy a kind of hope, 4 Decide the struggle between me and my distresses. H2 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: When, presently, through all thy veins shall run A cold and drowsy humour, which shall seize Each vital spirit; for no pulse shall keep His natural progress, but surcease to beat : No warmth, no breath, shall testify thou liv'st; The roses in thy lips and cheeks shall fade To paly ashes; thy eyes' windows fall, Like death, when he shuts up the day of life; Each part, depriv'd of supple government, Shall stiff, and stark, and cold, appear like death: And in this borrow'd likeness of shrunk death Thou shalt remain full two and forty hours, And then awake as from a pleasant sleep. Now when the bridegroom in the morning comes And this shall free thee from this present shame; Jul. Give me, O give me! tell me not of fear. Fri. Hold; get you gone, be strong and prosperous In this resolve: I'll send a friar with speed To Mantua, with my letters to thy lord. Jul. Love, give me strength help afford. Farewell, dear father! and strength shall [Exeunt. 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. 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 ? Cap. 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? Jul. Where I have learn'd me to repent the sin To you, and your behests; and am enjoin'd Cap. Send for the county; go tell him of this; Cap. Why, I am glad on't; this is well, stand up: 6 Confession. 7 Commands. 8 Becoming. All our whole city is much bound to him. Jul. Nurse, will you go with me into my closet, To help me sort such needful ornaments La. Cap. No, not till Thursday; there is time enough. Cap. Go, nurse, go with her:--we'll to church tomorrow. [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!They are all forth: Well, I will walk myself To county Paris, to prepare him up Against to-morrow: my heart is wond'rous light, Since this same wayward girl is so reclaim'd. [Exeunt. ۱ SCENE III. Juliet's Chamber. Enter JULIET and Nurse. Jul. Ay, those attires are best:-But, gentle nurse, I pray thee, leave me to myself to-night; For I have need of many orisons9 To move the heavens to smile upon my state, 9 Prayers. |