My life were better ended by their hate, 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, Jul. Thou knowest the mask of night is on thy face; Rom. Lady, by yonder blessed moon I vow, That tips with silver all these fruit-tree tops Jul. Oh, swear not by the moon, the inconstant moon, That monthly changes in her circled orb, 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, I have no joy of this contract to-night : It is too rash, too unadvis'd, too sudden; Too like the lightning, which doth cease to be Rom. Oh, 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. And yet I wish but for the thing I have: My bounty is as boundless as the sea, I hear some noise within: Dear love, adieu ! [Nurse calls within, Anon, good nurse !-Sweet Montague, be true. Stay but a little, I will come again. Rom. O blessed, blessed night! I am afear'd, [Ext. Being in night, all this is but a dream, Re-enter JULIET, above. 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; [Within: Madam.] I come, anon :-But if thou meanest not well, I do beseech thee,-[Within: Madam.] By and by, I come: To cease thy suit, and leave me to my grief: 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; But love from love towards school with heavy looks. Re-enter JULIET again, above. Jul. Hist! Romeo, hist!—Oh, 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 Rom. It is my soul, that calls upon my name: Jul. Romeo ! Rom. My sweet! Jul. At what o'clock to-morrow Shall I send to thee? Rom. By the hour of nine. Jul. I will not fail; 'tis twenty years till then. I have forgot why I did call thee back. Rom. Let me stand here till thou remember it. Jul. I shall forget, to have thee still stand there, Remembering how I love thy company. Rom. And I'll still stay, to have thee still forget, Forgetting any other home but this. Jul. "Tis almost morning, I would have thee gone : Who lets him hop a little from her hand, Rom. I would I were thy bird. Jul. 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. Rom. Sleep dwell upon thine eyes, peace in thy breast! Would I were sleep and peace, so sweet to rest! [Exit. WILLIAM SHAKSPEARE. FROM "THE MERCHANT OF VENICE." SCENE.-Venice. A Public Place. Characters.-SHYLOCK, BASSANIO, and ANTONIO (the Merchant). Shy. Three thousand ducats,-well! Bass. Ay, sir, for three months. Shy. For three months,-well! Bass. For the which, as I told you, Antonio shall be bound. Shy. Antonio shall become bound,-well. Bass. May you stead me? Will you pleasure me? Shall I know your answer? Shy. Three thousand ducats, for three months, and Antonio bound! Bass. Your answer to that. Shy. Antonio is a good man! Bass. Have you heard any imputation to the contrary? Shy. Oh no, no, no, no ;-my meaning in saying he is a good man is (to have you understand me), that he is sufficient yet his means are in supposition:-he hath an argosy bound to Tripolis, another to the Indies; I understand, moreover, upon the Rialto, he hath a third at Mexico, a fourth for England, and other ventures he hath, squandered abroad. But ships are but boards, sailors but men: there be land-rats and water-rats, water-thieves and land-thieves ;—I mean, pirates; and then there is the peril of waters, winds, and rocks :-The man is, notwithstanding, sufficient ;-three thousand ducats!—I think I may take his bond. Bass. Be assured, you may. Shy. I will be assured I may; and that I may be assured, I will bethink me :-May I speak with Antonio ? |