I hear thou must, and nothing must prorogue it, Jul. Tell me not, Friar, that thou hear'st of this, Unless thou tell me how I may prevent it : If, in thy wisdom, thou canst give no help, And with this knife I'll help it presently. God join'd my heart and Romeo's, thou our hands; And ere this hand, by thee to Romeo seal'd, Shall be the label to another deed, Or my true heart with treacherous revolt Fri. Hold, daughter; I do spy a kind of hope, A thing like death to chide away this shame, 4 Decide the struggle between me and my distresses. Jul. O, bid me leap, rather than marry Paris, O'er-cover'd quite with dead men's rattling bones, And hide me with a dead man in his shroud; 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 : And this distilled liquor drink thou off: Shall stiff, and stark, and cold, appear like death:- Now when the bridegroom in the morning comes To rouse thee from thy bed, there art thou dead : Then (as the manner of our country is,) In thy best robes uncover'd on the bier, Thou shalt be borne to that same ancient vault, And this shall free thee from this present shame; Abate thy valour in the acting it. 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! and strength shall help afford. Farewell, dear father! SCENE II. A Room in Capulet's House. [Exeunt. 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, they can lick their fingers. sir; 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? Nurse. Ay, forsooth. 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 been gadding? Jul. Where I have learn'd me to repent the sin Of disobedient opposition 7 To you, and your behests; and am enjoin'd By holy Laurence to fall prostrate here, And beg your pardon:-Pardon, I beseech you! Cap. Send for the county; go tell him of this; Not stepping o'er the bounds of modesty. you Cap. Why, I am glad on't; this is well,-stand up: This is as't should be.-Let me see the county; Ay, marry, go, I say, and fetch him hither.Now, afore God, this reverend holy friar, 6 Confession. 7 Commands. 3 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 As you think fit to furnish me to-morrow? 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. 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. |