Jul. And stint thou too, I pray thee, nurse, say I. Nurse. Peace, I have done. God mark thee to his grace*! Thou wast the prettiest babe that e'er I nurs'd: La. Cap. Marry, that marry is the very theme Nurse. An honour! were not I thine only nurse, Here in Verona, ladies of esteem, Are made already mothers: by my count, Nurse. A man, young lady! lady, such a man, As all the world-Why, he's a man of waxt. La. Cap. Verona's summer hath not such a flower. Nurse. Nay, he's a flower; in faith, a very flower. La. Cap. What say you? can you love the gen tleman ? This night you shall behold him at our feast: And see how one another lends content; The fish lives in the sea§; and 'tis much pride, * Favour. + Well made, as if he had been modelled in wax. The comments on ancient books were always printed in the margin. § i, e. Is not yet caught, whose skin was wanted to bind him. That in gold clasps locks in the golden story; Nurse. No less? nay, bigger; women grow by men. La. Cap. Speak briefly, can you like of Paris' love? Jul. I'll look to like, if looking liking move: But no more deep will I endart mine eye, Than your consent gives strength to make it fly. Enter a Servant. Serv. Madam, the guests are come, supper served up, you called, my young lady asked for, the nurse cursed in the pantry, and every thing in extremity. I must hence to wait; I beseech you, follow straight. La. Cap. We follow thee.-Juliet, the county stays. Nurse. Go, girl, seek happy nights to happy days. [Exeunt. SCENE IV. A street. Enter Romeo, Mercutio, Benvolio, with five or six Maskers, Torch-bearers, and Others. Rom. What, shall this speech be spoke for our excuse? Or shall we on without apology? Ben. The date is out of such prolixity* : A scare-crow, a figure made up to frighten crows. We'll measure them a measure*, and be gone. Rom. Give me a torcht.-I am not for this ambling; Being but heavy, I will bear the light. Mer. Nay, gentle Romeo, we must have you dance. Rom. Not I, believe me: you have dancing shoes, With nimble soles: I have a soul of lead, So stakes me to the ground, I cannot move. Mer. You are a lover; borrow Cupid's wings, Rom. I am too sore enpierced with his shaft, Mer. And, to sink in it, should you burden love; Too great oppression for a tender thing. Rom. Is love a tender thing? it is too rough, Too rude, too boist'rous; and it pricks like thorn. Mer. If love be rough with you, be rough with love; Prick love for pricking, and you beat love down.Give me a case to put my visage in: [Putting on a mask. A visor for a visor!-what care I, What curious eye doth quote ‡ deformities? Rom. A torch for me: let wantons, light of heart, The game was ne'er so fair, and I am done || . * A dance. A torch-bearer was a constant appendage to every troop of maskers. ‡ Observe. § It was anciently the custom to strew rooms with rushes. This is equivalent to phrases in common use-I am done for, it is over with me. Mer. Tut! dun's the mouse, the constable's own word: If thou art dun, we'll draw thee from the mire Mer. Mer. Mer. And so did I. That dreamers often lie. Rom. Well, what was yours? Mer. Rom. In bed, asleep, while they do dream things true. Mer. O, then, I see, queen Mab hath been with you. She is the fairies' midwife; and she comes : Her waggon spokes made of long spinners' legs; * Atoms. On courtiers' knees, that dream on court'sies straight: O'er lawyers' fingers, who straight dream on fees : Rom. Peace, peace, Mercutio, peace; Thou talk'st of nothing. Mer. True, I talk of dreams; Which are the children of an idle brain," Begot of nothing but vain fantasy; Supper is done, and we shall come too late. * A place in court. ti. e. Fairy-locks, locks of hair clotted and tangled in the night. |