ACT II. | |
Scene VI. Friar Lawrence's Cell. | |
| [Enter Friar Lawrence and Romeo.] |
Friar. | |
| So smile the heavens upon this holy act |
| That after-hours with sorrow chide us not! |
Romeo. | |
| Amen, amen! but come what sorrow can, |
| It cannot countervail the exchange of joy |
| That one short minute gives me in her sight: |
| Do thou but close our hands with holy words, |
| Then love-devouring death do what he dare,-- |
| It is enough I may but call her mine. |
Friar. | |
| These violent delights have violent ends, |
| And in their triumph die; like fire and powder, |
| Which, as they kiss, consume: the sweetest honey |
| Is loathsome in his own deliciousness, |
| And in the taste confounds the appetite: |
| Therefore love moderately: long love doth so; |
| Too swift arrives as tardy as too slow. |
| Here comes the lady:--O, so light a foot |
| Will ne'er wear out the everlasting flint: |
| A lover may bestride the gossamer |
| That idles in the wanton summer air |
| And yet not fall; so light is vanity. |
| [Enter Juliet.] |
Juliet. | |
| Good-even to my ghostly confessor. |
Friar. | |
| Romeo shall thank thee, daughter, for us both. |
Juliet. | |
| As much to him, else is his thanks too much. |
Romeo. | |
| Ah, Juliet, if the measure of thy joy |
| Be heap'd like mine, and that thy skill be more |
| To blazon it, then sweeten with thy breath |
| This neighbour air, and let rich music's tongue |
| Unfold the imagin'd happiness that both |
| Receive in either by this dear encounter. |
Juliet. | |
| Conceit, more rich in matter than in words, |
| Brags of his substance, not of ornament: |
| They are but beggars that can count their worth; |
| But my true love is grown to such excess, |
| I cannot sum up sum of half my wealth. |
Friar. | |
| Come, come with me, and we will make short work; |
| For, by your leaves, you shall not stay alone |
| Till holy church incorporate two in one. |
| [Exeunt.] |