Were of an age.-Well, Susan is with God; And since that time it is eleven years: For then she could stand alone; nay, by the rood, I warrant, an I should live a thousand years, he: 4 And, pretty fool, it stinted, and said-Ay. peace. I pray thee, hold thy 3 Nay, I do bear a brain:] That is, I have a perfect remembrance or recollection. 4- it stinted,] i. e. it stopped, it forbore from weeping. Nurse. Yes, madam; yet I cannot choose but laugh, To think it should leave crying, and say-Ay: Thou wast the prettiest babe that e'er I nurs'd: La. Cap. Marry, that marry is the very theme I came to talk of:-Tell me, daughter Juliet, How stands your disposition to be married? Jul. It is an honour that I dream not of. Nurse. An honour! were not I thine only nurse, I'd say, thou hadst suck'd wisdom from thy teat. La. Cap. Well, think of marriage now; younger than you, 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 wax.' 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 in wax. tleman ? a man of wax.] Well made, as if he had been modelled This night you shall behold him at our feast: 6 And see how one another lends content; The fish lives in the sea;' and 'tis much pride, 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: 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 [Exeunt. days. the margin of his eyes.] The comments on ancient books were always printed in the margin. 7 The fish lives in the sea; &c.] i. e. is not yet caught.. 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? 8 Ben. The date is out of such prolixity We'll have no Cupid hood-wink'd with a scarf, Bearing a Tartar's painted bow of lath, Scaring the ladies like a crow-keeper; Nor no without-book prologue, faintly spoke After the prompter, for our entrance: But, let them measure us by what they will, We'll measure them a measure, and be gone. Rom. Give me a torch,'-I am not for this am bling; 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 a lover; borrow Cupid's wings, And soar with them above a common bound. Rom. I am too sore enpierced with his shaft, To soar with his light feathers; and so bound, The date is out of such prolixity:] Introductory speeches are out of date or fashion. 9 We'll measure them a measure,] i. e. a dance. 'Give me a torch,] A torch-bearer seems to have been a constant appendage on every troop of masks, and was not reckoned a degrading office. I cannot bound a pitch above dull woe: 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? 2 Ben. Come, knock, and enter; and no sooner in, But every man betake him to his legs. Rom. A torch for me: let wantons, light of heart, Tickle the senseless rushes with their heels;3 For I am proverb'd with a grandsire phrase,I'll be a candle-holder, and look on, The game was ne'er so fair, and I am done.* Mer. Tut! dun's the mouse, the constable's own word: If thou art dun, we'll draw thee from the mire Mer. I mean, sir, in delay We waste our lights in vain, like lamps by day. 2 doth quote deformities?] To quote is to observe. 3 Tickle the senseless rushes with their heels;] It has been already observed, that it was anciently the custom to strew rooms with rushes, before carpets were in use. • I'll be a candle-holder, and look on, The game was ne'er so fair, and I am done.] An allusion to an old proverbial saying, which advises to give over when the game is at the fairest. |