Words to Ponder

My life were better ended by their haternThan death prorogued, wanting (16) of thy love.

Romeo, doff (9) thy name;rnAnd for thy name, (10) which is no part of thee,rnTake all myself.

Call me but love, and I'll be new baptized;rnHenceforth I never will be Romeo.

Therefore pardon me,rnAnd not impute this yielding to light love,rnWhich the dark night hath so discovered. (27)rnROMEO:rnLady, by yonder blessed moon I vow,rnThat tips with silver all these fruit-tree tops--rnJULIET:rnO, swear not by the moon, th'

The orchard walls are high and hard to climb,rnAnd the place death, considering who thou art,rnIf any of my kinsmen find thee here.

At lovers' perjuries,rnThey say Jove laughs. (20) O gentle Romeo,rnIf thou dost love, pronounce it faithfully.

Or if thou thinkest I am too quickly won,rnI'll frown and be perverse and say thee nay,rnSo thou wilt woo, but else, not for the world. (21)rnIn truth, fair Montague, I am too fond, (22)rnAnd therefore thou mayst think my havior (23) light;rnBut trust me, gentleman, I'll prove more truernThan those that have more cunning to be strange. (24)rnI should have been more strange, I must confess,rnBut (25) that thou overheard'st, ere I was ware, (26)rnMy true love passion.

Therefore pardon me,rnAnd not impute this yielding to light love,rnWhich the dark night hath so discovered. (27)rnROMEO:rnLady, by yonder blessed moon I vow,rnThat tips with silver all these fruit-tree tops--rnJULIET:rnO, swear not by the moon, th' inconstant moon,rnThat monthly changes in her circle orb,rnLest that thy love prove likewise variable.

JULIET:rnDo not swear at all;rnOr if thou wilt, swear by thy gracious self,rnWhich is the god of my idolatry,rnAnd I'll believe thee.

I would have thee gone--rnAnd yet no farther than a wanton's bird,rnThat lets it hop a little from his hand,rnLike a poor prisoner in his twisted gyves, (32)rnAnd with a silken thread plucks it back againrnSo loving-jealous of his liberty.

O for a falc'ner's voicernTo lure this tassel gentle back again! (30)rnBondage is hoarse and may not speak aloud,rnElse would I tear the cave where Echo liesrnAnd make her airy tongue more hoarse thanrnWith repetition of "My Romeo!"

Look thou but sweet,rnAnd I am proof against their enmity.

Therefore pardon me,rnAnd not impute this yielding to light love,rnWhich the dark night hath so discovered. (27)rnROMEO:rnLady, by yonder blessed moon I vow,rnThat tips with silver all these fruit-tree tops--rnJULIET:rnO, swear not by the moon, th' inconstant moon,rnThat monthly changes in her circle orb,rnLest that thy love prove likewise variable.

It is too rash, too unadvised, too sudden;rnToo like the lightning, which doth cease to bernEre one can say it lightens.

My bounty is as boundless as the sea,rnMy love as deep; the more I give to thee,rnThe more I have, for both are infinite.

ROMEO:rnSo thrive my soul--rnJULIET:rnA thousand times good night!

O for a falc'ner's voicernTo lure this tassel gentle back again! (30)rnBondage is hoarse and may not speak aloud,rnElse would I tear the cave where Echo liesrnAnd make her airy tongue more hoarse thanrnWith repetition of "My Romeo!"

if thou meanest not well,rnI do beseech thee--rn[NURSE within.]

Two of the fairest stars in all the heaven rnHaving some business, do entreat her eyes rnTo twinkle in their spheres till they return. (6)rnWhat if her eyes were there, they in her head?

At lovers' perjuries,rnThey say Jove laughs. (20) O gentle Romeo,rnIf thou dost love, pronounce it faithfully.

If that thy bent of love be honorable,rnThy purpose marriage, send me word tomorrow,rnBy one that I'll procure to come to thee,rnWhere and what time thou wilt perform the rite;rnAnd all my fortunes at thy foot I'll layrnAnd follow thee my lord throughout the world.

To cease thy strife and leave me to my griefrnTomorrow will I send.

Fain (18) would I dwell on form (19)--fain, fain denyrnWhat I have spoke; but farewell compliment!

I would have thee gone--rnAnd yet no farther than a wanton's bird,rnThat lets it hop a little from his hand,rnLike a poor prisoner in his twisted gyves, (32)rnAnd with a silken thread plucks it back againrnSo loving-jealous of his liberty.

I am afeard,rnBeing in night, all this is but a dream,rnToo flattering-sweet to be substantial.

Deny thy father and refuse thy name; rnOr, if thou wilt not, be but sworn my love, rnAnd I'll no longer be a Capulet.

If that thy bent of love be honorable,rnThy purpose marriage, send me word tomorrow,rnBy one that I'll procure to come to thee,rnWhere and what time thou wilt perform the rite;rnAnd all my fortunes at thy foot I'll layrnAnd follow thee my lord throughout the world.

As sweet repose and restrnCome to thy heart as that within my breast!

Or if thou thinkest I am too quickly won,rnI'll frown and be perverse and say thee nay,rnSo thou wilt woo, but else, not for the world. (21)rnIn truth, fair Montague, I am too fond, (22)rnAnd therefore thou mayst think my havior (23) light;rnBut trust me, gentleman, I'll prove more truernThan those that have more cunning to be strange. (24)rnI should have been more strange, I must confess,rnBut (25) that thou overheard'st, ere I was ware, (26)rnMy true love passion.

JULIET:rnSweet, so would I.rnYet I should kill thee with much cherishing.

Two of the fairest stars in all the heaven rnHaving some business, do entreat her eyes rnTo twinkle in their spheres till they return. (6)rnWhat if her eyes were there, they in her head?

Or if thou thinkest I am too quickly won,rnI'll frown and be perverse and say thee nay,rnSo thou wilt woo, but else, not for the world. (21)rnIn truth, fair Montague, I am too fond, (22)rnAnd therefore thou mayst think my havior (23) light;rnBut trust me, gentleman, I'll prove more truernThan those that have more cunning to be strange. (24)rnI should have been more strange, I must confess,rnBut (25) that thou overheard'st, ere I was ware, (26)rnMy true love passion.

ROMEO:rnAlack, there lies more peril in thine eyernThan twenty of their swords!

Her eye discourses; I will answer it.

ROMEO:rnBy Love, that first did prompt me to inquire.

O, speak again, bright angel, for thou art rnAs glorious to this night, being o'er my head, rnAs is a winged messenger of heaven rnUnto the white-upturned wond'ring eyes rnOf mortals that fall back to gaze on him rnWhen he bestrides the lazy puffing clouds rnAnd sails upon the bosom of the air.

Therefore pardon me,rnAnd not impute this yielding to light love,rnWhich the dark night hath so discovered. (27)rnROMEO:rnLady, by yonder blessed moon I vow,rnThat tips with silver all these fruit-tree tops--rnJULIET:rnO, swear not by the moon, th' inconstant moon,rnThat monthly changes in her circle orb,rnLest that thy love prove likewise variable.

I am too bold; 'tis not to me she speaks.

Therefore pardon me,rnAnd not impute this yielding to light love,rnWhich the dark night hath so discovered. (27)rnROMEO:rnLady, by yonder blessed moon I vow,rnThat tips with silver all these fruit-tree tops--rnJULIET:rnO, swear not by the moon, th' inconstant moon,rnThat monthly changes in her circle orb,rnLest that thy love prove likewise variable.

So Romeo would, were he not Romeo called,rnRetain that dear perfection which he owes (8)rnWithout that title.

I am no pilot; yet, wert thou as farrnAs that vast shore washed with the farthest sea,rnI should adventure for such merchandise.

If that thy bent of love be honorable,rnThy purpose marriage, send me word tomorrow,rnBy one that I'll procure to come to thee,rnWhere and what time thou wilt perform the rite;rnAnd all my fortunes at thy foot I'll layrnAnd follow thee my lord throughout the world.

Although I joy in thee,rnI have no joy of this contract tonight.

Or if thou thinkest I am too quickly won,rnI'll frown and be perverse and say thee nay,rnSo thou wilt woo, but else, not for the world. (21)rnIn truth, fair Montague, I am too fond, (22)rnAnd therefore thou mayst think my havior (23) light;rnBut trust me, gentleman, I'll prove more truernThan those that have more cunning to be strange. (24)rnI should have been more strange, I must confess,rnBut (25) that thou overheard'st, ere I was ware, (26)rnMy true love passion.

Therefore pardon me,rnAnd not impute this yielding to light love,rnWhich the dark night hath so discovered. (27)rnROMEO:rnLady, by yonder blessed moon I vow,rnThat tips with silver all these fruit-tree tops--rnJULIET:rnO, swear not by the moon, th' inconstant moon,rnThat monthly changes in her circle orb,rnLest that thy love prove likewise variable.

The brightness of her cheek would shame those stars rnAs daylight doth a lamp; her eyes in heaven rnWould through the airy region stream so bright rnThat birds would sing and think it were not night.

JULIET:rnI gave thee mine before thou didst request it:rnand yet I would it were to give again.

I am no pilot; yet, wert thou as farrnAs that vast shore washed with the farthest sea,rnI should adventure for such merchandise.

JULIET:rnMy ears have yet not drunk a hundred wordsrnOf thy tongue's uttering, yet I know the sound.

If that thy bent of love be honorable,rnThy purpose marriage, send me word tomorrow,rnBy one that I'll procure to come to thee,rnWhere and what time thou wilt perform the rite;rnAnd all my fortunes at thy foot I'll layrnAnd follow thee my lord throughout the world.

JULIET:rnIf they do see thee, they will murder thee.

I would have thee gone--rnAnd yet no farther than a wanton's bird,rnThat lets it hop a little from his hand,rnLike a poor prisoner in his twisted gyves, (32)rnAnd with a silken thread plucks it back againrnSo loving-jealous of his liberty.

O, speak again, bright angel, for thou art rnAs glorious to this night, being o'er my head, rnAs is a winged messenger of heaven rnUnto the white-upturned wond'ring eyes rnOf mortals that fall back to gaze on him rnWhen he bestrides the lazy puffing clouds rnAnd sails upon the bosom of the air.

ROMEO:rnWith love's light wings did I o'erperch (13) these walls;rnFor stony limits cannot hold love out,rnAnd what love can do, that dares love attempt.

The orchard walls are high and hard to climb,rnAnd the place death, considering who thou art,rnIf any of my kinsmen find thee here.

He lent me council, and I lent him eyes.

I would have thee gone--rnAnd yet no farther than a wanton's bird,rnThat lets it hop a little from his hand,rnLike a poor prisoner in his twisted gyves, (32)rnAnd with a silken thread plucks it back againrnSo loving-jealous of his liberty.

The brightness of her cheek would shame those stars rnAs daylight doth a lamp; her eyes in heaven rnWould through the airy region stream so bright rnThat birds would sing and think it were not night.

ROMEO:rnHow silver-sweet sound lovers' tongues by night,rnLike softest music to attending (31) ears!

JULIET:rnBy whose direction found'st thou out this place?