For I had then laid wormwood to my dug, To bid me trudge. And since that time it is eleven years: For then she could stand alone; nay, by the rood, She could have run and waddled all about. - up For even the day before, she broke her brow: he: -- Ay: And, pretty fool, it stinted 2, and said- Ay. La. Cap. Enough of this; I pray thee, hold thy peace. Nurse. Yes, madam; Yet I cannot choose but laugh, To think it should leave crying, and say —Ay: A bump as big as a young cockrel's stone; 8 i. e. I have a perfect remembrance or recollection. 9 The cross. virgin. 1 Holy dame, i. e. the blessed 2 It stopped crying. A parlous knock; and it cried bitterly. Yea, quoth my husband, fall'st upon thy face? Thou wast the prettiest babe that e'er I nurs'd: La. Cap. Marry, that marry is the very theme I. 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. 4 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 gentleman ? This night you shall behold him at our feast: 3 Favour. 4 Well made, as if he had been modelled in wax. And find delight writ there with beauty's pen; And see how one another lends content; The fish lives in the sea6; and 'tis much pride, That book in many's eyes doth share the glory, 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. Ser. 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. 5 The comments on ancient books were always printed in the margin. 6 i. e. Is not yet caught, whose skin was wanted to bind him. 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: 7 But, let them measure us by what they will, 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 are 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, 7 i. e. Long speeches are out of fashion. A scare-crow, a figure made up to frighten crows. 9 A dance. 1 A torch-bearer was a constant appendage to every troop of maskers. 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. - [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 Tickle the senseless rushes 3 with their heels; The game was ne'er so fair, and I am done. + If thou art dun, we'll draw thee from the mire Mer. 2 Observe. 9 It was anciently the custom to strew rooms with rushes. -I an 4 This is equivalent to phrases in common use — done for, it is over with me. |