Act 1 — Scene II. A street.[124]

Cap. But Montague is bound as well as I,[126][127] In penalty alike; and 'tis not hard, I think,[127][128] For men so old as we to keep the peace.[129] Par. Of honourable reckoning are you both; And pity 'tis you lived at odds so long. 5 But now, my lord, what say you to my suit? Cap. But saying o'er what I have said before: My child is yet a stranger in the world; She hath not seen the change of fourteen years: Let two more summers wither in their pride 10 Ere we may think her ripe to be a bride. Par. Younger than she are happy mothers made.[130] Cap. And too soon marr'd are those so early made.[131] The earth hath swallow'd all my hopes but she,[132] She is the hopeful lady of my earth:[133] 15 But woo her, gentle Paris, get her heart; My will to her consent is but a part; An she agree, within her scope of choice[134] Lies my consent and fair according voice.[135] This night I hold an old accustom'd feast, 20 Whereto I have invited many a guest, Such as I love; and you among the store, One more, most welcome, makes my number more.[136] At my poor house look to behold this night Earth-treading stars that make dark heaven light:[137] 25 Such comfort as do lusty young men feel[138] When well-apparell'd April on the heel Of limping winter treads, even such delight Among fresh female buds shall you this night[139] Inherit at my house; hear all, all see, 30 And like her most whose merit most shall be: Which on more view, of many mine being one[140] May stand in number, though in reckoning none.[141] Come, go with me. Go, sirrah, trudge about Through fair Verona; find those persons out 35 Whose names are written there and to them say,[142] My house and welcome on their pleasure stay.[143]

Serv. Find them out whose names are written here![144] It is written that the shoemaker should meddle with his[144] yard and the tailer with his last, the fisher with his pencil 40 and the painter with his nets; but I am sent to find those persons whose names are here writ, and can never find[145] what names the writing person hath here writ. I must to[146] the learned. In good time.[146]

Ben. Tut, man, one fire burns out another's burning,[147] 45 One pain is lessen'd by another's anguish;[148] Turn giddy, and be holp by backward turning;[149] One desperate grief cures with another's languish:[150] Take thou some new infection to thy eye,[151] And the rank poison of the old will die. 50 Rom. Your plantain-leaf is excellent for that. Ben. For what, I pray thee? Rom. For your broken shin. Ben. Why, Romeo, art thou mad? Rom. Not mad, but bound more than a madman is; Shut up in prison, kept without my food, 55 Whipt and tormented and—God-den, good fellow.[152] Serv. God gi' god-den. I pray, sir, can you read?[153] Rom. Ay, mine own fortune in my misery. Serv. Perhaps you have learned it without book: but,[154][155] I pray, can you read any thing you see?[154] 60 Rom. Ay, if I know the letters and the language. Serv. Ye say honestly: rest you merry! Rom. Stay, fellow; I can read.[156] [Reads. 'Signior Martino and his wife and daughters; County[157][158] Anselme and his beauteous sisters; the lady widow of[157][159] 65 Vitruvio; Signior Placentio and his lovely nieces; Mercutio[157] and his brother Valentine; mine uncle Capulet, his wife,[157] and daughters; my fair niece Rosaline; Livia; Signior[157][160] Valentio and his cousin Tybalt; Lucio and the lively[157][161] Helena.'[157] 70 A fair assembly: whither should they come?[162] Serv. Up.[163] Rom. Whither?[164] Serv. To supper; to our house.[164][165] Rom. Whose house? 75 Serv. My master's. Rom. Indeed, I should have ask'd you that before. Serv. Now I'll tell you without asking: my master is the great rich Capulet; and if you be not of the house of Montagues, I pray, come and crush a cup of wine. Rest[166] 80 you merry![167] [Exit. Ben. At this same ancient feast of Capulet's[168] Sups the fair Rosaline whom thou so lovest,[169] With all the admired beauties of Verona: Go thither, and with unattainted eye 85 Compare her face with some that I shall show, And I will make thee think thy swan a crow.[170] Rom. When the devout religion of mine eye Maintains such falsehood, then turn tears to fires;[171] And these, who, often drown'd, could never die,[172] 90 Transparent heretics, be burnt for liars! One fairer than my love! the all-seeing sun[173] Ne'er saw her match since first the world begun. Ben. Tut, you saw her fair, none else being by,[174] Herself poised with herself in either eye: 95 But in that crystal scales let there be weigh'd[175] Your lady's love against some other maid[176] That I will show you shining at this feast, And she shall scant show well that now seems best.[177] Rom. I'll go along, no such sight to be shown,[178] 100 But to rejoice in splendour of mine own.[179] [Exeunt.