Internet Shakespeare Editions

Author: William Shakespeare
Editor: Roger Apfelbaum
Not Peer Reviewed

Romeo and Juliet (Quarto 1, 1597)

The most excellent Tragedie,

Liuia, Seigneur Valentio and his Cosen Tibalt, Lucio
and the liuelie Hellena.
320A faire assembly, whether should they come?
Ser: Vp.
Ro: Whether to supper?
Ser: To our house.
Ro: Whose house?
325Ser: My Masters.
Ro: Indeed I should haue askt thee that before.
Ser: Now il'e tell you without asking. My Master is
the great rich Capulet, and if you be not of the house of
Mountagues, I pray come and crush a cup of wine. Rest
330you merrie.
Ben: At this same auncient feast of Capulets,
Sups the faire Rosaline whom thou so loues:
With all the admired beauties of Verona,
Goe thither and with vnattainted eye,
335Compare her face with some that I shall shew,
And I will make thee thinke thy swan a crow.
Ro: When the deuout religion of mine eye
Maintaines such falshood, then turne teares to fire,
And these who often drownde could neuer die,
340Transparent Heretiques be burnt for liers
One fairer than my loue, the all seeing sonne
Nere saw her match, since first the world begun.
Ben: Tut you saw her faire none els being by,
Her selfe poysd with her selfe in either eye:
345But in that Cristall scales let there be waide,
Your Ladyes loue, against some other maide
That I will shew you shining at this feast,
And she shall scant shew well that now seemes best.
Rom: Ile goe along no such sight to be showne,
But