Internet Shakespeare Editions

Author: William Shakespeare
Editor: Roger Apfelbaum
Not Peer Reviewed

Romeo and Juliet (Quarto 1, 1597)

of Romeo and Iuliet.

Clowne: Maddam you are cald for, supper is readie,
the Nurce curst in the Pantrie, all thinges in extreamitie,
make hast for I must be gone to waite.
Enter Maskers with Romeo and a Page.
Ro: What shall this speech bee spoke for our excuse?
Or shall we on without Apologie.
Benuoleo: The date is out of such prolixitie,
Weele haue no Cupid hudwinckt with a Scarfe,
460Bearing a Tartars painted bow of lath,
Scaring the Ladies like a crow-keeper:
461.1Nor no without booke Prologue faintly spoke
After the Prompter, for our entrance.
But let them measure vs by what they will,
Weele measure them a measure and be gone.
Rom: A torch for me I am not for this aumbling,
465Beeing but heauie I will beare the light.
Mer: Beleeue me Romeo I must haue you daunce.
Rom: Not I beleeue me you haue dancing shooes
With nimble soles, I have a soule of lead
So stakes me to the ground I cannot stirre.
Mer: Giue me a case to put my visage in,
A visor for a visor, what care I
What curious eye doth coate deformitie.
Rom: Giue me a Torch, let wantons light of hart
Tickle the senceles rushes with their heeles:
490For I am prouerbd with a Grandsire phrase,
Ile be a candleholder and looke on,
The game was nere so faire and I am done.
Mer: Tut dun's the mouse, the Cunstables old word,
If thou beest Dun, weele draw thee from the mire
495Of this surreuerence loue wherein thou stickst.
Leaue this talke, we burne day light here.
C Rom: Nay