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  • Title: Romeo and Juliet (Quarto 1, 1597)
  • Editor: Roger Apfelbaum
  • ISBN: 1-55058-299-2

    Copyright Internet Shakespeare Editions. This text may be freely used for educational, non-proift purposes; for all other uses contact the Coordinating Editor.
    Author: William Shakespeare
    Editor: Roger Apfelbaum
    Not Peer Reviewed

    Romeo and Juliet (Quarto 1, 1597)


    The most excellent Tragedie,

    That I might kisse that cheeke.
    Iul: Ay me.
    Rom: She speakes, Oh speake againe bright Angell:
    For thou art as glorious to this night beeing ouer my (head,
    As is a winged messenger of heauen
    Vnto the white vpturned woondring eyes,
    Of mortals that fall backe to gaze on him,
    825When he bestrides the lasie pacing cloudes,
    and sailes vpon the bosome of the aire.
    Iul: Ah Romeo, Romeo, wherefore art thou Romeo?
    Denie thy Father, and refuse thy name,
    Or if thou wilt not be but sworne my loue,
    830And il'e no longer be a Capulet.
    Rom: Shall I heare more, or shall I speake to this?
    Iul: Tis but thy name that is mine enemie.
    Whats Mountague? It is nor hand nor foote,
    835Nor arme, nor face, nor any other part.
    Whats in a name? That which we call a Rose,
    By any other name would smell as sweet:
    So Romeo would, were he not Romeo cald,
    840Retaine the diuine perfection he owes:
    Without that title Romeo part thy name,
    And for that name which is no part of thee,
    Take all I haue.
    Rom: I take thee at thy word,
    845Call me but loue, and il'e be new Baptisde,
    Henceforth I neuer will be Romeo.
    Iu: What man art thou, that thus beskrind in night,
    Doest stumble on my counsaile?
    Ro: By a name I know not how to tell thee.
    My name deare Saint is hatefull to my selfe,
    Because it is an enemie to thee.
    Had