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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    Not Peer Reviewed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 excellent Tragedie

    I tell yee what, Thursday is neere,
    Lay hand on heart, aduise, bethinke your selfe,
    If you be mine, Ile giue you to my frend:
    If not, hang, drowne, starue, beg,
    2240Dye in the streetes: for by my Soule
    Ile neuer more acknowledge thee,
    Nor what I haue shall euer doe thee good,
    Thinke ont, looke toot, I doe not vse to iest. Exit.
    Iul:Is there no pitty hanging in the cloudes,
    That lookes into the bottom of my woes?
    2245I doe beseech you Madame, cast me not away,
    Defer this mariage for a day or two,
    Or if you cannot, make my mariage bed
    In that dimme monument where Tybalt lyes.
    Moth:Nay be assured I will not speake a word.
    2250Do what thou wilt for I haue done with thee. Exit.
    Iul:Ah Nurse what comfort? what counsell canst thou
    giue me.
    Nur.Now trust me Madame, I know not what to say:
    Your Romeo he is banisht, and all the world to nothing
    He neuer dares returne to challendge you.
    Now I thinke good you marry with this County,
    Oh he is a gallant Gentleman, Romeo is but a dishclout
    In respect of him. I promise you
    I thinke you happy in this second match.
    As for your husband he is dead:
    Or twere as good he were, for you haue no vse of him.
    2275Iul:Speakst thou this from thy heart?
    Nur:I and from my soule, of els beshrew them both.
    Iul:Amen.
    Nur:What say you Madame?
    2280Iul:Well, thou hast comforted me wondrous much,
    I pray thee goe thy waies vnto my mother
    Tell her I am gone hauing displeasde my Father.
    To Fryer Laurence Cell to confesse me,
    And to be absolu'd.