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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    Not Peer Reviewed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,

    And pittie tis they liue at ods so long:
    But leauing that, what say you to my sute?
    Capu: What should I say more than I said before,
    255My daughter is a stranger in the world,
    Shee hath not yet attainde to fourteene yeares:
    Let two more sommers wither in their pride,
    Before she can be thought fit for a Bride.
    Paris: Younger than she are happie mothers made.
    260Cap: But too soone marde are these so early maried:
    But wooe her gentle Paris, get her heart,
    My word to her consent is but a part.
    This night I hold an old accustom'd Feast,
    Whereto I haue inuited many a guest,
    Such as I loue: yet you among the store,
    270One more most welcome makes the number more.
    At my poore house you shall behold this night,
    Earth treadding stars, that make darke heauen light:
    Such comfort as doo lusty youngmen feele,
    When well apparaild Aprill on the heele
    275Of lumping winter treads, euen such delights
    Amongst fresh female buds shall you this night
    Inherit at my house, heare all, all see,
    And like her most, whose merite most shalbe.
    Such amongst view of many myne beeing one,
    280May stand in number through in reckoning none.
    280.1Enter Seruingman.
    Where are you sirra, goe trudge about
    Through faire Verona streets, and seeke them out:
    Whose names are written here and to them say,
    My house and welcome at their pleasure stay.
    284.1Exeunt.
    285Ser: Seeke them out whose names are written here,
    and