Internet Shakespeare Editions

Toolbox




Jump to line
Help on texts

About this text

  • Title: Romeo and Juliet (Quarto 2, 1599)
  • 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
    Peer Reviewed

    Romeo and Juliet (Quarto 2, 1599)

    of Romeo and Iuliet.
    For nought so vile, that on the earth doth liue,
    But to the earth some speciall good doth giue:
    Nor ought so good but straind from that faire vse,
    1025Reuolts from true birth, stumbling on abuse.
    Vertue it selfe turnes vice being misapplied,
    And vice sometime by action dignified.
    Enter Romeo.
    Within the infant rinde of this weake flower
    1030Poyson hath residence, and medicine power:
    For this being smelt with that part, cheares each part,
    Being tasted, staies all sences with the hart.
    Two such opposed Kings encamp them still,
    In man as well as hearbes, grace and rude will:
    1035And where the worser is predominant,
    Full soone the Canker death eates vp that Plant.
    Ro. Goodmorrow father.
    Fri. Benedicitie.
    What early tongue so sweete saluteth me?
    1040Young sonne, it argues a distempered hed,
    So soone to bid goodmorrow to thy bed:
    Care keepes his watch in euery old mans eye,
    And where care lodges, sleepe will neuer lye:
    But where vnbrused youth with vnstuft braine
    1045Doth couch his lims, there golden sleepe doth raigne.
    Therefore thy earlinesse doth me assure,
    Thou art vprousd with some distemprature:
    Or if not so, then here I hit it right,
    Our Romeo hath not bene in bed to night.
    1050Ro. That last is true, the sweeter rest was mine.
    Fri. God pardon sin, wast thou with Rosaline?
    Ro. With Rosaline, my ghostly father no,
    I haue forgot that name, and that names wo.
    Fri. Thats my good son, but wher hast thou bin thē?
    1055Ro. Ile tell thee ere thou aske it me agen:
    I haue bene feasting with mine enemie,
    Where on a sudden one hath wounded me:
    E Thats