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  • 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)

    The most lamentable Tragedie
    Towards Phoebus lodging, such a wagoner
    As Phaetan would whip you to the west,
    And bring in clowdie night immediately.
    Spread thy close curtaine loue-performing night,
    1650That runnawayes eyes may wincke, and Romeo
    Leape to these armes, vntalkt of and vnseene,
    Louers can see to do their amorous rights,
    And by their owne bewties, or if loue be blind,
    It best agrees with night, come ciuill night,
    1655Thou sober suted matron all in blacke,
    And learne me how to loose a winning match,
    Plaide for a paire of stainlesse maydenhoods.
    Hood my vnmand bloud bayting in my cheekes,
    With thy blacke mantle, till strange loue grow bold,
    1660Thinke true loue acted simple modestie:
    Come night, come Romeo, come thou day in night,
    For thou wilt lie vpon the winges of night,
    Whiter then new snow vpon a Rauens backe:
    Come gentle night, come louing black browd night,
    1665Giue me my Romeo, and when I shall die,
    Take him and cut him out in little starres,
    And he will make the face of heauen so fine,
    That all the world will be in loue with night,
    And pay no worship to the garish Sun.
    1670O I haue bought the mansion of a loue,
    But not possest it, and though I am sold,
    Not yet enioyd, so tedious is this day,
    As is the night before some festiuall,
    To an impatient child that hath new robes
    1675And may not weare them. O here comes my Nurse:

    Enter Nurse with cords.
    And she brings newes, and euery tongue that speaks
    But Romeos name, speakes heauenly eloquence:
    Now Nurse, what newes? what hast thou there,
    1680The cords that Romeo bid thee fetch?
    Nur. I,