Internet Shakespeare Editions

Author: William Shakespeare
Editor: Roger Apfelbaum
Peer Reviewed

Romeo and Juliet (Quarto 2, 1599)

The most lamentable Tragedie
It is supposed the faire creature died,
2905And here is come to do some villainous shame
To the dead bodies: I will apprehend him,
Stop thy vnhallowed toyle vile Mountague:
Can vengeance be pursued further then death?
Condemned villaine, I do apprehend thee,
2910Obey and go with me, for thou must die.
Rom. I must indeed, and therefore came I hither,
Good gentle youth tempt not a desprate man,
Flie hence and leaue me, thinke vpon these gone,
Let them affright thee. I beseech thee youth,
2915Put not an other sin vpon my head,
By vrging me to furie, ô be gone,
By heauen I loue thee better then my selfe,
For I come hither armde against myselfe:
Stay not, begone, liue, and hereafter say,
2920A mad mans mercie bid thee run away.
Par. I do defie thy commiration,
And apprehend thee for a Fellon here.
Ro. Wilt thou prouoke me? then haue at thee boy.
O Lord they fight, I will go call the Watch.
2925Par. O I am slaine, if thou be mercifull,
Open the Tombe, lay me with Iuliet.
Rom. In faith I will, let me peruse this face,
Mercutios kinsman, Noble Countie Paris,
What said my man, when my betossed soule
2930Did not attend him as we rode? I thinke
He told me Paris should haue married Iuliet,
Said he not so? or did I dreame it so?
Or am I mad, hearing him talke of Iuliet,
To thinke it was so? O giue me thy hand,
2935One writ with me in sowre misfortunes booke,
Ile burie thee in a triumphant graue.
A Graue, O no. A Lanthorne slaughtred youth:
For here lies Iuliet, and her bewtie makes
This Vault a feasting presence full of light.
Death