Rom. A torch for me: let wantons, light of heart, Tickle the senseless rushes! with their heels; For I am proverb'd with a grandsire phrase,~ I'll be a candle-holder, and look on, The game was ne'er so fair, and I am done.2 If thou art dun, we'll draw thee from the mire Mer. Rom. And we mean well, in going to this mask; But 'tis no wit to go. Mer. Mer. And so did I. That dreamers often lie, Rom. Well, what was yours? Rom. In bed, asleep, while they do dream things true. Mer. O, then, I see, queen Mab hath been with you. She is the fairies' midwife; and she comes (1) It was anciently the custom to strew rooms with rushes. (2) This is equivalent to phrases in common use I am done, for, it is over with me. (3) Atoms The collars, of the moonshine's watry beams: Made by the joiner squirrel, or old grub, This, this is she Rom. Peace, peace, Mercutio, peace; Thou talk'st of nothing. (1) A place in court. (2) i. e. Fairy-locks, locks of hair clotted and tangled in the night. Mer. True, I talk of dreams; Which is as thin of substance as the air; 1 And more inconstant than the wind, who woos Even now the frozen bosom of the north, And, being anger'd, puffs away from thence, Turning his face to the dew-dropping south. Ben. This wind, you talk of, blows us from ourselves; Supper is done, and we shall come too late. With this night's revels; and expire the term Ben. Strike, drum. [Exeunt. SCENE V-A hall in Capulet's house. Musicians waiting. Enter Servants. 1 Serv. Where's Potpan, that he helps not to take away? he shift a trencher? he scrape a trencher? 2 Serv. When good manners shall lie all in one or two men's hands, and they unwashed too, 'tis a foul thing. 1 Serv. Away with the joint-stools, remove the court-cupboard,1 look to the plate:-good thou, save me a piece of marchpane;2 and, as thou lovest me, let the porter let in Susan Grindstone, and Nell.-Antony! and Potpan! 2 Serv. Ay, boy; ready. 1 Seru. You are looked for, and called for, asked for, and sought for, in the great chamber. (1) A cupboard set in a corner, like a beaufet, on which the plate was placed. (2) Almond-cake. 2 Serv. We cannot be here and there too.Cheerly, boys; be brisk a while, and the longer liver take all. [They retire behind. Enter Capulet, &c. with the Guests and the Maskers. Cap. Gentlemen, welcome! ladies, that have their toes Unplagu'd with corns, will have a bout with you :Ah ha, my mistresses! which of you all Will now deny to dance? she that makes dainty, she, I'll swear, hath corns; Am I come near you now? You are welcome, gentlemen: I have seen the day, That I have worn a visor; and could tell A whispering tale in a fair lady's ear, Such as would please;-'tis gone, 'tis gone, 'tis gone: You are welcome, gentlemen.-Come, musicians, play. A hall! a hall give room, and foot it, girls. 2 Cap. By'r lady, thirty years. 1 Cap. What, man! 'tis not so much, 'tis not so much : 'Tis since the nuptial of Lucentio, Come Pentecost as quickly as it will, Some five-and-twenty years; and then we mask'd. 2 Cap. 'Tis more, 'tis more: his son is elder, sir His son is thirty. 1 Cap. Will you tell me that? His son was but a ward two years ago. (1) i. e. Make room. Rom. What lady's that, which doth enrich the hand Of yonder knight? Serv. I know not, sir. Rom. O, she doth teach the torches to burn bright! Beauty too rich for use, for earth too dear! The measure! done, I'll watch her place of stand, For I ne'er saw true beauty till this night. Tyb. This, by his voice, should be a Montague Fetch me my rapier, boy :-What! dares the slave Come hither, cover'd with an antic face, To fleer and scorn at our solemnity? Now, by the stock and honour of my kin, To strike him dead I hold it not a sin. 1 Cap. Why, how now, kinsman? wherefore storm you so? Tyb. Uncle, this is a Montague, our foe; A villain, that is hither come in spite, To scorn at our solemnity this night. 1 Cap. Young Romeo is't? Tyb. 'Tis he, that villain Romeo. 1 Cap. Content thee, gentle coz, let him alone, He bears him like a portly gentleman; And, to say truth, Verona brags of him, To be a virtuous and well-govern'd youth: I would not for the wealth of all this town, Here in my house, do him disparagement: Therefore be patient, take no note of him, It is my will; the which if thou respect, Show a fair presence, and put off these frowns, And ill-beseeming semblance for a feast. Tyb. It fits, when such a villain is a guest; |