R&J Act 2, Scene 6-7

FRIAR LAURENCE

So smile the heavens upon this holy act,

That after hours with sorrow chide us not!

Amen, amen! but come what sorrow can,

It cannot countervail the exchange of joy

That one short minute gives me in her sight:

Do thou but close our hands with holy words,

Then love-devouring death do what he dare;

It is enough I may but call her mine.

JULIET

As much to him, else is his thanks too much.

Ah, Juliet, if the measure of thy joy

Be heap'd like mine and that thy skill be more

To blazon it, then sweeten with thy breath

This neighbour air, and let rich music's tongue

Unfold the imagined happiness that both

Receive in either by this dear encounter.

TYBALT

Romeo, the hate I bear thee can afford

No better term than this,--thou art a villain.

Tybalt, the reason that I have to love thee

Doth much excuse the appertaining rage

To such a greeting: villain am I none;

Therefore farewell; I see thou know'st me not.

TYBALT

Boy, this shall not excuse the injuries

That thou hast done me; therefore turn and draw.

I do protest, I never injured thee,

But love thee better than thou canst devise,

Till thou shalt know the reason of my love:

And so, good Capulet,--which name I tender

As dearly as my own,--be satisfied.

TYBALT

I am for you.

Drawing

Gentle Mercutio, put thy rapier up.

(Mercutio and Tybalt start circling)

Draw, Benvolio; beat down their weapons.

Gentlemen, for shame, forbear this outrage!

Tybalt, Mercutio, the duchess expressly hath

Forbidden bandying in Verona streets:

Hold, Tybalt! good Mercutio!

MERCUTIO

Ay, ay, a scratch, a scratch; marry, 'tis enough.

Where is my page? Go, villain, fetch a surgeon.

Courage, man; the hurt cannot be much.

MERCUTIO
Why the devil came you between us? I

was hurt under your arm.

I thought all for the best.

(Mercutio dies)

This gentleman, the duchess' near ally,

My very friend, hath got his mortal hurt

In my behalf; my reputation stain'd

With Tybalt's slander,--Tybalt, that an hour

Hath been my kinsman! O sweet Juliet,

Thy beauty hath made me effeminate

And in my temper soften'd valour's steel!

BENVOLIO

O Romeo, Romeo, brave Mercutio's dead!

That gallant spirit hath aspired the clouds,

Which too untimely here did scorn the earth.

This day's black fate on more days doth depend;

This but begins the woe, others must end.
Alive, in triumph! and Mercutio slain!

Away to heaven, respective lenity,

And fire-eyed fury be my conduct now!

Alive, in triumph! and Mercutio slain!

Away to heaven, respective lenity,

And fire-eyed fury be my conduct now!

Now, Tybalt, take the villain back again,

That late thou gavest me; for Mercutio's soul

Is but a little way above our heads,

Staying for thine to keep him company:

Either thou, or I, or both, must go with him.

TYBALT

Thou, wretched boy, that didst consort him here,

Shalt with him hence.

This shall determine that.

BENVOLIO

Romeo, away, be gone!

The citizens are up, and Tybalt slain.

Stand not amazed: the duchess will doom thee death,

If thou art taken: hence, be gone, away!

O, I am fortune's fool!