ROMEO & JULIET
THE BALCONY SCENE
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(Juliet Capulet comes out onto her balcony and talks into the night air. She does not know that Romeo Montague is there.) Juliet: Romeo, Romeo, wherefore art thou Romeo? Deny thy father and refuse thy name; 'Tis but thy name that is my enemy. What's in aname? That which we call a rose by any other word would smell assweet. So Romeo would, were he not Romeo called. And for thy name, which is not part of thee, take all myself. (Romeo approaches nearer and speaks.) Romeo: I take thee at thy word. Call me but Love and I'll be new baptiz'd. Henceforth I never will be Romeo. Juliet: What man art thou that thus bescreen'd in night so stumblest on my counsel? Romeo: By a name I know not how to tell thee who I am. My name, dear saint is hateful to myself because it is any enemy to thee. Had I it written, I would tear the word. Juliet: Art thou not Romeo, and a Montague? Romeo: Neither, fair maid, if either thee dislike. Juliet: How cam'st thou hither, tell me, and wherefore? The orchard walls are high and hard to climb, and the place death, considering who thou art, if any of my kinsmen find thee here. Romeo: With Love's light wings did I o'erperch these walls, for stony limits cannot hold Love out. And what Love can do, that dares love attempt. Therefore thy kinsmen are no stop to me. Juliet: If they do see thee they will murder thee. Romeo: I have night's cloak to hide me from their eyes. And but thou love me let them find me here. My life were better ended by their hate than death postponed, wanting of thy love. Juliet: Three words, dear Romeo, and good night indeed. If that thy bent of love be honorable, thy purpose marriage, send me word tomorrow. Romeo: Parting is such sweet sorrow, that I shall say goodnight till it be morrow.
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GLOSSARY art - are thou - you deny - reject baptiz'd - ceremony where baby is officially named henceforth - from now on bescreen'd - covered by stumblest - wander in, fall in counsel - private thoughts neither - not either one hither - here thy - your thee - you cloak - coat o'erperch - jump kinsmen - family
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