Both in the lustre of nobility;
Montesco one, the other Capelete.
Amid the stored-up ashes of this fatal feud
A deadly hatred ever smouldering lies.
This mutual loathing flickers oft, nor lacks
Fuel to fan the embers into flame;
The Capeletes in their conflicts shout,
"Long live the Capeletes!" Each Montesco
Affrights the air with, "Down with Capeletes!"
A Capelete cursing here his doom,
There a Montesco wounded, struggling shrinks
I' the icy grasp of death.
Julia then relates how on one occasion Romeo, bent on revenge, forced his way into her father's house, breaking in upon
her privacy like a maniac; and, sword in hand, seeking her
father's life, he suddenly stabs a servant who attempts to bar his
way,
Not sparing even our noble falcon, which,
Fettered and shackled, dozed upon his perch.
Rushing into Julia's presence, bent upon her immediate destruction, he roughly seizes her arm, while she, affrighted, kerchief
in hand, seeks to veil her face.
Each eyelid moist with stringed pearls of tears,
Mine utterance choked, in vain I veil my face;
The dripping lawn he snatcheth from my hand,
