Romeo and Juliet, a Comedy/Act 1
ROMEO and JULIET:
A
COMEDY.
ACT I.
THOUGH all this act lies in the city of Verona, the scenes are frequently changed: in the first scene, the theatre represents a street, in which is seen the front of a magnificent palace, the residence of Antonio, head of the faction of the Capulets.
Anselmo and Romeo, young gentlemen of the faction of the Montagues, are discoursing about a festival that is given in this palace, where there is a ball and concert; the sound of violins is heard; Romeo testifies a great desire to be one of the party: his friend persuades him from it, by remonstrating to him, that such a rash step will be attended with some ill consequence.
"You are not ignorant," adds he, "that an implacable hatred for ever separates the Montagues and Capulets: this hatred is hereditary in the two families; we feel it from our cradles, it becomes more rancorous as we grow older, and our mutual discords have an hundred times bathed the fields of Verona. What a project do you meditate? How will you excuse yourself to your father, if he discovers that you have been in an house which he abhors? It is a fault which he will never pardon. Besides, you throw yourself into the power of your most inveterate enemies. Have you not reason to fear their murdering you, or, at least, affronting and insulting you grosly?"
"My dear Anselmo," replies Romeo, "deign to forget your prudence for a moment; grant me this mark of friendship; I feel a kind of supernatural transport which impels me to enter the house of Antonio. The festival will, no doubt, have collected together the principal ladies of the Capulet faction; we shall see and admire them, and I have formed a very flattering idea; for it seems as if Heaven had been careful to share its gifts equally between their faction and ours: the Montagues have produced men of matchless strength and valour; among the Capulets, have always been seen ladies of such uncommon beauty, that one would imagine Nature had modelled them after some divine beauty[1]. Would to God, that Love might terminate our disputes, and Hymen reconcile both parties! How happy should we be! The most flourishing cities in the universe would have reason to envy the citizens of Verona."
Anselmo persists in opposing this project, and does not consent to the caprice of Romeo without great difficulty. At last, being both agreed, they resolve to go masked, in order more certainly to gain admittance into their enemy's house. Marino, valet to Romeo, trembles for his master and himself; his fear and discourse render this part extremely comic.
As soon as the three preceding actors make their exit, the decorations of the theatre are changed. The scenes represent a magnificent and spacious garden, in which a number of ladies and gentlemen are sitting, and others walking about as their fancy leads them; a band of musicians is seen at the farther end, who from time to time draw some strokes with their bows. In a word, the scene represents to the eyes of the spectator a grand ball, which is supposed to be in the house of Antonio.
While the masks amuse themselves with dancing, Octavio makes love to Juliet. Juliet is the daughter of Antonio; and Octavio, the son of Theobald. These two old gentlemen, who are the heads of the Capulet faction, come forward, and declare, they should both be charmed to see their children smitten with each other, because they propose to make a match between them. Things don't succeed quite to their mind. Octavio falls in love with Juliet, but Juliet does not like Octavio, and contents herself with returning him a polite answer.
Anselmo, Romeo and Marino, mix with the rest of the company: all three are masked; Marino, in a grotesque character; the other two in very genteel dresses.
The extreme beauty of Juliet strikes Romeo; he eyes her with looks of tenderness, is confounded, and takes off his mask. Antonio, who immediately knows him, says, in private to Theobald, "What a piece of impudence! Romeo, in my house!"
Theobald.
Don't put yourself in a passion; condescend to hear me a moment.
Antonio.
What would you have me hear? I am transported with fury.
Theobald.
You ought, yourself, to consider your palace as an inviolable asylum; certainly, Romeo can't come here with an intent to insult you. Doubtless, he had the curiosity to want to see the festival which you give to your family: this noble confidence which he puts in us, by trusting himself in the midst of his enemies, forbids our giving him the least affront. In short, if the step he has taken is a fault, his extreme youth renders it excuseable: for my own part, I should think, that the family hatred to us has not yet taken possession of his heart.
Antonio.
Perhaps, he is armed; perhaps, he meditates some treacherous design.
Theobald.
This is talking like a man whose passion has got the better of his reason. What treachery can you fear in an assembly where all our force is united?
Antonio.
But, after all, is not my house dishonoured, when I suffer a Montague to be there?
Theobald.
On the contrary, I think he does you honour, since he trusts himself to your generosity.
Antonio.
I judge otherwise, and I am determined it shall cost him his life.
Theobald.
Don't think that I will be your accomplice in so cruel an action; you are going to light again the torch of our antient discord, and you will precipitate the whole state of Verona into new misfortunes.
Antonio.
You are very prudent, my dear Theobald.
Theobald.
My age and experience makes me sensible of the value of an happy tranquility.
Antonio.
For love of you, I will dissemble my resentment.
During the whole of this dialogue, Juliet and Romeo look at each other tenderly; the fair one, who steps a little on one side, says, admiring the gentleman, "If Jove were to descend among mortals, he would assume the face and mien of this unknown: but what an agitation am I in, how confused am I! Ah! it is Love himself comes to drive all peace from my heart."
On the other hand, Romeo exclaims: "Alas! Why am I born of the blood of the Montagues? Would it have cost Heaven more to have made me a Capulet?"
The confusion which reigns in the assembly, insensibly permits Romeo to join Juliet. Romeo makes a declaration of his love: Juliet hears him without anger; Octavio comes and interrupts their conversation. This does not prevent Juliet from artfully slipping a ring into Romeo's hand, and at the same time appointing an interview in the garden the following night.
As the day begins to close the company separates: the actors retire; and Juliet, with Celia her maid, only remain.
SCENE IV.
Juliet and Celia.
Juliet.
Celia, stay a little, I have something to say to you.
Celia.
I have a great many things to tell you too, Madam; and I believe they are of importance to you.
Juliet.
Did you remark that young gentleman who talked to me? What a charming youth, my dear Celia, and how happy must the woman be who attaches him to her!
Celia.
True, Madam; but do you know his name?
Juliet.
I forgot to enquire; I was so confused, that I no longer knew myself; his first glance subdued my heart; and such is my weakness, that, on this occasion, I rather played the part of a gallant, than the character of a young lady who was fearful of acting contrary to her duty.
Celia.
Take care of yourself, you are undone if you give yourself up to the passion which I perceive arising in your heart. This young man, so worthy of being loved, is Romeo, Madam; the son of Fabricius, the sworn enemy of your name and family.
Juliet.
What a misfortune! Tell me no more of it. Just Heavens!
Celia.
It is better to acquaint you with it now, than to suffer you to engage yourself further. Advice would come too late, when your passion from time had gained greater hold.
Juliet.
It has already taken too deep root, and I feel my flame redouble its violence from the distance which the enmity of our parents places between us. What have I done, wretch that I am? I have given my hand to Romeo during the ball; I have repaid his declaration of love with the most flattering hopes! But how did he presume to enter this house?
Celia.
Indeed, Madam, he ran a great risque. I observed your father on the point of executing against him the most violent resolutions.
Juliet.
Ah! Romeo, Romeo, what was thy design? Why didst thou shew thyself in so dangerous a place? My father will imagine that you came to brave him. I tremble for thy life. Ah! Heavens, how I love him!
Celia.
Oh, Madam, resume more command over your heart; consider, the consequences of such an attachment must of course prove unhappy to you.
Juliet.
But how can I break off with Romeo? I have answered his passion in a manner that resembled nothing less than hatred. Must I pass in his opinion for a double dealer, and a deceitful person?
Celia.
A few civilities shewn a stranger, are attended with no consequences.
Juliet.
But I have made him a present of a ring.
Celia.
This is an innocent piece of gallantry, which may escape on a day of festivity.
Juliet.
But,———
Celia.
What! still a but, Madam?
Juliet.
Celia, don't distract me; he expects to speak to me this night in the garden; I have promised to meet him there.
Celia.
Don't meet him, Madam; he will be piqued at it, and you will see him no more: it is the only method readily to cure your wound.
Juliet.
You are right; now I know who he is, I ought to avoid him. I am sensible a second interview would wound my honour, and deprive me of what little tranquility I have still left; you shall go and enquire for him to-morrow; you shall tell him from me—Ah! Heavens! you shall tell him, that the blood from whence he is sprung, places between us an unsurmountable barrier, and, that I beg of him, never to come near our house again.
Celia.
Very well! I will obey you. To speak freely, I was very uneasy to see that you took so much pleasure in talking with him during the ball.
Juliet.
Why did you not tell me then, that he was the son of a Montague?
Celia.
His valet placed himself close to me, and I too had an inclination to hear him.
Juliet.
The valet of Romeo!
Celia.
Yes, Madam, and I swear to you, that, if the master has merit, his servant does not want his share.
Juliet.
Endeavour to know, by means of this lad, whether Romeo loves any other lady in the city.
Celia.
What concern is that of yours? You have resolved to forget him.
Juliet.
I forgot my resolution; but, in the main, what harm would there be in it, if you were to enquire whether he pays his respects any where else?
Celia.
Why will you embarrass yourself? Since he is not to be yours, permit him to love whoever he pleases.
Juliet.
Leave me; you are the most ill-contrived girl I ever met with; and, if I don't chuse he should love any other, are you to pretend to contradict me?
Celia.
Your pleasure would be a real piece of injustice.
Juliet.
More impertinence!
Celia, aside.
She grows angry. Madam, would you please to walk in doors?
Juliet.
No.
Celia.
But, what would you do here?
Juliet.
Nothing.
Celia.
Would to God, Romeo was———
Juliet.
What?
Celia.
Your husband.
Juliet.
Don't you see that this is impossible?
Celia.
Love performs many more miracles.
Juliet.
You deceive me, Celia; but you please me, by deceiving me in so flattering a manner: remember, that when we give ourselves up to love, the true method not to irritate us, is to speak as we like.
The three or four following scenes are not very interesting; they pass alternatively in the house of Fabricius, father of Romeo, and in the street. As they have no connection with the subject, the author might have retrenched them without injuring his piece.
At length, a night scene appears, which represents the garden of Antonio; and Juliet is seen there, with Romeo, who has climbed over the wall.
SCENE IX.
Juliet and Romeo.
Romeo.
How happy am I, Madam, to have an opportunity of disclosing to you freely all the love with which you have inspired me!
Juliet.
Romeo, hear me; I have reflected on my duty, and on this love which you testify for me. It would lead us both too far; we are already on the brink of a dreadful precipice; let us endeavour to escape it prudently. You are sprung from the blood of the Montagues, and I am a Capulet: what horror, if it should be discovered that I suffer your courtship? I at first saw you with a flattering emotion, which seduced my heart; but, reason now prescribes me other laws. I behold your death certain, my despair and shame inevitable: are not so many fatal objects sufficient to deter us from such a perilous career? Do me then a favour; I don't desire you to return the ring which I gave you; keep it; and looking on it, sometimes say, "The unhappy maid who gave it me, would have made me happy, if my happiness had depended on her only." But, no; forget me rather, and never mention my name; I would not leave you ideas which might disturb the tranquility of your mind. Adieu, Romeo; go, retire. Alas! I tremble, even while I speak to you! Heavens! if my father, or any of my relations, should surprize you in this place———
Romeo.
Dear enemy! dear soul of my heart! that same Heaven which you call to witness, knows that I would obey you if I could obey you; but the love with which I am penetrated, renders me incapable of so great an effort; nothing frightens me. To lose my life, would be to me far preferable to the being deprived of the happiness of seeing you. From the first moment I saw you, I felt the most sincere and perfect passion, and you are not ignorant how well you deserve it. When, afterwards, I knew your name; when I considered all the disgraces which so dangerous an engagement seemed to promise; I endeavoured to break my chain; it was already too strong: Love is pleased to overcome obstacles; Love levels all difficulties. If he deigns to favour us, we might, charming Juliet—
Juliet.
Alas! what hopes could you have?
Romeo.
Fair Juliet, if I had your consent, I hope every thing from my courage and fidelity; we might see each other, I shall enjoy your conversation. Grant me permission to do this, my dear Juliet.
Juliet.
Stop, Romeo, do not repeat my name so often; I feel an emotion whenever you pronounce it. What enchantment has rendered you master of my heart so soon! But should we continue to see each other, what end would it answer? What is your design?
Romeo.
To pledge my faith to you privately at the foot of the altar: deign to consent thereto, I shall find means to keep our union an impenetrable secret.
Juliet.
What a project! What rashness! I tremble to hear you.
Romeo.
What should you fear, Madam?
Juliet.
A thousand misfortunes.
Romeo.
[Throwing himself at the feet of his mistress.]
Juliet, dear object of my love, pierce an heart which adores you; shed all the odious blood of the Montagues which flows in my veins, or give me your hand. Consider, that Heaven, perhaps, has formed us to extinguish the enmity of our parents, and to restore peace to our country.
Juliet.
Ah! cruel one! I had reason to wish not to hear you: the song of the Syrens is less seducing. Away, I conjure thee; my father is conversing with Octavio; perhaps, they may come; they would sacrifice you to their hatred. A mortal fright overpowers all my senses.
Romeo.
No, I will not leave you. Must I live or die? Speak, what do you determine?
Juliet.
Since such is the will of Fate, I will shut my eyes that I may not see the abyss into which you drag me. Go, I will meet you at church as soon as every thing is ready: depend on my word, and retire; I hear a noise within doors.
Romeo.
My happiness equals my passion. Adieu, my dear Juliet.
Juliet.
Dear Romeo, adieu.
End of the First Act.
- ↑ This expression comes near the Spanish, but softens the idea a little. Lopez de vega, says Mugeres, de tal belleza quo hurzo la naturaleza ha estampa à los serafines. This signifies, ladies adorned with so many charms, that Nature to form them stole the model of the beauty of the seraphims.