No Fear Shakespeare

Romeo and Juliet

William Shakespeare

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Act 2, Scene 6

Original Text

Modern Text

Enter FRIAR LAWRENCE and ROMEO
FRIAR LAWRENCE and ROMEO enter.


FRIAR LAWRENCE
So smile the heavens upon this holy act
That after-hours with sorrow chide us not.
FRIAR LAWRENCE
May the heavens be happy with this holy act of marriage, so nothing unfortunate happens later to make us regret it.



5


ROMEO
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.
ROMEO
Amen, amen. But whatever misfortunes occur, they can’t ruin the joy I feel with one look at her. All you have to do is join our hands with holy words, then love-destroying death can do whatever it pleases. It’s enough for me if I can call her mine.


10




15
FRIAR LAWRENCE
These violent delights have violent ends
And in their triumph die, like fire and powder,
Which, as they kiss, consume. The sweetest honey
Is loathsome in his own deliciousness
And in the taste confounds the appetite.
Therefore love moderately. Long love doth so.
Too swift arrives as tardy as too slow.
FRIAR LAWRENCE
These sudden joys have sudden endings. They burn up in victory like fire and gunpowder. When they meet, as in a kiss, they explode. Too much honey is delicious, but it makes you sick to your stomach. Therefore, love each other in moderation. That is the key to long-lasting love. Too fast is as bad as too slow.
Enter JULIET, somewhat fast, and embraceth ROMEO
JULIET enters in a rush and embraces ROMEO.




20
Here comes the lady. Oh, so light a foot
Will ne'er wear out the everlasting flint.
A lover may bestride the gossamers
That idles in the wanton summer air,
And yet not fall. So light is vanity.
Here comes the lady. Oh,a footstep as light as hers will never endure the rocky road of life. Lovers are so light they can walk on a spiderweb floating on a summer breeze, and yet not fall. That’s how flimsy and unreal pleasure is.

JULIET
Good even to my ghostly confessor.
JULIET
Good evening, my spiritual confessor.

FRIAR LAWRENCE
Romeo shall thank thee, daughter, for us both.
FRIAR LAWRENCE
Romeo will thank you, my girl, for both of us.

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