Scene I.

A Lane by the Wall of Capulet's Orchard

Enter Romeo

Romeo. Can I go forward when my heart is here?—

Turn back, [dull earth], and find thy centre out.

[He climbs the wall, and leaps down within it.

Enter Benvolio and Mercutio

Benvolio. Romeo! my cousin Romeo! Romeo!

Mercutio. He is wise,

And, on my life, hath stolen him home to bed.

Benvolio. He ran this way, and leap'd this [orchard] wall;

Call, good Mercutio.

Mercutio. Nay, I'll [conjure] too.—

Romeo! [humours]! madman! passion! lover!

Appear thou in the likeness of a sigh!

Speak but one rhyme, and I am satisfied;

Cry but ['Ay me!'] pronounce but 'love' and 'dove';

Speak to [my gossip Venus] one fair word,

One nickname for her purblind son and heir,

When King Cophetua lov'd the beggar-maid!—

He heareth not, he stirreth not, he moveth not;

The [ape] is dead, and I must conjure him.—

I conjure thee by Rosaline's bright eyes,

By her high forehead and her scarlet lip,

That in thy likeness thou appear to us!

Benvolio. An if he hear thee, thou wilt anger him.

Mercutio. This cannot anger him; 'twould anger him

To raise a spirit in his mistress' [circle]

Of some strange nature, letting it there stand

Till she had laid it and conjur'd it down.

That were some [spite]; my invocation

Is fair and honest, and in his mistress' name

I conjure only but to raise up him.

Benvolio. Come, he hath hid himself among these trees,

To be consorted with the [humorous] night;

Blind is his love and best befits the dark.

Mercutio. If love be blind, love cannot hit the mark.—

Romeo, good night.—I'll to my [truckle-bed];

This field-bed is too cold for me to sleep.

Come, shall we go?

Benvolio.Go, then; for 'tis in vain

To seek him here that means not to be found. [Exeunt.