But that he tilts
With piercing steel at bold Mercutio's breast.—
This small portion of untruth in Benvolio's narrative is finely conceived.
'Ib.' sc. 2. Juliet's speech:
For thou wilt lie upon the wings of night
Whiter than new snow on a raven's back.—
Indeed the whole of this speech is imagination strained to the highest; and observe the blessed effect on the purity of the mind. What would Dryden have made of it?—
'Ib.'
'Nurse'. Shame come to Romeo.
'Jul'. Blister'd be thy tongue For such a wish!
NOTE the Nurse's mistake of the mind's audible struggles with itself for its decision 'in toto'.
'Ib.' sc. 3. Romeo's speech:—
'Tis torture, and not mercy: heaven's here,
Where Juliet lives, &c.