Romeo and Juliet

Act 2, Scene 6

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.

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.

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.

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.

JULIET

As much to him, else is his thanks too much.

JULIET

I’ll give him equal thanks, so we’re even.

ROMEO

Ah, Juliet, if the measure of thy joy

Be heaped like mine, and that thy skill be more

To blazon it, then sweeten with thy breath

This neighbor air, and let rich music’s tongue

Unfold the imagined happiness that both

Receive in either by this dear encounter.

ROMEO

Ah, Juliet if you’re as happy as I am, and you’re better with words, tell me about the happiness you imagine we’ll have in our marriage.

JULIET

Conceit, more rich in matter than in words,

Brags of his substance, not of ornament.

They are but beggars that can count their worth.

But my true love is grown to such excess

I cannot sum up sum of half my wealth.

JULIET

I can imagine more than I can say—I have more on my mind than words. Anyone who can count how much he has is poor. My true love has made me so rich that I can’t count even half of my wealth.

FRIAR LAWRENCE

Come, come with me, and we will make short work.

For, by your leaves, you shall not stay alone

Till holy church incorporate two in one.

FRIAR LAWRENCE

Come, come with me, and we’ll do the job quickly. Because if you don’t mind, I’m not leaving you two alone until you’re united in marriage.

Exeunt

They exit.