Page 3149 - Shakespeare - Vol. 1

What, shall this speech be spoke for our excuse?
Or shall we on without apology?

BENVOLIO

The date is out of such prolixity.
We’ll have no Cupid hoodwink’d with a scarf,
Bearing a Tartar’s painted bow of lath, [5]
Scaring the ladies like a crowkeeper,
Nor no without-book prologue, faintly spoke
After the prompter, for our entrance.
But let them measure us by what they will,
We’ll measure them a measure and be gone. [10]

ROMEO

Give me a torch, I am not for this ambling.
Being but heavy I will bear the light.

MERCUT IO

Nay, gentle Romeo, we must have you dance.

ROMEO

Not I, believe me. You have dancing shoes
With nimble soles, I have a soul of lead [15]
So stakes me to the ground I cannot move.

MERCUT IO

You are a lover, borrow Cupid’s wings
And soar with them above a common bound.

ROMEO

I am too sore enpierced with his shaft
To soar with his light feathers, and so bound [20]
I cannot bound a pitch above dull woe.
Under love’s heavy burden do I sink.

MERCUT IO

And, to sink in it, should you burden love -
Too great oppression for a tender thing.

ROMEO