Romeo and Juliet
by William Shakespeare
Act 2 Scene 2 - The
Balcony Scene
Romeo: See how she leans her cheek upon her hand
O that I were a glove upon that hand,
That I might touch that cheek!
Juliet: Ay me!
Romeo: She speaks.
O, speak again, bright angel, for thou art
As glorious as the night.
Juliet: O Romeo, Romeo! wherefore art thou Romeo?
Deny thy father and refuse thy name;
Or, if thou wilt not, be but sworn my love,
And I'll no longer be a Capulet.
Romeo: [Aside] Shall I hear more, or shall I speak at this?
Juliet: 'Tis but thy name that is my enemy:
Thou art thyself, though not a Montague.
What's Montague? It is nor hand, nor foot,
Nor arm, nor face, nor any other part
Belonging to a man. O, be some other name.
What's in a name? That which we call a rose
By any other name would smell as sweet.
Romeo: I take thee at thy word.
Call me but love, and I'll be new baptised;
Henceforth I never will be Romeo.
Juliet: What man art thou that, thus screened in night,
So stumblest on my counsel?
Romeo: I know not how to tell thee who I am:
My name, dear saint, is hateful to myself.
Juliet: Art thou not Romeo, and a Montague?
Romeo: Neither, fair saint, if either thee dislike.
Juliet: How cam'st thou hither, tell me, and wherefore?
The orchard walls are high and hard to climb,
And the place death, considering who thou art.
Romeo: With love's light wings did I o'erperch these walls,
For stony limits cannot hold love out.
Juliet: If they do see thee, they will murder thee.
Romeo: I have night's cloak to hide me from their eyes,
And, but thou love me, let them find me here.
Juliet: By whose direction found'st thou out this place?
Romeo: By love!
