THE TWENTY-FIFTH NOUELL.

_The goodly Hystory of the true, and constant Loue between

Rhomeo and Ivlietta, the one of whom died of Poyson, and the

other of sorrow, and heuinesse: wherein be comprysed many

aduentures of Loue, and other deuises touchinge the same._

I am sure that they which measure the Greatnesse of Goddes

worked accordinge to the capacity of their Rude, and simple

vnderstandinge, wyll not lightly adhibite credite vnto thys

History, so wel for the variety of straunge Accidents which be

therein described, as for the nouelty of so rare, and perfect

amity. But they that haue read Plinie, Valerius Maximus,

Plutarche, and diuers other Writers, do finde, that in olde time

a great number of Men and Women haue died, some of excessiue

ioy, some of ouermutch sorrow, and some of other passions: and

amongs the same, Loue is not the least, whych when it seazeth

vppon any kynde and gentle subiect, and findeth no resistaunce

to serue for a rampart to stay the violence of his course, by

little and little vndermineth, melteth and consumeth the vertues

of naturall powers in sutch wyse as the spyrite yealdinge to the

burden, abandoneth the place of lyfe: which is verified by the

pitifull, and infortunate death of two Louers that surrendered

their last Breath in one Toumbe at Verona a Citty of Italy,

wherein repose yet to thys day (with great maruell) the Bones,

and remnauntes of their late louing bodies: an hystory no lesse

wonderfull than true. If then perticular affection which of good

right euery man ought to beare to the place where he was borne,

doe not deceyue those that trauayle, I thincke they will

confesse wyth me, that few Citties in Italy, can surpasse the

sayd Citty of Verona, aswell for the Nauigable riuer called

Adissa, which passeth almost through the midst of the same, and

thereby a great trafique into Almayne, as also for the prospect

towards the Fertile Mountaynes, and pleasant valeys whych do

enuiron the same, with a great number of very clere and lyuely

fountaynes, that serue for the ease and commodity of the place.

Omittinge (bisides many other singularities) foure Bridges,

and an infinite number of other honourable Antiquities dayly

apparaunt vnto those, that be to curious to viewe and looke vpon

them. Which places I haue somewhat touched, bicause thys most

true History which I purpose hereafter to recite, dependeth

thereupon, the memory whereof to thys day is so wel known at

Verona, as vnneths their blubbred Eyes be yet dry, that saw and

beheld that lamentable sight. When the Senior Escala was Lord of

Verona, there were two families in the Citty, of farre greater

fame than the rest, aswell for riches as Nobility: the one

called the Montesches, and the other the Capellets: but lyke as

most commonly there is discorde amongs theym which be of

semblable degree in honour, euen so there hapned a certayne

enmity betweene them: and for so mutch as the beginning thereof

was vnlawfull, and of ill foundation, so lykewyse in processe of

time it kindled to sutch flame, as by diuers and sundry deuyses

practised on both sides, many lost their lyues. The Lord

Bartholmew of Escala, (of whom we haue already spoken) being

Lord of Verona, and seeing sutch disorder in his common weale,

assayed diuers and sundry waies to reconcile those two houses,

but all in vayne: for their hatred had taken sutch roote, as the

same could not be moderated by any wyse counsell or good aduice:

betweene whom no other thing could be accorded, but geuing ouer

Armour, and Weapon for the time, attending some other season

more conuenient, and wyth better leysure to appease the rest.

In the time that these thinges were adoing, one of the family of

Montesches called Rhomeo, of the age of 20 or 21. yeares, the

comliest and best conditioned Gentleman that was amonges the

Veronian youth, fell in loue with a yong Gentlewoman of Verona,

and in few dayes was attached with hir Beauty, and good

behauiour, as he abandoned all other affaires and busines, to

serue and honour hir: and after many Letters, Ambassades, and

presents, he determined in the ende to speake vnto hir, and to

disclose hys passions, which he did without any other practise.

But she which was vertuously brought vp, knew how to make him so

good answer to cut of his amorous affections, as he had no lust

after that time to returne any more, and shewed hir self so

austere, and sharpe of Speach, as she vouchsafed not with one

looke to behold him. But how mutch the young Gentleman saw hir

whist, and silent, the more he was inflamed: and after he had

continued certayne months in that seruice wythout remedy of his

griefe, he determined in the ende to depart Verona, for proofe

if by chaunge of the place he might alter his affection, saying

to himselfe: "What do I meane to loue one that is so vnkinde,

and thus doth disdayn me: I am all hir owne, and yet she flieth

from me. I can no longer liue, except hir presence I doe enioy:

and she hath no contented mynde, but when she is furthest from

me: I will then from henceforth Estraunge my selfe from hir, for

it may so come to passe by not beholding hir, that thys fire in

me which taketh increase and nourishment by hir fayre Eyes,

by little and little may dy and quench." But minding to put in

proose what he thought, at one instant hee was reduced to the

contrary, who not knowing whereupon to resolue, passed dayes and

nights in marueilous Playnts, and Lamentations: for Loue vexed

him so neare, and had so well fixed the Gentlewoman's Beauty

within the Bowels of his heart, and mynde, as not able to

resist, hee faynted with the charge, and consumed by little and

little as the Snow agaynst the Sunne: whereof hys parenttes,

and kinred did maruayle greatly, bewaylinge hys misfortune, but

aboue all other one of hys Companyons of riper Age, and Counsell

than hee, began sharpely to rebuke him: for the loue that he

bare him was so great as hee felt hys Martirdome, and was

pertaker of hys passion: which caused him by ofte viewyng his

friend's disquietnesse in amorous panges, to say thus vnto him:

"Rhomeo, I maruell mutch that thou spendest the best time of

thine age, in pursute of a thing, from which thou seest thy self

despised and banished, wythout respecte either to thy prodigall

dispense, to thine honor, to thy teares, or to thy myserable

lyfe, which be able to moue the most constant to pity: wherefore

I pray thee for the Loue of our auncient amity, and for thyne

health sake, that thou wilt learn to be thine owne man, and not

to alyenat thy lyberty to any so ingrate as she is: for so farre

as I coniecture by things that are passed betwene you, either

she is in loue wyth some other, or else determineth neuer to

loue any. Thou arte yong, rich in goods and fortune, and more

excellent in beauty than any Gentleman in thys Cyty: thou art

well learned, and the onely sonne of the house wherof thou

commest: what gryef would it bee to thy poore olde Father and

other thy parentes, to see the so drowned in this dongeon of

Vyce, specially at that age wherein thou oughtest rather to put

them in some Hope of thy Vertue? begyn then from henceforth to

acknowledge thyne error, wherein thou hast hitherto lyued, doe

away that amorous vaile or couerture whych blyndeth thyne Eyes

and letteth thee to folow the ryghte path, wherein thine

auncestors haue walked: or else if thou do feele thy self so

subiect to thyne owne wyll, yelde thy hearte to some other

place, and chose some Mistresse accordyng to thy worthynesse,

and henceforth doe not sow thy Paynes in a Soyle so barrayne

whereof thou reapest no Fruycte: the tyme approcheth when al the

Dames of the Cyty shal assemble, where thou mayst behold sutch

one as shall make thee forget thy former gryefs." Thys younge

Gentleman attentyuely hearyng all the persuadyng reasons of hys

fryend, began somewhat to moderate that heate and to acknowledge

all the exhortatyons which hee had made to be directed to good

purpose: and then determined to put them in proofe, and to be

present indifferently at al the feasts and assemblies of the

City, without bearing affection more to one Woman than to an

other: and continued in thys manner of Lyfe, II. or III.

monthes, thinking by that meanes to quench the sparks of

auncient flames. It chaunced then within few dayes after, about

the feast of Chrystmasse, when feasts and bankets most commonly

be vsed, and maskes accordinge to the custome frequented, that

Anthonie Capellet being the Chief of that Familye, and one of

the principall Lords of the City too, made a banket, and for the

better Solempnization thereof, inuited all the Noble men and

dames, to which Feast resorted the most part of the youth of

Verona. The family of the Capellets (as we haue declared in the

beginninge of thys Hystory) was at variance with the Montesches,

which was the cause that none of that family repaired to that

Banket, but onelye the yong Gentleman Rhomeo, who came in a

maske after supper with certaine other yong Gentlemen: and after

they had remained a certayne space with their visards on, at

length they did put of the same, and Rhomeo very shamefast,

withdrew himself into a Corner of the Hall: but by reason of the

light of the Torches which burned very bright, he was by and by

knowen and loked vpon of the whole Company, but specially of the

Ladies, for besides his Natiue Beauty wherewyth Nature had

adorned him, they maruelled at his audacity how hee durst

presume to enter so secretly into the House of that Famyllye

which had litle cause to do him any good. Notwithstanding, the

Capellets dissembling their mallice, either for the honor of the

company, or else for respect of his Age, did not misuse him

eyther in Worde or Deede: by meanes whereof wyth free liberty he

behelde and viewed the Ladies at hys Pleasure, which hee dyd so

well, and wyth grace so good, as there was none but did very

well lyke the presence of his person: and after he had

particularly giuen Iudgement vppon the excellency of each one,

according to his affection, hee sawe one Gentlewoman amonges the

reste of surpassinge Beautye who (althoughe hee had neuer seene

hir tofore) pleased him aboue the rest, and attributed vnto hir

in heart the Chyefest place for all perfection in Beautye: and

feastyng hir incessantlye with piteous lookes, the Loue whych

hee bare to his first Gentlewoman, was ouercomen with this newe

fire, that toke sutch norishment and vigor in his hart, as he

was not able neuer to quench the same but by Death onely: as you

may vnderstande by one of the strangest discourses, that euer

any mortal man deuised. The yong Rhomeo then felying himselfe

thus tossed wyth thys newe Tempest, could not tell what

countenaunce to vse, but was so surprised and chaunged with

these last flames, as he had almost forgotten himselfe, in sutch

wise as he had not audacity to enquyre what she was, and wholly

bente himself to feede hys Eyes with hir sighte, wherewyth he

moystened the sweete amorous venome, which dyd so empoyson him,

as hee ended hys Dayes with a kinde of most cruell death. The

Gentlewoman that dydde put Rhomeo to sutch payne was called

Iulietta, and was the Daughter of Capellet, the mayster of the

house wher that assembly was, who as hir Eyes did rolle and

wander too and fro, by chaunce espied Rhomeo, which vnto hir

seemed to be the goodliest personage that euer shee sawe: and

Loue (which lay in wayte neuer vntill that time,) assayling the

tender heart of that yong Gentlewoman, touched hir so at the

quicke, as for any resistance she coulde make, was not able to

defende his forces, and then began to set at naught the

royalties of the feast, and felt no pleasure in hir heart, but

when she had a glimpse by throwing or receiuing some sight or

looke of Rhomeo. And after they had contented eche others

troubled heart with millions of amorous lookes which oftentimes

interchangeably encountred and met together, the burning Beames

gaue sufficient testimony of loue's priuy onsettes. Loue hauing

made the heartes breache of those two louers, as they two sought

meanes to speake together, Fortune offered them a very meete and

apt occasion. A certayne Lord of that troupe and companye tooke

Iulietta by the Hande to Daunce, wherein shee behaued hir selfe

so well, and wyth so excellent grace, as shee wanne that Daye

the prise of Honour from all the Damosels of Verona. Rhomeo

hauynge foreseene the place wherevnto shee mynded to retire,

approched the same, and so dyscretelye vsed the matter, as hee

founde the meanes at hir returne to sit beside hir: Iulietta

when the daunce was finished, returned to the very place where

she was set before, and was placed betwene Rhomeo and an other

gentleman called Mercutio, which was a courtlyke Gentleman, very

well be loued of all men, and by reason of his pleasaunt and

curteous behauior was in euery company wel intertayned. Mercutio

that was of audacity among Maydens, as a Lyon is among Lambes,

seazed incontynently vpon the hande of Iulietta, whose hands

wontedly were so cold both in Wynter and Sommer as the Mountayne

yce, although the fire's heat did warm the same. Rhomeo whych

sat vppon the left side of Iulietta, seynge that Mercutio held

hir by the right hand, toke hir by the other that he myght not

be deceiued of his purpose, and strayning the same a little, he

felt himself so prest wyth that newe fauor, as he remayned mute,

not able to aunswer: but she perceyuyng by his chaunge of color,

that the fault proceded of the vehemence of loue, desyryng to

speake vnto hym, turned hir selfe towards hym, and wyth

tremblyng voyce ioyned with virginal shamefastnesse, intermedled

with a certayn bashfulnesse, sayd to hym: "Blessed be the houre

of your neare approche:" but mynding to procede in further

talke, loue had so closed vp hir mouth, as she was not able to

end hir Tale. Wherunto the yong Gentleman all rauished with ioy

and contentation, sighing, asked hir what was the cause of that

ryght fortunate blessing: Iulietta, somwhat more emboldened with

pytyful loke and smyling countenance, said vnto him: "Syr, do

not maruell yf I do blesse your comminge hither, bicause sir

Mercutio a good tyme wyth frosty hand hath wholly frosen mine,

and you of your curtesy haue warmed the same agayne." Wherunto

immediatly Rhomeo replyed: "Madame, if the heauens haue ben so

fauorable to employe me to do you some agreeable seruice, being

repaired hither by chance amongs other Gentlemen, I esteeme the

same well bestowed, crauying no greater benefite for

satisfaction of all my contentations receiued in this World,

than to serue obey and honor you so long as my lyfe doth last,

as experience shall yeld more ample proofe when it shall please

you to geue further assaye: moreouer, if you haue receiued any

Heat by touche of my Hand, you may be well assured that those

flames be dead in respect of the lyuely Sparkes and violent fire

which sorteth from you fayre Eyes, which fire hath so fiercely

inflamed all the most sensible parts of my body, as if I be not

succored by the fauoure of your good graces, I do attend the

time to be consumed to dust." Scarse had he made an ende of

those last words but the daunce of the Torche was at an end:

whereby Iulietta, which wholly burnt in loue, straightly

claspyng her Hand with hys, had no leysure to make other

aunswer, but softly thus to say: "My deare frend, I know not

what other assured wytnesse you desire of loue, but that I let

you vnderstand that you be no more your own, than I am yours,

beying ready and dysposed to obey you so farre as honour shal

permyt, beseechying you for the present tyme to content your

selfe wyth thys aunswere, vntyll some other season meeter to

Commvnicate more secretly of our affaires." Rhomeo seeing

himselfe pressed to part of the Company, and for that hee knew

not by what meanes he myght see hir agayne that was hys Life and

Death, demaunded of one of his friends what shee was, who made

aunswer that she was the Daughter of Capellet, the Lord of the

house, and Mayster of that daye's feast (who wroth beyonde

measure that Fortune had sent him to so daungerous a place,

thought it impossible to bring to end his enterprise begon.)

Iulietta couetous on the other side, to know what yong Gentleman

he was which had so curteously intertayned hir that Nyght, and

of whome shee felt the new wound in hir heart, called an olde

Gentlewoman of honor which had nursed hir and brought her vp,

vnto whom she sayd leaning vpon hir shoulder: "Mother, what two

young Gentlemen be they which first goe forth with the two

Torches before them." Vnto whome the old Gentlewoman told the

name of the houses wherof they came. Then she asked hir againe,

what young gentleman that was which holdeth the visarde in his

hand, wyth the damaske cloke about him. "It is" (quod she)

"Romeo Montesche, the sonne of youre Father's capytall Enimye

and deadly foe to all your kinne." But the Mayden at the onely

Name of Montesche was altogyther amazed, despayrynge for euer to

attayne to husband hir great affectyoned fryend Rhomeo, for the

auncyent hatreds betweene those two Families. Neuerthelesse she

knewe so well how to dissemble hir grief and discontented Minde,

as the olde Gentlewoman perceiued nothing, who then began to

persuade hir to retire into hir Chamber: whom she obeyed, and

being in bed, thinking to take hir wonted rest, a great tempest

of diuers thoughtes began to enuiron and trouble hir Mynde, in

sutch wyse as shee was not able to close hir Eyes, but turninge

heere and there, fantasied diuers things in hir thought,

sometimes purposed to cut of the whole attempte of that amorous

practise, sometimes to continue the same. Thus was the poor

pucell vexed with two contraries, the one comforted hir to

pursue hir intent, the other proposed the immynente Perill

wherevnto vndyscretly she headlong threwe hir self: and after

she had wandred of long time in this amorous Laberinth, she knew

not whereuppon to resolue, but wept incessantly, and accused hir

selfe, saying: "Ah, Caitife and myserable Creature, from whence

do rise these vnaccustomed Trauayles which I feele in Mynde,

prouokynge mee to loose my reste: but infortunate wretch, what

doe I know if that yong Gentleman doe loue mee as hee sayeth.

It may be vnder the vaile of sugred woordes he goeth about to

steale away mine honore, to be reuenged of my Parentes whych

haue offended his, and by that meanes to my euerlastinge

reproche to make me the fable of the Verona people." Afterwardes

sodainly as she condempned that which she suspected in the

beginning, sayd: "Is it possible that vnder sutch beautye and

rare comelynesse, dysloyaltye and treason may haue theyr Syedge

and Lodgynge? If it bee true that the Face is the faythfull

Messanger of the Mynde's Conceypte, I may bee assured that hee

doeth loue mee: for I marked so many chaunged Colours in his

Face in time of his talke with me, and sawe him so transported

and besides himselfe, as I cannot wyshe any other more certayne

lucke of Loue, wherein I wyll persyst immutable to the laste

gaspe of Lyfe, to the intente I may haue hym to bee my husband:

for it maye so come to passe, as this newe aliaunce shall

engender a perpetuall peace and Amity betweene hys House and

mine." Arrestinge then vppon this determynation styll, as she

saw Rhomeo passinge before hir Father's Gate, she shewed hir

selfe with merry countenance, and followed him so with loke of

Eye, vntill she had lost his sight. And continuing this manner

of Lyfe for certaine Dayes, Rhomeo not able to content himself

with lookes, daily did behold and marke the situation of the

house, and one day amongs others hee espied Iulietta at hir

Chamber Window, bounding vpon a narrow Lane, ryght ouer against

which Chamber he had a Gardein which was the cause that Rhomeo

fearing discouery of their loue, began the day time to passe no

more before the Gate, but so soone as the Night with his browne

Mantell had couered the Earth, hee walked alone vp and downe

that little streat: and after he had bene there many times,

missing the chiefest cause of his comming, Iulietta impacient of

hir euill, one night repaired to hir window, and perceiued

throughe the bryghtnesse of the Moone hir friend Rhomeo vnder

hir window, no lesse attended for, than hee hymselfe was

waighting. Then she secretly with Teares in hir Eyes, and wyth

voyce interrupted by sighes, sayd: "Signior Rhomeo, me thinke

that you hazarde your person to mutch, and commyt the same into

great Daunger at thys time of the Nyght, to protrude your self

to the Mercy of them which meane you little good. Who yf they

had taken would haue cut you in pieces, and mine honor (which I

esteme dearer than my lyfe,) hindred and suspected for euer"

"Madame" aunswered Rhomeo, "my Lyfe is in the Hand of God, who

only can dispose the same: howbeyt yf any Man had soughte menes

to beryeue mee of my Lyfe, I should (in the presence of you)

haue made him knowen what mine ability had ben to defend the

same. Notwythstandyng Lyfe is not so deare, and of sutch

estimation wyth me, but that I coulde vouchsafe to sacryfice the

same for your sake: and althoughe my myshappe had bene so

greate, as to bee dyspatched in that Place, yet had I no cause

to be sorrye therefore, excepte it had bene by losynge the

meanes, and way how to make you vnderstande the good wyll and

duety which I beare you, desyrynge not to conserue the same for

anye commodytye that I hope to haue thereby, nor for anye other

respecte, but onelye to Loue, Serue, and Honor you, so long as

breath shal remaine in me." So soone as he had made an end of

his talke, loue and pity began to seaze vpon the heart of

Iulietta, and leaning hir head vpon hir hand, hauing hir face

all besprent wyth teares, she said vnto Rhomeo: "Syr Rhomeo,

I pray you not to renue that grief agayne: for the onely Memory

of sutch inconuenyence, maketh me to counterpoyse betwene death

and Lyfe, my heart being so vnited with yours, as you cannot

receyue the least Iniury in this world, wherein I shall not be

so great a Partaker as your self: beseechyng you for conclusion,

that if you desire your owne health and mine, to declare vnto me

in fewe Wordes what youre determynation is to attaine: for if

you couetany other secrete thing at my Handes, more than myne

Honoure can well allowe, you are maruelously deceiued: but if

your desire be godly, and that the frendship which you protest

to beare mee, be founded vppon Vertue, and to bee concluded by

Maryage, receiuing me for your wyfe and lawfull Spouse, you

shall haue sutch part in me, as whereof without any regard to

the obedience and reuerence that I owe to my Parentes, or to the

auncient Enimity of oure Famylyes, I wyll make you the onely

Lord and Mayster [ouer me], and of all the thyngys that I

possesse, being prest and ready in all poyntes to folow your

commaundement: but if your intent be otherwyse, and thinke to

reape the Fruycte of my Virginity, vnder pretense of wanton

Amity, you be greatly deceiued, and doe pray you to auoide and

suffer me from henceforth to lyue and rest amongs myne equals."

Rhomeo whych looked for none other thyng, holding vp his Handes

to the Heauens, wyth incredible ioy and contentation, aunswered:

"Madame, for so mutch as it hath pleased you to doe me that

honour to accepte me for sutch a one, I accorde and consent to

your request, and doe offer vnto you the best part of my heart,

which shall remayn with you for guage and sure testimony of my

saying, vntill sutch tyme as God shall giue me leaue to make you

the entier owner and possessor of the same. And to the intent I

may begyn myn enterpryse, to morrow I will to the Frier Laurence

for counsell in the same, who besides that he is my ghostly

father is accustomed to giue me instruction in al my other

secret affaires, and fayle not (if you please) to meete me

agayne in this place at this very hour, to the intent I may giue

you to vnderstand the deuice betwene him and me." Which she

lyked very well, and ended their talke for that time. Rhomeo

receyuing none other fauour at hir hands for that night, but

only Wordes. Thys Fryer Laurence, of whom hereafter wee shall

make more ample mention, was an auncient Doctor of Diuinity, of

the order of the Fryers Minors, who besides the happy profession

which he had made in study of holy writ, was very skilful in

Philosophy, and a great searcher of nature's Secrets, and

exceeding famous in Magike knowledge, and other hidden and

secret sciences, which nothing diminished his reputation,

bicause hee did not abuse the same. And this Frier through his

vertue and piety, had so well won the citizens hearts of Verona,

as he was almost the Confessor to them all, and of all men

generally reuerenced and beloued: and many tymes for his great

prudence was called by the lords of the Citty, to the hearing of

their weighty causes. And amonges other he was greatly fauored

by the Lorde of Escale, that tyme the principall gouernor of

Verona, and of all the Family of Montesches, and of the

Capellets, and of many other. The young Rhomeo (as we haue

already declared) from his tender age, bare a certayne

particuler amity to Frier Laurence, and departed to him his

secrets, by meanes whereof so soone as he was gone from

Iulietta, went strayght to the Fryers Franciscians, where from

poinct to poinct he discoursed the successe of his loue to that

good father, and the conclusion of mariage betwene him and

Iulietta, adding vpon the ende of talke, that hee woulde rather

choose shamefull death, than to fayle hir of his promise. To

whom the good Frier after he had debated diuers matters, and

proposed al the inconueniences of that secret mariage, exhorted

hym to more mature deliberation of the same: notwithstandinge,

all the alleged persuasions were not able to reuoke his promyse.

Wherefore the Frier vanquished with his stubbornesse, and also

forecasting in his mynde that the mariage might be some meanes

of reconciliation of those two houses, in th'end agreed to his

request, intreating him, that he myght haue one dayes respit for

leysure to excogitate what was best to be done. But if Rhomeo

for his part was carefull to prouide for his affayres, Iulietta

lykewise did her indeuour. For seeing that shee had none about

her to whom she might discouer her passions, shee deuised to

impart the whole to hir Nurse which lay in her Chamber,

appoyncted to wayte vppon hir, to whom she committed the intier

secrets of the loue between Rhomeo and hir. And although the

olde Woman in the beginninge resisted Iulietta hir intent, yet

in the ende she knew so wel how to persuade and win hir, that

she promised in all that she was able to do, to be at hir

commaundement. And then she sent hir with all diligence to

speake to Rhomeo, and to know of him by what meanes they might

be maried, and that he would do hir to vnderstand the

determination betwene Fryer Laurence and him. Whom Rhomeo

aunswered, how the first day wherein he had informed Fryer

Laurence of the matter, the sayde Fryer deferred aunswere vntil

the next, which was the very same, and that it was not past one

houre sithens he returned with finall resolution, and that Frier

Laurence and he had deuised, that she the Saterday following,

should craue leaue of hir mother to go to confession, and to

repayre to the Church of Saynct Francis, where in a certayne

Chappell secretly they should be maried, praying hir in any wyse

not to fayle to be there. Which thinge she brought to passe with

sutch discretion, as hir mother agreed to hir request: and

accompanied onely wyth hir gouernesse, and a young mayden, she

repayred thither at the determined day and tyme. And so soone as

she was entred the Church, she called for the good Doctor Fryer

Laurence, vnto whom answere was made that he was in the shriuing

Chappell, and forthwith aduertisement was gieuen him of hir

comming. So soone as Fryer Laurence was certified of Iulietta,

hee went into the body of the Church, and willed the olde Woman

and yong mayden to go heare seruice, and that when hee had heard

the confession of Iulietta, he would send for them agayn.

Iulietta beinge entred a little Cell wyth Frier Laurence, he

shut fast the dore as he was wont to do, where Rhomeo and he had

bin together shut fast in, the space of one whole hour before.

Then Frier Laurence after that he had shriued them, sayd to

Iulietta: "Daughter, as Rhomeo here present hath certified me,

you be agreed, and contented to take him to husband, and he

likewise you for his Espouse and Wyfe. Do you now still persist

and continue in that mynde?" The Louers aunswered that they

desired none other thing. The Fryer seeing theyr conformed and

agreeable willes, after he had discoursed somewhat vppon the

commendation of mariage dignity, pronounced the vsuall woordes

of the Church, and she hauing receyued the Ring from Rhomeo,

they rose vp before the Fryer, who sayd vnto them: "If you haue

any other thing to conferre together, do the same wyth speede:

for I purpose that Rhomeo shall goe from hence so secretly as he

can." Rhomeo sory to goe from Iulietta sayde secretly vnto hir,

that shee should send vnto hym after diner the old Woman, and

that he would cause to be made a corded Ladder the same euening,

thereby to climbe vp to her Chamber window, where at more

leisure they would deuise of their affaires. Things determined

betwene them, either of them retyred to their house with

incredible contentation, attendinge the happy houre for

consummation of their mariage. When Rhomeo was come home to his

house, he declared wholly what had passed betwen him and

Iulietta, vnto a Seruaunt of his called Pietro, whose fidelity

he had so greatly tryed, as he durst haue trusted him with hys

life, and commaunded hym wyth expedition to prouide a Ladder of

Cordes wyth 2 strong Hookes of Iron fastned to both endes, which

he easily did, because they were mutch vsed in Italy. Iulietta

did not forget in the Euening about fiue of the Clocke, to send

the olde Woman to Rhomeo, who hauing prepared all things

necessary, caused the Ladder to be deliuered vnto her, and

prayed hir to require Iulietta the same euening not to fayle to

bee at the accustomed place. But if this Iorney seemed long to

these two passioned Louers, let other Iudge, that haue at other

tymes assayed the lyke: for euery minute of an houre seemed to

them a Thousande yeares, so that if they had power to commaund

the Heauens (as Iosua did the Sunne) the Earth had incontinently

bene shadowed wyth darkest Cloudes. The apoyncted houre come,

Rhomeo put on the most sumptuous apparell hee had, and conducted

by good fortune neere to the place where his heart tooke lyfe,

was so fully determined of hys purpose, as easily hee clymed vp

the Garden wall. Beinge arriued hard to the wyndow, he perceyued

Iulietta, who had already so well fastned the Ladder to draw him

vp, as without any daunger at all, he entred hir chambre, which

was so clere as the day, by reason of the Tapers of virgin Wax,

which Iulietta had caused to be lighted, that she might the

better beholde hir Rhomeo. Iulietta for hir part, was but in hir

night kerchief: who so soon as she perceyued him colled him

about the Neck, and after shee had kissed and rekissed hym a

million of times, began to imbrace hym betwene hir armes, hauing

no power to speake vnto him, but by Sighes onely, holding hir

mouth close against his, and being in this traunce beheld him

with pitifull eye, which made him to liue and die together.

And afterwards somewhat come to hir selfe, she sayd with sighes

deepely fetched from the bottom of hir heart. "Ah Rhomeo, the

exampler of al vertue and gentlenes, most hartely welcome to

this place, wherein for your lacke, and absence, and for feare

of your person, I haue gushed forth so many Teares as the spring

is almost dry: but now that I hold you betwen my armes, let

death and fortune doe what they list. For I count my selfe more

than satisfied of all my sorrowes past, by the fauour alone of

your presence." Whom Rhomeo with weeping eye, giuing ouer

silence aunswered: "Madame, for somutch as I neuer receyued so

mutch of fortune's grace, as to make you feele by liuely

experience what power you had ouer me, and the torment euery

minute of the day sustained for your occasion, I do assure you

the least grief that vexeth me for your absence, is a thousand

times more paynefull than death, which long time or this had cut

of the threede of my lyfe, if the hope of this happy Iourney had

not bene, which paying mee now the iust Tribute of my weepings

past, maketh me better content, and more glad, than if the whole

Worlde were at my commaundement, beseeching you (without further

memory of auncient griefe) to take aduice in tyme to come how we

may content our passionate hearts, and to sort our affayres with

sutch Wysedome and discretion, as our enimies without aduantage

may let vs continue the remnant of our dayes in rest and quiet."

And as Iulietta was about to make answere, the Olde woman came

in the meane time, and sayd vnto them: "He that wasteth time in

talke, recouereth the same to late. But for so mutch as eyther

of you hath endured sutch mutuall paynes, behold (quoth shee)

a campe which I haue made ready:" (shewing them the Fielde bed

which shee had prepared and furnished,) whereunto they easily

agreed, and being then betwene the Sheets in priuy bed, after

they had gladded and cherished themselues with al kinde of

delicate embracements which loue was able to deuise, Rhomeo

vnloosing the holy lines of virginity, tooke possession of the

place, which was not yet besieged with sutch ioy and

contentation as they can iudge which haue assayed like delites.

Their marriage thus consummate, Rhomeo perceyuing the morning

make to hasty approch, tooke his leaue, making promise that he

would not fayle wythin a day or two to resort agayne to the

place by lyke meanes, and semblable time, vntil Fortune had

prouided sure occasion vnfearfully to manyfest their marriage to

the whole Worlde. And thus a month or twayne, they continued

their ioyful mindes to their incredible satisfaction, vntil lady

Fortune enuious of their prosperity, turned hir Wheele to tumble

them into such a bottomlesse pit, as they payed hir vsury for

their pleasures past, by a certaine most cruell and pitifull

death, as you shal vnderstand hereafter by the discourse that

followeth. Now as we haue before declared, the Capellets and the

Montesches were not so well reconciled by the Lord of Verona,

but that there rested in them sutch sparks of auncient

displeasures, as either partes waited but for some light

occasion to draw togethers, which they did in the Easter holy

dayes, (as bloudy men commonly be most willingly disposed after

a good time to commit some nefarious deede) besides the Gate of

Boursarie leading to the olde castel of Verona, a troupe of

Capellets rencountred with certayne of the Montesches, and

without other woordes began to set vpon them. And the Capellets

had for Chiefe of their glorious enterprise one called Thibault,

cosin Germayne to Iulietta, a yong man strongly made, and of

good experience of armes, who exhorted his Companions with stout

Stomakes to represse the boldnes of the Montesches, that ther

might from that time forth no memory of them be left at all. The

rumoure of this fray was disperssed throughout al the corners of

Verona, that succour might come from all partes of the Citty to

depart the same. Whereof Rhomeo aduertized, who walked alonges

the Citty with certayne of his Companions, hasted him speadily

to the place where the slaughter of his Parents and alies were

committed: and after he had well aduised and beholden many

wounded and hurt on both sides, he sayd to hys Companions:

"My frends let vs part them, for they be so flesht one vpon an

other, as will all be hewed to pieces before the game be done."

And saying so, he thrust himselfe amids the troupe, and did no

more but part the blowes on eyther side, crying vpon them aloud:

"My freends, no more, it is time henceforth that our quarel

cease. For besides the prouocation of God's iust wrath, our two

families be slaunderous to the whole World, and are the cause

that this common wealth doth grow vnto disorder." But they were

so egre and furious one agaynst the other, as they gaue no

audience to Rhomeo his councel, and bent theymselues too kyll,

dysmember and teare eche other in pieces. And the fyght was so

cruell and outragious betweene them as they which looked on,

were amased to see theym endure those blowes, for the grounde

was all couered with armes, legges, thighes, and bloude, wherein

no signe of cowardnes appeared, and mayntayned their feyghte so

longe, that none was able to iudge who hadde the better, vntill

that Thibault Cousin to Iulietta inflamed with ire and rage,

turned towardes Rhomeo thinkinge with a pricke to runne him

through. But he was so wel armed and defended with a priuye coat

whiche he wore ordinarily for the doubt he had of the Capellets,

as the pricke rebounded: vnto whom Rhomeo made answeare:

"Thibault thou maiest know by the pacience which I haue had

vntill this present tyme, that I came not hether to fyght with

thee or thyne, but to seeke peace and attonemente betweene vs,

and if thou thinkest that for defaulte of courage I haue fayled

myne endeuor, thou doest greate wronge to my reputacion. And

impute thys my suffrance to some other perticular respecte,

rather than to wante of stomacke. Wherfore abuse mee not but be

content with this greate effusion of Bloude and murders already

committed. And prouoke mee not I beseeche thee to passe the

boundes of my good will and mynde." "Ah Traitor," sayd

Thibaulte, "thou thinkeste to saue thy selfe by the plotte of

thy pleasaunt tounge, but see that thou defende thy selfe, els

presently I will make thee feele that thy tounge shal not gard

thy corps, nor yet be the Buckler to defende the same from

present death." And saying so, he gaue him a blow with such

furye, as hadde not other warded the same hee had cutte of his

heade from his shoulders, and the one was no readyer to lende,

but the other incontinentlye was able to paye agayne, for hee

being not onelye wroth with the blowe that hee had receiued,

but offended with the iniury which the other had don, began to

pursue his ennemy with suche courage and viuacity, as at the

third blowe with his swerd hee caused him to fall backewarde

starke deade vppon the grounde with a pricke vehementlye thruste

into his throte, whiche hee followed till hys Sworde appeared

throughe the hynder parte of the same, by reason wherof the

conflicte ceassed. For besides that Thibault was the chiefe of

his companye he was also borne of one of the Noblest houses

within the Cittye, which caused the Potestate to assemble his

Souldiers with diligence for the apprehension and imprisonment

of Rhomeo, who seyeng yl fortune at hande, in secrete wise

conuayed him selfe to Fryer Laurence at the Friers Franciscanes.

And the Fryer vnderstandinge of his facte, kepte him in a

certayne secrete place of his couente vntil fortune did

otherwyse prouyde for his safe goinge abroade. The bruite spred

throughout the citty, of this chaunce don vpon the Lorde

Thibault, the Capellets in mourning weedes caused the deade

bodye to be caryed before the sygnory of Verona, so well to moue

them to pytty, as to demaunde iustice for the murder: before

whom came also the Montesches, declaryng the innocencye of

Rhomeo, and the wilfull assault of the other. The councell

assembled and witnesses heard on both partes a straight

commaundemente was geuen by the Lorde of the Cittye to geeue

ouer theire weapons, and touchinge the offence of Rhomeo,

because he hadde killed the other in his owne defence, he was

banished Verona for euer. This common misfortune published

throughout the Citty, was generally sorowed and lamented. Som

complayneth the death of the Lorde Thibault, so well for his

dexteritye in armes as for the hope of his great good seruice in

time to come, if hee hadde not bene preuented by sutch cruell

Death. Other bewailed (specially the Ladies and Gentlewomen) the

ouerthrow of yong Rhomeo, who besides his beauty and good grace

wherwith he was enriched, had a certayne naturall allurement, by

vertue whereof he drew vnto him the hearts of eche man, like as

the stony Adamante doth the cancred iron, in sutch wise as the

whole nation and people of Verona lamented his mischaunce: but

aboue all infortunate Iulietta, who aduertised both of the death

of hir cosin Thibault, and of the banishment of hir husband,

made the Ayre sound with infinite number of mornefull playnts

and miserable lamentations. Then feeling hirselfe to mutch

outraged with extreeme passion, she went into hir chamber, and

ouercome with sorrowe threwe hir selfe vpon hir bed, where she

began to reinforce hir dolor after so straunge fashion, as the

most constant would haue bene moued to pitty. Then like one out

of hir wits, she gazed heere and there, and by fortune beholding

the Window whereat Rhomeo was wont to enter into hir chamber,

cried out: "Oh vnhappy Windowe, oh entry most vnlucky, wherein

were wouen the bitter toyle of my former mishaps, if by thy

meanes I haue receyued at other tymes some light pleasure or

transitory contentation, thou now makest me pay a tribute so

rigorous and paynefull, as my tender body not able any longer to

support the same, shall henceforth open the Gate to that lyfe

where the ghost discharged from this mortal burden, shal seeke

in some place els more assured rest. Ah Rhomeo, Rhomeo, when

acquayntaunce first began betweene vs, and reclined myne eares

vnto thy suborned promisses, confirmed with so many othes,

I would neuer haue beleeued that in place of our continued

amyty, and in appeasing of the hatred of our houses, thou

wouldest haue sought occasion to breake the same by an acte so

shamefull, whereby thy fame shall be spotted for euer, and I

miserable wretch desolate of Spouse and Companion. But if thou

haddest beene so gready after the Cappelletts bloud, wherefore

didst thou spare the deare bloud of mine owne heart when so many

tymes, and in sutch secret place the same was at the mercy of

thy cruell handes? The victory which thou shouldest haue gotten

ouer me, had it not bene glorious inough for thine ambitious

minde, but for more triumphant solempnity to bee crowned wyth

the bloude of my dearest kinsman? Now get thee hence therefore

into some other place to deceiue some other, so vnhappy as my

selfe. Neuer come agayne in place where I am, for no excuse

shall heereafter take holde to asswage mine offended minde: in

the meane tyme I shall lament the rest of my heauy lyfe, with

sutch store of teares, as my body dried vp from all humidity,

shall shortly search reliefe in Earth." And hauing made an ende

of those hir wordes, hir heart was so grieuously strayned, as

shee coulde neyther weepe nor speake, and stoode so immoueable,

as if she had bene in a traunce. Then being somewhat come agayne

vnto hirselfe, with feeble voyce shee sayd: "Ah, murderous

tongue of other men's honor, how darest thou so infamously to

speake of him whom his very enimies doe commend and prayse?

How presumest thou to impute the blame vpon Rhomeo, whose

vnguiltines and innocent deede euery man alloweth? Where from

henceforth shall be hys refuge, sith she which ought to bee the

onely Bulwarke, and assured rampire of his distresse, doth

pursue and defame him? Receyue, receyue then Rhomeo the

satisfaction of mine ingratitude by the sacrifice which I shal

make of my proper lyfe, and so the faulte which I haue committed

agaynste thy loyaltye, shall bee made open to the Worlde, thou

being reuenged and my selfe punished." And thinking to vse some

further talke, all the powers of hir body fayled hir wyth signes

of present death. But the good olde Woman whych could not

imagine the cause of Iulietta hir longe absence, doubted very

mutch that she suffred some passion, and sought hir vp and downe

in euery place wythin hir Father's Pallace, vntill at length

shee founde hir lyinge a long vpon hir Bed, all the outwarde

parts of hir body so colde as Marble. But the goode Old woman

which thought hir to bee deade, began to cry like one out of hir

Wittes, saying: "Ah deare Daughter, and Noursechylde, howe mutch

doeth thy death now grieue mee at the very heart?" And as she

was feeling all the partes of hir body, shee perceyued some

sparke of Lyfe to bee yet within the same, whych caused hir to

call hir many tymes by her name, til at length she brought her

oute of her sounde, then sayde vnto her: "Why Iulietta, myne

owne deare darelyng, what meane you by this tormoylinge of your

selfe? I cannot tel from whence this youre behauiour and that

immoderate heauines doe proceede, but wel I wot that within this

houre I thought to haue accompanied you to the graue." "Alas

good mother" (aunswered woful Iulietta) "do you not most

euidently perceiue and see what iust cause I haue too sorrow and

complayne, loosyng at one instante two persons of the world

which wer vnto mee most deare?" "Methinke," aunsweared the good

woman, "that it is not seemely for a gentlewoman of your degree

to fall into such extremetye: for in tyme of tribulation

wysedome should most preuaile. And if the lord Thibault be deade

do you thinke to get him agayn by teares? What is he that doth

not accuse his ouermutch presumption: woulde you that Rhomeo

hadd done that wronge to him, and hys house, to suffer himselfe

outraged and assayled by one to whom in manhoode and prowesse he

is not inferioure? Sufficeth you that Rhomeo is alyue, and his

affayres in sutche estate whoe in tyme may be called home agayne

from banishmente, for he is a greate lorde, and as you know well

allied and fauored of all men, wherefore arme your selfe from

henceforth with pacyence: for albeit that Fortune doth estraunge

him from you for a tyme, yet sure I am, that hereafter shee will

restore him vnto you agayne wyth greater ioye and Contentatyon

than before. And to the Ende that wee bee better assured in

what state he is, yf you wyll promyse me to gyue ouer your

heauynesse, I wyll to Daye knowe of Fryer Laurence whether he is

gone." To which request Iulietta agreed, and then the good woman

repayred to S. Frauncis, wher shee founde Fryer Laurence who

tolde her that the same nyghte Rhomeo would not fayle at hys

accustomed houre to visite Iulietta, and there to do hir to

vnderstande what he purposed to doe in tyme to come. This iorney

then fared like the voiages of mariners, who after they haue ben

tost by greate and troublous tempest seeyng some Sunne beame

pearce the heauens to lyghten the lande, assure themselues

agayne, and thinkinge to haue auoyded shipwracke, and sodaynlye

the seas begynne to swell, the waues do roare with sutch

vehemence and noyse, as if they were fallen agayne into greater

danger than before. The assigned hour come, Rhomeo fayled not

accordinge to hys promise to bee in his Garden, where he founde

his furniture prest to mount the Chamber of Iulietta, who with

displayed armes, began so strayghtly to imbrace hym, as it

seemed that the soule would haue abandoned hir body. And they

two more than a large quarter of an hour were in sutch agony, as

they were not able to pronounce one word, and wetting ech others

Face fast closed together, the teares trickeled downe in sutch

abundance as they seemed to be throughly bathed therein, which

Rhomeo perceyuing, thinking to stay those immoderate teares,

sayd vnto hir: "Myne owne dearest freend Iulietta, I am not now

determined to recite the particulars of the straung happes of

frayle and inconstaunte Fortune, who in a moment hoisteth a man

vp to the hyghest degree of hir wheele, and by and by, in lesse

space than in the twynckeling of an eye, she throweth hym downe

agayne so lowe, as more misery is prepared for him in one day,

than fauour in one hundred yeares: whych I now proue, and haue

experience in my selfe, which haue bene nourished delicately

amonges my frends, and maynteyned in sutch prosperous state,

as you doe little know, (hoping for the full perfection of my

felicity) by meanes of our mariage to haue reconciled our

Parents, and frends, and to conduct the residue of my lyfe,

according to the scope and lot determined by Almighty God: and

neuerthelesse all myne enterprises be put backe, and my purposes

tourned cleane contrary, in sutch wise as from henceforth I must

wander lyke a vagabonde through diuers Prouinces, and

sequestrate my selfe from my Frends, wythout assured place of

myne abode, whych I desire to let you weete, to the intent you

may be exhorted in tyme to come, paciently to beare so well myne

absence, as that whych it shal please God to appoint." But

Iulietta, al affrighted wyth teares and mortal agonies, would

not suffer hym to passe any further, but interruptinge his

purpose, sayd vnto hym: "Rhomeo, how canst thou be so harde

hearted and voyde of all pity, to leaue mee heere lone, besieged

with so manye deadlye myseries? There is neyther houre nor

Minute, wherein death doth not appeare a thousand tymes before

mee, and yet my missehappe is sutch, as I can not dye, and

therefore doe manyfestlye perceyue, that the same death

preserueth my lyfe, of purpose to delight in my gryefes, and

tryumphe ouer my euyls. And thou lyke the mynister and tyrante

of hir cruelty, doest make no conscience (for ought that I can

see) hauing atchieued the Summe of thy desyres and pleasures on

me, to abandon and forsake me: whereby I well perceyue, that all

the lawes of Amity are deade and vtterly extinguyshed,

forsomutch as he in whom I had greatest hope and confidence, and

for whose sake I am become an enimy to my self, doth disdayne

and contemne me. No, no Rhomeo, thou must fully resolue thy

selfe vppon one of these II. points, either to see me

incontinently throwen down headlong from this high Window after

thee: or else to suffer me to accompany thee into that Countrey

or Place whither Fortune shall guide thee: for my heart is so

mutch transformed into thine, that so soone as I shall

vnderstande of thy departure, presently my lyfe will depart this

wofull body: the continuance whereof I doe not desire for any

other purpose, but only to delight my selfe in thy presence,

to bee pertaker of thy misfortunes: and therefore if euer there

lodged any pity in the heart of gentleman, I beseeche the Rhomeo

with al humility, that it may now finde place in thee, and that

thou wilt vouchsafe to receyue me for thy seruaunt, and the

faithful companion of thy mishaps: and if thou thinke that thou

canst not conueniently receyue me in the estate and habite of a

Wyfe, who shall let me to chaunge myne apparell? Shall I be the

first that haue vsed like shiftes to escape the tyranny of

parentes? Doste thou doubt that my seruice will not bee so good

vnto thee as that of Petre thy seruaunte? Wyll my loyaltye and

fidelity be lesse than his? My beauty which at other tymes thou

hast so greatly commended, it is not esteemed of thee? my

teares, my loue, and the aunciente pleasures and delights that

you haue taken in mee shal they be in obliuyon?" Rhomeo seing

hir in these alterations, fearing that worsse inconuenience

would chaunce, tooke hir agayne betweene hys armes, and kissing

her amorously, sayd: {"}Iulietta, the onely mistresse of my

heart, I pray thee in the Name of God, and for the feruent Loue

whych thou bearest vnto me, to doe away those vayne cogitations,

excepte thou meane to seeke and hazard the destruction of vs

both: for if thou perseuer in this purpose, there is no remedye

but wee muste both perish: for so soone as thyne absence shalbe

knowen, thy Father will make sutch earnest pursute after vs,

that we cannot choose but be discried and taken, and in the ende

cruelly punished, I as a theefe and stealer of thee, and thou as

a dysobedyent Daughter to thy Father: and so in stead of

pleasaunt and quiet Lyfe, our Dayes shalbe abridged by most

shamefull Death. But if thou wylt recline thy self to reason,

(the ryght rule of humane Lyfe,) and for the tyme abandon our

mutuall delyghts, I will take sutch order in the time of my

banishment, as within three or foure Months wythoute any delay,

I shalbe reuoked home agayne: but if it fall out otherwyse (as I

trust not,) howsoeuer it happen, I wyll come agayne vnto thee,

and with the helpe of my Fryendes wyll fetch the from Verona by

strong Hand, not in Counterfeit Apparell as a straunger, but

lyke my spouse and perpetuall companion: in the meane tyme quyet

your selfe, and be sure that nothing else but death shall deuide

and put vs a sunder." The reasons of Rhomeo so mutch preuailed

with Iulietta, as shee made hym thys aunswere: "My deare fryend,

I wyll doe nothing contrary to your wyll and pleasure: and to

what place so euer you repayre, my hearte shall bee your owne,

in like sorte as you haue giuen yours to be mine: in the meane

while I pray you not to faile oftentimes to aduertise me by

Frier Laurence, in what state your affaires be, and specially of

the place of your abode." Thus these two pore louers passed the

Night togither, vntil the day began to appeare which did dyuyde

them, to their extreame sorrow and gryef. Rhomeo hauiuge taken

leaue of Iulietta, went to S. Fraunces, and after he hadde

aduertysed Frier Laurence of his affaires, departed from Verona

in the habit of a Marchaunt straunger, and vsed sutch

expedytyon, as without hurt he arriued at Mantuona, (accompanied

onely wyth Petre his Seruaunt, whome hee hastily sente backe

agayne to Verona, to serue his Father) where he tooke a house:

and lyuying in honorable companye, assayed certayne Monthes to

put away the gryefe whych so tormented him. But duryng the tyme

of his absence, miserable Iulietta could not so cloke hir

sorrow, but that through the euyll colour of hir face, hir

inwarde passion was discryed: by reason whereof hir Mother,

who heard hir oftentimes sighing, and incessantly complayning,

coulde not forbeare to say vnto hir: "Daughter, if you continue

long after thys sort, you wyll hasten the Death of your good

Father and me, who loue you so dearely as our owne lyues:

wherefore henceforth moderate your heauinesse, and endeuor your

self to be mery: think no more vpon the Death of your cosin

Thibault, whome (sith it pleased God to cal away) do you thinke

to reuoke wyth Teares, and so withstande his Almightye will?"

But the pore Gentlewoman not able to dyssemble hir griefe, sayd

vnto hir: "Madame, long time it is sithens the last Teares for

Thibault were poured forth, and I beleue that the fountayne is

so well soked and dried vp, as no more will spryng in that

place." The mother which could not tell to what effect those

Woords were spoken held hir peace, for feare she should trouble

hir Daughter: and certayne Dayes after seeing hir to continue in

heauinesse and continuall griefs, assaied by al meanes possible

to know, aswell of hir, as of other the housholde Seruauntes,

the occasion of their sorrow, but al in vayne: wherwith the pore

mother vexed beyonde measure, purposed to let the Lord Antonio

hir Husband to vnderstand the case of hir Daughter: and vppon a

day seeing him at conuenient leisure, she sayd vnto him: "My

Lord, if you haue marked the countenaunce of our daughter, and

hir kinde of behauior sithens the Death of the Lord Thibault hir

Cosyn, you shall perceiue so straunge mutation in hir, as it

will make you to maruell, for she is not onely contented to

forgoe meate, drinke and slepe, but she spendeth hir tyme in

nothinge else then in Weeping and Lamentatyon, delighting to

kepe hir self solytarye wythin hir Chamber, where she tormenteth

hir self so outragiously as yf wee take not heede, hir Lyfe is

to be doubted, and not able to knowe the Oryginall of hir Payne,

the more difficulte shall be the remedye: for albeit that I haue

sought meanes by all extremity, yet cannot I learne the cause of

hir sicknesse: and where I thought in the beginning, that it

proceded vpon the Death of hir Cosin, now I doe manifestly

perceiue the contrary, specially when she hir self did assure me

that she had already wept and shed the last teares for him that

she was mynded to doe: and vncertayne whereuppon to resolue,

I do thinke verily that she mourneth for some despite, to see

the most part of theyr companions maried, and she yet

vnprouyded, persuading with hir selfe (it may be) that wee hir

Parents do not care for hir: wherefore deare Husband, I heartely

beseech you for our rest and hir quiet, that hereafter ye be

carefull to prouyde for hir some maryage worthy of our state."

Whereunto the Lord Antonio, willingly agreed, saying vnto hir:

"Wyfe, I haue many times thought vppon that whereof you speake,

notwythstandyng sith as yet shee is not attayned to the age of

XVIII. yeares, I thought to prouide a husband at leysure:

neuerthelesse things beinge come to these Termes, and knowing

the Virgins chastity is a dangerous Treasure, I wyll be mindfull

of the same to your contentation, and she matched in sutch wyse,

as she shall thynke the tyme hitherto well delayed. In the meane

while marke dylygently whyther she bee in loue wyth any, to the

end that we haue not so greate regarde to goodes, or the

Nobylity of the house wherein we meane to bestow hir, as to the

Lyfe and Health of our Daughter who is to me so deare as I had

rather die a Begger without Landes or goods, than to bestow hir

vpon one which shall vse and intreat hir il." Certayne dayes

after that the Lorde Antonio had bruted the maryage of his

daughter, many Gentlemen were suters, so wel for the excellency

of hir Beauty, as for hir great Rychesse and reuenue. But aboue

all others the alyaunce of a young Earle named Paris, the Counte

of Lodronne, lyked the Lord Antonio: vnto whom lyberally he gaue

his consent, and told his Wyfe the party vppon whom he dyd mean

to bestow his Daughter. The mother very ioyful that they had

found so honest a Gentleman for theyr Daughter, caused hir

secretly to be called before hir, doyng hir to vnderstande what

things had passed betwen hir father and the Counte Paris,

discoursing vnto hir the beauty and good grace of the yong

Counte, the vertues for which he was commended of al men,

ioyning therevnto for conclusion the great richesse and fauor

which he had in the goods of fortune, by means whereof she and

hir Fryends should liue in eternal honor: but Iulietta which had

rather to haue ben torne in pieces than to agree to that

maryage, answered hir mother with a more than accustomed

stoutnesse: "Madame, I mutch maruel, and therewithal am astonned

that you being a Ladye discrete and honorable, wil be so liberal

ouer your Daughter as to commit hir to the pleasure and wil of

an other, before you do know how hir mind is bent: you may do as

it pleaseth you, but of one thing I do wel assure you, that if

you bring it to passe, it shal be against my wil: and touching

the regard and estimation of Counte Paris, I shal first lose my

Lyfe before he shal haue power to touch any part of my body:

which being done, it is you that shal be counted the murderer,

by deliueryng me into the handes of him, whome I neyther can,

wil, or know whiche way to loue: wherefore I praye you to suffer

me henceforth thus to lyue, wythout taking any further care of

me, for so mutche as my cruell fortune hath otherwyse disposed

of me." The dolorous Mother which knewe not what Iudgement to

fixe vpon hir daughter's aunswere, lyke a woman confused and

besides hir selfe went to seeke the Lord Antonio, vnto whom

without conceyling any part of hir Daughter's aunswer, she dyd

him vnderstand the whole. The good olde man offended beyond

measure, commaunded her incontinently by Force to be brought

before him, if of hir own good will she would not come: so soone

as she came before hir Father, hir eyes full of teares, fel down

at his fete, which she bathed with the luke warme drops that

distilled from hir Eyes in great abundance, and thynkyng to open

hir mouth to crye him mercy, the sobbes and sighes many tymes

stopt hir speach, that shee remained dumbe not able to frame a

Woorde. But the olde man nothing moued with his Daughter's

Teares, sayd vnto hir in great rage: "Come hither thou vnkynd

and dysobedient Daughter, hast thou forgotten how many tymes

thou hast hearde spoken at the Table, of the puissance and

authoryty our auncyente Romane Fathers had ouer their chyldren?

vnto whom it was not onelye lawfull to sell, guage, and

otherwyse dispose them (in theyr necessity) at their pleasure,

but also which is more, they had absolute power ouer their Death

and Lyfe? With what yrons, with what torments, with what racks

would those good Fathers chasten and correct thee if they were a

liue againe, to see that ingratitude, misbehauior and

disobedience which thou vsest towards thy Father, who with many

prayers and requestes hath prouided one of the greatest Lords of

this prouince to be thy husband, a Gentleman of best renoume,

and indued wyth all kynde of Vertues, of whom thou and I be

vnworthy, both for the notable masse of goods and substance

wherewith he is enriched, as also for the Honoure and

generositie of the house whereof hee is discended, and yet thou

playest the parte of an obstinate and rebellyous Chyld agaynst

thy Father's will. I take the omnipotency of that Almightye God

to witnesse, which hath vouchsafed to bryng the forth into this

world, that if vpon Tuesday nexte thou failest to prepare thy

selfe to be at my Castell of Villafranco, where the Counte Paris

purposeth to meete vs, and there giue thy consent to that whych

thy Mother and I haue agreed vppon, I will not onely depriue

thee of my worldly goodes, but also will make the espouse and

marie a pryson so straight and sharpe, as a thousande times thou

shalt curse the Day and tyme wherein thou wast borne: wherfore

from henceforth take aduisement what thou doest, for excepte the

promise be kept which I haue made to the counte Paris, I will

make the feele how greate the iust choler of an offended Father

is against a Chylde vnkynde." And without staying for other

answer of his Daughter, the olde man departed the Chamber, and

lefte hir vppon hir knees. Iulietta knowing the fury of hir

Father, fearing to incurre his indignation, or to prouoke his

further wrath, retired for the day into hir Chamber, and

contriued that whole Nyght more in weeping then slepyng. And the

next Morning fayning to goe heare seruice, she went forth with

the woman of hir Chamber to the Fryers, where she caused father

Laurence to be called vnto hir, and prayed him to heare hir

confession: and when she was vpon hir knees before hym, shee

began hir Confession wyth Teares, tellinge him the greate

mischyefe that was prepared for hir, by the maryage accorded

betweene hir Father and the Counte Paris: and for conclusion

sayd vnto him: "Sir, for so mutch as you know that I cannot by

God's law bee maried twice, and that I haue but one God, one

husband and one faith, I am determined when I am from hence,

with these two hands which you see ioyned before you, this Day

to ende my sorowful lyfe, that my soule may beare wytnesse in

the Heauens, and my bloude vppon the Earth of my faith and

loyalty preserued." Then hauyng ended hir talke, shee looked

about hir, and seemed by hir wylde countenaunce, as though she

had deuised some sinister purpose: wherefore Frier Laurence,

astonned beyonde measure, fearyng least she would haue executed

that which she was determyned, sayd vnto hir: "Mistresse

Iulietta, I pray you in the name of God by little and little to

moderate youre conceiued griefe, and to content your self whilst

you bee heere, vntill I haue prouided what is best for you to

doe, for before you part from hence, I will giue you sutch

consolation and remedy for your afflictions, as you shall

remaine satysfied and contented." And resolued vppon thys good

minde, he speedily wente out of the Churche vnto his chamber,

where he began to consider of many things, his conscience beyng

moued to hinder the marriage betwene the Counte Paris and hir,

knowing by his meanes she had espoused an other, and callynge to

remembraunce what a daungerous enterprise he had begonne by

committyng hymself to the mercy of a symple damosell, and that

if shee fayled to bee wyse and secrete, all theyr doyngs should

be discried, he defamed, and Rhomeo hir spouse punished. Hee

then after he had well debated vpon infinite numbre of deuises,

was in the end ouercome with pity, and determined rather to

hazarde his honour, than to suffer the Adultery of the Counte

Paris with Iulietta: and being determined herevpon, opened his

closet, and takynge a vyall in his Hande, retourned agayne to

Iulietta, whom he found lyke one that was in a Traunce,

wayghtinge for newes, eyther of Lyfe or Death: of whome the good

olde Father demaunded vpon what Day hir maryage was appoynted.

"The firste daye of that appoyntment (quod shee) is vppon

Wednesdaye, whych is the Daye ordeyned for my Consente of

Maryage accorded betweene my father and Counte Paris, but the

Nuptiall solemnitye is not before the X. day of September." "Wel

then" (quod the religious father) "be of good cheere daughter,

for our Lord God hathe opened a way vnto me both to deliuer you

and Rhomeo from the prepared thraldom. I haue knowne your

husband from his cradle, and hee hath daily committed vnto me

the greatest secretes of hys Conscience, and I haue so dearely

loued him agayne, as if hee had ben mine owne sonne: wherefore

my heart can not abide that anye man should do him wrong in that

specially wherein my Counsell may stande him in stede. And

forsomutch as you are his wyfe, I ought lykewyse to loue you,

and seke meanes to delyuer you from the martyrdome and Anguish

wherewyth I see your heart besieged: vnderstande then (good

Daughter) of a secrete which I purpose to manifest vnto you, and

take heede aboue all thinges that you declare it to no liuing

creature, for therein consisteth your life and Death. Ye be not

ignorant by the common report of the Cityzens of this City, and

by the same published of me, that I haue trauailed throughe all

the Prouinces of the habytable Earthe, wherby duryng the

continuall tyme of XX. yeres, I haue soughte no rest for my

wearied body, but rather haue many times protruded the same to

the mercy of brute beasts in the Wyldernesse, and many times

also to the mercilesse Waues of the Seas, and to the pity of

common Pirates together with a thousand other Daungers and

shipwracks vppon Sea and Land. So it is good Daughter that all

my wandring Voyages haue not bene altogethers vnprofitable. For

besides the incredible contentation receiued ordinarily in mind,

I haue gathered some particular fruyct, whereof by the grace of

God you shall shortly feele some experience. I haue proued the

secrete properties of Stones, of Plants, Metals, and other

thinges hydden within the Bowels of the Earth, wherewith I am

able to helpe my selfe againste the common Lawe of Men, when

necessity doth serue: specyally in thynges wherein I know mine

eternal God to be least offended. For as thou knowest I beynge

approched as it were, euen to the Brymme of my Graue, and that

the Tyme draweth neare for yeldynge of myne Accompte before the

Audytor of all Audytors, I oughte therefore to haue some deepe

knowledge and apprehension of God's iudgement more than I had

when the heat of inconsidered youth did boyle within my lusty

body. Know you therefore good daughter, that with those graces,

and fauours which the heauens prodigally haue bestowed vpon me,

I haue learned and proued of long time the composition of a

certayne Paaste, which I make of diuers soporiferous simples,

which beaten afterwards to Pouder, and dronke wyth a quantyty of

Water, within a quarter of an houre after, bringeth the receiuer

into sutch a sleepe, and burieth so deepely the senses and other

sprites of life, that the cunningest Phisitian will iudge the

party dead: and besides that it hath a more marueillous effect,

for the person which vseth the same feeleth no kinde of griefe,

and according to the quantity of the dough, the pacient

remayneth in a sweete sleepe, but when the operation is wrought

and done, hee returneth into his first estate. Now then Iulietta

receiue myne instruction, put of all Feminine affection by

taking vppon you a manly stomacke for by the only courage of

your minde consisteth the hap or mishap of your affayres.

Beholde here I geue you a Vyale which you shall keepe as your

owne propre heart, and the night before your mariage, or in the

morninge before day, you shall fil the same vp with water, and

drink so mutch as is contayned therein. And then you shall feele

a certayne kynde of pleasaunt sleepe, which incrochinge by litle

and litle all the partes of your body, wil constrayne them in

sutch wyse, as vnmoueable they shal remayne: and by not doing

their accustomed dueties, shall loose their naturall feelinges,

and you abide in sutch extasie the space of 40 houres at the

least, without any beating of poulse or other perceptible

motion, which shall so astonne them that come to see you, as

they will iudge you to be deade, and according to the custome of

our Citty, you shal be caried to the Churchyarde hard by our

Church, where you shall be intoumbed in the common monument of

the Capellets your auncestors, and in the meane tyme we will

send word to lord Rhomeo by a speciall messanger of the effect

of our deuice, who now abideth at Mantua. And the night

following I am sure he will not fayle to be heere, then he and I

together will open the graue, and lift vp your body, and after

the operation of the Pouder is past, hee shall conuey you

secretly to Mantua, vnknowen to all your Parents and frends.

Afterwards (it may be) Tyme, the mother of Truth, shall cause

concord betwene the offended City of Verona, and Rhomeo. At

which time your common cause may be made open to the general

contentacion of all your frends." The words of the good father

ended, new ioy surprised the heart of Iulietta, who was so

attentiue to his talke as she forgat no one poynct of hir

lesson. Then she sayd vnto him: "Father, doubt not at all that

my heart shall fayle in performaunce of your commaundement: for

were it the strongest Poyson, or most pestiferous Venome, rather

would I thrust it into my body, than to consent to fall in the

hands of him, whom I vtterly mislike: with a right strong reason

then may I fortifie my selfe, and offer my body to any kinde of

mortall daunger to approch and draw neare to him, vpon whom

wholly dependeth my Life and all the solace I haue in this

World." "Go your wayes then my daughter" (quod the Frier) "the

mighty hand of God keepe you, and hys surpassing power defende

you, and confirme that will and good mynde of yours, for the

accomplishment of this worke." Iulietta departed from frier

Laurence, and returned home to hir father's Pallace about II. of

the clock, where she found hir mother at the Gate attending for

hir: And in good deuotion demaunded if shee continued still in

hir former follies? But Iulietta with more gladsome cheere than

she was wont to vse, not suffering hir mother to aske agayne,

sayd vnto hir: "Madame I come from S. Frauncis Church, where I

haue taried longer peraduenture than my duety requireth: how be

it not without fruict and great rest to my afflicted conscience,

by reason of the godly persuasions of our ghostly Father Frier

Laurence, vnto whom I haue made a large declaration of my life.

And chiefly haue communicated vnto him in confession, that which

hath past betwene my Lord my father and you, vpon the mariage of

Countee Paris and me. But the good man hath reconciled me by his

holy words, and commendable exhortations, that where I had minde

neuer to mary, now I am well disposed to obey your pleasure and

commaundement. Wherfore, madame, I beseech you to recouer the

fauor and good wyl of my father, aske pardon in my behalfe, and

say vnto him (if it please you) that by obeying his Fatherly

request, I am ready to meete the Countee Paris at Villafranco,

and there in your presence to accept him for my Lorde and

husband: In assuraunce whereof, by your pacience, I meane to

repayre into my Closet, to make choise of my most pretious

Iewels, that I being richly adorned, and decked, may appeare

before him more agreeable to his mynde, and pleasure.{"} The

good mother rapt with exceeding great ioy, was not able to

aunswere a word, but rather made speede to seeke out hir husband

the Lord Antonio, vnto whom she reported the good will of hir

daughter, and how by meanes of Frier Laurence hir minde was

chaunged. Whereof the good olde man maruellous ioyfull, praysed

God in heart, saying: "Wife this is not the firste good turne

which we haue receiued of that holy man, vnto whom euery

Cittizen of this Common wealth is dearely bounde. I would to God

that I had redeemed 20 of his yeares with the third parte of my

goods, so grieuous is to me his extreme old age.' The selfe same

houre the Lord Antonio went to seeke the Countee Paris, whom hee

thought to perswade to goe to Villafranco. But the countee told

him agayne, that the charge would be to great, and that better

it were to reserue that cost to the mariage day, for the better

celebration of the same. Notwithstanding if it were his

pleasure, he would himselfe goe visite Iulietta: and so they

went together. The Mother aduertised of his comming, caused hir

daughter to make hir selfe ready, and to spare no costly Iewels

for adorning of hir beauty agaynst the Countee's comming, which

she bestowed so well for garnishing of hir Personage, that

before the Countee parted from the house, shee had so stolne

away his heart, as he liued not from that time forth, but vpon

meditation of hir beauty, and slacked no time for acceleration

of the mariage day, ceasing not to be importunate vpon father

and mother for th'ende and consummation thereof. And thus with

ioy inough passed forth this day and many others vntil the day

before the mariage, against which time the mother of Iulietta

did so well prouide, that there wanted nothing to set forth the

magnificence and nobility of their house. Villafranco whereof we

haue made mention, was a place of pleasure, where the Lord

Antonio was wont many tymes to recreate himselfe a mile or two

from Verona, there the dynner was prepared, for so mutch as the

ordinary solemnity of necessity muste be done at Verona.

Iulietta perceyuing hir time to approache dyssembled the matter

so well as shee coulde: and when tyme forced hir to retire to

hir Chamber, hir Woman would have waited vppon hir, and haue

lyen in hir Chambre, as hir custome was: but Iulietta sayd vnto

hir: "Good and faithfull mother, you know that to morrow is my

maryage Day, and for that I would spend the most parte of the

Nyght in prayer, I pray you for this time to let me alone, and

to morrow in the Mornyng about VI. of the clocke come to me

agayne to helpe make mee readie." The good olde woman willing to

follow hir minde, suffred hir alone, and doubted nothyng of that

which she did meane to do. Iulietta beinge within hir Chambre

hauing an eawer ful of Water standing vppon the Table filled the

viole which the Frier gaue her: and after she had made the

mixture, she set it by hir bed side, and went to Bed. And being

layde, new thoughtes began to assaile hir, with a conceipt of

grieuous Death, which brought hir into sutch case as she could

not tell what to doe, but playning incessantly sayd: "Am not I

the most vnhappy and desperat creature, that euer was borne of

Woman? For mee there is nothyng left in this wretched worlde but

mishap, misery, and mortall woe, my distresse hath brought me to

sutch extremity, as to saue mine honor and conscience, I am

forced to deuoure the drynke whereof I know not the vertue: but

what know I (sayd she) whether the Operatyon of thys Pouder will

be to soone or to late, or not correspondent to the due tyme,

and that my fault being discouered, I shall remayne a Fable to

the People? What know I moreouer, if the Serpents and other

venomous and crauling Wormes, whych commonly frequent the Graues

and pittes of the Earth wyll hurt me, thynkyng that I am deade.

But howe shall I indure the stynche of so many carions and Bones

of myne auncestors whych rest in the Graue, yf by fortune I do

awake before Rhomeo and Fryer Laurence doe come to help mee?"

And as shee was thus plunged in the deepe contemplatyon of

thynges, she thought that she saw a certayn vision or fansie of

hir Cousin Thibault, in the very same sort as shee sawe him

wounded and imbrued wyth Bloud, and musing how that she must be

buried quick amongs so many dead Carcases and deadly naked

bones, hir tender and delycate body began to shake and tremble,

and hir yelowe lockes to stare for feare, in sutch wyse as

fryghtned with terroure, a cold sweate beganne to pierce hir

heart and bedewe the reste of al hir membres, in sutch wise as

she thought that an hundred thousand Deathes did stande about

hir, haling hir on euery side, and plucking hir in pieces, and

feelyng that hir forces diminyshed by lyttle and lyttle, fearing

that through to great debilyty she was not able to do hir

enterpryse, like a furious and insensate Woman, with out further

care, gulped vp the Water wythin the Voyal, then crossing hir

armes vpon hir stomacke, she lost at that instante all the

powers of hir Body, restyng in a Traunce. And when the morning

lyght began to thrust his head out of his Oryent, hir Chaumber

Woman which had lockte hir in with the Key, did open the doore,

and thynkyng to awake hir, called hir many tymes, and sayd vnto

hir: "Mistresse, you sleepe to long, the Counte Paris will come

to raise you." The poore olde Woman spake vnto the wall, and

sange a song vnto the deafe. For if all the horrible and

tempestuous soundes of the world had bene cannoned forth out of

the greatest bombardes and sounded through hir delycate Eares,

hir spyrites of Lyfe were so fast bounde and stopt, as she by no

meanes coulde awake, wherewith the pore olde Woman amazed, began

to shake hir by the armes and Handes, whych she found so colde

as marble stone. Then puttyng Hande vnto hir Mouthe, sodainely

perceyued that she was dead, for shee perceyued no breath in

hir. Wherefore lyke a Woman out of hir Wyttes, shee ranne to

tell hir mother, who so madde as a Tigre, berefte of hir Faunes

hied hir selfe into hir Daughter's Chaumber, and in that pitiful

state beholdynge hir Daughter, thinkyng hir to be deade, cried

out: "Ah cruell Death, which hast ended all my ioye and Blysse,

vse the last scourge of thy wrathfull ire agaynst me, least by

sufferyng mee to liue the rest of my woefull Dayes, my Torment

doe increase." Then she began to fetch sutch strayning sighes,

as hir heart did seeme to cleaue in pieces. And as hir cries

began to encrease, behold the Father, the County Paris, and a

great troupe of Gentlemen and Ladies, which were come to honour

the feaste, hearing no sooner tell of that which chaunced, were

stroke into sutch sorrowfull dumpes as he which had beheld their

Faces would easily haue iudged that the same had ben a day of

ire and pity, specially the Lord Antonio, whose heart was

frapped with sutch surpassing woe, as neither teare nor word

could issue forth, and knowing not what to doe, straight way

sent to seeke the most expert Phisitians of the towne, who after

they had inquired of the life past of Iulietta, deemed by common

reporte, that melancoly was the cause of that sodayne death, and

then their sorows began to renue a fresh. And if euer day was

Lamentable, Piteous, Vnhappy, and Fatall, truly it was that

wherein Iulietta hir death was published in Verona: for shee was

so bewayled of great and small, that by the common playnts, the

Common wealth seemed to be in daunger, and not without cause:

for besides hir naturall beauty (accompanied with many vertues

wherewith nature had enriched hir) she was else so humble, wise,

and debonaire, as for that humility and curtesie she had stollen

away the hearts of euery wight, and there was none but did

lament hir Misfortune. And whilest these thinges were in this

lamented state, Frier Laurence with diligence dispatched a Frier

of his Couent, named Frier Anselme, whom he trusted as himselfe,

and deliuered him a Letter written with hys owne hande,

commaunding him expressely not to giue the same to any other but

to Rhomeo, wherein was conteyned the chaunce which had passed

betwene him and Iulietta, specially the vertue of the Pouder,

and commaunded him the nexte ensuinge Nighte to speede himselfe

to Verona, for that the operation of the Pouder that time would

take ende, and that he should cary wyth him back agayne to

Mantua his beloued Iulietta, in dissembled apparell, vntill

Fortune had otherwise prouided for them. The frier made sutch

hast as (too late) hee arriued at Mantua, within a while after.

And bicause the maner of Italy is, that the Frier trauayling

abroade ought to take a companion of his couent to doe his

affaires wythin the City, the Fryer went into his couent, and

for that he was within, it was not lawfull for him to come oute

againe that Day, bicause that certain dayes before, one

relygious of that couent as it was sayd, dyd dye of the plague:

wherefore the Magistrates appoynted for the health and

visitation of the sick, commaunded the Warden of the House that

no Friers should wander abrode the city, or talke with any

Citizen, vntil they were licensed by the officers in that

behalfe appoynted, which was the cause of the great mishap which

you shal heare hereafter. The Friar being in this perplexitye,

not able to goe forth, and not knowyng what was contayned in the

Letter, deferred hys Jorney for that Day. Whilst things were in

thys plyght, preparation was made at Verona, to doe the

obsequies of Iulietta. There is a custome also (which is common

in Italy,) to laye all the best of one lignage and Familye in

one Tombe, wherevppon Iulietta was intoumbed, in the ordinary

Graue of the Capellettes, in a Churcheyarde, hard by the Churche

of the Fryers, where also the Lord Thibault was interred, whose

Obsequies honorably done, euery man returned: whereunto Pietro,

the seruaunt of Rhomeo, gaue hys assystance: for as we haue

before declared, hys mayster sente hym backe agayne from Mantua

to Verona, to do his father seruice, and to aduertise him of

that which should chaunce in his absence there: who seeyng the

Body of Iulietta, inclosed in Toumbe, thinkyng with the reste

that shee had bene dead in deede, incontinently tooke poste

horse, and with dylygence rode to Mantua, where he founde his

Mayster in his wonted house, to whom he sayde, wyth hys Eyes

full of Teares: "Syr, there is chaunced vnto you so straunge a

matter as if so be you do not arme your selfe with Constancye,

I am afrayed that I shall be the cruell minyster of your Death:

be it known vnto you sir, that yesterday morning my mistresse

Iulietta left hir Lyfe in thys Worlde to seeke rest in an other:

and wyth these Eyes I saw her buryed in the Churchyarde of S.

Frauncis." At the sounde of whych heauye message, Rhomeo begann

woefullye to Lamente, as though hys spyrites gryeued wyth the

Tormente of his Passion at that instant would haue abandoned his

Bodye. But stronge Loue which woulde not permytte him to faynt

vntyl the extremity, framed a thoughte in hys fantesie, that if

it were possyble for him to dye besides hir his Death should be

more gloryous, and shee (as he thought) better contented: by

reason whereof, after he had washed his face for feare to

discouer his sorrowe, hee wente out of his Chamber, and

commaunded hys man to tarry behynd him, that he myght walke

through out all the Corners of the Citye, to finde propre

remedye (if it were possyble) for hys gryefe. And amonges

others, beholdynge an Apoticarye's shop of lyttle furnyture and

lesse store of Boxes and other thinges requisite for that

scyence, thought that the verye pouerty of the mayster

Apothecarye would make hym wyllingle yeld to that which he

pretended to demaunde: and after he had taken hym aside,

secretly sayde vnto him: "Syr, if you be the Mayster of the

House, as I thynk you be, beholde here Fifty Ducates, whych I

gyue you to the intent you delyuer me some strong and vyolente

Poyson that within a quarter of an houre is able to procure

Death vnto hym that shall vse it." The couetous Apothecarye

entysed by gayne, agreed to his request, and faynying to gyue

hym some other medycine before the People's Face, he speedily

made ready a strong and cruell Poyson, afterwardes he sayd unto

him softly: "Syr, I guye you more than is needefull, for the one

halfe is able to destroy the strongest manne of the world:" who

after he hadde receyued the poyfon, retourned home, where he

commaunded his man to departe with diligence to Verona, and that

he should make prouision of candels, a tynder Boxe, and other

Instrumentes meete for the opening of the graue of Iulietta, and

that aboue all things hee shoulde not fayle to attende his

commynge besides the Churchyarde of S. Frauncis, and vppon Payne

of Life to keepe hys intente in silence. Which Pietro obeied in

order as hys maister had requyred, and made therin sutch

expedityon, as he arriued in good time to Verona, taking order

for al things that wer commaunded him. Rhomeo in the meane while

being solycyted wyth mortall thoughtes caused incke and paper to

be broughte vnto hym, and in few words put in wryting all the

discourse of his loue, the mariage of him and Iulietta, the

meane obserued for consummation of the same, the helpe that he

had of Frier Laurence, the buying of his Poyson, and last of all

his death. Afterwardes hauing finished his heauy tragedy, hee

closed the letters, and sealed the same with his seale, and

directed the Superscription thereof to hys Father: and puttyng

the letters into his pursse, he mounted on horsebacke, and vsed

sutch dylygence, as he arriued vppon darke Nyght at the Citye of

Verona, before the gates were shut, where he founde his

seruaunte tarying for him with a Lanterne and instrumentes as is

before sayd, meete for the opening of the graue, vnto whome hee

said: "Pietro, helpe mee to open this Tombe, and so soone as it

is open I commaunde thee vppon payne of thy life, not to come

neere mee, nor to stay me from the thing I purpose to doe.

Beholde, there is a letter which thou shalt present to morrow in

the mornyng to my Father at his vprysing, which peraduenture

shall please him better than thou thinkest." Pietro, not able to

imagine what was his maister's intent, stode somewhat aloofe to

beholde his maister's gestes and Countenance. And when they had

opened the Vaulte, Rhomeo descended downe two steppes, holdyng

the candel in his hand and began to behold wyth pityfull Eye,

the body of hir, which was the organ of his Eyes, and kyst it

tenderly, holdyng it harde betwen his armes, and not able to

satisfie him selfe with hir sight, put hys fearefull handes

vppon the colde stomacke of Iulietta. And after he had touched

hir in many places, and not able to feele anye certayne

Iudgemente of Lyfe, he drewe the Poyson out of hys boxe, and

swallowyng downe a great quantytye of the same, cryed out: "O

Iulietta, of whome the Worlde was vnworthye, what Death is it

possyble my Hearte coulde choose oute more agreeable than that

whych yt suffereth harde by thee? what Graue more Gloryous, than

to bee buried in thy Toumbe? what more woorthy or excellent

Epytaphe can bee vowed for Memorye, than the mutuall and

pytyfull Sacryfice of our lyues?" And thinkinge to renue his

sorrowe, his hearte began to frette through the vyolence of the

Poyson, whiche by lyttle and lyttle assailed the same, and

lookyng about hym, espied the Bodye of the Lorde Thibault, lying

nexte vnto Iulietta, whych as yet was not al together putrified,

and speakyng to the bodye as though it hadde bene alyue, sayde:

"In what place so euer thou arte (O Cousyn Thibault) I most

heartely do crye the mercye for the offence whych I haue done by

depryuing of thy Lyfe: and yf thy Ghost doe wyshe and crye out

for Vengeaunce vppon mee, what greater or more cruell

satysfaction canste thou desyre to haue, or henceforth hope for,

than to see him whych murdered thee, to bee empoysoned with his

owne handes, and buryed by thy side?" Then endynge hys talke,

felyng by lyttle and lyttle that his lyfe began to fayle,

falling prostrate vppon his knees, wyth feeble voyce hee softely

sayd: "O my Lord God, which to redeeme me didest discend from

the bosom of thy Father, and tookest humane fleshe in the Wombe

of the Vyrgine, I acknowledge and confesse, that this body of

myne is nothing else but Earth and Dust." Then seazed vppon wyth

desperate sorrow, he fell downe vppon the Body of Iulietta with

sutch vehemence, as the heart faint and attenuated with too

great torments, not able to beare so hard a vyolence, was

abandoned of all his sense and Naturall powers, in sutch sorte

as the siege of hys soule fayled him at that instant, and his

members stretched forthe, remayned stiffe and colde. Fryer

Laurence whych knew the certayne tyme of the pouder's operation,

maruelled that he had no answere of the Letter which he sent to

Rhomeo by his fellowe Fryer Anselme, departed from S. Frauncis

and with Instruments for the purpose, determined to open the

Graue to let in aire to Iulietta, whych was ready to wake: and

approchyng the place, hee espied a lyght within, which made him

afraide vntyll that Pietro whych was hard by, had certyfied hym

that Rhomeo was with in, and had not ceased there to Lamente and

Complayne the space of halfe an Houre: and when they two were

entred the Graue and finding Rhomeo without Lyfe, made sutch

sorrowe as they can well coneyue whych Loue their deare Fryende

wyth lyke perfection. And as they were making theyr complaints,

Iulietta rising out of hir traunce, and beholding light within

the Toumbe, vncertayne wheather it were a dreame or fantasie

that appeared before his eyes, comming agayne to hir selfe, knew

Frier Laurence, vnto whom she said: "Father, I pray thee in the

name of God to perfourme thy promise, for I am almost deade."

And then frier Laurence concealing nothing from hir, (bycause he

feared to be taken through his too long abode in that place)

faithfully rehearsed vnto hir, how he had sent frier Anselme to

Rhomeo at Mantua, from whom as yet hee had receiued no aunswere.

Notwithstanding he found Rhomeo dead in the graue, whose body he

poyncted vnto, lyinge hard by hir, praying hir sith it was so,

paciently to beare that sodayne misfortune, and that if it

pleased hir, he would conuey hir into some monastery of women

where she might in time moderate hir sorrow, and giue rest vnto

hir minde. Iulietta had no sooner cast eye vppon the deade corps

of Rhomeo, but began to breake the fountayne pipes of gushing

teares, which ran forth in sutch aboundance, as not able to

support the furor of hir griefe, she breathed without ceasing

vpon his mouth, and then throwen hir selfe vppon his body, and

embracing it very hard, seemed that by force of sighes and sobs,

she would haue reuiued, and brought him againe to life, and

after she had kissed and rekissed hym a million of times, she

cried out: "Ah the sweete reste of my cares, and the onely port

of all my pleasures and pastimes, hadst thou so sure a hearte to

choose thy Churchyarde in this place betwene the armes of thy

perfect Louer, and to ende the course of thy life for my sake in

the floure of thy Youth when lyfe to thee should have bene most

deare and delectable? how had this tender body power to resist

the furious Coumbat of death, very death it selfe here present?

how coulde thy tender and delicate youth willingly permit that

thou shouldest approch into this filthy and infected place,

where from henceforth thou shalt be the pasture of Worms

vnworthy of thee? Alas, alas, by what meanes shall I now renue

my playnts, which time and long pacience ought to haue buried

and clearely quenched? Ah I, miserable and Caitife wretch,

thinking to finde remedy for my griefs, haue sharpned the Knife

that hath gieuen me this cruell blow, whereof I receiue the

cause of mortall wound. Ah, happy and fortunate graue which

shalt serue in world to come for witnesse of the most perfect

aliaunce that euer was betwene two most infortunate louers,

receyue now the last sobbing sighes, and intertayment of the

most cruell of all the cruell subiects of ire and death." And as

she thought to continue hir complaynts, Pietro aduertised Frier

Laurence that he heard a noyse besides the citadell, wherewyth

being afrayd, they speadily departed, fearing to be taken: and

then Iulietta seeing hir selfe alone, and in full Liberty, tooke

agayne Rhomeo betweene hir armes, kissing him with sutch

affection, as she seemed to be more attaynted with loue than

death, and drawing out the Dagger which Rhomeo ware by his side,

she pricked hir selfe with many blowes against the heart,

sayinge with feeble and pitiful voice: "Ah death the end of

sorrow, and beginning of felicity, thou art most hartely

welcome: feare not at this time to sharpen thy dart: giue no

longer delay of life, for feare that my sprite trauayle not to

finde Rhomeo's ghost amongs sutch number of carion corpses: and

thou my deare Lord and loyall husband Rhomeo, if there rest in

thee any knowledge, receyue hir whom thou hast so faythfully

loued, the onely cause of thy violent death, which frankely

offreth vp hir soule that none but thou shalt ioy the loue

whereof thou hast made so lawfull conquest, and that our soules

passing from this light, may eternally liue together in the

place of euerlasting ioy." And when she had ended those wordes

shee yelded vp hir ghost. While these thinges thus were done,

the garde and watch of the Citty by chaunce passed by, and

seeing light within the graue, suspected straight that there

were some Necromancers which had opened the Toumbe to abuse the

deade bodies for ayde of their arte: and desirous to knowe what

it ment, went downe into the vaut, where they found Rhomeo and

Iulietta, with their armes imbracing ech other's neck, as though

there had bene some token of lyfe. And after they had well

viewed them at leysure, they perceyued in what case they were:

and then all amazed they sought for the theeues which (as they

thought) had done the murther, and in the ende founde the good

father Fryer Laurence, and Pietro the seruaunte of deade Rhomeo

(whych had hid themselues under a stall) whom they caryed to

Pryson, and aduertysed the Lord of Escala, and the magistrates

of Verona of that horrible murder, which by and by was published

throughoute the City. Then flocked together al the Citizens,

women and children leauyng their houses, to loke vppon that

pityful sighte, and to the Ende that in presence of the whole

Cytie, the murder should be knowne, the Magistrates ordayned

that the two deade Bodies should he erected vppon a stage to the

view and sight of the whole World, in sutch sorte and manner as

they were found withyn the Graue, and that Pietro and frier

Laurence should publikely bee examyned, that afterwardes there

myght be no murmure or other pretended cause of ignoraunce. And

thys good olde Frier beyinge vppon the Scaffold, hauinge a whyte

Bearde all wet and bathed with Teares, the Iudges commaunded him

to declare vnto them who were the Authors of that Murder, sith

at vntimely houre hee was apprehended with certayne Irons

besides the Graue. Fryer Laurence, a rounde and franke Man of

talke, nothyng moued with that accusation, answered them with

stoute and bolde voyce: "My maisters, there is none of you all

(if you haue respect vnto my forepassed Life, and to my aged

Yeres, and therewithall haue consideration of this heauy

spectacle, whereunto vnhappy fortune hathe presently brought me)

but doeth greatly maruell of so sodaine mutation and change

vnlooked for so mutch as these three score and Ten or twelue

Yeares sithens I came into this Worlde, and began to proue the

vanities thereof, I was neuer suspected, touched, or found

guilty of any crime which was able to make me blushe, or hide my

face, although (before God) I doe confesse my self to be the

greatest and most abhominable sinner of al the redeemed flocke

of Christ. So it is notwythstanding, that sith I am prest and

ready to render mine accompte, and that Death, the Graue and

wormes do dailye summon this wretched corps of myne to appeare

before the Iustyce seate of God, still wayghtyng and attending

to be carried to my hoped graue, this is the houre I say, as you

likewise may thinke wherein I am fallen to the greatest damage

and preiudice of my Lyfe and honest porte, and that which hath

ingendred thys synyster opynyon of mee, may peraduenture bee

these greate Teares which in abundaunce tryckle downe my Face as

though the holy scriptures do not witnesse, that Jesus Christ

moued with humayne pitty, and compassion, did weepe, and poure

forth teares, and that many times teares be the faythfull

messengers of a man's innocency. Or else the most likely

euidence, and presumption, is the suspected hour, which (as the

magistrate doth say) doth make mee culpable of the murder, as

though all houres were not indifferently made equall by God

their Creator, who in his owne person declareth vnto vs that

there be twelue houres in the Day, shewing thereby that there is

no exception of houres nor of minutes, but that one may doe

eyther good or ill at all times indifferently, as the party is

guided or forsaken by the sprite of God: touching the Irons

which were founde about me, needefull it is not now to let you

vnderstand for what vse Iron was first made, and that of it

selfe it is not able to increase in man eyther good or euill, if

not by the mischieuous minde of hym which doth abuse it. Thus

mutch I haue thought good to tell you, to the intent that

neyther teares nor Iron, ne yet suspected houre, are able to

make me guilty of the murder, or make me otherwyse than I am,

but only the witnesse of mine owne conscience, which alone if I

were guilty should be the accuser, the witnesse, and the

hangman, whych, by reason of mine age and the reputation I haue

had amonges you, and the little time that I haue to liue in this

World shoulde more torment me within, than all the mortall

paynes that could be deuised: but (thankes be to myne eternall

God) I feele no worme that gnaweth, nor any remorse that

pricketh me touching that fact, for which I see you all troubled

and amazed: and to set your harts at rest, and to remoue the

doubts which hereafter may torment your consciences, I sweare

vnto you by all the heauenly parts wherein I hope to be, that

forthwith I will disclose from first to last the entire

discourse of this pitifull tragedy, whych peraduenture shall

driue you into no lesse wondre and amaze, than those two poore

passionate Louers were strong and pacient, to expone themselues

to the mercy of death, for the feruent and indissoluble loue

betwene then." Then the Fatherly Frier began to repeate the

beginning of the loue betwene Iulietta, and Rhomeo, which by

certayne space of time confirmed, was prosecuted by wordes at

the first, then by mutual promise of mariage, vnknown to the

world. And as within few dayes after, the two Louers feelinge

themselues sharpned and incited with stronger onset, repaired

vnto him vnder colour of confession, protesting by othe that

they were both maried, and that if he woulde not solempnize that

mariage in the face of the Church, they should be constrayned to

offend God to liue in disordred lust: in consideration whereof,

and specially seeing their alliaunce to be good, and comfortable

in dignity, richesse and Nobility on both sides, hoping by that

meanes perchaunce to reconcile the Montesches, and Capellets,

and that by doing sutch an acceptable worke to God, he gaue them

the Churches blessingin a certayne Chappel of the friers church

whereof the night following they did consummate the mariage

fruicts in the Pallace of the Capellets. For testimony of which

copulation, the woman of Iuliettae's Chamber was able to depose:

Adding moreouer, the murder of Thibault, which was Cousin to

Iulietta: by reason whereof the banishment of Rhomeo did

followe, and howe in the absence of the sayd Rhomeo, the mariage

being kept secret betwene them, a new Matrimony was intreated

wyth the Countee Paris, which misliked by Iulietta, she fell

prostrate at his feete in a Chappell of S. Frauncis church, with

full determination to haue killed hirself with hir owne hands,

if he gaue hir not councell how she should auoyde the mariage

agreed betwene hir father and the Countee Paris. For conclusion,

he sayd, that although he was resolued by reason of his age, and

nearenesse of death to abhorre all secrete Sciences, wherein in

his younger yeares he had delight, notwithstanding, pressed with

importunity, and moued with pitty, fearing least Iulietta should

do some cruelty agaynst hirselfe, he strayned his conscience,

and chose rather with some little fault to grieue his minde,

than to suffer the young gentlewoman to destroy hir body, and

hazarde the daunger of hir soule: and therefore he opened some

part of his auncient cunning, and gaue her a certayne Pouder to

make hir sleepe, by meanes whereof she was thought to be deade.

Then he tolde them how he had sent Frier Anselme to cary letters

to Rhomeo of their enterprise, whereof hitherto he had no

aunswere. Then briefly he concluded how he found Rhomeo dead

within the graue, who as it is most likely did impoyson

himselfe, or was otherwise smothered or suffocated with sorow by

findinge Iulietta in that state, thinking shee had bene dead.

Then he tolde them how Iulietta did kill hirselfe with the

Dagger of Rhomeo to beare him company after his death, and how

it was impossible for them to saue hir for the noyse of the

watch which forced theym to flee from thence. And for more ample

approbation of his saying, he humbly besought the Lord of Verona

and the Magistrats to send to Mantua for Frier Anselme to know

the cause of his slack returne, that the content of the letter

sent to Rhomeo might be seene: to examine the Woman of the

Chamber of Iulietta, and Pietro the seruaunt of Rhomeo, who not

attending for further request, sayd vnto them: "My Lordes, when

Rhomeo entred the graue, he gaue me this Pacquet, written as I

suppose with his owne hand, who gaue me expresse commaundement

to deliuer it to his father." The pacquet opened, they found the

whole effect of this story, specially the Apothecarie's name,

which sold him the Poyson, the price, and the cause wherefore he

vsed it, and all appeared to be so cleare and euident, as there

rested nothing for further verification of the same, but their

presence at the doing of the particulers thereof, for the whole

was so well declared in order, as they were out of doubt that

the same was true: and then the Lord Bartholomew of Escala,

after he had debated with the Magistrates of these euents,

decreed that the Woman of Iulietta hir chamber should bee

banished, because shee did conceale that priuy mariage from the

Father of Rhomeo, which if it had beene knowne in tyme, had bred

to the whole Citty an vniuersall benefit. Pietro because he

obeyed hys mayster's commaundement, and kept close hys lawfull

secrets, according to the well conditioned nature of a trusty

seruaunt, was set at liberty. The Poticary taken, rackt, and

founde guilty, was hanged. The good olde man Frier Laurence, as

well for respect of his auncient seruice which he had done to

the common wealth of Verona, as also for his vertuous life (for

the which hee was specially recommended) was let goe in peace,

without any note of Infamy. Notwithstanding by reason of his

age, he voluntarily gaue ouer the World, and closed himselfe in

an Hermitage, two miles from Verona, where he liued 5 or 6

yeares, and spent hys tyme in continuall prayer, vntil he was

called out of this transitory worlde, into the blisful state of

euerlasting ioy. And for the compassion of so straunge an

infortune, the Montesches, and Capellets poured forth sutch

abundaunce of teares, as with the same they did euacuate their

auncient grudge and choler, whereby they were then reconciled:

and they which coulde not bee brought to attonement by any

wisedome or humayne councell, were in the ende vanquished and

made frends by pity: and to immortalizate the memory of so

intier and perfect amity, the Lord of Verona ordayned, that the

two bodies of those miraculous Louers should be fast intoumbed

in the graue where they ended their lyues, in which place was

erected a high marble Piller, honoured with an infinite number

of excellent Epytaphes, which to this day be apparaunt, with

sutch noble memory, as amongs all the rare excellencies,

wherewith that City is furnished, there is none more Famous than

the Monument of Rhomeo and Iulietta.