Page:Romeo and Juliet (1917) Yale.djvu/139

Romeo and Juliet green. 'The brilliant touch of green visible in very light hazel eyes, and which gives wonderful clearness and animation to their look, has been admiringly denoted by poets from time immemorial.' (Clarke.)

evening mass. Although even at this time evening Masses were exceptional, they were occasionally celebrated, and especially at Verona.

It puts upon my mind a strain which it is unable to meet.

This line appears only in the first Quarto, and may have been omitted intentionally by Shakespeare in revising the play. On the other hand, it may have been carelessly dropped out.

mandrakes'. A plant the root of which was supposed to resemble a human figure and, when pulled from the earth, to emit shrieks which drove insane or killed any who heard them.

The universally accepted text of this line (cf. appendix on Text) has only the authority of the corrupt first Quarto. Although the relative merit of the two lines may be debatable, the reading here adopted has become so familiar that any change has been deemed inadvisable.

curfew bell. The bell used at night for the curfew was apparently also rung in the early morning.

rosemary. Rosemary, being an evergreen, was regarded as a symbol of immortality, and hence used at funerals. Also, as a symbol of enduring love, it was used at weddings, and had been brought to the Capulets for this purpose.

Though tears are natural, excessive mourning for the dead appears ridiculous when considered from the standpoint of reason.

Enter Peter. The second Quarto has here, 'Enter Will Kemp,' which shows that the part of Peter was played by this favorite comedian,