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194 past, he had wedded her to Romeus; the marriage with Paris is fixed for the tenth day of September. He tells Juliet of his youthful travels, in which he had learnt the virtues of stones, plants, metals. He explains the properties of the sleeping-powder; exhorts her to courage; bids her receive the "vyoll small," and on her marriage-day before the sun clears the sky, fill it with water:

Then drinke it of, and thou shalt feele throughout eche vayne and lim A pleasant slumber slide, and quite dispred at length On all thy partes, from every part reve all thy kindly strength.

Her kindred will suppose her dead; will bear her to their forefathers' tomb; the Friar will send to Mantua, and he and Romeus will take her forth that night. (1997–2172.)

Juliet courageously agrees; passes with stately gait through the streets; tells her mother that the Friar has made her another woman, and consents to marry Paris; she will go to her closet to choose out the bravest garments and richest jewels. Old Capilet praises the Friar, and at once goes to inform Paris; who visits Juliet, is charmed, and now only desires to haste the day. (2173–2276.)

The bridal feast is prepared; the dearest things are bought. In Juliet's chamber the Nurse praises Paris ten times more than she had praised Romeus: "Paris shall dwell there still, Romeus shall not retourne," or, if he do, Juliet shall have both husband and paramour. Juliet maintains a cheerful aspect; sends away the Nurse, for she would spend the night in prayer; then hides the viol under her bolster, and retires to bed. She doubts the unknown force of the powder. Will it work at all? Serpents and venomous worms may lurk in the tomb. How shall she endure the stench of corpses? Will she not be stifled? She thinks she sees Tybalt's dead body; she is in a cold sweat; fearing her own weakness, she swiftly drinks the mixture, then crosses her arms on her breast, and falls into a trance. (2277–2402.)