Page:William Hazlitt - Characters of Shakespear's Plays (1817).djvu/174

144 So thou wilt woo: but else not for the world. In truth, fair Montague, I am too fond; And therefore thou may'st think my 'haviour light; But trust me, gentleman, I'll piove more true Than those that have more cunning to be strange. I should have been more strange, I must confess, But that thou over-heard'st, ere I was ware, My true love's passion; therefore pardon me, And not impute this yielding to light love, Which the dark night hath so discovered."

In this and all the rest her heart fluttering between pleasure, hope, and fear, seems to have dictated to her tongue, and "calls true 'love spoken simple modesty." Of the same sort, but bolder in virgin innocence, is her soliloquy after her marriage with Romeo.

"Gallop apace, you fiery-footed steeds, Towards Phæbus' mansion; such a waggoner As Phaëton would whip you to the west, And bring in cloudy night immediately. Spread thy close curtain, love-performing night; That run-aways' eyes may wink; and Romeo Leap to these arms, untalked of, and unseen! Lovers can see to do their amorous rites By their own beauties: or if love be blind, It best agrees with night.—Come, civil night, Thou sober-suited matron, all in black, And learn me how to lose a winning match, Play'd for a pair of stainless maidenhoods: Hood my unmann'd blood bating in my cheeks, With thy black mantle; till strange love, grown bold, Thinks true love acted, simple modesty. Come night!—Come, Romeo! come, thou day in night;