Romeo and Juliet

by: William Shakespeare

Act 2 Scene 6

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Original Text	Modern Text
Enter FRIAR LAWRENCE and ROMEO	FRIAR LAWRENCE and ROMEO enter.
FRIAR LAWRENCE So smile the heavens upon this holy act That after-hours with sorrow chide us not.	FRIAR LAWRENCE May the heavens be happy with this holy act of marriage, so nothing unfortunate happens later to make us regret it.
ROMEO Amen, amen. But come what sorrow can, It cannot countervail the exchange of joy 5That one short minute gives me in her sight. Do thou but close our hands with holy words, Then love-devouring death do what he dare; It is enough I may but call her mine.	ROMEO Amen, amen. But whatever misfortunes occur, they can’t ruin the joy I feel with one look at her. All you have to do is join our hands with holy words, then love-destroying death can do whatever it pleases. It’s enough for me if I can call her mine.
FRIAR LAWRENCE These violent delights have violent ends 10And in their triumph die, like fire and powder, Which, as they kiss, consume. The sweetest honey Is loathsome in his own deliciousness And in the taste confounds the appetite. Therefore love moderately. Long love doth so. 15Too swift arrives as tardy as too slow.	FRIAR LAWRENCE These sudden joys have sudden endings. They burn up in victory like fire and gunpowder. When they meet, as in a kiss, they explode. Too much honey is delicious, but it makes you sick to your stomach. Therefore, love each other in moderation. That is the key to long-lasting love. Too fast is as bad as too slow.
Enter JULIET, somewhat fast, and embraceth ROMEO	JULIET enters in a rush and embraces ROMEO.
Here comes the lady. Oh, so light a foot Will ne'er wear out the everlasting flint. A lover may bestride the gossamers That idles in the wanton summer air, 20And yet not fall. So light is vanity.	Here comes the lady. Oh,a footstep as light as hers will never endure the rocky road of life. Lovers are so light they can walk on a spiderweb floating on a summer breeze, and yet not fall. That’s how flimsy and unreal pleasure is.
JULIET Good even to my ghostly confessor.	JULIET Good evening, my spiritual confessor.
FRIAR LAWRENCE Romeo shall thank thee, daughter, for us both.	FRIAR LAWRENCE Romeo will thank you, my girl, for both of us.

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