Romeo and Juliet
Shakescleare Translation

Romeo and Juliet Translation Act 2, Scene 6

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FRIAR LAWRENCE and ROMEO enter.

FRIAR LAWRENCE

So smile the heavens upon this holy actThat after-hours with sorrow chide us not.

FRIAR LAWRENCE

May the heavens smile upon this holy act of marriage, so that afterwards nothing happens to make us feel sorrowful about it.

ROMEO

Amen, amen. But come what sorrow can, It cannot countervail the exchange of joy That 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 sorrow comes, it couldn’t overwhelm the joy I feel from a single look at her. If you join our hands with holy words, then love-devouring death can do whatever it wants. It’s enough for me if I can just call her mine.

FRIAR LAWRENCE

These violent delights have violent ends And 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. Too swift arrives as tardy as too slow.

FRIAR LAWRENCE

Such passionate joys have violent endings. They die in their moment of triumph, just like a spark and gunpowder destroy themselves in an explosion once they touch. Even the most delicious honey is loathsome when you’ve had too much, and takes away your appetite. Loving in moderation is therefore the key to long-lasting love. Going too fast is as bad as going too slow.

JULIET rushes in 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, And 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 that they can walk upon a spiderweb floating on a summer breeze, and still 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.

JULIET

As much to him, else is his thanks too much.

JULIET

I’ll give him equal thanks, so we’re even.

ROMEO

Ah, Juliet, if the measure of thy joy Be heaped like mine, and that thy skill be more To blazon it, then sweeten with thy breath This neighbor air, and let rich music’s tongue Unfold the imagined happiness that both Receive in either by this dear encounter.

ROMEO

Ah, Juliet, if you’re as happy as I am, and you’re better with words, tell me about the happiness you imagine we’ll have in our marriage.

JULIET

Conceit, more rich in matter than in words, Brags of his substance, not of ornament. They are but beggars that can count their worth. But my true love is grown to such excess I cannot sum up sum of half my wealth.

JULIET

I can imagine more than I can say—I have more on my mind than words. Anyone who can count how much he has is poor. My true love has made me so rich that I can’t count even half of my wealth.

FRIAR LAWRENCE

Come, come with me, and we will make short work, For, by your leaves, you shall not stay alone Till Holy Church incorporate two in one.

FRIAR LAWRENCE

Come on, come along with me, and we will do the ceremony quickly. Because, with your permission, I won't leave you two alone until you are united in holy matrimony.

They exit.