'Jul'. Well, do not swear; although I joy in thee, I have no joy in this contract to-night: It is too rash, too unadvis'd, too sudden, &c. With love, pure love, there is always an anxiety for the safety of the object, a disinterestedness, by which it is distinguished from the counterfeits of its name. Compare this scene with Act iii. sc. 1. of the Tempest. I do not know a more wonderful instance of Shakspeare's mastery in playing a distinctly rememberable variety on the same remembered air, than in the transporting love-confessions of Romeo and Juliet and Ferdinand and Miranda. There seems more passion in the one, and more dignity in the other; yet you feel that the sweet girlish lingering and busy movement of Juliet, and the calmer and more maidenly fondness of Miranda, might easily pass into each other. 'Ib.' sc. 3. The Friar's speech:-- The reverend character of the Friar, like all Shakspeare's representations of the great professions, is very delightful and tranquillizing, yet it is no digression, but immediately necessary to the carrying on of the plot. 'Ib.' sc. 4. 'Rom.' Good morrow to you both. What counterfeit did I give you? &c.-- Compare again, Romeo's half-exerted, and half real, ease of mind with his first manner when in love with Rosaline! His will had come to the clenching point. 'Ib.' sc. 6. 'Rom.' 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. The precipitancy, which is the character of the play, is well marked in this short scene of waiting for Juliet's arrival. Act iii. sc. 1. 'Mer.' No, 'tis not so deep as a well, nor so wide as a church door; but 'tis enough: 'twill serve: ask for me to-morrow, and you shall find me a grave man, &c. How fine an effect the wit and raillery habitual to Mercutio, even struggling with his pain, give to Romeo's following speech, and at the same time so completely justifying his passionate revenge on Tybalt! 'Ib.' Benvolio's speech: But that he tilts With piercing steel at bold Mercutio's breast.-- This small portion of untruth in Benvolio's narrative is finely conceived. 'Ib.' sc. 2. Juliet's speech: For thou wilt lie upon the wings of night Whiter than new snow on a raven's back.-- Indeed the whole of this speech is imagination strained to the highest; and observe the blessed effect on the purity of the mind. What would Dryden have made of it?-- 'Ib.' 'Nurse'. Shame come to Romeo. 'Jul'. Blister'd be thy tongue For such a wish! Note the Nurse's mistake of the mind's audible struggles with itself for its decision 'in toto'. 'Ib.' sc. 3. Romeo's speech:-- 'Tis torture, and not mercy: heaven's here, Where Juliet lives, &c. All deep passions are a sort of atheists, that believe no future. 'Ib.' sc. 5.