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Romeo and Juliet

by William Shakespeare

Act 2, Prologue

Additional Information
  • Year Published: 1597
  • Language: English
  • Country of Origin: United States of America
  • Source: Shakespeare, W. Romeo and Juliet New York: Sully and Kleinteich
  • Readability:
    • Flesch–Kincaid Level: 11.0
  • Word Count: 120
  • Genre: Tragedy
  • Keywords: 16th century literature, british literature, drama, romance, tragedy
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(Enter Chorus)

Chorus
Now old desire doth in his death-bed lie,
And young affection gapes to be his heir;
That fair for which love groan'd for and would die,
With tender Juliet match'd, is now not fair.
Now Romeo is beloved and loves again,
Alike betwitched by the charm of looks,
But to his foe supposed he must complain,
And she steal love's sweet bait from fearful hooks:
Being held a foe, he may not have access
To breathe such vows as lovers use to swear;
And she as much in love, her means much less
To meet her new-beloved any where:
But passion lends them power, time means, to meet
Tempering extremities with extreme sweet.

(Exit)