Lope de Vega

“ Juliet, who overhears all, appears, and opposes this marriage: at the sight of her, the fright of the company gives way to surprize, and joy succeeds their surprize. At length, when they learn that Romeo has taken her from the arms of death, they judge that he has a lawful right to her; their union is ratified, Anselmo espouses the daughter of Theobald, and the brave Marino receives the hand of Celia, with a thousand ducats, which are made him a present of as her marriage portion. ”

“ The festival will, no doubt, have collected together the principal ladies of the Capulet faction; we shall see and admire them, and I have formed a very flattering idea; for it seems as if Heaven had been careful to share its gifts equally between their faction and ours: the Montagues have produced men of matchless strength and valour; among the Capulets, have always been seen ladies of such uncommon beauty, that one would imagine Nature had modelled them after some divine beauty [1] . Would to God, that Love might terminate our disputes, and Hymen reconcile both parties! ”

“ I at first saw you with a flattering emotion, which seduced my heart; but, reason now prescribes me other laws. I behold your death certain, my despair and shame inevitable: are not so many fatal objects sufficient to deter us from such a perilous career? ”

“ The scenes represent a magnificent and spacious garden, in which a number of ladies and gentlemen are sitting, and others walking about as their fancy leads them; a band of musicians is seen at the farther end, who from time to time draw some strokes with their bows. In a word, the scene represents to the eyes of the spectator a grand ball, which is supposed to be in the house of Antonio. ”

“ After this recital, which is drawn out to a great length in the piece, Romeo begins to revive: however, his hope is mixed with uneasiness; he is afraid lest he should arrive too late, or that Juliet awaking should die from the fright; or rather, lest she should expire in the arms of sleep. At length he sets out for Verona; Marino does not take the resolution to attend him without regret; and as to what Anselmo tells him, that there are a great number of bodies in the sepulchre, he maintains reasonably enough, "that, in his opinion, the dead are bad company ”

“ Would it have cost Heaven more to have made me a Capulet?"
The confusion which reigns in the assembly, insensibly permits Romeo to join Juliet. Romeo makes a declaration of his love: Juliet hears him without anger; Octavio comes and interrupts their conversation. This does not prevent Juliet from artfully slipping a ring into Romeo's hand, and at the same time appointing an interview in the garden the following night.
As the day begins to close the company separates: the actors retire; and Juliet, with Celia her maid, only remain.
SCENE IV.
Juliet and Celia. ”

“ Antonio comes; he is sensibly affected with his daughter's misfortune; she was dear to him, and besides, having no heirs, he can't tell to whom he should leave his vast possessions. This consideration induces him to take the resolution to marry Dorothea, his niece, to prevent his great riches from being dispersed among several different families after his death: he asks advice of the duke on this subject, who approves of his intention. ”

“ Romeo.
My happiness equals my passion. Adieu, my dear Juliet.
Juliet.
Dear Romeo, adieu.
End of the First Act.
↑ This expression comes near the Spanish, but softens the idea a little. Lopez de vega, says Mugeres, de tal belleza quo hurzo la naturaleza ha estampa à los serafines. This signifies, ladies adorned with so many charms, that Nature to form them stole the model of the beauty of the seraphims. ”