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 Shakespeare'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 Shakespeare's
representations of the great professions, is very delightful and
tranquillising, 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 struggl