Chapter 5
Romeo and Juliet
It's been two weeks since The Mad Hatter rescued Hattie from The Copy Catter Hatter. Hattie was near the bridge reading from one of her favorite books when The White Rabbit and the Tweedles walked up to her.
TWEEDLE DEE: Say Hattie what is that you're reading?
HATTIE: It's Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare.
THE WHITE RABBIT: Don't you mean Rabbit and Juliet by William Shakespaw?
HATTIE: No, where I come from it's
Romeo and Juliet by William Shakes
peare.
TWEEDLE DUM: Oh. Are you sure?
HATTIE: Yes, I'm sure Dum.
TWEEDLE DEE: What part are you reading?
HATTIE: I'm reading my favorite scene from Act 2.
THE WHITE RABBIT: What scene from Act 2 is your favorite?
HATTIE: Scene 2 is my favorite scene from Act 2.
THE WHITE RABBIT: Can we hear your favorite scene from Act 2?
HATTIE: On one condition.
THE WHITE RABBIT: And what condition may that be?
HATTIE: That I and a certain special someone could act it out for you and all of Wonderland.
THE WHITE RABBIT: I will notify the Queen at once.
And with that The White Rabbit rolled off to the palace to tell The Red Queen.
TWEEDLE DUM: So Hattie who is that certain special someone that is going to act out your favorite scene with you for all of Wonderland?
HATTIE: You're just going to have to wait and see for yourself, Dum.
A few minutes later Hattie went to go see The Mad Hatter but she noticed that he wasn't alone, The March Hare and Alice were having Tea with him.
HATTIE: Hi, guys.
ALICE, THE MAD HATTER & THE MARCH HARE: Hi, Hattie.
HATTIE: Alice, Hare, may I talk to Hatter alone please?
ALICE & THE MARCH HARE: Of course you can.
So Alice and The March Hare left and now The Mad Hatter and Hattie were alone.
THE MAD HATTER: So starshine why did you want to talk to me alone?
HATTIE (holding up her book of Romeo and Juliet): You see this book: Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare?
THE MAD HATTER: I thought that was suppose to be Rabbit and Juliet by William Shakespaw?
HATTIE: Actually this book came from where I come from.
THE MAD HATTER: Oh. So what about it?
HATTIE: Well I was wondering if you would like to help me act out my favorite scene from this book for all of Wonderland?
THE MAD HATTER: What is your favorite scene?
HATTIE: Act 2, Scene 2.
THE MAD HATTER: Why that scene?
HATTIE (as she hands Hatter the book opened to Act 2, Scene 2): Just see for yourself.
So The Mad Hatter read most of Act 2, Scene 2.
THE MAD HATTER: I would love to act out this scene with you.
HATTIE: That's great.
THE MAD HATTER: Well I know that my part is Romeo and yours is Juliet but who is going to read the lines of the Nurse?
HATTIE: I was thinking maybe Alice could do those lines.
THE MAD HATTER: That's a great idea. Shouldn't we go tell Alice about this?
HATTIE: Actually Hatter she already knows that she is going to read the lines of the Nurse.
THE MAD HATTER: How does she already know?
HATTIE: Well her and I talked about this yesterday.
So for the next few hours Hattie and The Mad Hatter were rehearsing their lines. After rehearsing for two or three hours it was time for them to act out the scene for all of Wonderland.
THE RED QUEEN: So Rabbit you say that Hattie and someone else is going to act out a scene from Romeo and Juliet?
THE WHITE RABBIT: Yes that's what I said.
THE RED QUEEN: Is Romeo and Juliet anything like Rabbit and Juliet.
THE WHITE RABBIT: I'm not so sure, your majesty I never heard the lines from Romeo and Juliet.
THE MARCH HARE: Hey, guys where is Alice and Hatter they are going to miss the play?
TWEEDLE DEE: I'm not sure.
Just then Hattie come out dressed as Juliet.
HATTIE: Everyone today I and a certain special someone are going to act out my favorite scene from Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare. Also Alice is going to help us with this scene as she is going to be the Nurse in this scene.
Hattie went backstage and got in place. Then the curtain opened and than everyone saw The Mad Hatter dressed as Romeo.
[Scene 2]
[Romeo comes forward.]
Romeo. He jests at scars that never felt a wound.
[
Enter Juliet above.]
But soft; What light through yonder window breaks?
It is the East, and Juliet is the sun!
Arise, fair sun, and kill the envious moon,
Who is already sick and pale with grief
That thou her maid art far more fair than she.
Be not her maid, since she is envious.
Her vestal livery is but sick and green,
And none but fools do wear it. Cast it off.
It is my lady; O, it is my love!
O that she knew she were!
She speaks, yet she says nothing. What of that?
Her eye discourses; I will answer it.
I am too bold; 'tis not to me she speaks.
Two of the fairest stars in all the heaven,
Having some business, [do] entreat her eyes
To twinkle in their spheres till they return.
What if her eyes were there, they in her head?
The brightness of her cheek would shame those stars
As daylight doth a lamp; her eyes in heaven
Would through the airy region stream so bright
That birds would sing and think it were not night.
See how she leans her cheek upon her hand!
O that I were a glove upon that hand,
That I might touch that cheek!
Juliet. Ay me!
Romeo. [
aside] She speaks.
O speak again, bright angel! for thou art
As glorious to this night, being o'er my head,
As is a wingèd messenger of heaven
Upon the white-upturned wond'ring eyes
Of mortals that fall back to gaze on him
When he bestrides the lazy-pacing clouds
And sails upon the bosom of the air.
Juliet. O Romeo, Romeo! wherefore art thou Romeo?
Deny thy father and refuse thy name;
Or, if thou wilt not, be but sworn my love,
And I'll no longer be a Capulet.
Romeo. [
aside] Shall I hear more, or shall I speak at this?
Juliet. 'Tis but thy name that is my enemy.
Thou art thyself, though not a Montague.
What's Montague? It is nor hand, nor foot,
Nor arm, nor face, [nor any other part]
Belonging to a man. O, be some other name!
What's in a name? That which we call a rose
By any other word would smell as sweet.
So Romeo would, were he not Romeo called,
Retain that dear perfection which he owes
Without that title. Romeo, doff thy name;
And for thy name, which is no part of thee,
Take all myself.
Romeo. I take thee at thy word.
Call me but love, and I'll be new baptized;
Henceforth I never will be Romeo.
Juliet. What man art thou that, thus bescreened in night,
So stumblest on my counsel?
Romeo. By a name
I know not how to tell thee who I am.
My name, dear saint, is hateful to myself,
Because it is an enemy to thee.
Had I it written, I would tear the word.
Juliet. My ears have yet not drunk a hundred words
Of thy tongue's uttering, yet I know the sound.
Art thou not Romeo, and a Montague?
Romeo. Neither, fair maid, if either thee dislike.
Juliet. How camest thou hither, tell me, and wherefore?
The orchard walls are high and hard to climb,
And the place death, considering who thou art,
If any of my kinsmen find thee here.
Romeo. With love's light wings did I o'erperch these walls;
For stony limits cannot hold love out,
And what love can do, that dares love attempt.
Therefore thy kinsmen are no stop to me.
Juliet. If they do see thee, they will murder thee.
Romeo. Alack, there lies more peril in thine eye
Than twenty of their swords! Look thou but sweet,
And I am proof against their enmity.
Juliet. I would not for the world they saw thee here.
Romeo. I have night's cloak to hide me from their eyes;
And but thou love me, let them find me here.
My life were better ended by their hate
Than death prorogued, wanting of thy love.
Juliet. By whose direction found'st thou out this place?
Romeo. By love, that first did prompt me to inquire.
He lent me counsel, and I lent him eyes.
I am no pilot; yet, wert thou as far
As that vast shore [washed] with the farthest sea,
I should adventure for such merchandise.
Juliet. Thou knowest the mask of night is on my face;
Else would a maiden blush bepaint my cheek
For that which thou hast heard me speak tonight.
Fain would I dwell on form; fain, fain deny
What I have spoke. But farewell compliment!
Dost thou love me? I know thou wilt say "Ay";
And I will take thy word. Yet, if thou swear'st,
Thou mayst prove false. At lovers' perjuries,
They say Jove laughs. O gentle Romeo,
If thou dost love, pronounce it faithfully.
Or if thou thinkest I am too quickly won,
I'll frown, and be perverse, not for the world.
In truth, fair Montague, I am too fond,
And therefore thou mayst think my [havior] light;
But trust me, gentleman, I'll prove more true
Than those that have [more] coying to be strange.
I should have been more strange, I must confess,
But that thou overheard'st, ere I was ware,
My true-love passion. Therefore pardon me,
And not impute this yielding to light love,
Which the dark night hath so discoverèd.
Romeo. Lady, by yonder blessèd moon I vow,
That tips with silver all these fruit-tree tops—
Juliet. O, swear not by the moon, th' inconstant moon,
That monthly changes in her [circled] orb,
Lest that thy love prove like wise variable.
Romeo. What shall I swear by?
Juliet. Do not swear at all.
Or if thou wilt, swear by thy gracious self,
Which is the god of my idolatry,
And I'll believe thee.
Romeo. If my heart's dear love—
Juliet. Well, do not swear. Although I joy thee,
I have no joy of this contract tonight.
It is too rash, too unadvised, too sudden;
Too like the lightning, which doth cease to be
Ere one can say "It lightens." Sweet, good night!
This bud of love, by summer’s ripening breath,
May prove a beautous flow'r when next we meet.
Good night, good night! As sweet repose and rest
Come to thy heart as that within my breast!
Romeo. O, wilt thou leave me so unsatisfied?
Juliet. What satisfaction canst thou have tonight?
Romeo. Th' exchange of thy love's faithful vow for mine.
Juliet. I gave thee mine before thou didst request it;
And yet I would it were to give again.
Romeo. Wouldst thou withdraw it? For what purpose, love?
Juliet. But to be frank and give it thee again.
And yet I wish but for the thing I have.
My bounty is as boundless as the sea,
My love as deep; the more I give to thee,
The more I have, for both are infinite.
[
Nurse calls within.]
I hear some noise within. Dear love adieu!
Anon, good nurse!—Sweet Montague, be true.
Stay but a little, I will come again. [
She exits.]
Romeo. O blessèd, blessèd night! I am afeard,
Being in night, all this but a dream,
Too flattering-sweet to be substantial.
[Reenter Juliet above.]
Juliet. Three words, dear Romeo, and good night indeed.
If that thy bent of love be honorable,
Thy purpose marriage, send me word tomorrow,
By one that I'll procure to come to thee,
Where and what time thou wilt perform the rite;
And all my fortunes at thy foot I'll lay
And follow thee my [lord] throughout the world.
[
Nurse within.] Madam!
Juliet. I come anon.—But if thou meanest not well,
I do beseech thee—
[
Nurse within.] Madam!
Juliet. By and by I come.—
To cease thy strife and leave me to my grief.
Tomorrow will I send.
Romeo. So thrive my soul—
Juliet. A thousand times good night! [
She exits.]
Romeo. A thousand times the worse to want thy light!
Love goes toward love as schoolboys from their books;
But love from love, toward school with heavy looks.
[
Going.]
Enter Juliet [above] again.
Juliet. Hist! Romeo, hist! O for a falc'ner's voice
To lure this tassel gentle back again!
Bondage is hoarse and may not speak aloud,
Else would I tear the cave where Echo lies
And make her airy tongue more hoarse than [mine]
With repetition of "My Romeo!"
Romeo. It is my soul that calls upon my name.
How silver-sweet sound lovers' tongues by night,
Like softest music to attending ears!
Juliet. Romeo!
Romeo. My [dear.]
Juliet. What o'clock tomorrow
Shall I come to thee?
Romeo. By the hour of nine.
Juliet. I will not fail. 'Tis twenty year till then.
I have forgot why I did call thee back.
Romeo. Let me stand here till thou remember it.
Juliet. I shall forget, to have thee still stand there,
Rememb'ring how I love thy company.
Romeo. And I'll still stay, to have thee still forget,
Forgetting any other home but this.
Juliet. 'Tis almost morning. I would have thee gone—
And yet no farther than a wanton's bird,
That lets it hop a little from his hand,
Like a poor prisoner in his twisted gyves,
And with a silken thread plucks it back again,
So loving-jealous of his liberty.
Romeo. I would I were thy bird.
Juliet. Sweet, so would I.
Yet I should kill thee with much cherishing.
Good night, good night! Parting is such sweet sorrow
That I shall say "Good night" till it be morrow.
[
She exits.]
[
Romeo.] Sleep dwell upon thine eyes, peace in thy breast!
Would I were sleep and peace, so sweet to rest!
Hence will I to my ghostly friar's close cell,
His help to crave and my dear hap to tell.
He exits.After The Mad Hatter as Romeo exits the curtain closes and then a few seconds later Hattie still dressed as Juliet, The Mad Hatter still dressed as Romeo and Alice dressed as the Nurse came out and took a bow and everyone in the audience was clapping.
THE RED QUEEN: I have to admit that was better than Rabbit and Juliet.
THE WHITE RABBIT: But yet some of it was the same, but worded differently, your majesty.
THE RED QUEEN: That maybe true Rabbit but still it was a bit better than Rabbit and Juliet.
THE WHITE RABBIT: I actually have to agree it was a bit better than Rabbit and Juilet.
TWEEDLE DEE: So Hattie why did Hatter play Romeo?
HATTIE: Well Dee if you didn't know by now Hatter is, has been and will always be my Romeo no matter what.
THE MAD HATTER: And Hattie you will always be my Juliet.
When The Mad Hatter said that Hattie gave him a passionate kiss. Everyone left to give Hattie and The Mad Hatter some privacy. Later that night Hattie was sleeping in The Mad Hatter's embrace.
