Sunday, November 14, 2010
Thursday, September 2, 2010
St Joseph's, Lochinvar
Nature's Consequences
Whip-like vines lashed at my face as I sped away from the crime scene. I ducked and weaved through the tangled mess of branches and webs that reached out to prevent my escape. My task was a lonely one. Although exhilarating, it could also prove deadly. My senses had to be fine-tuned to the precise guidelines that were associated with the nature of my mission.
Not only was my course of action dangerous, for it left no room for error, but it was ruthlessly difficult. Even though I had done this many times before, it was still no less punishing. I heard a furious roar in the distance. Realising the implications I increased my pace. Horror filled my body and sent my mind on a dangerous path of fear and doubt, my pursuers had returned earlier than I had initially expected.
Nervously I began to stumble in my stride. Looking over my shoulder, I started to panic. My eyes widened as a huge buttress root rose from the ground. Disaster strucked and I curled up in submission, accepting my doomed fate.
An empty bowl of twigs and grass stung our eyes. Our playful smiles turned to hateful smirks. Gathering our strength, we let out a cry of disbelief and yearning for our missing treasures. We had been robbed of not only the greatest gifts our lives had brought us, but the very purpose of our existence. I inhaled deeply to catch the scent of the assailant. Turning on the heels of my hind legs, I stomped of toward the fiendish coward. The tracks grew further and further apart as the burglar picked up speed. Rounding a corner, I narrowed my vision to see in the distance those fearful, innocent eyes that glared back at me. I almost felt sorry for this sinister creature as it turned and thumped into the foundation of a willow. I eased back the reigns, slowly drawing to a halt. It seemed to be unconscious as I sniffed its limp body.
As I leant down to pick up the ghastly figure, I felt a digging pain in each side. Shaking violently I fell to the ground as two other raptors pecked at the flesh, lying bare and vulnerable in my open wounds. I heard a screech and realised that the same the same fate had befallen my poor friend. I looked at my murderers in pure hatred of the evil deed they had committed against me when they stole my most precious possessions; my unborn children.
The raptors fell back from the swipe of the mammoth T-Rex so-called ‘ruler of the land.’ They had failed their duty in finishing off the second beast. They turned back in shame, defeated and fleeing. The drained Tyrannosaurus left them to return to their pack as it searched for its dying mate in sorrow.
As it limped towards her body, it disinterestedly noted the scattering hunters. It scoffed at them, with its last puff of breath, as an added encouragement for them to leave in peace. Sobbing in ruin, it swore revenge on the assassins. Robbed of life’s joys, only vengeance gave it reason to live. It collapsed against the lifeless body and closed its eyes as it gained strength for its approaching hunt.
The Missionaries
I died that day. The day my love was lost, so too was I. That awful gloomy day shall never be relinquished from the detailed record that is my memory; wretched thing. Now all that is left of the burning fire which spread warmth within the confines of my inner self is a smouldering heap of ash whose empty coldness brings constant shivers to my spine, ever reminding me of what was and shan’t be again. Hopelessness lines my broken heart, a shield against any happiness, trapping inside only pain and fear. Fear for change, fear of love, fear of the plague of happiness that threatens my well-being and survival. For what is happiness but a promise of pain to come? Moreover, love, a dark, evil emotion that lurks about, waiting, under the guise of a bringer of joy, to strike surely and deeply, tearing you down to a pit of hatred and depression.
Hatred is the only REAL feeling; always honest, never hiding its true intent. Hatred is the only thing we can trust in this cruel, pitiful existence. We only exist to hate and hence, to destroy all in an attempt to save unsuspecting victims from the sinister crimes of those scheming emotions; love, joy, ecstasy. These conspiring diseases trap us in an addicted state of false enjoyment leaving behind a trail of hurt and misfortune. These are the most intoxicating drugs of all.
Their evil accomplices; sympathy, pity, empathy and hope, are but distractions, weaknesses which leave us vulnerable to even greater suffering. If we succumb to these temptations, we will find ourselves bruised and bitter. In our bewildered state, we will lack the strength and will to fight our dangerous foes, blindly following their misguided, destructive causes.
If we are to succeed over these greedy, misleading forces, we must let our anger control us, allow furious rage to overcome these vicious tormentors. Bring the tyrannical overlords down and drag their bodies through the dust as a message to all so-called ‘do-gooders’ This is the gospel I preach: Satan wishes not for suffering, but to protect against those blinding forces which intensify the depression it causes.
That is why I chose to kill them: so that I could save myself from the torture of heaven, and to end the dreadful storm that lingered over their ambitious and proud relatives. My only wish is that I could have saved them from themselves. They were missionaries, peacemakers; breeders of the filthy curse of happiness. I made it my duty though, to avoid their suffering.
They did not see, nor feel, deaths choking grip, as I was cunning enough to drug their systems during their short recess at the local café. It only took a sleepy driver and a well placed fishing line to catch the legs of the speeding horse’s and send the unconscious victims over a high altitude cliff... to the creepy, cold corners of heaven.
Monday, August 23, 2010
Self-Defence not allowed for Man in Trouble
At that exact moment the man grabbed Lewis around the neck. He frantically pulled the male around in front of him. The man continued to throw punches and connected with Lewis’s mouth. Within a second three more white patrons had jumped on Lewis and knocked him to the floor. By this time he was being kicked and punched all over his body. It seemed every time he tried to get up he was kicked back down again. The men started yelling racist comments like "kill that nigger." Lewis feared for his life.
Mr Brown suffers from panic disorder and felt he was going to die. He waited for someone to call the police or help him help. No one wanted to be involved. While on the floor, Lewis reached down and opened a pocket knife that he had used for work and began waving it around thinking that it would make them stand down. Slowly one after another backed up and ran out the bar. In doing so Lewis hadn’t realised he actually cut one of them. After the men left the bar he picked himself up and stumbled to his car when the police arrived.
Mr Brown was transported to the police station where he was kept overnight because of his injuries and observations. Lewis had terrible injuries to his mouth, chest, stomach, back and arm. While he was in jail he found out that none of the white males had been arrested or charged. The police were not even going to charge any of the four men. Lewis believed justice had to be served and pushed the idea to his attorney. Mr Brown’s attorney told him to plea bargain because he wouldn’t get a fair trial because of his race that Lewis should leave town for his own safety.
The Castle Review
When Darryl Kerrigan's world is drastically displaced by a land valuers knock on the door and his beat-up, run-down, lead-poisoned house's existence is challenged by an expanding airport owned by the 'Barlow Group', he appeals the compulsory acquisition and continues to lead his serene life, unfazed. As he goes to his holiday at Bonny Doon and does some evaluations of his own (on a pair of jousting sticks), his blissful life is steadily collapsing around him. When he eventually puts his faith in his (quite confronting) local solicitor, Dennis Denuto (Tiriel Mora) to fight a case of the national constitution.
When Dennis eventually botches up the case, Darryl turns to murder, rape, abortion, slaughter and incest for comfort. This doesn't actually happen, so if you want to know the real ending, go and watch the movie.
The Castle, rated M15+ for its moderate course language is a wonderfully refreshing movie, and the writer of this review recommends it highly to anyone who can handle an amount of cursing.
Empty
The torrent of rain ceased just as quickly as it had begun, mimicking Andrew’s mood. Only a moment before he had been hysterically sobbing over the body of his beloved, and now a cold determination had stolen over him, the only sign of misery betrayed on his face were swollen, bloodshot eyes.
As if in a dream, or a nightmare, he stood up from the bent and broken body, and walked down the road, back the way he had come. As he walked, memories came surging back to him of their time together.
He was walking home from school one afternoon, whistling to himself. As he turned a corner, he saw her, just standing there, not saying anything. She stared at him with her huge, brown, puppy-dog eyes, and from that moment onwards, he was in love. Not the school-yard type of love, though. Andrew would gladly jump in front of a speeding bus if it would stop harm coming to his newfound beauty.
They walked home together, and talked the entire way. Well, Andrew did most of the talking, as she was a very quiet soul, and although she spoke very little, her eyes betrayed an intelligence that, although it seemed foreign, was intelligence all the same.
Andrew felt captivated, unable to leave the cocoon of love that had been woven since their first encounter. She was the thing that had filled up the cocoon, and now she was gone, the world came rushing in. Like a bitter wind, reality stung his flesh. All he wanted to do was jump up and down, to run as fast as he could, roll on the ground even, just so that he could rid himself of the terrible ache his love had left him with.
It was the first time in his life that he had been wanted, the first female that had paid him positive attention. When he was with her, she filled a part of him, and now that she was gone, he knew in his heart that he would never have a pet that could fill that part again. He would now feel forever empty.
Saturday, August 21, 2010
Film Review ‘The Castle’
The Kerrigan family of Cooloroo (Australia) live in a humble house. If you put aside the fact that it's built on a toxic landfill, sits on the landing path of a close by airport and is constantly filled with the humming noise of high-power lines. Michael Caton plays Darryl Kerrigan who is the proudest and most optimistic tow truck driver in all of Australia. The airport however wishes to expand which requires the land on which the Kerrigan family home is located. Darryl Kerrigan refuses to go down without a fight, so hires Dennis Denuto (Tiriel Mora) who has very little knowledge of the Constitution and his profession. Despite the coarse language Darryl Kerrigan with the help of Lawrence Hammil and Dennis Denuto win back the Castle.
This movie shows the determination of the average Australian, with many quotes and laughs along the way. It was made with intelligence and purpose, and is considered a classic legend that is why this movie is going straight to the pool room.
Cherry
Injustice
He’s waiting out there. I can hear him. He’s going to kill me. As I sit alone in the dark eerie cupboard, the words I never thought I could say bubbled up inside like a hot liquid. They burned me. I could feel the bruises of when he last hit me. They hurt like all hell.
His footsteps begin to creep closer and my heart begins to race. I feel around the cupboard for something, anything I could use to protect myself. All my fingers felt were just empty space. I continued to search even though i knew i hadn’t the smallest hope, until, my fingers made contact with something. It was smooth and cool. I reached out further and my hand closed around something hard and metal.
I thought I knew what it was and that I could use it, but I had to make sure. I strained my ears to listen. His footsteps were moving away. I was safe, for now. I took my chance and flicked the light switch. I looked down, and what I was holding was a small revolver. I gasped in relief, but then I was shocked at myself. Could I really use this to end someone’s life? If it came to self defence i probably could, but not in cold blood.
I listened again, the footsteps were coming back. My heart beat faster and faster. My fingers curled tighter around the gun. This was purely defence i thought to myself. He’s going to kill you unless you do something about it. The cupboard door creaked open. I closed my eyes and pulled the trigger...
My neighbours rang the police. They didn’t know what was happening. I explained that it was only to protect myself. I explained that he beat my and abused me. I showed them the bruises, and still they took me away. I was charged with murder and sentenced to 20 years imprisonment. All that for self defence, how is that fair?
By Olivia and Kaitlyn
Thursday, August 19, 2010
The Castle Review
The castle, directed by Rob Sitch (1977) is a wonderful satirical comedy starring the likes of Michael Caton, Charles ‘Bud’ Tingwell, Stephen Curry and Anthony Simcoe. Despite its ‘M’ rating the film explores moral and family themes, giving a slightly over exaggerated yet humorous insight into a typical suburban Aussie family.
Darryl Kerrigan is a tow truck driver who despite the power lines, the nearby airport and the toxic landfill festering beneath his backyard, wholly believes his lowly residence in 3 Highview Crescent is the grandeur and splendor of all homes. His family, who are hilariously unaware of their lack of sophistication or style are behind him every step of the way, assisting him with the dilapidated D.I.Y extensions and buying pointless artifacts from the trading post.
When the government decides to compulsorily acquire all the homes in the area, Darryl takes it upon himself to fight the law to Australia’s Highest court, questioning the constitution itself, proclaiming that a man’s home is his castle.
The Castle is a lighthearted humor with hidden depth, focusing on a David and Goliath battle won purely by the power of sheer determination. It is a brilliant film, earning its place in Australia’s ‘pool room’.
How to post in the proper place!!
“The Castle”
Miramax’s movie, directed by Rob Sitch, “The Castle” is a light-hearted but so true story about and easygoing family that comes to a halt. The film was an audience favourite at the 1998 Sundance film festival. It has an upbeat sense of humour that will please the whole family.
The Castle is a story about the Kerrigan family who live a very flowing life, nothing ever worries them. They are all very close together with Darryl Kerrigan (Michael Caton) who is a much loving family guy who loves the way that he lives his life and loves the place where he and his wife Sal (Anne Tenney) has bought up his four kids, Dale (Stephen Curry) “idea Man” Steve (Anthony Curry), Wayne (Wayne Hope), who lives his life in Jail, and a daughter Tracey (Sophie Lee) who has just recently Joined the Newly Weds. Daryl’s life couldn’t be better, but things start to fire up a bit, just because they live next door to an airport. The Kerrigan family likes the atmosphere of where they live and they will fight to stay where they love to live their lives.
The Castle is a funny upbeat comedy that will entertain the whole family. Lots of families will be able to relate their lives around those of the Kerrigan family.
The Castle Review
Michael Caton who brilliantly plays Darryl Kerrigan is a very optimistic homeowner who believes his home is situated in the best part of Australia, right in between an airport and a high voltage tower. Darryl lives with his beloved wife Sal, who is played by Anne Tenney. Darryl believes that Sal is the best cooker in the country, even if it is only rissoles. The there’s Dale (Stephen Curry) who is the narrator in the film and Steve (Anthony Simcoe) A.K.A the idea man.
The airport wants to expand, and, under an agreement with the government, they demand the compulsory acquisition of Darryl’s home. Instead of accepting their generous offer and moving, he and a few neighbours decide to fight back.
The film was very enjoyable and the sayings were worth repeating over and over again. Any fun-loving Australian who enjoys a good belly laugh would enjoy this film.
by Olivia and Kaitlyn
Joy Division
Joy Division
"Let's dance to joy division, and celebrate the irony, everything is going wrong, but we're so happy." - The Wombats
Life is hard. From the moment of birth your worst nightmare comes true; naked and crying in a room full of medical professionals and your mother. But don’t be fooled into thinking that will be your only time being naked in public!
Before you have the ability to flatly refuse and stomp to your bedroom, or even to just thrash on the ground of a supermarket to get what you want, your mother takes to you to your future school to bath you. Unfortunately she missed the memo that taking your child’s clothes in front of a class of eagre seven-year-olds can scar them for life if they ever find out. You always find out. Not only that but these seven-year-olds don’t forget. So one day, you’re walking down the street and BAM! There they are and you’re remembering and they’re remembering and all the credibility you ever thought you had is gone.
You do your best to not even let a whisper of the time your darling mother breastfed you at your current school enter your mind. You don’t dare to think of yourself enjoying the only lunch you had in front of not one, but two year 10 science classes and a teacher. A teacher you now see every day. The only comfort you have is that they don’t have any credibility either.
Even after you start looking after yourself a little, bad things can and often do happen. Curiosity may have killed your neighbour’s cat but it also gets a three-year-old you stuck under a garage door. You think that sounds bad? Trying getting stuck when you’re really, really busting. First it’s warm and wet, then it’s cold and wet, after that it’s just gross. Someday you might even be able to thank your mother for taking photos for your future reflection. Or not.
There were some high points in your early life however, involving art. Scissors were a tool of choice for your creativity. You were so generous with your ‘art’. But your generosity wasn’t always appreciated, particularly when it involved sitting in a wardrobe with scissors. Your mother liked her new altered clothes so much you got to spend the next week with your grandparents.
Before you think that there are no more stories of public nakedness, think again. Naked, dirty and disorientated. Staggering home only to realise you don’t really know where you’ve been for the past few hours. After some investigation you discover you had in fact been playing in the neighbour’s sprinkler and, being the responsible child you are, you didn’t want to get your clothes dirty. So, logically, you took them off. Eventually you got tired. So again, logically, you went to sleep, under the sprinkler, in the dirt. You did eventually make it home even if it was with dirt instead of clothes.
Starting school wasn’t much better. After waiting an hour after school finished for someone to collect you, you really start to wonder if they have forgotten your existence. It wasn’t until the last staff member locked the last door you bother to ask if you’re allowed to go home yet. This continued into High School when you wait in the car park because you didn’t have to worry about them forgetting to pick you up but your father forgetting to tell you he was on bus duty.
Holidays are a whole new kind of labour; especially when a dog chews on the rope anchoring your boat. Then the boat floats away and you have to canoe half way out to sea, somehow climbing into the boat and then getting the canoe into the boat. It sucks when that happens – twice. Or after two weeks away on holiday and the best part was the lettuce.
Being more “grown-up” isn’t all it’s cracked up to be either. When you get so mad that your blood boils and all you want to do is... throw a pancake at the roof. People really judge you after that. You’re still reminded of that anger every time you look at the stain on the roof.
Being one child of ten can sometimes be a trial, mostly when people ask you if you know all their names or when the ancient teachers call you Michael when you thought it was pretty obvious you’re not a man. But the worst part of having so many siblings is learning exactly where babies come from. When the genius of the class realizes how disgusting it is and connects it to you having nine siblings. That’s when you really wish you were invisible, even if it is just to beat up the jerk that started it.
“We are born naked, wet and hungry. Then things get worse.” Better words were never spoken.
Directed by Rob Sitch, The Castle was a definite crowd pleaser at the 1998 Sundance Film Festival and has since gone on to be one of Australia’s best low budget films. Combining typical Australian culture with a dysfunctional but loveable family, The Castle is packed full of hilarious moments that has even international audiences cheering with joy.
The Castle tells the story of the Kerrigan’s, a tight-knit family, who live next door to an airport. Darryl Kerrigan (Michael Caton) loves his family home and the ‘serenity’ of the place, he wouldn’t have it any other way, but a spanner is thrown into the works when the compulsory acquisition of his beloved home turns up on his doorstep. Together with his creative wife Sal (Anne Tenney) and four kids Dale (Stephen Curry), ‘Ideas Man’ Steve (Anthony Simcoe), Wayne (Wayne Hope) and daughter Tracy (Sophie Lee), Darryl must fight the good fight to try and save his ‘Castle’. This goal seems almost impossible to achieve, but with the help of Lawrence Hammill (Charles ‘Bud’ Tingwell) and community support, all hope is not lost. With old fashioned family values and pride in one another’s achievements (no matter how big or small), the Kerrigan’s show how a family can get through anything.
Perfectly combining entertaining comedy with serious issues makes The Castle all the more enjoyable. With quirky and relatable characters and surprisingly funny dialogue popping up in every scene, The Castle is a must see for anyone looking for a good time.
When two tall figures emerged from the front of the truck, a shattering 'crack' rippled through the air. Qr4s7c and the other cattle ran back, away from the noise, but then another huge 'crack' sounded from behind them and they had no choice but to move forward again, towards the massive invader. This continued until all the cattle, including Qr4s7c were in the back of the vehicle. For what seemed like forever, the truck bumped along the road. There wasn't a moment when Qr4s7c wasn't being trampled by the other cows.
The truck stopped bumping, the back opened and another 'crack' sounded.
*******
In a dark, cold shed, the farmers tied the next cow's legs together, hung it upside down,slit it's throat. one of the farmers checked the cows ear and placed a tick in the box next to Qr4s7c.
*******
As the uncaring, greedy human, 10000 miles away, clicked "ADD TO CART" next to the picture of the luxurious leather lounge...
Wednesday, August 18, 2010
The Castle Review
REVIEW
How often do you take the time to tell your house, that he is not just a house, but a home? As the old saying goes, ‘a man’s home is his castle’, and it is upon this premise that Darryl Kerrigan (Michael Caton) embarks on a David versus Goliath battle to save his ‘castle’ in Rob Sitch’s masterpiece.
Set in typical Australian suburbia, the Kerrigan family are an average Australian family, and it is this ‘normalness’ that adds so much charm to the film. The backbone of the dialogue is Australian slang, yet the script is beautifully crafted. Darryl Kerrigan, after being told that a multi-million dollar business is kicking his family out of their home to make room for an expanded airstrip, seeks the help of a bumbling local lawyer Dennis Denuto (played by Tiriel Mora).
The ‘Aussie battler’ scenario seems a little cliché, but it is the little quirks and details sprinkled throughout the whole movie that put it into a league of its own; Darryl’s obsession with the word ‘serenity’, Dale’s feeling of accomplishment after digging a hole.
It is the performance of all the actors in The Castle that really make it shine. The roles of the three sons, Dale (Stephen Curry), Steve (Anthony Simcoe) and Wayne (Wayne Hope), are played so simply yet superb. The film fantastically displays the family as a unit, and after the film you will smile brightly at the memories of your own ‘Kerrigans’.
Whilst overseas audiences may not fully appreciate the brilliance of this low-budget movie (the whole film cost less than the end credits of The Matrix) film, The Castle is ray of sunishine that will brighten any Australian’s day.
The castle is an upbeat comedy filled with many satirical moments. The film caught the attention of the audience at the 1998 Sundance film festival. Seen as the film was a crowd favorite, Miramax forked out enough money to obtain the rights after which left the prints on the shelf for over nearly one year.
"its the vibe man" is one of the many humorous quotes and sayings that the film explores. Directed by Rob Sitch the film features around the Kerrigan family, a family that loves to love everything. Michael Caton plays Darryl Kerrigan the most happiest and easy-pleased homeowner in Australia.
His house is built right next door to the airport and a high voltage tower is located on the other side. Darryl lives with his beloved wife Sal, played by Anne Tenney. Plus his two sons Dale and Steve the "ideas man of the family".
The airport is looking to expand under an agreement with the government. And their is one thing standing in their way, "The Kerrigans Castle". Although they were offered a generous sum of money, Darryl wont have a bar of it. He hires Dennis Denuto a half-wit solicitor who knows nothing. with the help of Lawrence Hammill played by Charles"bud" Tingwell, all is not lost and the Kerrigans retain their castle.
The castle is a well directed film with a remarkable cast characters and a unique storyline that is sure fire win if you're looking for a laugh.
Beautiful
Within
I can feel the needles crawl under my fingernails. They are cold and sharp. They are shooting threads of liquid into my small, warm hands. From within this home – this haven, which I have always thought as safe, I begin to feel uneasy.
It is the first time I have ever felt danger. I feel like I am not alone in this place anymore.
I can hear sobbing. If I could hug the weeping woman, I would. She is very close to me. Very soon I will be able to see her, to meet her for the first time. Oh, how happy we both shall be!
Until that day though, I am able to remain wrapped in this cocoon. It has been so warm for the many months I have been sleeping and eating. I have been able to feel everything happening in the world outside. It sounds so exciting!
Tonight I can feel a stinging sensation up and down my small spine. It feels like someone has grabbed a rusty iron bar is grinding it up and down against my bones. If I was not hanging from here I would collapse.
* * * *
The sun rose, washing a melting orange watercolour across the canvas of the sky. The woman sighed heavily, placing a hand on her stomach. There has to be an alternative, she thought. Surely she couldn’t go through with it.
The woman placed her face into her hands. There was no other way.
* * * *
The cocoon has been getting colder and colder every hour. The needle pricks have been getting sharper. I am starting to feel weak. I can feel blood running up through my throat. Still, I close my eyes and wait. I tell myself that everything will be alright.
I hope that it is.
* * * *
The doctor’s glass door slammed shut behind the woman. She was walking away slowly with tears running down her cheeks. She felt like she had taken a life, and, in a sense, she had.
The guilt-ridden woman fell to her knees on the pavement. The midday sun tried to wrap its arms around her, but she felt so cold; so empty.
* * * *
The lights have been dimming recently. I hope that they do not cease to shine. I am scared of the absence of light.
I can feel tentacles of darkness as black as oil at midnight wrap around my small ankles. It tries to pull me violently into a swirling whirlpool of infinite black. I bob up and down in it, trying to catch my breath.
I feel the tube on my neck snap. I plunge into the depths of darkness. I fling my arms and legs everywhere, trying to resurface. The wind rips out of my throat, leaving me breathless.
Then I can’t feel anything.
Nothing at all…
* * * *
Suddenly the pain is gone. In fact, I feel like I am floating on clouds. The war inside that claimed me victim has ceased.
I look down from the sky to see who put the pins under my fingernails; to see who had caused me so much pain.
I want to see who took my life away. I want to see who killed me. And I do.
My mother killed me.
Before I was even born.
Matthew Rudge
Wednesday, August 11, 2010
The Castle Reviews
The New York Times review (1999)
imdb.com
Now, following the basic structure of a review, write your own. (min. 1 page)
Background Information
Plot Summary
Judgement
mg
Wednesday, June 2, 2010
Romeo + Juliet (12)
[Enter Benvolio and Mercutio.]
Mercutio.
Where the devil should this Romeo be?--
Came he not home to-night?
Benvolio.
Not to his father's; I spoke with his man.
Mercutio.
Ah, that same pale hard-hearted wench, that Rosaline,
Torments him so that he will sure run mad.
Benvolio.
Tybalt, the kinsman to old Capulet,
Hath sent a letter to his father's house.
Mercutio.
A challenge, on my life.
Benvolio.
Romeo will answer it.
Mercutio.
Any man that can write may answer a letter.
Benvolio.
Nay, he will answer the letter's master, how he
dares, being dared.
Mercutio.
Alas, poor Romeo, he is already dead! stabbed with a white
wench's black eye; shot through the ear with a love song; the
very pin of his heart cleft with the blind bow-boy's butt-shaft:
and is he a man to encounter Tybalt?
Benvolio.
Why, what is Tybalt?
Mercutio.
More than prince of cats, I can tell you. O, he's the
courageous captain of compliments. He fights as you sing
prick-song--keeps time, distance, and proportion; rests me his
minim rest, one, two, and the third in your bosom: the very
butcher of a silk button, a duellist, a duellist; a gentleman of
the very first house,--of the first and second cause: ah, the
immortal passado! the punto reverso! the hay.--
Benvolio.
The what?
Mercutio.
The pox of such antic, lisping, affecting fantasticoes; these
new tuners of accents!--'By Jesu, a very good blade!--a very tall
man!--a very good whore!'--Why, is not this a lamentable thing,
grandsire, that we should be thus afflicted with these strange
flies, these fashion-mongers, these pardonnez-moi's, who stand so
much on the new form that they cannot sit at ease on the old
bench? O, their bons, their bons!
Benvolio.
Here comes Romeo, here comes Romeo!
Mercutio.
Without his roe, like a dried herring.--O flesh, flesh, how art
thou fishified!--Now is he for the numbers that Petrarch flowed
in: Laura, to his lady, was but a kitchen wench,--marry, she had
a better love to be-rhyme her; Dido, a dowdy; Cleopatra, a gypsy;
Helen and Hero, hildings and harlots; Thisbe, a gray eye or so,
but not to the purpose,--
[Enter Romeo.]
Signior Romeo, bon jour! there's a French salutation to your
French slop. You gave us the counterfeit fairly last night.
Romeo.
Good morrow to you both. What counterfeit did I give you?
Mercutio.
The slip, sir, the slip; can you not conceive?
Romeo.
Pardon, good Mercutio, my business was great; and in such a
case as mine a man may strain courtesy.
Mercutio.
That's as much as to say, such a case as yours constrains a
man to bow in the hams.
Romeo.
Meaning, to court'sy.
Mercutio.
Thou hast most kindly hit it.
Romeo.
A most courteous exposition.
Mercutio.
Nay, I am the very pink of courtesy.
Romeo.
Pink for flower.
Mercutio.
Right.
Romeo.
Why, then is my pump well-flowered.
Mercutio.
Well said: follow me this jest now till thou hast worn out
thy pump;that, when the single sole of it is worn, the jest may
remain, after the wearing, sole singular.
Romeo.
O single-soled jest, solely singular for the singleness!
Mercutio.
Come between us, good Benvolio; my wits faint.
Romeo.
Swits and spurs, swits and spurs; or I'll cry a match.
Romeo + Juliet (11)
[Enter Friar Lawrence with a basket.]
Friar.
The grey-ey'd morn smiles on the frowning night,
Chequering the eastern clouds with streaks of light;
And flecked darkness like a drunkard reels
From forth day's path and Titan's fiery wheels:
Non, ere the sun advance his burning eye,
The day to cheer and night's dank dew to dry,
I must up-fill this osier cage of ours
With baleful weeds and precious-juiced flowers.
The earth, that's nature's mother, is her tomb;
What is her burying gave, that is her womb:
And from her womb children of divers kind
We sucking on her natural bosom find;
Many for many virtues excellent,
None but for some, and yet all different.
O, mickle is the powerful grace that lies
In plants, herbs, stones, and their true qualities:
For naught so vile that on the earth doth live
But to the earth some special good doth give;
Nor aught so good but, strain'd from that fair use,
Revolts from true birth, stumbling on abuse:
Virtue itself turns vice, being misapplied;
And vice sometimes by action dignified.
Within the infant rind of this small flower
Poison hath residence, and medicine power:
For this, being smelt, with that part cheers each part;
Being tasted, slays all senses with the heart.
Two such opposed kings encamp them still
In man as well as herbs,--grace and rude will;
And where the worser is predominant,
Full soon the canker death eats up that plant.
[Enter Romeo.]
Romeo.
Good morrow, father!
Friar.
Benedicite!
What early tongue so sweet saluteth me?--
Young son, it argues a distemper'd head
So soon to bid good morrow to thy bed:
Care keeps his watch in every old man's eye,
And where care lodges sleep will never lie;
But where unbruised youth with unstuff'd brain
Doth couch his limbs, there golden sleep doth reign:
Therefore thy earliness doth me assure
Thou art uprous'd with some distemperature;
Or if not so, then here I hit it right,--
Our Romeo hath not been in bed to-night.
Romeo.
That last is true; the sweeter rest was mine.
Friar.
God pardon sin! wast thou with Rosaline?
Romeo.
With Rosaline, my ghostly father? no;
I have forgot that name, and that name's woe.
Friar.
That's my good son: but where hast thou been then?
Romeo.
I'll tell thee ere thou ask it me again.
I have been feasting with mine enemy;
Where, on a sudden, one hath wounded me
That's by me wounded. Both our remedies
Within thy help and holy physic lies;
I bear no hatred, blessed man; for, lo,
My intercession likewise steads my foe.
Friar.
Be plain, good son, and homely in thy drift;
Riddling confession finds but riddling shrift.
Romeo.
Then plainly know my heart's dear love is set
On the fair daughter of rich Capulet:
As mine on hers, so hers is set on mine;
And all combin'd, save what thou must combine
By holy marriage: when, and where, and how
We met, we woo'd, and made exchange of vow,
I'll tell thee as we pass; but this I pray,
That thou consent to marry us to-day.
Friar.
Holy Saint Francis! what a change is here!
Is Rosaline, that thou didst love so dear,
So soon forsaken? young men's love, then, lies
Not truly in their hearts, but in their eyes.
Jesu Maria, what a deal of brine
Hath wash'd thy sallow cheeks for Rosaline!
How much salt water thrown away in waste,
To season love, that of it doth not taste!
The sun not yet thy sighs from heaven clears,
Thy old groans ring yet in mine ancient ears;
Lo, here upon thy cheek the stain doth sit
Of an old tear that is not wash'd off yet:
If e'er thou wast thyself, and these woes thine,
Thou and these woes were all for Rosaline;
And art thou chang'd? Pronounce this sentence then,--
Women may fall, when there's no strength in men.
Romeo.
Thou chidd'st me oft for loving Rosaline.
Friar.
For doting, not for loving, pupil mine.
Romeo.
And bad'st me bury love.
Friar.
Not in a grave
To lay one in, another out to have.
Romeo.
I pray thee chide not: she whom I love now
Doth grace for grace and love for love allow;
The other did not so.
Friar.
O, she knew well
Thy love did read by rote, that could not spell.
But come, young waverer, come go with me,
In one respect I'll thy assistant be;
For this alliance may so happy prove,
To turn your households' rancour to pure love.
Romeo.
O, let us hence; I stand on sudden haste.
Friar.
Wisely, and slow; they stumble that run fast.
[Exeunt.]
Romeo + Juliet (10)
Juliet.
By whose direction found'st thou out this place?
Romeo.
By love, that first did prompt me to enquire;
He lent me counsel, and I lent him eyes.
I am no pilot; yet, wert thou as far
As that vast shore wash'd with the furthest sea,
I would 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 to-night.
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, and say thee nay,
So thou wilt woo: but else, not for the world.
In truth, fair Montague, I am too fond;
And therefore thou mayst think my 'haviour light:
But trust me, gentleman, I'll prove more true
Than those that have more cunning 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 discovered.
Romeo.
Lady, by yonder blessed moon I swear,
That tips with silver all these fruit-tree tops,--
Juliet.
O, swear not by the moon, the inconstant moon,
That monthly changes in her circled orb,
Lest that thy love prove likewise 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 in thee,
I have no joy of this contract to-night;
It is too rash, too unadvis'd, 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 beauteous flower 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 to-night?
Romeo.
The 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.
Would'st 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.
I hear some noise within: dear love, adieu!--
[Nurse calls within.]
Anon, good nurse!--Sweet Montague, be true.
Stay but a little, I will come again.
[Exit.]
Romeo.
O blessed, blessed night! I am afeard,
Being in night, all this is but a dream,
Too flattering-sweet to be substantial.
[Enter Juliet above.]
Juliet.
Three words, dear Romeo, and good night indeed.
If that thy bent of love be honourable,
Thy purpose marriage, send me word to-morrow,
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 suit and leave me to my grief:
To-morrow will I send.
Romeo.
So thrive my soul,--
Juliet.
A thousand times good night!
[Exit.]
Romeo.
A thousand times the worse, to want thy light!--
Love goes toward love as schoolboys from their books;
But love from love, towards school with heavy looks.
[Retirong slowly.]
[Re-enter Juliet, above.]
Juliet.
Hist! Romeo, hist!--O for a falconer'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's name.
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.
At what o'clock to-morrow
Shall I send to thee?
Romeo.
At the hour of nine.
Juliet.
I will not fail: 'tis twenty years 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,
Remembering 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 her hand,
Like a poor prisoner in his twisted gyves,
And with a silk 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.
[Exit.]
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 father's cell,
His help to crave and my dear hap to tell.
[Exit.]
Romeo + Juliet (9)
Scene I. An open place adjoining Capulet's Garden.
[Enter Romeo.]
Romeo.
Can I go forward when my heart is here?
Turn back, dull earth, and find thy centre out.
[He climbs the wall and leaps down within it.]
[Enter Benvolio and Mercutio.]
Benvolio.
Romeo! my cousin Romeo!
Mercutio.
He is wise;
And, on my life, hath stol'n him home to bed.
Benvolio.
He ran this way, and leap'd this orchard wall:
Call, good Mercutio.
Mercutio.
Nay, I'll conjure too.--
Romeo! humours! madman! passion! lover!
Appear thou in the likeness of a sigh:
Speak but one rhyme, and I am satisfied;
Cry but 'Ah me!' pronounce but Love and dove;
Speak to my gossip Venus one fair word,
One nickname for her purblind son and heir,
Young auburn Cupid, he that shot so trim
When King Cophetua lov'd the beggar-maid!--
He heareth not, he stirreth not, he moveth not;
The ape is dead, and I must conjure him.--
I conjure thee by Rosaline's bright eyes,
By her high forehead and her scarlet lip,
By her fine foot, straight leg, and quivering thigh,
And the demesnes that there adjacent lie,
That in thy likeness thou appear to us!
Benvolio.
An if he hear thee, thou wilt anger him.
Mercutio.
This cannot anger him: 'twould anger him
To raise a spirit in his mistress' circle,
Of some strange nature, letting it there stand
Till she had laid it, and conjur'd it down;
That were some spite: my invocation
Is fair and honest, and, in his mistress' name,
I conjure only but to raise up him.
Benvolio.
Come, he hath hid himself among these trees,
To be consorted with the humorous night:
Blind is his love, and best befits the dark.
Mercutio.
If love be blind, love cannot hit the mark.
Now will he sit under a medlar tree,
And wish his mistress were that kind of fruit
As maids call medlars when they laugh alone.--
Romeo, good night.--I'll to my truckle-bed;
This field-bed is too cold for me to sleep:
Come, shall we go?
Benvolio.
Go then; for 'tis in vain
To seek him here that means not to be found.
[Exeunt.]
Scene II. Capulet's Garden.
[Enter Romeo.]
Romeo.
He jests at scars that never felt a wound.--
[Juliet appears above at a window.]
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.
Ah me!
Romeo.
She speaks:--
O, speak again, bright angel! for thou art
As glorious to this night, being o'er my head,
As is a winged messenger of heaven
Unto the white-upturned wondering 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 name would smell as sweet;
So Romeo would, were he not Romeo call'd,
Retain that dear perfection which he owes
Without that title:--Romeo, doff thy name;
And for that 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 baptiz'd;
Henceforth I never will be Romeo.
Juliet.
What man art thou that, thus bescreen'd 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 that tongue's utterance, yet I know the sound;
Art thou not Romeo, and a Montague?
Romeo.
Neither, fair saint, if either thee dislike.
Juliet.
How cam'st 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 let 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 sight;
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.
Romeo + Juliet (8)
Tybalt.
Patience perforce with wilful choler meeting
Makes my flesh tremble in their different greeting.
I will withdraw: but this intrusion shall,
Now seeming sweet, convert to bitter gall.
[Exit.]
Romeo.
[To Juliet.] If I profane with my unworthiest hand
This holy shrine, the gentle fine is this,--
My lips, two blushing pilgrims, ready stand
To smooth that rough touch with a tender kiss.
Juliet.
Good pilgrim, you do wrong your hand too much,
Which mannerly devotion shows in this;
For saints have hands that pilgrims' hands do touch,
And palm to palm is holy palmers' kiss.
Romeo.
Have not saints lips, and holy palmers too?
Juliet.
Ay, pilgrim, lips that they must use in prayer.
Romeo.
O, then, dear saint, let lips do what hands do;
They pray, grant thou, lest faith turn to despair.
Juliet.
Saints do not move, though grant for prayers' sake.
Romeo.
Then move not while my prayer's effect I take.
Thus from my lips, by thine my sin is purg'd.
[Kissing her.]
Juliet.
Then have my lips the sin that they have took.
Romeo.
Sin from my lips? O trespass sweetly urg'd!
Give me my sin again.
Juliet.You kiss by the book.
Nurse.
Madam, your mother craves a word with you.
Romeo.
What is her mother?
Nurse.
Marry, bachelor,
Her mother is the lady of the house.
And a good lady, and a wise and virtuous:
I nurs'd her daughter that you talk'd withal;
I tell you, he that can lay hold of her
Shall have the chinks.
Romeo.
Is she a Capulet?
O dear account! my life is my foe's debt.
Benvolio.
Away, be gone; the sport is at the best.
Romeo.
Ay, so I fear; the more is my unrest.
Capulet.
Nay, gentlemen, prepare not to be gone;
We have a trifling foolish banquet towards.--
Is it e'en so? why then, I thank you all;
I thank you, honest gentlemen; good-night.--
More torches here!--Come on then, let's to bed.
Ah, sirrah [to 2 Capulet], by my fay, it waxes late;
I'll to my rest.
[Exeunt all but Juliet and Nurse.]
Juliet.
Come hither, nurse. What is yond gentleman?
Nurse.
The son and heir of old Tiberio.
Juliet.
What's he that now is going out of door?
Nurse.
Marry, that, I think, be young Petruchio.
Juliet.
What's he that follows there, that would not dance?
Nurse.
I know not.
Juliet.
Go ask his name: if he be married,
My grave is like to be my wedding-bed.
Nurse.
His name is Romeo, and a Montague;
The only son of your great enemy.
Juliet.
My only love sprung from my only hate!
Too early seen unknown, and known too late!
Prodigious birth of love it is to me,
That I must love a loathed enemy.
Nurse.
What's this? What's this?
Juliet.
A rhyme I learn'd even now
Of one I danc'd withal.
[One calls within, 'Juliet.']
Nurse.
Anon, anon!
Come, let's away; the strangers all are gone.
[Exeunt.]
[Enter Chorus.]
Chorus.
Now old desire doth in his deathbed 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 belov'd, and loves again,
Alike bewitched by the charm of looks;
But to his foe suppos'd 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 us'd to swear;
And she as much in love, her means much less
To meet her new beloved anywhere:
But passion lends them power, time means, to meet,
Tempering extremities with extreme sweet.
[Exit.]