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ROMEO AND JULIET. 59 

Borneo. Nurse, commend me to thy lady and mistress. 
I protest unto thee — 

Nurse. Good heart, and, i' faith, I will tell her as 
much. Lord, Lord, she will be a joyful woman. 

Romeo. What wilt thou tell her, nurse ? thou dost not 
mark me. 

Nurse. I will tell her, sir, that you do protest ; which, 
as I take it, is a gentlemanlike offer. 

Romeo. Bid her devise some means to come to shrift 
This afternoon ; 

And there she shall at Friar Laurence' cell 
Be shriv'd and married. Here is for thy pains. 

Nurse. No, truly, sir ; not a penny. 

Romeo. Go to ; I say you shall. 

Nurse. This afternoon, sir ? well, she shall be there. 

Romeo. And stay, good nurse ; behind the abbey wall 
"Within this hour my man shall be with thee. 
And bring thee cords made like a tackled stair ; 
Which to the high top-gallant of my joy 
Must be my convoy in the secret night. 
Farewell ; be trusty, and I'll quit thy pains : 
Farewell ; commend me to thy mistress. 

Nirse. Now God in heaven bless thee ! Hark you, sir. 

Romeo. What say'st thou, my dear nurse ? 

Nurse. Is your man secret? Did you ne'er hear say, 
Two may keep counsel, putting one away ? 

Romeo. I warrant thee, my man's as true as steel.