Gallop Apace

Gallop apace, you fiery-footed steeds, Towards Phoebus’ lodging.

Such a waggoner As Phaeton would whip you to the west And bring in cloudy night immediately.

Spread thy close curtain, love-performing night, That runaway’s eyes may wink, and Romeo Leap to these arms, untalk’d of and unseen.

Lovers can see to do their amorous rites By their own beauties: or, if love be blind, It best agrees with night.

Come, civil night, Thou sober-suited matron, all in black, And learn me how to lose a winning match, Play’d for a pair of stainless maidenhoods.

Hood my unmann’d blood, bating in my cheeks, With thy black mantle, till strange love, grow bold, Think true love acted simple modesty.

Come, night, come Romeo; come, thou day in night;

For thou wilt lie upon the wings of night Whiter than new snow upon a raven’s back.

Come gentle night, come loving black-brow’d night, Give me my Romeo, and when I shall die, Take him and cut him out in little stars,

And he will make the face of heaven so fine That all the world will be in love with night, And pay no worship to the garish sun.

O, I have bought the mansion of a love, But not possess’d it; and though I am sold, Not yet enjoy’d.

So tedious is this day As is the night before some festival To an impatient child that hath new robes And may not wear them.

O, here comes my Nurse, And she brings news, and every tongue that speaks But Romeo’s name speaks heavenly eloquence.