Shakesong Lyrics & Scores

Romeo & Juliet Duet (Palmer’s Sonnet)

R: If I profane with my unworthiest hand
This holy shrine, the gentle sin is this:
My lips, two blushing pilgrims ready stand
To smooth that rough touch with a tender kiss.

J: 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 palmer's kiss.

R: Have not saints lips, and holy palmers too?
J: Ay, pilgrim, lips that they must use in prayer.
R&J: O then, dear saint, let lips do what hands do.
They pray, grant thou, lest faith turn to despair.
J: Saints do not move, though grant for prayers' sake.
R&J: Then move not, while my prayer's effect I take...
(1.5.104-117)