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CHARACTERS
ROMEO
JULIET
MONTAGUE
Romeo’s Father
LADY MONTAGUE
Romeo’s Mother
CAPULET
Juliet’s Father
LADY CAPULET
Juliet’s Mother
NURSE
BENVOLIO
Romeo’s Friend
MERCUTIO
Romeo’s Friend
ABRAM
Romeo’s Friend
TYBALT
Capulet’s Nephew
SAMPSON
Capulet
PRINCE
PARIS
A Count
FRIAR LAWRENCE
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“ROMEO AND JULIET”
By William Shakespeare Adapted by Erasmus Theatre
THE PROLOGUE
Two households, both alike in dignity,
In fair Verona, where we lay our scene,
From ancient grudge break to new mutiny,
Where civil blood makes civil hands unclean.
From forth the fatal loins of these two foes
A pair of star-cross'd lovers take their life;
Whole misadventured piteous overthrows
Do with their death bury their parents' strife.
The fearful passage of their death-mark'd love,
And the continuance of their parents' rage,
Which, but their children's end, nought could remove,
Is now the two hours' traffic of our stage;
The which if you with patient ears attend,
What here shall miss, our toil shall strive to mend.
ACT ONE - SCENE ONE
Enter Sampson and Tybalt of the house of Capulet.
TYBALT:
Come on you scoundrel. We have no time to waste with your dawdling.
SAMPSON:
I’m coming, I’m coming!
TYBALT:
Well hurry. Do not anger me.
SAMPSON:
I hit hard when I’m angry.
TYBALT:
Yes but you are not easily angered.
SAMPSON:
A dog of the house of Montague could make me angry.
TYBALT:
Angry enough to run away. You would not stand and fight.
SAMPSON:
A dog from the house of Montague would make me angry enough to stand.
TYBALT:
Well here is your chance. Draw your sword. Here comes one of the house of
Montague.
SAMPSON:
My sword is ready. Quarrel! I will back you.
TYBALT:
How? By turning your back and running.
SAMPSON:
Worry not about me.
TYBALT:
But I do.
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SAMPSON:
Let us not break the law by starting the quarrel – let them begin. I will bite my thumb
at them, which is a disgrace to them, if they tolerate it. (He bites his thumb)
ABRAM:
Do you bite your thumb at me, sir?
SAMPSON:
I do bite my thumb, sir.
ABRAM:
Do you bite your thumb at me, sir?
SAMPSON:
(To Tybalt) Is the law on our side if I say yes?
TYBALT:
(To Sampson) No.
SAMPSON:
No, sir. I do not bite my thumb at you, sir, but I bite my thumb, sir.
TYBALT:
Do you quarrel, sir?
ABRAM:
Quarrel, sir? No sir.
SAMPSON:
But if you do, sir, I am for you. I serve as good a man as you.
ABRAM:
But no better.
SAMPSON:
Yes, better sir.
ABRAM:
You lie.
Enter Benvolio.
SAMPSON:
Draw, if you are a man.
They fight.
BENVOLIO:
Part, fools! Put up your swords. You know not what you do.
TYBALT:
What? Have you drawn your sword to fight with these worthless servants? Turn,
Benvolio and look upon your death.
BENVOLIO:
I do but keep the peace. Put up your sword or use it to part these men with me.
TYBALT:
What? You draw your sword and then talk of peace? I hate the word, as I hate hell,
all Montagues and you!
They fight. Enter Prince and Lady Montague
PRINCE:
You rebels! Enemies of the peace! You men, you beasts! I will have you tortured if
you do not put down your swords and listen to your angry prince. Three civil
brawls have broken out in this city because of a casual word from you, Capulet
and Montague. If you ever disturb our streets again, you shall pay with your lives.
Go now, or be put to death.
He exits.
LADY Oh, where is Romeo? Have you seen him today? I am glad he was not here for
MONTAGUE: this fight.
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BENVOLIO:
I saw your son walking early this morning, underneath the Sycamore grove that
grows on the west side of the city. I headed towards him but he saw me and took
cover in the woods.
LADY Many a morning he has been there, crying tears that add drops to the fresh
MONTAGUE: morning’s dew. But as soon as the sun rises in the east, my sad son returns home to
escape the light and locks himself away in his chambers.
Enter Romeo.
BENVOLIO:
Look – here he comes. If you do not mind, please let me speak with him.
LADY I hope that you are lucky enough to hear of his troubles.
MONTAGUE:
She exits.
BENVOLIO:
Good morrow, cousin.
ROMEO:
Is the day so young?
BENVOLIO:
It is only just nine o’clock.
ROMEO:
Sad hours seem long. Was that my mother?
BENVOLIO:
It was. What sadness lengthens Romeo’s hours?
ROMEO:
Not having that which makes them short.
BENVOLIO:
You’re in love?
ROMEO:
Out.
BENVOLIO:
Out of love?
ROMEO:
I love someone but she does not love me.
BENVOLIO:
Alas, that love, seeming so gentle, should prove to be so rough.
ROMEO:
Alas that love is supposed to be blind but can still make you do what it wants. Oh my!
What happened here? This had much to do with hate but more to do with love.
Beautiful things muddled together into an ugly mess! Love is a feather of lead,
bright smoke, a cold fire, sick health, still-waking sleep, all except what it is! This
is the love I feel, though I feel no love in return. Are you laughing?
BENVOLIO:
No, cousin, I weep.
ROMEO:
Why do you weep?
BENVOLIO:
Because you are so sad.
ROMEO:
Yes, this is love’s offence. My sadness sits heavy in my chest, and you add your own
sadness to it so that there is more. Farewell, cousin.
BENVOLIO:
Wait. I will go with you. And if you leave me like this then you do me wrong.
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ROMEO:
I have lost myself. I am not here. This is not Romeo – he is somewhere else.
BENVOLIO:
Tell me, who is the one you love?
ROMEO:
I love a woman.
BENVOLIO:
I had guessed that when I guessed you were in love.
ROMEO:
She is beautiful but she shall not be hit by Cupid’s arrow. She will not listen to words
of love, or let you look at her with loving eyes. She is rich in beauty, but also
poor, for when she dies her beauty will die with her.
BENVOLIO:
Then she has sworn to live a virgin forever.
ROMEO:
She has. She has sworn off love, and that vow has left me alive but dead.
BENVOLIO:
Do not think of her.
ROMEO:
Teach me how I should forget to think.
BENVOLIO:
Give liberty unto your eyes. Examine other beauties.
ROMEO:
That will make me think on how beautiful she is. A man who goes blind cannot forget
the eyesight he lost. Farewell. You cannot teach me to forget.
BENVOLIO:
I shall show you how to forget, or else die in debt.
SCENE TWO
Enter Capulet and Paris. Enter Romeo and Benvolio who overhears the conversation.
CAPULET:
But Montague has sworn an oath, just as I have, and he is under the same penalty. It
is not hard for men as old as we are to keep the peace.
PARIS:
You both have honourable reputations and it is a pity you have lived at odds for so
long. But now, my lord, what say you to my request?
CAPULET:
I can only repeat what I have said before. My child is still very young. She is not even
fourteen. Let two more summers pass before we begin thinking she is ready to
be a bride.
PARIS:
Younger girls than she are married and become happy mothers.
CAPULET:
Girls who marry so young grow up too soon. But go woo her, gentle Paris, get her
heart. If she agrees to marry you, I will give you my blessing. This night I am
holding a feast – come to my house this evening and you will be delighted by
women as fresh as spring flowers. Come, go with me.
They exit.
BENVOLIO:
Come on, man. The beautiful Rosaline whom you love so much will be at Capulets
feast, with all the other beauties of Verona. Go there and compare her to others I
will show you.
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ROMEO:
A woman more beautiful than the one I love? The sun has never seen another more
beautiful since the world began. I’ll go with you, but only to see the woman I love.
They exit.
SCENE THREE
Enter Lady Capulet.
LADY CAPULET: Juliet! Juliet!
JULIET:
How now, who calls?
LADY CAPULET: Your mother.
JULIET:
Madam, I am here. What is your will?
LADY CAPULET: Now, Juliet. You will soon be fourteen.
JULIET:
Yes mother.
LADY CAPULET: Come, sit. Now tell me, my daughter Juliet, what do you think about marriage.
JULIET:
It is an honour that I do not dream of.
LADY CAPULET: Well, think of marriage now. Here in Verona there are girls younger than you who
have already become mothers. By my count, I was your mother at just about
your age. Well then, in brief, the valiant Paris seeks you for his love. What do you
say? Can you love this gentleman? Tonight you will see him at our feast. Many
think he is a handsome man and you would share all that he posses. Can you
accept Paris’s love?
JULIET:
I shall look and try to like him, at least if what I see is likable.
LADY CAPULET: Well hurry and be dressed. Juliet, the count is waiting for you.
They exit.
SCENE FOUR
ROMEO:
So, what shall we say is our excuse for being here? Or shall we enter without
apologising?
BENVOLIO:
It is out of fashion to give lengthy explanations. Let them judge us however they
please. We shall give them a dance and then be gone.
ROMEO:
Give me a torch. I am too sad to dance therefore let me carry the light.
MERCUTIO: No, gentle Romeo, you must dance.
ROMEO:
Not I. You have dancing shoes with nimble soles. I have a sole of lead that stakes
me to the ground.
MERCUTIO: You are a lover. Borrow Cupid’s wings and soar with them above the average man.
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ROMEO:
His arrow has pierced me too deeply to soar with his light feathers. I sink under the
heavy burden of love.
MERCUTIO: If you sink then you are dragging love down and it is not right to do such a thing to
something as tender as love.
ROMEO:
Is love a tender thing? It is too rough, too rude, too boisterous, and it pricks like a
thorn.
MERCUTIO: If love be rough with you, then be rough with love.
BENVOLIO:
Come, knock and enter.
ROMEO:
We mean well by going to this ball, but still, it is not smart of us to go.
MERCUTIO: Why, may I ask?
ROMEO:
I dreamt a dream last night.
MERCUTIO: And so did I.
ROMEO:
Well, what was yours?
MERCUTIO: That dreamers often lie.
ROMEO:
They lie in bed asleep where they do dream things true.
MERCUTIO: Oh, then, I see Queen Mab has been with you.
BENVOLIO:
Who is Queen Mab?
MERCUTIO: She is the fairies’ midwife, and she comes in a shape no bigger than an agate stone
on the forefinger of an alderman. She rides in a wagon drawn by tiny atoms over
men’s noses as they lie asleep. Her wagon spokes are made of long spiders’
legs. The cover is made of grasshoppers’ wings. Her driver is a small graycoated gnat, not half so big as a round little worm. Her chariot is an empty
hazelnut and in this royal wagon she gallops night by night through lovers’
brains, and then they dream of love. She rides over courtiers’ knees and they
dream of curtsies. Over lawyers fingers who will straight away dream of their
fees. Sometimes she rides over a soldier’s neck, and he dreams of cutting
foreign throats, of breaches, ambushes, Spanish blades. And then, drums beat in
his ear at which he starts and wakes, and frightened swears a prayer or two and
then sleeps again. This is that very Mab that ─
ROMEO:
Peace, peace, Mercutio, peace! You talk nonsense.
MERCUTIO: True, I talk of dreams, which are the children of an idle brain, nothing but vain
fantasy, which is as thin as the air and more inconstant that the wind.
BENVOLIO:
This wind you talk of blows us off our course. Supper is over, and we shall get there
too late.
ROMEO:
I fear too early. I feel that tonight will be the beginning of a cursed path that shall lead
to my own death. But let he that has the steerage of my course, direct my sail.
Onward, lusty gentlemen.
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SCENE FIVE
CAPULET:
Welcome, gentlemen! There was a time when I have worn a mask and charmed a
lady by whispering a tale in her ear, but those times are gone, gone, gone. You
are welcome gentlemen. Come, musicians, play. Make room, make room. More
light, you knaves!
ROMEO:
What lady is that?
BENVOLIO:
I know not.
ROMEO:
Oh she does teach the torches to burn bright! She outshines the other women like a
white dove amongst a flock of crows. Did my heart love till now? Forswear it
sight! For I never saw true beauty till this night.
TYBALT:
I can tell by his voice that this man is a Montague. What, dares the slave to come
here to sneer and scorn at our celebration? Now, by the honour of our family, to
strike him dead I hold it not a sin.
CAPULET:
Why, how now, nephew? Why are you so angry?
TYBALT:
Uncle, this man is a Montague, our enemy – a villain who has come here out of spite
to mock us.
CAPULET:
Is it young Romeo?
TYBALT:
That is he, that villain Romeo.
CAPULET:
Be calm, gentle cousin. Let him alone. He has a reputation throughout Verona as a
virtuous and well-behaved young man. I would not for all the wealth in this town
insult him in my own house. Therefore be patient. Take no note of him. It is my
will, and if you respect my wishes you will put off these frowns and enjoy the
feast.
TYBALT:
I’ll not tolerate him.
CAPULET:
He shall be tolerated. What, boy! I say he shall. Go to. Am I the master here, or you?
Go to. You’ll not tolerate him! God shall mend my soul, you’ll start a riot among
my guests.
TYBALT:
But Uncle, we are being disrespected.
CAPULET:
You are an insolent little boy. Is it so, indeed? You must contradict me? This stupidity
will come back to bite you. (To the others) More light, more music. (To Tybalt)
You should be ashamed. (To the others) Dance my dear friends.
TYBALT:
I will leave, but Romeo’s intrusion, which will seem sweet to him now, shall soon turn
bitter. (He exits)
ROMEO:
(taking Juliet’s hand) Your hand is like a holy place that mine is unworthy to visit. If
you are offended by its touch, my lips, like two blushing pilgrims, are here ready
to smooth that rough touch with a tender kiss.
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JULIET:
Good pilgrim, you do wrong your hand too much. You show polite devotion 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:
Yes pilgrim, lips that they must use in prayer.
ROMEO:
O, then, dear saint, let lips do what hands do. They pray – grant my prayer so my
faith turns not to despair.
JULIET:
Saints do not move, even when they grant prayers.
ROMEO:
Then move not, while my prayer’s effect I take. (He kisses her) Now my sin has been
taken from my lips by yours.
JULIET:
Then have my lips the sin that they have took from yours?
ROMEO:
Sin from my lips? O trespass sweetly urged! Give me my sin again. (They kiss)
JULIET:
You kiss by the book.
NURSE:
Madam, your mother craves a word with you.
Juliet leaves.
ROMEO:
Who is her mother?
NURSE:
Indeed, young man, her mother is the lady of the house. She is a good, wise virtuous
lady. I nursed her daughter, whom you were just talking to.
ROMEO:
(To himself) Is she a Capulet? Oh, this is a heavy price to pay! My life is in the hands
of my enemy.
BENVOLIO:
Come on, let us go. This celebration is at its best.
ROMEO:
Yes, though I fear the more is my unrest.
They exit.
JULIET:
Come here Nurse. Who was that gentleman?
NURSE:
I have heard his name is Romeo, and a Montague, the only son of your great enemy.
JULIET:
My only love sprung from my only hate! I saw him too early not knowing who he was
and found out too late!
A woman calls “Juliet” from offstage.
NURSE:
Anon, anon! Come, let’s away. The strangers are all gone. They exit.
ACT TWO SCENE ONE
Enter Romeo, closely followed by Mercutio and Benvolio.
BENVOLIO:
Romeo, my cousin Romeo! Romeo!
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MERCUTIO: He is wise, and, on my life, he has slipped away home to bed.
BENVOLIO:
He ran this way and leapt the orchard wall. Call to him, good Mercutio.
MERCUTIO: Nay, I’ll conjure him up too! Romeo! Madman, passion, lover! Show yourself in the
form of a sigh. Speak one rhyme and I’ll be satisfied. Cry “Ah me!” Pronounce
but “love” and “dove”. He hears me not. He doesn’t stir. He doesn’t move. I
summon you by Rosaline’s bright eyes, by her high forehead and her scarlet lips.
BENVOLIO:
If he hears you, you will make him angry.
MERCUTIO: The things I say are fair and honest. I am only using the name of the woman he loves
to lure him out of the darkness.
BENVOLIO:
Come, he has hidden himself among the trees to keep the night company. His love is
blind, so it belongs to the dark.
MERCUTIO: Goodnight Romeo. I’ll go to my little trundle bed. This open field is too cold a place
for me to sleep.
BENVOLIO:
Let us go. It is in vain to seek someone who does not want to be found.
They exit.
SCENE TWO
ROMEO:
It is easy to joke about scars if they have never been cut.
(Enter Juliet)
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
you, Juliet, are far more fair than she. It is my lady, it is my love. Oh , that she
knew she were! See how she leans her cheek upon her hand. Oh, that I were a
glove upon her hand that I might touch her cheek!
JULIET:
Ay me!
ROMEO:
She speaks. O, speak again, bright angel!
JULIET:
O Romeo, Romeo! Why must you be Romeo? Deny your father and refuse your
name. Or if you will not, swear you are my love and I will no longer be a Capulet.
ROMEO:
Shall I hear more, or shall I speak?
JULIET:
It is your name that is my enemy. What is a Montague? It is not a hand, or a foot, or
arm, or a face, or any other part belonging to a man. O, be some other name!
That which we call a rose by any other word would smell as sweet. Romeo,
throw off your name and in its place take all myself.
ROMEO:
Call me your love and I will never more be Romeo.
JULIET:
Who are you that hides in the darkness? Are you not Romeo, and a Montague?
ROMEO:
Neither, fair maid, if you dislike them.
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JULIET:
How did you get here? The orchard walls are high and hard to climb. You could be
killed if any of my family find you here.
ROMEO:
Love’s light wings carried me here and stony walls cannot hold love out. Therefore
your family do not threaten me.
JULIET:
If they see you they will murder you.
ROMEO:
If you do love me, let them find me here. I would rather be killed by their hate than
live without knowing your love.
JULIET:
You know the darkness hides my face otherwise you would see me blush. Do you
love me? I know you will say yes and I will take your word. Yet if you swear you
may prove false.
ROMEO:
Lady, I swear by the sacred moon –
JULIET:
Do not swear by the ever changing moon.
ROMEO:
What shall I swear by?
JULIET:
Do not swear at all. Or if you will, swear by yourself which is the god I worship and I
will believe you. Sweet, goodnight. This bud of love may bloom into a beautiful
flower the next time we meet.
ROMEO:
O, will you leave me so unsatisfied?
JULIET:
What satisfaction can you have tonight?
ROMEO:
The exchange of your love’s vow for mine.
JULIET:
I gave you mine before you requested it. My love is deep. The more I give to you, the
more I have, for both are infinite.
The Nurse calls from inside.
I hear a noise inside. Dear love, goodbye. Anon, good Nurse! Stay a while, I will come again.
(She exits)
ROMEO:
I am afraid, it being night, that all this is only a dream.
Juliet enters.
JULIET:
Three words, dear Romeo, and goodnight. If your love is honourable and your
purpose marriage, send me word tomorrow where and what time we should be
married, and I will follow you throughout the world.
NURSE:
Madam!
JULIET:
I come, anon – A thousand times goodnight! (She exits and re-enters)
Romeo! What time tomorrow shall I send my messenger to you?
ROMEO:
By the hour of nine.
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JULIET:
I will not fail. It will seem like twenty years till then. It is almost morning. Goodnight,
goodnight! Parting is such sweet sorrow that I shall say goodnight until it is
tomorrow. (She exits)
ROMEO:
Sleep well, and peacefully. I wish I were sleep and peace so that I could stay with
you.
SCENE THREE
Friar Lawrence enters. Followed by Romeo.
ROMEO:
Good morrow, Father,
F. LAWRENCE:
ROMEO:
The last is true. I enjoyed a sweeter rest than sleep.
F. LAWRENCE:
ROMEO:
For doting, not for loving.
And you told me to bury my love.
F. LAWRENCE:
ROMEO:
Holy Saint Francis, what change is here! Have you forsaken Rosaline whom you
loved so much? How many tears did you cry for her? There is still a stain on your
cheek from an old tear that has not been washed off yet. And now you are
changed?
You scolded me for loving Rosaline.
F. LAWRENCE:
ROMEO:
Speak plainly, my son.
I love rich Capulet’s daughter and she loves me. We are bound to each other in
every way except in marriage. I will tell you more later but now I pray you,
please, agree to marry us today.
F. LAWRENCE:
ROMEO:
Where have you been, then?
I have been feasting with my enemy. Suddenly someone wounded me with love and
was wounded with love by me.
F. LAWRENCE:
ROMEO:
Were you with Rosaline?
With Rosaline, Father? No, I have forgotten that name and all the sadness she
brought me.
F. LAWRENCE:
ROMEO:
God bless you. Who greets me so early in the morning? Young man, something
is wrong if you have left your bed this early. Every old man has worries, and
worried men never sleep, but young men should not have any cares and rest
plenty. Therefore, either you have been upset by some anxiety or, If that is not
the case, then, our Romeo has not been to bed tonight.
I did not tell you to rid yourself of one love and replace it with another.
I pray you, do not scold me. The girl I love now returns my love. The other did not.
F. LAWRENCE:
Oh, she knew well you were acting as if in love without really knowing what love
means. But come, young waverer, go with me and I will be your assistant in this
marriage which may prove to turn your households’ hatred into pure love.
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ROMEO:
Let us go. I must hurry.
F. LAWRENCE:
Go wisely and slowly. Those in haste stumble and fall.
They exit.
SCENE FOUR
MERCUTIO: Where the devil can Romeo be? Did he not come home last night?
BENVOLIO:
Not to his father’s house. I spoke with his servant. Tybalt, old Capulet’s nephew, has
sent a letter to Romeo’s father’s house.
MERCUTIO: On my life it’s a challenge.
BENVOLIO:
And Romeo will answer it.
MERCUTIO: Any man that can write may answer a letter.
BENVOLIO:
No, I mean he will accept the challenge.
MERCUTIO: Alas, poor Romeo! He is already dead. He has been shot through the ear with a love
song. The centre of his heart has been split by blind Cupids’ arrow. Is he man
enough to face off with Tybalt?
BENVOLIO:
Why?
MERCUTIO: Well he is mightier than the Prince of Cats. He fights like you sing at a recital, paying
attention to time, distance and proportion, a master of duels. Ah, the immortal
passado, the punto reverso, the hai!
BENVOLIO:
The what? Ah, here comes Romeo. Romeo!
MERCUTIO: Signor Romeo, bonjour! You gave us the counterfeit fairly last night.
ROMEO:
Good morrow to you both. What counterfeit?
MERCUTIO: You gave us the slip, sir, the slip. Can you not understand what I am saying?
ROMEO:
Pardon, good Mercutio. I had very important business to take care of and in such a
case as this a man may forget all manners and courtesy.
MERCUTIO: Oh, “important business”!
Enter Nurse.
NURSE:
Good morrow, gentlemen.
MERCUTIO: Good afternoon, fair lady.
NURSE:
Is it now afternoon?
MERCUTIO: It is not earlier, for the hand of the clock points to noon.
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NURSE:
Gentlemen, can any of you tell me where I can find young Romeo?
ROMEO:
I can tell you, but young Romeo will be older when you have found him than when
you were looking for him. I am the youngest of that name, and there is no
younger, or worse.
NURSE:
You speak well. If you be he then I desire some confidence with you.
They move aside.
My young mistress asked me to find you. What she asked me to say I shall keep to myself.
But first, let me tell you this. If you lead her into a fool’s paradise, as they say, it
would be an outrageous crime because the girl is so young.
ROMEO:
Nurse, give my regards to your lady. I protest unto you ─
NURSE:
You have a good heart, and believe me, I’ll tell her as much. Lord, Lord, she’ll be a
joyful woman.
ROMEO:
What will you tell her, Nurse? You have not heard me.
NURSE:
I will tell her, sir, that you do protest, which is a gentlemanlike offer.
ROMEO:
Tell her to devise a plan to come to confession at the abbey this afternoon. At Friar
Lawrence’s cell she can make confession and be married. Here, this is for your
trouble. (He gives her coins)
NURSE:
No, really sir, I won’t take a penny.
ROMEO:
I insist.
NURSE:
(taking the coins) This afternoon, sir? She shall be there.
They exit.
SCENE FIVE
JULIET:
The clock struck nine when I sent the Nurse and she promised to return in half an
hour. What if she cannot find him? That’s not so. Oh, she is slow! Now it is noon.
That is three hours since she left. Oh here she comes now!
Enter Nurse.
Oh sweet Nurse, what news do you bring? Have you spoken to him? Now, good Nurse, why
do you look so sad? Even if the news is sad, tell me with a smile, or if it is good
news you will sour its sweetness by telling me with a frown.
NURSE:
JULIET:
NURSE:
I am weary. Leave me awhile. Oh, my, my, how my bones ache! What a jaunt I’ve
had!
I wish you had my bones and I your news. Come, I pray you, speak. Good, good
Nurse, speak.
What haste! Can you not wait awhile? Do you not see that I am out of breath!
15
JULIET:
How can you be out of breath when you have enough breath to tell me that you are
out of breath? Is your news good or bad? Answer to that.
NURSE:
Well, you have made a simple choice. You know not how to choose a man. Romeo!
No, not him, though his face be better than any man’s, he is not the most polite
man in the world, but he is gentle as a lamb. Well, go your way. Serve God.
Have you had lunch yet?
JULIET:
No, no. But all of this I did know before. What does he say of our marriage? What
about that?
NURSE:
Lord, how my head aches! What a head I have! It pounds like it will fall into break into
twenty pieces. My back aches too – (Juliet rubs her back) Ooh, the other side –
ah, my poor aching back. Curse your heart for sending all over the town.
JULIET:
I am sorry you are in pain. Sweet, sweet Nurse, tell me, what says my love?
NURSE:
Your love says, like an honest gentleman, who is courteous, and kind, and
handsome, and, I believe, virtuous – Where is your mother?
JULIET:
Where is my mother? Why, she is inside. Where else should she be? How oddly you
reply! “Your love says like an honest gentleman, ‘Where is your mother?’”
NURSE:
Are you this impatient? Come on, you are being ridiculous! Is this the cure for my
aching bones? From now on, take care of your messages yourself.
JULIET:
You’re making such a fuss! Come, what says Romeo?
NURSE:
Do you have permission to go to confession today?
JULIET:
I do.
NURSE:
Then hurry to Friar Lawrence’s cell. There is a husband there who waits to make you
his wife. Now I see the blood rushing to your cheeks. Go to the church. I will go
to lunch. Go, get you to Friar Lawrence’s cell!
JULIET:
Thank you, dear Nurse.
She exits.
ACT THREE SCENE ONE
Enter Mercutio and Benvolio.
BENVOLIO:
I beg you, good Mercutio, let’s retire. The day is hot, the Capulets are about and if we
meet we shall not escape a brawl.
MERCUTIO: You are like one of those fellows that, when he enters a tavern, slams his sword on
the table and then says, “I pray I never have to use you”. By the time he orders
his second drink, he draws his sword on the bartender when indeed there is no
need.
BENVOLIO:
Am I like such a fellow?
16
MERCUTIO: Come, come, you can be as angry as any other man when you are in the mood.
BENVOLIO:
By my head, here come the Capulets.
MERCUTIO: By my heel, I care not.
TYBALT:
Gentlemen, good afternoon. A word with one of you.
MERCUTIO: And but one word with one of us? Couple it with something. Make it a word and a
blow.
TYBALT:
You shall find me ready enough for that, sir, if you should give me reason.
MERCUTIO: Can you not find a reason without being given one?
TYBALT:
Mercutio, you consort with Romeo.
MERCUTIO: Consort? What? Are we musicians? Here’s my fiddlestick. This will make you dance!
BENVOLIO:
We talk here in a public place. Either withdraw to a private place where you can talk
rationally, or else depart. Here all eyes gaze on us.
MERCUTIO: Men’s eyes were made to look so let them gaze. I will not move for any man.
Enter Romeo.
TYBALT:
Well peace be with you, sir. Here comes my man. Romeo, the love I have for you can
be described with no better term than this: you are a villain.
ROMEO:
Tybalt, the reason I have to love you lets me put aside the rage I should feel and
excuse your insults. Villain am I none. Therefore, farewell. I see that you do not
know me.
TYBALT:
Boy, this shall not excuse the injuries you have done me. Therefore turn and draw.
ROMEO:
I never injured you, but love you more than you can understand without knowing the
reason for my love. And so, good Capulet – which is a name I love as dearly as
my own – be satisfied.
MERCUTIO: This calm submission is dishonourable and vile. Tybalt, you rat-catcher, will you
fight?
TYBALT:
What do you want from me?
MERCUTIO: Good King of Cats, nothing but one of your nine lives. Will you draw your sword?
TYBALT:
I am for you.
MERCUTIO: Come, sir, your passado.
Mercutio and Tybalt fight.
ROMEO:
Draw Benvolio. Beat down their weapons. Gentlemen, for shame! Stop this outrage.
Tybalt, Mercutio! The Prince has forbidden fighting in the streets. Hold, Tybalt!
Good Mercutio!
17
Romeo tries to break up the fight. Tybalt stabs Mercutio under Romeo’s arm.
MERCUTIO: I am hurt. A plague on both your houses! I am finished. Is he gone unharmed?
ROMEO:
Are you hurt?
MERCUTIO: Yes, yes, a scratch, a scratch. But it is enough. Not as deep as a well or as wide as a
church door, but it is enough. Why did you come between us? I was hurt from
under your arm.
ROMEO:
I thought it was for the best.
MERCUTIO: Help me inside, Benvolio, or I shall faint. A plague on both your houses! They have
made worms meat of me. Your houses!
Mercutio and Benvolio exit.
ROMEO:
Mercutio, my very friend, has got his mortal hurt on my behalf, defending me from
Tybalt’s slander – Tybalt who had been my cousin but for an hour! O sweet
Juliet, your beauty has made me weak and you have softened my bravery.
Enter Benvolio.
BENVOLIO:
O Romeo, Romeo, Brave Mercutio is dead!
ROMEO:
Today is the beginning of more woe which will end in the days ahead.
Enter Tybalt.
BENVOLIO:
Here comes the furious Tybalt back again.
ROMEO:
Alive in Triumph – and Mercutio dead! Enough with mercy and consideration. Now,
Tybalt, you can call me “villain”. Mercutio’s soul is but a little way above our
heads. He is waiting for you to keep him company. Either you, or I, or both, must
go with him.
TYBALT:
Wretched boy, you were his companion here and you shall go with him.
ROMEO:
This shall determine that.
They fight and Tybalt dies.
BENVOLIO:
Romeo, away, be gone! The citizens are up, and Tybalt is dead. The Prince will send
you to your death if you are caught. So, be gone, away!
Enter the Prince, Lady Capulet and Montague.
PRINCE:
BENVOLIO:
Where are the vile beginners of this fray?
O, noble Prince, I can tell you the unfortunate circumstances of this fatal brawl. Over
there lies Tybalt. He killed your kinsmen, brave Mercutio, and for this, young
Romeo killed him.
LADY CAPULET: Tybalt, my nephew! Oh, the blood is spilled of my dear kinsman! Prince, as you
are a man of honour, take revenge! For blood of ours shed blood of a Montague!
PRINCE:
Benvolio, who began this bloody fray?
18
BENVOLIO:
Tybalt. Romeo spoke to him politely and told him how unnecessary this quarrel was.
But he could not make peace with Tybalt, who was in a rage and would not listen
to talk of peace. Tybalt and Mercutio began to fight fiercely. Romeo cried out,
“Hold, friends! Friends, part!”. Then he came between them and under his arm
Tybalt hit the life of stout Mercutio, and then he fled. He returned to meet Romeo,
who was overcome with the desire for revenge. Before I could draw them apart,
Tybalt fell dead and Romeo ran. This is the truth, or let Benvolio die.
LADY CAPULET: He is kinsman to the Montagues. His loyalties lie with them. He speaks not true. I
beg for justice. Romeo killed Tybalt. Romeo must not live.
PRINCE:
Romeo killed Tybalt. Tybalt killed Mercutio. Who should pay the price for Mercutio’s
life?
MONTAGUE: Not Romeo, Prince, he was Mercutio’s friend. His crime has granted justice by taking
Tybalt’s life.
PRINCE:
And for that crime, Romeo is hereby exiled. Tell Romeo to leave the city immediately,
or else, if he is found, that hour will be his last.
They exit.
SCENE TWO
JULIET:
Come, gentle night, come, loving, dark night, give me my Romeo; and, when he dies,
take him and cut him out in little stars, and he will make the face of heaven so
beautiful that all the world will be in love with the night and pay no worship to the
garish sun. O, here comes my nurse, and she brings news.
Enter Nurse.
Now, nurse, what news? Why do you wring your hands?
NURSE:
He's dead, he's dead! He’s gone, he's killed, he's dead! O Romeo, Romeo! Whoever
would have thought it? Romeo!
JULIET:
Has Romeo killed himself? If he is dead, say yes, or if not, no.
NURSE:
I saw the wound. I saw it with my own eyes. All gore and blood. I fainted at the sight.
JULIET:
O, break, my heart!
NURSE:
O Tybalt, Tybalt, the best friend I had! O courteous Tybalt! Honest gentleman! That
ever I should live to see you dead!
JULIET:
Is Romeo slaughtered, and is Tybalt dead? Who is left living, if those two are gone?
NURSE:
Tybalt is gone, Romeo killed him, and he is banished.
JULIET:
O God! Did Romeo's hand shed Tybalt's blood?
NURSE:
It did, it did. There is no trust, no faith, no honesty in men - all liars. These griefs,
these woes, these sorrows make me old. Shame come to Romeo!
19
JULIET:
May your tongue be blistered for such a wish!
NURSE:
Will you speak well of him that killed your cousin?
JULIET:
Shall I speak ill of him that is my husband? Tybalt is dead, and Romeo—banished.
That 'banished,' that one word 'banished,' has killed ten thousand Tybalts. Where
is my father, and my mother, nurse?
NURSE:
Weeping and wailing over Tybalt's death. Will you go to them? I will take you there.
JULIET:
I will go to my wedding-bed.
NURSE:
Go to your chamber. I will find Romeo to comfort you. I know where he is.
Listen, your Romeo will be here at night. I will go to him. He is hidden at Friar
Lawrence's cell.
JULIET:
O, find him! And tell him come to take his last farewell.
Exit
SCENE THREE
Enter Friar Lawrence.
F. LAWRENCE:
Romeo, come out, come out, you fearful man.
Enter Romeo.
ROMEO:
Father, what news? What is the Prince's doom?
F. LAWRENCE:
ROMEO:
Banishment! Be merciful and say 'death;' for exile is much worse than death. Do not
say 'banishment.'
F. LAWRENCE:
ROMEO:
A gentler judgment. Not your death, but your banishment from the city.
You are banished from Verona. Be patient, for the world is broad and wide.
There is no world without Verona’s walls. Banished is banished from the world. It is
torture, and not mercy. Heaven is here, where Juliet lives, and every cat and dog
and little mouse, every unworthy thing that lives here in heaven may look on her,
but Romeo may not.
F. LAWRENCE:
Romeo, hear me.
ROMEO:
O, but you will speak again of banishment.
F. LAWRENCE: Then I see that madmen have no ears.
ROMEO:
How should they, when wise men have no eyes?
A knocking.
F. LAWRENCE:
ROMEO:
Someone knocks. Good Romeo, hide yourself.
Not I.
20
Knocking
F. LAWRENCE: Who's there? (Knocking)
Run to my study, Romeo! I come, I come! (Knocking)
Who knocks so hard? What do you want?
NURSE:
I come from Lady Juliet.
F. LAWRENCE: Welcome, then.
Enter Nurse
NURSE:
O holy friar, O, tell me, holy friar. Where is my lady's love, where's Romeo?
F. LAWRENCE: There on the ground, he is drunk with his own tears.
NURSE:
Juliet is the same, blubbering and weeping, weeping and blubbering. Stand up,
stand, and be a man. For Juliet's sake, rise and stand.
ROMEO:
Nurse! Do you speak of Juliet? How is she? Does she think I am a murderer?
Where is she? And what says my lady?
NURSE:
O, she says nothing, sir, but weeps and weeps, and calls Tybalt and then cries
Romeo.
ROMEO:
As if my name was shot from a gun and murdered her. O, tell me, friar, tell me, in
what vile part of this body my name lives? Tell me, so I may destroy it. (Drawing
his sword)
F. LAWRENCE: Hold your desperate hand. Are you a man? Your looks say that you are but your
tears are womanish. Calm yourself, man! Your Juliet is alive, for whose dear
sake you were nearly killed. You should be happy for that. Tybalt would have
killed you, but you killed Tybalt. You should be happy for that too. The law that
threatened death becomes your friend and turns it to exile. You should be happy
for that. Go to your love and comfort her but do not stay past the hour set,
otherwise you will not get to Mantua, where you shall live, until we can find a time
to make your marriage public, reconcile your friends, beg pardon of the Prince,
and call you back. Go before him, Nurse and hurry the entire house to bed.
NURSE:
I will tell my lady that you will come. And hurry for it grows very late.
Exit
ROMEO:
This brings much comfort!
F. LAWRENCE:
ROMEO:
Now go. Good night. Make sure you are gone from the city before the night
watchmen take their positions. I will find Benvolio and ask him to bring news of
what chances here. Give me your hand. It is late. Farewell, goodnight.
Farewell.
Exit.
SCENE FOUR
21
Enter Capulet, Lady Capulet and Paris
CAPULET:
Things have turned out so unluckily, sir that we have had no time to convince our
daughter of marriage. She loved her kinsman Tybalt dearly, and so did I. It is
very late, she'll not come down tonight. I promise you, if it were not for your
company, I would have been in bed an hour ago.
PARIS:
Madam, good night. Give my regards to your daughter.
LADY CAPULET: I will, and you will know her answer tomorrow
CAPULET:
Sir Paris, I think she will do as I say. I have no doubt about it. Wife, go to her before
you go to bed. Tell her of Paris' love and tell her that by next Wednesday - But,
wait! What day is it?
PARIS:
Monday, my lord,
CAPULET:
Monday! Well, Wednesday is too soon. Then let it be Thursday - by Thursday, tell
her, she shall be married to this noble earl. Will you be ready? What do you say
to Thursday?
PARIS:
My lord, I wish that Thursday were tomorrow.
CAPULET:
Well get you gone. Thursday it will be, then. Farewell, my lord. Good night.
Exit all.
SCENE FIVE
Enter Romeo and Juliet.
JULIET:
Are you going? It is not yet near day.
ROMEO:
Night's candles are burnt out, I must be gone and live, or stay and die.
JULIET:
It is not day-light, I know it. Therefore stay, you need not go.
ROMEO:
Then let me be taken, let me be put to death. I am content, if you will have it so.
I want more to stay than to leave. How are you, my soul? Let's talk, it is not day.
JULIET:
It is, it is - be gone! O, now be gone. The day grows lighter and lighter.
ROMEO:
More light and light. More dark and dark our woes!
LADY CAPULET: Daughter! Are you up?
JULIET:
Who is it that calls? Is it my mother? Is she not down so late, or up so early?
ROMEO:
Farewell, farewell! One kiss, and I'll be gone.
JULIET:
Are you gone like that my love, my lord, my husband! I must hear from you every day
in the hour.
ROMEO:
Farewell!
JULIET:
O do you think we shall ever meet again?
I will take every opportunity to send my love to you.
22
ROMEO:
I do not doubt it.
JULIET:
Either my eyesight fails, or you look pale.
ROMEO:
Trust me, love, so do you look pale to me. Sorrow drinks our blood. Goodbye,
goodbye!
Exit Romeo and enter Lady Capulet.
LADY CAPULET: Why, how are you Juliet!
JULIET:
Madam, I am not well.
LADY CAPULET: Evermore weeping for your cousin's death? What, will you wash him from his
grave with tears? Well, girl, weep not so much for his death, but much for the fact
that the villain who slaughtered him still lives.
JULIET:
What villain madam?
LADY CAPULET: That same villain, Romeo.
JULIET:
Yes, madam, he is beyond my reach. I wish that none but I could avenge my cousin's
death!
LADY CAPULET: We will have vengeance for it, fear you not. Weep no more. I will send word to a
man in Mantua, where banished Romeo lives, and he shall give him such a
beating, that Romeo shall soon keep Tybalt company, and then, I hope, you will
be satisfied.
JULIET:
Indeed, I shall never be satisfied with Romeo, until I behold him—dead.
LADY CAPULET: But now I have some good news for you.
JULIET:
And good news could not come at a more needy time. What is it?
LADY CAPULET: Well, well, you have a careful father, child. To bring you out of your misery, he
has arranged a most happy day.
JULIET:
Madam, what day is that?
LADY CAPULET: Well, my child, early next Thursday morning, at Saint Peter's Church, the young
and noble gentleman Paris shall happily make you his wife.
JULIET:
Now I swear by Saint Peter's Church and Peter too, he shall not make me his wife.
Tell my lord and father, I will not marry yet, and, when I do, I swear,
It shall be Romeo, who you know I hate, rather than Paris!
LADY CAPULET: Here comes your father. Tell him so yourself
Enter Capulet.
CAPULET:
How now, wife! Have you delivered our news?
LADY CAPULET: Yes, sir, but she will not accept, she gives you thanks. I wish the fool were dead
and married to her grave!
23
CAPULET:
What! Will she not accept? Does she not thank us, unworthy as she is, that we have
found so worthy a gentleman to be her bridegroom?
JULIET:
I can never be proud of what I hate, but thankful for something I hate, if it was meant
with love.
CAPULET:
You do me no thanks or show no pride! Be ready for next Thursday, to go with Paris
to Saint Peter's Church, or I will drag you there!
LADY CAPULET: Are you mad?
JULIET:
Good father, I beg you on my knees, hear me speak.
CAPULET:
I will tell you what: get you to church on Thursday, or never look me in the face again,
speak not, reply not, do not answer me. Wife, we never felt blessed
that God had given us only one child but now I see this one is one too much, and
that we were cursed by having her.
LADY CAPULET: You are too harsh.
CAPULET:
It makes me mad I have always desired to have her married, and now having found a
fine gentleman of noble blood, I have this wretched whining fool who answers
me, 'I'll not wed; I cannot love, I am too young; I beg you, pardon me.' Thursday
is near. If you accept, I'll marry you to Paris. If you do not, hang, beg, starve, die
in the streets, I swear on my soul, I shall never call you my daughter again,
Exit Capulet.
JULIET:
O, sweet my mother, do not cast me away! Delay this marriage for a month, a week,
or, if you do not, make the bridal bed my grave in that monument where Tybalt
lies.
LADY CAPULET: Talk not to me, for I will not speak a word. Do as you will, for I am done with you.
Exit Lady Capulet
JULIET:
O God! How shall this be prevented? I have angered my father and so I will go to
Friar Lawrence's cell to make confession and to be absolved. He may have a
remedy for this. If all else fails, at least I have the strength to die.
Exit Juliet.
ACT FOUR SCENE ONE
Friar Lawrence’s cell. Enter Juliet.
JULIET:
Father, may I speak with you.
F. LAWRENCE:
JULIET:
Of course, my troubled daughter. Come.
This mess is beyond hope, beyond cure, beyond help!
F. LAWRENCE:
O Juliet, I already know of your grief. I hear that you must marry the count Paris
on Thursday, and that nothing can delay it.
24
JULIET:
Do not tell me that you have heard about this marriage, Friar, unless you can tell me
how I may prevent it. If in your wisdom you cannot help, then call my solution
wise and with this knife I’ll help it presently. God joined my heart to Romeo’s.
You joined our hands. And before I – who was married to Romeo by you – am
married to another man, I will take my own life. Give me some present counsel.
Be not so long to speak, I long to die.
F. LAWRENCE:
JULIET:
I will do anything to live an unstained wife to my sweet love.
F. LAWRENCE:
JULIET:
Go home, be merry and say that you agree to marry Paris. Tomorrow night make
sure that you are alone. When you are in bed, take this vile, and drink. Then a
cold, sleep inducing drug will run through your veins, and your pulse will stop. No
warmth, no breath shall testify that you live. The roses in your lips and cheeks
shall fade. It will seem as though you are dead. You will remain in this deathlike
state for forty two hours and then you will wake as if from a pleasant sleep. Now,
when the bridegroom comes to wake you on Thursday morning you shall seem
dead and be carried to the resting place of all the Capulets. I will send word to
Romeo of our plan and he will be waiting for you when you awake to take you
away to Mantua.
Give me the vial.
F. LAWRENCE:
JULIET:
Hold, daughter. I see some hope. If, rather than to marry the count Paris, you
have the strength of will to slay yourself, then it is likely that you are willing to
undertake something like death to solve this problem.
Now, get you gone. Be strong and prosperous in this resolve.
Love will give me. Farewell, dear Father.
She exits.
SCENE TWO
Enter Capulet and Lady Capulet.
CAPULET:
We are unprepared for this wedding celebration. Where is Juliet? Has she gone to
Friar Lawrence.
LADY CAPULET: Yes, my dear.
CAPULET:
Enter Juliet.
Well, there is a chance he may do her some good. She is a stubborn brat.
LADY CAPULET: See how she has come back from confession with a merry look.
CAPULET:
How now, my headstrong daughter. Where have you been?
JULIET:
Where I have learned that disobedience to my father is a sin. Holy Father Lawrence
instructed me to fall on my knees and beg for your forgiveness. (She falls to her
knees) Forgive me, I beg you. I shall, from now on, do as you please.
CAPULET:
Send for the Count. Go tell him of this. This wedding shall happen tomorrow morning.
This is well. Stand up. This is as it should be. I want to see the Count.
25
JULIET:
Mother, will you come with me to my closet and help choose my robes for tomorrow.
LADY CAPULET: The wedding shall not be till Thursday. There is time enough.
Juliet exits.
CAPULET:
Go with her. We shall have the wedding tomorrow.
LADY CAPULET: We cannot be ready in time. It is already almost night.
CAPULET:
Do not worry. All things shall be well. Go to Juliet.
They exit.
SCENE THREE
Juliet is sorting through clothes. Enter Lady Capulet.
LADY CAPULET: What, are you busy? Do you need my help?
JULIET:
No, madam. Nurse helped me choose what should be best to wear for the ceremony
tomorrow. So, if it is well with you, let me now be left alone. For, I am sure, you
have your hands full preparing for this sudden business.
LADY CAPULET: Goodnight. Get you to bed and rest, for you will need it.
Lady Capulet exits.
JULIET:
Farewell! – God only knows when we shall meet again. Here is the vial. What if this
mixture does not work at all? Shall I be married tomorrow morning? No, no. This
shall forbid it. Lie you there. (She lays down her knife) What if when I am laid into
the tomb, I wake before the time that Romeo comes to take me? I shall be stifled
in the vault, or if I live, I will be surrounded by death and darkness. Tybalt’s body
will be lying there. They say that during the night the spirits are in the tombs. I
think I see my cousin Tybalt’s ghost. He is looking for Romeo. Wait, Tybalt, wait!
Romeo! Here’s a drink. I drink to you.
Juliet drinks from the vial and falls on her the bed.
SCENE FOUR
CAPULET:
Come on, wake up, wake up! The second cock has crowed. It is three o’clock.
Enter Lady Capulet.
Wife. Go and wake Juliet. Go and get her dressed. I’ll go chat with Paris. Hurry, hurry. The
bridegroom is already here. Hurry I say.
Capulet exits one way and Lady Capulet goes to Juliets room.
LADY CAPULET: Juliet! Juliet! She’s fast asleep. Why lamb! Why Lady! Why love I say! What, not
a word? You are dressed in all your clothes but you are still asleep. Oh Juliet, no,
26
oh no! Help, help! My Juliet is dead! My child, my only life, wake up, or I will die
with you! Help, help!
Enter Capulet.
CAPULET:
For shame, bring Juliet out. Her bridegroom is here.
LADY CAPULET: Curse the day. She is dead! She’s dead!
CAPULET:
No! Let me see her. She is cold. Her blood has stopped and her joints are stiff. She
has been dead for some time. She is dead, like a beautiful flower, killed by an
untimely frost.
Enter Friar Lawrence.
F. LAWRENCE:
CAPULET:
Come, is the bride ready to go to church?
She is ready to go, but never to return.
LADY CAPULET: Accursed, unhappy, wretched, hateful day! I had only one child, one poor and
loving child, the one thing I had to rejoice and comfort myself, and cruel death
has stolen it from me!
CAPULET:
O child! My child is dead. And with my child my joys are buried.
F. LAWRENCE:
CAPULET:
Peace, for shame! Heaven and yourself had part in this fair maid. Now heaven
has all. She is in a better place. You could not prevent her from dying someday,
but heaven will give her eternal life. Dry up your tears and as custom is, carry her
to the church in her best robes.
All that we had prepared for the wedding will now be used for the funeral. Our happy
music will now be sad. Our bridal flowers will cover a buried corpse.
F. LAWRENCE:
Sir, go in, and madam, go with him. Everyone prepare to take this fair corpse to
her grave.
They exit.
ACT FIVE SCENE ONE
ROMEO:
If I may trust my dreams, then some joyful news is at hand. Love rules my heart, and
all this day an unaccustomed spirit lifts me above the ground. I dreamt my lady
came and found me dead. She came and brought me back to life with a kiss.
How sweet it would be to have my lady when merely thinking of love brings me
such joy.
Enter Benvolio.
News! What is it Benvolio? Do you bring me letters from the Friar? How is my lady? Is my
father well? How is my Juliet? For nothing can be ill if she is well.
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BENVOLIO:
Then she is well and nothing can be ill. Her body sleeps in the Caplet tomb, and her
immortal soul lives with the angels in heaven. I saw her laid low in her kindred’s
vault and then came here to tell you. Pardon me for bringing these ill news.
ROMEO:
Is it really so? Then I defy you stars! You know where I live. Get me ink and paper,
and hire horses. I will return tonight.
BENVOLIO:
Romeo, be patient. Your looks are pale and wild and do import some misadventure.
ROMEO:
You are wrong. Leave me and do what I have told you. Do you not have letters to me
from the Friar?
BENVOLIO:
No.
ROMEO:
Then get you gone. I’ll be with you right away.
Benvolio exits.
Well, Juliet, I will lie with you tonight. Let’s see for the means. Mischief, you are swift to enter
in the thoughts of desperate men! I remember a pharmacist who lives nearby. He
makes drugs from herbs. He is poor and miserable and worn to the bone. Noting
this poverty, I said to myself, “If a man needed poison, here is a miserable
wretch who would sell it to him”. This thought came before my need but this
same poor man must sell it to me.
He exits.
SCENE TWO
Juliets’ Tomb. Enter Romeo and Benvolio.
ROMEO:
Here, take this letter. Early in the morning deliver it to my father. (He gives Benvolio
the letter) Swear on your life, I command you, whatever you hear or see, stay
away. Go.
BENVOLIO:
Romeo, I will be gone and not trouble you. Farewell, gentle Romeo.
ROMEO:
And in this way you shall show me true friendship.
Benvolio hides.
ROMEO:
How often are men happy at the point of death! Oh, my love! My wife! Death has
sucked the honey from your breath, but it has no power over your beauty. There
is still crimson in your lips and in your cheeks. Death has not yet turned them
pale. Tybalt, are you lying there? Oh, what better favour can I do you than kill the
man who killed you with the same hand that took your youth! Forgive me cousin!
Ah, dear Juliet, why are you still so fair? I will never leave this tomb. Eyes, look
your last. Arms, take your last embrace. And lips, the doors of breath, seal with a
righteous kiss. (He takes the poison) Come bitter poison, come, unsavoury
guide! Here’s to my love! So, with a kiss, I die.
Romeo dies. Enter Friar Lawrence.
F. LAWRENCE:
Saint Francis be my speed! How often tonight have my old feet stumbled on
gravestones! Who’s there?
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BENVOLIO:
A friend who knows you well.
F. LAWRENCE:
BENVOLIO:
It does, holy sir. Romeo is there.
F. LAWRENCE:
BENVOLIO:
Romeo? How long has he been there?
For a full half hour.
F. LAWRENCE:
BENVOLIO:
God bless you! Tell me, my good Benvolio, what is that light over there? It burns
in the Capulets tomb.
Did he not receive my letters?
No father.
F. LAWRENCE:
Romeo! Romeo! Oh he is pale. The lady is moving.
Juliet wakes.
JULIET:
O friendly friar! Where is my husband? I do remember well where I should be and
here I am. Where is my Romeo?
F. LAWRENCE:
JULIET:
I hear some noise. A greater power than we can fight has ruined our plan. Come,
come away. Your husband lies dead there. Come, I’ll place you among the
sisterhood of holy nuns. Come, good Juliet, I dare not stay longer.
Go, get out. I will not leave.
Friar Lawrence exits.
What is here? A cup, closed in my true love’s hand? Poison, I see, has been the cause of his
death. He drank it all and left no drop for me after. I will kiss your lips. Perhaps
there is still some poison on them. Your lips are warm. Oh noise? Then I will be
quick. O happy dagger. Rust inside my body and let me die.
Juliet stabs herself and dies.
PRINCE:
This is a pitiful sight! Juliet is bleeding, warm and newly dead even though she has
been buried for two days. And Romeo dead too.
LADY CAPULET: O heavens! Look how my daughter bleeds.
PRINCE:
Come, Montague. You are up early to see your son early down.
MONTAGUE: Alas, my liege, my wife died tonight. Grief over my son’s exile stopped her breath.
What further woe must I endure in my old age?
PRINCE:
Look and you shall see.
MONTAGUE: Oh you undisciplined boy! Where are your manners? It is not right to push past your
father to the grave.
PRINCE:
Be quiet and hold back your outrage until we can clear these questions and know
how this all began. Father, tell us what you know of this.
F. LAWRENCE:
Romeo, there dead, was the husband of Juliet. And she, who lies there dead was
Romeo’s faithful wife. I married them; their secret wedding was the day of
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Tybalt’s death which caused the new-made bridegroom to be banished from the
city. Juliet pined for Romeo, not Tybalt and to cure her sadness you arranged for
her to be married to the Count Paris. Then she came to me, with wild looks and
asked me to devise a plan to rid her from this second marriage or she would kill
herself there in my cell. So I gave her a sleeping potion which would make her
seem as if she were dead. Meantime, I wrote to Romeo and told him to come
here this awful night to take her from her borrowed grave. But he did not receive
my letters. So I came here alone at the hour she was to wake hoping to keep her
in my cell until I could send word to Romeo. But when I came, Romeo was
already dead. She woke and would not leave with me and it seems that she took
her own life. All this I know, and her Nurse too.
BENVOLIO:
I brought Romeo news of Juliet’s death and then he rode from Mantua to this tomb.
Earlier this morning he bid me give this to his father. (He gives the Prince the
letter)
PRINCE:
This letter confirms the friar’s words. It describes the course of their love and the
news of her death. He writes that he did buy a poison and came here to this vault
to die and lie with Juliet. Where are these enemies? Capulet! Montague! Do you
see what a great evil results from your hate?
LADY CAPULET: O, brother Montague, give me your hand. This is my daughter’s dowry. I can ask
you for nothing more.
MONTAGUE: But I can give you more. I will raise a statue of her in pure gold and as long as this
city is called Verona, there will be no figure praised more than of true and faithful
Juliet.
LADY CAPULET: The statue of Romeo that I shall place beside his Juliet shall be just as rich. Poor
sacrifices of our rivalry!
PRINCE:
A glooming peace this morning with it brings.
The sun, for sorrow, will not show his head.
Go hence, to have more talk of these sad things.
Some shall be pardon'd, and some punished.
For never was a story of more woe
Than this of Juliet and her Romeo.
THE END
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