Romeo and Juliet - Act 11

Prologue


Romeo's former loving feelings are dying and a new one is ready to take its place. First he loved Rosaline so much that he was willing to die for her. Now that he's met the lovely Juliet, he's forgotten all about his first love. Now the object of Romeo's affections loves him back. They both fell for each other's good looks. However, the person who is supposed to be his worse enemy is the very person to whom he has to profess his love. On the other hand, the person Juliet should fear, is the same person who's stolen her heart. 
Because he's an enemy, Romeo has no opportunity to say the sweet things lovers usually say to each other. 
While Juliet loves him just as much, she has even less opportunity to spend time with Romeo anywhere. 
The love they feel for each other gives them power and in time they will get the chance to meet. Extreme dangers can turn into extreme sweetness.

S c e n e 1

Enter, Romeo on his own


Romeo. How can I go away when my heart remains here. I have to go back to the centre of all this.


Romeo leaves the stage front. Enter, Benvolio and Mercutio. They can't see him.


Benvolio. Romeo! Cousin, Romeo!


Mercutio. I bet he's gone home to bed.


Benvolio. No. I know he ran this way and jumped over this orchard wall. Call for him, Mercutio.


Mercutio. No. Why don't I just conjure him up. (Calling out) Romeo! Madman! Crazy lover! Show yourself in the form of a sigh. Speak one rhyme and I'll know it's you. Say, 'Ah me!' Shout out, 'love' and 'dove.' Say one word to my good friend the goddess of love, Venus. Just say the nickname of her blind son, Cupid. Young Abraham Cupid made one just shot at King Cophetua when he fell in love with the beggar maid. 
(Talking to Benvolio) Romeo doesn't hear me. He doesn't stir, he doesn't move. The poor sod is dead. I must conjure him by Rosaline's bright eyes, her high forehead, red lips, lovely legs, her trembling thighs and the things that are in the area of her thighs. In the name of all these things, appear to us, Romeo.


Benvolio. He'll be angry if he hears you saying all that.


Mercutio. No, that's not true. What would make him angry is if I summoned some strange spirit to sleep with her. That would be wrong. What I'm doing is really harmless. I'm saying the name of the woman he loves so that he'll come out to see us.


Benvolio. I know. he's hidden among these trees. His love his blind, so he's keeping the right company by staying in the dark.


Mercutio. If love was blind it would never hit the target. Will Romeo sit under a tree that looks like a bottom and wish his girl was that type of fruit? Romeo, I so wish that was so. Good night, Romeo. I'm off to my bed. This field is too cold for me to sleep in. Come on, Benvolio, let's go.


Benvolio. Yes. Let's go. Why look for him if he doesn't want to be found.
                                                            
                                                                                                 Exit

S c e n e 1 1

Romeo returns. It's dark and he's under Juliet's window.


Romeo. It's easy to make fun of something you've never gone through yourself.


Juliet appears in a window above. She doesn't know he's there.


Wait! What's that light in the window up there? It's in the east and Juliet is the rising sun. Rise up, lovely sun, and get rid of the jealous moon (Diana is the goddess of the moon and virginity). It's already sick and pale with grief because you, her servant is more beautiful than she is. 
Don't be her servant because she is jealous of you. Serving her makes you look sick and green. Only fools clothe themselves with her. Get rid of it! There's my lady! I love her so. Oh, if only she knew how much I love her. she speaks, yet she says nothing. So what? Her eyes speak to me. I will answer them. I'm too quick, she's not even speaking to me. It looks like two of the best stars in heaven had to go away on business. They asked her eyes to twinkle in their places until they came back. 


If the stars were in her head and her eyes were in their places in the sky, the brightness of her cheeks would  outshine them, just like the sun outshines a lamp. If her eyes were in the sky, it would light it up so brightly that even at night, the birds would sing, thinking it was still daylight.  Look how she leans her cheek on her hand. Oh, I wish I were that glove on that hand so I could touch that cheek.


Juliet. Oh, dear!


Romeo. (Aside) She speaks!
Oh speak again, bright angel. You're as glorious as an angel. You make mortal men look up to gaze at you in wonder.

Juliet. (She doesn't know he can hear her) Oh Romeo, Romeo! Why do you have to be who you are, Romeo? Deny your father and change your name. Either that, or just swear you love me and I'll stop being a Capulet. 


Romeo. (Aside) Should I just keep listening, or should I speak now?


Juliet. (She still doesn't know Romeo can hear her). It's only by name that we're enemies. Even if you were not a Montague, you would still be the person you are. What's 'Montague'? It's not a a hand or a foot. It's not an arm or a face or any other part of a person. Oh why couldn't it have been another name.The thing we call a rose would smell just as sweet if it had another name. Romeo would be the same sweet, perfect person he is, if his name wasn't Romeo. Romeo, get rid of your name. It has nothing to do with who you are. Throw away your name and take me instead.


Romeo. (To Juliet) I take you at your word. Just call me 'love' and I'll take on that as a new name. From now on, I'm no longer Romeo.


Juliet. Who are you? Why do you hide in the dark and listen to my private thoughts.


Romeo. I don't know how to tell you who I am. I hate my name, my love, because it's an enemy to you. If I'd written my name down, I would've torn the paper up.


Juliet. I've only heard you say a few words, but already I recognise your voice. Aren't you Romeo? A Montague?


Romeo. I'm neither of them if you dislike them, my love.


Juliet. How did you get here? Why did you come? The orchard walls are high and hard to climb. Being in this place could mean death to you if any of my relatives find you.


Romeo. I flew over the walls on the wings of love. Stone structures cannot hold love out. If there is a possibility to do something, a man in love will do it. That's why your relatives don't scare me.


Juliet. If they see you, they'll kill you.


Romeo. Well, an angry look from you is worse than twenty of your relatives with swords. All you need to do is look at me with love and I'm a match for anything they can dish out.


Juliet. I really don't want them to see you here.


Romeo. It's dark. They won't see me. If it turns out you don't love me, I don't care if they find me anyway. I'd rather they killed me than have to live without your love.


Juliet. Who told you how to get here?


Romeo. Love made me want to look for you, and it's love that led me here to where you are. I'm not a sailor, but if you were as far away as on the other side of a vast sea, I would still find you.


Juliet. I know you can't see my face because it's dark outside, otherwise you would see me blushing about the things you're saying. I know I should try to keep up my good manners and deny all the things you heard me say, but forget about manners! Do you love me? I know you'll say yes, and I'll take your word for it. But you may still prove to be lying. I know they say Jupiter laughs when people in love lie to each other. Oh, Romeo, if you do love me, say it and tell the truth. Otherwise, if you think I'm too easy to win, I'll play hard-to-get so you can work to win me over. 


The truth is though, handsome Montague, I'm too much in love with you to do anything like that. Because of this, I know you may think I'm too easy. But trust me, I'll be more true to you than other girls who act coy and off-hand. I should've been more coy, I know that. But you already heard me saying all those things about my true feelings when I didn't know you were there.  I don't want you to think that just because you made me love you so easily, that my love isn't serious.


Romeo. Lady, I swear by the sacred moon above our heads.


Juliet. Don't swear by the moon. It's too inconsistent. It changes monthly. I don't want our love to be like that.


Romeo. What should I swear by?


Juliet. Don't swear at all. Or if you must, swear by your lovely self because you're like a god I worship. I'll believe you then.


Romeo. If my heart's dear love...


Juliet. Well, don't swear. Although I feel happy about you, I can't feel any happiness tonight in this exchange of promises. It's all too rash, ill-advised and too sudden. It's like lightening which comes then swiftly disappears before you can say, 'it's lightening!' Good night my sweet. This bud of love we feel now will have ripened into a beautiful flower the next time we meet. Good night. May sweet peace rest in your heart as it has in mine. 


Romeo. Are you going to leave me so unsatisfied?


Juliet. What satisfaction can you have tonight?


Romeo. An exchange of love promises.


Juliet. I gave it to you before you asked for it. But I wish it wasn't so, just so that I can give it to you again.


Romeo. Would you take it back? Why would you do that, love? 


Juliet. Only to give it to you again. I wish for the one thing I already have. I want to give you everything as bountifully as the sea. My love is as deep as the ocean. The more I give to you, the move I have. It's infinite.


Nurse calls from inside


I hear something inside. Bye, love. I'm coming, nurse. Sweet Montague, stay here, I'll be back in a minute.


Juliet leaves the balcony


Romeo. Oh, blessed, blessed night. I'm afraid all this is just a dream because it's so dark. It's much too good to be true. 


Juliet returns to the balcony again


Juliet. Just a minute, dear Romeo. And then I have to say 'good night' for good. If you have honourable feelings for me, send me a message tomorrow. I'll send a messenger to you and you can tell him where and when we could be married. I'll lay all my fortunes at your feet and follow you throughout the world.


Nurse. (From inside) Madam!


Juliet. (To the nurse) Just a minute! (To Romeo) ...but if you don't have honourable intentions, I beg you...


Nurse. (From inside) Madam!


Juliet. I'm coming. (To Romeo) ...to stop trying to get to me and leave me to grieve. I'll send him tomorrow. 


Romeo. You bet.


Juliet. A thousand times good night.


Juliet leaves the balcony above


Romeo. Leaving you is a thousand times worse than being with you. Love attracts a lover as strongly as a boy wants to leave his school books. When lovers part it's as sad as a school boy who has to study.


Romeo is about to leave when Juliet reappears on her balcony


Juliet. Hey, Romeo. I wish I could make a call like a falconer so that I could call my falcon back to me again. I'm stuck in the house, so I have to be very quiet. Or else I would rip open the cave where the woman, Echo lies and I would make her repeat your name until her voice is hoarser than mine, saying, 'My Romeo!'


Romeo. My soul is calling my name. The sounds of lovers calling each others' names is silver-sweet. It's like soft music to all who hears them.


Juliet. Romeo. 


Romeo. My little chick.


Juliet. What time should I send the messenger to you?


Romeo. By nine.


Juliet. Okay. It seems like twenty years from now till then. I can't remember why I called you back.


Romeo. I'll stand here until you remember.


Juliet. I've forgotten it. You may have to stand there forever. The only thing I can remember is how I love your company.


Romeo. Keep forgetting, and I'll keep standing here. I'll forget I have a home and stay right here.


Juliet. It's almost morning. I want you to go, but I'll probably only be able to let you go as far as a little child lets his pet bird go. He allows it to jump from his hand for a little while, before he pulls it back again on a string because 
he gets jealous when the bird is free.


Romeo. I wish I was your bird.
Juliet. So do I, love. But I would pet you so much, you would die. Good night, good night. Being apart is such sweet sorrow, so I'll say good night until it's tomorrow.


                                                                                       Juliet exits


Romeo. Sleep peacefully. I wish I were sleep and peace so that I could be there with you. Now, I'll go and see my priest so I can ask him for advice and tell him about my good luck. 


                                                                                                Exit

S C E N E 111

Enter Friar Lawrence carrying a basket

Frair Lawrence. The new morning's taking over from the dark night, casting its light on the eastern clouds. I need to fill up this basket with weeds and medicinal flowers before the sun dries up the dew on the ground. The earth is nature's mother and also her tomb. The same plants which are buried, are the very same ones she's given birth to. 

Many different children come out of the Earth's excellent womb. We're all so different, yet she provides all with the right kind of nourishment we need individually. Herbs, plants and stones all possess a special quality. Even the vile things on Earth provide her with some sort of goodness. On the other hand, even good things can turn bad if they're used for the wrong purpose or by the wrong people. 

Enter Romeo

Inside the middle of this little flower lies both potent poison and medicine. If you smell it, it cheers you up completely. If you taste it, however, it could kill you. Yet, these two opposite things can reside in one flower. This is also the same for mankind. Good and evil can reside in the same place. Where evil is prominent, death takes over the entire plant.

Romeo. Good morning, Father.

Frair Lawrence. Bless you. Why are you greeting me so sprightly so early in the morning? Young man, it spells trouble if you're leaving your nice bed so early in the morning. Old men have things to worry about so they don't sleep very well. Young men shouldn't have that problem. That's why I know that something's wrong. You've got things on your mind. Either that, or you haven't even been to bed yet.

Romeo. The last one is true. I had a sweeter rest than sleep could ever give me.

Friar Lawrence. God forgive you! Were you with Rosaline?

Romeo. With Rosaline, Father? No. I've forgotten her and all the sadness she made me feel.

Friar Lawrence. That's better, my son. But where have you been?

Romeo. I'll tell you this once so I don't have to tell you again. I've been off to a feast with my enemy. Suddenly, someone wounded me and I wounded her. You have the power to cure us though. I bear no hatred, Father, this request will actually benefit my enemy.

Friar Lawrence. Don't talk in riddles. Say what you mean. If I misunderstand your confession, I may give you an incorrect absolution.

Romeo. I love rich Capulet's daughter. We're both set on each other in every way except for marriage, which is what you have to do for us. I'll fill you in the details later on about how we met, wooed and fell in love. We've already exchanged vows, and I'll tell you more later on, but I beg of you to agree to marry us today.

Friar Lawrence. Holy Saint Francis, this is a drastic turnaround. Is Rosaline, who you loved so dearly, so quickly forgotten? Young men love with their eyes not with their hearts. Jesus and Mary! Do you remember how much you cried for Rosaline? What a lot of wasted salty tears. You well and truly seasoned the love you never actually tasted. The sun has not yet melted all your sighs you sighed for her. Your groans of love are still ringing in my old ears. There must be stains of the tears you shed for Rosaline, still on your cheeks, not completely dried yet. You can't expect women to be faithful if men are so fickle and unreliable.

Romeo. You used to tell me off for loving Rosaline.

Friar Lawrence. Ah, but I told you off for obsessing about her, not for loving her.

Romeo. But you told me to forget my love for her.

Friar Lawrence. Well, I didn't tell you to get rid of one just to pick up another one, did I?

Romeo. Please, let's not do this now. The girl I love now loves me back. The other one didn't care for me.

Friar Lawrence. She obviously knew that you had no idea what love is. Anyway, come on. I'll help you with your secret wedding. But this is only because I think this union may serve to bring your households together.

Romeo. Let's do it. I'm in a hurry.

Friar Lawrence. Go wisely and slowly. Those who rush into things stumble.

                                                                                          They exit

S C E N E I V

Enter Benvolio and Mercutio

Mercutio. Where the devil is Romeo. Didn't he come home last night?

Benvolio. No. Not to his father's house. I asked a servant this morning.

Mercutio. That hard-hearted Rosaline is going to torment him until he goes mad.

Benvolio. Tybalt, old Capulet's nephew, sent a letter to Romeo's father's house.

Mercutio. Really? I bet he wants to challenge them.

Benvolio. Romeo will answer it.

Mercutio. Any man who can write a letter, knows how to answer one.

Benvolio. What I mean is Romeo will respond to the challenge and rise to it.

Mercutio. Dear me! Poor Romeo. He's already dead. Stabbed by a fair girl's black eye. He's been cut through the ear with a love song. The centre of his heart was split by Cupid's arrow. And now he has to face Tybalt.

Benvolio. Why? What's it about Tybalt?

Mercutio. He's tough. He's brave and does everything with precision. He fights just like you sing at a recital. He's got timing, distance and good pitch. He knows just which spot to hit. He's like a butcher. He goes right for the heart and nothing else. I mean, he went to the best duelling school. He's got all the moves.

Benvolio. Has he.

Mercutio. I mean, I really don't like those fancy guys who use foreign words and accents for stuff. I hate their affected ways, posh talk and proper mannerisms. They can't feel free to enjoy normal things.

Enter Romeo

Benvolio. Here he comes.

Mercutio. Gosh, he looks dried up. Looks like he's lost some weight too. He's all lovey dovey. (To Romeo) You left us in the lurch and ran out on us last night.

Romeo. Good morning to you both. What do you mean I left you in a lurch?

Mercutio. Don't you see what I'm saying? You gave us the slip, man.

Romeo. Sorry about that. I had very important business to take care of. 

Couldn't hang around to worry about good manners and all that.

Mercutio. Yeah. Don't think I don't know what your 'important business' was all about.  I'm sure it was the kind that makes you weak in the knees.

Romeo. Like 'bending my knees.'

Mercutio. You're exactly right, man!

Romeo. I'll leave it at that. That's the most polite explanation.

Mercutio. Yeah. I am the master of manners and courtesy, you know.

Romeo. And the mistress.

Mercutio. Whatever.

Romeo. Sure.

Mercutio. This joke is getting stale now. That's all you do, make fun of everything.

Romeo. It's all silliness, really.

Mercutio. What do you say, Benvolio?

Romeo. I could keep this up for ages. I don't run out of wit, you know. Shall I just declare myself the winner?

Mervutio. Well, if your jokes will all veer out on a tangent, I'm done. You have more off-tangent ideas in one joke than I have in five. I can't do them like you do.

Romeo. At least make and effort to keep up, man.

Mercutio. Well, I can bite you in the ear for a laugh.

Romeo. Don't you even try.

Mercutio. Your wit is a very sharp tasting sauce.

Romeo. Well then it's the right sauce to eat with a goose.

Mercutio. And that's meant to be funny?

Romeo. Come on.

Mercutio. You know, I think all this joking around is a lot better than pining over love. Now, you're as jovial as your old self. Love had made you into a drivelling idiot looking for some place to stick your head.

Benvolio. Stop right there.

Mercutio. Hey, I'm not done.

Benvolio. I've got to stop you, otherwise you'd be going on and on and on.

Mercutio. That's where you're wrong, my man. I always finish it up short and sweet.

Enter nurse and her servant Peter. They can't hear the three young men talking about them. They seem to think that the nurse is a prostitute.

Romeo. Here's a sight for sore eyes.

Benvolio. Gosh! She's as big as a ship.

Mercutio. There are two of them, a man and a woman.

Nurse. Peter!

Peter. Yes.

Nurse. Give me my fan.

Mercutio. Go on, Peter. Give her the fan so she can hide her face with it. Her fan is prettier than she is.

Nurse. Good morning, gentlemen. (The nurse and Peter meet the young men).

Mercutio. Good afternoon, lovely lady.

Nurse. It's afternoon already?

Mercutio. Well, my clock is caressing the hand of noon time.

Nurse. How rude you are!

Mercutio. I'm a man. That's my job, lady.

Nurse. You're right there. Don't I know that very well. Anyway, can any of you tell me where I can find Romeo?

Romeo. I can tell you. But young Romeo will be older when you find him, than he was when you first started looking for him. I'm the youngest man by that name. There is no one younger or worse.

Nurse. You speak well.

Mercutio. Very well and wise (mocking).

Nurse. (To Romeo) If you're Romeo I have to speak with you in conference. (The nurse said the wrong word when she meant, 'confidence.' She's not very good with big words).

Benvolio. She'll indite (he's making fun of her incorrect use of the word above. He means, 'invite') him to a dinner party.

Mercutio. I think I know what it is.

Romeo. What do you mean.

Mercutio. She's not a prostitute, unless she's using her ugliness to hide that fact. (He sings) Meat from an old rabbit is good to eat if you can't get anything else. But if it's so old that it goes bad before you've had a chance to eat it, then you've wasted your money on it.

(Speaks) Romeo, are you coming to your father's house for lunch?

Rmeo. Yes, I'll follow you in a minute.

Mercutio. Bye old lady. Bye, old lady, lady.

                                                                   Exit Mercutio and Benvolio

Nurse. Who on earth does he think he is. Does he have to be so rude and foul-mouthed.

Romeo. He's just loves to hear the sound of his own voice. He talks a lot but says nothing.

Nurse. If he says anything bad about me, I always get my revenge. Even if he was bigger and louder than he is, I still get my own back. If I can't do it myself, I'd find someone else who can. What a jerk. I'm not one of his stupid little lady friends. (To Peter) And you stood there and let him talk to me like that.

Peter. I didn't see anyone make fun of you. If that was the case, I'd have drawn my weapon as quick as a flash. Trust me, I'll draw my weapon as quick as anyone else if I think a fight is starting and the law is on my side.

Nurse. I swear to you, I'm so angry, I'm shaking all over. How dare he, the jerk!

(To Romeo) Can I have a word with you please? As I told you, my young lady wants me to ask you a question. What she wanted me to say, I'll keep to myself. But first let me tell you, if you're making a fool of her, it would be crime because she is so young. If you're trying to trick her, it would be seriously wrong to do to any woman and very bad of you.

Romeo. Nurse, give my regards to your lady and mistress. I swear to you...

Nurse. You seem to have a good heart, and I'll tell her so. Believe you me, she will be a happy woman.

Romeo. What will you tell her? You haven't listened to anything I've said.

Nurse. I will tell her, sir that you protest to her. (She means propose). That's a gentlemanly thing to do.

Romeo. Listen. Tell her to make up some reason to get out of her house this afternoon and come to the Friar Lawrence's chapel where we can make our vows and be married. (Gives her money) Here is a reward for your efforts.

Nurse. No. I won't take a penny.

Romeo. I insist.

Nurse. (Takes the money) She'll be there.

Romeo. Wait, good nurse. Within the hour, my servant will be behind the abbey wall. He'll give you a rope ladder. I'll use this to climb over the wall at night to meet Juliet in secret when it's dark. Goodbye. Be trustworthy and I'll reward you for it. Commend me to your mistress.

Nurse. God bless you. Listen to me, sir.

Romeo. What do you want to say to me?

Nurse. Can your servant keep the secret? Have you never heard the saying, 'Two can conspire together to put one away'?

Romeo. He's trustworthy.

Nurse. Well, sir, my mistress is the sweetest lady. You know, when she was a little child, there was a nobleman in the town, his name is Paris, who wanted to claim her for himself. But Juliet would rather see a toad than see him. I tease her sometimes by telling her Paris is better for her than you are. But I swear, when I say that she turns as white as the whitest sheet in the world. Rosemary, the token for lovers, and Romeo begin with the same letter.

Romeo. Yes, nurse. How about that. They both begin with R.

Nurse. Oh, you're funny. That's a dog's name. R is for the... No, I know it begins with some other letter. She says the most pretty things about you and rosemary. You should hear them.

Romeo. Give my regards to your lady.

Nurse. Yes a thousand times. Peter!

Peter. I'm here.

Nurse. Go ahead of me.

                                                                                                 Exit

S C E N E  V

Enter Juliet

Juliet. I sent the nurse to find Romeo since nine o'clock. She promised to return in half an hour but she's not back yet. I wonder if she couldn't find him. Oh, that can't be so. She's so slow. The messengers of love should be thoughts that fly ten times faster than sun beams. They should be able to push back the shadows that hang over dark hills, just like quick doves carry love. They have Cupid's wings so they can fly as fast as the wind.  Now the sun is on the highest hill. That means it's now noon. Still, she hasn't come back yet. If she was young and sprightly she would've been as swift as a ball. My words would bounce her to him, then his sweet words would bounce her right back to me. But so many old people act like they were already dead. Sluggish, slow, fat and colourless like lead.

Enter nurse and Peter

Oh Good! There she comes. Oh darling, nurse. What did he say? Did you see him? Send Peter away.

Nurse. Peter, wait for me at the gate.

Exit Peter

Juliet. Now, darling nurse, Dear me! Why do you look so sad? Even if it's bad news, just tell it to me quickly. If you have good news, this is an awful trick of yours, having such a sour face.

Nurse. I'm tired. Let me rest up a bit. Oh, how my bones hurt! I've been all over the place today.

Juliet. I wish you had my bones and I had your news. Please, come on, tell me.

Nurse. Dear me! You're in such a hurry. Can't you wait a bit? Can't you see I'm out of breath?

Juliet. How can you be out of breath if you have enough breath to tell me you're out of breath? The excuse you have to delay the news is longer than the actual news itself. Is the news good or bad? Answer that. Say that and I'll wait for the details later. Tell me so I could just know and be done with it. Is it good or bad?

Nurse. Well, you've made a stupid choice. You don't know how to pick a man. Romeo's face is handsome than any other man's. His legs are great. His hands, feet and body aren't much to talk about, but they're still finer than most. He's not the most polite man I've met, but I'll give him this, he's as gentle as a lamb. Off you go now. Be good. Have you eaten yet?

Juliet. No not yet. I know everything you've just said to me. What did he say about our marriage. What about that?

Nurse. Lord! How my head aches. What a terrible headache I've got. It's pounding as if it will crack up in 20 different places. My back is playing up too. Ah, my back, my back! (Juliet rubs her back) Not there.The other side! It's all your fault for sending me running all over the place. I could catch my death.

Juliet. Believe me I'm so sorry you're not well. Please, sweet, sweet nurse, tell me what my love said.

Nurse. Your love says, like an honourable gentleman, and a courteous, and a kind, and a handsome, and I swear, a virtuous...where is your mother?

Juliet. Where is my mother? Why, she's inside. Where else would she be? How odd your answer is. 'Your love says, like a honest gentleman, where is your mother?'

Nurse. Oh holy Mary! Are you this impatient? Come on, you're being silly. Is this what I get for my aching bones. From now on, take care of your messages yourself.

Juliet. You're blowing this out of proportion. Come on, What did Romeo say?

Nurse. Do you have permission to go out to church today?

Juliet. Yes.

Nurse. Then hurry up and go over to Friar Lawrence's cell. There's a husband there, waiting to make you a wife. Here comes the blood rushing to your cheeks. You blush bright red at any news. Rush to the church. I'll go a different way to get a rope ladder. Your love will use it to climb up to your window when it gets dark. I'll do all the dull, dreary work for your pleasure. But soon you'll be doing the work at night. You go to the cell and I'll go to dinner.

Juliet. Great! Wish me good luck. Bye, sweet nurse!

                                                                                               Exit

S C E N E  V I

Enter Friar Lawrence and Romeo

Friar Lawrence. May the heavens bless this holy act of marriage so that nothing happens in the future to make us regret it.

Romeo. Amen! Amen! But whatever sorrows come our way, it can't be greater than the joy I feel when I look at her. Join us with your holy words, then even love-destroying death can take its best shot at us. Just to be able to call her mine is enough for me.

Frair Lawrence. These sudden bursts of joy have sudden endings too. They burn themselves up just like gunpowder consumes itself. Even the sweetest honey makes you sick if you eat too much of it too quickly. Once you've devoured it, you don't want any more any time soon. So, love each other wisely and in moderation. Let long-lasting love prevail. Too fast is the same as too slow.

Juliet enters in a great rush and embraces Romeo

Romeo. Here she comes. A footstep as light as hers will not be able to endure the difficult and rocky road of life. Lovers feel so light. They feel as though they can walk on a spider's web, just like a summer breeze and not fall. That's how fleeting happiness is.

Juliet. Good evening my confessor.

Friar Lawrence. Romeo will thank you, my dear, for both of us.

Juliet. I'll thank him right back, just so we're even.

Romeo. Oh, Juliet, if you're as happy as I am, and you're better with words, tell me all about the happiness you imagine we'll have when we're married.

Juliet. Imagination is a lot better than how much you can describe in words. Anyone who can actually count the things they have is poor. My true love is so much, I can't even count half of it.

Friar Lawrence. Come. Come with me and we'll do this quickly. I'm certainly not leaving you two on your own before I marry you to each other.

                                                                                                Exit

End of Act 11


Act 1
Act 111
Act 1V
Act V