ROMEO AND JULIET

ACT I, SCENE I
NARRATOR
This is a tale of a bitter quarrel between two rich and powerful households, the
Capulets and the Montagues. The fair Verona shall be the witness of the grief and
bloodshed it brought to both. Tis here where a grudge breaks to new mutiny and
civil blood makes civil hands unclean. The quarrel of the families were so long that
no one could remember how it had begun.

Some say that the member of one family had perhaps said something insulting to
a member of the other family. Whatever the reason, the feud extended and both
side are responsible to spark the quarrel that it kept blazing up at public meetings,
or in the street, or even in church. This is a tragedy of an ironic loving couple from
a feuding family, a forbidden relationship, a story of innocent youths longing for
love, a pair of star-crossed lovers take their life, their death bury their parents’
strife.

So ladies & gentlemen, sit back, relax and enjoy this show, we’ll make up for
everything we’ve left out in this prologue onstage.
 VERONA, a public place. Enter SAMPSON and GREGORY of the house of Capulet,
with swords and bucklers.
SAMPSON
Gregory, I swear, we can’t let the Montagues humiliate us. We won’t take their
garbage.
GREGORY
(teasing SAMPSON) No Sampson, because then we’d be garbagemen.
SAMPSON
(being sarcastic) HA HA HA, very funny. What I mean is, if they make us angry
we’ll pull out our swords. I strike hard when I’m angry.
GREGORY
But it is hard to make you angry. The quarrel is between our masters and us their
men.
As they were talking, ABRAM and another servant of the Montagues enter.
Shhh… Enough talking, draw out your tool now! Here comes of the house of
Montagues.
SAMPSON
Fear me not, as I will back you up. Go and fight dear Gregory!
GREGORY
How will you back me up? By turning your back and running away?
SAMPSON
(snickers.) Let us take the law of our sides. Let them begin.
SAMPSON purposely bump his shoulders with ABRAM
ABRAM
I’m sorry dear good sir.
SAMPSON
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.
BENVOLIO enters.
SAMPSON
I see that your master has come! Pull out your swords, if you’re men. Gregory,
remember how to slash.
They fight.
BENVOLIO
(draws his sword) Part, fools! Put up your swords. You Capulets know not what
you do.
TYBALT enters.
TYBALT
The Prince would have peace, yet the Montagues draw their swords when I come
upon them. Peace? I hate the word, and I hate all Montagues!
Enter citizens from each side the stage. THE CAPULETS go to TYBALT  and those
who side with THE MONTAGUES cluster together.
TYBALT AND THE HOUSE OF MONTAGUES
Down with the Montagues!
THE MONTAGUES
Down with the Capulets!
Enter old CAPULET in his gown, and his wife, LADY CAPULET.
CAPULET
What noise is this? Give me my long sword, ho!
LADY CAPULET
A crutch, a crutch! Why call you for a sword?
Enter old MONTAGUE and his wife, LADY MONTAGUE
CAPULET
My sword, I say! Old Montague has come, and flourishes his blade in spite of me.
MONTAGUE
Thou villain Capulet. (To his wife who holds him back.) Hold me not, let me go.

LADY MONTAGUE
Thou shalt not stir one foot to seek a foe dear husband.
PRINCE ESCALUS enters with his escort.
PRINCE ESCALUS
Part, Fools! Put up your swords; you know not what you do. Rebellious subjects,
enemies to peace, hear me! Throw your weapons to the ground and hear your
Prince. Three civil brawls by the Capulets and the Montagues have disturbed the
quiet of our streets. If ever you disturb our streets again your lives shall pay the
forfeit of the peace. For this very last time, depart, away! Once more, on pain of
death, all men depart.
The citizens begin to depart in all directions.

The NARRATOR enters.

NARRATOR
And so for a short time, peace reigns on the streets of Verona. But the quarrel is
too long and too bitter for peace to remain forever, Lord and Lady Montague are
concerned about their young son, Romeo, and where he was when this latest
fighting began.
ROMEO enters the stage looking gloomy and sad.
MERCUTIO and BENVOLIO enters. They begin talking to each other and it
becomes obvious that the other two are teasing ROMEO.
Through their discussion Benvolio has discovered that Romeo’s dark mood is
caused by his yearning for a beautiful young girl named Rosaline. Benvolio and
Mercutio begin to tease Romeo about his unrequited love for the beautiful
Rosaline.
ROMEO
(looking very dejected.)Bother me not! I am too sad to argue. The pain in my heart
that only bears the love of my one true love, Rosaline.

MERCUTIO
And all of them much enamored of you, Romeo. Forget her!
 
ROMEO
O, teach me how I should forget to think!

The young men exeunt.

NARRATOR
Forgetting his love will be difficult for Romeo, for the young Rosaline is rich in
beauty as are other fair maidens. But none are as fair as the only daughter of the
Capulets, the fair Juliet.
Juliet’s bedroom. The NURSE is on stage, and LADY CAPULET enters, looking for
her daughter.
LADY CAPULET
Nurse, O nurse! Where is my daughter? Call her forth to me.

NURSE
Now, by my soul, I bid her come. (Calls to Juliet.) Lamb, ladybird! Where is this
girl?
JULIET enters.
JULIET
How now, who calls?

NURSE
Your mother.

JULIET
Madam, I am here. What is your will?
LADY CAPULET
This is the matter. (To Nurse) Nurse, leave us awhile. We must talk in secret.
(Nurse starts to leave, looking offended.) Nurse, come back. Thou may hear our
counsel. Does thou knows my daughter’s age?

NURSE
Faith, I can tell her age unto an hour.

LADY CAPULET
She’s not even fourteen.

NURSE
But thou wast the prettiest babe ever. Oh, that I might live to see thee married.

NARRATOR
And that is exactly what Lady Capulet has come to talk to Juliet about. Paris, a
young nobleman of Verona, has asked Lord Capulet for Juliet’s hand in marriage.
Although they are rather half-hearted about agreeing because of Juliet’s tender
age, they do so, if Juliet will give her consent.

NURSE
A man, young lady, such a man! Why he’s a very fine flower indeed.

LADY CAPULET
Yes, there is none in Verona who is more handsome. (To Juliet.) What say you?
Can you love the gentleman? This night you shall behold him at our feast. You
will find delight in his handsome face. Speak, Juliet, can you try to like him?

JULIET
I will look, mother, and I will try to like him, but looking can’t make me like him.
 The CAPULET’s ball party.NARRATOR enters.
NARRATOR
It is not by choice but by chance, a servant from the Capulet have accidentally
sent an invitation for the Capulet’s ball party to Romeo. The young men find a
side door to the party and after putting on their masks, slip in to join the Capulet’s
festivities.
NARRATOR join  the guests at the party as the curtains open.

All but Capulet and the servants dance. As they are dancing, Romeo and Juliet
notice each other for the first time, and can’t take their eyes off each other. A
new Cupid’s bow has struck Romeo. The moment he saw Juliet, it was love at first
sight.

ROMEO
What lady is that, which doth enrich the hand of yonder knight?
SERVANT
I know not, sir.

ROMEO
Beauty too rich for use, for earth too dear. Did my heart love till now? Forswear it,
sight! For I ne’er saw true beauty till this night.
TYBALT
(monologue.)This, by his voice, should be a Montague. Now by the honour of my
kin, to strike him dead I hold it not a sin. Fetch me my sword, boy!

CAPULET
Tybalt, why do you storm so?

TYBALT
Uncle, this is a Montague, our foe. (Pointing to ROMEO.) A villain that is come to
spoil our night.
CAPULET
Young Romeo is it?

TYBALT
'Tis he, that villain Romeo.

CAPULET
Be calm, gentle cousin. Let him alone. He bears himself like a gentleman. Verona
brags of him to be a virtuous and well-governed youth. I would not for the wealth
of all this town do him insult in my house. Respect it, and put off these frowns.

TYBALT
I’ll not endure him. Never.

CAPULET
He shall be endured I say he shall. Am I the master here or you? You’ll not endure
him? You’ll make a mutiny among my guests?

TYBALT
Why, uncle, ’tis a shame.

CAPULET
(angry.) Be quiet, or for shame, I’ll make you quiet!

TYBALT
Uncle, I will withdraw, but this intrusion shall bring bitter fury.
ROMEO and JULIET dances to the music with the other guests.
NARRATOR
As they dance, both realize they have met their true love.

NURSE
Madam, your mother craves a word with you.
NARRATOR
Juliet’s mother soon interrupts their dance, and calls her away to dance with
Paris. She bids Romeo goodbye with a maiden kiss.
JULIET exuent.
ROMEO
(to the NURSE.) What is her mother?

NURSE
Sir, her mother is the lady of the house, and a good, wise, and virtuous lady. Let
me tell you, the man who marries her will become very wealthy.

ROMEO
(monologue.) Is she a Capulet? My life is my foe’s debt. Oh, this is a heavy price to
pay!

BENVOLIO
Romeo, away. It is best to leave now.

CAPULET
Nay, gentlemen, prepare not to be gone. You must, why then, I thank you all. I
thank you, honest gentlemen. Good night. Come on then, let’s to bed. I’ll to my
rest.
All but JULIET and NURSE move to exit
JULIET
Come hither, Nurse. Who is that gentleman?
NURSE
I know not.
JULIET
Go ask his name.—If he be married. My grave is like to be my
wedding bed.
NURSE
His name is Romeo, and a Montague, the only son of your great enemy.
JULIET
(shocked.)My only love sprung from my only hate! O monstrous, that I must love
a loathed enemy. Too early seen unknown, and known too late
Exuent.

ACT II
Capulet’s orchard. ROMEO enters.
ROMEO
It is the east and Juliet is the sun. Arise and kill the envious moon
who is already sick and pale with grief. It is my lady; O! It is my love. Her eyes are
the two of the fairest stars in all the heaven. See! How she leans her cheek upon
her hand; O! That I were a glove upon that hand, that I might touch that cheek.
JULIET
Ay me!
ROMEO
O! Speak again, bright angel.
JULIET
O Romeo, Romeo! Wherefore art thou Romeo? Deny thy father, and refuse thy
name; or if thou wilt not, be but sworn my love, and I’ll no longer be a Capulet.
ROMEO
Shall I hear more or shall I speak at this?
JULIET
Tis but thy name that is my enemy; Romeo, doff thy name; and for that name,
which is no part of thee, take all myself.
ROMEO
Call me but love, and I’ll be new baptiz’d: henceforth I never be Romeo. By a
name I know not how to tell thee who I am: My name is hateful to myself,
because it is an enemy to thee.
JULIET
(worried.) If my kinsmen do see thee they will murder thee.
ROMEO
Alack! There lies more peril in thine eye than twenty of their swords: and I am
proof against their enmity.
JULIET
I would not for the world they saw thee here.
ROMEO
Let them find me here: My life were better ended by their hate, than death
prorogued, wanting of thy love.
JULIET
Dost thou love me? I know thou will say ‘Ay!’; And I will take thy word: yet if thou
swear’st . Thou mayst prove false: at lovers’ perjuries. They say, Jove laughs, O
gentle Romeo! If thou dost love, pronounce it faithfully: Or if thou think’st I am
too quickly won. I’ll frown and be preserve and say thee nay.
ROMEO
Lady, by yonder blessed moon I swear that tips with silver all these fruit-tree
tops,--
JULIET
O! Swear not by the moon, the inconstant moon, monthly changes in her circle
orb.
ROMEO
What shall I swear by?
JULIET
Do not swear at all: Or if thou wilt, swear by thy gracious self, which is the god of
my idolatry. And I’ll believe thee.
NURSE calls from the inside.
JULIET
I hear some noise within: dear love, adieu! Stay but a little, I will come again.
JULIET exeunt.
ROMEO
O blessed, blessed nigh! Being in all night, all this is but a dream.
Too flattering sweet to be substantial.
ROMEO exeunt.

FRIAR LAWRENCE’s cell. FRIAR LAWRENCE is in his cell. ROMEO enters with a
happy face.
ROMEO
Good morrow, father.
FRIAR LAWRENCE
Who greets me so early in the morning? Young man, something’s wrong if you’re
getting out of bed this early. I feel like our Romeo hath not been in bed to-night.
ROMEO
The last part is true; the sweeter rest was mine. Then plainly know my heart’s
dear love is set. On the fair daughter of Capulet: as mine on hers, so hers is set on
mine. We met, we woo’d and made exchange of vow, and I’ll tell thee as we pass:
But this I pray, that thou consent to marry us to-day.
FRIAR LAWRENCE
Oh dear Lord! What a change is here; is Rosaline, whom thou didst love so dear.
So soon forsaken? Young men’s love then lies not truly in their hearts but in their
eyes.
ROMEO
With Rosaline, father? No, I have forgotten that girl and all the sadness she
brought me.

FRIAR LAWRENCE
In one respect I’ll thy assistant to be; for this alliance may so happy prove, to turn
your households’ rancour to pure love.

A street. MERCUTIO and BENVOLIO are on stage talking to each other.

MERCUTIO
Where the devil should this Romeo be? Came he not home tonight?
BENVOLIO
Not to his father’s; I spoke with his man.
ROMEO enters.
(spotted ROMEO.)Here comes Romeo, here comes Romeo.
ROMEO
Good morrow to you both.
As they were talking to each other, the NURSE enters with PETER.
NURSE
God ye good morrow, gentlemen.
MERCUTIO
God ye good den, fair gentlewoman.
NURSE
Gentlemen, can any of you tell me where I may find the young Romeo?
ROMEO
I can tell you; but young Romeo will be older when you have found him than he
was when you sought him; I am the youngest of that name, for fault of a worse.
NURSE
You say well.
MERCUTIO
Romeo, will you come to your father’s? We’ll dine together.
ROMEO
I will follow you.
MERCUTIO
Farewell ancient lady, farewell.
BENVOLIO and MERCUTIO exeunt.
NURSE
Dear sir, a word; and my young lady bade me inquire you out; what she
bid me say I will keep it to myself; but first let me tell ye, if ye should lead her into
a fool’s paradise, it would be an outrageous crime because the girl is so young.
And if you try to trick her, it would be an evil thing to do to any woman.
ROMEO
Bid her devise, a plan to get out of her house and come to confession at the
abbey this afternoon. At Friar Lawrence’s cell she can make confession and be
married.
NURSE
This afternoon, sir? Well, she shall be there.
ROMEO
Commend me to thy lady.
NURSE
Ay, a thousand times.
ROMEO exeunt.

CAPULET’s garden. JULIET enters with a worried and anxious face. After some
time, the NURSE enters looking tired and exhausted.
JULIET
O god! She comes. O honey nurse! What news? Hast thou met him?
Come, I pray thee, speak; good, good nurse speak.
NURSE
(out of breath.) What haste? Can you not stay awhile? Do you not see
that I am out of breath?
JULIET
I am sorry that thou art not well. Sweet, sweet, sweet nurse, tell
me, what say my love?
NURSE
Surely you are indeed impatient. Have you got leave to go to shrift
today?
JULIET
I have.
NURSE
Then hie you hence to Friar Lawrence cell. There stays a husband to
make you a wife.

JULIET
(excited and hugs the nurse.) O thank you sweet nurse! I knew I can count
on you!

FRIAR LAWRENCE’s cell. ROMEO and FRIAR LAWRENCE enters.

FRIAR LAWRENCE
So smile the heaven upon this holy act, that after hours with sorrow chide us not!
ROMEO
Amen, amen! But come what sorrow can, it cannot countervail the exchange of
joy. That one short minute gives me in her sight; do thou but close our hands with
holy words, then love devouring death do what he dare; it is enough I may but call
her mine.
JULIET enters with NURSE.
FRIAR LAWRENCE
Here comes the lady. Come, come with me, and we will make short work; for, by
your leaves, you shall not stay alone till holy church incorporate two in one.

ACT III
VERONA, A Public Place. Enter MERCUTIO, BENVOLIO, Mercutio’s PAGE, and
others.
BENVOLIO
(exhausted.) Good Mercutio, let’s retire. The day is hot; the Capulets, abroad; and
if we meet we shall not escape a brawl. For now, these hot days, is the mad blood
stirring.
Enter TYBALT,  PETRUCHIO, and other CAPULETS.
Oh great, here comes the Capulets.
MERCUTIO
Well, well I don’t care.
TYBALT
(to the MONTAGUES) Good afternoon, gentlemen. I’d like to have 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
Mercutio, you consort with Romeo.
MERCUTIO
Consort? Do you imagine us musicians? For if you do, expect nothing but noise.
(touching the blade of his sword) Here’s my fiddlestick shall make you dance.
Consort, indeed.
BENVOLIO
This is a public place. Either withdraw someplace private and talk it over
rationally, or else and better yet, just go away.
MERCUTIO
Men’s eyes are mean to look so let them gaze. I won’t budge to please anybody.
Enter  ROMEO.
TYBALT
Peace be with you, sir. Here comes my man. Romeo, there’s only one
term I afford to call you, villain.
ROMEO
Tybalt, the reason that I have to love you does much excuse the appertaining rage
to such greeting. I am no villain. Therefore, farewell. I see you know me not.
(pulling Mercutio away from Tybalt)
TYBALT
Boy, turn and fight me like a man!
ROMEO
I do insist as I have never done you harm but loved you better than you’ll
understand till you do know your reason. So, good Capulet, a name I love dearly
as my own, be satisfied.
MERCUTIO
This smooth submission is dishonourable and vile. Tybalt, you rat-catcher, come
here. (drawing his sword)
TYBALT
What do you want from me?
MERCUTIO
Good King of Cats, just one of your nine lives. Will you pull your sword?
TYBALT
I am for you!
ROMEO
Good Mercutio, put your sword away!
MERCUTIO
(to Tybalt) Come, sir, you passado.
TYBALT and MERCUTIO fight.
ROMEO
(drawing his sword) Draw your sword, Benvolio. Help me hold them back.
Gentlemen, stop this disgraceful fight! Tybalt, Mercutio, the Prince has banned
fighting in the streets of Verona. Hold, Tybalt. Stop, good Mercutio!
ROMEO tries to break up the fight.  TYBALT reaches under  ROMEO’s arm and
stabs MERCUTIO. TYBALT,  PETRUCHIO, and the other  CAPULETS  exit.
BENVOLIO
What, are you hurt, dear Mercutio?
MERCUTIO
Yes, yes. It’s just a scratch. Go fetch me a surgeon.
ROMEO
Have courage, man. That hurt cannot be much.
MERCUTIO
No, it’s not as deep as a well, or as wide as a church door, but it’s enough. It’ll do
the job. Ask for me tomorrow, and you’ll find me in a grave. A plague on both
your houses!  Why the devil came you between us?  I was hurt under your arm.
ROMEO
I thought all for the best. My very friend, hurt in my behalf.  My reputation is
stained. O sweet Juliet, your beauty have made me soft. (talking to himself)
Enter BENVOLIO
BENVOLIO
O Romeo, Romeo, brave Mercutio is dead!
ROMEO
This black day but begins the woe of others.
Enter  TYBALT
BENVOLIO
Here comes the furious Tybalt back again.
THE NARRATORS enter.
NARRATOR
Romeo is furious that Mercutio has been slain and that Tybalt will return as if in
triumph. He draws his sword, determined that either he, or Tybalt shall join
Mercutio in death. They fight and fight all their might. In splash moment, Romeo
kills Tybalt and runs away at Benvolio’s encouragement.
Enter the Prince, Lord and Lady Capulet, and Lord and Lady Montague.
NARRATOR
After that ‘tragic’ incident, a judgement was called by the Prince. Where are the
vile beginners of this fray? Who was to be blamed when both sides were hurt?
Benvolio stood up as he was there watching every single drop of blood fell to the
ground. Words told by him was based of truth but Lady Capulet disagreed that
she said Benvolio is of Montague hence his words would side more to the house.
She insisted Romeo to be dead as he killed her beloved nephew, Tybalt. Benvolio
swore to the Prince that he said nothing but truth and Lady Montague came up
saying that what was done by Romeo was only an act of honouring the death of
Mercutio, his best friend.
Accepting his say was the Prince, thinking what punishment suited the situation.
After some time, decision was made. Romeo should be exiled for the offense
done and go in haste, else, when he was found, that hour would be his last.
Prince emphasized that he would be deaf to any pleading, took steps out from the
hall.
When Juliet first heard about the tragedy, she was torn between grief for Tybalt
and horror that it was her husband who had killed him. But when she heard the
full story, her love for Romeo overcame all her doubts.
Romeo knew he must obey the Prince, but he also knew that he can never go on
living without Juliet.  Romeo sent word to Juliet, that he will meet with her one
last time before he must leave the city of Verona.  He then went to her regarding
that as the last farewell.
JULIET’s Chamber. Enter Romeo and Juliet.
JULIET
Will you be gone?
ROMEO
I must be gone and live, or stay and die.
JULIET
O, now be gone!  More light and light it grows.
ROMEO
More light and light, more dark and dark our woes.
As nurse enters, ROMEO steps behind a tree.
NURSE
(Entering) Madam.
JULIET
Nurse.
NURSE
Your lady mother is coming to your chamber.  The day is broke, be
wary, look about.
 (Nurse exits and Romeo steps out from behind tree.)
JULIET
Then, let day in, and life out.
ROMEO
Farewell, farewell!  (He begins to leave.)
JULIET
O, shall we ever meet again?
ROMEO
I doubt it not. Adieu, adieu.
JULIET
O fortune, fortune, all men call thee fickle.  I hope you wilt not keep
him long, but send him back.
JULIET enters her bedroom, and greets her mother.
LADY CAPULET
Daughter, are you up?
NARRATOR
Juliet’s mother comes to tell her that she has joyous news.  She says that the next
Thursday morning the gallant young Paris is going to make Juliet his bride.  Juliet
burst into tears.  Soon her father arrives, and neither parent can understand her
unhappiness. They assume she must be mourning the death of her cousin, Tybalt.
How can she marry Paris when she was already a wife to Romeo? Lord Capulet
was furious when she told them that she didn’t want to marry Paris.
LORD CAPULET
Day, night, work, play; my thoughts have been to have her matched to
a gentleman of noble parentage.  Then to have her answer, ‘I’ll not wed, I cannot
love; I am too young.”  I pray I’ll not pardon thee.  If you do not wed Paris, you
shall not house with me.  I do not jest.  You may hang, beg, starve, die in the
streets, and I’ll never acknowledge thee!  Believe this!
LORD CAPULET exits.
JULIET
Is there no pity that sees my grief? O sweet mother, cast me not away. Delay this
marriage for a month, a week.
LADY CAPULET
Talk not to me, for I’ll not speak a word.  Do as thou wilt, for I have done with
thee.
LADY CAPULET exits.
ACT IV
FRIAR LAWRENCE and PARIS are on the stage, talking to each other.
FRIAR LAWRENCE
So it is on Thursday sir! The time is very short! We’ve lots to do!
PARIS
Father will take care of it I suppose! Hmmmm (thoughtful)
FRIAR LAWRENCE
Sir, Lady Capulet loves the wedding? She agreed for the wedding?
PARIS
Well… I guess…(sigh.) I guess I don’t have a choice… uneven is the
course… whether I like it or not!
FRIAR LAWRENCE
Oh poor lady! She’s too sad of her lost of Tybalt. Poor lady.
PARIS
To stop the inundation of her tears, I’m trying my best but... (sigh)
I’m unsure about it. Now you know the reason for my haste…
JULIET enters.
PARIS
Happily met my beautiful lady! Hello my wife!
JULIET
I may be your lady sir… Maybe your wife…
PARIS
Oh lady, My beautiful lady! I wish it was tomorrow. To-morrow it
was. I can’t wait!
JULIET
(soft whisper.) What must be shall be.
PARIS
Why are you my lady. Come you to here to make a confession? Yes my
lady!
JULIET
To answer that, I should confess to you!
PARIS
Lady, do not deny to him that you love me. You do love me... Lady?
JULIET
I will confess to you that I love him!
PARIS
I’m sure you love me too!

JULIET
If I do so. (slight weep)
PARIS
Oh poor lady! Thy face too much abused with precious tears…
JULIET
I need sometime alone sir! Thee who love me… Shall leave I suppose.See you
soon.
PARIS
Sure my lady! I shall not disturb. On Thursday early rouse you. (kisses
JULIET’s hand) adieu my lady… Adieu!
JULIET instructs FRIAR LAWRENCE to shut the door.
FRIAR LAWRENCE
Oh Lady Juliet. I already know thy grief. This Thursday you’ll be married to this
county!
JULIET
I know that! I know (restless). I just can’t help these… unless… thou tell me how to
prevent it!
FRIAR LAWRENCE
(sobbing.)To marry Paris is tomorrow. Tomorrow… Let not thy nurse lie with thee
in thy chamber… Be in bed and this distilled liquor drink thou off. No warmth… no
breath…. Shall testify thou’s life. Now, when the bridegroom in the morning
comes… to rouse thee from the bed… thee art thou dead… written a letter “Love…
give me strength..! And strength shall help afford… Farewell dear father!”
JULIET
Give me… O! Tell me not to fear!
FRIAR LAWRENCE
Thy be strong and fear... thee fight for your love... thy love will be your strength…

THE NARRATORS enters.

NARRATOR
After seeing the Friar, Juliet quickly went back to her home. She followed just like
the Friar told him to do. That night, she drank the medicine the Friar gave him and
doze off. The next morning, just like the Friar predicted, no sign of life was in
Juliet when the nurse went to see her in her chamber. The nurse quickly told Lord
and Lady Capulet about the shocking news. Juliet’s fake death wells the Capulets
into misery. Lord Capulet called off the wedding. While the weeping sounds of the
Capulets ring in the thinnest air of this four cornered walls , Paris foots in with a
bleeding outcry.
PARIS
O love! O life! Not life, but love in death.

On the street of MANTUA. ROMEO enters with a happy face.

ROMEO
I dreamt my lady came and found me dead; strange dream, that gives a dead man
leave to think, News from Verona! How now Balthasar? How doth my lady?
ROMEO’s servant BALTHASAR enters.
BALTHASAR
Sir! I have some terrible news to tell you! It is the news from the nurse of the
Capulets. (panting.) The Lady sir, she… she…
THE NARRATORS enters.
NARRATOR
The Friar hears of the nurse’s message, but feels sure his message has already
reached Romeo, and that Romeo is on his way back.
But things will not always go to plan. The Friar’s messenger had problems and his
message never reached Romeo.
So it is only the nurse’s message that Romeo receives. When Romeo learns that
Juliet is dead, he is stunned. His whole world has fallen to pieces. If Juliet is dead,
he will die, too. So he buys some deadly poison and sets out for Verona as fast as
he can.
ROMEO
I will lie with thee tonight, my Venus
ROMEO exeunt with a dejected face.

At the graveyard, in VERONA.

NARRATOR
Upon arriving at the churchyard, Romeo finds Paris kneeling by the side of Juliet.
As Paris was kneeling beside Juliet, he notices that Romeo has come to his dead
bride’s grave. Oh dear, oh dear.
PARIS
Sweet flower, with flowers thy bridal bed I strew. O woe! Thy canopy is dust and
stones. Nightly shall I strew thy grave and weep.
ROMEO enters.
(sees ROMEO.) This is that banished, haughty Montague that murdered my love’s
cousin with which from grief, it is supposed, the fair creature died. To come here
is some villainous shame. Thou must die!
NARRATOR
And so the two men who both loved Juliet begin fighting. But Romeo is too good a
swordsman, and soon slays Paris.
PARIS dies. ROMEO enters the tomb.
After the vicious sword fighting, Romeo…
ROMEO
(looking so sad and carefully touches JULIET.) O my love, my wife! Death hath
taken thy breath, yet it had no power upon thy beauty. Crimson is in thy lips and
cheeks. I will stay with thee, and never depart again. Here, here will I remain.
Come, bitter poison. Here’s to my love.

ROMEO drinks the poison.

True apothecary, thy drugs are quick! And with a kiss I die.

ROMEO dies and JULIET awakens. She was shocked when she saw ROMEO lying
dead.

JULIET
What’s here? A cup closed in my true love’s hand? Poison hath been his
timeless end. He has drunk all, and left no friendly drop to help me after. Then I’ll
be brief. O happy dagger, this is thy sheath! There rust, and let me die.
JULIET stabs herself and dies.
NARRATOR
As morning comes someone finds the bodies and rushes to tell the Prince what
has happened. Prince Escalus goes to the tomb, and then summons both the
Capulets and the Montagues.
People gathered at the stage with the PRINCE.
LADY CAPULET
(confused.)What misadventure is so early up, that calls from our morning rest?
PRINCE ESCALUS
Search, seek and know how this foul murder comes!
MONTAGUE
(weeps.)O heavens, o wife, look how our son lies with no breath.
LADY CAPULET
(cries.) Look how our daughter bleeds.
LADY MONTAGUE
O me! This sight of death is a bell that warns my old age to a sepulchre.
THE NARRATORS enters.
NARRATOR
The friar was brought forth and told the mourners the whole story.
THE NARRATOR joins the crowd.
FRIAR LAWRENCE
(looking lifeless and dejected.)I am the greatest, able to do least, yet most
suspected, as the time and place doth make against me of this direful murder.
Here I stand both to impeach and purge myself condemned and myself excused.
PRINCE ESCALUS
Capulet! Montague! See what a scourge is laid upon your hate. Heaven has
figured out how to kill your joys with love. All are punished!
CAPULET
(weeping.) O brother Montague, give me thy hand, for no more can I demand.
MONTAGUE
But I can give thee more, for I will raise her statue in pure gold. That while Verona
by that name is known, there shall be no figure valued as that of true and faithful
Juliet.
CAPULET
As shall Romeo by his lady lie; so shall our enmity!
THE NARRATORS
A pair of star-crossed lovers take their life, and doth with death bury their
parent’s strife.
Go hence, to have more talk of these sad things. Some shall bepardoned, and
some punished.
For never was a story of more woe… Than this of Juliet and her Romeo.
FIN.