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No Fear Translations

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Enter PARIS and his PAGE
Enter PARIS and his PAGE

PARIS

Give me thy torch, boy. Hence, and stand aloof.
Yet put it out, for I would not be seen.
Under yon yew trees lay thee all along,
Holding thine ear close to the hollow ground—
5 So shall no foot upon the churchyard tread,
Being loose, unfirm, with digging up of graves,
But thou shalt hear it. Whistle then to me,
As signal that thou hear’st something approach.
Give me those flowers. Do as I bid thee, go.

PARIS

Give me thy torch, boy. Hence, and stand aloof.
Yet put it out, for I would not be seen.
Under yon yew trees lay thee all along,
Holding thine ear close to the hollow ground—
So shall no foot upon the churchyard tread,
Being loose, unfirm, with digging up of graves,
But thou shalt hear it. Whistle then to me,
As signal that thou hear’st something approach.
Give me those flowers. Do as I bid thee, go.
PAGE extinguishes torch, gives PARIS flowers
PAGE extinguishes torch, gives PARIS flowers

PAGE

(aside) I am almost afraid to stand alone
Here in the churchyard. Yet I will adventure.

PAGE

(aside) I am almost afraid to stand alone
Here in the churchyard. Yet I will adventure.
PAGE moves aside
PAGE moves aside

PARIS

(scatters flowers at JULIET'S closed tomb)
Sweet flower, with flowers thy bridal bed I strew—
O woe! Thy canopy is dust and stones—
15 Which with sweet water nightly I will dew.
Or, wanting that, with tears distilled by moans,
The obsequies that I for thee will keep
Nightly shall be to strew thy grave and weep.

PARIS

(scatters flowers at JULIET'S closed tomb)
Sweet flower, with flowers thy bridal bed I strew—
O woe! Thy canopy is dust and stones—
Which with sweet water nightly I will dew.
Or, wanting that, with tears distilled by moans,
The obsequies that I for thee will keep
Nightly shall be to strew thy grave and weep.
PAGE whistles
PAGE whistles
The boy gives warning something doth approach.
20 What cursèd foot wanders this way tonight
To cross my obsequies and true love’s rite?
What with a torch! Muffle me, night, awhile.
The boy gives warning something doth approach.
What cursèd foot wanders this way tonight
To cross my obsequies and true love’s rite?
What with a torch! Muffle me, night, awhile.
PARIS moves away from the tomb Enter ROMEO and BALTHASAR
PARIS moves away from the tomb Enter ROMEO and BALTHASAR

ROMEO

Give me that mattock and the wrenching iron.
(takes them from BALTHASAR)
25 Hold, take this letter. Early in the morning
See thou deliver it to my lord and father.
(gives letter to BALTHASAR)
Give me the light.
(takes torch from BALTHASAR)
  Upon thy life I charge thee,
30 Whate'er thou hear’st or seest, stand all aloof,
And do not interrupt me in my course.
Why I descend into this bed of death
Is partly to behold my lady’s face,
But chiefly to take thence from her dead finger
35 A precious ring, a ring that I must use
In dear employment. Therefore hence, be gone.
But if thou, jealous, dost return to pry
In what I farther shall intend to do,
By heaven, I will tear thee joint by joint
40 And strew this hungry churchyard with thy limbs.
The time and my intents are savage, wild,
More fierce and more inexorable far
Than empty tigers or the roaring sea.

ROMEO

Give me that mattock and the wrenching iron.
(takes them from BALTHASAR)
Hold, take this letter. Early in the morning
See thou deliver it to my lord and father.
(gives letter to BALTHASAR)
Give me the light.
(takes torch from BALTHASAR)
  Upon thy life I charge thee,
Whate'er thou hear’st or seest, stand all aloof,
And do not interrupt me in my course.
Why I descend into this bed of death
Is partly to behold my lady’s face,
But chiefly to take thence from her dead finger
A precious ring, a ring that I must use
In dear employment. Therefore hence, be gone.
But if thou, jealous, dost return to pry
In what I farther shall intend to do,
By heaven, I will tear thee joint by joint
And strew this hungry churchyard with thy limbs.
The time and my intents are savage, wild,
More fierce and more inexorable far
Than empty tigers or the roaring sea.

BALTHASAR

45 I will be gone, sir, and not trouble you.

BALTHASAR

I will be gone, sir, and not trouble you.

ROMEO

So shalt thou show me friendship. Take thou that.
(gives BALTHASAR money)
Live and be prosperous, and farewell, good fellow.

ROMEO

So shalt thou show me friendship. Take thou that.
(gives BALTHASAR money)
Live and be prosperous, and farewell, good fellow.

BALTHASAR

(aside) For all this same, I’ll hide me hereabout.
50 His looks I fear, and his intents I doubt.

BALTHASAR

(aside) For all this same, I’ll hide me hereabout.
His looks I fear, and his intents I doubt.
BALTHASAR moves aside, falls asleep
BALTHASAR moves aside, falls asleep

ROMEO

Thou detestable maw, thou womb of death,
Gorged with the dearest morsel of the earth,
Thus I enforce thy rotten jaws to open,
And in despite I’ll cram thee with more food!
(begins to opens the tomb with his tools)

ROMEO

Thou detestable maw, thou womb of death,
Gorged with the dearest morsel of the earth,
Thus I enforce thy rotten jaws to open,
And in despite I’ll cram thee with more food!
(begins to opens the tomb with his tools)

PARIS

(aside) This is that banished haughty Montague,
That murdered my love’s cousin, with which grief,
It is supposed the fair creature died.
And here is come to do some villainous shame
60 To the dead bodies. I will apprehend him.
(to ROMEO) Stop thy unhallowed toil, vile Montague!
Can vengeance be pursued further than death?
Condemnèd villain, I do apprehend thee.
Obey and go with me, for thou must die.

PARIS

(aside) This is that banished haughty Montague,
That murdered my love’s cousin, with which grief,
It is supposed the fair creature died.
And here is come to do some villainous shame
To the dead bodies. I will apprehend him.
(to ROMEO) Stop thy unhallowed toil, vile Montague!
Can vengeance be pursued further than death?
Condemnèd villain, I do apprehend thee.
Obey and go with me, for thou must die.

ROMEO

I must indeed, and therefore came I hither.
Good gentle youth, tempt not a desperate man.
Fly hence and leave me. Think upon these gone.
Let them affright thee. I beseech thee, youth,
70 Put not another sin upon my head
By urging me to fury. O, be gone!
By heaven, I love thee better than myself,
For I come hither armed against myself.
Stay not, be gone. Live, and hereafter say
75 A madman’s mercy bid thee run away.

ROMEO

I must indeed, and therefore came I hither.
Good gentle youth, tempt not a desperate man.
Fly hence and leave me. Think upon these gone.
Let them affright thee. I beseech thee, youth,
Put not another sin upon my head
By urging me to fury. O, be gone!
By heaven, I love thee better than myself,
For I come hither armed against myself.
Stay not, be gone. Live, and hereafter say
A madman’s mercy bid thee run away.

PARIS

I do defy thy commination
And apprehend thee for a felon here.

PARIS

I do defy thy commination
And apprehend thee for a felon here.

ROMEO

Wilt thou provoke me? Then have at thee, boy!

ROMEO

Wilt thou provoke me? Then have at thee, boy!
ROMEO and PARIS fight
ROMEO and PARIS fight

PAGE

O Lord, they fight! I will go call the watch.

PAGE

O Lord, they fight! I will go call the watch.
Exit PAGE
Exit PAGE

PARIS

(falls) Oh, I am slain! If thou be merciful,
Open the tomb. Lay me with Juliet.

PARIS

(falls) Oh, I am slain! If thou be merciful,
Open the tomb. Lay me with Juliet.
PARIS dies
PARIS dies

ROMEO

In faith, I will.—Let me peruse this face.
Mercutio’s kinsman, noble County Paris.
What said my man, when my betossèd soul
85 Did not attend him as we rode? I think
He told me Paris should have married Juliet.
Said he not so? Or did I dream it so?
Or am I mad, hearing him talk of Juliet,
To think it was so?—O, give me thy hand,
90 One writ with me in sour misfortune’s book.
I’ll bury thee in a triumphant grave.

ROMEO

In faith, I will.—Let me peruse this face.
Mercutio’s kinsman, noble County Paris.
What said my man, when my betossèd soul
Did not attend him as we rode? I think
He told me Paris should have married Juliet.
Said he not so? Or did I dream it so?
Or am I mad, hearing him talk of Juliet,
To think it was so?—O, give me thy hand,
One writ with me in sour misfortune’s book.
I’ll bury thee in a triumphant grave.
ROMEO opens the tomb to reveal JULIET inside
ROMEO opens the tomb to reveal JULIET inside
A grave? Oh, no. A lantern, slaughtered youth,
For here lies Juliet, and her beauty makes
This vault a feasting presence full of light.
95 Death, lie thou there, by a dead man interred.
(lays PARIS in the tomb)
A grave? Oh, no. A lantern, slaughtered youth,
For here lies Juliet, and her beauty makes
This vault a feasting presence full of light.
Death, lie thou there, by a dead man interred.
(lays PARIS in the tomb)
How oft when men are at the point of death
Have they been merry, which their keepers call
A lightning before death! Oh, how may I
100 Call this a lightning?—O my love, my wife!
Death, that hath sucked the honey of thy breath,
Hath had no power yet upon thy beauty.
Thou art not conquered. Beauty’s ensign yet
Is crimson in thy lips and in thy cheeks,
And death’s pale flag is not advancèd there.—
Tybalt, liest thou there in thy bloody sheet?
O, what more favor can I do to thee,
Than with that hand that cut thy youth in twain
To sunder his that was thine enemy?
110 Forgive me, cousin.—Ah, dear Juliet,
Why art thou yet so fair? Shall I believe
That unsubstantial death is amorous,
And that the lean abhorrèd monster keeps
Thee here in dark to be his paramour?
115 For fear of that, I still will stay with thee,
And never from this palace of dim night
Depart again. Here, here will I remain
With worms that are thy chamber maids. Oh, here
Will I set up my everlasting rest,
120 And shake the yoke of inauspicious stars
From this world-wearied flesh. Eyes, look your last.
Arms, take your last embrace. And, lips, O you
The doors of breath, seal with a righteous kiss
A dateless bargain to engrossing death.
(kisses JULIET, takes out the poison)
Come, bitter conduct, come, unsavoury guide.
Thou desperate pilot, now at once run on
The dashing rocks thy seasick, weary bark.
Here’s to my love! (drinks the poison) O true apothecary,
130 Thy drugs are quick. Thus with a kiss I die.
How oft when men are at the point of death
Have they been merry, which their keepers call
A lightning before death! Oh, how may I
Call this a lightning?—O my love, my wife!
Death, that hath sucked the honey of thy breath,
Hath had no power yet upon thy beauty.
Thou art not conquered. Beauty’s ensign yet
Is crimson in thy lips and in thy cheeks,
And death’s pale flag is not advancèd there.—
Tybalt, liest thou there in thy bloody sheet?
O, what more favor can I do to thee,
Than with that hand that cut thy youth in twain
To sunder his that was thine enemy?
Forgive me, cousin.—Ah, dear Juliet,
Why art thou yet so fair? Shall I believe
That unsubstantial death is amorous,
And that the lean abhorrèd monster keeps
Thee here in dark to be his paramour?
For fear of that, I still will stay with thee,
And never from this palace of dim night
Depart again. Here, here will I remain
With worms that are thy chamber maids. Oh, here
Will I set up my everlasting rest,
And shake the yoke of inauspicious stars
From this world-wearied flesh. Eyes, look your last.
Arms, take your last embrace. And, lips, O you
The doors of breath, seal with a righteous kiss
A dateless bargain to engrossing death.
(kisses JULIET, takes out the poison)
Come, bitter conduct, come, unsavoury guide.
Thou desperate pilot, now at once run on
The dashing rocks thy seasick, weary bark.
Here’s to my love! (drinks the poison) O true apothecary,
Thy drugs are quick. Thus with a kiss I die.
ROMEO dies
ROMEO dies
Enter FRIAR LAWRENCE with lantern, crow, and spade
Enter FRIAR LAWRENCE with lantern, crow, and spade

FRIAR LAWRENCE

Saint Francis be my speed! How oft tonight
Have my old feet stumbled at graves!—Who’s there?

FRIAR LAWRENCE

Saint Francis be my speed! How oft tonight
Have my old feet stumbled at graves!—Who’s there?

BALTHASAR

Here’s one, a friend, and one that knows you well.

BALTHASAR

Here’s one, a friend, and one that knows you well.

FRIAR LAWRENCE

Bliss be upon you! Tell me, good my friend,
135 What torch is yond that vainly lends his light
To grubs and eyeless skulls? As I discern,
It burneth in the Capels' monument.

FRIAR LAWRENCE

Bliss be upon you! Tell me, good my friend,
What torch is yond that vainly lends his light
To grubs and eyeless skulls? As I discern,
It burneth in the Capels' monument.

BALTHASAR

It doth so, holy sir, and there’s my master,
One that you love.

BALTHASAR

It doth so, holy sir, and there’s my master,
One that you love.

FRIAR LAWRENCE

   Who is it?

FRIAR LAWRENCE

   Who is it?

BALTHASAR

     Romeo.

BALTHASAR

     Romeo.

FRIAR LAWRENCE

140 How long hath he been there?

FRIAR LAWRENCE

How long hath he been there?

BALTHASAR

     Full half an hour.

BALTHASAR

     Full half an hour.

FRIAR LAWRENCE

Go with me to the vault.

FRIAR LAWRENCE

Go with me to the vault.

BALTHASAR

     I dare not, sir.
My master knows not but I am gone hence,
And fearfully did menace me with death
If I did stay to look on his intents.

BALTHASAR

     I dare not, sir.
My master knows not but I am gone hence,
And fearfully did menace me with death
If I did stay to look on his intents.

FRIAR LAWRENCE

145 Stay, then. I’ll go alone. Fear comes upon me.
Oh, much I fear some ill unthrifty thing.

FRIAR LAWRENCE

Stay, then. I’ll go alone. Fear comes upon me.
Oh, much I fear some ill unthrifty thing.

BALTHASAR

As I did sleep under this yew tree here,
I dreamt my master and another fought,
And that my master slew him.

BALTHASAR

As I did sleep under this yew tree here,
I dreamt my master and another fought,
And that my master slew him.

FRIAR LAWRENCE

(approaches the tomb)
     Romeo!—
Alack, alack, what blood is this, which stains
The stony entrance of the sepulcher?
What mean these masterless and gory swords
To lie discolored by this place of peace?
(looks inside the tomb)
Romeo! O, pale!—Who else? What, Paris too?
And steeped in blood?—Ah, what an unkind hour
Is guilty of this lamentable chance!
The lady stirs.

FRIAR LAWRENCE

(approaches the tomb)
     Romeo!—
Alack, alack, what blood is this, which stains
The stony entrance of the sepulcher?
What mean these masterless and gory swords
To lie discolored by this place of peace?
(looks inside the tomb)
Romeo! O, pale!—Who else? What, Paris too?
And steeped in blood?—Ah, what an unkind hour
Is guilty of this lamentable chance!
The lady stirs.
JULIET wakes
JULIET wakes

JULIET

160 O comfortable Friar! Where is my lord?
I do remember well where I should be,
And there I am. Where is my Romeo?

JULIET

O comfortable Friar! Where is my lord?
I do remember well where I should be,
And there I am. Where is my Romeo?
A noise sounds from outside the tomb
A noise sounds from outside the tomb

FRIAR LAWRENCE

I hear some noise. Lady, come from that nest
Of death, contagion, and unnatural sleep.
165 A greater power than we can contradict
Hath thwarted our intents. Come, come away.
Thy husband in thy bosom there lies dead,
And Paris too. Come, I’ll dispose of thee
Among a sisterhood of holy nuns.
170 Stay not to question, for the watch is coming.
Come, go, good Juliet. I dare no longer stay.

FRIAR LAWRENCE

I hear some noise. Lady, come from that nest
Of death, contagion, and unnatural sleep.
A greater power than we can contradict
Hath thwarted our intents. Come, come away.
Thy husband in thy bosom there lies dead,
And Paris too. Come, I’ll dispose of thee
Among a sisterhood of holy nuns.
Stay not to question, for the watch is coming.
Come, go, good Juliet. I dare no longer stay.

JULIET

Go, get thee hence, for I will not away.—

JULIET

Go, get thee hence, for I will not away.—
Exit FRIAR LAWRENCE
Exit FRIAR LAWRENCE
What’s here? A cup, closed in my true love’s hand?
Poison, I see, hath been his timeless end.—
175 O churl, drunk all, and left no friendly drop
To help me after? I will kiss thy lips.
Haply some poison yet doth hang on them,
To make me die with a restorative.
(kisses ROMEO)
180 Thy lips are warm.
What’s here? A cup, closed in my true love’s hand?
Poison, I see, hath been his timeless end.—
O churl, drunk all, and left no friendly drop
To help me after? I will kiss thy lips.
Haply some poison yet doth hang on them,
To make me die with a restorative.
(kisses ROMEO)
Thy lips are warm.
Enter WATCHMEN and PARIS ’s PAGE
Enter WATCHMEN and PARIS ’s PAGE

CHIEF WATCHMAN

(to PAGE) Lead, boy. Which way?

CHIEF WATCHMAN

(to PAGE) Lead, boy. Which way?

JULIET

Yea, noise? Then I’ll be brief. O happy dagger,
This is thy sheath. There rust and let me die.
(stabs herself with ROMEO’s dagger and dies)

JULIET

Yea, noise? Then I’ll be brief. O happy dagger,
This is thy sheath. There rust and let me die.
(stabs herself with ROMEO’s dagger and dies)

PAGE

185 This is the place. There, where the torch doth burn.

PAGE

This is the place. There, where the torch doth burn.

CHIEF WATCHMAN

The ground is bloody.—Search about the churchyard.
Go, some of you. Whoe'er you find, attach.

CHIEF WATCHMAN

The ground is bloody.—Search about the churchyard.
Go, some of you. Whoe'er you find, attach.
Exeunt some WATCHMEN
Exeunt some WATCHMEN
Pitiful sight! Here lies the county slain,
And Juliet bleeding, warm and newly dead,
190 Who here hath lain these two days buried.—
Go, tell the Prince. Run to the Capulets.
Raise up the Montagues.
Some others search.
Pitiful sight! Here lies the county slain,
And Juliet bleeding, warm and newly dead,
Who here hath lain these two days buried.—
Go, tell the Prince. Run to the Capulets.
Raise up the Montagues.
Some others search.
Exeunt more WATCHMEN
Exeunt more WATCHMEN
We see the ground whereon these woes do lie,
195 But the true ground of all these piteous woes
We cannot without circumstance descry.
We see the ground whereon these woes do lie,
But the true ground of all these piteous woes
We cannot without circumstance descry.
Reenter SECOND WATCHMAN with ROMEO ’s man BALTHASAR
Reenter SECOND WATCHMAN with ROMEO ’s man BALTHASAR

SECOND WATCHMAN

Here’s Romeo’s man. We found him in the churchyard.

SECOND WATCHMAN

Here’s Romeo’s man. We found him in the churchyard.

CHIEF WATCHMAN

Hold him in safety till the Prince come hither.

CHIEF WATCHMAN

Hold him in safety till the Prince come hither.
Reenter THIRD WATCHMAN with FRIAR LAWRENCE
Reenter THIRD WATCHMAN with FRIAR LAWRENCE

THIRD WATCHMAN

Here is a friar that trembles, sighs and weeps.
200 We took this mattock and this spade from him
As he was coming from this churchyard’s side.

THIRD WATCHMAN

Here is a friar that trembles, sighs and weeps.
We took this mattock and this spade from him
As he was coming from this churchyard’s side.

CHIEF WATCHMAN

A great suspicion. Stay the friar too.

CHIEF WATCHMAN

A great suspicion. Stay the friar too.
Enter the PRINCE with ATTENDANTS
Enter the PRINCE with ATTENDANTS

PRINCE

What misadventure is so early up
That calls our person from our morning rest?

PRINCE

What misadventure is so early up
That calls our person from our morning rest?
Enter CAPULET and LADY CAPULET
Enter CAPULET and LADY CAPULET

CAPULET

205 What should it be that is so shrieked abroad?

CAPULET

What should it be that is so shrieked abroad?

LADY CAPULET

Oh, the people in the street cry “Romeo,”
Some “Juliet,” and some “Paris,” and all run
With open outcry toward our monument.

LADY CAPULET

Oh, the people in the street cry “Romeo,”
Some “Juliet,” and some “Paris,” and all run
With open outcry toward our monument.

PRINCE

What fear is this which startles in our ears?

PRINCE

What fear is this which startles in our ears?

CHIEF WATCHMAN

210 Sovereign, here lies the County Paris slain,
And Romeo dead, and Juliet, dead before,
Warm and new killed.

CHIEF WATCHMAN

Sovereign, here lies the County Paris slain,
And Romeo dead, and Juliet, dead before,
Warm and new killed.

PRINCE

Search, seek, and know how this foul murder comes.

PRINCE

Search, seek, and know how this foul murder comes.

CHIEF WATCHMAN

Here is a friar, and slaughtered Romeo’s man,
215 With instruments upon them fit to open
These dead men’s tombs.

CHIEF WATCHMAN

Here is a friar, and slaughtered Romeo’s man,
With instruments upon them fit to open
These dead men’s tombs.

CAPULET

O heavens! O wife, look how our daughter bleeds!
This dagger hath mista'en—for, lo, his house
Is empty on the back of Montague,
And it mis-sheathèd in my daughter’s bosom.

CAPULET

O heavens! O wife, look how our daughter bleeds!
This dagger hath mista'en—for, lo, his house
Is empty on the back of Montague,
And it mis-sheathèd in my daughter’s bosom.

LADY CAPULET

O me! This sight of death is as a bell,
That warns my old age to a sepulcher.

LADY CAPULET

O me! This sight of death is as a bell,
That warns my old age to a sepulcher.
Enter MONTAGUE
Enter MONTAGUE

PRINCE

Come, Montague, for thou art early up
To see thy son and heir now early down.

PRINCE

Come, Montague, for thou art early up
To see thy son and heir now early down.

MONTAGUE

225 Alas, my liege, my wife is dead tonight.
Grief of my son’s exile hath stopped her breath.
What further woe conspires against mine age?

MONTAGUE

Alas, my liege, my wife is dead tonight.
Grief of my son’s exile hath stopped her breath.
What further woe conspires against mine age?

PRINCE

Look, and thou shalt see.

PRINCE

Look, and thou shalt see.

MONTAGUE

(to ROMEO) O thou untaught! What manners is in this,
230 To press before thy father to a grave?

MONTAGUE

(to ROMEO) O thou untaught! What manners is in this,
To press before thy father to a grave?

PRINCE

Seal up the mouth of outrage for a while,
Till we can clear these ambiguities
And know their spring, their head, their true descent,
And then will I be general of your woes,
235 And lead you even to death. Meantime forbear,
And let mischance be slave to patience.—
Bring forth the parties of suspicion.

PRINCE

Seal up the mouth of outrage for a while,
Till we can clear these ambiguities
And know their spring, their head, their true descent,
And then will I be general of your woes,
And lead you even to death. Meantime forbear,
And let mischance be slave to patience.—
Bring forth the parties of suspicion.

FRIAR LAWRENCE

I am the greatest, able to do least,
Yet most suspected, as the time and place
240 Doth make against me, of this direful murder.
And here I stand, both to impeach and purge,
Myself condemnèd and myself excused.

FRIAR LAWRENCE

I am the greatest, able to do least,
Yet most suspected, as the time and place
Doth make against me, of this direful murder.
And here I stand, both to impeach and purge,
Myself condemnèd and myself excused.

PRINCE

Then say at once what thou dost know in this.

PRINCE

Then say at once what thou dost know in this.

FRIAR LAWRENCE

I will be brief, for my short date of breath
245 Is not so long as is a tedious tale.
Romeo, there dead, was husband to that Juliet,
And she, there dead, that Romeo’s faithful wife.
I married them, and their stol'n marriage day
Was Tybalt’s doomsday, whose untimely death
250 Banished the new-made bridegroom from the city—
For whom, and not for Tybalt, Juliet pined.
You, to remove that siege of grief from her,
Betrothed and would have married her perforce
To County Paris. Then comes she to me,
255 And with wild looks bid me devise some mean
To rid her from this second marriage,
Or in my cell there would she kill herself.
Then gave I her, so tutored by my art,
A sleeping potion, which so took effect
260 As I intended, for it wrought on her
The form of death.

FRIAR LAWRENCE

I will be brief, for my short date of breath
Is not so long as is a tedious tale.
Romeo, there dead, was husband to that Juliet,
And she, there dead, that Romeo’s faithful wife.
I married them, and their stol'n marriage day
Was Tybalt’s doomsday, whose untimely death
Banished the new-made bridegroom from the city—
For whom, and not for Tybalt, Juliet pined.
You, to remove that siege of grief from her,
Betrothed and would have married her perforce
To County Paris. Then comes she to me,
And with wild looks bid me devise some mean
To rid her from this second marriage,
Or in my cell there would she kill herself.
Then gave I her, so tutored by my art,
A sleeping potion, which so took effect
As I intended, for it wrought on her
The form of death.
  Meantime I writ to Romeo,
That he should hither come as this dire night,
To help to take her from her borrowed grave,
Being the time the potion’s force should cease.
265 But he which bore my letter, Friar John,
Was stayed by accident, and yesternight
Returned my letter back. Then all alone
At the prefixèd hour of her waking
Came I to take her from her kindred’s vault,
270 Meaning to keep her closely at my cell
Till I conveniently could send to Romeo,
But when I came, some minute ere the time
Of her awakening, here untimely lay
The noble Paris and true Romeo dead.
275 She wakes, and I entreated her come forth,
And bear this work of heaven with patience.
But then a noise did scare me from the tomb,
And she, too desperate, would not go with me,
But, as it seems, did violence on herself.
280 All this I know, and to the marriage
Her Nurse is privy. And if aught in this
Miscarried by my fault, let my old life
Be sacrificed some hour before his time
Unto the rigor of severest law.
  Meantime I writ to Romeo,
That he should hither come as this dire night,
To help to take her from her borrowed grave,
Being the time the potion’s force should cease.
But he which bore my letter, Friar John,
Was stayed by accident, and yesternight
Returned my letter back. Then all alone
At the prefixèd hour of her waking
Came I to take her from her kindred’s vault,
Meaning to keep her closely at my cell
Till I conveniently could send to Romeo,
But when I came, some minute ere the time
Of her awakening, here untimely lay
The noble Paris and true Romeo dead.
She wakes, and I entreated her come forth,
And bear this work of heaven with patience.
But then a noise did scare me from the tomb,
And she, too desperate, would not go with me,
But, as it seems, did violence on herself.
All this I know, and to the marriage
Her Nurse is privy. And if aught in this
Miscarried by my fault, let my old life
Be sacrificed some hour before his time
Unto the rigor of severest law.

PRINCE

285 We still have known thee for a holy man.—
Where’s Romeo’s man? What can he say in this?

PRINCE

We still have known thee for a holy man.—
Where’s Romeo’s man? What can he say in this?

BALTHASAR

I brought my master news of Juliet’s death,
And then in post he came from Mantua
To this same place, to this same monument.
(shows a letter) This letter he early bid me give his father,
And threatened me with death, going in the vault,
If I departed not and left him there.

BALTHASAR

I brought my master news of Juliet’s death,
And then in post he came from Mantua
To this same place, to this same monument.
(shows a letter) This letter he early bid me give his father,
And threatened me with death, going in the vault,
If I departed not and left him there.

PRINCE

Give me the letter. I will look on it.
(takes letter from BALTHASAR)
Where is the county’s page, that raised the watch?—
Sirrah, what made your master in this place?

PRINCE

Give me the letter. I will look on it.
(takes letter from BALTHASAR)
Where is the county’s page, that raised the watch?—
Sirrah, what made your master in this place?

PAGE

He came with flowers to strew his lady’s grave,
And bid me stand aloof, and so I did.
Anon comes one with light to ope the tomb,
300 And by and by my master drew on him,
And then I ran away to call the watch.

PAGE

He came with flowers to strew his lady’s grave,
And bid me stand aloof, and so I did.
Anon comes one with light to ope the tomb,
And by and by my master drew on him,
And then I ran away to call the watch.

PRINCE

(skims the letter) This letter doth make good the friar’s words,
Their course of love, the tidings of her death.
And here he writes that he did buy a poison
305 Of a poor 'pothecary, and therewithal
Came to this vault to die and lie with Juliet.
Where be these enemies?—Capulet! Montague!
See what a scourge is laid upon your hate,
That heaven finds means to kill your joys with love!
310 And I, for winking at your discords, too
Have lost a brace of kinsmen. All are punished.

PRINCE

(skims the letter) This letter doth make good the friar’s words,
Their course of love, the tidings of her death.
And here he writes that he did buy a poison
Of a poor 'pothecary, and therewithal
Came to this vault to die and lie with Juliet.
Where be these enemies?—Capulet! Montague!
See what a scourge is laid upon your hate,
That heaven finds means to kill your joys with love!
And I, for winking at your discords, too
Have lost a brace of kinsmen. All are punished.

CAPULET

O brother Montague, give me thy hand.
This is my daughter’s jointure, for no more
Can I demand.

CAPULET

O brother Montague, give me thy hand.
This is my daughter’s jointure, for no more
Can I demand.

MONTAGUE

   But I can give thee more,
315 For I will raise her statue in pure gold,
That whiles Verona by that name is known,
There shall no figure at such rate be set
As that of true and faithful Juliet.

MONTAGUE

   But I can give thee more,
For I will raise her statue in pure gold,
That whiles Verona by that name is known,
There shall no figure at such rate be set
As that of true and faithful Juliet.

CAPULET

As rich shall Romeo’s by his lady’s lie,
320 Poor sacrifices of our enmity.

CAPULET

As rich shall Romeo’s by his lady’s lie,
Poor sacrifices of our enmity.

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 pardoned, and some punishèd.
325 For never was a story of more woe
Than this of Juliet and her Romeo.

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 pardoned, and some punishèd.
For never was a story of more woe
Than this of Juliet and her Romeo.
Exeunt
Exeunt

Original Text

Modern Text

Enter PARIS and his PAGE
Enter PARIS and his PAGE

PARIS

Give me thy torch, boy. Hence, and stand aloof.
Yet put it out, for I would not be seen.
Under yon yew trees lay thee all along,
Holding thine ear close to the hollow ground—
5 So shall no foot upon the churchyard tread,
Being loose, unfirm, with digging up of graves,
But thou shalt hear it. Whistle then to me,
As signal that thou hear’st something approach.
Give me those flowers. Do as I bid thee, go.

PARIS

Give me thy torch, boy. Hence, and stand aloof.
Yet put it out, for I would not be seen.
Under yon yew trees lay thee all along,
Holding thine ear close to the hollow ground—
So shall no foot upon the churchyard tread,
Being loose, unfirm, with digging up of graves,
But thou shalt hear it. Whistle then to me,
As signal that thou hear’st something approach.
Give me those flowers. Do as I bid thee, go.
PAGE extinguishes torch, gives PARIS flowers
PAGE extinguishes torch, gives PARIS flowers

PAGE

(aside) I am almost afraid to stand alone
Here in the churchyard. Yet I will adventure.

PAGE

(aside) I am almost afraid to stand alone
Here in the churchyard. Yet I will adventure.
PAGE moves aside
PAGE moves aside

PARIS

(scatters flowers at JULIET'S closed tomb)
Sweet flower, with flowers thy bridal bed I strew—
O woe! Thy canopy is dust and stones—
15 Which with sweet water nightly I will dew.
Or, wanting that, with tears distilled by moans,
The obsequies that I for thee will keep
Nightly shall be to strew thy grave and weep.

PARIS

(scatters flowers at JULIET'S closed tomb)
Sweet flower, with flowers thy bridal bed I strew—
O woe! Thy canopy is dust and stones—
Which with sweet water nightly I will dew.
Or, wanting that, with tears distilled by moans,
The obsequies that I for thee will keep
Nightly shall be to strew thy grave and weep.
PAGE whistles
PAGE whistles
The boy gives warning something doth approach.
20 What cursèd foot wanders this way tonight
To cross my obsequies and true love’s rite?
What with a torch! Muffle me, night, awhile.
The boy gives warning something doth approach.
What cursèd foot wanders this way tonight
To cross my obsequies and true love’s rite?
What with a torch! Muffle me, night, awhile.
PARIS moves away from the tomb Enter ROMEO and BALTHASAR
PARIS moves away from the tomb Enter ROMEO and BALTHASAR

ROMEO

Give me that mattock and the wrenching iron.
(takes them from BALTHASAR)
25 Hold, take this letter. Early in the morning
See thou deliver it to my lord and father.
(gives letter to BALTHASAR)
Give me the light.
(takes torch from BALTHASAR)
  Upon thy life I charge thee,
30 Whate'er thou hear’st or seest, stand all aloof,
And do not interrupt me in my course.
Why I descend into this bed of death
Is partly to behold my lady’s face,
But chiefly to take thence from her dead finger
35 A precious ring, a ring that I must use
In dear employment. Therefore hence, be gone.
But if thou, jealous, dost return to pry
In what I farther shall intend to do,
By heaven, I will tear thee joint by joint
40 And strew this hungry churchyard with thy limbs.
The time and my intents are savage, wild,
More fierce and more inexorable far
Than empty tigers or the roaring sea.

ROMEO

Give me that mattock and the wrenching iron.
(takes them from BALTHASAR)
Hold, take this letter. Early in the morning
See thou deliver it to my lord and father.
(gives letter to BALTHASAR)
Give me the light.
(takes torch from BALTHASAR)
  Upon thy life I charge thee,
Whate'er thou hear’st or seest, stand all aloof,
And do not interrupt me in my course.
Why I descend into this bed of death
Is partly to behold my lady’s face,
But chiefly to take thence from her dead finger
A precious ring, a ring that I must use
In dear employment. Therefore hence, be gone.
But if thou, jealous, dost return to pry
In what I farther shall intend to do,
By heaven, I will tear thee joint by joint
And strew this hungry churchyard with thy limbs.
The time and my intents are savage, wild,
More fierce and more inexorable far
Than empty tigers or the roaring sea.

BALTHASAR

45 I will be gone, sir, and not trouble you.

BALTHASAR

I will be gone, sir, and not trouble you.

ROMEO

So shalt thou show me friendship. Take thou that.
(gives BALTHASAR money)
Live and be prosperous, and farewell, good fellow.

ROMEO

So shalt thou show me friendship. Take thou that.
(gives BALTHASAR money)
Live and be prosperous, and farewell, good fellow.

BALTHASAR

(aside) For all this same, I’ll hide me hereabout.
50 His looks I fear, and his intents I doubt.

BALTHASAR

(aside) For all this same, I’ll hide me hereabout.
His looks I fear, and his intents I doubt.
BALTHASAR moves aside, falls asleep
BALTHASAR moves aside, falls asleep

ROMEO

Thou detestable maw, thou womb of death,
Gorged with the dearest morsel of the earth,
Thus I enforce thy rotten jaws to open,
And in despite I’ll cram thee with more food!
(begins to opens the tomb with his tools)

ROMEO

Thou detestable maw, thou womb of death,
Gorged with the dearest morsel of the earth,
Thus I enforce thy rotten jaws to open,
And in despite I’ll cram thee with more food!
(begins to opens the tomb with his tools)

PARIS

(aside) This is that banished haughty Montague,
That murdered my love’s cousin, with which grief,
It is supposed the fair creature died.
And here is come to do some villainous shame
60 To the dead bodies. I will apprehend him.
(to ROMEO) Stop thy unhallowed toil, vile Montague!
Can vengeance be pursued further than death?
Condemnèd villain, I do apprehend thee.
Obey and go with me, for thou must die.

PARIS

(aside) This is that banished haughty Montague,
That murdered my love’s cousin, with which grief,
It is supposed the fair creature died.
And here is come to do some villainous shame
To the dead bodies. I will apprehend him.
(to ROMEO) Stop thy unhallowed toil, vile Montague!
Can vengeance be pursued further than death?
Condemnèd villain, I do apprehend thee.
Obey and go with me, for thou must die.

ROMEO

I must indeed, and therefore came I hither.
Good gentle youth, tempt not a desperate man.
Fly hence and leave me. Think upon these gone.
Let them affright thee. I beseech thee, youth,
70 Put not another sin upon my head
By urging me to fury. O, be gone!
By heaven, I love thee better than myself,
For I come hither armed against myself.
Stay not, be gone. Live, and hereafter say
75 A madman’s mercy bid thee run away.

ROMEO

I must indeed, and therefore came I hither.
Good gentle youth, tempt not a desperate man.
Fly hence and leave me. Think upon these gone.
Let them affright thee. I beseech thee, youth,
Put not another sin upon my head
By urging me to fury. O, be gone!
By heaven, I love thee better than myself,
For I come hither armed against myself.
Stay not, be gone. Live, and hereafter say
A madman’s mercy bid thee run away.

PARIS

I do defy thy commination
And apprehend thee for a felon here.

PARIS

I do defy thy commination
And apprehend thee for a felon here.

ROMEO

Wilt thou provoke me? Then have at thee, boy!

ROMEO

Wilt thou provoke me? Then have at thee, boy!
ROMEO and PARIS fight
ROMEO and PARIS fight

PAGE

O Lord, they fight! I will go call the watch.

PAGE

O Lord, they fight! I will go call the watch.
Exit PAGE
Exit PAGE

PARIS

(falls) Oh, I am slain! If thou be merciful,
Open the tomb. Lay me with Juliet.

PARIS

(falls) Oh, I am slain! If thou be merciful,
Open the tomb. Lay me with Juliet.
PARIS dies
PARIS dies

ROMEO

In faith, I will.—Let me peruse this face.
Mercutio’s kinsman, noble County Paris.
What said my man, when my betossèd soul
85 Did not attend him as we rode? I think
He told me Paris should have married Juliet.
Said he not so? Or did I dream it so?
Or am I mad, hearing him talk of Juliet,
To think it was so?—O, give me thy hand,
90 One writ with me in sour misfortune’s book.
I’ll bury thee in a triumphant grave.

ROMEO

In faith, I will.—Let me peruse this face.
Mercutio’s kinsman, noble County Paris.
What said my man, when my betossèd soul
Did not attend him as we rode? I think
He told me Paris should have married Juliet.
Said he not so? Or did I dream it so?
Or am I mad, hearing him talk of Juliet,
To think it was so?—O, give me thy hand,
One writ with me in sour misfortune’s book.
I’ll bury thee in a triumphant grave.
ROMEO opens the tomb to reveal JULIET inside
ROMEO opens the tomb to reveal JULIET inside
A grave? Oh, no. A lantern, slaughtered youth,
For here lies Juliet, and her beauty makes
This vault a feasting presence full of light.
95 Death, lie thou there, by a dead man interred.
(lays PARIS in the tomb)
A grave? Oh, no. A lantern, slaughtered youth,
For here lies Juliet, and her beauty makes
This vault a feasting presence full of light.
Death, lie thou there, by a dead man interred.
(lays PARIS in the tomb)
How oft when men are at the point of death
Have they been merry, which their keepers call
A lightning before death! Oh, how may I
100 Call this a lightning?—O my love, my wife!
Death, that hath sucked the honey of thy breath,
Hath had no power yet upon thy beauty.
Thou art not conquered. Beauty’s ensign yet
Is crimson in thy lips and in thy cheeks,
And death’s pale flag is not advancèd there.—
Tybalt, liest thou there in thy bloody sheet?
O, what more favor can I do to thee,
Than with that hand that cut thy youth in twain
To sunder his that was thine enemy?
110 Forgive me, cousin.—Ah, dear Juliet,
Why art thou yet so fair? Shall I believe
That unsubstantial death is amorous,
And that the lean abhorrèd monster keeps
Thee here in dark to be his paramour?
115 For fear of that, I still will stay with thee,
And never from this palace of dim night
Depart again. Here, here will I remain
With worms that are thy chamber maids. Oh, here
Will I set up my everlasting rest,
120 And shake the yoke of inauspicious stars
From this world-wearied flesh. Eyes, look your last.
Arms, take your last embrace. And, lips, O you
The doors of breath, seal with a righteous kiss
A dateless bargain to engrossing death.
(kisses JULIET, takes out the poison)
Come, bitter conduct, come, unsavoury guide.
Thou desperate pilot, now at once run on
The dashing rocks thy seasick, weary bark.
Here’s to my love! (drinks the poison) O true apothecary,
130 Thy drugs are quick. Thus with a kiss I die.
How oft when men are at the point of death
Have they been merry, which their keepers call
A lightning before death! Oh, how may I
Call this a lightning?—O my love, my wife!
Death, that hath sucked the honey of thy breath,
Hath had no power yet upon thy beauty.
Thou art not conquered. Beauty’s ensign yet
Is crimson in thy lips and in thy cheeks,
And death’s pale flag is not advancèd there.—
Tybalt, liest thou there in thy bloody sheet?
O, what more favor can I do to thee,
Than with that hand that cut thy youth in twain
To sunder his that was thine enemy?
Forgive me, cousin.—Ah, dear Juliet,
Why art thou yet so fair? Shall I believe
That unsubstantial death is amorous,
And that the lean abhorrèd monster keeps
Thee here in dark to be his paramour?
For fear of that, I still will stay with thee,
And never from this palace of dim night
Depart again. Here, here will I remain
With worms that are thy chamber maids. Oh, here
Will I set up my everlasting rest,
And shake the yoke of inauspicious stars
From this world-wearied flesh. Eyes, look your last.
Arms, take your last embrace. And, lips, O you
The doors of breath, seal with a righteous kiss
A dateless bargain to engrossing death.
(kisses JULIET, takes out the poison)
Come, bitter conduct, come, unsavoury guide.
Thou desperate pilot, now at once run on
The dashing rocks thy seasick, weary bark.
Here’s to my love! (drinks the poison) O true apothecary,
Thy drugs are quick. Thus with a kiss I die.
ROMEO dies
ROMEO dies
Enter FRIAR LAWRENCE with lantern, crow, and spade
Enter FRIAR LAWRENCE with lantern, crow, and spade

FRIAR LAWRENCE

Saint Francis be my speed! How oft tonight
Have my old feet stumbled at graves!—Who’s there?

FRIAR LAWRENCE

Saint Francis be my speed! How oft tonight
Have my old feet stumbled at graves!—Who’s there?

BALTHASAR

Here’s one, a friend, and one that knows you well.

BALTHASAR

Here’s one, a friend, and one that knows you well.

FRIAR LAWRENCE

Bliss be upon you! Tell me, good my friend,
135 What torch is yond that vainly lends his light
To grubs and eyeless skulls? As I discern,
It burneth in the Capels' monument.

FRIAR LAWRENCE

Bliss be upon you! Tell me, good my friend,
What torch is yond that vainly lends his light
To grubs and eyeless skulls? As I discern,
It burneth in the Capels' monument.

BALTHASAR

It doth so, holy sir, and there’s my master,
One that you love.

BALTHASAR

It doth so, holy sir, and there’s my master,
One that you love.

FRIAR LAWRENCE

   Who is it?

FRIAR LAWRENCE

   Who is it?

BALTHASAR

     Romeo.

BALTHASAR

     Romeo.

FRIAR LAWRENCE

140 How long hath he been there?

FRIAR LAWRENCE

How long hath he been there?

BALTHASAR

     Full half an hour.

BALTHASAR

     Full half an hour.

FRIAR LAWRENCE

Go with me to the vault.

FRIAR LAWRENCE

Go with me to the vault.

BALTHASAR

     I dare not, sir.
My master knows not but I am gone hence,
And fearfully did menace me with death
If I did stay to look on his intents.

BALTHASAR

     I dare not, sir.
My master knows not but I am gone hence,
And fearfully did menace me with death
If I did stay to look on his intents.

FRIAR LAWRENCE

145 Stay, then. I’ll go alone. Fear comes upon me.
Oh, much I fear some ill unthrifty thing.

FRIAR LAWRENCE

Stay, then. I’ll go alone. Fear comes upon me.
Oh, much I fear some ill unthrifty thing.

BALTHASAR

As I did sleep under this yew tree here,
I dreamt my master and another fought,
And that my master slew him.

BALTHASAR

As I did sleep under this yew tree here,
I dreamt my master and another fought,
And that my master slew him.

FRIAR LAWRENCE

(approaches the tomb)
     Romeo!—
Alack, alack, what blood is this, which stains
The stony entrance of the sepulcher?
What mean these masterless and gory swords
To lie discolored by this place of peace?
(looks inside the tomb)
Romeo! O, pale!—Who else? What, Paris too?
And steeped in blood?—Ah, what an unkind hour
Is guilty of this lamentable chance!
The lady stirs.

FRIAR LAWRENCE

(approaches the tomb)
     Romeo!—
Alack, alack, what blood is this, which stains
The stony entrance of the sepulcher?
What mean these masterless and gory swords
To lie discolored by this place of peace?
(looks inside the tomb)
Romeo! O, pale!—Who else? What, Paris too?
And steeped in blood?—Ah, what an unkind hour
Is guilty of this lamentable chance!
The lady stirs.
JULIET wakes
JULIET wakes

JULIET

160 O comfortable Friar! Where is my lord?
I do remember well where I should be,
And there I am. Where is my Romeo?

JULIET

O comfortable Friar! Where is my lord?
I do remember well where I should be,
And there I am. Where is my Romeo?
A noise sounds from outside the tomb
A noise sounds from outside the tomb

FRIAR LAWRENCE

I hear some noise. Lady, come from that nest
Of death, contagion, and unnatural sleep.
165 A greater power than we can contradict
Hath thwarted our intents. Come, come away.
Thy husband in thy bosom there lies dead,
And Paris too. Come, I’ll dispose of thee
Among a sisterhood of holy nuns.
170 Stay not to question, for the watch is coming.
Come, go, good Juliet. I dare no longer stay.

FRIAR LAWRENCE

I hear some noise. Lady, come from that nest
Of death, contagion, and unnatural sleep.
A greater power than we can contradict
Hath thwarted our intents. Come, come away.
Thy husband in thy bosom there lies dead,
And Paris too. Come, I’ll dispose of thee
Among a sisterhood of holy nuns.
Stay not to question, for the watch is coming.
Come, go, good Juliet. I dare no longer stay.

JULIET

Go, get thee hence, for I will not away.—

JULIET

Go, get thee hence, for I will not away.—
Exit FRIAR LAWRENCE
Exit FRIAR LAWRENCE
What’s here? A cup, closed in my true love’s hand?
Poison, I see, hath been his timeless end.—
175 O churl, drunk all, and left no friendly drop
To help me after? I will kiss thy lips.
Haply some poison yet doth hang on them,
To make me die with a restorative.
(kisses ROMEO)
180 Thy lips are warm.
What’s here? A cup, closed in my true love’s hand?
Poison, I see, hath been his timeless end.—
O churl, drunk all, and left no friendly drop
To help me after? I will kiss thy lips.
Haply some poison yet doth hang on them,
To make me die with a restorative.
(kisses ROMEO)
Thy lips are warm.
Enter WATCHMEN and PARIS ’s PAGE
Enter WATCHMEN and PARIS ’s PAGE

CHIEF WATCHMAN

(to PAGE) Lead, boy. Which way?

CHIEF WATCHMAN

(to PAGE) Lead, boy. Which way?

JULIET

Yea, noise? Then I’ll be brief. O happy dagger,
This is thy sheath. There rust and let me die.
(stabs herself with ROMEO’s dagger and dies)

JULIET

Yea, noise? Then I’ll be brief. O happy dagger,
This is thy sheath. There rust and let me die.
(stabs herself with ROMEO’s dagger and dies)

PAGE

185 This is the place. There, where the torch doth burn.

PAGE

This is the place. There, where the torch doth burn.

CHIEF WATCHMAN

The ground is bloody.—Search about the churchyard.
Go, some of you. Whoe'er you find, attach.

CHIEF WATCHMAN

The ground is bloody.—Search about the churchyard.
Go, some of you. Whoe'er you find, attach.
Exeunt some WATCHMEN
Exeunt some WATCHMEN
Pitiful sight! Here lies the county slain,
And Juliet bleeding, warm and newly dead,
190 Who here hath lain these two days buried.—
Go, tell the Prince. Run to the Capulets.
Raise up the Montagues.
Some others search.
Pitiful sight! Here lies the county slain,
And Juliet bleeding, warm and newly dead,
Who here hath lain these two days buried.—
Go, tell the Prince. Run to the Capulets.
Raise up the Montagues.
Some others search.
Exeunt more WATCHMEN
Exeunt more WATCHMEN
We see the ground whereon these woes do lie,
195 But the true ground of all these piteous woes
We cannot without circumstance descry.
We see the ground whereon these woes do lie,
But the true ground of all these piteous woes
We cannot without circumstance descry.
Reenter SECOND WATCHMAN with ROMEO ’s man BALTHASAR
Reenter SECOND WATCHMAN with ROMEO ’s man BALTHASAR

SECOND WATCHMAN

Here’s Romeo’s man. We found him in the churchyard.

SECOND WATCHMAN

Here’s Romeo’s man. We found him in the churchyard.

CHIEF WATCHMAN

Hold him in safety till the Prince come hither.

CHIEF WATCHMAN

Hold him in safety till the Prince come hither.
Reenter THIRD WATCHMAN with FRIAR LAWRENCE
Reenter THIRD WATCHMAN with FRIAR LAWRENCE

THIRD WATCHMAN

Here is a friar that trembles, sighs and weeps.
200 We took this mattock and this spade from him
As he was coming from this churchyard’s side.

THIRD WATCHMAN

Here is a friar that trembles, sighs and weeps.
We took this mattock and this spade from him
As he was coming from this churchyard’s side.

CHIEF WATCHMAN

A great suspicion. Stay the friar too.

CHIEF WATCHMAN

A great suspicion. Stay the friar too.
Enter the PRINCE with ATTENDANTS
Enter the PRINCE with ATTENDANTS

PRINCE

What misadventure is so early up
That calls our person from our morning rest?

PRINCE

What misadventure is so early up
That calls our person from our morning rest?
Enter CAPULET and LADY CAPULET
Enter CAPULET and LADY CAPULET

CAPULET

205 What should it be that is so shrieked abroad?

CAPULET

What should it be that is so shrieked abroad?

LADY CAPULET

Oh, the people in the street cry “Romeo,”
Some “Juliet,” and some “Paris,” and all run
With open outcry toward our monument.

LADY CAPULET

Oh, the people in the street cry “Romeo,”
Some “Juliet,” and some “Paris,” and all run
With open outcry toward our monument.

PRINCE

What fear is this which startles in our ears?

PRINCE

What fear is this which startles in our ears?

CHIEF WATCHMAN

210 Sovereign, here lies the County Paris slain,
And Romeo dead, and Juliet, dead before,
Warm and new killed.

CHIEF WATCHMAN

Sovereign, here lies the County Paris slain,
And Romeo dead, and Juliet, dead before,
Warm and new killed.

PRINCE

Search, seek, and know how this foul murder comes.

PRINCE

Search, seek, and know how this foul murder comes.

CHIEF WATCHMAN

Here is a friar, and slaughtered Romeo’s man,
215 With instruments upon them fit to open
These dead men’s tombs.

CHIEF WATCHMAN

Here is a friar, and slaughtered Romeo’s man,
With instruments upon them fit to open
These dead men’s tombs.

CAPULET

O heavens! O wife, look how our daughter bleeds!
This dagger hath mista'en—for, lo, his house
Is empty on the back of Montague,
And it mis-sheathèd in my daughter’s bosom.

CAPULET

O heavens! O wife, look how our daughter bleeds!
This dagger hath mista'en—for, lo, his house
Is empty on the back of Montague,
And it mis-sheathèd in my daughter’s bosom.

LADY CAPULET

O me! This sight of death is as a bell,
That warns my old age to a sepulcher.

LADY CAPULET

O me! This sight of death is as a bell,
That warns my old age to a sepulcher.
Enter MONTAGUE
Enter MONTAGUE

PRINCE

Come, Montague, for thou art early up
To see thy son and heir now early down.

PRINCE

Come, Montague, for thou art early up
To see thy son and heir now early down.

MONTAGUE

225 Alas, my liege, my wife is dead tonight.
Grief of my son’s exile hath stopped her breath.
What further woe conspires against mine age?

MONTAGUE

Alas, my liege, my wife is dead tonight.
Grief of my son’s exile hath stopped her breath.
What further woe conspires against mine age?

PRINCE

Look, and thou shalt see.

PRINCE

Look, and thou shalt see.

MONTAGUE

(to ROMEO) O thou untaught! What manners is in this,
230 To press before thy father to a grave?

MONTAGUE

(to ROMEO) O thou untaught! What manners is in this,
To press before thy father to a grave?

PRINCE

Seal up the mouth of outrage for a while,
Till we can clear these ambiguities
And know their spring, their head, their true descent,
And then will I be general of your woes,
235 And lead you even to death. Meantime forbear,
And let mischance be slave to patience.—
Bring forth the parties of suspicion.

PRINCE

Seal up the mouth of outrage for a while,
Till we can clear these ambiguities
And know their spring, their head, their true descent,
And then will I be general of your woes,
And lead you even to death. Meantime forbear,
And let mischance be slave to patience.—
Bring forth the parties of suspicion.

FRIAR LAWRENCE

I am the greatest, able to do least,
Yet most suspected, as the time and place
240 Doth make against me, of this direful murder.
And here I stand, both to impeach and purge,
Myself condemnèd and myself excused.

FRIAR LAWRENCE

I am the greatest, able to do least,
Yet most suspected, as the time and place
Doth make against me, of this direful murder.
And here I stand, both to impeach and purge,
Myself condemnèd and myself excused.

PRINCE

Then say at once what thou dost know in this.

PRINCE

Then say at once what thou dost know in this.

FRIAR LAWRENCE

I will be brief, for my short date of breath
245 Is not so long as is a tedious tale.
Romeo, there dead, was husband to that Juliet,
And she, there dead, that Romeo’s faithful wife.
I married them, and their stol'n marriage day
Was Tybalt’s doomsday, whose untimely death
250 Banished the new-made bridegroom from the city—
For whom, and not for Tybalt, Juliet pined.
You, to remove that siege of grief from her,
Betrothed and would have married her perforce
To County Paris. Then comes she to me,
255 And with wild looks bid me devise some mean
To rid her from this second marriage,
Or in my cell there would she kill herself.
Then gave I her, so tutored by my art,
A sleeping potion, which so took effect
260 As I intended, for it wrought on her
The form of death.

FRIAR LAWRENCE

I will be brief, for my short date of breath
Is not so long as is a tedious tale.
Romeo, there dead, was husband to that Juliet,
And she, there dead, that Romeo’s faithful wife.
I married them, and their stol'n marriage day
Was Tybalt’s doomsday, whose untimely death
Banished the new-made bridegroom from the city—
For whom, and not for Tybalt, Juliet pined.
You, to remove that siege of grief from her,
Betrothed and would have married her perforce
To County Paris. Then comes she to me,
And with wild looks bid me devise some mean
To rid her from this second marriage,
Or in my cell there would she kill herself.
Then gave I her, so tutored by my art,
A sleeping potion, which so took effect
As I intended, for it wrought on her
The form of death.
  Meantime I writ to Romeo,
That he should hither come as this dire night,
To help to take her from her borrowed grave,
Being the time the potion’s force should cease.
265 But he which bore my letter, Friar John,
Was stayed by accident, and yesternight
Returned my letter back. Then all alone
At the prefixèd hour of her waking
Came I to take her from her kindred’s vault,
270 Meaning to keep her closely at my cell
Till I conveniently could send to Romeo,
But when I came, some minute ere the time
Of her awakening, here untimely lay
The noble Paris and true Romeo dead.
275 She wakes, and I entreated her come forth,
And bear this work of heaven with patience.
But then a noise did scare me from the tomb,
And she, too desperate, would not go with me,
But, as it seems, did violence on herself.
280 All this I know, and to the marriage
Her Nurse is privy. And if aught in this
Miscarried by my fault, let my old life
Be sacrificed some hour before his time
Unto the rigor of severest law.
  Meantime I writ to Romeo,
That he should hither come as this dire night,
To help to take her from her borrowed grave,
Being the time the potion’s force should cease.
But he which bore my letter, Friar John,
Was stayed by accident, and yesternight
Returned my letter back. Then all alone
At the prefixèd hour of her waking
Came I to take her from her kindred’s vault,
Meaning to keep her closely at my cell
Till I conveniently could send to Romeo,
But when I came, some minute ere the time
Of her awakening, here untimely lay
The noble Paris and true Romeo dead.
She wakes, and I entreated her come forth,
And bear this work of heaven with patience.
But then a noise did scare me from the tomb,
And she, too desperate, would not go with me,
But, as it seems, did violence on herself.
All this I know, and to the marriage
Her Nurse is privy. And if aught in this
Miscarried by my fault, let my old life
Be sacrificed some hour before his time
Unto the rigor of severest law.

PRINCE

285 We still have known thee for a holy man.—
Where’s Romeo’s man? What can he say in this?

PRINCE

We still have known thee for a holy man.—
Where’s Romeo’s man? What can he say in this?

BALTHASAR

I brought my master news of Juliet’s death,
And then in post he came from Mantua
To this same place, to this same monument.
(shows a letter) This letter he early bid me give his father,
And threatened me with death, going in the vault,
If I departed not and left him there.

BALTHASAR

I brought my master news of Juliet’s death,
And then in post he came from Mantua
To this same place, to this same monument.
(shows a letter) This letter he early bid me give his father,
And threatened me with death, going in the vault,
If I departed not and left him there.

PRINCE

Give me the letter. I will look on it.
(takes letter from BALTHASAR)
Where is the county’s page, that raised the watch?—
Sirrah, what made your master in this place?

PRINCE

Give me the letter. I will look on it.
(takes letter from BALTHASAR)
Where is the county’s page, that raised the watch?—
Sirrah, what made your master in this place?

PAGE

He came with flowers to strew his lady’s grave,
And bid me stand aloof, and so I did.
Anon comes one with light to ope the tomb,
300 And by and by my master drew on him,
And then I ran away to call the watch.

PAGE

He came with flowers to strew his lady’s grave,
And bid me stand aloof, and so I did.
Anon comes one with light to ope the tomb,
And by and by my master drew on him,
And then I ran away to call the watch.

PRINCE

(skims the letter) This letter doth make good the friar’s words,
Their course of love, the tidings of her death.
And here he writes that he did buy a poison
305 Of a poor 'pothecary, and therewithal
Came to this vault to die and lie with Juliet.
Where be these enemies?—Capulet! Montague!
See what a scourge is laid upon your hate,
That heaven finds means to kill your joys with love!
310 And I, for winking at your discords, too
Have lost a brace of kinsmen. All are punished.

PRINCE

(skims the letter) This letter doth make good the friar’s words,
Their course of love, the tidings of her death.
And here he writes that he did buy a poison
Of a poor 'pothecary, and therewithal
Came to this vault to die and lie with Juliet.
Where be these enemies?—Capulet! Montague!
See what a scourge is laid upon your hate,
That heaven finds means to kill your joys with love!
And I, for winking at your discords, too
Have lost a brace of kinsmen. All are punished.

CAPULET

O brother Montague, give me thy hand.
This is my daughter’s jointure, for no more
Can I demand.

CAPULET

O brother Montague, give me thy hand.
This is my daughter’s jointure, for no more
Can I demand.

MONTAGUE

   But I can give thee more,
315 For I will raise her statue in pure gold,
That whiles Verona by that name is known,
There shall no figure at such rate be set
As that of true and faithful Juliet.

MONTAGUE

   But I can give thee more,
For I will raise her statue in pure gold,
That whiles Verona by that name is known,
There shall no figure at such rate be set
As that of true and faithful Juliet.

CAPULET

As rich shall Romeo’s by his lady’s lie,
320 Poor sacrifices of our enmity.

CAPULET

As rich shall Romeo’s by his lady’s lie,
Poor sacrifices of our enmity.

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 pardoned, and some punishèd.
325 For never was a story of more woe
Than this of Juliet and her Romeo.

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 pardoned, and some punishèd.
For never was a story of more woe
Than this of Juliet and her Romeo.
Exeunt
Exeunt