Act 5, Scene 2

Friar Lawrence's Cell.

  1. [Enter Friar John.]
  2. Friar John
  3. 2710 Holy Franciscan friar! brother, ho!
  4. [Enter Friar Lawrence.]
  5. Friar Lawrence
  6. 2711 This same should be the voice of Friar John.
  7. 2712 Welcome from Mantua: what says Romeo?
  8. 2713 Or, if his mind be writ, give me his letter.
  9. Friar John
  10. 2714 Going to find a barefoot brother out,
  11. 2715 One of our order, to associate me,
  12. 2716 Here in this city visiting the sick,
  13. 2717 And finding him, the searchers of the town,
  14. 2718 Suspecting that we both were in a house
  15. 2719 Where the infectious pestilence did reign,
  16. 2720 Seal'd up the doors, and would not let us forth;
  17. 2721 So that my speed to Mantua there was stay'd.
  18. Friar Lawrence
  19. 2722 Who bare my letter, then, to Romeo?
  20. Friar John
  21. 2723 I could not send it,—here it is again,—
  22. 2724 Nor get a messenger to bring it thee,
  23. 2725 So fearful were they of infection.
  24. Friar Lawrence
  25. 2726 Unhappy fortune! by my brotherhood,
  26. 2727 The letter was not nice, but full of charge
  27. 2728 Of dear import; and the neglecting it
  28. 2729 May do much danger. Friar John, go hence;
  29. 2730 Get me an iron crow and bring it straight
  30. 2731 Unto my cell.
  31. Friar John
  32. 2732 Brother, I'll go and bring it thee.
  33. [Exit.]
  34. Friar Lawrence
  35. 2733 Now must I to the monument alone;
  36. 2734 Within this three hours will fair Juliet wake:
  37. 2735 She will beshrew me much that Romeo
  38. 2736 Hath had no notice of these accidents;
  39. 2737 But I will write again to Mantua,
  40. 2738 And keep her at my cell till Romeo come;—
  41. 2739 Poor living corse, clos'd in a dead man's tomb!
  42. [Exit.]