Balthasar tells Romeo that Juliet lies dead in the Capulet monument. Romeo determines to return to Verona and die beside Juliet that night. Romeo persuades an impoverished apothecary to sell him a powerful poison.
SCENE II. Friar Lawrence’s Cell.
Enter Friar John.
FRIAR JOHN
Holy Franciscan Friar! Brother, ho!
Enter Friar Lawrence.
FRIAR LAWRENCE
This same should be the voice of Friar John.Welcome from Mantua. What says Romeo?Or, if his mind be writ, give me his letter.
FRIAR JOHN
Going to find a barefoot brothera friar belonging to a mendicant religious order whose members went barefoot or wore sandals. out,One of our order, to associate me,Here in this city visiting the sick,And finding him, the searchersan official appointed to inspect bodies and houses for signs of plague and report deaths. of the town,Suspecting that we both were in a houseWhere the infectious pestilence did reign,Seal’d up the doors, and would not let us forth,So that my speed to Mantua there was stay’d.
FRIAR LAWRENCE
Who bare my letter then to Romeo?
FRIAR JOHN
I could not send it,—here it is again,—Nor get a messenger to bring it thee,So fearful were they of infection.
FRIAR LAWRENCE
Unhappy fortune! By my brotherhood,The letter was not nice, but full of charge,Of dear import, and the neglecting itMay do much danger. Friar John, go hence,Get me an iron crow and bring it straightUnto my cell.
FRIAR JOHN
Brother, I’ll go and bring it thee.
Exit.
FRIAR LAWRENCE
Now must I to the monument alone.Within this three hours will fair Juliet wake.She will beshrew me much that RomeoHath had no notice of these accidents;But I will write again to Mantua,And keep her at my cell till Romeo come.Poor living corse, clos’d in a dead man’s tomb.