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Act 5, Scene 1
Romeo and Juliet Translation Act 5, Scene 2
FRIAR JOHN enters.
FRIAR JOHN
Holy Franciscan Friar! Brother, ho!
FRIAR JOHN
Holy Franciscan Friar! Brother, hey!
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 LAWRENCE
That voice sounds like Friar John. Welcome back from Mantua. What does Romeo say? Or, if he wrote down his thoughts, give me his letter.
FRIAR LAWRENCE enters.
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FRIAR JOHN
Going to find a barefoot brother out, One of our order, to associate me, Here in this city visiting the sick, And finding him, the searchers of the town, Suspecting that we both were in a house ere the infectious pestilence did reign, Sealed up the doors and would not let us forth. So that my speed to Mantua there was stayed.
FRIAR JOHN
I went to find another poor friar from our order to accompany me. He was in this city visiting the sick. I found him, but the town health officials suspected that we had both been in a house where people were infected with the plague. They sealed up the house and refused to let us out. So I was stuck, and couldn’t go to Mantua.
FRIAR LAWRENCE
Who bare my letter, then, to Romeo?
FRIAR LAWRENCE
Then who took my letter to Romeo?
FRIAR JOHN
I could not send it—here it is again— [Gives FRIAR LAWRENCE a letter] Nor get a messenger to bring it thee,So fearful were they of infection.
FRIAR JOHN
I couldn’t send it. Here it is. [He gives FRIAR LAWRENCE a letter] And I couldn't even get a messenger to bring it to you because they were scared of getting infected.
FRIAR LAWRENCE
Unhappy fortune! By my brotherhood, The letter was not nice but full of charge, Of dear import, and the neglecting it May do much danger. Friar John, go hence. Get me an iron crow and bring it straight Unto my cell.
FRIAR LAWRENCE
Terrible fate! By my brotherhood, the letter was not just a friendly greeting. It was full of important news. That it was never sent may result in great ruin. Friar John, go and get me an iron crowbar and bring it straight back to my cell.
FRIAR JOHN
Brother, I’ll go and bring it thee.
FRIAR JOHN
Brother, I’ll go and bring it to you.
FRIAR JOHN exits.
FRIAR LAWRENCE
Now must I to the monument alone. Within this three hours will fair Juliet wake. She will beshrew me much that Romeo Hath had no notice of these accidents. But I will write again to Mantua, And keep her at my cell till Romeo come. Poor living corpse, closed in a dead man's tomb!
FRIAR LAWRENCE
Now I must go alone to the tomb. Within three hours, beautiful Juliet will wake up. She will certainly curse me since Romeo has not received the latest news. But I will write again to him in Mantua, and keep Juliet at my cell until Romeo arrives. The poor living corpse, all closed up in a dead man's tomb!
Exit FRIAR LAWRENCE.
