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Episode 3: Promises from a balcony

[Scene 1: the grounds of the Capulet house]

Rosaline
I can’t help wondering… If I’d accepted Romeo’s love, would Romeo have approached Juliet at the party? He looked like he was falling in love with her. Romeo’s an enemy, a foe to the family, so there’s no way my uncle Capulet will accept the two of them going out together. Ah, here come some familiar faces. I wonder what they have to say about it all?

Benvolio
Romeo, my cousin Romeo!

Mercutio
He’s smart. I bet he’s gone home to bed.

Benvolio
He ran this way and leapt over this orchard wall. Call him, Mercutio.

Mercutio
Of course, I’ll make him magically appear! Romeo!

Benvolio
Come on, he’s hidden himself in the trees…

Mercutio
Romeo, good night!

Benvolio
Let’s go. There’s no point looking for him when he doesn’t want to be found.

Rosaline
Where on earth is Romeo? Wait a second. There is someone hiding in the trees!

[Scene 2: before Juliet's balcony]

Romeo
But soft! What light from yonder window breaks? It’s like the sunrise, and Juliet is the sun! It is my lady. O, it is my love. I wish she knew that she was! See how she rests her cheek on her hand. I wish I were a glove on that hand, so I might touch that cheek!

Juliet
O Romeo, Romeo, wherefore art thou Romeo? Deny your father and give up your name. Or, if you won’t do that, swear your love to me, and I’ll no longer be a Capulet.

Romeo
Shall I hear more, or shall I speak to her?

Rosaline
I think you should do neither. Time to go home, Romeo.

Juliet
It is only your name that is my enemy. You’d still be yourself, even if you stopped being a Montague. What’s Montague, anyway? It is not a hand, nor a foot, arm, nor face nor any other part belonging to a man…

Rosaline
Oh goodness! Juliet, do you really believe that his name doesn’t matter…?

Juliet
O, be some other name! What’s in a name? That which we call a rose by any other name would smell as sweet. Romeo, get rid of your name, which is not really any part of you, and be mine instead.

Romeo
If you call me your love, I’ll take a new name. From now on, I’ll never be Romeo again.

Juliet
Who’s down there, hiding in the dark, listening to my private thoughts?

Romeo
I don’t know how to tell you who I am. I hate my name because it is an enemy to you.

Juliet
Art thou not Romeo and a Montague?

Romeo
I am neither, if you dislike either name.

Juliet
How did you get here, and why? And if any of my family find you here…

Rosaline
She’s right. If the family find Romeo here, big trouble!

Romeo
The dark night will hide me from them. And if you love me, let them find me. It would be worth it. I’d rather that than live without your love.

Juliet
Do you love me? I know you’ll say yes. And I’ll believe you. But, you could be lying… If you really love me, tell me the truth.

Romeo
If my heart’s dear love…

Juliet
Although you bring me joy, I have no joy in making this commitment tonight. It’s too quick, too unadvised, too sudden.

Rosaline
She’s right: they have only just met.

Juliet
This bud of love, with a bit more time, might blossom into a beautiful flower by the next time we meet. Good night, good night!

Romeo
Why do you want to leave me so unhappy?

Juliet
How can you be happy tonight?

Romeo
By telling each other we love one another, by committing to one another.

Juliet
I told you I love you before you even asked. I hear some noise inside. Dear love, goodbye!

Nurse
Madam!

Juliet
(To the nurse) One minute, good nurse! (To Romeo) Sweet Montague, be true. Stay a while. I’ll come again.

Romeo
O blessed, blessed night! I am scared that, as it’s night, this is just a dream. It’s too exciting to be true.

Juliet
Dear Romeo, before we say good night, if your love is true, and you want to marry me, let me know tomorrow. I’ll send a messenger to come and find you. What time tomorrow shall I send them to you?

Romeo
At nine o’clock.

Nurse
(From within) Madam!

Juliet
(To the nurse) I’ll be right there! (To Romeo) I won’t fail. A thousand times good night. Parting is such sweet sorrow.

Rosaline
They only met tonight and now, they’re going to get married! Things have happened so quickly! I don’t know how they’re going to carry out their plans. Who on earth is going to agree to marry them? Everyone knows that they come from warring families. Their parents would be furious…and don’t even get me started on Tybalt!