The duel -
It was dawn when Romeo left the Capulets’ garden and walked to the Franciscan monastery to talk to Friar1 Laurence; he was Romeo’s confessor and friend, and he knew the good and evil2 powers of herbs, plants and stones.
“Benedicite3, young son!” Friar Laurence welcomed Romeo,
“What brings you here so early? Were you too nervous to sleep or… didn’t you go to bed at all4?”
Briefly Romeo explained that he had fallen in love with Juliet Capulet and that they wanted to get married.
The friar was surprised, “Holy Saint Francis, what a change!
Have you forgotten Rosaline, you inconstant boy? But come, I wish to help you. I hope that this union will stop the enmity between the Montagues and the Capulets!”
Romeo was very happy afterwards and when he met his friends, Mercutio and Benvolio, he began to joke with them for the first time in many weeks. They did not want to ruin his good spirits, so they did not tell him that Tybalt had sent a letter to his father’s house, challenging5 him.
But Mercutio was thinking, “Alas, poor Romeo, he is already dead! Tybalt is a fencing master6, a duellist!”
They were soon joined by Juliet’s nurse who took Romeo aside7 and said, “Pray you, sir, a word. My lady sent me to know your decision… But one thing I wish to tell you: do not deal double8 with her, she is young and innocent and it would be very cruel!”