Friar Laurence wanted to make sure that Juliet would not hesitate, “Have you got courage enough to do this?… and to lie in the ancient vault where all the Capulets are buried, side by side with Tybalt?” The girl was ready. “I will not tremble, I will do it without fear. I want to remain the faithful wife of my sweet love,… Romeo.” Friar Laurence immediately wrote to Romeo in Mantua, to inform him of the plan: when Juliet returned to life, the two lovers would be re-united for ever. 10 11 Back from the monastery Juliet begged her father’s pardon. Lord Capulet was happy, “Oh! This is well, it is as it should be. A daughter must obey her father. Send for Count Paris, I wish the marriage to be celebrated tomorrow morning.” At this everybody rushed about the house to make preparations. Juliet retired to her room and asked to be left alone. After saying her prayers she took the vial in her hands, ready to drink the potion. Yet she still had many fears, “What if this mixture does not work at all? Or if it is a poison? What happens if I wake up before Romeo comes to the tomb? Won’t I go mad in the night surrounded by all those dead relatives?” The next morning the nurse found Juliet apparently dead. All of a sudden a day meant for joy became a day for grieving and confusion. “Accursed , unhappy day! My child is dead, and with my child all my joys are buried ! Ah, let me see her!” cried Lord Capulet, “Death lies on her, like an untimely frost19 upon the sweetest flower of all the field!” 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 : burial chamber. : loyal. : call. : ran with great speed. : small bottle. : lamenting. : hateful, damned. : (here) suppressed. : sits, settles. : very cold weather out of season. 10. vault 11. faithful 12. send for 13. rushed 14. vial 15. grieving 16. accursed 17. buried 18. lies 19. untimely frost
