William Shakespeare: Romeo and Juliet

ACT IV. 8. Scene III. A churchyard; in it a Monument belonging to the Capulets. (continued)

Friar.
Saint Francis be my speed! how oft to-night
Have my old feet stumbled at graves!--Who's there?
Who is it that consorts, so late, the dead?

Balthasar.
Here's one, a friend, and one that knows you well.

Friar.
Bliss be upon you! Tell me, good my friend,
What torch is yond that vainly lends his light
To grubs and eyeless skulls? as I discern,
It burneth in the Capels' monument.

Balthasar.
It doth so, holy sir; and there's my master,
One that you love.

Friar.
Who is it?

Balthasar.
Romeo.

Friar.
How long hath he been there?

Balthasar.
Full half an hour.

Friar.
Go with me to the vault.

Balthasar.
I dare not, sir;
My master knows not but I am gone hence;
And fearfully did menace me with death
If I did stay to look on his intents.

Friar.
Stay then; I'll go alone:--fear comes upon me;
O, much I fear some ill unlucky thing.

Balthasar.
As I did sleep under this yew tree here,
I dreamt my master and another fought,
And that my master slew him.

Friar.
Romeo! [Advances.]
Alack, alack! what blood is this which stains
The stony entrance of this sepulchre?--
What mean these masterless and gory swords
To lie discolour'd by this place of peace?

[Enters the monument.]

Romeo! O, pale!--Who else? what, Paris too?
And steep'd in blood?--Ah, what an unkind hour
Is guilty of this lamentable chance!--The lady stirs.

[Juliet wakes and stirs.]

Juliet.
O comfortable friar! where is my lord?--
I do remember well where I should be,
And there I am:--where is my Romeo?