Friar Laurence

The gray-eyed morning is spreading streaks of sunlight on the gloomy night, and darkness is stumbling out of the path of the sun’s chariot like a drunk. Now I have to fill this basket with medicinal plants before the sun dries up the morning dew and gets too high in the sky. Earth is both life’s mother and life’s tomb, and thus many different plants are born from nature.

All have some power, many of them have beneficial properties, and each one is different. Oh, the healing power that lies in herbs, plants, and stones is great. None are here uselessly, all have some benefit, yet there is no natural remedy so good that it cannot be used for ill either. Good properties can be bad when inappropriately used, and sometimes dangerous plants are helpful in context. Inside this flower there is both poison and medicine.

The smell is curative, but to eat it would be deadly. It is much the same with people as with herbs.The capacities to do good and to do evil exist in everyone like two warring kings camped in man’s will. Where the worse capacity is dominant, the plant rots as though it had a worm inside.     

Romeo

Good morning, Friar.

Friar Laurence

Heavens, you surprised me! Who is it that so nicely greets me this early? The fact that you got out of bed so early indicates to me that something is bothering your mind.

Of course every old man’s mind has worry sitting there like a guard, and when such worries are present sleep is impossible. But when untroubled youths with few cares lie down to sleep, their slumbers are free of troubles. Therefore your earliness assures me that some disturbance of the mind has roused you from your bed, or if that’s not the case--I think I’ve guessed it now--you haven’t been to bed tonight at all.

Romeo

You got it, but I had something sweeter than sleep.

Friar Laurence

May God pardon your sin. Were you with Rosaline last night?

Romeo

With Rosaline, Friar? No, I’ve forgotten that name and all the trouble that went with it.

Friar Laurence

That’s good my son. But then where were you?

Romeo

I’ll tell you before you can ask again. I was at a party with my enemy, and then suddenly I wounded one of them, and they were wounded by me. Both of us can be healed by your holy medicine. I carry no hatred, blessed man, because what will help me will likewise help my enemy.

Friar Laurence

Speak clearly and directly, my son. Confessing in riddles will only earn you ambiguous forgiveness for your sins.

Romeo

Then know directly that my heart is set on the beautiful daughter of Lord Capulet, and her heart is set on mine, too. The only thing missing is your joining us in holy marriage. I’ll tell you all about when we met, where we courted, and how we exchanged vows as we walk back to the church, but I beg you to marry us today.

Friar Laurence

Holy Saint Fancis, what a change this is!

Have you forgotten Rosaline, that you loved so much, that quickly? Young men’s love must lie in their eyes, not their hearts. Mary, mother of Jesus, how many salty tears have washed across your lovesick cheeks for Rosaline? This salt water has been wasted instead of seasoning your love. It hasn’t preserved it, or spiced it up for you to enjoy. The sun hasn’t yet cleared the sky of your sighs, and your former groans are still ringing in my ancient ears. Look, here on your cheek is the stain of an old tear that hasn’t been washed off yet. As sure as you were you, and your sorrows were yours, both you and your sorrows were for Rosaline.

So you’ve changed, have you? Well, remember this proverb, “Women will be unfaithful when men are not dedicated.”

Romeo

But you often scolded me for loving Rosaline.

Friar Laurence

I scolded you for being infatuated, not for loving, my dear pupil.

Romeo

And you urged me to bury my love for her.

Friar Laurence

I didn’t intend you to bury it in a grave only to dig up another one.

Romeo

I beg you, don’t scold me. The woman I now love returns every kindness and act of love I give her, one for one. The other never did.

Friar Laurence

Oh, Rosaline was smart and she knew that you were just reciting romantic lines from memory, like a child who knows books by heart but cannot read. But come with me, you fickle young man. I’ll comply with your request because this alliance may be happy enough to turn the hatred of your two households into love.

Romeo

Oh let’s go, I want to act fast.

Friar Laurence

Wisely and slowly, my son: those who run fast will stumble.