Friar Laurence has sent word of the plan to Romeo, but his messenger, Friar John, is waylaid, and the message never makes it to poor Romeo. Hearing this, Friar Lawrence hurries to the tomb so that he retrieve Juliet from the tomb and bring her back to his cell, where she can await Romeo's arrival.
Friar John
Hello Franciscan friar! Hello brother!
Friar Laurence
That’s the voice of Friar John. Welcome from Mantua! What did Romeo say? Or if he wrote a letter, show it to me.
Friar John
I went to find a brother of our order to accompany me. He was visiting the sick, and when I met him the coroner suspected that we were both in a house where someone with a contagious plague had died. They sealed the doors, established quarantine, and kept us there for awhile, so I was very late going to Mantua.
Friar Laurence
Then who took my letter to Romeo?
Friar John
I have it here. I couldn’t send it — or even get a messenger to bring it back to you — because the city authorities were so concerned about exposure to infection.
Friar Laurence
Oh what misfortune! By our order, this wasn’t just a pleasant letter, but crucial one with an important message. Romeo not receiving it may cause a disaster. Friar John, go quickly to get an iron crowbar and bring it to my cell right away.
Friar John
Brother, I’ll go and bring it to you.
Friar Laurence
Now I have to get to the mausoleum alone. Juliet will wake up in three hours. She will be very angry with me that Romeo hasn’t been informed about all that’s happened. I’ll send a letter to Mantua again, and shelter Juliet in my cell until Romeo comes. Poor living body shut in a dead man’s tomb!
