Juliet she could barely contain herself when I gave her the news. ShSSShe almost forgot her coat in the rust to leave and meet him. She readied herself and left in great haste. I followed as fast as I could. At Friar Lawrence's Chapel they were married. How strange it was to witness a wedding where the bride and groom were so much in love. There were no other witnesses to this match. Juliet was so happy when we went home, I thought her mother may ask what was amiss, but she did not even notice our arrival.
T
I am so proud of my part in bringing the two lovers together, but also fearful for their future.
Then it all started to go wrong. The young ones were fighting again, everything got out of hand. There was another brawl in town, Peter told me that he had seen Tybalt slay Mercutio, who is a kinsman to Prince Escalus and Romeo’s best friend. Romeo had tried to stop the fight and had prevented Mercutio defending himself against Tybalt’s mortal strike. Romeo was distraught; he pursued and slew Tybalt.
I was so upset at the death of Cousin Tybalt, I have known him as long as I have Juliet, and he is like my own family. As for Juliet, she only seemed to care for a moment about the murder of her cousin; it was all “Poor Romeo”, “What will become of us”. I knew it; I just know it would all end in tears. Does she not care for Tybalt?
Prince Escalus sentenced Romeo to death for the murder of Tybalt. I could not console Juliet, she bid me to find Romeo and bring him to her, she begged until I caved in.
Word has spread that Lady Montague died once she heard of her son’s death sentence. I know that Romeo would not have gone home. I went to Friar Lawrence; the boy was pouring his heart out. Seeing him like that melted my heart and I felt compassion. Romeo was so distraught that he tried to stab himself in the heart; Friar Lawrence and I were able to calm the boy and grapple the dagger grim him. I explained that Juliet wanted to see him and would smuggle him into her. As we were leaving Friar Lawrence returned the dagger to Romeo. There was an ominous crunch in my guts at the sight of the knife, I do not know what this means, I am scared I do not know why.
Juliet was still wake awaiting her love. Her face lit up as soon as she saw him, he was in tears at the sight of her. They fell into each others arms.
I left them alone for the so they might consummate their marriage.
Tuesday 1595 Capulet Kitchen at supper
Lady Capulet nearly caught Juliet and her husband this morning. I rushed ahead of her into Juliet’s chamber and alerted them of the woman’s arrival. Romeo was barely able to dress and kiss Juliet a sweet goodbye before he descended the balcony. Juliet was upset, fortuitously for her lady Capulet believed she was still crying over Tybalt.
Then Lady Capulet dropped a bombshell, she informed Juliet that a marriage had been arranged between her and County Paris. Juliet was aghast and flatly refused to consider this match, she did not tell her mother of her union with Romeo. Lady Capulet was angered and said “I would she were married to her grave”, this sent a chill down my spine! Juliet begged her to postpone the marriage, “If you do not, make the bridal bed in that dim monument where Tybalt lies” she said. Lady Capulet dismissed Juliet’s pleas.
Old man Capulet was beside himself with rage, he could not understand why the girl would refuse such a fine match. He called her a “young baggage” and a “disobedient wretch”.
When I tried to stand up for the girl, he was rude and, called me a mumbling old fool and a gossip. The old codger never has the grace to use my name. How can he dismiss me so lightly, I have practically raised the girl and have loved her as much as my own dear beloved Susan, now with the angels.
I gave the best advice I could. I said that Romeo is as good as dead. He is in hiding and will only ever be able to visit Juliet in stealth, if at all; they can never make a good marriage. Paris however is wealthy and from an influential family. He will be able to care for and provide for her. I advised Juliet to knuckle down and marry Paris.
Juliet was cool, but said she would marry Paris and bid me tell old Capulet. I am relieved that she is following my advice. My heart aches, I know she feels I have betrayed her, but I only want what is best for her.
Since coming home from confession Juliet has been so cagey, straight to her room she went. She will not allow me to sleep there tonight. “I pray thee leave me to myself tonight” she said, “I have need of many orisons”. She looked brighter though; she seems to have accepted the marriage to Paris she has even apologised to old Capulet. I pray the Lord answers her prayers and gives peace and forgiveness.
WheWI gave the best advice I could. When her parents stromed out, I gave Juliet the best advice I could. I said that Romeo is as good as dead. He is in hiding and will only ever be able to visit Juliet in stealth, if at all; they can never make a good marriage. Paris however is wealthy and from an influential family. He will be able to care for and provide for her. I advised Juliet to knuckle down and marry Paris.
Juliet was cool, yet said that she would marry Paris and bid me tell old Capulet. I am relieved that she is following my advice. My heart aches, I know she feels I have betrayed her, but I only want what is best for her.
Since coming home from confession Juliet has been so cagey, straight to her room she went. She does not want any help form me, “Leave me to myself tonight,” she said “I have need of many orisons”. She looked brighter though; she seems to have accepted the marriage to Paris she has even apologised to old Capulet. I hope her prayers for forgiveness and peace are answered.
Paris however is wealthy and from an influential family.
He will be able to care for and provide for her. I advised Juliet to knuckle down and marry Paris.Juliet was cool, she said that she would marry Paris and bid me tell old Capulet
. I am relieved that she is following my advice.
My heart aches, I know she feels I have betrayed her, but I only want what is best for her.
Since coming home from confession Juliet has been so cagey, straight to her room she went.
She does not want any help form me, nor will she allow me to sleep there tonight. She looked brighter though; she seems to have accepted the marriage to Paris she has even apologised to old Capulet.
Wednesday 1595 Juliet’s bedroom.
I called Juliet to ready for her wedding, she did not stir, again I called, just silence, she was lying on her bed. When I touched her, she was cold, I shook her gently but she did not rouse. Oh! My heart is broken, Juliet is dead. I weep for Juliet now as I wept for Susan, how the lord could take these children from me.
The family, County Paris too were inconsolable. Friar Lawrence was able to keep his head among all the despair. He told all to ready for the funeral and took the body of poor Juliet. I could not bear to go to the funeral and watch Juliet be placed on the cold stone in the Monument to the Capulet. The house is so sad without Juliet, her room is just as she left it, feels as if she could return at any moment.
Thursday 1595 packing my belongings.
.
The watch woke us all at 2 am. Old Capulet and his wife were summoned to the monument where Juliet lay. Prince Escalus was waiting. Found there was Paris who was slain, Romeo dead by poison and Juliet newly dead.
County Paris’s page told how he had witnessed Romeo and his master fighting, he had seen Romeo slay Paris.
Friar Lawrence told a story of deceit and intrigue. He told of the desperate love Romeo and Juliet had for each other and their marriage, he told of my part in bringing them together. Juliet had taken a potion given to her by the Friar that would send her to sleep for forty-two hours; she would appear dead so no wedding to County Paris could take place. Friar Lawrence had then sent a message to Romeo informing of the plan. But Balthasar, Romeo’s servant didn’t know this and informed him of Juliet’s death before the secret message arrived. Romeo believing Juliet had died went to the Monument of the Capulets and took a poison that killed him. When Juliet awoke she found Romeo dead and took her life and took her life with that wretched dagger of Romeo’s.
Prince Escalus berated both families “See what a scourge is laid upon your hate”, he said. Old Capulet and Old Montague vowed to end their feud. They would each erect a golden statue to the other’s child to mark the sadness and to remember the futility of their hate.
If only I had been truthful about the love Romeo and Juliet had for each other and their marriage. They would still be alive, they would have had me nanny their own children.
I can never forgive myself. Nobody saw me conceal that dagger, found in Juliet’s petit hand. I will not live with the knowledge of my part in the death of these two beautiful star crossed lovers..