Author's Notes: Oft forgotten is the tale of Paris who was given the hand of Juliet by Capulet; the love of Romeo and Juliet is obviously the predominating factor in the play. However, we must not forget that all were affected by the loss of the two star-crossed lovers, not only Capulet and Montague. From within the text of the play, we can assume that Paris had a great love for Juliet, although she had none for him.
Setting: A
short time after Juliet's self-inflicted sleep, and before his own death, a
woeful Paris writes a letter to his promised own, confessing his love for
her. Later, shortly before the arrival
of Romeo, he places it beneath the hand of Juliet. Sadly Romeo kills Paris a short time later. Due to the shock of losing two young
children, Paris's letter is not discovered until later, by Benvolio. Why Benvolio, because I liked his character,
and besides, I feel that he would be the most understanding of the bunch, since
he is the unwritten peacemaker of the group.
Facing Down the Dawn: A Letter to Juliet from Paris
Where the story of Romeo and Juliet ends,
One tale of woe and loss if forgotten,
Lost among the veils of time and love,
The tale of fair Paris, lover and loser,
Whose fair hand was never bound to touch the hand,
Of the fair Juliet,
But now the story further reveals itself,
Through uncertain fate,
When still bound confession of everlasting love is found,
By the hand of peace loving Benvolio,
Beneath the corse of the fallen Juliet…
Beloved Juliet,
Angel of
envious appeal and goddess of fairness and love, fair Juliet, why dost thou
leave me so unsatisfied, so unloved? In
the ever flowing river of my tears, there is no reassurance for the future, and
oft I wonder what God-sent, mercy bound feeling keeps me from ending my own
miserable life to join those everlasting lands where you reside. What remains on this barren wasteland of a
planet when you are not here by my side to comfort me through the days of woe?
Oh fair
and untouched maiden, what had thee done to bring upon such an ill-awaited
fate? Too early as the pre-born babe
does, you left us in this mortal realm of pain and despair, to your own
heavenly fortititude.
I am
distressed, my love, for there is no maiden to match your brilliance left in
these human realm which doth matches they beauty. O' woe is I, for I am without bride, without wife, and without
love. O' cruel and unsatisfying fate,
o' unmerciful death, why dost thou choose now to lay thy cold, gray hands upon
my Juliet?
I must
know of thee, Juliet, were thou wicked? It makes me ill to think so, but why would God bring down upon thee his
wrath at such a young, ripe age? Young
maiden, so early, so promising, what foul demon spread its black wings about
thee, embraced thee, and took from thee thy precious breath?
Forever
still you lay in thy family's tomb, forever silent, never to be mine. What cruel act of God is this, to take from
me my Juliet? To separate us now, my
love, was far too cruel! No, I shall
not think in such a way, for now you, his most beautiful child, are with him,
and are where you belong: within the stars and angels above us, watching over
us…Are you watching over me?
Know
that though thou have left this mortal realm, your spirit still resides here, in
my heart, in my mind. Within the still
flowing fountain of my tears, I see reflection of thee smiling and laughing,
and most prominently, those smiles you meant for me. Bound by unbidden love, my heart will be one that will never
forget those beauteous eyes of hazel, or that quiet contemplative nature I had
come to love about thee. You would have
made me a good wife, one good for the bearing of heirs, and one that brought me
great joy and adoration.
I love
thee, Juliet, may the heavens spread your beauty through the stars for the rest
of us mortals to bear witness, while I face down this coming dawn with my still
flowing tears.
Love,
Paris