Romeo and...Julius?
Act 1 Scene 1
The scene opens with a kindly priest picking herbs in his garden
Friar Lawrence: Hmmmm...the gray-eyed morn smiles on the frowning night/Chequering the eastern clouds with streaks of light-
Paris sweeps back the curtain behind Lawrence that separates the herb garden from the Friar's rooftop abode and enters.
Paris: You'll never believe! He fell.
Friar: How did he fall? In, out?
Paris: In! It is done and soon the house of Montague will be put to shame and will never raise its foul head in fair Verona again!
Friar: I still fail to see how you gain from this. It is your kinsman who you mock.
Paris: I mock none but Romeo, who dare set his own on one of the house of the Prince.
Friar: But you know that Mecrutio would never return it.
Paris: Enough. Make it so that he comes to confession and I'll see to it that the Prince hears every word and does to Romeo what he deserves.
Friar: But he cannot hear what goes on in the confessional. It is sacred and is God's will for it to be confidential.
Paris: But are you not required by law to report anything hat is a danger to citizens...such as Romeo would be?
Friar: He is a sinner but not what I would class as a danger.
Paris turns to leave but as he reaches the curtain Friar Lawrence speaks.
Friar: Why do you fear him so?
Paris turns, outraged
Paris: I do not fear any.
Friar: A wise man fears those that he sees himself reflected in.
Paris. I will see that Romeo's confession will be your last for that insinuation. Good day.
Paris leaves through the curtain, but turns and faces the Priest one last time.
Paris: And Priest? Don't think of telling Romeo any of this. I know how often he visits you...sometimes even at night. Friar, I think it is you that sees himself in the young Montague.
Priest: Why do you hate him, as neither Montague nor Capulet, it is not a familial grudge you hold for him, but perhaps a more personal one?
Paris exits and Friar returns to his herbs.
Friar: Did you hear that all Romeo?
Romeo drops from his hiding place and comes to stand by the priest's side.
Romeo: Yes Father.
Friar: Is it true, are you in love?
Romeo: True father, plainly know my heart's dear love is set/On the fair daughter of rich Capulet/As mine on hers, so hers is set on mine.
Friar: But the rich Capulet has no daughter, fair or otherwise.
Romeo: I know
Friar: Then why say?
Romeo: Friar I know it is sin and as I am a sinner you should cast me out, turn me in like Paris suggests but the beautius son of Capulet is the one who captures my heart not the jaded Rosaline or even good Mercutio. I cannot help it anymore than you can help breathing or admiring the beauty of the world, so please good priest help us find peace and our place.
Friar: I would never cast you out. I love you like my own son but I cannot help you find peace. It is against God. But it goes against my heart to see you suffer thusly and I will do all I can to assist. But, before you go, my Son. Does he love you back?
Romeo: Yes. Julius promised his love for me under the silver moon last night.
Exeunt