Romeo and Juliet with a Not-So-Straight Twist
Scene 3: Madness
In the Streets of Verona
[Benvolio]
A smile? Dost thou jest? Romeo's true smile?
[Romeo]
Indeed, for high spirits do infect me.
[Benvolio] Thou seems at rest.
[Romeo] Ay, for I have proposed.
[Benvolio]
How goes this news! Thou loves another now?
After Rosaline and another heart,
Thy own desires more?
[Romeo] Nay, it does not,
But 't discovered that which was hidden.
[Benvolio] Hidden?
[Romeo] Gold beyond worth, wealth past measure.
[Benvolio] Fair, thou says?
[Romeo] Ay, with sharp wit and spirit.
[Benvolio] By my head, here come the Capulets!
[Romeo] By my heel, I care not.
[Benvolio] Mercutio?
[Romeo] Ay, he said.
[Benvolio] And thou remembers?
[Romeo] Of fate!
Enter Tybalt, Juliet, and Capulet servants.
[Tybalt]
The air turns fowl. Filth awaits our step.
[Romeo]
Draw they raper's point. My eyes do lust.
[Tybalt]
Art thou at such a haste to certain war?
[Romeo]
Nay, but haste to rush to certain peace.
[Tybalt]
Fool! Thy words mingle senselessly like drunks.
Be put from thy misery, at these hands!
[Juliet]
Nay, halt, dear coz! Hurt him not! I beg thee!
For such blood spilling my love's shall pay fine!
[Tybalt] Stand aside. He shall hurt thee.
[Juliet] On my death!
[Tybalt]
Stay in thy place and move thyself aside.
[Juliet]
I stir to stand my place and plea mercy!
[Benvolio]
Save thy fair skin, lady, interfere not.
[Tybalt]
Filthy dog! Sickly Montague bastard!
Romeo draws his sword and places it across Tybalt's chest.
[Romeo]
Thy quarrel lies sooner than thou wanders.
[Tybalt]
'Tis clear. Montague wolves assault in group.
Bared fangs, lustful eyes, advance no further! Tybalt draws his sword.
These my steel-lined hands do seek crimson bath,
That, being quenched yest, provoke deep thirst.
[Romeo]
Drink to ever craving black heart's content.
Here tilts thy elixir, here tilts thy eye.
[Tybalt]
An eye that doth rest on thy groping paws,
In winkless slumber, dream on bloody stumps.
[Romeo]
Wake from thy reverie. Let thy steel speak.
[Tybalt]
At, from these words thy own shall be silenced.
Tybalt and Romeo fight.
[Benvolio] (to himself)
Romeo? Why? Why doth thy sword falter?
At willing hands? Perhaps those in revolt?
They quake, but thy fire was quenched just yest!
Romeo is stabbed.
[Tybalt] Thy skill lacks gravely.
[Romeo] At will, good sir.
[Tybalt]
Will? Madness! Be silenced, Montague dog!
[Juliet]
My love! Have mercy, dear coz, have mercy!
Juliet grabs Tybalt's arm, he throws her down.
[Tybalt]
Thou, art thou blind? Canst thou not see this beast?
Would thou rather be prey than have justice?
[Juliet]
Justice is blind, but am I to be proud!
The beast here bears blood red hands and no heart!
[Tybalt]
Heartless? Heartless, thou utters? Madness, I say!
Fine! May thou be his vessel toward death!
Exit Tybalt.
[Juliet]
Romeo, hear me! O, leave not, to precise!
Will thine eyelids open, to paradise
Meet my own, rippling as sea gold
Left unbroken, God's gift and life behold!
Thy attire, 'tis soaked misadventure.
Spread and seek impure water, 'tis my torture!
This hand which thou once loved, loving again,
Stir to this touch, if just for thy pretend!
Quiver, I beg of thy lips as thy slave,
Subserviently tending master's grave!
May my touch evoke a ripple of life,
To shatter ice frozen lake, as thy wife! –
Thank the Lord, thank the heavens, for he does stir!
[Romeo]
What beauty shines this? Tell me, dear angel,
Did the Lord intend his creations shame
The envious sun, glaring to pierce all,
Yet this shining gold spills past my vision?
[Juliet]
My lord, the gates of heaven have yet open.
[Romeo]
Then this is earth? Such beauty, yet a pity.
Dost thou have a name, or I unworthy?
[Juliet]
O, torturous fate, how thou toys with us! –
'Tis Juliet, my good lord, 'tis Juliet.
[Romeo]
Juliet. Ah, Juliet, such a name. –
And where go thou, good sir? Perhaps a name?
[Benvolio]
Dear Romeo, awaken from thy dream!
Canst thou not see? Canst thou not recall it?
Search these eyes, I entreat thee, and speak then.
[Romeo]
Dear Lord! Art thou not my coz, Benvolio?
[Benvolio]
Joy, hear thou utter it! Ay, and I breathe!
Nay, Romeo, lie still. Thou bleeds much yet.
[Romeo]
It matters not. Mercutio shall greet.
[Benvolio]
Look upon this golden face, Romeo.
Canst thou recall this gold beauty elsewhere?
[Romeo]
Thou art Juliet, a blessed angel.
O, dear angel, for what dost thou weep well?
[Juliet]
For thy pure heart. But thou recalls me none?
[Romeo]
I do, I do. Thy gleaming eyes sent hearts
Aflutter, my ring that once graced your hand.
[Juliet]
Thou dost remember! O, thank the heavens!
[Romeo]
Speak not so heart-breakingly. Thou art angel,
But not mine. My weak worthiness withers.
As does my strength. Cold, 'tis quite cold –
[Juliet]
I shall halt thee not from thy waiting love.
But for the memories, for my broke heart,
Canst thou spare thy slave one last holy kiss?
[Romeo]
Mercutio forgiving, with consent.
They kiss; Romeo dies.
[Juliet]
With thy blood, I am stained within the soul.
End of Scene 3.
~*~
Author's Note: A huge thank you to the two reviewers! Though fanfiction is oddly slow and refuses to display the second review, it is recorded, and I'd like to voice my gratitude toward hydrangea and the other (and presently unknown) reviewer: thank you!