Beginning at Act 5, Scene 3, Line 119; Romeo.
Romeo: Here's to my love! [Drinks]
Oh, thieving apothecary!
Have you even a heart that you should be so cruel,
and sell a desperate man seeking peace,
a potion that hath false merits?
Tis' fate once again to blame?
That I, seeking again to be one with fair Juliet,
Should be given a false potion?
A false ray of hope in the dimness of my despair.
But alas! I have been fooled by fate again.
I've purchased innocent potion,
Not the medicine which I sought.
But perchance fate hath allowed some small gift,
And provided me a bare bodkin.
Shall I simply thrust this metal into
My already dead-beating heart?
[Makes to stab himself, but Juliet stirs slightly.]
What is this? Some cruel trick?
That I should witness a rising of my beloved's corpse?
Oh what servant of Satan should do this?
Or, as it is Juliet, what angel of God could be so mean?
Juliet: [Sitting up slowly] What now? Is it true?
Am I really at last reunited with my Romeo?
My love? Could I really be deserving of such sweet circumstances?
[Touches Romeo's cheek, as though making sure he is really there]
Oh! Brilliant friar!
I owe again to thee a debt, for such a favor as to
Be reunited with my Romeo!
Romeo: [Tentatively touches Juliet] Shall I truly believe mine eyes?
I've known thee an angel, love,
But even that thee should arise again from dead,
Pray tell, my sweetest one, how that should come to be?
Juliet: Tis a plan of Friar Lawrence's, my Romeo.
Oh! How I love that name, so sweet upon my lips!
That we should once again be together.
I shall explain. But before I do, dear husband,
Tell me, what is this blood scattered 'bout the tomb?
Was there a fight?
Romeo: Even as I cannot believe fortune's graciousness,
I shall tell thee truly.
The blood is that belonging to County Paris,
Who lies beside us in this tomb.
[Juliet notices Paris for the first time and gasps]
Yes, my sweet, gasp at the cruel end of your potential husband.
For it twas I who hath slain him where he stood.
Juliet: You? Oh! Shall fate have you take the life of every man near me?
Romeo: A cruel joke indeed, my darling,
YOU ARE READING
Romeo and Juliet Alternate ending
Short StoryAn alternate ending to Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet. Written as a 9th grade project