Romeo & Juliet, Act 3.5
SCENE I. Verona. Sant' Anastasia Church.
FRIAR LAURENCE stands between the red marble columns, beside the altar. He stares at the fresco of St. George and the Princess.
FRIAR LAURENCE
I invocate the angels to send mercy unto the soul of gentle Romeo. Tybalt, a man of hate lies slain at his hand, but at the high price of Romeo's home of fair Verona. Alas, have I the blame for this bloodshed and banishment? My blessings unto young Juliet and Romeo are now curses upon their weak spirits. I see error in what was to be a resolution of peace between their feuding families.
FRIAR LAURENCE gazes at the crucifix behind the altar.
Oh, Lord, what do they see in each other? Can souls such as theirs, so young, know true love? Oh, the couple of cowards! They wail, wallow and whine in their wantonness, and when the weak ones want a way out, they make dates with death and I am the one who must cancel such diseased ideas. Oh, a plague they are to me!
BENVOLIO enters quietly, through the nave.
FRIAR LAURENCE
Nay, I mustn't let the cowardice of weaker people poison my thoughts. ... Or may it be poison possesses the answer to my prayers? Aye, poison. I must speak with the Apothecary as soon as possible. God, thou hast shined light upon this hell and hope breeds where worry once was.
BENVOLIO walks toward the altar.
BENVOLIO
Friar? Good friar? Where art thou?
FRIAR LAURENCE
FRIAR LAURENCE turns from the crucifix to address BENVOLIO.
I... Here am I, before the altar, in prayer.
BENVOLIO
If need be, I can return.
FRIAR LAURENCE
Nay, nay. Quite unnecessary. My prayers are spoken, and answered, I hope. What need hast thou, good Benvolio? You ... you look aggrieved. What troubles thee, good sir?
BENVOLIO
Mercutio's death and Romeo's banishment have made me feel a sullen man. But my misfortunes are not the subject of my arrival to this shrine of holiness.
FRIAR LAURENCE
Follow me, then. We can speak inside yon rectory. Would you like some calming tea? A glass of wine?
BENVOLIO
Tea. I could want nothing more than calm to numb my despair in these dark times.
But, no, I have not the time. Let us speak anon.
FRIAR LAURENCE
As you wish. What, pray tell, is the reason for your coming?
BENVOLIO
I need knowledge of Romeo's whereabouts.
FRIAR LAURENCE
His ... (FRAIR LAURENCE cough in his wine.) What?
BENVOLIO
Art thou ill?
