Romeo & Juliet: Famous Balcony Scene ~Modernized~

Original Rewrite Date: March 6th, 2007.

I’ve been tinkering with the ideas of writing short stories and typing out stories I wrote when I was in high school, including some of my English projects. Here’s one of my favourites, right off the top.

I was 15 when I wrote this... and this is the first time I’ve shared it with the world. My 15-year-old self would never have shared this outside of class. Today, 18 years later, I love it and may edit and rewrite it some more in the near future. For now, enjoy this beautiful version, and if you love it, share it with your friends.

Very late Sunday night/Early Monday morning.

Romeo in Capulet’s Garden.

Romeo: Mercutio has never felt a wound of love, but what is the light that is shining out this window? It is my dear Juliet. Come out and show me your pretty face that shames the moon.

You are much more beautiful than her and she envies you I’m sure.

(Juliet comes to the window.)

Romeo: It is my love, oh how I wish she knew of my love for her. I can see her talking, but why can’t I hear her? Her eyes call, but not to me. The sun and the moon shine so bright, if her eyes were them, and them her eyes, the birds would always sing when was awake, not knowing if it were day or night. Oh, I want to touch her soft and gentle cheek, like a glove on her hand.

Juliet: Oh me *sighs dreamily*

Romeo: And now she speaks, speak again oh bright angel, because you are as glorious as the night, as you stand above me, almost like a real angel of Heaven. Oh, your beautiful wandering eyes, many men would kill to have your love.

Juliet: Oh Romeo, where are you, Romeo? Deny your father and let go of your name, and if you won’t, swear your love to me. I won’t be a Capulet.

Romeo: Should I say something, tell her I’m here, or let her go on?

Juliet: It’s only the name that my family hates, you are yourself, not a Montague. What’s a Montague? It’s not a hand, or a foot, an arm or a face, it is not even any other part that belongs to a mon! Oh, what’s in a name? For what we call a rose, if it were named something else, it would smell just as sweet. So if Romeo were not called Romeo, he still has that dear perfection he possess without that title Romeo. Get rid of your name, and in turn, take all of me.

Romeo: I’ll keep your promise, and I’ll be your love, and be baptized again, never being Romeo again.

Juliet: Who are you, hidden in the dark, and have come into my private thoughts?

Romeo: I do not know how to tell you who I am, as I hate my own name, because my name is your enemy. If it was written, I’d burn it to ashes.

Juliet: I haven’t heard even one hundred words you’ve spoken, but I know your voice. Are you not Romeo and a Montague?

Romeo: Neither, beautiful lady, if you don’t like them.

Juliet: How did you get here? Where did you come from? The garden walls are high, and hard to climb. Considering who you are, you could die here, if any of the man find you here.

Romeo: With love’s light wings, I flew over the walls, because they can’t keep me away, or my love. What love can do, and dares me to attempt, your men are no stop to me.

Juliet: If they see you, they’ll kill you.

Romeo: There lies more death in your eyes than twenty of their swords. If you will look on me with your kindness, I am armed against them.

Juliet: …but if they see you here.

Romeo: I have night’s cloak to hide me here, and unless you love me, let them come and find me here. My life would be better ending here with their hate than death postponed, not having your love.

Juliet: How did you find this place? Who told you where to look and find me?

Romeo: My love brought me here, he let me think, I let him see through my eyes. I am no navigator, yet I would search for the widest shore beyond the farthest sea.

Juliet: You know the darkness is on my face, or you would see a virgin blush on my cheek, because of what you heard me say tonight. I would gladly read the rules, gladly, but gladly not. What I have said, merely a good compliment. Do you love me? I know you will say ‘yes’ and I will believe you, if you swear it, because you may be lying. Oh Romeo, if you love me, tell me faithfully, or if you think I’m caught too easily, and I’ll frown, and refuse you. So, you will woo me, but not to the world. To be honest, I like you too much, and so them you may think I’m being childish, but trust me Romeo. I am more true than the girls that pretend to be unaffected. I should have been more like that, I have to say. You overheard me, and didn’t know I am faithful and loving, so excuse me for showing myself immature. ((Teacher wrote ‘Good’ here, underlined.))

Romeo: Girl, by the blessed moon I swear-

Juliet: Do not swear on the moon, the constantly changing moon. It changes every month.

Romeo: Then what should I swear on?

Juliet: Do not swear at all, or if you will, swear on yourself, and I will believe you.

Romeo: If my heart’s dear love-

Juliet: Wait, don’t swear. Although I’m happy with you, I have no joy to this agreement tonight. It’s too rash, too unadvised, and too quick. Almost like lightning, which is here, then, gone instantly. A sweet good night, for this bud of love, by summer’s warm air may produce a beautiful flower the next time we meet. Good night, good night! Come to the heart, the one within my chest.

Romeo: Are you going to leave me so unsatisfied?

Juliet: What satisfaction don’t you have tonight?

Romeo: The exchange of your true love’s word for mine.

Juliet: I gave you mine before you ached for it and still I wish I were able to give it again.

Romeo: Would you take it back? Why, love?

Juliet: But to be generous and give it you again, of course. And yet I wish only for the thing I have: my boundless love as boundless and as deep as the sea. The more I give to you the more I have, and both are quite infinite.

(Nurse calls Juliet from inside.)

I hear someone inside - I’m coming, good nurse! – Sweet Montague, be true to me, stay for a moment. I’ll be right back.

(Juliet leaves.)

Romeo: Oh, blessed, good night! I am afraid that being in the night all of this is only a dream, too delightful to really be real.

(Juliet comes back.)

Juliet: Three words, dear Romeo, and it is a good night, indeed. If your intention of love is honourable, that you propose getting married, then send me a notice tomorrow, by someone that I send to you. Tell me, what time and what place you will hold the ceremony, and all of my life I will give to you, and I will follow you as my lord throughout the world.

Nurse: (inside) Miss!

Juliet: I’m coming now! – but if you do not mean it, I will (beseech) you –

Nurse: Madam!

Juliet: Immediately, yes, I’m coming! -to stop the strife and leave me to my sorrows. Tomorrow I’ll send someone.

Romeo: As I hope for my soul to be saved.

Juliet: A thousand times good night! (Juliet leaves.)

Romeo: A thousand times worse, loves go to love like school children to books, but love from love, they go to school with heavy looks. (Slowly leaving.)

Juliet: Psst, Romeo! Come back, I can’t speak any louder otherwise I would tear the cave where Echo lies and make her words more hoarse than mine with the repetition of my dear Romeo’s name.

Romeo: It is my soul that calls my name, how sweet lovers’ speech sound by night, like the softest music to listening ears!

Juliet: Romeo!

Romeo: My niësse?

Juliet: What time tomorrow should I send for your answer?

Romeo: By nine in the morning.

Juliet: I won’t forget, but I have forgotten why I called you back to me.

Romeo: Then I will stand here and wait until you remember.

Juliet: I will forget you are standing outside waiting for me, remembering how I enjoy your company.

Romeo: And I’ll still stay, and have you still forget, and I will forget any home but this one.

Juliet: It’s almost morning, so you should be leaving, and yet not so far as a wanton’s bird, that lets it hop a little from his hand.

Romeo: I wish I were that bird.

Juliet: You are sweet, but I would kill you with much cherishing. Good night sweet Romeo! Parting is such a sweet sadness that I say goodnight until the next day.

(Juliet leaves.)

Romeo: Sweet dreams and peace in your heart! Now I will go to my spiritual father’s secluded cell. I need his help, and to tell him my good fortune.

(Romeo leaves.)

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Teacher comments: Level 4++ Excellent. This shows an indepth understanding of the text. Very nice detail. You have worked very hard on this. Well done!