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James Boswell [1821], The plays and poems of William Shakspeare, with the corrections and illustrations of various commentators: comprehending A Life of the Poet, and an enlarged history of the stage, by the late Edmond Malone. With a new glossarial index (J. Deighton and Sons, Cambridge) [word count] [S10201].

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SCENE II. Friar Laurence's Cell. Enter Friar John.

John.
Holy Franciscan friar! brother, ho!* ^note Enter Friar Laurence.

Lau.
This same should be the voice of friar John.—
Welcome from Mantua: What says Romeo?† ^note

Or, if his mind be writ, give me his letter.

John.
Going to find a bare-foot brother out,
One of our order, to associate me⁸ ^note

-- 228 --

Here in this city visiting the sick,
And finding him, the searchers of the town,
Suspecting, that we both were in a house
Where the infectious pestilence did reign,
Seal'd up the doors, and would not let us forth;
So that my speed to Mantua there was stay'd.

Lau.
Who bare my letter then to Romeo?

-- 229 --

John.
I could not send it,—here it is again* ^note,—

Nor get a messenger to bring it thee,
So fearful were they of infection.

Lau.
Unhappy fortune! by my brotherhood,
The letter was not nice⁹ ^note

, but full of charge,
Of dear import; and the neglecting it
May do much danger: Friar John, go hence;
Get me an iron crow, and bring it straight
Unto my cell.

John.
Brother, I'll go and bring it thee. [Exit.

Lau.
Now must I to the monument alone;
Within this three hours will fair Juliet wake¹ ^note

;
She will beshrew me much, that Romeo
Hath had no notice of these accidents:

-- 230 --

But I will write again to Mantua,
And keep her at my cell till Romeo come;
Poor living corse, clos'd in a dead man's tomb! [Exit.
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