Prologue

The balladeer sings his songs, sweetly sung.

Balconeyed, she listens from high above.

Juliet: Verona's otherwise rose,

Though star-crossed, she must obey courtly love.

 

Earlier, love’s soft light broke from the east, 

like brisk fireflies on a scented breeze.

His lyrics besieged virtuous walls. She. 

surrendered subsequently, with ease.

 

Romeo

Fair lady, forever I'm in your shade,

Your brightness eclipses my dullen moon,

Let's hold one another fast, close at arms,

Consent to be bride to this enthused groom.

 

Juliet

Sensual serenades have overcome,

the steadfastness of my determined heart,

soft-sounding Master Montague, I question,

Do I see Lothario or fine art?

 

Romeo

Let me speak, then let me listen intent.

Soft words spoke, floating gently to these ears. 

Unhearing your voice would not only be, 

of great concern, but also greater fear

 

Juliet

And yet these songs you sing will count for nought,

predestined, we, two sides of one divide,

sweet though you sing your serenades of love,

It is forbidden love that we must hide.

 

Romeo

Understanding less, our family's feud,

In their vendetta, we render no part,

Where, fathers and father's fathers before

pervade hateful stories, from blackened hearts. 

 

Juliet

Romeo, be mine own, my Romeo,

Let's deny each father's name. Less must be.

I’ll no longer be this Capulet, if,

You swear undying love for us, as we

 

Romeo

What other pseudonym would smell as sweet?

If I no longer should be Romeo.

I'll take you for your word, maid Juliet.

Call me love. I'll be your forever beau.

 

Juliet

Let three words be spoken, at our goodnight,

three words echoed from your heart, then, adieu:

I'll gladly follow you to our world's end,

Though a maiden, my heart shouts, I love you.

 

Romeo

Dear maid, without impunity I say

I love you more than the bright morning sun

Or the night sky's studded diamond lights.

I love you, as we, from two, become one.

 

Juliet

It is almost morning. You must be gone,

But not too far, my darling Romeo

though prisoner of circumstance, I'll stay

and guard tenderly this, your love, bestowed

 

Romeo

I will, my love, return, ten thousand times

With you beside me, we'll find our world's end

But should Hades steal you before the morrow,

As Orpheus, I'll rescue you and defend

 

Juliet

Should Fates take slight, dragging you dead to grave.

I'll search the infernal region's abyss

Charon can ferry you home, safe, to me 

And I'll revive you with my lover's kiss 

 

Romeo

Sleep, but stay you behind my shuttered eyes,

Your vision held firm within memory

I'd despair if you only haunted dreams

Became my absent-minded revery.

 

Epilogue

Destiny decreed their story ended

Atropos severed through their golden strands

Eternity forever together

Madly, deeply in love, both hand in hand

 

We're saddened, mourning the love these young lovers lost.

Swear to hold on to your life's love at any cost