Romeo and Juliet — Act 5, Scene 2: Friar Laurence's cell.

Friar John returns to Friar Laurence’s cell with bad news from Mantua. He explains that he was stopped while trying to find a fellow friar to travel with him, because the town authorities suspected the house he visited was infected with plague and sealed the doors. As a result, he could not deliver Friar Laurence’s letter to Romeo. Friar Laurence is alarmed because the message was urgent and could have affected Romeo’s actions. He sends Friar John to fetch an iron crow for him, then decides he must go to the monument alone. He plans to keep Juliet at his cell and write again to Romeo in Mantua.

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Holy Franciscan friar! brother, ho!

This same should be the voice of Friar John.

Welcome from Mantua: what says Romeo?

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

Going to find a bare-foot brother out

One of our order, to associate me,

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.

Who bare my letter, then, to Romeo?

I could not send it,--here it is again,--

Nor get a messenger to bring it thee,

So fearful were they of infection.

Unhappy fortune! by my brotherhood,

The letter was not nice 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.

Brother, I'll go and bring it thee.

Now must I to the monument alone;

Within three hours will fair Juliet wake:

She will beshrew me much that Romeo

Hath had no notice of these accidents;

But I will write again to Mantua,

And keep her at my cell till Romeo come;

Poor living corse, closed in a dead man's tomb!