Shot of actors and crew preparing for the balcony scene. Onscreen text reads 'Shakespeare Unbound — Romeo and Juliet 2.2 — Bell Shakespeare for ABC Splash'.
Juliet stands on a makeshift balcony. Below, Romeo stares furtively up at her.
ROMEO:
But, soft! What light through yonder window breaks? It is the east, and Juliet is the sun. Arise, fair sun, and kill the envious moon, who is already sick and pale with grief that thou her maid art far more fair than she. It is my lady. O, it is my love! O, that she knew she were!
(Juliet sighs)
ROMEO:
She speaks! Yet she says nothing — what of that? Her eye discourses. I will answer it.
Romeo begins to scale the balcony, then hangs for a moment and drops back to the ground.
ROMEO:
I am too bold. 'Tis not to me she speaks. See, how she leans her cheek upon her hand! O, that I were a glove upon that hand, that I might touch that cheek!
JULIET:
Ay me!
ROMEO:
She speaks. O, speak again, bright angel!
JULIET:
O Romeo, Romeo! Wherefore art thou Romeo? Deny thy father and refuse thy name. Or, if thou wilt not, be but sworn my love, and I'll no longer be a Capulet.
ROMEO:
Shall I hear more, or shall I speak at this?
JULIET:
'Tis but thy name that is my enemy. Thou art thyself, though not a Montague. What's Montague? It is nor hand, nor foot, nor arm, nor face, nor any other part belonging to a man. O, be some other name! What's in a name? That which we call a rose by any other word would smell as sweet.
Juliet sits and dangles her feet off the balcony. Below, Romeo moves his hand towards her feet but doesn't touch her.
JULIET:
So Romeo would, were he not Romeo call'd, retain that dear perfection which he owes without that title. Romeo, doff thy name, and for that name, which is no part of thee, take all myself.
Romeo leaps out from under the balcony.
ROMEO:
I take thee at thy word.
(Juliet gasps)
ROMEO:
Call me but love, and I'll be new baptised — henceforth I never will be Romeo.
JULIET:
What man art thou that thus bescreen'd in night so stumblest on my counsel?
ROMEO:
By a name, I know not how to tell thee who I am. My name, dear saint, is hateful to myself because it is an enemy to thee. Had I it written, I would tear the word.
JULIET:
My ears have not yet drunk a hundred words of that tongue's utterance, yet I know the sound. Art thou not Romeo, and a Montague?
ROMEO:
Neither, fair saint, if either thee dislike.
JULIET:
How camest thou hither, tell me, and wherefore? The orchard walls are high and hard to climb. And the place death, considering who thou art, if any of my kinsmen find thee here.
ROMEO:
I have night's cloak to hide me from their eyes and but thou love me, let them find me here. My life were better ended by their hate than death prorogued, wanting of thy love.
Romeo tosses a masquerade mask to Juliet, which she catches.
JULIET:
Thou knows't the mask of night is on my face, else would a maiden blush bepaint my cheek for that which thou hast heard me speak tonight. Dost thou love me? I know thou wilt say 'Ay', and I will take thy word. Yet if thou swear'st, thou mayst prove false. O gentle Romeo, if thou dost love, pronounce it faithfully.
Romeo drops to his knees and clasps his hands.
JULIET:
Or, if thou think'st I am too quickly won, I'll frown and be perverse and say thee nay, so thou wilt woo, but else, not for the world. In truth, fair Montague, I am too fond, and therefore thou mayst think my 'haviour light.
Romeo leaps to his feet.
JULIET:
But trust me, gentleman, I'll prove more true than those that have more cunning to be strange. I should have been more strange, I must confess, but that thou overheard'st, ere I was 'ware, my true love's passion.
ROMEO:
Lady, by yonder blessed moon I vow that tips with silver all these fruit-tree tops-
JULIET:
O, swear not by the moon — the inconstant moon that monthly changes in her circled orb — lest that thy love prove likewise variable.
ROMEO:
What shall I swear by?
JULIET:
Do not swear at all. Or, if thou wilt, swear by thy gracious self, which is the god of my idolatry, and I'll believe thee.
ROMEO:
If my heart's dear love-
JULIET:
Well, do not swear. Although I joy in thee, I have no joy of this contract tonight. It is too rash, too unadvised, too sudden, too like the lightning which doth cease to be ere one can say 'It lightens'. Sweet, good night.
ROMEO:
O, wilt thou leave me so unsatisfied?
JULIET:
What satisfaction canst thou have tonight?
ROMEO:
The… exchange of thy love's faithful vow for mine.
Juliet kneels on the edge of the balcony and Romeo raises his face to hers. Their lips almost touch.
JULIET:
I gave thee mine before thou didst request it. My bounty is as boundless as the sea, my love as deep. The more I give to thee, the more I have, for both are infinite. (Gasps) I hear some noise within.
Romeo drops to the ground.
JULIET:
Anon, good nurse! Three words, dear Romeo, and good night indeed. If that thy bent of love be honourable, thy purpose marriage, send me word tomorrow, by one that I'll procure to come to thee, where and what time thou wilt perform the rite. And all my fortunes at thy foot I'll lay and follow thee my lord throughout the world. Tomorrow will I send.
ROMEO:
So thrive my soul-
JULIET:
Good night, good night.
Romeo climbs back up the balcony. Their hands touch.
JULIET:
Parting is such sweet sorrow that I shall say good night till it be morrow.
Juliet rises to her feet and departs. Romeo drops back down to the ground.
Onscreen text reads 'Juliet — Miranda Tapsell. Romeo — Damien Strouthos'.