(Juliet sits anxiously on the smaller th...

(Juliet sits anxiously on the smaller throne. Jedediah stands close by.)

Juliet: What news?

Jedediah: None yet your highness.

Juliet: I hear footsteps.

(Mercutio rushes in.)

Juliet: Your face is racked with grief. How fares my lord?

Mercutio: Alas, dear lady, he is slain.

Juliet: What, not wounded? I have a gathering of doctors as might heal the wounds of Saint Sebastian.

Mercutio: Dead, your highness.

Juliet (taking a moment): My poor love. How came it so?

Mercutio: With all haste we rode to engage Milan before he could engulf our countrymen. But seeing the fearful numbers of his men, the Prince paused, and quoted you, dear lady, praising your wisdom and concluding that we must withdraw to the outer walls, and hazard a long siege rather than be slain, leaving the city defenseless. Our cavalry was about to turn as one at their prince’s command, when hot-headed Tibalt declared us cowards, and charged off, unaided and unasked, to attack the Duke, or die in the attempt.

Seeing his brave action, and not wanting your kinsman to perish without aid, the Prince and half his cavalry charged straight at the enemy. The Duke’s men were shattered by surprise and driven back with brandished lances, until, as if by unseen will, the lines opened up, and the cowering nobleman was revealed vulnerable and aghast. The cavalry drew closer when a row of pikemen placed themselves between the Duke and our onslaught. But by fearless horsemanship and weight of numbers we broke through until all collapsed in general confusion. The Prince dismounted and wielding his sword, charged at the Duke, slaying many knights to reach him. They both fought bravely. The Prince began to tire, but with stronger blows, beat down the weaker Duke, until it ended with a final thrust. We sounded our trumpets to withdraw, but then the Duke’s son, who had cowered at the back, far from the fray, ordered his archers to unleash their waves of death onto us and his own men too, killing as many of each, and striking down the Prince, with iron-tipped arrows piercing his armor at the neck. The Prince and half our men lay dead, and I, the remaining member of his household, gave the order to return to the city, so that your army might stand buttressed against the duke’s attack.

Juliet: Is the battle lost or no?

Mercutio: We have strength enough to defend the walls, but not to lift the siege, if they come on as before.

Juliet: Very well. Go to, and make preparations. Tell my scholars that today, they are my soldiers too.

Mercutio: Your highness, I will.

Jedediah: An emissary from the young duke awaits an audience.

Juliet (still shaking): May I have a moment.

Jedediah: I will walk with grave solemnity.

(Juliet calms her nerves, and sits on the larger throne.)

(The Emissary enters.)

Juliet: What is your business here?

The Emissary: I come to offer you a peace that will save your subjects and yourself from much deprivation. My master, the Duke of Milan, lays claim to Verona’s ancient seat through long unacknowledged ancestry. He now pursues his claim, but seeing the great love the people bear you, he offers you his hand in marriage, so that this unhappy day might end in a new alliance between our two peoples. Gentle lady, the weight of new leadership must weigh heavily upon you, and surely a marriage alliance would lift that burden from your slender shoulders.

Juliet: Send my condolences to your young master. He must be much cast down by his great loss, losing his father as I have lost a husband.

The Emissary: Madame, I will.

Juliet: I am still a princess, and should be addressed as such.

The Emissary: Quite so, your highness.

Juliet: May I think a moment before giving you my answer?

The Emissary: Of course.

Juliet: May we talk while I decide?

The Emissary: As you wish.

Juliet: Your new young master, did he inherit this stratagem along with his dukedom? This plan speaks of his father rather than of himself. It sits poorly on one so young. I may be too old to bear him an heir. Perhaps, once his soldiers have occupied Verona, and cemented his claim, I would be disposed of.

The Emissary: Surely not. Your highness is still in the blush of youth, and your wisdom and beauty are known throughout Europe.

Juliet: Jedediah, what do you think of this offer of a marriage peace?

Jedediah (walking over to Juliet): I think before the gentleman is answered, you should read this missive from Balthazar.

(Juliet reads a small piece of parchment that was wrapped inside a tiny cylinder.)

Juliet: How fair your pigeons?

Jedediah: My pigeons your highness?

Juliet: Yes, are they well?

Jedediah: Alas, one died bringing you this letter.

Juliet (with tears in her eyes): Then you must make of it a statue, cast in solid gold, and placed in the palace courtyard, to act as a reminder to all my courtiers.

Jedediah: Yes, your highness.

Juliet: Come now, I have your answer.

The Emissary: I am glad to hear it.

Juliet: You may not be. Tell your young duke, that if he encamps below the castle walls, we have diverse means to rain poison, pestilence and hell-fire onto his men, such that by the Spring, not one in five shall be left standing. And add this. I would rather die at my own hand, than be forced to marry the man who killed my prince and beloved husband.

The Emissary (bowing and starting to leave): If that is all.

Juliet (becoming angry): That is all? I say that I will die at my own hand, and you say that that is all. Shall we talk of your death and see if that is all. I am no “gentle lady”. Must I have you thrown screaming from the battlements to prove that to your new master?

The Emissary: My earnest assurance should prove sufficient to persuade him. I meant no offence.

Juliet: Very well, you may go.

(The Emissary turns to leave.)

Juliet: There is one more thing.

(The Emissary turns back.)

Juliet: Tell your master that I received news today from Vienna. The Emperor is dead, and the Crown Prince has abdicated, so that he may marry a commoner. That means that my daughter, Princess Isabella, is now the Empress. Verona belongs to her, and Vienna belongs to us. Even now Balthazar is using Austrian gold to buy Venetian galleys to intercept your supplies by sea. And Florentine mercenaries are being hired to attack your wagon trains and to drive back reinforcements. Even the king of Naples has sent word of his support. Your master and his men are cut off, and beyond hope of rescue. Tell him, that if he does not leave Veronese lands by sunset tomorrow night, then the combined armies of Naples, Florence, Verona and Vienna will descend upon Milan, and at my order, they will level it to the ground.

The Emissary (clearly shaken): And if my master sues for peace?

Juliet: He must withdraw, and renounce all claims to Verona and its surrounding lands. To compensate for this murderous assault, Milan must grant free passage to my merchants, free of interference and taxes in perpetuity. The Emissary: And the other conditions?

Juliet: The Duke must add a man of my choosing to his high council, so that we may never again be surprised by such an attack.

The Emissary: Surely that is not all.

Juliet: There is also a painter whom I would like sent to my court.

The Emissary: A painter? Why does your highness bother yourself with such trivialities?

Juliet: He is also known for certain artful machines that his teaming brain has conjured forth. Your old master wasted his energies on masked balls and court spectacles. Tell the man from Vinci that a court awaits that is better suited to his talents.

The Emissary: Your highness, I will. If that is...the full list of your requirements…

Juliet: One more.

The Emissary (sighing): Yes, your highness.

Juliet: Tell your master that this is a request, not a demand. Say that it is my fancy that you be sent back as my ambassador.

The Emissary: Me your highness?

Juliet: Yes. Though we are implacable in war, if you return in peace, you will find the palace filled with music, poetry and laughter. You may even come to find love here. The women of Verona are quite remarkable.

The Emissary (bowing): So I have observed your highness. If I might beg your leave...

Juliet: As you wish.

(The Emissary leaves.)

Juliet (to Jedediah): Draw up a written treaty lest the young duke forget his promises.

Jedediah: I will. (He leaves.)

Juliet walks over to the chessboard and lays the opposing king gently on its side.

Juliet: Rest gently from your cares, my prince. Verona is safe as you commanded. (She collapses crying onto the larger throne.) You taught me all, but knowing how to grieve.

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