(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