Contralto & Semi-Chorus

Ancient hatreds, 
dormant for a time,
have risen as if from Hell;
Capulets, Montagues, two warring houses,
have crossed swords in Verona; 
but these bloody disorders have been put down by the Prince; 
he has threatened with death those who against his orders 
have recourse again to the law of steel. 
In this interval of calm a ball is given
by the old chief of the Capulets. 

Contralto

Young Romeo, lamenting his destiny,
wanders sadly about the palace;
for he is in love with Juliet...the daughter
of his family's enemies!...

Contralto & Semi Chorus

The noise of instruments, of voices raised in song
floats out from the golden halls,
driving the revellers to dancing and high merriment.

Semi-Chorus

The ball is over; and when all sound has ceased,
under the arches can be heard
the weary dancers moving away into the distance, singing.
Alas--and Romeo sighs,
for he must leave Juliet.--Then suddenly,
to breathe again the same air that she breathes,
he leaps the garden wall.
Already on her balcony the snow-white Juliet
appears...and thinking herself alone till dawn,
confesses her love to the night.
Romeo, trembling with an anxious joy,
reveals himself to Juliet,
and from his heart a fire leaps out in its turn.