Sonnets: 
Epitaphs for the Characters of 
Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet
(order of death)

Mercutio

The dreamer dreams in quiet solitude
And slumbers in his bed beneath the earth
Alas, he’d gone before we’d even rued
Dear youth, as you lie here, we feel no mirth
Oh twisted Fate, who stole him from our eyes
And brought him where the living dare not go
Not due to the acceptance of the fact he lies—
Dead—deep within the dirt the farmers hoe
But, we are not allowed to cast our sight
To see if your soul lives, or if it died
And if it reached the heavens’ golden height
Or if your spirit was in fact denied
	See not our tears as they come down like rain
	Sleep peacefully and know no more of pain


Tybalt

He fought to keep the honor of his kin
So, think of him in loving memory
Recall his name, and forgive of his sin
And leave such things for God’s keen eyes to see
Your body lies with us, and we do weep
For what we’ve lost, and what Heaven has gained
A kinsman dead—we watch you as you sleep
Our hearts swell much with love, and we are pained
Oh, fighter! We could not have pinned you down
Nor wrapped up with a string your many “claws”
You would have found your feet or hit the ground
You know, your end was made of your own cause
	Brave soldier whose at last come home from war
	Rest now and have your peace forevermore


Paris

Oh, man of purest heart, why dost thou lie
Within the vault, where none but dead do dwell?
I could have sworn that you were just alive
Profaning with the best of heart, “I’m well.”
That which was pure is lost forevermore
Justice—her power now all but removed—
Has given up the task of judging, or—
She too mourns you and thus will not be moved…
To bring her blade of verdict rightly down
When you are dead because of callous Fate
We wonder how it is that we’re alone
Your heart knew anything besides foul Hate
	But, ‘tis not fair, you too are rashly done
	Your youth and looks—spoiled—are now all gone


Lady Capulet

What pain is this that grabs hold of my heart?
Not stinging like the stab of sharpened knife
Nor burning as the coals upon the hearth
But, gripping—as it fights to take my life
Grief—he overcomes me, and I feel weak
My son is gone—banishéd for his sin
And my future, alas seems ever bleak
This world, I no longer can live in
Without my child, I am now no more
That which was my essence indeed has flown
At least he lives—small consolation, for
He might as well be dead, since I’m alone
	Old soul—take heart in this, at last your end
	Let death bring peace, allowing wounds to mend


Romeo

What good is youth—for my dear love, you’re gone
The wind—just took your soul from me—I cry
And now that love was stolen and I’m alone
I realize now that I can only die,
For, what is life’s purpose, if not to love?
And happiness—to have that love returned?
But, then to love, and have it so removed
Did leave a void—for you I ever yearned
I filled the void with poison from my cup
And took one kiss from off your lips, so sweet
A toast to she who at last made my mind up
To end this life so youthful, yet so weak
	And follow after you—alas in death
	Reviving liquor, steal away my breath


Juliet

One love—too young, too swift, too premature
That, in the heart, did bloom and learn to live
And seemed so strong, so well, so very sure
A dream—was more than I asked thee to give
Ah, more beautiful than life, was new love
That I would give myself to save its truth
Fate estranged us—I had to make my move
My soul—I ceded with my precious youth
That—in one moment was all lost to me
Forgotten, for I had something more dear
I held it—in these hands—eternally
But, then you went where I could not be near
	The poison on your lips proved I was late
	Blade! Free my heart and welcome in your fate