(The stage is bathed in deep crimson and shadow. Heavy, distorted church organs blend with a thundering, slow gothic metal riff. Rain begins to fall on the Verona stones.) [Verse 1] The Verona sun is a bleeding wound On the cobblestone where the shadows loom Two heavy banners of pride and hate We dance with steel at the iron gate They call for honor, they scream for blood But it all washes down in the gutter’s mud I mocked their dreams, I laughed at their stars Now the moonlight bleeds through my iron bars [Chorus] Oh, the comedy ends in a crimson sea! Look for me tomorrow, a grave man I’ll be! No more jests, no more masquerades Just the cold, biting kiss of the turning blades Under the heavy, gothic sky Watch the fool of Verona die! [Verse 2] (The music slows to a pulsing, tense bassline and weeping violins) Why the devil came you between us, Romeo? Under your arm, the fatal blow A scratch, a scratch, but it goes too deep Down to the vault where the worm-gods sleep Tybalt has fled with his silken stride While my life pours out from my broken side Hold me up, the world is spinning black There is no road that brings me back [Bridge] (An operatic choir rises, backing an aggressive, soaring guitar solo) No church bells tolling, just ravens that cry For a love built on ashes where innocents die! Montague’s vanity, Capulet’s pride You dragged me down to this funeral tide! Your ancient grudge is a parasite That eats the young in the dead of night! [Climax] (The music drops out completely, leaving only a heartbeat and a howling wind. Mercutio’s voice rises from a breathless whisper to a feral, operatic scream as the heavy guitars crash back in) No, 'tis not so deep as a well... Nor so wide as a church-door... But 'tis enough, 'twill serve! I spit my blood on your silken dress! I spit my ghost on your ancient crest! With my dying breath, I tear down your towers— A PLAGUE ON BOTH OF YOUR HOUSES! [Outro] (The guitars wail in a frantic, tragic melody. The choir chants in Latin as the heartbeat slows to a stop. Rain washes the stage into darkness) A plague... A plague... On both of your houses...
