"Romeo and Juliet": A Eulogy for Juliet by the priest

We are here to celebrate the life of a beautiful young woman Juliet Capulet. She was born 13 short years ago into the house of Capulet. We are here to celebrate her life, cut short - given I hope in sacrifice to mend the hatred and violence between her house and that of the Montague's. May her death and that of her Romeos be not in vain?

Juliet throughout her life was a good girl. She was trusting, dutiful, respectful of her father's rules. Juliet's life was filled with happiness and love. As I young child I barely knew her, but she would say weekly confession of which I am not allowed to speak - but she was never sinful. Her life was lived with love and joy until her final days. She was intelligent. Paris wanted her hand in marriage. Juliet told me she would not deny her father but when she met Romeo, she knew her heart had not loved until then.

Juliet's love for Romeo was as pure as his love for her. It was love at first sight. She was his lady and his love. Romeo called her his angel, and his saints and sadly he was right. Their love was star-crossed from the beginning, but always pure. Juliet called Romeo "the god of my idolatry" - she truly loved him. She offered him her lover's vow before he requested it. Her love for him was as deep as the sea.

It is because of Juliet's honest declaration of love for Romeo, and his love for her, that I agree to their marriage. She came to me past hope. She sought my counsel and looked to my experience. In desperation we devised a plan. Juliet was without fear or doubt. She only wished to live as Romeos wife. I feel a great sense of personal distress for Juliet's death, as I also do for Romeo's. I encouraged their marriage, I thought it would be a new beginning - it would unite the two houses and end the ancient grudge between them. But alas, that ancient grudge was bigger than the star-crossed lovers could handle. I was trying to act with reason and sense, while everyone around me was driven by only their emotions.

Juliet had fallen for a forbidden love Romeo, a dreaded Montague. Sadly their death has achieved what I hoped their marriage would. To keep peace within the streets of Verona and unite the two houses.

Houses of Montague and Capulet, do you feel the same guilt as I when I look upon the face of sweet Juliet? Do you not also feel responsible for the death of four youths whose lives were cut short by your grudge? Let us farewell this ancient grudge that chased Juliet to her early death.

As we farewell thee, sweet Juliet, let me recite a poem in memory of you.

Farewell to thee! But not farewell

To all my fondest thoughts of Thee;

Within my heart they still shall dwell

And they shall cheer and comfort me.

Life seems more sweet that Thou didst live,

And men more true that Thou wert one;

Nothing is lost that Thou didst give,

Nothing destroyed that Thou hast done.

Today we have celebrated the life of a beautiful young woman.

In the streets of Verona

Let families keep the Peace

Lest Juliet's death

Be of no release.

May you rest in peace, sweet Juliet.