The Montagues begin to head off to another part of the palace as Juliette and her friends return to the scene. Mercutio sings the ballad of Queen Mab to cheer the heartsick Roméo, encouraging him to enjoy the countless other beauties at the ball. Roméo, Mercutio, Benfolio, and some followers find a moment alone away from Capulet eyes. Despite the deadly feud between the two houses, the Montagues have decided to come to the Capulets’ ball. Capulet greets his guests (“Allons! Jeunes gens! Allon! Belles dames!”). Tybalt speaks to Count Paris of Juliette, to whom Count Paris is engaged and who, at that moment, appears with her father.
The Capulet Ball A masked ball is in progress.
