Purgatory
by Maxine Kumin
And suppose the darlings get to Mantua，suppose they cheat the crypt， what next？ Begin with him， unshaven. Though not， I grant you， a displeasing cockerel， there's egg yolk on his chin.

His seedy robe's aflap， he's got the rheum.

Poor dear， the cooking lard has smoked her eye.

Another Montague is in the womb although the first babe's bottom's not yet dry.

She scrolls a weekly letter to her Nurse who dares to send a smock through Balthasar，and once a month， his father posts a purse.

News from Verona？ Always news of war.

Such sour years it takes to right this wrong！

The fifth act runs unconscionably long

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