Act II. The garden of the Capulets. The window of _Juliet's

apartment, and the balcony, upon which it gives. _Romeo's_ page, _Stephano_, a character introduced by the librettists, holds a ladder by which _Romeo_ ascends to the balcony. _Stephano_ leaves, bearing the ladder with him.

_Romeo_ sings, "Ah! lève-toi, soleil" (Ah! fairest dawn arise). The window opens, _Juliet_ comes out upon the balcony. _Romeo_ conceals himself. From her soliloquy he learns that, although he is a Montague, she loves him. He discloses his presence. The interchange of pledges is exquisite. Lest the sweetness of so much love music become too cloying, the librettists interrupt it with an episode. The Capulet retainer, _Gregory_, and servants of the house, suspecting that an intruder is in the garden, for they have seen _Stephano_ speeding away, search unsuccessfully and depart.

The nurse calls. _Juliet_ re-enters her apartment. _Romeo_ sings, "Ô nuit divine" (Oh, night divine). _Juliet_ again steals out upon the balcony. "Ah! je te l'ai dit, je t'adore!" (Ah, I have told you that I adore you), sings _Romeo_. There is a beautiful duet, "Ah! ne fuis pas encore!" (Ah, do not flee again). A brief farewell. The curtain falls upon the "balcony scene."