Friar John:
I could not send it—here it is again
(gives FRIAR LAWRENCE a letter)
Nor get a messenger to bring it thee,
So fearful were they of infection.
Modern translation:
I couldn’t send it. Here it is. (he gives FRIAR LAWRENCE a letter) I couldn’t get a messenger to bring it to you either because they were scared of spreading the infection.
What do you think is happening here with the stage direction?