DRAMATIS ESCALUS, Prince of Ve rona. Paris, a young nobleman in love with Juliet, and kinf man to the Prince. two Lords of Montague, ancient famiCapulet, lies, enemies to each other. Romeo, fon to Montague. Mercutio, kinfman to the Prince, and friend to Romeo. Benvolio, kinfman andfrieud Tybalt, kinfman to Capulet. PERSONE. three Sampfon, fervant to Capulet. mufi Lady Capulet, wife to Capulet. Juliet, daughter to Capulet, Citizens of Verona, Several The SCENE, in the beginning of the fifth act, is in Mantua, during all the rest of the play, in and near Verona. PROLOGUE. WO boufholds, both alike in dignity, In fair Verona, (where we lay our fcene),From ancient grudge break to new mutiny; Where civil blood makes civil hands unclean. From forth the fatal loins of these two foes, A pair of far-crofs'd lovers take their life; Whofe mifadventur'd piteous overthrows Do, with thei death, bury their parents' ftrife. The plot of this play is taken from an Italian novel of Bandelle. Which Which but their childrens' end nought could remove, Sam. I. The Street in Verona. Enter Sampfon and Gregory, with fwords and bucklers, two fervants of the Capulets. REGORY, on my word, we'll not G carry coals *. Greg. No; for then we should be colliers. Sam. I mean, an' we be in choler, we'll draw. Greg. Ay, while you live, draw your neck out of the collar. Sam. I ftrike quickly, being mov'd. Greg. But thou art not quickly mov'd to strike. Sam. A dog of the houfe of Montague, moves me. Greg. To move, is to tir; and to be valiant, is to ftand: therefore, if thou art mov'd, thou runn'ft away. Sam. A dog of that house shall move me to ftand: I will take the wall of any man or maid of Montague's. Greg. That fhews thee a weak flave; for the weakest goes to the wall. Sam. True; and therefore women, being the weakest, are ever thrust to the wall:therefore I will pufh Montague's men from the wall, and thruft his maids to the wall. Greg. The quarrel is between our masters, and us their men. Sam. 'Tis all one, I will fhew myself a tyrant: when I have fought with the men, I will be cruel with the maids, and cut off their heads. Greg. The heads of the maids ? Sam. Ay, the heads of the maids, or the maidenheads, take it in what fenfe thou wilt. Greg. They must take it in fenfe that feel it. * A phrase then in ufe, to fignify the bearing injuries. Sam. Sam. Me they fhall feel while I am able to stand; and 'tis known I am a pretty piece of flesh. Greg. 'Tis well thou art not fish: if thou hadft, thou hadst been Poor John. Draw thy tool, here. comes of the house of the Montagues. Enter Abram and Balthafar. Sam. My naked weapon is out: quarrel, I will back thee. Greg. How, turn thy back, and run? Sam. Fear me not. Greg. No, marry; I fear thee! Sam. Let us take the law of our fides: let them begin. Greg. I will frown as I pass by, and let them take it as they lift. 3 Sam. Nay, as they dare. I will bite my thumb at them, which is a difgrace to them if they bear it. Abr. Do you bite your thumb at us, Sir? Sam. I do bite my thumb, Sir, br. Do you bite your thumb at us, Sir? Sam. Is the law on our fide, if I fay Ay? Greg. No.. Sam. No, Sir; I do not bite my thumb at you, Sir: but bite my thumb, Sir. Greg. Do you quarrel, Sir? Abr. Quarrel, Sir? no, Sir. Sam. If you do, Sir, I am for you; I ferve as good a man as you. Abr. No better. Sam. Well, Sir. Enter Benvolio. Greg. Say, better: here comes one of my mafter's kinfmen. Sam. Yes, better, Sir.. Abr. You lye. Sam Draw, if you be men. Gregory, remember thy fwafhing blow. [They fight. Ben. Part, fools, put up your fwords, you know not what you do. Enter Tybalt. Tyb. What, art thou drawn among these heartless Turn thee, Benvolio, look upon thy death [hinds? Ben. I do but keep the peace: put up thy fword, Or manage it to part these men with me. Tyb. What drawn, and talk of peace: I hate the word As I hate hell, all Montagues and thee: Have at thee, coward. [Fight. Enter three or four Citizens with clubs. Off Clubs, bills, and partisans! ftrike! beat them down! Down with the Capulets, down with the Montagues! Enter old Capulet in his gown, and Lady Capulet. Cap. What noife is this? give me my long fword, ho! La. Cap. A crutch, a crutch :a fword? why call you for Cap. My fword, I fay: old Montague is come, And flourishes his blade in fpight of me. Enter old Montague, and Lady Montague. Mon. Thou villain, Capulet-Hold me not, let me go. La. Mon. 1 hou shalt not stir a foot to feek a foe. Enter Prince with Attendants. Prin. Rebellious fubjects, enemies to peace, Profaners of this neighbour-stained steel Will they not hear? what ho! you men, you beasts, That quench the fire of your pernicious rage With purple fountains iffuing from your veins; On pain of torture, from thofe bloody hands Throw your miftemper'd weapons to the ground, And hear the fentence of your moved Prince. Three civil broils, bred of an airy word, By thee, old Capulet, and Montague, Have thrice difturb'd the quiet of our streets; And made Verona's ancient citizens Caft by their grave, befeeming ornaments; Το |