Escalus, Prince of Verona. Paris, a young Nobleman, Kinsman to the Prince. Capulet, Heads of two Houses, at Variance with each other. An Old Man, Uncle to Capulet. Romeo, Son to Montague." Mercutio, Kinsman to the Prince, and Friend to Romeo. Friar Laurence, a Franciscan. Friar John, of the same Order. Balthazar, Servant to Romeo. Sampson, Gregory, Servants to Capulet. Abram, Servant to Montague. An Apothecary. Three Musicians. Chorus. Boy; Page to Paris; Peter; an Officer. Lady Montague, Wife to Montague.. Lady Capulet, Wife to Capulet. Juliet, Daughter to Capulet. Nurse to Juliet. Citizens of Verona; several Men and Women, Relations to both Houses; Maskers, Guards, Watchmen, and Attendants. SCENE, during the greater Part of the Play, in Verona: once in the fifth Act, at Mantua. PROLOGUE. Two households, both alike in dignity, Do, with their death, bury their parents' strife. SCENE 1. A public Place. Enter SAMPSON and GREGORY, armed with Swords and Bucklers. Sum. GREGORY, o'my word, we'll not carry coals. Gre. No, for then we should be colliers. Sam. I mean, an we be in choler, we'll draw. Gre. Ay, while you live, draw your neck out of the collar. Sam. I strike quickly, being moved. Gre. But thou art not quickly moved to strike. Sam. A dog of the house of Montague moves me. Gre. To move, is-to stir; and to be valiant, is-to stand to it: therefore, if thou art mov'd, thou runn'staway. Sam. A dog of that house shall move me to stand: I will take the wall of any man or maid of Montague's. Gre. That shows thee a weak slave; for the weakest goes to the wall. Sam. True; and therefore women, being the weaker vessels, are ever thrust to the wall:-therefore I will push Montague's men from the wall, and thrust his maids to the wall. Gre. The quarrel is between our masters, and us their men. Sam. 'Tis all one, I will show myself a tyrant; when I have fought with the men, I will be cruel with the maids; I will cut off their heads. Gre. The heads of the maids? Sam. Ay, the heads of the maids, or their maidenheads; take it in what sense thou wilt. Gre. They must take it in sense, that feel it. Sam. Me they shall feel, while I am able to stand: and, 'tis known, I am a pretty piece of flesh. Gre. "Tis well thou art not fish; if thou hadst, thou hadst been poor John. Draw thy tool; here comes two of the house of the Montagues. Enter ABRAM and BALTHAZAR. Sam. My naked weapon is out; quarrel, I will back thee. Gre. How? turn thy back, and run? Sam. Fear me not. Gre. No, marry: I fear thee! Sum. Let us take the law of our sides; let them begin. Gre. I will frown, as I pass by; and let them take it as they list. Sam. Nay, as they dare. I will bite my thumb at them; which is a disgrace to them, if they bear it. Abr. Do you bite your thumb at us, sir? Sam. I do bite my thumb, sir. Abr. Do you bite your thumb at us, sir? Gre. No. Sam. No, sir, I do not bite my thumb at you, sir; but I bite my thumb, sir. Gre. Do you quarrel, sir? man as you. Abr. No better. Sam. Well, sir. am for you; I serve as good a Enter BENVOLIO, ut a Distance. Gre. Say-better; here comes one of my master's kinsmen. Sam. Yes, better, sir. Abr. You lie. Sam. Draw, if you be men.-Gregory, remember thy swashing blow. [They fight. Ben. Part, fools; put up your swords; you know not what you do. [Beats down their Swords. 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 sword, 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. [They fight. Enter several Partizans of both Houses, who join the Fray; then enter Citizens, with Clubs. 1 Cit. Clubs, bills, and partizans! strike! beat them down! Down with the Capulets! down with the Montagues! Enter MONTAGUE and LADY MONTAGUE. Prince. Rebellious subjects, 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 issuing from your veins, On pain of torture, from those bloody hands Throw your mistemper'd weapons to the ground, And hear the sentence of your moved prince.Three civil brawls, bred of an airy word, By thee, old Capulet, and Montague, Have thrice disturb'd the quiet of our streets; And made Verona's ancient citizens Cast by their grave beseeming ornaments, [Exeunt Prince and Attendants; Capulet, Lady Lady M. O, where is Romeo?-saw you him to-day? Right glad I am, he was not at this fray. Ben. Madam, an hour before the worshipp❜d sun And gladly shunn'd who gladly fled from me. Mon. Many a morning hath he there been seen, With tears augmenting the fresh morning's dew, |