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ESCALUS, Prince of Verona.
Paris, a young Nobleman, Kinsman to the Prince.
Montague, Heads of two Houses, at variance with
CAPULET, each other.
An old Man, Uncle to Capulet.
Romeo, Son to Montague.
MERCUTIO, Kinsman to the Prince, and Friend to

Romeo.
Benvolio, Nephew to Montague, and Friend to

Romeo.
TYBALT, Nephew to Lady Capulet.
Friar LAURENCE, a Franciscan.
Friar JOHN, of the same Order.
BALTHAZAR, Servant to Romeo.
SAMPSON,

Servants to Capulet.
GREGORY, )
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, Re-

lations to both Houses ; Maskers, Guards, Watch

men, and Attendants. SCENE, during the greater part of the Play, in

VERONA; once in the fifth Act at Mantua.

ROMEO AND JULIET.

ACT I.

SCENE I.

- A public Place.

Enter SAMPSON and GREGORY, armed with Swords

and Bucklers,

me.

Sampson.
GREGORY, o’my word, we'll not carry coals."

Gre. No, for then we should be colliers.
San. 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

Gre. To move, is to stir: and to be valiant, is — to stand to it: therefore, if thou art mov'd, thou run'st away.

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. 1 A phrase formerly in use to signify the bearing

injuries. VOL, X,

с

San. 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. 3

Enter ABRAM and BALTHASAR. 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!

Sam. 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 thumb at them; which is a disgrace to them, if they bear

my

a

thumb at you,

Abr. Do you bite your thumb at us, sir?
San. I do bite my thumb, sir.
Abr. Do you bite your thumb at us, sir?
Sam. Is the law on our side, if I say — ay?
Gre. No.
Sam. No, sir, I do not bite

my sir; but I bite my thumb, sir.

Gre. Do you quarrel, sir ?
Abr. Quarrel, sir ? no, sir.

Sam. If you do, sir, I am for you ; I serve as good a man as you.

Abr. No better.
Sam. Well, sir.

Enter Benvolio, at 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 heart

less hinds ? Turn thee, Benvolio, look upon thy death. 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 Partisans of both Houses, who join the

Fray: then enter Citizens with Clubs. i Cit. Clubs 4, bills, and partizans ! strike ! beat

them down ! Down with the Capulets ! down with the Monta

gues !

Enter CAPULET

his Gown ; and Lady Ca

PULET.

Cap. What noise is this ? — Give me my long

sword, ho ! La. Cap. A crutch, a crutch!- Why call you

for a sword ? Cap. My sword, I say ! Old Montague is

come, And flourishes his blade in spite of me.

Enter MONTAGUE and Lady MONTAGUE. Mon. Thou villain Capulet, — Hold me not, let

me go.

La. Mon. Thou shalt not stir one foot to seek

a foe.

Enter Prince, with Attendants. Prin. Rebellious subjects, enemies to peace, Profaners of this neighbour-stained steel, Will they not hear ? what 10 ! 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 i weapons to the ground,

4 Clubs! was the usual exclamation at an affray in the streets, as we now call watch !

5 Angry.

5