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. Romeo. BENVOLIO, Nephew to Montague, and Friend to TYBALT, Nephew to Lady Capulet. Friar LAURENCE, a Franciscan. Friar JOHN, of the same Order. 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. ROMEO AND JULIET. ACT I. SCENE I. - A public Place. Enter SAMPSON and Gregory, armed with Swords and Bucklers, Sampson. GREGORY, o'my word, we'll not carry coals. 1 Gre. No, for then we should be colliers. 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 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 VOL. X. injuries. 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 Johno. 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 my thumb at them; which is a disgrace to them, if they bear it. 2 Poor John is hake, dried and salted. 3 The disregard of concord is in character. Abr. Do you bite your thumb at us, 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? 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 mas ter's kinsmen. Sam. Yes, better, sir. Abr. You lie. Sam. Draw, if you be men. - Gregory, remem ber 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. 1 Cit. Clubs +, bills, and partizans! strike! beat them down! Down with the Capulets! down with the Monta gues! Enter CAPULET in 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 Do! you men, you beasts, That quench the fire of your pernicious rage + Clubs! was the usual exclamation at an affray in the streets, as we now call watch! 5 Angry. |