Dramatis Perfonæ ESCALUS, Prince of Verona. Paris, a young Nobleman in love with Juliet, and kinfman to the Prince. Mountague, Capulet, } Two Lords of ancient families, Enemies to each other. Romeo, Son to Mountague. Mercutio, Kinfman to the Prince, and friend to Romeo. Tibalt, Kinfman to Capulet. Friar Lawrence. Friar John. Balthafar, Servant to Romeo. Page to Paris. Sampfon, Servants Gregory, } Servants to Capulet. Abram, Servant to Mountague. Apothecary. Lady Mountague, Wife to Mountague. Lady Capulet, Wife to Capulet. Juliet, Daughter to Capulet, in love with Romeo. Nurfe to Juliet. Citizens of Verona, several men and women relations to Capulet, Maskers, guards, and other attendants. The SCENE, in the beginning of the fifth act, is in Mantua; during all the rest of the play, in and near Verona. The Plot taken from an Italian Novel of Bandello. ROMEO and JULIET A CT I. SCENE I. The Street in Verona. Enter Samplon and Gregory, with fwords and bucklers, SAMPSON. REGORY on my word we'll not carry coals. Greg. But thou art not quickly mov'd to strike, me. Greg. To move, is to ftir; and to be valiant, is to stand: therefore, if thou art mov'd, thou runn'st away. Sam. A dog of that house shall move me to ftand: I will take the wall of any man or maid of Mountague's. Greg. That fhews thee a weak flave, for the weakest goes to the wall. Sam. True, and therefore women, being the weakest veffels, are ever thrust to the wall: therefore I will push Mountague's men from from the wall, and thrust his maids to the wall. Greg. The quarrel is between our mafters, and us their men. Sam. 'Tis all one, I will fhew my self 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 their maiden-heads, take it in what sense thou wilt. Greg. They must take it in sense that feel it. Sam. Me they fhall feel while I am able to ftand: 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 Mountagues. Enter Abram and Balthafar. Sam. My naked weapon is out; quarrel, I will back thee. 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. 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? Abr. Do you bite your thumb at us, Sir? Greg. No. Sam. No, Sir, I do not bite my thumb at you, Sir: but I bite my thumb, Sir. Greg. Do you quarrel, Sir? - civil. Abr. 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 master's kinsmen. Abr. You lie. Sam. Draw, if you be men. Gregory, remember thy swashing 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 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 draw, and talk of peace? I hate the word As I hate hell, all Mountagues and thee: Have at thee, coward. Enter three or four citizens with clubs. [Fight. Offic. Clubs, bills, and partifans! ftrike! beat them down, Down with the Capulets, down with the Mountagues. Enter old Capulet in his gown, and lady Capulet. Cap. What noise is this? give me my long sword, ho? And flourishes his blade in spight of me. Enter + Much of this Scene is added fince the first edition; but probably by Shakespear, fince we find it in that of the year 1599. Enter old Mountague and lady Mountague. Moun. Thou villain, Capulet Hold me not, let me go. La Moun. Thou shalt not ftir a foot to seek a foe. Enter Prince with attendants. Prin. Rebellious subjects, enemies to peace, -befeeming ornaments, To wield old partizans, in hands as old, Cankred with peace, to part your cankred-hate; If ever you &c. [Exeunt Prince and Capulet, &c. SCENE |