PERSONS OF THE DRAMA.

ESCALUS, Prince of Verona.

PARIS, a young Nobleman, kinsman to the Prince. MONTAGUE, heads of two houses, at variance with each CAPULET, S 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 LAWRENCE, a Franciscan.
FRIAR JOHN, of the same Order.
BALTHASAR, servant to Romeo.

SAMPSON, Servants to Capulet.
GREGORY, S

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.

Sam. 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 moved, 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.

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 BALTHASAR.

Sam. My naked weapon is out; quarrel, I will back thee.