91

P R O L O G U E.

T"

Wo Housholds, both alike in Dignity,

In fair Verona, (where we lay our Scene) From ancient Grúdge break to new mutiny ;

Where civil blood makes civil hands unclean. From forth the fatal loins of these two foes,

A pair of far-croft lovers take their life; Whose mis-adventur'd piteous Overthrows

Do, with their death, bury their Parents' Arife. The fearful passage of their deatb-mark'd love,

And the continuance of their Parents' rage,
Which but their childrens' End rought could remove,

Is now the two hours' traffick of our stage:
The which if you with patient cars attend,
What here fall miss, our Toil fall frive to mend.

Dramatis Persona.

Capulet, §

ESCALUS, Prince of Verona.
Paris, a young Nobleman in love with Juliet, and kinsman

to the Prince. Montague, 2 Two Lords of antient families, Enemies to

each other. Romeo, Son to Montague. Mercutio, Kinsman to the Prince, and Friend to Romeo. Benvolio, Kinsman and Friend to Romeo. Tybalt, Kinsman to Capulet. Friar Lawrence. Friar John. Balthasar, Servant to Romeo. Page to Paris.

Samplon; } Servants to Capulet

.

S Abram, Servant to Montague. Apothecary. Simon Catling, Hugh Rebeck, 3 Musicians. Samuel Soundboard, Peter, Servant to the Nurse. Lady Montague, Wife to Montague. Lady Capulet, Wife to Capulet. Juliet, Daughter to Capulet, in love with Romeo. Nurse to Juliet. CHORUS. Citizens of Verona, several men and women relations to

Capulet, Maskers, Guards, Watch, and other At

tendants. The S CE N E, in the beginning of the fifth Act,

is in Mantua ; during all the rest of the Play, in and near Verona.

ROMEO and JULIET.

А с т І.

SCENE, The Street, in Verona.

Enter Sampson and Gregory, (with swords and

bucklers,) two servants of the Capulets,

SA MPSON.

REGORY, on my word, we'll not carry
coals.
Greg. No, for then we should be colliers.
Sam. I mean, an’ we be in Choler, we'll
draw.

Greg. Ay, while you live, draw your : Neck out of the Collar.

Sam. I strike quickly, being mov'd.
Greg. But thou art not quickly mov'd to strike.
Sam. A dog of the House of Montague moves me.

Greg. To move, is to stir ; and to be valiant, is to land: therefore, if thou art mov'd, thou runn'it 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. ,

A 4

Greg.

Greg. That shews thee a weak slave; for the weakest goes to the wall.

Sam. True, and therefore women, being the weakest, are ever thruft to the wall : therefore I will push Montague's men from the wall, and thrust his maids to the wail.

Greg. The quarrel is between our maters, and us their men.

Sam. 'Tis all one, I will shew 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 the maidenheads, take it in what sense thou wilt.

Greg. 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.

Grcg. 'Tis well thou art not fish : if thou hadft, thou hadft been Poor John. Draw thy tool, here comes of the House of the Montagues.

Enter Abram and Balthasar. Sam. My naked weapon is out ; quarrel, I will back thee.

Greg. How, turn thy back and run ?
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'àt us, Sir?
Sam. 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?
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 ?

Abr,