PROLOGUE. Two households, both alike in dignity, Do, with their death, bury their parents' strife. 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. Sam. I mean, if we be in choler, we'll draw. Gre. Ay, while you live, draw your neck out o' the collar. 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; therefore, if thou art moved, thou runnest 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 shews thee a weak slave; for the weakest goes to the wall. The quarrel is between our masters, and us their men. Sam. 'Tis all one, I will shew myself a tyrant. 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.2 Draw thy tool; here comes two of the house of the Montagues. Sam. My naked weapon is out; quarrel, I will back thee. 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; 3 which is a disgrace to them, if they bear it. Enter ABRAM and Balthasar. 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. Gre. Say-better; here comes one of Sam. Yes, better. Abr. You lie. my master's kinsmen. Sam. Draw, if you be men.-Gregory, remember thy swashing blow. [They fight. Enter BENVOLIO. 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 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, drawn, and talk of peace! I hate the word, As I hate all the Montagues and thee: Have at thee, coward! [They fight. Enter several partisans of both houses, who join the fray; then enter Citizens, with clubs. First Cit. Clubs, bills, and partisans! strike! beat them down! Down with the Capulets! down with the Montagues! Enter CAPULET, in his gown, and LADY CAPULET. Cap. What noise is this ?-Give me my long sword, ho! Enter MONTAGUE and LADY MONTAGUE. Mon. Thou villain Capulet-Hold me not, let me go. Enter PRINCE, with Attendants. Prin. Rebellious subjects, enemies to peace, Profaners of this neighbour-stained steel Will they not hear ?—what ho! you men, you beasts- By thee, old Capulet, and Montague, Have thrice disturb'd the quiet of our streets; Cast by their grave beseeming ornaments, Canker'd with peace, to part your canker'd hate : Your lives shall pay the forfeit of the peace. [Exeunt PRINCE and Attendants; CAPULET, LADY CAPULET, Mon. Who set this ancient quarrel new abroach ?-- La. Mon. O, where is Romeo ?-saw you him to-day? Ben. Madam, an hour before the worshipp'd sun |