Appears, Act I. sc. 3; sc. 5. Act II. sc. 2; sc. 5; sc. 6. Nurse to Juliet. Appears, Act I. sc. 3; sc. 5. Act III. sc. 2; Act II. sc. 2; sc. 4; sc. 5. sc. 3; sc. 5. 3; sc. 4; sc. 5. 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' was first printed in the year 1597. The second edition was printed in 1599. The title of that edition declares it to be "Newly corrected, augmented, and amended." There can be no doubt whatever that the corrections, augmentations, and emendations were those of the author. We know of nothing in literary history more curious or more instructive than the example of minute attention, as well as consummate skill, exhibited by Shakspere in correcting, augmenting, and amending the first copy of this play. ROMEO AND JULIET. PROLOGUE. Two households, both alike in dignity, Do, with their death, bury their parents' strife. 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, if 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; therefore, if thou art moved, thou runn'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, and 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 sense, that feel it. SAM. Me they shall feel, while I am able to stand: and 't is 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 of the house of the Montagues. 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. 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 master's kins men. SAM. Yes, better. ABR. You lie. SAM. Draw, if you be men.-Gregory, remember 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 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 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 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! 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. Enter PRINCE, with Attendants. PRIN. Rebellious subjects, enemies to peace, To old Free-town, our common judgment-place. Once more, on pain of death, all men depart. [Exeunt PRINCE and Attendants; CAPULET, LADY CAPULET, TYBALT, Citizens, and Servants. MON. Who set this ancient quarrel new abroach ?- |