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PROLOGUE.

WO Heufholds, both alike in Dignity,

In fair Verona, (where we lay our Scene)
From ancient grudge break to new mutiny,
Where civil blood makes civil hands unclean.
From forth the fatal loins of these two foes,
A pair of far-crofs'd lovers take their life
Whofe mif-adventur'd pitious overthrows,

Do, with their death, bury their parents ftrife!
The fearful paffage of their death-mark'd love,
And the continuance of their parents rage,
Which but their childrens end nought could remove,
Is now the two hours traffick of our stage.
The which if you with patient ears attend,
What here fhall mifs, our toil fhall ftrive to mend

Dramatis

ESCALUS, Prince of Verona.

Paris, a young Nobleman in love with Juliet, and kinfman to the Prince.

Montague, Two Lords of ancient families, Enemies to Capulet, S each other.

Romeo, Son to Mountague.

Mercutio, Kinfman to the Prince, and friend to Romeo.
Benvolio, Kinfman and friend to Romeo.
Tibalt, Kinfman to Capulet.

Friar Lawrence.

Friar John.

Balthafar, Servant to Romeo.

Page to Paris.

Sampfon,

Gregory, S

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,
Nurse to Juliet.

Citizens of Verona, feveral 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.

ACT I. SCENE I.

The Street in Verona.

Enter Samplon and Gregory, with swords and bucklers, two fervants of the Capulets.

SAMPSON.

REGORY, on my word we'll not carry
coals.

Greg. No, for then we fhould be colliers.
Sam. Iftrike quickly, being mov'd.
Greg. But thou art not quickly mov'd
to ftrike.

Sam. A dog of the houfe of Mountague moves me. Greg. To move, is to ftir; and to be valiant, is to ftand: therefore, if thou art mov'd, thou runn'ft away. Sam. A dog of that houfe fhall move me to ftand: I will take the wall of any man or maid of Mountague's. nor! Greg. That fhews thee a weak flave, for the weakgoes to the wall.

eft

Sam. True, and therefore women, being the weakeft veffels, are ever thruft to the wall: therefore I will push Mountague's men from the wall, and thruft his maids to the wall.

Greg,

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

Sam. 'Tis all one, I will fhew my felf a tyrant : when I have fought with the men, I will be a cruel with the maids, and cut off their heads.

Greg. The heads of the maids?

Sam. Ay, the heads of the maids, or their maidenheads, take it in what fenfe thou wilt.

Greg. They must take it in fenfe 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 fifh: if thou hadft, thou hadft been Poor John. Draw thy tool, here comes of the houfe of the Mountagues.

Enter Abram and Balthafar.

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

Greg. How: turn thy back and run ?

Sam. Fear me hot.

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 list.

Sam. Nay, as they dare. I will bite my thumb at them, which is a difgrace to them, if they bear it. Abr. Do you bite your thumb at us, Sir?

Sam. I do bite my thumb, Sir.

Abr. Do you bite your thumb at us, Sir?
Sam. Is the law on our fide, 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. 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.

a civil.

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