ACT. I. SCENE I. The back-ground of this design represents the church of Santa Maria Antica, as also part of the Piazza, in Verona, with the domestics of the Capulets and of the Montagues, quarrelling and fighting. The fore-ground represents Benvolio, Montague's nephew, who has interposed, with his drawn sword, to force the servants to part; when houses join in the fray but the Prince entering, his attendants, separate the combatants. Capulet and Montague, who had come out, are ordered, the former to attend the Prince immediately; and the latter to come, the same evening, to the palace. All present are then commanded to disperse, on pain of death. It is after this broil that Romeo appears; whilst Montague is discussing with his nephew, Benvolio, the cause of his son's present grief, and << The fiery Tybalt, with his sword prepar'd,» arrives, and ever-ready to breathe defiance to any of his frequent visiting — of the Montagues, exclaims furiously << What, art thou drawn among these heartless hinds? Turn thee, Benvolio, look upon thy death. >> Although challenging, it might be said, that, in the design, Tybalt seems to turn from his adversary. It must, however, be remembered, that his contempt for the heartless hinds » around, sufficiently points out his wish to seek another, and less contaminated spot, to fight upon : when Benvolio's answer, << I do but keep the peace; put up thy sword, Or manage it to part these men with me, » again urges him; and he retorts: <<< What, drawn, and talk of peace? I hate the word, As I hate hell, all Montagues, and thee: Have at thee, coward. >> ་ The grove of Many a morning hath he there been seen, Black and portentous must this humour prove, Benvolio accosts Romeo, and finally succeeds in making his cousin acknowledge the cause of the They fight, and several of the followers of both deep-rooted sorrow that has so altered him. SERIES II. ROMEO AND JULIET. ACT I. SCENE 2. «< 0, then, I see, queen Mab hath been with you. She is the fairies' midwife; and she comes In shape no bigger than an agate-stone On the fore finger of an alderman, Her waggon-spokes made of long-spinners' legs; PL. 2. Her chariot is an empty hazel-nut, Notwithstanding Mercutio and Benvolio's gay efforts, Romeo feels a cruel foreboding, which he expresses thus ; «. My mind misgives, Some consequence, yet hanging in the stars, Shall bitterly begin his fearful date With this night's revels; and expire the term Of a despised life, clos'd in my breast, By some vile forfeit of untimely death: But he, that hath the steerage of my course, Direct my saill-On, lusty gentlemen. » |