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; I will 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 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. 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. 3 Enter ABRAM and BALTHAZAR. 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. 2 -poor John.] is hake, dried, and salted. 3 here comes two of the house of the Montagues.] It should be observed, that the partizans of the Montague family wore a token in their hats, in order to distinguish them from their enemies, the Capulets. Hence throughout this play, they are known at a dis tance. Abr. Do you bite your thumb at us, sir? Abr. Do you bite your thumb at us, sir? say ay? 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 kinsmen. Sam. Yes, better, sir. Abr. You lie. Sam. Draw, if be men. you thy swashing blow. Gregory, remember [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. Or Ben. I do but keep the peace; put up thy sword, manage it to part these men with me. Tyb. What, drawn, and talk of peace? I hate the word, As I hate hell, all Montagues, and thee: Have at thee, coward. [They fight. Enter several Partizans of both Houses, who join the fray: then enter Citizens, twith Clubs. 1 Cit. Clubs, bills 4, and partizans ! 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 ! — sword? Why call you for 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. La. Mon. Thou shalt not stir one foot to seek a foe. 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,— That quench the fire of your pernicious rage With purple fountains issuing from your veins, On pain of torture, from those bloody hands Throw your mis-temper'd weapons to the ground, And hear the sentence of your moved prince. Three civil brawls, bred of an airy word, By thee, old Capulet, and Montague, 5 Have thrice disturb'd the quiet of our streets; 4 Clubs, bills, &c.] When an affray arose in the streets, clubs was the usual exclamation. 5 mis-temperd weapons - ] are angry weapons. And made Verona's ancient citizens Cast by their grave beseeming ornaments, Canker'd with peace, to part your canker'd hate : [Exeunt Prince, and Attendants; CAPULET, Mon. Who set this ancient quarrel new abroach? - - saw you him to Right glad I am, he was not at this fray. Ben. Madam, an hour before the worshipp'd sun Peer'd forth the golden window of the east, A troubled mind drave me to walk abroad; I, measuring his affections by my own, That most are busied when they are most alone, And gladly shunn'd who gladly fled from me. Mon. Many a morning hath he there been seen, Black and portentous must this humour prove, Ben. My noble uncle, do you know the cause? Ere he can spread his sweet leaves to the air, Or dedicate his beauty to the sun. + Could we but learn from whence his sorrows grow, We would as willingly give cure, as know. Enter ROMEO, at a distance. Ben. See, where he comes: So please you, step aside; I'll know his grievance, or be much denied. Mon. I would, thou wert so happy by thy stay, To hear true shrift.- Come, madam, let's away. [Exeunt MONTAGUE and Lady. +"to the same." MALONE. |