Enter Sampson, and Gregory, with swords and bucklers.

SAMPSON.

GREGORY, o'my word, we'll not carry coals.
Greg. No, for then we should be colliers.

Sam. I mean, an we be in choler, we'll draw.

Greg. Ay, while you live, draw your neck out of the

collar.

Sam. I strike quickly, being moved.

Greg. But thou art not quickly moved to strike.

Sam. A dog of the house of Montague moves me.

Greg. To move, is to stir; and to be valiant, is-to stand to it: 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.

Greg. That shews 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.

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

men.

Sam. 'Tis all one, I will shew myself a tyrant: when I have fought with the men, I will be cruel with the maids; I will cut off their heads.

Greg. The heads of the maids?

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

Greg. 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.

Greg. 'Tis well, thou art not fish; if thou hadst, thou hadst been Poor John. Draw thy tool; here comes two of the house of the Montagues.

Enter Abram, and Balthasar.

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

thee.

Greg. How? turn thy back, and run?

Sam. Fear me not.

Greg. No, marry: I fear thee!

Sam. Let us take the law of our sides; 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 disgrace 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 side, if I

Greg. No.

say-ay?

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,
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.

Greg. Say-better; here comes one of my master's kins

men.

Sam. Yes, better, sir.

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,

to part these men with me.

Or manage it to

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, with clubs.

Cit. Clubs, bills, 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!-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.
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 ifsuing 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, Have thrice disturb'd the quiet of our streets; And made Verona's ancient citizens Cast by their grave beseeming ornaments, To wield old partizans, in hands as old, Canker'd with peace, to part your canker'd hate: If ever you disturb our streets again, Your lives shall pay the forfeit of the For this time, all the rest depart away: You, Capulet, shall go along with me; And, Montague, come you this afternoon, To know our further pleasure in this case, To old Free-town, our common judgment-place. Once more, on pain of death, all men depart.

peace.

[Exeunt Prince, and Attendants; Capulet, lady Capulet, Tybalt, Citizens, and Servants.

Mon. Who set this ancient quarrel new abroach?
Speak, nephew, were you by, when it began?

Ben. Here were the servants of your adversary,
And yours, close fighting ere I did approach:
I drew to part them; in the instant came
The fiery Tybalt, with his sword prepar'd;
Which, as he breath'd defiance to my ears,