P R O L OG U E.

TWO Houfholds, both alike in Dignity,

In fair Verona, (where we lay our Scene) From ancient Grudge break to new mutiny ;

Where civil blood makes civil bands unclean. From forth the fatal loins of these two foes,

A pair of star-croft lovers take their life; Whose mif-adventur'd piteous Overtbrows

Do, with their death, bury their Parent's strife. The fearful passage of their death-mark'd love,

And the continuance of their Parent's tage, Which but their children's End nought could remove,

Is now the two bours' traffick of our stage: The wbicb if you with patient Ears attend, What bere shall miss, our Toil shall

strive to mend.

}

ESCALU S, Prince of Verona.
Paris, Kinsman to the Prince.
Montague,

Two Lords, Enemies to each other.
Capolet,
Romeo, Son to Montague.
Mercutio, Kinsman to the Prince, and Friend to Romeo,
Benvolio, Kinsman to Romeo.
Tybalt, Kinsman to Capulet.
Friar Lawrence.
Friar John.
Balthasar, Servant to Romeo.
Page to Paris.
Sampson,} Servants to Capulet.
Gregory,
Abram, Servant to Montague.
Apothecary.
Simon Catling,
Hugh Rebeck, 3 Musicians.
Samuel Soundboard,
Peter, Servant to the Nurse.
Lady Montague, Wife to Montague.
Lady Capulet, Wife to Capulet.
Juliet, Daughter io Capulet, in love with Romeo,
Nurse to Juliet,
CHORUS
Citizens of Verona, several men and women relations to
Capulet, Maskers, Guards, Watch, and other Attendants.
The SCENE, in the beginning of the fiftb Axt, is in

Mantua ; during all the rest of the Play, in and near
Verona.

Plot from a Novel of Bandello. Pope.

This novel is translated in Painters's Palace of Fleasure.

Editions of this Play. 1. 1597: John Danter,

1599. Tho. Crede for Cuthbert Burby.

3. 1637. R. Young for John Smethwick,

4. No date. John Smethwick, I have only the folio.

ROMEO and JULIET.

A CT I.

SCENE I.

The Street, in Verona.

Enter Sampson and Gregory, (with swords and bucklers)

two servants of the Capulets.

SAMPSON.

G

REGORY, on 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 mov’d.
Greg. But thou art not quickly mov'd to strike.

I we'll not carry coals.] A I do not certainly know the phrase then in use, to signify the meaning of the phrase, but it bearing injuries. WARBURTON. seems rather to be to smother an.

This is pobtively told us; but ger, and to be used of a man if another critic hall as positive- who burns inwardly with resentIy deny it, where is the proof? ment, to which he gives no vent. B 3

Sam.

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

Greg. To move, is to stir, and to be valiant, is to tand; therefore, if thou art mov'd, 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.

Greg. That shews thee a weak nave; for the weakest goes to the wall.

Sam. True, and therefore women, being the weakest, 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, and cut off their heads.

Greg. The heads of the maids ?

Sam. Ay, the heads of the maids, or the 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 fand: and 'tis known I am a pretty piece of fefhe

Greg. 'Tis well thou art not fish; if thou hadst, thou hadít been Poor John. Draw thy cool, here comes of the House of the Montagues.

Enter Abram and Balthasar. San. 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! * cruel with the mait':,]. The first folio reads civil with the maids,

Sam,