PROLOGUE.

TWO Houfbolds, 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; Whofe mif-adventur'd piteous 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 children's End nought could remove,

Is now the two hours' traffick of our stage:
The which if you with patient Ears attend,
What bere fhall mifs, our Toil fhall frive to mend.

ESCALUS, Prince of Verona.
Paris, Kinfman to the Prince.
Montague,

Capulet, }Two Lords, Enemies to each other.

Romeo, Son to Montague.

Mercutio, Kinfman to the Prince, and Friend to Romeo.

Benvolio, Kinfman to Romeo.
Tybalt, Kinfman to Capulet.
Friar Lawrence.

Friar John.

Balthafar, Servant to Romeo.
Page to Paris.

Sampfon,
Gregory,

} Servants to Capulet.

Abram, Servant to Montague.

Apothecary.
Simon Catling,
Hugh Rebeck,
Samuel Soundboard,
Peter, Servant to the Nurfe.

}

3 Muficians.

Lady Montague, Wife to Montague.

Lady Capulet, Wife to Capulet.

Juliet, Daughter to Capulet, in love with Romeo.
Nurfe to Juliet.
CHORUS.

Citizens of Verona, feveral men and women relations to Capulet, Mafkers, Guards, Watch, 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.

Plot from a Novel of Bandello. Pope.

This novel is tranflated in
Painter's Palace of Pleasure.
Editions of this Play,
1. 1597. John Danter.

2. 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.

ACT I. SCENE I.

The Street, in Verona.

G

Enter Samplon and Gregory, (with fwords and bucklers) two fervants of the Capulets.

SAMPSON.

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. 1 ftrike quickly, being mov'd.

Greg. But thou art not quickly mov'd to strike.

we'll not carry coals.] A phrafe then in ufe, to fignify the bearing i juries. WARBURTON.

I

This is pofitively told us; but if another critic fhall as pofitively deny it, where is the proof?

I do not certainly know the meaning of the phrafe, but it feems rather to be to smother anger, and to be ufed of a man who burns inwardly with refentment, to which he gives no vent.

Sam.

B 3

Sam. A dog of the House of Montague moves me. Greg. To move, is to ftir, and to be valiant, is to ftand; 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 fhews thee a weak flave; 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 thruft his maids to the wall.

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

2

Sam. 'Tis all one, I will fhew 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 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 fish; if thou hadft, thou hadft been Poor John. Draw thy tool, here comes of the House of the Montagues.

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 not.

Greg. No, marry: I fear thee!

2 cruel with the maids,] The first folio reads civil with the maids.

Sam.