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Romeo and Juliet was the first drama in English to confer full tragic dignity on the agonies of youthful love. The lyricism that enshrines their death-marked devotion has made the lovers legendary in every language that possesses a literature.

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Romeo and Juliet

Stanley Thornes Publishers, Ltd

Chapter One

* * *

SCENE I A public place

enter Mercutio, Benvolio, and Men

Benvolio I pray thee, good Mercutio, let's retire. The day is hot, the Capulets abroad, And if we meet, we shall not scape a brawl, For now, these hot days, is the mad blood stirring.

Mercutio Thou art like one of these fellows that, when he enters the confines of a tavern, claps me his sword upon the table and says "God send me no need of thee!" and by the operation of the second cup draws him on the drawer, when indeed there is no need.

Benvolio Am I like such a fellow?

Mercutio Come, come, thou art as hot a jack in thy mood as any in Italy; and as soon moved to be moody, and as soon moody to be moved.

Benvolio And what to?

Mercutio Nay, an there were two such, we should have none shortly, for one would kill the other. Thou! Why, thou wilt quarrel with a man that hath a hair more or a hair less in his beard than thou hast. Thou wilt quarrel with a man for racking nuts, having no other reason but because thou hast hazel eyes. What eye but such an eye would spy out such a quarrel? Thy head is as full of quarrels as an egg is full of meat, and yet thy head hath been beaten as addle as an egg for quarreling. Thou hast quarreled with a man for coughing in the street, because he hath wakened thy dog that hath lain asleep in the sun. Didst thou not fall out with a tailor for wearing his new doublet before Easter, with another for tying his new shoes with an old riband? And yet thou wilt tutor me from quarreling!

Benvolio An I were so apt to quarrel as thou art, any man should buy the fee simple of my life for an hour and a quarter.

Mercutio The fee simple? O simple!

enter Tybalt and others

Benvolio By my head, here come the Capulets.

Mercutio By my heel, I care not.

Tybalt (to other Capulets) Follow me close, for I will speak to them. Gentlemen, good den. A word with one of you.

Mercutio And but one word with one of us? Couple it with something, make it a word and a blow.

Tybalt You shall find me apt enough to that, sir, an you will give me occasion.

Mercutio Could you not take some occasion without giving?

Tybalt Mercutio, thou consortest with Romeo.

Mercutio Consort? What, dost thou make us minstrels? An thou make minstrels of us, look to hear nothing but discords. (indicates his sword) Here's my fiddlestick, here's that shall make you dance. Zounds, consort!

Benvolio We talk here in the public haunt of men. Either withdraw unto some private place And reason coldly of your grievances, Or else depart. Here all eyes gaze on us.

Mercutio Men's eyes were made to look, and let them gaze. I will not budge for no man's pleasure.

enter Romeo

Tybalt Well, peace be with you, sir. Here comes my man.

Mercutio But I'll be hanged, sir, if he wear your livery. Marry, go before to field, he'll be your follower. Your worship in that sense may call him man.

Tybalt Romeo, the love I bear thee can afford No better term than this: thou art a villain.

Romeo Tybalt, the reason that I have to love thee Doth much excuse the appertaining rage To such a greeting. Villain am I none. Therefore farewell. I see thou knowest me not.

Tybalt Boy, this shall not excuse the injuries That thou hast done me. Therefore turn and draw.

Romeo I do protest I never injured thee, But love thee better than thou canst devise, Till thou shalt know the reason of my love. And so good Capulet, which name I tender As dearly as mine own, be satisfied.

Mercutio O calm, dishonorable, vile submission! Alla stoccata carries it away. (he draws) Tybalt, you ratcatcher, will you walk?

Tybalt What wouldst thou have with me?

Mercutio Good King of Cats, nothing but one of your nine lives. That I mean to make bold withal and, as you shall use me hereafter, dry beat the rest of the eight. Will you pluck your sword out of his pilcher by the ears? Make haste, lest mine be about your ears ere it be out.

Tybalt I am for you. (he draws)

Romeo Gentle Mercurio, put thy rapier up.

Mercutio (to Tybalt) Come, sir, your passado!

THEY FIGHT

Romeo Draw, Benvolio, beat down their weapons. Gentlemen, for shame! Forbear this outrage! Tybalt, Mercutio! The Prince expressly hath Forbid this bandying inVerona streets. Hold, Tybalt! Good Mercutio!

Tybalt under Romeo's arm stabs Mercutio and flies with his Followers

Mercutio I am hurt. A plague both your houses. I am sped. Is he gone and hath nothing?

Benvolio What, art thou hurt?

Mercutio Ay, ay, a scratch, a scratch. Marry, 'tis enough. Where is my page? (to Page) Go, villain, fetch a surgeon.

exit Page

Romeo Courage, man. The hurt cannot be much.

Mercutio No, 'tis not so deep as a well, nor so wide as a church door, but 'tis enough, 'twill serve. Ask for me tomorrow, and you shall find me a grave man. I am peppered, I warrant, for this world. A plague o' both your houses. Zounds, a dog, a rat, a mouse, a cat, to scratch a man to death. A braggart, a rogue, a villain, that fights by the book of arithmetic. Why the devil came you between us? I was hurt under your arm.

Romeo I thought all for the best.

Mercutio Help me into some house, Benvolio, Or I shall faint. A plague o' both your houses. They have made worms' meat of me. I have it, And soundly too. Your houses!

exit, supported by Benvolio

Romeo This gentleman, the Prince's near ally, My very friend, hath got this mortal hurt In my behalf - my reputation stained With Tybalt's slander - Tybalt, that an hour Hath been my kinsman. O sweet Juliet, Thy beauty hath made me effeminate And in my temper softened valor's steel.

enter Benvolio

Benvolio O Romeo, Romeo, brave Mercurio's dead, That gallant spirit hath aspired the clouds, Which too untimely here did scorn the earth.

Romeo This day's black fate on moe days doth depend. This but begins the woe others must end.

enter Tybalt

Benvolio Here comes the furious Tybalt back again.

Romeo Alive in triumph, and Mercurio slain? Away to heaven respective lenity, And fire-eyed fury be my conduct now! Now, Tybalt, take the "villain" back again That late thou gavest me, for Mercutio's soul Is but a little way above our heads, Staying for thine to keep him company. Either thou or I, or both, must go with him.

Tybalt Thou wretched boy, that didst consort him here, Shalt with him hence.

Romeo (drawing his sword) This shall determine that.

they fight. Tybalt falls

Benvolio Romeo, away, be gone. The citizens are up, and Tybalt slain. Stand not amazed. The Prince will doom thee death If thou art taken. Hence, be gone,...