[Aside to SAMPSON] Say “better.” Here comes one of my master’s kinsmen.
[To SAMPSON so that only he can hear] Say “better.” One of our master’s kinsmen has just arrived.
[To ABRAHAM] Yes, better, sir.
[To ABRAHAM] Yes, my master is better than yours, sir.
Draw, if you be men.—Gregory, remember thy washing blow.
Draw your swords, if you’re men. Gregory, get ready to slash them.
[Draws his sword] Part, fools! Put up your swords. You know not what you do.
[He takes out his sword] Break it up, fools! Sheathe your swords. You don’t know what you’re doing.
What, art thou drawn among these heartless hinds? Turn thee, Benvolio. Look upon thy death.
What, have you drawn your sword to fight with servants? Turn around, Benvolio, and see the man who will kill you.
I do but keep the peace. Put up thy sword, Or manage it to part these men with me.
I’m just trying to keep the peace. Put away your sword, or else use it to help me stop this fighting.
What, drawn, and talk of peace? I hate the word, As I hate hell, all Montagues, and thee. Have at thee, coward!
You hold your sword drawn out, and say “peace?” I hate that word, just as I hate hell, all Montagues, and you. Now let's fight, you coward!
They fight. Enter three or four CITIZENS, with clubs or partisans
BENVOLIO and TYBALT fight. Veronese CITIZENS enter, carrying clubs.
Clubs, bills, and partisans! Strike! Beat them down! Down with the Capulets! Down with the Montagues!
Beat them down with your clubs, spears, and axes. Hit them! Down with the Capulets! Down with the Montagues!
Enter old CAPULET in his gown, and his wife, LADY CAPULET
CAPULET, in his nightgown, and LADY CAPULET enter.
What noise is this? Give me my long sword, ho!
What is this noise? Give me my long sword. Now!
A crutch, a crutch! Why call you for a sword?
You need a crutch! Why are you calling for a sword?
Enter old MONTAGUE and his wife, LADY MONTAGUE
MONTAGUE, with his sword out, and LADY MONTAGUE enter.
My sword, I say! Old Montague is come, And flourishes his blade in spite of me.
Give me my sword, I said! Old Montague has arrived, and he’s waving his sword just to spite me.
Thou villain Capulet! Hold me not. Let me go.
You are a villain, Capulet! [LADY MONTAGUE grabs his arm] Let go of me. Don’t stop me.
Thou shalt not stir one foot to seek a foe.
You’re not taking one step to try to fight an enemy.
Enter PRINCE ESCALUS, with his train
PRINCE ESCALUS enters with his attendants.
Rebellious subjects, enemies to peace, Profaners of this neighbor-stainèd 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 mistempered weapons to the ground, And hear the sentence of your movèd prince. Three civil brawls, bred of an airy word, By thee, old Capulet, and Montague, Have thrice disturbed the quiet of our streets And made Verona’s ancient Citizens Cast by their grave-beseeming ornaments, To wield old partisans in hands as old, Cankered with peace, to part your cankered hate. If ever you disturb our streets again, Your lives shall pay the forfeit of the peace. For this time, all the rest depart away. You, Capulet, shall go along with me, And, Montague, come you this afternoon To know our farther pleasure in this case, To old Free-town, our common judgment-place. Once more, on pain of death, all men depart.
You rebels and enemies of the peace, who curse your own weapons by turning them on your neighbors.
[To himself] Can they not hear me?
[To the fighters] Silence! You men, you beasts, who can only put out the fire of your anger by spilling fountains of blood. I will torture you unless you drop your weapons from your bloody hands and listen to me, your enraged Prince. Because of nothing more than a casual word from you, Capulet and Montague, three battles have raged in our city’s streets. These battles have forced even Verona’s elderly citizens to take off their dignified clothes and jewelry and instead pick up old and rusty spears in order to put an end to your fighting. If any of you Capulets or Montagues disturb the peace in the future, you will pay for it with your lives. Now everyone go home. Capulet, you come with me in order to hear what else I want from you. Montague, you come this afternoon to old Free-town , where I deliver my judgments. Everyone else, leave this place right now, or I will have you killed.
Exeunt all but MONTAGUE, LADY MONTAGUE, and BENVOLIO