Internet Shakespeare Editions

Author: William Shakespeare
Editor: Roger Apfelbaum
Peer Reviewed

Romeo and Juliet (Quarto 2, 1599)

The most lamentable Tragedie
Grego. The heads of the maids.
Samp. I the heads of the maides, or their maiden heads, take it
in what sense thou wilt.
30Greg. They must take it sense that feele it.
Samp. Me they shall feele while I am able to stand, and tis
knowne I am a pretie peece of flesh.
Greg. Tis well thou art not fish, if thou hadst, thou hadst bin
poore Iohn: draw thy toole, here comes of the house of Moun-
35tagues.
Enter two other seruing men.
Samp. My naked weapon is out, quarell, I will back thee.
Greg. How, turne thy backe and runne?
Samp. Feare me not.
40 Greg. No marrie, I feare thee.
Sam. Let vs take the law of our sides, let them begin.
Gre. I will frown as I passe by, and let them take it as they list.
Samp. Nay as they dare, I wil bite my thumb at them, which
is disgrace to them if they beare it.
45Abram. Do you bite your thumbe at vs sir?
Samp. I do bite my thumbe sir.
Abra. Do you bite your thumb at vs sir?
Samp. Is the law of our side if I say I?
Greg. No.
Samp. No sir, I do not bite my thumbe at you sir, but I bite
50my thumbe sir.
Greg. Do you quarell sir?
Abra. Quarell sir, no sir.
. But if you do sir, I am for you, I serue as good a as you.
Abra. No better.
55Samp. Well sir. Enter Benuolio.
Greg. Say better, here comes one of my maisters kinsmen.
Sam. Yes better sir.
Abra. You lie.
Samp. Draw if you be men, Gregorie, remember thy washing
60blowe. They fight.
Benuo. Part fooles, put vp your swords, you know not what
you do.
Enter