Internet Shakespeare Editions

Author: William Shakespeare
Editor: Roger Apfelbaum
Not Peer Reviewed

Romeo and Juliet (Quarto 1, 1597)

of Romeo and Iuliet.

Thy beautie makes me thus effeminate,
And in my temper softens valors steele.

1550Enter Benuolio.

Ben: Ah Romeo Romeo braue Mercutio is dead,
That gallant spirit hath aspir'd the cloudes,
Which too vntimely scornd the lowly earth.
Rom: This daies black fate,on more daies doth depend
1555This but begins what other dayes must end.

Enter Tibalt.

Ben: Heere comes the furious Tibalt backe againe.
Rom: A liue in tryumph and Mercutio slaine?
Away to heauen respectiue lenity:
1560And fier eyed fury be my conduct now.
Now Tibalt take the villaine backe againe,
Which late thou gau'st me: for Mercutios soule,
Is but a little way aboue the cloudes,
And staies for thine to beare him company.
1565Or thou, or I, or both shall follow him.

Fight, Tibalt falles.

1570Ben: Romeo away, thou seest that Tibalt's slaine,
The Citizens approach, away, begone
Thou wilt be taken.
Rom: Ah I am fortunes slaue.
Exeunt

Enter Citizens.

Watch: Wher's he that slue Mercutio, Tybalt that vil-
laine?
1580Ben: There is that Tybalt.
F2 Watch: Vp