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  • Title: Romeo and Juliet (Quarto 1, 1597)
  • Editor: Roger Apfelbaum
  • ISBN: 1-55058-299-2

    Copyright Internet Shakespeare Editions. This text may be freely used for educational, non-proift purposes; for all other uses contact the Coordinating Editor.
    Author: William Shakespeare
    Editor: Roger Apfelbaum
    Not Peer Reviewed

    Romeo and Juliet (Quarto 1, 1597)

    The most excellent Tragedie,

    1 I the heades of their Maides, or the Maidenheades,
    take it in what sence thou wilt.
    30 2 Nay let them take it in sence that feele it, but heere
    comes two of the Mountagues.
    Enter two Seruingmen of the Mountagues.
    1 Nay feare not me I warrant thee.
    40 2 I feare them no more than thee, but draw.
    1 Nay let vs haue the law on our side, let them begin
    first. Ile tell thee what Ile doo, as I goe by ile bite my
    thumbe, which is disgrace enough if they suffer it.
    44.1 2 Content, goe thou by and bite thy thumbe, and ile
    come after and frowne.
    45 1 Moun: Doo you bite your thumbe at vs?
    1 I bite my thumbe.
    2 Moun: I but i'st at vs?
    1 I bite my thumbe, is the law on our side?
    2 No.
    48.1 1 I bite my thumbe.
    1 Moun: I but i'st at vs? Enter Beneuolio.
    2 Say I, here comes my Masters kinsman.

    They draw, to them enters Tybalt, they fight, to them the
    Prince, old Mountague, and his wife, old Capulet and
    his wife, and other Citizens and part them.

    Prince: Rebellious subiects enemies to peace,
    On paine of torture, from those bloody handes
    Throw your mistempered weapons to the ground.
    Three Ciuell brawles bred of an airie word,
    By the old Capulet and Mountague,
    Haue thrice disturbd the quiet of our streets.
    If euer you disturbe our streets againe,
    Your