Internet Shakespeare Editions

Author: William Shakespeare
Editor: Roger Apfelbaum
Peer Reviewed

Romeo and Juliet (Quarto 2, 1599)

of Romeo and Iuliet.
1540Or I shall faint, a plague a both your houses.
They haue made wormes meate of me,
I haue it, and soundly, to your houses.
Exit.
Ro. This Gentleman the Princes neare alie,
My very friend hath got this mortall hurt
1545In my behalfe, my reputation staind
With Tybalts slaunder, Tybalt that an houre
Hath bene my Cozen, O sweete Iuliet,
Thy bewtie hath made me effeminate,
And in my temper softned valours steele.

1550 Enter Benuolio.

Ben. O Romeo,Romeo, braue Mercutio is dead,
That gallant spirit hath aspir'd the Clowdes,
Which too vntimely here did scorne the earth.
Ro. This dayes blacke fate, on mo daies doth depēd,
1555This but begins, the wo others must end.
Ben. Here comes the furious Tybalt backe againe.
Ro. He gan in triumph and Mercutio slaine,
Away to heauen, respectiue lenitie,
1560And fier end furie, be my conduct now,
Now Tybalt take the villaine backe againe,
That late thou gauest me, for Mercutios soule
Is but a little way aboue our heads,
Staying for thine to keepe him companie:
1565Either thou or I, or both, must go with him.
Ty. Thou wretched boy that didst sort him here,
Shalt with him hence.
Ro. This shall determine that.
They Fight. Tibalt falles.
1570Ben. Romeo, away be gone:
The Citizens are vp, and Tybalt slaine,
Stand not amazed, the Prince wil doome thee death,
If thou art taken, hence be gone away.
Ro. O