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  • Title: Romeo and Juliet (Quarto 2, 1599)
  • 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
    Peer Reviewed

    Romeo and Juliet (Quarto 2, 1599)

    The most lamentable Tragedie
    Ro. O I am fortunes foole.
    1575Ben. Why dost thou stay?
    Exit Romeo.
    Enter Citizens.
    Citti. Which way ran he that kild Mercutio?
    Tybalt that mutherer, which way ran he?
    1580Ben. There lies that Tybalt.
    Citi. Vp sir, go with me:
    I charge thee in the Princes name obey.
    Enter Prince, olde Mountague, Capulet,
    their wiues and all.
    1585Prin. Where are the vile beginners of this fray?
    Ben. O Noble Prince, I can discouer all:
    The vnluckie mannage of this fatall brall,
    There lies the man slaine by young Romeo,
    That slew thy kisman, braue Mercutio.
    1590 Capu.Wi. Tybalt, my Cozin, O my brothers child,
    O Prince, O Cozen, husband, O the bloud is spild
    Of my deare kisman, Prince as thou art true,
    For bloud of ours, shead bloud of Mountague.
    O Cozin, Cozin.
    1595Prin. Benuolio, who began this bloudie fray?
    Ben. Tybalt here slain, whom Romeos hand did slay,
    Romeo that spoke him faire, bid him bethinke
    How nice the quarell was, and vrgd withall
    Your high displeasure all this vttered,
    1600With gentle breath, calm look, knees humbly bowed
    Could not take truce with the vnruly spleene
    Of Tybalt deafe to peace, but that he tilts
    With piercing steele at bold Mercutios breast,
    Who all as hot, turnes deadly poynt to poynt,
    1605And with a Martiall scorne, with one hand beates
    Cold death aside, and with the other sends
    It backe to Tybalt, whose dexteritie
    Retorts it, Romeo he cries aloud,
    Hold friends, friends part, and swifter then his tongue,
    His