Internet Shakespeare Editions

Author: William Shakespeare
Editor: Roger Apfelbaum
Peer Reviewed

Romeo and Juliet (Quarto 2, 1599)

of Romeo and Iuliet.
Enter Tibalt.
Tibalt. What art thou drawne among these hartlesse hindes?
65turne thee Benuolio, looke vpon thy death.
Benuo. I do but keepe the peace, put vp thy sword,
or manage it to part these men with me.
Tib. What drawne and talke of peace? I hate the word,
as I hate hell, all Mountagues and thee:
70Haue at thee coward.
Enter three of foure Citizens with Clubs or partysons.
Offi. Clubs, Bils and Partisons, strike, beate them downe,
Downe with the Capulets, downe with the Mountagues.
Enter old Capulet in his gowne, and his wife.
75Capu. What noyse is this? giue me my long sword hoe.
Wife. A crowch, a crowch, why call you for a sword?
Cap. My sword I say, old Mountague is come,
And florishes his blade in spight of me.
Enter old Mountague and his wife.
80Mount. Thou villaine Capulet, hold me not, let me go.
M. Wife. 2. Thou shalt not stir one foote to seeke a foe.
Enter Prince Eskales, with his traine.
Prince. Rebellious subiects enemies to peace,
Prophaners of this neighbour-stayned steele,
85Will they not heare? what ho, you men, you beasts:
That quench the fire of your pernicious rage,
With purple fountaines issuing from your veines:
On paine of torture from those bloudie hands,
Throw your mistempered weapons to the ground,
90And heare the sentence of your moued Prince.
Three ciuill brawles bred of an ayrie word,
By thee old Capulet and Mountague,
Haue thrice disturbd the quiet of our streets,
And made Neronas auncient Citizens,
95Cast by their graue beseeming ornaments,
To wield old partizans, in hands as old,
Cancred with peace, to part your cancred hate,
If euer you disturbe our streets againe,
Your