Internet Shakespeare Editions

Author: William Shakespeare
Editor: Roger Apfelbaum
Peer Reviewed

Romeo and Juliet (Quarto 2, 1599)

The most lamentable Tragedie
2680 Enter Will Kemp.
Peter. Musitions, oh Musitions, harts ease, harts ease,
O, and you will haue me liue, play harts ease.
Fidler. Why harts ease?
2685 Peter. O Musitions, because my hart it selfe plaies my hart is (full:
2686.1O play me some merie dump to comfort me.
Minstrels. Not a dump we, tis no time to play now.
Peter. You will not then?
Minst. No.
2690Peter. I will then giue it you soundly.
Minst. What will you giue vs?
Peter. No money on my faith, but the gleeke.
I will giue you the Minstrell.
Minstrel. Then will I giue you the Seruing-creature.
2695 Peter. Then will I lay the seruing-creatures dagger on your (pate.
I will cary no Crochets, ile re you, Ile fa
You, do you note me?
Minst. And you re vs, and fa vs, you note vs.
2. M. Pray you put vp your dagger, and put out your wit.
Then haue at you with my wit.
Peter. I will dry-beate you with an yron wit, and put vp my (yron dagger.
Answere me like men.
2705When griping griefes the hart doth wound, then musique with
her siluer sound.
Why siluer sound, why musique, with her siluer sound, what say
you Simon Catling?
Minst. Mary sir, because siluer hath a sweet sound.
2710Peter. Prates, what say you Hugh Rebick?
2. M. I say siluer sound, because Musitions sound for siluer.
Peter. Prates to, what say you Iames sound post?
3. M. Faith I know not what to say.
Peter. O I cry you mercy, you are the singer.
2715I will say for you, it is musique with her siluer sound,
Because Musitions haue no gold for sounding:
Then Musique with her siluer sound with speedy help doth
lend redresse.
Exit.

Minst.