 | Romeo and Juliet |  |
SCENE I.
The Street.Enter Mercutio, Benvolio, and servants.
Benvolio.
I pray thee, good Mercutio, let's retire,
The day is hot, the Capulets abroad,
And if we meet we shall not 'scape a brawl.
Mer.
Thou art like one of those fellows, that when he
enters the confines of a tavern, claps me his sword upon
the table, and says, God send me no need of thee; and
by the operation of a second cup; draws it on the drawer,
when indeed there is no need.
Ben.
Am I like such a fellow?
Mer.
Come, come, thou art as hot a Jack in thy
mood as any in Italy; an' there were two such, we should
have none shortly, for one would kill the other. Thou!
why thou wilt quarrel with a man that hath a hair more,
or a hair less in his beard than thou hast: thou wilt
quarrel with a man for cracking nuts, having no other
reason, but because thou hast hazel eyes; thou hast
he hath wakened thy dog that hath lain asleep in the sun.
Didst thou not fall out with a tailor for wearing his new
doublet before Easter? with another, for tying his new
shoes with old ribband? and yet thou wilt tutor me for
quarrelling!
Ben.
If I were so apt to quarrel as thou art, any man
should buy the fee simple of my life for an hour and a
quarter.
Enter Tibalt, Petruchio, and others.
Ben.
By my head, here come the Capulets.
Mer.
By my heel, I care not.
Tib.
Be near at hand, for I will speak to them:
Gentlemen, good-den, a word with one of you.
Mer.
And but one word with one of us? couple it with
something, make it a word and a blow.
Tib.
You shall find me apt enough to that, Sir, if you
will give me occasion.
Mer.
Could you not take some occasion without giving?
Tib.
Mercutio, thou consort'st with Romeo.
Mer.
Consort? what, dost thou make us minstrels! if
thou make minstrels of us, look to hear nothing but discords:
here's my fiddlestick, here's that shall make you
dance, zounds! consort!
[Laying his hand on his Sword.
Ben.
We talk here in the publick haunt of men:
Either withdraw into some private place,
Or reason coldly of your grievances,
Or else depart; here all eyes gaze on us.
Mer.
Mens eyes were made to look, and let them gaze,
I will not budge for no man's pleasure, I.
Enter Romeo.
Tib.
Well, peace be with you, Sir, here comes my man.
Mer.
But I'll be hang'd, Sir, if he wear your livery.
Tib.
Romeo, the love I bear thee can afford
No better term than this; thou art a villain.
Rom.
Tibalt, the reason that I have to love thee,
Doth much excuse the appertaining rage
Therefore farewel, I see thou know'st me not.
Tib.
Boy, this shall not excuse the injuries
That thou hast done me, therefore turn and draw.
Rom.
I do protest I never injur'd thee,
But love thee better than thou canst devise;
And so, good Capulet (whose name I tender
As dearly as my own) be satisfied.
Mer.
O calm, dishonourable vile submission!
Ha! la stoccata carries it away—Tibalt—you rat-catcher.
Tib.
What would'st thou have with me?
Mer.
Will you pluck you sword out of his pilcher by
the ears? Make haste, lest mine be about your ears ere
it be out.
Tib.
I am for you, Sir.
[Drawing.
Rom.
Gentle Mercutio, put thy raper up.
Mer.
Come, Sir, your passado.
[Mer. and Tib. fight.
Rom.
Draw, Benvolio—beat down their weapons—
Gentlemen—for shame forbear this outrage—
Hold Tibalt, good Mercutio—
[Exit Tibalt.
Mer.
I am hurt—
A plague of both your houses! I am sped:
Is he gone, and hath nothing?
Rom.
What, art thou hurt?
Mer.
Ay, ay, a scratch, a scratch; marry 'tis enough:
Go, fetch a surgeon.
Rom.
Courage, man, the hurt cannot be much.
Mer.
No, 'tis not so deep as a well, nor so wide as a
church-door, but 'tis enough, 'twill serve: I am pepper'd,
I warrant, for this world: a plague of both your houses!
What? a braggart, a rogue, a villain, that fights by the
book of arithmetick? why the devil came you between
us? I was hurt under your arm.
Rom.
I thought all for the best.
Mer.
Help me into some house, Benvolio,
Or I shall fainte a plague o' both your houses!
They have made worms meat of me,
I have it, and soundly too; plague take your houses;
Your Mountagues and Capulets together!
[Exe. Mer. Ben.
| Romeo and Juliet | |