Reading Help THE TRAGEDY OF ROMEO AND JULIET
buy `
` the fee simple of my life for an hour and a quarter. `
` Mer. The fee simple? O simple! `
` `
` Enter Tybalt and others. `
` `
` Ben. By my head, here come the Capulets. `
` Mer. By my heel, I care not. `
` Tyb. Follow me close, 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. `
` Tyb. You shall find me apt enough to that, sir, an you will `
` give me `
` occasion. `
` Mer. Could you not take some occasion without giving `
` Tyb. Mercutio, thou consortest with Romeo. `
` Mer. Consort? What, dost thou make us minstrels? An thou make `
` minstrels of us, look to hear nothing but discords. Here's my `
` fiddlestick; here's that shall make you dance. Zounds, `
` consort! `
` Ben. We talk here in the public haunt of men. `
` Either withdraw unto some private place `
` And reason coldly of your grievances, `
` Or else depart. Here all eyes gaze on us. `
` Mer. Men's eyes were made to look, and let them gaze. `
` I will not budge for no man's pleasure, `
` `
` Enter Romeo. `
` `
` Tyb. Well, peace be with you, sir. Here comes my man. `
` Mer. But I'll be hang'd, sir, if he wear your livery. `
` Marry, go before to field, he'll be your follower! `
` Your worship in that sense may call him man. `
` Tyb. Romeo, the love I bear thee can afford `
` No better term than this: thou art a villain. `
` Rom. Tybalt, the reason that I have to love thee `
` Doth much excuse the appertaining rage `
` To such a greeting. Villain am I none. `
` Therefore farewell. I see thou knowest me not. `
` Tyb. 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 `
` Till thou shalt know the reason of my love; `
` And so good Capulet, which name I tender `
` As dearly as mine own, be satisfied. `
` Mer. O calm, dishonourable, vile submission! `
` Alla stoccata carries it away. [Draws.] `
` Tybalt, you ratcatcher, will you walk? `
` Tyb. What wouldst thou have with me? `
` Mer. Good King of Cats, nothing but one of your nine lives. `
` That I `
` mean to make bold withal, and, as you shall use me hereafter, `
` `
` dry-beat the rest of the eight. Will you pluck your sword out `
` of `
` his pitcher by the ears? Make haste, lest mine be about your `
` ears `
` ere it be out. `
` Tyb. I am for you. [Draws.] `
` Rom. Gentle Mercutio, put thy rapier up. `
` Mer. Come, sir, your passado! `
` [They fight.] `
` Rom. Draw, Benvolio; beat down their weapons. `
` Gentlemen, for shame! forbear this outrage! `
` Tybalt, Mercutio, the Prince expressly hath `
` Forbid this bandying in Verona streets. `
` Hold, Tybalt! Good Mercutio! `
` Tybalt under Romeo's arm thrusts Mercutio in, and flies `
` [with his Followers]. `
` Mer. I am hurt. `
` A plague o' both your houses! I am sped. `
` Is he gone and hath nothing? `
` Ben. What, art thou hurt? `
` Mer. Ay, ay, a scratch, a scratch. Marry, 'tis enough. `
` Where is my page? Go, villain, fetch a surgeon. `
` [Exit Page.] `
` 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. Ask for me to-morrow, and you `
` shall find me a grave man. I am peppered, I warrant, for this `
` world. A plague o' both your houses! Zounds, a dog, a rat, a `
` mouse, a cat, to scratch a man to death! a braggart, a rogue, `
` a `
` villain, that fights by the book of arithmetic! 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 faint. A plague o' both your houses! `
` They have made worms' meat of me. I have it, `
` And soundly too. Your houses! `
` [Exit. [supported by Benvolio]. `
` Rom. This gentleman, the Prince's near ally, `
` My very friend, hath got this mortal hurt `
` In my behalf- my reputation stain'd `
` With Tybalt's slander- Tybalt, that an hour `
` Hath been my kinsman. O sweet Juliet, `
` Thy beauty hath made me effeminate `
` And in my temper soft'ned valour's steel `
` `
` Enter Benvolio. `
` `
` Ben. O Romeo, Romeo, brave Mercutio's dead! `
` That gallant spirit hath aspir'd the clouds, `
` Which too untimely here did scorn the earth. `
` Rom. This day's black fate on moe days doth depend; `
` This but begins the woe others must end. `
` `
` Enter Tybalt. `
` `
` Ben. Here comes the furious Tybalt back again. `
` Rom. Alive in triumph, and Mercutio slain? `
` Away to heaven respective lenity, `
` And fire-ey'd fury be my conduct now! `
` Now, Tybalt, take the 'villain' back again `
` That late thou gavest me; for Mercutio's soul `
` Is but a little way above our heads, `
` Staying for thine to keep him company. `
` Either thou or I, or both, must go with him. `
` Tyb. Thou, wretched boy, that didst consort him here, `
` Shalt with him hence. `
` Rom. This shall determine that. `
` They fight. Tybalt falls. `
` Ben. Romeo, away, be gone! `
` The citizens are up, and Tybalt slain. `
` Stand not amaz'd. The Prince will doom thee death `
` If thou art taken. Hence, be gone, away! `
` Rom. O, I am fortune's fool! `
` Ben. Why dost thou stay? `
` Exit Romeo. `
` Enter Citizens. `
` `
` Citizen. Which way ran he that kill'd Mercutio? `
` Tybalt, that murtherer, which way ran he? `
` Ben. There lies that Tybalt. `
` Citizen. Up, sir, go with me. `
` I charge thee in the Prince's name obey. `
` `
` Enter Prince [attended], Old Montague, Capulet, their Wives, `
` and [others]. `
` `
` Prince. Where are the vile beginners of this fray? `
` Ben. O noble Prince. I can discover all `
` The unlucky manage of this fatal brawl. `
` There lies the man, slain by young Romeo, `
` That slew thy kinsman, brave Mercutio. `
` Cap. Wife. Tybalt, my cousin! O my brother's child! `
` O Prince! O husband! O, the blood is spill'd `
` Of my dear kinsman! Prince, as thou art true, `
` For blood of ours shed blood of Montague. `
` O cousin, cousin! `
` Prince. Benvolio, who began this bloody fray? `
` Ben. Tybalt, here slain, whom Romeo's hand did stay. `
` Romeo, that spoke him fair, bid him bethink `
` How nice the quarrel was, and urg'd withal `
` Your high displeasure. All this- uttered `
` With gentle breath, calm look, knees humbly bow'd- `
` Could not take truce with the unruly spleen `
` Of Tybalt deaf to peace, but that he tilts `
` With piercing steel at bold Mercutio's breast; `
` Who, all as hot, turns deadly point to point, `
` And, with a martial scorn, with one hand beats `
` Cold death aside and with the other sends `
` It back to Tybalt, whose dexterity `
` Retorts it. Romeo he cries aloud, `
` 'Hold, friends! friends, part!' and swifter than his tongue, `
` His agile arm beats down their fatal points, `
` And 'twixt them rushes; underneath whose arm `
` An envious thrust from Tybalt hit the life `
` Of stout Mercutio, and then Tybalt fled; `
` But by-and-by comes back to Romeo, `
` Who had but newly entertain'd revenge, `
` And to't they go like lightning; for, ere I `
` Could draw to part them, was stout Tybalt slain; `
` And, as he fell, did Romeo turn and fly. `
` This is the truth, or let Benvolio die. `
` Cap. Wife. He is a kinsman to the Montague; `
` Affection makes him false, he speaks not true. `
` Some twenty of them fought in this black strife, `
` And all those twenty could but kill one life. `
` I beg for justice, which thou, Prince, must give. `
` Romeo slew Tybalt; Romeo must not live. `
` Prince. Romeo slew him; he slew Mercutio. `
` Who now the price of his dear blood doth owe? `
` Mon. Not Romeo, Prince; he was Mercutio's friend; `
` His fault concludes but what the law should end, `
` The life of Tybalt. `
` Prince. And for that offence `
` Immediately we do exile him hence. `
` I have an interest in your hate's proceeding, `
` My blood for your rude brawls doth lie a-bleeding; `
` But I'll amerce you with so strong a fine `
` That you shall all repent the loss of mine. `
` I will be deaf to pleading and excuses; `
` Nor tears nor prayers shall purchase out abuses. `
` Therefore use none. Let Romeo hence in haste, `
` Else, when he is found, that hour is his last. `
` Bear hence this body, and attend our will. `
` Mercy but murders, pardoning those that kill. `
`
` the fee simple of my life for an hour and a quarter. `
` Mer. The fee simple? O simple! `
` `
` Enter Tybalt and others. `
` `
` Ben. By my head, here come the Capulets. `
` Mer. By my heel, I care not. `
` Tyb. Follow me close, 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. `
` Tyb. You shall find me apt enough to that, sir, an you will `
` give me `
` occasion. `
` Mer. Could you not take some occasion without giving `
` Tyb. Mercutio, thou consortest with Romeo. `
` Mer. Consort? What, dost thou make us minstrels? An thou make `
` minstrels of us, look to hear nothing but discords. Here's my `
` fiddlestick; here's that shall make you dance. Zounds, `
` consort! `
` Ben. We talk here in the public haunt of men. `
` Either withdraw unto some private place `
` And reason coldly of your grievances, `
` Or else depart. Here all eyes gaze on us. `
` Mer. Men's eyes were made to look, and let them gaze. `
` I will not budge for no man's pleasure, `
` `
` Enter Romeo. `
` `
` Tyb. Well, peace be with you, sir. Here comes my man. `
` Mer. But I'll be hang'd, sir, if he wear your livery. `
` Marry, go before to field, he'll be your follower! `
` Your worship in that sense may call him man. `
` Tyb. Romeo, the love I bear thee can afford `
` No better term than this: thou art a villain. `
` Rom. Tybalt, the reason that I have to love thee `
` Doth much excuse the appertaining rage `
` To such a greeting. Villain am I none. `
` Therefore farewell. I see thou knowest me not. `
` Tyb. 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 `
` Till thou shalt know the reason of my love; `
` And so good Capulet, which name I tender `
` As dearly as mine own, be satisfied. `
` Mer. O calm, dishonourable, vile submission! `
` Alla stoccata carries it away. [Draws.] `
` Tybalt, you ratcatcher, will you walk? `
` Tyb. What wouldst thou have with me? `
` Mer. Good King of Cats, nothing but one of your nine lives. `
` That I `
` mean to make bold withal, and, as you shall use me hereafter, `
` `
` dry-beat the rest of the eight. Will you pluck your sword out `
` of `
` his pitcher by the ears? Make haste, lest mine be about your `
` ears `
` ere it be out. `
` Tyb. I am for you. [Draws.] `
` Rom. Gentle Mercutio, put thy rapier up. `
` Mer. Come, sir, your passado! `
` [They fight.] `
` Rom. Draw, Benvolio; beat down their weapons. `
` Gentlemen, for shame! forbear this outrage! `
` Tybalt, Mercutio, the Prince expressly hath `
` Forbid this bandying in Verona streets. `
` Hold, Tybalt! Good Mercutio! `
` Tybalt under Romeo's arm thrusts Mercutio in, and flies `
` [with his Followers]. `
` Mer. I am hurt. `
` A plague o' both your houses! I am sped. `
` Is he gone and hath nothing? `
` Ben. What, art thou hurt? `
` Mer. Ay, ay, a scratch, a scratch. Marry, 'tis enough. `
` Where is my page? Go, villain, fetch a surgeon. `
` [Exit Page.] `
` 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. Ask for me to-morrow, and you `
` shall find me a grave man. I am peppered, I warrant, for this `
` world. A plague o' both your houses! Zounds, a dog, a rat, a `
` mouse, a cat, to scratch a man to death! a braggart, a rogue, `
` a `
` villain, that fights by the book of arithmetic! 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 faint. A plague o' both your houses! `
` They have made worms' meat of me. I have it, `
` And soundly too. Your houses! `
` [Exit. [supported by Benvolio]. `
` Rom. This gentleman, the Prince's near ally, `
` My very friend, hath got this mortal hurt `
` In my behalf- my reputation stain'd `
` With Tybalt's slander- Tybalt, that an hour `
` Hath been my kinsman. O sweet Juliet, `
` Thy beauty hath made me effeminate `
` And in my temper soft'ned valour's steel `
` `
` Enter Benvolio. `
` `
` Ben. O Romeo, Romeo, brave Mercutio's dead! `
` That gallant spirit hath aspir'd the clouds, `
` Which too untimely here did scorn the earth. `
` Rom. This day's black fate on moe days doth depend; `
` This but begins the woe others must end. `
` `
` Enter Tybalt. `
` `
` Ben. Here comes the furious Tybalt back again. `
` Rom. Alive in triumph, and Mercutio slain? `
` Away to heaven respective lenity, `
` And fire-ey'd fury be my conduct now! `
` Now, Tybalt, take the 'villain' back again `
` That late thou gavest me; for Mercutio's soul `
` Is but a little way above our heads, `
` Staying for thine to keep him company. `
` Either thou or I, or both, must go with him. `
` Tyb. Thou, wretched boy, that didst consort him here, `
` Shalt with him hence. `
` Rom. This shall determine that. `
` They fight. Tybalt falls. `
` Ben. Romeo, away, be gone! `
` The citizens are up, and Tybalt slain. `
` Stand not amaz'd. The Prince will doom thee death `
` If thou art taken. Hence, be gone, away! `
` Rom. O, I am fortune's fool! `
` Ben. Why dost thou stay? `
` Exit Romeo. `
` Enter Citizens. `
` `
` Citizen. Which way ran he that kill'd Mercutio? `
` Tybalt, that murtherer, which way ran he? `
` Ben. There lies that Tybalt. `
` Citizen. Up, sir, go with me. `
` I charge thee in the Prince's name obey. `
` `
` Enter Prince [attended], Old Montague, Capulet, their Wives, `
` and [others]. `
` `
` Prince. Where are the vile beginners of this fray? `
` Ben. O noble Prince. I can discover all `
` The unlucky manage of this fatal brawl. `
` There lies the man, slain by young Romeo, `
` That slew thy kinsman, brave Mercutio. `
` Cap. Wife. Tybalt, my cousin! O my brother's child! `
` O Prince! O husband! O, the blood is spill'd `
` Of my dear kinsman! Prince, as thou art true, `
` For blood of ours shed blood of Montague. `
` O cousin, cousin! `
` Prince. Benvolio, who began this bloody fray? `
` Ben. Tybalt, here slain, whom Romeo's hand did stay. `
` Romeo, that spoke him fair, bid him bethink `
` How nice the quarrel was, and urg'd withal `
` Your high displeasure. All this- uttered `
` With gentle breath, calm look, knees humbly bow'd- `
` Could not take truce with the unruly spleen `
` Of Tybalt deaf to peace, but that he tilts `
` With piercing steel at bold Mercutio's breast; `
` Who, all as hot, turns deadly point to point, `
` And, with a martial scorn, with one hand beats `
` Cold death aside and with the other sends `
` It back to Tybalt, whose dexterity `
` Retorts it. Romeo he cries aloud, `
` 'Hold, friends! friends, part!' and swifter than his tongue, `
` His agile arm beats down their fatal points, `
` And 'twixt them rushes; underneath whose arm `
` An envious thrust from Tybalt hit the life `
` Of stout Mercutio, and then Tybalt fled; `
` But by-and-by comes back to Romeo, `
` Who had but newly entertain'd revenge, `
` And to't they go like lightning; for, ere I `
` Could draw to part them, was stout Tybalt slain; `
` And, as he fell, did Romeo turn and fly. `
` This is the truth, or let Benvolio die. `
` Cap. Wife. He is a kinsman to the Montague; `
` Affection makes him false, he speaks not true. `
` Some twenty of them fought in this black strife, `
` And all those twenty could but kill one life. `
` I beg for justice, which thou, Prince, must give. `
` Romeo slew Tybalt; Romeo must not live. `
` Prince. Romeo slew him; he slew Mercutio. `
` Who now the price of his dear blood doth owe? `
` Mon. Not Romeo, Prince; he was Mercutio's friend; `
` His fault concludes but what the law should end, `
` The life of Tybalt. `
` Prince. And for that offence `
` Immediately we do exile him hence. `
` I have an interest in your hate's proceeding, `
` My blood for your rude brawls doth lie a-bleeding; `
` But I'll amerce you with so strong a fine `
` That you shall all repent the loss of mine. `
` I will be deaf to pleading and excuses; `
` Nor tears nor prayers shall purchase out abuses. `
` Therefore use none. Let Romeo hence in haste, `
` Else, when he is found, that hour is his last. `
` Bear hence this body, and attend our will. `
` Mercy but murders, pardoning those that kill. `
`