William Shakespeare: The Complete Works 2nd Edition (183 page)
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Authors: William Shakespeare
Tags: #Drama, #Literary Criticism, #Shakespeare
BOOK: William Shakespeare: The Complete Works 2nd Edition
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BENVOLIO Am I like such a fellow?
MERCUTIO Come, come, thou art as hot a jack in thy mood as any in Italy, and as soon moved to be moody, and as soon moody to be moved.
BENVOLIO And what to?
MERCUTIO Nay, 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. What eye but such an eye would spy out such a quarrel? Thy head is as full of quarrels as an egg is full of meat, and yet thy head hath been beaten as addle as an egg for quarrelling. Thou hast quarrelled with a man for coughing in the street because 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 ribbon? And yet thou wilt tutor me from quarrelling!
BENVOLIO An 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.
MERCUTIO The fee simple? O, simple!
Enter Tybalt, Petruccio, and others
BENVOLIO By my head, here comes the Capulets.
MERCUTIO By my heel, I care not.
TYBALT (to Petruccio and the others)
Follow me close, for I will speak to them.
(To the Montagues)
Gentlemen, good e’en. A word with
one of you.
(To the Montagues)
Gentlemen, good e’en. A word with
one of you.
MERCUTIO And but one word with one of us? Couple it with something: make it a word and a blow.
TYBALT You shall find me apt enough to that, sir, an you will give me occasion.
MERCUTIO Could you not take some occasion without giving ?
TYBALT
Mercutio, thou consort’st with Romeo.
MERCUTIO ‘Consort’ ? What, dost thou make us minstrels? An thou make minstrels of us, look to hear nothing but discords. ⌈
touching his rapier
⌉ Here’s my fiddlestick; here’s that shall make you dance. Zounds—‘Consort’!
touching his rapier
⌉ Here’s my fiddlestick; here’s that shall make you dance. Zounds—‘Consort’!
BENVOLIO
We talk here in the public haunt of men.
Either withdraw unto some private place,
Or reason coldly of your grievances,
Or else depart. Here all eyes gaze on us.
Either withdraw unto some private place,
Or reason coldly of your grievances,
Or else depart. Here all eyes gaze on us.
MERCUTIO
Men’s eyes were made to look, and let them gaze.
I will not budge for no man’s pleasure, I.
I will not budge for no man’s pleasure, I.
Enter Romeo
TYBALT
Well, peace be with you, sir. Here comes my man.
MERCUTIO
But I’ll be hanged, 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’.
Marry, go before to field, he’ll be your follower.
Your worship in that sense may call him ‘man’.
TYBALT
Romeo, the love I bear thee can afford
No better term than this: thou art a villain.
No better term than this: thou art a villain.
ROMEO
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.
Doth much excuse the appertaining rage
To such a greeting. Villain am I none.
Therefore, farewell. I see thou knowest me not.
TYBALT
Boy, this shall not excuse the injuries
That thou hast done me. Therefore turn and draw.
That thou hast done me. Therefore turn and draw.
ROMEO
I do protest I never injured 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.
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.
MERCUTIO ⌈
drawing
⌉
drawing
⌉
O calm, dishonourable, vile submission! 1
Alla stoccado
carries it away.
Tybalt, you ratcatcher, come, will you walk?
Alla stoccado
carries it away.
Tybalt, you ratcatcher, come, will you walk?
TYBALT What wouldst thou have with me?
MERCUTIO 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 pilcher by the ears? Make haste, lest mine be about your ears ere it be out.
TYBALT
(drawing)
I am for you.
(drawing)
I am for you.
ROMEO
Gentle Mercutio, put thy rapier up.
MERCUTIO (to Tybalt) Come, sir, your passado.
They fight
ROMEO ⌈
drawing
⌉
drawing
⌉
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.
Gentlemen, for shame forbear this outrage.
Tybalt, Mercutio, the Prince expressly hath
Forbid this bandying in Verona streets.
Hold, Tybalt, good Mercutio.
⌈
Romeo beats down their points and rushes between them. Tybalt under Romeo’s arm thrusts Mercutio in
⌉
⌈PETRUCCIO⌉ Away, Tybalt!
Exeunt Tybalt, Petruccio, and their followers
MERCUTIO I am hurt.
A plague o’ both your houses. I am sped.
Is he gone, and hath nothing?
Is he gone, and hath nothing?
BENVOLIO What, art thou hurt?
MERCUTIO
Ay, ay, a scratch, a scratch; marry, ’tis enough.
Where is my page? Go, villain. Fetch a surgeon.
Where is my page? Go, villain. Fetch a surgeon.
Exit page
ROMEO
Courage, man. The hurt cannot be much.
MERCUTIO No, ‘tis not so deep as a well, nor so wide as a church door, but ’tis enough. ’Twill serve. Ask for me tomorrow, 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.
ROMEO I thought all for the best.
MERCUTIO
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!
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!
Exeunt all but Romeo
ROMEO
This gentleman, the Prince’s near ally,
My very friend, hath got this mortal hurt
In my behalf, my reputation stained
With Tybalt’s slander—Tybalt, that an hour
Hath been my cousin! O sweet Juliet,
Thy beauty hath made me effeminate,
And in my temper softened valour’s steel.
My very friend, hath got this mortal hurt
In my behalf, my reputation stained
With Tybalt’s slander—Tybalt, that an hour
Hath been my cousin! O sweet Juliet,
Thy beauty hath made me effeminate,
And in my temper softened valour’s steel.
Enter Benvolio
BENVOLIO
O Romeo, Romeo, brave Mercutio is dead!
That gallant spirit hath aspired the clouds,
Which too untimely here did scorn the earth.
That gallant spirit hath aspired the clouds,
Which too untimely here did scorn the earth.
ROMEO
This day’s black fate on more days doth depend.
This but begins the woe others must end.
This but begins the woe others must end.
Enter Tybalt
BENVOLIO
Here comes the furious Tybalt back again.
ROMEO
He gad in triumph, and Mercutio slain ?
Away to heaven, respective lenity,
And fire-eyed fury be my conduct now.
Now, Tybalt, take the ‘villain’ back again
That late thou gav’st 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.
Away to heaven, respective lenity,
And fire-eyed fury be my conduct now.
Now, Tybalt, take the ‘villain’ back again
That late thou gav’st 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.
TYBALT
Thou, wretched boy, that didst consort him here,
Shalt with him hence.
Shalt with him hence.
ROMEO This shall determine that.
They fight. Tybalt is wounded. He falls and dies
BENVOLIO Romeo, away, be gone.
The citizens are up, and Tybalt slain.
Stand not amazed. The Prince will doom thee death
If thou art taken. Hence, be gone, away.
Stand not amazed. The Prince will doom thee death
If thou art taken. Hence, be gone, away.
ROMEO
O, I am fortune’s fool!
BENVOLIO Why dost thou stay?
Exit RomeoEnter Citizens
⌈
of the watchi
⌉
CITIZEN ⌈0F THE WATCH⌉
Which way ran he that killed Mercutio?
Tybalt, that murderer, which way ran he?
Tybalt, that murderer, which way ran he?
BENVOLIO
There lies that Tybalt.
CITIZEN ⌈OF THE WATCH⌉
(to Tybalt)
Up, sir, go with me.
(to Tybalt)
Up, sir, go with me.
I charge thee in the Prince’s name, obey.
Enter the Prince, old Montague, Capulet, their Wives, and all
PRINCE
Where are the vile beginners of this fray?
BENVOLIO
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.
The unlucky manage of this fatal brawl.
There lies the man, slain by young Romeo,
That slew thy kinsman, brave Mercutio.
CAPULET’S WIFE
Tybalt, my cousin, O, my brother’s child!
O Prince, O cousin, husband! O, the blood is spilled
Of my dear kinsman ! Prince, as thou art true,
For blood of ours shed blood of Montague!
O cousin, cousin!
O Prince, O cousin, husband! O, the blood is spilled
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 fray?
BENVOLIO
Tybalt, here slain, whom Romeo’s hand did slay.
Romeo, that spoke him fair, bid him bethink
How nice the quarrel was, and urged withal
Your high displeasure. All this-utterèd
With gentle breath, calm look, knees humbly bowed—
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 agent 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 entertained 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.
Romeo, that spoke him fair, bid him bethink
How nice the quarrel was, and urged withal
Your high displeasure. All this-utterèd
With gentle breath, calm look, knees humbly bowed—
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 agent 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 entertained 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.
CAPULET’S 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.
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?
Who now the price of his dear blood doth owe?
⌈MONTAGUE⌉
Not Romeo, Prince. He was Mercutio’s friend.
His fault concludes but what the law should end,
The life of Tybalt.
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.
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.
Exeunt with the body
Enter Juliet
JULIET
Gallop apace, you fiery-footed steeds,
Towards Phoebus’ lodging. Such a waggoner
As Phaeton would whip you to the west
And bring in cloudy night immediately.
Spread thy close curtain, love-performing night,
That runaways’ eyes may wink, and Romeo
Leap to these arms untalked of and unseen.
Lovers can see to do their amorous rites
By their own beauties; or, if love be blind,
It best agrees with night. Come, civil night,
Thou sober-suited matron all in black,
And learn me how to lose a winning match
Played for a pair of stainless maidenhoods.
Hood my unmanned blood, bating in my cheeks,
With thy black mantle till strange love grown bold
Think true love acted simple modesty.
Come night, come Romeo; come, thou day in night,
For thou wilt lie upon the wings of night
Whiter than new snow on a raven’s back.
Come, gentle night; come, loving, black-browed night,
Give me my Romeo, and when I shall die
Take him and cut him out in little stars,
And he will make the face of heaven so fine
That all the world will be in love with night
And pay no worship to the garish sun.
O, I have bought the mansion of a love
But not possessed it, and though I am sold,
Not yet enjoyed. So tedious is this day
As is the night before some festival
To an impatient child that hath new robes
And may not wear them.
Towards Phoebus’ lodging. Such a waggoner
As Phaeton would whip you to the west
And bring in cloudy night immediately.
Spread thy close curtain, love-performing night,
That runaways’ eyes may wink, and Romeo
Leap to these arms untalked of and unseen.
Lovers can see to do their amorous rites
By their own beauties; or, if love be blind,
It best agrees with night. Come, civil night,
Thou sober-suited matron all in black,
And learn me how to lose a winning match
Played for a pair of stainless maidenhoods.
Hood my unmanned blood, bating in my cheeks,
With thy black mantle till strange love grown bold
Think true love acted simple modesty.
Come night, come Romeo; come, thou day in night,
For thou wilt lie upon the wings of night
Whiter than new snow on a raven’s back.
Come, gentle night; come, loving, black-browed night,
Give me my Romeo, and when I shall die
Take him and cut him out in little stars,
And he will make the face of heaven so fine
That all the world will be in love with night
And pay no worship to the garish sun.
O, I have bought the mansion of a love
But not possessed it, and though I am sold,
Not yet enjoyed. So tedious is this day
As is the night before some festival
To an impatient child that hath new robes
And may not wear them.
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