Page 3134 - Shakespeare - Vol. 1

By thee, old Capulet, and Montague, [90]
Have thrice disturb’d the quiet of our streets
And made Verona’s ancient citizens
Cast by their grave-beseeming ornaments
To wield old partisans, in hands as old,
Canker’d with peace, to part your canker’d hate. [95]
If ever you disturb our streets again
Your lives shall pay the forfeit of the peace.
For this time all the rest depart away;
You, Capulet, shall go along with me,
And Montague, come you this afternoon, [100]
To know our farther pleasure in this case,
To old Freetown, our common judgement-place.
Once more, on pain of death, all men depart.

Exeunt (all but Montague, Lady Montague and Benvolio).

MONT AGUE

Who set this ancient quarrel new abroach?
Speak, nephew, were you by when it began? [105]

BENVOLIO

Here were the servants of your adversary
And yours, close fighting ere I did approach.
I drew to part them; in the instant came
The fiery Tybalt, with his sword prepar’d,
Which, as he breath’d defiance to my ears [110]
He swung about his head and cut the winds,
Who nothing hurt withal, hiss’d him in scorn.
While we were interchanging thrusts and blows
Came more and more, and fought on part and part,
Till the Prince came, who parted either part. [115]

LADY MONTAGUE

O where is Romeo, saw you him today?
Right glad I am he was not at this fray.

BENVOLIO

Madam, an hour before the worshipp’d sun
Peer’d forth the golden window of the east
A troubled mind drive me to walk abroad, [120]