Scene I

Verona. A public place.

Enter Sampson and Gregory, with swords and bucklers, of the house of Capulet.

SAMPSON. Gregory, on my word, we’ll not carry coals.

GREGORY. No, for then we should be colliers.

SAMPSON. I mean, and we be in choler, we’ll draw.

GREGORY. Ay, while you live, draw your neck out of collar.

SAMPSON. I strike quickly, being moved.

GREGORY. But thou art not quickly moved to strike.

SAMPSON. A dog of the house of Montague moves me.

GREGORY. To move is to stir, and to be valiant is to stand. Therefore, if thou art moved, thou run’st away.

SAMPSON. A dog of that house shall move me to stand. I will take the wall of any man or maid of Montague’s.

GREGORY. That shows thee a weak slave; for the weakest goes to the wall.

SAMPSON. ’Tis true; and therefore women, being the weaker vessels, are ever thrust to the wall. Therefore I will push Montague’s men fromthe wall and thrust his maids to the wall.

GREGORY. The quarrel is between our masters and us their men.

SAMPSON. ’Tis all one. I will show myself a tyrant. When I have fought with the men, I will be cruel with the maids — I will cut offtheir heads.

GREGORY. The heads of the maids?

SAMPSON. Ay, the heads of the maids or their maiden-heads. Take it in what sense thou wilt.

GREGORY. They must take it in sense that feel it.

SAMPSON. Me they shall feel while I am able to stand; and ’tis known I am a pretty piece of flesh.

GREGORY. ’Tis well thou art not fish; if thou hadst, thou hadst been Poor John. Draw thy tool! Here comes two of the house of Montagues.

Enter two other Servingmen [Abram and Balthasar].

SAMPSON. My naked weapon is out. Quarrel! I will back thee.

GREGORY. How? Turn thy back and run?

SAMPSON. Fear me not.

GREGORY. No, marry. I fear thee!

SAMPSON. Let us take the law of our sides; let them begin.

GREGORY. I will frown as I pass by, and let them take it as they list.