Benvolio.
Let's brush:—the Capulets are in the street;
And there'll be broken heads if once we meet.

Mercutio.
I will not budge—What, thou'rt for making off?

Benvolio.
D'ye doubt my pluck? then coat and wig I'll doff,
And take a bout with thee.

Mercutio.
I spoke in fun.
E'en stay or go;—but damme if I run.

(Enter Tibalt.)

Benvolio.
Now by my head, here comes that skinny eel.
Young Tibalt!

Mercutio.
Well, I care not, by my heel!

Tibalt.
A word with you before we think of parting.

Mercutio.
Aye, and a blow; for thou shalt get a starting.

Tibalt.
If thou'rt for that, I'll pay thee off in kind:
'Tis Romeo though, whom first I wish to find;
And when I catch him he shall have a licking.

Mercutio.
Sir! You deserve a most infernal kicking. (Enter Romeo.)

Tibalt.
But here comes Romeo! he's the man for me.

Mercutio.
Aye, any day o'th' week, as thou wilt see.

Tibalt.
Romeo, thou art a knave, a pert young ninny!
And I will box with thee for half a guinea.

Romeo.
I'll see thee damned first;—it would not be right
For me with Juliet's cousin here to fight.

Mercutio.
As he's for shirking, I will give you battle,
And thrash you worse than drivers thrash their cattle.

Tibalt.
Come on then.—(Clenches his fists.) (They fight and Romeo parts them)

Romeo.
Fie, for shame, you snarling fops! [Exit Tibalt.

Mercutio.
O what a thump he's tipped me on the chops!
Run for a Doctor! bid him come this minute!

Romeo.
'Tis a mere scratch; I'm sure there's not much in it.

Mercutio.
You tell a lie;—I'm dished, you saucy prig:
I was a fool for kicking up this rig.
A plague of both your houses! I am dying,—
Help me, Benvolio, and pray don't be crying. [Exeunt Mercutio and Benvolio.

Romeo.
The Prince's friend and mine, at this damned meeting
Hath had a cruel and outrageous beating;
Yet I've not stirred a peg—'Tis Juliet's fault;
Her beauty sets my courage quite at nought. Enter Benvolio.

Benvolio.
O Romeo, Romeo! let us weep and wail!
The brave Mercutio's dead as a door nail.

Enter Tibalt.
Here comes that rascal Tibalt back again!

Romeo.
I'll lace him tightly now Mercutio's slain;
Tibalt, thou call'dst me but just now a knave;
Knave in thy teeth, thou lying cut throat slave!

Tibalt.
Thy cousin this day to his grave I've hurled,
And thou shalt seek him in the other world. (They fight. Romeo throttles Tibalt, who falls.)

Romeo.
How like you that close hug?

Tibalt.
What's that to you?
You've throttled me, you dog, by all that's blue! (Dies.)

Benvolio.
Fly, Romeo, fly this moment! Tibalt's killed!
And soon with rabble will the street be filled:
Now don't stand there, staring o'er what thou'st done;
The Prince will clap thee in the clink! so run! [Exeunt.

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