ACT 1.
Scene 1. Verona. A public Place.
Enter SAMPSON and GREGORY, armed with swords and
bucklers.
Sampson
Gregory, on my word, we'll not carry coals.
Gregory
No, for then we should be colliers.
Sampson
I mean, an 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 runnest 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 from the 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 civil with the maids -I will cut off their heads.
Gregory
The heads of the maids?
Sampson
Ay, the heads of the maids, or their maidenheads; 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.