Gregory, on my word we’ll not carry coals.
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.
No, sir, I do not bite my thumb at you, sir,
but I bite my thumb, sir.
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 runn’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 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.
Gregory
’Tis well thou art not fish; if thou hadst, thou
hadst been poor-john. Draw thy tool. Here comes
of the house of Montagues.|
Enter Abram with another Servingman.
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.
Sampson
Nay, as they dare. I will bite my thumb at
them, which is disgrace to them if they bear it.
He bites his thumb.
Abram
Do you bite your thumb at us, sir?
Sampson
I do bite my thumb, sir.
Abram
Do you bite your thumb at us, sir?
Sampson, aside to Gregory
Is the law of our side if I say “Ay”?
Gregory, aside to Sampson
No.
Sampson
No, sir, I do not bite my thumb at you, sir,
but I bite my thumb, sir.
Gregory
Do you quarrel, sir?
Abram
Quarrel, sir? No, sir.
Sampson
But if you do, sir, I am for you. I serve as
good a man as you.
Abram
No better.
Sampson
Well, sir.
Enter Benvolio.
Gregory, aside to Sampson
Say “better”; here comes one of my master’s kinsmen.
Sampson
Yes, better, sir.
Abram
You lie.
Sampson
Draw if you be men.—Gregory, remember
thy washing blow. They fight.
Benvolio
Part, fools! Drawing his sword.
Put up your swords. You know not what you do.