Page:Romeo and Juliet (1917) Yale.djvu/15

Romeo and Juliet, I. i

when I have fought with the men, I will be cruel

with the maids; I will cut off their heads.

Gre. The heads of the maids?

Sam. Ay, the heads of the maids, or their

maidenheads; take in what sense thou wilt.

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

Sam. Me they shall feel while I am able to

stand; and 'tis known I am a pretty piece of

flesh.

Gre. 'Tis well thou art not fish; if thou hadst,

thou hadst been poor John. Draw thy tool; here

comes two of the house of the Montagues.

Sam. My naked weapon is out; quarrel, I

will back thee.

Gre. How! turn thy back and run?

Sam. Fear me not.

Gre. No, marry; I fear thee!

Sam. Let us take the law of our sides; let

them begin.

Gre. I will frown as I pass by, and let them

take it as they list.

Sam. Nay, as they dare. I will bite my

thumb at them; which is a disgrace to them, if

they bear it.

Abr. Do you bite your thumb at us, sir?

Sam. I do bite my thumb, sir.

Abr. Do you bite your thumb at us, sir?

Sam. [Aside to Gregory.] Is the law of our

side if I say ay?

 31 sense: here, 'physical perception'

36 poor John: an inferior dried fish, hake

tool: weapon

42 marry: an oath from the name of S. Mary

43 take the law of our sides: have the law on our side

list: please

47 bite my thumb; cf. n. 