Page:Romeo and Juliet (Dowden).djvu/143

Could draw to part them, was stout Tybalt slain; And as he fell, did Romeo turn and fly :180 This is the truth or let Benvolio die.

Lady Cap.

He is a kinsman to the Montague, Affection makes him false, he speaks not true: Some twenty of them fought in this black strife, And all those twenty could but kill one life.185 I beg for justice, which thou, prince, must give; Romeo slew Tybalt, Romeo must not live.

Prince.

Romeo slew him, he slew Mercutio; Who now the price of his dear blood doth owe?[C 1]

Mon.[C 2][E 1]

Not Romeo, prince, he was Mercutio's friend;190 His fault concludes but what the law should end, The life of Tybalt.

Prince.

And for that offence Immediately we do exile him hence: I have an interest in your hate's[C 3][E 2] proceeding, My blood[E 3] for your rude brawls doth lie a-bleeding;195 But I'll amerce you with so strong a fine That you shall all repent the loss of mine:[E 4] I will[C 4][E 5] be deaf to pleading and excuses; Nor tears nor prayers shall purchase out[C 5][E 6] abuses;

1. 189. owe?] Theobald; owe Q, F.
2. 190. Mon.] Qq 4, 5; Capu. Q; Cap. Q 3, F.
3. 194. hate's] Knight; hates Q 1; hearts Q, F.
4. 198. I will] Q 1, Qq 4, 5, F 2; It will Q, F.
5. 199. out] Q, our F, for Q 1.

1. 190. Mon.] Rowe here, emending F Cap., assigns the speech to Lady Cap. Theobald assigns it to Lady Mont.
2. 194. hate's] Hanmer reads heats', Johnson (from Q, F) hearts'.
3. 195. My blood] because Mercutio was his kinsman.
4. 197. of mine] perhaps "of my blood"; perhaps only "my loss." Allen conjectures this loss.
5. 198. I will] Mommsen reads It will with Q, F, it referring to blood.
6. 199. purchase out] So buy out in Hamlet, III. iii. 60.