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ROMEO AND JULIET. 73 

Could not take truce with the unruly spleen 

Of Tybalt deaf to peace, but that he tilts 

With piercing steel at bold Mercutio's breast. 

Who, all as hot, turns deadly point to point, 

And, with a martial scorn, with one hand beats 

Cold death aside, and with the other sends 

It back to Tybalt, whose dexterity 

Retorts it. Romeo he cries aloud, 

' Hold, friends ! friends, part ! ' and swifter than his tongue, 

His agile arm beats down their fatal points. 

And 'twixt them rushes ; underneath whose arm 

An envious thrust from Tybalt hit the life 

Of stout Mercutio, and then Tybalt fled ; 

But by and by comes back to Romeo, 

Who had but newly entertain'd revenge, 

And to't they go like lightning, for, ere I 

Could draw to part them, was stout Tybalt slain. 

And, as he fell, did Romeo turn and fly. 

This is the truth, or let Benvolio die. 

Lady Capulet. 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. 
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 ?