Gregory, remember that slashing move you learned. Abrahamĭraw your swords if you’re real men. The nobleman I serve is just as good as the nobleman you serve. Is the law on our side if I say “yes?” Gregory AbrahamĪre you giving us the finger, mister? SampsonĪre you giving the finger to us, sir? Sampson They’ll be humiliated if they put up with that. I’ll make a face at them when I walk by, and they can take it as they like. Oh no, I do have fear, such fear! Sampson Gregoryīack me up how? Turn your back on me and run? Sampson While we’re on the subject, draw that tool of yours. You’re lucky you’re flesh, because if you were fish, you’d be a Poor John - one of those cheap dried-up ones they sell at the market. Oh they’ll feel me as long as I’m standing upright, and everyone knows I’m a handsome specimen. The women will be the ones to “take it” in a sense that can be felt. I’ll take away their “maidenheads.” Take that in whatever sense you want. You’ll cut off the heads of the maidens? Sampson After I’ve fought with the men, I’ll be nice to the young women.

The quarrel is between us men, not the women. So I’ll push away Montague men from the wall and thrust the young girls into it. Well, women are the “weaker vessels,” so it’ll be the Montague women with their backs to the wall. You know the old saying, “The weak keeps his back to the wall.” So if you always keep to the wall, you must be a weakling.

If I encounter any Montague on the sidewalk, man or woman, I’ll take the good side of the sidewalk - next to the building - and force them into the street. I mean that dog moves me to stand and fight. So if you say you’re moved, I guess you’re running away. Well everyone who runs from a fight also “moves to action” and being brave means standing firm. If it’s the Montagues, even the family dog could move me to action. Gregoryīut it takes a while to provoke you. Well, if you want to stay alive, rather than draw your sword, you’d better draw your neck out of the noose. What I mean is, if we are angry, we’ll draw our swords. Of course not, if we spent our time carrying coal, we’d be dirty coal carriers, wouldn’t we! Sampson Mark my words, Gregory, we won’t carry coals.

Romeo and juliet script act 1