Two houfholds, both alike in dignity, In fair Verona, where we lay our fcene, Do, with their death, bury their parents' ftrife. This prologue, after the first copy was published in 1597, received feveral alterations, both in refpe&t of corre&nefs and verfification. In the folio it is omitted. The play was originally performed by the Right Honourable the Lord of Hunfdon bis fervants. In the first of K. James I. was made an act of parliament for fome reftraint or limitation of noblemen in the protection of players, or of players under their fanction. STEEVENS. Under the word PROLOGUE, in the copy of 1599 is printed Chorus, which I fuppofe meant only that the prologue was to be fpoken by the fame perfon who perfonated the chorus at the end of the first act. The original prologue, in the quarto of 1597, ftands thus: Two household frends, alike in dignitie, In faire Verona, where we lay our scene, From civil broyles broke into enmitie, Whofe civil warre makes civili hands uncleane, A paire of ftarre-croft lovers tooke their life; Whofe mifadventures, piteous overthrowes, (Through the continuing of their fathers' ftrife, The which if you with patient eares attend, What here we want, wee'll ftudie to amend, MALONE. Perfons Represented. Efcalus, Prince of Verona. Paris, a young nobleman, kinsman to the Prince. S An old Man, uncle to Capulet. Romeo, fon to Montague. Mercutio, kinfman to the Prince, and friend to Romeo. Friar Lawrence, a Francifan. Samplon, fervants to Capulet. Abram, fervant to Montague. Three Muficians. Chorus. Boy; Page to Paris; Peter; an Officer. Lady Montague, Wife to Montague. Lady Capulet, Wife to Capulet. Juliet, Daughter to Capulet. Nurfe to Juliet. Citizens of Verona ; feveral Men and Women, relations to both houfes; Mafkers, Guards, Citizens, Watchmen, and Attendants. SCENE during the greater part of the play, in Verona: once in the fifth Act at Mantua. |