Mer. Help me into some house, Benvolio,
Or I shall faint. A plague o' both your houses![780]
They have made worms' meat of me: I have it,[781][782]
And soundly too: your houses![781][783]
[Exeunt Mercutio and Benvolio.[784]
Rom. This gentleman, the prince's near ally,[785] 105
My very friend, hath got this mortal hurt[786]
In my behalf; my reputation stain'd[787]
With Tybalt's slander,—Tybalt, that an hour
Hath been my kinsman: O sweet Juliet,[788]
Thy beauty hath made me effeminate, 110
And in my temper soften'd valour's steel![789]
Re-enter Benvolio.
Ben. O Romeo, Romeo, brave Mercutio's dead![790]
That gallant spirit hath aspired the clouds,
Which too untimely here did scorn the earth.
Rom. This day's black fate on more days doth depend;[791] 115
This but begins the woe others must end.[792][793]
Re-enter Tybalt.
Ben. Here comes the furious Tybalt back again.
Rom. Alive, in triumph! and Mercutio slain![794]
Away to heaven, respective lenity,
And fire-eyed fury be my conduct now![795] 120
Now, Tybalt, take the 'villain' back again
That late thou gavest me; for Mercutio's soul
Is but a little way above our heads,
Staying for thine to keep him company:
Either thou, or I, or both, must go with him.[796] 125