_Mer._ No, 'tis not so deep as a well, nor so wide as a church-door; but 'tis enough, 'twill serve: ask for me to-morrow, and you shall find me a grave man. I am peppered, I warrant, for this world. A plague o' both your[777] 95 houses! 'Zounds, a dog, a rat, a mouse, a cat, to scratch a[778] man to death! a braggart, a rogue, a villain, that fights by the book of arithmetic! Why the devil came you between[779] us? I was hurt under your arm. _Rom._ I thought all for the best. 100 _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 _Tyb._ Thou, wretched boy, that didst consort him here, Shalt with him hence. _Rom._ This shall determine that. [_They fight; Tybalt falls._ _Ben._ Romeo, away, be gone! The citizens are up, and Tybalt slain: Stand not amazed: the prince will doom thee death 130 If thou art taken: hence, be gone, away! _Rom._ O, I am fortune's fool! _Ben._ Why dost thou stay? [_Exit Romeo._ _Enter_ Citizens, &c. _First Cit._ Which way ran he that kill'd Mercutio?[797] Tybalt, that murderer, which way ran he?[798][799] _Ben._ There lies that Tybalt. _First Cit._ Up, sir, go with me;[799][800] 135 I charge thee in the prince's name, obey.[801]