Two households, both alike in dignity,<span> </span>A In fair Verona, where we lay our scene,<span> </span>B From ancient grudge break to new mutiny,<span> </span>A Where civil blood makes civil hands unclean.<span> </span>B From forth the fatal loins of these two foes<span> </span>C A pair of star-crossed lovers take their life;<span> </span>D Whose misadventured piteous overthrows<span> </span>C Doth with their death bury their parents' strife.<span> </span>D The fearful passage of their death-mark'd love,<span> </span>E And the continuance of their parents' rage,<span> </span>F Which, but their children's end, naught could remove,<span> </span>E Is now the two hours' traffic of our stage;<span> </span>F The which if you with patient ears attend,<span> </span>G What here shall miss, our toil shall strive to mend<span>. </span><span>G</span>
O she doth teach the torches to burn bright:It seems she hangs upon the cheek of night,Like a rich jewel in an Ethiope's ear:Beauty too rich for us to use, for earth too dear... Did my heart love till now, forswear it sight,For I ne'er saw true beauty till this night