The story of this play, except the episode of Edmund, which is derived, I think, from Sidney, is taken originally from Geoffry of Monmouth, whom Holinshed generally copied; but perhaps immedi ately from an old historical ballad. My reason for believing that the play was posterior to the ballad, rather than the ballad to the play, is, that the ballad has nothing of Shakspeare's nocturnal tempest, which is too striking to have been omitted, and that it follows the chronicle; it has the rudiments of the play, but none of its amplifications: it first hinted Lear's madness, but did not array it in circumstances. The writer of the ballad added something to the history, which is a proof that he would have added more, if more had occurred to his mind; and more must have occurred if he had seen Shakspeare.

JOHNSON.

ROMEO AND JULIET.

PERSONS REPRESENTED.

Escalus, prince of Verona.

Paris, a young nobleman, kinsman to the prince. Montague,heads of two houses, at variance with Capulet, S

each other.

An Old Man, uncle to Capulet.
Romeo, son to Montague.

Mercutio, kinsman to the prince, and friend to

Romeo.

Benvolio, nephew to Montague, and friend to
Romeo.

Tybalt, nephew to Lady Capulet.
Friar Lawrence, a Franciscan.
Friar John, of the same order.
Balthazar, servant to Romeo.

Lady Montague, wife to Montague.

Lady Capulet, wife to Capulet.

Juliet, daughter to Capulet.

Nurse to Juliet.

Citizens of Verona; several Men and Women, relations to both houses; Maskers, Guards, Watchmen, and Attendants.

Scene, during the greater part of the play, in Verona: once, in the fifth act, at Mantua.