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Monday April 28, 2014 Follow us on Twitter: @Verona_Standard

Brawl on City Streets
The Verona Standard Monday, April 28, 2014
Ryan Boros

VERONA, ITALY:
Yesterday at midday a brawl
took place in the market square. The
instigators were two servants of the
Capulets, who drew into conflict two
servants from the rival house of
Montague. The two houses long-
standing feud was the spark in a
powder keg, which then exploded to
engulf not only members of the
Montague and Capulet families, but
also members of the Watch and several
angry citizens. Prince Escalus arrived
quickly on the scene to allot
punishment for all those involved.
The market square is perhaps
one of the busiest places in all of
Verona, and that was no exception
yesterday. Witnesses claim that two
servants of the Capulets, later identified
as Gregory and Sampson, were
completing errands for their master
when they happened to gaze upon two
Montague servants (Abraham and
Balthasar).
One of those two fools bit their
thumb at us, says Abraham,
Balthasar and I took exception to this,
and so we offered them a chance to
correct their mistake. They insisted on
pursuing this futile conflict; we were
merely defending our honor.
It all happened so quickly!
One minute they were having a heated
discussion and the next their swords
were drawn and they were fighting!
says a bystander who wishes to remain
anonymous because of their
involvement in the incident.
Prince Escalus (above) restoring
peace to Verona streets.

Eye witness account states that
the next person to arrive on the scene
was Benvolio, cousin of Romeo
Montague. He successfully managed to
separate the servants involved in the
skirmish, only to be goaded back into a
fight by Tybalt, cousin of Juliet
Capulet, who was the next to arrive.
From there it only escalated as the rest
of the household s arrived at the market
seemingly simultaneously.
My husband was most eager to
fight, says Lady Capulet, Such
pointless grudges he does carry, I
should have his sword melted into a
cane.
The City Watch attempted to
intervene before any permanent
damage could have been done, but they
were swept up in the storm of reckless
hate before they could restore order.
Many citizens also joined the fray, for
many held grievances toward either the
Montague or Capulet families. The
fighting raged for around fifteen
minutes before Prince Escalus arrived
on the scene to end the affair.
The following is Prince Escaluss
decree upon separating the combatants:
If ever you disturb our streets again,
Your lives shall pay the forfeit of the
peace.
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Monday April 28, 2014 Follow us on Twitter: @Verona_Standard
As a result of this brawl three
citizens have been arrested on the
charge of disturbing the peace, seven
people have been sent to Verona
General Hospital with minor injuries
and one has been sent to the ICU at
Strattford-upon-Avon Memorial
Hospital. There were no casualties. The
Prince wishes to inform his subjects
that if they see or hear a disturbance in
a public place that
involves anyone affiliated with the
Montague or Capulet families that they
are to contact the Watch immediately at
532 Main Street or call (907)-555-
0986.