Two households, both alike in dignity,
In fair Chinatown where we lay our scene,
From ancient grudge break to new mutiny,
Where pirate blood makes ninja hands unclean.
From forth the fatal loins of these two foes
A pair of starcrossed lovers take their life;
Whose misadventur'd piteous overthrows
Do with their death bury the pirates and ninjas strife.
The fearful passage of their death mark'd love,
And the continuance of their clan's rage
Which but their children's end naught could remove,
Is now the 5 hours traffic of our stage;
To which if you with patient ears attend,