Benvolio: Here were the servants of your adversary
And yours close fighting ere I did approach
—Romeo and Juliet,
William Shakespeare
What is the best paraphrase of Benvolio’s dialogue?
I saw a bunch of servants fighting, and I approached them slowly.
I started fighting with the servants of your enemy as soon they approached me.
Your enemy’s servants and your servants were fighting before I showed up.
1 answer
The servants of your adversary and yours were engaged in a close fight before I came near them.
1 answer