What happens at the beginning of scene 1 in Romeo and Juliet?

The beginning of Scene 1 in Romeo and Juliet features a heated argument between two groups of servants, one belonging to the house of Montague, and the other belonging to the house of Capulet. The servants engage in a fierce exchange of insults and threats, setting the stage for the larger conflict between the two families. The fight escalates until the Prince of Verona, Escalus, intervenes to restore order. He threatens severe punishment to anyone who continues the feud.