Enter DUKE, ESCALUS, Lords, and Attendants. There is a kind of character in thy life,

We have with a leaven'd and prepared choice 24 Proceeded to you; therefore take your honours.

more, within these three days his head to be Enter PROVOST, CLAUDIO, JULIET, and Officers. chopped off.

Claud. Fellow, why dost thou show me thus
to the world?

Bear me to prison, where I am committed.
Prov. I do it not in evil disposition,

128

But from Lord Angelo by special charge.
Claud. Thus can the demi-god Authority
Make us pay down for our offence' by weight.
The words of heaven; on whom it will, it will;
On whom it will not, so: yet still 'tis just.

Re-enter LUCIO and two Gentlemen.

132

Lucio. Why, how now, Claudio! whence comes this restraint?

Claud. From too much liberty, my Lucio, liberty:

136

As surfeit is the father of much fast,
So every scope by the immoderate use
Turns to restraint. Our natures do pursue-
Like rats that ravin down their proper bane,—
A thirsty evil, and when we drink we die.

Lucio. If I could speak so wisely under an arrest, I would send for certain of my creditors. 92 And yet, to say the truth, I had as lief have the foppery of freedom as the morality of imprisonment. What's thy offence, Claudio?

Pom. All houses of resort in the suburbs

of Vienna must be plucked down.

104

144

Claud. What but to speak of would offend

again.

Claud. One word, good friend. Lucio, a word [Takes him aside.

with you.

Lucio. A hundred, if they'll do you any good.

Mrs. Ov. And what shall become of those in Is lechery so looked after? the city?

Pom. They shall stand for seed: they had gone down too, but that a wise burgher put in for them.

109 Mrs. Ov. But shall all our houses of resort in the suburbs be pulled down?

Pom. To the ground, mistress.

112

Mrs. Ov. Why, here's a change indeed in the commonwealth! What shall become of me?

Pom. Come; fear not you: good counsellors lack no clients: though you change your place, you need not change your trade; I'll be your tapster still. Courage! there will be pity taken on you; you that have worn your eyes almost out in the service, you will be considered.

120

Mrs. Ov. What's to do here, Thomas tapster? Let's withdraw.

Pom. Here comes Signior Claudio, led by the provost to prison; and there's Madam Juliet.

[Exeunt.

180

So long that nineteen zodiacs have gone round,
And none of them been worn; and, for a name,
Now puts the drowsy and neglected act
Freshly on me: 'tis surely for a name.
Lucio. I warrant it is: and thy head stands
so tickle on thy shoulders that a milkmaid, if
she be in love, may sigh it off. Send after the
duke and appeal to him.
185
Claud. I have done so, but he's not to be
found.

I prithee, Lucio, do me this kind service.
This day my sister should the cloister enter, 188
And there receive her approbation:
Acquaint her with the danger of my state;
Implore her, in my voice, that she make friends
To the strict deputy; bid herself assay him: 192
I have great hope in that; for in her youth
There is a prone and speechless dialect,

Such as move men; beside, she hath prosperous
art

Dead to infliction, to themselves are dead, 28
And liberty plucks justice by the nose;
The baby beats the nurse, and quite athwart
Goes all decorum.
Fri. T.

It rested in your Grace
T' unloose this tied-up justice when you pleas'd;
And it in you more dreadful would have seem'd
Than in Lord Angelo.

Duke.

I do fear, too dreadful: When she will play with reason and discourse, Sith 'twas my fault to give the people scope, 35 And well she can persuade. 197 'Twould be my tyranny to strike and gall them Lucio. I pray she may: as well for the en- For what I bid them do: for we bid this be done, couragement of the like, which else would stand When evil deeds have their permissive pass under grievous imposition, as for the enjoying And not the punishment. Therefore, indeed, of thy life, who I would be sorry should be thus my father, foolishly lost at a game of tick-tack. I'll to her. Claud. I thank you, good friend Lucio. Lucio. Within two hours. Ciand.

Come, officer, away!
[Exeunt.

SCENE III.-A Monastery.

Enter DUKE and FRIAR THOMAS.

40

I have on Angelo impos'd the office,
Who may, in the ambush of my name, strike
home,

And yet my nature never in the sight
To do it slander. And to behold his sway,
I will, as 'twere a brother of your order,
Visit both prince and people: therefore, I
prithee,

Supply me with the habit, and instruct me

Duke. No, holy father; throw away that How I may formally in person bear me

thought: Believe not that the dribbling dart of love

44