Lucio. If the duke, with the other dukes, come not to composition with the king of Hungary, why, then all the dukes fall upon the king. 1 Gent. Heaven grant us its peace, but not the king of Hungary's! 2 Gent. Amen. Lucio. Thou concludest like the sanctimonious pirate, that went to sea with the ten commandments, but scraped one out of the table. 2 Gent. Thou shalt not steal? Lucio. Ay, that he razed. 1 Gent. Why, 'twas a commandment to command the captain and all the rest from their functions; they put forth to steal: there's not a soldier of us all, that, in the thanksgiving before meat, doth relish the petition well that prays for peace. 2 Gent. I never heard any soldier dislike it. Lucio. I believe thee; for, I think, thou never wast where grace was said. 2 Gent. No? a dozen times at least. 1 Gent. What? in metre? Lucio. In any proportion, or in any language. 1 Gent. I think, or in any religion. Lucio. Ay! why not? Grace is grace, despite of all controversy: as for example; thou thyself art a wicked villain, despite of all grace. 1 Gen!. Well, there went but a pair of sheers bet veen us.2 Lucio. I grant; as there may between the lists and the velvet: thou art the list. 1 Gent. And thou the velvet: thou art good relvet; thou art a three-pil'd piece, I warrant thee: I had as lief be a list of an English kersey, as be pil'd, as thou art pil'd, for a French velvet. Do I sneak feelingly now? Lucio. I think thou dost; and, indeed, with most painful feeling of thy speech: I will, out of thine own confession, learn to begin thy health; but, whilst I live, forget to drink after thee. 1 Gent. I think I have done myself wrong; have I not? 1 Gent. How now? Which of your hips has the most profound sciatica? Bawd. Well, well; there's one yonder arrested, and carried to prison, was worth five thousand of you all. 1 Gent. Who's that, I pray thee? Bawd. Marry,sir,that's Claudio, signior Claudio. 1 Gent. Claudio to prison! 'tis not so. Bawd. Nay, but I know, 'tis so: I saw him arrested; saw him carried away; and, which is more, within these three days his head's to be chopped off. Lucio. But, after all this fooling, I would not have it so: art thou sure of this? Bawd. am too sure of it: and it is for getting madam Julietta with child. Lucio. Believe me, this may be he promised to meet me two hours since; and he was ever precise in promise-keeping. 2 Gent. Besides you know, it draws something near to the speech we had to such a purpose. 1 Gent. But most of all, agreeing with the proclamation. Lucio. Away; let's go learn the truth of it. [Exeunt Lucio and Gentlemen. Bawd. Thus, what with the war, what with the sweat; what with the gallows, and what with poverty, I am custom-shrunk. How now? what's the news with you? Enter Clown. Clo. Yonder man is carried to prison. Bawd. But what's his offence? Clo. Groping for trouts in a peculiar iver. Clo. All houses in the suburbs of Vienna must be pluck'd down. Bawd. And what shall become of those in the city? Clo. They shall stand for sced: they had gone down too, but that a wise burgher put in for them. Bawd. But shall all our houses of resort in the suburbs be pull'd down? Clo. To the ground, mistress. Bawd. Why, here's a change, indeed, in the commonwealth! What shall become of me? Clo. Come; fear not you: good counsellors lack 2 Gent. Yes, that thou hast; whether thou art no clients: though you change your place, you need not change your trade; I'll be your tapster still. tainted, or free. Lucio. Behold, behold, where madam Mitiga-Courage; there will be pity taken on you: you that tion comes! I have purchased as many diseases have worn your eyes almost out in the service, you under her roof, as come to 2 Gent. To what, I pray? 1 Gent. Judge, 2 Gent. To three thousand dollars a year. 1 Gent. Ay, and more. (1) Measure. (2) A cut of the same cloth. will be considered. Bawd. What's to do here, Thomas Tapster? let's withdraw. Clo. Here comes signior Claudio, led by the pro[Exe. vost to prison: and there's madam Juliet. (4) Corona Veneris. SCENE III-The same.-Enter Provost,' Claudio, Juliet, and Officers; Lucio, and two Gentlemen. Claud. I have done so, but he's not to be found. Claud. Fellow, why dost thou show me thus to Acquaint her with the danger of my state; the world? Bear me to prison, where I am committed. Claud. Thus can the demi-god, Authority, Claud. From too much liberty, my Lucio, liberty: to Lucio. If I could speak so wisely under an arrest, Claud. What, but to speak of would offend again. Lucio. Lechery? Claud. Call it so. Prov. Away, sir; you must go. Implore her, in my voice, that she make friends May your grace speak of it? Duke. My holy sir, none better knows than you Claud. One word, good friend:-Lucio, a word How I have ever lov'd the life remov'd; with you. Is lechery so look'd after? (A man of stricture,1° and firm abstinence,) Claud. Thus stands it with me:-Upon a true My absolute power and place here in Vienna, contract, I got possession of Julietta's bed; You know the lady; she is fast my wife, Of outward order: this we came not to, And the new deputy now for the duke,- So long, that nineteen zodiacs have gone round, Lucio. I warrant it is: and thy head stands so tickle on thy shoulders, that a milk-maid, if she be in love, may sigh it off. Send after the duke, and appeal to him. (1) Gaoler. (2) Voraciously devour. (3) Yearly circles. (4) Ticklish. Enter on her probation. (6) Prompt. And he supposes me travell'd to Poland; Duke. We have strict statutes, and most biting laws Which for these fourteen years we have let sleep; That goes not out to prey: now, as fond fathers Fri. Duke. (7) Completely armed. To do it slander: and to behold his sway, Like a true friar. More reasons for this action, Isab. And have you nuns no further privileges? roses Proclaim you are no less! can you so stead me, Isab. Why her unhappy brother? let me ask; Lucio. Gentle and fair, your brother kindly greets you: Not to be weary with you, he's in prison. Lucio. For that, which, if myself might be his judge, He should receive his punishment in thanks : Isab. Sir, make me not your story.2 It is true. I would not-though 'tis my familiar sin Isab. You do blaspheme the good, in mocking To teeming foison; even so her plenteous womb Expresseth his full tilth and husbandry. Isab. Some one with child by him?-My cousin Juliet ? Lucio. Is she your cousin? Isab. Adoptedly: as school-maids change their names, By vain though apt affection. She it is. This is the point. Governs lord Angelo; a man, whose blood Isab. Alas! what poor ability's in me As they themselves would owe them. But speedily. ACT II. Good sir, adieu. [Exeunt. |