Nor do I think the man of safe discretion, Scene 11. That does affect it. Once more, fare you well. Lucio. A French crown more. ness. Lucio. Nay, not as one would say, healthy, but so sound, as things that are hollow: thy bones are hollow; impiety has made a feast of thee. Ang. The heavens give safety to your purposes! me: but thou art full of error; I am sound. Escal. Lead forth, and bring you back in happi Duke. I thank you: fare you well. [Exit. Escal. I shall desire you, sir, to give me leave To have free speech with you; and it concerns me A power I have; but of what strength and nature Ang. 'Tis so with me:-Let us withdraw to gether, And we may soon our satisfaction have I'll wait upon your honour. SCENE II. A street. Enter Lucio and two 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. Gent. No? a dozen times at least. 1 Gent. What? in metre? Lucio. In any proportion, or in any language. Lucio. Ay! why not? Grace is grace, despite bet veen us. and the velvet: thou art the list. Enter Bawd. 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. I 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 pro clamation. 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 river. Bawd. What, is there a maid with child by him? Clo. No; but there's a woman with maid by him: you have not heard of the proclamation, have you ? Bawa. What proclamation, man? Clo. A'l houses in the suburbs of Vienna must be pluck'd down. Bawd. And what shall become of those in the 1 Gent. And thou the velvet: thou art good relvet; thou art a three-pil'd piece, I warrant thee: Thad as lief be a list of an English kersey, as be city? pil'd, as thou art pil'd, for a French velvet. Do I speak feelingly now? Lucia. 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; bat, whilst I live, forget to drink after thee. I Gent. I think I have done myself wrong; 2 Gent. Yes, that thou hast; whether thou art have I not? tainted, or free. Clo. They shall stand for sced: they had zone down too, but that a wise burgher put in for them. Bawd. But shali all our houses of resort in the suburbs be pull'd down? Clo. To the ground, mistress. commonwealth! What shall become of me? Clo. Come; fear not you: good counsellors lack not change your trade; I'll be your tapster still. Lacio. Behold, behold, where madam Mitiga-Courage; there will be pity taken on you: you that tion comes! I have purchased as many diseases 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. (3) A jest on the loss of hair by the French disease. Bawd. What's to do here, Thomas Tapster? let's withdraw. Clo. Here comes signior Claudio, led by the provost to prison: and there's madam Juliet. [Exe. (4) Corona Veneris. (5) The sweating sickness. SCENE III. -The same. - Enter Provost, Clau- Claud. I have done so, but he's not to be found. dio, Juliet, and Officers; Lucio, and two Gentlemen. I pr'ythee, Lucio, do me this kind service: This day my sister should the cloister enter, And there receive her approbation: 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, 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. Lucio. Why, how now, Claudio? whence comes this restraint? Claud. From too much liberty, my Lucio, liberty: 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 ravina 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: 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? Claud. What, but to speak of would offend again. Lucio. What is it? murder? 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, Remaining in the coffer of her friends; And the new deputy now for the duke,- He can command, lets it straight feel the spur: Which have, like unscour'd armour, hung by the wall Implore her, in my voice, that she make friends Such as moves men; besides, she hath prosperous SCENE IV. A monastery. Enter Duke and Friar Thomas. Duke. No; holy father; throw away that thought; Believe not that the dribbling dart of love Can pierce a cómplete bosom: why I desire thee To give me secret harbour, hath a purpose More grave and wrinkled than the aims and ends Of burning youth. Fri. May your grace speak of it? Duke. My holy sir, none better knows than you (A man of stricture, 1o and firm abstinence,) Fri. Gladly, my lord. Duke. We have strict statutes, and most biting laws Which for these fourteen years we have let sleep; And liberty plucks justice by the nose; The baby beats the nurse, and quite athwart Fri. It rested in your grace To 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 have on Angelo impos'd the office; (7) Completely armed. (8) Retired. 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 pr'ythee, Like a true friar. More reasons for this action, To teeming foison; 4 ;* 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 How I may formally in person bear me At our more leisure shall I render you; names, Only, this one: -Lord Angelo is precise; Stands at a guard1 with envy; scarce confesses By vain though apt affection. She it is. Is more to bread than stone: hence shall we see, Isab. O, let him marry her! [Exeunt. Isab. Peace and prosperity! Who is't that calls? Lucio. Hail, virgin, if you be; as those cheek roses Proclaim you are no less! can you so stead me, A novice of this place, and the fair sister To her unhappy brother Claudio ? Isab. Why her unhappy brother? let me ask; The rather, for I now must make you know I am that Isabella, and his sister. This is the point. The duke is very strangely gone from hence; And make us lose the good we oft might win, Lucio. Gentle and fair, your brother kindly All their petitions are as freely theirs greets you: Not to be weary with you, he's in prison. Isab. Wo me! For what? As they themselves would owe them. Isab. I'll see what I can do. Lucio. Lucio. For that, which, if myself might be his Isab. I will about it straight; But speedily. No longer staying but to give the mother10 Lucio. I take my leave of you. ACT II. Good sir, adieu. [Exeunt. Escal. Ay, but yet Let us be keen, and rather cut a little, Let but your honour know1 (Whom I believe to be most strait in virtue,) May, in the sworn twelve, have a thief or two Guiltier than him they try: what's open made to but as she spit in his face, so she defied him. Ang. 'Tis one thing to be tempted, Escalus, ness there. Escal. By the woman's means? Elb. Ay, sir, by mistress Over-done's means: justice, Clo. Sir, if it please your honour, this is not so. That justice seizes. What know the laws, Elb. Prove it before these varlets here, thou That thieves do pass on thieves? 'Tis very preg-honourable man, prove it. nant, 4 Escal. Do you hear how he misplaces? The jewel that we find, we stoop and take it, [To Angelo. Because we see it; but what we do not see, We tread upon, and never think of it. You may not so extenuate his offence, Fors I have had such faults; but rather tell me, Let mine own judgment pattern out my death, Escal. Be it as your wisdom will. Ang. Where is the provost? Prov. Here, if it like your honour. See that Claudio Be executed by nine to-morrow morning: Some rise by sin, and some by virtue fall: Enter Elbow, Froth, Clown, Officers, &c. Ang. How now, sir! what's your name? and what's the matter? Elb. If it please your honour, I am the poor duke's constable, and my name is Elbow; I do lean upon justice, sir, and do bring in here before your good honour two notorious benefactors. Ang. Benefactors? Well; what benefactors are they? are they not malefactors? Elb. If it please your honour, I know not well what they are: but precise villains they are, that I am sure of; and void of all profanation in the world, that good Christians ought to have. Escal. This comes off well; here's a wise officer. Ang. Go to: what quality are they of? Elbow is your name? Why dost thou not speak, Elbow ? Clo. He cannot, sir; he's out at elbow. Ang. What are you, sir? Elb. He, sir? a tapster, sir; parcel1o-bawd; one that serves a bad woman; whose house, sir, was, as they say, pluck'd down in the suburbs; and now she professes a hot-house, which, I think, is a very ill house too. (1) Examine. (2) Suited. Clo. Sir, she came in great with child; and longing (saving your honour's reverence) for stew'd prunes: sir, we had but two in the house, which at that very distant time stood, as it were, in a fruitdish, a dish of some three-pence: your honours have seen such dishes; they are not China dishes, but very good dishes. Escal. Go to, go to: no matter for the dish, sir. Clo. No, indeed, sir, not of a pin; you are therefore in the right: but, to the point: as I say, this mistress Elbow, being, as I say, with child, and being great belly'd, and longing, as I said, for prunes; and having but two in the dish, as I said, master Froth here, this very man, having eaten the rest, as I said, and, as I say, paying for them very honestly; -for, as you know, master Froth, I could not give you three-pence again. Froth. All this is true. Clo. Why, very well then. Escal. Come, you are a tedious fool: to the pur pose.-What was done to Elbow's wife, that he hath cause to complain of? Come me to what was done to her. Clo. Sir, your honour cannot come to that yet. Clo. Sir, but you shall come to it, by your ho- Clo. Why, very well; I hope here be truths he, sir, sitting, as I say, in a lower14 chair, sir; 'twas in the Bunch of Grapes, where, indeed, you have a delight to sit: have you not? Froth. I have so; because it is an open room, and good for winter. (9) Well told. (10) Partly. (11) Keeps a bagnia. Scene I. 99 11 Clo. Why, very well then; -I hope here be Clo. Mistress Over-done. truths. Ang. This will last out a night in Russia, When nights are longest there: I'll take my leave, Escal. Hath she had any more than one husband? Escal. Nine!-Come hither to me, master Froth. Hoping, you'll find good cause to whip them all. with tapsters; they will draw you, master Froth, Escal. I think no less: good morrow to your [Exit Angelo, lordship. Now, sir, come on: what was done to Elbow's wife, once more? Clo. Once, sir? there was nothing done to her once. Eld. I beseech you, sir, ask him what this man did to my wife? Clo. I beseech your honour, ask me. Escal. Well, sir: what did this gentleman to her? Clo. I beseech you, sir, look in this gentleman's face:-Good master Froth, look upon his honour; 'tis for a good purpose: doth your honour mark his face? Escal. Ay, sir, very well Clo. Nay, I beseech you, mark it well. Clo. Doth your honour see any harm in his face? Cla I'll be suppos'd' upon a book, his face is the worst thing about him: good then; if his face be the worst thing about him, how could master Froth do the constable's wife any harm? I would know that of your honour. Escal. He's in the right: constable, what say you to it? Elb. First, an it like you, the house is a respected house; next, this is a respected fellow; and his mistress is a respected woman. Clo. By this hand, sir, his wife is a more respected person than any of us all. Elb. Varlet, thou liest; thon liest, wicked varlet: the time is yet to come, that she was ever respected with man, woman, or child. Clo. Sir, she was respected with him before he married with her. Escal. Which is the wiser here? justice, or iniquity? Is this true? and you will hang them: get you gone, and let Froth. I thank your worship: for mine own part, I never come into any room in a taphouse, but I am drawn in. Escal. Well; no more of it, master Froth: farewell. [Exit Froth.] -Come you hither to me, master tapster; what's your name, master tapster? Clo. Pompey. Escal. What else? Clo. Bum, sir. Escal. 'Troth, and your bum is the greatest thing about you; so that, in the beastliest sense, you are Pompey the great. Pompey, you are partly a bawd, Pompey, howsoever you colour it in being a tapster. Are you not? come, tell me true; it shall be the better for you. live. Clo. Truly, sir, I am a poor fellow, that would Escal. How would you live, Pompey? by being a bawd? What do you think of the trade, Pompey? is it a lawful trade? Clo. If the law would allow it, sir. Escal. But the law will not allow it, Pompey; nor it shall not be allowed in Vienna. Clo. Does your worship mean to geld and spay all the youth in the city? Escal. No, Pompey. Clo. Truly, sir, in my poor opinion, they will to't then: if your worship will take order for the drabs and the knaves, you need not to fear the bawds. Escal. There are pretty orders beginning, I can tell you: it is but heading and hanging. Clo. If you head and hang all that offend that way but for ten year together, you'll be glad to give out a commission for more heads. If this law hold in Vienna ten year, I'll rent the fairest house Elb. O thou caitiff! O thou varlet! O thou wick-in it, after three-pence a bay: if you live to see ed Hannibal! I respected with her, before I was this come to pass, say Pompey told you so, married to her? If ever I was respected with her, Es al. Thank you, good Pompey: and, in reor she with me, let not your worship think me the quital of your prophecy, hark you,-I advise you, poor duke's officer: -Prove this, thou wicked Han- let me not find you before me again upon any comnibal, or I'll have mine action of battery on thee. plaint whatsoever, no, not for dwelling where you Escal. If he took you a box o' the ear, you do: if I do, Pompey, I shall beat you to your tent, and prove a shrewd Cæsar to you; in plain dealmight have your action of slander too. Elb. Mariy, I thank your good worship for it: ing, Pompey, I shall have you whipt: so for this what is't your worship's pleasure I should do with time Pompey, fare you well. Clo. I thank your worship for your good counthis wicked caitiff? Escal. Truly, officer, because he hath some of- sel; but I shall follow it, as the flesh and fortune fences in him, that thou wouldst discover if thou shall better determine. couldst, let him continue in his courses, till thou Whip me! No, no; let carman whip his jade; know'st what they are. Elb. Marry, I thank your worship for it:-thou spest, thou wicked varlet now, what's come upon thee; thou art to continue now, thou varlet; thou art to continue. Escal. Where were you born, friend? [To Froth. The valiant heart's not whipt out of his trade. [Er. Escal. Come hither to me, master Elbow; come hither, master Constable. How long have you been in this place of constable? Elb. Seven years and a half, sir. Escal. I thought, by your readiness in the office, you had continued in it some time: You say, seven years together? Elb. And a half, sir. Escal. Alas! it hath been great pains to you! [To the Clown. They do you wrong to put you so oft upon't: Are there not men in your ward sufficient to serve it? Elb. Faith, sir, few of any wit in such matters: Clo. A tapster: a poor widow's fapster. (1) Deposed, sworn. (2) Constable or Clown. (3) For cannibal. (4) Measures. |