MEASURE FOR MEASURE. VINCENTIO, Duke of Vienna. PERSONS REPRESENTED. ANGELO, Lord Deputy in the Duke's absence FROTH, a foolish gentleman. CLOWN, Servant to Mrs. Overdone. ESCALUS, an ancient Lord, joined with Angelò in ABHORSON, an Executioner. the deputation. CLAUDIO, a young Gentleman. Lucio, a Fantastic. Two other like Gentlemen. VARRIUS, a Gentleman, Servant to the Duke. BARNARDINE, a dissolute Prisoner ISABELLA, Sister to Claudio. Mistress OVERDONE, a bawd. Lords, Gentlemen, Guards, Officers, and other Attendunts. SCENE.-Vienna. ACT I. SCENE I.-An Apartment in the Duke's Palace. Enter Duke, ESCALUS, and Lords. Duke. Escalus, Esc. My lord. Duke. Of government the properties to unfold, Would seem in me t' affect speech and discourse, Since I am put to know, that your own science Exceeds in that the lists of all advice My strength can give you: Then no more remains hither, I say, bid come before us, Angelo.- Lent him our terror, drest him with our love, Duke. Enter ANGELO. Call Look, where he comes. Ang. Always obedient to your grace's will, I come to know your pleasure. Duke. Angelo, There is a kind of character in thy life, As if we had them not. Spirits are not finely touch'd Both thanks and use: but I do bend my speech In our remove, be thou at full ourself; Live in thy tongue and heart: Old Escalus, Yet, give leave, my lord, Nor need yo', on mine honor, have to do So to enforce or qualify the laws As to your soul seems good:-Give me your hand: But do not like to stage me to their eyes: 81 MEASURE FOR MEASURE. Exit. Esc. Lead forth, and bring you back in happiness! A power I have, but of what strength and nature, Ang. Tis so with me:-Let us withdraw to- And we may soon our satisfaction have Esc. I'll wait upon your honor. [Exeunt. 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 2 Gent. Thou shalt not steal? 1 Gent. Why, 'twas a commandment to com- 2 Gent. I never heard any soldier dislike it. 2 Gent. No? a dozen times at least. Lucio. In any proportion, or in any language. 1 Gent. Well, there went but a pair of sheers between us.” 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 velvet: 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 speak 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? 2 Gent. Yes, that thou hast; whether thou art tainted, or free. Lucio. Behold, behold, where Madam Mitigation 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. Lucio. A French crown' more. 1 Gent. Thou art always figuring diseases in me: but thou art full of error; I am sound. 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. 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? Ruwd. Marry si, 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. 1 Measure. A cut of the same cloth. SA jest on the loss of hair by the French disease. • Corona Feneris. ACT I. 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. me, this Lucio. Believe meet me two hours since; and he was ever precise may be: he promised to 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. Bard. Thus, what with the war, what with the [Exeunt Lucio and Gentlemen. sweat; what with the gallows, and what with poverty, I am custom-shrunk. How now! what's the news with you? Enter Clown. Clown. Yonder man is carried to prison. Clown. A woman. Bawd. But what's his offence? Clown. Groping for trouts in a peculiar river. Buwd. What, is there a maid with child by him? Clown. No; but there's a woman with maid by him you have not heard of the proclamation, have you? Bawd. What proclamation, man? Clown. All houses in the suburbs of Vienna must be pluck'd down. Bawd. And what shall become of those in the city? down too, but that a wise burgher put in for them. Clown. They shall stand for seed: they had gone Bawd. But, shall all our houses of resort in the suburbs be pulled down? Clown. To the ground, mistress. Bawd. Why, here's a change indeed in the commonwealth: what shall become of me! lack no clients. Though you change your place, provost to prison: and there's madam Juliet. SCENE III.- The same. [Exeunt. Enter Provost, CLAUDIO, JULIET, and Officers. Prov. I do it not in evil disposition, Make us pay down for our offence by weight. Enter LUCIO. Lucio. Why, how now, Claudio? whence comes this restraint? Claud. From too much liberty, my Lucio, lib- As surfeit is the father of much fast, Lucio. If I could speak so wisely under an arrest, to say the truth, I had as lief have the foppery of I would send for certain of my creditors: And yet, freedom, as the morality of imprisonment. What's thy offence, Claudio? Claud. What, but to speak of would offend again. Lucio. Lechery? Prov. Away, sir; you must go. with you. -Lucio, a word Takes him aside The sweating si‘kness, Lucu. A hundred, if they'll do you any good. Is lechery so look'd after! Claud. Thus stands it with me:-Upon a true contract, I got possession of Julietta's bed; You know the lady; she is fast my wife, From whom we thought it meet to hide our love, The stealth of our most mutual intercourse, Claud. Unhappily, even so. And the new deputy now for the duke, Whether it be the fault and glimpse of newness, A horse whereon the governor doth ride, He can command, let's it straight fee the spur: Or in his eminence that fills it up, I stagger in: But this new governor Which have, like unscoured armor, hung by the wall 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-rmaid, if she be in love, may sigh it off. Send after the duke, and appeal to him. Claud. I have done so, but he's not to be found. I pr'ythee, Lucio, do me this kind service: This day my sister should the cloister enter, And there receive her approbation: Acquaint her with the danger of my state; Implore her, in my voice, that she make friends To the stric deputy: bid herself assay him; I have great hope in that: for in her youth There is a prone and speechless dialect, Such as moves men: beside, she hath prosperous art When she will play with reason and discourse, And well she can persuade. Lucio. I pray, she may: as well for the encouragement of the like, which else would stand under grievous imposition; as for the enjoying of thy life, who I would be sorry should be thus foolishly lost al a game of tick-tack. I'll to her. Claud. I thank you, good friend Lucio. Claud. Come, officer, away. SCENE IV.-A Monastery. Enter Duke and Friar THOMAS. [Excunt. Juke. No; holy father; throw away that thought; Bel eve not that the dribbling dart of love Can pierce a complete bosom: why I desire thee To give me secret harbor, hath a purpose More grave and wrinkled than the aims and ends Of burning youth. Fri. May your grace speak of it! (A man of stricture and firm abstinence) Duke. We have strict statutes, and most biting laws, (The needful bits and curbs for headstrong steeds,) Which for these fourteen years we have let sleep; Even like an o'er-grown lion in a cave, That goes not out to prey: Now, as fond fathers 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 do fear, too dreadful: Sith 'twas my fault, to give the people scope, 'Twould be my tyranny to strike, and gall them For what I bid them do: For we bid this be done, When evil deeds have their permissive pass, And not the punishment. Therefore, indeed, my father, I have on Angelo imposed the office; Who may, in the ambush of my name, strike homa, 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 pr'ythee, Is more to bread than stone: Hence shall we see, SCENE V. A Nunnery. Enter ISABELLA and FRANCISCA. Isab. And have you nuns no further privileges? Fran. Are not these large enough? Isab. Yes, truly: I speak not as desiring more But rather wishing a more strict restraint Upon the sisterhood, the votarists of saint Clare. Lucio. Ho! Peace be in this place! [Within Isab. Who's that which calls? Fran. It is a man's voice: Gentle Isabella, Turn you the key, and know his business of him; You may, I may not; you are yet unsworn: When you have vowed, you must not speak with men, But in the presence of the prioress: [Exit FRANCISCA. Isab. Peace and prosperity! Who is't that calls? Enter Lucio. Lucio. Hail, virgin, if you be; as those cheek-roses Proclaim you are no less! Can you so stead me, As bring me to the sight of Isabella, A novice of this place, and the fair sister 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: Isah. Sir, make me not your story. It is true. I would not-though 'tis my familiar sin Isab. You do blaspheme the good in mocking me. Lucio. Do not believe it. Fewness and truth, 'tis thus: Your brother and his lover have embraced: Do not make a jest of me. In few and true words. MEASURE FOR MEASURE. To teeming foison; even so her plenteous womb Lucio. Is she your cousin? Isab. Adoptediy: as school-maids change their names, By vain though apt affection. She it is. Lab. O, let him marry her! To soften Angelo: And that's my pith Lucio. Isub. Alas! what poor ability's in me Assay the power you have. As they themselves would owe them. But speedily. Isab. I will about it straight: Good sir, adieu. [Exeunt ACT II. SCENE I-A Hall in Angelo's House. Enter ANGELO, ESCALUS, Provost, Officers, and And some condemned for a fault alone. Some rise by sin, and some by virtue tall. other Attendants. Ang. We must not make a scare-crow of the Setting it up to fear the birds of prey, And let it keep one shape, till custom make it Escal. Let us be keen, and rather cut a little, man, Whom I would save, had a most noble father. (Whom I believe to be most straight in virtue,) Ang. 'Tis one thing to be tempted, Escalus, Enter ELBOW, FROTH, Clown, Officers, &c. Elb. Come, bring them away: if these be good people in a common weal,s that do nothing but use their abuses in common houses, I know no law; bring them away. Ang. How now, sir! what's your name? and what's the matter?' constable, and my name is Elbow; I do lean upon Elb. If it please your honor, I am the poor dule's justice, sir, and do bring in here before your good honor two notorious benefactors. Ang. Benefactors? Well; what benefactors are they are they not malefactors? what they are: but precise villains they are, that I Escal. This comes off well; here's a wise officer. Ang. What are you, sir? Elb. He, sir? a tapster, sir; parcel bawd: one that serves a bad woman; whose house, sir, was, as Guiltier than him they try: What's open made to they say, pluck'd down in the suburbs; and now justice, That justice seizes. What know the laws, That thieves do pass on thieves! "Tis very pregnant, Be executed by nine to-morrow morning: she professess a hot-house, which, I think, is a very ill house too. Esca'. How know you that? Elb. My wife, sir, who n I detest before heaven and your honor, Escal. How! thy wife? Elb. Ay, sir; whom, I thank heaven, is an honest woman, Escal. Dost thou detest her therefore? Elb. I say, sir, I will detest myself also, as well Escal. By the woman's means? as he spit in his face, so she defied him. Clo. Sir, if it please your honor, this is not so. Eh. Prove it before these varlets here, thou honorable man, prove it. Escal. Do you hear how he misplaces? [TO ANGELO. Clo. Sir, she came in great with child; and longing (saving your honors 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 honors have seen such dishes; they are not china dishes, but very good dishes. Escal. Go to, go to: no matter for the dish, sir. Cio. 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. No, indeed. Clo. Why, very well: I hope here be truths: he, sir, sitting, as I say, in a lower 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. Clo. Why, very well then;-I hope here be truths. Ang. This will last out a night in Russia, When nights are longest there: I'll take my leave, And leave you to the hearing of the cause; Hoping, you'll find good cause to whip them all. Escal. I think no less: good morrow to your lordship. Exit ANGELO. Now, sir, come on: what was done to Elbow's wife, once more? Clo. Once, sir? there was nothing done to her once. Elb. I beseech you, sir, ask him what this man did to my wife? Clo. I beseech your honor, ask me. Escal. Well. sir: what did this gentleman to her? Clo. I beseech you, sir, look in this gentleman's ace-Good master Froth, look upon his honor; 'tis for a good purpose: doth your honor mark his face? Escal. Ay. sir, very well. Clo. Nav. I beseech you, mark it well. Clo. Doth your honor see any harm in his face? Clo. I'll be suppos'd3 upon a book, his face is he 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 honor. Escal. He's in the right: constable, what say you to it? Elb. First, an it like you, the house is a respected ouse; next, this is a respected fellow; and his Mistress is a respected woman. Eve of All Saints day. s Easy. Clo. By this hand, sir, his wife is a more res pected person than any of us all. Elb. Varlet, thou liest; thou liest, wicked varlet the time is yet to come, that she was ever respect ed 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 ini. quity? Is this true? Elb. O thou caitiff! O thou varlet! O thou wicked Hannibal! I respected with her, before I was married to her? If ever I was respected with her, or she with me, let not your worship think me the poor duke's officer:- Prove this. thou wicked Hannibal, or I'll have mine action of battery on thee. Escal. If he took you a box o' the ear, you might have your action of slander too. Elb. Marry, I thank your good worship for it: what is't your worship's pleasure I should do with this wicked caitiff? Escal. Truly, officer, because he hath some offences in him, that thou wouldst discover if thou couldst, let him continue in his courses, till thou know'st what they are. Elb. Marry, I thank your worship for it:- thou seest, 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. Froth. Here, in Vienna, sir. Clo. A tapster: a poor widow's tapster. Clo. Mistress Over-done. Escal. Hath she had any more than one husband? Clo. Nine, sir; Over-done by the last. Escal. Nine!-Come hither to me, master Froth, Master Froth, I would not have you acquainted with tapsters; they will draw you, master Froth, and you will hang them: get you gone, and let me hear no more of you. 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 Fupru.]- Come you hither to me master tapster; what's your name, master tapster? Clo. Pompey. Escal. What else? Clo. Bum, sir. Escal. No. Pompey. Clo Truly, sir, in my poor opinion, they will to 't then if your worship will take orders 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 years together, you'll be glad to give out a commission for more heads. If this law hold in Vienna ten years, I'll rent the fairest house in it, after three-pence a day: if you live to see this come to pass, say Pompey told you so. Escal. Thank you, good Pompey: and, in re quital of your prophecy, hark you,-I advise you, let me not find you before me again upon any cour • Constable or Clown. For cannibal. 6 Measures. |