MEASURE FOR MEASURE.ACT I.I. 1Scene I.An apartment in theDuke’spalace.EnterDuke, Escalus,LordsandAttendants.Duke.Escalus.Escal.My lord.Duke.Of government the properties to unfold,Would seem in me to affect speech and discourse;5Since I amputto know that your own scienceExceeds, in that, the lists of all adviceMy strength can give you: then no moreremains,But that to your sufficiency. . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . as your worth is able,10And let them work. The nature of our people,Ourcity’sinstitutions, and the termsFor common justice, you’re as pregnant inAs art and practice hath enriched anyThat we remember. There is our commission,15From which we would not have you warp. Call hither,I say, bid come before us Angelo.Exit an Attendant.What figure of us think you he will bear?For you must know, we have with specialsoulElected him our absence to supply;20Lent him our terror, dress’d him with our love,And given his deputation all the organsOf our own power:whatthink you of it?Escal.If any in Vienna be of worthTo undergo such ample grace and honour,It is Lord Angelo.I. 1.25Duke.Look where he comes.EnterAngelo.Ang.Always obedient to your Grace’s will,I come to knowyour pleasure.Duke.Angelo,There is a kind ofcharacterin thylife,That to th’ observer doth thyhistory30Fully unfold. Thyself and thy belongingsAre not thine own so proper, as to wasteThyself upon thy virtues,theyon thee.Heaven doth with us as we with torches do,Not light them for themselves; for if our virtues35Did not go forth of us, ’twereall alikeAs if wehad them not. Spirits are not finely touch’dBut to fine issues;norNature never lendsThe smallest scruple of her excellence,But, like a thrifty goddess, she determines40Herself the glory of a creditor,Both thanks and use. But I do bend my speechTo one that canmy part in himadvertise;Hold therefore, Angelo:—In our remove be thou at full ourself;45Mortalityand mercy in ViennaLive in thy tongue and heart: old Escalus,Though first in question, is thy secondary.Take thy commission.Ang.Now, good my lord,Let there be some more test made of my metal,I. 1.50Before so noble and so great a figureBe stamp’dupon it.Duke.No moreevasion:We have with aleaven’d and preparedchoiceProceeded to you; therefore take your honours.Our haste from hence is of so quick condition,55That it prefers itself, and leaves unquestion’dMatters of needful value. We shall writeto you,As time and our concernings shall importune,How it goes with us; and do look to knowWhat doth befall you here. So, fare you well:60To the hopeful execution do I leave youOfyour commissions.Ang.Yet, give leave, my lord,That we may bring you something on the way.Duke.My haste may not admit it;Nor need you, on mine honour, have to do65With any scruple; your scope is as mine own,So to enforce or qualify thelawsAs to your soul seems good. Give me your hand:I’ll privily away. I love the people,But do not like to stage me to their eyes:70Though it do well, I do not relish wellTheir loud applause and Aves vehement;Nor do I think the man of safe discretionThat does affect it. Once more, fare you well.Ang.The heavens give safety to your purposes!I. 1.75Escal.Lead forth and bring you back in happiness!Duke.I thank you. Fare you well.Exit.Escal.I shall desire you, sir, to give me leaveTo have free speech with you; and it concerns meTo look into the bottom of my place:80A power I have, but of what strength and natureI am not yet instructed.Ang.’Tis so with me. Let us withdraw together,And we may soon our satisfaction haveTouching that point.Escal.I’ll wait uponyourhonour.Exeunt.I. 2Scene II.A street.EnterLucioand twoGentlemen.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.First Gent.Heaven grant us its peace, but not the5King of Hungary’s!Sec. Gent.Amen.Lucio.Thou concludest like the sanctimonious pirate, that went to sea with the Ten Commandments, but scraped one out of the table.10Sec. Gent.‘Thou shalt not steal’?Lucio.Ay, that he razed.First 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 the15thanksgivingbeforemeat,dorelish the petition well that prays for peace.Sec. Gent.I never heard any soldier dislike it.Lucio.I believe thee; for I think thou never wast where grace was said.20Sec. Gent.No? a dozen times at least.First Gent.What, in metre?Lucio.In any proportion or in any language.First Gent.I think, or in any religion.Lucio.Ay, why not? Grace is grace, despite of allI. 2.25controversy: as, for example, thou thyself art a wicked villain, despite of all grace.First Gent.Well, there went but a pair of shears between us.Lucio.I grant; as there may between thelistsand the30velvet. Thou art the list.First Gent.And thou the velvet: thou art good velvet; thou’rt a three-piled piece, I warrant thee: I had as lief be a list of an English kersey, as be piled, as thou art piled, for a French velvet. Do I speak feelingly now?35Lucio.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.First Gent.I think I have done myself wrong, have40I not?Sec. Gent.Yes, that thou hast, whether thou art tainted or free.Lucio.Behold, behold, where Madam Mitigation comes!I havepurchased as many diseases under her roof45as come to—Sec. Gent.To what, I pray?Lucio.Judge.Sec. Gent.To three thousanddoloursa year.First Gent.Ay, and more.I. 2.50Lucio.A French crown more.First 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;55impiety has made a feast of thee.EnterMistress Overdone.First Gent.How now! which of your hips has the most profound sciatica?Mrs Ov.Well, well; there’s one yonder arrested and carried to prison was worth five thousand of you all.60Sec. Gent.Who’s that, I pray thee?Mrs Ov.Marry, sir, that’s Claudio, Signior Claudio.First Gent.Claudio to prison? ’tis not so.Mrs Ov.Nay, but I know ’tis so: I saw him arrested; saw him carried away; and, which is more, within these65three days hisheadto be chopped off.Lucio.But, after all this fooling, I would not have it so. Art thou sure of this?Mrs Ov.I am too sure of it: and it is for gettingMadam Julietta with child.70Lucio.Believe me, this may be: he promised to meet me two hours since, and he was ever precise in promise-keeping.Sec. Gent.Besides, you know, it draws something near to the speech we had to such a purpose.I. 2.75First Gent.But, most of all, agreeing with the proclamation.Lucio.Away! let’s go learn the truth of it.Exeunt Lucio and Gentlemen.Mrs Ov.Thus, what with the war, what with the sweat, what with the gallows, and what with poverty, I am80custom-shrunk.EnterPompey.How now! what’s the news with you?Pom.Yonder man is carried to prison.Mrs Ov.Well; what has he done?Pom.A woman.85Mrs Ov.But what’s his offence?Pom.Groping for trouts in a peculiar river.Mrs Ov.What, is there a maid with child by him?Pom.No, but there’s a womanwith maidby him.You have not heard of the proclamation, have you?90Mrs Ov.What proclamation, man?Pom.Allhousesin the suburbs of Vienna must be plucked down.Mrs Ov.And what shall become of those in the city?Pom.They shall stand for seed: they had gone down too,95but that a wise burgher put in for them.Mrs Ov.But shallallour houses of resort in the suburbs be pulled down?Pom.To the ground, mistress.Mrs Ov.Why, here’s a change indeed in the commonwealth!I. 2.100What 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 your105eyes almost out in the service, you will be considered.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.EnterProvost, Claudio, Juliet, andOfficers.110Claud.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,But fromLordAngelo by special charge.Claud.Thus can the demigod Authority115Make us pay down for ouroffenceby weightThe wordsof heaven;—on whom it will, it will;On whom it will not, so;yet still ’tis just.Re-enterLucioand twoGentlemen.Lucio.Why, how now, Claudio! whence comes this restraint?Claud.From too much liberty, my Lucio, liberty:120As surfeit is the father of much fast,Soevery scopeby the immoderate useTurns to restraint. Our natures do pursue,Like rats that ravin down their proper bane,A thirsty evil; and when we drink we die.I. 2.125Lucio.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 themoralityof imprisonment. What’s thy offence, Claudio?Claud.What but to speak of would offend again.130Lucio.What, is’t murder?Claud.No.Lucio.Lechery?Claud.Call it so.Prov.Away, sir! you must go.135Claud.One word, good friend. Lucio, a word with you.Lucio.A hundred, if they’ll do you any good.Is lechery so look’d after?Claud.Thus stands it with me:—upon a true contractI got possession of Julietta’s bed:140You know the lady; she is fast my wife,Save that we do thedenunciationlackOf outward order: this we came not to,Only forpropagationof a dowerRemaining in the coffer of her friends;145From whom we thought it meet to hide our loveTill time had made them for us. But it chancesThe stealth of ourmostmutual entertainmentWith character too gross is writonJuliet.Lucio.With child, perhaps?Claud.Unhappily, even so.I. 2.150And the new Deputy now for the Duke,—Whether it be thefault and glimpseof newness,Or whether that the body public beA horse whereon the governor doth ride,Who, newly in the seat, that it may know155He can command, lets it straight feel the spur;Whether the tyranny be in his place,Or in his eminence that fills it up.I stagger in:—but this new governorAwakes me all the enrolled penalties160Which have, like unscour’d armour, hung by the wallSo long, thatnineteenzodiacs have gone round,And none of them been worn; and, for a name,Now puts the drowsy and neglected actFreshly on me: ’tis surely for a name.165Lucio.I warrantit is: and thy head stands so tickle on thy shoulders, that a milkmaid, ifshe bein 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 prithee, Lucio, do me this kind service:170This day my sister should the cloister enterAnd there receive her approbation:Acquaint her with the danger of my state;Implore her, in myvoice, that she make friendsTo the strict deputy; bid herself assay him:I. 2.175I have great hope in that; for in heryouthThere is aproneand speechless dialect,Such asmovemen;beside, she hath prosperous artWhen she will play with reason and discourse,And well she can persuade.180Lucio.I pray she may; as well for the encouragement of the like, which else would standundergrievousimposition, as forthe enjoying ofthy life,who I wouldbe sorry should be thus foolishly lost at a game of tick-tack. I’ll toher.185Claud.I thank you, good friend Lucio.Lucio.Within two hours.Claud.Come, officer, away!Exeunt.I. 3Scene III.A monastery.EnterDukeandFriar Thomas.Duke.No, holy father; throw away that thought;Believe not that the dribbling dart of loveCan pierce a completebosom. Why I desire theeTo give me secret harbour, hath a purpose5More grave and wrinkled than the aims and endsOf burning youth.Fri. T.May your grace speak of it?Duke.My holy sir, none better knows than youHow I have ever loved the life removed,And held in idle price to haunt assemblies10Where youth, and cost,and witlessbraverykeeps.I have deliver’d to Lord Angelo,A man ofstrictureand firm abstinence,My absolute power and place here in Vienna,And he supposes me travell’d to Poland;15Forso I have strew’d it in the common ear,And so it is received. Now, pious sir,You will demand of me why I do this?Fri. T.Gladly, my lord.Duke.We have strict statutes and most biting laws,20The needful bits and curbstoheadstrongweeds,Which forthis fourteenyears we have letslip;Even like an o’ergrown lion in a cave,That goes not out to prey. Now, as fond fathers,Having bound up the threatening twigs of birch,I. 3.25Onlytostick it in their children’s sightForterror, not to use, in timethe rodBecomes moremock’dthan fear’d; so our decrees.Dead to infliction, to themselves are dead;And liberty plucks justice by the nose;30The baby beats the nurse, and quite athwartGoes all decorum.Fri. T.It rested in your GraceTo unloose this tied-up justice when you pleased:And it in you more dreadful would have seem’dThan in Lord Angelo.Duke.Idofear, too dreadful:35Sith ’twas my fault to give the people scope,’Twould be my tyranny to strike and gall themFor what I bid them do: for we bid thisbe done,When evil deeds have their permissive pass,And notthepunishment. Therefore,indeed, my father,40I have on Angelo imposed the office;Who may, in the ambush of my name, strike home,And yet my nature never in thefightTo do in slander.Andto behold his sway,I will, as ’twere a brother of your order,45Visit both prince and people: therefore,Iprithee,Supply me with the habit, and instruct meHow I may formallyin person bear meLike a true friar. More reasons for this actionAtourmore leisure shall I render you;I. 3.50Only, this one: Lord Angelo is precise;Stands at a guard with envy; scarce confessesThat his blood flows, or that his appetiteIs more to bread than stone: hence shall we see,If power change purpose, what our seemers be.Exeunt.I. 4Scene IV.A nunnery.EnterIsabellaandFrancisca.Isab.And have you nuns no farther privileges?Fran.Are not these large enough?Isab.Yes, truly: I speak not as desiring more;But rather wishing a more strict restraint5Upon thesisterhood, the votaristsof Saint Clare.Lucio[within]. Ho! Peace be in this place!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.10When you have vow’d, you must not speak with menBut in the presence of the prioress:Then, if you speak, you must not show your face;Or, if you show your face, you must not speak.He calls again; I pray you, answer him.Exit.15Isab.Peace and prosperity! Who is’t that calls?EnterLucio.Lucio.Hail, virgin, if you be, as those cheek-rosesProclaim you are no less! Can you so stead meAs bring me to the sight of Isabella,A novice of this place, and the fair sister20To her unhappy brother Claudio?Isab.Why, ‘her unhappy brother’? let me askThe rather, for I now must make you knowI am that Isabella and his sister.Lucio.Gentle and fair, your brother kindly greets you:I. 4.25Not to be weary with you, he’s in prison.Isab.Woe me! for what?Lucio.For that which, if myself might be his judge,He should receive his punishment in thanks:He hath got his friend with child.Isab.Sir,make me not your story.30Lucio.It is true.I would not—though ’tis my familiar sinWith maids to seem the lapwing, and to jest,Tongue far from heart—play with all virgins so:I hold you as a thing ensky’d and sainted;35By your renouncement, an immortal spirit;And to be talk’d with in sincerity,As with a saint.Isab.You do blaspheme the good in mocking me.Lucio.Do not believe it. Fewness and truth, ’tis thus:—40Your brother and his loverhaveembraced:As those that feed grow full,—as blossoming time,That from theseednessthe bare fallowbringsTo teeming foison,—even so her plenteous wombExpressethhisfull tilth and husbandry.45Isab.Some one with child by him?—My cousin Juliet?Lucio.Is she your cousin?Isab.Adoptedly; as school-maids change their namesBy vain, though apt, affection.Lucio.She it is.Isab.O, let himmarry her.Lucio.This is the point.I. 4.50The dukeisvery strangely gone from hence;Bore many gentlemen, myself being one,In hand,andhope of action: but wedolearnBy those that know the very nerves of state,Hisgivings-outwere of an infinite distance55From his true-meant design. Upon his place,And with full line of his authority,Governs Lord Angelo; a man whose bloodIs very snow-broth; one who never feelsThe wanton stings and motions of the sense,60But doth rebate and blunthisnatural edgeWith profits of the mind, study and fast.He—to give fear to use and liberty,Which havefor longrun by the hideous law,As mice by lions—hath pick’d out an act,65Under whose heavy sense your brother’s lifeFalls into forfeit: he arrests him on it;And follows close the rigour of the statute,To make him an example. Allhope isgone,Unless you have the grace by your fair prayer70To soften Angelo: and that’s mypith of business’Twixtyou and your poor brother.Isab.Doth heso seekhis life?
Duke.Escalus.
Escal.My lord.
Duke.Of government the properties to unfold,Would seem in me to affect speech and discourse;5Since I amputto know that your own scienceExceeds, in that, the lists of all adviceMy strength can give you: then no moreremains,But that to your sufficiency. . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . as your worth is able,10And let them work. The nature of our people,Ourcity’sinstitutions, and the termsFor common justice, you’re as pregnant inAs art and practice hath enriched anyThat we remember. There is our commission,15From which we would not have you warp. Call hither,I say, bid come before us Angelo.Exit an Attendant.What figure of us think you he will bear?For you must know, we have with specialsoulElected him our absence to supply;20Lent him our terror, dress’d him with our love,And given his deputation all the organsOf our own power:whatthink you of it?
Duke.Of government the properties to unfold,
Would seem in me to affect speech and discourse;
5Since I amputto know that your own science
Exceeds, in that, the lists of all advice
My strength can give you: then no moreremains,
But that to your sufficiency. . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . as your worth is able,
10And let them work. The nature of our people,
Ourcity’sinstitutions, and the terms
For common justice, you’re as pregnant in
As art and practice hath enriched any
That we remember. There is our commission,
15From which we would not have you warp. Call hither,
I say, bid come before us Angelo.
Exit an Attendant.
What figure of us think you he will bear?
For you must know, we have with specialsoul
Elected him our absence to supply;
20Lent him our terror, dress’d him with our love,
And given his deputation all the organs
Of our own power:whatthink you of it?
Escal.If any in Vienna be of worthTo undergo such ample grace and honour,It is Lord Angelo.
Escal.If any in Vienna be of worth
To undergo such ample grace and honour,
It is Lord Angelo.
I. 1.25Duke.
Look where he comes.
Ang.Always obedient to your Grace’s will,I come to knowyour pleasure.
Ang.Always obedient to your Grace’s will,
I come to knowyour pleasure.
Duke.Angelo,There is a kind ofcharacterin thylife,That to th’ observer doth thyhistory30Fully unfold. Thyself and thy belongingsAre not thine own so proper, as to wasteThyself upon thy virtues,theyon thee.Heaven doth with us as we with torches do,Not light them for themselves; for if our virtues35Did not go forth of us, ’twereall alikeAs if wehad them not. Spirits are not finely touch’dBut to fine issues;norNature never lendsThe smallest scruple of her excellence,But, like a thrifty goddess, she determines40Herself the glory of a creditor,Both thanks and use. But I do bend my speechTo one that canmy part in himadvertise;Hold therefore, Angelo:—In our remove be thou at full ourself;45Mortalityand mercy in ViennaLive in thy tongue and heart: old Escalus,Though first in question, is thy secondary.Take thy commission.
Duke.
Angelo,
There is a kind ofcharacterin thylife,
That to th’ observer doth thyhistory
30Fully unfold. Thyself and thy belongings
Are not thine own so proper, as to waste
Thyself upon thy virtues,theyon thee.
Heaven doth with us as we with torches do,
Not light them for themselves; for if our virtues
35Did not go forth of us, ’twereall alike
As if wehad them not. Spirits are not finely touch’d
But to fine issues;norNature never lends
The smallest scruple of her excellence,
But, like a thrifty goddess, she determines
40Herself the glory of a creditor,
Both thanks and use. But I do bend my speech
To one that canmy part in himadvertise;
Hold therefore, Angelo:—
In our remove be thou at full ourself;
45Mortalityand mercy in Vienna
Live in thy tongue and heart: old Escalus,
Though first in question, is thy secondary.
Take thy commission.
Ang.Now, good my lord,Let there be some more test made of my metal,I. 1.50Before so noble and so great a figureBe stamp’dupon it.
Ang.
Now, good my lord,
Let there be some more test made of my metal,
I. 1.50Before so noble and so great a figure
Be stamp’dupon it.
Duke.No moreevasion:We have with aleaven’d and preparedchoiceProceeded to you; therefore take your honours.Our haste from hence is of so quick condition,55That it prefers itself, and leaves unquestion’dMatters of needful value. We shall writeto you,As time and our concernings shall importune,How it goes with us; and do look to knowWhat doth befall you here. So, fare you well:60To the hopeful execution do I leave youOfyour commissions.
Duke.
No moreevasion:
We have with aleaven’d and preparedchoice
Proceeded to you; therefore take your honours.
Our haste from hence is of so quick condition,
55That it prefers itself, and leaves unquestion’d
Matters of needful value. We shall writeto you,
As time and our concernings shall importune,
How it goes with us; and do look to know
What doth befall you here. So, fare you well:
60To the hopeful execution do I leave you
Ofyour commissions.
Ang.Yet, give leave, my lord,That we may bring you something on the way.
Ang.
Yet, give leave, my lord,
That we may bring you something on the way.
Duke.My haste may not admit it;Nor need you, on mine honour, have to do65With any scruple; your scope is as mine own,So to enforce or qualify thelawsAs to your soul seems good. Give me your hand:I’ll privily away. I love the people,But do not like to stage me to their eyes:70Though it do well, I do not relish wellTheir loud applause and Aves vehement;Nor do I think the man of safe discretionThat does affect it. Once more, fare you well.
Duke.My haste may not admit it;
Nor need you, on mine honour, have to do
65With any scruple; your scope is as mine own,
So to enforce or qualify thelaws
As to your soul seems good. Give me your hand:
I’ll privily away. I love the people,
But do not like to stage me to their eyes:
70Though it do well, I do not relish well
Their loud applause and Aves vehement;
Nor do I think the man of safe discretion
That does affect it. Once more, fare you well.
Ang.The heavens give safety to your purposes!
I. 1.75Escal.Lead forth and bring you back in happiness!
Duke.I thank you. Fare you well.Exit.
Escal.I shall desire you, sir, to give me leaveTo have free speech with you; and it concerns meTo look into the bottom of my place:80A power I have, but of what strength and natureI am not yet instructed.
Escal.I shall desire you, sir, to give me leave
To have free speech with you; and it concerns me
To look into the bottom of my place:
80A power I have, but of what strength and nature
I am not yet instructed.
Ang.’Tis so with me. Let us withdraw together,And we may soon our satisfaction haveTouching that point.
Ang.’Tis so with me. Let us withdraw together,
And we may soon our satisfaction have
Touching that point.
Escal.
I’ll wait uponyourhonour.
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.
First Gent.Heaven grant us its peace, but not the5King of Hungary’s!
Sec. Gent.Amen.
Lucio.Thou concludest like the sanctimonious pirate, that went to sea with the Ten Commandments, but scraped one out of the table.
10Sec. Gent.‘Thou shalt not steal’?
Lucio.Ay, that he razed.
First 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 the15thanksgivingbeforemeat,dorelish the petition well that prays for peace.
Sec. Gent.I never heard any soldier dislike it.
Lucio.I believe thee; for I think thou never wast where grace was said.
20Sec. Gent.No? a dozen times at least.
First Gent.What, in metre?
Lucio.In any proportion or in any language.
First Gent.I think, or in any religion.
Lucio.Ay, why not? Grace is grace, despite of allI. 2.25controversy: as, for example, thou thyself art a wicked villain, despite of all grace.
First Gent.Well, there went but a pair of shears between us.
Lucio.I grant; as there may between thelistsand the30velvet. Thou art the list.
First Gent.And thou the velvet: thou art good velvet; thou’rt a three-piled piece, I warrant thee: I had as lief be a list of an English kersey, as be piled, as thou art piled, for a French velvet. Do I speak feelingly now?
35Lucio.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.
First Gent.I think I have done myself wrong, have40I not?
Sec. Gent.Yes, that thou hast, whether thou art tainted or free.
Lucio.Behold, behold, where Madam Mitigation comes!I havepurchased as many diseases under her roof45as come to—
Sec. Gent.To what, I pray?
Lucio.Judge.
Sec. Gent.To three thousanddoloursa year.
First Gent.Ay, and more.
I. 2.50Lucio.A French crown more.
First 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;55impiety has made a feast of thee.
First Gent.How now! which of your hips has the most profound sciatica?
Mrs Ov.Well, well; there’s one yonder arrested and carried to prison was worth five thousand of you all.
60Sec. Gent.Who’s that, I pray thee?
Mrs Ov.Marry, sir, that’s Claudio, Signior Claudio.
First Gent.Claudio to prison? ’tis not so.
Mrs Ov.Nay, but I know ’tis so: I saw him arrested; saw him carried away; and, which is more, within these65three days hisheadto be chopped off.
Lucio.But, after all this fooling, I would not have it so. Art thou sure of this?
Mrs Ov.I am too sure of it: and it is for gettingMadam Julietta with child.
Mrs Ov.I am too sure of it: and it is for getting
Madam Julietta with child.
70Lucio.Believe me, this may be: he promised to meet me two hours since, and he was ever precise in promise-keeping.
Sec. Gent.Besides, you know, it draws something near to the speech we had to such a purpose.
I. 2.75First Gent.But, most of all, agreeing with the proclamation.
Lucio.Away! let’s go learn the truth of it.
Exeunt Lucio and Gentlemen.
Mrs Ov.Thus, what with the war, what with the sweat, what with the gallows, and what with poverty, I am80custom-shrunk.
How now! what’s the news with you?
Pom.Yonder man is carried to prison.
Mrs Ov.Well; what has he done?
Pom.A woman.
85Mrs Ov.But what’s his offence?
Pom.Groping for trouts in a peculiar river.
Mrs Ov.What, is there a maid with child by him?
Pom.No, but there’s a womanwith maidby him.You have not heard of the proclamation, have you?
Pom.No, but there’s a womanwith maidby him.
You have not heard of the proclamation, have you?
90Mrs Ov.What proclamation, man?
Pom.Allhousesin the suburbs of Vienna must be plucked down.
Mrs Ov.And what shall become of those in the city?
Pom.They shall stand for seed: they had gone down too,95but that a wise burgher put in for them.
Mrs Ov.But shallallour houses of resort in the suburbs be pulled down?
Pom.To the ground, mistress.
Mrs Ov.Why, here’s a change indeed in the commonwealth!I. 2.100What 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 your105eyes almost out in the service, you will be considered.
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.
110Claud.Fellow, why dost thou show me thus to the world?Bear me to prison, where I am committed.
110Claud.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,But fromLordAngelo by special charge.
Prov.I do it not in evil disposition,
But fromLordAngelo by special charge.
Claud.Thus can the demigod Authority115Make us pay down for ouroffenceby weightThe wordsof heaven;—on whom it will, it will;On whom it will not, so;yet still ’tis just.
Claud.Thus can the demigod Authority
115Make us pay down for ouroffenceby weight
The wordsof 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:120As surfeit is the father of much fast,Soevery scopeby the immoderate useTurns to restraint. Our natures do pursue,Like rats that ravin down their proper bane,A thirsty evil; and when we drink we die.
Claud.From too much liberty, my Lucio, liberty:
120As surfeit is the father of much fast,
Soevery scopeby 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.
I. 2.125Lucio.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 themoralityof imprisonment. What’s thy offence, Claudio?
Claud.What but to speak of would offend again.
130Lucio.What, is’t murder?
Claud.No.
Lucio.Lechery?
Claud.Call it so.
Prov.Away, sir! you must go.
135Claud.One word, good friend. Lucio, a word with you.
Lucio.A hundred, if they’ll do you any good.Is lechery so look’d after?
Lucio.A hundred, if they’ll do you any good.
Is lechery so look’d after?
Claud.Thus stands it with me:—upon a true contractI got possession of Julietta’s bed:140You know the lady; she is fast my wife,Save that we do thedenunciationlackOf outward order: this we came not to,Only forpropagationof a dowerRemaining in the coffer of her friends;145From whom we thought it meet to hide our loveTill time had made them for us. But it chancesThe stealth of ourmostmutual entertainmentWith character too gross is writonJuliet.
Claud.Thus stands it with me:—upon a true contract
I got possession of Julietta’s bed:
140You know the lady; she is fast my wife,
Save that we do thedenunciationlack
Of outward order: this we came not to,
Only forpropagationof a dower
Remaining in the coffer of her friends;
145From whom we thought it meet to hide our love
Till time had made them for us. But it chances
The stealth of ourmostmutual entertainment
With character too gross is writonJuliet.
Lucio.With child, perhaps?
Claud.Unhappily, even so.I. 2.150And the new Deputy now for the Duke,—Whether it be thefault and glimpseof newness,Or whether that the body public beA horse whereon the governor doth ride,Who, newly in the seat, that it may know155He can command, lets it straight feel the spur;Whether the tyranny be in his place,Or in his eminence that fills it up.I stagger in:—but this new governorAwakes me all the enrolled penalties160Which have, like unscour’d armour, hung by the wallSo long, thatnineteenzodiacs have gone round,And none of them been worn; and, for a name,Now puts the drowsy and neglected actFreshly on me: ’tis surely for a name.
Claud.
Unhappily, even so.
I. 2.150And the new Deputy now for the Duke,—
Whether it be thefault and glimpseof newness,
Or whether that the body public be
A horse whereon the governor doth ride,
Who, newly in the seat, that it may know
155He can command, lets it straight feel the spur;
Whether the tyranny be in his place,
Or in his eminence that fills it up.
I stagger in:—but this new governor
Awakes me all the enrolled penalties
160Which have, like unscour’d armour, hung by the wall
So long, thatnineteenzodiacs 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.
165Lucio.I warrantit is: and thy head stands so tickle on thy shoulders, that a milkmaid, ifshe bein 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 prithee, Lucio, do me this kind service:170This day my sister should the cloister enterAnd there receive her approbation:Acquaint her with the danger of my state;Implore her, in myvoice, that she make friendsTo the strict deputy; bid herself assay him:I. 2.175I have great hope in that; for in heryouthThere is aproneand speechless dialect,Such asmovemen;beside, she hath prosperous artWhen she will play with reason and discourse,And well she can persuade.
Claud.I have done so, but he’s not to be found.
I prithee, Lucio, do me this kind service:
170This day my sister should the cloister enter
And there receive her approbation:
Acquaint her with the danger of my state;
Implore her, in myvoice, that she make friends
To the strict deputy; bid herself assay him:
I. 2.175I have great hope in that; for in heryouth
There is aproneand speechless dialect,
Such asmovemen;beside, she hath prosperous art
When she will play with reason and discourse,
And well she can persuade.
180Lucio.I pray she may; as well for the encouragement of the like, which else would standundergrievousimposition, as forthe enjoying ofthy life,who I wouldbe sorry should be thus foolishly lost at a game of tick-tack. I’ll toher.
185Claud.I thank you, good friend Lucio.
Lucio.Within two hours.
Claud.
Come, officer, away!
Exeunt.
Duke.No, holy father; throw away that thought;Believe not that the dribbling dart of loveCan pierce a completebosom. Why I desire theeTo give me secret harbour, hath a purpose5More grave and wrinkled than the aims and endsOf burning youth.
Duke.No, holy father; throw away that thought;
Believe not that the dribbling dart of love
Can pierce a completebosom. Why I desire thee
To give me secret harbour, hath a purpose
5More grave and wrinkled than the aims and ends
Of burning youth.
Fri. T.
May your grace speak of it?
Duke.My holy sir, none better knows than youHow I have ever loved the life removed,And held in idle price to haunt assemblies10Where youth, and cost,and witlessbraverykeeps.I have deliver’d to Lord Angelo,A man ofstrictureand firm abstinence,My absolute power and place here in Vienna,And he supposes me travell’d to Poland;15Forso I have strew’d it in the common ear,And so it is received. Now, pious sir,You will demand of me why I do this?
Duke.My holy sir, none better knows than you
How I have ever loved the life removed,
And held in idle price to haunt assemblies
10Where youth, and cost,and witlessbraverykeeps.
I have deliver’d to Lord Angelo,
A man ofstrictureand firm abstinence,
My absolute power and place here in Vienna,
And he supposes me travell’d to Poland;
15Forso I have strew’d it in the common ear,
And so it is received. Now, pious sir,
You will demand of me why I do this?
Fri. T.Gladly, my lord.
Duke.We have strict statutes and most biting laws,20The needful bits and curbstoheadstrongweeds,Which forthis fourteenyears we have letslip;Even like an o’ergrown lion in a cave,That goes not out to prey. Now, as fond fathers,Having bound up the threatening twigs of birch,I. 3.25Onlytostick it in their children’s sightForterror, not to use, in timethe rodBecomes moremock’dthan fear’d; so our decrees.Dead to infliction, to themselves are dead;And liberty plucks justice by the nose;30The baby beats the nurse, and quite athwartGoes all decorum.
Duke.We have strict statutes and most biting laws,
20The needful bits and curbstoheadstrongweeds,
Which forthis fourteenyears we have letslip;
Even like an o’ergrown lion in a cave,
That goes not out to prey. Now, as fond fathers,
Having bound up the threatening twigs of birch,
I. 3.25Onlytostick it in their children’s sight
Forterror, not to use, in timethe rod
Becomes moremock’dthan fear’d; so our decrees.
Dead to infliction, to themselves are dead;
And liberty plucks justice by the nose;
30The baby beats the nurse, and quite athwart
Goes all decorum.
Fri. T.It rested in your GraceTo unloose this tied-up justice when you pleased:And it in you more dreadful would have seem’dThan in Lord Angelo.
Fri. T.
It rested in your Grace
To unloose this tied-up justice when you pleased:
And it in you more dreadful would have seem’d
Than in Lord Angelo.
Duke.Idofear, too dreadful:35Sith ’twas my fault to give the people scope,’Twould be my tyranny to strike and gall themFor what I bid them do: for we bid thisbe done,When evil deeds have their permissive pass,And notthepunishment. Therefore,indeed, my father,40I have on Angelo imposed the office;Who may, in the ambush of my name, strike home,And yet my nature never in thefightTo do in slander.Andto behold his sway,I will, as ’twere a brother of your order,45Visit both prince and people: therefore,Iprithee,Supply me with the habit, and instruct meHow I may formallyin person bear meLike a true friar. More reasons for this actionAtourmore leisure shall I render you;I. 3.50Only, this one: Lord Angelo is precise;Stands at a guard with envy; scarce confessesThat his blood flows, or that his appetiteIs more to bread than stone: hence shall we see,If power change purpose, what our seemers be.
Duke.
Idofear, too dreadful:
35Sith ’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 thisbe done,
When evil deeds have their permissive pass,
And notthepunishment. Therefore,indeed, my father,
40I have on Angelo imposed the office;
Who may, in the ambush of my name, strike home,
And yet my nature never in thefight
To do in slander.Andto behold his sway,
I will, as ’twere a brother of your order,
45Visit both prince and people: therefore,Iprithee,
Supply me with the habit, and instruct me
How I may formallyin person bear me
Like a true friar. More reasons for this action
Atourmore leisure shall I render you;
I. 3.50Only, this one: Lord Angelo is precise;
Stands at a guard with envy; scarce confesses
That his blood flows, or that his appetite
Is more to bread than stone: hence shall we see,
If power change purpose, what our seemers be.
Exeunt.
Isab.And have you nuns no farther privileges?
Fran.Are not these large enough?
Isab.Yes, truly: I speak not as desiring more;But rather wishing a more strict restraint5Upon thesisterhood, the votaristsof Saint Clare.
Isab.Yes, truly: I speak not as desiring more;
But rather wishing a more strict restraint
5Upon thesisterhood, the votaristsof Saint Clare.
Lucio[within]. Ho! Peace be in this place!
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.10When you have vow’d, you must not speak with menBut in the presence of the prioress:Then, if you speak, you must not show your face;Or, if you show your face, you must not speak.He calls again; I pray you, answer him.Exit.
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.
10When you have vow’d, you must not speak with men
But in the presence of the prioress:
Then, if you speak, you must not show your face;
Or, if you show your face, you must not speak.
He calls again; I pray you, answer him.Exit.
15Isab.Peace and prosperity! Who is’t that calls?
Lucio.Hail, virgin, if you be, as those cheek-rosesProclaim you are no less! Can you so stead meAs bring me to the sight of Isabella,A novice of this place, and the fair sister20To her unhappy brother Claudio?
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
20To her unhappy brother Claudio?
Isab.Why, ‘her unhappy brother’? let me askThe rather, for I now must make you knowI am that Isabella and his sister.
Isab.Why, ‘her unhappy brother’? let me ask
The rather, for I now must make you know
I am that Isabella and his sister.
Lucio.Gentle and fair, your brother kindly greets you:I. 4.25Not to be weary with you, he’s in prison.
Lucio.Gentle and fair, your brother kindly greets you:
I. 4.25Not to be weary with you, he’s in prison.
Isab.Woe me! for what?
Lucio.For that which, if myself might be his judge,He should receive his punishment in thanks:He hath got his friend with child.
Lucio.For that which, if myself might be his judge,
He should receive his punishment in thanks:
He hath got his friend with child.
Isab.Sir,make me not your story.
30Lucio.It is true.I would not—though ’tis my familiar sinWith maids to seem the lapwing, and to jest,Tongue far from heart—play with all virgins so:I hold you as a thing ensky’d and sainted;35By your renouncement, an immortal spirit;And to be talk’d with in sincerity,As with a saint.
30Lucio.
It is true.
I would not—though ’tis my familiar sin
With maids to seem the lapwing, and to jest,
Tongue far from heart—play with all virgins so:
I hold you as a thing ensky’d and sainted;
35By your renouncement, an immortal spirit;
And to be talk’d with in sincerity,
As with a saint.
Isab.You do blaspheme the good in mocking me.
Lucio.Do not believe it. Fewness and truth, ’tis thus:—40Your brother and his loverhaveembraced:As those that feed grow full,—as blossoming time,That from theseednessthe bare fallowbringsTo teeming foison,—even so her plenteous wombExpressethhisfull tilth and husbandry.
Lucio.Do not believe it. Fewness and truth, ’tis thus:—
40Your brother and his loverhaveembraced:
As those that feed grow full,—as blossoming time,
That from theseednessthe bare fallowbrings
To teeming foison,—even so her plenteous womb
Expressethhisfull tilth and husbandry.
45Isab.Some one with child by him?—My cousin Juliet?
Lucio.Is she your cousin?
Isab.Adoptedly; as school-maids change their namesBy vain, though apt, affection.
Isab.Adoptedly; as school-maids change their names
By vain, though apt, affection.
Lucio.
She it is.
Isab.O, let himmarry her.
Lucio.This is the point.I. 4.50The dukeisvery strangely gone from hence;Bore many gentlemen, myself being one,In hand,andhope of action: but wedolearnBy those that know the very nerves of state,Hisgivings-outwere of an infinite distance55From his true-meant design. Upon his place,And with full line of his authority,Governs Lord Angelo; a man whose bloodIs very snow-broth; one who never feelsThe wanton stings and motions of the sense,60But doth rebate and blunthisnatural edgeWith profits of the mind, study and fast.He—to give fear to use and liberty,Which havefor longrun by the hideous law,As mice by lions—hath pick’d out an act,65Under whose heavy sense your brother’s lifeFalls into forfeit: he arrests him on it;And follows close the rigour of the statute,To make him an example. Allhope isgone,Unless you have the grace by your fair prayer70To soften Angelo: and that’s mypith of business’Twixtyou and your poor brother.
Lucio.
This is the point.
I. 4.50The dukeisvery strangely gone from hence;
Bore many gentlemen, myself being one,
In hand,andhope of action: but wedolearn
By those that know the very nerves of state,
Hisgivings-outwere of an infinite distance
55From his true-meant design. Upon his place,
And with full line of his authority,
Governs Lord Angelo; a man whose blood
Is very snow-broth; one who never feels
The wanton stings and motions of the sense,
60But doth rebate and blunthisnatural edge
With profits of the mind, study and fast.
He—to give fear to use and liberty,
Which havefor longrun by the hideous law,
As mice by lions—hath pick’d out an act,
65Under whose heavy sense your brother’s life
Falls into forfeit: he arrests him on it;
And follows close the rigour of the statute,
To make him an example. Allhope isgone,
Unless you have the grace by your fair prayer
70To soften Angelo: and that’s mypith of business
’Twixtyou and your poor brother.
Isab.Doth heso seekhis life?