Exeunt.
Scena Secunda.
Enter Page, Shallow, Slender.
Page. Come, come: wee'll couch i'th Castle-ditch, till we see the light of our Fairies. Remember son Slender, my Slen. I forsooth, I haue spoke with her, & we haue a nay-word, how to know one another. I come to her in white, and cry Mum; she cries Budget, and by that we know one another
Shal. That's good too: But what needes either your Mum, or her Budget? The white will decipher her well enough. It hath strooke ten a' clocke
Page. The night is darke, Light and Spirits will become it wel: Heauen prosper our sport. No man means euill but the deuill, and we shal know him by his hornes. Lets away: follow me.
Exeunt.
Scena Tertia.
Enter Mist.Page, Mist.Ford, Caius.
Mist.Page. Mr Doctor, my daughter is in green, when you see your time, take her by the hand, away with her to the Deanerie, and dispatch it quickly: go before into the Parke: we two must go together
Cai. I know vat I haue to do, adieu
Mist.Page. Fare you well (Sir:) my husband will not reioyce so much at the abuse of Falstaffe, as he will chafe at the Doctors marrying my daughter: But 'tis no matter; better a little chiding, then a great deale of heartbreake
Mist.Ford. Where is Nan now? and her troop of Fairies? and the Welch-deuill Herne? Mist.Page. They are all couch'd in a pit hard by Hernes Oake, with obscur'd Lights; which at the very instant of Falstaffes and our meeting, they will at once display to the night
Mist.Ford. That cannot choose but amaze him
Mist.Page. If he be not amaz'd he will be mock'd: If he be amaz'd, he will euery way be mock'd
Mist.Ford. Wee'll betray him finely
Mist.Page. Against such Lewdsters, and their lechery,Those that betray them, do no treachery
Mist.Ford. The houre drawes-on: to the Oake, to theOake.
Exeunt.
Scena Quarta.
Enter Euans and Fairies.
Euans. Trib, trib Fairies: Come, and remember your parts: be pold (I pray you) follow me into the pit, and when I giue the watch-'ords, do as I pid you: Come, come, trib, trib.
Exeunt.
Scena Quinta.
Enter Falstaffe, Mistris Page, Mistris Ford, Euans, Anne Page,Fairies,Page, Ford, Quickly, Slender, Fenton, Caius, Pistoll.
Fal. The Windsor-bell hath stroke twelue: the Minute drawes-on: Now the hot-bloodied-Gods assist me: Remember Ioue, thou was't a Bull for thy Europa, Loue set on thy hornes. O powerfull Loue, that in some respects makes a Beast a Man: in som other, a Man a beast. You were also (Iupiter) a Swan, for the loue of Leda: O omnipotent Loue, how nere the God drew to the complexion of a Goose: a fault done first in the forme of a beast, (O Ioue, a beastly fault:) and then another fault, in the semblance of a Fowle, thinke on't (Ioue) a fowle-fault. When Gods haue hot backes, what shall poore men do? For me, I am heere a Windsor Stagge, and the fattest (I thinke) i'th Forrest. Send me a coole rut-time (Ioue) or who can blame me to pisse my Tallow? Who comes heere? my Doe? M.Ford. Sir Iohn? Art thou there (my Deere?) My male-Deere? Fal. My Doe, with the blacke Scut? Let the skie raine Potatoes: let it thunder, to the tune of Greenesleeues, haile-kissing Comfits, and snow Eringoes: Let there come a tempest of prouocation, I will shelter mee heere
M.Ford. Mistris Page is come with me (sweet hart.) Fal. Diuide me like a brib'd-Bucke, each a Haunch: I will keepe my sides to my selfe, my shoulders for the fellow of this walke; and my hornes I bequeath your husbands. Am I a Woodman, ha? Speake I like Herne the Hunter? Why, now is Cupid a child of conscience, he makes restitution. As I am a true spirit, welcome
M.Page. Alas, what noise?M.Ford. Heauen forgiue our sinnes
Fal. What should this be?M.Ford. M.Page. Away, away
Fal. I thinke the diuell wil not haue me damn'd,Least the oyle that's in me should set hell on fire;He would neuer else crosse me thus.
Enter Fairies.
Qui. Fairies blacke, gray, greene, and white,You Moone-shine reuellers, and shades of night.You Orphan heires of fixed destiny,Attend your office, and your quality.Crier Hob-goblyn, make the Fairy Oyes
Pist. Elues, list your names: Silence you aiery toyes.Cricket, to Windsor-chimnies shalt thou leape;Where fires thou find'st vnrak'd, and hearths vnswept,There pinch the Maids as blew as Bill-berry,Our radiant Queene, hates Sluts, and Sluttery
Fal. They are Fairies, he that speaks to them shall die,Ile winke, and couch: No man their workes must eie
Eu. Wher's Bede? Go you, and where you find a maidThat ere she sleepe has thrice her prayers said,Raise vp the Organs of her fantasie,Sleepe she as sound as carelesse infancie,But those as sleepe, and thinke not on their sins,Pinch them armes, legs, backes, shoulders, sides, & shins
Qu. About, about:Search Windsor Castle (Elues) within, and out.Strew good lucke (Ouphes) on euery sacred roome,That it may stand till the perpetuall doome,In state as wholsome, as in state 'tis fit,Worthy the Owner, and the Owner it.The seuerall Chaires of Order, looke you scowreWith iuyce of Balme; and euery precious flowre,Each faire Instalment, Coate, and seu'rall Crest,With loyall Blazon, euermore be blest.And Nightly-meadow-Fairies, looke you singLike to the Garters-Compasse, in a ringTh' expressure that it beares: Greene let it be,More fertile-fresh then all the Field to see:And, Hony Soit Qui Maly-Pence, writeIn Emrold-tuffes, Flowres purple, blew, and white,Like Saphire-pearle, and rich embroiderie,Buckled below faire Knight-hoods bending knee;Fairies vse Flowres for their characterie.Away, disperse: But till 'tis one a clocke,Our Dance of Custome, round about the OkeOf Herne the Hunter, let vs not forget
Euan. Pray you lock hand in hand: your selues in order set:And twenty glow-wormes shall our Lanthornes beeTo guide our Measure round about the Tree.But stay, I smell a man of middle earth
Fal. Heauens defend me from that Welsh Fairy,Least he transforme me to a peece of Cheese
Pist. Vilde worme, thou wast ore-look'd euen in thybirth
Qu. With Triall-fire touch me his finger end:If he be chaste, the flame will backe descendAnd turne him to no paine: but if he start,It is the flesh of a corrupted hart
Pist. A triall, come
Eua. Come: will this wood take fire?Fal. Oh, oh, oh
Qui. Corrupt, corrupt, and tainted in desire.About him (Fairies) sing a scornfull rime,And as you trip, still pinch him to your time.
The Song.
Fie on sinnefull phantasie: Fie on Lust, and Luxurie:Lust is but a bloudy fire, kindled with vnchaste desire,Fed in heart whose flames aspire,As thoughts do blow them higher and higher.Pinch him (Fairies) mutually: Pinch him for his villanie.Pinch him, and burne him, and turne him about,Till Candles, & Star-light, & Moone-shine be out
Page. Nay do not flye, I thinke we haue watcht you now: Will none but Herne the Hunter serue your turne? M.Page. I pray you come, hold vp the iest no higher. Now (good Sir Iohn) how like you Windsor wiues? See you these husband? Do not these faire yoakes Become the Forrest better then the Towne? Ford. Now Sir, whose a Cuckold now? Mr Broome, Falstaffes a Knaue, a Cuckoldly knaue, Heere are his hornes Master Broome: And Master Broome, he hath enioyed nothing of Fords, but his Buck-basket, his cudgell, and twenty pounds of money, which must be paid to Mr Broome, his horses are arrested for it, Mr Broome
M.Ford. Sir Iohn, we haue had ill lucke: wee could neuer meete: I will neuer take you for my Loue againe, but I will alwayes count you my Deere
Fal. I do begin to perceiue that I am made an Asse
Ford. I, and an Oxe too: both the proofes are extant
Fal. And these are not Fairies: I was three or foure times in the thought they were not Fairies, and yet the guiltinesse of my minde, the sodaine surprize of my powers, droue the grossenesse of the foppery into a receiu'd beleefe, in despight of the teeth of all rime and reason, that they were Fairies. See now how wit may be made a Iacke-a-Lent, when 'tis vpon ill imployment
Euans. Sir Iohn Falstaffe, serue Got, and leaue your desires, and Fairies will not pinse you
Ford. Well said Fairy Hugh
Euans. And leaue you your iealouzies too, I prayyou
Ford. I will neuer mistrust my wife againe, till thouart able to woo her in good English
Fal. Haue I laid my braine in the Sun, and dri'de it, that it wants matter to preuent so grosse ore-reaching as this? Am I ridden with a Welch Goate too? Shal I haue a Coxcombe of Frize? Tis time I were choak'd with a peece of toasted Cheese
Eu. Seese is not good to giue putter; your belly is al putter
Fal. Seese, and Putter? Haue I liu'd to stand at the taunt of one that makes Fritters of English? This is enough to be the decay of lust and late-walking through the Realme
Mist.Page. Why Sir Iohn, do you thinke though weewould haue thrust vertue out of our hearts by the headand shoulders, and haue giuen our selues without scrupleto hell, that euer the deuill could haue made you ourdelight?Ford. What, a hodge-pudding? A bag of flax?Mist.Page. A puft man?Page. Old, cold, wither'd, and of intollerable entrailes?Ford. And one that is as slanderous as Sathan?Page. And as poore as Iob?Ford. And as wicked as his wife?Euan. And giuen to Fornications, and to Tauernes,and Sacke, and Wine, and Metheglins, and to drinkingsand swearings, and starings? Pribles and prables?Fal. Well, I am your Theame: you haue the start ofme, I am deiected: I am not able to answer the WelchFlannell, Ignorance it selfe is a plummet ore me, vse meas you will
Ford. Marry Sir, wee'l bring you to Windsor to one Mr Broome, that you haue cozon'd of money, to whom you should haue bin a Pander: ouer and aboue that you haue suffer'd, I thinke, to repay that money will be a biting affliction
Page. Yet be cheerefull Knight: thou shalt eat a posset to night at my house, wher I will desire thee to laugh at my wife, that now laughes at thee: Tell her Mr Slender hath married her daughter
Mist.Page. Doctors doubt that;If Anne Page be my daughter, she is (by this) DoctourCaius wife
Slen. Whoa hoe, hoe, Father Page
Page. Sonne? How now? How now Sonne,Haue you dispatch'd?Slen. Dispatch'd? Ile make the best in Glostershireknow on't: would I were hang'd la, else
Page. Of what sonne? Slen. I came yonder at Eaton to marry Mistris Anne Page, and she's a great lubberly boy. If it had not bene i'th Church, I would haue swing'd him, or hee should haue swing'd me. If I did not thinke it had beene Anne Page, would I might neuer stirre, and 'tis a Post-masters Boy
Page. Vpon my life then, you tooke the wrong
Slen. What neede you tell me that? I think so, when I tooke a Boy for a Girle: If I had bene married to him, (for all he was in womans apparrell) I would not haue had him
Page. Why this is your owne folly, Did not I tell you how you should know my daughter, By her garments? Slen. I went to her in greene, and cried Mum, and she cride budget, as Anne and I had appointed, and yet it was not Anne, but a Post-masters boy
Mist.Page. Good George be not angry, I knew of your purpose: turn'd my daughter into white, and indeede she is now with the Doctor at the Deanrie, and there married
Cai. Ver is Mistris Page: by gar I am cozoned, I ha married oon Garsoon, a boy; oon pesant, by gar. A boy, it is not An Page, by gar, I am cozened
M.Page. Why? did you take her in white?Cai. I bee gar, and 'tis a boy: be gar, Ile raise allWindsor
Ford. This is strange: Who hath got the right Anne?Page. My heart misgiues me, here comes Mr Fenton.How now Mr Fenton?Anne. Pardon good father, good my mother pardonPage. Now Mistris:How chance you went not with Mr Slender?M.Page. Why went you not with Mr Doctor, maid?Fen. You do amaze her: heare the truth of it,You would haue married her most shamefully,Where there was no proportion held in loue:The truth is, she and I (long since contracted)Are now so sure that nothing can dissolue vs:Th' offence is holy, that she hath committed,And this deceit looses the name of craft,Of disobedience, or vnduteous title,Since therein she doth euitate and shunA thousand irreligious cursed houresWhich forced marriage would haue brought vpon her
Ford. Stand not amaz'd, here is no remedie:In Loue, the heauens themselues do guide the state,Money buyes Lands, and wiues are sold by fate
Fal. I am glad, though you haue tane a special standto strike at me, that your Arrow hath glanc'd
Page. Well, what remedy? Fenton, heauen giue theeioy, what cannot be eschew'd, must be embrac'd
Fal. When night-dogges run, all sorts of Deere arechac'd
Mist.Page. Well, I will muse no further: Mr Fenton,Heauen giue you many, many merry dayes:Good husband, let vs euery one go home,And laugh this sport ore by a Countrie fire,Sir Iohn and all
Ford. Let it be so (Sir Iohn:)To Master Broome, you yet shall hold your word,For he, to night, shall lye with Mistris Ford:
Exeunt.
FINIS. THE Merry Wiues of Windsor.
Measvre, For Measure
Actus primus, Scena prima.
Enter Duke, Escalus, Lords.
Duke. Escalus
Esc. My Lord
Duk. Of Gouernment, the properties to vnfold,Would seeme in me t' affect speech & discourse,Since I am put to know, that your owne ScienceExceedes (in that) the lists of all aduiceMy strength can giue you: Then no more remainesBut that, to your sufficiency, as your worth is able,And let them worke: The nature of our People,Our Cities Institutions, and the TermesFor Common Iustice, y'are as pregnant inAs Art, and practise, hath inriched anyThat we remember: There is our Commission,From which, we would not haue you warpe; call hither,I say, bid come before vs Angelo:What figure of vs thinke you, he will beare.For you must know, we haue with speciall souleElected him our absence to supply;Lent him our terror, drest him with our loue,And giuen his Deputation all the OrgansOf our owne powre: What thinke you of it?Esc. If any in Vienna be of worthTo vndergoe such ample grace, and honour,It is Lord Angelo.
Enter Angelo.
Duk. Looke where he comes
Ang. Alwayes obedient to your Graces will,I come to know your pleasure
Duke. Angelo:There is a kinde of Character in thy life,That to th' obseruer, doth thy historyFully vnfold: Thy selfe, and thy belongingsAre not thine owne so proper, as to wasteThy selfe vpon thy vertues; they on thee:Heauen doth with vs, as we, with Torches doe,Not light them for themselues: For if our vertuesDid not goe forth of vs, 'twere all alikeAs if we had them not: Spirits are not finely touch'd,But to fine issues: nor nature neuer lendsThe smallest scruple of her excellence,But like a thrifty goddesse, she determinesHer selfe the glory of a creditour,Both thanks, and vse; but I do bend my speechTo one that can my part in him aduertise;Hold therefore Angelo:In our remoue, be thou at full, our selfe:Mortallitie and Mercie in ViennaLiue in thy tongue, and heart: Old EscalusThough first in question, is thy secondary.Take thy Commission
Ang. Now good my LordLet there be some more test, made of my mettle,Before so noble, and so great a figureBe stamp't vpon it
Duk. No more euasion:We haue with a leauen'd, and prepared choiceProceeded to you; therefore take your honors:Our haste from hence is of so quicke condition,That it prefers it selfe, and leaues vnquestion'dMatters of needfull value: We shall write to youAs time, and our concernings shall importune,How it goes with vs, and doe looke to knowWhat doth befall you here. So fare you well:To th' hopefull execution doe I leaue you,Of your Commissions
Ang. Yet giue leaue (my Lord,)That we may bring you something on the way
Duk. My haste may not admit it,Nor neede you (on mine honor) haue to doeWith any scruple: your scope is as mine owne,So to inforce, or qualifie the LawesAs to your soule seemes good: Giue me your hand,Ile priuily away: I loue the people,But doe not like to stage me to their eyes:Though it doe well, I doe not rellish wellTheir lowd applause, and Aues vehement:Nor doe I thinke the man of safe discretionThat do's affect it. Once more fare you well
Ang. The heauens giue safety to your purposes
Esc. Lead forth, and bring you backe in happinesse.
Enter.
Duk. I thanke you, fare you well
Esc. I shall desire you, Sir, to giue me leaueTo haue free speech with you; and it concernes meTo looke into the bottome of my place:A powre I haue, but of what strength and nature,I am not yet instructed
Ang. 'Tis so with me: Let vs withdraw together,And we may soone our satisfaction haueTouching that point
Esc. Ile wait vpon your honor.
Exeunt.
Scena Secunda.
Enter Lucio, and two other Gentlemen.
Luc. If the Duke, with the other Dukes, come not to composition with the King of Hungary, why then all the Dukes fall vpon the King
1.Gent. Heauen grant vs its peace, but not the King of Hungaries
2.Gent. Amen
Luc. Thou conclud'st like the Sanctimonious Pirat, that went to sea with the ten Commandements, but scrap'd one out of the Table
2.Gent. Thou shalt not Steale? Luc. I, that he raz'd
1.Gent. Why? 'twas a commandement, to command the Captaine and all the rest from their functions: they put forth to steale: There's not a Souldier of vs all, that in the thanks-giuing before meate, do rallish the petition well, that praies for peace
2.Gent. I neuer heard any Souldier dislike it
Luc. I beleeue thee: for I thinke thou neuer was't where Grace was said
2.Gent. No? a dozen times at least
1.Gent. What? In meeter? Luc. In any proportion: or in any language
1.Gent. I thinke, or in any Religion
Luc. I, why not? Grace, is Grace, despight of all controuersie: as for example; Thou thy selfe art a wicked villaine, despight of all Grace
1.Gent. Well: there went but a paire of sheeres betweenevs
Luc. I grant: as there may betweene the Lists, andthe Veluet. Thou art the List
1.Gent. And thou the Veluet; thou art good veluet; thou'rt a three pild-peece I warrant thee: I had as liefe be a Lyst of an English Kersey, as be pil'd, as thou art pil'd, for a French Veluet. Do I speake feelingly now? Luc. I thinke thou do'st: and indeed with most painfull feeling of thy speech: I will, out of thine owne confession, learne to begin thy health; but, whilst I liue forget to drinke after thee
1.Gen. I think I haue done my selfe wrong, haue I not?2.Gent. Yes, that thou hast; whether thou art tainted,or free.
Enter Bawde.
Luc. Behold, behold, where Madam Mitigation comes.I haue purchas'd as many diseases vnder her Roofe,As come to2.Gent. To what, I pray?Luc. Iudge
2.Gent. To three thousand Dollours a yeare
1.Gent. I, and more
Luc. A French crowne more
1.Gent. Thou art alwayes figuring diseases in me; but thou art full of error, I am sound
Luc. 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
1.Gent. How now, which of your hips has the mostprofound Ciatica?Bawd. Well, well: there's one yonder arrested, andcarried to prison, was worth fiue thousand of you all
2.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 daies his head to be chop'd off
Luc. But, after all this fooling, I would not haue it so:Art thou sure of this?Bawd. I am too sure of it: and it is for getting MadamIulietta with childe
Luc. Beleeue me this may be: he promis'd to meete me two howres since, and he was euer precise in promise keeping
2.Gent. Besides you know, it drawes somthing neere to the speech we had to such a purpose
1.Gent. But most of all agreeing with the proclamatio[n]
Luc. Away: let's goe learne the truth of it.
Enter.
Bawd. Thus, what with the war; what with the sweat, what with the gallowes, and what with pouerty, I am Custom-shrunke. How now? what's the newes with you.
Enter Clowne.
Clo. Yonder man is carried to prison
Baw. Well: what has he done?Clo. A Woman
Baw. But what's his offence?Clo. Groping for Trowts, in a peculiar Riuer
Baw. What? is there a maid with child by him?Clo. No: but there's a woman with maid by him:you haue not heard of the proclamation, haue you?Baw. What proclamation, man?Clow. All howses in the Suburbs of Vienna must beepluck'd downe
Bawd. And what shall become of those in the Citie?Clow. They shall stand for seed: they had gon downto, but that a wise Burger put in for them
Bawd. But shall all our houses of resort in the Suburbsbe puld downe?Clow. To the ground, Mistris
Bawd. Why heere's a change indeed in the Commonwealth: what shall become of me? Clow. Come: feare not you; good Counsellors lacke no Clients: though you change your place, you neede not change your Trade: Ile bee your Tapster still; courage, there will bee pitty taken on you; you that haue worne your eyes almost out in the seruice, you will bee considered
Bawd. What's to doe heere, Thomas Tapster? let'swithdraw?Clo. Here comes Signior Claudio, led by the Prouostto prison: and there's Madam Iuliet.
Exeunt.
Scena Tertia.
Enter Prouost, Claudio, Iuliet, Officers, Lucio, & 2.Gent.
Cla. Fellow, why do'st thou show me thus to th' world?Beare me to prison, where I am committed
Pro. I do it not in euill disposition,But from Lord Angelo by speciall charge
Clau. Thus can the demy-god (Authority)Make vs pay downe, for our offence, by waightThe words of heauen; on whom it will, it will,On whom it will not (soe) yet still 'tis iust
Luc. Why how now Claudio? whence comes this restraint
Cla. From too much liberty, (my Lucio) LibertyAs surfet is the father of much fast,So euery Scope by the immoderate vseTurnes to restraint: Our Natures doe pursueLike Rats that rauyn downe their proper Bane,A thirsty euill, and when we drinke, we die
Luc. If I could speake so wisely vnder an arrest, I would send for certaine of my Creditors: and yet, to say the truth, I had as lief haue the foppery of freedome, as the mortality of imprisonment: what's thy offence, Claudio? Cla. What (but to speake of) would offend againe
Luc. What, is't murder?Cla. No
Luc. Lecherie?Cla. Call it so
Pro. Away, Sir, you must goe
Cla. One word, good friend:Lucio, a word with you
Luc. A hundred:If they'll doe you any good: Is Lechery so look'd after?Cla. Thus stands it with me: vpon a true contractI got possession of Iulietas bed,You know the Lady, she is fast my wife,Saue that we doe the denunciation lackeOf outward Order. This we came not to,Onely for propogation of a DowreRemaining in the Coffer of her friends,From whom we thought it meet to hide our LoueTill Time had made them for vs. But it chancesThe stealth of our most mutuall entertainmentWith Character too grosse, is writ on Iuliet
Luc. With childe, perhaps?Cla. Vnhappely, euen so.And the new Deputie, now for the Duke,Whether it be the fault and glimpse of newnes,Or whether that the body publique, beA horse whereon the Gouernor doth ride,Who newly in the Seate, that it may knowHe can command; lets it strait feele the spur:Whether the Tirranny be in his place,Or in his Eminence that fills it vpI stagger in: But this new GouernorAwakes me all the inrolled penaltiesWhich haue (like vn-scowr'd Armor) hung by th' wallSo long, that ninteene Zodiacks haue gone round,And none of them beene worne; and for a nameNow puts the drowsie and neglected ActFreshly on me: 'tis surely for a name
Luc. I warrant it is: And thy head stands so tickle on thy shoulders, that a milke-maid, if she be in loue, may sigh it off: Send after the Duke, and appeale to him
Cla. I haue done so, but hee's not to be found.I pre'thee (Lucio) doe me this kinde seruice:This day, my sister should the Cloyster enter,And there receiue her approbation.Acquaint her with the danger of my state,Implore her, in my voice, that she make friendsTo the strict deputie: bid her selfe assay him,I haue great hope in that: for in her youthThere is a prone and speechlesse dialect,Such as moue men: beside, she hath prosperous ArtWhen she will play with reason, and discourse,And well she can perswade
Luc. I pray shee may; aswell for the encouragement of the like, which else would stand vnder greeuous imposition: as for the enioying of thy life, who I would be sorry should bee thus foolishly lost, at a game of ticketacke: Ile to her
Cla. I thanke you good friend Lucio
Luc. Within two houres
Cla. Come Officer, away.
Exeunt.
Scena Quarta.
Enter Duke and Frier Thomas.
Duk. No: holy Father, throw away that thought,Beleeue not that the dribling dart of LoueCan pierce a compleat bosome: why, I desire theeTo giue me secret harbour, hath a purposeMore graue, and wrinkled, then the aimes, and endsOf burning youth
Fri. May your Grace speake of it?Duk. My holy Sir, none better knowes then youHow I haue euer lou'd the life remouedAnd held in idle price, to haunt assembliesWhere youth, and cost, witlesse brauery keepes.I haue deliuerd to Lord Angelo(A man of stricture and firme abstinence)My absolute power, and place here in Vienna,And he supposes me trauaild to Poland,(For so I haue strewd it in the common eare)And so it is receiu'd: Now (pious Sir)You will demand of me, why I do this
Fri. Gladly, my Lord
Duk. We haue strict Statutes, and most biting Laws,(The needfull bits and curbes to headstrong weedes,)Which for this foureteene yeares, we haue let slip,Euen like an ore-growne Lyon in a CaueThat goes not out to prey: Now, as fond Fathers,Hauing bound vp the threatning twigs of birch,Onely to sticke it in their childrens sight,For terror, not to vse: in time the rodMore mock'd, then fear'd: so our Decrees,Dead to infliction, to themselues are dead,And libertie, plucks Iustice by the nose;The Baby beates the Nurse, and quite athwartGoes all decorum
Fri. It rested in your GraceTo vnloose this tyde-vp Iustice, when you pleas'd:And it in you more dreadfull would haue seem'dThen in Lord Angelo
Duk. I doe feare: too dreadfull:Sith 'twas my fault, to giue the people scope,'Twould be my tirrany to strike and gall them,For what I bid them doe: For, we bid this be doneWhen euill deedes haue their permissiue passe,And not the punishment: therefore indeede (my father)I haue on Angelo impos'd the office,Who may in th' ambush of my name, strike home,And yet, my nature neuer in the sightTo do in slander: And to behold his swayI will, as 'twere a brother of your Order,Visit both Prince, and People: Therefore I pre'theeSupply me with the habit, and instruct meHow I may formally in person beareLike a true Frier: Moe reasons for this actionAt our more leysure, shall I render you;Onely, this one: Lord Angelo is precise,Stands at a guard with Enuie: scarce confessesThat his blood flowes: or that his appetiteIs more to bread then stone: hence shall we seeIf power change purpose: what our Seemers be.
Enter.
Scena Quinta.
Enter Isabell and Francisca a Nun.
Isa. And haue you Nuns no farther priuiledges?Nun. Are not these large enough?Isa. Yes truely; I speake not as desiring more,But rather wishing a more strict restraintVpon the Sisterhood, the Votarists of Saint Clare.
Lucio within.
Luc. Hoa? peace be in this place
Isa. Who's that which cals?Nun. It is a mans voice: gentle IsabellaTurne you the key, and know his businesse of him;You may; I may not: you are yet vnsworne:When you haue vowd, you must not speake with men,But in the presence of the Prioresse;Then if you speake, you must not show your face;Or if you show your face, you must not speake.He cals againe: I pray you answere him
Isa. Peace and prosperitie: who is't that cals?Luc. Haile Virgin, (if you be) as those cheeke-RosesProclaime you are no lesse: can you so steed me,As bring me to the sight of Isabella,A Nouice of this place, and the faire SisterTo her vnhappie brother Claudio?Isa. Why her vnhappy Brother? Let me aske,The rather for I now must make you knowI am that Isabella, and his Sister
Luc. Gentle & faire: your Brother kindly greets you;Not to be weary with you; he's in prison
Isa. Woe me; for what?Luc. For that, which if my selfe might be his Iudge,He should receiue his punishment, in thankes:He hath got his friend with childe
Isa. Sir, make me not your storie
Luc. 'Tis true; I would not, though 'tis my familiar sin,With Maids to seeme the Lapwing, and to iestTongue, far from heart: play with all Virgins so:I hold you as a thing en-skied, and sainted,By your renouncement, an imortall spiritAnd to be talk'd with in sincerity,As with a Saint
Isa. You doe blaspheme the good, in mocking me
Luc. Doe not beleeue it: fewnes, and truth; tis thus,Your brother, and his louer haue embrac'd;As those that feed, grow full: as blossoming TimeThat from the seednes, the bare fallow bringsTo teeming foyson: euen so her plenteous wombeExpresseth his full Tilth, and husbandry
Isa. Some one with childe by him? my cosen Iuliet?Luc. Is she your cosen?Isa. Adoptedly, as schoole-maids change their namesBy vaine, though apt affection
Luc. She it is
Isa. Oh, let him marry her
Luc. This is the point.The Duke is very strangely gone from hence;Bore many gentlemen (my selfe being one)In hand, and hope of action: but we doe learne,By those that know the very Nerues of State,His giuing-out, were of an infinite distanceFrom his true meant designe: vpon his place,(And with full line of his authority)Gouernes Lord Angelo; A man, whose bloodIs very snow-broth: one, who neuer feelesThe wanton stings, and motions of the sence;But doth rebate, and blunt his naturall edgeWith profits of the minde: Studie, and fastHe (to giue feare to vse, and libertie,Which haue, for long, run-by the hideous law,As Myce, by Lyons) hath pickt out an act,Vnder whose heauy sence, your brothers lifeFals into forfeit: he arrests him on it,And followes close the rigor of the StatuteTo make him an example: all hope is gone,Vnlesse you haue the grace, by your faire praierTo soften Angelo: And that's my pith of businesse'Twixt you, and your poore brother
Isa. Doth he so,Seeke his life?Luc. Has censur'd him already,And as I heare, the Prouost hath a warrantFor's execution
Isa. Alas: what pooreAbilitie's in me, to doe him good
Luc. Assay the powre you haue
Isa. My power? alas, I doubt
Luc. Our doubts are traitorsAnd makes vs loose the good we oft might win,By fearing to attempt: Goe to Lord AngeloAnd let him learne to know, when Maidens sueMen giue like gods: but when they weepe and kneele,All their petitions, are as freely theirsAs they themselues would owe them
Isa. Ile see what I can doe
Luc. But speedily
Isa. I will about it strait;No longer staying, but to giue the MotherNotice of my affaire: I humbly thanke you:Commend me to my brother: soone at nightIle send him certaine word of my successe
Luc. I take my leaue of you
Isa. Good sir, adieu.
Exeunt.
Actus Secundus. Scoena Prima.
Enter Angelo, Escalus, and seruants, Iustice.
Ang. We must not make a scar-crow of the Law,Setting it vp to feare the Birds of prey,And let it keepe one shape, till custome make itTheir pearch, and not their terror
Esc. I, but yetLet vs be keene, and rather cut a littleThen fall, and bruise to death: alas, this gentlemanWhom I would saue, had a most noble father,Let but your honour know(Whom I beleeue to be most strait in vertue)That in the working of your owne affections,Had time coheard with Place, or place with wishing,Or that the resolute acting of our bloodCould haue attaind th' effect of your owne purpose,Whether you had not sometime in your lifeEr'd in this point, which now you censure him,And puld the Law vpon you
Ang. 'Tis one thing to be tempted (Escalus)Another thing to fall: I not denyThe Iury passing on the Prisoners lifeMay in the sworne-twelue haue a thiefe, or twoGuiltier then him they try; what's open made to Iustice,That Iustice ceizes; What knowes the LawesThat theeues do passe on theeues? 'Tis very pregnant,The Iewell that we finde, we stoope, and take't,Because we see it; but what we doe not see,We tread vpon, and neuer thinke of it.You may not so extenuate his offence,For I haue had such faults; but rather tell meWhen I, that censure him, do so offend,Let mine owne Iudgement patterne out my death,And nothing come in partiall. Sir, he must dye.
Enter Prouost.
Esc. Be it as your wisedome will
Ang. Where is the Prouost?Pro. Here if it like your honour
Ang. See that ClaudioBe executed by nine to morrow morning,Bring him his Confessor, let him be prepar'd,For that's the vtmost of his pilgrimage
Esc. Well: heauen forgiue him; and forgiue vs all:Some rise by sinne, and some by vertue fall:Some run from brakes of Ice, and answere none,And some condemned for a fault alone.
Enter Elbow, Froth, Clowne, Officers.
Elb. Come, bring them away: if these be good people in a Common-weale, that doe nothing but vse their abuses in common houses, I know no law: bring them away
Ang. How now Sir, what's your name? And what'sthe matter?Elb. If it please your honour, I am the poore DukesConstable, and my name is Elbow; I doe leane vpon IusticeSir, and doe bring in here before your good honor,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 villaines they are, that I am sure of, and void of all prophanation in the world, that good Christians ought to haue
Esc. This comes off well: here's a wise Officer
Ang. Goe to: What quality are they of? Elbow isyour name?Why do'st thou not speake Elbow?Clo. He cannot Sir: he's out at Elbow
Ang. What are you Sir? Elb. He Sir: a Tapster Sir: parcell Baud: one that serues a bad woman: whose house Sir was (as they say) pluckt downe in the Suborbs: and now shee professes a hot-house; which, I thinke is a very ill house too
Esc. How know you that?Elb. My wife Sir? whom I detest before heauen, andyour honour
Esc. How? thy wife?Elb. I Sir: whom I thanke heauen is an honest woman
Esc. Do'st thou detest her therefore?Elb. I say sir, I will detest my selfe also, as well as she,that this house, if it be not a Bauds house, it is pitty of herlife, for it is a naughty house
Esc. How do'st thou know that, Constable?Elb. Marry sir, by my wife, who, if she had bin a womanCardinally giuen, might haue bin accus'd in fornication,adultery, and all vncleanlinesse there
Esc. By the womans meanes?Elb. I sir, by Mistris Ouerdons meanes: but as she spitin his face, so she defide him
Clo. Sir, if it please your honor, this is not so
Elb. Proue it before these varlets here, thou honorable man, proue it
Esc. Doe you heare how he misplaces? Clo. Sir, she came in great with childe: and longing (sauing your honors reuerence) for stewd prewyns; sir, we had but two in the house, which at that very distant time stood, as it were in a fruit dish (a dish of some three pence; your honours haue seene such dishes) they are not China-dishes, but very good dishes
Esc. Go too: go too: no matter for the dish sir
Clo. No indeede sir not of a pin; you are therein in the right: but, to the point: As I say, this Mistris Elbow, being (as I say) with childe, and being great bellied, and longing (as I said) for prewyns: and hauing but two in the dish (as I said) Master Froth here, this very man, hauing eaten the rest (as I said) & (as I say) paying for them very honestly: for, as you know Master Froth, I could not giue you three pence againe
Fro. No indeede
Clo. Very well: you being then (if you be remembred) cracking the stones of the foresaid prewyns
Fro. I, so I did indeede
Clo. Why, very well: I telling you then (if you be remembred) that such a one, and such a one, were past cure of the thing you wot of, vnlesse they kept very good diet, as I told you
Fro. All this is true
Clo. Why very well then
Esc. Come: you are a tedious foole: to the purpose: what was done to Elbowes wife, that hee hath cause to complaine of? Come me to what was done to her
Clo. Sir, your honor cannot come to that yet
Esc. No sir, nor I meane it not
Clo. Sir, but you shall come to it, by your honours leaue: And I beseech you, looke into Master Froth here sir, a man of foure-score pound a yeare; whose father died at Hallowmas: Was't not at Hallowmas Master Froth? Fro. Allhallond-Eue
Clo. Why very well: I hope here be truthes: he Sir, sitting (as I say) in a lower chaire, Sir, 'twas in the bunch of Grapes, where indeede you haue a delight to sit, haue you not? Fro. I haue so, because it is an open roome, and good for winter
Clo. Why very well then: I hope here be truthes
Ang. This will last out a night in RussiaWhen nights are longest there: Ile take my leaue,And leaue you to the hearing of the cause;Hoping youle finde good cause to whip them all.
Enter.
Esc. I thinke no lesse: good morrow to your Lordship.Now Sir, come on: What was done to Elboweswife, once more?Clo. Once Sir? there was nothing done to her once
Elb. I beseech you Sir, aske him what this man did tomy wife
Clo. I beseech your honor, aske me
Esc. Well sir, what did this Gentleman to her?Clo. I beseech you sir, looke in this Gentlemans face:good Master Froth looke vpon his honor; 'tis for a goodpurpose: doth your honor marke his face?Esc. I sir, very well
Clo. Nay, I beseech you marke it well
Esc. Well, I doe so
Clo. Doth your honor see any harme in his face?Esc. Why no
Clo. Ile be supposd vpon a booke, his face is the worst thing about him: good then: if his face be the worst thing about him, how could Master Froth doe the Constables wife any harme? I would know that of your honour
Esc. He's in the right (Constable) what say you to it?Elb. First, and it like you, the house is a respectedhouse; next, this is a respected fellow; and his Mistris isa respected woman
Clo. By this hand Sir, his wife is a more respected personthen any of vs all
Elb. Varlet, thou lyest; thou lyest wicked varlet: the time is yet to come that shee was euer respected with man, woman, or childe
Clo. Sir, she was respected with him, before he married with her
Esc. Which is the wiser here; Iustice or Iniquitie? Is this true? Elb. O thou caytiffe: O thou varlet: O thou wicked Hanniball; I respected with her, before I was married to her? If euer I was respected with her, or she with me, let not your worship thinke mee the poore Dukes Officer: proue this, thou wicked Hanniball, or ile haue mine action of battry on thee
Esc. If he tooke you a box o'th' eare, you might haue your action of slander too
Elb. Marry I thanke your good worship for it: what is't your Worships pleasure I shall doe with this wicked Caitiffe? Esc. Truly Officer, because he hath some offences in him, that thou wouldst discouer, if thou couldst, let him continue in his courses, till thou knowst what they are
Elb. Marry I thanke your worship for it: Thou seest thou wicked varlet now, what's come vpon thee. Thou art to continue now thou Varlet, thou art to continue
Esc. Where were you borne, friend?Froth. Here in Vienna, Sir
Esc. Are you of fourescore pounds a yeere?Froth. Yes, and't please you sir
Esc. So: what trade are you of, sir?Clo. A Tapster, a poore widdowes Tapster
Esc. Your Mistris name?Clo. Mistris Ouerdon
Esc. Hath she had any more then one husband?Clo. Nine, sir: Ouerdon by the last
Esc. Nine? come hether to me, Master Froth; Master Froth, I would not haue you acquainted with Tapsters; they will draw you Master Froth, and you wil hang them: get you gon, and let me heare no more of you
Fro. I thanke your worship: for mine owne part, I neuer come into any roome in a Tap-house, but I am drawne in
Esc. Well: no more of it Master Froth: farewell:Come you hether to me, Mr. Tapster: what's your nameMr. Tapster?Clo. Pompey
Esc. What else?Clo. Bum, Sir
Esc. Troth, and your bum is the greatest thing about you, so that in the beastliest sence, you are Pompey the great; Pompey, you are partly a bawd, Pompey; howsoeuer you colour it in being a Tapster, are you not? come, tell me true, it shall be the better for you
Clo. Truly sir, I am a poore fellow that would liue
Esc. How would you liue Pompey? by being a bawd?what doe you thinke of the trade Pompey? is it a lawfulltrade?Clo. If the Law would allow it, sir
Esc. But the Law will not allow it Pompey; nor itshall not be allowed in Vienna
Clo. Do's your Worship meane to geld and splay allthe youth of the City?Esc. No, Pompey
Clo. Truely Sir, in my poore opinion they will too't then: if your worship will take order for the drabs and the knaues, you need not to feare the bawds
Esc. There is 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 yeare together; you'll be glad to giue out a Commission for more heads: if this law hold in Vienna ten yeare, ile rent the fairest house in it after three pence a Bay: if you liue to see this come to passe, say Pompey told you so
Esc. Thanke you good Pompey; and in requitall of your prophesie, harke you: I aduise you let me not finde you before me againe vpon any complaint whatsoeuer; no, not for dwelling where you doe: if I doe Pompey, I shall beat you to your Tent, and proue a shrewd Cęsar to you: in plaine dealing Pompey, I shall haue you whipt; so for this time, Pompey, fare you well
Clo. I thanke your Worship for your good counsell; but I shall follow it as the flesh and fortune shall better determine. Whip me? no, no, let Carman whip his Iade, The valiant heart's not whipt out of his trade.
Enter.
Esc. Come hether to me, Master Elbow: come hitherMaster Constable: how long haue you bin in this placeof Constable?Elb. Seuen yeere, and a halfe sir
Esc. I thought by the readinesse in the office, you hadcontinued in it some time: you say seauen yeares together
Elb. And a halfe sir
Esc. Alas, it hath beene great paines to you: they do you wrong to put you so oft vpon't. Are there not men in your Ward sufficient to serue it? Elb. 'Faith sir, few of any wit in such matters: as they are chosen, they are glad to choose me for them; I do it for some peece of money, and goe through with all
Esc. Looke you bring mee in the names of some sixeor seuen, the most sufficient of your parish
Elb. To your Worships house sir?Esc. To my house: fare you well: what's a clocke,thinke you?Iust. Eleuen, Sir
Esc. I pray you home to dinner with me
Iust. I humbly thanke you
Esc. It grieues me for the death of ClaudioBut there's no remedie:Iust. Lord Angelo is seuere
Esc. It is but needfull.Mercy is not it selfe, that oft lookes so,Pardon is still the nurse of second woe:But yet, poore Claudio; there is no remedie.Come Sir.
Exeunt.
Scena Secunda.
Enter Prouost, Seruant.
Ser. Hee's hearing of a Cause; he will come straight,I'le tell him of you
Pro. 'Pray you doe; Ile knowHis pleasure, may be he will relent; alasHe hath but as offended in a dreame,All Sects, all Ages smack of this vice, and heTo die for't?
Enter Angelo.
Ang. Now, what's the matter Prouost?Pro. Is it your will Claudio shall die to morrow?Ang. Did not I tell thee yea? hadst thou not order?Why do'st thou aske againe?Pro. Lest I might be too rash:Vnder your good correction I haue seeneWhen after execution, Iudgement hathRepented ore his doome
Ang. Goe to; let that be mine,Doe you your office, or giue vp your Place,And you shall well be spar'd
Pro. I craue your Honours pardon:What shall be done Sir, with the groaning Iuliet?Shee's very neere her howre
Ang. Dispose of herTo some more fitter place; and that with speed
Ser. Here is the sister of the man condemn'd,Desires accesse to you
Ang. Hath he a Sister?Pro. I my good Lord, a very vertuous maid,And to be shortlie of a Sister-hood,If not alreadie
Ang. Well: let her be admitted,See you the Fornicatresse be remou'd,Let her haue needfull, but not lauish meanes,There shall be order for't.
Enter Lucio and Isabella.
Pro. 'Saue your Honour
Ang. Stay a little while: y'are welcome: what's your will?Isab. I am a wofull Sutor to your Honour,'Please but your Honor heare me
Ang. Well: what's your suite
Isab. There is a vice that most I doe abhorre,And most desire should meet the blow of Iustice;For which I would not plead, but that I must,For which I must not plead, but that I amAt warre, twixt will, and will not
Ang. Well: the matter?Isab. I haue a brother is condemn'd to die,I doe beseech you let it be his fault,And not my brother
Pro. Heauen giue thee mouing graces
Ang. Condemne the fault, and not the actor of it,Why euery fault's condemnd ere it be done:Mine were the verie Cipher of a FunctionTo fine the faults, whose fine stands in record,And let goe by the Actor
Isab. Oh iust, but seuere Law:I had a brother then; heauen keepe your honour
Luc. Giue't not ore so: to him againe, entreat him,Kneele downe before him, hang vpon his gowne,You are too cold: if you should need a pin,You could not with more tame a tongue desire it:To him, I say
Isab. Must he needs die?Ang. Maiden, no remedie
Isab. Yes: I doe thinke that you might pardon him,And neither heauen, nor man grieue at the mercy
Ang. I will not doe't
Isab. But can you if you would?Ang. Looke what I will not, that I cannot doe
Isab. But might you doe't & do the world no wrongIf so your heart were touch'd with that remorse,As mine is to him?Ang. Hee's sentenc'd, tis too late
Luc. You are too cold
Isab. Too late? why no: I that doe speak a wordMay call it againe: well, beleeue thisNo ceremony that to great ones longs,Not the Kings Crowne; nor the deputed sword,The Marshalls Truncheon, nor the Iudges RobeBecome them with one halfe so good a graceAs mercie does: If he had bin as you, and you as he,You would haue slipt like him, but he like youWould not haue beene so sterne
Ang. Pray you be gone
Isab. I would to heauen I had your potencie,And you were Isabell: should it then be thus?No: I would tell what 'twere to be a Iudge,And what a prisoner
Luc. I, touch him: there's the veine
Ang. Your Brother is a forfeit of the Law,And you but waste your words
Isab. Alas, alas:Why all the soules that were, were forfeit once,And he that might the vantage best haue tooke,Found out the remedie: how would you be,If he, which is the top of Iudgement, shouldBut iudge you, as you are? Oh, thinke on that,And mercie then will breathe within your lipsLike man new made
Ang. Be you content, (faire Maid)It is the Law, not I, condemne your brother,Were he my kinsman, brother, or my sonne,It should be thus with him: he must die to morrow
Isab. To morrow? oh, that's sodaine,Spare him, spare him:Hee's not prepar'd for death; euen for our kitchinsWe kill the fowle of season: shall we serue heauenWith lesse respect then we doe ministerTo our grosse-selues? good, good my Lord, bethink you;Who is it that hath di'd for this offence?There's many haue committed it
Luc. I, well said
Ang. The Law hath not bin dead, thogh it hath sleptThose many had not dar'd to doe that euillIf the first, that did th' Edict infringeHad answer'd for his deed. Now 'tis awake,Takes note of what is done, and like a ProphetLookes in a glasse that shewes what future euilsEither now, or by remissenesse, new conceiu'd,And so in progresse to be hatch'd, and borne,Are now to haue no successiue degrees,But here they liue to end
Isab. Yet shew some pittie
Ang. I shew it most of all, when I show Iustice;For then I pittie those I doe not know,Which a dismis'd offence, would after gauleAnd doe him right, that answering one foule wrongLiues not to act another. Be satisfied;Your Brother dies to morrow; be content
Isab. So you must be y first that giues this sentence,And hee, that suffers: Oh, it is excellentTo haue a Giants strength: but it is tyrannousTo vse it like a Giant
Luc. That's well said
Isab. Could great men thunderAs Ioue himselfe do's, Ioue would neuer be quiet,For euery pelting petty OfficerWould vse his heauen for thunder;Nothing but thunder: Mercifull heauen,Thou rather with thy sharpe and sulpherous boltSplits the vn-wedgable and gnarled Oke,Then the soft Mertill: But man, proud man,Drest in a little briefe authoritie,Most ignorant of what he's most assur'd,(His glassie Essence) like an angry ApePlaies such phantastique tricks before high heauen,As makes the Angels weepe: who with our spleenes,Would all themselues laugh mortall
Luc. Oh, to him, to him wench: he will relent,Hee's comming: I perceiue't
Pro. Pray heauen she win him
Isab. We cannot weigh our brother with our selfe,Great men may iest with Saints: tis wit in them,But in the lesse fowle prophanation
Luc. Thou'rt i'th right (Girle) more o'that
Isab. That in the Captaine's but a chollericke word,Which in the Souldier is flat blasphemie
Luc. Art auis'd o'that? more on't
Ang. Why doe you put these sayings vpon me?Isab. Because Authoritie, though it erre like others,Hath yet a kinde of medicine in it selfeThat skins the vice o'th top; goe to your bosome,Knock there, and aske your heart what it doth knowThat's like my brothers fault: if it confesseA naturall guiltinesse, such as is his,Let it not sound a thought vpon your tongueAgainst my brothers life
Ang. Shee speakes, and 'tis such senceThat my Sence breeds with it; fare you well
Isab. Gentle my Lord, turne backe
Ang. I will bethinke me: come againe to morrow
Isa. Hark, how Ile bribe you: good my Lord turn back
Ang. How? bribe me?Is. I, with such gifts that heauen shall share with you
Luc. You had mar'd all else
Isab. Not with fond Sickles of the tested-gold,Or Stones, whose rate are either rich, or pooreAs fancie values them: but with true prayers,That shall be vp at heauen, and enter thereEre Sunne rise: prayers from preserued soules,From fasting Maides, whose mindes are dedicateTo nothing temporall
Ang. Well: come to me to morrow
Luc. Goe to: 'tis well; away
Isab. Heauen keepe your honour safe
Ang. Amen.For I am that way going to temptation,Where prayers crosse
Isab. At what hower to morrow,Shall I attend your Lordship?Ang. At any time 'fore-noone
Isab. 'Saue your Honour
Ang. From thee: euen from thy vertue.What's this? what's this? is this her fault, or mine?The Tempter, or the Tempted, who sins most? ha?Not she: nor doth she tempt: but it is I,That, lying by the Violet in the Sunne,Doe as the Carrion do's, not as the flowre,Corrupt with vertuous season: Can it be,That Modesty may more betray our SenceThen womans lightnesse? hauing waste ground enough,Shall we desire to raze the SanctuaryAnd pitch our euils there? oh fie, fie, fie:What dost thou? or what art thou Angelo?Dost thou desire her fowly, for those thingsThat make her good? oh, let her brother liue:Theeues for their robbery haue authority,When Iudges steale themselues: what, doe I loue her,That I desire to heare her speake againe?And feast vpon her eyes? what is't I dreame on?Oh cunning enemy, that to catch a Saint,With Saints dost bait thy hooke: most dangerousIs that temptation, that doth goad vs onTo sinne, in louing vertue: neuer could the StrumpetWith all her double vigor, Art, and NatureOnce stir my temper: but this vertuous MaidSubdues me quite: Euer till nowWhen men were fond, I smild, and wondred how.
Enter.
Scena Tertia.
Enter Duke and Prouost.
Duke. Haile to you, Prouost, so I thinke you are
Pro. I am the Prouost: whats your will, good Frier?Duke. Bound by my charity, and my blest order,I come to visite the afflicted spiritsHere in the prison: doe me the common rightTo let me see them: and to make me knowThe nature of their crimes, that I may ministerTo them accordingly
Pro. I would do more then that, if more were needfull
Enter Iuliet.
Looke here comes one: a Gentlewoman of mine,Who falling in the flawes of her owne youth,Hath blisterd her report: She is with childe,And he that got it, sentenc'd: a yong man,More fit to doe another such offence,Then dye for this
Duk. When must he dye?Pro. As I do thinke to morrow.I haue prouided for you, stay a whileAnd you shall be conducted
Duk. Repent you (faire one) of the sin you carry?Iul. I doe; and beare the shame most patiently
Du. Ile teach you how you shal araign your conscie[n]ceAnd try your penitence, if it be sound,Or hollowly put on
Iul. Ile gladly learne
Duk. Loue you the man that wrong'd you?Iul. Yes, as I loue the woman that wrong'd him
Duk. So then it seemes your most offence full actWas mutually committed
Iul. Mutually
Duk. Then was your sin of heauier kinde then his
Iul. I doe confesse it, and repent it (Father.)Duk. 'Tis meet so (daughter) but least you do repentAs that the sin hath brought you to this shame,Which sorrow is alwaies toward our selues, not heauen,Showing we would not spare heauen, as we loue it,But as we stand in feare