with the gallows, and what with poverty, I am custom-shrunk. How now? what's the news with you? Enter CLOWN. Clo. Yonder man is carried to prison. Bawd. But what's his offence? Clo. Groping for trouts in a peculiar river. Bawd. What, is there a maid with child by him? Clo. No; but there's a woman with maid by him: You ha not heard of the proclamation, have you? Bawd. What proclamation, man? Clo. All houses in the suburbs of Vienna must be pluck'd down. Bawd. And what shall become of those in the city? Clo. They shall stand for seed: they had gone down too, but that a wise burgher put in for them. Bawd. But shall all our houses of resort in the suburbs be pulled down ? Clo. To the ground, mistress. Bawd. Why, here's a change, indeed, in the commonwealth! What shall become of me? Clo. Come; fear not you; good counsellors lack 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 your eyes almost out in the service, you will be considered. Bawd. What's to do here, Thomas Tapster? Let's withdraw. Clo. Here comes signior Claudio, led by the provost to prison: and there's madam Juliet. [Exeunt. SCENE III-The same. Enter PROVOST,* CLAUDIO, JULIET, and Officers; LUCIO, and two Gentlemen. Claud. 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 from lord Angelo by special charge. Claud. Thus can the demi-god, Authority, Make us pay down for our offence by weight.— The words of heaven;-on whom it will, it will; On whom it will not, so; yet still 'tis just. Lucio. Why, how now, Claudio? whence comes this restraint? Claud. From too much liberty, my Lucio, liberty: As surfeit is the father of much fast, So every scope by the immoderate use Turns to restraint: Our natures do pursue (Like rats that ravint down their proper bane) A thirsty evil; and when we drink, we die. Lucio. If I could speak so wisely under an arrest, I would send * Gaoler. † Voraciously devour. for certain of my creditors: And yet, to say the truth, I had as lief have the foppery of freedom, as the morality of imprisonment.-What's thy offence, Claudio? Claud. What, but to speak of would offend again. Claud. No. Lucio. Lechery? Claud. Call it so. Prov. Away, Sir; you must go. Claud. 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? [Takes him aside. Claud. Thus stands it with me :-Upon a true contract, I got possession of Julietta's bed; You know the lady; she is fast my wife, Save that we do the denunciation lack From whom we thought it meet to hide our love, Claud. Unhappily even so. And the new deputy now for the duke,- A horse whereon the governor doth ride, Who, newly in the seat, that it may know He can command, lets it straight feel the spur: I stagger in:-But this new governor Which have, like unscoured armour, hung by the wall So long, that nineteen zodiacs* 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. Lucio. I warrant, it is: and thy head stands so ticklef on thy shoulders, that a milk-maid, if she be in love, may sigh it off. Send after the duke, and appeal to him. Claud. I have done so, but he's not to be found. I pr'ythee, Lucio, do me this kind service: This day my sister should the cloister enter, Acquaint her with the danger of my state; Implore her, in my voice, that she make friends * Yearly circles. Enter on her probation. † Ticklish. To the strict deputy, bid herself assay him; Such as moves men; besides, she hath prosperous art And well she can persuade. Lucio. I pray, she may; as well for the encouragement of the like, which else would stand under grievous imposition; as for the enjoying of thy life, who I would be sorry should be thus foolishly lost at a game of tick-tack. I'll to her. Claud. I thank you, good friend Lucio. Lucio. Within two hours, Claud. Come, officer, away. SCENE IV-A Monastery. Enter DUKE and FRIAR THOMAS. Duke. No; holy father; throw away that thought; Can pierce a cómplete bosom:† why I desire thee More grave and wrinkled than the aims and ends Fri. May your grace speak of it? 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, Where youth, and cost, and witless bravery keeps. (A man of stricture,§ and firm abstinence), My absolute power and place here in Vienna, For so I have strew'd it in the common ear, And so it is received: Now, pious sir, Fri. Gladly, my lord. Duke. We have strict statutes, and most biting laws That goes not out to prey: Now, as fond fathers For terror, not to use; in time the rod Becomes more mock'd, than fear'd: so our decrees, The baby beats the nurse, and quite athwart Fri. It rested in your grace * Prompt. Completely armed. [Exeunt. + Retired. VOL. I. § Strictness. P To unloose this tied up justice, when you pleased: Duke. I do fear, too dreadful: Sith 'twas my fault to give the people scope, And not the punishment. Therefore, indeed, my father, Who may, in the ambush of my name, strike home, To do it slander: And to behold his sway, I will, as 'twere a brother of your order, Visit both prince and people: therefore, I pr'ythee, Like a true friar. More reasons for this action, Is more to bread than stone: Hence shall we see, SCENE V-A Nunnery. Enter ISABELLA and FRANCISCA. Isab. And have you nuns no further privileges? Isab. Yes, truly: I speak not as desiring more; [Exeunt. Upon the sisterhood, the votarists of saint Clare. [Within. Fran. It is a man's voice: Gentle Isabella, Turn you the key, and know his business of him; When you have vow'd, you must not speak with men, Then, if you speak, you must not show your face; [Exit FRANCISCA. Isab. Peace and prosperity! Who is't that calls? Lucio. Hail, virgin, if you be; as those cheek-roses A novice of this place, and the fair sister Isab. Why her unhappy brother? let me ask; * Since + On his defence. 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: Not 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.* I would not-though 'tis my familiar sin Tongue far from heart,-play with all virgins so: By your renouncement, an immortal spirit; As with a saint. Isab. You do blaspheme the good, in mocking me, Lucio. Do not believe it. Fewness and truth,† 'tis thus: Your brother and his lover have embraced: As those that feed grow full; as blossoming time, That from the seedness the bare fallow brings To teeming foison; even so her plenteous womb Expresseth his full tilth§ and husbandry. Isab. Some one with child by him?- -My cousin Juliet ? Lucio. Is she your cousin? Isab. Adoptedly; as school-maids change their names, By vain though apt affection. Lucio. She it is. Isab. O, let him marry her! The duke is very strangely gone from hence; * Do not make a jest of me. Breeding plenty. § Tilling. + In few and true words. Extent. |