MEASURE FOR MEASURE. Vincentio, duke of Vienna. PERSONS REPRESENTED. Clown, servant to Mrs. Over-done. Abhorson, an executioner. Angelo, lard deputy in the duke's absence. Escalus, an ancient lord, joined with Angelo in the || Barnardine, a dissolute prisoner. deputation. Claudio, a young gentleman. Lucio, a fantastic. Two other like gentlemen. Varrius, a gentleman, servant to the Duke. Isabella, sister to Claudio. Juliet, beloved by Claudio. Mistress Over-done, a bawd. Lords, Gentlemen, Guards, Officers, and other Attend ants. SCENE-Vienna. Duke. Of government the properties to unfold, Would seem in me to affect speech and discourse; Since I am put to know, that your own science Exceeds, in that, the lists of all advice My strength can give you: Then no more remains But that to your sufficiency, as your worth is able, And let them work. The nature of our people, Our city's institutions, and the terms En Are not thine own so proper, as to waste Thyself upon thy virtues, them on thee. For common justice, you are as pregnant in, Heaven doth with us, as we with torches do; Did not go forth of us, 'twere all alike As if we had them not. Spirits are not finely touch'd Both thanks and use. But I do bend my speech In our remove, be thou at full ourself; Live in thy tongue and heart: Old Escalus, Ang. Duke. No more evasion: Ang. Nor need you, on mine honour, have to do So to enforce, or qualify the laws, As to your soul seems good. Give me your hand; [Exit. Lucio. Thou concludest like the sanctimonious pirate, that went to sea with the ten commandments, but scraped one out of the table. 2 Gent. Thou shalt not steal?Lucio. Ay, that he razed. 1 Gent. Why, 'twas a commandment to command the captain and all the rest from their functions; they put forth to steal: There's not a soldier of us all, that, in the thanksgiving before meat, doth relish the petition well that prays for peace. 2 Gent. I never heard any soldier dislike it. Lucio. I believe thee; for, I think, thou never wast where grace was said. 2 Gent. No? a dozen times at least. 1 Gent. What? in metre? Lucio. In any proportion, or in any language. 1 Gent. I think, or in any religion. Lucio. Ay! why not? Grace is grace, despite of all controversy. As for example; Thou thyself art a wicked villain, despite of all grace. 1 Gent. Well, there went but a pair of sheers be tween us. Lucio. I grant; as there may between the lists and the velvet: Thou art the list. 1 Gent. And thou the velvet: thou art good velvet; thou art a three-pil'd piece, I warrant thee: I had as lief be a list of an English kersey, as be pil'd, as thou art pil'd, for a French velvet. Do I speak feelingly now? Lucio. I think thou dost; and, indeed, with most painful feeling of thy speech: I will, out of thine own confession, learn to begin thy health; but, whilst I live, forget to drink after thee. 1 Gent. I think, I have done myself wrong; have I not? 2 Gent. To what, I pray? 1 Gent. Judge. 2 Gent. To three thousand dollars a year. 1 Gent. Ay, and more. Lucio. A French crown more. 1 Gent. Thou art always figuring diseases in me: but thou art full of error; I am sound. Lucio. Nay, not as one would say, healthy; but so sound, as things that are hollow: thy bones are hollow; impiety hath made a feast of thee. Enter Bawd. 1 Gent. How now? Which of your hips has the most profound sciatica ? Bawd. Well, well; there's one yonder arrested, and carried to prison, was worth five thousand of you all. 1 Gent. Who's that, I pr'ythee? Bawd. Marry, sir, that's Claudio, signior Claudio. 1 Gent. Claudio to prison! 'tis not so. Bawd. Nay, but I know, 'tis so: I saw him arrested; saw him carried away; and, which is more, within these three days his head's to be chopped off. Lucio. But, after all this fooling, I would not have it so: Art thou sure of this? Bawd. I am too sure of it: and it is for getting madam Julietta with child. Lucio. Believe me, this may be: he promised to meet me two hours since; and he was ever precise in promise-keeping. 2 Gent. Besides, you know, it draws something near to the speech we had to such a purpose. 1 Gent. But most of all, agreeing with the proelamation. Lucio. Away; let's go learn the truth of it. [Exeunt Lucio and Gentlemen. Bawd. Thus, what with the war, what with the sweat, what with the gallows, and what with poverty, I am custom-shrunk.-How now? what's the news with you? Enter Clown. Clown. Yonder man is carried to prison. Bawd. Well; what hath he done? Clown. A woman. Bawd. But what's his offence? Clown. Groping for trouts in a peculiar river, Bawd. What, is there a maid with child by him? Clown. No; but there's a woman with maid by him: You have not heard of the proclamation, have you?, Bawd. What proclamation, man? Clown. All houses in the suburbs of Vienna must be pluck'd down. Bawd. And what shall become of those in the city? Clown. 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 pull'd down? Clown. To the ground, mistress. Bawd. Why, here's a change, indeed, in the commonwealth!-What shall become of me? Clown. 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 2 Gent. Yes, that thou hast; whether thou art taint- will be considered. ed, or free. Lucio. Behold, behold, where madam Mitigation comes! I have purchased as many diseases under her roof, as comes to→→ Bawd. What's to do here, Thomas Tapster? Let's withdraw. Clown. Here comes signior Claudio, led by the provost to prison: and there's madam Juliet. [Exeunt. SCENE III.-Enter Provost, Claudio, Juliet, and of- || Acquaint her with the danger of my state; ficers; Lucio, and two Gentlemen. Clau. Fellow, why dost thou show me thus to the world? Bear me to prison, where I am committed. Prev. I do it not in evil disposition, But from lord Angelo by special charge. Lucie. Why, how now, Claudio? whence comes this restraint? Clau. From too much liberty, my Lucio, liberty: As surfeit is the father of much fast, So every scope by the immoderate use Lucio. If I could speak so wisely under arrest, I world send for certain of my creditors: And yet, to say the truth, I had as lief have the foppery of freedum, as the morality of imprisonment.-What's thy offence, Claudio? Clau. What, but to speak of would offend again. Cl. Thus stands it with me:-Upon a true contract, I gut 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, Clau. Unhappily, even so. And the new deputy now for the duke, Whether it be the fault and glimpse of newness; Or whether that the body public be A horse whereon the governor doth ride He can command, lets it straight feel the spur: Or in his eminence that fills it up, I stagger in:-But this new governor Which have, like unscour'd armour, hung by the wall Lucio. I warrant, it is: and thy head stands so tickle on thy shoulders, that a milk-maid, if she be in love, may sigh it off. Send after the duke, and appeal to Clau. I have done so, but he's not to be found. I pr'ythee, Lucio, do me this kind service:This day my sister should the cloister enter, And there receive her approbation: Implore her, in my voice, that she make friends 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. Clau. I thank you, good friend Lucio. Clau. Come, officer, away. [Exeunt. SCENE IV-A Monastery. Enter Duke and Friar Thomas. Duke. No; holy father; throw away that thought; Believe not that the dribbling dart of love Can pierce a complete bosom: why I desire thee To give me secret harbour, hath a purpose More grave and wrinkled than the aims and ends Of burning youth. Fri. May your grace speak of it? Duke. My holy sir, none better knows than you How I have ever lov'd the life remov'd; And held in idle price to haunt assemblies, Where youth, and cost, and witless bravery keeps. I have deliver'd to lord Angelo (A man of stricture, and firm abstinence,) And he supposes me travell'd to Poland; For so I have strew'd it in the common ear, You will demand of me, why I do this? Fri. Gladly, my lord. Duke. We have strict statutes, and most biting laws, (The needful bits and curbs for head-strong steeds) Which for these fourteen years we have let sleep; Even like an o'ergrown lion in a cave, That goes not out to prey: Now, as fond fathers Becomes more mock'd, than fear'd: so our decrees, Dead to infliction, to themselves are dead; And liberty plucks justice by the nose; Duke. I do fear, too dreadful: Sith 'twas my fault to give the people scope, "Twould be my tyranny to strike, and gall them For what I bid them do: For we bid this be done, When evil deeds have their permissive pass, And not the punishment. Therefore, indeed, my father, I have on Angelo impos'd the office; 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, cisca. Isab. And have you nuns no further privileges? Isub. Yes, truly: I speak not as desiring more; Fran. It is a man's voice: Gentle Isabella, Then, if you speak, you must not show your face; Enter Lucio. 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; Lucio. Gentle and fair, your brother kindly greets 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, Isab. Sir, make me not your story. It is true. I would not, though 'tis my familiar sin As with a saint. Isab. You do blaspheme the good, in mocking me. Your brother and his lover have embrac'd: By those that know the very nerves of state, ACT II. Good sir, adieu. SCENE I-A Hall in Angelo's House. Enter Angelo, Escalus, a Justice, Provost, Officers, and other Attendants. Angelo. We must not make a scare-crow of the law, Isab. Some one with child by him?-My cousin Ju- | Whom I would save, had a most noble father. Lucio. Is she your cousin? Let but your honour know, (Whom I believe to be most strait in virtue,) Isah. Adoptedly; as school-maids change their names, That, in the working of your own affections, By vain though apt affection. Had time coher'd with place, or place with wishing, Could have attain'd the effect of your own purpose, Ang. 'Tis one thing to be tempted, Escalus, Another thing to fall. I not deny, The jury, passing on the prisoner's life, That justice seizes. What know the laws, That thieves do pass on thieves? "Tis very pregnant, Clown. Sir, she came in great with child; and longing (saving your honour's reverence,) for stew'd prunes; sir, we had but two in the house, which at that very distant time stood, as it were, in a fruit-dish, a dish of some three-pence; your honours have seen such dishes; they are not China dishes, but very good dishes. Esca. Go to, go to; no matter for the dish, sir. Clown. No, indeed, sir, not of a pin; you are therein in the right: but, to the point: As I say, this mistress Elbow, being, as I said, with child, and being great belly'd, and longing, as I said, for prunes; and having but two in the dish, as I said, master Froth Where is the provost? here, this very man, having eaten the rest, as I said, and, as I say, paying for them very honestly ;-for, as you know, master Froth, I could not give you threepence again. For I have had such faults; but rather tell me, Let mine own judgement pattern out my death, Pre. Here, if it like your honour. See that Claudio Enter Elbow, Froth, Clown, Officers, &c. Ang. How now, sir! What's your name? and what's the matter? Elh. If it please your honour, I am the poor duke's Constable, and my name is Elbow; I do lean upon justice, sir, and do bring in here before your good honour two notorious benefactors. Ang. Benefactors? Well; what benefactors are they? are they not malefactors? EB. If it please your honour, I know not well what they are: but precise villains they are, that I am sure of; and void of all profanation in the world, that good christians ought to have. Esca. This comes off well; here's a wise officer. Elb. He, sir? a tapster, sir; a parcel-bawd; one that serves a bad woman; whose house, sir, was, as they say, pluck'd down in the suburbs; and now she professes a hot-house, which I think, is a very ill house too. Exa. How know you that? Elb. My wife, sir, whom I detest before heaven and your honour, Esca. How! thy wife? Elb. Ay, sir; whom, I thank heaven, is an honest woman,— Esca. Dost thou detest her therefore? Elb. I say, sir, I will detest myself also, as well as she, that this house, if it be not a bawd's house, it is pity of her life, for it is a naughty house. Earn. How dost thou know that, constable? Elb. Marry, sir, by my wife; who, if she had been a woman cardinally given, might have been accused m fornication, adultery, and all uncleanliness there. Esca. By the woman's means? Elb. Ay, sir, by mistress Over-done's means: but as de spit in his face, so she defied him. Froth. No, indeed. Clown. Very well: you being then, if you be remember'd, cracking the stones of the foresaid prunes. Froth. Ay, so I did, indeed. Clown. Why, very well: I telling you then, if you be remember'd, that such a one, and such a one, were past cure of the thing you wot of, unless they kept very good diet, as I told you. Froth. All this is true. Esca. Come, you are a tedious fool: to the purpose. -What was done to Elbow's wife, that he hath cause to complain of? Come me to what was done to her. Clown. Sir, your honour cannot come to that yet. Clown. Sir, but you shall come to it, by your honour's leave: And, I beseech you, look into master Froth here, sir; a man of fourscore pound a year; whose father died at Hallowmas :-Was't not at Hallowmas, master Froth? Froth. All-hollond eve. Clown. Why, very well; I hope here be truths: He, sir, sitting, as I say, in a lower chair, sir ;-'twas in the Bunch of Grapes, where, indeed, you have a delight to sit: Have you not? Froth. I have so; because it is an open room, and good for winter. Clown. Why, very well then :-I hope here be truths. Ang. This will last out a night in Russia, When nights are longest there: I'll take my leave, And leave you to the hearing of the cause; Hoping, you'll find good cause to whip them all. Esca. I think no less: Good morrow to your lordship. [Exit. Angelo. Now, sir, come on: What was done to Elbow's wife, once more? Clown. Once, sir? there was nothing done to her |