Dramatic Works of William Shakespeare

Or else for ever be conted here,
A marble monument!

Ang. I did but smile 'till now;

Now, good my lord, give me the scope of justice;
My patience here is touch'd: I do perceive,
These poor informal women are no more
But instruments of some more mightier member,
That sets them on: Let me have way, my lord,
To find this practice out.

Duke. Ay, with my heart;
And punish them unto your height of pleasure.-
Thou foolish friar, and thou pernicious woman,
Compact with her that's gone! think'st thou thy
oaths,
[saint,
Though they would swear down each particular
Were testimonies against his worth and credit,
That's seal'd in approbation?—You, lord Escalus,
Sit with my cousin; lend him your kind pains
To find out this abuse, whence tis deriv’d.-
There is another friar, that set them on;
Let him be sent for.

findeed,
Peter. Would he were here, my lord; for he,
Hath set the women on to this complaint:
Your provost knows the place where he abides,
And he may fetch him.

Duke. Go, do it instantly.

And you, my noble and well-warranted cousin,
Whom it concerns to hear this matter forth,
Do with your injuries as seems you best,
In any chastisement; I for a while
Will leave you; stir not you till you have well
Determined upon these slanderers. [Exit.

Escal. My lord, we'll do it thoroughly.-Signior Lucio, did not you say, you knew that friar Lodowick to be a dishonest person?

Lucio. Cucullus non facit monachum: honest in nothing, but in his cloaths; and one that hath spoke most villainous speeches of the duke.

Escal. How! know you where you are? [devil
Duke. Respect to your great place! and let the
Be sometime honour'd for his burning throne:→
Where is the duke? 'tis he should hear me speak.
Escal. The duke's in us; and we will hear you
Look, you speak justly.
[speak:

Duke. Boldly, at least:-But, oh, poor souls,
Come you to seek the lamb here of the fox?
Good night to your redress: Is the duke gone?
Then is your cause gone too. The duke's unjust,
Thus to retort your manifest appeal 3,
And put your trial in the villain's mouth,
Which here you come to accuse.

Lucio. This is the rascal; this is he I spoke of.
Escal. Why, thou unreverend and unhallow'd
friar!

Is't not enough, thou hast suborn'd these women
To accuse this worthy man; but, in foul mouth,
And in the witness of his proper ear,

30 To call him villain?

Escal. We shall intreat you to abide here till he come, and enforce them against him: We shall 40 find this friar a notable fellow.

Lucio. As any in Vienna, on my word.

Escul. Call that same Isabel here once again; I would speak with her: Pray you, my lord, give me leave to question; you shall see how I'll handle 45

her.

Lucio. Not better than he, by her own report.
Esul. Say you?

Lucio. Marry, sir, I think, if you handled her privately, she should sooner confess; perchance, publickly she'll be ashamed.

Enter Duke in the Friar's habit, and Provost.
Isabella is brought in.

And then to glance from him to the duke himself,
To tax him with injustice-Take him hence;
To the rack with him: We'll touse you joint by
joint,

But we will know this purpose: What? unjust?
Duke. Be not so hot; the duke

Dare no more stretch this finger of mine, than he
Dare rack his own; his subject I am not,
Nor here provincial: My business in this state
Made me a looker-on here in Vienna,
Where I have seen corruption boil and bubble,
Till it o'er-run the stew: laws, for all faults;
But faults so countenanc'd that the strong statutes
Stand like the forfeits in a barber's shop”,
As much in mock as maik. ̧

[prison. Escal. Slander to the state! Away with him to Ang. What can you vouch against him, signior Is this the man, that you did tell us of? [Lucio? Lucio. "Tis he, my lord. Come hither, good50man bald-pate: Do you know me?

Duke. I remember you, sir, by the sound of your voice: I met you at the prison, in the absence of the duke.

Escal. I will go darkly to work with her. Lucio. That's the way; for women are light at 55 what you said of the duke? midnight.

Lucio. Oh, did you so? And do you remember

Escal. Come on, mistress; here's a gentlewo

Dole. Most notedly, sir.

Lavio. Do you so, sir? And was the duke a ? That is, from beginning to end.

1 Informal signifies out of their senses. Meaning, to refer your appeal against Angelo to Angelo himself. + That is, not belonging to this province. Dr. Warburton gives the following explanation of this passage: Formerly the better sort of people went to the barber's shop (who then practised the under parts of surgery) to be trimmed, so that he had occasion for numerous instruments, which lay there ready for use; and the idle people, with whom his shop was generally crowded, would be perpetually handling and misusing them. To remedy this, he supposes, there was placed up against the wall a table of forfeitures, adapted to every offence of this kind; which, it is not likely, would long preserve its authority.-There are still forfeits ja barbers' shops for talking of cutting throats during shaving, or calling powder, flour.

flesh

Eschal. Such a fellow is not to be talked withal; Away with him to prison:-Where is the provost? -Away with him to prison; lay bolts enough upon him: let him pek no more:-away with those 15 giglots too, and with the other confederate companion. [The Provost lays hands on the Duke. Duke. Stay, sir; stay a w while.

Ang. What! res.sts he? Help him, Lucio.
Lucio. Come, sir; come, sir; come, sir; foh, 20|
sir: Why, you bald-pated, lying rascal! youmust
be hooded, must you? Shew your knave's visage,
with a pox to you! shew your sheep-biting face,
and be hang'd an hour! Will 't not off?
[Pulls ofthe Friar's hood, and discovers the Duke. 25
Duke. Thou art the first knave, that e'er mad'st
a duke.-

First, provost, let me bail these gentle three:
Sneak not away, sir; [to Lucio.] for the friar and
Must have a word anon:-lay hold on him. [you 30
Lucio. This may prove worse than hanging.
Dake. What you have spoke, I pardon; sit you
[To Escalus.

down.

We'll borrow place of him:-Sir, by your leave:
[To Angelo. 35

Hast thou or word, or wit, or impudence,
That yet can do thee office? If thou hast,
Rely upon it till my tale be heard,
And hold no longer out.

Ang. O my dread lord,

I should be guiltier than my guiltiness,
To think I can be undiscernible,

When I perceive your grace, like power divine,
Hath look'd upon my passes: Then, good prince,|
No longer session hold upon my shame,
But let my trial be mine own confession.
Immediate sentence then, and sequent death,
Is all the grace I beg.

Duke. Come hither, Mariana:-
Say, wast thou e'er contracted to this woman?
Ang. I was, my lord.
[stantly.-

Attorney'd at your service.

Isab. Oh, give me pardon,

That I, your vassal, have employ'd and pain'd Your unknown sovereignty.

Duke. You are pardon'd, Isabel:

And now, dear maid, be you as free to us.
Your brother's death, I know, sits at your heart:
And you may marvel, why I obscur'd myself,
Labouring to save his life; and would not rather
Make rash remonstrance of my hidden power,
Than let him be so lost. Oh, most kind maid,
It was the swift celerity of his death,

Which I did think with slower foot came on,
That brain'd' my purpose. Butpeace be with him!
That life is better life, past fearing death, [fort,
Than that which lives to fear: make it your com-
So happy is your brother,

Re-enter Angelo, Mariana, Peter, and Provost.
Isab. I do, my lord.
[here,
Duke. For this new-marry'd man, approaching
Whose salt imagination yet hath wrong'd
Your well-defended honour, you must pardon him
For Mariana's sake: But as he adjudg'd your bro-
(Being criminal in double violation [ther,
Of sacred chastity; and of promise-breach,
Thereon dependant, for your brother's life)
The very mercy of the law cries out
Most audible, even from his proper tongue,
An Angelo for Claudio, death for death.
Haste still pays haste, and leisure answers leisure;
Like doth quit like, and Measure still for Measure.
Then, Angelo, thy fault's thus manifested; [tage':.
Which though thou would'st deny, denies thee van-"
We do condemn thee to the very block
Where Claudio stoop'd to death, and with like
haste;-
Away with him.

Mari. Oh, my most gracious lord,

I hope, you will not mock me with a husband!
Duke. It is your husband mock'd you with a
husband:

Consenting to the safeguard of your honour,
I thought your marriage fit; efse imputation,
For that he knew you, might reproach your life,
45 And choak your good to come: for his possessions,
Although by confiscation they are ours,

Duke. Go take her hence, and marry her inDo you the office, friar; which consummate, Return him here again:-Go with him, provost. [Exeunt Angelo, Mariana, Peter, and Provost. 55 Escal. My lord, I am more amaz'd at his disThan at the strangeness of it. [honour,

Duke. Come hither, Isabel:

Your iriar is now your prince; As I was then
Advertising and holy to your business,

Not changing heart with habit, I am still

Giglot means a wanton girl.

We do enstate and widow you withal,
To buy you a better husband.

Mari. Oh, my dear lord,

crave no other, nor no better man.

Duke. Never crave him; we are definitive. Mari. Gentle my liege

[Kneeling.

Duke. You do but lose your labour;Away with him to death.-Now, sir, to you. [To Lucio.

Mari. Oh, my good lord!—Sweet Isabel, take
my part;

Lend me your knees, and all my life to come
I'll lend you, all my life to do you service.
60 Duke. Against all sense you do importune her:
Should she kneel down, in mercy of this fact,

4 That

2 That is, my transactions. 3 Attentive and faithful. is, as generous, by pardoning us also. Meaning, which defeated it. Meaning, Angelo's own tongue. 'That is, takes from thee all opportunity, all expedient of denial. Sense here means reuson and affection.

For better times to come:

-Friar, advise him;

I leave him to your hand.-What muffled fellow's that?

Prov. This is another prisoner, that I sav'd, Who should have dy'd when Claudio lost his head; As like almost to Claudio, as himself.

Duke. If he be like your brother, for his sake [To Isab, Is he pardon'd; And, for your lovely sake, 10 Give me your hand, and say you will be mine, He is my brother too: But fitter time for that. By this, lord Angelo perceives he's safe; Methinks I see a quick'ning in his eye.— Well, Angelo, your evil quits you well: 15 Look, that you love your wife; her worth, worth

[jects;20

That perish'd by the way: thoughts are no subIntents, but merely thoughts.

Mari. Merely, my lord.

Duke. Your suit's unprofitable; stand up,

[say.

I have bethought me of another fault :-
Provost, how came it, Claudio was beheaded
At an unusual hour?

Prov. It was commanded so.

Duke. Had you a special warrant for the deed? Prov. No, my good lord; it was by private 30 [fice:

message.

Duke. For which I do discharge you of your of Give up your keys.

Prov. Pardon me, noble lord:

I thought it was a fault, but knew it not;
Yet did repent me after more advice ' :
For testimony whereof, one in the prison,
That should by private order else have dy'd,
I have reserv'd alive.

Duke. What's he?

Prov. His name is Barnardine.

[dio.

Duke. I would, thou had'st done so by ClauGo, fetch him hither; let me look upon him. [Exit Provost. Escal. I am sorry, one so learned and so wise As you, lord Angelo, have still appear'd, Should slip so grossly, both in the heat of blood, And lack of temper'd judgment afterward.

Ang. I am sorry that such sorrow I procure: And so deep sticks it in my penitent heart, That I crave death more willingly than mercy: 'Tis my deserving, and I do entreat it. [lietta. Re-enter Provost, Barnardine, Claudio, and JuDuke. Which is that Barnardine? Prov. This, my lord.

Duke. There was a friar told me of this man:Sirrah, thou art said to have a stubborn soul, That apprehends no further than this world, Andsquar'stthylifeaccordingly: thou'rtcondemn'd; But, for those earthly faults, I quit them all; pray thee, take this mercy to provide

yours.

I find an apt remission in myself;

And yet here's one in place I cannot pardon ;— You, sirrah, that knew me for a fool, a coward,

One all of luxury, an ass, a madman; Wherein have I deserved so of you, That you extol me thus?

[To Lucio.

Lucio. 'Faith, my lord, I spoke it but according to the trick': if you will hang me for it, you may, but I had rather it would please you, I might be whipp'd.

Duke. Whipp'd first, sir, and hang'd after.Proclaim it, provost, round about the city; If any woman's wrong'd by this lewd fellow, As I have heard him swear himself, there's one Whom he begot with child) let her appear, And he shall marry her: the nuptial finish'd, Let him be whipp'd and hang'd.

Lucio. I beseech your highness, do not marry me to a whore! Your highness said, even now, 1 made you a duke; good, my lord, do not recompense me, in making me a cuckold.

Duke. Upon mine honour, thou shalt marry her. 40 Thy slanders I forgive; and therewithal

Remit thy other forfeits :-Take him to prison:
And see our pleasure herein executed.

Lucio. Marrying a punk, my lord, is pressing to death, whipping, and hanging.

Duke. Sland'ring a prince deserves it.— She, Claudio, that you wrong'd, look you restore. Joy to you, Mariana! love her, Angelo; I have confess'd her, and I know her virtue.Thanks,good friend Escalus, for thymuch goodness: 50 There's more behind, that is more gratulate '.Thanks, provost, for thy care and secrecy; We shall employ thee in a worthier place:Forgive him, Angelo, that brought you home The head of Ragozine for Claudio's: 55 The offence pardons itself.-Dear Isabel, I have a motion much imports your good; Whereto if you'll a willing ear incline, What's mine is yours, and what is yours is mine: So bring us to our palace; where we'll shew 60 What's yet behind, that's meet you all should [Exeunt.

That is, consideration. 2 That is, requites. ing carnal offence,. That is, more to be rejoiced in.

4 Mean

COMEDY

COMEDY OF ERRORS.

PERSONS

SOLINUS, Duke of Ephesus. EGEON, a Merchant of Syracuse.

ANTIPHOLIS of Ephesus, ANTIPHOLIS of Syracuse,

REPRESENTE D.

Twin Brothers and Sons to Egeon and Amilia, but unknown to each other.

DROMIO of Ephesus, Twin Brothers and Slaves DROMIO of Syracuse, to the two Antipholes's. BALTHAZAR, a Merchant.

ANGELO, a Goldsmith.

A Merchant, Friend to Antipholis of Syracuse.
DR. PINCH, a Schoolmaster and a Conjurer.

EMILIA, Wife to Egeon, an Abbess at Ephesus,
ADRIANA, Wife to Antipholis of Ephesus."
LUCIANA, Sister to Adriana.

LUCE, Servant to Adriana.
A Courtezan.

Jailor, Officers, and other Attendants.
SCENE, Ephesus.

SCENE I.

The Duke's Palace.

ACT I.

And, by the doom of death, end woes and all.
Duke. Merchant of Siracusa, plead no more;
I am not partial, to infringe our laws:
The enmity and discord, which of late
Sprung from the rancorous outrage of your duke
To merchants, our well-dealing countrymen,-
Who, wanting gilders to redeem their lives,
Have seal'd his rigorous statutes with their bloods,
Excludes all pity from our threat'ning looks.
For, since the mortal and intestine jars
Twixt thy seditious countrymen and us,
It hath in solemn synods been decreed,
Both by the Syracusans and ourselves,
To admit no traffic to our adverse towns:
Nay, more; If any, born at Ephesus,
Be seen at Syracusan marts and fairs,
Again, if any, Syracusan born,
Come to the bay of Ephesus, he dies,
His goods confiscate to the duke's dispose,
Unless a thousand marks be levied,
To quit the penalty, and to ransom him.
Thy substance, valu'd at the highest rate,
Cannot amount unto a hundred marks;
Therefore, by law thou art condemn'd to die.
geon. Yet this my comfort; when your words
are done,

My woes end likewise with the evening sun. Duke. Well, Syracusan, say, in brief, the cause Why thou departedst from thy native home; And for what cause thou cam'st to Ephesus.

Ageon. A heavier task could not have been imThan I to speak my griefs unspeakable: [pos'd, Yet, that the world may witness, that my end Was wrought by nature,not by vile offence, I'll utter what my sorrow gives me leave. 10 In Syracusa was I born; and wed

Unto a woman, happy but for me, And by me too, had not our hap been bad. With Eer I liv'd in joy; our wealth increas'd, By prosperous voyages I often made 15 To Epidamnum, till my factor's death; And he, great care of goods at random left, Drew me from kind embracements of my spouse; From whom my absence was not six months old, Before herself (almost at fainting, under

20 I he pleasing punishment that women bear)
Had made provision for her following me,
And soon, and safe, arrived where I was.
There she had not been long, but she became
A joyful mother of two goodly sons;

25 And, which was strange, the one so like the other
As could not be distinguish'd but by names.
That very hour, and in the self-same inn,
A poor mean woman was delivered

Of such a burden, male twins, both alike:
30 Those (for their parents were exceeding poor)
I bought, and brought up to attend my sons.
My wife, not meanly proud of two such boys,
Made daily motions for our home return:

Unwilling

Unwilling I agreed; alas, too soon.
We came aboard:

A league from Epidamnum had we sail'd,
Before the always-wind-obeying deep
Gave any tragic instance of our harm:
But longer did we not retain much hope;
For what obscured light the heavens d.d grant,
Did but convey unto our fearful minds

A doubtful warrant of immediate death; [brac'd,

Do me the favour to dilate at full
What hath befall'n of them, and thee, till now.
Egeon. My youngest boy, and yet my eldest
At eighteen years became inquisitive [care,

5 After his brother; and importun'd me,
That his attendant (for his case was like,
Reft of his brother, but retain'd his name,)
Might bear him company in quest of him:"
Whom whilst I labour'd of a love to see,

Which though myself would gladly have em-101 hazarded the loss of whom I lov'd.

Yet the incessant weepings of my wife,
Weeping before, for what she saw must come,
And piteous plainings of the pretty babes,
That mourn'd for fashion, ignorant what to fear,
Forc'd me to seek delays for them and me.
And this it was,-for other means were none.-
The sailors sought for safety by our boat,
And left the ship, then sinking-ripe, to us:
My wife, more careful for the latter-bo:n,
Had fasten'd him unto a small spare mast,
Such as sea-faring men provide for storms;
To him one of the other twins was bound,
Whilst I had been like heedful of the other.
The children thus dispos'd, my wife and I,
Fixing our eyes on whom our care was fix'd,
Fasten'd ourselves at either end the mast;
And floating straight, obedient to the stream,
Were carry'd towards Corinth, as we thought.
At length the sun, gazing upon the earth,
Dispers'd those vapours that offended us;
And, by the benent of his wish'd light,
The seas wax'd calm, and we discovered
Two ships from far making amain to us,
Of Corinth that, of Epidaurus this:
But, cre they came,-Oh, let me say no more!
Gather the sequel by that went before.

[so:

Duke. Nay, forward, old man, do not break off
For we may pity, though not pardon thee.

Egeon. Oh, had the gods done so, I had not now
Worthily term'd them merciless to us!
For ere the ships could meet by twice five leagues,
We were encountered by a mighty rock;
Which being violently borne upon,
Our helpful ship was splitted in the midst,
So that, in this unjust divorce of us,
Fortune had left to both of us alike
What to delight in, what to sorrow for.
Her part, poor soul! seeming as burdened
With lesser weight, but not with lesser woe,
Was carry'd with more speed before the wind;
And in our sight they three were taken up
By fishermen of Corinth, as we thought."
At length, another ship had seiz'd on ts;
And, knowing whom it was their hap to save,
Gave helpful welcome to their shipwreck'dguests;
And would have reft the fisher of his prey,
Had not their bark been very slow of sail,[course.
And therefore homeward did they bend their
Thus have you heard me severed from my bliss;
That by misfortune was my life prolong'd,"
To tell sad stories of my own mishaps.
Duke. And, for the sakes of them thou sorrowestl

[for,

Five summers have I spent in farthest Greece,
Roaming clean' through the bounds of Asia,
And, coasting homeward, came to Ephesus;
Hopeless to und, yet loth to leave unsought,
15 Or that, or any place that harbours men,
But here must end the story of my life;
And happy were I in my timely death,
Could all my travels warrant me they live. [mark'd
Duke. Hapless Ageon, whom the fates have
20 To bear the extremity of dire mishap!
Now, trust me, were it not against our laws,
Against my crown, my oath, my dignity,
Which princes, would they, may not disannul,
My soul should sue as advocate for thee.
25 But, though thou art adjudged to the death,
And passed sentence may not be recall'd,
But to our honour's great disparagement,
Yet will I favour thee in what I can;
Therefore, merchant, I'll limit thee this day,
30 To seek thy help by beneficial help:
Try all the friends thou hast in Ephesus;
Beg thou, or borrow, to make up the sum,
And live; if not, then thou art doom'd to die :--
Jailor, take him to thy custody.[Ex. Duke & train.
Jail. I will, my lord,

[wend',

Ageon. Hopeless, and helpless, doth geon But to procrastinate his lifeless end.

[Exeunt Ageon and Jailor. SCENE II.

Changes to the Street.

Enter Antipholis of Syracuse, a Merchant, and

Dromio.

[num, Mer, Therefore give out, you are of Epidam

45 Lest that your goods too soon be confiscate.
This very day, a Syracusan merchant
Is apprehended for arrival here;
And, not being able to buy out his life,
According to the statute of the town,
50 Dies ere the weary sun set in the west.
There is your money, that I had to keep. [host,
Ant. Go bear it to the Centaur, where we
And stay there, Dromio, till I come to thee.
Within this hour it will be dinner-time:
Till that, I'll view the manners of the town,
Peruse the traders, gaze upon the buildings,
And then return, and sleep within mine inn;
For with long travel I am stiff and weary.
Get thee away.
[word,
Dro. Many a man would take you at your
And go indeed, having so good a means.
[Exit Dromio.

160

Clean is still used in the North of England instead of quite, fully, completely. That is, go.

Ant

« Anterior Continuar »

Livros