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 has 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 plucked 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 pulled 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 1 Sweating sickness. 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. Clown. 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; Clau. Fellow, why dost thou show me thus to the world? Bear me to prison, where I am committed. Lucio. 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 1 by the immoderate use Lucio. If I could speak so wisely under an arrest. I would send for certain of my creditors: and yet, to say the truth, I had as lief have the foppery of freedom as the morality of imprisonment. What's thy offence, Claudio? Clau. What, but to speak of would offend again. Lucio. What is it? murder? Clau. No. Lucio. Lechery? Clau. Call it so. Pro. Away, sir; you must go. Clau. One word, good friend.-Lucio, a word with you. [takes him aside. Lucio. A hundred, if they 'll do you any good.Is lechery so look'd after? Clau. 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, From whom we thought it meet to hide our love, Till time had made them for us. But it chances, The stealth of our most mutual entertainment, Clau. Unhappily, even so. And the new deputy now for the duke,— Whether it be the fault and glimpse of newness; I A horse whereon the governor doth ride, Or in his eminence that fills it up, I stagger in :—but this new governor Which have, like unscour'd armor, hung by the wall Freshly on me :-'tis, surely, for a name. 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 him. Clau, I have done so, but he's not to be found, I pr'ythee, Lucio, do me this kind service: Whether it be the fault of newness, arising from the mind being dazzled by a novel authority, of which the new governor has yet had only a glimpse 'Malone. Ticklish. This day my sister should the cloister enter, Acquaint her with the danger of my state: Lucio. I pray, she may: as well for the encouragement of the like, which else would stand under grievous imposition; 3 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. Lucio. Within two hours, 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 4 dart of love Can pierce a complete bosom: 5 why I desire thee 2 Prompt. Fluttering without force. 1 Enter on her probation or noviciate. Penalties imposed. A breast completely armed. |