MEASURE FOR MEASURE. PERSONS REPRESENTED. Vineentio, duke of Vienna. Clown, servant to Mrs. Over-done. Abhorson, an executioner. Angelo, lord deputy in the duke's absence. Eacalus, 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. ACT I. SCENE I-An apartment in the Duke's palace. Enter Duke, Escalus, Lords, and Attendants. ESCALUS Esca. My lord. Duke. 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 ean give you: Then no more remains For common justice, you are as pregnant in, That we remember: There is our commission, From which we would not have you warp.-Call hither, For you must know, we have with special soul Esca. If any in Vienna be of worth Are not thine own so proper, as to waste 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, So to enforce, or qualify the laws, As to your soul seems good. Give me your hand; I'll privily away: I love the people, But do not like to stage me to their eyes: Though it do well, I do not relish well Ang. The heavens give safety to your purposes! [Exit. Esca. I shall desire you, sir, to give me leave To have free speech with you; and it concerns me To look into the bottom of my place: A power I have; but of what strength and nature Ang. Tis so with me: Let us withdraw together, I'll wait upon your honour. SCENE II-A Street. Enter Lucio and two Gentle men. Lucio. If the duke, with the other dukes, come not to composition with the king of Hungary, why, then all the dukes fall upon the king. 1 Gent. Heaven grant us its peace, but not the king of Hungary's! 2 Gent. Amen. 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. Yes, that thou hast; whether thou art tainted, or free. Lucio. Behold, behold, where madam Mitigation comes! I have purchased as many diseases under her roof, as comes to 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? Barwd. 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, with in 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. Barwd. 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 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.-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. Prov. I do it not in evil disposition, But from lord Angelo by special charge. Clou. Thus ean 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. 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 would 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. Cizu. 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 Remaining in the coffer of her friends; Lucio. With child, perhaps? Clau. Unhappily, even so. And the new deputy now for the duke,- Awakes me all the enrolled penalties, So long, that nineteen zodiacs have gone round, 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 (A man of stricture, and firm abstinence,) 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, The baby beats the nurse, and quite athwart Sith 'twas my fault to give the people scope, Which have, like unseour'd armour, hung by the wall '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, 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 bim. 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: And not the punishment. Therefore, indeed, my father, I have on Angelo impos'd the office; To do it slander: And to behold his sway, I will, as 'twere a brother of your order, How I may formally in person bear me Like a true friar. More reasons for this action, At our more leisure shall I render you; Is more to bread than stone: Hence shall we see, SCENE V-A Nunnery. Enter Isabella and Fran cisca. Isab. And have you nuns no further privileges? Fran. It is a man's voice: Gentle Isabella, Then, if you speak, you must not show your face; Lucio. Hail, virgin, if you be; as those cheek roses A novice of this place, and the fair sister To her unhappy brother Claudio? Isab. Why her unhappy brother? let me ask; 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? By those that know the very nerves of state, Isab. Doth he so seek his life? Has censur'd him Isab. Alas! what poor ability's in me Assay the power you have. Isab. My power! Alas! I doubt,- Our doubts are traitors, And make us lose the good we oft might win, And let him learn to know, when maidens sue, Men give like gods; but when they weep and kneel, All their petitions are as freely theirs As they themselves would owe them. Isab. I'll see what I can do. Lucio. But, speedily. I will about it straight; No longer staying but to give the mother Lucio. For that, which, if myself might be his judge, Commend me to my brother: soon at night He should receive his punishment in thanks: He hath got his friend with child. 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. Lucio. Do not believe it. Fewness and truth, 'tis thus: Your brother and his lover have embrac'd: Expresseth his full tilth and husbandry. Let us be keen, and rather cut a little, 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,) Isab. Adoptedly; as school-maids change their names, That, in the working of your own affections, Another thing to fall. I not deny, tice, That justice seizes. What know the laws, You may not so extenuate his offence, Let mine own judgement pattern out my death, Esca. Be it as your wisdom will. Where is the provost? Be executed by nine to-morrow morning: Bring him his confessor, let him be prepar'd; For that's the utmost of his pilgrimage. [Exit Prov. Enter Elbow, Froth, Clown, Officers, &c. Elő. Come, bring them away: if these be good people in a common-weal, that do nothing but use their abuse in common houses, I know no law; bring them Elb. 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? Elb. 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. Ang. Go to: What quality are they of? Elbow is your name? Why dost thou not speak, Elbow? Clown. He cannot, sir; he's out at elbow. Ang. What are you, sir? 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 profesies a hot-house, which I think, is a very ill house too. Exa. How know you that? Clown. Sir, if it please your honour, this is not so. Elb. Prove it before these varlets here, thou honourable man, prove it. Esca. Do you hear how he misplaces? [To Ang. 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 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. Froth. No, indeed. Clown. Very well: you being then, if you be ve member'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. Clown. Why, very well then. 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. Esca. No, sir, nor I mean it.not. 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 Hal lowmas, master Froth? Froth. All-hollond eve. Clown. Why, very well; I hope here be truths: He, sir, sitting, as I saty, 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. Elb. My wife, sir, whom I detest before heaven and Now, sir, come on: What was done to Elbow's wife, your honour, Exa. 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. Esca. 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 ra fornication, adultery, and all uncleanliness there. Esca. By the woman's means? Elb. Ay, sir, by mistress Over-done's means: but as the spit in his face, so she defied him. once more? Clown. Once, sir? there was nothing done to her once. Elb. I beseech you, sir, ask him what this man did to my wife. Clown. I beseech your honour, ask me. Esca. Well, sir: What did this gentleman to her? Clown. I beseech you, sir, look in this gentleman's face:-Good master Froth, look upon his honour; 'tis for a good purpose:-Doth your honour mark his face? Esca. Ay, sir, very well. Clown. Nay, I beseech you, mark it well. Clown. Doth your honour see any harm in his face? |