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And you in love shall not deny me this.

Bass. This ring, good Sir,-alas, it is a trifle, I will not shame myself to give you this.

Por. I will have nothing else but only this; And now, methinks, I have a mind to it.

Bass. There's more depends on this, than on the value.

The dearest ring in Venice will I give you,
And find it out by preclamation;
Only for this, I pray you, pardon me.

Por. I see, Sir, you are liberal in offers:
You taught me first to beg; and now, methinks,
You teach me how a beggar should be answer'd.
Bass. Good Sir, this ring was given me by
my wife;

And, when she put it on, she made me vow, That I should neither sell, nor give, nor lose it. Por. That 'scuse serves many men to save their gifts.

And if your wife be not a mad woman,
And know how well I have deserv'd this ring,
She would not hold out enemy for ever,
For giving it to me. Well, peace be with you!
[Exeunt PORTIA and NERISSA.
Ant. My lord Bassanio, let him have the
ring;

Let his deservings, and my love withal,
Be valued 'gainst your wife's commandment.
Bass. Go, Gratiano, run and overtake him,
Give him the ring; and bring him, if thou
can'st,

Unto Antonio's house :-away, make haste.
[Exit GRATIANO.
Come, you and I will thither presently;
And in the morning early will we both
Fly toward Belmont: Come, Antonio.

[Exeunt.

SCENE II.-The same.-A Street.

Enter PORTIA and NERISSA.

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maid.

Por. Inquire the Jew's house out, give him I pray you, is my master yet return'd?

this deed,

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Lor. He is not, nor we have not heard from him.

But go we in, I pray thee, Jessica,
And ceremoniously let us prepare

Some welcome for the mistress of the house.

Enter LAUNCELOT.

Laun. Sola, sola, wo ha, ho, sola, sola!
Lor. Who calls?

Laun. Sola! did you see master Lorenzo, and mistress Lorenzo! sola, sola !

Lor. Leave hollaing, man; here.
Laun. Sola! where? where ?

Lor. Here.

Laun. Tell him, there's a post come from my master, with his horn full of good news; ny master will be here ere morning. [Exit.

Lor. Sweet soul, let's in, and there expect their coming.

And yet no matter;-Why should we go in ?
My friend Stephano, signify, I pray you,
Within the house, your mistress is at hand;
And bring your music forth into the air.-
[Eait STEPHANO.
How sweet the moonlight sleeps upon this
bank!

Here will we sit, and let the sounds of music
Creep in our ears; soft stillness, and the night,
Become the touches of sweet harmony.
Sit, Jessica: Look, how the floor of heaven

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Come, ho, and wake Diana with a hymn ;
With sweetest touches pierce your mistress' ear,
And draw her home with music.

Jes. I am never merry, when I hear sweet music. [Music. Lor. The reason is, your spirits are attentive: For do but note a wild and wanton herd, Or race of youthful and unhandled colts, Fetching mad bounds, bellowing, and neigbing loud,

Which is the hot condition of their blood;
If they but hear perchance a trumpet sound,
Or any air of music touch their ears,
You shall perceive them make a mutual stand,
Their savage eyes turn'd to a modest gaze,
By the sweet power of music: Therefore, the poet
Did feign that Orpheus drew trees, stones, and
floods;

Since nought so stockish, hard, and full of rage,
But music for the time doth change his nature:
The man that hath no music in himself,

Nor is not mov'd with concord of sweet sounds,
Is fit for treasons, stratagems, and spoils;
The motions of his spirit are dull as night,
And his affections dark as Erebus:
Let no such man be trusted.-Mark the music.

Enter PORTIA and NERISSA at a distance.
Por. That light we see, is burning in my hall.
How far that little candle throws his beams!
So shines a good deed in a naughty world.
Ner. When the moon shone, we did not see
the candle.

Por. So doth the greater glory dim the less:
A substitute shines brightly as a king,
Until a king be by; and then his state
Empties itself, as doth an inland brook
Into the main of waters. Music! hark!
Ner. It is your music, madam, of the house.
Por. Nothing is good, I see, without respect;
Methinks, it sounds much sweeter than by day.
Ner. Silence bestows that virtue on it, madam.
Por. The crow doth sing as sweetly as the
lark,

When neither is attended; and, I think,
The nightingale, if she should sing by day,
When every goose is cackling, would be thought
No better a musician than the wren.
How many things by season season'd are
To their right praise and true perfection !—
Peace, hoa! the moon sleeps with Endymion,
And would not be awak'd! [Music ceases.

Lor. That is the voice,

Or I am much deceiv'd, of Portia.

Lor. Year husband is at hand, I bear in trumpet;

We are no tell-tales, madam; fear you not. Por. This night, methinks, is but the day light sick,

It looks a little paler; 'tis a day,

Such as the day is, when the sun is hid.

Enter BASSANIO, ANTONIO, GRATIANO, and their Followers.

Bass. We should hold day with the Andpodes,

If you would walk in absence of the sun.
Por. Let me give light, but let me not he
light;
For a light wife doth make a heavy husband,
And never be Bassanio so for me.

But God sort all -You are welcome home, my lord.

Bass. I thank you, madam: give welcome to my friend.

This is the man, this is Antonio,

To whom I am so infinitely bound.

Por. You should in all sense be much bound

to him,

For, as I hear, he was much bound for you.
Ant. No more than I am well acquitted of
Por. Sir, you are very welcome to our home:
It must appear in other ways than words,
Therefore I scant this breathing courtesy,
[GRATIANO and NERISSA seem to talk apart.
Gra. By yonder moon, I swear, you do ne
wrong;

In faith, I gave it to the judge's clerk :
Would be were gelt that had it, for my part,
Since you do take it, love, so much at best.
Por. A quarrel, ho, already ↑ what's the
matter?

Gra. About a hoop of gold, a paltry ring
That she did give me; whose posy was
For all the world, like cutler's poetry
Upon a knife, Love me, and leave me not.

Ner. What, talk you of the posy, or the value
You swore to me, when I did give it you,
That you would wear it till your bour of destă,
And that it should lie with you in your grave:
Though not for me, yet for your vehement at
You should have been respective † and kne
kept it.

Gave it a judge's clerk !-but well I know, The clerk will ne'er wear hair on his face that had it.

Gra. He will, an if he live to be a man. Ner. Ay, if a woman, live to be a man. Gra. Now, by this hand, I gave it to a youth,— A kind of boy; a little scrubbed boy, No higher than thyself, the Judge's clerk; A prating boy, that begg'd it as a fee; I could not for my heart deny it him. Por. You were to blame, 1 must be plain with you,

To part so slightly with your wife's first gift; A thing stuck on with oaths upon your finger, And riveted so with faith unto your flesh.

Por. He knows me, as the blind man knows I gave my love a ring, and made him swear

the cuckoo,

By the bad voice.

Lor. Dear lady, welcome home.

Por. We have been praying for our husbands' welfare,

Which speed, we hope, the better for our words.
Are they return'd?

Lor. Madam, they are not yet;
But there is come a messenger before,
To signify their coming.

Por. Go in, Nerissa,

Give order to my servants that they take
No note at all of our being absent hence;
Nor you, Lorenzo ;-Jessica, nor you.

[A tuckett sounds.

A small flat dish, used in the administration of the Eucharistor, according to Warburton, plates of gold Lorne in heraldry. 1 A fleurish on a

trumpet.

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Por. If you had known the virtue of the ring,
Or half her worthiness that gave the ring,
Or your own honour to contain the ring,
You would not then have parted with the ring.
What man is there so much unreasonable,
If you had pleas'd to have defended it
With any terms of zeal, wanted the modesty
To urge the thing held as a ceremony?
Nerissa teaches me what to believe;

I'll die for't, but some woman had the ring.
Bass. No, by mine honour, madam, by my
soul,

No woman had it, but a civil doctor,

Which did refuse three thousand ducats of me,
And begg'd the ring; the which I did deny him,
And suffer'd him to go displeas'd away;
Even he that had held up the very life

Ant. I once did lend my body for his wealth; Which, but for him that had your husband's ring, [TO PORTIA. Had quite miscarried: I dare be bound again, My soul upon the forfeit, that your lord Will never more break faith advisedly,

Por. Then you shall be his surety: Give him this;

And bid him keep it better than the other. Ant. Here, lord Bassanio; swear to keep this ring.

Bass. By heaven, it is the same I gave the doctor!

Por. I had it of him: pardon me, Bassanio; For by this ring the doctor lay with me.

Ner. And pardon me, my gentle Gratiano; For that same scrubbed boy, the doctor's clerk, In lieu of this, last night did lie with me.

Gra. Why, this is like the mending of highways

In summer, where the ways are fair enough; What! are we cuckolds, ere we have deserv'd

it?

Por. Speak not so grossly.-You are all
amaz'd:

Here is a letter, read it at your leisure;
It comes from Padua, from Bellario,
There you shall find, that Portia was the doctor;
Nerissa there, her clerk: Lorenzo here
Shall witness, I set forth as soon as you,
And but even now return'd; I have not yet
Enter'd my house.-Antonio, you are welcome;

Of my dear friend. What should I say, sweet And I have better news in store for you,

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The ring of me to give the worthy doctor.

Por. Let not that doctor e'er come near my
house;

Since he hath got the jewel that I lov'd,
And that which you did swear to keep for me,
I will become as liberal as you :

I'll not deny him any thing I have,
No, not my body, nor my husband's bed:
Know him I shall, I am well sure of it:

Lie not a night from home; watch me, like
Argus:

If you do not, if I be left alone,

Now, by mine honour, which is yet my own,
I'll have that doctor for my bedfellow.

Ner. And I his clerk; therefore be well advis'd,

How you do leave me to mine own protection. Gra. Well, do you so let me not take him then;

For, if I do, I'll mar the young clerk's pen. Ant. I am the unhappy subject of these quarrels.

Por. Sir, grieve not you; You are welcome notwithstanding.

Bass. Portia, forgive me this enforced

wrong;

And, in the hearing of these many friends,
I swear to thee, even by thine own fair eyes,
Wherein I see myself,-

Por. Mark you but that!

In both my eyes he doubly sees himself:
In each eye, one :-swear by your double self,
And there's an oath of credit.

Bass. Nay, but hear me :
Pardon this fault, and by my soul I swear,
I never more will break an oath with thee.

Than you expect: unseal this letter soon;
There you shall find, three of your argosies
Are richly come to harbour suddenly:
You shall not know by what strange accident
I chanced on this letter.

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[fee.

My clerk bath some good comforts too for you.
Ner. Ay, and I'll give them him without a
There do I give to you, and Jessica,
From the rich Jew, a special decd of gift,
After his death, of all he dies possess'd of.
Lor. Fair ladies, you drop manna in the way
Of starved people.

Por. It is almost morning,
And yet, I am sure, you are not satisfied
Of these events at full: Let us go in ; a
And charge us there upon intergatories,
And we will answer all things faithfully.

Gru. Let it be so: The first intergatory
That my Nerissa shall be sworn on, is,
Whether till the next night she had rather stay,
Or go to bed now, being two hours to-day:
But were the day come, I should wish it dark,
That I were couching with the doctor's clerk.
Well, while I live, I'll fear no other thing
So sore, as keeping safe Nerissa's ring.

• Advantage.

[Exeunt.

MEASURE FOR MEASURE,

LITERARY AND HISTORICAL NOTICE.

THE fable of this play (written in 1603) was taken from the Promos and Cassandra of George Whetstens. The p duction is described as very meagre and insipid, though forming a complete embryo of Measure for Mer sure; and if the genius of Shakspeare enabled him to avoid the faults of his modelist, by imparting a greater degree of interest to his own drama, it did not give him strength to resist the besetting sin of his pieces-4 indulgence in obscenity, buffoonery, and quibble. Some portion of this would naturally result from the ot delicate and improbable incident which he took for the ground-work of his plot. Such an occurrence cunlá only be wrought into a catastrophe, by the introduction of agents whom morality condemns, and by the ant of allusions at which modesty revolts. But neither the necessities of the story, nor the purposes of etertainment, can justify such a strange admixture of pathetic contingencies and unmeaning trifles--af cansking sentiment and disgusting ribaldry as are exhibited in this piece. Still the moral is of excellent applietion; since there are few situations of life in which delegated authority is not capable of abuse. Satin may fail in restraining tyranny, and precept in correcting intolerance; but they teach mankind the me cessity of caution in conferring power, by shewing "the fantastic tricks” which mortals are prone to play, wira "dressed in a little authority," and entrusted with" the thunder of Jove." Though Shakspeare wrote to gratify monarchs, he never descended to palliate oppression; and in the scene between Angelo and labella, where the latter pleads for her brother's life, the reader will meet with another eloquent vindication of the principles of justice and humanity---differing from the speech of Portia, on a somewhat similar occaena, bit excellently opposed to that mild and dispassionate appeal, by the cutting and indignant sarcasm with which it lashes "the insolence of office." Dr. Johnson animadverts upon the peculiarities of the play, and than decides upon its merits: "The light or comic part is very natural and pleasing; but the grave scars ja few passages excepted) have more labour than elegance. The plot is more intricate than artful.”

DRAMATIS PERSONE.

VINCENTIO, Duke of Vienna.
ANGELO, Lord Deputy in the Duke's ab-

sence.

ESCALUS, an ancient Lord, joined with Angelo in the deputation.

CLAUDIO, a young Gentlemen.

Lucio, a Fantastic.

Two other like Gentleman.

FROTH, a Foolish Gentleman.
CLOWN, Servant to Mrs. Over-done.
ABHORSON, an Executioner.
BARNARDINE, a dissolute Prisoner.

ISABELLA, Sister to Claudio.
MARIANA, betrothed to Angelo.

VARRIUS, a Gentleman, Servant to the Duke. JULIET, beloved by Claudio.

PROVOST,

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FRANCISCA, a Nun.

MRS. OVER-DONE, a Bawd.

Lords, Gentlemen, Guards, Officers, and other Attendants.

SCENE-Vienna.

ACT I.

SCENE 1.-An apartment in the DUKE'S
Palace.

Enter DUKE, ESCALUS, Lords, and Atten

Duke. Escalus,-
Escal. My lord.

dants.

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
For common justice, you are as pregnant + in,
As art and practice hath enriched any
That we remember: There is our commission,
From which we would not have you wp-
Call bitber,

Duke. Of government the properties to un-I say, bid come before us Angelo.

fold,

Would seem in me to affect speech and dis

course;

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 re-
mains

• Bounds.

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There is a kind of character in thy life,
That, to the observer, doth thy history
Faily unfold: Thyself and thy belongings
Are not thine own so proper, as to waste
Thyself upon thy virtues, them on thee.
Heaven doth with us, as we with torches do;
Not light them for themselves for if our virtues
Did not go forth of us, 'twere all alike

As if we had them not. Spirits are not finely touch'd,

But to fine issues; nor nature never lends
The smallest scruple of her excellence,
But, like a thrifty goddess, she determines
Herself the glory of a creditor,

Both thanks and use. But I do bend my speech
To one that can my part in him advertise;
Hold therefore, Angelo;

In our remove, be thou at full ourself;
Mortality and mercy in Vienna

Live in thy tongue and heart: Old Escalus,

Though first in question, is thy secondary:

Take thy commission.

Ang. Now, good my lord,

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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 com. mand 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 between 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 ker

Let there be some more test made of my metal, sey, as be pil'd, as thou art pil'd, for a French Before so noble and so great a figure

Be stamp'd upon it.

Duke. No more evasion:

We have with a leaver'd and prepared choice
Proceeded to you; therefore take your honours.
Our haste from hence is of so quick condition,
That it prefers itself, and leaves unquestion'd
Matters of needful value. We shall write to you,
As time and our concernings shall impórtune,
How it goes with us; and do look to know
What doth befall you here. So, fare you well:
To the hopeful execution do I leave you
Of your commissions.

Ang. Yet, give leave, my lord,

That we may bring you something on the way.
Duke. My haste may not admit it;
Nor need you, on mine honour, have to do
With any scruple: your scope is as mine own;
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
Their loud applause, and aves ¶ vehement :
Nor do I think the man of safe discretion,
That does affect it. Once more, fare you well.
Ang. The heavens give safety to your pur-
poses!

Escal. Lead forth, and bring you back in happiness.

[Exit.

Duke. I thank you: Fare you well. Escal. I shall desire you, Sir, to give me leave To have free speech with you; and it concerns To look into the bottom of my place: A power I have; but of what strength and uaI am not yet instructed. [ture

[me

Ang. 'Tis so with me :-Let us withdraw togetler,

And we may soon our satisfaction have
Touching that point.

Escul. I'll wait upon your honour. [Exeunt.

SCENE II.-A Street.

Enter LUCIO and two GENTLEMEN. Lucio. If the duke with the other dukes

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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.

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 come to

2 Gent. To what, I pray?

1 Gent. Judge.

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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 pray thee? 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 bead'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 madain 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 someA cut of the same cloth.

• Measure.

1 A jest on the loss of hair by the French disease. Corona veneris.

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