And yet, alas, now I remember me, Re-enter CLOWN, with a Letter. A most extracting frenzy of mine own Clo. Truly, madam, he holds Belzebub at the stave's end, as well as a man in his case may do: he has here writ a letter to you, I should have given it you to-day morning; but as a madman's epistles are no gospels, so it skills not much, when they are deliver'd." Oli. Open it, and read it. Clo. Look then to be well edified, when the fool delivers the madman.-By the Lord, madam,— Oli. How now! Art thou mad? Clo. No, madam, I do but read madness: an your ladyship will have it as it ought to be, you must allow vor. Oli. Pr'ythee, read i' thy right wits. Clo. So I do, madonna ; but to read his right wits, is to read thus: therefore perpend, † my princess, and give ear. Oli. Read it you, sirrah. [To Fabian. Fab. [Reads. By the Lord, madam, you wrong me, and the world shall know it; though you have put me into darkness, and given your drunken cousin rule over me, yet have I the benefit of my senses as well as your Ladyship. I have your own letter that induced me to the semblance I put on; with the which I doubt not but to do myself much right, or you much shame. Think of me as you please. I leave my duty a little unthought of, and speak out of my injury. Oli. Did he write this ? And made the most notorious geck, and gull, Oli. Alas, Malvolio, this is not my writing, And in such forms which here were presupposed Fab. Good madam, hear ne speak; Oli. Alas, poor fool! how have they baffled Clo. Why, some are born great, some atchieve greatness, and some have greatness thrown upon them. was one, Sir, in this interlude; one Sir Topas, Sir; but that's all one ;-By the Lord, fool, I am not mad! The madly-used Malvolio.—But do you remember? Madam, why laugh you at such a barren rascal? An you smile not, he's gagg'd: And thus the whirligig of time brings in his revenges. Duke. This savours not much of distraction. My lord, so please you, these things further thought Your master quits you; [To Viola.] and, for your So much against the mettle of your sex, Oli. A sister?-You are she. Re-enter FABIAN, with MALVOL10. Duke. Is this the madman? Oli. Ay, my lord, this same : How now, Malvolio? Mal. Madam, you have done me wrong, Notorious wrong. Oli. Have I, Malvolio? No. Mal. Lady, you have. Pray you, peruse that You must not now deny it is your hand, Why you have given me such clear lights of favour: Why have you suffer'd me to be imprison'd, Mal. I'll be revenged on the whole pack of you. [Exit. Oli. He hath been most notoriously abused. Of our dear souls-Mean time, sweet sister, SONG. Clo. When that I was and a little tiny boy, A foolish thing was but a toy, For the rain it raineth every day. But when I came to man's estate, With hey, ho, the wind and the rain, 'Gainet knave and thief men shut their gate, For the rain it raineth every day. But when I came, alas! to wive, With hey, ho, the wind and the rain, But when I came unto my bed, With hey, ho, the wind and the rain, A great while ago the world begun, MEASURE FOR MEASURE. VINCENTIO, Duke of Vienna. PERSONS REPRESENTED. ANGELO, Lord Deputy in the Duke's absence. CLOWN, Servant to Mrs. Over-done. ESCALUS, an ancient Lord, joined with Angelo in BARNARDINE, a dissolute Prisoner. the deputation. CLAUDIO, a young Gentleman. LUCIO, a Fantastic. Two other like Gentlemen. VARKIUS, a Gentlemao, Servant to the Duke. ISABELLA, Sister to Claudio. FRANCISCA, a Nun. MIS. OVER-DONE, a Bawd. Lords, Gentlemen, Guards, Officers, and other Scene, Vienna. ACT I. SCENE I.—Ân Apartment in the DUKE's Palace. Enter DUKE, ESCALUS, LORDS, and Attendants. Escal. My lord. Duke. Of government the properties to unfold, For common justice, you are as pregnant + in, That we remember: there is our commission, To one that can my part in him advértise; In our remove, be thou at full ourself; Live in thy tongue and heart: old Escalus, Ang. Now, good my lord, Let there be some more test made of my metal, Duke. No more evasion: We have, with a leaven'd and prepared choice, From which we would not have you warp.-Call bi- What doth befal you here. So, fare you well: ther, I say, bid come before us Angelo. [Exit an Attendant. Lent him our terror, drest him with our love; To the hopeful execution do I leave you Ang. Yet, give leave, my lord, That we may bring you something on the way. Nor need you, on mine honour, have to do As to your soul seems good. Give me your hand; But do not like to stage me to their eyes: piness! [Exit. Duke. I thank you: fare you well. A power I have; but of what strength and nature Ang. Tis so with me:-Let us withdraw together, Escal. I'll wait upon your honour. SCENE II.-A Street. [Exeunt. 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 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-piled piece, I warrant thee: I had as lief be a list of an English kersey, as be piled, as thou art piled, for a French velvett. Do I speak feelingly now? Clo. A woman. Bawd. But what's his offence? Clo. Groping for trouts in a peculiar river. Bawd. What, is there a maid with child by him? Clo. No; but there's a woman with maid by him: you have not heard of the proclamation, have you? Bawd. What proclamation, man? Clo. All houses in the suburbs of Vienna must be pluck'd down. Bawd. And what shall become of those in the city? Clo. 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? Clo. To the ground, mistress. Bawd. Why here's a change, indeed, in the commonwealth! What shall become of me? Clo. 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 consider'd. Bawd. What's to do here, Thomas Tapster? Let's withdraw. Clo. Here comes signior Claudio, led by the Provost to prison; and there's madam Juliet. SCENE III.-The Same. LUCIO, and Two GENTLEMEN. [Exeunt. Lucio. I think thou dost; and, indeed, with Enter PROVOST, CLAUDIO, JULIET, and OFFICERS; 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 come 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 has 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 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 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 pro clamation. Claud. Fellow, why dost thou shew me thus to the world? Bear me to prison, where I am committed. Claud. Thus can the demi-god, Authority, Lucio. Why, how now, Claudio? Whence comes this restraint? Claud. From too much liberty, my Lucio, liberty; As surfeit is the father of much fast, So every scope by the immoderate use Turns to restraint: our natures do pursue, (Like rats that ravin+ down their proper bane,) A thirsty evil; and when we drink, we die. 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? Claud. What, but to speak of would offend again. Lucio. Lechery? Claud. Call it so, Prov. Away, Sir; you must go. with you. Claud. One word, good friend :-Lucio, a word [Takes him aside. Lucio. A hundred, if they'll do you any good.→ Is lechery so look'd after? Claud. Thus stands it with me:-Upon a true contract, I got possession of Julietta's bed; A horse whereon the governor doth ride, I stagger in:-But this new governor Awakes me all th' enrolled penalties, wall So long, that nineteen zodiacs have gone round, 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. Claud. 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 : Acquaint her with the danger of my state; Implore her, in my voice, that she make friends To the strict deputy; bid herself assay him; I have great hope in that: for in her youth There is a prones and speechless dialect, Such as moves men; beside, she hath prosperous art When she will play with reason and discourse, Lucio. I pray, she may as well for the encou ragement 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. Claud. I thank you, good friend Lucio, Claud. Come, officer, away. SCENE IV-A Monastery. Enter DUKE and FRIAR THOMAS. [Exeunt. 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 loved the life removed ¶; 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 H and firm abstinence,) Duke. We have strict statutes, and most biting laws, (The needful bits and curbs for headstrong steeds,) Becomes more mock'd than fear'd: so our decrees, The baby beats the nurse, and quite athwart Fri. It rested in your grace To unloose this tied up justice, when you pleased: And it in you more dreadful would have seem'd, Than in lord Angelo. 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, Supply me with the habit, and instruct me Is more to bread than stone: hence shall we see If power change purpose, what our seemers be. [Exeunt, SCENE V.-A Nunnery. Enter ISABELLA and FRANCISCA. Isab. And have you nuns no further privileges? Fran. Are not these large enough? Isab. Yes, truly: I speak not as desiring more; But rather wishing a more strict restraint Upon the sister-hood, the votarists of saint Clare. Lucio. Ho! Peace be in this place! [Within. Isab. Who's that which calls? Fran. It is a man's voice: gentle Isabella, Turn you the key, and know his business of him; You may, I may not; you are yet unsworn: When you have vow'd, you must not speak with men, But in the presence of the prioress: you: Not to be weary with you, he's in prison. Lucio. For that, which if myself might be his judge, He should receive his punishment in thanks: Isab. Sir, make me not your story t. I would not-though 'tis my familiar sin Isab. You do blaspheme the good, in mocking me. 'tis thus: By vain though apt affection. Isab. O, let him marry her! The duke is very strangely gone from hence; By those that know the very nerves of state, His givings out were of an infinite distance On his defence. + Do not make a jest of me. With profits of the mind, study and fast. Lucio. Has censured + him Already; and as I hear, the Provost hath Isab. Alas! What poor ability's în me To do him good? Lucio. Assay the power you have. Isab. My power! Alas! doubt, Lucio. Our doubts are traitors, And make us lose the good we oft might win, And let him learn to know, when maidens sue, As they themselves would owe them. Isab. I will about it straight; No longer staying but to give the mother $ ACT II. [Exeunt. SCENE I-A Hall in ANGELO's House. Enter ANGELO, ESCALUS, a JUSTICE, PRovost, OFFICERS, and other Attendants. Ang. We must not make a scare-crow of the law, Setting it up to fear the birds of prey, And let it keep one shape, till custom make it Escal. Ay, but yet Let us be keen, and rather cut a little, Than fall, and bruise to death: Alas! this gentleman, Whom I would save, had a most noble father. Let but your honour know¶, (Whom I believe to be most straight in virtue,) Or that the resolute acting of your blood Ang. 'Tis one thing to be tempted, Escalus, The jury passing on the prisoner's life, May, in the sworn twelve, have a thief or two Guiltier than him they try: what's open made to justice, That justice seizes. What know the laws, nant, # The jewel that we find we stoop and take it, Ang. Where is the Provost ? Prov. Here, if it like your honour, Be executed by nine to-morrow morning: Bring him his confessor, let him be prepared [Exit Provost. Escal. Well, heaven forgive him! and forgive us all! Some rise by sin, and some by virtue fall: Power of gaining favour. * Have. • Suited. Because. Abbess. | Scare. Pass judgment. BR Sentence. + Sentenced. Examine. # Plain. Some run from brakes⚫ of vice, and answer none, And some condemned for a fault alone. Enter ELBOW, FROTH, CLOWN, OFFICERS, &c. Elb. Come bring them away: if these be good people in a common weal t, that do nothing but use their abuses in common houses, I know no law: bring them away. Ang. How now, Sir! What's your name? And what's the matter? 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. Escal. 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 ? Clo. He cannot, Sir; he's out at elbow. Ang. What are you, Sir? Elb. He, Sir? A tapster, Sir; 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. Escal. How know you that? Elb. My wife, Sir, whom I detest¶ before heaven and your honour, Escal. How! Thy wife? Elb. Ay, Sir; whom, I thank heaven, is an honest woman; Escal. Dost thon 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. Escal. 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 in fornication, adultery, and all uncleanliness there. Escal. By the woman's means? Elb. Ay, Sir, by mistress Over-done's means: but as she spit in his face, so she defied him. Clo. Sir, if it please your honour, this is not so. Elb. Prove it before these varlets here, thou ho nourable man, prove it. Escal. Do you hear how he misplaces? [To Angelo. Clo. 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 fruitdish, a dish of some three-pence; your honours have seen such dishes; they are not China dishes, but very good dishes. : Escal. Go to, go to; no matter for the dish, Sir. Clo. 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 say, with child, and being great bellied, 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;-fo, as you know, master Froth, I could not give you three-pence again. Froth. All this is true. Clo. Why, very well then. Escal. 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. Clo. Sir, your honour cannot come to that yet. Clo. Sir, but you shall come to it, by your honour's Thickest, thorny paths of vice. + Wealth. |