[Transcriber's Note:
This text of _Measure for Measure_ is from Volume I of the nine-volume
1863 Cambridge edition of Shakespeare. The Preface (e-text 23041) and
the other plays from this volume are each available as separate
e-texts.
General Notes are in their original location at the end of the play.
Text-critical notes are grouped at the end of each Scene. All line
numbers are from the original text; line breaks in dialogue--including
prose passages--are unchanged. Brackets are also unchanged; to avoid
ambiguity, footnotes and linenotes are given without added brackets.
In the notes, numerals printed as subscripts are shown inline as
F1, F2, Q1...
Texts cited in the Notes are listed at the end of the e-text.]
THE WORKS
of
WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE
Edited by
WILLIAM GEORGE CLARK, M.A.
Fellow and Tutor of Trinity College, and Public Orator
in the University of Cambridge;
and JOHN GLOVER, M.A.
Librarian Of Trinity College, Cambridge.
_VOLUME I._
Cambridge and London:
MACMILLAN AND CO.
1863.
MEASURE FOR MEASURE.
DRAMATIS PERSONÆ[1].
VINCENTIO, the Duke.
ANGELO, Deputy.
ESCALUS, an ancient Lord.
CLAUDIO, a young gentleman.
LUCIO, a fantastic.
Two other gentlemen.
PROVOST.
THOMAS, } two friars.
PETER, }
A Justice[2].
VARRIUS[2].
ELBOW, a simple constable.
FROTH, a foolish gentleman.
POMPEY, servant to Mistress Overdone[3].
ABHORSON, an executioner.
BARNARDINE, a dissolute prisoner.
ISABELLA, sister to Claudio.
MARIANA, betrothed to Angelo.
JULIET, beloved of Claudio.
FRANCISCA, a nun.
MISTRESS OVERDONE, a bawd.
Lords, Officers, Citizens, Boy, and Attendants[2].
SCENE--_Vienna_.
FOOTNOTES:
1: DRAMATIS PERSONÆ] THE NAMES OF ALL THE ACTORS Ff
(added at the end of the play).
2: Omitted in Ff.
3: Clowne. Ff.
MEASURE FOR MEASURE.
ACT I.
SCENE I. _An apartment in the DUKE'S palace._
_Enter DUKE, ESCALUS, _Lords_ and _Attendants_._
_Duke._ Escalus.
_Escal._ My lord.
_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 5
Exceeds, in that, the lists of all advice
My strength can give you: then no more remains,
But that to your sufficiency . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . as your worth is able,
And let them work. The nature of our people, 10
Our city's institutions, and the terms
For common justice, you're as pregnant in
As art and practice hath enriched any
That we remember. There is our commission,
From which we would not have you warp. Call hither, 15
I say, bid come before us Angelo. [_Exit an Attendant._
What figure of us think you he will bear?
For you must know, we have with special soul
Elected him our absence to supply;
Lent him our terror, dress'd him with our love, 20
And given his deputation all the organs
Of our own power: what think you of it?
_Escal._ If any in Vienna be of worth
To undergo such ample grace and honour,
It is Lord Angelo.
_Duke._ Look where he comes. 25
_Enter ANGELO._
_Ang._ Always obedient to your Grace's will,
I come to know your pleasure.
_Duke._ Angelo,
There is a kind of character in thy life,
That to th' observer doth thy history
Fully unfold. Thyself and thy belongings 30
Are not thine own so proper, as to waste
Thyself upon thy virtues, they 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 35
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, 40
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 45
Live in thy tongue and heart: old Escalus,
Though first in question, is thy secondary.
Take thy commission.
_Ang._ Now, good my lord,
Let there be some more test made of my metal,
Before so noble and so great a figure 50
Be stamp'd upon it.
_Duke._ No more evasion:
We have with a leaven'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 55
Matters of needful value. We shall write to you,
As time and our concernings shall importune,
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 60
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, 65
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 70
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 purposes!
_Escal._ Lead forth and bring you back in happiness! 75
_Duke._ I thank you. Fare you well. [_Exit._
_Escal._ 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 80
I am not yet instructed.
_Ang._ 'Tis so with me. Let us withdraw together,
And we may soon our satisfaction have
Touching that point.
_Escal._ I'll wait upon your honour. [_Exeunt._
NOTES: I, 1.
SCENE I. Lords and Attendants.] Singer. Lords. Ff. and Attendants.
Capell.
5: _put_] _not_ Pope. _apt_ Collier MS.
7, 8: _remains, But that_] _remains; Put that_ Rowe.
8, 9: _But that to your sufficiency ..._]
_But that to your sufficiency you add Due diligency ..._
Theobald conj.
_But that to your sufficiency you joyn A will to serve us ..._
Hanmer.
_But that to your sufficiency you put A zeal as willing ..._
Tyrwhitt conj.
_But that to your sufficiencies your worth is abled_ Johnson conj.
_But your sufficiency as worth is able_ Farmer conj.
_Your sufficiency ... able_ Steevens conj.
_But that your sufficiency be as your worth is stable_ Becket conj.
_But state to your sufficiency ..._ Jackson conj.
_But thereto your sufficiency ..._ Singer.
_But add to your sufficiency your worth_ Collier MS.
_But that_ [tendering his commission] _to your sufficiency. And, as
your worth is able, let them work_ Staunton conj.
_But that to your sufficiency I add Commission ample_ Spedding conj.
See note (I).
11: _city's_] _cities_ Ff.
16: [Exit an Attendant.] Capell.
18: _soul_] _roll_ Warburton. _seal_ Johnson conj.
22: _what_] _say, what_ Pope.
25: SCENE II. Pope.
27: _your pleasure_] F1. _your Graces pleasure_ F2 F3 F4.
28: _life_] _look_ Johnson conj.
28, 29: _character ... history_] _history ... character_
Monck Mason conj.
32: _they_] _them_ Hanmer.
35, 36: _all alike As if we_] _all as if We_ Hanmer.
37: _nor_] om. Pope.
42: _my part in him_] _in my part me_ Hanmer. _my part to him_
Johnson conj. _in him, my part_ Becket conj.
43: _Hold therefore, Angelo:--_] _Hold therefore, Angelo:_ [Giving
him his commission] Hanmer. _Hold therefore. Angelo,_ Tyrwhitt conj.
_Hold therefore, Angelo, our place and power:_ Grant White.
45: _Mortality_] _Morality_ Pope.
51: _upon it_] _upon 't_ Capell.
_No more_] _Come, no more_ Pope.
52: _leaven'd and prepared_] Ff. _leven'd and prepar'd_ Rowe.
_prepar'd and leaven'd_ Pope. _prepar'd and level'd_ Warburton.
_prepar'd unleaven'd_ Heath conj.
56: _to you_] om. Hanmer.
61: _your commissions_] F1. _your commission_ F2 F3 F4.
_our commission_ Pope.
66: _laws_] _law_ Pope.
76: [Exit.] F2. [Exit. (after line 75) F1.
84: _your_] _you_ F2.
SCENE II. _A street._
_Enter LUCIO and two _Gentlemen_._
_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.
_First Gent._ Heaven grant us its peace, but not the
King of Hungary's! 5
_Sec. Gent._ Amen.
_Lucio._ Thou concludest like the sanctimonious pirate,
that went to sea with the Ten Commandments, but scraped
one out of the table.
_Sec. Gent._ 'Thou shalt not steal'? 10
_Lucio._ Ay, that he razed.
_First 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, do relish the petition well that 15
prays for peace.
_Sec. Gent._ I never heard any soldier dislike it.
_Lucio._ I believe thee; for I think thou never wast
where grace was said.
_Sec. Gent._ No? a dozen times at least. 20
_First Gent._ What, in metre?
_Lucio._ In any proportion or in any language.
_First 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 25
villain, despite of all grace.
_First Gent._ Well, there went but a pair of shears between
us.
_Lucio._ I grant; as there may between the lists and the
velvet. Thou art the list. 30
_First Gent._ And thou the velvet: thou art good velvet;
thou'rt 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 velvet. Do I speak feelingly now?
_Lucio._ I think thou dost; and, indeed, with most painful 35
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.
_First Gent._ I think I have done myself wrong, have
I not? 40
_Sec. 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-- 45
_Sec. Gent._ To what, I pray?
_Lucio._ Judge.
_Sec. Gent._ To three thousand dolours a year.
_First Gent._ Ay, and more.
_Lucio._ A French crown more. 50
_First 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. 55
_Enter MISTRESS OVERDONE._
_First Gent._ How now! which of your hips has the
most profound sciatica?
_Mrs Ov._ Well, well; there's one yonder arrested and
carried to prison was worth five thousand of you all.
_Sec. Gent._ Who's that, I pray thee? 60
_Mrs Ov._ Marry, sir, that's Claudio, Signior Claudio.
_First Gent._ Claudio to prison? 'tis not so.
_Mrs Ov._ Nay, but I know 'tis so: I saw him arrested;
saw him carried away; and, which is more, within these
three days his head to be chopped off. 65
_Lucio._ But, after all this fooling, I would not have it
so. Art thou sure of this?
_Mrs Ov._ 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 70
me two hours since, and he was ever precise in promise-keeping.
_Sec. Gent._ Besides, you know, it draws something near
to the speech we had to such a purpose.
_First Gent._ But, most of all, agreeing with the proclamation. 75
_Lucio._ Away! let's go learn the truth of it.
[_Exeunt Lucio and Gentlemen._
_Mrs Ov._ Thus, what with the war, what with the
sweat, what with the gallows, and what with poverty, I am
custom-shrunk. 80
_Enter POMPEY._
How now! what's the news with you?
_Pom._ Yonder man is carried to prison.
_Mrs Ov._ Well; what has he done?
_Pom._ A woman.
_Mrs Ov._ But what's his offence? 85
_Pom._ Groping for trouts in a peculiar river.
_Mrs Ov._ What, is there a maid with child by him?
_Pom._ No, but there's a woman with maid by him.
You have not heard of the proclamation, have you?
_Mrs Ov._ What proclamation, man? 90
_Pom._ All houses in the suburbs of Vienna must be
plucked down.
_Mrs Ov._ And what shall become of those in the city?
_Pom._ They shall stand for seed: they had gone down
too, but that a wise burgher put in for them. 95
_Mrs Ov._ But shall all our houses of resort in the suburbs
be pulled down?
_Pom._ To the ground, mistress.
_Mrs Ov._ Why, here's a change indeed in the commonwealth!
What shall become of me? 100
_Pom._ 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. 105
_Mrs Ov._ What's to do here, Thomas tapster? let's
withdraw.
_Pom._ Here comes Signior Claudio, led by the provost
to prison; and there's Madam Juliet. [_Exeunt._
_Enter PROVOST, CLAUDIO, JULIET, and _Officers_._
_Claud._ Fellow, why dost thou show me thus to the world? 110
Bear me to prison, where I am committed.
_Prov._ I do it not in evil disposition,
But from Lord Angelo by special charge.
_Claud._ Thus can the demigod Authority
Make us pay down for our offence by weight 115
The words of heaven;--on whom it will, it will;
On whom it will not, so; yet still 'tis just.
_Re-enter LUCIO and two _Gentlemen_._
_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, 120
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 125
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._ What, is't murder? 130
_Claud._ No.
_Lucio._ Lechery?
_Claud._ Call it so.
_Prov._ Away, sir! you must go.
_Claud._ One word, good friend. Lucio, a word with you. 135
_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:
You know the lady; she is fast my wife, 140
Save that we do the denunciation lack
Of outward order: this we came not to,
Only for propagation of a dower
Remaining in the coffer of her friends;
From whom we thought it meet to hide our love 145
Till time had made them for us. But it chances
The stealth of our most mutual entertainment
With character too gross is writ on Juliet.
_Lucio._ With child, perhaps?
_Claud._ Unhappily, even so.
And the new Deputy now for the Duke,-- 150
Whether it be the fault and glimpse of newness,
Or whether that the body public be
A horse whereon the governor doth ride,
Who, newly in the seat, that it may know
He can command, lets it straight feel the spur; 155
Whether the tyranny be in his place,
Or in his eminence that fills it up.
I stagger in:--but this new governor
Awakes me all the enrolled penalties
Which have, like unscour'd armour, hung by the wall
So long, that nineteen zodiacs have gone round,
And none of them been worn; and, for a name,
Now puts the drowsy and neglected act
Freshly on me: 'tis surely for a name.
_Lucio._ I warrant it is: and thy head stands so tickle 165
on thy shoulders, that a milkmaid, 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 prithee, Lucio, do me this kind service:
This day my sister should the cloister enter 170
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 175
There is a prone and speechless dialect,
Such as move men; beside, she hath prosperous art
When she will play with reason and discourse,
And well she can persuade.
_Lucio._ I pray she may; as well for the encouragement 180
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. 185
_Lucio._ Within two hours.
_Claud._ Come, officer, away!
[_Exeunt._
NOTES: I, 2.
SCENE II.] SCENE III. Pope.
12: First Gent. _Why, 'twas_] 1. Gent. _Why? 'twas_ Ff.
First Gent. _Why?_ Luc. _'Twas_ Singer.
15: _before_] _after_ Hanmer. See note (II).
_do_] _doth_ Hanmer. _does_ Warburton.
22-26: Lucio. _In any proportion ... language._ First Gent. _I think
... religion._ Lucio. _Ay, why not?... all grace._] Lucio. _Not in
any profession ... language, I ... religion._ 2. Gent. _And why
not?... controversy._ Lucio. _As for ... all grace._ Hanmer.
See note (III).
29: _lists_] _list_ Anon. conj.
42: Here Ff have _Enter Bawde_, transferred by Theobald to line 56.
43: SCENE IV. Pope. Bawd coming at a distance. Hanmer.
44: _I have_] 1. Gent. _I have_ Pope (ed. 2). _He has_ Halliwell.
48: _dolours_] Rowe. _dollours_ Ff. _dollars_ Pope.
56: SCENE IV. Johnson.
65: _head_] _head is_ Rowe. _head's_ Capell.
81: SCENE V. Pope.
88: _with maid_] _with-made_ Seymour conj.
91: _houses_] _bawdy houses_ Tyrwhitt conj.
96: _all_] om. Pope.
110: SCÆNA TERTIA. Ff.
Juliet] Ff. Gaoler. Halliwell. om. Collier MS. See note (IV).
[Transcriber's Note:
Pope's Scene I.VI is not mentioned, but presumably begins here.]
113: _Lord_] om. F2 F3 F4.
115: _offence_] _offence'_ (for _offences_) S. Walker conj.
115, 116: _by weight The words_] Ff. _by weight; I' th' words_ Hanmer.
_by weight. The words_ Warburton (after Davenant).
_by weight--The sword_ Roberts conj. _by weight The word_ Halliwell.
_by weight.--The word's_ Becket conj. _by weight--The works_
Jackson conj. See note (V).
117: _yet still 'tis just_] _yet 'tis just still_ S. Walker conj.
121: _every scope_] _liberty_ Wheeler MS.
124: _A thirsty evil_] _An evil thirst_ Davenant's version.
_A thirsted evil_ Spedding conj.
128: _morality_] Rowe (after Davenant). _mortality_ Ff.
141: _denunciation_] _pronunciation_ Collier MS.
143: _propagation_] F2 F3 F4. _propogation_ F1. _prorogation_
Malone conj. _procuration_ Jackson conj. _preservation_ Grant White.
147: _most_] om. Hanmer.
148: _on_] F1. _in_ F2 F3 F4.
151: _fault and_] _flash and_ Johnson conj. _foult or_ Id. conj.
_foil and_ Anon. conj. _fault and_] _flash and_ Johnson conj.
_fault or_ Id. conj. _foil and_ Anon. conj.
_glimpse_] _guise_ Anon. conj.
161: _nineteen_] _fourteen_ Whalley conj.
165: _it is_] _so it is_ Hanmer (who prints line 165-167 as four
verses ending _stands, milkmaid, off, him._
166: _she be_] _she be but_ Hanmer.
173: _voice_] _name_ Wheler MS.
175: _youth_] _zenith_ Johnson conj.
176: _prone_] _prompt_ Johnson conj. _pow'r_ Id. conj. _proue_
Becket conj.
177: _move_] Ff. _moves_ Rowe.
_beside_] _besides_ Capell.
181: _under_] F1. _upon_ F2 F3 F4. _on_ Hanmer, who prints 179-185
as six verses ending _may, like, imposition, be, tick-tack, Lucio._
_imposition_] _inquisition_ Johnson conj. (withdrawn).
182: _the enjoying of_] om. Hanmer.
_who I would_] _which I'd_ Hanmer.
184: _her_] _her strait_ Hanmer.
SCENE III. _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 5
Of burning youth.
_Fri. T._ 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. 10
I have deliver'd to Lord Angelo,
A man of stricture and firm abstinence,
My absolute power and place here in Vienna,
And he supposes me travell'd to Poland;
For so I have strew'd it in the common ear, 15
And so it is received. Now, pious sir,
You will demand of me why I do this?
_Fri. T._ Gladly, my lord.
_Duke._ We have strict statutes and most biting laws,
The needful bits and curbs to headstrong weeds, 20
Which for this fourteen years we have let slip;
Even like an o'ergrown lion in a cave,
That goes not out to prey. Now, as fond fathers,
Having bound up the threatening twigs of birch,
Only to stick it in their children's sight 25
For terror, not to use, in time the rod
Becomes more mock'd than fear'd; so our decrees.
Dead to infliction, to themselves are dead;
And liberty plucks justice by the nose;
The baby beats the nurse, and quite athwart 30
Goes all decorum.
_Fri. T._ 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, 35
'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,
I have on Angelo imposed the office; 40
Who may, in the ambush of my name, strike home,
And yet my nature never in the fight
To do in slander. And to behold his sway,
I will, as 'twere a brother of your order,
Visit both prince and people: therefore, I prithee, 45
Supply me with the habit, and instruct me
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;
Only, this one: Lord Angelo is precise; 50
Stands at a guard with envy; scarce confesses
That his blood flows, or that his appetite
Is more to bread than stone: hence shall we see,
If power change purpose, what our seemers be. [_Exeunt._
NOTES: I, 3.
SCENE III.] SCENA QUARTA Ff. SCENE VII. Pope.
3: _bosom_] _breast_ Pope.
10: _and witless_] F2 F3 F4. _witless_ F1. _with witless_ Edd. conj.
_keeps_] _keep_ Hammer.
12: _stricture_] _strictness_ Davenant's version. _strict ure_
Warburton.
15: _For_] _Far_ F2.
20: _to_] F1. _for_ F2 F3 F4.
_weeds_] Ff. _steeds_ Theobald. _wills_ S. Walker conj.
21: _this_] _these_ Theobald.
_fourteen_] _nineteen_ Theobald.
_slip_] Ff. _sleep_ Theobald (after Davenant).
25: _to_] _do_ Dent. MS.
26: _terror_] F1. _errour_ F2 F3 F4.
26, 27: _the rod Becomes more ... decrees_] Pope (after Davenant).
_the rod More ... decrees_ Ff. _the rod's More ... most just
decrees_ Collier MS.
27: _mock'd_] _markt_ Davenant's version.
34: _do_] om. Pope.
37: _be done_] om. Pope.
39: _the_] _their_ Dyce conj.
_indeed_] om. Pope.
42, 43: _fight To do in slander_] _sight To do in slander_ Pope.
_fight So do in slander_ Theobald. _sight To do it slander_ Hanmer.
_sight, So doing slander'd_ Johnson conj.
_sight To draw on slander_ Collier MS.
_right To do him slander_ Singer conj.
_light To do it slander_ Dyce conj.
_fight To do me slander_ Halliwell.
_win the fight To die in slander_ Staunton conj.
_never ... slander_] _ever in the fight To dole in slander_
Jackson conj.
43: _And_] om. Pope.
45: _I_] om. Pope.
47: _in person bear me_] Capell. _in person beare_ Ff.
_my person bear_ Pope.
49: _our_] F1. _your_ F2 F3 F4.
SCENE IV. _A nunnery._
_Enter ISABELLA and FRANCISCA._
_Isab._ And have you nuns no farther 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 sisterhood, the votarists of Saint Clare. 5
_Lucio_ [_within_]. Ho! Peace be in this place!
_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 10
But in the presence of the prioress:
Then, if you speak, you must not show your face;
Or, if you show your face, you must not speak.
He calls again; I pray you, answer him. [_Exit._
_Isab._ Peace and prosperity! Who is't that calls? 15
_Enter LUCIO._
_Lucio._ Hail, virgin, if you be, as those cheek-roses
Proclaim you are no less! Can you so stead me
As bring me to the sight of Isabella,
A novice of this place, and the fair sister
To her unhappy brother Claudio? 20
_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. 25
_Isab._ Woe me! for what?
_Lucio._ For that which, if myself might be his judge,
He should receive his punishment in thanks:
He hath got his friend with child.
_Isab._ Sir, make me not your story.
_Lucio._ It is true. 30
I would not--though 'tis my familiar sin
With maids to seem the lapwing, and to jest,
Tongue far from heart--play with all virgins so:
I hold you as a thing ensky'd and sainted;
By your renouncement, an immortal spirit; 35
And to be talk'd with in sincerity,
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 embraced: 40
As those that feed grow full,--as blossoming time,
That from the seedness the bare fallow brings
To teeming foison,--even so her plenteous womb
Expresseth his full tilth and husbandry.
_Isab._ Some one with child by him?--My cousin Juliet? 45
_Lucio._ Is she your cousin?
_Isab._ Adoptedly; as school-maids change their names
By vain, though apt, affection.
_Lucio._ She it is.
_Isab._ O, let him marry her.
_Lucio._ This is the point.
The duke is very strangely gone from hence; 50
Bore many gentlemen, myself being one,
In hand, and hope of action: but we do learn
By those that know the very nerves of state,
His givings-out were of an infinite distance
From his true-meant design. Upon his place, 55
And with full line of his authority,
Governs Lord Angelo; a man whose blood
Is very snow-broth; one who never feels
The wanton stings and motions of the sense,
But doth rebate and blunt his natural edge 60
With profits of the mind, study and fast.
He--to give fear to use and liberty,
Which have for long run by the hideous law,
As mice by lions--hath pick'd out an act,
Under whose heavy sense your brother's life 65
Falls into forfeit: he arrests him on it;
And follows close the rigour of the statute,
To make him an example. All hope is gone,
Unless you have the grace by your fair prayer
To soften Angelo: and that's my pith of business 70
'Twixt you and your poor brother.
_Isab._ Doth he so seek his life?
_Lucio._ Has censured him
Already; and, as I hear, the provost hath
A warrant for his execution.
_Isab._ Alas! what poor ability's in me 75
To do him good?
_Lucio._ Assay the power you have.
_Isab._ My power? Alas, I doubt,--
_Lucio._ Our doubts are traitors,
And make us lose the good we oft might win
By fearing to attempt. Go to Lord Angelo,
And let him learn to know, when maidens sue, 80
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.
_Isab._ I will about it straight; 85
No longer staying but to give the Mother
Notice of my affair. I humbly thank you:
Commend me to my brother: soon at night
I'll send him certain word of my success.
_Lucio._ I take my leave of you.
_Isab._ Good sir, adieu. 90
[_Exeunt._
NOTES: I, 4.
SCENE IV.] SCENA QUINTA Ff. SCENE VIII. Pope.
5: _sisterhood, the votarists_] _sister votarists_ Pope.
27: _For that which_] _That for which_ Malone conj.
30: _make me not your story_] _mock me not:--your story_ Malone.
_make me not your scorn_ Collier MS. (after Davenant).
_make ... sport_ Singer.
_It is true_] Steevens. _'Tis true_ Ff. om. Pope.
_Nay, tis true_ Capell.
31: _I would not_] Malone puts a full stop here.
40: _have_] _having_ Rowe.
42: _That ... brings_] _Doth ... bring_ Hanmer.
_seedness_] _seeding_ Collier MS.
44: _his_] _its_ Hanmer.
49: _O, let him_] F1. _Let him_ F2 F3 F4. _Let him then_ Pope.
50: _is_] _who's_ Collier MS.
52: _and_] _with_ Johnson conj.
_do_] om. Pope.
54: _givings-out_] Rowe. _giving-out_ Ff.
60: _his_] _it's_ Capell.
63: _for long_] _long time_ Pope.
68: _hope is_] _hope's_ Pope.
70: _pith of business 'Twixt_] _pith Of business betwixt_ Hanmer.
See note (VI).
_pith of_] om. Pope.
72: _so seek_] _so, Seeke_ Ff. _so? seek_ Edd. conj.
_Has_] _H'as_ Theobald.
71-75: Ff end the lines thus:-- _so,--already--warrant--poor--good._
Capell first gave the arrangement in the text.
73: _as_] om. Hanmer.
74: _A warrant for his_] _a warrant For's_ Ff.
78: _make_] Pope. _makes_ Ff.
82: _freely_] F1. _truely_ F2 F3 F4.
Enter _Provost_ inserted by Capell.
ACT II.
SCENE I. _A hall in ANGELO'S house._
_Enter ANGELO, ESCALUS, and a _Justice, Provost, Officers_,
and other _Attendants_, behind._
_Ang._ We must not make a scarecrow of the law,
Setting it up to fear the birds of prey,
And let it keep one shape, till custom make it
Their perch, and not their terror.
_Escal._ Ay, but yet
Let us be keen, and rather cut a little, 5
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 strait in virtue,
That, in the working of your own affections, 10
Had time cohered with place or place with wishing,
Or that the resolute acting of your blood
Could have attain'd the effect of your own purpose,
Whether you had not sometime in your life
Err'd in this point which now you censure him, 15
And pull'd the law upon you.
_Ang._ 'Tis one thing to be tempted, Escalus,
Another thing to fall. I not deny,
The jury, passing on the prisoner's life,
May in the sworn twelve have a thief or two 20
Guiltier than him they try. What's open made to justice,
That justice seizes: what know the laws
That theives do pass on thieves? 'Tis very pregnant,
The jewel that we find, we stoop and take't,
Because we see it; but what we do not see 25
We tread upon, and never think of it.
You may not so extenuate his offence
For I have had such faults; but rather tell me,
When I, that censure him, do so offend,
Let mine own judgement pattern out my death, 30
And nothing come in partial. Sir, he must die.
_Escal._ Be it as your wisdom will.
_Ang._ Where is the provost?
_Prov._ Here, if it like your honour.
_Ang._ See that Claudio
Be executed by nine to-morrow morning:
Bring him his confessor, let him be prepared; 35
For that's the utmost of his pilgrimage. [_Exit Provost._
_Escal._ [_Aside_] Well, heaven forgive him! and forgive us all!
Some rise by sin, and some by virtue fall:
Some run from brakes of ice, and answer none;
And some condemned for a fault alone. 40
_Enter ELBOW, and _Officers_ with FROTH and POMPEY._
_Elb._ Come, bring them away: if these be good people
in a commonweal 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? 45
_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? 50
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. 55
_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?
_Pom._ He cannot, sir; he's out at elbow.
_Ang._ What are you, sir? 60
_Elb._ He, sir! a tapster, sir; parcel-bawd; one that
serves a bad woman; whose house, sir, was, as they say,
plucked 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? 65
_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,-- 70
_Escal._ 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.
_Escal._ How dost thou know that, constable? 75
_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 Overdone's means: but as she 80
spit in his face, so she defied him.
_Pom._ Sir, if it please your honour, this is not so.
_Elb._ Prove it before these varlets here, thou honourable
man; prove it.
_Escal._ Do you hear how he misplaces? 85
_Pom._ Sir, she came in great with child; and longing,
saving your honour's reverence, for stewed 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 90
dishes, but very good dishes,--
_Escal._ Go to, go to: no matter for the dish, sir.
_Pom._ 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 95
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 three-pence again. 100
_Froth._ No, indeed.
_Pom._ Very well;--you being then, if you be remembered,
cracking the stones of the foresaid prunes,--
_Froth._ Ay, so I did indeed.
_Pom._ Why, very well; I telling you then, if you be remembered, 105
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.
_Pom._ Why, very well, then,-- 110
_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.
_Pom._ Sir, your honour cannot come to that yet.
_Escal._ No, sir, nor I mean it not. 115
_Pom._ 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 Hallowmas, Master Froth?--
_Froth._ All-hallond eve. 120
_Pom._ Why, very well; I hope here be truths. He, sir,
sitting, as I say, 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 125
good for winter.
_Pom._ 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; 130
Hoping you'll find good cause to whip them all.
_Escal._ I think no less. Good morrow to your lordship.
[_Exit Angelo._
Now, sir, come on: what was done to Elbow's wife, once
more?
_Pom._ Once, sir? there was nothing done to her once. 135
_Elb._ I beseech you, sir, ask him what this man did
to my wife.
_Pom._ I beseech your honour, ask me.
_Escal._ Well, sir; what did this gentleman to her?
_Pom._ I beseech you, sir, look in this gentleman's face. 140
Good Master Froth, look upon his honour; 'tis for a good
purpose. Doth your honour mark his face?
_Escal._ Ay, sir, very well.
_Pom._ Nay, I beseech you, mark it well.
_Escal._ Well, I do so. 145
_Pom._ Doth your honour see any harm in his face?
_Escal._ Why, no.
_Pom._ I'll be supposed upon a book, his face is the
worst thing about him. Good, then; if his face be the worst
thing about him, how could Master Froth do the constable's 150
wife any harm? I would know that of your honour.
_Escal._ He's in the right. Constable, what say you to it?
_Elb._ First, an it like you, the house is a respected
house; next, this is a respected fellow; and his mistress is
a respected woman. 155
_Pom._ By this hand, sir, his wife is a more respected
person than any of us all.
_Elb._ Varlet, thou liest; thou liest, wicked varlet! the
time is yet to come that she was ever respected with
man, woman, or child. 160
_Pom._ Sir, she was respected with him before he married
with her.
_Escal._ Which is the wiser here? Justice or Iniquity?
Is this true?
_Elb._ O thou caitiff! O thou varlet! O thou wicked 165
Hannibal! I respected with her before I was married to
her! If ever I was respected with her, or she with me, let
not your worship think me the poor duke's officer. Prove
this, thou wicked Hannibal, or I'll have mine action of battery
on thee. 170
_Escal._ If he took you a box o' th' ear, you might have
your action of slander too.
_Elb._ Marry, I thank your good worship for it. What
is't your worship's pleasure I shall do with this wicked
caitiff? 175
_Escal._ Truly, officer, because he hath some offences in
him that thou wouldst discover if thou couldst, let him continue
in his courses till thou knowest what they are.
_Elb._ Marry, I thank your worship for it. Thou seest,
thou wicked varlet, now, what's come upon thee: thou art 180
to continue now, thou varlet; thou art to continue.
_Escal._ Where were you born, friend?
_Froth._ Here in Vienna, sir.
_Escal._ Are you of fourscore pounds a year?
_Froth._ Yes, an't please you, sir. 185
_Escal._ So. What trade are you of, sir?
_Pom._ A tapster; a poor widow's tapster.
_Escal._ Your mistress' name?
_Pom._ Mistress Overdone.
_Escal._ Hath she had any more than one husband? 190
_Pom._ Nine, sir; Overdone by the last.
_Escal._ Nine! Come hither to me, Master Froth.
Master Froth, I would not have you acquainted with tapsters:
they will draw you, Master Froth, and you will hang
them. Get you gone, and let me hear no more of you. 195
_Froth._ I thank your worship. For mine own part, I
never come into any room in a taphouse, but I am drawn in.
_Escal._ Well, no more of it, Master Froth: farewell.
[_Exit Froth._] Come you hither to me, Master tapster.
What's your name, Master tapster? 200
_Pom._ Pompey.
_Escal._ What else?
_Pom._ Bum, sir.
_Escal._ Troth, and your bum is the greatest thing about
you; so that, in the beastliest sense, you are Pompey the 205
Great. Pompey, you are partly a bawd, Pompey, howsoever
you colour it in being a tapster, are you not? come,
tell me true: it shall be the better for you.
_Pom._ Truly, sir, I am a poor fellow that would live.
_Escal._ How would you live, Pompey? by being a 210
bawd? What do you think of the trade, Pompey? is it a
lawful trade?
_Pom._ If the law would allow it, sir.
_Escal._ But the law will not allow it, Pompey; nor it
shall not be allowed in Vienna. 215
_Pom._ Does your worship mean to geld and splay all
the youth of the city?
_Escal._ No, Pompey.
_Pom._ Truly, sir, in my poor opinion, they will to't,
then. If your worship will take order for the drabs and 220
the knaves, you need not to fear the bawds.
_Escal._ There are pretty orders beginning, I can tell
you: it is but heading and hanging.
_Pom._ If you head and hang all that offend that way
but for ten year together,
you'll be glad to give out a commission 225
for more heads: if this law hold in Vienna ten year,
I'll rent the fairest house in it after three-pence a bay: if
you live to see this come to pass, say Pompey told you so.
_Escal._ Thank you, good Pompey; and, in requital of
your prophecy, hark you: I advise you, let me not find 230
you before me again upon any complaint whatsoever; no,
not for dwelling where you do: if I do, Pompey, I shall
beat you to your tent, and prove a shrewd Cæsar to you;
in plain dealing, Pompey, I shall have you whipt: so, for
this time, Pompey, fare you well. 235
_Pom._ I thank your worship for your good counsel:
[_Aside_] but I shall follow it as the flesh and fortune shall
better determine.
Whip me? No, no; let carman whip his jade:
The valiant heart is not whipt out of his trade. [_Exit._ 240
_Escal._ Come hither to me, Master Elbow; come hither,
Master constable. How long have you been in this place
of constable?
_Elb._ Seven year and a half, sir.
_Escal._ I thought, by your readiness in the office, you had 245
continued in it some time. You say, seven years together?
_Elb._ And a half, sir.
_Escal._ Alas, it hath been great pains to you. They
do you wrong to put you so oft upon't: are there not men
in your ward sufficient to serve it? 250
_Elb._ Faith, sir, few of any wit in such matters: as
they are chosen, they are glad to choose me for them; I
do it for some piece of money, and go through with all.
_Escal._ Look you bring me in the names of some six
or seven, the most sufficient of your parish. 255
_Elb._ To your worship's house, sir?
_Escal._ To my house. Fare you well. [_Exit Elbow._
What's o'clock, think you?
_Just._ Eleven, sir.
_Escal._ I pray you home to dinner with me. 260
_Just._ I humbly thank you.
_Escal._ It grieves me for the death of Claudio;
But there's no remedy.
_Just._ Lord Angelo is severe.
_Escal._ It is but needful:
Mercy is not itself, that oft looks so; 265
Pardon is still the nurse of second woe:
But yet,--poor Claudio! There is no remedy.
Come, sir. [_Exeunt._
NOTES: II, 1.
6: _fall_] _fell_ Warburton conj.
8, 9, 10: _Let ... That, in the_] _Let ... whom I believe To ...
whether in The_ Hanmer. _Let ... whom I believe To ... virtue,
and consider This, in the_ Capell.
12: _your_] Rowe (after Davenant) _our_ Ff.
15: _which now you censure him_] _you censure now in him_ Hanmer.
_which now you censure him for_ Capell.
_where now you censure him_ Grant White.
19: _the_] _a_ Collier MS.
22: _justice seizes_] _justice ceizes_ Ff. _justice seizes on_ Pope.
_it seizes on_ Hanmer.
_know_] Pope. _knowes_ F1 F2. _knows_ F3 F4.
23: _very_] om. Hanmer, ending lines 21, 22, 23 at _made--
seizes on-- pregnant._
31: _Sir_] om. Pope.
31: After this line Ff have 'Enter Provost.'
36: [Exit Provost] Rowe. om. Ff.
37: [Aside] S. Walker conj.
38: This line is printed by Ff in italics.
39: _from brakes of ice, and_] _through brakes of vice and_ Rowe.
_from brakes of vice, and_ Malone. _from brakes of justice,_ Capell.
_from breaks of ice, and_ Collier.
_from brakes, off ice and_ Knight conj.
41: SCENE II. Pope.
57: _they_] _you_ Rowe.
78: _uncleanliness_] F1. _uncleanness_ F2 F3 F4.
79: _the_] _that_ Hanmer.
85: [To Ange. Capell.
87: _sir_] om. F4.
88: _distant_] F1. _instant_ F2 F3 F4.
96: _but two_] F1. _no more_ F2 F3 F4.
107: _very_] om. Pope.
113: _me_] om. Pope. _we_ Grant White.
115: _nor_] om. Pope.
117: _into_] _unto_ Collier MS.
120: _All-hallond_] _All-holland_ Pope.
122: _chair, sir_] _chamber, sir_ Capell conj. _chamber_ Anon. conj.
126: _winter_] _windows_ Collier MS.
132: SCENE III. Pope.
186: _you_] _ye_ F4.
194: _hang_] _hang on_ Heath conj.
198: SCENE IV. Pope.
207: _in_] F1. om. F2 F3 F4.
214: _nor_] _and_ Pope.
216: _splay_] _spay_ Steevens.
221: _the knaves_] F1. _knaves_ F2 F3 F4.
222: _are_ F2 F3 F4. _is_ F1.
225: _year_] Ff. _years_ Rowe.
226: _year_] F1 _years_ F2 F3 F4.
227: _bay_] _day_ Pope.
234: _Pompey_] om. F4.
237: [Aside] Staunton.
241: SCENE V. Pope.
245: _your_] Pope. _the_ Ff.
260: _home_] F1. _go home_ F2 F3 F4.
267: _There is_] _There's_ Pope.
SCENE II. _Another room in the same._
_Enter PROVOST and a _Servant_._
_Serv._ He's hearing of a cause; he will come straight:
I'll tell him of you.
_Prov._ Pray you, do. [_Exit Servant._] I'll know
His pleasure; may be he will relent. Alas,
He hath but as offended in a dream!
All sects, all ages smack of this vice; and he 5
To die for 't!
_Enter ANGELO._
_Ang._ Now, what's the matter, provost?
_Prov._ Is it your will Claudio shall die to-morrow?
_Ang._ Did not I tell thee yea? hadst thou not order?
Why dost thou ask again?
_Prov._ Lest I might be too rash:
Under your good correction, I have seen, 10
When, after execution, Judgement hath
Repented o'er his doom.
_Ang._ Go to; let that be mine:
Do you your office, or give up your place,
And you shall well be spared.
_Prov._ I crave your honour's pardon.
What shall be done, sir, with the groaning Juliet? 15
She's very near her hour.
_Ang._ Dispose of her
To some more fitter place, and that with speed.
_Re-enter _Servant_._
_Serv._ Here is the sister of the man condemn'd
Desires access to you.
_Ang._ Hath he a sister?
_Prov._ Ay, my good lord; a very virtuous maid, 20
And to be shortly of a sisterhood,
If not already.
_Ang._ Well, let her be admitted. [_Exit Servant._
See you the fornicatress be removed:
Let her have needful, but not lavish, means;
There shall be order for 't.
_Enter ISABELLA and LUCIO._
_Prov._ God save your honour! 25
_Ang._ Stay a little while. [_To Isab._]
You're welcome: what's your will?
_Isab._ I am a woeful suitor to your honour,
Please but your honour hear me.
_Ang._ Well; what's your suit?
_Isab._ There is a vice that most I do abhor,
And most desire should meet the blow of justice; 30
For which I would not plead, but that I must;
For which I must not plead, but that I am
At war 'twixt will and will not.
_Ang._ Well; the matter?
