صور الصفحة
PDF
النشر الإلكتروني

Scene III.

MEASURE FOR MEASURE.

For which the pardoner himself is in:
Hence hath offence his quick celerity,
When it is borne in high authority:
When vice makes mercy, mercy's so extended,
That for the fault's love, is the offender friended.-common.
Now, sir, what news?

Prov. I told you: Lord Angelo, belike, thinking me remiss in mine office, awakens me with this unwonted putting on methinks, strangely; for he hath not used it before.

Duke. Pray you, let's hear. Prov. [Reads.] Whatsoever you may hear to the contrary, let Claudio be executed by four of the clock; and, in the afternoon, Barnardine: for my better satisfaction, let me have Claudio's head sent me by five. Let this be duly perform'd; with a thought, that more depends on it than we must yet deliver. Thus fail not to do your office, you will answer it at your peril. What say you to this, sir?

as

Duke. What is that Barnardine, who is to be executed in the afternoon?

Prov. A Bohemian born; but here nursed up and bred: one that is a prisoner nine years old.2 Duke. How came it, that the absent duke had rot either deliver'd him to his liberty, or executed him? I have heard, it was ever his manner to do so. Prov. His friends still wrought reprieves for him: and, indeed, his fact, till now in the government of lord Angelo, came not to an undoubtful proof.

Duke. Is it now apparent?

Duke. O, death's a great disguiser: and you may add to it. Shave the head, and tie the beard; and say, it was the desire of the penitent to be so bared before his death: you know, the course is any thing fall to you upon this, more than thanks and good fortune, by the saint whom I profess, I will plead against it with my life. Prov. Pardon me, good father; it is against my

oath.

If

Duke. Were you sworn to the duke, or to the deputy?

if

Prov. To him, and to his substitutes.

Yet

Duke. You will think you have made no offence,
the duke avouch the justice of your dealing?
Prov. But what likelihood is in that?
Duke. Not a resemblance, but a certainty.
since I see you fearful, that neither my coat, in-
tegrity, nor my persuasion, can with ease attempt
you, I will go further than I meant, to pluck all
fears out of you. Look you, sir, here is the hand
and seal of the duke. You know the character, I
doubt not; and the signet is not strange to you.
Prov. I know them both.

Duke. The contents of this is the return of the duke; you shall anon over-read it at your pleasure; where you shall find, within these two days he will be here. This is a thing, that Angelo knows not: for he this very day receives letters of strange tenor; perchance, of the duke's death; perchance, entering into some monastery; but, by chance, nothing of what is writ.-Look, the unfolding star calls up the shepherd: put not yourself into amazement, how these things should be: all difficulties are but easy when they are known. Call your executioner, and off with Barnardine's Prov. A man that apprehends death no more head: I will give him a present shrift, and advise dreadfully, but as a drunken sleep; careless, reck-him for a better place. Yet you are amazed; but [Exeunt. less, and fearless of what's past, present, or to this shall absolutely resolve you. Come away; it come; insensible of mortality, and desperately is almost clear dawn. mortal.

Prov. Most manifest, and not denied by himself. Duke. Hath he borne himself penitently in prison? How seems he to be touch'd?

Duke. He wants advice.

Prov. He will hear none: he hath evermore had the liberty of the prison; give him leave to escape hence, he would not: drunk many times a day, if not many days entirely drunk. We have very of ten awaked him, as if to carry him to execution, and show'd him a seeming warrant for it: it hath not mov'd him at all.

SCENE III-Another room in the same. Enter
Clown.

Clo. I am as well acquainted here, as I was in our

house of profession: one would think, it were mistress Over-done's own house, for here be many of her old customers. First, here's young master Rash; he's in for a commodity of brown paper and old he made five marks, ready money: marry, then, ginger, ninescore and seventeen pounds; of which ginger was not much in request, for the old women were all dead. Then is there here one master Ca

Duke. More of him anon. There is written in your brow, provost, honesty and constancy: if I read it not truly, my ancient skill beguiles me; but in the boldness of my cunning, I will lay my-per, at the suit of master Three-pile the mercer, for self in hazard. Claudio, whom here you have a warrant to execute, is no greater forfeit to the law than Angelo who hath sentenced him: to make you understand this in a manifested effect, I crave but four days respite; for the which you are to do me both a present and a dangerous courtesy. Prov. Pray, sir, in what?

Duke. In the delaying death.
Prov. Alack! how may I do it? having the hour
fimited; and an express command, under penalty,
to deliver his head in the view of Angelo? I may
make my case as Claudio's, to cross this in the
smallest.

Duke. By the vow of mine order, I warrant you,
if my instructions may be your guide. Let this
Barnardine be this morning executed, and his head
be borne to Angelo.

Prov. Angelo hath seen them both, and will discover the favour.

(1) Spur, incitement. (2) Nine years in prison.

some four suits of peach-colour'd satin, which now Dizy, and young master Deep-vow, and master Coppeaches him a beggar. Then have we here young dagger-man, and young Drop-heir that kill'd lusty per-spur, and master Starve-lackey the rapier and Pudding, and master Forthright the tilter, and brave master Shoe-tie the great traveller, and wild Half-cann that stabb'd Pots, and, I think, forty more; all great doers in our trade, and are now for

the Lord's sake.

Enter Abhorson.

Abhor. Sirrah, bring Barnardine hither. Clo. Master Barnardine! you must rise and be hang'd, master Barnardine.

Abhor. What, ho, Barnardine!

Barnar. [Within.] A pox o' your throats! Who makes that noise there? What are you? Clo. Your friends, sir; the hangman: you must

(3) Countenance.

be so good, sir, to rise and be put to death. Barnar. [Within.] Away, you rogue, away; I am sleepy.

Abhor. Tell him, he must awake, and that quickly too.

Clo. Pray, master Barnardine, awake till executed, and sleep afterwards.

Abhor. Go in to him, and fetch him out.

you are

Both Barnardine and Claudio: Ere twice
The sun hath made his journal greeting to
The under generation, you shall find
Your safety manifested.

Prov. I am your free dependant.
Duke.

Quick, despatch,

And send the head to Angelo. [Exit Provost. Now will I write letters to Angelo,

Clo. He is coming, sir, he is coming; I hear his The provost, he shall bear them,-whose contents straw rustle.

Enter Barnardine.

Abhor. Is the axe upon the block, sirrah?
Clo. Very ready, sir.

Barnar. How now, Abhorson? what's the news with you?

Abhor. Truly, sir, I would desire you to clap into your prayers; for, look you, the warrant's come. Barnar. You rogue, I have been drinking all night, I am not fitted for't.

Clo. O, the better, sir; for he that drinks all night, and hang'd betimes in the morning, may sleep the sounder all the next day. Enter Duke.

Abhor. Look you, sir, here comes your ghostly father; do we jest now, think you?

Duke. Sir, induced by my charity, and hearing how hastily you are to depart, I am come to advise you, comfort you, and pray with you.

Barnar. Friar, not I; I have been drinking hard all night, and I will have more time to prepare me, or they shall beat out my brains with billets: I will not consent to die this day, that's certain.

Duke. O, sir, you must: and therefore, I be

seech you,

Look forward on the journey you shall go.

Shalf witness to him, I am near at home;
And that, by great injunctions, I am bound
To enter publicly: him I'll desire
To meet me at the consecrated fount,
By cold gradation and weal-balanced form,
A league below the city; and from thence,
We shall proceed with Angelo.

[blocks in formation]

Isab. Ho, by your leave. Duke. Good morning to you, fair and gracious daughter.

Isab. The better, given me by so holy a man.

Barnar. I I will not die to-day for any Hath yet the deputy sent my brother's pardon?

man's persuasion.

swear,

Duke. But hear you,

Barnar. Not a word; if you have any thing to say to me, come to my ward; for thence will not I to-day. [Exit.

Enter Provost.

Duke. Unfit to live, or die: O, gravel heart!-
After him, fellows; bring him to the block.

[Exeunt Abhorson and Clown.
Prov. Now, sir, how do you find the prisoner?
Duke. A creature unprepar'd, unmeet for death;||
And, to transport him in the mind he is,
Were damnable.

Prov.

Here in the prison, father,
There died this morning of a cruel fever
One Ragozine, a most notorious pirate,

A man of Claudio's years; his beard, and head,
Just of his colour: What if we do omit
This reprobate, till he were well inclin'd;
And satisfy the deputy with the visage
Of Ragozine, more like to Claudio?

Duke. O, 'tis an accident that Heaven provides!
Despatch it presently; the hour draws on
Prefix'd by Angelo: See, this be done,
And sent according to cominand; whiles I
Persuade this rude wretch willingly to die.
Prov. This shall be done, good father, presently.
But Barnardine must die this afternoon:
And how shall we continue Claudio,
To save me from the danger that might come,
If he were known alive?"

Duke. Let this be done;--Put them in secret holds,

[blocks in formation]

Duke. He hath releas'd him, Isabel, from the world;

His head is off, and sent to Angelo.
Isab. Nay, but it is not so.
Duke.

It is no other:" Show your wisdom, daughter, in your close pa

tience.

Isab. O, I will to him, and pluck out his eyes. Duke. You shall not be admitted to his sight. Isab. Unhappy Claudio! Wretched Isabel! Injurious world! Most damned Angelo!

Duke. This nor hurts him, nor profits you a jot: Forbear it therefore; give your cause to Heaven. Mark what I say; which you shall find, By every syllable, a faithful verity:

The duke comes home to-morrow;--nay, dry your

eyes;

One of our convent, and his confessor,
Gives me this instance: Already he hath carried
Notice to Escalus and Angelo;

Who do prepare to meet him at the gates,
There to give up their power. If you can, pace
your wisdom

In that good path that I would wish it go;
And you shall have your bosom2 on this wretch,
Grace of the duke, revenges to your heart,
And general honour.

Isab.
I am directed by you.
Duke. This letter then to friar Peter give;
'Tis that he sent me of the duke's return:
Say, by this token, I desire his company
At Mariana's house to-night. Her cause, and yours,
I'll perfect him withal; and he shall bring you
Before the duke; and to the head of Angelo
Accuse him home, and home. For my poor selí,

I am combined by a sacred vow,
And shall be absent. Wend you with this letter:
Command these fretting waters from your eyes
With a light heart; trust not my holy order,
If I pervert your course.-Who's here?
Enter Lucio.

Lucio.

Friar, where is the provost?

Duke.

Good even!

Not within, sir.

Lucio. O, pretty Isabella, I am pale at mine heart, to see thine eyes so red: thou must be patient: I am fain to dine and sup with water and bran; I dare not for my head fill my belly; one fruitful meal would set me to't: But they say the duke will be here to-morrow. By my troth, Isabel, I lov'd thy brother: if the old fantastical duke of dark corners had been at home, he had lived.

[Exit Isabella. Duke. Sir, the duke is marvellous little beholden to your reports; but the best is, he lives not in them. Lucio. Friar, thou knowest not the duke so well as I do: he's a better woodman than thou takest him for.

The law against it!-But that her tender shame
Will not proclaim against her maiden loss,
How might she tongue me? Yet reason dares
her?-no:

For my authority bears a credents bulk,
That no particular scandal once can touch,
But it confounds the breather.6 He should have liv'd,
Save that his riotous youth, with dangerous sense,
Might, in the times to come, have ta'en revenge,
With ransom of such shame. 'Would yet he
By so receiving a dishonour'd life,

had liv'd!

Alack, when once our grace we have forgot, Nothing goes right; we would and we would not. [Exit.

SCENE V-Fields without the town. Enter Duke in his own habit, and Friar Peter. Duke. These letters at fit time deliver me. [Giving letters. The provost knows our purpose, and our plot. The matter being afoot, keep your instruction, And hold you ever to our special drift; Though sometimes you do blench from this to that, As cause doth minister. Go, call at Flavius' house, And tell him where I stay: give the like notice, To Valentinus, Rowland, and to Crassus, And bid them bring the trumpets to the gate; Duke. You have told me too many of him al-But send me Flavius first. ready, sir, if they be true; if not true, none were enough.

Duke. Well, you'll answer this one day. Fare ye well.

Lucio. Nay, tarry; I'll go along with thee; can tell thee pretty tales of the duke.

I

Lucio. I was once before him for getting a wench with child.

Duke. Did you such a thing?

Lucio. Yes, marry, did I: but was fain to forswear it; they would else have married me to the rotten medlar.

[ocr errors]

Duke. Sir, your company is fairer than honest: Rest you well.

Lucio. By my troth, I'll go with thee to the lane's end: If bawdy talk offend you, we'll have very little of it: Nay, friar, I am a kind of burr, shall stick. [Exeunt. SCENE IV-A room in Angelo's house. Enter Angelo and Escalus.

Escal. Every letter he hath writ hath dis

vouch'd2 other.

Ang. In most uneven and distracted manner. His actions show much like to madness: pray Heaven, his wisdom be not tainted! And why meet him at the gates, and re-deliver our authorities there?

Escal. I guess not.

Ang. And why should we proclaim it in an hour before his entering, that if any crave redress of injustice, they should exhibit their petitions in the street? Escal. He shows his reason for that: to have a despatch of complaints; and to deliver us from devices hereafter, which shall then have no power to stand against us.

Ang. Well, I beseech you, let it be proclaim'd:
Betimes i' the morn, I'll call you at your house:
Give notice to such men of sort and suit,3
As are to meet him.

Escal. I shall, sir: fare you well. [Exit.
Ang. Good night.-
This deed unshapes me quite, makes me unpreg-

[blocks in formation]

F. Peter.

It shall be speeded well. [Exit Friar.

Enter Varrius.

[blocks in formation]

SCENE I.—A public place near the city gate. Mariana (veiled,) Isabella, and Peter, at a dis tance. Enter at opposite doors, Duke, Varrius, Lords; Angelo, Escalus, Lucio, Provost, Officers, and Citizens.

Duke. My very worthy cousin, fairly met :

(7) Start off.
(10) Most noble.

(8) Availful.

(9) Advantage. (11) Seized.

P

Our old and faithful friend, we are glad to see you. [] In all his dressings,2 characts, titles, forms,
Ang. & Escal. Happy return be to your royal Be an arch-villain: believe it, royal prince,
If he be less, he's nothing; but he's more,
Had I more name for badness.
By mine honesty,

grace!

Duke. Many and hearty thankings to you both. We have made inquiry of you; and we hear Such goodness of your justice, that our soul Cannot but yield you forth to public thanks, Forerunning more requital.

Ang.

You make my bonds still greater. Duke. O, your desert speaks loud; and I should wrong it,

To lock it in the wards of covert bosom,
When it deserves with characters of brass
A forted residence, 'gainst the tooth of time,
And razure of oblivion: Give me your hand,
And let the subject see, to make them know
That outward courtesies would fain proclaim
Favours that keep within.-Come, Escalus;
You must walk by us on our other hand;—
And good supporters are you.

Peter and Isabella come forward.

F. Peter. Now is your time; speak loud, and kneel before him.

Isab. Justice, O royal duke! Vail! your regard
Upon a wrong'd, I'd fain have said, a maid!
O'worthy prince, dishonour not your eye
By throwing it on any other object,
Till you have heard me in my true complaint,
And give me, justice, justice, justice, justice!
Duke. Relate your wrongs: In what? By whom?
Be brief:

Here is lord Angelo shall give you justice;
Reveal yourself to him.

Isab.
O, worthy duke,
You bid me seek redemption of the devil:
Hear me yourself; for that which I must speak
Must either punish me, not being believ'd,
Or wring redress from you: hear me, O, hear me,

here.

Ang. My lord, her wits, I fear me, are not firm:
She hath been a suitor to me for her brother,
Cut off by course of justice.

Isab.
By course of justice!
Ang. And she will speak most bitterly, and
strange.

Isab. Most strange, but yet most truly, will I

speak:

That Angelo's forsworn; is it not strange?
That Angelo's a murderer; is't not strange?
That Angelo is an adulterous thief,

A hypocrite, a virgin-violator;
Is it not strange, and strange?
Duke.

Duke.

If she be mad (as I believe no other,)
Her madness hath the oddest frame of sense,
Such a dependency of thing on thing,
As e'er I heard in madness.

Isab.

O, gracious duke, Harp not on that; nor do not banish reason For inequality: but let your reason serve To make the truth appear, where it seems hid; And hide the false, seems true.

Duke. Many that are not mad, Have, sure, more lack of reason.-What would you say?

Isab. I am the sister of one Claudio,
Condemn'd upon the act of fornication
To lose his head; condemn'd by Angelo:
I, in probation of a sisterhood,
Was sent to by my brother: One Lucio
As then the messenger;—
Lucio.
That's I, an't like your grace:

I came to her from Claudio, and desir'd her
To try her gracious fortune with lord Angelo,
For her poor brother's pardon.

Isab.

That's he indeed.

[blocks in formation]

Duke. Mended again: the matter:-Proceed. Isab. In brief,-to set the needless process by, How I persuaded, how I pray'd, and kneel'd, How he retell'd3 me, and how I reply'd;

(For this was of much length,) the vile conclusion I now begin with grief and shame to utter :

Nay, ten times strange. He would not, but by gift of my chaste body

Isab. It is not truer he is Angelo,
Than this is all as true as it is strange :
Nay, it is ten times true; for truth is truth
To the end of reckoning,

Duke.
Away with her :-Poor soul,
She speaks this in the infirmity of sense.
Isab. O prince, I conjure thee, as thou believ'st
There is another comfort than this world,
That thou neglect me not, with that opinion
That I am touch'd with madness: make not im-1

possible sible,

To his concupiscible intemperate lust,
Release my brother; and, after much debatement,
My sisterly remorse4 confutes mine honour,
And I did yield to him: But the next morn betimes,
His purpose surfeiting, he sends a warrant
For my poor brother's head.

Duke.

This is most likely! Isab. O, that it were as like, as it is true! Duke. By heaven, fonds wretch, thou know'st not what thou speak'st;

Or else thou art suborn'd against his honour,

That which but seems unlike: 'tis not impos-In hateful practice :6-First, his integrity

But one, the wicked'st caitiff on the ground,
May seem as shy, as grave, as just, as absolute,
As Angelo; even so may Angelo,

[blocks in formation]

Stands without blemish :-next, it imports no reason, That with such vehemency he should pursue Faults proper to himself: if he had so offended, He would have weigh'd thy brother by himself, And not have cut him off: Some one hath set you on:

(6) Conspiracy.

[blocks in formation]

Then, oh, you blessed ministers above,
Keep me in patience; and, with ripen'd time,
Unfold the evil which is here wrapt up
In countenance !-Heaven shield
wo,

your grace from

As I, thus wrong'd, hence unbelieved go!
Duke. I know, you'd fain be gone :-An officer!
To prison with her:-Shall we thus permit
A blasting and a scandalous breath to fall
On him so near us? This needs must be a practice.
-Who knew of your intent, and coming hither?
Isab. One that I would were here, friar Lodowick.
Duke. A ghostly father, belike:-Who knows
that Lodowick?

Lucio. My lord, I know him; 'tis a meddling friar;
I do not like the man: had he been lay, my lord,
For certain words he spake against your grace
In your retirement, I had swing'd' him soundly.
Duke. Words against me? This' a good friar,
belike!

And to set on this wretched woman here
Against our substitute?-Let this friar be found.
Lucio. But yesternight, my lord, she and that
friar

I saw them at the prison: a saucy friar,
A very scurvy fellow.
Blessed be your royal grace!
F. Peter.
I have stood by, my lord, and I have heard
Your royal ear abus'd: First, hath this woman
Most wrongfully accus'd your substitute;
Who is as free from touch or soil with her,
As she from one ungot.

Duke.

We did believe no less.
Know you that friar Lodowick, that she speaks of?
F. Peter. I know him for a man divine and holy;
Not scurvy, nor a temporary meddler,
As he's reported by this gentleman;
And, on my trust, a man that never yet
Did, as he vouches, misreport your grace.

Lucio. My lord, most villanously; believe it.
F. Peter. Well, he in time may come to clear
himself;

But at this instant he is sick, my lord,
Of a strange fever: Upon his mere2 request
(Being come to knowledge that there was complaint
Intended 'gainst lord Angelo,) came I hither,
To speak, as from his mouth, what he doth know
Is true, and false; and what he with his oath,
full clear,
up
And all probation, will make
Whensoever he's convented.3 First, for this woman
(To justify this worthy nobleman,
So vulgarly and personally accus'd,)
Her shall you hear disproved to her eyes,
Till she herself confess it.
Duke.

Good friar, let's hear it.
[Isabella is carried off, guarded; and
Mariana comes forward.
Do you not smile at this, lord Angelo?-
O heaven! the vanity of wretched fools!-
Give us some seats.-Come, cousin Angelo;
In this I'll be impartial; be you judge
Of your own cause.-Is this the witness, friar?
First, let her show her face; and, after, speak.
Mari. Pardon, my lord; I will not show my face,
Until my husband bid me.
Duke.

Mari. No, my lord.

[blocks in formation]

What, are you married?

(2) Simple. (3) Convened.

Duke.

Are nothing then :-Neither maid, widow, nor wife?
Lucio. My lord, she may be a punk; for many
of them are neither maid, widow, nor wife.
Duke. Silence that fellow: I would, he had

some cause

To prattle for himself.

Lucio. Well, my lord.

Mari. My lord, I do confess I ne'er was married;
And, I confess, besides, I am no maid:
I have known my husband; yet my husband knows

not,

That ever he knew me.

Lucio. He was drunk then, my lord; it can be no better.

Duke. For the benefit of silence, 'would thou wert so too.

Lucio. Well, my lord.

Duke. This is no witness for lord Angelo.
Mari. Now I come to't, my lord:

She, that accuses him of fornication,
In self-same manner doth accuse my husband;
And charges him, my lord, with such a time,
When I'll depose I had him in mine arms,
With all th effect of love.

Ang.

Charges she more than me?
Mari, Not that I know.
Duke.

No? you say, your husband.
Mari. Why, just, my lord, and that is Angelo,
Who thinks, he knows, that he ne'er knew my body,
But knows, he thinks, that he knows Isabel's.

Ang. This is a strange abuse:5-Let's see thy

face.

Mari. My husband bids me; now I will unmask.
[Unveiling.

This is that face, thou cruel Angelo,
Which, once thou swor'st, was worth the looking on:
This is the hand, which, with a vow'd contract,
Was fast belock'd in thine: this is the body
That took away the match from Isabel,
And did supply thee at thy garden-house,
In her imagin'd person.

Duke.

Know you this woman?
Lucio. Carnally, she says.
Duke.
Lucio. Enough, my lord.

[ocr errors]

Sirrah, no more.

Ang. My lord, I must confess, I know this

woman;

marriage
And, five years since, there was some speech of

Betwixt myself and her; which was broke off,
Partly, for that her promised proportions
Came short of composition ; but, in chief,
For that her reputation was disvalued
In levity: since which time of five years,
I never spake with her, saw her, nor heard from her,
Upon my faith and honour.
Noble prince,

Mari.

As there comes light from heaven, and words from
breath,

As there is sense in truth, and truth in virtue,
I am affianc'd this man's wife, as strongly
gone, in his garden-house,
As words could make up vows: and, my good lord,
But Tuesday night last
He knew me as a wife: As this is true
Let me in safety raise me from my knees;

(5) Deception.

(6) Her fortune fell short.

« السابقةمتابعة »