Are not thine own so aproper, as to waste As if we had them not. Spirits are not finely touch'd, Both thanks and use. But I do bend my speech Live in thy tongue and heart. Old Escalus, [ Giving it. Ang. Now, good my lord, Let there be some more test made of my metal, Before so noble and so great a figure Be stamp'd upon it. Duke. No more evasion: Ang. Nor need you, on mine honor, 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. But do not like to stage me to their eyes. 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 I am not yet instructed. Ang. 'Tis so with me. Let us withdraw together, And we may soon our satisfaction have Touching that point. 2 Gent. Amen. Lucio. Thou concludest like the sanctimonious pirate, that went to sea with the ten commandments, but scraped one out of the table. 2 Gent. Thou shalt not steal? Lucio. Ay, that he razed. 1 Gent. Why? 'Twas a commandment to command the captain and all the rest from their functions: they put forth to steal. There's not a soldier of us all, that, in the thanksgiving before meat, doth relish the petition well that prays for peace. 2 Gent. I never heard any soldier dislike it. Lucio. I believe thee; for, I think, thou never wast where grace was said. 2 Gent. No? a dozen times at least. 1 Gent. What, in metre? Lucio. In any proportion, or in any language. 1 Gent. I think, or in any religion. Lucio. Ay; why not? Grace is grace, despite of all controversy: as for example; thou thyself art a wicked villain, despite of all grace. 1 Gent. Well, there went but a pair of sheers be tween us. Lucio. I grant; as there may between the lists and the velvet thou art the list. 1 Gent. And thou the velvet? thou art good velvet: thou art a three-pil'd piece, I warrant thee. I had as lief be a list of an English kersey, as be pil'd, as thou art P pil'd, for a French velvet. Do I speak feelingly now? Lucio. I think thou dost; and, indeed, with most painful feeling of thy speech: I will, out of thine own confession, learn to begin thy health; but, whilst I live, forget to drink after thee. 1 Gent. I think, I have done myself wrong, have I not? 2 Gent. Yes, that thou hast, whether thou art tainted, or free. Lucio. Behold, behold, where madam Mitigation 1 Gent. How now? Which of your hips has the most profound sciatica? Bawd. Well, well; there's one yonder arrested, Escal. I'll wait upon your honor. [Exeunt. and carried to prison, was worth five thousand of "Thine own so proper," i. e., so much thine own property.-Fine issues," i. e., high purposes.“ Use," i. e., interest.-"One that can my part in him advertise," i. e., one already conversant with the duties of my office. Absence.-Mortality," i. e., sentence of death.- Deputy.b Matured; deliberate. - Require.- Extent of power.1 Hailings; salutations.- Terms; agreement. you all. 2 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 is to be chopped off. Lucio. But, after all this fooling, I would not have it so. Art thou sure of this? Measure.-i. e., we are both of the same piece. -p Velvet was esteemed according to the richness of the pile: but pil'd means also bald.-The allusion is to the loss of hair by a loathsome disease. The cup of an infected person was formerly thought contagious. Bawd. I am too sure of it; and it is for getting | A thirsty evil, and when we drink, we die. 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 procla mation. Lucio. Away: let's go learn the truth of it. [Exeunt LUCIO and Gentlemen. Bawd. Thus, what with the war, what with the sweat, what with the gallows, and what with poverty, I am custom-shrunk. How now? what's the news with you? Enter Clown. Clo. Yonder man is carried to prison. Clo. A woman. Bawd. But what's his offence? Clo. Groping for trouts in a peculiar river. Clo. All bawdy 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. Bard. But shall all our houses of resort in the suburbs be pull'd 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 considered. 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. [Exeunt. Enter Provost, 2 CLAUDIO, and Officers. 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. Claud. No. Lucio. Lechery? Claud. Call it so. Prov. Away, sir! you must go. Claud. One word, good friend.-Lucio, a word with you. [Takes him aside. Lucio. A hundred if they'll do you any good.-Is lechery so look'd after? [tract, 6 Claud. Thus stands it with me:-Upon a true con- Lucio. With child, perhaps? Whether it be the fault and glimpse of newness, A horse where on the governor doth ride, 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. Claud. Fellow, why dost thou show me thus to And there receive her approbation: th' world? 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 demi-god, authority, Make us pay down for our offence by weight.The words of heaven;-on whom it will, it will; On whom it will not, so: yet still 'tis just. 3 Enter LUCIO and two Gentlemen. Claud. From too much liberty, my Lucio, liberty: "The sweat," ie., the consequences of the curative process then in use for a certain disease.- Jailer.- An allusion to a passage in St. Paul's Epistle to the Romans: "I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy."- Voraciously devour. Acquaint her with the danger of my state; Lucio. I pray, she may: as well for the encouragement of the like, which else would stand under grievous imposition, as for the enjoying of thy life, who I would be sorry should be thus foolishly lost at a game of tick-tack. I'll to her. Claud. I thank you, good friend Lucio. Come, officer; away! [Exeunt. SCENE IV.-A Monastery. Enter Duke, and Friar THOMAS. Duke. No, holy father; throw away that thought: Believe not that the dribbling dart of love Can pierce a complete bosom. Why I desire thee To give me secret harbor hath a purpose More grave and wrinkled, than the aims and ends Of burning youth. Fri. May your grace speak of it? Duke. My holy sir, none better knows than you (A man of stricture, and firm abstinence) Duke. We have strict statutes, and most biting laws, More mock'd, than fear'd; so our most just decrees, Fri. Duke. I 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, [father, And not due punishment. Therefore, indeed, my I have on Angelo impos'd the office, Who may, in th' ambush of my name, strike home, To draw on slander. And to behold his sway, Is more to bread than stone: hence shall we see, SCENE V.-A Nunnery. Enter ISABELLA and FRANCISCA. [Exeunt. 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. "A complete bosom," i. e., a bosom completely armed.Retired."Bravery" is showy dress.-d Strictness.-"At a guard," i. e., on his defence. 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, 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. 4[LUCIO calls. He calls again: I pray you, answer him. [Exit FRANCISCA. Isab. Peace and prosperity! Who is't that calls? 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? you Isab. Why her unhappy brother? let me ask, The rather, for I now must make know I am that Isabella, and his sister. [you. Lucio. Gentle and fair, your brother kindly greets Not to be weary with you, he's in prison. 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 5 scorn. [familiar sin Lucio. 'Tis true. I would not, though 'tis my With maids to seem the flapwing, 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, And to be talk'd with in sincerity, As with a saint. Isab. You do blaspheme the good in mocking me. Isab. O let him marry her. She it is. [Juliet? This is the point. The duke, who's very strangely gone from hence, 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, 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 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 Falls into forfeit: he arrests him on it, An old proverb reads: "The lapwing cries most, farthest from her nest," i. e., tongue far from heart.-"Fewness and truth," i. e., in few and true words. Mistress.i" Teeming foison," i. e., breeding plenty. Tillage.-Extent. Make dull.-"To give fear to use," 1. e., to intimidate use, or practices long countenanced by custom. Let us be keen, and rather cut a little, (Whom I believe to be most strait in virtue,) Ang. 'Tis one thing to be tempted, Escalus, Another thing to fall. I not deny, The jury, passing on a prisoner's life, [tice, [nant, k preg May in the sworn twelve have a thief or two "Grace," i. c., power of gaining favor.- Sentenced.Have; possess. Abbess. Frighten.- Throw down.Examine. Suited.-Pass judgment. Plain; full of proof.- Because, And nothing come in partial. Sir, he must die. Enter Provost. Prov. Here, if it like your honor. Ang. [vost. See that Claudio Be executed by nine to-morrow morning. Bring him his confessor, let him be prepar'd, For that's the utmost of his pilgrimage. [Exit ProEscal. Well, heaven forgive him, and forgive us all! Some rise by sin, and some by virtue fall: Some run from 2 breaks of ice, 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, 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 honor, 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 honor two notorious benefactors. Ang. Benefactors! Well; what benefactors are they are they not malefactors? Elb. If it please your honor, 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 P detest before heaven and your honor, Escal. How! thy wife? Elb. Ay, sir; whom, I thank heaven, is an honest woman, 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? 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 honor, this is not so. Elb. Prove it before these varlets here, thou honorable man; prove it. Escal. [To ANGELO.] Do you hear how he misplaces? Clo. Sir, she came in great with child, and longing (saving your honor's reverence) for stew'd prunes: sir, we had but two in the house, which at that very distant time stood, as it were, in a fruit-dish, a dish of some three-pence: your honors have seen such dishes they are not China dishes, but very good dishes. Clo. 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. 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 belly'd, and longing, as I said, for prunes, and having but two in the dish, as I said, master Froth here, this very man, having eaten the rest, as I said, and, as I say, paying for them very honestly;-for, as you know, master Froth, I could not give you three-dIniquity ?-Is this true? pence again. Froth. No, indeed. Clo. Very well: you being then, if you be remember'd, cracking the stones of the foresaid prunes. Froth. Ay, so I did, indeed. Clo. Why, very well: I telling you then, if you be remember'd, that such a one, and such a one, were past cure of the thing you wot of, unless they kept very good diet, as I told you. Froth. All this is true. 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 honor cannot come to that yet. Escal. No, sir, nor I mean it not. Clo. Sir, but you shall come to it, by your honor's leave. And, I beseech you, look 1unto 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-hallowed a eve. Clo. Why, very well: I hope here be truths. He, sir, sitting, as I say, in a blower chair, sir;'twas in the Bunch of Grapes, where, indeed, you have a delight to sit, have you not? Froth. I have so; because it is an open room, and good for windows. Clo. Why, very well then I hope here be truths. Ang. This will last out a night in Russia, When nights are longest there. I'll take my leave, And leave you to the hearing of the cause, Hoping you'll find good cause to whip them all. 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? Clo. Once, sir? there was nothing done to her once. Elb. I beseech you, sir, ask him what this man did to my wife. Clo. I beseech your honor, ask me. Escal. Well, sir, what did this gentleman to her? Clo. I beseech you, sir, look in this gentleman's face.-Good master Froth, look upon his honor; 'tis for a good purpose. Doth your honor mark his face? Escal. Ay, sir, very well. Clo. Nay, I beseech you, mark it well. Clo. Doth your honor see any harm in his face? Clo. 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 wife any harm? I would know that of your honor. 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. The eve of All Saints' day. A "lower chair" was an ensy chair.- Deposed; sworn. Clo. Sir, she was respected with him, before he married with her. Escal. Which is the wiser here? Justice, or Elb. O thou caitiff! O thou varlet! O thou wicked * 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. e 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! Escal. Truly, officer, because he hath some offences in him, that thou wouldst discover if thou couldst, let him continne in his courses, till thou know'st what they are. Elb. Marry, I thank your worship for it.-Thou seest, thou wicked varlet now, what's come upon thee: thou art to continue; now, thou varlet, thou art to continue. Escal. Where were you born, friend? Escal. Are you of fourscore pounds a year? Escal. So.-What trade are you of, sir? Clo. Mistress Over-done. Escal. Hath she had any more than one husband? 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. 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? Clo. Pompey. Escal. What else? Clo. Bum, sir. Escal. 'Troth, and your bum is the greatest thing about you; so that, in the beastliest sense, you are Pompey the great. Pompey, you are partly a bawd, Pompey, howsoever you color it in being a tapster. Are you not? come, tell me true: it shall be the better for you. Clo. Truly, sir, I am a poor fellow that would live. Escal. How would you live, Pompey? by being a bawd? What do you think of the trade, Pompey? is it a lawful trade? Clo. If the law would allow it, sir. Escal. But the law will not allow it, Pompey; nor it shall not be allowed in Vienna. Clo. Does your worship mean to geld and spay all the youth of the city? Escal. No, Pompey. Clo. Truly, sir, in my poor opinion, they will to't then. If your lordship will take order for the "Justice or Iniquity," i. e., constable or clown.- Cannibal.-To take order is to take measures, precautions. |