There is a kind of character in thy life,"
That, to the obferver, doth thy history
Fully unfold: Thyfelf and thy belongings
Are not thine own fo proper, as to waste
Thyfelf upon thy virtues, them on thee.

Heaven doth with us, as we with torches do;
Not light them for themfélves: for if our virtues
Did not go forth with us, 'twere all alike
As if we had them not. Spirits are not finely touch'd,
But to fine iffues 2: nor nature never 3 lends
The fmalleft fcruple of her excellence,
But, like a thrifty goddess, the determines
Herfelf the glory of a creditor,

Both thanks and ufe. But I do hend my fpeech
To one that can my part in him advertise 4:
Hold therefore Angelo 5:

In our remove, be thou at full ourfelf:
Mortality and mercy in Vienna

Live in thy tongue and heart: Old Efcalus,
Though first in queftion, is thy fecondary.
Take thy commiffion.

Ang. Now, good my lord,

Let there be fome more test made of my metal,
Before fo noble and fo great a figure

Be ftamp'd upon it.

Duke. No more evafion:

We have with a leaven'd 7 and prepared choice
Proceeded to you; therefore take your honours.
Our hafte from hence is of fo quick condition,
That it prefers itfelf, and leaves unquestion'd
Matters of needful value. We shall write to you,
As time and our concernings fhall 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
Of your commillions.

Ang. Yet, give leave, my lord,
That we may bring you fomething on the way.
Duke. My hafte may not admit it;

Nor need you, on mine honour, have to do
With any fcruple: your fcope is as mine own;
So to inforce, or qualify the laws,

As to your foul feems good. Give me your hand;
I'll privily away: I love the people,
But do not like to ftage me to their eyes:

Though it do well, I do not relish well
Their loud applaufe, and Ave's vehement
Nor do I think the man of fafe difcretion,
That does affect it. Once more, fare you well.
Ang. The heavens give safety to your purposes !
Ffeal. Lead forth, and bring you back in happiness!
Duke. I thank you: Fare you well. [Exit.

Efcal. I fhall defire you, fir, 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 ftrength and nature
I am not yet inftructed.
[ther,
Ang. 'Tis fo with me :-Let us withdraw toge-
And we may foon our fatisfaction have
Touching that point.

Efcal. I'll wait upon your honour.

SCENE II.

The Street.

Enter Lucio and two Gentlemen.

[Exeunt.

Lucio. Thou conclud'ft like the fanctimonious pirate, that went to fea with the ten commandments, but fcrap'd one out of the table.

2 Gent. Thou shalt not steal?
Lucio. Ay, that he raz'd.

1 Gent. Why, 'twas a commandment to command the captain and all the reft from their functions; they put forth to fteal: There's not a fol dier of us all, that, in the thanksgiving before meat, doth relish the petition well that prays for peace.

2 Gent. I never heard any foldier diflike it.
Lucio. I believe thee; for, I think, thou never
waft where grace was faid.

2 Gent. No? a dozen times at least.
1 Gent. What? in metre 9 ?

Lucio. In any proportion 10, or in any language.
1 Gent, I think, or in any religion.

Lucio. Ay! why not? Grace is grace, despight of all controverfy: As for example; Thou thyfelf art a wicked villain, defpight of all grace.

1 Gent. Well, there went but a pair of sheers between us 11.

Lucio. I grant; as there may between the lifts and the velvet: Thou art the lift.

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 pil'd, for a French velvet. Do I speak feelingly now?

Lucia. I think thou doft; and, indeed, with most 'painful feeling of thy fpeech: I will, out of thine

That is, are not fo much thy own property. 2 To great confequences. 3 Two negatives not used to make an affirmative, are common in Shakspeare's plays. 4 That is, one that can inform himself of that which other wife it would be my part to tell him. 5 That is, continue to be Angelo. That is, first appointed. 7 A leavened choice means a choice not haily, but confiderate. That is, Your falinefs of power. 9 There are metrical graces in the Primers, which probably were used in Shakspeare's time, 10 That is, in any form. 11 Meaning, we are bath of the fame piece.

own confeffion, learn to begin thy health; but, whit I live, forget to drink after thee.

1 Gent. I think, I have done myself wrong; have

I not?

Clown. Groping for trouts in a peculiar river. Bawd. What, is there a maid with child by him? Clown. No; but there's a woman with maid by him: You have not heard of the proclamation, have

Gent. Yes, that thou haft; whether thou art you? tinted, or free.

Bard. What proclamation, man?

Clown. All houfes in the fuburbs of Vienna must

Lis. Behold, behold, where madam Mitigation comes! I have purchas'd as many diseases under her be pluck'd down. root, as come to

1 Gent. To what, I pray?

1 Gat. Judge.

Gou. To three thousand dollars a year.

1 Gat. Av, and more.

Lacie. A French crown 2 more.

1 Gent. Thou art always figuring diseases in me: but thou art full of error; I am found.

Laria. Nay, not, as one would fay, healthy; but f found, as things that are hollow: thy bones are hellow; impiety has made a feaft of thee.

Enter Bawd.

[city? Bawd. And what thall become of thofe in the Clown. They fhall ftand for feed: they had gone down too, but that a wife burgher put in for them. Bawd. But fhall all our houfes of refort in the fuburbs 5 be pull'd down?

Clown. To the ground, mistress.

Bawd. Why, here's a change, indeed, in the commonwealth! What fhall become of me?

Clown. Come; fear not you: good counsellors lack no clients: though you change your place, you need not change your trade; I'll be your tapfter ftill. Courage; there will be pity taken on you :

1 Gent. How now? Which of your hips has the you that have worn your eyes almoft out in the fermott profound sciatica?

Band. Well, well; there's one yonder arrested, and carried to prifon, was worth five thousand of you all.

1 Gent. Who's that, I pr'ythee?

Bowd. Marry, fir, that's Claudio, fignior Claudio. 1 Gou. Claudio to prifon! 'tis not fo.

Bwd. Nay, but I know 'tis fo: I saw him ar

vice, you will be confidered.

Bawd. What's to do here, Thomas Tapfter? Let's withdraw.

Clown. Here comes fignior Claudio, led by the provost to prison: and there's madam Juliet. [Exeunt Bawd and Clown. SCENE III.

reted; faw him carry'd away; and, which is Enter Provoft, Claudio, Juliet, and Officers; Luci●

ore, within these three days his head is to be chepp'd off.

Lais. But, after all this fooling, I would not have it fo: Art thou fure of this?

Bad. I am too fure of it: and it is for getting am Julietta with child.

La Believe me, this may be: he promised to meet me two hours fince; and he was ever precife in promile-keeping.

2 Grat. Befides, you know, it draws fomething Dear to the speech we had to fuch a purpose.

and two Gentlemen.

Claud. Fellow, why doft thou fhow me thus to

the world?

Bear me to prifon, where I am committed.
Prov. I do it not in evil difpofition,
But from lord Angelo by fpecial 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, fo; yet ftill 'tis just.

Lucio. Why, how now, Claudio? whence comes,

1 Gent. But most of all agreeing with the pro-this restraint? clamation.

Lais. Away; let's go learn the truth of it.

Claud. From too much liberty, my Lucio, liberty:
As furfeit is the father of much faft,
So every fcope 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 fpeak fo wifely under an arrest, I would fend for certain of my creditors: And yet, to fay the truth, I had as lief have the foppery of freedom, as the morality of imprisonment.-What's thy offence, Claudio?

1 A quibble intended between dollars and dolours.

Claud. What, but to speak of, would offend again.
Lucio. What is it? murder?

2 Lucio méans here not the piece of money caid, but that venereal (cab, which among the furgeons is ftyled corona Veneris.. 3 Alluding ply to the meth d of cure then used for the difcales contracted in brothels. 4 The verb to do, ere used in a fenfe now obfoletc, but which the reader will cafily guefs at from the modern apera on of the phrase of “undoing a woman," or" a woman's being undone." Hence the name of -dong, which Shakspeare has in this play appropriated to the bawd. 5 Meaning all bawdy-houses, ng is an obfolete word for prey.

Clauds

with you. Lucio. A hundred, if they'll do you any good. Believe not that the dribbling dart of love Can pierce a compleat bofom: why I defire thee

Claud. Thus ftands it with me.-Upon a true con-To give me fecret harbour, hath a purpose

Lucio. I pray, the may: as well for the encou-Vifit both prince and people : therefore, I pr’ythee, ragement of the like, which elfe would ftand under grievous impofition; as for the enjoying of thy life, who I would be forry should be thus foolishly loft at a game of tick-tack. I'll to her.

Supply me with the habit, and instruct me
How I may formally in perfon bear me
Like a true friar. More reafons for this action,
At our more leisure shall I render you;

Only, this one :--Lord Angelo is precife; Stands at a guard with envy; scarce confeffes [Exeunt. That his blood flows, or that his appetite

I That is, whether it be the feeming enormity of the aftion, or the glare of new authority.

2 That is, ticklish. 3 Prone here feems to mean humble. 4 Meaning a life of retirement. • Stricture is probably here used for firitness. That is, ftands on terms of defiance.

Is more to bread than ftone: Hence fhall we fee,
If power change purpose, what our feemers be.
SCENE

A Nunnery.

V.

Enter Isabella and Francifca.

Ijab. And have you nuns no farther privileges?
Naz. Are not these large enough?

Ijab. Yes, truly : I fpeak not as defiring more;
But rather withing a more strict restraint
Upon the fifter-hood, the votarifts of faint Clare.
Lucia. [Within.] Ho! Peace be in this place!
Ifab. Who's that which calls?

Nam. It is a man's voice: Gentle Isabella,
Turn you the key, and know his bufinefs of him;
You may, I may not; you are yet unfworn:
When you have vow'd, you must not fpeak with
But in the prefence of the prioress: [men,
Then, if you fpeak, you must not shew your face;
Or, if you fhew your face, you must not speak.
He calls again; I pray you, answer him.

[Exit Franc. Ijab. Peace and prosperity! Who is 't that calls? Enter Lucio.

Expreffeth his full tilth and husbandry. [Juliet?
Ifab. Some one with child by him?-My coufin
Lucio. Is the your cousin ?
[names,

Ifab. Adoptedly; as fchool-maids change their
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;
Bore many gentlemen, myself being one,
In hand, and hope of action 4: but we do learn
By thofe that know the very nerves of state,
His givings-out were of an infinite distance
From his true-meant defign. Upon his place,
And with full line 5 of his authority,
Governs lord Angelo: A man whose blood
Is very fnow-broth; one who never feels
The wanton ftings and motions of the fense;
But doth rebate and blunt his natural edge
With profits of the mind, study and fast.
He (to give fear to use and liberty 6,
Which have, for long, run by the hideous law,
As mice by lions) hath pick'd out an act,
Under whofe heavy fenfe your brother's life

Lacis. Hail, virgin, if you be; as those cheek- Falls into forfeit: he arrefts him on it;

rofes

Proclaim you are no lefs! Can you so stead me,
As bring me to the fight of Isabella,
A novice of this place, and the fair fifter
To her unhappy brother Claudio?

Tab. Why her unhappy brother? let me afk;
The rather, for I now must make you know
I am that Ifabella, and his fifter. [greets you:
Lacis. Gentle and fair, your brother kindly
Not to be weary with you, he's in prison.
Jab. Woe me! For what?

[judge,

Lacis. For that, which, if myself might be his He thould receive his punishment in thanks :

He hath got his friend with child.

Hab. Sir, make me not your story.

And follows close the rigour of the statute,
To make him an example: all hope is gone,
Unless you have the grace 7 by your fair prayer
To foften Angelo: and that's my pith 8
Of bufinefs 'twixt you and your poor brother.
Ifab. Doth he fo feek his life?
Lucio. Has cenfur'd 9 him
Already; and, as I hear, the provoft hath
A warrant for his execution.

Ifab. Alas! what poor ability's in me
To do him good?

Lucio. Affay the power you have.
Ijab. My power! Alas! I doubt,-
Lucio. Our doubts are traitors,

And make us lofe the good we oft might win,

Lacio. 'Tis true:-I would not (though 'tis my By fearing to attempt: Go to lord Angelo,

familiar fin

With maids to feem the lapwing, and to jest,
Tungue far from heart) play with all virgins so :
I boid you as a thing ensky'd, and fainted;
By your renouncement, an immortal spirit;
And to be talked with in fincerity,

As with a faint.

Jab. You do blafpheme the good, in mocking me.
Lacia. Do not believe it. Fewness and truth, 'tis
Your brother and his lover have embrac'd: [thus:
As thofe that feed grow full; as blossoming time
*That from the feedness the bare fallow brings
To teeming foyfon 3; fo her plenteous womb

And let him learn to know, when maidens fue,
Men give like gods; but when they weep and kneel,
All their petitions are as truly theirs
As they themselves would owe 10 them.
Ifab. I'll fee what I can do.
Lucio. But, fpeedily.
Ifab. I will about it strait;
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 fend him certain word of my success.
Lucio. I take my leave of you.
Ifab. Good fir, adieu.

I That is, in few words. 2 For that, we should probably read doth; and inftead of brings, g. 3 That is, plenty, abundance. 4 The meaning is, he kept many gentlemen in expectation and dependance. 5 That is, full extent. 6 That is, to intimidate practices long countenanced by custom. That is, the power of gaining favour. The principal part of my meffage. 9 That is, has fen

anced him.

1o To owe, here fignifies, to poffefs, to have. II The abbefs.

ACT

ACT II.

SCENE I.
Angelo's boufe.

Enter Angelo, Efcalus, a fuflice, Provost, and

Ang. WE E muft not make a scare-crow of the

Elb. Ay, fir; whom, I thank heaven, is an honest woman ;

Efcal. Doft thou deteft her, therefore?

Elb. I fay, fir, I will deteft myfelf alio, as well as fhe, that this houfe, if it be not a bawd's house, it is pity of her life, for it is a naughty houfe.

Efal. How doft thou know that, conftable?

Elb. Marry, fir, by my wife; who, if the had been a woman cardinally given, might have been accufed in fornication, adultery, and all uncleanness there.

Efcal. By the woman's means?

Elb. Ay, fir, by miftrefs Over-done's means: but as the fpit in his face, fo the defy'd him. Clown. Sir, if it please your honour, this is not fo. Elb. Prove it before thefe varlets here, thou honourable man, prove it.

Eftal. Do you hear how he mifplaces?

Clown. Sir, the came in great with child; and longing (faving your honour's reverence) for ftew'd prunes 11; fir, we had but two in the house, which at that very diftant time flood as it were, in a fruit-dish, a difh of fome three-pence; your

1 The provet is ufually the executioner of an army. 2 To affright, to terrify. which you now blame him. 4 Pregnant here means plain. 5 That is, becaufe. That is, from the thorny paths of vice. 7 Comes off well, when feriously applied to speech, imports a story or tale to be well told or delivered. Efcalus, however, here ufes the phrafe ironically. 8 The Clown quibbles on the word elbow; meaning, he is cut at the word elbow, and out at the elbow of his coat.

meaning is, he is half tapiter, half bawd. 10 That is, he keeps a bagnio. 11 A difh of fewed prunes in the window, was the ancient mark or characteristic, as well as the conflant appendage of a brothel.