O, faithless coward! O, dishonest wretch! Heaven shield, my mother play'd my father fair! Ne'er issu'd from his blood. Take my defiance :2 Claud. Nay, hear me, Isabel. Duke. That shall not be much amiss: yet, as the matter now stands, he will avoid your accusation; he made trial of you only.-Therefore, fasten your ear on my advisings; to the love I have in doing good, a remedy presents itself. I do make myself believe, that you may most uprighteously do a poor wronged lady a merited benefit; redeem your brother from the angry law; do no stain to your own gracious person; and much please the absent duke, if, peradventure, he shall ever return to have hear ing of this business. Isab. Let me hear you speak further; I have spirit to do any thing that appears not foul in the O, fie, fie, fie truth of my spirit. Thy sin's not accidental, but a trade :3 [Going. Duke. Virtue is bold, and goodness never fearful. Have not you heard speak of Mariana, the sister of Frederick, the great soldier, who miscarried at sea? Isab. I have heard of the lady, and good words went with her name. Duke. Vouchsafe a word, young sister, but one affianced to her by oath, and the nuptial appointed: word. Isab. What is your will? Duke. Might you dispense with your leisure, I would by and by have some speech with you: the satisfaction I would require, is likewise your own benefit. Isab. I have no superfluous leisure; my stay must be stolen out of other affairs; but I will attend you a while. Duke. Her should this Angelo have married; was between which time of the contract, and limit of the solemnity, her brother Frederick was wrecked at sea, having in that perish'd vessel the dowry of his sister. But mark, how heavily this befel to the poor gentlewoman: there she lost a noble and renowned brother, in his love toward her ever most kind and natural; with him the portion and sinew of her fortune, her marriage-dowry; with both, her combinates husband, this well-seeming Angelo. Duke. [To Claudio, aside.] Son, I have over- Isab. Can this be so? Did Angelo so leave her? heard what hath passed between you and your sisDuke. Left her in her tears, and dry'd not one of ter. Angelo had never the purpose to corrupt her; them with his comfort; swallowed his vows whole, only he hath made an essay of her virtue, to practise pretending, in her, discoveries of dishonour: in few, his judgment with the disposition of natures: she, bestowed her on her own lamentation, which she having the truth of honour in her, hath made him yet wears for his sake; and he, a marble to her that gracious denial which he is most glad to re-tears, is washed with them, but relents not. ceive; I am confessor to Angelo, and I know this to be true; therefore prepare yourself to death: do not satisfy your resolution with hopes that are fallible to-morrow you must die; go to your knees, and make ready. Claud. Let me ask my sister pardon. I am so out of love with life, that I will sue to be rid of it. Duke. Hold you there: farewell. [Ex. Claud. Re-enter Provost. Provost, a word with you. Isab. What a merit were it in death, to take this poor maid from the world! What corruption in this life, that it will let this man live!-But how out of this can she avail? Duke. It is a rupture that you may easily heal: and the cure of it not only saves your brother, but keeps you from dishonour in doing it. Isab. Show me how, good father. Duke. This fore-named maid hath yet in her the continuance of her first affection; his unjust unkindness, that in all reason should have quenched Prov. What's your will, father? her love, hath, like an impediment in the current, Duke. That now you are come, you will be gone: made it more violent and unruly. Go you to Angeleave me a while with the maid; my mind promises lo; answer his requiring with a plausible obediwith my habit, no loss shall touch her by my com-ence; agree with his demands to the point: only pany. refer yourself to this advantage,-first, that your Prov. In good time. [Exit Provost. stay with him may not be long; that the time may Duke. The hand that hath made you fair, hath have all shadow and silence in it; and the place made you good: the goodness, that is cheap in answer to convenience: this being granted in beauty, makes beauty brief in goodness; but grace,course, now follows all. We shall advise this being the soul of your complexion, should keep the body of it ever fair. The assault, that Angelo hath made to you, fortune hath convey'd to my understanding; and, but that frailty hath examples for his falling, I should wonder at Angelo. How would you do to content this substitute, and to save your brother? Isab. I am now going to resolve him: I had rather my brother die by the law, than my son should be unlawfully born. But O, how much is the good duke deceived in Angelo! If ever he return, and I can speak to him, I will open my lips in vain, or discover his government. (1) Wildness. (2) Refusal. wronged maid to stead up your appointment, go in your place; if the encounter acknowledge itself hereafter, it may compel him to her recompense: and here, by this, is your brother saved, your honour untainted, the poor Mariana advantaged, and the corrupt deputy scaled.8 The maid will I frame, and make fit for his attempt. If you think well to carry this as you may, the doubleness of the benefit defends the deceit from reproof. What think you of it? Isab. The image of it gives me content already; and, I trust, it will grow to a most prosperous per fection. Duke. It lies much in your holding up: haste (5) Betrothed. (6) Gave her up to her sorrows. (7) Have recourse to. (8) Over-reached. you speedily to Angelo; if for this night he entreat you to his bed, give him promise of satisfaction. I will presently to St. Luke's; there, at the moated grange, resides this dejected Mariana: at that place call upon me; and despatch with Angelo, that it may be quickly. Isab. I thank you for this comfort: fare you well, good father. [Exeunt severally. SCENE II.-The street before the prison. Enter Duke, as a friar; to him Elbow, Clown, and Officers. Elb. Nay, if there be no remedy for it, but that you will needs buy and sell men and women like beasts, we shall have all the world drink brown and white bastard.2 Duke. O, heavens! what stuff is here? Clo. 'Twas never merry world, since, of two usuries, the merriest was put down, and the worser allow'd by order of law a furr'd gown to keep him warm; and furr'd with fox and lamb-skins too, to signify, that craft, being richer than innocency, stands for the facing. Elb. Come your way, sir:-Bless you, good father friar. Duke. And you, good brother father: What offence hath this man made you, sir? Elb. Marry, sir, he hath offended the law: and, sir, we take him to be a thief too, sir; for we have found upon him, sir, a strange pick-lock,3 which we have sent to the deputy. Duke. Fie, sirrah; a bawd, a wicked bawd! The evil that thou causest to be done, That is thy means to live: do thou but think What 'tis to cram a maw, or clothe a back, From such a filthy vice: say to thyself,From their abominable and beastly touches I drink, I eat, array myself, and live. Canst thou believe thy living is a life, So stinkingly depending? Go, mend, go, mend. Clo. Indeed, it does stink in some sort, sir; but yet, sir, I would prove Duke. Nay, if the devil have given thee proofs for sin, Thou wilt prove his. Take him to prison, officer; Elb. He must before the deputy, sir; he has given him warning: the deputy cannot abide a whoremaster: if he be a whoremonger, and comes before him, he were as good go a mile on his errand. Duke. That we were all, as some would seem to be, Free from our faults, as faults from seeming, free! Enter Lucio. Lucio. How doth my dear morsel, thy mistress? Procures she still? Ha? Clo. Troth, sir, she hath eaten up all her beef, and she is herself in the tub.5 Lucio. Why, 'tis good; it is the right of it; it must be so ever your fresh whore, and your powder'd bawd: an unshunn'd consequence; it must be so: art going to prison, Pompey? Clo. Yes, faith, sir. Lucio. Why, 'tis not amiss, Pompey: farewell: go; say, I sent thee thither. For debt, Pompey? Or how? Elb. For being a bawd, for being a bawd. ment be the due of a bawd, why, 'tis his right: Lucio. Well, then imprison him: if imprisonbawd is he, doubtless, and of antiquity too; bawdborn. Farewell, good Pompey: commend me to the prison, Pompey: you will turn good husband now, Pompey; you will keep the house.6 Clo. I hope, sir, your good worship will be my bail. the wear. I will pray, Pompey, to increase your Lucio. No, indeed, will I not, Pompey; it is not mettle is the more. Adieu, trusty Pompey.-Bless bondage: if you take it not patiently, why, your you, friar. Duke. And you. Lucio. Does Bridget paint still, Pompey? Ha? Elb. Come your ways, sir; come. [Exeunt Elbow, Clown, and Officers. What news, friar, of the duke? Duke. I know none: can you tell me of any? Lucio. Some say, he is with the emperor of Russia; other some, he is in Rome: but where is he, think you? Duke. I know not where: but wheresoever, I wish him well. steal from the state, and usurp the beggary he Lucio. It was a mad fantastical trick of him, to his absence; he puts transgression to't. was never born to. Lord Angelo dukes it well in Duke. He does well in't. no harm in him: something too crabbed that way, Lucio. A little more lenity to lechery would do friar. Duke. It is too general a vice, and severity must cure it. kindred; it is well ally'd: but it is impossible to Lucio. Yes, in good sooth, the vice is of a great extirp it quite, friar, till eating and drinking be put down. They say, this Angelo was not made Clo. I spy comfort; I cry, bail: here's a gen-creation: is it true, think you? by man and woman, after the downright way of tleman, and a friend of mine. Elb. His neck will come to your waist, a cord,4 sir. Laucio. How now, noble Pompey? What, at the Duke. How should he be made then? heels of Cæsar? Art thou led in triumph? What, Lucio. Some report, a sea-maid spawn'd him :is there none of Pygmalion's images, newly made Some, that he was begot between two stock-fishes : woman, to be had now, for putting the hand in the pocket, and extracting it clutch'd? What reply? Ha? What say'st thou to this tune, matter, and method? Is't not drown'd i' the last rain? Ha? What say'st thou, trot? Is the world as it was, man? Which is the way? Is it sad, and few words? Or how? The trick of it? Duke. Still thus, and thus! still worse! but it is certain, that when he makes water, his urine is congeal'd ice; that I know to be true: and he is a motions ungenerative, that's infallible. Duke. You are pleasant, sir; and speak apace. Lucio. Why, what a ruthless thing is this in him, for the rebellion of a cod-piece, to take away the life of a man? Would the duke, that is absent, have done this? Ere he would have hang'd a man for the getting a hundred bastards, he would have MEASURE FOR MEASURE. paid for the nursing a thousand: he had some feel- Duke. I never heard the absent duke much de- Lucio. Who? not the duke? yes, your beggar of fifty;-and his use was, to put a ducat in her clack-dish: the duke had crotchets in him: he would be drunk too; that let me inform you. Duke. You do him wrong, surely. Lucio. Sir, I was an inward of his: a shy fellow was the duke: and, I believe, I know the cause of his withdrawing. Act III. Can censure 'scape; back-wounding calumny Enter Escalus, Provost, Bawd, and Officers. Prov. A bawd of eleven years continuance, may it please your honour. Duke. What, I pr'ythee, might be the cause? Lucio. No, pardon;-'tis a secret must be against me: mistress Kate Keep-down was with Bawd. My lord, this is one Lucio's information lock'd within the teeth and the lips; but this I can child by him in the duke's time, he promised her let you understand,-The greater file2 of the sub-marriage; his child is a year and a quarter old, ject held the duke to be wise. Duke. Wise? why, no question but he was. Lucio. A very superficial, ignorant, unweighing3 fellow. come Philip and Jacob: I have kept it myself; and see how he goes about to abuse me. Escal. That fellow is a fellow of much license : -let him be called before us.-Away with her to Duke. Either this is envy in you, folly, or mis- prison: Go to; no more words. [Exeunt Bawd and taking; the very stream of his life, and the business Officers.] Provost, my brother Angelo will not be he hath helmed, must, upon a warranted need, alter'd, Claudio must die to-morrow; let him be give him a better proclamation. Let him be but tes-furnished with divines, and have all charitable pretimonied in his own bringings forth, and he shall paration: if my brother wrought by my pity, it appear to the envious, a scholar, a statesman, and should not be so with him. a soldier: therefore, you speak unskilfully; or, if your knowledge be more, it is much darken'd in your malice. Lucio. Sir, I know him, and I love him. Duke. Love talks with better knowledge, and knowledge with dearer love. Lucio. Come, sir, I know what I know. Duke. I can hardly believe that, since you know not what you speak. But, if ever the duke return (as our prayers are he may,) let me desire you to make your answer before him: if it be honest you have spoke, you have courage to maintain it: I am bound to call upon you; and, I pray you, your name? Lucio. Sir, my name is Lucio; well known to the duke. Duke. He shall know you better, sir, if I may live to report you. Lucio. I fear you not. Duke. O, you hope the duke will return no more; or you imagine me too unhurtful an opposite. But, indeed, I can do you little harm: you'll forswear this again. Lucio. I'll be hang'd first: thou art deceived in and advised him for the entertainment of death. now To use it for my time: I am a brother Escal. What news abroad i' the world? Duke. What pleasure was he given to? Escal. Rather rejoicing to see another merry, than merry at any thing which profess'd to make him rejoice: a gentleman of all temperance. But leave prosperous: and let me desire to know how you find Claudio prepared. I am made to understand, that you have lent him visitation. Lucio. Why? for filling a bottle with a tun-dish.we him to his events, with a prayer they may prove I would, the duke, we talk of, were return'd again: this ungenitur'd agent will unpeople the province with continency; sparrows must not build in his house-eaves, because they are lecherous. The duke yet would have dark deeds darkly answer'd; he measures from his judge, but most willingly humDuke. He professes to have received no sinister would never bring them to light: would he were re-bles himself to the determination of justice: yet turn'd! Marry, this Claudio is condemned for un-had he framed to himself, by the instruction of his trussing. Farewell, good friar; I pr'ythee, pray for frailty, many deceiving promises of life; which I, me. The duke, I say to thee again, would cat mut- by my good leisure, have discredited to him, and ton on Fridays. He's now past it; yet, and I say to now is he resolveds to die. thee, he would mouth with a beggar, though she smelt brown bread and garlic: say, that I said so. [Exit. Farewell. (1) Suspected. (2) The majority of his subjects. 3) Inconsiderate. (4) Guided. (5) Opponent. and the prisoner the very debt of your calling. I Escal. You have paid the heavens your function, have labour'd for the poor gentleman, to the ex Scene I. MEASURE FOR MASURE. tremest shore of my modesty; but my brother jus-is come, even now. I shall crave your forbearance Duke. If his own life answers the straitness of his proceeding, it shall become him well; wherein, if he chance to fail, he hath sentenced himself. Escal. am going to visit the prisoner: Fare you well. Duke. Peace be with you! [Exeunt Escalus and Provost. ACT IV. [Exit. I cry you mercy, sir; and well could wish To make bad, good, and good provoke to harm. here to meet. Mari. You have not been inquired after: I have sat here all day. Enter Isabella. [Exit. Mari. I am always bound to you. Duke. But shall you on your knowledge find Isab. I have ta'en a due and wary note upon't; Are there no other tokens Duke. 'Tis well borne up. I have not yet made known to Mariana A word of this :-What, ho! within! come forth! Duke. Do you persuade yourself that I respect you? Mari. Good friar, I know you do; and have found it. Duke. Take then this your companion by the hand, Who hath a story ready for your ear: I shall attend your leisure; but make haste; Will't please you walk aside? [Exeunt Mariana and Isabella. Duke. O place and greatness, millions of false eyes Are stuck thee! volumes of report upon Run with these false and most contrarious quests? Re-enter Mariana and Isabella. Mari. Little have you to say, Fear me not. Duke. Nor, gentle daughter, fear you not at all: Duke. I do constantly believe you :-The time Sith that the justice of your title to him One has my pity; not a jot the other, Look, here's the warrant, Claudio, for thy death: Prov. Come hither, sirrah: can you cut off a 'Tis now dead midnight, and by eight to-morrow man's head. Clo. If the man be a bachelor, sir, I can: but if he be a married man, he is his wife's head, and I can never cut off a woman's head. Prov. Come, sir, leave me your snatches, and yield me a direct answer. To-morrow morning are to die Claudio and Barnardine: here is in our prison a common executioner, who in his office lacks a helper: if you will take it on you to assist him, it shall redeem you from your gyves;2 if not, you shall have your full time of imprisonment, and your deliverance with an unpitied whipping; for you have been a notorious bawd. Clo. Sir, I have been an unlawful bawd, time out of mind; but yet I will be content to be a lawful hangman. I would be glad to receive some instruction from my fellow partner. Prov. What ho, Abhorson! Where's Abhorson, there? Enter Abhorson. Abhor. Do you call, sir? Prov. Sirrah, here's a fellow will help you tomorrow in your execution: if you think him meet, compound with him by the year, and let him abide here with you: if not, use him for the present, and dismiss him he cannot plead his estimation with you; he hath been a bawd. Thou must be made immortal. Where's Barnardine? bour When it lies starkly7 in the traveller's bones: I Who can do good on him? Well, go, prepare yourself. But hark, what noise? Heaven give your spirits comfort! [Exit Claudio. hope it is some pardon, or reprieve, Duke. The best and wholesomest spirits of the Envelop you, good provost! Who call'd here of late? Prov. No. They will then, ere't be long. Abhor. A bawd, sir? Fie upon him, he will dis-To qualify in others: were he meal'd That in himself, which he spurs on his power credit our mystery.3 will turn the scale. Prov. Go to, sir; you weigh equally; a feather [Exit. Clo. Pray, sir, by your good favour (for, surely, sir, a good favour you have, but that you have a hanging look,) do you call, sir, your occupation a mystery? Abhor. Ay, sir; a mystery. Clo. Painting, sir, I have heard say, is a mystery; and your whores, sir, being members of my occupation, using painting, do prove my occupation a mystery: but what mystery there should be in hanging, if I should be hang'd, I cannot imagine. Abhor. Sir, it is a mystery. Clo. Proof. Abhor. Every trues man's apparel fits your thief: if it be too little for your thief, your true man thinks it big enough; if it be too big for your thief, your thief thinks it little enough: so every true man's apparel fits your thief. Re-enter Provost. Prov. Are you agreed? Clo. Sir, I will serve him; for I do find, your hangman is a more penitent trade than your bawd; he doth oftener ask forgiveness. Prov. You, sirrah, provide your block and your axe, to-morrow four o'clock. Abhor. Come on, bawd; I will instruct thee in my trade; follow. Clo. I do desire to learn, sir; and, I hope, if you have occasion to use me for your own turn, you shall find me yare 6 for, truly, sir, for your kindness, I owe you a good turn. Prov. Call hither Barnardine and Claudio: (1) Tilth, land prepared for sowing. (2) Fetters. With that which he corrects, then were he tyrannous; That wounds the unsisting postern with these Provost returns, speaking to one at the door. Prov. There he must stay, until the officer Prov. Prov. |