art SCENE III.--The same.-Enter Provost,' Clau-1 Claud. I have done so, but he's not to be found. dio, Juliet, and Officers; Lucio, and two Gen- I pr’ythee, Lucio, do me this kind service: tlemen. This day my sister should the cloister enter, And there receive her approbation :' Claud. Fellow, why dost thou show me thus to Acquaint her with the danger of my state ;. the world? Implore her, in my voice, that she make friends Bear me to prison, where I am committed. To the strici deputy ; bid herself assay him ; Prov. I do it not in evil disposition, I have great hope in that: for in her youth But from lord Angelo by special charge. There is a prone and speechless dialect, Claud. Thus can the demi-god, Authority, Such as moves men; besides, she hath prosperous Make us pay down for our offence by weight.The words of heaven ;-—on whom It will, it will; When she will play with reason and discourse. On whom it will not, so ; yet still 'tis just. Lucio. I pray she may; as well for the encourage with you. Lucio. Why, how now, Claudio ? whence comes ment of the like, whích else would stand under this restraint ? grievous imposition; as for the enjoying of thy life, Claud. From too much liberty, my Lucio, liberty: who I would be sorry should be thus foolishly lost As surfeit is the father of much fast, at a game of tick-tack. I'll to her. So every scope by the immoderate use Claud. I thank you, good friend Lucio. Turns to restraint: our natures do pursue Lucio. Within two hours, (Like rats that ravin2 down their proper bane,) (Exeunt. A thirsty evil; and when we drink, we die. Lucio. If I could speak so wisely under an arrest, SCENE IV. A monastery. Enter Duke and I would send for certain of my creditors: and yet, Friar Thomas. to say the truth, I had as liei' have the foppery of freedom, as the morality of imprisonment. What's Believe not that the dribbling dart of love Duke. No; holy father; throw away that thought; thy offence, Claudio ? Claud. What, but to speak of would offend again. Can pierce a complete bosom :: why I desire thee Lucio. What is it ? murder ? give me secret harbour, hath a purpose Claud. No. More grave and wrinkled than the aims and ends Lucio. Lechery ? or burning youth. Fri, Claud. Call it so. May your grace speak of it ? Prov. Away, sir ; you must go. Duke. My holy sir, none better knows than you Claud. One word, good friend :-Lucio, a word How I have ever lov'd the life remord ;* [Takes him aside. And held in id'e price to haunt assemblies, Lucio. A hundred, if they'll do you any good. Where youth, and cost, and witless bravery keeps." I have delivered to lord Angelo 18 lechery so look'd after ? Claud. Thus stands it with me:-Upon a true (A man of stricture, to and firm abstinence,) contract, My absolute power and place here in Vienna, I got possession of Julietta's bed; And he supposes me travell’d to Poland; For so I have strew'd it in the common ear, And so it is receiv'd: now, pious sir, or outward order : this we came not to, You will demand of me, why I do this ? Only for propagation of a dower Fri. Gladly, my lord. Duke. We have strict statutes, and most biting Remaining in the coffer of her friends; laws Even like an over-grown lion in a cave, That goes not out to prey: now, as fond fathers Claud. Unhappily, even so. Having bound up the threat'ning twigs of birch, And the new deputy now for the duke, Only to stick it in their children's sight, Whether it be the fault and glimpse of newness; For terror, not to use ; in time the rod Or whether that the body public be Becomes more mock'd, than fear'd: so our decrees, A horse whereon the governor doth ride, Dead to infliction, to themselves are dead; And liberty plucks justice by the nose ; The baby beats the nurse, and quite athwart Goes all decorum. Whether the tyranny be in his place, Fri. It rested in your grace Or in his eminence that fills it up, To unloose this tied-up justice, when you pleas'd: I stagger in :-- But this new governor Awakes me all the enrclled penalties, And it in you more dreadful would have seem'd, Than in lord Angelo. Which have, like unscour'd armour, hung by the Duke. I do fear, too dreadful : wall So long, that nineteen zodiacs' have gone round, "Twould be my tyranny to strike, and gall them Sith'' 'twas my fault to give the people scope, And none of them been worn; and, for a name, For what I bid them do: for we bid this be done, Now puts the drowsy and neglected act When evil deeds have their permissive past, Freshly on me:-'tis surely for a name. And not the punishment. Therefore, indeed, my Lucio. I warrant it is : and thy head stands so tickle on thy shoulders, that a milk-maid, if she I have on Angelo impos'd the office; father, be in love, may sigh it off. Send after the duke, Who may, in the ambush of my name, strike home, and appeal to him. And yet my nature never in the sight, (1) Gaoler. (2) Voraciously devour. (7) Completely armed. (8) Retired. 3) Yearly circles. (4) Ticklish. 9) Showy dress resides. (10) Striotness. 13) Enter on her probation. (6) Prompt. (11) Sinca To do it slander: and to behold his sway, To teeming foison ; even so her plenteous wonb I will, as 'twere a brother of your order, Expresseth his full tilth“ and husbandry. Juliet ? Lucio. Is she vour cousin ? namcs, Only, this one:-Lord Angelo is precise ; By vain though apt affection. She it is. Isab. O, let him marry her! Lucio. This is the point If power change purpose, what our seemers be. The duke is very strangely gone from hence ; [Ereunt. Bore many gentlemen, myself being one, In hand, and hope of action : but we do learn Enter Isabella and 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, Isab. And have you nuns no further privileges ? And with full line of his authority, Fran. Are not these large enough? Governs lord Angelo; a man, whose blood Isab. Yes, truly: I speak not as desiring more; Is very snow-broth; one who never feels But rather wishing a more strict restraint The wanton stings and motions of the sense ; Upon the sisterhood, the votarists of saint Clare. But doth rebate and blunt his natural edge Lucio. Ho! peace be in this place! (Within. With profits of the mind, study and fast. Isab. Who's that which calls ? He (to give fear to use and liberty, Fran. It is a man's voice: gentle Isabella, Which have, for long, run by the hideous law, Turn you the key, and know his business of him; As mice by lions,) hath pick'd out an act, You may, I may not; you are yet unsworn: Under whose heavy sense your brother's life When you have vow'd, you must not speak with Falls into forfeit: he arrests him on it ; men, And follows close the rigour of the statute, But in the presence of the prioress : To make him an example: all hope is gone, Then, if you speak, you must not show your face; Unless you have the grace by your fair prayer Or, if you show your face, you must not speak. To soften Angelo: and that's my pith He calls again; I pray you answer him. or business 'twixt you and your poor brother. (Ecit Francisca. Isab. Doth hc so seek his life? Isab. Peace and prosperity! Who is't that calls ? Lucio. Has censur'd' him: Enter Lucio. Already; and, as I hear, the provost hath A warrant for his execution. To do him good ? Assay the power you have. As bring me to the sight of Isabella, Isab. My power! Alas! I doubt, A novice of this place, and the fair sister Lucio. Our doubts are traitors, To her unhappy brother Claudio ? And make us lose the good we oft might win, Isab. Why her unhappy brother ? let me ask; By fearing to attempt: go to lord Angelo, The rather, for I now must make you know And let him learn to know, when maidens sue, I am that Isabella, and his sister. Men give like gods; but when they weep and kneel, Lucio. Gentle and fair, your brother kindly All their petitions are as freely theirs greets you: As they themselves would owe them. Not to be weary with you, he's in prison. Isab. I'll sce what I can do. Isab. Wo me! For what? Lucio. But speedily. Lucio. For that, which, if myself might be his Isab. I will about it straight; judre, No longer staying but to give the mother! He should receive his punishment in thanks : Notice of my affair. I humbly thank you : He hath crot his friend with child. Commend me to iny brother : soon at night Isab. Sir, make me not your story.” I'll send him certain word of my success. Lucio. It is true. Lucio. I take my leave of you. I would not-though 'tis my familiar sin Isab. Good sir, adient. With maids to seem the lapwing, and to jest, (Exeunt. 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, ACT II. As with a saint. Isab. You do blaspheme the good, in mocking SCENE I-A hall in Angelo's house. Enter Angelo, Escalus, a Justice, Provost, Officers, and Lucio. Do not believe it. Fewness and truth," attenuants. 'tis thus : Your brother and his lover have embrac'd : Ang. We must not make a scare-crow of the law As those that seed grow full: as blossoming time, Sctting it up to fears the birds of prey, That from the seedness the bare fallow brings And let it keep one shape, till custom make it Their perch, and not their terror. (1) On his defence. (2) Do not make a jest of me. 13) In few and the words. (4) Breading plenty. (7) Power of gaining favour. (8) Sentencui. (5) Tilling. (6) Extent. (9) Have. (10) Abbons. (11) Scare. N roses me. Escal. Ay, but yet Escal. How know you that? Let us be keen, and rather cut a little, Elb. My wife, sir, whom I detest" before hesThan fall, and bruise to death: alas! this gentleman, ven and your honour, Whom I would save, had a most noble father. Escal. How! thy wife? Let but your honour know Elb. Ay, sir; whom, I thank heaven, is an (Whom I believe to be most strait in virtue,) honest woman,That, in the working of your own affections, Escal. Dost thou detest her therefore ? Had lime coher’da with place, or place with wishing, Elb. I say, sir, I will detest myself also, as well Or that the resolute acting of your blood as she, that this house, if it be not a bawd's house, Could have attain’d the effect of your own purpose, it is pity of her life, for it is a naughty house. Whether you had not sometime in your life Escal. How dost thou know that, constable ? Err'd in this point which now you censure him, Elb. Marry, sir, by my wife; who, if she had And pull'd the law upon you. been a woman cardinally given, might have been Ang. "Tis one thing to be tempted, Escalus, accused in fornication, adultery, and all uncleanliAnother thing to fall. I not deny, ness there. The jury, passing on the prisoner's life, Escal. By the woman's means? May, in the sworn twelve, have a thief or two Elb. Ay, sir, by mistress Over-done's means: Guiltier than him they try: what's open made to but as she spit in his face, so she defied him. justice, Clo. Sir, if it please your honour, this is not so. That justice seizes. What know the laws, Elb. Prove it before these varlets here, thou That thieves do passa on thieves ? 'Tis very preg- honourable man, prove it. nant, Escal. Do you hear how he misplaces ? The jewel that we find, we stoop and take it, (To Angelo. Because we see it ; but what we do not see, Clo. Sir, she came in great with child; and longWe tread upon, and never think of it. ing (saving your honour's reverenice) for stew'd You may not so extenuate his offence, prunes : sir, we had but two in the house, which at For: I have had such faults; but rather tell me, that very distant time stood, as it were, in a fruit. When I, that censure him, do so offend, dish, a dish of some three-pence: your honours have Let mine own judgment pattern out my death, seen such dishes; they are not China dishes, but And nothing come in partiul. Sir, he must die. very good dishes. Escal. Be it as your wisdom will. Escal. Go to, go to: no matter for the dish, sir. Ang. Where is the provost ? Clo. No, indeed, sir, not of a pin; you are thereProv. Here, if it like your honour. fore in the right : but, to the point : as I say, this Ang. See that Claudio mistress Elbow, being, as I say, with child, and beBe executed by nine to-morrow morning : ing great belly d, ard longing, as I said, for prunes; Bring him his confessor, let him be prepard; and having but two in the dish, as I said, master For that's the utmost of his pilgrimage." (Er. Prov. Froth here, this very man, having eaten the rest, as Escal. Well, heaven forgive him ; and forgive I said, and, as I say, paying for them very honestly; us all! -for, as you know, master Froth, I could not give Some rise by sin, and some by virtue fall: you three-pence again. Some run from brakes? of vice, and answer none; Froth. No, indeed. And some condemned for a fault alone. Clo. Very well : you being then, if you be re member'd, cracking the stones of the foresaid Enter Elbow, Froth, Clown, Officers, &c. prunes. Elb. Come, bring them away: if these be good Froth. Ay, so I did, indeed. people in a cominon weal, that do nothing but use Clo. Why, very well: I telling you then, if you their abuses in common houses, I know no law; be remember'd, that such a one, and such a one, bring them away. were past cure of the thing you wot of, unless they Ang. How now, sir! what's your name? and kept very good diet, as I told you. what's the matter? Froth. All this is true. Elb. If it please your honour, I am the poor Clo. Why, very well then. duke's constable, and my name is Elbow; I do Escal. Come, you are a tedious fool: to the pur lean upon justice, sir, and do bring in here before pose.-—What was done to Elbow's wife, that he your good honour two notorious benefactors. hath cause to complain of ? Come me to what was done to her. Ang. Benefactors ? Well ; what benefactors are they?' are they not mal factors ? Clo. Sir, your honour cannot come to that yet. Elb. If it please your honour, I know not well Escal. No, sir, nor I mean it not. what they are: but precise villains they are, that I Clo. Sir, but you shall come to it, by your how am sure of; and void of all profanation in the nour's leave: and I beseech you, look into master world, that rood Christians ought to have. Froth here, sir ; a man of fourscore pound a year; Escul. This comes off well;' here's a wise officer. whose father died at Hallowmas :-Was't not at Ang. Go to: what quality are they of ? Elbow Hallowmas, master Froth? Froth. All-hnllond 13 eve. is your name? Why dost thou not speak, Elbow ? Clo. He cannot, sir; he's out at elbow. Clo. Why, very well; I hope here be truths Ang. What are you, sir ? he, sir, sitting, as I say, in a lower' chair, sir; Elb. He, sir? a tapster, sir ; parcello-bawd; one have a delight to sit: have you not? 'twas in the Bunch of Grapes, where, indeed, you that serves a bad woman; whose house, sir, was, as they say, pluck'd down in the suburbsand now Froth. I have so; because it is an open room, she p ofeases) a hot-house, which, I think, is a and good for winter. very ill house loo. (1) Examine. (2) Suited. (3) Pass judgment. (9) Well told. (10) Partly. (11) Keeps a bagnio. (4) Plain. (5) Because. (6) Sentence. (12) For protest. (13) Eve of All Saints day. (7) Thickest, thorny paths of vice. (8) Wealth.! (14) Easy. once. Clo. Why, very well then;-I hope here be Clo. Mistress Over-done. truths. Escal. Hath she had any more than one husband ? Ang. This will last out a night in Russia, Clo. Nine, sir; Over-done by the last. When nights are longest there: I'll take my leave, Escal. Nine!--Corne hither to me, master Froth. And leave you to the hearing of the cause ; Master Froih, I would not have you acquainted Hoping, you'll find good cause to whip them all. with tapsters; they will draw you, master Froth, Escal. I think no less : good morrow to your and you will hang them: get you gone, and let lordship. [Erit Angelo. me hear no more of you. Now, sir, come on: what was done to Elbow's Froth. I thank your worship: for mine own wite, once more? part, I never come into any room in a taphouse, Clo. Once, sir ? there was nothing done to her but I am drawn in. Escal. Well; no more of it, master Froth: fareElb. I beseech you, sir, ask him what this man well. (Exit Froth.)-Come you hither to me, did to my wife? master tapster; what's your name, master tapster? Clo. I beseech your honour, ask me. Clo. Pompey. Escal. Well, sir: what did this gentleman to her? Escal. What else? Clo. I beseech you, sir, look in this gentleman's Clo. Bum, sir. face :-Good master Froth, look upon his honour; Escal. "Troth, and your bum is the greatest 'lis for a good purpose : doth your honour mark thing about you; so that, in the beastliest sense, you his face? are Pompey the great. Pompey, you are partly a Escal. Ay, sir, very well. bawd, Pompey, howsoever you colour it in being a Clo. Nay, I beseech you, mark it well. tapster. Are you not? come, tell me true; it shall Escal, Well, I do so. be the better for you. Clo. Doth your honour see any harm in his face? Clo. Truly, sir, I am a poor fellow, that would Escal. Why, no. live. Clo. I'll be suppos'd' upon a book, his face is Escal. How would you live, Pompey? by being the worst thing about him: good then ; if his face a bawd? What do you think of the trade; Pombe the worst thing about him, how could master pey ? is it a lawful trade? Froth do the constable's wife any harm ? I would Clo. If the law would allow it, sir. know that of your honour. Escal. But the law will not allow it, Pompey; Escal. He's in the right: constable, what say nor it shall not be allowed in Vienna. you to it? Clo. Does your worship mean to geld and spay Elb. First, an it like you, the house is a re- all the youth in the city ? spected house; next, this is a respected fellow; Escal. No, Pompey. and his mistress is a respected woman. Clo. Truly, sir, in my poor opinion, they will Clo. Bí this hand, sir, his wife is a more to't then: if your worship will take ordert for the respected person than any of us all. drabs and the knaves, you need not to fear the Elb. Varlet, thou liest ; thou liest, wicked var- bawds. let: the time is yet to come, that she was ever re Escal. There are pretty orders beginning, I can spected with man, wo!nan, or child. tell you: it is but headinr and hanging. Clo. Sir, she was respected with him before he Cio. If you head and hang all that offend that married with her. way but for ten year together, you'll be glad to Escal. Which is the wiser here ? justice, or ini- give out a commission for more heads. If this law quitv ?? Is this true? hold in Vienna ten year, I'll rent the firest house Elb. O thou caitiff! O thou varlet! O thou wick- in it, after three-pence a bay: if you live to see ed Hanniba!!I respected with her, before I was this come to pass, say Pompey told you so. married to her? If ever I was respected with her, Es a'. Thank yori , good Pompey; and, in reor she with me, let not your worship think ma the quital of your prophecy, hark you, — 1 advise you, poor duke's officer:---Prove ihis, thou tricked lan- let me not find you before me again upon any comnibal, or I'll have mine action of battery on thee. plaint whatsoever, no, not for dwelling where you Escal. If he took you a box o' the ear, you do; if I do, Pompey, I shall beat you to your tent, mirrht have vour artion of slander too. and prove a shrewd Cæsar to you; in plain dealElb: Marry, I thank your good worship for it: ing, Pompey, I shall have you whipt: so for this what is't your worship’s pleasure I should do with time Pompey, fare you we!l. this wicked caitiff? Clo. I thank your worship for your good counEscal. Truly, officer, because he hath some of sel; but I shall follow it, as the flesh and fortune fenees in him, that thou wouldst discover is thou shall better determine. couldst, let him continue in his courses, tilt thou Whip me! No, no; let carman whip his jade; know'st what they are. The valiant heart's not whipt out of his trade. (Ex. Elb. Marry, I thank your worship for it:-hou Escal. Come hither to me, master Elbow; come seest, thou wicked varlet now, what's come upon hither, master Constable. How long have you thee; thou art to continue now, thou varlet; thou been in this place of constable ? art to continue. Elb. Seven years and a hall, sir. Escal. Where were you born, friend? (To Froth. Escal. I thought, by your readiness in the office, Froth. Here, in Vienna, sir. you had continued in it some time: You say, seven Escal. Are you of fourscore pounds a year? years together? Froth. Yes, and't please you, sir. Elb. And a half, sir. Escal. So.-What trade are you of, sir ? Escal. Alas! it' hath been great pains to you ! (To the Clown. They do you wrong to put you so oft upon't: Are Clo. A tapster: a poor widow's tapster. there not men in your ward sufficient to serve it ? Escal. Your mistress's name? Elb. Faith, sir, few of any wit in such matters : as they are chosen, they are glad to choose me for For which I must not plead, but that I am Ang. Well; the matter? And not my brother. Ang. Condemn the fault, and not the actor of it! Why, every fault's condemn'd, ere it be done : To find the faults, whose tine stands in record, Isab. O just, but severe law! I had a brother then.-Heaven keep your honour ! (Retiring. Mercy is not itself, that oft looks so : Lucio. [To Isab.) Give't not o'er so: to him Pardon is still the nurse of second wo: again, entreat him; But yet,-Poor Claudio!- There's no remedy. Kneel down before him, hang upon his gown; Come, sir. (Eseunt. You are too cold: if you should need a pin, You could not with more tame a tongue desire it : Isab. Must he needs die ? Ing. Maiden, no remedy. Isab. Yes; I do think that you might pardon him, straight. I'll tell him of you. And neither heaven, nor man, grieve ai the mercy. Ang. I will not do't. Prov. Pray you, do. (Erit Servant.) I'll know Isab. His pleasure; my be, he will relent: Alas, But can you, if you would ? He hath but as offended in a dream! Ang. Look, what I will not, that I cannot do. All sects, all ages, smack of this vice; and he Isab. But might you do't, and do the world no To die for it! wrong, If so your heart were touch'd with that remorse! As mine is to him ? Ang. He's sentenc'd ; 'tis too late. Pror. Is it your will Claudio shall die to-morrow? Lucio. You are too cold. [To Isabella. Ang. Did I not tell thee, yea? hadst thou net Isab. Too late? why, no; 1, that do speak a word, order? May call it back again: Well believe? ...is, No ceremony that to great ones 'longs, Not the king's crown, nor the deputed sword, The marshal's truncheon, nor the judge's robe, When, after execution, judgment hath Become them with one half so good a grace, As mercy does. If he had been as you, And you as he, you would have slipt like him ; Ang. Pray you, begone. Isab. I would to heaven I had your potency, Dispose of her And what a prisoner. To some more fitter place; and that with speed. Lucio. Ay, touch him : there's the vein. (Aside Ang. Your brother is a forfeit of the law, And you but waste your words. Alas! alas! And He that might the vantage best have took, Found out the remedy: How would you be, But judge you as you are ? 0, think on that; Like man new made. Let her have needful, but not lavish, means; Ang. Be you content, fair maid : There shall be order for it. It is the law, not I, condemns your brother : Were he my kinsman, brother, or my son, It should be thus with him ;-He must die to-mor- spare him: We kill the fowl of season ;/shall we serve heaven Well; what's your suit? With less respect than we do minister (3) When in season. row. 1 |
