And given his deputation all the organs Enter ANGELO. Look. Look, where he comes. Ang. Always obedient to your grace's will, I come to know your pleasure. Duke. Angelo, There is a kind of character in thy life, As if we had them not. Spirits are not finely touch'd, But to fine issues; nor nature never lends Herself the glory of a creditor, Both thanks and use. But I do bend my speech In our remove, be thou at full ourself; Mortality and inercy in Vienna Live in thy tongue and heart: Old Escalus, Though first in question, is thy secondary: Take thy commission. Ang. Now, good my lord, 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 beard 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. 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 between 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 ker Let there be some more test made of my metal, sey, as be pil'd, as thou art pil'd, for a French Before so noble and so great a figure Be stamp'd upon it. Duke. No more evasion: We have with a leaver'd sud prepared choice Ang. Yet, give leave, my lord, That we may bring you soinething on the way. As to your soul seems good. Give me your hand; I'll privily away; I love the people, Escal. Lead forth, and bring you back in happiness. [Exit. concerns [me Duke. I thank you: Fare you well. And we may soon our satisfaction have Escal. I'll wait upon your bonour. [Exeunt. SCENE II.-A Street. Enter LUCIO and two GENTLEMEN. Lucio. If the duke with the other dukes 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. Gent. I think I have done myself wrong; have I not? 2 Gent. Yes, that thou hast; whether thou art tainted, or free. Lucio. Pehold, behold, where madam Mitigation comes! I Lave purchased as many diseases under her roof, as come to2 Gent. To what, I pray? 1 Gent. Judge. 1 Gent. How now? Which of your hips has the most profound sciatica ? Bawd. Well, well; there's one yonder arrested, and carried to prison, was worth five thousand of you all. 1 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's to be chopped off. Lucio. But, after all this fooling, I would not bave it so: Art thou sure of this? Bawd. I am too sure of it and it is for getting madain Julietta with child. Lucio. Believe me, this may be: he promised to meet me two hours since; and he was eve precise in promise-keeping. 2 Gent. Besides, you know, it draws some thing near to the speech we had to such a purpose. 1 Gent. But most of all, agreeing with the proclamation. Lucio. Away; let's go learn the truth of it. [Exeunt LUCIO and GENTLEMAN. 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. Bawd. Well; what has he done? Clo. A woman. Bawd. But what's his offence? Clo. Groping for trouts in a peculiar river. Bawd. What, is there a maid with child by him? Clo. No; but there's a woman with maid by him: You have not heard of the proclamation, have you? Bawd. What proclamation, man? Clo. All 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. Bawd. But shall all our house sof 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 you tapster still. Courage; there will be pity taken on you: you that have worn our eyes almost out in the service, you will be coasidered. 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, CLAUDIO, JULIET, and Bear me to prison, where I am committed. 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. Lucio. Why, how now, Claudio? whence comes this restraint ? Claud. From too much liberty, my Lucio, liberty; As surfeit is the father of much fast, So every scope by the unmoderate 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 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. Lucio. What is it? murder? Claud. One word, good friend :-Lucio, a word with you. [Takes him aside. Lucio. A bundred, if they'll do you any good. -Is lechery so look'd after? Claud. Thus stands it with me :--Upon a true contract, I got possession of Julietta's bed; Remaining in the coffer of her friends; And the new deputy now for the duke,- A horse whereon the governor doth ride, So long, that nineteen zodiacs have gone round, Lucio. I warrant, it is: and thy head stands so tickle + on thy shoulders, that a milk-maid, if she be in love, many sigh it off. Send after the duke, and appeal to him. Claud. I have done so, but he's not to be found. I pr'ythee, Lucio, do me this kind service : Acquaint her with the danger of my state; When she will play with reason and discourse, And well she can persuade. 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. SCENE IV-A Monastery. [Exeunt. Enter Lucio. I have delivered to iord Angelo Duke. We have strict statutes, and most biting laws, (The needful bits aud curbs for headstrong steeds) Which for these fourteen years we have let sleep; That goes not out to prey: Now, as fond fathers, Dead to infliction, to themselves are dead; Fri. It rested in your grace To unloose this tied-up justice, when you pleas'd; And it in you more dreadful would have seem'd, Than in lord Angels. Duke. I do 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, And not the punishment. Therefore, indeed, my father, I have on Angelo impos'd the office; Who may, in the ambush of my name, strike home, And yet my nature never in the sight, Te do it slander: And to behold his sway, Supply me with the habit, and instruct me Lucio. Hail, virgin, if you be; as those cheer roses Proclaim you are no less! Can you so stead me A novice of this place, and the fair sister Isab. Why her unhappy brother? let me ask Lucio. Gentle aud fair, your brother kindly greets you: Not to be weary with you, he's in prison. Lucio. For that, which, if myself might be his judge, He should receive his punishment in thanks: Isab. Sir, make me not your story. * I would not-though 'tis my familiar sin Isab. You do blaspheme the good, in mocking me. Lucio. Do not believe it. Fewness and truth, 'tis thus: Your brother and his lover have embrac'd: İsab. Some one with child by him?--My cousin Juliet ? Lucio. Is she your cousin ? names, By vain though apt affection. Isab. Oh! let him marry her! Lucio. This is the point. The duke is very strangely gone from hence: ac- Bore many gentlemen, myself being one, In hand, and hope of action: but we do learn Isab. Alas! what poor ability's in me Lucio. Assay the power you have. And make us lose the good we oft might win, SCENE 1.-A Hall in ANGELO's House. Enter ANGELO, ESCALUS, a JUSTICE, PROVOST, Ang. How now, Sir! What's your name? and what's the matter? Elb. If it please your honour, 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 honour two notorious benefactors. Ang. Benefactors? Well; what benefactors are they are they not malefactors ? Elb. If it please your honour, 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. Elb. He, Sir? a tapster, Sir; parcel +-bawd; Ang. We must not make a scare-crow of the one that serves a bad woman; whose house, Sir, law, Setting it up to fear the birds of prey, And let it keep one shape, till custom make it Escal. Ay, but yet Let us be keen, and rather cut a little, Than fall, and bruise to death: Alas! this gen- Whom I would save, had a most noble father. (Whom I believe to be most strait in virtue,) Or that the resolute acting of your blood purpose, Whether you had not sometime in your life Ang. 'Tis one thing to be tempted, Escalus, That justice seizes. What know the laws, pregnant, 'Tis very The jewel that we find, we stoop and take it, 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 detest before heaven and your honour, 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 uncleanness there. Escal. By the woman's means? Elb. Ay, Sir, by mistress Overdone's means: but as she spit in his face, so she defied him. Clo, Sir, if it please your honour, this is not 80 Elb. Prove it before these varlets here, thou honourable man, prove it. Escal. Do you hear how he misplaces ? To ANGELO. Clo. Sir, she came in great with child; and longing (saving your honour'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 honours have seen such dishes; they are not China dishes, but very good dishes. Escal. Go to, go to: no matter for the dish, Sir. Clo. No, indeed, Sir, not of a pin; you are there'n 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, baving eaten the rest, as I said, and, as I say, pay[Exit PROVOST.ing for them very honestly;-for, as you know, master Froth, I cou'd not give you three-pence again. Be executed by nine to-morrow morning: Escal. Well, heaven forgive him; and forgive Some rise by sin, and some by virtue fall : Froth. No, indeed. Clo. Very well you being then, if you be remember'd, cracking the stones of the foresaid he hath cause to complain of? Come me to what was done to her. Clo. Sir, your honour cannot come to that yet. Escal. No, Sir, nor I mean it not. Clo. Sir, but you shall come to it, by your honour's leave: And, I beseech you, look into 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-hollondeve. Clo. Why, very well; I hope here be truths: He, Sir, sitting, as I say, in a lower + 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 winter. Clo. Why, very well then ;-I hope here truths. be 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. 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? Froth. Here in Vienna, Sir. Clo. A tapster; a poor widow's tapster. Clo. Mistress Over-done. Escal. Hath she had any more than one busband. Clo. Nine, Sir; Over-done by the last. 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 haug 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 Clo. I beseech your honour, ask me. thing about you; so that, in the beastliest sense, Escal. Well, Sir: What did this gentleman to you are Pompey the great. Pompey, you are her? partly a bawd, Pompey, howsoever you colour it Clo. I beseech you, Sir, look in this gentle-in being a tapster. Are you not? come, tell me man's face :-Good master Froth, look upon his true; it shall be the better for you. honour; 'tis for a good purpose: Doth your bonour mark his face ? Escal. Ay, Sir, very well. Clo. Nay, I beseech you, mark it well. Clo. Doth your honour see any harm in his face? Escal. Why, no. 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 honour. 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. Clo. By this hand, Sir, his wife is a more spected person than any of us all. 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 in the city? Escal. No, Pompey. Clo. Truly, Sir, in my poor opinion, they will to't then If your worship will take order for the drabs and the knaves, you need not to fear the bawds. Escal. There are pretty orders beginning, I can tell you: It is but heading and hanging. Clo. If you head and hang all that offend re-that way but for ten year together, you'il be glad to give out a commission for more heads. If this law hold in Vienna ten year, I'll rent the fairest house in it, after threepence a bay: If you live to see this come to pass, say, Pompey told you so. Elb. Varlet, thou liest; thou liest, wicked varlet the time is yet to come, that she was ever respected with man, woman, or child. Clo. Sir, she was respected with him before he married with her. Escal. Which is the wiser here? Justice or Iniquity? Is this true? 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. Escal. If he took you a box o' 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 should do with this wicked caitiff? Escal. Truly, officer, because he hath some offences in him, that thou wouldst discover if thou couldst, let bim continue in his courses, till thou know'st what they are. Elb. Marry, I thank your worship for it : Escal. Thank you, good Pompey: and, in requital of your prophecy, hark you,-I advise you, let me not find you before me again upon any complaint whatsoever, no, not for dwelling where you do if I do, Pompey, I shall beat you to your tent, and prove a shrewd Cæsar to you; in plain dealing, Pompey, I shall have you whipt: so for this time, Pompey, fare you well. Clo. I thank your worship for your good counsel; but I shall follow it, as the flesh and fortune shall better determine. Whip me? No, no; let carman whip his jade; The valiant heart's not whipt out his trade. [Exit. Escal. Come hither to me, master Elbow; come hither, master Constable. How long have you been in this place of constable ? Elb. Seven year and a half, Sir. Escal. I thought, by your readiness in the office, you had continued in it some time: You say, seven years together? • Measures. |