And given his deputation all the organs Enter ANGELO. Look. Look, where he comes. 2 Ang. Always obedient to your grace's will, I come to know your pleasure. 9. 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 But, like a thrifty goddess, she determines Both thanks and use. But I do bend my speech In our remove, be thou at full ourself; Mortality and mercy 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, come not to composition with the king of Hun gary, why, then all the dakes fall upon the king. 1 Gent. Heaven grant us its peace, but not the king of Hungary's! 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 com. mand 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 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 and prepared choice Ang. Yet, give leave, my lord, That we may bring you something on the way. As to your soul seems good. Give me your band; I'll privily away: I love the people, Escal. Lead forth, and bring you back in happiness. Duke. I thank you: Fare you well. [Exit. Escal. I shall desire you, Sir, to give me leave To have free speech with you; and it concerns To look into the bottom of my place: [me A power I have; but of what strength and naI am not yet instructed. [ture Ang. 'Tis so with me :-Let us withdraw togetler, And we may soon our satisfaction have Escal. I'll wait upon your honour. [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 a ter 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. Fehold, behold, where madam Mitigation comes! I have purchased as many diseases under her roof, as come to 2 Gent. To what, I pray? 1 Gent. Judge. 2 Gent. To three thousand dollars a year. 1 Gent. Ay, and more Lucio. A French crown more. 1 Gent. Thou art always figuring diseases in me: But thou art full of error; I am sound. Lucio. Nay, not as one would say, healthy : but so sound, as things that are hollow: thy bones are hollow; impiety has made a feast of thee. Enter BAWD. 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 tive 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 have it so: Art, thou sure of this ? Bawd. I am too sure of it: and it is for getting madam 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, soine A cut of the same cloth. • Measure. 1 A jest on the loss of hair be the French disease, Corona veneris. 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. 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, bere'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 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, 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 immoderate use Turns to restraint: Our natures do pursue, (Like rats that ravint down their proper baue,) 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? Cland. One word, good friend :—Lacio, award with you. [Takes him ande. Lucio. A hundred, if they'll do you any good. -Is lechery so look'd after t 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 stand 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. 1 pr'ythee, Lucio, do me this kind service: When she will play with reason and discontse, 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. I have delivered to lord Angelo Duke. We have strict statutes, and most biting laws, (The needful bits and curbs for headstrong steeds) Which for these fourteen years we have let sleep; That goes not out to prey: Now, as fond fathers - crees, 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 Angelo. 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, Supply me with the habit, and instruct me Enter LUCTO." ** Lucio. Hail, virgin, if you be; as those cheek roses Proclaim you are no less! Can you 60 stead me A novice of this place, and the fair sister Isab. Why her unhappy brother? let me ask Lucio. Gentle and 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 mock, ing me. Lucio. Do not believe it. Fewness and truth, 'tis thus: Your brother and his lover have embrac'd: -My Lucio. Is she your cousin? names, By vain though apt affection. Lucio. She it is. Isab. Oh let him marry her! The duke is very strangely gone from hence: ac- Bore many gentlemen, myself being one, At our more leisure shall I render you; SCENE V.-A▲ Nunnery. Fran. Are not these large enough? 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, Men give like gods; but when they weep and kneel, All their petitions are as freely their's As they themselves would owe Isab. I'll see what I can do. Lucio. But speedily. them. Isab. I will about it straight; No longer staying but to give the mother + Notice of my affair. I bumbly thank you : Commend me to my brother soon at night I'll send him certain word of my success. Lucio. I take my leave of you. Isab. Good Sir, adieu. ACT II. Ang. How now, Sir ! What's your name! and what's the matter? Elb. If it please your honour, I am the pour duke's constable, and my name is Elbow; 1 24 lean upon justice, Sir, and do bring in bere 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 knew est well what they are: but precise villains they are, that I am sure of; and void of all protans[Exeunt. tion in the world, that good Christians ought t SCENE I.-A Hall in ANGELO's House. Enter ANGELO, ESCALUS, a JUSTICE, PROVOST, Officers, and other Attendants. have. Escal. This comes off well; here's a wire officer. Ang. Go to: What quality are they of? E bow is your name? Why dost thou not speak, Elbow ? Clo. He cannot, Sir; be's out at elbow. Elb. He, Sir? a tapster, Sir; parcel +-band; 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 Their perch, and not their terror. Escal. Ay, but yet Let us be keen, and rather cut a little, Than fall, and bruise to death: Alas! this gen tleman, Whom I would save, had a most noble father. Let but your honour know, (Whom I believe to be most strait in virtue,) That, in the working of your own affections, Had time coher'd with place, or place with wishing, Or that the resolute acting of your blood purpose, was, as they say, pluck'd down in the subarts; 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 ý before heaven and your honour, Escal. How! thy wife? Elb. Ay, Sir? whom, I thank heaven, is a honest woman, Escal. Dost thon detest ber therefore! Elb. I say, Sir, I will detest myself 21, 2 well as she, that this house, if it be not a band's house, it is pity of her life, for it is a naughty bouse. Escal. How dost thou know that, constable ↑ Elb. Marry, Sir, by my wife; who, if she had been a woman cardinally given, might have bera accused in fornication, adultery, and all uncias Whether you had not sometime in your life Ang. 'Tis one thing to be tempted, Escalus, That justice seizes. What know the laws, That thieves do pass on thieves? pregnant, 'Tis very The jewel that we find, we stoop and take it, Be executed by nine to-morrow morning: [Exit PROVOST. Escal. Well, heaven forgive him; and forgive us all! Some rise by sin, and some by virtue fall: 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 So. Elb. Prove it before these varlets here, thes honourable man, prove it. Escal. Do you hear how he misplaces ? ¡Te 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 bonse, 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. Cto. 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, a I said, master Froth here, this very man, hav ing eaten the rest, as I said, and, as I say, paying for them very honestly;-for, as you know, master Froth, I cou'd not give you three-pence again. Enter ELBOW, FROTH, CLOWN, Officers, &c. Clo. Why, very well: I telling you then, if yes Elb. Come, bring them away if these bebe remember'd, that such a one, and such a one, were past cure of the thing yon wot of, unless good people in a common-weal, that do nothing but use their abuses in common houses, they kept very good diet, as I told you. know no law; bring them away. 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-bollondeve. 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 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'd 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 honour, 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 honour; 'tis for a good purpose: Doth your honour 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. Froth. Here in Vienna, Sir. Escal. Hath she had any more than one husband. 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 thing about you; so that, in the beastliest sense, you are Pompey the great. Pompey, you are partly a bawd, Pompey, howsoever you colour 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 in the city? Escal. No, Pompey. for Clo. Truly, Sir, in my poor opinion, they will to't then If your worship will take order 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'll be glad to give out a commission for more heads. If this law bold 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 bere? Justice or Iniquity? Is this true? Elb. O thou caitiff! O thon 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 bath 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. |