Measure For Measure

1604–1605

William Shakespeare

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Title: Measure For Measure (published 1605)
Author: William Shakespeare (died 1616)

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Summary

Measure for Measure is a play by William Shakespeare, probably written in 1603 or 1604 and recordedly first performed in 1604. It was published in the First Folio of 1623.

Its protagonist, the Duke of Vienna, steps out from public life, setting in his place a very respectable and "precise" person while disguising himself as a friar, in order to see if power will corrupt his chosen substitute.

Source: Wikipedia

Dramatis Personæ

Duke of Vienna, later called Friar Lodowick

Escalus, a judge

Provost

Elbow, a constable

Abhorson, an executioner

A Justice

Varrius, friend to the Duke

Angelo, deputy to the Duke

Mariana, betrothed to Angelo

Boy singer

Servant to Angelo

Messenger from Angelo

Isabella, a novice in the Order of Saint Clare

Francisca, a nun

Claudio, brother to Isabella

Juliet, betrothed to Claudio

Lucio, friend to Claudio

Two Gentlemen, associates of Lucio

Friar Thomas

Friar Peter

Mistress Overdone, a bawd

Pompey the Clown, her servant

Froth, Pompey’s customer

Barnardine, a prisoner

Lords, Officers, Citizens, Servants, and Attendants

ACT 1

Scene 1

Enter Duke, Escalus, Lords, and Attendants.

line 0001DUKEEscalus.
line 0002ESCALUSMy lord.
DUKE
line 0003Of government the properties to unfold
line 0004Would seem in me t’ affect speech and discourse,
5line 0005Since I am put to know that your own science
line 0006Exceeds, in that, the lists of all advice
line 0007My strength can give you. Then no more remains
line 0008But that, to your sufficiency, as your worth is able,
line 0009And let them work. The nature of our people,
10line 0010Our city’s institutions, and the terms
line 0011For common justice, you’re as pregnant in
line 0012As art and practice hath enrichèd any
line 0013That we remember. There is our commission,

He hands Escalus a paper.

line 0014From which we would not have you warp.—Call
15line 0015hither,
line 0016I say, bid come before us Angelo.

An Attendant exits.

line 0017What figure of us think you he will bear?
line 0018For you must know, we have with special soul
line 0019Elected him our absence to supply,
20line 0020Lent him our terror, dressed him with our love,
Act 1 Scene 1 - Pg 9 line 0021And given his deputation all the organs
line 0022Of our own power. What think you of it?
ESCALUS
line 0023If any in Vienna be of worth
line 0024To undergo such ample grace and honor,
25line 0025It is Lord Angelo.

Enter Angelo.

line 0026DUKELook where he comes.
ANGELO
line 0027Always obedient to your Grace’s will,
line 0028I come to know your pleasure.
line 0029DUKEAngelo,
30line 0030There is a kind of character in thy life
line 0031That to th’ observer doth thy history
line 0032Fully unfold. Thyself and thy belongings
line 0033Are not thine own so proper as to waste
line 0034Thyself upon thy virtues, they on thee.
35line 0035Heaven doth with us as we with torches do,
line 0036Not light them for themselves; for if our virtues
line 0037Did not go forth of us, ’twere all alike
line 0038As if we had them not. Spirits are not finely touched
line 0039But to fine issues, nor nature never lends
40line 0040The smallest scruple of her excellence
line 0041But, like a thrifty goddess, she determines
line 0042Herself the glory of a creditor,
line 0043Both thanks and use. But I do bend my speech
line 0044To one that can my part in him advertise.
45line 0045Hold, therefore, Angelo.
line 0046In our remove be thou at full ourself.
line 0047Mortality and mercy in Vienna
line 0048Live in thy tongue and heart. Old Escalus,
line 0049Though first in question, is thy secondary.
50line 0050Take thy commission.He hands Angelo a paper.
line 0051ANGELONow, good my lord,
line 0052Let there be some more test made of my mettle
Act 1 Scene 1 - Pg 11 line 0053Before so noble and so great a figure
line 0054Be stamped upon it.
55line 0055DUKENo more evasion.
line 0056We have with a leavened and preparèd choice
line 0057Proceeded to you. Therefore, take your honors.
line 0058Our haste from hence is of so quick condition
line 0059That it prefers itself and leaves unquestioned
60line 0060Matters of needful value. We shall write to you,
line 0061As time and our concernings shall importune,
line 0062How it goes with us, and do look to know
line 0063What doth befall you here. So fare you well.
line 0064To th’ hopeful execution do I leave you
65line 0065Of your commissions.
line 0066ANGELOYet give leave, my lord,
line 0067That we may bring you something on the way.
line 0068DUKEMy haste may not admit it.
line 0069Nor need you, on mine honor, have to do
70line 0070With any scruple. Your scope is as mine own,
line 0071So to enforce or qualify the laws
line 0072As to your soul seems good. Give me your hand.
line 0073I’ll privily away. I love the people,
line 0074But do not like to stage me to their eyes.
75line 0075Though it do well, I do not relish well
line 0076Their loud applause and aves vehement,
line 0077Nor do I think the man of safe discretion
line 0078That does affect it. Once more, fare you well.
ANGELO
line 0079The heavens give safety to your purposes.
ESCALUS
80line 0080Lead forth and bring you back in happiness.
line 0081DUKEI thank you. Fare you well.He exits.
ESCALUSto Angelo
line 0082I shall desire you, sir, to give me leave
line 0083To have free speech with you; and it concerns me
line 0084To look into the bottom of my place.
Act 1 Scene 2 - Pg 13 85line 0085A power I have, but of what strength and nature
line 0086I am not yet instructed.
ANGELO
line 0087’Tis so with me. Let us withdraw together,
line 0088And we may soon our satisfaction have
line 0089Touching that point.
90line 0090ESCALUSI’ll wait upon your Honor.

They exit.

Scene 2

Enter Lucio and two other Gentlemen.

line 0091LUCIOIf the Duke, with the other dukes, come not to
line 0092composition with the King of Hungary, why then all
line 0093the dukes fall upon the King.
line 0094FIRST GENTLEMANHeaven grant us its peace, but not
5line 0095the King of Hungary’s!
line 0096SECOND GENTLEMANAmen.
line 0097LUCIOThou conclud’st like the sanctimonious pirate
line 0098that went to sea with the ten commandments but
line 0099scraped one out of the table.
10line 0100SECOND GENTLEMAN“Thou shalt not steal”?
line 0101LUCIOAy, that he razed.
line 0102FIRST GENTLEMANWhy, ’twas a commandment to command
line 0103the Captain and all the rest from their functions!
line 0104They put forth to steal. There’s not a soldier of
15line 0105us all that in the thanksgiving before meat do relish
line 0106the petition well that prays for peace.
line 0107SECOND GENTLEMANI never heard any soldier dislike it.
line 0108LUCIOI believe thee, for I think thou never wast where
line 0109grace was said.
20line 0110SECOND GENTLEMANNo? A dozen times at least.
line 0111FIRST GENTLEMANWhat? In meter?
line 0112LUCIOIn any proportion or in any language.
line 0113FIRST GENTLEMANI think, or in any religion.
Act 1 Scene 2 - Pg 15 line 0114LUCIOAy, why not? Grace is grace, despite of all
25line 0115controversy; as, for example, thou thyself art a
line 0116wicked villain, despite of all grace.
line 0117FIRST GENTLEMANWell, there went but a pair of shears
line 0118between us.
line 0119LUCIOI grant, as there may between the lists and the
30line 0120velvet. Thou art the list.
line 0121FIRST GENTLEMANAnd thou the velvet. Thou art good
line 0122velvet; thou ’rt a three-piled piece, I warrant thee. I
line 0123had as lief be a list of an English kersey as be piled,
line 0124as thou art piled, for a French velvet. Do I speak
35line 0125feelingly now?
line 0126LUCIOI think thou dost, and indeed with most painful
line 0127feeling of thy speech. I will, out of thine own
line 0128confession, learn to begin thy health, but, whilst I
line 0129live, forget to drink after thee.
40line 0130FIRST GENTLEMANI think I have done myself wrong,
line 0131have I not?
line 0132SECOND GENTLEMANYes, that thou hast, whether thou
line 0133art tainted or free.

Enter Mistress Overdone, a Bawd.

line 0134LUCIOBehold, behold, where Madam Mitigation
45line 0135comes! I have purchased as many diseases under
line 0136her roof as come to—
line 0137SECOND GENTLEMANTo what, I pray?
line 0138LUCIOJudge.
line 0139SECOND GENTLEMANTo three thousand dolors a year.
50line 0140FIRST GENTLEMANAy, and more.
line 0141LUCIOA French crown more.
line 0142FIRST GENTLEMANThou art always figuring diseases in
line 0143me, but thou art full of error. I am sound.
line 0144LUCIONay, not, as one would say, healthy, but so sound
55line 0145as things that are hollow. Thy bones are hollow.
line 0146Impiety has made a feast of thee.
Act 1 Scene 2 - Pg 17 line 0147FIRST GENTLEMANto Bawd How now, which of your
line 0148hips has the most profound sciatica?
line 0149BAWDWell, well. There’s one yonder arrested and
60line 0150carried to prison was worth five thousand of you all.
line 0151SECOND GENTLEMANWho’s that, I pray thee?
line 0152BAWDMarry, sir, that’s Claudio, Signior Claudio.
line 0153FIRST GENTLEMANClaudio to prison? ’Tis not so.
line 0154BAWDNay, but I know ’tis so. I saw him arrested, saw
65line 0155him carried away; and, which is more, within these
line 0156three days his head to be chopped off.
line 0157LUCIOBut, after all this fooling, I would not have it so!
line 0158Art thou sure of this?
line 0159BAWDI am too sure of it. And it is for getting Madam
70line 0160Julietta with child.
line 0161LUCIOBelieve me, this may be. He promised to meet
line 0162me two hours since, and he was ever precise in
line 0163promise-keeping.
line 0164SECOND GENTLEMANBesides, you know, it draws something
75line 0165near to the speech we had to such a purpose.
line 0166FIRST GENTLEMANBut most of all agreeing with the
line 0167proclamation.
line 0168LUCIOAway. Let’s go learn the truth of it.

Lucio and Gentlemen exit.

line 0169BAWDThus, what with the war, what with the sweat,
80line 0170what with the gallows, and what with poverty, I am
line 0171custom-shrunk.

Enter Pompey.

line 0172How now? What’s the news with you?
line 0173POMPEYYonder man is carried to prison.
line 0174BAWDWell, what has he done?
85line 0175POMPEYA woman.
line 0176BAWDBut what’s his offense?
line 0177POMPEYGroping for trouts in a peculiar river.
line 0178BAWDWhat? Is there a maid with child by him?
Act 1 Scene 2 - Pg 19 line 0179POMPEYNo, but there’s a woman with maid by him.
90line 0180You have not heard of the proclamation, have you?
line 0181BAWDWhat proclamation, man?
line 0182POMPEYAll houses in the suburbs of Vienna must be
line 0183plucked down.
line 0184BAWDAnd what shall become of those in the city?
95line 0185POMPEYThey shall stand for seed. They had gone down
line 0186too, but that a wise burgher put in for them.
line 0187BAWDBut shall all our houses of resort in the suburbs
line 0188be pulled down?
line 0189POMPEYTo the ground, mistress.
100line 0190BAWDWhy, here’s a change indeed in the commonwealth!
line 0191What shall become of me?
line 0192POMPEYCome, fear not you. Good counselors lack no
line 0193clients. Though you change your place, you need
line 0194not change your trade. I’ll be your tapster still.
105line 0195Courage. There will be pity taken on you. You that
line 0196have worn your eyes almost out in the service, you
line 0197will be considered.

Enter Provost, Claudio, Juliet, and Officers.

line 0198BAWDWhat’s to do here, Thomas Tapster? Let’s
line 0199withdraw.
110line 0200POMPEYHere comes Signior Claudio, led by the Provost
line 0201to prison. And there’s Madam Juliet.

Bawd and Pompey exit.

CLAUDIOto Provost
line 0202Fellow, why dost thou show me thus to th’ world?
line 0203Bear me to prison, where I am committed.
PROVOST
line 0204I do it not in evil disposition,
115line 0205But from Lord Angelo by special charge.
CLAUDIO
line 0206Thus can the demigod Authority
line 0207Make us pay down for our offense, by weight,
Act 1 Scene 2 - Pg 21 line 0208The words of heaven: on whom it will, it will;
line 0209On whom it will not, so; yet still ’tis just.

Enter Lucio and Second Gentleman.

LUCIO
120line 0210Why, how now, Claudio? Whence comes this
line 0211restraint?
CLAUDIO
line 0212From too much liberty, my Lucio, liberty.
line 0213As surfeit is the father of much fast,
line 0214So every scope by the immoderate use
125line 0215Turns to restraint. Our natures do pursue,
line 0216Like rats that raven down their proper bane,
line 0217A thirsty evil, and when we drink, we die.
line 0218LUCIOIf I could speak so wisely under an arrest, I
line 0219would send for certain of my creditors. And yet, to
130line 0220say the truth, I had as lief have the foppery of
line 0221freedom as the mortality of imprisonment. What’s
line 0222thy offense, Claudio?
CLAUDIO
line 0223What but to speak of would offend again.
line 0224LUCIOWhat, is ’t murder?
135line 0225CLAUDIONo.
line 0226LUCIOLechery?
line 0227CLAUDIOCall it so.
line 0228PROVOSTAway, sir. You must go.
CLAUDIO
line 0229One word, good friend.—Lucio, a word with you.
140line 0230LUCIOA hundred, if they’ll do you any good. Is lechery
line 0231so looked after?
CLAUDIO
line 0232Thus stands it with me: upon a true contract
line 0233I got possession of Julietta’s bed.
line 0234You know the lady. She is fast my wife,
145line 0235Save that we do the denunciation lack
line 0236Of outward order. This we came not to
Act 1 Scene 2 - Pg 23 line 0237Only for propagation of a dower
line 0238Remaining in the coffer of her friends,
line 0239From whom we thought it meet to hide our love
150line 0240Till time had made them for us. But it chances
line 0241The stealth of our most mutual entertainment
line 0242With character too gross is writ on Juliet.
LUCIO
line 0243With child, perhaps?
line 0244CLAUDIOUnhappily, even so.
155line 0245And the new deputy now for the Duke—
line 0246Whether it be the fault and glimpse of newness,
line 0247Or whether that the body public be
line 0248A horse whereon the governor doth ride,
line 0249Who, newly in the seat, that it may know
160line 0250He can command, lets it straight feel the spur;
line 0251Whether the tyranny be in his place
line 0252Or in his eminence that fills it up,
line 0253I stagger in—but this new governor
line 0254Awakes me all the enrollèd penalties
165line 0255Which have, like unscoured armor, hung by th’ wall
line 0256So long that nineteen zodiacs have gone round,
line 0257And none of them been worn; and for a name
line 0258Now puts the drowsy and neglected act
line 0259Freshly on me. ’Tis surely for a name.
170line 0260LUCIOI warrant it is. And thy head stands so tickle on
line 0261thy shoulders that a milkmaid, if she be in love, may
line 0262sigh it off. Send after the Duke and appeal to him.
CLAUDIO
line 0263I have done so, but he’s not to be found.
line 0264I prithee, Lucio, do me this kind service:
175line 0265This day my sister should the cloister enter
line 0266And there receive her approbation.
line 0267Acquaint her with the danger of my state;
line 0268Implore her, in my voice, that she make friends
line 0269To the strict deputy; bid herself assay him.
180line 0270I have great hope in that, for in her youth
Act 1 Scene 3 - Pg 25 line 0271There is a prone and speechless dialect
line 0272Such as move men. Besides, she hath prosperous art
line 0273When she will play with reason and discourse,
line 0274And well she can persuade.
185line 0275LUCIOI pray she may, as well for the encouragement of
line 0276the like, which else would stand under grievous
line 0277imposition, as for the enjoying of thy life, who I
line 0278would be sorry should be thus foolishly lost at a
line 0279game of tick-tack. I’ll to her.
190line 0280CLAUDIOI thank you, good friend Lucio.
line 0281LUCIOWithin two hours.
line 0282CLAUDIOCome, officer, away.

They exit.

Scene 3

Enter Duke and Friar Thomas.

DUKE
line 0283No, holy father, throw away that thought.
line 0284Believe not that the dribbling dart of love
line 0285Can pierce a complete bosom. Why I desire thee
line 0286To give me secret harbor hath a purpose
5line 0287More grave and wrinkled than the aims and ends
line 0288Of burning youth.
line 0289FRIAR THOMASMay your Grace speak of it?
DUKE
line 0290My holy sir, none better knows than you
line 0291How I have ever loved the life removed,
10line 0292And held in idle price to haunt assemblies
line 0293Where youth and cost witless bravery keeps.
line 0294I have delivered to Lord Angelo,
line 0295A man of stricture and firm abstinence,
line 0296My absolute power and place here in Vienna,
15line 0297And he supposes me traveled to Poland,
line 0298For so I have strewed it in the common ear,
Act 1 Scene 3 - Pg 27 line 0299And so it is received. Now, pious sir,
line 0300You will demand of me why I do this.
line 0301FRIAR THOMASGladly, my lord.
DUKE
20line 0302We have strict statutes and most biting laws,
line 0303The needful bits and curbs to headstrong weeds,
line 0304Which for this fourteen years we have let slip,
line 0305Even like an o’ergrown lion in a cave
line 0306That goes not out to prey. Now, as fond fathers,
25line 0307Having bound up the threat’ning twigs of birch
line 0308Only to stick it in their children’s sight
line 0309For terror, not to use—in time the rod
line 0310More mocked than feared—so our decrees,
line 0311Dead to infliction, to themselves are dead,
30line 0312And liberty plucks justice by the nose,
line 0313The baby beats the nurse, and quite athwart
line 0314Goes all decorum.
line 0315FRIAR THOMASIt rested in your Grace
line 0316To unloose this tied-up justice when you pleased,
35line 0317And it in you more dreadful would have seemed
line 0318Than in Lord Angelo.
line 0319DUKEI do fear, too dreadful.
line 0320Sith ’twas my fault to give the people scope,
line 0321’Twould be my tyranny to strike and gall them
40line 0322For what I bid them do; for we bid this be done
line 0323When evil deeds have their permissive pass
line 0324And not the punishment. Therefore, indeed, my
line 0325father,
line 0326I have on Angelo imposed the office,
45line 0327Who may in th’ ambush of my name strike home,
line 0328And yet my nature never in the fight
line 0329To do in slander. And to behold his sway
line 0330I will, as ’twere a brother of your order,
line 0331Visit both prince and people. Therefore I prithee
50line 0332Supply me with the habit, and instruct me
line 0333How I may formally in person bear
Act 1 Scene 4 - Pg 29 line 0334Like a true friar. More reasons for this action
line 0335At our more leisure shall I render you.
line 0336Only this one: Lord Angelo is precise,
55line 0337Stands at a guard with envy, scarce confesses
line 0338That his blood flows or that his appetite
line 0339Is more to bread than stone. Hence shall we see,
line 0340If power change purpose, what our seemers be.

They exit.

Scene 4

Enter Isabella and Francisca, a Nun.

ISABELLA
line 0341And have you nuns no farther privileges?
line 0342NUNAre not these large enough?
ISABELLA
line 0343Yes, truly. I speak not as desiring more,
line 0344But rather wishing a more strict restraint
5line 0345Upon the sisterhood, the votarists of Saint Clare.
LUCIOwithin
line 0346Ho, peace be in this place!
line 0347ISABELLAWho’s that which calls?
NUN
line 0348It is a man’s voice. Gentle Isabella,
line 0349Turn you the key and know his business of him.
10line 0350You may; I may not. You are yet unsworn.
line 0351When you have vowed, you must not speak with men
line 0352But in the presence of the Prioress.
line 0353Then, if you speak, you must not show your face;
line 0354Or if you show your face, you must not speak.
15line 0355He calls again. I pray you answer him.
ISABELLA
line 0356Peace and prosperity! Who is ’t that calls?

Enter Lucio.

Act 1 Scene 4 - Pg 31 LUCIO
line 0357Hail, virgin, if you be, as those cheek-roses
line 0358Proclaim you are no less. Can you so stead me
line 0359As bring me to the sight of Isabella,
20line 0360A novice of this place and the fair sister
line 0361To her unhappy brother, Claudio?
ISABELLA
line 0362Why “her unhappy brother”? Let me ask,
line 0363The rather for I now must make you know
line 0364I am that Isabella, and his sister.
LUCIO
25line 0365Gentle and fair, your brother kindly greets you.
line 0366Not to be weary with you, he’s in prison.
line 0367ISABELLAWoe me, for what?
LUCIO
line 0368For that which, if myself might be his judge,
line 0369He should receive his punishment in thanks:
30line 0370He hath got his friend with child.
ISABELLA
line 0371Sir, make me not your story.
line 0372LUCIO’Tis true.
line 0373I would not, though ’tis my familiar sin
line 0374With maids to seem the lapwing and to jest,
35line 0375Tongue far from heart, play with all virgins so.
line 0376I hold you as a thing enskied and sainted,
line 0377By your renouncement an immortal spirit,
line 0378And to be talked with in sincerity
line 0379As with a saint.
ISABELLA
40line 0380You do blaspheme the good in mocking me.
LUCIO
line 0381Do not believe it. Fewness and truth, ’tis thus:
line 0382Your brother and his lover have embraced;
line 0383As those that feed grow full, as blossoming time
line 0384That from the seedness the bare fallow brings
Act 1 Scene 4 - Pg 33 45line 0385To teeming foison, even so her plenteous womb
line 0386Expresseth his full tilth and husbandry.
ISABELLA
line 0387Someone with child by him? My cousin Juliet?
line 0388LUCIOIs she your cousin?
ISABELLA
line 0389Adoptedly, as schoolmaids change their names
50line 0390By vain though apt affection.
line 0391LUCIOShe it is.
ISABELLA
line 0392O, let him marry her!
line 0393LUCIOThis is the point.
line 0394The Duke is very strangely gone from hence;
55line 0395Bore many gentlemen, myself being one,
line 0396In hand, and hope of action; but we do learn,
line 0397By those that know the very nerves of state,
line 0398His givings-out were of an infinite distance
line 0399From his true-meant design. Upon his place,
60line 0400And with full line of his authority,
line 0401Governs Lord Angelo, a man whose blood
line 0402Is very snow-broth; one who never feels
line 0403The wanton stings and motions of the sense,
line 0404But doth rebate and blunt his natural edge
65line 0405With profits of the mind: study and fast.
line 0406He—to give fear to use and liberty,
line 0407Which have for long run by the hideous law
line 0408As mice by lions—hath picked out an act
line 0409Under whose heavy sense your brother’s life
70line 0410Falls into forfeit. He arrests him on it,
line 0411And follows close the rigor of the statute
line 0412To make him an example. All hope is gone
line 0413Unless you have the grace by your fair prayer
line 0414To soften Angelo. And that’s my pith of business
75line 0415’Twixt you and your poor brother.
line 0416ISABELLADoth he so
line 0417Seek his life?
Act 1 Scene 4 - Pg 35 line 0418LUCIOHas censured him already,
line 0419And, as I hear, the Provost hath a warrant
80line 0420For ’s execution.
ISABELLA
line 0421Alas, what poor ability’s in me
line 0422To do him good?
line 0423LUCIOAssay the power you have.
ISABELLA
line 0424My power? Alas, I doubt—
85line 0425LUCIOOur doubts are traitors
line 0426And makes us lose the good we oft might win
line 0427By fearing to attempt. Go to Lord Angelo
line 0428And let him learn to know, when maidens sue
line 0429Men give like gods; but when they weep and kneel,
90line 0430All their petitions are as freely theirs
line 0431As they themselves would owe them.
line 0432ISABELLAI’ll see what I can do.
line 0433LUCIOBut speedily!
line 0434ISABELLAI will about it straight,
95line 0435No longer staying but to give the Mother
line 0436Notice of my affair. I humbly thank you.
line 0437Commend me to my brother. Soon at night
line 0438I’ll send him certain word of my success.
LUCIO
line 0439I take my leave of you.
100line 0440ISABELLAGood sir, adieu.

They exit.

ACT 2

Scene 1

Enter Angelo, Escalus, Servants, and a Justice.

ANGELO
line 0441We must not make a scarecrow of the law,
line 0442Setting it up to fear the birds of prey,
line 0443And let it keep one shape till custom make it
line 0444Their perch and not their terror.
5line 0445ESCALUSAy, but yet
line 0446Let us be keen and rather cut a little
line 0447Than fall and bruise to death. Alas, this gentleman
line 0448Whom I would save had a most noble father.
line 0449Let but your Honor know,
10line 0450Whom I believe to be most strait in virtue,
line 0451That, in the working of your own affections,
line 0452Had time cohered with place, or place with wishing,
line 0453Or that the resolute acting of your blood
line 0454Could have attained th’ effect of your own purpose,
15line 0455Whether you had not sometime in your life
line 0456Erred in this point which now you censure him,
line 0457And pulled the law upon you.
ANGELO
line 0458’Tis one thing to be tempted, Escalus,
line 0459Another thing to fall. I not deny
20line 0460The jury passing on the prisoner’s life
line 0461May in the sworn twelve have a thief or two
line 0462Guiltier than him they try. What’s open made to
line 0463justice,
Act 2 Scene 1 - Pg 41 line 0464That justice seizes. What knows the laws
25line 0465That thieves do pass on thieves? ’Tis very pregnant,
line 0466The jewel that we find, we stoop and take ’t
line 0467Because we see it; but what we do not see,
line 0468We tread upon and never think of it.
line 0469You may not so extenuate his offense
30line 0470For I have had such faults; but rather tell me,
line 0471When I that censure him do so offend,
line 0472Let mine own judgment pattern out my death,
line 0473And nothing come in partial. Sir, he must die.

Enter Provost.

ESCALUS
line 0474Be it as your wisdom will.
35line 0475ANGELOWhere is the Provost?
PROVOST
line 0476Here, if it like your Honor.
line 0477ANGELOSee that Claudio
line 0478Be executed by nine tomorrow morning.
line 0479Bring him his confessor, let him be prepared,
40line 0480For that’s the utmost of his pilgrimage.

Provost exits.

ESCALUS
line 0481Well, heaven forgive him and forgive us all.
line 0482Some rise by sin and some by virtue fall.
line 0483Some run from brakes of ice and answer none,
line 0484And some condemnèd for a fault alone.

Enter Elbow and Officers, with Froth and Pompey.

45line 0485ELBOWto Officers Come, bring them away. If these
line 0486be good people in a commonweal that do nothing
line 0487but use their abuses in common houses, I know no
line 0488law. Bring them away.
line 0489ANGELOHow now, sir, what’s your name? And what’s
50line 0490the matter?
Act 2 Scene 1 - Pg 43 line 0491ELBOWIf it please your Honor, I am the poor duke’s
line 0492constable, and my name is Elbow. I do lean upon
line 0493justice, sir, and do bring in here before your good
line 0494Honor two notorious benefactors.
55line 0495ANGELOBenefactors? Well, what benefactors are they?
line 0496Are they not malefactors?
line 0497ELBOWIf it please your Honor, I know not well what
line 0498they are, but precise villains they are, that I am sure
line 0499of, and void of all profanation in the world that
60line 0500good Christians ought to have.
line 0501ESCALUSto Angelo This comes off well. Here’s a wise
line 0502officer.
line 0503ANGELOto Elbow Go to. What quality are they of?
line 0504Elbow is your name? Why dost thou not speak,
65line 0505Elbow?
line 0506POMPEYHe cannot, sir. He’s out at elbow.
line 0507ANGELOWhat are you, sir?
line 0508ELBOWHe, sir? A tapster, sir, parcel bawd; one that
line 0509serves a bad woman, whose house, sir, was, as they
70line 0510say, plucked down in the suburbs, and now she
line 0511professes a hothouse, which I think is a very ill
line 0512house too.
line 0513ESCALUSHow know you that?
line 0514ELBOWMy wife, sir, whom I detest before heaven and
75line 0515your Honor—
line 0516ESCALUSHow? Thy wife?
line 0517ELBOWAy, sir, whom I thank heaven is an honest
line 0518woman—
line 0519ESCALUSDost thou detest her therefore?
80line 0520ELBOWI say, sir, I will detest myself also, as well as she,
line 0521that this house, if it be not a bawd’s house, it is pity
line 0522of her life, for it is a naughty house.
line 0523ESCALUSHow dost thou know that, constable?
line 0524ELBOWMarry, sir, by my wife, who, if she had been a
85line 0525woman cardinally given, might have been accused
Act 2 Scene 1 - Pg 45 line 0526in fornication, adultery, and all uncleanliness
line 0527there.
line 0528ESCALUSBy the woman’s means?
line 0529ELBOWAy, sir, by Mistress Overdone’s means; but as
90line 0530she spit in his face, so she defied him.
line 0531POMPEYto Escalus Sir, if it please your Honor, this is
line 0532not so.
line 0533ELBOWProve it before these varlets here, thou honorable
line 0534man, prove it.
95line 0535ESCALUSto Angelo Do you hear how he misplaces?
line 0536POMPEYSir, she came in great with child, and longing,
line 0537saving your Honor’s reverence, for stewed prunes.
line 0538Sir, we had but two in the house, which at that very
line 0539distant time stood, as it were, in a fruit dish, a dish
100line 0540of some threepence; your Honors have seen such
line 0541dishes; they are not china dishes, but very good
line 0542dishes—
line 0543ESCALUSGo to, go to. No matter for the dish, sir.
line 0544POMPEYNo, indeed, sir, not of a pin; you are therein in
105line 0545the right. But to the point: as I say, this Mistress
line 0546Elbow, being, as I say, with child, and being great-bellied,
line 0547and longing, as I said, for prunes; and
line 0548having but two in the dish, as I said, Master Froth
line 0549here, this very man, having eaten the rest, as I said,
110line 0550and, as I say, paying for them very honestly—for, as
line 0551you know, Master Froth, I could not give you threepence
line 0552again—
line 0553FROTHNo, indeed.
line 0554POMPEYVery well. You being then, if you be remembered,
115line 0555cracking the stones of the foresaid prunes—
line 0556FROTHAy, so I did indeed.
line 0557POMPEYWhy, very well. I telling you then, if you be
line 0558remembered, that such a one and such a one were
line 0559past cure of the thing you wot of, unless they kept
120line 0560very good diet, as I told you—
line 0561FROTHAll this is true.
Act 2 Scene 1 - Pg 47 line 0562POMPEYWhy, very well then—
line 0563ESCALUSCome, you are a tedious fool. To the purpose:
line 0564what was done to Elbow’s wife that he hath cause to
125line 0565complain of? Come me to what was done to her.
line 0566POMPEYSir, your Honor cannot come to that yet.
line 0567ESCALUSNo, sir, nor I mean it not.
line 0568POMPEYSir, but you shall come to it, by your Honor’s
line 0569leave. And I beseech you, look into Master Froth
130line 0570here, sir, a man of fourscore pound a year, whose
line 0571father died at Hallowmas—was ’t not at Hallowmas,
line 0572Master Froth?
line 0573FROTHAll-hallond Eve.
line 0574POMPEYWhy, very well. I hope here be truths.—He,
135line 0575sir, sitting, as I say, in a lower chair, sir— To Froth.
line 0576’Twas in the Bunch of Grapes, where indeed you
line 0577have a delight to sit, have you not?
line 0578FROTHI have so, because it is an open room, and good
line 0579for winter.
140line 0580POMPEYWhy, very well then. I hope here be truths.
ANGELOto Escalus
line 0581This will last out a night in Russia
line 0582When nights are longest there. I’ll take my leave,
line 0583And leave you to the hearing of the cause,
line 0584Hoping you’ll find good cause to whip them all.
ESCALUS
145line 0585I think no less. Good morrow to your Lordship

Angelo exits.

line 0586Now, sir, come on. What was done to Elbow’s wife,
line 0587once more?
line 0588POMPEYOnce, sir? There was nothing done to her
line 0589once.
150line 0590ELBOWto Escalus I beseech you, sir, ask him what
line 0591this man did to my wife.
line 0592POMPEYto Escalus I beseech your Honor, ask me.
line 0593ESCALUSWell, sir, what did this gentleman to her?
line 0594POMPEYI beseech you, sir, look in this gentleman’s
Act 2 Scene 1 - Pg 49 155line 0595face.—Good Master Froth, look upon his Honor.
line 0596’Tis for a good purpose.—Doth your Honor mark
line 0597his face?
line 0598ESCALUSAy, sir, very well.
line 0599POMPEYNay, I beseech you, mark it well.
160line 0600ESCALUSWell, I do so.
line 0601POMPEYDoth your Honor see any harm in his face?
line 0602ESCALUSWhy, no.
line 0603POMPEYI’ll be supposed upon a book, his face is the
line 0604worst thing about him. Good, then, if his face be the
165line 0605worst thing about him, how could Master Froth do
line 0606the Constable’s wife any harm? I would know that
line 0607of your Honor.
line 0608ESCALUSHe’s in the right, constable. What say you to
line 0609it?
170line 0610ELBOWFirst, an it like you, the house is a respected
line 0611house; next, this is a respected fellow, and his
line 0612mistress is a respected woman.
line 0613POMPEYBy this hand, sir, his wife is a more respected
line 0614person than any of us all.
175line 0615ELBOWVarlet, thou liest; thou liest, wicked varlet! The
line 0616time is yet to come that she was ever respected with
line 0617man, woman, or child.
line 0618POMPEYSir, she was respected with him before he
line 0619married with her.
180line 0620ESCALUSWhich is the wiser here, Justice or Iniquity?
line 0621Is this true?
line 0622ELBOWto Pompey O thou caitiff! O thou varlet! O
line 0623thou wicked Hannibal! I respected with her before I
line 0624was married to her?—If ever I was respected with
185line 0625her, or she with me, let not your Worship think me
line 0626the poor duke’s officer.—Prove this, thou wicked
line 0627Hannibal, or I’ll have mine action of batt’ry on thee.
line 0628ESCALUSIf he took you a box o’ th’ ear, you might have
line 0629your action of slander too.
190line 0630ELBOWMarry, I thank your good Worship for it. What
Act 2 Scene 1 - Pg 51 line 0631is ’t your Worship’s pleasure I shall do with this
line 0632wicked caitiff?
line 0633ESCALUSTruly, officer, because he hath some offenses
line 0634in him that thou wouldst discover if thou couldst,
195line 0635let him continue in his courses till thou know’st
line 0636what they are.
line 0637ELBOWMarry, I thank your Worship for it. To Pompey.
line 0638Thou seest, thou wicked varlet, now, what’s
line 0639come upon thee. Thou art to continue now, thou
200line 0640varlet, thou art to continue.
line 0641ESCALUSto Froth Where were you born, friend?
line 0642FROTHHere in Vienna, sir.
line 0643ESCALUSAre you of fourscore pounds a year?
line 0644FROTHYes, an ’t please you, sir.
205line 0645ESCALUSSo. To Pompey. What trade are you of, sir?
line 0646POMPEYA tapster, a poor widow’s tapster.
line 0647ESCALUSYour mistress’ name?
line 0648POMPEYMistress Overdone.
line 0649ESCALUSHath she had any more than one husband?
210line 0650POMPEYNine, sir. Overdone by the last.
line 0651ESCALUSNine?—Come hither to me, Master Froth.
line 0652Master Froth, I would not have you acquainted with
line 0653tapsters; they will draw you, Master Froth, and you
line 0654will hang them. Get you gone, and let me hear no
215line 0655more of you.
line 0656FROTHI thank your Worship. For mine own part, I
line 0657never come into any room in a taphouse but I am
line 0658drawn in.
line 0659ESCALUSWell, no more of it, Master Froth. Farewell.

Froth exits.

220line 0660Come you hither to me, Master Tapster. What’s your
line 0661name, Master Tapster?
line 0662POMPEYPompey.
line 0663ESCALUSWhat else?
line 0664POMPEYBum, sir.
Act 2 Scene 1 - Pg 53 225line 0665ESCALUSTroth, and your bum is the greatest thing
line 0666about you, so that in the beastliest sense you are
line 0667Pompey the Great. Pompey, you are partly a bawd,
line 0668Pompey, howsoever you color it in being a tapster,
line 0669are you not? Come, tell me true. It shall be the
230line 0670better for you.
line 0671POMPEYTruly, sir, I am a poor fellow that would live.
line 0672ESCALUSHow would you live, Pompey? By being a
line 0673bawd? What do you think of the trade, Pompey? Is it
line 0674a lawful trade?
235line 0675POMPEYIf the law would allow it, sir.
line 0676ESCALUSBut the law will not allow it, Pompey, nor it
line 0677shall not be allowed in Vienna.
line 0678POMPEYDoes your Worship mean to geld and splay all
line 0679the youth of the city?
240line 0680ESCALUSNo, Pompey.
line 0681POMPEYTruly, sir, in my poor opinion, they will to ’t
line 0682then. If your Worship will take order for the drabs
line 0683and the knaves, you need not to fear the bawds.
line 0684ESCALUSThere is pretty orders beginning, I can tell
245line 0685you. It is but heading and hanging.
line 0686POMPEYIf you head and hang all that offend that way
line 0687but for ten year together, you’ll be glad to give out a
line 0688commission for more heads. If this law hold in
line 0689Vienna ten year, I’ll rent the fairest house in it after
250line 0690threepence a bay. If you live to see this come to
line 0691pass, say Pompey told you so.
line 0692ESCALUSThank you, good Pompey. And in requital of
line 0693your prophecy, hark you: I advise you let me not
line 0694find you before me again upon any complaint
255line 0695whatsoever; no, not for dwelling where you do. If I
line 0696do, Pompey, I shall beat you to your tent and prove
line 0697a shrewd Caesar to you. In plain dealing, Pompey, I
line 0698shall have you whipped. So, for this time, Pompey,
line 0699fare you well.
260line 0700POMPEYI thank your Worship for your good counsel.
Act 2 Scene 1 - Pg 55 line 0701Aside. But I shall follow it as the flesh and fortune
line 0702shall better determine.
line 0703Whip me? No, no, let carman whip his jade.
line 0704The valiant heart’s not whipped out of his trade.

He exits.

265line 0705ESCALUSCome hither to me, Master Elbow. Come
line 0706hither, Master Constable. How long have you been
line 0707in this place of constable?
line 0708ELBOWSeven year and a half, sir.
line 0709ESCALUSI thought, by the readiness in the office, you
270line 0710had continued in it some time. You say seven years
line 0711together?
line 0712ELBOWAnd a half, sir.
line 0713ESCALUSAlas, it hath been great pains to you. They do
line 0714you wrong to put you so oft upon ’t. Are there not
275line 0715men in your ward sufficient to serve it?
line 0716ELBOWFaith, sir, few of any wit in such matters. As
line 0717they are chosen, they are glad to choose me for
line 0718them. I do it for some piece of money and go
line 0719through with all.
280line 0720ESCALUSLook you bring me in the names of some six
line 0721or seven, the most sufficient of your parish.
line 0722ELBOWTo your Worship’s house, sir?
line 0723ESCALUSTo my house. Fare you well.

Elbow and Officers exit.

line 0724To Justice. What’s o’clock, think you?
285line 0725JUSTICEEleven, sir.
line 0726ESCALUSI pray you home to dinner with me.
line 0727JUSTICEI humbly thank you.
ESCALUS
line 0728It grieves me for the death of Claudio,
line 0729But there’s no remedy.
JUSTICE
290line 0730Lord Angelo is severe.
line 0731ESCALUSIt is but needful.
line 0732Mercy is not itself that oft looks so.
Act 2 Scene 2 - Pg 57 line 0733Pardon is still the nurse of second woe.
line 0734But yet, poor Claudio. There is no remedy.
295line 0735Come, sir.

They exit.

Scene 2

Enter Provost and a Servant.

SERVANT
line 0736He’s hearing of a cause. He will come straight.
line 0737I’ll tell him of you.
line 0738PROVOSTPray you do.

Servant exits.

line 0739I’ll know
5line 0740His pleasure. Maybe he will relent. Alas,
line 0741He hath but as offended in a dream.
line 0742All sects, all ages smack of this vice, and he
line 0743To die for ’t?

Enter Angelo.

line 0744ANGELONow, what’s the matter, provost?
PROVOST
10line 0745Is it your will Claudio shall die tomorrow?
ANGELO
line 0746Did not I tell thee yea? Hadst thou not order?
line 0747Why dost thou ask again?
line 0748PROVOSTLest I might be too rash.
line 0749Under your good correction, I have seen
15line 0750When, after execution, judgment hath
line 0751Repented o’er his doom.
line 0752ANGELOGo to. Let that be mine.
line 0753Do you your office, or give up your place
line 0754And you shall well be spared.
20line 0755PROVOSTI crave your Honor’s pardon.
Act 2 Scene 2 - Pg 59 line 0756What shall be done, sir, with the groaning Juliet?
line 0757She’s very near her hour.
line 0758ANGELODispose of her
line 0759To some more fitter place, and that with speed.

Enter Servant.

SERVANT
25line 0760Here is the sister of the man condemned
line 0761Desires access to you.
line 0762ANGELOHath he a sister?
PROVOST
line 0763Ay, my good lord, a very virtuous maid,
line 0764And to be shortly of a sisterhood,
30line 0765If not already.
line 0766ANGELOto Servant Well, let her be admitted.

Servant exits.

line 0767See you the fornicatress be removed.
line 0768Let her have needful but not lavish means.
line 0769There shall be order for ’t.

Enter Lucio and Isabella.

35line 0770PROVOSTbeginning to exit Save your Honor.
ANGELO
line 0771Stay a little while. To Isabella. You’re welcome.
line 0772What’s your will?
ISABELLA
line 0773I am a woeful suitor to your Honor,
line 0774Please but your Honor hear me.
40line 0775ANGELOWell, what’s your
line 0776suit?
ISABELLA
line 0777There is a vice that most I do abhor,
line 0778And most desire should meet the blow of justice,
line 0779For which I would not plead, but that I must;
Act 2 Scene 2 - Pg 61 45line 0780For which I must not plead, but that I am
line 0781At war ’twixt will and will not.
line 0782ANGELOWell, the matter?
ISABELLA
line 0783I have a brother is condemned to die.
line 0784I do beseech you let it be his fault
50line 0785And not my brother.
line 0786PROVOSTaside Heaven give thee moving
line 0787graces.
ANGELO
line 0788Condemn the fault, and not the actor of it?
line 0789Why, every fault’s condemned ere it be done.
55line 0790Mine were the very cipher of a function
line 0791To fine the faults whose fine stands in record
line 0792And let go by the actor.
line 0793ISABELLAO just but severe law!
line 0794I had a brother, then. Heaven keep your Honor.
LUCIOaside to Isabella
60line 0795Give ’t not o’er so. To him again, entreat him,
line 0796Kneel down before him, hang upon his gown.
line 0797You are too cold. If you should need a pin,
line 0798You could not with more tame a tongue desire it.
line 0799To him, I say.
ISABELLAto Angelo
65line 0800Must he needs die?
line 0801ANGELOMaiden, no remedy.
ISABELLA
line 0802Yes, I do think that you might pardon him,
line 0803And neither heaven nor man grieve at the mercy.
ANGELO
line 0804I will not do ’t.
70line 0805ISABELLABut can you if you would?
ANGELO
line 0806Look what I will not, that I cannot do.
ISABELLA
line 0807But might you do ’t and do the world no wrong
Act 2 Scene 2 - Pg 63 line 0808If so your heart were touched with that remorse
line 0809As mine is to him?
75line 0810ANGELOHe’s sentenced. ’Tis too late.
line 0811LUCIOaside to Isabella You are too cold.
ISABELLA
line 0812Too late? Why, no. I that do speak a word
line 0813May call it back again. Well believe this:
line 0814No ceremony that to great ones longs,
80line 0815Not the king’s crown, nor the deputed sword,
line 0816The marshal’s truncheon, nor the judge’s robe
line 0817Become them with one half so good a grace
line 0818As mercy does.
line 0819If he had been as you, and you as he,
85line 0820You would have slipped like him, but he like you
line 0821Would not have been so stern.
line 0822ANGELOPray you begone.
ISABELLA
line 0823I would to heaven I had your potency,
line 0824And you were Isabel. Should it then be thus?
90line 0825No. I would tell what ’twere to be a judge
line 0826And what a prisoner.
line 0827LUCIOaside to Isabella Ay, touch him; there’s the
line 0828vein.
ANGELO
line 0829Your brother is a forfeit of the law,
95line 0830And you but waste your words.
line 0831ISABELLAAlas, alas!
line 0832Why all the souls that were were forfeit once,
line 0833And He that might the vantage best have took
line 0834Found out the remedy. How would you be
100line 0835If He which is the top of judgment should
line 0836But judge you as you are? O, think on that,
line 0837And mercy then will breathe within your lips
line 0838Like man new-made.
line 0839ANGELOBe you content, fair maid.
105line 0840It is the law, not I, condemn your brother.
Act 2 Scene 2 - Pg 65 line 0841Were he my kinsman, brother, or my son,
line 0842It should be thus with him. He must die tomorrow.
ISABELLA
line 0843Tomorrow? O, that’s sudden! Spare him, spare him.
line 0844He’s not prepared for death. Even for our kitchens
110line 0845We kill the fowl of season. Shall we serve heaven
line 0846With less respect than we do minister
line 0847To our gross selves? Good, good my lord, bethink
line 0848you.
line 0849Who is it that hath died for this offense?
115line 0850There’s many have committed it.
line 0851LUCIOaside to Isabella Ay, well said.
ANGELO
line 0852The law hath not been dead, though it hath slept.
line 0853Those many had not dared to do that evil
line 0854If the first that did th’ edict infringe
120line 0855Had answered for his deed. Now ’tis awake,
line 0856Takes note of what is done, and, like a prophet,
line 0857Looks in a glass that shows what future evils—
line 0858Either now, or by remissness new-conceived,
line 0859And so in progress to be hatched and born—
125line 0860Are now to have no successive degrees
line 0861But, ere they live, to end.
line 0862ISABELLAYet show some pity.
ANGELO
line 0863I show it most of all when I show justice,
line 0864For then I pity those I do not know,
130line 0865Which a dismissed offense would after gall,
line 0866And do him right that, answering one foul wrong,
line 0867Lives not to act another. Be satisfied;
line 0868Your brother dies tomorrow; be content.
ISABELLA
line 0869So you must be the first that gives this sentence,
135line 0870And he that suffers. O, it is excellent
line 0871To have a giant’s strength, but it is tyrannous
line 0872To use it like a giant.
Act 2 Scene 2 - Pg 67 line 0873LUCIOaside to Isabella That’s well said.
line 0874ISABELLACould great men thunder
140line 0875As Jove himself does, Jove would never be quiet,
line 0876For every pelting, petty officer
line 0877Would use his heaven for thunder,
line 0878Nothing but thunder. Merciful heaven,
line 0879Thou rather with thy sharp and sulphurous bolt
145line 0880Splits the unwedgeable and gnarlèd oak,
line 0881Than the soft myrtle. But man, proud man,
line 0882Dressed in a little brief authority,
line 0883Most ignorant of what he’s most assured,
line 0884His glassy essence, like an angry ape
150line 0885Plays such fantastic tricks before high heaven
line 0886As makes the angels weep, who with our spleens
line 0887Would all themselves laugh mortal.
LUCIOaside to Isabella
line 0888O, to him, to him, wench. He will relent.
line 0889He’s coming. I perceive ’t.
155line 0890PROVOSTaside Pray heaven she win him.
ISABELLA
line 0891We cannot weigh our brother with ourself.
line 0892Great men may jest with saints; ’tis wit in them,
line 0893But in the less, foul profanation.
LUCIOaside to Isabella
line 0894Thou ’rt i’ th’ right, girl. More o’ that.
ISABELLA
160line 0895That in the captain’s but a choleric word
line 0896Which in the soldier is flat blasphemy.
LUCIOaside to Isabella
line 0897Art avised o’ that? More on ’t.
ANGELO
line 0898Why do you put these sayings upon me?
ISABELLA
line 0899Because authority, though it err like others,
165line 0900Hath yet a kind of medicine in itself
Act 2 Scene 2 - Pg 69 line 0901That skins the vice o’ th’ top. Go to your bosom,
line 0902Knock there, and ask your heart what it doth know
line 0903That’s like my brother’s fault. If it confess
line 0904A natural guiltiness such as is his,
170line 0905Let it not sound a thought upon your tongue
line 0906Against my brother’s life.
line 0907ANGELOaside She speaks, and ’tis such sense
line 0908That my sense breeds with it.He begins to exit.
line 0909Fare you well.
175line 0910ISABELLAGentle my lord, turn back.
ANGELO
line 0911I will bethink me. Come again tomorrow.
ISABELLA
line 0912Hark how I’ll bribe you. Good my lord, turn back.
line 0913ANGELOHow? Bribe me?
ISABELLA
line 0914Ay, with such gifts that heaven shall share with you.
180line 0915LUCIOaside to Isabella You had marred all else.
ISABELLA
line 0916Not with fond sicles of the tested gold,
line 0917Or stones whose rate are either rich or poor
line 0918As fancy values them, but with true prayers
line 0919That shall be up at heaven and enter there
185line 0920Ere sunrise, prayers from preservèd souls,
line 0921From fasting maids whose minds are dedicate
line 0922To nothing temporal.
line 0923ANGELOWell, come to me tomorrow.
line 0924LUCIOaside to Isabella Go to, ’tis well; away.
ISABELLA
190line 0925Heaven keep your Honor safe.
line 0926ANGELOaside Amen.
line 0927For I am that way going to temptation
line 0928Where prayers cross.
line 0929ISABELLAAt what hour tomorrow
195line 0930Shall I attend your Lordship?
line 0931ANGELOAt any time ’fore noon.
Act 2 Scene 2 - Pg 71 line 0932ISABELLASave your Honor.

She exits, with Lucio and Provost.

line 0933ANGELOFrom thee, even from thy virtue.
line 0934What’s this? What’s this? Is this her fault or mine?
200line 0935The tempter or the tempted, who sins most, ha?
line 0936Not she, nor doth she tempt; but it is I
line 0937That, lying by the violet in the sun,
line 0938Do as the carrion does, not as the flower,
line 0939Corrupt with virtuous season. Can it be
205line 0940That modesty may more betray our sense
line 0941Than woman’s lightness? Having waste ground
line 0942enough,
line 0943Shall we desire to raze the sanctuary
line 0944And pitch our evils there? O fie, fie, fie!
210line 0945What dost thou, or what art thou, Angelo?
line 0946Dost thou desire her foully for those things
line 0947That make her good? O, let her brother live.
line 0948Thieves for their robbery have authority
line 0949When judges steal themselves. What, do I love her
215line 0950That I desire to hear her speak again
line 0951And feast upon her eyes? What is ’t I dream on?
line 0952O cunning enemy that, to catch a saint,
line 0953With saints dost bait thy hook. Most dangerous
line 0954Is that temptation that doth goad us on
220line 0955To sin in loving virtue. Never could the strumpet
line 0956With all her double vigor, art and nature,
line 0957Once stir my temper, but this virtuous maid
line 0958Subdues me quite. Ever till now
line 0959When men were fond, I smiled and wondered how.

He exits.

Act 2 Scene 3 - Pg 73

Scene 3

Enter Duke, disguised as a Friar, and Provost.

DUKEas Friar
line 0960Hail to you, provost, so I think you are.
PROVOST
line 0961I am the Provost. What’s your will, good friar?
DUKEas Friar
line 0962Bound by my charity and my blest order,
line 0963I come to visit the afflicted spirits
5line 0964Here in the prison. Do me the common right
line 0965To let me see them, and to make me know
line 0966The nature of their crimes, that I may minister
line 0967To them accordingly.
PROVOST
line 0968I would do more than that if more were needful.

Enter Juliet.

10line 0969Look, here comes one, a gentlewoman of mine,
line 0970Who, falling in the flaws of her own youth,
line 0971Hath blistered her report. She is with child,
line 0972And he that got it, sentenced—a young man,
line 0973More fit to do another such offense
15line 0974Than die for this.
DUKEas Friar
line 0975When must he die?
line 0976PROVOSTAs I do think, tomorrow.
line 0977To Juliet. I have provided for you. Stay awhile
line 0978And you shall be conducted.
DUKEas Friar, to Juliet
20line 0979Repent you, fair one, of the sin you carry?
JULIET
line 0980I do; and bear the shame most patiently.
DUKEas Friar
line 0981I’ll teach you how you shall arraign your conscience,
Act 2 Scene 3 - Pg 75 line 0982And try your penitence, if it be sound
line 0983Or hollowly put on.
25line 0984JULIETI’ll gladly learn.
line 0985DUKEas Friar Love you the man that wronged you?
JULIET
line 0986Yes, as I love the woman that wronged him.
DUKEas Friar
line 0987So then it seems your most offenseful act
line 0988Was mutually committed?
30line 0989JULIETMutually.
DUKEas Friar
line 0990Then was your sin of heavier kind than his.
JULIET
line 0991I do confess it and repent it, father.
DUKEas Friar
line 0992’Tis meet so, daughter; but lest you do repent
line 0993As that the sin hath brought you to this shame,
35line 0994Which sorrow is always toward ourselves, not
line 0995heaven,
line 0996Showing we would not spare heaven as we love it,
line 0997But as we stand in fear—
JULIET
line 0998I do repent me as it is an evil,
40line 0999And take the shame with joy.
line 1000DUKEas Friar There rest.
line 1001Your partner, as I hear, must die tomorrow,
line 1002And I am going with instruction to him.
line 1003Grace go with you. Benedicite.He exits.
JULIET
45line 1004Must die tomorrow? O injurious love
line 1005That respites me a life, whose very comfort
line 1006Is still a dying horror.
line 1007PROVOST’Tis pity of him.

They exit.

Act 2 Scene 4 - Pg 77

Scene 4

Enter Angelo.

ANGELO
line 1008When I would pray and think, I think and pray
line 1009To several subjects. Heaven hath my empty words,
line 1010Whilst my invention, hearing not my tongue,
line 1011Anchors on Isabel. God in my mouth,
5line 1012As if I did but only chew His name,
line 1013And in my heart the strong and swelling evil
line 1014Of my conception. The state whereon I studied
line 1015Is, like a good thing being often read,
line 1016Grown sere and tedious. Yea, my gravity,
10line 1017Wherein—let no man hear me—I take pride,
line 1018Could I with boot change for an idle plume
line 1019Which the air beats for vain. O place, O form,
line 1020How often dost thou with thy case, thy habit,
line 1021Wrench awe from fools, and tie the wiser souls
15line 1022To thy false seeming! Blood, thou art blood.
line 1023Let’s write “good angel” on the devil’s horn.
line 1024’Tis not the devil’s crest. Knock within. How now,
line 1025who’s there?

Enter Servant.

SERVANT
line 1026One Isabel, a sister, desires access to you.
ANGELO
20line 1027Teach her the way. Servant exits. O heavens,
line 1028Why does my blood thus muster to my heart,
line 1029Making both it unable for itself
line 1030And dispossessing all my other parts
line 1031Of necessary fitness?
25line 1032So play the foolish throngs with one that swoons,
line 1033Come all to help him, and so stop the air
line 1034By which he should revive. And even so
line 1035The general subject to a well-wished king
Act 2 Scene 4 - Pg 79 line 1036Quit their own part, and in obsequious fondness
30line 1037Crowd to his presence, where their untaught love
line 1038Must needs appear offense.

Enter Isabella.

line 1039How now, fair maid?
line 1040ISABELLAI am come to know your pleasure.
ANGELO
line 1041That you might know it would much better please me
35line 1042Than to demand what ’tis. Your brother cannot live.
line 1043ISABELLAEven so. Heaven keep your Honor.
ANGELO
line 1044Yet may he live a while. And it may be
line 1045As long as you or I. Yet he must die.
line 1046ISABELLAUnder your sentence?
40line 1047ANGELOYea.
ISABELLA
line 1048When, I beseech you? That in his reprieve,
line 1049Longer or shorter, he may be so fitted
line 1050That his soul sicken not.
ANGELO
line 1051Ha! Fie, these filthy vices! It were as good
45line 1052To pardon him that hath from nature stolen
line 1053A man already made, as to remit
line 1054Their saucy sweetness that do coin God’s image
line 1055In stamps that are forbid. ’Tis all as easy
line 1056Falsely to take away a life true made
50line 1057As to put metal in restrainèd means
line 1058To make a false one.
ISABELLA
line 1059’Tis set down so in heaven, but not in Earth.
ANGELO
line 1060Say you so? Then I shall pose you quickly:
line 1061Which had you rather, that the most just law
55line 1062Now took your brother’s life, or, to redeem him,
Act 2 Scene 4 - Pg 81 line 1063Give up your body to such sweet uncleanness
line 1064As she that he hath stained?
line 1065ISABELLASir, believe this:
line 1066I had rather give my body than my soul.
ANGELO
60line 1067I talk not of your soul. Our compelled sins
line 1068Stand more for number than for accompt.
line 1069ISABELLAHow say you?
ANGELO
line 1070Nay, I’ll not warrant that, for I can speak
line 1071Against the thing I say. Answer to this:
65line 1072I, now the voice of the recorded law,
line 1073Pronounce a sentence on your brother’s life.
line 1074Might there not be a charity in sin
line 1075To save this brother’s life?
line 1076ISABELLAPlease you to do ’t,
70line 1077I’ll take it as a peril to my soul,
line 1078It is no sin at all, but charity.
ANGELO
line 1079Pleased you to do ’t, at peril of your soul,
line 1080Were equal poise of sin and charity.
ISABELLA
line 1081That I do beg his life, if it be sin
75line 1082Heaven let me bear it. You granting of my suit,
line 1083If that be sin, I’ll make it my morn prayer
line 1084To have it added to the faults of mine
line 1085And nothing of your answer.
line 1086ANGELONay, but hear me.
80line 1087Your sense pursues not mine. Either you are
line 1088ignorant,
line 1089Or seem so, crafty, and that’s not good.
ISABELLA
line 1090Let me be ignorant and in nothing good,
line 1091But graciously to know I am no better.
ANGELO
85line 1092Thus wisdom wishes to appear most bright
Act 2 Scene 4 - Pg 83 line 1093When it doth tax itself, as these black masks
line 1094Proclaim an enshield beauty ten times louder
line 1095Than beauty could, displayed. But mark me.
line 1096To be receivèd plain, I’ll speak more gross:
90line 1097Your brother is to die.
line 1098ISABELLASo.
ANGELO
line 1099And his offense is so, as it appears,
line 1100Accountant to the law upon that pain.
line 1101ISABELLATrue.
ANGELO
95line 1102Admit no other way to save his life—
line 1103As I subscribe not that, nor any other—
line 1104But, in the loss of question, that you, his sister,
line 1105Finding yourself desired of such a person
line 1106Whose credit with the judge, or own great place,
100line 1107Could fetch your brother from the manacles
line 1108Of the all-binding law, and that there were
line 1109No earthly mean to save him but that either
line 1110You must lay down the treasures of your body
line 1111To this supposed, or else to let him suffer,
105line 1112What would you do?
ISABELLA
line 1113As much for my poor brother as myself.
line 1114That is, were I under the terms of death,
line 1115Th’ impression of keen whips I’d wear as rubies
line 1116And strip myself to death as to a bed
110line 1117That longing have been sick for, ere I’d yield
line 1118My body up to shame.
line 1119ANGELOThen must your brother die.
line 1120ISABELLAAnd ’twere the cheaper way.
line 1121Better it were a brother died at once
115line 1122Than that a sister, by redeeming him,
line 1123Should die forever.
ANGELO
line 1124Were not you then as cruel as the sentence
line 1125That you have slandered so?
Act 2 Scene 4 - Pg 85 ISABELLA
line 1126Ignomy in ransom and free pardon
120line 1127Are of two houses. Lawful mercy
line 1128Is nothing kin to foul redemption.
ANGELO
line 1129You seemed of late to make the law a tyrant,
line 1130And rather proved the sliding of your brother
line 1131A merriment than a vice.
ISABELLA
125line 1132O, pardon me, my lord. It oft falls out,
line 1133To have what we would have, we speak not what we
line 1134mean.
line 1135I something do excuse the thing I hate
line 1136For his advantage that I dearly love.
ANGELO
130line 1137We are all frail.
line 1138ISABELLAElse let my brother die,
line 1139If not a fedary but only he
line 1140Owe and succeed thy weakness.
line 1141ANGELONay, women are frail too.
ISABELLA
135line 1142Ay, as the glasses where they view themselves,
line 1143Which are as easy broke as they make forms.
line 1144Women—help, heaven—men their creation mar
line 1145In profiting by them. Nay, call us ten times frail,
line 1146For we are soft as our complexions are,
140line 1147And credulous to false prints.
line 1148ANGELOI think it well.
line 1149And from this testimony of your own sex,
line 1150Since I suppose we are made to be no stronger
line 1151Than faults may shake our frames, let me be bold.
145line 1152I do arrest your words. Be that you are—
line 1153That is, a woman. If you be more, you’re none.
line 1154If you be one, as you are well expressed
line 1155By all external warrants, show it now
line 1156By putting on the destined livery.
Act 2 Scene 4 - Pg 87 ISABELLA
150line 1157I have no tongue but one. Gentle my lord,
line 1158Let me entreat you speak the former language.
line 1159ANGELOPlainly conceive I love you.
line 1160ISABELLAMy brother did love Juliet,
line 1161And you tell me that he shall die for ’t.
ANGELO
155line 1162He shall not, Isabel, if you give me love.
ISABELLA
line 1163I know your virtue hath a license in ’t
line 1164Which seems a little fouler than it is
line 1165To pluck on others.
line 1166ANGELOBelieve me, on mine honor,
160line 1167My words express my purpose.
ISABELLA
line 1168Ha! Little honor to be much believed,
line 1169And most pernicious purpose. Seeming, seeming!
line 1170I will proclaim thee, Angelo, look for ’t.
line 1171Sign me a present pardon for my brother
165line 1172Or with an outstretched throat I’ll tell the world
line 1173aloud
line 1174What man thou art.
line 1175ANGELOWho will believe thee, Isabel?
line 1176My unsoiled name, th’ austereness of my life,
170line 1177My vouch against you, and my place i’ th’ state
line 1178Will so your accusation overweigh
line 1179That you shall stifle in your own report
line 1180And smell of calumny. I have begun,
line 1181And now I give my sensual race the rein.
175line 1182Fit thy consent to my sharp appetite;
line 1183Lay by all nicety and prolixious blushes
line 1184That banish what they sue for. Redeem thy brother
line 1185By yielding up thy body to my will,
line 1186Or else he must not only die the death,
180line 1187But thy unkindness shall his death draw out
line 1188To ling’ring sufferance. Answer me tomorrow,
Act 2 Scene 4 - Pg 89 line 1189Or by the affection that now guides me most,
line 1190I’ll prove a tyrant to him. As for you,
line 1191Say what you can, my false o’erweighs your true.

He exits.

ISABELLA
185line 1192To whom should I complain? Did I tell this,
line 1193Who would believe me? O, perilous mouths,
line 1194That bear in them one and the selfsame tongue,
line 1195Either of condemnation or approof,
line 1196Bidding the law make curtsy to their will,
190line 1197Hooking both right and wrong to th’ appetite,
line 1198To follow as it draws. I’ll to my brother.
line 1199Though he hath fall’n by prompture of the blood,
line 1200Yet hath he in him such a mind of honor
line 1201That, had he twenty heads to tender down
195line 1202On twenty bloody blocks, he’d yield them up
line 1203Before his sister should her body stoop
line 1204To such abhorred pollution.
line 1205Then, Isabel, live chaste, and, brother, die.
line 1206More than our brother is our chastity.
200line 1207I’ll tell him yet of Angelo’s request,
line 1208And fit his mind to death, for his soul’s rest.

She exits.

ACT 3

Scene 1

Enter Duke as a Friar, Claudio, and Provost.

DUKEas Friar
line 1209So then you hope of pardon from Lord Angelo?
CLAUDIO
line 1210The miserable have no other medicine
line 1211But only hope.
line 1212I have hope to live and am prepared to die.
DUKEas Friar
5line 1213Be absolute for death. Either death or life
line 1214Shall thereby be the sweeter. Reason thus with life:
line 1215If I do lose thee, I do lose a thing
line 1216That none but fools would keep. A breath thou art,
line 1217Servile to all the skyey influences
10line 1218That doth this habitation where thou keep’st
line 1219Hourly afflict. Merely, thou art death’s fool,
line 1220For him thou labor’st by thy flight to shun,
line 1221And yet runn’st toward him still. Thou art not noble,
line 1222For all th’ accommodations that thou bear’st
15line 1223Are nursed by baseness. Thou ’rt by no means
line 1224valiant,
line 1225For thou dost fear the soft and tender fork
line 1226Of a poor worm. Thy best of rest is sleep,
line 1227And that thou oft provok’st, yet grossly fear’st
20line 1228Thy death, which is no more. Thou art not thyself,
line 1229For thou exists on many a thousand grains
Act 3 Scene 1 - Pg 95 line 1230That issue out of dust. Happy thou art not,
line 1231For what thou hast not, still thou striv’st to get,
line 1232And what thou hast, forget’st. Thou art not certain,
25line 1233For thy complexion shifts to strange effects
line 1234After the moon. If thou art rich, thou ’rt poor,
line 1235For, like an ass whose back with ingots bows,
line 1236Thou bear’st thy heavy riches but a journey,
line 1237And death unloads thee. Friend hast thou none,
30line 1238For thine own bowels which do call thee sire,
line 1239The mere effusion of thy proper loins,
line 1240Do curse the gout, serpigo, and the rheum
line 1241For ending thee no sooner. Thou hast nor youth nor
line 1242age,
35line 1243But as it were an after-dinner’s sleep
line 1244Dreaming on both, for all thy blessèd youth
line 1245Becomes as agèd and doth beg the alms
line 1246Of palsied eld; and when thou art old and rich,
line 1247Thou hast neither heat, affection, limb, nor beauty
40line 1248To make thy riches pleasant. What’s yet in this
line 1249That bears the name of life? Yet in this life
line 1250Lie hid more thousand deaths; yet death we fear,
line 1251That makes these odds all even.
line 1252CLAUDIOI humbly thank you.
45line 1253To sue to live, I find I seek to die,
line 1254And seeking death, find life. Let it come on.
ISABELLAwithin
line 1255What ho! Peace here, grace, and good company.
PROVOST
line 1256Who’s there? Come in. The wish deserves a welcome.
DUKEas Friar, to Claudio
line 1257Dear sir, ere long I’ll visit you again.
50line 1258CLAUDIOMost holy sir, I thank you.

Enter Isabella.

ISABELLAto Provost
line 1259My business is a word or two with Claudio.
Act 3 Scene 1 - Pg 97 PROVOST
line 1260And very welcome.—Look, signior, here’s your
line 1261sister.
line 1262DUKEas Friar Provost, a word with you.
55line 1263PROVOSTAs many as you please.
DUKEas Friar, aside to Provost
line 1264Bring me to hear them speak, where I may be
line 1265concealed.

Duke and Provost exit.

line 1266CLAUDIONow, sister, what’s the comfort?
line 1267ISABELLAWhy,
60line 1268As all comforts are, most good, most good indeed.
line 1269Lord Angelo, having affairs to heaven,
line 1270Intends you for his swift ambassador,
line 1271Where you shall be an everlasting leiger;
line 1272Therefore your best appointment make with speed.
65line 1273Tomorrow you set on.
line 1274CLAUDIOIs there no remedy?
ISABELLA
line 1275None but such remedy as, to save a head,
line 1276To cleave a heart in twain.
line 1277CLAUDIOBut is there any?
70line 1278ISABELLAYes, brother, you may live.
line 1279There is a devilish mercy in the judge,
line 1280If you’ll implore it, that will free your life
line 1281But fetter you till death.
line 1282CLAUDIOPerpetual durance?
ISABELLA
75line 1283Ay, just; perpetual durance, a restraint,
line 1284Though all the world’s vastidity you had,
line 1285To a determined scope.
line 1286CLAUDIOBut in what nature?
ISABELLA
line 1287In such a one as, you consenting to ’t,
80line 1288Would bark your honor from that trunk you bear
line 1289And leave you naked.
Act 3 Scene 1 - Pg 99 line 1290CLAUDIOLet me know the point.
ISABELLA
line 1291O, I do fear thee, Claudio, and I quake
line 1292Lest thou a feverous life shouldst entertain,
85line 1293And six or seven winters more respect
line 1294Than a perpetual honor. Dar’st thou die?
line 1295The sense of death is most in apprehension,
line 1296And the poor beetle that we tread upon
line 1297In corporal sufferance finds a pang as great
90line 1298As when a giant dies.
line 1299CLAUDIOWhy give you me this shame?
line 1300Think you I can a resolution fetch
line 1301From flowery tenderness? If I must die,
line 1302I will encounter darkness as a bride,
95line 1303And hug it in mine arms.
ISABELLA
line 1304There spake my brother! There my father’s grave
line 1305Did utter forth a voice. Yes, thou must die.
line 1306Thou art too noble to conserve a life
line 1307In base appliances. This outward-sainted deputy—
100line 1308Whose settled visage and deliberate word
line 1309Nips youth i’ th’ head, and follies doth enew
line 1310As falcon doth the fowl—is yet a devil.
line 1311His filth within being cast, he would appear
line 1312A pond as deep as hell.
105line 1313CLAUDIOThe prenzie Angelo?
ISABELLA
line 1314O, ’tis the cunning livery of hell
line 1315The damned’st body to invest and cover
line 1316In prenzie guards. Dost thou think, Claudio,
line 1317If I would yield him my virginity
110line 1318Thou mightst be freed?
line 1319CLAUDIOO heavens, it cannot be!
ISABELLA
line 1320Yes, he would give ’t thee; from this rank offense,
line 1321So to offend him still. This night’s the time
Act 3 Scene 1 - Pg 101 line 1322That I should do what I abhor to name,
115line 1323Or else thou diest tomorrow.
line 1324CLAUDIOThou shalt not do ’t.
line 1325ISABELLAO, were it but my life,
line 1326I’d throw it down for your deliverance
line 1327As frankly as a pin.
120line 1328CLAUDIOThanks, dear Isabel.
ISABELLA
line 1329Be ready, Claudio, for your death tomorrow.
line 1330CLAUDIOYes. Has he affections in him
line 1331That thus can make him bite the law by th’ nose,
line 1332When he would force it? Sure it is no sin,
125line 1333Or of the deadly seven it is the least.
line 1334ISABELLAWhich is the least?
CLAUDIO
line 1335If it were damnable, he being so wise,
line 1336Why would he for the momentary trick
line 1337Be perdurably fined? O, Isabel—
ISABELLA
130line 1338What says my brother?
line 1339CLAUDIODeath is a fearful thing.
line 1340ISABELLAAnd shamèd life a hateful.
CLAUDIO
line 1341Ay, but to die, and go we know not where,
line 1342To lie in cold obstruction and to rot,
135line 1343This sensible warm motion to become
line 1344A kneaded clod; and the delighted spirit
line 1345To bathe in fiery floods, or to reside
line 1346In thrilling region of thick-ribbèd ice,
line 1347To be imprisoned in the viewless winds
140line 1348And blown with restless violence round about
line 1349The pendent world; or to be worse than worst
line 1350Of those that lawless and incertain thought
line 1351Imagine howling—’tis too horrible.
line 1352The weariest and most loathèd worldly life
145line 1353That age, ache, penury, and imprisonment
Act 3 Scene 1 - Pg 103 line 1354Can lay on nature is a paradise
line 1355To what we fear of death.
line 1356ISABELLAAlas, alas!
line 1357CLAUDIOSweet sister, let me live.
150line 1358What sin you do to save a brother’s life,
line 1359Nature dispenses with the deed so far
line 1360That it becomes a virtue.
line 1361ISABELLAO, you beast!
line 1362O faithless coward, O dishonest wretch,
155line 1363Wilt thou be made a man out of my vice?
line 1364Is ’t not a kind of incest to take life
line 1365From thine own sister’s shame? What should I think?
line 1366Heaven shield my mother played my father fair,
line 1367For such a warpèd slip of wilderness
160line 1368Ne’er issued from his blood. Take my defiance;
line 1369Die, perish. Might but my bending down
line 1370Reprieve thee from thy fate, it should proceed.
line 1371I’ll pray a thousand prayers for thy death,
line 1372No word to save thee.
165line 1373CLAUDIONay, hear me, Isabel—
line 1374ISABELLAO, fie, fie, fie!
line 1375Thy sin’s not accidental, but a trade.
line 1376Mercy to thee would prove itself a bawd.
line 1377’Tis best that thou diest quickly.
170line 1378CLAUDIOO, hear me, Isabella—

Enter Duke as a Friar.

DUKEas Friar, to Isabella
line 1379Vouchsafe a word, young sister, but one word.
line 1380ISABELLAWhat is your will?
line 1381DUKEas Friar Might you dispense with your leisure, I
line 1382would by and by have some speech with you. The
175line 1383satisfaction I would require is likewise your own
line 1384benefit.
line 1385ISABELLAI have no superfluous leisure. My stay must
Act 3 Scene 1 - Pg 105 line 1386be stolen out of other affairs, but I will attend you
line 1387awhile.
180line 1388DUKEas Friar, taking Claudio aside Son, I have overheard
line 1389what hath passed between you and your
line 1390sister. Angelo had never the purpose to corrupt her;
line 1391only he hath made an assay of her virtue, to practice
line 1392his judgment with the disposition of natures. She,
185line 1393having the truth of honor in her, hath made him
line 1394that gracious denial which he is most glad to
line 1395receive. I am confessor to Angelo, and I know this
line 1396to be true. Therefore prepare yourself to death. Do
line 1397not satisfy your resolution with hopes that are
190line 1398fallible. Tomorrow you must die. Go to your knees
line 1399and make ready.
line 1400CLAUDIOLet me ask my sister pardon. I am so out of
line 1401love with life that I will sue to be rid of it.
line 1402DUKEas Friar Hold you there. Farewell.—Provost, a
195line 1403word with you.

Enter Provost.

line 1404PROVOSTWhat’s your will, father?
line 1405DUKEas Friar That now you are come, you will be
line 1406gone. Leave me awhile with the maid. My mind
line 1407promises with my habit no loss shall touch her by
200line 1408my company.
line 1409PROVOSTIn good time.He exits, with Claudio.
line 1410DUKEas Friar, to Isabella The hand that hath made
line 1411you fair hath made you good. The goodness that is
line 1412cheap in beauty makes beauty brief in goodness,
205line 1413but grace, being the soul of your complexion, shall
line 1414keep the body of it ever fair. The assault that Angelo
line 1415hath made to you, fortune hath conveyed to my
line 1416understanding; and but that frailty hath examples
line 1417for his falling, I should wonder at Angelo. How will
210line 1418you do to content this substitute and to save your
line 1419brother?
Act 3 Scene 1 - Pg 107 line 1420ISABELLAI am now going to resolve him. I had rather
line 1421my brother die by the law than my son should be
line 1422unlawfully born. But, O, how much is the good
215line 1423duke deceived in Angelo! If ever he return, and I
line 1424can speak to him, I will open my lips in vain, or
line 1425discover his government.
line 1426DUKEas Friar That shall not be much amiss. Yet, as
line 1427the matter now stands, he will avoid your accusation:
220line 1428he made trial of you only. Therefore, fasten
line 1429your ear on my advisings. To the love I have in doing
line 1430good, a remedy presents itself. I do make myself
line 1431believe that you may most uprighteously do a poor
line 1432wronged lady a merited benefit, redeem your brother
225line 1433from the angry law, do no stain to your own
line 1434gracious person, and much please the absent duke,
line 1435if peradventure he shall ever return to have hearing
line 1436of this business.
line 1437ISABELLALet me hear you speak farther. I have spirit to
230line 1438do anything that appears not foul in the truth of my
line 1439spirit.
line 1440DUKEas Friar Virtue is bold, and goodness never
line 1441fearful. Have you not heard speak of Mariana, the
line 1442sister of Frederick, the great soldier who miscarried
235line 1443at sea?
line 1444ISABELLAI have heard of the lady, and good words
line 1445went with her name.
line 1446DUKEas Friar She should this Angelo have married,
line 1447was affianced to her oath, and the nuptial appointed.
240line 1448Between which time of the contract and
line 1449limit of the solemnity, her brother Frederick was
line 1450wracked at sea, having in that perished vessel the
line 1451dowry of his sister. But mark how heavily this befell
line 1452to the poor gentlewoman. There she lost a noble
245line 1453and renowned brother, in his love toward her ever
line 1454most kind and natural; with him, the portion and
line 1455sinew of her fortune, her marriage dowry; with
Act 3 Scene 1 - Pg 109 line 1456both, her combinate husband, this well-seeming
line 1457Angelo.
250line 1458ISABELLACan this be so? Did Angelo so leave her?
line 1459DUKEas Friar Left her in her tears and dried not one
line 1460of them with his comfort, swallowed his vows
line 1461whole, pretending in her discoveries of dishonor; in
line 1462few, bestowed her on her own lamentation, which
255line 1463she yet wears for his sake; and he, a marble to her
line 1464tears, is washed with them but relents not.
line 1465ISABELLAWhat a merit were it in death to take this
line 1466poor maid from the world! What corruption in this
line 1467life, that it will let this man live! But how out of this
260line 1468can she avail?
line 1469DUKEas Friar It is a rupture that you may easily heal,
line 1470and the cure of it not only saves your brother, but
line 1471keeps you from dishonor in doing it.
line 1472ISABELLAShow me how, good father.
265line 1473DUKEas Friar This forenamed maid hath yet in her
line 1474the continuance of her first affection. His unjust
line 1475unkindness, that in all reason should have
line 1476quenched her love, hath, like an impediment in the
line 1477current, made it more violent and unruly. Go you to
270line 1478Angelo, answer his requiring with a plausible obedience,
line 1479agree with his demands to the point. Only
line 1480refer yourself to this advantage: first, that your stay
line 1481with him may not be long, that the time may have all
line 1482shadow and silence in it, and the place answer to
275line 1483convenience. This being granted in course, and
line 1484now follows all: we shall advise this wronged maid
line 1485to stead up your appointment, go in your place. If
line 1486the encounter acknowledge itself hereafter, it may
line 1487compel him to her recompense; and here, by this, is
280line 1488your brother saved, your honor untainted, the poor
line 1489Mariana advantaged, and the corrupt deputy
line 1490scaled. The maid will I frame and make fit for his
line 1491attempt. If you think well to carry this as you may,
Act 3 Scene 2 - Pg 111 line 1492the doubleness of the benefit defends the deceit
285line 1493from reproof. What think you of it?
line 1494ISABELLAThe image of it gives me content already, and
line 1495I trust it will grow to a most prosperous perfection.
line 1496DUKEas Friar It lies much in your holding up. Haste
line 1497you speedily to Angelo. If for this night he entreat
290line 1498you to his bed, give him promise of satisfaction. I
line 1499will presently to Saint Luke’s. There at the moated
line 1500grange resides this dejected Mariana. At that place
line 1501call upon me, and dispatch with Angelo that it may
line 1502be quickly.
295line 1503ISABELLAI thank you for this comfort. Fare you well,
line 1504good father.

She exits. The Duke remains.

Scene 2

Enter Elbow, Pompey, and Officers.

line 1505ELBOWto Pompey Nay, if there be no remedy for it
line 1506but that you will needs buy and sell men and
line 1507women like beasts, we shall have all the world drink
line 1508brown and white bastard.
5line 1509DUKEas Friar, aside O heavens, what stuff is here?
line 1510POMPEY’Twas never merry world since, of two usuries,
line 1511the merriest was put down, and the worser allowed
line 1512by order of law a furred gown to keep him warm,
line 1513and furred with fox and lambskins too, to signify
10line 1514that craft, being richer than innocency, stands for
line 1515the facing.
line 1516ELBOWCome your way, sir.—Bless you, good father
line 1517friar.
line 1518DUKEas Friar And you, good brother father. What
15line 1519offense hath this man made you, sir?
line 1520ELBOWMarry, sir, he hath offended the law; and, sir,
line 1521we take him to be a thief too, sir, for we have found
Act 3 Scene 2 - Pg 113 line 1522upon him, sir, a strange picklock, which we have
line 1523sent to the Deputy.
DUKEas Friar, to Pompey
20line 1524Fie, sirrah, a bawd, a wicked bawd!
line 1525The evil that thou causest to be done,
line 1526That is thy means to live. Do thou but think
line 1527What ’tis to cram a maw or clothe a back
line 1528From such a filthy vice; say to thyself,
25line 1529From their abominable and beastly touches
line 1530I drink, I eat, array myself, and live.
line 1531Canst thou believe thy living is a life,
line 1532So stinkingly depending? Go mend, go mend.
line 1533POMPEYIndeed, it does stink in some sort, sir. But yet,
30line 1534sir, I would prove—
DUKEas Friar
line 1535Nay, if the devil have given thee proofs for sin,
line 1536Thou wilt prove his.—Take him to prison, officer.
line 1537Correction and instruction must both work
line 1538Ere this rude beast will profit.
35line 1539ELBOWHe must before the Deputy, sir; he has given
line 1540him warning. The Deputy cannot abide a whoremaster.
line 1541If he be a whoremonger and comes before
line 1542him, he were as good go a mile on his errand.
DUKEas Friar
line 1543That we were all, as some would seem to be,
40line 1544From our faults, as faults from seeming, free.
line 1545ELBOWHis neck will come to your waist—a cord, sir.

Enter Lucio.

line 1546POMPEYI spy comfort, I cry bail. Here’s a gentleman
line 1547and a friend of mine.
line 1548LUCIOHow now, noble Pompey? What, at the wheels of
45line 1549Caesar? Art thou led in triumph? What, is there
line 1550none of Pygmalion’s images, newly made woman,
line 1551to be had now, for putting the hand in the pocket
line 1552and extracting it clutched? What reply, ha? What
Act 3 Scene 2 - Pg 115 line 1553sayst thou to this tune, matter, and method? Is ’t not
50line 1554drowned i’ th’ last rain, ha? What sayst thou, trot? Is
line 1555the world as it was, man? Which is the way? Is it sad
line 1556and few words? Or how? The trick of it?
line 1557DUKEas Friar, aside Still thus, and thus; still worse.
line 1558LUCIOto Pompey How doth my dear morsel, thy
55line 1559mistress? Procures she still, ha?
line 1560POMPEYTroth, sir, she hath eaten up all her beef, and
line 1561she is herself in the tub.
line 1562LUCIOWhy, ’tis good. It is the right of it. It must be so.
line 1563Ever your fresh whore and your powdered bawd, an
60line 1564unshunned consequence; it must be so. Art going to
line 1565prison, Pompey?
line 1566POMPEYYes, faith, sir.
line 1567LUCIOWhy, ’tis not amiss, Pompey. Farewell. Go say I
line 1568sent thee thither. For debt, Pompey? Or how?
65line 1569ELBOWFor being a bawd, for being a bawd.
line 1570LUCIOWell, then, imprison him. If imprisonment be
line 1571the due of a bawd, why, ’tis his right. Bawd is he,
line 1572doubtless, and of antiquity too. Bawd born.—
line 1573Farewell, good Pompey. Commend me to the prison,
70line 1574Pompey. You will turn good husband now,
line 1575Pompey; you will keep the house.
line 1576POMPEYI hope, sir, your good Worship will be my bail.
line 1577LUCIONo, indeed, will I not, Pompey; it is not the
line 1578wear. I will pray, Pompey, to increase your bondage.
75line 1579If you take it not patiently, why, your mettle is
line 1580the more. Adieu, trusty Pompey.—Bless you, friar.
line 1581DUKEas Friar And you.
line 1582LUCIOto Pompey Does Bridget paint still, Pompey,
line 1583ha?
80line 1584ELBOWto Pompey Come your ways, sir, come.
line 1585POMPEYto Lucio You will not bail me, then, sir?
line 1586LUCIOThen, Pompey, nor now.—What news abroad,
line 1587friar? What news?
line 1588ELBOWto Pompey Come your ways, sir, come.
Act 3 Scene 2 - Pg 117 85line 1589LUCIOGo to kennel, Pompey, go.

Elbow, Pompey, and Officers exit.

line 1590What news, friar, of the Duke?
line 1591DUKEas Friar I know none. Can you tell me of any?
line 1592LUCIOSome say he is with the Emperor of Russia;
line 1593other some, he is in Rome. But where is he, think
90line 1594you?
line 1595DUKEas Friar I know not where, but wheresoever, I
line 1596wish him well.
line 1597LUCIOIt was a mad fantastical trick of him to steal
line 1598from the state and usurp the beggary he was never
95line 1599born to. Lord Angelo dukes it well in his absence.
line 1600He puts transgression to ’t.
line 1601DUKEas Friar He does well in ’t.
line 1602LUCIOA little more lenity to lechery would do no harm
line 1603in him. Something too crabbed that way, friar.
100line 1604DUKEas Friar It is too general a vice, and severity
line 1605must cure it.
line 1606LUCIOYes, in good sooth, the vice is of a great kindred;
line 1607it is well allied, but it is impossible to extirp it quite,
line 1608friar, till eating and drinking be put down. They say
105line 1609this Angelo was not made by man and woman after
line 1610this downright way of creation. Is it true, think
line 1611you?
line 1612DUKEas Friar How should he be made, then?
line 1613LUCIOSome report a sea-maid spawned him; some,
110line 1614that he was begot between two stockfishes. But it is
line 1615certain that when he makes water, his urine is
line 1616congealed ice; that I know to be true. And he is a
line 1617motion generative, that’s infallible.
line 1618DUKEas Friar You are pleasant, sir, and speak apace.
115line 1619LUCIOWhy, what a ruthless thing is this in him, for the
line 1620rebellion of a codpiece to take away the life of a
line 1621man! Would the duke that is absent have done this?
line 1622Ere he would have hanged a man for the getting
line 1623a hundred bastards, he would have paid for the
Act 3 Scene 2 - Pg 119 120line 1624nursing a thousand. He had some feeling of the
line 1625sport, he knew the service, and that instructed him
line 1626to mercy.
line 1627DUKEas Friar I never heard the absent duke much
line 1628detected for women. He was not inclined that way.
125line 1629LUCIOO, sir, you are deceived.
line 1630DUKEas Friar ’Tis not possible.
line 1631LUCIOWho, not the Duke? Yes, your beggar of fifty;
line 1632and his use was to put a ducat in her clack-dish. The
line 1633Duke had crotchets in him. He would be drunk too,
130line 1634that let me inform you.
line 1635DUKEas Friar You do him wrong, surely.
line 1636LUCIOSir, I was an inward of his. A shy fellow was the
line 1637Duke, and I believe I know the cause of his
line 1638withdrawing.
135line 1639DUKEas Friar What, I prithee, might be the cause?
line 1640LUCIONo, pardon. ’Tis a secret must be locked within
line 1641the teeth and the lips. But this I can let you
line 1642understand: the greater file of the subject held the
line 1643Duke to be wise.
140line 1644DUKEas Friar Wise? Why, no question but he was.
line 1645LUCIOA very superficial, ignorant, unweighing fellow.
line 1646DUKEas Friar Either this is envy in you, folly, or
line 1647mistaking. The very stream of his life and the
line 1648business he hath helmed must, upon a warranted
145line 1649need, give him a better proclamation. Let him be
line 1650but testimonied in his own bringings-forth, and he
line 1651shall appear to the envious a scholar, a statesman,
line 1652and a soldier. Therefore you speak unskillfully. Or,
line 1653if your knowledge be more, it is much darkened in
150line 1654your malice.
line 1655LUCIOSir, I know him, and I love him.
line 1656DUKEas Friar Love talks with better knowledge, and
line 1657knowledge with dearer love.
line 1658LUCIOCome, sir, I know what I know.
155line 1659DUKEas Friar I can hardly believe that, since you
Act 3 Scene 2 - Pg 121 line 1660know not what you speak. But if ever the Duke
line 1661return, as our prayers are he may, let me desire you
line 1662to make your answer before him. If it be honest you
line 1663have spoke, you have courage to maintain it. I am
160line 1664bound to call upon you, and, I pray you, your name?
line 1665LUCIOSir, my name is Lucio, well known to the Duke.
line 1666DUKEas Friar He shall know you better, sir, if I may
line 1667live to report you.
line 1668LUCIOI fear you not.
165line 1669DUKEas Friar O, you hope the Duke will return no
line 1670more, or you imagine me too unhurtful an opposite.
line 1671But indeed I can do you little harm; you’ll
line 1672forswear this again.
line 1673LUCIOI’ll be hanged first. Thou art deceived in me,
170line 1674friar. But no more of this. Canst thou tell if Claudio
line 1675die tomorrow or no?
line 1676DUKEas Friar Why should he die, sir?
line 1677LUCIOWhy? For filling a bottle with a tundish. I would
line 1678the Duke we talk of were returned again. This
175line 1679ungenitured agent will unpeople the province with
line 1680continency. Sparrows must not build in his house
line 1681eaves, because they are lecherous. The Duke yet
line 1682would have dark deeds darkly answered. He would
line 1683never bring them to light Would he were returned.
180line 1684Marry, this Claudio is condemned for untrussing.
line 1685Farewell, good friar. I prithee pray for me. The
line 1686Duke, I say to thee again, would eat mutton on
line 1687Fridays. He’s now past it, yet—and I say to thee—
line 1688he would mouth with a beggar though she smelt
185line 1689brown bread and garlic. Say that I said so. Farewell.

He exits.

DUKE
line 1690No might nor greatness in mortality
line 1691Can censure scape. Back-wounding calumny
line 1692The whitest virtue strikes. What king so strong
Act 3 Scene 2 - Pg 123 line 1693Can tie the gall up in the slanderous tongue?
190line 1694But who comes here?

Enter Escalus, Provost, Officers, and Mistress Overdone, a Bawd.

line 1695ESCALUSto Officers Go, away with her to prison.
line 1696BAWDGood my lord, be good to me. Your Honor is
line 1697accounted a merciful man, good my lord.
line 1698ESCALUSDouble and treble admonition, and still forfeit
195line 1699in the same kind? This would make mercy
line 1700swear and play the tyrant.
line 1701PROVOSTA bawd of eleven years’ continuance, may it
line 1702please your Honor.
line 1703BAWDto Escalus My lord, this is one Lucio’s information
200line 1704against me. Mistress Kate Keepdown was
line 1705with child by him in the Duke’s time; he promised
line 1706her marriage. His child is a year and a quarter old
line 1707come Philip and Jacob. I have kept it myself, and see
line 1708how he goes about to abuse me.
205line 1709ESCALUSThat fellow is a fellow of much license. Let
line 1710him be called before us. Away with her to prison.—
line 1711Go to, no more words.Officers exit with Bawd.
line 1712Provost, my brother Angelo will not be altered.
line 1713Claudio must die tomorrow. Let him be furnished
210line 1714with divines and have all charitable preparation. If
line 1715my brother wrought by my pity, it should not be so
line 1716with him.
line 1717PROVOSTSo please you, this friar hath been with him,
line 1718and advised him for th’ entertainment of death.
215line 1719ESCALUSGood even, good father.
line 1720DUKEas Friar Bliss and goodness on you.
line 1721ESCALUSOf whence are you?
DUKEas Friar
line 1722Not of this country, though my chance is now
line 1723To use it for my time. I am a brother
Act 3 Scene 2 - Pg 125 220line 1724Of gracious order, late come from the See
line 1725In special business from his Holiness.
line 1726ESCALUSWhat news abroad i’ th’ world?
line 1727DUKEas Friar None but that there is so great a fever
line 1728on goodness that the dissolution of it must cure it.
225line 1729Novelty is only in request, and it is as dangerous to
line 1730be aged in any kind of course as it is virtuous to be
line 1731constant in any undertaking. There is scarce truth
line 1732enough alive to make societies secure, but security
line 1733enough to make fellowships accursed. Much upon
230line 1734this riddle runs the wisdom of the world. This news
line 1735is old enough, yet it is every day’s news. I pray you,
line 1736sir, of what disposition was the Duke?
line 1737ESCALUSOne that, above all other strifes, contended
line 1738especially to know himself.
235line 1739DUKEas Friar What pleasure was he given to?
line 1740ESCALUSRather rejoicing to see another merry than
line 1741merry at anything which professed to make him
line 1742rejoice—a gentleman of all temperance. But leave
line 1743we him to his events, with a prayer they may prove
240line 1744prosperous, and let me desire to know how you find
line 1745Claudio prepared. I am made to understand that
line 1746you have lent him visitation.
line 1747DUKEas Friar He professes to have received no
line 1748sinister measure from his judge but most willingly
245line 1749humbles himself to the determination of justice. Yet
line 1750had he framed to himself, by the instruction of his
line 1751frailty, many deceiving promises of life, which I, by
line 1752my good leisure, have discredited to him, and now
line 1753is he resolved to die.
250line 1754ESCALUSYou have paid the heavens your function and
line 1755the prisoner the very debt of your calling. I have
line 1756labored for the poor gentleman to the extremest
line 1757shore of my modesty, but my brother justice have I
line 1758found so severe that he hath forced me to tell him
255line 1759he is indeed Justice.
Act 3 Scene 2 - Pg 127 line 1760DUKEas Friar If his own life answer the straitness of
line 1761his proceeding, it shall become him well; wherein if
line 1762he chance to fail, he hath sentenced himself.
line 1763ESCALUSI am going to visit the prisoner. Fare you well.
260line 1764DUKEas Friar Peace be with you.

Escalus and Provost exit.

DUKE
line 1765He who the sword of heaven will bear
line 1766Should be as holy as severe,
line 1767Pattern in himself to know,
line 1768Grace to stand, and virtue go;
265line 1769More nor less to others paying
line 1770Than by self-offenses weighing.
line 1771Shame to him whose cruel striking
line 1772Kills for faults of his own liking.
line 1773Twice treble shame on Angelo,
270line 1774To weed my vice, and let his grow.
line 1775O, what may man within him hide,
line 1776Though angel on the outward side!
line 1777How may likeness made in crimes,
line 1778Making practice on the times,
275line 1779To draw with idle spiders’ strings
line 1780Most ponderous and substantial things.
line 1781Craft against vice I must apply.
line 1782With Angelo tonight shall lie
line 1783His old betrothèd but despisèd.
280line 1784So disguise shall, by th’ disguisèd,
line 1785Pay with falsehood false exacting
line 1786And perform an old contracting.

He exits.

ACT 4

Scene 1

Enter Mariana, and Boy singing.

Song.

line 1787Take, O take those lips away,
line 1788That so sweetly were forsworn,
line 1789And those eyes, the break of day,
line 1790Lights that do mislead the morn.
5line 1791But my kisses bring again, bring again,
line 1792Seals of love, but sealed in vain, sealed in vain.

Enter Duke as a Friar.

MARIANAto Boy
line 1793Break off thy song and haste thee quick away.
line 1794Here comes a man of comfort, whose advice
line 1795Hath often stilled my brawling discontent.

Boy exits.

10line 1796I cry you mercy, sir, and well could wish
line 1797You had not found me here so musical.
line 1798Let me excuse me, and believe me so,
line 1799My mirth it much displeased, but pleased my woe.
DUKEas Friar
line 1800’Tis good, though music oft hath such a charm
15line 1801To make bad good and good provoke to harm.
line 1802I pray you tell me, hath anybody inquired for me
Act 4 Scene 1 - Pg 133 line 1803here today? Much upon this time have I promised
line 1804here to meet.
line 1805MARIANAYou have not been inquired after. I have sat
20line 1806here all day.

Enter Isabella.

line 1807DUKEas Friar I do constantly believe you. The time is
line 1808come even now. I shall crave your forbearance a
line 1809little. Maybe I will call upon you anon for some
line 1810advantage to yourself.
25line 1811MARIANAI am always bound to you.She exits.
line 1812DUKEas Friar Very well met, and welcome.
line 1813What is the news from this good deputy?
ISABELLA
line 1814He hath a garden circummured with brick,
line 1815Whose western side is with a vineyard backed;
30line 1816And to that vineyard is a planchèd gate
line 1817That makes his opening with this bigger key.
line 1818This other doth command a little door
line 1819Which from the vineyard to the garden leads.
line 1820There have I made my promise, upon the
35line 1821Heavy middle of the night, to call upon him.
DUKEas Friar
line 1822But shall you on your knowledge find this way?
ISABELLA
line 1823I have ta’en a due and wary note upon ’t.
line 1824With whispering and most guilty diligence,
line 1825In action all of precept, he did show me
40line 1826The way twice o’er.
line 1827DUKEas Friar Are there no other tokens
line 1828Between you ’greed concerning her observance?
ISABELLA
line 1829No, none, but only a repair i’ th’ dark,
line 1830And that I have possessed him my most stay
45line 1831Can be but brief, for I have made him know
line 1832I have a servant comes with me along
Act 4 Scene 1 - Pg 135 line 1833That stays upon me, whose persuasion is
line 1834I come about my brother.
line 1835DUKEas Friar ’Tis well borne up.
50line 1836I have not yet made known to Mariana
line 1837A word of this.—What ho, within; come forth.

Enter Mariana.

line 1838To Mariana. I pray you be acquainted with this
line 1839maid.
line 1840She comes to do you good.
55line 1841ISABELLAI do desire the like.
DUKEas Friar, to Mariana
line 1842Do you persuade yourself that I respect you?
MARIANA
line 1843Good friar, I know you do, and have found it.
DUKEas Friar
line 1844Take then this your companion by the hand,
line 1845Who hath a story ready for your ear.
60line 1846I shall attend your leisure. But make haste.
line 1847The vaporous night approaches.
line 1848MARIANAto Isabella Will ’t please you walk aside?

Isabella and Mariana exit.

DUKE
line 1849O place and greatness, millions of false eyes
line 1850Are stuck upon thee; volumes of report
65line 1851Run with these false, and, most contrarious, quest
line 1852Upon thy doings; thousand escapes of wit
line 1853Make thee the father of their idle dream
line 1854And rack thee in their fancies.

Enter Mariana and Isabella.

line 1855DUKEas Friar Welcome. How agreed?
ISABELLA
70line 1856She’ll take the enterprise upon her, father,
line 1857If you advise it.
Act 4 Scene 2 - Pg 137 line 1858DUKEas Friar It is not my consent
line 1859But my entreaty too.
line 1860ISABELLAto Mariana Little have you to say
75line 1861When you depart from him, but, soft and low,
line 1862“Remember now my brother.”
line 1863MARIANAFear me not.
DUKEas Friar
line 1864Nor, gentle daughter, fear you not at all.
line 1865He is your husband on a precontract.
80line 1866To bring you thus together ’tis no sin,
line 1867Sith that the justice of your title to him
line 1868Doth flourish the deceit. Come, let us go.
line 1869Our corn’s to reap, for yet our tithe’s to sow.

They exit.

Scene 2

Enter Provost, Pompey, and Officer.

line 1870PROVOSTCome hither, sirrah. Can you cut off a man’s
line 1871head?
line 1872POMPEYIf the man be a bachelor, sir, I can; but if he be
line 1873a married man, he’s his wife’s head, and I can never
5line 1874cut off a woman’s head.
line 1875PROVOSTCome, sir, leave me your snatches, and yield
line 1876me a direct answer. Tomorrow morning are to die
line 1877Claudio and Barnardine. Here is in our prison a
line 1878common executioner, who in his office lacks a
10line 1879helper. If you will take it on you to assist him, it
line 1880shall redeem you from your gyves; if not, you shall
line 1881have your full time of imprisonment and your
line 1882deliverance with an unpitied whipping, for you have
line 1883been a notorious bawd.
15line 1884POMPEYSir, I have been an unlawful bawd time out of
line 1885mind, but yet I will be content to be a lawful
Act 4 Scene 2 - Pg 139 line 1886hangman. I would be glad to receive some instruction
line 1887from my fellow partner.
line 1888PROVOSTWhat ho, Abhorson!—Where’s Abhorson
20line 1889there?

Enter Abhorson.

line 1890ABHORSONDo you call, sir?
line 1891PROVOSTSirrah, here’s a fellow will help you tomorrow
line 1892in your execution. If you think it meet, compound
line 1893with him by the year and let him abide here
25line 1894with you; if not, use him for the present and dismiss
line 1895him. He cannot plead his estimation with you; he
line 1896hath been a bawd.
line 1897ABHORSONA bawd, sir? Fie upon him! He will discredit
line 1898our mystery.
30line 1899PROVOSTGo to, sir; you weigh equally. A feather will
line 1900turn the scale.He exits.
line 1901POMPEYPray, sir, by your good favor—for surely, sir, a
line 1902good favor you have, but that you have a hanging
line 1903look—do you call, sir, your occupation a mystery?
35line 1904ABHORSONAy, sir, a mystery.
line 1905POMPEYPainting, sir, I have heard say, is a mystery;
line 1906and your whores, sir, being members of my occupation,
line 1907using painting, do prove my occupation a
line 1908mystery; but what mystery there should be in hanging,
40line 1909if I should be hanged, I cannot imagine.
line 1910ABHORSONSir, it is a mystery.
line 1911POMPEYProof?
line 1912ABHORSONEvery true man’s apparel fits your thief. If it
line 1913be too little for your thief, your true man thinks it
45line 1914big enough; if it be too big for your thief, your thief
line 1915thinks it little enough. So every true man’s apparel
line 1916fits your thief.

Enter Provost.

line 1917PROVOSTAre you agreed?
Act 4 Scene 2 - Pg 141 line 1918POMPEYSir, I will serve him, for I do find your hangman
50line 1919is a more penitent trade than your bawd. He
line 1920doth oftener ask forgiveness.
line 1921PROVOSTto Abhorson You, sirrah, provide your block
line 1922and your axe tomorrow, four o’clock.
line 1923ABHORSONto Pompey Come on, bawd. I will instruct
55line 1924thee in my trade. Follow.
line 1925POMPEYI do desire to learn, sir; and I hope, if you have
line 1926occasion to use me for your own turn, you shall find
line 1927me yare. For truly, sir, for your kindness, I owe
line 1928you a good turn.Pompey and Abhorson exit.
PROVOSTto Officer
60line 1929Call hither Barnardine and Claudio.

Officer exits.

line 1930Th’ one has my pity; not a jot the other,
line 1931Being a murderer, though he were my brother.

Enter Claudio, with Officer.

line 1932Look, here’s the warrant, Claudio, for thy death.
line 1933’Tis now dead midnight, and by eight tomorrow
65line 1934Thou must be made immortal. Where’s Barnardine?
CLAUDIO
line 1935As fast locked up in sleep as guiltless labor
line 1936When it lies starkly in the traveler’s bones.
line 1937He will not wake.
line 1938PROVOSTWho can do good on him?
70line 1939Well, go, prepare yourself. Knock within. But hark,
line 1940what noise?—
line 1941Heaven give your spirits comfort.Claudio exits, with Officer.
line 1942Knock within. By and by!—
line 1943I hope it is some pardon or reprieve
75line 1944For the most gentle Claudio.

Enter Duke, as a Friar.

line 1945Welcome, father.
Act 4 Scene 2 - Pg 143 DUKEas Friar
line 1946The best and wholesom’st spirits of the night
line 1947Envelop you, good provost. Who called here of late?
PROVOST
line 1948None since the curfew rung.
80line 1949DUKEas Friar Not Isabel?
line 1950PROVOSTNo.
line 1951DUKEas Friar They will, then, ere ’t be long.
line 1952PROVOSTWhat comfort is for Claudio?
DUKEas Friar
line 1953There’s some in hope.
85line 1954PROVOSTIt is a bitter deputy.
DUKEas Friar
line 1955Not so, not so. His life is paralleled
line 1956Even with the stroke and line of his great justice.
line 1957He doth with holy abstinence subdue
line 1958That in himself which he spurs on his power
90line 1959To qualify in others. Were he mealed with that
line 1960Which he corrects, then were he tyrannous,
line 1961But this being so, he’s just. Knock within. Now are
line 1962they come.Provost exits.
line 1963This is a gentle provost. Seldom when
95line 1964The steelèd jailer is the friend of men.

Enter Provost. Knocking continues.

line 1965How now, what noise? That spirit’s possessed with
line 1966haste
line 1967That wounds th’ unsisting postern with these strokes.
PROVOST
line 1968There he must stay until the officer
100line 1969Arise to let him in. He is called up.
DUKEas Friar
line 1970Have you no countermand for Claudio yet,
line 1971But he must die tomorrow?
line 1972PROVOSTNone, sir, none.
Act 4 Scene 2 - Pg 145 DUKEas Friar
line 1973As near the dawning, provost, as it is,
105line 1974You shall hear more ere morning.
line 1975PROVOSTHappily
line 1976You something know, yet I believe there comes
line 1977No countermand. No such example have we.
line 1978Besides, upon the very siege of justice
110line 1979Lord Angelo hath to the public ear
line 1980Professed the contrary.

Enter a Messenger.

line 1981This is his Lordship’s man.
line 1982DUKEas Friar And here comes Claudio’s pardon.
line 1983MESSENGERgiving Provost a paper My lord hath sent
115line 1984you this note, and by me this further charge: that
line 1985you swerve not from the smallest article of it,
line 1986neither in time, matter, or other circumstance.
line 1987Good morrow, for, as I take it, it is almost day.
line 1988PROVOSTI shall obey him.Provost reads message.

Messenger exits.

DUKEaside
120line 1989This is his pardon, purchased by such sin
line 1990For which the pardoner himself is in.
line 1991Hence hath offense his quick celerity
line 1992When it is borne in high authority.
line 1993When vice makes mercy, mercy’s so extended
125line 1994That for the fault’s love is th’ offender friended.
line 1995As Friar. Now, sir, what news?
line 1996PROVOSTI told you: Lord Angelo, belike thinking me
line 1997remiss in mine office, awakens me with this unwonted
line 1998putting-on, methinks strangely; for he hath
130line 1999not used it before.
line 2000DUKEas Friar Pray you let’s hear.
PROVOSTreads the letter.
line 2001Whatsoever you may hear to the contrary, let Claudio
line 2002be executed by four of the clock, and in the afternoon
Act 4 Scene 2 - Pg 147 line 2003Barnardine. For my better satisfaction, let me have
135line 2004Claudio’s head sent me by five. Let this be duly
line 2005performed with a thought that more depends on it
line 2006than we must yet deliver. Thus fail not to do your
line 2007office, as you will answer it at your peril.
line 2008What say you to this, sir?
140line 2009DUKEas Friar What is that Barnardine who is to be
line 2010executed in th’ afternoon?
line 2011PROVOSTA Bohemian born, but here nursed up and
line 2012bred; one that is a prisoner nine years old.
line 2013DUKEas Friar How came it that the absent duke had
145line 2014not either delivered him to his liberty, or executed
line 2015him? I have heard it was ever his manner to do so.
line 2016PROVOSTHis friends still wrought reprieves for him;
line 2017and indeed his fact, till now in the government of
line 2018Lord Angelo, came not to an undoubtful proof.
150line 2019DUKEas Friar It is now apparent?
line 2020PROVOSTMost manifest, and not denied by himself.
line 2021DUKEas Friar Hath he borne himself penitently in
line 2022prison? How seems he to be touched?
line 2023PROVOSTA man that apprehends death no more dreadfully
155line 2024but as a drunken sleep; careless, reckless, and
line 2025fearless of what’s past, present, or to come; insensible
line 2026of mortality and desperately mortal.
line 2027DUKEas Friar He wants advice.
line 2028PROVOSTHe will hear none. He hath evermore had the
160line 2029liberty of the prison; give him leave to escape
line 2030hence, he would not. Drunk many times a day, if not
line 2031many days entirely drunk. We have very oft awaked
line 2032him, as if to carry him to execution, and showed
line 2033him a seeming warrant for it. It hath not moved him
165line 2034at all.
line 2035DUKEas Friar More of him anon. There is written in
line 2036your brow, provost, honesty and constancy; if I read
line 2037it not truly, my ancient skill beguiles me. But in the
line 2038boldness of my cunning, I will lay myself in hazard.
Act 4 Scene 2 - Pg 149 170line 2039Claudio, whom here you have warrant to execute, is
line 2040no greater forfeit to the law than Angelo, who hath
line 2041sentenced him. To make you understand this in a
line 2042manifested effect, I crave but four days’ respite, for
line 2043the which you are to do me both a present and a
175line 2044dangerous courtesy.
line 2045PROVOSTPray, sir, in what?
line 2046DUKEas Friar In the delaying death.
line 2047PROVOSTAlack, how may I do it, having the hour
line 2048limited, and an express command, under penalty,
180line 2049to deliver his head in the view of Angelo? I may
line 2050make my case as Claudio’s, to cross this in the
line 2051smallest.
line 2052DUKEas Friar By the vow of mine order I warrant
line 2053you, if my instructions may be your guide. Let this
185line 2054Barnardine be this morning executed and his head
line 2055borne to Angelo.
line 2056PROVOSTAngelo hath seen them both and will discover
line 2057the favor.
line 2058DUKEas Friar O, death’s a great disguiser, and you
190line 2059may add to it. Shave the head and tie the beard, and
line 2060say it was the desire of the penitent to be so bared
line 2061before his death. You know the course is common.
line 2062If anything fall to you upon this, more than thanks
line 2063and good fortune, by the saint whom I profess, I
195line 2064will plead against it with my life.
line 2065PROVOSTPardon me, good father, it is against my oath.
line 2066DUKEas Friar Were you sworn to the Duke or to the
line 2067Deputy?
line 2068PROVOSTTo him and to his substitutes.
200line 2069DUKEas Friar You will think you have made no
line 2070offense if the Duke avouch the justice of your
line 2071dealing?
line 2072PROVOSTBut what likelihood is in that?
line 2073DUKEas Friar Not a resemblance, but a certainty; yet
205line 2074since I see you fearful, that neither my coat, integrity,
Act 4 Scene 3 - Pg 151 line 2075nor persuasion can with ease attempt you, I will
line 2076go further than I meant, to pluck all fears out of
line 2077you. Look you, sir, here is the hand and seal of the
line 2078Duke. He shows the Provost a paper. You know the
210line 2079character, I doubt not, and the signet is not strange
line 2080to you.
line 2081PROVOSTI know them both.
line 2082DUKEas Friar The contents of this is the return of the
line 2083Duke; you shall anon overread it at your pleasure,
215line 2084where you shall find within these two days he will
line 2085be here. This is a thing that Angelo knows not, for
line 2086he this very day receives letters of strange tenor,
line 2087perchance of the Duke’s death, perchance entering
line 2088into some monastery, but by chance nothing of
220line 2089what is writ. Look, th’ unfolding star calls up the
line 2090shepherd. Put not yourself into amazement how
line 2091these things should be. All difficulties are but easy
line 2092when they are known. Call your executioner, and
line 2093off with Barnardine’s head. I will give him a present
225line 2094shrift, and advise him for a better place. Yet you are
line 2095amazed, but this shall absolutely resolve you.

He gives the Provost the paper.

line 2096Come away; it is almost clear dawn.

They exit.

Scene 3

Enter Pompey.

line 2097POMPEYI am as well acquainted here as I was in our
line 2098house of profession. One would think it were Mistress
line 2099Overdone’s own house, for here be many of
line 2100her old customers. First, here’s young Master Rash.
5line 2101He’s in for a commodity of brown paper and old
line 2102ginger, ninescore and seventeen pounds, of which
line 2103he made five marks ready money. Marry, then
Act 4 Scene 3 - Pg 153 line 2104ginger was not much in request, for the old women
line 2105were all dead. Then is there here one Master Caper,
10line 2106at the suit of Master Three-pile the mercer, for some
line 2107four suits of peach-colored satin, which now
line 2108peaches him a beggar. Then have we here young
line 2109Dizzy and young Master Deep-vow, and Master
line 2110Copper-spur and Master Starve-lackey the rapier-and-dagger
15line 2111man, and young Drop-heir that killed
line 2112lusty Pudding, and Master Forth-light the tilter, and
line 2113brave Master Shoe-tie the great traveler, and wild
line 2114Half-can that stabbed Pots, and I think forty more,
line 2115all great doers in our trade, and are now “for the
20line 2116Lord’s sake.”

Enter Abhorson.

line 2117ABHORSONSirrah, bring Barnardine hither.
line 2118POMPEYcalling Master Barnardine, you must rise
line 2119and be hanged, Master Barnardine.
line 2120ABHORSONcalling What ho, Barnardine!
25line 2121BARNARDINEwithin A pox o’ your throats! Who makes
line 2122that noise there? What are you?
line 2123POMPEYcalling to Barnardine offstage Your friends,
line 2124sir, the hangman. You must be so good, sir, to rise
line 2125and be put to death.
30line 2126BARNARDINEwithin Away, you rogue, away! I am
line 2127sleepy.
line 2128ABHORSONto Pompey Tell him he must awake, and
line 2129that quickly too.
line 2130POMPEYcalling Pray, Master Barnardine, awake till
35line 2131you are executed, and sleep afterwards.
line 2132ABHORSONGo in to him, and fetch him out.
line 2133POMPEYHe is coming, sir, he is coming. I hear his
line 2134straw rustle.
line 2135ABHORSONIs the axe upon the block, sirrah?
40line 2136POMPEYVery ready, sir.

Enter Barnardine.

Act 4 Scene 3 - Pg 155 line 2137BARNARDINEHow now, Abhorson? What’s the news
line 2138with you?
line 2139ABHORSONTruly, sir, I would desire you to clap into
line 2140your prayers, for, look you, the warrant’s come.
45line 2141BARNARDINEYou rogue, I have been drinking all night.
line 2142I am not fitted for ’t.
line 2143POMPEYO, the better, sir, for he that drinks all night
line 2144and is hanged betimes in the morning may sleep the
line 2145sounder all the next day.

Enter Duke, as a Friar.

50line 2146ABHORSONto Barnardine Look you, sir, here comes
line 2147your ghostly father. Do we jest now, think you?
line 2148DUKEas Friar, to Barnardine Sir, induced by my
line 2149charity, and hearing how hastily you are to depart, I
line 2150am come to advise you, comfort you, and pray with
55line 2151you.
line 2152BARNARDINEFriar, not I. I have been drinking hard all
line 2153night, and I will have more time to prepare me, or
line 2154they shall beat out my brains with billets. I will not
line 2155consent to die this day, that’s certain.
60line 2156DUKEas Friar O, sir, you must. And therefore I
line 2157beseech you look forward on the journey you shall
line 2158go.
line 2159BARNARDINEI swear I will not die today for any man’s
line 2160persuasion.
65line 2161DUKEas Friar But hear you—
line 2162BARNARDINENot a word. If you have anything to say to
line 2163me, come to my ward, for thence will not I today.

He exits.

DUKEas Friar
line 2164Unfit to live or die. O gravel heart!
line 2165After him, fellows; bring him to the block.

Abhorson and Pompey exit.

Enter Provost.

Act 4 Scene 3 - Pg 157 PROVOST
70line 2166Now, sir, how do you find the prisoner?
DUKEas Friar
line 2167A creature unprepared, unmeet for death,
line 2168And to transport him in the mind he is
line 2169Were damnable.
line 2170PROVOSTHere in the prison, father,
75line 2171There died this morning of a cruel fever
line 2172One Ragozine, a most notorious pirate,
line 2173A man of Claudio’s years, his beard and head
line 2174Just of his color. What if we do omit
line 2175This reprobate till he were well inclined,
80line 2176And satisfy the Deputy with the visage
line 2177Of Ragozine, more like to Claudio?
DUKEas Friar
line 2178O, ’tis an accident that heaven provides!
line 2179Dispatch it presently. The hour draws on
line 2180Prefixed by Angelo. See this be done
85line 2181And sent according to command, whiles I
line 2182Persuade this rude wretch willingly to die.
PROVOST
line 2183This shall be done, good father, presently.
line 2184But Barnardine must die this afternoon,
line 2185And how shall we continue Claudio,
90line 2186To save me from the danger that might come
line 2187If he were known alive?
line 2188DUKEas Friar Let this be done:
line 2189Put them in secret holds, both Barnardine and
line 2190Claudio.
95line 2191Ere twice the sun hath made his journal greeting
line 2192To yonder generation, you shall find
line 2193Your safety manifested.
line 2194PROVOSTI am your free dependent.
DUKEas Friar
line 2195Quick, dispatch, and send the head to Angelo.

Provost exits.

Act 4 Scene 3 - Pg 159 DUKE
100line 2196Now will I write letters to Angelo—
line 2197The Provost he shall bear them—whose contents
line 2198Shall witness to him I am near at home
line 2199And that by great injunctions I am bound
line 2200To enter publicly. Him I’ll desire
105line 2201To meet me at the consecrated fount
line 2202A league below the city; and from thence,
line 2203By cold gradation and well-balanced form,
line 2204We shall proceed with Angelo.

Enter Provost, carrying a head.

PROVOST
line 2205Here is the head. I’ll carry it myself.
DUKEas Friar
110line 2206Convenient is it. Make a swift return,
line 2207For I would commune with you of such things
line 2208That want no ear but yours.
line 2209PROVOSTI’ll make all speed.

He exits.

line 2210ISABELLAwithin Peace, ho, be here.
DUKE
115line 2211The tongue of Isabel. She’s come to know
line 2212If yet her brother’s pardon be come hither.
line 2213But I will keep her ignorant of her good
line 2214To make her heavenly comforts of despair
line 2215When it is least expected.

Enter Isabella.

120line 2216ISABELLAHo, by your leave.
DUKEas Friar
line 2217Good morning to you, fair and gracious daughter.
ISABELLA
line 2218The better, given me by so holy a man.
line 2219Hath yet the Deputy sent my brother’s pardon?
Act 4 Scene 3 - Pg 161 DUKEas Friar
line 2220He hath released him, Isabel, from the world.
125line 2221His head is off, and sent to Angelo.
ISABELLA
line 2222Nay, but it is not so.
line 2223DUKEas Friar It is no other.
line 2224Show your wisdom, daughter, in your close patience.
ISABELLA
line 2225O, I will to him and pluck out his eyes!
DUKEas Friar
130line 2226You shall not be admitted to his sight.
ISABELLA
line 2227Unhappy Claudio, wretched Isabel,
line 2228Injurious world, most damnèd Angelo!
DUKEas Friar
line 2229This nor hurts him nor profits you a jot.
line 2230Forbear it, therefore; give your cause to heaven.
135line 2231Mark what I say, which you shall find
line 2232By every syllable a faithful verity.
line 2233The Duke comes home tomorrow—nay, dry your
line 2234eyes.
line 2235One of our convent, and his confessor,
140line 2236Gives me this instance. Already he hath carried
line 2237Notice to Escalus and Angelo,
line 2238Who do prepare to meet him at the gates,
line 2239There to give up their power. If you can, pace your
line 2240wisdom
145line 2241In that good path that I would wish it go,
line 2242And you shall have your bosom on this wretch,
line 2243Grace of the Duke, revenges to your heart,
line 2244And general honor.
line 2245ISABELLAI am directed by you.
DUKEas Friar, showing her a paper
150line 2246This letter, then, to Friar Peter give.
line 2247’Tis that he sent me of the Duke’s return.
line 2248Say, by this token, I desire his company
Act 4 Scene 3 - Pg 163 line 2249At Mariana’s house tonight. Her cause and yours
line 2250I’ll perfect him withal, and he shall bring you
155line 2251Before the Duke, and to the head of Angelo
line 2252Accuse him home and home. For my poor self,
line 2253I am combinèd by a sacred vow
line 2254And shall be absent. Wend you with this letter.

He hands her the paper.

line 2255Command these fretting waters from your eyes
160line 2256With a light heart. Trust not my holy order
line 2257If I pervert your course.—Who’s here?

Enter Lucio.

line 2258LUCIOGood even, friar, where’s the Provost?
line 2259DUKEas Friar Not within, sir.
line 2260LUCIOO, pretty Isabella, I am pale at mine heart to see
165line 2261thine eyes so red. Thou must be patient. I am fain to
line 2262dine and sup with water and bran. I dare not for my
line 2263head fill my belly. One fruitful meal would set me to
line 2264’t. But they say the Duke will be here tomorrow. By
line 2265my troth, Isabel, I loved thy brother. If the old
170line 2266fantastical duke of dark corners had been at home,
line 2267he had lived.Isabella exits.
line 2268DUKEas Friar Sir, the Duke is marvelous little beholding
line 2269to your reports, but the best is, he lives not
line 2270in them.
175line 2271LUCIOFriar, thou knowest not the Duke so well as I do.
line 2272He’s a better woodman than thou tak’st him for.
line 2273DUKEas Friar Well, you’ll answer this one day. Fare
line 2274you well.
line 2275LUCIONay, tarry, I’ll go along with thee. I can tell thee
180line 2276pretty tales of the Duke.
line 2277DUKEas Friar You have told me too many of him
line 2278already, sir, if they be true; if not true, none were
line 2279enough.
line 2280LUCIOI was once before him for getting a wench with
185line 2281child.
Act 4 Scene 4 - Pg 165 line 2282DUKEas Friar Did you such a thing?
line 2283LUCIOYes, marry, did I, but I was fain to forswear it.
line 2284They would else have married me to the rotten
line 2285medlar.
190line 2286DUKEas Friar Sir, your company is fairer than honest.
line 2287Rest you well.
line 2288LUCIOBy my troth, I’ll go with thee to the lane’s end. If
line 2289bawdy talk offend you, we’ll have very little of it.
line 2290Nay, friar, I am a kind of burr. I shall stick.

They exit.

Scene 4

Enter Angelo and Escalus.

line 2291ESCALUSEvery letter he hath writ hath disvouched
line 2292other.
line 2293ANGELOIn most uneven and distracted manner. His
line 2294actions show much like to madness. Pray heaven his
5line 2295wisdom be not tainted. And why meet him at the
line 2296gates and deliver our authorities there?
line 2297ESCALUSI guess not.
line 2298ANGELOAnd why should we proclaim it in an hour
line 2299before his entering, that if any crave redress of
10line 2300injustice, they should exhibit their petitions in the
line 2301street?
line 2302ESCALUSHe shows his reason for that: to have a dispatch
line 2303of complaints, and to deliver us from devices
line 2304hereafter, which shall then have no power to stand
15line 2305against us.
line 2306ANGELOWell, I beseech you let it be proclaimed.
line 2307Betimes i’ th’ morn, I’ll call you at your house. Give
line 2308notice to such men of sort and suit as are to meet
line 2309him.
20line 2310ESCALUSI shall, sir. Fare you well.
Act 4 Scene 5 - Pg 167 line 2311ANGELOGood night.Escalus exits.
line 2312This deed unshapes me quite, makes me unpregnant
line 2313And dull to all proceedings. A deflowered maid,
line 2314And by an eminent body that enforced
25line 2315The law against it. But that her tender shame
line 2316Will not proclaim against her maiden loss,
line 2317How might she tongue me! Yet reason dares her no,
line 2318For my authority bears of a credent bulk
line 2319That no particular scandal once can touch
30line 2320But it confounds the breather. He should have lived,
line 2321Save that his riotous youth with dangerous sense
line 2322Might in the times to come have ta’en revenge
line 2323By so receiving a dishonored life
line 2324With ransom of such shame. Would yet he had lived.
35line 2325Alack, when once our grace we have forgot,
line 2326Nothing goes right. We would, and we would not.

He exits.

Scene 5

Enter Duke and Friar Peter.

DUKEgiving the Friar papers.
line 2327These letters at fit time deliver me.
line 2328The Provost knows our purpose and our plot.
line 2329The matter being afoot, keep your instruction
line 2330And hold you ever to our special drift,
5line 2331Though sometimes you do blench from this to that
line 2332As cause doth minister. Go call at Flavius’ house
line 2333And tell him where I stay. Give the like notice
line 2334To Valencius, Rowland, and to Crassus,
line 2335And bid them bring the trumpets to the gate.
10line 2336But send me Flavius first.
line 2337FRIAR PETERIt shall be speeded well.He exits.

Enter Varrius.

Act 4 Scene 6 - Pg 169 DUKE
line 2338I thank thee, Varrius. Thou hast made good haste.
line 2339Come, we will walk. There’s other of our friends
line 2340Will greet us here anon. My gentle Varrius.

They exit.

Scene 6

Enter Isabella and Mariana.

ISABELLA
line 2341To speak so indirectly I am loath.
line 2342I would say the truth, but to accuse him so
line 2343That is your part; yet I am advised to do it,
line 2344He says, to veil full purpose.
5line 2345MARIANABe ruled by him.
ISABELLA
line 2346Besides, he tells me that, if peradventure
line 2347He speak against me on the adverse side,
line 2348I should not think it strange, for ’tis a physic
line 2349That’s bitter to sweet end.
MARIANA
10line 2350I would Friar Peter—

Enter Friar Peter.

line 2351ISABELLAO peace, the Friar is come.
FRIAR PETER
line 2352Come, I have found you out a stand most fit,
line 2353Where you may have such vantage on the Duke
line 2354He shall not pass you. Twice have the trumpets
15line 2355sounded.
line 2356The generous and gravest citizens
line 2357Have hent the gates, and very near upon
line 2358The Duke is entering. Therefore hence, away.

They exit.

ACT 5

Scene 1

Enter Duke, Varrius, Lords, Angelo, Escalus, Lucio, Provost, Officers, and Citizens at several doors.

DUKEto Angelo
line 2359My very worthy cousin, fairly met.
line 2360To Escalus. Our old and faithful friend, we are
line 2361glad to see you.
ANGELO, ESCALUS
line 2362Happy return be to your royal Grace.
DUKE
5line 2363Many and hearty thankings to you both.
line 2364We have made inquiry of you, and we hear
line 2365Such goodness of your justice that our soul
line 2366Cannot but yield you forth to public thanks,
line 2367Forerunning more requital.
10line 2368ANGELOYou make my bonds still greater.
DUKE
line 2369O, your desert speaks loud, and I should wrong it
line 2370To lock it in the wards of covert bosom
line 2371When it deserves with characters of brass
line 2372A forted residence ’gainst the tooth of time
15line 2373And razure of oblivion. Give me your hand
line 2374And let the subject see, to make them know
line 2375That outward courtesies would fain proclaim
line 2376Favors that keep within.—Come, Escalus,
Act 5 Scene 1 - Pg 175 line 2377You must walk by us on our other hand.
20line 2378And good supporters are you.

Enter Friar Peter and Isabella.

FRIAR PETERto Isabella
line 2379Now is your time. Speak loud, and kneel before him.
ISABELLAkneeling
line 2380Justice, O royal duke. Vail your regard
line 2381Upon a wronged—I would fain have said, a maid.
line 2382O worthy prince, dishonor not your eye
25line 2383By throwing it on any other object
line 2384Till you have heard me in my true complaint
line 2385And given me justice, justice, justice, justice.
DUKE
line 2386Relate your wrongs. In what, by whom? Be brief.
line 2387Here is Lord Angelo shall give you justice.
30line 2388Reveal yourself to him.
line 2389ISABELLAO worthy duke,
line 2390You bid me seek redemption of the devil.
line 2391Hear me yourself, for that which I must speak
line 2392Must either punish me, not being believed,
35line 2393Or wring redress from you. Hear me, O hear me,
line 2394here.
ANGELO
line 2395My lord, her wits, I fear me, are not firm.
line 2396She hath been a suitor to me for her brother
line 2397Cut off by course of justice.
40line 2398ISABELLAstanding By course of justice!
ANGELO
line 2399And she will speak most bitterly and strange.
ISABELLA
line 2400Most strange, but yet most truly will I speak.
line 2401That Angelo’s forsworn, is it not strange?
line 2402That Angelo’s a murderer, is ’t not strange?
45line 2403That Angelo is an adulterous thief,
Act 5 Scene 1 - Pg 177 line 2404An hypocrite, a virgin-violator,
line 2405Is it not strange, and strange?
line 2406DUKENay, it is ten times strange.
ISABELLA
line 2407It is not truer he is Angelo
50line 2408Than this is all as true as it is strange.
line 2409Nay, it is ten times true, for truth is truth
line 2410To th’ end of reck’ning.
line 2411DUKEAway with her. Poor soul,
line 2412She speaks this in th’ infirmity of sense.
ISABELLA
55line 2413O prince, I conjure thee, as thou believest
line 2414There is another comfort than this world,
line 2415That thou neglect me not with that opinion
line 2416That I am touched with madness. Make not
line 2417impossible
60line 2418That which but seems unlike. ’Tis not impossible
line 2419But one, the wicked’st caitiff on the ground,
line 2420May seem as shy, as grave, as just, as absolute
line 2421As Angelo. Even so may Angelo,
line 2422In all his dressings, caracts, titles, forms,
65line 2423Be an archvillain. Believe it, royal prince,
line 2424If he be less, he’s nothing, but he’s more,
line 2425Had I more name for badness.
line 2426DUKEBy mine honesty,
line 2427If she be mad—as I believe no other—
70line 2428Her madness hath the oddest frame of sense,
line 2429Such a dependency of thing on thing,
line 2430As e’er I heard in madness.
line 2431ISABELLAO gracious duke,
line 2432Harp not on that; nor do not banish reason
75line 2433For inequality, but let your reason serve
line 2434To make the truth appear where it seems hid,
line 2435And hide the false seems true.
line 2436DUKEMany that are not mad
line 2437Have, sure, more lack of reason. What would you
80line 2438say?
Act 5 Scene 1 - Pg 179 ISABELLA
line 2439I am the sister of one Claudio,
line 2440Condemned upon the act of fornication
line 2441To lose his head, condemned by Angelo.
line 2442I, in probation of a sisterhood,
85line 2443Was sent to by my brother; one Lucio
line 2444As then the messenger—
line 2445LUCIOto Duke That’s I, an ’t like your Grace.
line 2446I came to her from Claudio and desired her
line 2447To try her gracious fortune with Lord Angelo
90line 2448For her poor brother’s pardon.
line 2449ISABELLAto Duke That’s he indeed.
DUKEto Lucio
line 2450You were not bid to speak.
line 2451LUCIONo, my good lord,
line 2452Nor wished to hold my peace.
95line 2453DUKEI wish you now, then.
line 2454Pray you take note of it, and when you have
line 2455A business for yourself, pray heaven you then
line 2456Be perfect.
line 2457LUCIOI warrant your Honor.
DUKE
100line 2458The warrant’s for yourself. Take heed to ’t.
ISABELLA
line 2459This gentleman told somewhat of my tale.
line 2460LUCIORight.
DUKE
line 2461It may be right, but you are i’ the wrong
line 2462To speak before your time.—Proceed.
105line 2463ISABELLAI went
line 2464To this pernicious caitiff deputy—
DUKE
line 2465That’s somewhat madly spoken.
line 2466ISABELLAPardon it;
line 2467The phrase is to the matter.
Act 5 Scene 1 - Pg 181 DUKE
110line 2468Mended again. The matter; proceed.
ISABELLA
line 2469In brief, to set the needless process by:
line 2470How I persuaded, how I prayed and kneeled,
line 2471How he refelled me, and how I replied—
line 2472For this was of much length—the vile conclusion
115line 2473I now begin with grief and shame to utter.
line 2474He would not, but by gift of my chaste body
line 2475To his concupiscible intemperate lust,
line 2476Release my brother; and after much debatement,
line 2477My sisterly remorse confutes mine honor,
120line 2478And I did yield to him. But the next morn betimes,
line 2479His purpose surfeiting, he sends a warrant
line 2480For my poor brother’s head.
line 2481DUKEThis is most likely!
ISABELLA
line 2482O, that it were as like as it is true!
DUKE
125line 2483By heaven, fond wretch, thou know’st not what
line 2484thou speak’st,
line 2485Or else thou art suborned against his honor
line 2486In hateful practice. First, his integrity
line 2487Stands without blemish; next, it imports no reason
130line 2488That with such vehemency he should pursue
line 2489Faults proper to himself. If he had so offended,
line 2490He would have weighed thy brother by himself
line 2491And not have cut him off. Someone hath set you on.
line 2492Confess the truth, and say by whose advice
135line 2493Thou cam’st here to complain.
line 2494ISABELLAAnd is this all?
line 2495Then, O you blessèd ministers above,
line 2496Keep me in patience, and with ripened time
line 2497Unfold the evil which is here wrapped up
140line 2498In countenance. Heaven shield your Grace from
line 2499woe,
Act 5 Scene 1 - Pg 183 line 2500As I, thus wronged, hence unbelievèd go.
DUKE
line 2501I know you’d fain be gone.—An officer!

An Officer comes forward.

line 2502To prison with her. Shall we thus permit
145line 2503A blasting and a scandalous breath to fall
line 2504On him so near us? This needs must be a practice.—
line 2505Who knew of your intent and coming hither?
ISABELLA
line 2506One that I would were here, Friar Lodowick.

Officer exits with Isabella.

DUKE
line 2507A ghostly father, belike. Who knows that Lodowick?
LUCIO
150line 2508My lord, I know him. ’Tis a meddling friar.
line 2509I do not like the man. Had he been lay, my lord,
line 2510For certain words he spake against your Grace
line 2511In your retirement, I had swinged him soundly.
DUKE
line 2512Words against me? This’ a good friar, belike.
155line 2513And to set on this wretched woman here
line 2514Against our substitute! Let this friar be found.
LUCIO
line 2515But yesternight, my lord, she and that friar,
line 2516I saw them at the prison. A saucy friar,
line 2517A very scurvy fellow.
160line 2518FRIAR PETERto Duke Blessed be your royal Grace.
line 2519I have stood by, my lord, and I have heard
line 2520Your royal ear abused. First hath this woman
line 2521Most wrongfully accused your substitute,
line 2522Who is as free from touch or soil with her
165line 2523As she from one ungot.
line 2524DUKEWe did believe no less.
line 2525Know you that Friar Lodowick that she speaks of?
FRIAR PETER
line 2526I know him for a man divine and holy,
Act 5 Scene 1 - Pg 185 line 2527Not scurvy, nor a temporary meddler,
170line 2528As he’s reported by this gentleman;
line 2529And on my trust, a man that never yet
line 2530Did, as he vouches, misreport your Grace.
LUCIO
line 2531My lord, most villainously, believe it.
FRIAR PETER
line 2532Well, he in time may come to clear himself;
175line 2533But at this instant he is sick, my lord,
line 2534Of a strange fever. Upon his mere request,
line 2535Being come to knowledge that there was complaint
line 2536Intended ’gainst Lord Angelo, came I hither
line 2537To speak as from his mouth, what he doth know
180line 2538Is true and false, and what he with his oath
line 2539And all probation will make up full clear
line 2540Whensoever he’s convented. First, for this woman,
line 2541To justify this worthy nobleman,
line 2542So vulgarly and personally accused,
185line 2543Her shall you hear disprovèd to her eyes
line 2544Till she herself confess it.
line 2545DUKEGood friar, let’s hear it.—
line 2546Do you not smile at this, Lord Angelo?
line 2547O heaven, the vanity of wretched fools!—
190line 2548Give us some seats.—Come, cousin Angelo,
line 2549In this I’ll be impartial. Be you judge
line 2550Of your own cause.Duke and Angelo are seated.

Enter Mariana, veiled.

line 2551Is this the witness, friar?
line 2552First, let her show her face, and after speak.
MARIANA
195line 2553Pardon, my lord, I will not show my face
line 2554Until my husband bid me.
line 2555DUKEWhat, are you married?
line 2556MARIANANo, my lord.
line 2557DUKEAre you a maid?
Act 5 Scene 1 - Pg 187 200line 2558MARIANANo, my lord.
line 2559DUKEA widow, then?
line 2560MARIANANeither, my lord.
line 2561DUKEWhy you are nothing, then, neither maid, widow,
line 2562nor wife?
205line 2563LUCIOMy lord, she may be a punk, for many of them
line 2564are neither maid, widow, nor wife.
line 2565DUKESilence that fellow. I would he had some cause
line 2566to prattle for himself.
line 2567LUCIOWell, my lord.
MARIANA
210line 2568My lord, I do confess I ne’er was married,
line 2569And I confess besides I am no maid.
line 2570I have known my husband, yet my husband
line 2571Knows not that ever he knew me.
line 2572LUCIOHe was drunk, then, my lord; it can be no better.
215line 2573DUKEFor the benefit of silence, would thou wert so
line 2574too.
line 2575LUCIOWell, my lord.
DUKE
line 2576This is no witness for Lord Angelo.
line 2577MARIANANow I come to ’t, my lord.
220line 2578She that accuses him of fornication
line 2579In selfsame manner doth accuse my husband,
line 2580And charges him, my lord, with such a time
line 2581When, I’ll depose, I had him in mine arms
line 2582With all th’ effect of love.
225line 2583ANGELOCharges she more than me?
line 2584MARIANANot that I know.
line 2585DUKENo? You say your husband.
MARIANA
line 2586Why, just, my lord, and that is Angelo,
line 2587Who thinks he knows that he ne’er knew my body,
230line 2588But knows, he thinks, that he knows Isabel’s.
ANGELO
line 2589This is a strange abuse. Let’s see thy face.
Act 5 Scene 1 - Pg 189 MARIANA
line 2590My husband bids me. Now I will unmask.

She removes her veil.

line 2591This is that face, thou cruel Angelo,
line 2592Which once thou swor’st was worth the looking on.
235line 2593This is the hand which, with a vowed contract,
line 2594Was fast belocked in thine. This is the body
line 2595That took away the match from Isabel
line 2596And did supply thee at thy garden house
line 2597In her imagined person.
240line 2598DUKEto Angelo Know you this woman?
line 2599LUCIOCarnally, she says.
line 2600DUKESirrah, no more.
line 2601LUCIOEnough, my lord.
ANGELO
line 2602My lord, I must confess I know this woman,
245line 2603And five years since there was some speech of
line 2604marriage
line 2605Betwixt myself and her, which was broke off,
line 2606Partly for that her promisèd proportions
line 2607Came short of composition, but in chief
250line 2608For that her reputation was disvalued
line 2609In levity. Since which time of five years
line 2610I never spake with her, saw her, nor heard from her,
line 2611Upon my faith and honor.
line 2612MARIANAkneeling, to Duke Noble prince,
255line 2613As there comes light from heaven and words from
line 2614breath,
line 2615As there is sense in truth and truth in virtue,
line 2616I am affianced this man’s wife as strongly
line 2617As words could make up vows. And, my good lord,
260line 2618But Tuesday night last gone in ’s garden house
line 2619He knew me as a wife. As this is true,
line 2620Let me in safety raise me from my knees,
line 2621Or else forever be confixèd here
line 2622A marble monument.
Act 5 Scene 1 - Pg 191 265line 2623ANGELOI did but smile till now.
line 2624Now, good my lord, give me the scope of justice.
line 2625My patience here is touched. I do perceive
line 2626These poor informal women are no more
line 2627But instruments of some more mightier member
270line 2628That sets them on. Let me have way, my lord,
line 2629To find this practice out.
line 2630DUKEAy, with my heart,
line 2631And punish them to your height of pleasure.—
line 2632Thou foolish friar, and thou pernicious woman,
275line 2633Compact with her that’s gone, think’st thou thy
line 2634oaths,
line 2635Though they would swear down each particular
line 2636saint,
line 2637Were testimonies against his worth and credit
280line 2638That’s sealed in approbation?—You, Lord Escalus,
line 2639Sit with my cousin; lend him your kind pains
line 2640To find out this abuse, whence ’tis derived.

The Duke rises. Escalus is seated.

line 2641There is another friar that set them on.
line 2642Let him be sent for.
FRIAR PETER
285line 2643Would he were here, my lord, for he indeed
line 2644Hath set the women on to this complaint;
line 2645Your provost knows the place where he abides,
line 2646And he may fetch him.
line 2647DUKEto Provost Go, do it instantly.

Provost exits.

290line 2648To Angelo. And you, my noble and well-warranted
line 2649cousin,
line 2650Whom it concerns to hear this matter forth,
line 2651Do with your injuries as seems you best
line 2652In any chastisement. I for a while
295line 2653Will leave you; but stir not you till you have
line 2654Well determined upon these slanderers.
line 2655ESCALUSMy lord, we’ll do it throughly.Duke exits.
Act 5 Scene 1 - Pg 193 line 2656Signior Lucio, did not you say you knew that Friar
line 2657Lodowick to be a dishonest person?
300line 2658LUCIOCucullus non facit monachum, honest in nothing
line 2659but in his clothes, and one that hath spoke most
line 2660villainous speeches of the Duke.
line 2661ESCALUSWe shall entreat you to abide here till he
line 2662come, and enforce them against him. We shall find
305line 2663this friar a notable fellow.
line 2664LUCIOAs any in Vienna, on my word.
line 2665ESCALUSCall that same Isabel here once again. I would
line 2666speak with her.An Attendant exits.
line 2667To Angelo. Pray you, my lord, give me leave to
310line 2668question. You shall see how I’ll handle her.
line 2669LUCIONot better than he, by her own report.
line 2670ESCALUSSay you?
line 2671LUCIOMarry, sir, I think, if you handled her privately,
line 2672she would sooner confess; perchance publicly she’ll
315line 2673be ashamed.
line 2674ESCALUSI will go darkly to work with her.
line 2675LUCIOThat’s the way, for women are light at midnight.

Enter Duke as a Friar, Provost, and Isabella, with Officers.

line 2676ESCALUSto Isabella Come on, mistress. Here’s a gentlewoman
line 2677denies all that you have said.
320line 2678LUCIOMy lord, here comes the rascal I spoke of, here
line 2679with the Provost.
line 2680ESCALUSIn very good time. Speak not you to him till
line 2681we call upon you.
line 2682LUCIOMum.
325line 2683ESCALUSto disguised Duke Come, sir, did you set
line 2684these women on to slander Lord Angelo? They have
line 2685confessed you did.
DUKEas Friar
line 2686’Tis false.
line 2687ESCALUSHow? Know you where you are?
Act 5 Scene 1 - Pg 195 DUKEas Friar
330line 2688Respect to your great place, and let the devil
line 2689Be sometime honored for his burning throne.
line 2690Where is the Duke? ’Tis he should hear me speak.
ESCALUS
line 2691The Duke’s in us, and we will hear you speak.
line 2692Look you speak justly.
DUKEas Friar
335line 2693Boldly, at least.—But, O, poor souls,
line 2694Come you to seek the lamb here of the fox?
line 2695Good night to your redress. Is the Duke gone?
line 2696Then is your cause gone too. The Duke’s unjust
line 2697Thus to retort your manifest appeal,
340line 2698And put your trial in the villain’s mouth
line 2699Which here you come to accuse.
LUCIO
line 2700This is the rascal; this is he I spoke of.
ESCALUSto disguised Duke
line 2701Why, thou unreverend and unhallowed friar,
line 2702Is ’t not enough thou hast suborned these women
345line 2703To accuse this worthy man, but, in foul mouth
line 2704And in the witness of his proper ear,
line 2705To call him villain? And then to glance from him
line 2706To th’ Duke himself, to tax him with injustice?—
line 2707Take him hence. To th’ rack with him. We’ll touse
350line 2708him
line 2709Joint by joint, but we will know his purpose.
line 2710What? “Unjust”?
line 2711DUKEas Friar Be not so hot. The Duke
line 2712Dare no more stretch this finger of mine than he
355line 2713Dare rack his own. His subject am I not,
line 2714Nor here provincial. My business in this state
line 2715Made me a looker-on here in Vienna,
line 2716Where I have seen corruption boil and bubble
line 2717Till it o’errun the stew. Laws for all faults,
360line 2718But faults so countenanced that the strong statutes
Act 5 Scene 1 - Pg 197 line 2719Stand like the forfeits in a barber’s shop,
line 2720As much in mock as mark.
line 2721ESCALUSSlander to th’ state!
line 2722Away with him to prison.
ANGELOto Lucio
365line 2723What can you vouch against him, Signior Lucio?
line 2724Is this the man that you did tell us of?
line 2725LUCIO’Tis he, my lord.—Come hither, Goodman Baldpate.
line 2726Do you know me?
line 2727DUKEas Friar I remember you, sir, by the sound of
370line 2728your voice. I met you at the prison in the absence of
line 2729the Duke.
line 2730LUCIOO, did you so? And do you remember what you
line 2731said of the Duke?
line 2732DUKEas Friar Most notedly, sir.
375line 2733LUCIODo you so, sir? And was the Duke a fleshmonger,
line 2734a fool, and a coward, as you then reported him to
line 2735be?
line 2736DUKEas Friar You must, sir, change persons with me
line 2737ere you make that my report. You indeed spoke so
380line 2738of him, and much more, much worse.
line 2739LUCIOO, thou damnable fellow! Did not I pluck thee by
line 2740the nose for thy speeches?
line 2741DUKEas Friar I protest I love the Duke as I love
line 2742myself.
385line 2743ANGELOHark how the villain would close now, after
line 2744his treasonable abuses!
line 2745ESCALUSSuch a fellow is not to be talked withal. Away
line 2746with him to prison. Where is the Provost? Provost comes forward.
line 2747Away with him to prison. Lay bolts
390line 2748enough upon him. Let him speak no more. Away
line 2749with those giglets too, and with the other confederate
line 2750companion.

Provost seizes the disguised Duke.

line 2751DUKEas Friar Stay, sir, stay awhile.
line 2752ANGELOWhat, resists he?—Help him, Lucio.
395line 2753LUCIOto the disguised Duke Come, sir, come, sir,
Act 5 Scene 1 - Pg 199 line 2754come, sir. Foh, sir! Why you bald-pated, lying rascal,
line 2755you must be hooded, must you? Show your knave’s
line 2756visage, with a pox to you! Show your sheep-biting
line 2757face, and be hanged an hour! Will ’t not off?

He pulls off the friar’s hood, and reveals the Duke.

Angelo and Escalus stand.

DUKE
400line 2758Thou art the first knave that e’er mad’st a duke.—
line 2759First, provost, let me bail these gentle three.
line 2760To Lucio. Sneak not away, sir, for the friar and
line 2761you
line 2762Must have a word anon.—Lay hold on him.
405line 2763LUCIOThis may prove worse than hanging.
DUKEto Escalus
line 2764What you have spoke I pardon. Sit you down.
line 2765We’ll borrow place of him. To Angelo. Sir, by your
line 2766leave.
line 2767Hast thou or word, or wit, or impudence
410line 2768That yet can do thee office? If thou hast,
line 2769Rely upon it till my tale be heard,
line 2770And hold no longer out.
line 2771ANGELOO my dread lord,
line 2772I should be guiltier than my guiltiness
415line 2773To think I can be undiscernible,
line 2774When I perceive your Grace, like power divine,
line 2775Hath looked upon my passes. Then, good prince,
line 2776No longer session hold upon my shame,
line 2777But let my trial be mine own confession.
420line 2778Immediate sentence then and sequent death
line 2779Is all the grace I beg.
line 2780DUKECome hither, Mariana.

Mariana stands and comes forward.

line 2781To Angelo. Say, wast thou e’er contracted to this
line 2782woman?
425line 2783ANGELOI was, my lord.
DUKE
line 2784Go take her hence and marry her instantly.
Act 5 Scene 1 - Pg 201 line 2785To Friar Peter. Do you the office, friar, which
line 2786consummate,
line 2787Return him here again.—Go with him, provost.

Angelo, Mariana, Friar Peter, and Provost exit.

ESCALUS
430line 2788My lord, I am more amazed at his dishonor
line 2789Than at the strangeness of it.
line 2790DUKECome hither, Isabel.
line 2791Your friar is now your prince. As I was then
line 2792Advertising and holy to your business,
435line 2793Not changing heart with habit, I am still
line 2794Attorneyed at your service.
line 2795ISABELLAO, give me pardon
line 2796That I, your vassal, have employed and pained
line 2797Your unknown sovereignty.
440line 2798DUKEYou are pardoned,
line 2799Isabel.
line 2800And now, dear maid, be you as free to us.
line 2801Your brother’s death, I know, sits at your heart,
line 2802And you may marvel why I obscured myself,
445line 2803Laboring to save his life, and would not rather
line 2804Make rash remonstrance of my hidden power
line 2805Than let him so be lost. O most kind maid,
line 2806It was the swift celerity of his death,
line 2807Which I did think with slower foot came on,
450line 2808That brained my purpose. But peace be with him.
line 2809That life is better life past fearing death
line 2810Than that which lives to fear. Make it your comfort,
line 2811So happy is your brother.
line 2812ISABELLAI do, my lord.

Enter Angelo, Mariana, Friar Peter, and Provost.

DUKE
455line 2813For this new-married man approaching here,
line 2814Whose salt imagination yet hath wronged
line 2815Your well-defended honor, you must pardon
Act 5 Scene 1 - Pg 203 line 2816For Mariana’s sake. But as he adjudged your
line 2817brother—
460line 2818Being criminal in double violation
line 2819Of sacred chastity and of promise-breach
line 2820Thereon dependent for your brother’s life—
line 2821The very mercy of the law cries out
line 2822Most audible, even from his proper tongue,
465line 2823“An Angelo for Claudio, death for death.”
line 2824Haste still pays haste, and leisure answers leisure;
line 2825Like doth quit like, and measure still for
line 2826measure.—
line 2827Then, Angelo, thy fault’s thus manifested,
470line 2828Which, though thou wouldst deny, denies thee
line 2829vantage.
line 2830We do condemn thee to the very block
line 2831Where Claudio stooped to death, and with like
line 2832haste.—
475line 2833Away with him.
line 2834MARIANAO my most gracious lord,
line 2835I hope you will not mock me with a husband.
DUKE
line 2836It is your husband mocked you with a husband.
line 2837Consenting to the safeguard of your honor,
480line 2838I thought your marriage fit. Else imputation,
line 2839For that he knew you, might reproach your life
line 2840And choke your good to come. For his possessions,
line 2841Although by confiscation they are ours,
line 2842We do instate and widow you with all
485line 2843To buy you a better husband.
line 2844MARIANAO my dear lord,
line 2845I crave no other nor no better man.
DUKE
line 2846Never crave him. We are definitive.
MARIANAkneeling
line 2847Gentle my liege—
490line 2848DUKEYou do but lose your labor.—
Act 5 Scene 1 - Pg 205 line 2849Away with him to death. To Lucio. Now, sir, to
line 2850you.
MARIANA
line 2851O, my good lord.—Sweet Isabel, take my part.
line 2852Lend me your knees, and all my life to come
495line 2853I’ll lend you all my life to do you service.
DUKE
line 2854Against all sense you do importune her.
line 2855Should she kneel down in mercy of this fact,
line 2856Her brother’s ghost his pavèd bed would break
line 2857And take her hence in horror.
500line 2858MARIANAIsabel,
line 2859Sweet Isabel, do yet but kneel by me,
line 2860Hold up your hands, say nothing. I’ll speak all.
line 2861They say best men are molded out of faults,
line 2862And, for the most, become much more the better
505line 2863For being a little bad. So may my husband.
line 2864O Isabel, will you not lend a knee?
DUKE
line 2865He dies for Claudio’s death.
line 2866ISABELLAkneeling Most bounteous sir,
line 2867Look, if it please you, on this man condemned
510line 2868As if my brother lived. I partly think
line 2869A due sincerity governed his deeds
line 2870Till he did look on me. Since it is so,
line 2871Let him not die. My brother had but justice,
line 2872In that he did the thing for which he died.
515line 2873For Angelo,
line 2874His act did not o’ertake his bad intent,
line 2875And must be buried but as an intent
line 2876That perished by the way. Thoughts are no subjects,
line 2877Intents but merely thoughts.
520line 2878MARIANAMerely, my lord.
DUKE
line 2879Your suit’s unprofitable. Stand up, I say.

They stand.

line 2880I have bethought me of another fault.—
Act 5 Scene 1 - Pg 207 line 2881Provost, how came it Claudio was beheaded
line 2882At an unusual hour?
525line 2883PROVOSTIt was commanded so.
DUKE
line 2884Had you a special warrant for the deed?
PROVOST
line 2885No, my good lord, it was by private message.
DUKE
line 2886For which I do discharge you of your office.
line 2887Give up your keys.
530line 2888PROVOSTPardon me, noble lord.
line 2889I thought it was a fault, but knew it not,
line 2890Yet did repent me after more advice,
line 2891For testimony whereof, one in the prison
line 2892That should by private order else have died,
535line 2893I have reserved alive.
line 2894DUKEWhat’s he?
line 2895PROVOSTHis name is Barnardine.
DUKE
line 2896I would thou hadst done so by Claudio.
line 2897Go fetch him hither. Let me look upon him.

Provost exits.

ESCALUSto Angelo
540line 2898I am sorry one so learnèd and so wise
line 2899As you, Lord Angelo, have still appeared,
line 2900Should slip so grossly, both in the heat of blood
line 2901And lack of tempered judgment afterward.
ANGELO
line 2902I am sorry that such sorrow I procure;
545line 2903And so deep sticks it in my penitent heart
line 2904That I crave death more willingly than mercy.
line 2905’Tis my deserving, and I do entreat it.

Enter Barnardine and Provost, Claudio, muffled, and Juliet.

DUKEto Provost
line 2906Which is that Barnardine?
Act 5 Scene 1 - Pg 209 line 2907PROVOSTThis, my lord.
DUKE
550line 2908There was a friar told me of this man.—
line 2909Sirrah, thou art said to have a stubborn soul
line 2910That apprehends no further than this world,
line 2911And squar’st thy life according. Thou ’rt condemned.
line 2912But, for those earthly faults, I quit them all,
555line 2913And pray thee take this mercy to provide
line 2914For better times to come.—Friar, advise him.
line 2915I leave him to your hand.—What muffled fellow’s
line 2916that?
PROVOST
line 2917This is another prisoner that I saved
560line 2918Who should have died when Claudio lost his head,
line 2919As like almost to Claudio as himself.

He unmuffles Claudio.

DUKEto Isabella
line 2920If he be like your brother, for his sake
line 2921Is he pardoned; and for your lovely sake,
line 2922Give me your hand and say you will be mine,
565line 2923He is my brother too. But fitter time for that.
line 2924By this Lord Angelo perceives he’s safe;
line 2925Methinks I see a quick’ning in his eye.—
line 2926Well, Angelo, your evil quits you well.
line 2927Look that you love your wife, her worth worth
570line 2928yours.
line 2929I find an apt remission in myself.
line 2930And yet here’s one in place I cannot pardon.
line 2931To Lucio. You, sirrah, that knew me for a fool, a
line 2932coward,
575line 2933One all of luxury, an ass, a madman.
line 2934Wherein have I so deserved of you
line 2935That you extol me thus?
line 2936LUCIOFaith, my lord, I spoke it but according to the
line 2937trick. If you will hang me for it, you may, but I had
580line 2938rather it would please you I might be whipped.
Act 5 Scene 1 - Pg 211 line 2939DUKEWhipped first, sir, and hanged after.—
line 2940Proclaim it, provost, round about the city,
line 2941If any woman wronged by this lewd fellow—
line 2942As I have heard him swear himself there’s one
585line 2943Whom he begot with child—let her appear,
line 2944And he shall marry her. The nuptial finished,
line 2945Let him be whipped and hanged.
line 2946LUCIOI beseech your Highness do not marry me to a
line 2947whore. Your Highness said even now I made you a
590line 2948duke. Good my lord, do not recompense me in
line 2949making me a cuckold.
DUKE
line 2950Upon mine honor, thou shalt marry her.
line 2951Thy slanders I forgive and therewithal
line 2952Remit thy other forfeits.—Take him to prison,
595line 2953And see our pleasure herein executed.
line 2954LUCIOMarrying a punk, my lord, is pressing to death,
line 2955whipping, and hanging.
line 2956DUKESlandering a prince deserves it.

Officers take Lucio away.

line 2957She, Claudio, that you wronged, look you restore.—
600line 2958Joy to you, Mariana.—Love her, Angelo.
line 2959I have confessed her, and I know her virtue.—
line 2960Thanks, good friend Escalus, for thy much goodness.
line 2961There’s more behind that is more gratulate.—
line 2962Thanks, provost, for thy care and secrecy.
605line 2963We shall employ thee in a worthier place.—
line 2964Forgive him, Angelo, that brought you home
line 2965The head of Ragozine for Claudio’s.
line 2966Th’ offense pardons itself.—Dear Isabel,
line 2967I have a motion much imports your good,
610line 2968Whereto if you’ll a willing ear incline,
line 2969What’s mine is yours, and what is yours is mine.—
line 2970So, bring us to our palace, where we’ll show
line 2971What’s yet behind that’s meet you all should know.

They exit.

Measure For Measure

Copyright Notice

Contents

Summary

Dramatis Personæ

Dramatis Personæ

ACT 1

Scene 1

Scene 2

Scene 3

Scene 4

ACT 2

Scene 1

Scene 2

Scene 3

Scene 4

ACT 3

Scene 1

Scene 2

ACT 4

Scene 1

Scene 2

Scene 3

Scene 4

Scene 5

Scene 6

ACT 5

Scene 1

Title

Notes & Highlights

Reading History

Settings

Typography

Colour scheme

Tap zones