:

Mrs Ov. I am too sure of it and it is for getting Madam Julietta with child.

Lucio. Believe me, this may be: he promised to meet me two hours since, and he was ever precise in promisekeeping.

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Sec. Gent. Besides, you know, it draws something near to the speech we had to such a purpose.

First Gent. But, most of all, agreeing with the proclamation.

Lucio. Away! let's go learn the truth of it.

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[Exeunt Lucio and Gentlemen. Mrs Ov. Thus, what with the war, what with the sweat, what with the gallows, and what with poverty, I am custom-shrunk.

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Enter POMPEY.

How now! what's the news with you?
Pom. Yonder man is carried to prison.
Mrs Ov. Well; what has he done?
Pom. A woman.

Mrs Ov. But what's his offence?

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Pom. Groping for trouts in a peculiar river. Mrs Ov. What, is there a maid with child by him? Pom. No, but there's a woman with maid by him. You have not heard of the proclamation, have you? Mrs Ov. What proclamation, man? Pom.

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All houses in the suburbs of Vienna must be

plucked down.

Mrs Ov. And what shall become of those in the city? Pom. They shall stand for seed: they had gone down

too, but that a wise burgher put in for them.

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Mrs Ov. But shall all our houses of resort in the suburbs be pulled down?

Pom. To the ground, mistress.

Mrs Ov. Why, here's a change indeed in the commonwealth! What shall become of me?

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Pom. Come; fear not you: good counsellors lack no clients: though you change your place, you need not change your trade; I'll be your tapster still. Courage! there will be pity taken on you: you that have worn your eyes almost out in the service, you will be considered.

105

Mrs Ov. What's to do here, Thomas tapster? let's withdraw.

Pom. Here comes Signior Claudio, led by the provost to prison; and there's Madam Juliet.

[Exeunt.

Enter PROVOST, CLAUDIO, JULIET, and Officers. Claud. Fellow, why dost thou show me thus to the

world?

Bear me to prison, where I am committed.
Prov. I do it not in evil disposition,
But from Lord Angelo by special charge.

Claud. Thus can the demigod Authority
Make us pay down for our offence by weight
The words of heaven;-on whom it will, it will;
On whom it will not, so; yet still 'tis just.

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115

Re-enter LUCIO and two Gentlemen.

Lucio. Why, how now, Claudio! whence comes this

restraint?

Claud. From too much liberty, my Lucio, liberty:
As surfeit is the father of much fast,
So every scope by the immoderate use
Turns to restraint. Our natures do pursue,
Like rats that ravin down their proper bane,
A thirsty evil; and when we drink we die.

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Lucio. If I could speak so wisely under an arrest, I would send for certain of my creditors: and yet, to say the truth, I had as lief have the foppery of freedom as the morality of imprisonment. What's thy offence, Claudio? Claud. What but to speak of would offend again.

Lucio. What, is't murder?

Claud. No.

Lucio. Lechery?

Claud. Call it so.

Prov. Away, sir! you must go.

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Claud. One word, good friend. Lucio, a word with you. Lucio. A hundred, if they'll do you any good.

Is lechery so look'd after?

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Claud. Thus stands it with me: upon a true contract I got possession of Julietta's bed:

You know the lady; she is fast my wife,
Save that we do the denunciation lack
Of outward order: this we came not to,
Only for propagation of a dower
Remaining in the coffer of her friends;
From whom we thought it meet to hide our love
Till time had made them for us. But it chances
The stealth of our most mutual entertainment
With character too gross is writ on Juliet.

Lucio. With child, perhaps?

Claud.

Unhappily, even so.

And the new Deputy now for the Duke, -
Whether it be the fault and glimpse of newness,

Or whether that the body public be

A horse whereon the governor doth ride,
Who, newly in the seat, that it may know
He can command, lets it straight feel the spur;

Whether the tyranny be in his place,

Or in his eminence that fills it up,

I stagger in:-but this new governor

Awakes me all the enrolled penalties

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145

150

155

Which have, like unscour'd armour, hung by the wall 160

So long, that nineteen zodiacs have gone round,

And none of them been worn; and, for a name,
Now puts the drowsy and neglected act

Freshly on me: 'tis surely for a name.

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Lucio. I warrant it is: and thy head stands so tickle on thy shoulders, that a milkmaid, if she be in love, may sigh it off. Send after the Duke, and appeal to him. Claud. I have done so, but he's not to be found. I prithee, Lucio, do me this kind service: This day my sister should the cloister enter And there receive her approbation: Acquaint her with the danger of my state; Implore her, in my voice, that she make friends To the strict deputy; bid herself assay him: I have great hope in that; for in her youth There is a prone and speechless dialect, Such as move men; beside, she hath prosperous art When she will play with reason and discourse, And well she can persuade.

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Lucio. I pray she may; as well for the encouragement of the like, which else would stand under grievous imposition, as for the enjoying of thy life, who I would be sorry should be thus foolishly lost at a game of tick-tack. I'll to her.

Claud. I thank you, good friend Lucio.
Within two hours.

Lucio.

Come, officer, away!

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