Ant. Sebastian are you? Seb. Fear'st thou that, Antonio? Than these two creatures. Which is Sebastian? Seb. Do I stand there? I never had a brother: What countryman? what name? what parentage? Seb. Were you a woman, as the rest goes even, Vio. And died that day when Viola from her birth Seb. O, that record is lively in my soul! I'll bring you to a captain in this town, Where lie my maiden weeds; by whose gentle help All the occurrence of my fortune since Seb. So comes it, lady, you have been mistook: But nature to her bias drew in that, [TO VILA. [TO OLIVIA You would have been contracted to a maid; Nor are you therein, by my life, deceiv'd, Duke. Be not amaz'd; right noble is his blood.- [ To V10. As doth that orbed continent the fire That severs day from night. Duke. Give me thy hand; Vio. The captain, that did bring me first on shore, A gentleman, and follower of my lady's. My lord, so please you, these things further thought on, One day shall crown the alliance on't, so please you, Here at my house, and at my proper cost. Duke. Madam, I am most apt to embrace your offer. Your master quits you;-[To VIOLA.]—and, for your service done him, So much against the mettle of your sex, So far beneath your soft and tender breeding, Here is my hand; you shall from this time be Oli. A sister?-you are she. Duke. A solemn combination shall be made [Exeunt. MEASURE FOR MEASURE. The outline of this Play is taken from a novel of Cinthio, the Italian novelist and tragic author, to whom Shakspeare was likewise indebted for the story of Othello. Measure for Measure, presents us with one of the most perfect of our author's female characters in the person of Isabella. Dr. Blake says, of this beautiful creation, that Piety, spotless purity, tenderness combined with firmness, and an eloquence the most persuasive, unite to render her singularly interesting and attractive." Of the general excellence of this Drama, Mr. Verplanck justly remarks, that "there is no composition, of the same length, in the language, which has left more of its expressive phrases, its moral aphor isms, its brief sentences, crowded with meaning, fixed on the general memory, and emDodied by daily use in every form of popular eloquence, argument, and literature." Our extracts, though necessarily brief, will be found to embody the principal striking beauties of this truly impressive composition. PERSONS REPRESENTED. VICENTIO, Duke of Vienna. ANGELO, lord deputy in the Duke's absence. ESCALUS, an ancient lord, joined with Angelo in the deputation. LUCIO, a fantastic. Two other like gentlemen. VARRIUS, a gentleman, servant to the Duke Provost. THOMAS, PETER, two friars. A Justice. ELBOW, a simple constable. FROTH, a foolish gentleman. Clown, servant to Mrs. Over-done. ABHORSON, an executioner. BARNARDINE, a dissolute prisoner. ISABELLA, sister to Claudio MARIANA, betrothed to Angelo. JULIET, beloved by Claudio. FRANCISCA, a nun. Mistress Over-done, Lords, Gentlemen, Guards, Officers, and other Attendants. SCENE.-VIENNA. The Duke of Vienna, determines to examine in person, the condition of his people. To do this effectually he purposes to resign, for a period, his government into the keeping of Lord Angelo, and Escalus, and in disguise to mix with his subjects and learn their actual condition, and ascertain whether the laws are faithfully administered. ACT 1. SCENE I.—An Apartment in the Duke's Palace. Enter DUKE, ESCALUS, Lords, and Attendants. Duke. Escalus, Escal. My lord. Duke. Of government the properties to unfold, My strength can give you: Then no more remains For common justice, you are as pregnant in, As art and practice hath enriched any That we remember: There is our commission, From which we would not have you warp.-Ca.. hither, I say, bid come before us Angelo.— What figure of us think you he will bear? For you must know, we have with special soul Elected him our absence to supply; Lent him our terror, drest him with our love; To undergo suc: ample grace and honor, Enter ANGELO. [Exit an Attendant Ang. Always obedient to your grace's will, I come to know your pleasure. Duke. Angelo, There is a kind of character in thy life, As if we had them not. Spirits are not finely touch'd. But to fine issues: nor nature never lends Both thanks and use. But I do bend my speech In our remove, be thou at full ourself:— Live in thy tongue and heart: Escalus, Ang. Now, good my lord, Be stamp'd upon it. Duke. No more evasion: We have with a leaven'd and prepared choice Ang. Yet, give leave, my lord, That we may bring you something on the way. Duke. My haste may not admit it; Nor need you, on mine honor, have to do With any scruple: your scope is as mine own: So to enforce, or qualify the laws As to your soul seems good. Give me your hand; But do not like to stage me to their eyes: That does affect it. Once more, fare you well. Escal. I shall desire you, sir, to give me leave A power I have; but of what strength and nature Ang. 'Tis so with me :-Let us withdraw together Exil |