Scene V. To do it slander: and to behold his sway, Is more to bread than stone: hence shall we see, SCENE V.-A nunnery. Francisca. men, [Within. To teeming foison; even so her plenteous womb Lucio. Is she your cousin? Isab. Adoptedly: as school-maids change then names, By vain though apt affection. She it is. This is the point. But in the presence of the prioress: Lucio. Hail, virgin, if you be; as those cheek roses Proclaim you are no less! can you so stead me, Isab. Why her unhappy brother? let me ask; Lucio. Gentle and fair, your brother kindly Not to be weary with you, he's in prison. Lucio. For that, which, if myself might be his He should receive his punishment in thanks: Isab. Sir, make me not your story.2 It is true. I would not-though 'tis my familiar sin Isab. You do blaspheme the good, in mocking me. Lucio. Do not believe it. Fewness and truth,' Your brother and his lover have embrac'd: (1) On his defence. (2) Do not make a jest of me. Isab. Alas! what poor ability's in me But speedily. ACT II. Good sir, adien. [Exeunt. SCENE I-A hall in Angelo's house. Enter Ang. We must not make a scare-crow of the law, Power of gaining favour. (8) Sentenced. Escal. Ay, but yet Escal. How know you that 7 Elb. My wife, sir, whom I detest before hea Let us be keen, and rather cut a little, (Whom I believe to be most strait in virtue,) Ang. 'Tis one thing to be tempted, Escalus, The jury, passing on the prisoner's life, Escal. How! thy wife? Elb. Ay, sir; whom, I thank heaven, is an honest woman, Escal. Dost thou detest her therefore? Elb. I say, sir, I will detest myself also, as well as she, that this house, if it be not a bawd's house, it is píty of her life, for it is a naughty house. Escal. How dost thou know that, constable? Elb. Marry, sir, by my wife; who, if she had been a woman cardinally given, might have been accused in fornication, adultery, and all uncleanliness there. Escal. By the woman's means? Elb. Ay, sir, by mistress Over-done's means: Guiltier than him they try: what's open made to but as she spit in his face, so she defied him. justice, That justice seizes. What know the laws, That thieves do pass on thieves? "Tis very nant,* Clo. Sir, if it please your honour, this is not so. Elb. Prove it before these varlets here, thou preg-honourable man, prove it. Escal. Do you hear how he misplaces? [To Angelo. Clo. Sir, she came in great with child; and longing (saving your honour's reverence) for stew'd prunes: sir, we had but two in the house, which at that very distant time stood, as it were, in a fruitdish, a dish of some three-pence: your honours have seen such dishes; they are not China dishes, but very good dishes. The jewel that we find, we stoop and take it, Where is the provost ? See that Claudio Some rise by sin, and some by virtue fall: Enter Elbow, Froth, Clown, Officers, &c. Ang. How now, sir! what's your name? and what's the matter? Elb. If it please your honour, I am the poor duke's constable, and my name is Elbow; I do lean upon justice, sir, and do bring in here before your good honour two notorious benefactors. Ang. Benefactors? Well; what benefactors are they are they not malefactors? I Elb. If it please your honour, I know not well what they are: but precise villains they are, that am sure of; and void of all profanation in the world, that good Christians ought to have. Escal. This comes off well; here's a wise officer. Elb. He, sir? a tapster, sir: parcel-bawd; one that serves a bad woman; whose house, sir, was, as they say, pluck'd down in the suburbs; and now she professes a hot-house, which, I think, is a very ill house too. (1) Examine. (2) Suited. (3) Pass judgment. Escal. Go to, go to: no matter for the dish, sir. Clo. No, indeed, sir, not of a pin; you are therefore in the right: but, to the point: as I say, this mistress Elbow, being, as I say, with child, and being great belly'd, and longing, as I said, for prunes; and having but two in the dish, as I said, master Froth here, this very man, having eaten the rest, as I said, and, as I say, paying for them very honestly; -for, as you know, master Froth, I could not give you three-pence again. Froth. No, indeed. Clo. Very well: you being then, if you be remember'd, cracking the stones of the foresaid prunes. Froth. Ay, so I did, indeed. Clo. Why, very well: I telling you then, if you be remember'd, that such a one, and such a one, were past cure of the thing you wot of, unless they kept very good diet, as I told you. Froth. All this is true. Clo. Why, very well then. Escal. Come, you are a tedious fool: to the pur pose.-What was done to Elbow's wife, that he hath cause to complain of? Come me to what was done to her. Clo. Sir, your honour cannot come to that yet. Clo. Sir, but you shall come to it, by your honour's leave: and I beseech you, look into master Froth here, sir; a man of fourscore pound a year; whose father died at Hallowmas :-Was't not at Hallowmas, master Froth? Froth. All-hollond's eve. Clo. Why, very well; I hope here be truths. he, sir, sitting, as I say, in a lower chair, sir ;have a delight to sit : have you not? 'twas in the Bunch of Grapes, where, indeed, you Froth. I have so; because it is an open room, and good for winter. (9) Well told. (10) Partly. (11) Keeps a bagnio, Scene I. MEASURE FOR MEASURE. Clo. Why, very well then;-I hope here be truths. Ang. This will last out a night in Russia, When nights are longest there: I'll take my leave, And leave you to the hearing of the cause; Hoping, you'll find good cause to whip them all. Escal. I think no less: good morrow to your [Exit Angelo. lordship. Now, sir, come on: what was done to Elbow's wife, once more? Clo. Once, sir? there was nothing done to her once. Elb. I beseech you, sir, ask him what this man did to my wife? Clo. I beseech your honour, ask me. Escal. Well, sir: what did this gentleman to her? Clo. I beseech you, sir, look in this gentleman's face:-Good master Froth, look upon his honour is for a good purpose: doth your honour mark his face? Escal. Ay, sir, very well. Clo. Nay, I beseech you, mark it well. Clo. Doth your honour see any harm in his face? Clo. I'll be suppos'd' upon a book, his face is the worst thing about him: good then; if his face be the worst thing about him, how could master Froth do the constable's wife any harm? I would know that of your honour. Clo. Mistress Over-done. Escal. Nine! Come hither to me, master Froth. Froth. I thank your worship: for mine own part, I never come into any room in a taphouse, but I am drawn in. Escal. Well; no more of it, master Froth: farewell. [Exit Froth.]-Come you hither to me, master tapster; what's your name, master tapster Clo. Pompey. Escal. What else? Clo. Bum, sir. Escal. "Troth, and your bum is the greatest thing about you; so that, in the beastliest sense, you are Pompey the great. Pompey, you are partly a bawd, Pompey, howsoever you colour it in being a tapster. Are you not? come, tell me true; it shall be the better for you. Clo. Truly, sir, I am a poor fellow, that would live. Escal. How would you live, Pompey? by being bawd? What do you think of the trade, Pom pey? is it a lawful trade? a Clo. If the law would allow it, sir. Escal. But the law will not allow it, Pompey; Clo. Does your worship mean to geld and spay Escal. He's in the right: constable, what say nor it shall not be allowed in Vienna. you to it? Escal. No, Pompey. Elb. First, an it like you, the house is a re- all the youth in the city? spected house; next, this is a respected fellow; and his mistress is a respected woman. Clo. By this hand, sir, his wife is a more respected person than any of us all. Eib. Varlet, thou liest; thou liest, wicked varlet: the time is yet to come, that she was ever respected with man, woman, or child. Clo. Sir, she was respected with him before he married with her. Escal. Which is the wiser here? justice, or iniquity? Is this true? Clo. Truly, sir, in my poor opinion, they will to't then: if your worship will take orders for the drabs and the knaves, you need not to fear the bawds. Escal. There are pretty orders beginning, I can tell you: it is but heading and hanging. Clo. If you head and hang all that offend that way but for ten year together, you'll be glad to give out a commission for more heads. If this law hold in Vienna ten year, I'll rent the fairest house Elb. O thou caitiff! O thou varlet! O thou wick-in it, after three-pence a bay: if you live to see Escal. Thank you, good Pompey: and, in reed Hannibal! I respected with her, before I was this come to pass, say Pompey told you so. married to her? If ever I was respected with her, or she with me, let not your worship think me the quital of your prophecy, hark you,-I advise you, poor duke's officer:-Prove this, thou wicked Han- let me not find you before me again upon any comnibal, or I'll have mine action of battery on thee. plaint whatsoever, no, not for dwelling where you Escal. If he took you a box o' the ear, you do if I do, Pompey, I shall beat you to your tent, and prove a shrewd Cæsar to you; in plain dealInight have your action of slander too. Elb. Marry, I thank your good worship for it: ing, Pompey, I shall have you whipt: so for this Clo. thank your worship for your good counwhat is't your worship's pleasure I should do with time Pompey, fare you well. this wicked caitiff"? Escal. Truly, officer, because he hath some of sel; but I shall follow it, as the flesh and fortune fences in him, that thou wouldst discover if thou shall better determine. The valiant heart's not whipt out of his trade. [Ex. couldst, let him continue in his courses, till thou Whip me! No, no; let carman whip his jade; Escal. Come hither to me, master Elbow; come know'st what they are. Elb. Marry, I thank your worship for it:-thou seest, thou wicked varlet now, what's come upon hither, master Constable. How long have you thee; thou art to continue now, thou varlet; thou been in this place of constable? art to continue. Escal. Where were you born, friend? [To Froth. Escal. Are you of fourscore pounds a year? (1) Deposed, sworn. (2) Constable or Clown. Elb. Seven years and a half, sir. Escal. I thought, by your readiness in the office, you had continued in it some time: You say, seven years together? Elb. And a half, sir. Escal. Alas! it hath been great pains to you! They do you wrong to put you so oft upon't: Are there not men in your ward sufficient to serve it? Elb. Faith, sir, few of any wit in such matters: as they are chosen, they are glad to choose me for For which I must not plead, but that I am Escal. Look you, bring me in the names of Just. Eleven, sir. Escal. I pray you home to dinner with me. Escal. It grieves me for the death of Claudio; But there's no remedy. Just. Lord Angelo is severe. It is but needful: Mercy is not itself, that oft looks so: SCENE II.-Another room in the same. Ang. Well; the matter? I Prov. Heaven give thee moving graces! Isab. O just, but severe law! I had a brother then.-Heaven keep your honour! [Retiring. Lucio. [To Isab.] Give't not o'er so: to him Kneel down before him, hang upon his gown; Enter Angelo. Ang. Now, what's the matter, provost ? Prov. Is it your will Claudio shall die to-morrow? Ang. Did I not tell thee, yea? hadst thou not order? Why dost thou ask again? Prov. Lest I might be too rash: Under your good correction, I have seen, When, after execution, judgment hath Repented o'er his doom. Ang. Go to; let that be mine; Do you your office, or give up your place, And you shall well be spar'd. Prov. I crave your honour's pardon.What shall be done, sir, with the groaning Juliet? She's very near her hour. Ang. Dispose of her To some more fitter place; and that with speed. Re-enter Servant. Ser. Here is the sister of the man condemn'd, Desires access to you. Hath he a sister? Ang. Prov. Ay, my good lord; a very virtuous maid, And to be shortly of a sisterhood, If not already. Ang. Well, let her be admitted. [Ex. Serv. See you the fornicatress be remov'd; Let her have needful, but not lavish, means; Enter Lucio and Isabella. Prov. Save your honour! [Offering to retire. Ang. Stay a little while.-[To Isab.] You are welcome: What's your will? Isab. I am a woful suitor to your honour, Please but your honour hear me. Ang. Well; what's your suit? Isab. There is a vice, that most I do abhor, And most desire should meet the blow of justice; For which I would not plead, but that I must; Isab. Must he needs die? Isab. wrong, If so your heart were touch'd with that remorse1 As mine is to him? Ang. He's sentenc'd; 'tis too late. Lucio. You are too cold. [To Isabella. May call it back again: Well believes this, Isab. Too late? why, no; I, that do speak a word, No ceremony that to great ones 'longs, Not the king's crown, nor the deputed sword, The marshal's truncheon, nor the judge's robe, Become them with one half so good a grace, As mercy does. If he had been as you, And you as he, you would have slipt like him ; But he, like you, would not have been so stern. Ang. Pray you, begone. Isab. I would to heaven I had your potency, And you were Isabel! should it then be thus? No; I would tell what 'twere to be a judge, And what a prisoner. Lucio. Ay, touch him: there's the vein. [Aside Ang. Your brother is a forfeit of the law, And you but waste your words. Alas! alas! Isab. Why, all the souls that were, were forfeit once; Like man new made. Scene III. MEASURE FOR MEASURE. There's many have committed it. Those many had not dar'd to do that evil, Isab. Yet show some pity. Which a dismiss'd offence would after gall; Your brother dies to-morrow: be content. Lucio. You had marr'd all else. Isab. Not with fond shekels of the tested' gold, Ang. Lucio. Go to; it is well; away. [Aside to Isab. Am that way going to temptation, Isab. Amen: for I [Aside. At what hour to-morrow Shall I attend your lordship? Ang. At any time 'fore noon. Isab. Save your honour! [Exe. Luc. Isa. and Pro. Ang. Isab. So you must be the first, that gives this What's this? what's this? Is this her fault, or mine? Isab. Could great men thunder As Jove himself does, Jove would ne'er be quiet, Would use his heaven for thunder; nothing but Merciful heaven! Thou rather, with thy sharp and sulphurous bolt, Lucio. O, to him, to him, wench: he will relent; Lucio. Thou art in the right, girl; more o' that. Lucio. Art advis'd o' that? more on't. Ang. Why do you put these sayings upon me? Isab. Because authority, though it err like others, Hath yet a kind of medicine in itself, ; That skims the vice o' the top: Go to your bosom Let it not sound a thought upon your tongue She speaks, and 'tis Isab. Gentle my lord, turn back. Ang. I will bethink me:-Come again to-morrow. The tempter, or the tempted, who sins most? Ha! Do, as the carrion does, not as the flower, Can it be, That modesty may more betray our sense Shall we desire to raze the sanctuary, And feast upon her eyes? What is't I dream on? Look, here comes one; a gentlewoman of mine, Ang. How! bribe me? with you. Paltry. (2) Knotted. (3) Attested, stamped. When must he die? (5) See 2 Kings, x. 27. |