Lucio. Thou concludest like the sanctimonious pirate, that went to sea with the ten commandments, but scraped one out of the table.

2 Gent. Thou shalt not steal? Lucio. Ay, that he razed.

1 Gent. Why, 'twas a commandment to command the captain and all the rest from their functions; they put forth to steal: there's not a soldier of us all, that, in the thanksgiving before meat, doth relish the petition well that prays for peace.

2 Gent. I never heard any soldier dislike it. Lucio. I believe thee; for, I think, thou never wast where grace was said.

2 Gent. No? A dozen times at least. 1 Gent. What? In metre?

Lucio. In any proportion, or in any language. 1 Gent. I think, or in any religion. Lucio. Ay! why not? Grace, is grace, despite of all controversy; as for example; thou thyself art a wicked villain, despite of all grace.

1 Gent. Well, there went but a pair of sheers

between us +.

Lucio. I grant; as there may between the lists and the velvet: thou art the list.

1 Gent. And thou the velvet: thou art good velvet; thou art a three-piled piece, I warrant thee: I had as lief be a list of an English kersey, as be piled, as thou art piled, for a French velvett. Do I speak feelingly now?

Clo. A woman.

Bawd. But what's his offence?

Clo. Groping for trouts in a peculiar river. Bawd. What, is there a maid with child by him? Clo. No; but there's a woman with maid by him: you have not heard of the proclamation, have you?

Bawd. What proclamation, man?

Clo. All houses in the suburbs of Vienna must be pluck'd down.

Bawd. And what shall become of those in the city?

Clo. They shall stand for seed: they had gone down too, but that a wise burgher put in for them. Bawd. But shall all our houses of resort in the suburbs be pulled down?

Clo. To the ground, mistress.

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

Clo. Come, fear not you: good counsellors lack no clients: though you change your place, you need not change your trade; I'll be 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 consider'd.

Bawd. What's to do here, Thomas Tapster? Let's withdraw.

Clo. Here comes signior Claudio, led by the Provost to prison; and there's madam Juliet.

SCENE III.-The Same.

LUCIO, and Two GENTLEMEN.

[Exeunt.

1 Gent. I think, I have done myself wrong; have I not?

2 Gent. Yes, that thou hast; whether thou art tainted, or free.

Lucio. Behold, behold, where madam Mitigation comes! I have purchased as many diseases under her roof, as come to

2 Gent. To what, I pray?

1 Gent. Judge.

2 Gent. To three thousand dollars a-year.

1 Gent. Ay, and more.

Lucio. A French crown more.

1 Gent. Thou art always figuring diseases in me: but thou art full of error: I am sound.

Lucio. Nay, not as one would say, healthy; but so sound, as things that are hollow: thy bones are hollow; impiety has made a feast of thee.

Enter BAWD.

1 Gent. How now? Which of your hips has the most profound sciatica?

Bawd. Well, well; there's one yonder arrested, and carried to prison, was worth five thousand of you all.

1 Gent. Who's that, I pray thee? Bawd. Marry, Sir, that's Claudio, signior Claudio. 1 Gent. Claudio to prison! 'Tis not so.

Bawd. Nay, but I know, 'tis so: I saw him arrested: saw him carried away; and, which is more, within these three days his head's to be chopped off.

Lucio. But after all this fooling, I would not have it so: Art thou sure of this?

Bawd. I am too sure of it: and it is for getting madam Julietta with child.

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

2 Gent. Besides, you know, it draws something near to the speech we had to such a purpose. 1 Gent. But most of all, agreeing with the pro

clamation.

Claud. Fellow, why dost thou shew 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 demi-god, Authority,
Make us pay down for our offence by weight.
The words of heaven;-on whom it will, it will;
On whom it will not, so; yet still 'tis just.

Lucio. Why, how now, Claudio? Whence comes

this restraint?

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

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

Claud. What, but to speak of would offend again.
Lucio. What is it? Murder?
Claud. No.

Lucio. Lechery?

Claud. Call it so,

Prov. Away, Sir; you must go.

with you.

Claud. One word, good friend :-Lucio, a word [Takes him aside. Lucio. A hundred, if they'll do you any good.→ Is lechery so look'd after?

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

wall

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.

Lucio. I warrant it is: and thy head stands so tickle on thy shoulders that a milk-maid, 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 pr'ythee, 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 prones and speechless dialect, Such as moves men; beside, she hath prosperous

art

When she will play with reason and discourse,
And weil she can persuade.

Lucio. I pray, she may as well for the encou ragement 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,
Lucio. Within two hours,-

Claud. Come, officer, away.

SCENE IV-A Monastery.

Enter DUKE and FRIAR THOMAS.

[Exeunt.

Duke. No, holy father; throw away that thought; Believe not that the dribbling dart of love Can pierce a complete bosom: why I desire thee To give me secret harbour, hath a purpose More grave and wrinkled than the aims and ends Of burning youth.

Fri. May your grace speak of it?

Duke. My holy Sir, none better knows than you How I have ever loved the life removed ¶; And held in idle price to haunt assemblies, Where youth, and cost, and witless bravery keeps.

I have deliver'd to lord Angelo

(A man of stricture H and firm abstinence,)
My absolute power and place here in Vienna,
And he supposes me travell'd to Poland;
For so I have strew'd it in the common ear,
And so it is received: now, pious Sir,
You will demand of me, why I do this?
Fri. Gladly, my lord.

Duke. We have strict statutes, and most biting laws,

(The needful bits and curbs for headstrong steeds,)
Which for these fourteen years we have let sleep;
Even like an o'ergrown lion in a cave,
That goes not out to prey; now, as fond fathers
Having bound up the threat'ning twigs of birch,
Only to stick it in their children's sight,
For terror, not to use; in time the rod

Becomes more mock'd than fear'd: so our decrees,
Dead to infliction, to themselves are dead;
And liberty plucks justice by the nose;

The baby beats the nurse, and quite athwart
Goes all decorum.

Fri. It rested in your grace

To unloose this tied up justice, when you pleased: And it in you more dreadful would have seem'd, Than in lord Angelo.

Duke. I do fear, too dreadful:

Sith 'twas my fault to give the people scope, Twould be my tyranny to strike, and gall them, For what I bid them do; for we bid this be done, When evil deeds have their permissive pass,

And not the punishment. Therefore, indeed, my

father,

Supply me with the habit, and instruct me
How I may formally in person bear me
Like a true friar. More reasons for this action,
At our more leisure shall I render you;
Only, this one:-Lord Angelo is precise;
Stands at a guard with envy; scarce confesses
That his blood flows, or that his appetite

Is more to bread than stone: hence shall we see If power change purpose, what our seemers be. [Exeunt,

SCENE V.-A Nunnery.

Enter ISABELLA and FRANCISCA. Isab. And have you nuns no further privileges? Fran. Are not these large enough? Isab. Yes, truly: I speak not as desiring more; But rather wishing a more strict restraint Upon the sister-hood, the votarists of saint Clare. Lucio. Ho! Peace be in this place! [Within. Isab. Who's that which calls? Fran. It is a man's voice: gentle Isabella, Turn you the key, and know his business of him; You may, I may not; you are yet unsworn: When you have vow'd, you must not speak with

men,

But in the presence of the prioress:
Then, if you speak, you must not shew your face;
Or, if you shew your face, you must not speak.
He calls again; I pray you answer him.
[Exit Francisca.
Isab. Peace and prosperity! Who is't that calls!

you:

Not to be weary with you, he's in prison.
Isab. Woe me! For what?

Lucio. For that, which if myself might be his judge,

He should receive his punishment in thanks:
He hath got his friend with child.

Isab. Sir, make me not your story t.
Lucio. It is true.

I would not-though 'tis my familiar sin
With maids to seem the lapwing, and to jest,
Tongue far from heart,-play with all virgins so:
I hold you as a thing enskied, and sainted;
By your renouncement, an immortal spirit:
And to be talk'd with in sincerity,
As with a saint.

Isab. You do blaspheme the good, in mocking me.
Lucio. Do not believe it. Fewness and truth,

'tis thus:

By vain though apt affection.
Lucio. She it is.

Isab. O, let him marry her!
Lucio. This is the point.

The duke is very strangely gone from hence;
Bore many gentlemen, myself being one,
In hand, and hope of action: but we do learn

By those that know the very nerves of state,

His givings out were of an infinite distance
From his true-meant design. Upon his place,
And with full line of his authority,
Governs lord Angelo; a man, whose blood
Is very snow-broth; one who never feels
The wanton stings and motions of the sense;
But doth rebate and blunt his natural edge

On his defence. + Do not make a jest of me.
In few and true words. Breeding plenty.
Tilling.
¶ Extent.

With profits of the mind, study and fast.
He (to give fear to use and liberty,
Which have for long, run by the hideous law,
As mice by lions,) hath pick'd out an act,
Under whose heavy sense your brother's life
Falls into forfeit: he arrests him on it;
And follows close the rigour of the statute,
To make him an example: all hope is gone,
Unless you have the grace by your fair prayer
To soften Angelo: and that's my pith
Of business 'twixt you and your poor brother.
Isab. Doth he so seek his life?

Lucio. Has censured + him

Already; and as I hear, the Provost hath
A warrant for his execution.

Isab. Alas! What poor ability's în me

To do him good?

Lucio. Assay the power you have. Isab. My power! Alas!

doubt,

Lucio. Our doubts are traitors,

And make us lose the good we oft might win,
By fearing to attempt: go to lord Angelo,

And let him learn to know, when maidens sue,
Men give like gods; but when they weep and kneel,
All their petitions are as freely theirs

As they themselves would owe them.
Isab. I'll see what I can do.
Lucio. But, speedily.

Isab. I will about it straight;

No longer staying but to give the mother $
Notice of my affair. I humbly thank you:
Commend me to my brother: soon at night
I'll send him certain word of my success.
Lucio. I take my leave of you.
Isab. Good Sir, adieu.

ACT II.

[Exeunt.

SCENE I-A Hall in ANGELO's House. Enter ANGELO, ESCALUS, a JUSTICE, PRovost, OFFICERS, and other Attendants.

Ang. We must not make a scare-crow of the law, Setting it up to fear the birds of prey,

And let it keep one shape, till custom make it
Their perch, and not their terror.

Escal. Ay, but yet

Let us be keen, and rather cut a little,

Than fall, and bruise to death: Alas! this gentleman, Whom I would save, had a most noble father.

Let but your honour know¶,

(Whom I believe to be most straight in virtue,)
That, in the working of your own affections,
Had time cohered** with place, or place with wish-
ing,

Or that the resolute acting of your blood
Could have attain'd the effect of your own purpose,
Whether you had not sometime in your life
Err'd in this point which now you censure him,
And pull'd the law upon you.

Ang. 'Tis one thing to be tempted, Escalus,
Another thing to fall. I not deny,

The jury passing on the prisoner's life,

May, in the sworn twelve, have a thief or two Guiltier than him they try: what's open made to justice,

That justice seizes. What know the laws,
That thieves do pass t on thieves? 'Tis very preg-

nant, #

The jewel that we find we stoop and take it,
Because we see it: but what we do not see,
We tread upon, and never think of it.
You may not so extenuate his offence,
For I have had such faults; but rather tell me,
When I, that censure him, do so offend,
Let mine own judgment pattern out my death,
And nothing come in partial. Sir, he must die.
Escal. Be it as your wisdom will.

Ang. Where is the Provost ?

Prov. Here, if it like your honour,
Ang. See that Claudio

Be executed by nine to-morrow morning:

Bring him his confessor, let him be prepared
For that's the utmost of his pilgrimage.

[Exit Provost. Escal. Well, heaven forgive him! and forgive us all!

Some rise by sin, and some by virtue fall:

Power of gaining favour.

* Have.

• Suited.

Because.

Abbess.

| Scare. Pass judgment.

BR Sentence.

+ Sentenced. Examine. # Plain.

Some run from brakes⚫ of vice, and answer none, And some condemned for a fault alone.

Enter ELBOW, FROTH, CLOWN, OFFICERS, &c.

Elb. Come bring them away: if these be good people in a common weal t, that do nothing but use their abuses in common houses, I know no law: bring them away.

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?

Elb. If it please your honour, I know not well what they are: but precise villains they are, that I 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. Ang. Go to: What quality are they of? Elbow is your name? Why dost thou not speak, Elbow ? Clo. He cannot, Sir; he's out at elbow. Ang. What are you, Sir?

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.

Escal. How know you that?

Elb. My wife, Sir, whom I detest¶ before heaven and your honour,

Escal. How! Thy wife?

Elb. Ay, Sir; whom, I thank heaven, is an honest

woman;

Escal. Dost thon 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 pity 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: but

as she spit in his face, so she defied him.

Clo. Sir, if it please your honour, this is not so. Elb. Prove it before these varlets here, thou ho nourable 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.

:

Escal. Go to, go to; no matter for the dish, Sir. Clo. No, indeed, Sir, not of a pin; you are therein in the right but, to the point: as I say, this mistress Elbow, being, as I say, with child, and being great bellied, 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;-fo, as you know, master Froth, I could not give you three-pence again.

Froth. All this is true.

Clo. Why, very well then.

Escal. Come, you are a tedious fool: to the purpose. 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.
Escal. No, Sir, nor I mean it not.

Clo. Sir, but you shall come to it, by your honour's

Thickest, thorny paths of vice. + Wealth.