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MeasvreFor Measure

Actus primusScena prima.

Enter DukeEscalusLords.

Duke. Escalus

Esc. My Lord

Duk. Of Gouernmentthe properties to vnfold
Would seeme in me t' affect speech & discourse
Since I am put to knowthat your owne Science
Exceedes (in that) the lists of all aduice
My strength can giue you: Then no more remaines
But thatto your sufficiencyas your worth is able
And let them worke: The nature of our People
Our Cities Institutionsand the Termes
For Common Iusticey'are as pregnant in
As Artand practisehath inriched any
That we remember: There is our Commission
From whichwe would not haue you warpe; call hither
I saybid come before vs Angelo:
What figure of vs thinke youhe will beare.
For you must knowwe haue with speciall soule
Elected him our absence to supply;
Lent him our terrordrest him with our loue
And giuen his Deputation all the Organs
Of our owne powre: What thinke you of it?

Esc. If any in Vienna be of worth
To vndergoe such ample graceand honour
It is Lord Angelo.

Enter Angelo.

Duk. Looke where he comes

Ang. Alwayes obedient to your Graces will
I come to know your pleasure

Duke. Angelo:
There is a kinde of Character in thy life
That to th' obseruerdoth thy history
Fully vnfold: Thy selfeand thy belongings
Are not thine owne so properas to waste
Thy selfe vpon thy vertues; they on thee:
Heauen doth with vsas wewith Torches doe
Not light them for themselues: For if our vertues
Did not goe forth of vs'twere all alike
As if we had them not: Spirits are not finely touch'd
But to fine issues: nor nature neuer lends
The smallest scruple of her excellence
But like a thrifty goddesseshe determines
Her selfe the glory of a creditour
Both thanksand vse; but I do bend my speech
To one that can my part in him aduertise;
Hold therefore Angelo:
In our remouebe thou at fullour selfe:


Mortallitie and Mercie in Vienna
Liue in thy tongueand heart: Old Escalus
Though first in questionis thy secondary.
Take thy Commission

Ang. Now good my Lord
Let there be some more testmade of my mettle
Before so nobleand so great a figure
Be stamp't vpon it

Duk. No more euasion:
We haue with a leauen'dand prepared choice
Proceeded to you; therefore take your honors:
Our haste from hence is of so quicke condition
That it prefers it selfeand leaues vnquestion'd
Matters of needfull value: We shall write to you
As timeand our concernings shall importune
How it goes with vsand doe looke to know
What doth befall you here. So fare you well:
To th' hopefull execution doe I leaue you
Of your Commissions

Ang. Yet giue leaue (my Lord)
That we may bring you something on the way

Duk. My haste may not admit it
Nor neede you (on mine honor) haue to doe
With any scruple: your scope is as mine owne
So to inforceor qualifie the Lawes
As to your soule seemes good: Giue me your hand
Ile priuily away: I loue the people
But doe not like to stage me to their eyes:
Though it doe wellI doe not rellish well
Their lowd applauseand Aues vehement:
Nor doe I thinke the man of safe discretion
That do's affect it. Once more fare you well

Ang. The heauens giue safety to your purposes

Esc. Lead forthand bring you backe in happinesse.

Enter.

Duk. I thanke youfare you well

Esc. I shall desire youSirto giue me leaue
To haue free speech with you; and it concernes me
To looke into the bottome of my place:
A powre I hauebut of what strength and nature
I am not yet instructed

Ang. 'Tis so with me: Let vs withdraw together
And we may soone our satisfaction haue
Touching that point

Esc. Ile wait vpon your honor.

Exeunt.

Scena Secunda.

Enter Lucioand two other Gentlemen.


Luc. If the Dukewith the other Dukescome not to
composition with the King of Hungarywhy then all the
Dukes fall vpon the King

1.Gent. Heauen grant vs its peacebut not the King
of Hungaries

2.Gent. Amen

Luc. Thou conclud'st like the Sanctimonious Pirat
that went to sea with the ten Commandementsbut
scrap'd one out of the Table

2.Gent. Thou shalt not Steale?
Luc. Ithat he raz'd


1.Gent. Why? 'twas a commandementto command
the Captaine and all the rest from their functions: they
put forth to steale: There's not a Souldier of vs allthat
in the thanks-giuing before meatedo rallish the petition
wellthat praies for peace

2.Gent. I neuer heard any Souldier dislike it

Luc. I beleeue thee: for I thinke thou neuer was't
where Grace was said

2.Gent. No? a dozen times at least

1.Gent. What? In meeter?
Luc. In any proportion: or in any language


1.Gent. I thinkeor in any Religion

Luc. Iwhy not? Graceis Gracedespight of all controuersie:
as for example; Thou thy selfe art a wicked
villainedespight of all Grace

1.Gent. Well: there went but a paire of sheeres betweene
vs

Luc. I grant: as there may betweene the Listsand
the Veluet. Thou art the List

1.Gent. And thou the Veluet; thou art good veluet;
thou'rt a three pild-peece I warrant thee: I had as liefe
be a Lyst of an English Kerseyas be pil'das thou art
pil'dfor a French Veluet. Do I speake feelingly now?

Luc. I thinke thou do'st: and indeed with most painfull
feeling of thy speech: I willout of thine owne confession
learne to begin thy health; butwhilst I liue forget
to drinke after thee

1.Gen. I think I haue done my selfe wronghaue I not?
2.Gent. Yesthat thou hast; whether thou art tainted
or free.

Enter Bawde.

Luc. Beholdbeholdwhere Madam Mitigation comes.
I haue purchas'd as many diseases vnder her Roofe
As come to

2.Gent. To whatI pray?
Luc. Iudge



2.Gent. To three thousand Dollours a yeare

1.Gent. Iand more

Luc. A French crowne more

1.Gent. Thou art alwayes figuring diseases in me; but
thou art full of errorI am sound

Luc. Naynot (as one would say) healthy: but so
soundas things that are hollow; thy bones are hollow;
Impiety has made a feast of thee

1.Gent. How nowwhich of your hips has the most
profound Ciatica?
Bawd. Wellwell: there's one yonder arrestedand
carried to prisonwas worth fiue thousand of you all

2.Gent. Who's that I pray'thee?
Bawd. Marry Sirthat's ClaudioSignior Claudio


1.Gent. Claudio to prison? 'tis not so

Bawd. Naybut I know 'tis so: I saw him arrested:
saw him carried away: and which is morewithin these
three daies his head to be chop'd off

Luc. Butafter all this foolingI would not haue it so:
Art thou sure of this?
Bawd. I am too sure of it: and it is for getting Madam
Iulietta with childe

Luc. Beleeue me this may be: he promis'd to meete
me two howres sinceand he was euer precise in promise
keeping

2.Gent. Besides you knowit drawes somthing neere
to the speech we had to such a purpose

1.Gent. But most of all agreeing with the proclamatio[n]

Luc. Away: let's goe learne the truth of it.

Enter.

Bawd. Thuswhat with the war; what with the sweat
what with the gallowesand what with pouertyI am
Custom-shrunke. How now? what's the newes with
you.

Enter Clowne.

Clo. Yonder man is carried to prison

Baw. Well: what has he done?
Clo. A Woman


Baw. But what's his offence?
Clo. Groping for Trowtsin a peculiar Riuer


Baw. What? is there a maid with child by him?
Clo. No: but there's a woman with maid by him:
you haue not heard of the proclamationhaue you?


Baw. What proclamationman?
Clow. All howses in the Suburbs of Vienna must bee
pluck'd downe

Bawd. And what shall become of those in the Citie?
Clow. They shall stand for seed: they had gon down
tobut that a wise Burger put in for them

Bawd. But shall all our houses of resort in the Suburbs
be puld downe?
Clow. To the groundMistris

Bawd. Why heere's a change indeed in the Commonwealth:
what shall become of me?

Clow. Come: feare not you; good Counsellors lacke
no Clients: though you change your placeyou neede
not change your Trade: Ile bee your Tapster still; courage
there will bee pitty taken on you; you that haue
worne your eyes almost out in the seruiceyou will bee
considered

Bawd. What's to doe heereThomas Tapster? let's
withdraw?
Clo. Here comes Signior Claudioled by the Prouost
to prison: and there's Madam Iuliet.

Exeunt.

Scena Tertia.

Enter ProuostClaudioIulietOfficersLucio& 2.Gent.

Cla. Fellowwhy do'st thou show me thus to th' world?
Beare me to prisonwhere I am committed

Pro. I do it not in euill disposition
But from Lord Angelo by speciall charge

Clau. Thus can the demy-god (Authority)
Make vs pay downefor our offenceby waight
The words of heauen; on whom it willit will
On whom it will not (soe) yet still 'tis iust

Luc. Why how now Claudio? whence comes this restraint

Cla. From too much liberty(my Lucio) Liberty
As surfet is the father of much fast
So euery Scope by the immoderate vse
Turnes to restraint: Our Natures doe pursue
Like Rats that rauyn downe their proper Bane
A thirsty euilland when we drinkewe die

Luc. If I could speake so wisely vnder an arrestI
would send for certaine of my Creditors: and yetto say
the truthI had as lief haue the foppery of freedomeas
the mortality of imprisonment: what's thy offence
Claudio?

Cla. What (but to speake of) would offend againe

Luc. Whatis't murder?
Cla. No


Luc. Lecherie?


Cla. Call it so

Pro. AwaySiryou must goe

Cla. One wordgood friend:
Lucioa word with you

Luc. A hundred:
If they'll doe you any good: Is Lechery so look'd after?

Cla. Thus stands it with me: vpon a true contract
I got possession of Iulietas bed
You know the Ladyshe is fast my wife
Saue that we doe the denunciation lacke
Of outward Order. This we came not to
Onely for propogation of a Dowre
Remaining in the Coffer of her friends
From whom we thought it meet to hide our Loue
Till Time had made them for vs. But it chances
The stealth of our most mutuall entertainment
With Character too grosseis writ on Iuliet

Luc. With childeperhaps?

Cla. Vnhappelyeuen so.
And the new Deputienow for the Duke
Whether it be the fault and glimpse of newnes
Or whether that the body publiquebe
A horse whereon the Gouernor doth ride
Who newly in the Seatethat it may know
He can command; lets it strait feele the spur:
Whether the Tirranny be in his place
Or in his Eminence that fills it vp
I stagger in: But this new Gouernor
Awakes me all the inrolled penalties
Which haue (like vn-scowr'd Armor) hung by th' wall
So longthat ninteene Zodiacks haue gone round
And none of them beene worne; and for a name
Now puts the drowsie and neglected Act
Freshly on me: 'tis surely for a name

Luc. I warrant it is: And thy head stands so tickle on
thy shouldersthat a milke-maidif she be in louemay
sigh it off: Send after the Dukeand appeale to him

Cla. I haue done sobut hee's not to be found.
I pre'thee (Lucio) doe me this kinde seruice:
This daymy sister should the Cloyster enter
And there receiue her approbation.
Acquaint her with the danger of my state
Implore herin my voicethat she make friends
To the strict deputie: bid her selfe assay him
I haue great hope in that: for in her youth
There is a prone and speechlesse dialect
Such as moue men: besideshe hath prosperous Art
When she will play with reasonand discourse
And well she can perswade

Luc. I pray shee may; aswell for the encouragement
of the likewhich else would stand vnder greeuous imposition:
as for the enioying of thy lifewho I would be
sorry should bee thus foolishly lostat a game of ticketacke:
Ile to her

Cla. I thanke you good friend Lucio


Luc. Within two houres

Cla. Come Officeraway.

Exeunt.

Scena Quarta.

Enter Duke and Frier Thomas.

Duk. No: holy Fatherthrow away that thought
Beleeue not that the dribling dart of Loue
Can pierce a compleat bosome: whyI desire thee
To giue me secret harbourhath a purpose
More graueand wrinkledthen the aimesand ends
Of burning youth

Fri. May your Grace speake of it?

Duk. My holy Sirnone better knowes then you
How I haue euer lou'd the life remoued
And held in idle priceto haunt assemblies
Where youthand costwitlesse brauery keepes.
I haue deliuerd to Lord Angelo
(A man of stricture and firme abstinence)
My absolute powerand place here in Vienna
And he supposes me trauaild to Poland
(For so I haue strewd it in the common eare)
And so it is receiu'd: Now (pious Sir)
You will demand of mewhy I do this

Fri. Gladlymy Lord

Duk. We haue strict Statutesand most biting Laws
(The needfull bits and curbes to headstrong weedes)
Which for this foureteene yeareswe haue let slip
Euen like an ore-growne Lyon in a Caue
That goes not out to prey: Nowas fond Fathers
Hauing bound vp the threatning twigs of birch
Onely to sticke it in their childrens sight
For terrornot to vse: in time the rod
More mock'dthen fear'd: so our Decrees
Dead to inflictionto themselues are dead
And libertieplucks Iustice by the nose;
The Baby beates the Nurseand quite athwart
Goes all decorum

Fri. It rested in your Grace
To vnloose this tyde-vp Iusticewhen you pleas'd:
And it in you more dreadfull would haue seem'd
Then in Lord Angelo

Duk. I doe feare: too dreadfull:
Sith 'twas my faultto giue the people scope
'Twould be my tirrany to strike and gall them
For what I bid them doe: Forwe bid this be done
When euill deedes haue their permissiue passe
And not the punishment: therefore indeede (my father)
I haue on Angelo impos'd the office
Who may in th' ambush of my namestrike home
And yetmy nature neuer in the sight
To do in slander: And to behold his sway
I willas 'twere a brother of your Order
Visit both Princeand People: Therefore I pre'thee


Supply me with the habitand instruct me
How I may formally in person beare
Like a true Frier: Moe reasons for this action
At our more leysureshall I render you;
Onelythis one: Lord Angelo is precise
Stands at a guard with Enuie: scarce confesses
That his blood flowes: or that his appetite
Is more to bread then stone: hence shall we see
If power change purpose: what our Seemers be.

Enter.

Scena Quinta.

Enter Isabell and Francisca a Nun.

Isa. And haue you Nuns no farther priuiledges?
Nun. Are not these large enough?
Isa. Yes truely; I speake not as desiring more


But rather wishing a more strict restraint
Vpon the Sisterhoodthe Votarists of Saint Clare.


Lucio within.


Luc. Hoa? peace be in this place

Isa. Who's that which cals?

Nun. It is a mans voice: gentle Isabella
Turne you the keyand know his businesse of him;
You may; I may not: you are yet vnsworne:
When you haue vowdyou must not speake with men
But in the presence of the Prioresse;
Then if you speakeyou must not show your face;
Or if you show your faceyou must not speake.
He cals againe: I pray you answere him

Isa. Peace and prosperitie: who is't that cals?

Luc. Haile Virgin(if you be) as those cheeke-Roses
Proclaime you are no lesse: can you so steed me
As bring me to the sight of Isabella
A Nouice of this placeand the faire Sister
To her vnhappie brother Claudio?

Isa. Why her vnhappy Brother? Let me aske
The rather for I now must make you know
I am that Isabellaand his Sister

Luc. Gentle & faire: your Brother kindly greets you;
Not to be weary with you; he's in prison

Isa. Woe me; for what?

Luc. For thatwhich if my selfe might be his Iudge
He should receiue his punishmentin thankes:
He hath got his friend with childe

Isa. Sirmake me not your storie

Luc. 'Tis true; I would notthough 'tis my familiar sin
With Maids to seeme the Lapwingand to iest
Tonguefar from heart: play with all Virgins so:
I hold you as a thing en-skiedand sainted
By your renouncementan imortall spirit
And to be talk'd with in sincerity
As with a Saint


Isa. You doe blaspheme the goodin mocking me

Luc. Doe not beleeue it: fewnesand truth; tis thus
Your brotherand his louer haue embrac'd;
As those that feedgrow full: as blossoming Time
That from the seednesthe bare fallow brings
To teeming foyson: euen so her plenteous wombe
Expresseth his full Tilthand husbandry

Isa. Some one with childe by him? my cosen Iuliet?
Luc. Is she your cosen?
Isa. Adoptedlyas schoole-maids change their names

By vainethough apt affection

Luc. She it is

Isa. Ohlet him marry her

Luc. This is the point.
The Duke is very strangely gone from hence;
Bore many gentlemen (my selfe being one)
In handand hope of action: but we doe learne
By those that know the very Nerues of State
His giuing-outwere of an infinite distance
From his true meant designe: vpon his place
(And with full line of his authority)
Gouernes Lord Angelo; A manwhose blood
Is very snow-broth: onewho neuer feeles
The wanton stingsand motions of the sence;
But doth rebateand blunt his naturall edge
With profits of the minde: Studieand fast
He (to giue feare to vseand libertie
Which hauefor longrun-by the hideous law
As Myceby Lyons) hath pickt out an act
Vnder whose heauy senceyour brothers life
Fals into forfeit: he arrests him on it
And followes close the rigor of the Statute
To make him an example: all hope is gone
Vnlesse you haue the graceby your faire praier
To soften Angelo: And that's my pith of businesse
'Twixt youand your poore brother

Isa. Doth he so
Seeke his life?

Luc. Has censur'd him already
And as I hearethe Prouost hath a warrant
For's execution

Isa. Alas: what poore
Abilitie's in meto doe him good

Luc. Assay the powre you haue

Isa. My power? alasI doubt

Luc. Our doubts are traitors
And makes vs loose the good we oft might win
By fearing to attempt: Goe to Lord Angelo
And let him learne to knowwhen Maidens sue
Men giue like gods: but when they weepe and kneele
All their petitionsare as freely theirs
As they themselues would owe them


Isa. Ile see what I can doe

Luc. But speedily

Isa. I will about it strait;
No longer stayingbut to giue the Mother
Notice of my affaire: I humbly thanke you:
Commend me to my brother: soone at night
Ile send him certaine word of my successe

Luc. I take my leaue of you

Isa. Good siradieu.

Exeunt.

Actus Secundus. Scoena Prima.

Enter AngeloEscalusand seruantsIustice.

Ang. We must not make a scar-crow of the Law
Setting it vp to feare the Birds of prey
And let it keepe one shapetill custome make it
Their pearchand not their terror

Esc. Ibut yet
Let vs be keeneand rather cut a little
Then falland bruise to death: alasthis gentleman
Whom I would sauehad a most noble father
Let but your honour know
(Whom I beleeue to be most strait in vertue)
That in the working of your owne affections
Had time coheard with Placeor place with wishing
Or that the resolute acting of our blood
Could haue attaind th' effect of your owne purpose
Whether you had not sometime in your life
Er'd in this pointwhich now you censure him
And puld the Law vpon you

Ang. 'Tis one thing to be tempted (Escalus)
Another thing to fall: I not deny
The Iury passing on the Prisoners life
May in the sworne-twelue haue a thiefeor two
Guiltier then him they try; what's open made to Iustice
That Iustice ceizes; What knowes the Lawes
That theeues do passe on theeues? 'Tis very pregnant
The Iewell that we findewe stoopeand take't
Because we see it; but what we doe not see
We tread vponand neuer thinke of it.
You may not so extenuate his offence
For I haue had such faults; but rather tell me
When Ithat censure himdo so offend
Let mine owne Iudgement patterne out my death
And nothing come in partiall. Sirhe must dye.

Enter Prouost.

Esc. Be it as your wisedome will

Ang. Where is the Prouost?
Pro. Here if it like your honour


Ang. See that Claudio


Be executed by nine to morrow morning
Bring him his Confessorlet him be prepar'd
For that's the vtmost of his pilgrimage


Esc. Well: heauen forgiue him; and forgiue vs all:
Some rise by sinneand some by vertue fall:
Some run from brakes of Iceand answere none
And some condemned for a fault alone.

Enter ElbowFrothClowneOfficers.

Elb. Comebring them away: if these be good people
in a Common-wealethat doe nothing but vse their
abuses in common housesI know no law: bring them
away

Ang. How now Sirwhat's your name? And what's
the matter?

Elb. If it please your honourI am the poore Dukes
Constableand my name is Elbow; I doe leane vpon Iustice
Sirand doe bring in here before your good honor
two notorious Benefactors

Ang. Benefactors? Well: What Benefactors are they?
Are they not Malefactors?

Elb. If it please your honourI know not well what
they are: But precise villaines they arethat I am sure of
and void of all prophanation in the worldthat good
Christians ought to haue

Esc. This comes off well: here's a wise Officer

Ang. Goe to: What quality are they of? Elbow is
your name?
Why do'st thou not speake Elbow?

Clo. He cannot Sir: he's out at Elbow

Ang. What are you Sir?

Elb. He Sir: a Tapster Sir: parcell Baud: one that
serues a bad woman: whose house Sir was (as they say)
pluckt downe in the Suborbs: and now shee professes a
hot-house; whichI thinke is a very ill house too

Esc. How know you that?
Elb. My wife Sir? whom I detest before heauenand
your honour

Esc. How? thy wife?
Elb. I Sir: whom I thanke heauen is an honest woman


Esc. Do'st thou detest her therefore?

Elb. I say sirI will detest my selfe alsoas well as she
that this houseif it be not a Bauds houseit is pitty of her
lifefor it is a naughty house

Esc. How do'st thou know thatConstable?

Elb. Marry sirby my wifewhoif she had bin a woman
Cardinally giuenmight haue bin accus'd in fornication
adulteryand all vncleanlinesse there

Esc. By the womans meanes?
Elb. I sirby Mistris Ouerdons meanes: but as she spit
in his faceso she defide him


Clo. Sirif it please your honorthis is not so

Elb. Proue it before these varlets herethou honorable
manproue it

Esc. Doe you heare how he misplaces?

Clo. Sirshe came in great with childe: and longing
(sauing your honors reuerence) for stewd prewyns; sir
we had but two in the housewhich at that very distant
time stoodas it were in a fruit dish (a dish of some three
pence; your honours haue seene such dishes) they are not
China-dishesbut very good dishes

Esc. Go too: go too: no matter for the dish sir

Clo. No indeede sir not of a pin; you are therein in
the right: butto the point: As I saythis Mistris Elbow
being (as I say) with childeand being great belliedand
longing (as I said) for prewyns: and hauing but two in
the dish (as I said) Master Froth herethis very manhauing
eaten the rest (as I said) & (as I say) paying for them
very honestly: foras you know Master FrothI could not
giue you three pence againe

Fro. No indeede

Clo. Very well: you being then (if you be remembred)
cracking the stones of the foresaid prewyns

Fro. Iso I did indeede

Clo. Whyvery well: I telling you then (if you be
remembred) that such a oneand such a onewere past
cure of the thing you wot ofvnlesse they kept very good
dietas I told you

Fro. All this is true

Clo. Why very well then

Esc. Come: you are a tedious foole: to the purpose:
what was done to Elbowes wifethat hee hath cause to
complaine of? Come me to what was done to her

Clo. Siryour honor cannot come to that yet

Esc. No sirnor I meane it not

Clo. Sirbut you shall come to itby your honours
leaue: And I beseech youlooke into Master Froth here
sira man of foure-score pound a yeare; whose father
died at Hallowmas: Was't not at Hallowmas Master
Froth?

Fro. Allhallond-Eue

Clo. Why very well: I hope here be truthes: he Sir
sitting (as I say) in a lower chaireSir'twas in the bunch
of Grapeswhere indeede you haue a delight to sithaue
you not?

Fro. I haue sobecause it is an open roomeand good
for winter

Clo. Why very well then: I hope here be truthes


Ang. This will last out a night in Russia
When nights are longest there: Ile take my leaue
And leaue you to the hearing of the cause;
Hoping youle finde good cause to whip them all.

Enter.

Esc. I thinke no lesse: good morrow to your Lordship.
Now Sircome on: What was done to Elbowes
wifeonce more?

Clo. Once Sir? there was nothing done to her once

Elb. I beseech you Siraske him what this man did to
my wife

Clo. I beseech your honoraske me

Esc. Well sirwhat did this Gentleman to her?

Clo. I beseech you sirlooke in this Gentlemans face:
good Master Froth looke vpon his honor; 'tis for a good
purpose: doth your honor marke his face?

Esc. I sirvery well

Clo. NayI beseech you marke it well

Esc. WellI doe so

Clo. Doth your honor see any harme in his face?
Esc. Why no


Clo. Ile be supposd vpon a bookehis face is the worst
thing about him: good then: if his face be the worst
thing about himhow could Master Froth doe the Constables
wife any harme? I would know that of your
honour

Esc. He's in the right (Constable) what say you to it?

Elb. Firstand it like youthe house is a respected
house; nextthis is a respected fellow; and his Mistris is
a respected woman

Clo. By this hand Sirhis wife is a more respected person
then any of vs all

Elb. Varletthou lyest; thou lyest wicked varlet: the
time is yet to come that shee was euer respected with
manwomanor childe

Clo. Sirshe was respected with himbefore he married
with her

Esc. Which is the wiser here; Iustice or Iniquitie? Is
this true?

Elb. O thou caytiffe: O thou varlet: O thou wicked
Hanniball; I respected with herbefore I was married
to her? If euer I was respected with heror she with me
let not your worship thinke mee the poore Dukes Officer:
proue thisthou wicked Hanniballor ile haue
mine action of battry on thee

Esc. If he tooke you a box o'th' eareyou might haue
your action of slander too

Elb. Marry I thanke your good worship for it: what


is't your Worships pleasure I shall doe with this wicked
Caitiffe?

Esc. Truly Officerbecause he hath some offences in
himthat thou wouldst discouerif thou couldstlet him
continue in his coursestill thou knowst what they are

Elb. Marry I thanke your worship for it: Thou seest
thou wicked varlet nowwhat's come vpon thee. Thou
art to continue now thou Varletthou art to continue

Esc. Where were you bornefriend?
Froth. Here in ViennaSir


Esc. Are you of fourescore pounds a yeere?
Froth. Yesand't please you sir


Esc. So: what trade are you ofsir?
Clo. A Tapstera poore widdowes Tapster


Esc. Your Mistris name?
Clo. Mistris Ouerdon


Esc. Hath she had any more then one husband?
Clo. Ninesir: Ouerdon by the last


Esc. Nine? come hether to meMaster Froth; Master
FrothI would not haue you acquainted with Tapsters;
they will draw you Master Frothand you wil hang them:
get you gonand let me heare no more of you

Fro. I thanke your worship: for mine owne partI
neuer come into any roome in a Tap-housebut I am
drawne in

Esc. Well: no more of it Master Froth: farewell:
Come you hether to meMr. Tapster: what's your name
Mr. Tapster?

Clo. Pompey

Esc. What else?
Clo. BumSir


Esc. Trothand your bum is the greatest thing about
youso that in the beastliest senceyou are Pompey the
great; Pompeyyou are partly a bawdPompey; howsoeuer
you colour it in being a Tapsterare you not? come
tell me trueit shall be the better for you

Clo. Truly sirI am a poore fellow that would liue

Esc. How would you liue Pompey? by being a bawd?
what doe you thinke of the trade Pompey? is it a lawfull
trade?

Clo. If the Law would allow itsir

Esc. But the Law will not allow it Pompey; nor it
shall not be allowed in Vienna

Clo. Do's your Worship meane to geld and splay all
the youth of the City?
Esc. NoPompey

Clo. Truely Sirin my poore opinion they will too't
then: if your worship will take order for the drabs and


the knauesyou need not to feare the bawds

Esc. There is pretty orders beginning I can tell you:
It is but headingand hanging

Clo. If you headand hang all that offend that way
but for ten yeare together; you'll be glad to giue out a
Commission for more heads: if this law hold in Vienna
ten yeareile rent the fairest house in it after three pence
a Bay: if you liue to see this come to passesay Pompey
told you so

Esc. Thanke you good Pompey; and in requitall of
your prophesieharke you: I aduise you let me not finde
you before me againe vpon any complaint whatsoeuer;
nonot for dwelling where you doe: if I doe PompeyI
shall beat you to your Tentand proue a shrewd Cæsar
to you: in plaine dealing PompeyI shall haue you whipt;
so for this timePompeyfare you well

Clo. I thanke your Worship for your good counsell;
but I shall follow it as the flesh and fortune shall better
determine. Whip me? nonolet Carman whip his Iade
The valiant heart's not whipt out of his trade.

Enter.

Esc. Come hether to meMaster Elbow: come hither
Master Constable: how long haue you bin in this place
of Constable?

Elb. Seuen yeereand a halfe sir

Esc. I thought by the readinesse in the officeyou had
continued in it some time: you say seauen yeares together

Elb. And a halfe sir

Esc. Alasit hath beene great paines to you: they do
you wrong to put you so oft vpon't. Are there not men
in your Ward sufficient to serue it?

Elb. 'Faith sirfew of any wit in such matters: as they
are chosenthey are glad to choose me for them; I do it
for some peece of moneyand goe through with all

Esc. Looke you bring mee in the names of some sixe
or seuenthe most sufficient of your parish

Elb. To your Worships house sir?
Esc. To my house: fare you well: what's a clocke
thinke you?
Iust. EleuenSir

Esc. I pray you home to dinner with me

Iust. I humbly thanke you

Esc. It grieues me for the death of Claudio
But there's no remedie:
Iust. Lord Angelo is seuere

Esc. It is but needfull.
Mercy is not it selfethat oft lookes so
Pardon is still the nurse of second woe:
But yetpoore Claudio; there is no remedie.


Come Sir.

Exeunt.

Scena Secunda.

Enter ProuostSeruant.

Ser. Hee's hearing of a Cause; he will come straight
I'le tell him of you

Pro. 'Pray you doe; Ile know
His pleasuremay be he will relent; alas
He hath but as offended in a dreame
All Sectsall Ages smack of this viceand he
To die for't?

Enter Angelo.

Ang. Nowwhat's the matter Prouost?
Pro. Is it your will Claudio shall die to morrow?
Ang. Did not I tell thee yea? hadst thou not order?


Why do'st thou aske againe?

Pro. Lest I might be too rash:
Vnder your good correction I haue seene
When after executionIudgement hath
Repented ore his doome

Ang. Goe to; let that be mine
Doe you your officeor giue vp your Place
And you shall well be spar'd

Pro. I craue your Honours pardon:
What shall be done Sirwith the groaning Iuliet?
Shee's very neere her howre

Ang. Dispose of her
To some more fitter place; and that with speed

Ser. Here is the sister of the man condemn'd
Desires accesse to you

Ang. Hath he a Sister?

Pro. I my good Lorda very vertuous maid
And to be shortlie of a Sister-hood
If not alreadie

Ang. Well: let her be admitted
See you the Fornicatresse be remou'd
Let her haue needfullbut not lauish meanes
There shall be order for't.

Enter Lucio and Isabella.

Pro. 'Saue your Honour

Ang. Stay a little while: y'are welcome: what's your will?
Isab. I am a wofull Sutor to your Honour
'Please but your Honor heare me

Ang. Well: what's your suite

Isab. There is a vice that most I doe abhorre


And most desire should meet the blow of Iustice;
For which I would not pleadbut that I must
For which I must not pleadbut that I am
At warretwixt willand will not


Ang. Well: the matter?

Isab. I haue a brother is condemn'd to die
I doe beseech you let it be his fault
And not my brother

Pro. Heauen giue thee mouing graces

Ang. Condemne the faultand not the actor of it
Why euery fault's condemnd ere it be done:
Mine were the verie Cipher of a Function
To fine the faultswhose fine stands in record
And let goe by the Actor

Isab. Oh iustbut seuere Law:
I had a brother then; heauen keepe your honour

Luc. Giue't not ore so: to him againeentreat him
Kneele downe before himhang vpon his gowne
You are too cold: if you should need a pin
You could not with more tame a tongue desire it:
To himI say

Isab. Must he needs die?
Ang. Maidenno remedie


Isab. Yes: I doe thinke that you might pardon him
And neither heauennor man grieue at the mercy

Ang. I will not doe't

Isab. But can you if you would?
Ang. Looke what I will notthat I cannot doe


Isab. But might you doe't & do the world no wrong
If so your heart were touch'd with that remorse
As mine is to him?

Ang. Hee's sentenc'dtis too late

Luc. You are too cold

Isab. Too late? why no: I that doe speak a word
May call it againe: wellbeleeue this
No ceremony that to great ones longs
Not the Kings Crowne; nor the deputed sword
The Marshalls Truncheonnor the Iudges Robe
Become them with one halfe so good a grace
As mercie does: If he had bin as youand you as he
You would haue slipt like himbut he like you
Would not haue beene so sterne

Ang. Pray you be gone

Isab. I would to heauen I had your potencie
And you were Isabell: should it then be thus?
No: I would tell what 'twere to be a Iudge
And what a prisoner

Luc. Itouch him: there's the veine


Ang. Your Brother is a forfeit of the Law
And you but waste your words

Isab. Alasalas:
Why all the soules that werewere forfeit once
And he that might the vantage best haue tooke
Found out the remedie: how would you be
If hewhich is the top of Iudgementshould
But iudge youas you are? Ohthinke on that
And mercie then will breathe within your lips
Like man new made

Ang. Be you content(faire Maid)
It is the Lawnot Icondemne your brother
Were he my kinsmanbrotheror my sonne
It should be thus with him: he must die to morrow

Isab. To morrow? ohthat's sodaine
Spare himspare him:
Hee's not prepar'd for death; euen for our kitchins
We kill the fowle of season: shall we serue heauen
With lesse respect then we doe minister
To our grosse-selues? goodgood my Lordbethink you;
Who is it that hath di'd for this offence?
There's many haue committed it

Luc. Iwell said

Ang. The Law hath not bin deadthogh it hath slept
Those many had not dar'd to doe that euill
If the firstthat did th' Edict infringe
Had answer'd for his deed. Now 'tis awake
Takes note of what is doneand like a Prophet
Lookes in a glasse that shewes what future euils
Either nowor by remissenessenew conceiu'd
And so in progresse to be hatch'dand borne
Are now to haue no successiue degrees
But here they liue to end

Isab. Yet shew some pittie

Ang. I shew it most of allwhen I show Iustice;
For then I pittie those I doe not know
Which a dismis'd offencewould after gaule
And doe him rightthat answering one foule wrong
Liues not to act another. Be satisfied;
Your Brother dies to morrow; be content

Isab. So you must be y first that giues this sentence
And heethat suffers: Ohit is excellent
To haue a Giants strength: but it is tyrannous
To vse it like a Giant

Luc. That's well said

Isab. Could great men thunder
As Ioue himselfe do'sIoue would neuer be quiet
For euery pelting petty Officer
Would vse his heauen for thunder;
Nothing but thunder: Mercifull heauen
Thou rather with thy sharpe and sulpherous bolt
Splits the vn-wedgable and gnarled Oke
Then the soft Mertill: But manproud man
Drest in a little briefe authoritie


Most ignorant of what he's most assur'd
(His glassie Essence) like an angry Ape
Plaies such phantastique tricks before high heauen
As makes the Angels weepe: who with our spleenes
Would all themselues laugh mortall


Luc. Ohto himto him wench: he will relent
Hee's comming: I perceiue't

Pro. Pray heauen she win him

Isab. We cannot weigh our brother with our selfe
Great men may iest with Saints: tis wit in them
But in the lesse fowle prophanation

Luc. Thou'rt i'th right (Girle) more o'that

Isab. That in the Captaine's but a chollericke word
Which in the Souldier is flat blasphemie

Luc. Art auis'd o'that? more on't

Ang. Why doe you put these sayings vpon me?

Isab. Because Authoritiethough it erre like others
Hath yet a kinde of medicine in it selfe
That skins the vice o'th top; goe to your bosome
Knock thereand aske your heart what it doth know
That's like my brothers fault: if it confesse
A naturall guiltinessesuch as is his
Let it not sound a thought vpon your tongue
Against my brothers life

Ang. Shee speakesand 'tis such sence
That my Sence breeds with it; fare you well

Isab. Gentle my Lordturne backe

Ang. I will bethinke me: come againe to morrow

Isa. Harkhow Ile bribe you: good my Lord turn back

Ang. How? bribe me?
Is. Iwith such gifts that heauen shall share with you

Luc. You had mar'd all else

Isab. Not with fond Sickles of the tested-gold
Or Stoneswhose rate are either richor poore
As fancie values them: but with true prayers
That shall be vp at heauenand enter there
Ere Sunne rise: prayers from preserued soules
From fasting Maideswhose mindes are dedicate
To nothing temporall

Ang. Well: come to me to morrow

Luc. Goe to: 'tis well; away

Isab. Heauen keepe your honour safe

Ang. Amen.
For I am that way going to temptation
Where prayers crosse


Isab. At what hower to morrow
Shall I attend your Lordship?
Ang. At any time 'fore-noone

Isab. 'Saue your Honour

Ang. From thee: euen from thy vertue.
What's this? what's this? is this her faultor mine?
The Tempteror the Temptedwho sins most? ha?
Not she: nor doth she tempt: but it is I
Thatlying by the Violet in the Sunne
Doe as the Carrion do'snot as the flowre
Corrupt with vertuous season: Can it be
That Modesty may more betray our Sence
Then womans lightnesse? hauing waste ground enough
Shall we desire to raze the Sanctuary
And pitch our euils there? oh fiefiefie:
What dost thou? or what art thou Angelo?
Dost thou desire her fowlyfor those things
That make her good? ohlet her brother liue:
Theeues for their robbery haue authority
When Iudges steale themselues: whatdoe I loue her
That I desire to heare her speake againe?
And feast vpon her eyes? what is't I dreame on?
Oh cunning enemythat to catch a Saint
With Saints dost bait thy hooke: most dangerous
Is that temptationthat doth goad vs on
To sinnein louing vertue: neuer could the Strumpet
With all her double vigorArtand Nature
Once stir my temper: but this vertuous Maid
Subdues me quite: Euer till now
When men were fondI smildand wondred how.

Enter.

Scena Tertia.

Enter Duke and Prouost.

Duke. Haile to youProuostso I thinke you are

Pro. I am the Prouost: whats your willgood Frier?

Duke. Bound by my charityand my blest order
I come to visite the afflicted spirits
Here in the prison: doe me the common right
To let me see them: and to make me know
The nature of their crimesthat I may minister
To them accordingly

Pro. I would do more then thatif more were needfull

Enter Iuliet.


Looke here comes one: a Gentlewoman of mine
Who falling in the flawes of her owne youth
Hath blisterd her report: She is with childe
And he that got itsentenc'd: a yong man
More fit to doe another such offence
Then dye for this


Duk. When must he dye?
Pro. As I do thinke to morrow.
I haue prouided for youstay a while


And you shall be conducted

Duk. Repent you (faire one) of the sin you carry?
Iul. I doe; and beare the shame most patiently


Du. Ile teach you how you shal araign your conscie[n]ce
And try your penitenceif it be sound
Or hollowly put on

Iul. Ile gladly learne

Duk. Loue you the man that wrong'd you?
Iul. Yesas I loue the woman that wrong'd him


Duk. So then it seemes your most offence full act
Was mutually committed

Iul. Mutually

Duk. Then was your sin of heauier kinde then his

Iul. I doe confesse itand repent it (Father.)

Duk. 'Tis meet so (daughter) but least you do repent
As that the sin hath brought you to this shame
Which sorrow is alwaies toward our seluesnot heauen
Showing we would not spare heauenas we loue it
But as we stand in feare

Iul. I doe repent meas it is an euill
And take the shame with ioy

Duke. There rest:
Your partner (as I heare) must die to morrow
And I am going with instruction to him:
Grace goe with youBenedicite.

Enter.

Iul. Must die to morrow? oh iniurious Loue
That respits me a lifewhose very comfort
Is still a dying horror

Pro. 'Tis pitty of him.

Exeunt.

Scena Quarta.

Enter Angelo.

An. When I would pray& thinkI thinkeand pray
To seuerall subiects: heauen hath my empty words
Whilst my Inuentionhearing not my Tongue
Anchors on Isabell: heauen in my mouth
As if I did but onely chew his name
And in my heart the strong and swelling euill
Of my conception: the state whereon I studied
Is like a good thingbeing often read
Growne feardand tedious: yeamy Grauitie
Wherein (let no man heare me) I take pride
Could Iwith bootechange for an idle plume
Which the ayre beats for vaine: oh placeoh forme
How often dost thou with thy casethy habit


Wrench awe from foolesand tye the wiser soules
To thy false seeming? Bloodthou art blood
Let's write good Angell on the Deuills horne
'Tis not the Deuills Crest: how now? who's there?

Enter Seruant.

Ser. One Isabella Sisterdesires accesse to you

Ang. Teach her the way: ohheauens
Why doe's my bloud thus muster to my heart
Making both it vnable for it selfe
And dispossessing all my other parts
Of necessary fitnesse?
So play the foolish throngs with one that swounds
Come all to help himand so stop the ayre
By which hee should reuiue: and euen so
The generall subiect to a wel-wisht King
Quit their owne partand in obsequious fondnesse
Crowd to his presencewhere their vn-taught loue
Must needs appear offence: how now faire Maid.

Enter Isabella.

Isab. I am come to know your pleasure

An. That you might know itwold much better please me
Then to demand what 'tis: your Brother cannot liue

Isab. Euen so: heauen keepe your Honor

Ang. Yet may he liue a while: and it may be
As long as youor I: yet he must die

Isab. Vnder your Sentence?
Ang. Yea


Isab. WhenI beseech you: that in his Reprieue
(Longeror shorter) he may be so fitted
That his soule sicken not

Ang. Ha? fiethese filthy vices: It were as good
To pardon himthat hath from nature stolne
A man already madeas to remit
Their sawcie sweetnesthat do coyne heauens Image
In stamps that are forbid: 'tis all as easie
Falsely to take away a life true made
As to put mettle in restrained meanes
To make a false one

Isab. 'Tis set downe so in heauenbut not in earth

Ang. Say you so: then I shall poze you quickly.
Which had you ratherthat the most iust Law
Now tooke your brothers lifeand to redeeme him
Giue vp your body to such sweet vncleannesse
As she that he hath staind?

Isab. Sirbeleeue this.
I had rather giue my bodythen my soule

Ang. I talke not of your soule: our compel'd sins
Stand more for numberthen for accompt

Isab. How say you?


Ang. Nay Ile not warrant that: for I can speake
Against the thing I say: Answere to this
I (now the voyce of the recorded Law)
Pronounce a sentence on your Brothers life
Might there not be a charitie in sinne
To saue this Brothers life?

Isab. Please you to doo't
Ile take it as a perill to my soule
It is no sinne at allbut charitie

Ang. Pleas'd you to doo'tat perill of your soule
Were equall poize of sinneand charitie

Isab. That I do beg his lifeif it be sinne
Heauen let me beare it: you granting of my suit
If that be sinIle make it my Morne-praier
To haue it added to the faults of mine
And nothing of your answere

Ang. Naybut heare me
Your sence pursues not mine: either you are ignorant
Or seeme so crafty; and that's not good

Isab. Let be ignorantand in nothing good
But graciously to know I am no better

Ang. Thus wisdome wishes to appeare most bright
When it doth taxe it selfe: As these blacke Masques
Proclaime an en-shield beauty ten times louder
Then beauty could displaied: But marke me
To be receiued plaineIle speake more grosse:
Your Brother is to dye

Isab. So

Ang. And his offence is soas it appeares
Accountant to the Lawvpon that paine

Isab. True

Ang. Admit no other way to saue his life
(As I subscribe not thatnor any other
But in the losse of question) that youhis Sister
Finding your selfe desir'd of such a person
Whose creadit with the Iudgeor owne great place
Could fetch your Brother from the Manacles
Of the all-building-Law: and that there were
No earthly meane to saue himbut that either
You must lay downe the treasures of your body
To this supposedor else to let him suffer:
What would you doe?

Isab. As much for my poore Brotheras my selfe;
That is: were I vnder the tearmes of death
Th' impression of keene whipsI'ld weare as Rubies
And strip my selfe to deathas to a bed
That longing haue bin sicke forere I'ld yeeld
My body vp to shame

Ang. Then must your brother die

Isa. And 'twer the cheaper way:
Better it were a brother dide at once
Then that a sisterby redeeming him
Should die for euer


Ang. Were not you then as cruell as the Sentence
That you haue slander'd so?

Isa. Ignomie in ransomeand free pardon
Are of two houses: lawfull mercie
Is nothing kin to fowle redemption

Ang. You seem'd of late to make the Law a tirant
And rather prou'd the sliding of your brother
A merrimentthen a vice

Isa. Oh pardon me my Lordit oft fals out
To hauewhat we would haue
We speake not what we meane;
I something do excuse the thing I hate
For his aduantage that I dearely loue

Ang. We are all fraile

Isa. Else let my brother die
If not a fedarie but onely he
Oweand succeed thy weaknesse

Ang. Naywomen are fraile too

Isa. Ias the glasses where they view themselues
Which are as easie broke as they make formes:
Women? Helpe heauen; men their creation marre
In profiting by them: Naycall vs ten times fraile
For we are softas our complexions are
And credulous to false prints

Ang. I thinke it well:
And from this testimonie of your owne sex
(Since I suppose we are made to be no stronger
Then faults may shake our frames) let me be bold;
I do arrest your words. Be that you are
That is a woman; if you be moreyou'r none.
If you be one (as you are well exprest
By all externall warrants) shew it now
By putting on the destin'd Liuerie

Isa. I haue no tongue but one; gentle my Lord
Let me entreate you speake the former language

Ang. Plainlie conceiue I loue you

Isa. My brother did loue Iuliet
And you tell me that he shall die for't

Ang. He shall not Isabell if you giue me loue

Isa. I know your vertue hath a licence in't
Which seemes a little fouler then it is
To plucke on others

Ang. Beleeue me on mine Honor
My words expresse my purpose

Isa. Ha? Little honorto be much beleeu'd
And most pernitious purpose: Seemingseeming.
I will proclaime thee Angelolooke for't.
Signe me a present pardon for my brother
Or with an out-stretcht throate Ile tell the world aloud


What man thou art

Ang. Who will beleeue thee Isabell?
My vnsoild nameth' austeerenesse of my life
My vouch against youand my place i'th State
Will so your accusation ouer-weigh
That you shall stifle in your owne report
And smell of calumnie. I haue begun
And now I giue my sensuall racethe reine
Fit thy consent to my sharpe appetite
Lay by all nicetieand prolixious blushes
That banish what they sue for: Redeeme thy brother
By yeelding vp thy bodie to my will
Or else he must not onelie die the death
But thy vnkindnesse shall his death draw out
To lingring sufferance: Answer me to morrow
Or by the affection that now guides me most
Ile proue a Tirant to him. As for you
Say what you can; my falseore-weighs your true.

Exit

Isa. To whom should I complaine? Did I tell this
Who would beleeue me? O perilous mouthes
That beare in themone and the selfesame tongue
Either of condemnationor approofe
Bidding the Law make curtsie to their will
Hooking both right and wrong to th' appetite
To follow as it drawes. Ile to my brother
Though he hath falne by prompture of the blood
Yet hath he in him such a minde of Honor
That had he twentie heads to tender downe
On twentie bloodie blockeshee'ld yeeld them vp
Before his sister should her bodie stoope
To such abhord pollution.
Then Isabell liue chasteand brother die;
``More then our Brotheris our Chastitie.
Ile tell him yet of Angelo's request
And fit his minde to deathfor his soules rest.

Enter.

Actus Tertius. Scena Prima.

Enter DukeClaudioand Prouost.

Du. So then you hope of pardon from Lord Angelo?

Cla. The miserable haue no other medicine
But onely hope: I'haue hope to liueand am prepar'd to
die

Duke. Be absolute for death: either death or life
Shall thereby be the sweeter. Reason thus with life:
If I do loose theeI do loose a thing
That none but fooles would keepe: a breath thou art
Seruile to all the skyie-influences
That dost this habitation where thou keepst
Hourely afflict: Meerelythou art deaths foole
For him thou labourst by thy flight to shun
And yet runst toward him still. Thou art not noble
For all th' accommodations that thou bearst
Are nurst by basenesse: Thou'rt by no meanes valiant
For thou dost feare the soft and tender forke


Of a poore worme: thy best of rest is sleepe
And that thou oft prouoakstyet grosselie fearst
Thy deathwhich is no more. Thou art not thy selfe
For thou exists on manie a thousand graines
That issue out of dust. Happie thou art not
For what thou hast notstill thou striu'st to get
And what thou hast forgetst. Thou art not certaine
For thy complexion shifts to strange effects
After the Moone: If thou art richthou'rt poore
For like an Assewhose backe with Ingots bowes;
Thou bearst thy heauie riches but a iournie
And death vnloads thee; Friend hast thou none.
For thine owne bowels which do call theefire
The meere effusion of thy proper loines
Do curse the GowtSapegoand the Rheume
For ending thee no sooner. Thou hast nor youthnor age
But as it were an after-dinners sleepe
Dreaming on bothfor all thy blessed youth
Becomes as agedand doth begge the almes
Of palsied-Eld: and when thou art oldand rich
Thou hast neither heateaffectionlimbenor beautie
To make thy riches pleasant: what's yet in this
That beares the name of life? Yet in this life
Lie hid moe thousand deaths; yet death we feare
That makes these oddesall euen

Cla. I humblie thanke you.
To sue to liueI finde I seeke to die
And seeking deathfinde life: Let it come on.

Enter Isabella.

Isab. What hoa? Peace heere; Graceand good companie

Pro. Who's there? Come inthe wish deserues a
welcome

Duke. Deere sirere long Ile visit you againe

Cla. Most holie SirI thanke you

Isa. My businesse is a word or two with Claudio

Pro. And verie welcom: looke Signiorhere's your
sister

Duke. Prouosta word with you

Pro. As manie as you please

Duke. Bring them to heare me speakwhere I may be
conceal'd

Cla. Now sisterwhat's the comfort?

Isa. Why
As all comforts are: most goodmost good indeede
Lord Angelo hauing affaires to heauen
Intends you for his swift Ambassador
Where you shall be an euerlasting Leiger;
Therefore your best appointment make with speed
To Morrow you set on

Clau. Is there no remedie?
Isa. Nonebut such remedieas to saue a head



To cleaue a heart in twaine:
Clau. But is there anie?
Isa. Yes brotheryou may liue;

There is a diuellish mercie in the Iudge
If you'l implore itthat will free your life
But fetter you till death


Cla. Perpetuall durance?

Isa. I iustperpetuall durancea restraint
Through all the worlds vastiditie you had
To a determin'd scope

Clau. But in what nature?

Isa. In such a oneas you consenting too't
Would barke your honor from that trunke you beare
And leaue you naked

Clau. Let me know the point

Isa. OhI do feare thee Claudioand I quake
Least thou a feauorous life shouldst entertaine
And six or seuen winters more respect
Then a perpetuall Honor. Dar'st thou die?
The sence of death is most in apprehension
And the poore Beetle that we treade vpon
In corporall sufferancefinds a pang as great
As when a Giant dies

Cla. Why giue you me this shame?
Thinke you I can a resolution fetch
From flowrie tendernesse? If I must die
I will encounter darknesse as a bride
And hugge it in mine armes

Isa. There spake my brother: there my fathers graue
Did vtter forth a voice. Yesthou must die:
Thou art too nobleto conserue a life
In base appliances. This outward sainted Deputie
Whose setled visageand deliberate word
Nips youth i'th headand follies doth emmew
As Falcon doth the Fowleis yet a diuell:
His filth within being casthe would appeare
A pondas deepe as hell

Cla. The prenzieAngelo?

Isa. Oh 'tis the cunning Liuerie of hell
The damnest bodie to inuestand couer
In prenzie gardes; dost thou thinke Claudio
If I would yeeld him my virginitie
Thou might'st be freed?

Cla. Oh heauensit cannot be

Isa. Yeshe would giu't thee; from this rank offence
So to offend him still. This night's the time
That I should do what I abhorre to name
Or else thou diest to morrow

Clau. Thou shalt not do't

Isa. Owere it but my life
I'de throw it downe for your deliuerance
As frankely as a pin

Clau. Thankes deere Isabell


Isa. Be readie Claudiofor your death to morrow

Clau. Yes. Has he affections in him
That thus can make him bite the Law by th' nose
When he would force it? Sure it is no sinne
Or of the deadly seuen it is the least

Isa. Which is the least?

Cla. If it were damnablehe being so wise
Why would he for the momentarie tricke
Be perdurablie fin'de? Oh Isabell

Isa. What saies my brother?
Cla. Death is a fearefull thing


Isa. And shamed lifea hatefull

Cla. Ibut to dieand go we know not where
To lie in cold obstructionand to rot
This sensible warme motionto become
A kneaded clod; And the delighted spirit
To bath in fierie floodsor to recide
In thrilling Region of thicke-ribbed Ice
To be imprison'd in the viewlesse windes
And blowne with restlesse violence round about
The pendant world: or to be worse then worst
Of thosethat lawlesse and incertaine thought
Imagine howling'tis too horrible.
The weariestand most loathed worldly life
That AgeAcheperiuryand imprisonment
Can lay on natureis a Paradise
To what we feare of death

Isa. Alasalas

Cla. Sweet Sisterlet me liue.
What sinne you doto saue a brothers life
Nature dispenses with the deede so farre
That it becomes a vertue

Isa. Oh you beast
Oh faithlesse Cowardoh dishonest wretch
Wilt thou be made a manout of my vice?
Is't not a kinde of Incestto take life
From thine owne sisters shame? What should I thinke
Heauen shield my Mother plaid my Father faire:
For such a warped slip of wildernesse
Nere issu'd from his blood. Take my defiance
Dieperish: Might but my bending downe
Repreeue thee from thy fateit should proceede.
Ile pray a thousand praiers for thy death
No word to saue thee

Cla. Nay heare me Isabell

Isa. Oh fiefiefie:
Thy sinn's not accidentallbut a Trade;
Mercy to thee would proue it selfe a Bawd
'Tis best that thou diest quickly

Cla. Oh heare me Isabella

Duk. Vouchsafe a wordyong sisterbut one word


Isa. What is your Will

Duk. Might you dispense with your leysureI would
by and by haue some speech with you: the satisfaction I
would requireis likewise your owne benefit

Isa. I haue no superfluous leysuremy stay must be
stolen out of other affaires: but I will attend you a while

Duke. SonI haue ouer-heard what hath past between
you & your sister. Angelo had neuer the purpose to corrupt
her; onely he hath made an assay of her vertueto
practise his iudgement with the disposition of natures.
She (hauing the truth of honour in her) hath made him
that gracious deniallwhich he is most glad to receiue: I
am Confessor to Angeloand I know this to be truetherfore
prepare your selfe to death: do not satisfie your resolution
with hopes that are fallibleto morrow you
must diegoe to your kneesand make ready

Cla. Let me ask my sister pardonI am so out of loue
with lifethat I will sue to be rid of it

Duke. Hold you there: farewell: Prouosta word
with you

Pro. What's your will (father?)

Duk. That now you are comeyou wil be gone: leaue
me a while with the Maidmy minde promises with my
habitno losse shall touch her by my company

Pro. In good time.

Enter.

Duk. The hand that hath made you fairehath made
you good: the goodnes that is cheape in beautymakes
beauty briefe in goodnes; but grace being the soule of
your complexionshall keepe the body of it euer faire:
the assault that Angelo hath made to youFortune hath
conuaid to my vnderstanding; and but that frailty hath
examples for his fallingI should wonder at Angelo: how
will you doe to content this Substituteand to saue your
Brother?

Isab. I am now going to resolue him: I had rather
my brother die by the Lawthen my sonne should be vnlawfullie
borne. But (oh) how much is the good Duke
deceiu'd in Angelo: if euer he returneand I can speake
to himI will open my lips in vaineor discouer his gouernment

Duke. That shall not be much amisse: yetas the matter
now standshe will auoid your accusation: he made
triall of you onelie. Therefore fasten your eare on my
aduisingsto the loue I haue in doing good; a remedie
presents it selfe. I doe make my selfe beleeue that you
may most vprighteously do a poor wronged Lady a merited
benefit; redeem your brother from the angry Law;
doe no staine to your owne gracious personand much
please the absent Dukeif peraduenture he shall euer returne
to haue hearing of this businesse

Isab. Let me heare you speake farther; I haue spirit to
do any thing that appeares not fowle in the truth of my


spirit

Duke. Vertue is boldand goodnes neuer fearefull:
Haue you not heard speake of Mariana the sister of Fredericke
the great Souldierwho miscarried at Sea?

Isa. I haue heard of the Ladyand good words went
with her name

Duke. Shee should this Angelo haue married: was affianced
to her oathand the nuptiall appointed: between
which time of the contractand limit of the solemnitie
her brother Fredericke was wrackt at Seahauing in that
perished vessellthe dowry of his sister: but marke how
heauily this befell to the poore Gentlewomanthere she
lost a noble and renowned brotherin his loue toward
hereuer most kinde and naturall: with him the portion
and sinew of her fortuneher marriage dowry: with
bothher combynate-husbandthis well-seeming
Angelo

Isab. Can this be so? did Angelo so leaue her?

Duke. Left her in her teares& dried not one of them
with his comfort: swallowed his vowes wholepretending
in herdiscoueries of dishonor: in fewbestow'd
her on her owne lamentationwhich she yet weares for
his sake: and hea marble to her tearesis washed with
thembut relents not

Isab. What a merit were it in death to take this poore
maid from the world? what corruption in this lifethat
it will let this man liue? But how out of this can shee auaile?

Duke. It is a rupture that you may easily heale: and the
cure of it not onely saues your brotherbut keepes you
from dishonor in doing it

Isab. Shew me how (good Father.)

Duk. This fore-named Maid hath yet in her the continuance
of her first affection: his vniust vnkindenesse
(that in all reason should haue quenched her loue) hath
(like an impediment in the Current) made it more violent
and vnruly: Goe you to Angeloanswere his requiring
with a plausible obedienceagree with his demands
to the point: onely referre your selfe to this aduantage;
firstthat your stay with him may not be long: that the
time may haue all shadowand silence in it: and the place
answere to conuenience: this being granted in course
and now followes all: wee shall aduise this wronged
maid to steed vp your appointmentgoe in your place:
if the encounter acknowledge it selfe heereafterit may
compell him to her recompence; and heereby this is
your brother sauedyour honor vntaintedthe poore
Mariana aduantagedand the corrupt Deputy scaled.
The Maid will I frameand make fit for his attempt: if
you thinke well to carry this as you maythe doublenes
of the benefit defends the deceit from reproofe. What
thinke you of it?

Isab. The image of it giues me content alreadyand I
trust it will grow to a most prosperous perfection

Duk. It lies much in your holding vp: haste you speedily
to Angeloif for this night he intreat you to his bed
giue him promise of satisfaction: I will presently to S[aint].
Lukesthere at the moated-Grange recides this deiected
Mariana; at that place call vpon meand dispatch


with Angelothat it may be quickly

Isab. I thank you for this comfort: fare you well good
father.

Enter.

Enter ElbowClowneOfficers.

Elb. Nayif there be no remedy for itbut that you
will needes buy and sell men and women like beastswe
shall haue all the world drinke browne & white bastard

Duk. Oh heauenswhat stuffe is heere

Clow. Twas neuer merry world since of two vsuries
the merriest was put downeand the worser allow'd by
order of Law; a fur'd gowne to keepe him warme; and
furd with Foxe and Lamb-skins tooto signifiethat craft
being richer then Innocencystands for the facing

Elb. Come your way sir: 'blesse you good Father
Frier

Duk. And you good Brother Father; what offence
hath this man made youSir?

Elb. Marry Sirhe hath offended the Law; and Sir
we take him to be a Theefe too Sir: for wee haue found
vpon him Sira strange Pick-lockwhich we haue sent
to the Deputie

Duke. Fiesirraha Bawda wicked bawd
The euill that thou causest to be done
That is thy meanes to liue. Do thou but thinke
What 'tis to cram a mawor cloath a backe
From such a filthie vice: say to thy selfe
From their abhominable and beastly touches
I drinkeI eate away my selfeand liue:
Canst thou beleeue thy liuing is a life
So stinkingly depending? Go mendgo mend

Clo. Indeedit do's stinke in some sortSir:
But yet Sir I would proue

Duke. Nayif the diuell haue giuen thee proofs for sin
Thou wilt proue his. Take him to prison Officer:
Correctionand Instruction must both worke
Ere this rude beast will profit

Elb. He must before the Deputy Sirhe ha's giuen
him warning: the Deputy cannot abide a Whore-master:
if he be a Whore-mongerand comes before him
he were as good go a mile on his errand

Duke. That we were allas some would seeme to bee
From our faultsas faults from seeming free.

Enter Lucio.

Elb. His necke will come to your wasta Cord sir

Clo. I spy comfortI cry baile: Here's a Gentleman
and a friend of mine


Luc. How now noble Pompey? Whatat the wheels
of Cæsar? Art thou led in triumph? What is there none
of Pigmalions Images newly made woman to bee had
nowfor putting the hand in the pocketand extracting
clutch'd? What reply? Ha? What saist thou to this
TuneMatterand Method? Is't not drown'd i'th last
raine? Ha? What saist thou Trot? Is the world as it was
Man? Which is the way? Is it sadand few words?
Or how? The tricke of it?

Duke. Still thusand thus: still worse?
Luc. How doth my deere Morsellthy Mistris? Procures
she still? Ha?
Clo. Troth sirshee hath eaten vp all her beefeand
she is her selfe in the tub

Luc. Why 'tis good: It is the right of it: it must be
so. Euer your fresh Whoreand your pouder'd Baudan
vnshun'd consequenceit must be so. Art going to prison
Pompey?

Clo. Yes faith sir

Luc. Why 'tis not amisse Pompey: farewell: goe say
I sent thee thether: for debt Pompey? Or how?
Elb. For being a baudfor being a baud

Luc. Wellthen imprison him: If imprisonment be
the due of a baudwhy 'tis his right. Baud is he doubtlesse
and of antiquity too: Baud borne. Farwell good
Pompey: Commend me to the prison Pompeyyou will
turne good husband now Pompeyyou will keepe the
house

Clo. I hope Siryour good Worship wil be my baile?

Luc. No indeed wil I not Pompeyit is not the wear:
I will pray (Pompey) to encrease your bondage if you
take it not patiently: Whyyour mettle is the more:
Adieu trustie Pompey.
Blesse you Friar

Duke. And you

Luc. Do's Bridget paint stillPompey? Ha?
Elb. Come your waies sircome


Clo. You will not baile me then Sir?
Luc. Then Pompeynor now: what newes abroad Frier?
What newes?
Elb. Come your waies sircome

Luc. Goe to kennell (Pompey) goe:

What newes Frier of the Duke?
Duke. I know none: can you tell me of any?
Luc. Some say he is with the Emperor of Russia: other

somehe is in Rome: but where is he thinke you?
Duke. I know not where: but wheresoeuerI wish
him well

Luc. It was a mad fantasticall tricke of him to steale
from the Stateand vsurpe the beggerie hee was neuer
borne to: Lord Angelo Dukes it well in his absence: he
puts transgression too't

Duke. He do's well in't


Luc. A little more lenitie to Lecherie would doe no
harme in him: Something too crabbed that wayFrier

Duk. It is too general a viceand seueritie must cure it

Luc. Yes in good sooththe vice is of a great kindred;
it is well alliedbut it is impossible to extirpe it quite
Friertill eating and drinking be put downe. They say
this Angelo was not made by Man and Womanafter
this downe-right way of Creation: is it truethinke
you?

Duke. How should he be made then?

Luc. Some reporta Sea-maid spawn'd him. Some
that he was begot betweene two Stock-fishes. But it
is certainethat when he makes waterhis Vrine is congeal'd
icethat I know to bee true: and he is a motion
generatiuethat's infallible

Duke. You are pleasant sirand speake apace

Luc. Whywhat a ruthlesse thing is this in himfor
the rebellion of a Cod-peeceto take away the life of a
man? Would the Duke that is absent haue done this?
Ere he would haue hang'd a man for the getting a hundred
Bastardshe would haue paide for the Nursing a
thousand. He had some feeling of the sporthee knew
the seruiceand that instructed him to mercie

Duke. I neuer heard the absent Duke much detected
for Womenhe was not enclin'd that way

Luc. Oh Siryou are deceiu'd

Duke. 'Tis not possible

Luc. Whonot the Duke? Yesyour beggar of fifty:
and his vse wasto put a ducket in her Clack-dish; the
Duke had Crochets in him. Hee would be drunke too
that let me informe you

Duke. You do him wrongsurely

Luc. SirI was an inward of his: a shie fellow was
the Dukeand I beleeue I know the cause of his withdrawing

Duke. What (I prethee) might be the cause?

Luc. Nopardon: 'Tis a secret must bee lockt within
the teeth and the lippes: but this I can let you vnderstand
the greater file of the subiect held the Duke to be
wise

Duke. Wise? Why no question but he was

Luc. A very superficiallignorantvnweighing fellow

Duke. Either this is Enuie in youFollyor mistaking:
The very streame of his lifeand the businesse he
hath helmedmust vppon a warranted needegiue him
a better proclamation. Let him be but testimonied in
his owne bringings forthand hee shall appeare to the
enuiousa Schollera Statesmanand a Soldier: therefore
you speake vnskilfully: orif your knowledge bee
moreit is much darkned in your malice

Luc. SirI know himand I loue him


Duke. Loue talkes with better knowledge& knowledge
with deare loue

Luc. Come SirI know what I know

Duke. I can hardly beleeue thatsince you know not
what you speake. But if euer the Duke returne (as our
praiers are he may) let mee desire you to make your answer
before him: if it bee honest you haue spokeyou
haue courage to maintaine it; I am bound to call vppon
youand I pray you your name?

Luc. Sir my name is Luciowel known to the Duke

Duke. He shall know you better Sirif I may liue to
report you

Luc. I feare you not

Duke. Oyou hope the Duke will returne no more:
or you imagine me to vnhurtfull an opposite: but indeed
I can doe you little harme: You'll for-sweare this againe?

Luc. Ile be hang'd first: Thou art deceiu'd in mee
Friar. But no more of this: Canst thou tell if Claudio
die to morrowor no?

Duke. Why should he die Sir?

Luc. Why? For filling a bottle with a Tunne-dish:
I would the Duke we talke of were return'd againe: this
vngenitur'd Agent will vn-people the Prouince with
Continencie. Sparrowes must not build in his house-eeues
because they are lecherous: The Duke yet would
haue darke deeds darkelie answeredhee would neuer
bring them to light: would hee were return'd. Marrie
this Claudio is condemned for vntrussing. Farwell good
FriarI prethee pray for me: The Duke (I say to thee
againe) would eate Mutton on Fridaies. He's now past
ityet (and I say to thee) hee would mouth with a beggar
though she smelt browne-bread and Garlicke: say
that I said so: Farewell.

Enter.

Duke. No mightnor greatnesse in mortality
Can censure scape: Back-wounding calumnie
The whitest vertue strikes. What King so strong
Can tie the gall vp in the slanderous tong?
But who comes heere?

Enter EscalusProuostand Bawd.

Esc. Goaway with her to prison

Bawd. Good my Lord be good to meeyour Honor
is accounted a mercifull man: good my Lord

Esc. Doubleand trebble admonitionand still forfeite
in the same kinde? This would make mercy sweare
and play the Tirant

Pro. A Bawd of eleuen yeares continuancemay it
please your Honor

Bawd. My Lordthis is one Lucio's information against
meMistris Kate Keepe-downe was with childe by


him in the Dukes timehe promis'd her marriage: his
Childe is a yeere and a quarter olde come Philip and Iacob:
I haue kept it my selfe; and see how hee goes about
to abuse me

Esc. That fellow is a fellow of much License: Let
him be call'd before vsAway with her to prison: Goe
toono more words. Prouostmy Brother Angelo will
not be alter'dClaudio must die to morrow: Let him be
furnish'd with Diuinesand haue all charitable preparation.
If my brother wrought by my pitieit should not
be so with him

Pro. So please youthis Friar hath beene with him
and aduis'd him for th' entertainment of death

Esc. Good' euengood Father

Duke. Blisseand goodnesse on you

Esc. Of whence are you?

Duke. Not of this Countriethough my chance is now
To vse it for my time: I am a brother
Of gracious Orderlate come from the Sea
In speciall businesse from his Holinesse

Esc. What newes abroad i'th World?

Duke. Nonebut that there is so great a Feauor on
goodnessethat the dissolution of it must cure it. Noueltie
is onely in requestand as it is as dangerous to be
aged in any kinde of courseas it is vertuous to be constant
in any vndertaking. There is scarse truth enough
aliue to make Societies securebut Securitie enough to
make Fellowships accurst: Much vpon this riddle runs
the wisedome of the world: This newes is old enough
yet it is euerie daies newes. I pray you Sirof what disposition
was the Duke?

Esc. Onethat aboue all other strifes
Contended especially to know himselfe

Duke. What pleasure was he giuen to?

Esc. Rather reioycing to see another merrythen
merrie at anie thing which profest to make him reioice.
A Gentleman of all temperance. But leaue wee him to
his euentswith a praier they may proue prosperous&
let me desire to knowhow you finde Claudio prepar'd?
I am made to vnderstandthat you haue lent him visitation

Duke. He professes to haue receiued no sinister measure
from his Iudgebut most willingly humbles himselfe
to the determination of Iustice: yet had he framed
to himselfe (by the instruction of his frailty) manie deceyuing
promises of lifewhich I (by my good leisure)
haue discredited to himand now is he resolu'd to die

Esc. You haue paid the heauens your Functionand
the prisoner the verie debt of your Calling. I haue labour'd
for the poore Gentlemanto the extremest shore
of my modestiebut my brother-Iustice haue I found so
seuerethat he hath forc'd me to tell himhee is indeede
Iustice

Duke. If his owne life
Answere the straitnesse of his proceeding


It shall become him well: wherein if he chance to faile
he hath sentenc'd himselfe

Esc I am going to visit the prisonerFare you well

Duke. Peace be with you.
He who the sword of Heauen will beare
Should be as holyas seueare:
Patterne in himselfe to know
Grace to standand Vertue go:
Morenor lesse to others paying
Then by selfe-offences weighing.
Shame to himwhose cruell striking
Kils for faults of his owne liking:
Twice trebble shame on Angelo
To weede my viceand let his grow.
Ohwhat may Man within him hide
Though Angel on the outward side?
How may likenesse made in crimes
Making practise on the Times
To draw with ydle Spiders strings
Most ponderous and substantiall things?
Craft against viceI must applie.
With Angelo to night shall lye
His old betroathed (but despised:)
So disguise shall by th' disguised
Pay with falshoodfalse exacting
And performe an olde contracting.

Exit


Actus Quartus. Scoena Prima.


Enter Marianaand Boy singing.


Song.


Takeoh take those lips away
that so sweetly were forsworne
And those eyes: the breake of day
lights that doe mislead the Morne;
But my kisses bring againebring againe
Seales of louebut seal'd in vaineseal'd in vaine.


Enter Duke.


Mar. Breake off thy songand haste thee quick away
Here comes a man of comfortwhose aduice
Hath often still'd my brawling discontent.
I cry you mercieSirand well could wish
You had not found me here so musicall.
Let me excuse meand beleeue me so
My mirth it much displeas'dbut pleas'd my woe

Duk. 'Tis good; though Musick oft hath such a charme
To make badgood; and good prouoake to harme.
I pray you tell mehath any body enquir'd for mee here
to day; much vpon this time haue I promis'd here to
meete

Mar. You haue not bin enquir'd after: I haue sat
here all day.

Enter Isabell.


Duk. I doe constantly beleeue you: the time is come
euen now. I shall craue your forbearance a littlemay be
I will call vpon you anone for some aduantage to your
selfe

Mar. I am alwayes bound to you.

Enter.

Duk. Very well metand well come:
What is the newes from this good Deputie?

Isab. He hath a Garden circummur'd with Bricke
Whose westerne side is with a Vineyard back't;
And to that Vineyard is a planched gate
That makes his opening with this bigger Key:
This other doth command a little doore
Which from the Vineyard to the Garden leades
There haue I made my promisevpon the
Heauy midle of the nightto call vpon him

Duk. But shall you on your knowledge find this way?

Isab. I haue t'ane a dueand wary note vpon't
With whisperingand most guiltie diligence
In action all of precepthe did show me
The way twice ore

Duk. Are there no other tokens
Betweene you 'greedconcerning her obseruance?

Isab. No: none but onely a repaire ith' darke
And that I haue possest himmy most stay
Can be but briefe: for I haue made him know
I haue a Seruant comes with me along
That staies vpon me; whose perswasion is
I come about my Brother

Duk. 'Tis well borne vp.
I haue not yet made knowne to Mariana

Enter Mariana.


A word of this: what hoawithin; come forth
I pray you be acquainted with this Maid
She comes to doe you good


Isab. I doe desire the like

Duk. Do you perswade your selfe that I respect you?
Mar. Good FrierI know you doand haue found it

Duke. Take then this your companion by the hand
Who hath a storie readie for your eare:
I shall attend your leisurebut make haste
The vaporous night approaches

Mar. Wilt please you walke aside.

Enter.

Duke. Oh Placeand greatnes: millions of false eies
Are stucke vpon thee: volumes of report
Run with these falseand most contrarious Quest
Vpon thy doings: thousand escapes of wit
Make thee the father of their idle dreame


And racke thee in their fancies. Welcomehow agreed?

Enter Mariana and Isabella.

Isab. Shee'll take the enterprize vpon her father
If you aduise it

Duke. It is not my consent
But my entreaty too

Isa. Little haue you to say
When you depart from himbut soft and low
Remember now my brother

Mar. Feare me not

Duk. Nor gentle daughterfeare you not at all:
He is your husband on a pre-contract:
To bring you thus together 'tis no sinne
Sith that the Iustice of your title to him
Doth flourish the deceit. Comelet vs goe
Our Corne's to reapefor yet our Tithes to sow.

Exeunt.

Scena Secunda.

Enter Prouost and Clowne.

Pro. Come hither sirha; can you cut off a mans head?

Clo. If the man be a Bachelor SirI can:
But if he be a married manhe's his wiues head
And I can neuer cut off a womans head

Pro. Come sirleaue me your snatchesand yeeld mee
a direct answere. To morrow morning are to die Claudio
and Barnardine: heere is in our prison a common executioner
who in his office lacks a helperif you will take
it on you to assist himit shall redeeme you from your
Gyues: if notyou shall haue your full time of imprisonment
and your deliuerance with an vnpittied whipping;
for you haue beene a notorious bawd

Clo. SirI haue beene an vnlawfull bawdtime out of
mindebut yet I will bee content to be a lawfull hangman:
I would bee glad to receiue some instruction from
my fellow partner

Pro. What hoaAbhorson: where's Abhorson there?

Enter Abhorson.

Abh. Doe you call sir?

Pro. Sirhahere's a fellow will helpe you to morrow
in your execution: if you thinke it meetcompound with
him by the yeereand let him abide here with youif not
vse him for the presentand dismisse himhee cannot
plead his estimation with you: he hath beene a Bawd

Abh. A Bawd Sir? fie vpon himhe will discredit our
mysterie

Pro. Goe too Siryou waigh equallie: a feather will


turne the Scale.

Enter.

Clo. Pray sirby your good fauor: for surely sira
good fauor you hauebut that you haue a hanging look:
Doe you call siryour occupation a Mysterie?

Abh. I Sira Misterie

Clo. Painting SirI haue heard sayis a Misterie; and
your Whores sirbeing members of my occupationvsing
paintingdo proue my Occupationa Misterie: but
what Misterie there should be in hangingif I should
be hang'dI cannot imagine

Abh. Sirit is a Misterie

Clo. Proofe

Abh. Euerie true mans apparrell fits your Theefe

Clo. If it be too little for your theefeyour true man
thinkes it bigge enough. If it bee too bigge for your
Theefeyour Theefe thinkes it little enough: So euerie
true mans apparrell fits your Theefe.
Enter Prouost.

Pro. Are you agreed?

Clo. SirI will serue him: For I do finde your Hangman
is a more penitent Trade then your Bawd: he doth
oftner aske forgiuenesse

Pro. You sirrahprouide your blocke and your Axe
to morrowfoure a clocke

Abh. Come on (Bawd) I will instruct thee in my
Trade: follow

Clo. I do desire to learne sir: and I hopeif you haue
occasion to vse me for your owne turneyou shall finde
me y'are. For truly sirfor your kindnesseI owe you a
good turne.

Exit

Pro. Call hether Barnardine and Claudio:
Th' one has my pitie; not a iot the other
Being a Murthererthough he were my brother.

Enter Claudio.

Lookehere's the Warrant Claudiofor thy death
'Tis now dead midnightand by eight to morrow
Thou must be made immortall. Where's Barnardine?

Cla. As fast lock'd vp in sleepeas guiltlesse labour
When it lies starkely in the Trauellers bones
He will not wake

Pro. Who can do good on him?
Wellgoprepare your selfe. But harkewhat noise?
Heauen giue your spirits comfort: byand by
I hope it is some pardonor repreeue
For the most gentle Claudio. Welcome Father.


Enter Duke.

Duke. The bestand wholsomst spirits of the night
Inuellop yougood Prouost: who call'd heere of late?
Pro. None since the Curphew rung

Duke. Not Isabell?
Pro. No


Duke. They will then er't be long

Pro. What comfort is for Claudio?
Duke. There's some in hope


Pro. It is a bitter Deputie

Duke. Not sonot so: his life is paralel'd
Euen with the stroke and line of his great Iustice:
He doth with holie abstinence subdue
That in himselfewhich he spurres on his powre
To qualifie in others: were he meal'd with that
Which he correctsthen were he tirrannous
But this being sohe's iust. Now are they come.
This is a gentle Prouostsildome when
The steeled Gaoler is the friend of men:
How now? what noise? That spirit's possest with hast
That wounds th' vnsisting Posterne with these strokes

Pro. There he must stay vntil the Officer
Arise to let him in: he is call'd vp

Duke. Haue you no countermand for Claudio yet?
But he must die to morrow?
Pro. None Sirnone

Duke. As neere the dawning Prouostas it is
You shall heare more ere Morning

Pro. Happely
You something know: yet I beleeue there comes
No countermand: no such example haue we:
Besidesvpon the verie siege of Iustice
Lord Angelo hath to the publike eare
Profest the contrarie.

Enter a Messenger.

Duke. This is his Lords man

Pro. And heere comes Claudio's pardon

Mess. My Lord hath sent you this note
And by mee this further charge;
That you swerue not from the smallest Article of it
Neither in timematteror other circumstance.
Good morrow: for as I take itit is almost day

Pro. I shall obey him

Duke. This is his Pardon purchas'd by such sin
For which the Pardoner himselfe is in:
Hence hath offence his quicke celeritie
When it is borne in high Authority.
When Vice makes Mercie; Mercie's so extended


That for the faults loueis th' offender friended.
Now Sirwhat newes?

Pro. I told you:
Lord Angelo (be-like) thinking me remisse
In mine Officeawakens mee
With this vnwonted putting onmethinks strangely:
For he hath not vs'd it before

Duk. Pray you let's heare.

The Letter.


Whatsoeuer you may heare to the contrarylet Claudio be executed
by foure of the clockeand in the afternoone Bernardine:
For my better satisfactionlet mee haue Claudios
head sent me by fiue. Let this be duely performed with a
thought that more depends on itthen we must yet deliuer.
Thus faile not to doe your Officeas you will answere it at
your perill.
What say you to this Sir?


Duke. What is that Barnardinewho is to be executed
in th' afternoone?

Pro. A Bohemian borne: But here nurst vp & bred
One that is a prisoner nine yeeres old

Duke. How came itthat the absent Duke had not
either deliuer'd him to his libertieor executed him? I
haue heard it was euer his manner to do so

Pro. His friends still wrought Repreeues for him:
And indeed his fact till now in the gouernment of Lord
Angelocame not to an vndoubtfull proofe

Duke. It is now apparant?
Pro. Most manifestand not denied by himselfe


Duke. Hath he borne himselfe penitently in prison?
How seemes he to be touch'd?

Pro. A man that apprehends death no more dreadfully
but as a drunken sleepecarelessewreaklesseand
fearelesse of what's pastpresentor to come: insensible
of mortalityand desperately mortall

Duke. He wants aduice

Pro. He wil heare none: he hath euermore had the liberty
of the prison: giue him leaue to escape hencehee
would not. Drunke many times a dayif not many daies
entirely drunke. We haue verie oft awak'd himas if to
carrie him to executionand shew'd him a seeming warrant
for itit hath not moued him at all

Duke. More of him anon: There is written in your
brow Prouosthonesty and constancie; if I reade it not
trulymy ancient skill beguiles me: but in the boldnes
of my cunningI will lay my selfe in hazard: Claudio
whom heere you haue warrant to executeis no greater
forfeit to the Lawthen Angelo who hath sentenc'd him.
To make you vnderstand this in a manifested effectI
craue but foure daies respit: for the whichyou are to
do me both a presentand a dangerous courtesie

Pro. Pray Sirin what?
Duke. In the delaying death



Pro. Alackehow may I do it? Hauing the houre limited
and an expresse commandvnder penaltieto deliuer
his head in the view of Angelo? I may make my
case as Claudio'sto crosse this in the smallest

Duke. By the vow of mine OrderI warrant you
If my instructions may be your guide
Let this Barnardine be this morning executed
And his head borne to Angelo

Pro. Angelo hath seene them both
And will discouer the fauour

Duke. Ohdeath's a great disguiserand you may
adde to it; Shaue the headand tie the beardand say it
was the desire of the penitent to be so bar'de before his
death: you know the course is common. If any thing
fall to you vpon thismore then thankes and good fortune
by the Saint whom I professeI will plead against
it with my life

Pro. Pardon megood Fatherit is against my oath

Duke. Were you sworne to the Dukeor to the Deputie?
Pro. To himand to his Substitutes


Duke. You will thinke you haue made no offenceif

the Duke auouch the iustice of your dealing?
Pro. But what likelihood is in that?
Duke. Not a resemblancebut a certainty; yet since

I see you fearfullthat neither my coateintegritynor
perswasioncan with ease attempt youI wil go further
then I meantto plucke all feares out of you. Looke
you Sirheere is the hand and Seale of the Duke: you
know the Charracter I doubt notand the Signet is not
strange to you?

Pro. I know them both

Duke. The Contents of thisis the returne of the
Duke; you shall anon ouer-reade it at your pleasure:
where you shall finde within these two daieshe wil be
heere. This is a thing that Angelo knowes notfor hee
this very day receiues letters of strange tenorperchance
of the Dukes deathperchance entering into some Monasterie
but by chance nothing of what is writ. Looke
th' vnfolding Starre calles vp the Shepheard; put not
your selfe into amazementhow these things should be;
all difficulties are but easie when they are knowne. Call
your executionerand off with Barnardines head: I will
giue him a present shriftand aduise him for a better
place. Yet you are amaz'dbut this shall absolutely resolue
you: Come awayit is almost cleere dawne.

Enter.

Scena Tertia.

Enter Clowne.

Clo. I am as well acquainted heereas I was in our
house of profession: one would thinke it were Mistris
Ouerdons owne housefor heere be manie of her olde


Customers. Firsthere's yong Mr Rashhee's in for a
commoditie of browne paperand olde Gingernine
score and seuenteene poundsof which hee made fiue
Markes readie money: marrie thenGinger was not
much in requestfor the olde Women were all dead.
Then is there heere one Mr Caperat the suite of Master
Three-Pile the Mercerfor some foure suites of Peachcolour'd
Sattenwhich now peaches him a beggar.
Then haue we heereyong Dizieand yong Mr Deepevow
and Mr Copperspurreand Mr Starue-Lackey the Rapier
and dagger manand yong Drop-heire that kild lustie
Puddingand Mr Forthlight the Tilterand braue Mr
Shootie the great Trauellerand wilde Halfe-Canne that
stabb'd Potsand I thinke fortie moreall great doers in
our Tradeand are now for the Lords sake.

Enter Abhorson.

Abh. Sirrahbring Barnardine hether

Clo. Mr Barnardineyou must rise and be hang'd
Mr Barnardine

Abh. What hoa Barnardine.

Barnardine within.

Bar. A pox o'your throats: who makes that noyse
there? What are you?
Clo. Your friends Sirthe Hangman:
You must be so good Sir to riseand be put to death

Bar. Away you RogueawayI am sleepie

Abh. Tell him he must awake
And that quickly too

Clo. Pray Master Barnardineawake till you are executed
and sleepe afterwards

Ab. Go in to himand fetch him out

Clo. He is comming Sirhe is comming: I heare his
Straw russle.

Enter Barnardine.

Abh. Is the Axe vpon the blockesirrah?
Clo. Verie readie Sir


Bar. How now Abhorson?
What's the newes with you?
Abh. Truly SirI would desire you to clap into your
prayers: for looke youthe Warrants come

Bar. You RogueI haue bin drinking all night
I am not fitted for't

Clo. Ohthe better Sir: for he that drinkes all night
and is hanged betimes in the morningmay sleepe the
sounder all the next day.

Enter Duke.


Abh. Looke you Sirheere comes your ghostly Father:
do we iest now thinke you?

Duke. Sirinduced by my charitieand hearing how
hastily you are to departI am come to aduise you
Comfort youand pray with you

Bar. Friarnot I: I haue bin drinking hard all night
and I will haue more time to prepare meeor they shall
beat out my braines with billets: I will not consent to
die this daythat's certaine

Duke. Oh siryou must: and therefore I beseech you
Looke forward on the iournie you shall go

Bar. I sweare I will not die to day for anie mans perswasion

Duke. But heare you:
Bar. Not a word: if you haue anie thing to say to me
come to my Ward: for thence will not I to day.

Exit

Enter Prouost.

Duke. Vnfit to liueor die: oh grauell heart.
After him (Fellowes) bring him to the blocke

Pro. Now Sirhow do you finde the prisoner?

Duke. A creature vnprepar'dvnmeet for death
And to transport him in the minde he is
Were damnable

Pro. Heere in the prisonFather
There died this morning of a cruell Feauor
One Ragozinea most notorious Pirate
A man of Claudio's yeares: his beardand head
Iust of his colour. What if we do omit
This Reprobatetil he were wel enclin'd
And satisfie the Deputie with the visage
Of Ragozinemore like to Claudio?

Duke. Oh'tis an accident that heauen prouides:
Dispatch it presentlythe houre drawes on
Prefixt by Angelo: See this be done
And sent according to commandwhiles I
Perswade this rude wretch willingly to die

Pro. This shall be done (good Father) presently:
But Barnardine must die this afternoone
And how shall we continue Claudio
To saue me from the danger that might come
If he were knowne aliue?

Duke. Let this be done
Put them in secret holdsboth Barnardine and Claudio
Ere twice the Sun hath made his iournall greeting
To yond generationyou shal finde
Your safetie manifested

Pro. I am your free dependant.

Enter.

Duke. Quickedispatchand send the head to Angelo
Now wil I write Letters to Angelo
(The Prouost he shal beare them) whose contents


Shal witnesse to him I am neere at home:
And that by great Iniunctions I am bound
To enter publikely: him Ile desire
To meet me at the consecrated Fount
A League below the Citie: and from thence
By cold gradationand weale-ballanc'd forme.
We shal proceed with Angelo.


Enter Prouost.


Pro. Heere is the headIle carrie it my selfe

Duke. Conuenient is it: Make a swift returne
For I would commune with you of such things
That want no eare but yours

Pro. Ile make all speede.

Exit

Isabell within.

Isa. Peace hoabe heere

Duke. The tongue of Isabell. She's come to know
If yet her brothers pardon be come hither:
But I will keepe her ignorant of her good
To make her heauenly comforts of dispaire
When it is least expected.

Enter Isabella.

Isa. Hoaby your leaue

Duke. Good morning to youfaireand gracious
daughter

Isa. The better giuen me by so holy a man
Hath yet the Deputie sent my brothers pardon?
Duke. He hath releasd himIsabellfrom the world
His head is offand sent to Angelo

Isa. Naybut it is not so

Duke. It is no other
Shew your wisedome daughter in your close patience

Isa. OhI wil to himand plucke out his eies

Duk. You shal not be admitted to his sight

Isa. Vnhappie Claudiowretched Isabell
Iniurious worldmost damned Angelo

Duke. This nor hurts himnor profits you a iot
Forbeare it thereforegiue your cause to heauen.
Marke what I saywhich you shal finde
By euery sillable a faithful veritie.
The Duke comes home to morrow: nay drie your eyes
One of our Couentand his Confessor
Giues me this instance: Already he hath carried
Notice to Escalus and Angelo
Who do prepare to meete him at the gates
There to giue vp their powre: If you can pace your wisdome


In that good path that I would wish it go
And you shal haue your bosome on this wretch
Grace of the Dukereuenges to your heart
And general Honor

Isa. I am directed by you

Duk. This Letter then to Friar Peter giue
'Tis that he sent me of the Dukes returne:
Sayby this tokenI desire his companie
At Mariana's house to night. Her causeand yours
Ile perfect him withalland he shal bring you
Before the Duke; and to the head of Angelo
Accuse him home and home. For my poore selfe
I am combined by a sacred Vow
And shall be absent. Wend you with this Letter:
Command these fretting waters from your eies
With a light heart; trust not my holie Order
If I peruert your course: whose heere?

Enter Lucio.

Luc. Good' euen;
Frierwhere's the Prouost?
Duke. Not within Sir

Luc. Oh prettie IsabellaI am pale at mine heartto
see thine eyes so red: thou must be patient; I am faine
to dine and sup with water and bran: I dare not for my
head fill my belly. One fruitful Meale would set mee
too't: but they say the Duke will be heere to Morrow.
By my troth Isabell I lou'd thy brotherif the olde fantastical
Duke of darke corners had bene at homehe had
liued

Duke. Sirthe Duke is marueilous little beholding
to your reportsbut the best ishe liues not in them

Luc. Friarthou knowest not the Duke so wel as I
do: he's a better woodman then thou tak'st him for

Duke. Well: you'l answer this one day. Fare ye well

Luc. Nay tarrieIle go along with thee
I can tel thee pretty tales of the Duke

Duke. You haue told me too many of him already sir
if they be true: if not truenone were enough

Lucio. I was once before him for getting a Wench
with childe

Duke. Did you such a thing?
Luc. Yes marrie did I; but I was faine to forswear it
They would else haue married me to the rotten Medler

Duke. Sir your company is fairer then honestrest you
well

Lucio. By my troth Ile go with thee to the lanes end:
if baudy talke offend youwee'l haue very litle of it: nay
FriarI am a kind of BurreI shal sticke.

Exeunt.


Scena Quarta.

Enter Angelo & Escalus.

Esc. Euery Letter he hath writhath disuouch'd other

An. In most vneuen and distracted mannerhis actions
show much like to madnessepray heauen his wisedome
bee not tainted: and why meet him at the gates and deliuer
our authorities there?

Esc. I ghesse not

Ang. And why should wee proclaime it in an howre
before his entringthat if any craue redresse of iniustice
they should exhibit their petitions in the street?

Esc. He showes his reason for that: to haue a dispatch
of Complaintsand to deliuer vs from deuices heereafter
which shall then haue no power to stand against
vs

Ang. Well: I beseech you let it bee proclaim'd betimes
i'th' morneIle call you at your house: giue notice
to such men of sort and suite as are to meete him

Esc. I shall sir: fareyouwell.

Enter.

Ang. Good night.
This deede vnshapes me quitemakes me vnpregnant
And dull to all proceedings. A deflowred maid
And by an eminent bodythat enforc'd
The Law against it? But that her tender shame
Will not proclaime against her maiden losse
How might she tongue me? yet reason dares her no
For my Authority beares of a credent bulke
That no particular scandall once can touch
But it confounds the breather. He should haue liu'd
Saue that his riotous youth with dangerous sense
Might in the times to come haue ta'ne reuenge
By so receiuing a dishonor'd life
With ransome of such shame: would yet he had liued.
Alackwhen once our grace we haue forgot
Nothing goes rightwe wouldand we would not.

Enter.

Scena Quinta.

Enter Duke and Frier Peter.

Duke. These Letters at fit time deliuer me
The Prouost knowes our purpose and our plot
The matter being a footekeepe your instruction
And hold you euer to our speciall drift
Though sometimes you doe blench from this to that
As cause doth minister: Goe call at Flauia's house
And tell him where I stay: giue the like notice
To ValenciusRowlandand to Crassus
And bid them bring the Trumpets to the gate:
But send me Flauius first


Peter. It shall be speeded well.

Enter Varrius.

Duke. I thank thee Varriusthou hast made good hast
Comewe will walke: There's other of our friends
Will greet vs heere anon: my gentle Varrius.

Exeunt.

Scena Sexta.

Enter Isabella and Mariana.

Isab. To speake so indirectly I am loath
I would say the truthbut to accuse him so
That is your partyet I am aduis'd to doe it
He saiesto vaile full purpose

Mar. Be rul'd by him

Isab. Besides he tells methat if peraduenture
He speake against me on the aduerse side
I should not thinke it strangefor 'tis a physicke
That's bitterto sweet end.

Enter Peter.

Mar. I would Frier Peter
Isab. Oh peacethe Frier is come


Peter. Come I haue found you out a stand most fit
Where you may haue such vantage on the Duke
He shall not passe you:
Twice haue the Trumpets sounded.
The generousand grauest Citizens
Haue hent the gatesand very neere vpon
The Duke is entring:
Therefore hence away.

Exeunt.

Actus Quintus. Scoena Prima.

Enter DukeVarriusLordsAngeloEsculusLucioCitizens at
seuerall
doores.

Duk. My very worthy Cosenfairely met
Our oldand faithfull friendwe are glad to see you

Ang. Esc. Happy returne be to your royall grace

Duk. Many and harty thankings to you both:
We haue made enquiry of youand we heare
Such goodnesse of your Iusticethat our soule
Cannot but yeeld you forth to publique thankes
Forerunning more requitall

Ang. You make my bonds still greater

Duk. Oh your desert speaks loud& I should wrong it


To locke it in the wards of couert bosome
When it deserues with characters of brasse
A forted residence 'gainst the tooth of time
And razure of obliuion: Giue we your hand
And let the Subiect seeto make them know
That outward curtesies would faine proclaime
Fauours that keepe within: Come Escalus
You must walke by vson our other hand:
And good supporters are you.

Enter Peter and Isabella.

Peter. Now is your time
Speake loudand kneele before him

Isab. IusticeO royall Dukevaile your regard
Vpon a wrong'd (I would faine haue said a Maid)
Oh worthy Princedishonor not your eye
By throwing it on any other obiect
Till you haue heard mein my true complaint
And giuen me IusticeIusticeIusticeIustice

Duk. Relate your wrongs;
In whatby whom? be briefe:
Here is Lord Angelo shall giue you Iustice
Reueale your selfe to him

Isab. Oh worthy Duke
You bid me seeke redemption of the diuell
Heare me your selfe: for that which I must speake
Must either punish menot being beleeu'd
Or wring redresse from you:
Heare me: oh heare meheere

Ang. My Lordher wits I feare me are not firme:
She hath bin a suitor to mefor her Brother
Cut off by course of Iustice

Isab. By course of Iustice

Ang. And she will speake most bitterlyand strange

Isab. Most strange: but yet most truely wil I speake
That Angelo's forsworneis it not strange?
That Angelo's a murthereris't not strange?
That Angelo is an adulterous thiefe
An hypocritea virgin violator
Is it not strange? and strange?

Duke. Nay it is ten times strange?

Isa. It is not truer he is Angelo
Then this is all as trueas it is strange;
Nayit is ten times truefor truth is truth
To th' end of reckning

Duke. Away with her: poore soule
She speakes thisin th' infirmity of sence

Isa. Oh PrinceI coniure theeas thou beleeu'st
There is another comfortthen this world
That thou neglect me notwith that opinion
That I am touch'd with madnesse: make not impossible
That which but seemes vnlike'tis not impossible
But onethe wickedst caitiffe on the ground
May seeme as shieas graueas iustas absolute:


As Angeloeuen so may Angelo
In all his dressingscaractstitlesformes
Be an arch-villaine: Beleeue itroyall Prince
If he be lessehe's nothingbut he's more
Had I more name for badnesse

Duke. By mine honesty
If she be madas I beleeue no other
Her madnesse hath the oddest frame of sense
Such a dependancy of thingon thing
As ere I heard in madnesse

Isab. Oh gracious Duke
Harpe not on that; nor do not banish reason
For inequalitybut let your reason serue
To make the truth appearewhere it seemes hid
And hide the false seemes true

Duk. Many that are not mad
Haue sure more lacke of reason:
What would you say?

Isab. I am the Sister of one Claudio
Condemnd vpon the Act of Fornication
To loose his headcondemn'd by Angelo
I(in probation of a Sisterhood)
Was sent to by my Brother; one Lucio
As then the Messenger

Luc. That's Iand't like your Grace:
I came to her from Claudioand desir'd her
To try her gracious fortune with Lord Angelo
For her poore Brothers pardon

Isab. That's he indeede

Duk. You were not bid to speake

Luc. Nomy good Lord
Nor wish'd to hold my peace

Duk. I wish you now then
Pray you take note of it: and when you haue
A businesse for your selfe: pray heauen you then
Be perfect

Luc. I warrant your honor

Duk. The warrant's for your selfe: take heede to't

Isab. This Gentleman told somewhat of my Tale

Luc. Right

Duk. It may be rightbut you are i'the wrong
To speake before your time: proceed
Isab. I went
To this pernicious Caitiffe Deputie

Duk. That's somewhat madly spoken

Isab. Pardon it
The phrase is to the matter

Duke. Mended againe: the matter: proceed


Isab. In briefeto set the needlesse processe by:
How I perswadedhow I praidand kneel'd
How he refeld meand how I replide
(For this was of much length) the vild conclusion
I now begin with griefeand shame to vtter.
He would notbut by gift of my chaste body
To his concupiscible intemperate lust
Release my brother; and after much debatement
My sisterly remorseconfutes mine honour
And I did yeeld to him: But the next morne betimes
His purpose surfettinghe sends a warrant
For my poore brothers head

Duke. This is most likely

Isab. Oh that it were as like as it is true

Duk. By heauen (fond wretch) y knowst not what thou speak'st
Or else thou art suborn'd against his honor
In hatefull practise: first his Integritie
Stands without blemish: next it imports no reason
That with such vehemency he should pursue
Faults proper to himselfe: if he had so offended
He would haue waigh'd thy brother by himselfe
And not haue cut him off: some one hath set you on:
Confesse the truthand say by whose aduice
Thou cam'st heere to complaine

Isab. And is this all?
Then oh you blessed Ministers aboue
Keepe me in patienceand with ripened time
Vnfold the euillwhich is heere wrapt vp
In countenance: heauen shield your Grace from woe
As I thus wrong'dhence vnbeleeued goe

Duke. I know you'ld faine be gone: An Officer:
To prison with her: Shall we thus permit
A blasting and a scandalous breath to fall
On him so neere vs? This needs must be a practise:
Who knew of your intent and comming hither?

Isa. One that I would were heereFrier Lodowick

Duk. A ghostly Fatherbelike:
Who knowes that Lodowicke?

Luc. My LordI know him'tis a medling Fryer
I doe not like the man: had he been Lay my Lord
For certaine words he spake against your Grace
In your retirmentI had swing'd him soundly

Duke. Words against mee? this' a good Fryer belike
And to set on this wretched woman here
Against our Substitute: Let this Fryer be found

Luc. But yesternight my Lordshe and that Fryer
I saw them at the prison: a sawcy Fryar
A very scuruy fellow

Peter. Blessed be your Royall Grace:
I haue stood by my Lordand I haue heard
Your royall eare abus'd: first hath this woman
Most wrongfully accus'd your Substitute
Who is as free from touchor soyle with her
As she from one vngot


Duke. We did beleeue no lesse.
Know you that Frier Lodowick that she speakes of?

Peter. I know him for a man diuine and holy
Not scuruynor a temporary medler
As he's reported by this Gentleman:
And on my trusta man that neuer yet
Did (as he vouches) mis-report your Grace

Luc. My Lordmost villanouslybeleeue it

Peter. Well: he in time may come to cleere himselfe;
But at this instant he is sickemy Lord:
Of a strange Feauor: vpon his meere request
Being come to knowledgethat there was complaint
Intended 'gainst Lord Angelocame I hether
To speake as from his mouthwhat he doth know
Is trueand false: And what he with his oath
And all probation will make vp full cleare
Whensoeuer he's conuented: First for this woman
To iustifie this worthy Noble man
So vulgarly and personally accus'd
Her shall you heare disproued to her eyes
Till she her selfe confesse it

Duk. Good Frierlet's heare it:
Doe you not smile at thisLord Angelo?
Oh heauenthe vanity of wretched fooles.
Giue vs some seatesCome cosen Angelo
In this I'll be impartiall: be you Iudge
Of your owne Cause: Is this the Witnes Frier?

Enter Mariana.

Firstlet her shew your faceand afterspeake

Mar. Pardon my LordI will not shew my face
Vntill my husband bid me

Duke. Whatare you married?
Mar. No my Lord


Duke. Are you a Maid?
Mar. No my Lord


Duk. A Widow then?
Mar. Neithermy Lord


Duk. Why you are nothing then: neither MaidWidow
nor Wife?
Luc. My Lordshe may be a Puncke: for many of
themare neither MaidWidownor Wife

Duk. Silence that fellow: I would he had some cause
to prattle for himselfe

Luc. Well my Lord

Mar. My LordI doe confesse I nere was married
And I confesse besidesI am no Maid
I haue known my husbandyet my husband
Knowes notthat euer he knew me

Luc. He was drunk thenmy Lordit can be no better


Duk. For the benefit of silencewould thou wert so to

Luc. Wellmy Lord

Duk. This is no witnesse for Lord Angelo

Mar. Now I come to'tmy Lord.
Shee that accuses him of Fornication
In selfe-same mannerdoth accuse my husband
And charges himmy Lordwith such a time
When I'le depose I had him in mine Armes
With all th' effect of Loue

Ang. Charges she moe then me?
Mar. Not that I know


Duk. No? you say your husband

Mar. Why iustmy Lordand that is Angelo
Who thinkes he knowesthat he nere knew my body
But knowshe thinkesthat he knowes Isabels

Ang. This is a strange abuse: Let's see thy face

Mar. My husband bids menow I will vnmaske.
This is that facethou cruell Angelo
Which once thou sworstwas worth the looking on:
This is the handwhich with a vowd contract
Was fast belockt in thine: This is the body
That tooke away the match from Isabell
And did supply thee at thy garden-house
In her Imagin'd person

Duke. Know you this woman?
Luc. Carnallie she saies


Duk. Sirhano more

Luc. Enough my Lord

Ang. My LordI must confesseI know this woman
And fiue yeres since there was some speech of marriage
Betwixt my selfeand her: which was broke off
Partly for that her promis'd proportions
Came short of Composition: But in chiefe
For that her reputation was dis-valued
In leuitie: Since which time of fiue yeres
I neuer spake with hersaw hernor heard from her
Vpon my faithand honor

Mar. Noble Prince
As there comes light from heauenand words fro[m] breath
As there is sence in truthand truth in vertue
I am affianced this mans wifeas strongly
As words could make vp vowes: And my good Lord
But Tuesday night last gonin's garden house
He knew me as a wife. As this is true
Let me in safety raise me from my knees
Or else for euer be confixed here
A Marble Monument

Ang. I did but smile till now
Nowgood my Lordgiue me the scope of Iustice


My patience here is touch'd: I doe perceiue
These poore informall womenare no more
But instruments of some more mightier member
That sets them on. Let me haue waymy Lord
To finde this practise out

Duke. Iwith my heart
And punish them to your height of pleasure.
Thou foolish Frierand thou pernicious woman
Compact with her that's gone: thinkst thouthy oathes
Though they would swear downe each particular Saint
Were testimonies against his worthand credit
That's seald in approbation? youLord Escalus
Sit with my Cozenlend him your kinde paines
To finde out this abusewhence 'tis deriu'd.
There is another Frier that set them on
Let him be sent for

Peter. Would he were heremy Lordfor he indeed
Hath set the women on to this Complaint;
Your Prouost knowes the place where he abides
And he may fetch him

Duke. Goedoe it instantly:
And youmy noble and well-warranted Cosen
Whom it concernes to heare this matter forth
Doe with your iniuries as seemes you best
In any chastisement; I for a while
Will leaue you; but stir not you till you haue
Well determin'd vpon these Slanderers.

Enter.

Esc. My Lordwee'll doe it throughly: Signior Lucio
did not you say you knew that Frier Lodowick to be a
dishonest person?

Luc. Cucullus non facit Monachumhonest in nothing
but in his Clothesand one that hath spoke most villanous
speeches of the Duke

Esc. We shall intreat you to abide heere till he come
and inforce them against him: we shall finde this Frier a
notable fellow

Luc. As any in Viennaon my word

Esc. Call that same Isabell here once againeI would
speake with her: pray youmy Lordgiue mee leaue to
questionyou shall see how Ile handle her

Luc. Not better then heby her owne report

Esc. Say you?

Luc. Marry sirI thinkeif you handled her priuately
She would sooner confesseperchance publikely she'll be
asham'd.

Enter DukeProuostIsabella

Esc. I will goe darkely to worke with her

Luc. That's the way: for women are light at midnight

Esc. Come on Mistrishere's a Gentlewoman


Denies all that you haue said

Luc. My Lordhere comes the rascall I spoke of
Herewith the Prouost

Esc. In very good time: speake not you to himtill
we call vpon you

Luc. Mum

Esc. Come Sirdid you set these women on to slander
Lord Angelo? they haue confes'd you did

Duk. 'Tis false

Esc. How? Know you where you are?

Duk. Respect to your great place; and let the diuell
Be sometime honour'dfor his burning throne.
Where is the Duke? 'tis he should heare me speake

Esc. The Duke's in vs: and we will heare you speake
Looke you speake iustly

Duk. Boldlyat least. But oh poore soules
Come you to seeke the Lamb here of the Fox;
Good night to your redresse: Is the Duke gone?
Then is your cause gone too: The Duke's vniust
Thus to retort your manifest Appeale
And put your triall in the villaines mouth
Which here you come to accuse

Luc. This is the rascall: this is he I spoke of

Esc. Why thou vnreuerendand vnhallowed Fryer:
Is't not enough thou hast suborn'd these women
To accuse this worthy man? but in foule mouth
And in the witnesse of his proper eare
To call him villaine; and then to glance from him
To th'Duke himselfeto taxe him with Iniustice?
Take him hence; to th' racke with him: we'll towze you
Ioynt by ioyntbut we will know his purpose:
What? vniust?

Duk. Be not so hot: the Duke dare
No more stretch this finger of minethen he
Dare racke his owne: his Subiect am I not
Nor here Prouinciall: My businesse in this State
Made me a looker on here in Vienna
Where I haue seene corruption boyle and bubble
Till it ore-run the Stew: Lawesfor all faults
But faults so countenanc'dthat the strong Statutes
Stand like the forfeites in a Barbers shop
As much in mockeas marke

Esc. Slander to th' State:
Away with him to prison

Ang. What can you vouch against him Signior Lucio?
Is this the man you did tell vs of?
Luc. 'Tis hemy Lord: come hither goodman bald-pate
doe you know me?
Duk. I remember you Sirby the sound of your voice
I met you at the Prisonin the absence of the Duke

Luc. Ohdid you so? and do you remember what you


said of the Duke

Duk. Most notedly Sir

Luc. Do you so Sir: And was the Duke a flesh-monger
a fooleand a cowardas you then reported him
to be?

Duk. You must (Sir) change persons with meere you
make that my report: you indeede spoke so of himand
much moremuch worse

Luc. Oh thou damnable fellow: did I not plucke thee
by the nosefor thy speeches?
Duk. I protestI loue the Dukeas I loue my selfe

Ang. Harke how the villaine would close nowafter
his treasonable abuses

Esc. Such a fellow is not to be talk'd withall: Away
with him to prison: Where is the Prouost? away with
him to prison: lay bolts enough vpon him: let him speak
no more: away with those Giglets tooand with the other
confederate companion

Duk. Stay Sirstay a while

Ang. Whatresists he? helpe him Lucio

Luc. Come sircome sircome sir: foh sirwhy you
bald-pated lying rascall: you must be hooded must you?
show your knaues visage with a poxe to you: show your
sheepe-biting faceand be hang'd an houre: Will't
not off?

Duk. Thou art the first knauethat ere mad'st a Duke.
First Prouostlet me bayle these gentle three:
Sneake not away Sirfor the Fryerand you
Must haue a word anon: lay hold on him

Luc. This may proue worse then hanging

Duk. What you haue spokeI pardon: sit you downe
We'll borrow place of him; Sirby your leaue:
Ha'st thou or wordor witor impudence
That yet can doe thee office? If thou ha'st
Rely vpon ittill my tale be heard
And hold no longer out

Ang. Ohmy dread Lord
I should be guiltier then my guiltinesse
To thinke I can be vndiscerneable
When I perceiue your gracelike powre diuine
Hath look'd vpon my passes. Then good Prince
No longer Session hold vpon my shame
But let my Triallbe mine owne Confession:
Immediate sentence thenand sequent death
Is all the grace I beg

Duk. Come hither Mariana
Say: was't thou ere contracted to this woman?
Ang. I was my Lord

Duk. Goe take her henceand marry her instantly.
Doe you the office (Fryer) which consummate
Returne him here againe: goe with him Prouost.


Enter.

Esc. My LordI am more amaz'd at his dishonor
Then at the strangenesse of it

Duk. Come hither Isabell
Your Frier is now your Prince: As I was then
Aduertysingand holy to your businesse
(Not changing heart with habit) I am still
Atturnied at your seruice

Isab. Oh giue me pardon
That Iyour vassailehaue imploidand pain'd
Your vnknowne Soueraigntie

Duk. You are pardon'd Isabell:
And nowdeere Maidebe you as free to vs.
Your Brothers death I know sits at your heart:
And you may maruailewhy I obscur'd my selfe
Labouring to saue his life: and would not rather
Make rash remonstrance of my hidden powre
Then let him so be lost: oh most kinde Maid
It was the swift celeritie of his death
Which I did thinkewith slower foot came on
That brain'd my purpose: but peace be with him
That life is better life past fearing death
Then that which liues to feare: make it your comfort
So happy is your Brother.

Enter AngeloMariaPeterProuost.

Isab. I doe my Lord

Duk. For this new-maried manapproaching here
Whose salt imagination yet hath wrong'd
Your well defended honor: you must pardon
For Mariana's sake: But as he adiudg'd your Brother
Being criminallin double violation
Of sacred Chastitieand of promise-breach
Thereon dependant for your Brothers life
The very mercy of the Law cries out
Most audibleeuen from his proper tongue.
An Angelo for Claudiodeath for death:
Haste still paies hasteand leasureanswers leasure;
Like doth quit likeand Measure still for Measure:
Then Angelothy fault's thus manifested;
Which though thou would'st denydenies thee vantage.
We doe condemne thee to the very Blocke
Where Claudio stoop'd to deathand with like haste.
Away with him

Mar. Oh my most gracious Lord
I hope you will not mocke me with a husband?

Duk. It is your husband mock't you with a husband
Consenting to the safe-guard of your honor
I thought your marriage fit: else Imputation
For that he knew youmight reproach your life
And choake your good to come: For his Possessions
Although by confutation they are ours;
We doe en-stateand widow you with all
To buy you a better husband

Mar. Oh my deere Lord


I craue no othernor no better man

Duke. Neuer craue himwe are definitiue

Mar. Gentle my Liege

Duke. You doe but loose your labour.
Away with him to death: Now Sirto you

Mar. Oh my good Lordsweet Isabelltake my part
Lend me your kneesand all my life to come
I'll lend you all my life to doe you seruice

Duke. Against all sence you doe importune her
Should she kneele downein mercie of this fact
Her Brothers ghosthis paued bed would breake
And take her hence in horror

Mar. Isabell:
Sweet Isabeldoe yet but kneele by me
Hold vp your handssay nothing: I'll speake all.
They say best men are moulded out of faults
And for the mostbecome much more the better
For being a little bad: So may my husband.
Oh Isabel: will you not lend a knee?

Duke. He dies for Claudio's death

Isab. Most bounteous Sir.
Looke if it please youon this man condemn'd
As if my Brother liu'd: I partly thinke
A due sinceritie gouerned his deedes
Till he did looke on me: Since it is so
Let him not die: my Brother had but Iustice
In that he did the thing for which he dide.
For Angelohis Act did not ore-take his bad intent
And must be buried but as an intent
That perish'd by the way: thoughts are no subiects
Intentsbut meerely thoughts

Mar. Meerely my Lord

Duk. Your suite's vnprofitable: stand vp I say:
I haue bethought me of another fault.
Prouosthow came it Claudio was beheaded
At an vnusuall howre?

Pro. It was commanded so

Duke. Had you a speciall warrant for the deed?
Pro. No my good Lord: it was by priuate message


Duk. For which I doe discharge you of your office
Giue vp your keyes

Pro. Pardon menoble Lord
I thought it was a faultbut knew it not
Yet did repent me after more aduice
For testimony whereofone in the prison
That should by priuate order else haue dide
I haue reseru'd aliue

Duk. What's he?
Pro. His name is Barnardine


Duke. I would thou hadst done so by Claudio:


Goe fetch him hitherlet me looke vpon him

Esc. I am sorryone so learnedand so wise
As youLord Angelohaue stil appear'd
Should slip so grosselieboth in the heat of bloud
And lacke of temper'd iudgement afterward

Ang. I am sorriethat such sorrow I procure
And so deepe sticks it in my penitent heart
That I craue death more willingly then mercy
'Tis my deseruingand I doe entreat it.

Enter Barnardine and ProuostClaudioIulietta.

Duke. Which is that Barnardine?
Pro. This my Lord


Duke. There was a Friar told me of this man.
Sirhathou art said to haue a stubborne soule
That apprehends no further then this world
And squar'st thy life according: Thou'rt condemn'd
But for those earthly faultsI quit them all
And pray thee take this mercie to prouide
For better times to come: Frier aduise him
I leaue him to your hand. What muffeld fellow's that?

Pro. This is another prisoner that I sau'd
Who should haue di'd when Claudio lost his head
As like almost to Claudioas himselfe

Duke. If he be like your brotherfor his sake
Is he pardon'dand for your louelie sake
Giue me your handand say you will be mine
He is my brother too: But fitter time for that:
By this Lord Angelo perceiues he's safe
Methinkes I see a quickning in his eye:
Well Angeloyour euill quits you well.
Looke that you loue your wife: her worthworth yours
I finde an apt remission in my selfe:
And yet heere's one in place I cannot pardon
You sirhathat knew me for a foolea Coward
One all of Luxuriean assea mad man:
Wherein haue I so deseru'd of you
That you extoll me thus?

Luc. 'Faith my LordI spoke it but according to the
trick: if you will hang me for it you may: but I had rather
it would please youI might be whipt

Duke. Whipt firstsirand hang'd after.
Proclaime it Prouost round about the Citie
If any woman wrong'd by this lewd fellow
(As I haue heard him sweare himselfe there's one
whom he begot with childe) let her appeare
And he shall marry her: the nuptiall finish'd
Let him be whipt and hang'd

Luc. I beseech your Highnesse doe not marry me to
a Whore: your Highnesse said euen now I made you a
Dukegood my Lord do not recompence mein making
me a Cuckold

Duke. Vpon mine honor thou shalt marrie her.
Thy slanders I forgiueand therewithall
Remit thy other forfeits: take him to prison
And see our pleasure herein executed


Luc. Marrying a punke my Lordis pressing to death
Whipping and hanging

Duke. Slandering a Prince deserues it.
She Claudio that you wrong'dlooke you restore.
Ioy to you Marianaloue her Angelo:
I haue confes'd herand I know her vertue.
Thanks good friendEscalusfor thy much goodnesse
There's more behinde that is more gratulate.
Thanks Prouost for thy careand secrecie
We shall imploy thee in a worthier place.
Forgiue him Angelothat brought you home
The head of Ragozine for Claudio's
Th' offence pardons it selfe. Deere Isabell
I haue a motion much imports your good
Whereto if you'll a willing eare incline;
What's mine is yoursand what is yours is mine.
So bring vs to our Pallacewhere wee'll show
What's yet behindethat meete you all should know.

The Scene Vienna.

The names of all the Actors.

Vincentio: the Duke.
Angelothe Deputie.
Escalusan ancient Lord.
Claudioa yong Gentleman.
Lucioa fantastique.


2. Other like Gentlemen.
Prouost.
Thomas. 2. Friers.
Peter.
Elbowa simple Constable.
Frotha foolish Gentleman.
Clowne.
Abhorsonan Executioner.
Barnardinea dissolute prisoner.
Isabellasister to Claudio.
Marianabetrothed to Angelo.
Iulietbeloued of Claudio.
Franciscaa Nun.
Mistris Ouer-dona Bawd.
FINIS. MEASVREFor Measure.