Measure for Measure

Measure for Measure William Shakespeare Barbara A. Mowat Paul Werstine Edited for XML and encoded by Michael Poston Rebecca Niles Text released without textual notes Folger Shakespeare Library MM

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Distributed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 3.0 Unported License July, 2016 The Folger Shakespeare (formerly Folger Digital Texts) William Shakespeare Measure For Measure Barbara A. Mowat Paul Werstine New York Washington Square Press 1997 Adobe Digital Edition The most current version of the text

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Specifying who participates in a stage direction can be an interesting challenge, especially for ambiguous and permissive stage directions. We have created a new character referencing system to deal with the known and the ambiguous. Clearly identified individuals are identified with their mixed case name followed by the abbreviation of their most significant play. Thus, Hamlet is Hamlet_Ham, Falstaff is Falstaff_1H4 (even in 2H4), and the Duke of Gloucester in 3H6 is RichardIII_R3. Characters who do not have names may be identified in relation to a group of characters, expressed in capital letters. There is an attempt to develop a controlled vocabulary, so Mariners are SAILORS, Keepers are JAILERS, and Captains may be SOLDIERS. ATTENDANTS is a catch-all category that can include Lords, Gentlemen, Torchbearers, Servants, and others. A decimal-based system allows us to add more information as we have it. Brutus's soldier Titinius is SOLDIERS.BRUTUS.Titinius_JC. The First Soldier in that army is SOLDIERS.BRUTUS.1_JC. These still refer to individual characters. With messengers, for example, when we are not sure if the messenger in one scene is the same as the messenger in another, we use .X as a kind of algebraic variable. MESSENGERS.1 cannot be MESSENGERS.2, but MESSENGERS.X might be. When it is impossible to track an individual's entrances and exits, or when it is difficult to know how many characters are in the group, we prefer to track the group rather than individuals. The .0 modifier is used to single out actions by a subset of the group. If a group of ATTENDANTS enters, one is sent on an errand, and then the rest leave, that one is identified as ATTENDANTS.0.1.

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Words, spaces, and punctuation characters are numbered sequentially, incremented by 10.

Most other elements begin with an element-specific prefix, followed by a reference to the Folger Through Line Number, a sequential numbering of the numbered lines in the text. If an element is inline with play text, it has the same line number as the line where it begins. If it begins on a line following play text, a decimal number is appended and incremented as necessary. If it falls between a speech prefix and the play text, a ".0" is appended to the value of the following line number.

English French Italian Latin Spanish Duke of Vienna

later called Friar Lodowick

male Escalus

a judge

male Provost male Elbow

a constable

male Abhorson

an executioner

male A Justice male Varrius

friend to the Duke

male Angelo

deputy to the Duke

male Mariana

betrothed to Angelo

female Boy singer male Servant to Angelo male Messenger from Angelo male Isabella

a novice in the Order of Saint Clare

female Francisca

a nun

female Claudio

brother to Isabella

male Juliet

betrothed to Claudio

female Lucio

friend to Claudio

male

Two Gentlemen, associates of Lucio

Friar Thomas male Friar Peter male Mistress Overdone

a bawd

female Pompey the Clown

her servant

male Froth

Pompey’s customer

male Barnardine

a prisoner

male Lords, Officers, Citizens, Servants, and Attendants Version 0.9.2.1 released. Minor correction to #FromTheDirector. Version 0.9.2 released Identified turnunders (verse lines split because they could not fit on the previous line in the print edition). Added #p0015395. Split #w0018350 into #w0018450, #c0018453, #w0018456. Updated #p0173400, #p0403040. Combined "three pence" into one word: #w0083600, #w0086030, #w0108060. Combined "o’ clock" into one word: #w0306060, #c0306070, #w0306080. Renumbered stg-0723.2 to stg-0724. Version 0.9.0 released.

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Other editorial decisions involve choices about whether an unfamiliar word could be understood in light of other writings of the period or whether it should be changed; decisions about words that made it into Shakespeare’s text by accident through four hundred years of printings and misprinting; and even decisions based on cultural preference and taste. When the Moby™ Text was created, for example, it was deemed “improper” and “indecent” for Miranda to chastise Caliban for having attempted to rape her. (See The Tempest, 1.2: “Abhorred slave,/Which any print of goodness wilt not take,/Being capable of all ill! I pitied thee…”). All Shakespeare editors at the time took the speech away from her and gave it to her father, Prospero.

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Human nature and the law often collide in Measure for Measure. As the play begins, the Duke of Vienna announces he is going away and puts his deputy Angelo in charge of the state. Angelo immediately enforces a law prohibiting sex outside of marriage, sentencing Claudio to death for sleeping with Juliet, Claudio’s now-pregnant fiancée.

Claudio’s sister Isabella, a novice nun, appeals to Angelo to save her brother. But the supposedly pure Angelo demands that Isabella sleep with him to save Claudio. To Claudio’s dismay, Isabella refuses.

The duke, who has remained in Vienna disguised as a friar, suggests that Angelo’s jilted fiancée, Mariana, could take Isabella’s place. Although the trick succeeds, Angelo orders Claudio beheaded anyway. The duke saves Claudio, but he tells Isabella that Claudio is dead.

The duke, resuming his identity, sentences Angelo to wed Mariana and then be put to death. But Mariana and Isabella plead for Angelo’s life. Revealing that Claudio is alive, the duke pardons Angelo and proposes to Isabella.

ACT 1 Scene 1 Enter Duke , Escalus , Lords , and Attendants . DUKE Escalus . ESCALUS My lord . DUKE Of government the properties to unfold Would seem in me t’ affect speech and discourse , Since I am put to know that your own science Exceeds , in that , the lists of all advice My strength can give you . Then no more remains But that , to your sufficiency , as your worth is able , And let them work . The nature of our people , Our city’s institutions , and the terms For common justice , you’re as pregnant in As art and practice hath enrichèd any That we remember . There is our commission , He hands Escalus a paper . From which we would not have you warp . — Call hither , I say , bid come before us Angelo . An Attendant exits . What figure of us think you he will bear ? For you must know , we have with special soul Elected him our absence to supply , Lent him our terror , dressed him with our love , ACT 1. SC. 1 And given his deputation all the organs Of our own power . What think you of it ? ESCALUS If any in Vienna be of worth To undergo such ample grace and honor , It is Lord Angelo . Enter Angelo . DUKE Look where he comes . ANGELO Always obedient to your Grace’s will , I come to know your pleasure . DUKE Angelo , There is a kind of character in thy life That to th’ observer doth thy history Fully unfold . Thyself and thy belongings Are not thine own so proper as to waste Thyself upon thy virtues , they on thee . Heaven doth with us as we with torches do , Not light them for themselves ; for if our virtues Did not go forth of us , ’twere all alike As if we had them not . Spirits are not finely touched But to fine issues , nor nature never lends The smallest scruple of her excellence But , like a thrifty goddess , she determines Herself the glory of a creditor , Both thanks and use . But I do bend my speech To one that can my part in him advertise . Hold , therefore , Angelo . In our remove be thou at full ourself . Mortality and mercy in Vienna Live in thy tongue and heart . Old Escalus , Though first in question , is thy secondary . Take thy commission . He hands Angelo a paper . ANGELO Now , good my lord , Let there be some more test made of my mettle ACT 1. SC. 1 Before so noble and so great a figure Be stamped upon it . DUKE No more evasion . We have with a leavened and preparèd choice Proceeded to you . Therefore , take your honors . Our haste from hence is of so quick condition That it prefers itself and leaves unquestioned Matters of needful value . We shall write to you , As time and our concernings shall importune , How it goes with us , and do look to know What doth befall you here . So fare you well . To th’ hopeful execution do I leave you Of your commissions . ANGELO Yet give leave , my lord , That we may bring you something on the way . DUKE My haste may not admit it . Nor need you , on mine honor , have to do With any scruple . Your scope is as mine own , So to enforce or qualify the laws As to your soul seems good . Give me your hand . I’ll privily away . I love the people , But do not like to stage me to their eyes . Though it do well , I do not relish well Their loud applause and aves vehement , Nor do I think the man of safe discretion That does affect it . Once more , fare you well . ANGELO The heavens give safety to your purposes . ESCALUS Lead forth and bring you back in happiness . DUKE I thank you . Fare you well . He exits . ESCALUS , to Angelo I shall desire you , sir , to give me leave To have free speech with you ; and it concerns me To look into the bottom of my place . ACT 1. SC. 2 A power I have , but of what strength and nature I am not yet instructed . ANGELO ’Tis so with me . Let us withdraw together , And we may soon our satisfaction have Touching that point . ESCALUS I’ll wait upon your Honor . They exit . Scene 2 Enter Lucio and two other Gentlemen . LUCIO If the Duke , with the other dukes , come not to composition with the King of Hungary , why then all the dukes fall upon the King . FIRST GENTLEMAN Heaven grant us its peace , but not the King of Hungary’s ! SECOND GENTLEMAN Amen . LUCIO Thou conclud’st like the sanctimonious pirate that went to sea with the ten commandments but scraped one out of the table . SECOND GENTLEMAN Thou shalt not steal ? LUCIO Ay , that he razed . FIRST GENTLEMAN Why , ’twas a commandment to command the Captain and all the rest from their functions ! They put forth to steal . There’s not a soldier of us all that in the thanksgiving before meat do relish the petition well that prays for peace . SECOND GENTLEMAN I never heard any soldier dislike it . LUCIO I believe thee , for I think thou never wast where grace was said . SECOND GENTLEMAN No ? A dozen times at least . FIRST GENTLEMAN What ? In meter ? LUCIO In any proportion or in any language . FIRST GENTLEMAN I think , or in any religion . ACT 1. SC. 2 LUCIO Ay , why not ? Grace is grace , despite of all controversy ; as , for example , thou thyself art a wicked villain , despite of all grace . FIRST GENTLEMAN Well , there went but a pair of shears between us . LUCIO I grant , as there may between the lists and the velvet . Thou art the list . FIRST GENTLEMAN And thou the velvet . Thou art good velvet ; thou ’rt a three-piled piece , I warrant thee . I had as lief be a list of an English kersey as be piled , as thou art piled , for a French velvet . Do I speak feelingly now ? LUCIO I think thou dost , and indeed with most painful feeling of thy speech . I will , out of thine own confession , learn to begin thy health , but , whilst I live , forget to drink after thee . FIRST GENTLEMAN I think I have done myself wrong , have I not ? SECOND GENTLEMAN Yes , that thou hast , whether thou art tainted or free . Enter Mistress Overdone , a Bawd . LUCIO Behold , behold , where Madam Mitigation comes ! I have purchased as many diseases under her roof as come to — SECOND GENTLEMAN To what , I pray ? LUCIO Judge . SECOND GENTLEMAN To three thousand dolors a year . FIRST GENTLEMAN Ay , and more . LUCIO A French crown more . FIRST GENTLEMAN Thou art always figuring diseases in me , but thou art full of error . I am sound . LUCIO Nay , not , as one would say , healthy , but so sound as things that are hollow . Thy bones are hollow . Impiety has made a feast of thee . ACT 1. SC. 2 FIRST GENTLEMAN , to Bawd How now , which of your hips has the most profound sciatica ? BAWD Well , well . There’s one yonder arrested and carried to prison was worth five thousand of you all . SECOND GENTLEMAN Who’s that , I pray thee ? BAWD Marry , sir , that’s Claudio , Signior Claudio . FIRST GENTLEMAN Claudio to prison ? ’Tis not so . BAWD Nay , but I know ’tis so . I saw him arrested , saw him carried away ; and , which is more , within these three days his head to be chopped off . LUCIO But , after all this fooling , I would not have it so ! Art thou sure of this ? BAWD I am too sure of it . And it is for getting Madam Julietta with child . LUCIO Believe me , this may be . He promised to meet me two hours since , and he was ever precise in promise-keeping . SECOND GENTLEMAN Besides , you know , it draws something near to the speech we had to such a purpose . FIRST GENTLEMAN But most of all agreeing with the proclamation . LUCIO Away . Let’s go learn the truth of it . Lucio and Gentlemen exit . BAWD Thus , what with the war , what with the sweat , what with the gallows , and what with poverty , I am custom-shrunk . Enter Pompey . How now ? What’s the news with you ? POMPEY Yonder man is carried to prison . BAWD Well , what has he done ? POMPEY A woman . BAWD But what’s his offense ? POMPEY Groping for trouts in a peculiar river . BAWD What ? Is there a maid with child by him ? ACT 1. SC. 2 POMPEY No , but there’s a woman with maid by him . You have not heard of the proclamation , have you ? BAWD What proclamation , man ? POMPEY All houses in the suburbs of Vienna must be plucked down . BAWD And what shall become of those in the city ? POMPEY They shall stand for seed . They had gone down too , but that a wise burgher put in for them . BAWD But shall all our houses of resort in the suburbs be pulled down ? POMPEY To the ground , mistress . BAWD Why , here’s a change indeed in the commonwealth ! What shall become of me ? POMPEY Come , fear not you . Good counselors lack no clients . Though you change your place , you need not change your trade . I’ll be your tapster still . Courage . There will be pity taken on you . You that have worn your eyes almost out in the service , you will be considered . Enter Provost , Claudio , Juliet , and Officers . BAWD What’s to do here , Thomas Tapster ? Let’s withdraw . POMPEY Here comes Signior Claudio , led by the Provost to prison . And there’s Madam Juliet . Bawd and Pompey exit . CLAUDIO , to Provost Fellow , why dost thou show me thus to th’ world ? Bear me to prison , where I am committed . PROVOST I do it not in evil disposition , But from Lord Angelo by special charge . CLAUDIO Thus can the demigod Authority Make us pay down for our offense , by weight , ACT 1. SC. 2 The words of heaven : on whom it will , it will ; On whom it will not , so ; yet still ’tis just . Enter Lucio and Second Gentleman . LUCIO Why , how now , Claudio ? Whence comes this restraint ? CLAUDIO From too much liberty , my Lucio , liberty . As surfeit is the father of much fast , So every scope by the immoderate use Turns to restraint . Our natures do pursue , Like rats that raven down their proper bane , A thirsty evil , and when we drink , we die . LUCIO If I could speak so wisely under an arrest , I would send for certain of my creditors . And yet , to say the truth , I had as lief have the foppery of freedom as the mortality of imprisonment . What’s thy offense , Claudio ? CLAUDIO What but to speak of would offend again . LUCIO What , is ’t murder ? CLAUDIO No . LUCIO Lechery ? CLAUDIO Call it so . PROVOST Away , sir . You must go . CLAUDIO One word , good friend . — Lucio , a word with you . LUCIO A hundred , if they’ll do you any good . Is lechery so looked after ? CLAUDIO Thus stands it with me : upon a true contract I got possession of Julietta’s bed . You know the lady . She is fast my wife , Save that we do the denunciation lack Of outward order . This we came not to ACT 1. SC. 2 Only for propagation of a dower Remaining in the coffer of her friends , From whom we thought it meet to hide our love Till time had made them for us . But it chances The stealth of our most mutual entertainment With character too gross is writ on Juliet . LUCIO With child , perhaps ? CLAUDIO Unhappily , even so . And the new deputy now for the Duke — Whether it be the fault and glimpse of newness , Or whether that the body public be A horse whereon the governor doth ride , Who , newly in the seat , that it may know He can command , lets it straight feel the spur ; Whether the tyranny be in his place Or in his eminence that fills it up , I stagger in — but this new governor Awakes me all the enrollèd penalties Which have , like unscoured armor , hung by th’ wall So long that nineteen zodiacs have gone round , And none of them been worn ; and for a name Now puts the drowsy and neglected act Freshly on me . ’Tis surely for a name . LUCIO I warrant it is . And thy head stands so tickle on thy shoulders that a milkmaid , if she be in love , may sigh it off . Send after the Duke and appeal to him . CLAUDIO I have done so , but he’s not to be found . I prithee , Lucio , do me this kind service : This day my sister should the cloister enter And there receive her approbation . Acquaint her with the danger of my state ; Implore her , in my voice , that she make friends To the strict deputy ; bid herself assay him . I have great hope in that , for in her youth ACT 1. SC. 3 There is a prone and speechless dialect Such as move men . Besides , she hath prosperous art When she will play with reason and discourse , And well she can persuade . LUCIO I pray she may , as well for the encouragement of the like , which else would stand under grievous imposition , as for the enjoying of thy life , who I would be sorry should be thus foolishly lost at a game of tick-tack . I’ll to her . CLAUDIO I thank you , good friend Lucio . LUCIO Within two hours . CLAUDIO Come , officer , away . They exit . Scene 3 Enter Duke and Friar Thomas . DUKE No , holy father , throw away that thought . Believe not that the dribbling dart of love Can pierce a complete bosom . Why I desire thee To give me secret harbor hath a purpose More grave and wrinkled than the aims and ends Of burning youth . FRIAR THOMAS May your Grace speak of it ? DUKE My holy sir , none better knows than you How I have ever loved the life removed , And held in idle price to haunt assemblies Where youth and cost witless bravery keeps . I have delivered to Lord Angelo , A man of stricture and firm abstinence , My absolute power and place here in Vienna , And he supposes me traveled to Poland , For so I have strewed it in the common ear , ACT 1. SC. 3 And so it is received . Now , pious sir , You will demand of me why I do this . FRIAR THOMAS Gladly , my lord . DUKE We have strict statutes and most biting laws , The needful bits and curbs to headstrong weeds , Which for this fourteen years we have let slip , Even like an o’ergrown lion in a cave That goes not out to prey . Now , as fond fathers , Having bound up the threat’ning twigs of birch Only to stick it in their children’s sight For terror , not to use — in time the rod More mocked than feared — so our decrees , Dead to infliction , to themselves are dead , And liberty plucks justice by the nose , The baby beats the nurse , and quite athwart Goes all decorum . FRIAR THOMAS It rested in your Grace To unloose this tied-up justice when you pleased , And it in you more dreadful would have seemed Than in Lord Angelo . DUKE I do fear , too dreadful . Sith ’twas my fault to give the people scope , ’Twould be my tyranny to strike and gall them For what I bid them do ; for we bid this be done When evil deeds have their permissive pass And not the punishment . Therefore , indeed , my father , I have on Angelo imposed the office , Who may in th’ ambush of my name strike home , And yet my nature never in the fight To do in slander . And to behold his sway I will , as ’twere a brother of your order , Visit both prince and people . Therefore I prithee Supply me with the habit , and instruct me How I may formally in person bear ACT 1. SC. 4 Like a true friar . More reasons for this action At our more leisure shall I render you . Only this one : Lord Angelo is precise , Stands at a guard with envy , scarce confesses That his blood flows or that his appetite Is more to bread than stone . Hence shall we see , If power change purpose , what our seemers be . They exit . Scene 4 Enter Isabella and Francisca , a Nun . ISABELLA And have you nuns no farther privileges ? NUN Are not these large enough ? ISABELLA Yes , truly . I speak not as desiring more , But rather wishing a more strict restraint Upon the sisterhood , the votarists of Saint Clare . LUCIO , within Ho , peace be in this place ! ISABELLA Who’s that which calls ? NUN It is a man’s voice . Gentle Isabella , Turn you the key and know his business of him . You may ; I may not . You are yet unsworn . When you have vowed , you must not speak with men But in the presence of the Prioress . Then , if you speak , you must not show your face ; Or if you show your face , you must not speak . He calls again . I pray you answer him . ISABELLA Peace and prosperity ! Who is ’t that calls ? Enter Lucio . ACT 1. SC. 4 LUCIO Hail , virgin , if you be , as those cheek-roses Proclaim you are no less . Can you so stead me As bring me to the sight of Isabella , A novice of this place and the fair sister To her unhappy brother , Claudio ? ISABELLA Why her unhappy brother ? Let me ask , The rather for I now must make you know I am that Isabella , and his sister . LUCIO Gentle and fair , your brother kindly greets you . Not to be weary with you , he’s in prison . ISABELLA Woe me , for what ? LUCIO For that which , if myself might be his judge , He should receive his punishment in thanks : He hath got his friend with child . ISABELLA Sir , make me not your story . LUCIO ’Tis true . I would not , though ’tis my familiar sin With maids to seem the lapwing and to jest , Tongue far from heart , play with all virgins so . I hold you as a thing enskied and sainted , By your renouncement an immortal spirit , And to be talked with in sincerity As with a saint . ISABELLA You do blaspheme the good in mocking me . LUCIO Do not believe it . Fewness and truth , ’tis thus : Your brother and his lover have embraced ; As those that feed grow full , as blossoming time That from the seedness the bare fallow brings ACT 1. SC. 4 To teeming foison , even so her plenteous womb Expresseth his full tilth and husbandry . ISABELLA Someone with child by him ? My cousin Juliet ? LUCIO Is she your cousin ? ISABELLA Adoptedly , as schoolmaids change their names By vain though apt affection . LUCIO She it is . ISABELLA O , let him marry her ! LUCIO This is the point . The Duke is very strangely gone from hence ; Bore many gentlemen , myself being one , In hand , and hope of action ; but we do learn , By those that know the very nerves of state , His givings-out were of an infinite distance From his true-meant design . Upon his place , And with full line of his authority , Governs Lord Angelo , a man whose blood Is very snow-broth ; one who never feels The wanton stings and motions of the sense , But doth rebate and blunt his natural edge With profits of the mind : study and fast . He — to give fear to use and liberty , Which have for long run by the hideous law As mice by lions — hath picked out an act Under whose heavy sense your brother’s life Falls into forfeit . He arrests him on it , And follows close the rigor of the statute To make him an example . All hope is gone Unless you have the grace by your fair prayer To soften Angelo . And that’s my pith of business ’Twixt you and your poor brother . ISABELLA Doth he so Seek his life ? ACT 1. SC. 4 LUCIO Has censured him already , And , as I hear , the Provost hath a warrant For ’s execution . ISABELLA Alas , what poor ability’s in me To do him good ? LUCIO Assay the power you have . ISABELLA My power ? Alas , I doubt — LUCIO Our doubts are traitors And makes us lose the good we oft might win By fearing to attempt . Go to Lord Angelo And let him learn to know , when maidens sue Men give like gods ; but when they weep and kneel , All their petitions are as freely theirs As they themselves would owe them . ISABELLA I’ll see what I can do . LUCIO But speedily ! ISABELLA I will about it straight , No longer staying but to give the Mother Notice of my affair . I humbly thank you . Commend me to my brother . Soon at night I’ll send him certain word of my success . LUCIO I take my leave of you . ISABELLA Good sir , adieu . They exit . ACT 2 Scene 1 Enter Angelo , Escalus , Servants , and a Justice . ANGELO We must not make a scarecrow of the law , Setting it up to fear the birds of prey , And let it keep one shape till custom make it Their perch and not their terror . ESCALUS Ay , but yet Let us be keen and rather cut a little Than fall and bruise to death . Alas , this gentleman Whom I would save had a most noble father . Let but your Honor know , Whom I believe to be most strait in virtue , That , in the working of your own affections , Had time cohered with place , or place with wishing , Or that the resolute acting of your blood Could have attained th’ effect of your own purpose , Whether you had not sometime in your life Erred in this point which now you censure him , And pulled the law upon you . ANGELO ’Tis one thing to be tempted , Escalus , Another thing to fall . I not deny The jury passing on the prisoner’s life May in the sworn twelve have a thief or two Guiltier than him they try . What’s open made to justice , ACT 2. SC. 1 That justice seizes . What knows the laws That thieves do pass on thieves ? ’Tis very pregnant , The jewel that we find , we stoop and take ’t Because we see it ; but what we do not see , We tread upon and never think of it . You may not so extenuate his offense For I have had such faults ; but rather tell me , When I that censure him do so offend , Let mine own judgment pattern out my death , And nothing come in partial . Sir , he must die . Enter Provost . ESCALUS Be it as your wisdom will . ANGELO Where is the Provost ? PROVOST Here , if it like your Honor . ANGELO See that Claudio Be executed by nine tomorrow morning . Bring him his confessor , let him be prepared , For that’s the utmost of his pilgrimage . Provost exits . ESCALUS Well , heaven forgive him and forgive us all . Some rise by sin and some by virtue fall . Some run from brakes of ice and answer none , And some condemnèd for a fault alone . Enter Elbow and Officers , with Froth and Pompey . ELBOW , to Officers Come , bring them away . If these be good people in a commonweal that do nothing but use their abuses in common houses , I know no law . Bring them away . ANGELO How now , sir , what’s your name ? And what’s the matter ? ACT 2. SC. 1 ELBOW If it please your Honor , I am the poor duke’s constable , and my name is Elbow . I do lean upon justice , sir , and do bring in here before your good Honor two notorious benefactors . ANGELO Benefactors ? Well , what benefactors are they ? Are they not malefactors ? ELBOW If it please your Honor , I know not well what they are , but precise villains they are , that I am sure of , and void of all profanation in the world that good Christians ought to have . ESCALUS , to Angelo This comes off well . Here’s a wise officer . ANGELO , to Elbow Go to . What quality are they of ? Elbow is your name ? Why dost thou not speak , Elbow ? POMPEY He cannot , sir . He’s out at elbow . ANGELO What are you , sir ? ELBOW He , sir ? A tapster , sir , parcel bawd ; one that serves a bad woman , whose house , sir , was , as they say , plucked down in the suburbs , and now she professes a hothouse , which I think is a very ill house too . ESCALUS How know you that ? ELBOW My wife , sir , whom I detest before heaven and your Honor — ESCALUS How ? Thy wife ? ELBOW Ay , sir , whom I thank heaven is an honest woman — ESCALUS Dost thou detest her therefore ? ELBOW I say , sir , I will detest myself also , as well as she , that this house , if it be not a bawd’s house , it is pity of her life , for it is a naughty house . ESCALUS How dost thou know that , constable ? ELBOW Marry , sir , by my wife , who , if she had been a woman cardinally given , might have been accused ACT 2. SC. 1 in fornication , adultery , and all uncleanliness there . ESCALUS By the woman’s means ? ELBOW Ay , sir , by Mistress Overdone’s means ; but as she spit in his face , so she defied him . POMPEY , to Escalus Sir , if it please your Honor , this is not so . ELBOW Prove it before these varlets here , thou honorable man , prove it . ESCALUS , to Angelo Do you hear how he misplaces ? POMPEY Sir , she came in great with child , and longing , saving your Honor’s reverence , for stewed prunes . Sir , we had but two in the house , which at that very distant time stood , as it were , in a fruit dish , a dish of some threepence three pence ; your Honors have seen such dishes ; they are not china dishes , but very good dishes — ESCALUS Go to , go to . No matter for the dish , sir . POMPEY No , indeed , sir , not of a pin ; you are therein in the right . But to the point : as I say , this Mistress Elbow , being , as I say , with child , and being great-bellied , and longing , as I said , for prunes ; and having but two in the dish , as I said , Master Froth here , this very man , having eaten the rest , as I said , and , as I say , paying for them very honestly — for , as you know , Master Froth , I could not give you threepence three pence again — FROTH No , indeed . POMPEY Very well . You being then , if you be remembered , cracking the stones of the foresaid prunes — FROTH Ay , so I did indeed . POMPEY Why , very well . I telling you then , if you be remembered , that such a one and such a one were past cure of the thing you wot of , unless they kept very good diet , as I told you — FROTH All this is true . ACT 2. SC. 1 POMPEY Why , very well then — ESCALUS Come , you are a tedious fool . To the purpose : what was done to Elbow’s wife that he hath cause to complain of ? Come me to what was done to her . POMPEY Sir , your Honor cannot come to that yet . ESCALUS No , sir , nor I mean it not . POMPEY Sir , but you shall come to it , by your Honor’s leave . And I beseech you , look into Master Froth here , sir , a man of fourscore pound a year , whose father died at Hallowmas — was ’t not at Hallowmas , Master Froth ? FROTH All-hallond Eve . POMPEY Why , very well . I hope here be truths . — He , sir , sitting , as I say , in a lower chair , sir — To Froth . ’Twas in the Bunch of Grapes , where indeed you have a delight to sit , have you not ? FROTH I have so , because it is an open room , and good for winter . POMPEY Why , very well then . I hope here be truths . ANGELO , to Escalus This will last out a night in Russia When nights are longest there . I’ll take my leave , And leave you to the hearing of the cause , Hoping you’ll find good cause to whip them all . ESCALUS I think no less . Good morrow to your Lordship Angelo exits . Now , sir , come on . What was done to Elbow’s wife , once more ? POMPEY Once , sir ? There was nothing done to her once . ELBOW , to Escalus I beseech you , sir , ask him what this man did to my wife . POMPEY , to Escalus I beseech your Honor , ask me . ESCALUS Well , sir , what did this gentleman to her ? POMPEY I beseech you , sir , look in this gentleman’s ACT 2. SC. 1 face . — Good Master Froth , look upon his Honor . ’Tis for a good purpose . — Doth your Honor mark his face ? ESCALUS Ay , sir , very well . POMPEY Nay , I beseech you , mark it well . ESCALUS Well , I do so . POMPEY Doth your Honor see any harm in his face ? ESCALUS Why , no . POMPEY I’ll be supposed upon a book , his face is the worst thing about him . Good , then , if his face be the worst thing about him , how could Master Froth do the Constable’s wife any harm ? I would know that of your Honor . ESCALUS He’s in the right , constable . What say you to it ? ELBOW First , an it like you , the house is a respected house ; next , this is a respected fellow , and his mistress is a respected woman . POMPEY By this hand , sir , his wife is a more respected person than any of us all . ELBOW Varlet , thou liest ; thou liest , wicked varlet ! The time is yet to come that she was ever respected with man , woman , or child . POMPEY Sir , she was respected with him before he married with her . ESCALUS Which is the wiser here , Justice or Iniquity ? Is this true ? ELBOW , to Pompey O thou caitiff ! O thou varlet ! O thou wicked Hannibal ! I respected with her before I was married to her ? — If ever I was respected with her , or she with me , let not your Worship think me the poor duke’s officer . — Prove this , thou wicked Hannibal , or I’ll have mine action of batt’ry on thee . ESCALUS If he took you a box o’ th’ ear , you might have your action of slander too . ELBOW Marry , I thank your good Worship for it . What ACT 2. SC. 1 is ’t your Worship’s pleasure I shall do with this wicked caitiff ? ESCALUS Truly , officer , because he hath some offenses in him that thou wouldst discover if thou couldst , let him continue in his courses till thou know’st what they are . ELBOW Marry , I thank your Worship for it . To Pompey . Thou seest , thou wicked varlet , now , what’s come upon thee . Thou art to continue now , thou varlet , thou art to continue . ESCALUS , to Froth Where were you born , friend ? FROTH Here in Vienna , sir . ESCALUS Are you of fourscore pounds a year ? FROTH Yes , an ’t please you , sir . ESCALUS So . To Pompey . What trade are you of , sir ? POMPEY A tapster , a poor widow’s tapster . ESCALUS Your mistress’ name ? POMPEY Mistress Overdone . ESCALUS Hath she had any more than one husband ? POMPEY Nine , sir . Overdone by the last . ESCALUS Nine ? — Come hither to me , Master Froth . Master Froth , I would not have you acquainted with tapsters ; they will draw you , Master Froth , and you will hang them . Get you gone , and let me hear no more of you . FROTH I thank your Worship . For mine own part , I never come into any room in a taphouse but I am drawn in . ESCALUS Well , no more of it , Master Froth . Farewell . Froth exits . Come you hither to me , Master Tapster . What’s your name , Master Tapster ? POMPEY Pompey . ESCALUS What else ? POMPEY Bum , sir . ACT 2. SC. 1 ESCALUS Troth , and your bum is the greatest thing about you , so that in the beastliest sense you are Pompey the Great . Pompey , you are partly a bawd , Pompey , howsoever you color it in being a tapster , are you not ? Come , tell me true . It shall be the better for you . POMPEY Truly , sir , I am a poor fellow that would live . ESCALUS How would you live , Pompey ? By being a bawd ? What do you think of the trade , Pompey ? Is it a lawful trade ? POMPEY If the law would allow it , sir . ESCALUS But the law will not allow it , Pompey , nor it shall not be allowed in Vienna . POMPEY Does your Worship mean to geld and splay all the youth of the city ? ESCALUS No , Pompey . POMPEY Truly , sir , in my poor opinion , they will to ’t then . If your Worship will take order for the drabs and the knaves , you need not to fear the bawds . ESCALUS There is pretty orders beginning , I can tell you . It is but heading and hanging . POMPEY If you head and hang all that offend that way but for ten year together , you’ll be glad to give out a commission for more heads . If this law hold in Vienna ten year , I’ll rent the fairest house in it after threepence three pence a bay . If you live to see this come to pass , say Pompey told you so . ESCALUS Thank you , good Pompey . And in requital of your prophecy , hark you : I advise you let me not find you before me again upon any complaint whatsoever ; no , not for dwelling where you do . If I do , Pompey , I shall beat you to your tent and prove a shrewd Caesar to you . In plain dealing , Pompey , I shall have you whipped . So , for this time , Pompey , fare you well . POMPEY I thank your Worship for your good counsel . ACT 2. SC. 1 Aside . But I shall follow it as the flesh and fortune shall better determine . Whip me ? No , no , let carman whip his jade . The valiant heart’s not whipped out of his trade . He exits . ESCALUS Come hither to me , Master Elbow . Come hither , Master Constable . How long have you been in this place of constable ? ELBOW Seven year and a half , sir . ESCALUS I thought , by the readiness in the office , you had continued in it some time . You say seven years together ? ELBOW And a half , sir . ESCALUS Alas , it hath been great pains to you . They do you wrong to put you so oft upon ’t . Are there not men in your ward sufficient to serve it ? ELBOW Faith , sir , few of any wit in such matters . As they are chosen , they are glad to choose me for them . I do it for some piece of money and go through with all . ESCALUS Look you bring me in the names of some six or seven , the most sufficient of your parish . ELBOW To your Worship’s house , sir ? ESCALUS To my house . Fare you well . Elbow and Officers exit . To Justice . What’s o’clock , think you ? JUSTICE Eleven , sir . ESCALUS I pray you home to dinner with me . JUSTICE I humbly thank you . ESCALUS It grieves me for the death of Claudio , But there’s no remedy . JUSTICE Lord Angelo is severe . ESCALUS It is but needful . Mercy is not itself that oft looks so . ACT 2. SC. 2 Pardon is still the nurse of second woe . But yet , poor Claudio . There is no remedy . Come , sir . They exit . Scene 2 Enter Provost and a Servant . SERVANT He’s hearing of a cause . He will come straight . I’ll tell him of you . PROVOST Pray you do . Servant exits . I’ll know His pleasure . Maybe he will relent . Alas , He hath but as offended in a dream . All sects , all ages smack of this vice , and he To die for ’t ? Enter Angelo . ANGELO Now , what’s the matter , provost ? PROVOST Is it your will Claudio shall die tomorrow ? ANGELO Did not I tell thee yea ? Hadst thou not order ? Why dost thou ask again ? PROVOST Lest I might be too rash . Under your good correction , I have seen When , after execution , judgment hath Repented o’er his doom . ANGELO Go to . Let that be mine . Do you your office , or give up your place And you shall well be spared . PROVOST I crave your Honor’s pardon . ACT 2. SC. 2 What shall be done , sir , with the groaning Juliet ? She’s very near her hour . ANGELO Dispose of her To some more fitter place , and that with speed . Enter Servant . SERVANT Here is the sister of the man condemned Desires access to you . ANGELO Hath he a sister ? PROVOST Ay , my good lord , a very virtuous maid , And to be shortly of a sisterhood , If not already . ANGELO , to Servant Well , let her be admitted . Servant exits . See you the fornicatress be removed . Let her have needful but not lavish means . There shall be order for ’t . Enter Lucio and Isabella . PROVOST , beginning to exit Save your Honor . ANGELO Stay a little while . To Isabella . You’re welcome . What’s your will ? ISABELLA I am a woeful suitor to your Honor , Please but your Honor hear me . ANGELO Well , what’s your suit ? ISABELLA There is a vice that most I do abhor , And most desire should meet the blow of justice , For which I would not plead , but that I must ; ACT 2. SC. 2 For which I must not plead , but that I am At war ’twixt will and will not . ANGELO Well , the matter ? ISABELLA I have a brother is condemned to die . I do beseech you let it be his fault And not my brother . PROVOST , aside Heaven give thee moving graces . ANGELO Condemn the fault , and not the actor of it ? Why , every fault’s condemned ere it be done . Mine were the very cipher of a function To fine the faults whose fine stands in record And let go by the actor . ISABELLA O just but severe law ! I had a brother , then . Heaven keep your Honor . LUCIO , aside to Isabella Give ’t not o’er so . To him again , entreat him , Kneel down before him , hang upon his gown . You are too cold . If you should need a pin , You could not with more tame a tongue desire it . To him , I say . ISABELLA , to Angelo Must he needs die ? ANGELO Maiden , no remedy . ISABELLA Yes , I do think that you might pardon him , And neither heaven nor man grieve at the mercy . ANGELO I will not do ’t . ISABELLA But can you if you would ? ANGELO Look what I will not , that I cannot do . ISABELLA But might you do ’t and do the world no wrong ACT 2. SC. 2 If so your heart were touched with that remorse As mine is to him ? ANGELO He’s sentenced . ’Tis too late . LUCIO , aside to Isabella You are too cold . ISABELLA Too late ? Why , no . I that do speak a word May call it back again . Well believe this : No ceremony that to great ones longs , Not the king’s crown , nor the deputed sword , The marshal’s truncheon , nor the judge’s robe Become them with one half so good a grace As mercy does . If he had been as you , and you as he , You would have slipped like him , but he like you Would not have been so stern . ANGELO Pray you begone . ISABELLA I would to heaven I had your potency , And you were Isabel . Should it then be thus ? No . I would tell what ’twere to be a judge And what a prisoner . LUCIO , aside to Isabella Ay , touch him ; there’s the vein . ANGELO Your brother is a forfeit of the law , And you but waste your words . ISABELLA Alas , alas ! Why all the souls that were were forfeit once , And He that might the vantage best have took Found out the remedy . How would you be If He which is the top of judgment should But judge you as you are ? O , think on that , And mercy then will breathe within your lips Like man new-made . ANGELO Be you content , fair maid . It is the law , not I , condemn your brother . ACT 2. SC. 2 Were he my kinsman , brother , or my son , It should be thus with him . He must die tomorrow . ISABELLA Tomorrow ? O , that’s sudden ! Spare him , spare him . He’s not prepared for death . Even for our kitchens We kill the fowl of season . Shall we serve heaven With less respect than we do minister To our gross selves ? Good , good my lord , bethink you . Who is it that hath died for this offense ? There’s many have committed it . LUCIO , aside to Isabella Ay , well said . ANGELO The law hath not been dead , though it hath slept . Those many had not dared to do that evil If the first that did th’ edict infringe Had answered for his deed . Now ’tis awake , Takes note of what is done , and , like a prophet , Looks in a glass that shows what future evils — Either now , or by remissness new-conceived , And so in progress to be hatched and born — Are now to have no successive degrees But , ere they live , to end . ISABELLA Yet show some pity . ANGELO I show it most of all when I show justice , For then I pity those I do not know , Which a dismissed offense would after gall , And do him right that , answering one foul wrong , Lives not to act another . Be satisfied ; Your brother dies tomorrow ; be content . ISABELLA So you must be the first that gives this sentence , And he that suffers . O , it is excellent To have a giant’s strength , but it is tyrannous To use it like a giant . ACT 2. SC. 2 LUCIO , aside to Isabella That’s well said . ISABELLA Could great men thunder As Jove himself does , Jove would never be quiet , For every pelting , petty officer Would use his heaven for thunder , Nothing but thunder . Merciful heaven , Thou rather with thy sharp and sulphurous bolt Splits the unwedgeable and gnarlèd oak , Than the soft myrtle . But man , proud man , Dressed in a little brief authority , Most ignorant of what he’s most assured , His glassy essence , like an angry ape Plays such fantastic tricks before high heaven As makes the angels weep , who with our spleens Would all themselves laugh mortal . LUCIO , aside to Isabella O , to him , to him , wench . He will relent . He’s coming . I perceive ’t . PROVOST , aside Pray heaven she win him . ISABELLA We cannot weigh our brother with ourself . Great men may jest with saints ; ’tis wit in them , But in the less , foul profanation . LUCIO , aside to Isabella Thou ’rt i’ th’ right , girl . More o’ that . ISABELLA That in the captain’s but a choleric word Which in the soldier is flat blasphemy . LUCIO , aside to Isabella Art avised o’ that ? More on ’t . ANGELO Why do you put these sayings upon me ? ISABELLA Because authority , though it err like others , Hath yet a kind of medicine in itself ACT 2. SC. 2 That skins the vice o’ th’ top . Go to your bosom , Knock there , and ask your heart what it doth know That’s like my brother’s fault . If it confess A natural guiltiness such as is his , Let it not sound a thought upon your tongue Against my brother’s life . ANGELO , aside She speaks , and ’tis such sense That my sense breeds with it . He begins to exit . Fare you well . ISABELLA Gentle my lord , turn back . ANGELO I will bethink me . Come again tomorrow . ISABELLA Hark how I’ll bribe you . Good my lord , turn back . ANGELO How ? Bribe me ? ISABELLA Ay , with such gifts that heaven shall share with you . LUCIO , aside to Isabella You had marred all else . ISABELLA Not with fond sicles of the tested gold , Or stones whose rate are either rich or poor As fancy values them , but with true prayers That shall be up at heaven and enter there Ere sunrise , prayers from preservèd souls , From fasting maids whose minds are dedicate To nothing temporal . ANGELO Well , come to me tomorrow . LUCIO , aside to Isabella Go to , ’tis well ; away . ISABELLA Heaven keep your Honor safe . ANGELO , aside Amen . For I am that way going to temptation Where prayers cross . ISABELLA At what hour tomorrow Shall I attend your Lordship ? ANGELO At any time ’fore noon . ACT 2. SC. 2 ISABELLA Save your Honor . She exits , with Lucio and Provost . ANGELO From thee , even from thy virtue . What’s this ? What’s this ? Is this her fault or mine ? The tempter or the tempted , who sins most , ha ? Not she , nor doth she tempt ; but it is I That , lying by the violet in the sun , Do as the carrion does , not as the flower , Corrupt with virtuous season . Can it be That modesty may more betray our sense Than woman’s lightness ? Having waste ground enough , Shall we desire to raze the sanctuary And pitch our evils there ? O fie , fie , fie ! What dost thou , or what art thou , Angelo ? Dost thou desire her foully for those things That make her good ? O , let her brother live . Thieves for their robbery have authority When judges steal themselves . What , do I love her That I desire to hear her speak again And feast upon her eyes ? What is ’t I dream on ? O cunning enemy that , to catch a saint , With saints dost bait thy hook . Most dangerous Is that temptation that doth goad us on To sin in loving virtue . Never could the strumpet With all her double vigor , art and nature , Once stir my temper , but this virtuous maid Subdues me quite . Ever till now When men were fond , I smiled and wondered how . He exits . ACT 2. SC. 3 Scene 3 Enter Duke , disguised as a Friar , and Provost . DUKE , as Friar Hail to you , provost , so I think you are . PROVOST I am the Provost . What’s your will , good friar ? DUKE , as Friar Bound by my charity and my blest order , I come to visit the afflicted spirits Here in the prison . Do me the common right To let me see them , and to make me know The nature of their crimes , that I may minister To them accordingly . PROVOST I would do more than that if more were needful . Enter Juliet . Look , here comes one , a gentlewoman of mine , Who , falling in the flaws of her own youth , Hath blistered her report . She is with child , And he that got it , sentenced — a young man , More fit to do another such offense Than die for this . DUKE , as Friar When must he die ? PROVOST As I do think , tomorrow . To Juliet . I have provided for you . Stay awhile And you shall be conducted . DUKE , as Friar , to Juliet Repent you , fair one , of the sin you carry ? JULIET I do ; and bear the shame most patiently . DUKE , as Friar I’ll teach you how you shall arraign your conscience , ACT 2. SC. 3 And try your penitence , if it be sound Or hollowly put on . JULIET I’ll gladly learn . DUKE , as Friar Love you the man that wronged you ? JULIET Yes , as I love the woman that wronged him . DUKE , as Friar So then it seems your most offenseful act Was mutually committed ? JULIET Mutually . DUKE , as Friar Then was your sin of heavier kind than his . JULIET I do confess it and repent it , father . DUKE , as Friar ’Tis meet so , daughter ; but lest you do repent As that the sin hath brought you to this shame , Which sorrow is always toward ourselves , not heaven , Showing we would not spare heaven as we love it , But as we stand in fear — JULIET I do repent me as it is an evil , And take the shame with joy . DUKE , as Friar There rest . Your partner , as I hear , must die tomorrow , And I am going with instruction to him . Grace go with you . Benedicite . He exits . JULIET Must die tomorrow ? O injurious love That respites me a life , whose very comfort Is still a dying horror . PROVOST ’Tis pity of him . They exit . ACT 2. SC. 4 Scene 4 Enter Angelo . ANGELO When I would pray and think , I think and pray To several subjects . Heaven hath my empty words , Whilst my invention , hearing not my tongue , Anchors on Isabel . God in my mouth , As if I did but only chew His name , And in my heart the strong and swelling evil Of my conception . The state whereon I studied Is , like a good thing being often read , Grown sere and tedious . Yea , my gravity , Wherein — let no man hear me — I take pride , Could I with boot change for an idle plume Which the air beats for vain . O place , O form , How often dost thou with thy case , thy habit , Wrench awe from fools , and tie the wiser souls To thy false seeming ! Blood , thou art blood . Let’s write good angel on the devil’s horn . ’Tis not the devil’s crest . Knock within . How now , who’s there ? Enter Servant . SERVANT One Isabel , a sister , desires access to you . ANGELO Teach her the way . Servant exits . O heavens , Why does my blood thus muster to my heart , Making both it unable for itself And dispossessing all my other parts Of necessary fitness ? So play the foolish throngs with one that swoons , Come all to help him , and so stop the air By which he should revive . And even so The general subject to a well-wished king ACT 2. SC. 4 Quit their own part , and in obsequious fondness Crowd to his presence , where their untaught love Must needs appear offense . Enter Isabella . How now , fair maid ? ISABELLA I am come to know your pleasure . ANGELO That you might know it would much better please me Than to demand what ’tis . Your brother cannot live . ISABELLA Even so . Heaven keep your Honor . ANGELO Yet may he live a while . And it may be As long as you or I . Yet he must die . ISABELLA Under your sentence ? ANGELO Yea . ISABELLA When , I beseech you ? That in his reprieve , Longer or shorter , he may be so fitted That his soul sicken not . ANGELO Ha ! Fie , these filthy vices ! It were as good To pardon him that hath from nature stolen A man already made , as to remit Their saucy sweetness that do coin God’s image In stamps that are forbid . ’Tis all as easy Falsely to take away a life true made As to put metal in restrainèd means To make a false one . ISABELLA ’Tis set down so in heaven , but not in Earth earth . ANGELO Say you so ? Then I shall pose you quickly : Which had you rather , that the most just law Now took your brother’s life , or , to redeem him , ACT 2. SC. 4 Give up your body to such sweet uncleanness As she that he hath stained ? ISABELLA Sir , believe this : I had rather give my body than my soul . ANGELO I talk not of your soul . Our compelled sins Stand more for number than for accompt . ISABELLA How say you ? ANGELO Nay , I’ll not warrant that , for I can speak Against the thing I say . Answer to this : I , now the voice of the recorded law , Pronounce a sentence on your brother’s life . Might there not be a charity in sin To save this brother’s life ? ISABELLA Please you to do ’t , I’ll take it as a peril to my soul , It is no sin at all , but charity . ANGELO Pleased you to do ’t , at peril of your soul , Were equal poise of sin and charity . ISABELLA That I do beg his life , if it be sin Heaven let me bear it . You granting of my suit , If that be sin , I’ll make it my morn prayer To have it added to the faults of mine And nothing of your answer . ANGELO Nay , but hear me . Your sense pursues not mine . Either you are ignorant , Or seem so , crafty , and that’s not good . ISABELLA Let me be ignorant and in nothing good , But graciously to know I am no better . ANGELO Thus wisdom wishes to appear most bright ACT 2. SC. 4 When it doth tax itself , as these black masks Proclaim an enshield beauty ten times louder Than beauty could , displayed . But mark me . To be receivèd plain , I’ll speak more gross : Your brother is to die . ISABELLA So . ANGELO And his offense is so , as it appears , Accountant to the law upon that pain . ISABELLA True . ANGELO Admit no other way to save his life — As I subscribe not that , nor any other — But , in the loss of question , that you , his sister , Finding yourself desired of such a person Whose credit with the judge , or own great place , Could fetch your brother from the manacles Of the all-binding law , and that there were No earthly mean to save him but that either You must lay down the treasures of your body To this supposed , or else to let him suffer , . What would you do ? ISABELLA As much for my poor brother as myself . That is , were I under the terms of death , Th’ impression of keen whips I’d wear as rubies And strip myself to death as to a bed That longing have been sick for , ere I’d yield My body up to shame . ANGELO Then must your brother die . ISABELLA And ’twere the cheaper way . Better it were a brother died at once Than that a sister , by redeeming him , Should die forever . ANGELO Were not you then as cruel as the sentence That you have slandered so ? ACT 2. SC. 4 ISABELLA Ignomy in ransom and free pardon Are of two houses . Lawful mercy Is nothing kin to foul redemption . ANGELO You seemed of late to make the law a tyrant , And rather proved the sliding of your brother A merriment than a vice . ISABELLA O , pardon me , my lord . It oft falls out , To have what we would have , we speak not what we mean . I something do excuse the thing I hate For his advantage that I dearly love . ANGELO We are all frail . ISABELLA Else let my brother die , If not a fedary but only he Owe and succeed thy weakness . ANGELO Nay , women are frail too . ISABELLA Ay , as the glasses where they view themselves , Which are as easy broke as they make forms . Women — help , heaven — men their creation mar In profiting by them . Nay , call us ten times frail , For we are soft as our complexions are , And credulous to false prints . ANGELO I think it well . And from this testimony of your own sex , Since I suppose we are made to be no stronger Than 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 more , you’re none . If you be one , as you are well expressed By all external warrants , show it now By putting on the destined livery . ACT 2. SC. 4 ISABELLA I have no tongue but one . Gentle my lord , Let me entreat you speak the former language . ANGELO Plainly conceive I love you . ISABELLA My brother did love Juliet , And you tell me that he shall die for ’t . ANGELO He shall not , Isabel , if you give me love . ISABELLA I know your virtue hath a license in ’t Which seems a little fouler than it is To pluck on others . ANGELO Believe me , on mine honor , My words express my purpose . ISABELLA Ha ! Little honor to be much believed , And most pernicious purpose . Seeming , seeming ! I will proclaim thee , Angelo , look for ’t . Sign me a present pardon for my brother Or with an outstretched throat I’ll tell the world aloud What man thou art . ANGELO Who will believe thee , Isabel ? My unsoiled name , th’ austereness of my life , My vouch against you , and my place i’ th’ state Will so your accusation overweigh That you shall stifle in your own report And smell of calumny . I have begun , And now I give my sensual race the rein . Fit thy consent to my sharp appetite ; Lay by all nicety and prolixious blushes That banish what they sue for . Redeem thy brother By yielding up thy body to my will , Or else he must not only die the death , But thy unkindness shall his death draw out To ling’ring sufferance . Answer me tomorrow , ACT 2. SC. 4 Or by the affection that now guides me most , I’ll prove a tyrant to him . As for you , Say what you can , my false o’erweighs your true . He exits . ISABELLA To whom should I complain ? Did I tell this , Who would believe me ? O , perilous mouths , That bear in them one and the selfsame tongue , Either of condemnation or approof , Bidding the law make curtsy to their will , Hooking both right and wrong to th’ appetite , To follow as it draws . I’ll to my brother . Though he hath fall’n by prompture of the blood , Yet hath he in him such a mind of honor That , had he twenty heads to tender down On twenty bloody blocks , he’d yield them up Before his sister should her body stoop To such abhorred pollution . Then , Isabel , live chaste , and , brother , die . More than our brother is our chastity . I’ll tell him yet of Angelo’s request , And fit his mind to death , for his soul’s rest . She exits . ACT 3 Scene 1 Enter Duke as a Friar , Claudio , and Provost . DUKE , as Friar So then you hope of pardon from Lord Angelo ? CLAUDIO The miserable have no other medicine But only hope . I have hope to live and am prepared to die . DUKE , as Friar Be absolute for death . Either death or life Shall thereby be the sweeter . Reason thus with life : If I do lose thee , I do lose a thing That none but fools would keep . A breath thou art , Servile to all the skyey influences That doth this habitation where thou keep’st Hourly afflict . Merely , thou art death’s fool , For him thou labor’st by thy flight to shun , And yet runn’st toward him still . Thou art not noble , For all th’ accommodations that thou bear’st Are nursed by baseness . Thou ’rt by no means valiant , For thou dost fear the soft and tender fork Of a poor worm . Thy best of rest is sleep , And that thou oft provok’st , yet grossly fear’st Thy death , which is no more . Thou art not thyself , For thou exists on many a thousand grains ACT 3. SC. 1 That issue out of dust . Happy thou art not , For what thou hast not , still thou striv’st to get , And what thou hast , forget’st . Thou art not certain , For thy complexion shifts to strange effects After the moon . If thou art rich , thou ’rt poor , For , like an ass whose back with ingots bows , Thou bear’st thy heavy riches but a journey , And death unloads thee . Friend hast thou none , For thine own bowels which do call thee sire , The mere effusion of thy proper loins , Do curse the gout , serpigo , and the rheum For ending thee no sooner . Thou hast nor youth nor age , But as it were an after-dinner’s sleep Dreaming on both , for all thy blessèd youth Becomes as agèd and doth beg the alms Of palsied eld ; and when thou art old and rich , Thou hast neither heat , affection , limb , nor beauty To make thy riches pleasant . What’s yet in this That bears the name of life ? Yet in this life Lie hid more thousand deaths ; yet death we fear , That makes these odds all even . CLAUDIO I humbly thank you . To sue to live , I find I seek to die , And seeking death , find life . Let it come on . ISABELLA , within What ho ! Peace here , grace , and good company . PROVOST Who’s there ? Come in . The wish deserves a welcome . DUKE , as Friar , to Claudio Dear sir , ere long I’ll visit you again . CLAUDIO Most holy sir , I thank you . Enter Isabella . ISABELLA , to Provost My business is a word or two with Claudio . ACT 3. SC. 1 PROVOST And very welcome . — Look , signior , here’s your sister . DUKE , as Friar Provost , a word with you . PROVOST As many as you please . DUKE , as Friar , aside to Provost Bring me to hear them speak , where I may be concealed . Duke and Provost exit . CLAUDIO Now , sister , what’s the comfort ? ISABELLA Why , As all comforts are , most good , most good indeed . Lord Angelo , having affairs to heaven , Intends you for his swift ambassador , Where you shall be an everlasting leiger ; Therefore your best appointment make with speed . Tomorrow you set on . CLAUDIO Is there no remedy ? ISABELLA None but such remedy as , to save a head , To cleave a heart in twain . CLAUDIO But is there any ? ISABELLA Yes , brother , you may live . There is a devilish mercy in the judge , If you’ll implore it , that will free your life But fetter you till death . CLAUDIO Perpetual durance ? ISABELLA Ay , just ; perpetual durance , a restraint , Though all the world’s vastidity you had , To a determined scope . CLAUDIO But in what nature ? ISABELLA In such a one as , you consenting to ’t , Would bark your honor from that trunk you bear And leave you naked . ACT 3. SC. 1 CLAUDIO Let me know the point . ISABELLA O , I do fear thee , Claudio , and I quake Lest thou a feverous life shouldst entertain , And six or seven winters more respect Than a perpetual honor . Dar’st thou die ? The sense of death is most in apprehension , And the poor beetle that we tread upon In corporal sufferance finds a pang as great As when a giant dies . CLAUDIO Why give you me this shame ? Think you I can a resolution fetch From flowery tenderness ? If I must die , I will encounter darkness as a bride , And hug it in mine arms . ISABELLA There spake my brother ! There my father’s grave Did utter forth a voice . Yes , thou must die . Thou art too noble to conserve a life In base appliances . This outward-sainted deputy — Whose settled visage and deliberate word Nips youth i’ th’ head , and follies doth enew As falcon doth the fowl — is yet a devil . His filth within being cast , he would appear A pond as deep as hell . CLAUDIO The prenzie Angelo ? ISABELLA O , ’tis the cunning livery of hell The damned’st body to invest and cover In prenzie guards . Dost thou think , Claudio , If I would yield him my virginity Thou mightst be freed ? CLAUDIO O heavens , it cannot be ! ISABELLA Yes , he would give ’t thee ; from this rank offense , So to offend him still . This night’s the time ACT 3. SC. 1 That I should do what I abhor to name , Or else thou diest tomorrow . CLAUDIO Thou shalt not do ’t . ISABELLA O , were it but my life , I’d throw it down for your deliverance As frankly as a pin . CLAUDIO Thanks , dear Isabel . ISABELLA Be ready , Claudio , for your death tomorrow . CLAUDIO 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 sin , Or of the deadly seven it is the least . ISABELLA Which is the least ? CLAUDIO If it were damnable , he being so wise , Why would he for the momentary trick Be perdurably fined ? O , Isabel — ISABELLA What says my brother ? CLAUDIO Death is a fearful thing . ISABELLA And shamèd life a hateful . CLAUDIO Ay , but to die , and go we know not where , To lie in cold obstruction and to rot , This sensible warm motion to become A kneaded clod ; and the delighted spirit To bathe in fiery floods , or to reside In thrilling region of thick-ribbèd ice , To be imprisoned in the viewless winds And blown with restless violence round about The pendent world ; or to be worse than worst Of those that lawless and incertain thought Imagine howling — ’tis too horrible . The weariest and most loathèd worldly life That age , ache , penury , and imprisonment ACT 3. SC. 1 Can lay on nature is a paradise To what we fear of death . ISABELLA Alas , alas ! CLAUDIO Sweet sister , let me live . What sin you do to save a brother’s life , Nature dispenses with the deed so far That it becomes a virtue . ISABELLA O , you beast ! O faithless coward , O dishonest wretch , Wilt thou be made a man out of my vice ? Is ’t not a kind of incest to take life From thine own sister’s shame ? What should I think ? Heaven shield my mother played my father fair , For such a warpèd slip of wilderness Ne’er issued from his blood . Take my defiance ; Die , perish . Might but my bending down Reprieve thee from thy fate , it should proceed . I’ll pray a thousand prayers for thy death , No word to save thee . CLAUDIO Nay , hear me , Isabel — ISABELLA O , fie , fie , fie ! Thy sin’s not accidental , but a trade . Mercy to thee would prove itself a bawd . ’Tis best that thou diest quickly . CLAUDIO O , hear me , Isabella — Enter Duke as a Friar . DUKE , as Friar , to Isabella Vouchsafe a word , young sister , but one word . ISABELLA What is your will ? DUKE , as Friar Might you dispense with your leisure , I would by and by have some speech with you . The satisfaction I would require is likewise your own benefit . ISABELLA I have no superfluous leisure . My stay must ACT 3. SC. 1 be stolen out of other affairs , but I will attend you awhile . DUKE , as Friar , taking Claudio aside Son , I have overheard what hath passed between you and your sister . Angelo had never the purpose to corrupt her ; only he hath made an assay of her virtue , to practice his judgment with the disposition of natures . She , having the truth of honor in her , hath made him that gracious denial which he is most glad to receive . I am confessor to Angelo , and I know this to be true . Therefore prepare yourself to death . Do not satisfy your resolution with hopes that are fallible . Tomorrow you must die . Go to your knees and make ready . CLAUDIO Let me ask my sister pardon . I am so out of love with life that I will sue to be rid of it . DUKE , as Friar Hold you there . Farewell . — Provost , a word with you . Enter Provost . PROVOST What’s your will , father ? DUKE , as Friar That now you are come , you will be gone . Leave me awhile with the maid . My mind promises with my habit no loss shall touch her by my company . PROVOST In good time . He exits , with Claudio . DUKE , as Friar , to Isabella The hand that hath made you fair hath made you good . The goodness that is cheap in beauty makes beauty brief in goodness , but grace , being the soul of your complexion , shall keep the body of it ever fair . The assault that Angelo hath made to you , fortune hath conveyed to my understanding ; and but that frailty hath examples for his falling , I should wonder at Angelo . How will you do to content this substitute and to save your brother ? ACT 3. SC. 1 ISABELLA I am now going to resolve him . I had rather my brother die by the law than my son should be unlawfully born . But , O , how much is the good duke deceived in Angelo ! If ever he return , and I can speak to him , I will open my lips in vain , or discover his government . DUKE , as Friar That shall not be much amiss . Yet , as the matter now stands , he will avoid your accusation : he made trial of you only . Therefore , fasten your ear on my advisings . To the love I have in doing good , a remedy presents itself . I do make myself believe that you may most uprighteously do a poor wronged lady a merited benefit , redeem your brother from the angry law , do no stain to your own gracious person , and much please the absent duke , if peradventure he shall ever return to have hearing of this business . ISABELLA Let me hear you speak farther . I have spirit to do anything that appears not foul in the truth of my spirit . DUKE , as Friar Virtue is bold , and goodness never fearful . Have you not heard speak of Mariana , the sister of Frederick , the great soldier who miscarried at sea ? ISABELLA I have heard of the lady , and good words went with her name . DUKE , as Friar She should this Angelo have married , was affianced to her oath , and the nuptial appointed . Between which time of the contract and limit of the solemnity , her brother Frederick was wracked at sea , having in that perished vessel the dowry of his sister . But mark how heavily this befell to the poor gentlewoman . There she lost a noble and renowned brother , in his love toward her ever most kind and natural ; with him , the portion and sinew of her fortune , her marriage dowry ; with ACT 3. SC. 1 both , her combinate husband , this well-seeming Angelo . ISABELLA Can this be so ? Did Angelo so leave her ? DUKE , as Friar Left her in her tears and dried not one of them with his comfort , swallowed his vows whole , pretending in her discoveries of dishonor ; in few , bestowed her on her own lamentation , which she yet wears for his sake ; and he , a marble to her tears , is washed with them but relents not . ISABELLA What a merit were it in death to take this poor maid from the world ! What corruption in this life , that it will let this man live ! But how out of this can she avail ? DUKE , as Friar It is a rupture that you may easily heal , and the cure of it not only saves your brother , but keeps you from dishonor in doing it . ISABELLA Show me how , good father . DUKE , as Friar This forenamed maid hath yet in her the continuance of her first affection . His unjust unkindness , that in all reason should have quenched her love , hath , like an impediment in the current , made it more violent and unruly . Go you to Angelo , answer his requiring with a plausible obedience , agree with his demands to the point . Only refer yourself to this advantage : first , that your stay with him may not be long , that the time may have all shadow and silence in it , and the place answer to convenience . This being granted in course , and now follows all : we shall advise this wronged maid to stead up your appointment , go in your place . If the encounter acknowledge itself hereafter , it may compel him to her recompense ; and here , by this , is your brother saved , your honor untainted , the poor Mariana advantaged , and the corrupt deputy scaled . The maid will I frame and make fit for his attempt . If you think well to carry this as you may , ACT 3. SC. 2 the doubleness of the benefit defends the deceit from reproof . What think you of it ? ISABELLA The image of it gives me content already , and I trust it will grow to a most prosperous perfection . DUKE , as Friar It lies much in your holding up . Haste you speedily to Angelo . If for this night he entreat you to his bed , give him promise of satisfaction . I will presently to Saint Luke’s . There at the moated grange resides this dejected Mariana . At that place call upon me , and dispatch with Angelo that it may be quickly . ISABELLA I thank you for this comfort . Fare you well , good father . She exits . The Duke remains . Scene 2 Enter Elbow , Pompey , and Officers . ELBOW , to Pompey Nay , if there be no remedy for it but that you will needs buy and sell men and women like beasts , we shall have all the world drink brown and white bastard . DUKE , as Friar , aside O heavens , what stuff is here ? POMPEY ’Twas never merry world since , of two usuries , the merriest was put down , and the worser allowed by order of law a furred gown to keep him warm , and furred with fox and lambskins too , to signify that craft , being richer than innocency , stands for the facing . ELBOW Come your way , sir . — Bless you , good father friar . DUKE , as Friar And you , good brother father . What offense hath this man made you , sir ? ELBOW Marry , sir , he hath offended the law ; and , sir , we take him to be a thief too , sir , for we have found ACT 3. SC. 2 upon him , sir , a strange picklock , which we have sent to the Deputy . DUKE , as Friar , to Pompey Fie , sirrah , a bawd , a wicked bawd ! The evil that thou causest to be done , That is thy means to live . Do thou but think What ’tis to cram a maw or clothe a back From such a filthy vice ; say to thyself , From their abominable and beastly touches I drink , I eat , array myself , and live . Canst thou believe thy living is a life , So stinkingly depending ? Go mend , go mend . POMPEY Indeed , it does stink in some sort , sir . But yet , sir , I would prove — DUKE , as Friar Nay , if the devil have given thee proofs for sin , Thou wilt prove his . — Take him to prison , officer . Correction and instruction must both work Ere this rude beast will profit . ELBOW He must before the Deputy , sir ; he has given him warning . The Deputy cannot abide a whoremaster . If he be a whoremonger and comes before him , he were as good go a mile on his errand . DUKE , as Friar That we were all , as some would seem to be , From our faults , as faults from seeming , free . ELBOW His neck will come to your waist — a cord , sir . Enter Lucio . POMPEY I spy comfort , I cry bail . Here’s a gentleman and a friend of mine . LUCIO How now , noble Pompey ? What , at the wheels of Caesar ? Art thou led in triumph ? What , is there none of Pygmalion’s images , newly made woman , to be had now , for putting the hand in the pocket and extracting it clutched ? What reply , ha ? What ACT 3. SC. 2 sayst thou to this tune , matter , and method ? Is ’t not drowned i’ th’ last rain , ha ? What sayst thou , trot ? Is the world as it was , man ? Which is the way ? Is it sad and few words ? Or how ? The trick of it ? DUKE , as Friar , aside Still thus , and thus ; still worse . LUCIO , to Pompey How doth my dear morsel , thy mistress ? Procures she still , ha ? POMPEY Troth , sir , she hath eaten up all her beef , and she is herself in the tub . LUCIO Why , ’tis good . It is the right of it . It must be so . Ever your fresh whore and your powdered bawd , an unshunned consequence ; it must be so . Art going to prison , Pompey ? POMPEY Yes , faith , sir . LUCIO Why , ’tis not amiss , Pompey . Farewell . Go say I sent thee thither . For debt , Pompey ? Or how ? ELBOW For being a bawd , for being a bawd . LUCIO Well , then , imprison him . If imprisonment be the due of a bawd , why , ’tis his right . Bawd is he , doubtless , and of antiquity too . Bawd born . — Farewell , good Pompey . Commend me to the prison , Pompey . You will turn good husband now , Pompey ; you will keep the house . POMPEY I hope , sir , your good Worship will be my bail . LUCIO No , indeed , will I not , Pompey ; it is not the wear . I will pray , Pompey , to increase your bondage . If you take it not patiently , why , your mettle is the more . Adieu , trusty Pompey . — Bless you , friar . DUKE , as Friar And you . LUCIO , to Pompey Does Bridget paint still , Pompey , ha ? ELBOW , to Pompey Come your ways , sir , come . POMPEY , to Lucio You will not bail me , then , sir ? LUCIO Then , Pompey , nor now . — What news abroad , friar ? What news ? ELBOW , to Pompey Come your ways , sir , come . ACT 3. SC. 2 LUCIO Go to kennel , Pompey , go . Elbow , Pompey , and Officers exit . What news , friar , of the Duke ? DUKE , as Friar I know none . Can you tell me of any ? LUCIO Some say he is with the Emperor of Russia ; other some , he is in Rome . But where is he , think you ? DUKE , as Friar I know not where , but wheresoever , I wish him well . LUCIO It was a mad fantastical trick of him to steal from the state and usurp the beggary he was never born to . Lord Angelo dukes it well in his absence . He puts transgression to ’t . DUKE , as Friar He does well in ’t . LUCIO A little more lenity to lechery would do no harm in him . Something too crabbed that way , friar . DUKE , as Friar It is too general a vice , and severity must cure it . LUCIO Yes , in good sooth , the vice is of a great kindred ; it is well allied , but it is impossible to extirp it quite , friar , till eating and drinking be put down . They say this Angelo was not made by man and woman after this downright way of creation . Is it true , think you ? DUKE , as Friar How should he be made , then ? LUCIO Some report a sea-maid spawned him ; some , that he was begot between two stockfishes . But it is certain that when he makes water , his urine is congealed ice ; that I know to be true . And he is a motion generative , that’s infallible . DUKE , as Friar You are pleasant , sir , and speak apace . LUCIO Why , what a ruthless thing is this in him , for the rebellion of a codpiece to take away the life of a man ! Would the duke that is absent have done this ? Ere he would have hanged a man for the getting a hundred bastards , he would have paid for the ACT 3. SC. 2 nursing a thousand . He had some feeling of the sport , he knew the service , and that instructed him to mercy . DUKE , as Friar I never heard the absent duke much detected for women . He was not inclined that way . LUCIO O , sir , you are deceived . DUKE , as Friar ’Tis not possible . LUCIO Who , not the Duke ? Yes , your beggar of fifty ; and his use was to put a ducat in her clack-dish . The Duke had crotchets in him . He would be drunk too , that let me inform you . DUKE , as Friar You do him wrong , surely . LUCIO Sir , I was an inward of his . A shy fellow was the Duke , and I believe I know the cause of his withdrawing . DUKE , as Friar What , I prithee , might be the cause ? LUCIO No , pardon . ’Tis a secret must be locked within the teeth and the lips . But this I can let you understand : the greater file of the subject held the Duke to be wise . DUKE , as Friar Wise ? Why , no question but he was . LUCIO A very superficial , ignorant , unweighing fellow . DUKE , as Friar Either this is envy in you , folly , or mistaking . The very stream of his life and the business he hath helmed must , upon a warranted need , give him a better proclamation . Let him be but testimonied in his own bringings-forth , and he shall appear to the envious a scholar , a statesman , and a soldier . Therefore you speak unskillfully . Or , if your knowledge be more , it is much darkened in your malice . LUCIO Sir , I know him , and I love him . DUKE , as Friar Love talks with better knowledge , and knowledge with dearer love . LUCIO Come , sir , I know what I know . DUKE , as Friar I can hardly believe that , since you ACT 3. SC. 2 know not what you speak . But if ever the Duke return , as our prayers are he may , let me desire you to make your answer before him . If it be honest you have spoke , you have courage to maintain it . I am bound to call upon you , and , I pray you , your name ? LUCIO Sir , my name is Lucio , well known to the Duke . DUKE , as Friar He shall know you better , sir , if I may live to report you . LUCIO I fear you not . DUKE , as Friar O , you hope the Duke will return no more , or you imagine me too unhurtful an opposite . But indeed I can do you little harm ; you’ll forswear this again . LUCIO I’ll be hanged first . Thou art deceived in me , friar . But no more of this . Canst thou tell if Claudio die tomorrow or no ? DUKE , as Friar Why should he die , sir ? LUCIO Why ? For filling a bottle with a tundish . I would the Duke we talk of were returned again . This ungenitured agent will unpeople the province with continency . Sparrows must not build in his house eaves , because they are lecherous . The Duke yet would have dark deeds darkly answered . He would never bring them to light Would he were returned . Marry , this Claudio is condemned for untrussing . Farewell , good friar . I prithee pray for me . The Duke , I say to thee again , would eat mutton on Fridays . He’s now past it , yet — and I say to thee — he would mouth with a beggar though she smelt brown bread and garlic . Say that I said so . Farewell . He exits . DUKE No might nor greatness in mortality Can censure scape . Back-wounding calumny The whitest virtue strikes . What king so strong ACT 3. SC. 2 Can tie the gall up in the slanderous tongue ? But who comes here ? Enter Escalus , Provost , Officers , and Mistress Overdone , a Bawd . ESCALUS , to Officers Go , away with her to prison . BAWD Good my lord , be good to me . Your Honor is accounted a merciful man , good my lord . ESCALUS Double and treble admonition , and still forfeit in the same kind ? This would make mercy swear and play the tyrant . PROVOST A bawd of eleven years’ continuance , may it please your Honor . BAWD , to Escalus My lord , this is one Lucio’s information against me . Mistress Kate Keepdown was with child by him in the Duke’s time ; he promised her marriage . His child is a year and a quarter old come Philip and Jacob . I have kept it myself , and see how he goes about to abuse me . ESCALUS That fellow is a fellow of much license . Let him be called before us . Away with her to prison . — Go to , no more words . Officers exit with Bawd . Provost , my brother Angelo will not be altered . Claudio must die tomorrow . Let him be furnished with divines and have all charitable preparation . If my brother wrought by my pity , it should not be so with him . PROVOST So please you , this friar hath been with him , and advised him for th’ entertainment of death . ESCALUS Good even , good father . DUKE , as Friar Bliss and goodness on you . ESCALUS Of whence are you ? DUKE , as Friar Not of this country , though my chance is now To use it for my time . I am a brother ACT 3. SC. 2 Of gracious order , late come from the See In special business from his Holiness . ESCALUS What news abroad i’ th’ world ? DUKE , as Friar None but that there is so great a fever on goodness that the dissolution of it must cure it . Novelty is only in request , and it is as dangerous to be aged in any kind of course as it is virtuous to be constant in any undertaking . There is scarce truth enough alive to make societies secure , but security enough to make fellowships accursed . Much upon this riddle runs the wisdom of the world . This news is old enough , yet it is every day’s news . I pray you , sir , of what disposition was the Duke ? ESCALUS One that , above all other strifes , contended especially to know himself . DUKE , as Friar What pleasure was he given to ? ESCALUS Rather rejoicing to see another merry than merry at anything which professed to make him rejoice — a gentleman of all temperance . But leave we him to his events , with a prayer they may prove prosperous , and let me desire to know how you find Claudio prepared . I am made to understand that you have lent him visitation . DUKE , as Friar He professes to have received no sinister measure from his judge but most willingly humbles himself to the determination of justice . Yet had he framed to himself , by the instruction of his frailty , many deceiving promises of life , which I , by my good leisure , have discredited to him , and now is he resolved to die . ESCALUS You have paid the heavens your function and the prisoner the very debt of your calling . I have labored for the poor gentleman to the extremest shore of my modesty , but my brother justice have I found so severe that he hath forced me to tell him he is indeed Justice . ACT 3. SC. 2 DUKE , as Friar If his own life answer the straitness of his proceeding , it shall become him well ; wherein if he chance to fail , he hath sentenced himself . ESCALUS I am going to visit the prisoner . Fare you well . DUKE , as Friar Peace be with you . Escalus and Provost exit . DUKE He who the sword of heaven will bear Should be as holy as severe , Pattern in himself to know , Grace to stand , and virtue go ; More nor less to others paying Than by self-offenses weighing . Shame to him whose cruel striking Kills for faults of his own liking . Twice treble shame on Angelo , To weed my vice , and let his grow . O , what may man within him hide , Though angel on the outward side ! How may likeness made in crimes , Making practice on the times , To draw with idle spiders’ strings Most ponderous and substantial things . Craft against vice I must apply . With Angelo tonight shall lie His old betrothèd but despisèd . So disguise shall , by th’ disguisèd , Pay with falsehood false exacting And perform an old contracting . He exits . ACT 4 Scene 1 Enter Mariana , and Boy singing . Song . Take , O take those lips away , That so sweetly were forsworn , And those eyes , the break of day , Lights that do mislead the morn . But my kisses bring again , bring again , Seals of love , but sealed in vain , sealed in vain . Enter Duke as a Friar . MARIANA , to Boy Break off thy song and haste thee quick away . Here comes a man of comfort , whose advice Hath often stilled my brawling discontent . Boy exits . I cry you mercy , sir , and well could wish You had not found me here so musical . Let me excuse me , and believe me so , My mirth it much displeased , but pleased my woe . DUKE , as Friar ’Tis good , though music oft hath such a charm To make bad good and good provoke to harm . I pray you tell me , hath anybody inquired for me ACT 4. SC. 1 here today ? Much upon this time have I promised here to meet . MARIANA You have not been inquired after . I have sat here all day . Enter Isabella . DUKE , as Friar I do constantly believe you . The time is come even now . I shall crave your forbearance a little . Maybe I will call upon you anon for some advantage to yourself . MARIANA I am always bound to you . She exits . DUKE , as Friar Very well met , and welcome . What is the news from this good deputy ? ISABELLA He hath a garden circummured with brick , Whose western side is with a vineyard backed ; And to that vineyard is a planchèd gate That makes his opening with this bigger key . This other doth command a little door Which from the vineyard to the garden leads . There have I made my promise , upon the Heavy middle of the night , to call upon him . DUKE , as Friar But shall you on your knowledge find this way ? ISABELLA I have ta’en a due and wary note upon ’t . With whispering and most guilty diligence , In action all of precept , he did show me The way twice o’er . DUKE , as Friar Are there no other tokens Between you ’greed concerning her observance ? ISABELLA No , none , but only a repair i’ th’ dark , And that I have possessed him my most stay Can be but brief , for I have made him know I have a servant comes with me along ACT 4. SC. 1 That stays upon me , whose persuasion is I come about my brother . DUKE , as Friar ’Tis well borne up . I have not yet made known to Mariana A word of this . — What ho , within ; come forth . Enter Mariana . To Mariana . I pray you be acquainted with this maid . She comes to do you good . ISABELLA I do desire the like . DUKE , as Friar , to Mariana Do you persuade yourself that I respect you ? MARIANA Good friar , I know you do , and have found it . DUKE , as Friar Take then this your companion by the hand , Who hath a story ready for your ear . I shall attend your leisure . But make haste . The vaporous night approaches . MARIANA , to Isabella Will ’t please you walk aside ? Isabella and Mariana exit . DUKE O place and greatness , millions of false eyes Are stuck upon thee ; volumes of report Run with these false , and , most contrarious , quest Upon thy doings ; thousand escapes of wit Make thee the father of their idle dream And rack thee in their fancies . Enter Mariana and Isabella . DUKE , as Friar Welcome . How agreed ? ISABELLA She’ll take the enterprise upon her , father , If you advise it . ACT 4. SC. 2 DUKE , as Friar It is not my consent But my entreaty too . ISABELLA , to Mariana Little have you to say When you depart from him , but , soft and low , Remember now my brother . MARIANA Fear me not . DUKE , as Friar Nor , gentle daughter , fear you not at all . He is your husband on a precontract . To bring you thus together ’tis no sin , Sith that the justice of your title to him Doth flourish the deceit . Come , let us go . Our corn’s to reap , for yet our tithe’s to sow . They exit . Scene 2 Enter Provost , Pompey , and Officer . PROVOST Come hither , sirrah . Can you cut off a man’s head ? POMPEY If the man be a bachelor , sir , I can ; but if he be a married man , he’s his wife’s head , and I can never cut off a woman’s head . PROVOST Come , sir , leave me your snatches , and yield me a direct answer . Tomorrow morning are to die Claudio and Barnardine . Here is in our prison a common executioner , who in his office lacks a helper . If you will take it on you to assist him , it shall redeem you from your gyves ; if not , you shall have your full time of imprisonment and your deliverance with an unpitied whipping , for you have been a notorious bawd . POMPEY Sir , I have been an unlawful bawd time out of mind , but yet I will be content to be a lawful ACT 4. SC. 2 hangman . I would be glad to receive some instruction from my fellow partner . PROVOST What ho , Abhorson ! — Where’s Abhorson there ? Enter Abhorson . ABHORSON Do you call , sir ? PROVOST Sirrah , here’s a fellow will help you tomorrow in your execution . If you think it meet , compound with him by the year and let him abide here with you ; if not , use him for the present and dismiss him . He cannot plead his estimation with you ; he hath been a bawd . ABHORSON A bawd , sir ? Fie upon him ! He will discredit our mystery . PROVOST Go to , sir ; you weigh equally . A feather will turn the scale . He exits . POMPEY Pray , sir , by your good favor — for surely , sir , a good favor you have , but that you have a hanging look — do you call , sir , your occupation a mystery ? ABHORSON Ay , sir , a mystery . POMPEY Painting , sir , I have heard say , is a mystery ; and your whores , sir , being members of my occupation , using painting , do prove my occupation a mystery ; but what mystery there should be in hanging , if I should be hanged , I cannot imagine . ABHORSON Sir , it is a mystery . POMPEY Proof ? ABHORSON Every true man’s apparel fits your thief . If it be too little for your thief , your true man thinks it big enough ; if it be too big for your thief , your thief thinks it little enough . So every true man’s apparel fits your thief . Enter Provost . PROVOST Are you agreed ? ACT 4. SC. 2 POMPEY Sir , I will serve him , for I do find your hangman is a more penitent trade than your bawd . He doth oftener ask forgiveness . PROVOST , to Abhorson You , sirrah , provide your block and your axe tomorrow , four o’clock o’ clock . ABHORSON , to Pompey Come on , bawd . I will instruct thee in my trade . Follow . POMPEY I do desire to learn , sir ; and I hope , if you have occasion to use me for your own turn , you shall find me yare . For truly , sir , for your kindness , I owe you a good turn . Pompey and Abhorson exit . PROVOST , to Officer Call hither Barnardine and Claudio . Officer exits . Th’ one has my pity ; not a jot the other , Being a murderer , though he were my brother . Enter Claudio , with Officer . Look , here’s the warrant , Claudio , for thy death . ’Tis now dead midnight , and by eight tomorrow Thou must be made immortal . Where’s Barnardine ? CLAUDIO As fast locked up in sleep as guiltless labor When it lies starkly in the traveler’s bones . He will not wake . PROVOST Who can do good on him ? Well , go , prepare yourself . Knock within . But hark , what noise ? — Heaven give your spirits comfort . Claudio exits , with Officer . Knock within . By and by ! — I hope it is some pardon or reprieve For the most gentle Claudio . Enter Duke , as a Friar . Welcome , father . ACT 4. SC. 2 DUKE , as Friar The best and wholesom’st spirits of the night Envelop you , good provost . Who called here of late ? PROVOST None since the curfew rung . DUKE , as Friar Not Isabel ? PROVOST No . DUKE , as Friar They will , then , ere ’t be long . PROVOST What comfort is for Claudio ? DUKE , as Friar There’s some in hope . PROVOST It is a bitter deputy . DUKE , as Friar Not so , not so . His life is paralleled Even with the stroke and line of his great justice . He doth with holy abstinence subdue That in himself which he spurs on his power To qualify in others . Were he mealed with that Which he corrects , then were he tyrannous , But this being so , he’s just . Knock within . Now are they come . Provost exits . This is a gentle provost . Seldom when The steelèd jailer is the friend of men . Enter Provost . Knocking continues . How now , what noise ? That spirit’s possessed with haste That wounds th’ unsisting postern with these strokes . PROVOST There he must stay until the officer Arise to let him in . He is called up . DUKE , as Friar Have you no countermand for Claudio yet , But he must die tomorrow ? PROVOST None , sir , none . ACT 4. SC. 2 DUKE , as Friar As near the dawning , provost , as it is , You shall hear more ere morning . PROVOST Happily You something know , yet I believe there comes No countermand . No such example have we . Besides , upon the very siege of justice Lord Angelo hath to the public ear Professed the contrary . Enter a Messenger . This is his Lordship’s man . DUKE , as Friar And here comes Claudio’s pardon . MESSENGER , giving Provost a paper My lord hath sent you this note , and by me this further charge : that you swerve not from the smallest article of it , neither in time , matter , or other circumstance . Good morrow , for , as I take it , it is almost day . PROVOST I shall obey him . Provost reads message . Messenger exits . DUKE , aside This is his pardon , purchased by such sin For which the pardoner himself is in . Hence hath offense his quick celerity When it is borne in high authority . When vice makes mercy , mercy’s so extended That for the fault’s love is th’ offender friended . As Friar . Now , sir , what news ? PROVOST I told you : Lord Angelo , belike thinking me remiss in mine office , awakens me with this unwonted putting-on , methinks strangely ; for he hath not used it before . DUKE , as Friar Pray you let’s hear . PROVOST , reads the letter . Whatsoever you may hear to the contrary , let Claudio be executed by four of the clock , and in the afternoon ACT 4. SC. 2 Barnardine . For my better satisfaction , let me have Claudio’s head sent me by five . Let this be duly performed with a thought that more depends on it than we must yet deliver . Thus fail not to do your office , as you will answer it at your peril . What say you to this , sir ? DUKE , as Friar What is that Barnardine who is to be executed in th’ afternoon ? PROVOST A Bohemian born , but here nursed up and bred ; one that is a prisoner nine years old . DUKE , as Friar How came it that the absent duke had not either delivered him to his liberty , or executed him ? I have heard it was ever his manner to do so . PROVOST His friends still wrought reprieves for him ; and indeed his fact , till now in the government of Lord Angelo , came not to an undoubtful proof . DUKE , as Friar It is now apparent ? PROVOST Most manifest , and not denied by himself . DUKE , as Friar Hath he borne himself penitently in prison ? How seems he to be touched ? PROVOST A man that apprehends death no more dreadfully but as a drunken sleep ; careless , reckless , and fearless of what’s past , present , or to come ; insensible of mortality and desperately mortal . DUKE , as Friar He wants advice . PROVOST He will hear none . He hath evermore had the liberty of the prison ; give him leave to escape hence , he would not . Drunk many times a day , if not many days entirely drunk . We have very oft awaked him , as if to carry him to execution , and showed him a seeming warrant for it . It hath not moved him at all . DUKE , as Friar More of him anon . There is written in your brow , provost , honesty and constancy ; if I read it not truly , my ancient skill beguiles me . But in the boldness of my cunning , I will lay myself in hazard . ACT 4. SC. 2 Claudio , whom here you have warrant to execute , is no greater forfeit to the law than Angelo , who hath sentenced him . To make you understand this in a manifested effect , I crave but four days’ respite , for the which you are to do me both a present and a dangerous courtesy . PROVOST Pray , sir , in what ? DUKE , as Friar In the delaying death . PROVOST Alack , how may I do it , having the hour limited , and an express command , under penalty , to deliver his head in the view of Angelo ? I may make my case as Claudio’s , to cross this in the smallest . DUKE , as Friar By the vow of mine order I warrant you , if my instructions may be your guide . Let this Barnardine be this morning executed and his head borne to Angelo . PROVOST Angelo hath seen them both and will discover the favor . DUKE , as Friar O , death’s a great disguiser , and you may add to it . Shave the head and tie the beard , and say it was the desire of the penitent to be so bared before his death . You know the course is common . If anything fall to you upon this , more than thanks and good fortune , by the saint whom I profess , I will plead against it with my life . PROVOST Pardon me , good father , it is against my oath . DUKE , as Friar Were you sworn to the Duke or to the Deputy ? PROVOST To him and to his substitutes . DUKE , as Friar You will think you have made no offense if the Duke avouch the justice of your dealing ? PROVOST But what likelihood is in that ? DUKE , as Friar Not a resemblance , but a certainty ; yet since I see you fearful , that neither my coat , integrity , ACT 4. SC. 3 nor persuasion can with ease attempt you , I will go further than I meant , to pluck all fears out of you . Look you , sir , here is the hand and seal of the Duke . He shows the Provost a paper . You know the character , I doubt not , and the signet is not strange to you . PROVOST I know them both . DUKE , as Friar The contents of this is the return of the Duke ; you shall anon overread it at your pleasure , where you shall find within these two days he will be here . This is a thing that Angelo knows not , for he this very day receives letters of strange tenor , perchance of the Duke’s death , perchance entering into some monastery , but by chance nothing of what is writ . Look , th’ unfolding star calls up the shepherd . Put not yourself into amazement how these things should be . All difficulties are but easy when they are known . Call your executioner , and off with Barnardine’s head . I will give him a present shrift , and advise him for a better place . Yet you are amazed , but this shall absolutely resolve you . He gives the Provost the paper . Come away ; it is almost clear dawn . They exit . Scene 3 Enter Pompey . POMPEY I am as well acquainted here as I was in our house of profession . One would think it were Mistress Overdone’s own house , for here be many of her old customers . First , here’s young Master Rash . He’s in for a commodity of brown paper and old ginger , ninescore and seventeen pounds , of which he made five marks ready money . Marry , then ACT 4. SC. 3 ginger was not much in request , for the old women were all dead . Then is there here one Master Caper , at the suit of Master Three-pile the mercer , for some four suits of peach-colored satin , which now peaches him a beggar . Then have we here young Dizzy and young Master Deep-vow , and Master Copper-spur and Master Starve-lackey the rapier-and-dagger man , and young Drop-heir that killed lusty Pudding , and Master Forth-light the tilter , and brave Master Shoe-tie the great traveler , and wild Half-can that stabbed Pots , and I think forty more , all great doers in our trade , and are now for the Lord’s sake . Enter Abhorson . ABHORSON Sirrah , bring Barnardine hither . POMPEY , calling Master Barnardine , you must rise and be hanged , Master Barnardine . ABHORSON , calling What ho , Barnardine ! BARNARDINE , within A pox o’ your throats ! Who makes that noise there ? What are you ? POMPEY , calling to Barnardine offstage Your friends , sir , the hangman . You must be so good , sir , to rise and be put to death . BARNARDINE , within Away , you rogue , away ! I am sleepy . ABHORSON , to Pompey Tell him he must awake , and that quickly too . POMPEY , calling Pray , Master Barnardine , awake till you are executed , and sleep afterwards . ABHORSON Go in to him , and fetch him out . POMPEY He is coming , sir , he is coming . I hear his straw rustle . ABHORSON Is the axe upon the block , sirrah ? POMPEY Very ready , sir . Enter Barnardine . ACT 4. SC. 3 BARNARDINE How now , Abhorson ? What’s the news with you ? ABHORSON Truly , sir , I would desire you to clap into your prayers , for , look you , the warrant’s come . BARNARDINE You rogue , I have been drinking all night . I am not fitted for ’t . POMPEY O , the better , sir , for he that drinks all night and is hanged betimes in the morning may sleep the sounder all the next day . Enter Duke , as a Friar . ABHORSON , to Barnardine Look you , sir , here comes your ghostly father . Do we jest now , think you ? DUKE , as Friar , to Barnardine Sir , induced by my charity , and hearing how hastily you are to depart , I am come to advise you , comfort you , and pray with you . BARNARDINE Friar , not I . I have been drinking hard all night , and I will have more time to prepare me , or they shall beat out my brains with billets . I will not consent to die this day , that’s certain . DUKE , as Friar O , sir , you must . And therefore I beseech you look forward on the journey you shall go . BARNARDINE I swear I will not die today for any man’s persuasion . DUKE , as Friar But hear you — BARNARDINE Not a word . If you have anything to say to me , come to my ward , for thence will not I today . He exits . DUKE , as Friar Unfit to live or die . O gravel heart ! After him , fellows ; bring him to the block . Abhorson and Pompey exit . Enter Provost . ACT 4. SC. 3 PROVOST Now , sir , how do you find the prisoner ? DUKE , as Friar A creature unprepared , unmeet for death , And to transport him in the mind he is Were damnable . PROVOST Here in the prison , father , There died this morning of a cruel fever One Ragozine , a most notorious pirate , A man of Claudio’s years , his beard and head Just of his color . What if we do omit This reprobate till he were well inclined , And satisfy the Deputy with the visage Of Ragozine , more like to Claudio ? DUKE , as Friar O , ’tis an accident that heaven provides ! Dispatch it presently . The hour draws on Prefixed by Angelo . See this be done And sent according to command , whiles I Persuade this rude wretch willingly to die . PROVOST This shall be done , good father , presently . But Barnardine must die this afternoon , And how shall we continue Claudio , To save me from the danger that might come If he were known alive ? DUKE , as Friar Let this be done : Put them in secret holds , both Barnardine and Claudio . Ere twice the sun hath made his journal greeting To yonder generation , you shall find Your safety manifested . PROVOST I am your free dependent . DUKE , as Friar Quick , dispatch , and send the head to Angelo . Provost exits . ACT 4. SC. 3 DUKE Now will I write letters to Angelo — The Provost he shall bear them — whose contents Shall witness to him I am near at home And that by great injunctions I am bound To enter publicly . Him I’ll desire To meet me at the consecrated fount A league below the city ; and from thence , By cold gradation and well-balanced form , We shall proceed with Angelo . Enter Provost , carrying a head . PROVOST Here is the head . I’ll carry it myself . DUKE , as Friar Convenient is it . Make a swift return , For I would commune with you of such things That want no ear but yours . PROVOST I’ll make all speed . He exits . ISABELLA , within Peace , ho , be here . DUKE The tongue of Isabel . She’s come to know If yet her brother’s pardon be come hither . But I will keep her ignorant of her good To make her heavenly comforts of despair When it is least expected . Enter Isabella . ISABELLA Ho , by your leave . DUKE , as Friar Good morning to you , fair and gracious daughter . ISABELLA The better , given me by so holy a man . Hath yet the Deputy sent my brother’s pardon ? ACT 4. SC. 3 DUKE , as Friar He hath released him , Isabel , from the world . His head is off , and sent to Angelo . ISABELLA Nay , but it is not so . DUKE , as Friar It is no other . Show your wisdom , daughter , in your close patience . ISABELLA O , I will to him and pluck out his eyes ! DUKE , as Friar You shall not be admitted to his sight . ISABELLA Unhappy Claudio , wretched Isabel , Injurious world , most damnèd Angelo ! DUKE , as Friar This nor hurts him nor profits you a jot . Forbear it , therefore ; give your cause to heaven . Mark what I say , which you shall find By every syllable a faithful verity . The Duke comes home tomorrow — nay , dry your eyes . One of our convent , and his confessor , Gives me this instance . Already he hath carried Notice to Escalus and Angelo , Who do prepare to meet him at the gates , There to give up their power . If you can , pace your wisdom In that good path that I would wish it go , And you shall have your bosom on this wretch , Grace of the Duke , revenges to your heart , And general honor . ISABELLA I am directed by you . DUKE , as Friar , showing her a paper This letter , then , to Friar Peter give . ’Tis that he sent me of the Duke’s return . Say , by this token , I desire his company ACT 4. SC. 3 At Mariana’s house tonight . Her cause and yours I’ll perfect him withal , and he shall bring you Before the Duke , and to the head of Angelo Accuse him home and home . For my poor self , I am combinèd by a sacred vow And shall be absent . Wend you with this letter . He hands her the paper . Command these fretting waters from your eyes With a light heart . Trust not my holy order If I pervert your course . — Who’s here ? Enter Lucio . LUCIO Good even , friar , where’s the Provost ? DUKE , as Friar Not within , sir . LUCIO O , pretty Isabella , I am pale at mine heart to see thine eyes so red . Thou must be patient . I am fain to dine and sup with water and bran . I dare not for my head fill my belly . One fruitful meal would set me to ’t . But they say the Duke will be here tomorrow . By my troth , Isabel , I loved thy brother . If the old fantastical duke of dark corners had been at home , he had lived . Isabella exits . DUKE , as Friar Sir , the Duke is marvelous little beholding to your reports , but the best is , he lives not in them . LUCIO Friar , thou knowest not the Duke so well as I do . He’s a better woodman than thou tak’st him for . DUKE , as Friar Well , you’ll answer this one day . Fare you well . LUCIO Nay , tarry , I’ll go along with thee . I can tell thee pretty tales of the Duke . DUKE , as Friar You have told me too many of him already , sir , if they be true ; if not true , none were enough . LUCIO I was once before him for getting a wench with child . ACT 4. SC. 4 DUKE , as Friar Did you such a thing ? LUCIO Yes , marry , did I , but I was fain to forswear it . They would else have married me to the rotten medlar . DUKE , as Friar Sir , your company is fairer than honest . Rest you well . LUCIO By my troth , I’ll go with thee to the lane’s end . If bawdy talk offend you , we’ll have very little of it . Nay , friar , I am a kind of burr . I shall stick . They exit . Scene 4 Enter Angelo and Escalus . ESCALUS Every letter he hath writ hath disvouched other . ANGELO In most uneven and distracted manner . His actions show much like to madness . Pray heaven his wisdom be not tainted . And why meet him at the gates and deliver our authorities there ? ESCALUS I guess not . ANGELO And why should we proclaim it in an hour before his entering , that if any crave redress of injustice , they should exhibit their petitions in the street ? ESCALUS He shows his reason for that : to have a dispatch of complaints , and to deliver us from devices hereafter , which shall then have no power to stand against us . ANGELO Well , I beseech you let it be proclaimed . Betimes i’ th’ morn , I’ll call you at your house . Give notice to such men of sort and suit as are to meet him . ESCALUS I shall , sir . Fare you well . ACT 4. SC. 5 ANGELO Good night . Escalus exits . This deed unshapes me quite , makes me unpregnant And dull to all proceedings . A deflowered maid , And by an eminent body that enforced The law against it . But that her tender shame Will not proclaim against her maiden loss , How might she tongue me ! Yet reason dares her no , For my authority bears of a credent bulk That no particular scandal once can touch But it confounds the breather . He should have lived , Save that his riotous youth with dangerous sense Might in the times to come have ta’en revenge By so receiving a dishonored life With ransom of such shame . Would yet he had lived . Alack , when once our grace we have forgot , Nothing goes right . We would , and we would not . He exits . Scene 5 Enter Duke and Friar Peter . DUKE , giving the Friar papers . These letters at fit time deliver me . The Provost knows our purpose and our plot . The matter being afoot , keep your instruction And hold you ever to our special drift , Though sometimes you do blench from this to that As cause doth minister . Go call at Flavius’ house And tell him where I stay . Give the like notice To Valencius , Rowland , and to Crassus , And bid them bring the trumpets to the gate . But send me Flavius first . FRIAR PETER It shall be speeded well . He exits . Enter Varrius . ACT 4. SC. 6 DUKE I thank thee , Varrius . Thou hast made good haste . Come , we will walk . There’s other of our friends Will greet us here anon . My gentle Varrius . They exit . Scene 6 Enter Isabella and Mariana . ISABELLA To speak so indirectly I am loath . I would say the truth , but to accuse him so That is your part ; yet I am advised to do it , He says , to veil full purpose . MARIANA Be ruled by him . ISABELLA Besides , he tells me that , if peradventure He speak against me on the adverse side , I should not think it strange , for ’tis a physic That’s bitter to sweet end . MARIANA I would Friar Peter — Enter Friar Peter . ISABELLA O peace , the Friar is come . FRIAR PETER Come , I have found you out a stand most fit , Where you may have such vantage on the Duke He shall not pass you . Twice have the trumpets sounded . The generous and gravest citizens Have hent the gates , and very near upon The Duke is entering . Therefore hence , away . They exit . ACT 5 Scene 1 Enter Duke , Varrius , Lords , Angelo , Escalus , Lucio , Provost , Officers , and Citizens at several doors . DUKE , to Angelo My very worthy cousin , fairly met . To Escalus . Our old and faithful friend , we are glad to see you . ANGELO , ESCALUS Happy return be to your royal Grace . DUKE Many and hearty thankings to you both . We have made inquiry of you , and we hear Such goodness of your justice that our soul Cannot but yield you forth to public thanks , Forerunning more requital . ANGELO You make my bonds still greater . DUKE O , your desert speaks loud , and I should wrong it To lock it in the wards of covert bosom When it deserves with characters of brass A forted residence ’gainst the tooth of time And razure of oblivion . Give me your hand And let the subject see , to make them know That outward courtesies would fain proclaim Favors that keep within . — Come , Escalus , ACT 5. SC. 1 You must walk by us on our other hand . And good supporters are you . Enter Friar Peter and Isabella . FRIAR PETER , to Isabella Now is your time . Speak loud , and kneel before him . ISABELLA , kneeling Justice , O royal duke . Vail your regard Upon a wronged — I would fain have said , a maid . O worthy prince , dishonor not your eye By throwing it on any other object Till you have heard me in my true complaint And given me justice , justice , justice , justice . DUKE Relate your wrongs . In what , by whom ? Be brief . Here is Lord Angelo shall give you justice . Reveal yourself to him . ISABELLA O worthy duke , You bid me seek redemption of the devil . Hear me yourself , for that which I must speak Must either punish me , not being believed , Or wring redress from you . Hear me , O hear me , here . ANGELO My lord , her wits , I fear me , are not firm . She hath been a suitor to me for her brother Cut off by course of justice . ISABELLA , standing By course of justice ! ANGELO And she will speak most bitterly and strange . ISABELLA Most strange , but yet most truly will I speak . That Angelo’s forsworn , is it not strange ? That Angelo’s a murderer , is ’t not strange ? That Angelo is an adulterous thief , ACT 5. SC. 1 An hypocrite , a virgin-violator , Is it not strange , and strange ? DUKE Nay , it is ten times strange . ISABELLA It is not truer he is Angelo Than this is all as true as it is strange . Nay , it is ten times true , for truth is truth To th’ end of reck’ning . DUKE Away with her . Poor soul , She speaks this in th’ infirmity of sense . ISABELLA O prince , I conjure thee , as thou believest There is another comfort than this world , That thou neglect me not with that opinion That I am touched with madness . Make not impossible That which but seems unlike . ’Tis not impossible But one , the wicked’st caitiff on the ground , May seem as shy , as grave , as just , as absolute As Angelo . Even so may Angelo , In all his dressings , caracts , titles , forms , Be an archvillain . Believe it , royal prince , If he be less , he’s nothing , but he’s more , Had I more name for badness . DUKE By mine honesty , If she be mad — as I believe no other — Her madness hath the oddest frame of sense , Such a dependency of thing on thing , As e’er I heard in madness . ISABELLA O gracious duke , Harp not on that ; nor do not banish reason For inequality , but let your reason serve To make the truth appear where it seems hid , And hide the false seems true . DUKE Many that are not mad Have , sure , more lack of reason . What would you say ? ACT 5. SC. 1 ISABELLA I am the sister of one Claudio , Condemned upon the act of fornication To lose his head , condemned by Angelo . I , in probation of a sisterhood , Was sent to by my brother ; one Lucio As then the messenger — LUCIO , to Duke That’s I , an ’t like your Grace . I came to her from Claudio and desired her To try her gracious fortune with Lord Angelo For her poor brother’s pardon . ISABELLA , to Duke That’s he indeed . DUKE , to Lucio You were not bid to speak . LUCIO No , my good lord , Nor wished to hold my peace . DUKE I wish you now , then . Pray you take note of it , and when you have A business for yourself , pray heaven you then Be perfect . LUCIO I warrant your Honor . DUKE The warrant’s for yourself . Take heed to ’t . ISABELLA This gentleman told somewhat of my tale . LUCIO Right . DUKE It may be right , but you are i’ the wrong To speak before your time . — Proceed . ISABELLA I went To this pernicious caitiff deputy — DUKE That’s somewhat madly spoken . ISABELLA Pardon it ; The phrase is to the matter . ACT 5. SC. 1 DUKE Mended again . The matter ; proceed . ISABELLA In brief , to set the needless process by : How I persuaded , how I prayed and kneeled , How he refelled me , and how I replied — For this was of much length — the vile conclusion I now begin with grief and shame to utter . He would not , but by gift of my chaste body To his concupiscible intemperate lust , Release my brother ; and after much debatement , My sisterly remorse confutes mine honor , And I did yield to him . But the next morn betimes , His purpose surfeiting , he sends a warrant For my poor brother’s head . DUKE This is most likely ! ISABELLA O , that it were as like as it is true ! DUKE By heaven , fond wretch , thou know’st not what thou speak’st , Or else thou art suborned against his honor In hateful practice . First , his integrity Stands without blemish ; next , it imports no reason That with such vehemency he should pursue Faults proper to himself . If he had so offended , He would have weighed thy brother by himself And not have cut him off . Someone hath set you on . Confess the truth , and say by whose advice Thou cam’st here to complain . ISABELLA And is this all ? Then , O you blessèd ministers above , Keep me in patience , and with ripened time Unfold the evil which is here wrapped up In countenance . Heaven shield your Grace from woe , ACT 5. SC. 1 As I , thus wronged , hence unbelievèd go . DUKE I know you’d fain be gone . — An officer ! An Officer comes forward . To prison with her . Shall we thus permit A blasting and a scandalous breath to fall On him so near us ? This needs must be a practice . — Who knew of your intent and coming hither ? ISABELLA One that I would were here , Friar Lodowick . Officer exits with Isabella . DUKE A ghostly father , belike . Who knows that Lodowick ? LUCIO My lord , I know him . ’Tis a meddling friar . I do not like the man . Had he been lay , my lord , For certain words he spake against your Grace In your retirement , I had swinged him soundly . DUKE Words against me ? This’ a good friar , belike . And to set on this wretched woman here Against our substitute ! Let this friar be found . LUCIO But yesternight , my lord , she and that friar , I saw them at the prison . A saucy friar , A very scurvy fellow . FRIAR PETER , to Duke Blessed be your royal Grace . I have stood by , my lord , and I have heard Your royal ear abused . First hath this woman Most wrongfully accused your substitute , Who is as free from touch or soil with her As she from one ungot . DUKE We did believe no less . Know you that Friar Lodowick that she speaks of ? FRIAR PETER I know him for a man divine and holy , . ACT 5. SC. 1 Not scurvy , nor a temporary meddler , As he’s reported by this gentleman ; And on my trust , a man that never yet Did , as he vouches , misreport your Grace . LUCIO My lord , most villainously , believe it . FRIAR PETER Well , he in time may come to clear himself ; But at this instant he is sick , my lord , Of a strange fever . Upon his mere request , Being come to knowledge that there was complaint Intended ’gainst Lord Angelo , came I hither To speak as from his mouth , what he doth know Is true and false , and what he with his oath And all probation will make up full clear Whensoever he’s convented . First , for this woman , To justify this worthy nobleman , So vulgarly and personally accused , Her shall you hear disprovèd to her eyes Till she herself confess it . DUKE Good friar , let’s hear it . — Do you not smile at this , Lord Angelo ? O heaven , the vanity of wretched fools ! — Give us some seats . — Come , cousin Angelo , In this I’ll be impartial . Be you judge Of your own cause . Duke and Angelo are seated . Enter Mariana , veiled . Is this the witness , friar ? First , let her show her face , and after speak . MARIANA Pardon , my lord , I will not show my face Until my husband bid me . DUKE What , are you married ? MARIANA No , my lord . DUKE Are you a maid ? ACT 5. SC. 1 MARIANA No , my lord . DUKE A widow , then ? MARIANA Neither , my lord . DUKE Why you are nothing , then , neither maid , widow , nor wife ? LUCIO My lord , she may be a punk , for many of them are neither maid , widow , nor wife . DUKE Silence that fellow . I would he had some cause to prattle for himself . LUCIO Well , my lord . MARIANA My lord , I do confess I ne’er was married , And I confess besides I am no maid . I have known my husband , yet my husband Knows not that ever he knew me . LUCIO He was drunk , then , my lord ; it can be no better . DUKE For the benefit of silence , would thou wert so too . LUCIO Well , my lord . DUKE This is no witness for Lord Angelo . MARIANA Now I come to ’t , my lord . She that accuses him of fornication In selfsame manner doth accuse my husband , And charges him , my lord , with such a time When , I’ll depose , I had him in mine arms With all th’ effect of love . ANGELO Charges she more than me ? MARIANA Not that I know . DUKE No ? You say your husband . MARIANA Why , just , my lord , and that is Angelo , Who thinks he knows that he ne’er knew my body , But knows , he thinks , that he knows Isabel’s . ANGELO This is a strange abuse . Let’s see thy face . ACT 5. SC. 1 MARIANA My husband bids me . Now I will unmask . She removes her veil . This is that face , thou cruel Angelo , Which once thou swor’st was worth the looking on . This is the hand which , with a vowed contract , Was fast belocked in thine . This is the body That took away the match from Isabel And did supply thee at thy garden house In her imagined person . DUKE , to Angelo Know you this woman ? LUCIO Carnally , she says . DUKE Sirrah , no more . LUCIO Enough , my lord . ANGELO My lord , I must confess I know this woman , And five years since there was some speech of marriage Betwixt myself and her , which was broke off , Partly for that her promisèd proportions Came short of composition , but in chief For that her reputation was disvalued In levity . Since which time of five years I never spake with her , saw her , nor heard from her , Upon my faith and honor . MARIANA , kneeling , to Duke Noble prince , As there comes light from heaven and words from breath , As there is sense in truth and truth in virtue , I am affianced this man’s wife as strongly As words could make up vows . And , my good lord , But Tuesday night last gone in ’s garden house He knew me as a wife . As this is true , Let me in safety raise me from my knees , Or else forever be confixèd here A marble monument . ACT 5. SC. 1 ANGELO I did but smile till now . Now , good my lord , give me the scope of justice . My patience here is touched . I do perceive These poor informal women are no more But instruments of some more mightier member That sets them on . Let me have way , my lord , To find this practice out . DUKE Ay , with my heart , And punish them to your height of pleasure . — Thou foolish friar , and thou pernicious woman , Compact with her that’s gone , think’st thou thy oaths , Though they would swear down each particular saint , Were testimonies against his worth and credit That’s sealed in approbation ? — You , Lord Escalus , Sit with my cousin ; lend him your kind pains To find out this abuse , whence ’tis derived . The Duke rises . Escalus is seated . There is another friar that set them on . Let him be sent for . FRIAR PETER Would he were here , my lord , for he indeed Hath set the women on to this complaint ; Your provost knows the place where he abides , And he may fetch him . DUKE , to Provost Go , do it instantly . Provost exits . To Angelo . And you , my noble and well-warranted cousin , Whom it concerns to hear this matter forth , Do with your injuries as seems you best In any chastisement . I for a while Will leave you ; but stir not you till you have Well determined upon these slanderers . ESCALUS My lord , we’ll do it throughly . Duke exits . ACT 5. SC. 1 Signior Lucio , did not you say you knew that Friar Lodowick to be a dishonest person ? LUCIO Cucullus non facit monachum , honest in nothing but in his clothes , and one that hath spoke most villainous speeches of the Duke . ESCALUS We shall entreat you to abide here till he come , and enforce them against him . We shall find this friar a notable fellow . LUCIO As any in Vienna , on my word . ESCALUS Call that same Isabel here once again . I would speak with her . An Attendant exits . To Angelo . Pray you , my lord , give me leave to question . You shall see how I’ll handle her . LUCIO Not better than he , by her own report . ESCALUS Say you ? LUCIO Marry , sir , I think , if you handled her privately , she would sooner confess ; perchance publicly she’ll be ashamed . ESCALUS I will go darkly to work with her . LUCIO That’s the way , for women are light at midnight . Enter Duke as a Friar , Provost , and Isabella , with Officers . ESCALUS , to Isabella Come on , mistress . Here’s a gentlewoman denies all that you have said . LUCIO My lord , here comes the rascal I spoke of , here with the Provost . ESCALUS In very good time . Speak not you to him till we call upon you . LUCIO Mum . ESCALUS , to disguised Duke Come , sir , did you set these women on to slander Lord Angelo ? They have confessed you did . DUKE , as Friar ’Tis false . ESCALUS How ? Know you where you are ? ACT 5. SC. 1 DUKE , as Friar Respect to your great place , and let the devil Be sometime honored for his burning throne . Where is the Duke ? ’Tis he should hear me speak . ESCALUS The Duke’s in us , and we will hear you speak . Look you speak justly . DUKE , as Friar Boldly , at least . — But , O , poor souls , Come you to seek the lamb here of the fox ? Good night to your redress . Is the Duke gone ? Then is your cause gone too . The Duke’s unjust Thus to retort your manifest appeal , And put your trial in the villain’s mouth Which here you come to accuse . LUCIO This is the rascal ; this is he I spoke of . ESCALUS , to disguised Duke Why , thou unreverend and unhallowed friar , Is ’t not enough thou hast suborned these women To accuse this worthy man , but , in foul mouth And in the witness of his proper ear , To call him villain ? And then to glance from him To th’ Duke himself , to tax him with injustice ? — Take him hence . To th’ rack with him . We’ll touse him Joint by joint , but we will know his purpose . What ? Unjust ? DUKE , as Friar Be not so hot . The Duke Dare no more stretch this finger of mine than he Dare rack his own . His subject am I not , Nor here provincial . My business in this state Made me a looker-on here in Vienna , Where I have seen corruption boil and bubble Till it o’errun the stew . Laws for all faults , But faults so countenanced that the strong statutes ACT 5. SC. 1 Stand like the forfeits in a barber’s shop , As much in mock as mark . ESCALUS Slander to th’ state ! Away with him to prison . ANGELO , to Lucio What can you vouch against him , Signior Lucio ? Is this the man that you did tell us of ? LUCIO ’Tis he , my lord . — Come hither , Goodman Baldpate . Do you know me ? DUKE , as Friar I remember you , sir , by the sound of your voice . I met you at the prison in the absence of the Duke . LUCIO O , did you so ? And do you remember what you said of the Duke ? DUKE , as Friar Most notedly , sir . LUCIO Do you so , sir ? And was the Duke a fleshmonger , a fool , and a coward , as you then reported him to be ? DUKE , as Friar You must , sir , change persons with me ere you make that my report . You indeed spoke so of him , and much more , much worse . LUCIO O , thou damnable fellow ! Did not I pluck thee by the nose for thy speeches ? DUKE , as Friar I protest I love the Duke as I love myself . ANGELO Hark how the villain would close now , after his treasonable abuses ! ESCALUS Such a fellow is not to be talked withal . Away with him to prison . Where is the Provost ? Provost comes forward . Away with him to prison . Lay bolts enough upon him . Let him speak no more . Away with those giglets too , and with the other confederate companion . Provost seizes the disguised Duke . DUKE , as Friar Stay , sir , stay awhile . ANGELO What , resists he ? — Help him , Lucio . LUCIO , to the disguised Duke Come , sir , come , sir , ACT 5. SC. 1 come , sir . Foh , sir ! Why you bald-pated , lying rascal , you must be hooded , must you ? Show your knave’s visage , with a pox to you ! Show your sheep-biting face , and be hanged an hour ! Will ’t not off ? He pulls off the friar’s hood , and reveals the Duke . Angelo and Escalus stand . DUKE Thou art the first knave that e’er mad’st a duke . — First , provost , let me bail these gentle three . To Lucio . Sneak not away , sir , for the friar and you Must have a word anon . — Lay hold on him . LUCIO This may prove worse than hanging . DUKE , to Escalus What you have spoke I pardon . Sit you down . We’ll borrow place of him . To Angelo . Sir , by your leave . Hast thou or word , or wit , or impudence That yet can do thee office ? If thou hast , Rely upon it till my tale be heard , And hold no longer out . ANGELO O my dread lord , I should be guiltier than my guiltiness To think I can be undiscernible , When I perceive your Grace , like power divine , Hath looked upon my passes . Then , good prince , No longer session hold upon my shame , But let my trial be mine own confession . Immediate sentence then and sequent death Is all the grace I beg . DUKE Come hither , Mariana . Mariana stands and comes forward . To Angelo . Say , wast thou e’er contracted to this woman ? ANGELO I was , my lord . DUKE Go take her hence and marry her instantly . ACT 5. SC. 1 To Friar Peter . Do you the office , friar , which consummate , Return him here again . — Go with him , provost . Angelo , Mariana , Friar Peter , and Provost exit . ESCALUS My lord , I am more amazed at his dishonor Than at the strangeness of it . DUKE Come hither , Isabel . Your friar is now your prince . As I was then Advertising and holy to your business , Not changing heart with habit , I am still Attorneyed at your service . ISABELLA O , give me pardon That I , your vassal , have employed and pained Your unknown sovereignty . DUKE You are pardoned , Isabel . And now , dear maid , be you as free to us . Your brother’s death , I know , sits at your heart , And you may marvel why I obscured myself , Laboring to save his life , and would not rather Make rash remonstrance of my hidden power Than let him so be lost . O most kind maid , It was the swift celerity of his death , Which I did think with slower foot came on , That brained my purpose . But peace be with him . That life is better life past fearing death Than that which lives to fear . Make it your comfort , So happy is your brother . ISABELLA I do , my lord . Enter Angelo , Mariana , Friar Peter , and Provost . DUKE For this new-married man approaching here , Whose salt imagination yet hath wronged Your well-defended honor , you must pardon ACT 5. SC. 1 For Mariana’s sake . But as he adjudged your brother — Being criminal in double violation Of sacred chastity and of promise-breach Thereon dependent for your brother’s life — The very mercy of the law cries out Most audible , even from his proper tongue , An Angelo for Claudio , death for death . Haste still pays haste , and leisure answers leisure ; Like doth quit like , and measure still for measure . — Then , Angelo , thy fault’s thus manifested , Which , though thou wouldst deny , denies thee vantage . We do condemn thee to the very block Where Claudio stooped to death , and with like haste . — Away with him . MARIANA O my most gracious lord , I hope you will not mock me with a husband . DUKE It is your husband mocked you with a husband . Consenting to the safeguard of your honor , I thought your marriage fit . Else imputation , For that he knew you , might reproach your life And choke your good to come . For his possessions , Although by confiscation they are ours , We do instate and widow you with all To buy you a better husband . MARIANA O my dear lord , I crave no other nor no better man . DUKE Never crave him . We are definitive . MARIANA , kneeling Gentle my liege — DUKE You do but lose your labor . — ACT 5. SC. 1 Away with him to death . To Lucio . Now , sir , to you . MARIANA O , my good lord . — Sweet Isabel , take my part . Lend me your knees , and all my life to come I’ll lend you all my life to do you service . DUKE Against all sense you do importune her . Should she kneel down in mercy of this fact , Her brother’s ghost his pavèd bed would break And take her hence in horror . MARIANA Isabel , Sweet Isabel , do yet but kneel by me , Hold up your hands , say nothing . I’ll speak all . They say best men are molded out of faults , And , for the most , become much more the better For being a little bad . So may my husband . O Isabel , will you not lend a knee ? DUKE He dies for Claudio’s death . ISABELLA , kneeling Most bounteous sir , Look , if it please you , on this man condemned As if my brother lived . I partly think A due sincerity governed his deeds Till he did look on me . Since it is so , Let him not die . My brother had but justice , In that he did the thing for which he died . For Angelo , His act did not o’ertake his bad intent , And must be buried but as an intent That perished by the way . Thoughts are no subjects , Intents but merely thoughts . MARIANA Merely , my lord . DUKE Your suit’s unprofitable . Stand up , I say . They stand . I have bethought me of another fault . — ACT 5. SC. 1 Provost , how came it Claudio was beheaded At an unusual hour ? PROVOST It was commanded so . DUKE Had you a special warrant for the deed ? PROVOST No , my good lord , it was by private message . DUKE For which I do discharge you of your office . Give up your keys . PROVOST Pardon me , noble lord . I thought it was a fault , but knew it not , Yet did repent me after more advice , For testimony whereof , one in the prison That should by private order else have died , I have reserved alive . DUKE What’s he ? PROVOST His name is Barnardine . DUKE I would thou hadst done so by Claudio . Go fetch him hither . Let me look upon him . Provost exits . ESCALUS , to Angelo I am sorry one so learnèd and so wise As you , Lord Angelo , have still appeared , Should slip so grossly , both in the heat of blood And lack of tempered judgment afterward . ANGELO I am sorry that such sorrow I procure ; And so deep sticks it in my penitent heart That I crave death more willingly than mercy . ’Tis my deserving , and I do entreat it . Enter Barnardine and Provost , Claudio , muffled , and Juliet . DUKE , to Provost Which is that Barnardine ? ACT 5. SC. 1 PROVOST This , my lord . DUKE There was a friar told me of this man . — Sirrah , thou art said to have a stubborn soul That apprehends no further than this world , And squar’st thy life according . Thou ’rt condemned . But , for those earthly faults , I quit them all , And pray thee take this mercy to provide For better times to come . — Friar , advise him . I leave him to your hand . — What muffled fellow’s that ? PROVOST This is another prisoner that I saved Who should have died when Claudio lost his head , As like almost to Claudio as himself . He unmuffles Claudio . DUKE , to Isabella If he be like your brother , for his sake Is he pardoned ; and for your lovely sake , Give me your hand and say you will be mine , He is my brother too . But fitter time for that . By this Lord Angelo perceives he’s safe ; Methinks I see a quick’ning in his eye . — Well , Angelo , your evil quits you well . Look that you love your wife , her worth worth yours . I find an apt remission in myself . And yet here’s one in place I cannot pardon . To Lucio . You , sirrah , that knew me for a fool , a coward , One all of luxury , an ass , a madman . Wherein have I so deserved of you That you extol me thus ? LUCIO Faith , my lord , I spoke it but according to the trick . If you will hang me for it , you may , but I had rather it would please you I might be whipped . ACT 5. SC. 1 DUKE Whipped first , sir , and hanged after . — Proclaim it , provost , round about the city , If any woman wronged by this lewd fellow — As I have heard him swear himself there’s one Whom he begot with child — let her appear , And he shall marry her . The nuptial finished , Let him be whipped and hanged . LUCIO I beseech your Highness do not marry me to a whore . Your Highness said even now I made you a duke . Good my lord , do not recompense me in making me a cuckold . DUKE Upon mine honor , thou shalt marry her . Thy slanders I forgive and therewithal Remit thy other forfeits . — Take him to prison , And see our pleasure herein executed . LUCIO Marrying a punk , my lord , is pressing to death , whipping , and hanging . DUKE Slandering a prince deserves it . Officers take Lucio away . She , Claudio , that you wronged , look you restore . — Joy to you , Mariana . — Love her , Angelo . I have confessed her , and I know her virtue . — Thanks , good friend Escalus , for thy much goodness . There’s more behind that is more gratulate . — Thanks , provost , for thy care and secrecy . We shall employ thee in a worthier place . — Forgive him , Angelo , that brought you home The head of Ragozine for Claudio’s . Th’ offense pardons itself . — Dear Isabel , I have a motion much imports your good , Whereto if you’ll a willing ear incline , What’s mine is yours , and what is yours is mine . — So , bring us to our palace , where we’ll show What’s yet behind that’s meet you all should know . They exit . all or part of a full metrical line all or part of a prose speech a short line which cannot be joined with other lines to form a full metrical line, or which may not be definitively identified asverse or prose editorial emendation