Hold little faith, though thou hast too much fear. Enter Sir Andrew Ague-cheek, with his head broke. So went he suited to his watery tomb: Seb. A spirit I am, indeed; But am in that dimension grossly clad, Sir And. For the love of God, a surgeon; Which from the womb I did participate. send one presently to Sir Toby. Oli. What's the matter? Sir And. He has broke my head across, and has given Sir Toby a bloody coxcomb too: for the love of God, your help: I had rather than forty pound, I were at home. Oli. Who has done this, Sir Andrew? Sir And. The count's gentleman, one Cesario: we took him for a coward, but he's the very devil incardinate. Duke. My gentleman, Cesario? Sir And. Od's lifelings, here he is broke my head for nothing; and that did, I was set on to do't by Sir Toby. Fio. Why do you speak to me? I never you: You! that I hurt You drew your sword upon me, without cause: But I bespake you fair, and hurt you not. Sir And. If a bloody coxcomb be a hurt, you have hurt me: I think you set nothing by bloody coxcomb. a Enter Sir Toby Belch, drunk, led by the Clown. Here comes Sir Toby halting, you shall hear more: but if he had not been in drink, he would have tickled you othergates than he did. Duke. How now, gentleman ? how is't with you? Sir To. That's all one; he has hurt me, and there's the end on't. Sot, didst see Dick surgeon, sot ? Clo. O, he's drunk, Sir Toby, an hour agone: his eyes were set at eight i' the morning. Sir To. Then he's a rogue, and a passy-measures pavin; I hate a drunken rogue. Oli. Away with him: Who hath made this havock with them? Sir And. I'll help you, Sir Toby, because we'll be dressed together. Sir To. Will you help ?-An ass-head, and a coxcomb, and a knave? a thin-faced knave, a gull? Oli. Get him to bed, and let his hurt be look'd to. [Exeunt Clown, Sir Toby, and Sir Andrew. Enter Sebastian. Seb. I am sorry, madam, I have hurt your kinsman: But, had it been the brother of my blood, I Were you a woman, as the rest goes even, Vio. And died that day when Viola from her birth Had number'd thirteen years. Seb. O, that record is lively in my soul! He finished, indeed, his mortal act, That day that made my sister thirteen years. Vio. If nothing lets to make us happy both, But this my masculine usurp'd attire, Do not embrace me, till each circumstance Of place, time, fortune, do cohere, and jump, That I am Viola: which to confirin, I'll bring you to a captain in this town, I was preserv'd, to serve this noble count: If this be so, as yet the glass seems true, shall have share in this most happy wreck: Boy, thou hast said to me a thousand times, [To Viola. Thou never should'st love woman like to me. Duke. Give me thy hand; And let me see thee in thy woman's weeds. Vio. The captain, that did bring me first on shore, Hath my maid's garments: he, upon some action, Is now in durance, at Malvolio's suit, A gentleman and follower of my lady's. hither: And yet, alas, now I remember me, They say, poor gentleman, he's much distract. Duke. One face, one voice, one habit, and two A most extracting frenzy of mine own persons; A natural perspective, that is, and is not. How have the hours rack'd and tortur'd me, From my remembrance clearly banish'd his.How does he, sirrah? Clo. Truly, madam, he holds Belzebub at the stave's end, as well as a man in his case may do: he has here writ a letter to you. should have given it you to-day morning; but as a Fear'st thou that, Antonio ? madman's epistles are no gospels, so it skills Ant. How have you made division of your-not much when they are delivered." self 7 Ant. Sebastian are you? Oli. Open it, and read it. Clo. Look then to be well edified, when the fool delivers the madman:-By the lord, madam Oli. How now! art thou mad? Clo. No, madam, I do but read madness: an your ladyship will have it as it ought to be, you must allow vor. Oli. 'Pr'ythee, read i' thy right wits. Clo. So I do, madonna; but to read his right wits, is to read thus: therefore perpend, iny princess, and give ear. Oli. Read it you, sirrah. [To Fabian. Fab. Reads. By the Lord, madam, you wrong me, and the world shall know it: though Thou shalt be both the plaintiff and the judge you have put me into darkness, and given your Of thine own cause. drunken cousin rule over me, yet have I the be- Fab. Good madam, hear me speak; nefit of my senses as well as your ladyship. 1 And let no quarrel, nor no brawl to come, have your own letter that induced me to the "Taint the condition of this present hour, semblance I put on; with the which I doubt not Which I have wonder'd at. In hope it shall not, but to do myself much right, or you much Most freely I confess, myself, and Toby, shame. Think of me as you please. I leave my Set this device against Malvolio here, duty a little unthought of, and speak out of my Upon some stubborn and uncourteous parts injury. The madly-used Malvolio. We had conceiv'd against him: Maria writ The letter, at Sir Toby's great importance; In recompense whereof, he hath married her. How with a sportful malice it was follow'd, May rather pluck on laughter than revenge: It that the injuries be justly weigh'd, That have on both sides past. Oli. Did he write this? Clo. Ay, madam. Duke. This savours not much of distraction. Oli. See him delivered, Fabian; bring him hither. [Exit Fabian. My lord, so please you, these things further thought on, To think me as well a sister as a wife, One day shall crown the alliance on't, so please you, Here at my house, and at my proper cost. Duke. Madam, I am most apt to embrace your offer. Your master quits you To Viola ;] and, for So much against the mettle of your sex, A sister?-you are she.. Oli. Ay, my lord, this same: Have I, Malvolio? no. Mal. Lady, you have. 'Pray you, peruse that You must not now deny it is your hand. Bade me come smiling, and cross-gartered to you, To put on yellow stockings, and to frown And a such forms which here were presuppos'd Bu when we know the grounds and authors! of it, Oli. Alas, poor fool! how have they baffled thee! Clo. Why, some are born great, some achieve greatness, and some have greatness thrown upon them. I was one, sir, in this interlude: one Sir Topas, sir, but that's all one :-By the Lord, fool, I am not mad.-But do you remember? Madam, why laugh you at such a barren rascal? an you smile not, he's gagg'd: And thus the whirligig of time brings in his revenges. Mal. I'll be revenged on the whole pack of [Exit. Oli. He hath been most notoriously abus'd. Duke. Pursue him, and entreat him to a peace you. He hath not told us of the captain yet; Clo. SONG. [Exeunt. When that I was and a little tiny boy, With hey, ho, the wind and the rain, A foolish thing was but a toy, For the rain it raineth every day. But when I came to man's estate, gate, For the rain it raineth every day. But when I came, alas ! to wive, With hey, ho, the wind and the rain, By swaggering could I never thrive, For the rain it raineth every day. But when I came unto my bed, With hey, ho, the wind and the rain, A great while ago the world began, MEASURE FOR MEASURE. PERSONS REPRESENTED. VICENTIO, Duke of Vienna. CLAUDIO, a young Gentleman. Two other like Gentlemen. FROTH, a foolish Gentleman. ISABELLA, Sister to Claudio. VARRIUS, a Gentleman, Servant to the Duke. FRANCISCA, a Nun PROVOST THOMAS, Two Friars. ELBOW, a simple Constable. ACT I. A Justice MISTRESS OVER-DONE, a Bawd. Lords, Gentlemen, Guards, Officers, and other Attendants. SCENE-Vienna. SCENE I An Apartment in the Duke's Palace. Duke. Of government the properties to unfold, Would seem in me to 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 I say, bid come before us Angelo. [Exit an Attendant. What figure of us think you he will bear? For you must know, we have with special soul Elected him our absence to supply; Lent him our terror, drest him with our love; And given his deputation all the organs Of our own power: What think you of it? Escal. If any in Vienna be of worth To undergo such ample grace and honour, It is lord Angelo. Duke. Enter Angelo. Look, where he comes. Ang. Always obedient to your grace's will, I come to know your pleasure. Duke. Angelo, There is a kind of character in thy life, That, to the observer doth thy history Fully unfold: Thyself and thy belongings Are not thine own so proper, as to waste Thyself upon thy virtues, them 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 touch'd, But to fine issues: nor nature never lends Both thanks and use. But I do bend my speech In our remove, be thou at full ourself; Live in thy tongue and heart: Old Escalus, Now, good my lord, Let there be some more test inade of iny metal, Before so noble and so great a figure No more evasion: We have with a leaven'd and prepared choice Nor need you on mine honour have to do As to your soul seems good. Give me your hand; Duke. I thank you: Fare you well. [Erit. Escal. 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: A power I have; but of what strength and nature I am not yet instructed. Ang. 'Tis so with me:-Let us withdraw together, And we may soon our satisfaction have Touching that point. Escal. I'll wait upon your honour. [Exeunt. SCENE II. A Street. 2 Gent. I never heard any soldier dislike it. Lucio. I believe thee; for, I think, thou never wast where grace was said. 2 Gent. No? a dozen times at least. 1 Gent. What? in metre? him: You have not heard of the proclamation, have you? Bawd. What proclamation, man? Clo. All houses in the suburbs of Vienna must be pluck'd down. Bawd. And what shall become of those in the city? Lucio. In any proportion, or in any language. 1 Gent. I think, or in any religion. Lucio. Ay! why not? Grace is grace, despite Clo. They shall stand for seed: they had gone of all controversy: As for example; Thou thy-down too, but that a wise burgher put in for self art a wicked villain, despite of all grace. 1 Gent. 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. 1 Gent. And thou the velvet: thou art good velvet thou art a three-pil'd piece, I warrant thee: I had as lief be a list of an English kersey, as be pil'd, as thou art pil'd, for a French velvet. Do I speak feelingly now? Lucio. I think thou dost; and, indeed, with most painful teeling of thy speech; I will, out of thine own confession, learn to begin thy health; but, whilst I live, forget to drink after thee. 1 Gent. I think, I have done myself wrong; have 1 not? 2 Gent. Yes, that thou hast; whether thou art tainted or free. Lucio. Behold, behold, where madam Mitigation comes! I have purchased as many diseases under her roof, as come to 2 Gent. To what, I pray? 1 Gent. Judge. 2 Gent. To three thousand dollars a-year. 1 Gent. Ay, and more. Lucio. A French crown more. 1 Gent. Thou art always figuring diseases in me: but thou art full of error; I am sound. Lucio. Nay, not as one would say, healthy; but so sound, as things that are hollow; thy bones are hollow: impiety has made a feast of thee. Enter Bawd. 1 Gent. How now? Which of your hips has the most profound sciatica? Bawd. Well, well; there's one yonder arrested, and carried to prison, was worth five thousand of you all. 1 Gent. Who's that, I pray thee? Bawd. Marry, sir, that's Claudio, signior Claudio. 1 Gent. Claudio to prison! 'tis not so. Bawd. Nay, but I know, 'tis so; I saw him arrested; saw him carried away; and which is more, within these three days his head's to be chopped off. Lucio. But, after all this fooling, I would not have it so: Art thou sure of this? Bawd. I am too sure of it: and it is for getting madam Julietta with child. Lucio. Believe me, this may be: he promised to meet me two hours since; and he was ever! precise in promise-keeping. 2 Gent. Besides, you know, it draws something near to the speech we had to such a purpose. 1 Gent But most of all, agreeing with the pro-j clamation. Lucio. Away! let's go learn the truth of it. [Exeunt Lucio and Gentlemen. Bawd. Thus, what with the war, what with the sweat, what with the gallows, and what with poverty, I am custom-shrunk. How now? what's the news with you? Enter Clown. Clo. Yonder man is carried to prison. Bawd. But what's his offence? Clo. Groping for trouts in a peculiar river. Bawd. What is there a maid with child by him? Clo. No; but there's a woman with maid by them. Bawd. But shall all our houses of resort in the suburbs be pull'd down? Clo. To the ground, mistress! Band. Why, here's a change, indeed, in th commonwealth! What shall become of me? Clo. Come, fear not you; good counsellors lack no clients: though you change your place you need not change your trade; I'll be you 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. Bawd. What's to do here, Thomas Tapster? Let's withdraw. Clo. Fiere comes signior Claudio, led by the provost to prison: and there's madam Juliet. [Exeunt. SCENE III. The same. Enter Provost, Claudio, Juliet, and Officers; Lucio, and two Gentlemen. Claud. Fellow, why dost thou show me thus to the world? Bear me to prison, where I am committed. But from lord Angelo by special charge. As surfeit is the father of much fast, Lucio. What is it? murder? Prov. Away, sir; you must go. with you. Takes him aside. Lucio. A hundred, if they'll do you any good.Is lechery so look'd after? I Claud. Thus stands it with me :-Upon a trus contract, got possession of Julietta's bed; You know the lady; she is fast my wife, Save that we do the denunciation lack Of outward order: this we came not to, Only for propagation of a dower Remaining in the coffer of her friends; From whom we thought it meet to hide our love, Till time had made them for us. But it chances, The stealth of our most mutual entertainment, With character too gross, is writ on Juliet. Lucio. With child, perhaps? Claud. Unhappily, even so. And the new deputy now for the duke,- Who, newly in the seat, that it may know So long, that nineteen zodiacs have gone round, Claud. I have done so, but he's not to be found. I pr'ythee, Lucio, do me this kind service: This day my sister should the cloister enter, And there receive her approbation: Acquaint her with the danger of my state; Implore her, in my voice, that she make friends To the strict deputy; bid herself assay him; I have great hope in that: for in her youth There is a prone and speechless dialect, Such as moves men; beside, she hath prosperous art SCENE IV. A Monastery. Enter Duke and Friar Thomas. Duke. No: holy father; throw away thought; Twould be my tyranny to strike, and gall them For what 1 bid them do: For we bid this be done, When evil deeds have their permissive pass, And not the punishment. Therefore, indeed, my father, 1 have on Angelo in pos'd the office; And yet my nature never in the sight, Is more to bread than stone: Hence shall we see, SCENE V. A Nunnery. Enter Isabella and Francisca. Isab. And have you nuns no further privileges? Fran. Are not these large enough? Isab. Yes, truly; I speak not as desiring more; But rather wishing a more strict restraint Upon the sisterhood, the votarists of Saint Clare. Lucio. Ho! Peace be in this place! [Within. Isab Who's that which calls? Fran. It is a man's voice: Gentle Isabella, Turn you the key, and know his business of him; You may, I may not; you are yet unsworn: When you have vow'd, you must not speak with men, But in the presence of the prioress: Then, if you speak, you must not show your face; that Or, if you show your face, you must not speak. He calls again; pray you, answer him. [Exit Francisca. Isab. Peace and prosperity! Who is't that calls? Enter Lucio. Believe not that the dribbling dart of love I have deliver'd to lord Angelo (A man of stricture, and firm abstinence) Duke. We have strict statutes, and most biting laws. (The needful bits and curbs for headstrong steeds,) Which for these fourteen years we have let sleep; Lucio. Hail, virgin, if you be; as those cheek roses Proclaim you are no less! Can yon so stead me Isab. Why her unhappy brother? let me ask; Lucio. Gentle and fair, your brother kindly greets you: Not to be weary with you, he's in prison. Lucio. For that, which, if myself might be his He should receive his punishment in thanks: Isab. Sir, mock me not-your story. With maids to seem the lapwing, and to jest, Becomes more mock'd than fear'd: so our de- Isab. You do blaspheme the good in mocking crees, Dead to infliction, to themselves are dead; The baby beats the nurse, and quite athwart Fri. me. Lucio. Do not believe it. Fewness and truth, 'tis thus: Your brother and his lover have embrac'd: Isab. Some one with child by him?-My cousin Lucio. Is she your cousin? |