DRAMATIS PERSONA. VINCENTIO, Duke of Vienna. Lucio, a Fantaftick. Two Gentlemen. VARRIUS, a Gentleman, Servant to the Duke, PROVOST. THOMAS, PETER, two Friars. ELBOW, a fimple Conftable. FROTH, a foolish Gentleman. CLOWN, Servant to Mrs. Over-don. ABHORSON, an Executioner. BARNARDINE, a diffolute Prifoner. ISABELLA, Sifter to Claudio. MARIANA, betrothed to Angelo. JULIET, beloved of Claudio. Miftrefs OVER-DON, a Bawd. Guards, Officers, and other Attendants. SCENE Vienna. The Story is taken from Cinthio's Novels. Dec. 8. Nov. 5. Measure Measure for Measure. Duke. ACT I. SCENE I. A PALACE. Enter Duke, Efcalus, and Lords. E Scalus! t' unfold Would seem in me t' affect speech and dif- Since I am not to know, that your own science My ftrength can give you: then no more remains, A will to serve us as your worth is able, And let them work. The nature of our people, That we remember. There is our commiffion, From which we would not have you warp. Call hither, I fay, bid come before us Angelo : [To the Attendants. What figure of us think you he will bear? Lent him our terror, dreft him with our love; Of our own power: fay, what think you of it? To undergo fuch ample grace and honour, It is lord Angelo. SCENE II. Enter Angelo. Duke. 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, We had them not. Spirits are not finely touch'd, But, like a thrifty goddess, the determines Both thanks, and ufe. But I do bend my fpeech Hold therefore, Angelo. [Giving him bis commission. In our remove, be thou at full our felf. Mortality and mercy in Vienna Live in thy tongue and heart: old Escalus, Ang. Now, good my lord, Let there be fome more teft made of my metal, Be flampt upon it. Duke. Come, no more evasion: We have with a prepar'd and leaven'd choice What What doth befal you here. So fare you well. Ang. Yet give leave, my lord, That we may bring you fomething on the way. Nor need you, on mine honour, have to do As to your foul feems good. Give me your hand; Efcal. I fhall defire you, Sir, to give me leave A pow'r I have, but of what strength and nature [Exit. Ang. 'Tis fo with me: let us withdraw together, And we may foon our fatisfaction have Touching that point. Efcal. I'll wait upon your honour. SCENE III. The Street. Enter Lucio, and two Gentlemen. [Exeunt. Lucio. If the Duke, with the other Dukes, come not to compofition with the King of Hungary, why then all the Dukes fall upon the King. 1 Gent. Heav'n grant us its peace, but not the King of Hungary's! 2 Gent. Amen! Lucio. Thou conclud'ft like the fanctimonious pyrate, that went to fea with the ten commandments, but fcrap'd one out of the table. 2 Gent. Thou shalt not fteal? Lucio. Ay, that he raz'd. 1 Gent. Why, 'twas a commandment to command the captain and all the reft from their functions; they put forth to fteal: there's not a foldier of us all, that in the thanksgiving after meat doth relish the petition well that prays for Peace. 2 Gent. I never heard any foldier diflike it. Lucio. I believe thee: for I think thou never waft where grace was said. 2 Gent. No? a dozen times at least. I Gent. What? in meeter? Lucio. Not in any profeffion, or in any language, I think, or in any religion. 2 Gent. And why not? grace is grace, despight of all controverfie. Lucio. As for example, thou thyself art a wicked villain, defpight of all grace. .us. 2 Gent. Well; there went but a pair of sheers between Lucio. I grant; as there may between the lifts and the velvet. Thou art the lift. 2 Gent. And thou the velvet; thou art good velvet; thou'rt a three-pil'd piece, I warrant thee: I had as lief be a lift of an English kerfey, as be pil'd, as thou art pil'd, for a French velvet. Do I fpeak feelingly now? Lucio. I think thou doft; and indeed with most painful feeling of thy fpeech: I will, out of thine own confeffion, learn to begin thy health; but, whilft I live, forget to drink after thee. 2 Gent. I think I have done myself wrong, have I not? I Gent. Yes, that thou haft; whether thou art tainted, or free. SCENE IV. Bawd, coming at a distance. Lucio. Behold, behold, where Madam Mitigation comes, 1 Gent. I have purchas'd as many diseases under her roof, |