SCENE II.
The Street.
Enter Lucio, and two 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.
1 Gent.
Heaven grant us its peace, but not the
king of Hungary's!
2 Gent.
Amen.
Lucio.
Thou conclud'st like the sanctimonious pirate,
that went to sea with the ten commandments,
but scrap'd one out of the table.
2 Gent.
Thou shalt not steal?
Lucio.
Ay, that he raz'd.
1 Gent.
Why, 'twas a commandment to command
the captain and all the rest from their functions; they
put forth to steal: There's not a soldier of us all,
-- 13 --
that, in the thanksgiving before meat, doth relish
the petition well that prays for peace.
2 Gent.
I never heard any soldier dislike it.
Lucio.
I believe thee; for, I think, thou never
wast where grace was said.
2 Gent.
No? a dozen times at least.
1 Gent.
What? 1 notein metre?
Lucio.
In any proportion2 note, or in any language.
1 Gent.
I think, or in any religion.
Lucio.
Ay! why not? Grace is grace, despight of
all controversy3 note
: As for example; Thou thyself art
a wicked villain, despight of all grace.
1 Gent.
Well, there went but a pair of sheers between
us4 note
.
-- 14 --
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 velvet5 note
. 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.
1 Gent.
I think, I have done myself wrong; have
I not?
2 Gent.
Yes, that thou hast; whether thou art
tainted, or free.
Lucio.
Behold, behold, where madam Mitigation
comes! I have purchas'd 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 year6 note
.
1 Gent.
Ay, and more.
-- 15 --
Lucio.
A French crown more7 note
.
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 carry'd to prison, was worth five thousand of you
all.
1 Gent.
Who's that, I pr'ythee?
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 carry'd away; and, which is more, within
these three days his head is to be chopp'd 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.
-- 16 --
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 proclamation.
Lucio.
Away; let's go learn the truth of it.
[Exeunt.
Manet Bawd.
Bawd.
Thus, what with the war, what with the
sweat8 note
, what with the gallows, and what with poverty,
I am custom-shrunk. How now? what's the
news with you?
Enter Clown9 note
.
Clown.
Yonder man is carry'd to prison.
Bawd.
Well; what has he done1 note
? 9Q0156
Clown.
A woman.
-- 17 --
Bawd.
But what's his offence?
Clown.
Groping for trouts in a peculiar river. 9Q0157
Bawd.
What, is there a maid with child by him?
Clown.
No; but there's a woman with maid by
him: You have not heard of the proclamation, have
you?
Bawd.
What proclamation, man?
Clown.
All houses in the suburbs of Vienna must be
pluck'd down.
Bawd.
And what shall become of those in the city?
Clown.
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 pull'd down2 note
?
Clown.
To the ground, mistress.
Bawd.
Why, here's a change, indeed, in the commonwealth!
What shall become of me?
-- 18 --
Clown.
Come; fear not you: good counsellors lack
no clients: though you change your place, you need
not change your trade; I'll be your tapster still. Courage;
there will be pity taken on you: you that have
worn your eyes almost out in the service, you will be
considered.
Bawd.
What's to do here, Thomas Tapster? Let's
withdraw.
Clown.
Here comes signior Claudio, led by the provost
to prison: and there's madam Juliet.
[Exeunt Bawd and Clown.
SCENE III.
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.
Prov.
I do it not in evil disposition,
But from lord Angelo by special charge.
Claud.
Thus can the demi-god, authority3 note
,
-- 19 --
Make us pay down for our offence by weight.—
The words of heaven;9Q0158—on whom it will, it will;
On whom it will not, so; yet still 'tis just. 9Q0159
Lucio.
Why, how now, Claudio? whence comes
this restraint?
Claud.
From too much liberty, my Lucio, liberty:
As surfeit is the father of much fast,
So every scope by the immoderate use
Turns to restraint: Our natures do pursue,
(Like rats that ravin4 note
down their proper bane)
A thirsty evil; and, when we drink, we die5 note
.
Lucio.
If I could speak so wisely under an arrest, I
would send for certain of my creditors: And yet, to
say the truth, I had as lief have the foppery of freedom,
as the morality of imprisonment.—What's thy
offence, Claudio?
Claud.
What, but to speak of, would offend again.
Lucio.
What is it? murder?
Claud.
No.
-- 20 --
Lucio.
Lechery?
Claud.
Call it so.
Prov.
Away, sir; you must go.
Claud.
One word, good friend:—Lucio, a word with you.
Lucio.
A hundred, if they'll do you any good.—
Is lechery so look'd after?
Claud.
Thus stands it with me,—Upon a true contract,
6 noteI got possession of Julietta's bed;
You know the lady; she is fast my wife,
Save that we do the denunciation lack
Of outward order: this we came not to,
Only for propagation of a dower
Remaining in the coffer of her friends;
From whom we thought it meet to hide our love,
Till time had made them for us. But it chances,
The stealth of our most mutual entertainment,
With character too gross, is writ on Juliet.
Lucio.
With child, perhaps?
Claud.
Unhappily, even so.
And the new deputy now for the duke,—
Whether it be the fault and glimpse of newness7 note
; 9Q0160
Or whether that the body public be
A horse whereon the governor doth ride,
Who, newly in the seat, that it may know
-- 21 --
He can command, let's 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 enrolled penalties,
Which have, like unscour'd armour8 note
, hung by the wall,
So long, that nineteen zodiacks have gone round9 note
,
And none of them been worn; and, for a name,
Now puts the drowsy and neglected act
Freshly on me: 9Q0161—'tis, surely, for a name.
Lucio.
I warrant, it is: and thy head stands so
tickle1 note
on thy shoulders, that a milk-maid, if she be
in love, may sigh it off. Send after the duke, and
appeal to him.
Claud.
I have done so, but he's not to be found.
I pr'ythee, Lucio, do me this kind service:
This day my sister should the cloister enter,
And there receive her approbation: 9Q0162
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;
-- 22 --
I have great hope in that; for in her youth
There is a prone and speechless dialect2 note
, 9Q0163
Such as moves men; beside, 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
imposition3 note; as for the enjoying of thy life, who
I would be sorry should be thus foolishly lost at a game
of tick-tack. 9Q0164 I'll to her.
Claud.
I thank you, good friend Lucio.
Lucio.
Within two hours,—
Claud.
Come, officer, away.
[Exeunt.
-- 23 --
SCENE IV.
A Monastery.
Enter Duke and Friar Thomas.
Duke.
No; holy father; throw away that thought;—
Believe not that the dribbling dart of love
4 note
Can pierce a compleat bosom: why I desire thee
To give me secret harbour, hath a purpose
More grave and wrinkled than the aims and ends
Of burning youth.
Fri.
May your grace speak of it?
Duke.
My holy sir, none better knows than you
How I have ever lov'd the life remov'd5 note;
And held in idle price to haunt assemblies,
Where youth, and cost, and witless bravery keeps.
I have deliver'd to lord Angelo
(A man of stricture, and firm abstinence6 note
)
-- 24 --
My absolute power and place here in Vienna,
And he supposes me travell'd to Poland;
For so I have strew'd it in the common ear,
And so it is receiv'd: Now, pious sir,
You will demand of me, why I do this?
Fri.
Gladly, my lord.
Duke.
We have strict statutes, and most biting laws,
(The needful bits and curbs for head-strong steeds7 note
)
Which for these nineteen years we have let sleep8 note
; 9Q0165
-- 25 --
Even like an o'er-grown lion in a cave,
That goes not out to prey: Now, as fond fathers
Having bound up the threat'ning twigs of birch,
Only to stick it in their children's sight,
For terror, not to use; in time the rod
Becomes more mock'd9 note, 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.
Fri.
It rested in your grace
To unloose this ty'd-up justice, when you pleas'd:
And it in you more dreadful would have seem'd,
Than in lord Angelo.
Duke.
I do fear, too dreadful:
Sith1 note '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 impos'd the office;
Who may, in the ambush of my name, strike home,
And yet, my nature never in the sight
To do it slander2 note
: And to behold his sway,
-- 26 --
I will, as 'twere a brother of your order,
Visit both prince and people: therefore, I pr'ythee,
Supply me with the habit, and instruct me
How I may formally in person bear3 note
me
Like a true friar. More reasons for this action,
At our more leisure shall I render you;
Only, this one:—Lord Angelo is precise;
Stands at a guard4 note 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.
-- 27 --
SCENE V.
A Nunnery.
Enter Isabella and Francisca.
Isab.
And have you nuns no farther privileges?
Nun.
Are not these large enough?
Isab.
Yes, truly: I speak not as desiring more;
But rather wishing a more strict restraint
Upon the sister-hood, the votarists of saint Clare.
Lucio. [Within]
Ho! Peace be in this place!
Isab.
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 vow'd, you must not speak with men,
But in the presence of the prioress:
Then, if you speak, you must not shew your face;
Or, if you shew your face, you must not speak.
He calls again; I pray you, answer him.
[Exit Franc.
Isab.
Peace and prosperity! Who is't that calls?
Enter Lucio.
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?
Isab.
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.
Isab.
Woe me! For what?
Lucio.
For that, which, if myself might be his judge, 9Q0166
He should receive his punishment in thanks:
He hath got his friend with child.
-- 28 --
Isab.
Sir, make me not your story5 note
.
Lucio.
'Tis true:—I would not (though 'tis my familiar sin
With maids to seem the lapwing6 note
, and to jest,
-- 29 --
Tongue far from heart) play with all virgins so:
I hold you as a thing ensky'd, and sainted;
By your renouncement, an immortal spirit;
And to be talked with in sincerity,
As with a saint.
Isab.
You do blaspheme the good, in mocking me.
Lucio.
Do not believe it. Fewness and truth7 note, 'tis thus:
Your brother and his lover have embrac'd:
As those that feed grow full; as blossoming time8 note
That from the seedness the bare fallow brings
To teeming foyson; so her plenteous womb
Expresseth his full tilth and husbandry.
Isab.
Some one with child by him?—My cousin Juliet?
Lucio.
Is she your cousin?
Isab.
Adoptedly; as school-maids change their names,
By vain though apt affection.
Lucio.
She it is.
Isab.
O, let him marry her9 note!
Lucio.
This is the point.
-- 30 --
The duke is very strangely gone from hence;
Bore many gentlemen1 note
, 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 line2 note 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 to3 note use and liberty,
Which have, for long, run by the hideous law,
As mice by lions) hath pick'd out an act,
Under whose heavy sense your brother's life
Falls into forfeit: he arrests him on it;
And follows close the rigour of the statute,
To make him an example: all hope is gone,
Unless you have the grace4 note
by your fair prayer
To soften Angelo: and that's my 5 note
pith
Of business 'twixt you and your poor brother.
Isab.
Doth he so seek his life?
-- 31 --
Lucio.
Has 6 note
censur'd him
Already; 9Q0167 and, as I hear, the provost hath
A warrant for his execution.
Isab.
Alas! what poor ability's in me
To do him good?
Lucio.
Assay the power you have.
Isab.
My power! Alas! I doubt,—
Lucio.
Our doubts are traitors,
And make us lose the good we oft might win,
By fearing to attempt: Go to lord Angelo,
And let him learn to know, when maidens sue,
Men give like gods; but when they weep and kneel,
All their petitions are as truly theirs
As they themselves would owe them7 note
.
Isab.
I'll see what I can do.
Lucio.
But, speedily.
Isab.
I will about it strait;
No longer staying but to give the mother8 note
Notice of my affair. I humbly thank you:
Commend me to my brother: soon at night
I'll send him certain word of my success.
Lucio.
I take my leave of you.
Isab.
Good sir, adieu.
-- 32 --
Samuel Johnson [1778], The plays of William Shakspeare. In ten volumes. With the corrections and illustrations of various commentators; to which are added notes by Samuel Johnson and George Steevens. The second edition, Revised and Augmented (Printed for C. Bathurst [and] W. Strahan [etc.], London) [word count] [S10901].
