:

SCENE V.
MEASURE FOR MEASURE.

How I have ever lov'd the life remov’d;

Or if you show your face, you must not speak. And held in idle price to haunt assemblies,

He calls again; I pray you answer him. Where youth and cost, and witless bravery keeps.

[Erit FrANCISCA. I have deliver'd to lord Angelo

Isab. Peace and prosperity! Who is't that calls? (A man of stricture and firm abstinence)

Enter Lucio.
My absolute power and place here in Vienna,
And he supposes me travell’d to Poland ;

Lucio. Hail, virgin, if you be; as those chcek-roses
For so I have strew'd it in the common ear,

Proclaim you are no less! Can you so stead me, And so it is receiv'd: Now, pious sir,

As bring me to the sight of Isabella, You will demand of me, why I do this?

A novice of this place, and the fair sister
Fri. Gladly, my lord.

To her unhappy brother Claudio ?
Duke. We have strict statutes, and most biting The rather, for I now must make you know

Isab. Why her unhappy brother? let me ask ;
laws,
(The needful bits and curbs for head-strong steeds,) I am that Isabella, and his sister.
Which for these fourteen years we have let sleep;

Lucio. Gentle and fair, your brother kindly greets Even like an o'ergrown lion in a cave,

you : That goes not out to prey: Now, as fond fathers

Not to be weary with you, he's in prison. Having bound up the threat'ning twigs of birch,

Isab. Woe me! For what? Only to stick it in their children's sight,

Lucio. For that which if myself might be his For terror, not to use; in time the rod

judge, Becomes more mock'd than fear’d: so our decrees, He should receive his punishment in thanks : Dead to infliction, to themselves are dead;

His friend's with child by him.
And liberty plucks justice by the nose;

Isab. Sir, make me not your story.'
Lucio.

It is true.
The baby beats the nurse, and quite athwart
Goes all decorum.

I hold you as a thing ensky'd, and sainted;
Fri.
It rested in your grace

By your renouncement an immortal spirit;
To unloose this tied-up justice, when you pleas'd :

And to be talk'd with in sincerity,

As with a saint.
And it in you more dreadful would have seem'd,
Than in lord Angelo.

Isab. You do blaspheme the good, in mocking me
Duke.
I do fear, too dreadful :

Lucio. Do not believe it. Fewness and truth ,

'tis thus : Sith 'twas my fault, to give the people scope,

Your brother and his lover have embrac'd : 'Twould be my tyranny to strike, and gall them For what I bid them do: For we bid this be done,

Isab. My cousin Juliet ? When evil deeds have their permissive pass,

Lucio. Is she your cousin ? And not the punishment. Therefore, indeed, my

Isab. Adoptedly: as school-maids change their father, I have on Angelo impos'd the office;

By vain though apt affection.

She it is.

Lucio.
Who may, in the ambush of my name, strike home,
And yet my nature never in the sight,

Isab. O, let him marry her!
To do it slander: And to behold his sway,

Lucio.

This is the point. I will, as 'twere a brother of your order,

The duke is very strangely gone from hence;
Visit both prince and people: therefore, I pr’ythee, In hand, and hope of action : but we do learn

Bore many gentlemen, myself being one,
Supply me with the habit, and instruct me
How I may formally in person bear me

By those that know the very nerves of state,
Like a true friar. More reasons for this action, His givipgs out were of an infinite distance
At our more leisure shall I render you;

From his true-meant design. Upon his place, Only, this one: - Lord Angelo is precise ;

And with full line of his authority, Stands at a guard with envy; scarce confesses

Governs lord Angelo; a man, whose blood That his blood flows, or that his appetite

Is very snow-broth; one who never feels Is more to bread than stone: Hence shall we see,

The wanton stings and motions of the sense ; If power change purpose, what our seemers be.

But doth rebate and blunt his natural edge [Ereunt.

With profits of the mind, study and fast.

He (to give fear to use and liberty,
SCENE V. A Nunnery.

Which have, for long, run by the hideous law,

As mice by lions,) hath pick'd out an act,
Enter ISABELLA and FraNCISCA.

Under whose heavy sense your brother's life
Isab. And have you nuns no further privileges ? | Falls into forfeit ! he arrests him on it ;
Fran. Are not these large enough?

And follows close the rigour of the statute,
Isab. Yes, truly : speak not as desiring more ; | To make him an example: all hope is gone,
But rather wishing a more strict restraint

Unless you have the grace by your fair prayer
Upon the sisterhood, the votarists of saint Clare. To soften Angelo: And that's my pith

Lucio Ho! Peace be in this place! [Within. Of business 'twixt you and your poor brother.
Isab.

Who's that which calls ? Isab. Doth he so seek his life?
Fran. It is a man's voice: Gentle Isabella,

Lucio.

Has censur'ds him
Turn you the key, and know his business of him; Already; and, as I hear, the provost hath

may not; you are yet unsworn : A warrant for his execution.
When you have vow'd, you must not speak with Isab. Alas! what poor ability's in me
men,

To do him good ?
But in the presence of the prioress :

names,

You may,

Lucio.
Assay the power you have. Lucio.

But speedily. Isıb. My power ! Alas! I doubt,

Isab. I will about it straight;
Lucio.

Our doubts are traitors, No longer staying but to give the mother
And make us lose the good we oft might win, Notice of my atlair. I humbly thank you :
By fearing to attempt: Go to lord Angelo, Commend me to my brother : soon at night
And let him learn to know, when maidens sue, I'll send him certain word of my success.
Men give like gods; but when they weep and kneel, Lucio. I take my leave of you.
All their petitions are as freely theirs

Isab.

Good sir, adieu. As they themselves would owe 4 them.

[Ereunt. Isab. I'll see what I can do.

ACT II.

Do

SCENE I. - A Hall in Angelo's House.

SCENE II. - Another Room in the same. Enter Angelo, Escalus, Provost, Officers, and

Enter Provost and a Servant. other Attendants.

Serv. He's hearing of a cause; he will come Ang. We must not make a scare-crow of the

straight. law,

I'll tell him of you. Setting it up to fear the birds of prey,

Prov. Pray you, do. (Erit Servant.] I'll know And let it keep one shape, till custom make it his pleasure ; may be, he will relent : Their perch and not their terror. Escal. Ay, but yet

Enter ANGELO. Let us be keen, and rather cut a little,

Ang.

Now, what's the matter, Provost ? Than fall, and bruise to death: Alas! this gentle- Prov. Is it your will Claudio shall die to man,

morrow? Whom I would save, had a most noble father. Ang. Did I not tell thee, yea ? hadst thou not Let but your honour know,

order? (Whom I believe to be most straight in virtue,) Why dost thou ask again ? That, in the working of your own affections,

Prov.

Lest I might be too rash :
Had time coher'd with place, or place with wishing, Under your good correction, I have seen,
Or that the resolute acting of your blood

When, after execution, judgment hath
Could have attain'd the etfect of your own purpose, Repented o'er his doom.
Whether you had not some time in your life

Ang.

Go to ; let that be mine : Err'd in this point which now you censure him, you your office, or give up your place, And pull’d the law upon you.

And you shall well be spar'd. Ang. 'Tis one thing to be tempted, Escalus, Prov.

I crave your honour's pardon. Another thing to fall. I not deny,

What shall be done, sir, with the groaning Juliet ? The jury, passing on the prisoner's life,

She's very near her hour. May, in the sworn twelve, have a thief or two

Ang.

Dispose of her Guiltier than him they try : What's open made to To some more fitter place; and that with speed.

justice, That justice seizes. What know the laws,

Re-enter Servant. That thieves do pass on thieves ? 'Tis very pregnant,

Serv. Here is the sister of the man condemn'd The jewel that we find, we stoop and take it,

Desires access to you. Because we see it; but what we do not see,

Ang.

Hath he a sister ? We tread upon, and never think of it.

Prov. Ay, my good lord; a very virtuous maid, You may not so extenuate his offence,

And to be shortly of a sisterhood,
For 5 I have had such faults; but rather tell me, If not already.
When I that censure him, do so offend,

Ang.

Well, let her be admitted. Let mine own judgment pattern out my death,

[Erit Servant. And nothing come in partial. Sir, he must die. See you, that Julietta be remov'd; Escal. Be it as your wisdom will.

Let her have needful, but not lavish, means;
Ang.

Where is the provost ? | There shall be order for it.
Prov. Here, if it like your honour.
Ang.

See that Claudio

Enter Lucio and ISABELLA. Be executed by nine to-morrow morning :

Prov. Save your honour ! [Offering to retire. Bring him his confessor, let him be prepared : Ang. Stay a little while. — [To IsaB.] You are For that's the utmost of his pilgrimage.

welcome : What's your will ? (Exeunt ANGELO and Provost. Isab. I am a woeful suitor to your honour : Escal. Well, heaven forgive him; and forgive | Please but your honour hear me.

Ang.

Well; what's your suit ? Mercy is not itself that oft looks so,

Isab. There is a vice that most I do abhor, Pardon is still the nurse of second woe.

And most desire should meet the blow of justice ; But yet, poor Claudio !- there's no remedy. For which I would not plead, but that I must;

(Erit. For which I must not plead, but that I am 4 Have.

Because. At war, 'twixt will, and will not.

:

us all!

a

a

Scene II.
MEASURE FOR MEASURE.

Ang.

Well; the matter? | Those many had not dar'd to do that evil, Isab. I have a brother is condemn'd to die : If the first man that did the edict infringe, I do beseech you, let it be his fault,

Had answer'd for his deed : now, 'tis awake; And not my brother.

Takes note of what is done; and, like a prophet, Prov.

Heaven give thee moving graces! Looks in a glass, that shows what future evils,
Ang. Condemn the fault and not the actor of it! (Either now, or by remissness new-conceiv'd,
Why, every fault's condemn'd, ere it be done : And so in progress to be hatch'd and born,)
Mine were the very cipher of a function,

Are now to have no successive degrees,
To find the faults, whose fine stands in record, But, where they live, to end.
And let go by the actor.

Isab.

Yet show some pity. Isab.

O just, but severe law! Ang. I show it most of all, when I show justice; I had a brother then. – Heaven keep your honour! For then I pity those I do not know,

(Retiring. Which a dismiss'd offence would after gall; Lucio. [To Isas.] Give't not o'er so: to him And do him right, that answering one foul wrong, again, intreat him ;

Lives not to act another. Be satisfied ; Kneel down before him, hang upon his gown;

Your brother dies to-morrow : be content. You are too cold : if you should need a pin,

Isab. So you must be the first that gives this senYou could not with more tame a tongue desire it:

tence ; To him, I say.

And he, that suffers : 0, it is excellent Isab. Must he needs die ?

To have a giant's strength ; but it is tyrannous Ang.

Maiden, no remedy, To use it like a giant.
Isab. Yes; I do think that you might pardon him. Lucio.

That's well said.
And neither heaven, nor man, grieve at the mercy. Isab. Could great men thunder
Ang. I will not do't.

As Jove himself does, Jove would ne'er be quiet,
Isab.

But can you, if you would ? For every pelting 6, petty officer, Ang. Look, what I will not, that I cannot do. Would use his heaven for thunder; nothing but Isab. But might you do't, and do the world no

thunder. wrong?

Merciful heaven ! If so, your heart were touch'd with that remorse Thou rather, with thy sharp and sulphurous bolt, As mine is to him.

Split'st the unwedgeable and gnarled 7 oak, Ang

He's, sentenc'd : 'tis too late. Than the soft myrtle ;- -0, but man, proud man! Lucio. You are too cold. [To ISABELLA. Drest in a little brief authority;

Isab. Too late? why, no; I, that do speak a word, Most ignorant of what he's most assurd, May call it back again : Well believe this, His glassy essence,

- like an angry ape, No ceremony that to great ones ’longs,

Plays such fantastic tricks before high heaven, Not the king's crown, nor the deputed sword, As make the angels weep. The marshal's truncheon, nor the judge's robe, Luc. O, to him, to him, wench: he will relent; Become them with one half so good a grace, He's coming, I perceive't. As mercy does. If he had been as you,

Prov.

Pray heaven she win him ! And you as he, you would have slipt like him ; Isab. We cannot weigh our brother with yourself: But he like you, would not have been so stern. Great men may jest with saints : 'tis wit in them; Ang. Pray you, begone.

But, in the less, foul profanation. Isab. I would to heaven I had your potency, Lucio. Thou’rt in the right, girl; more o' that. And you were Isabel ! should it then be thus?

Isab. That in the captain's but a choleric word,
No; I would tell what 'twere to be a judge, Which in the soldier is flat blasphemy.
And what a prisoner.

Lucio. Art advis'd o'that? more on't.
Lucio. Ay, touch him: there's the vein.. (Aside. Ang. Why do you put these sayings upon me ?
Ang. Your brother is a forfeit of the law,

Isab. Because authority, though it err like others, And you but waste your words.

Hath yet a kind of medicine in itself,
Isab.

Alas! alas! That skins the vice o' the top: Go to your bosom;
Why, all the souls that were, were forfeit once; Knock there; and ask your heart, what it doth know
And He that might the vantage best have took, That's like my brother's fault: if it confess
Found out the remedy: How would you be, A natural guiltiness, such as is his,
If He, which is the top of judgment, should Let it not sound a thought upon your tongue
But judge you as you are ? O, think on that ;

Against my brother's life. And mercy then will breathe within your lips,

Ang.

She speaks, and 'tis Like man new made.

Such sense, that my sense breeds with it. — Fare Ang.

Be you content, fair maid; It is the law, not I condemns your brother :

Isab. Gentle my lord, turn back. Were he my kinsman, brother, or my son,

Ang. I will bethink me : -- Come again toIt should be thus with him;-he must die to-morrow. Isab. To-morrow? O, that's sudden! Spare him, Isab. Hark, how I'll bribe you: Good

turn back.
He's not prepar'd for death!

Ang. How, bribe me?
Good, good my lord, bethink you :

Isab. Ay, with such gifts, that heaven shall share
Who is it that hath died for this offence ?
There's many have committed it.

Lucio. You had marr'd all else.
Lucio.

Ay, well said.

Isab. Not with fond shekels of the tested 8 gold, Ang. The law hath not been dead, though it bath slept :

Stamped.

:

you well.

morrow.

my lord,

spare him :

with you.

Or stones, whose rates are either rich or poor, Duke. Repent you, fair one, of the sin you carry? As fancy values them : but with true prayers, Juliet. I do; and bear the shame most patiently. That shall be up at heaven, and enter there,

Duke. I'll teach you how you shall arraign your Ere sun-rise ; prayers from preserved 9 souls.

conscience,
From fasting maids, whose minds are dedicate And try your penitence, if it be sound,
To nothing temporal.

Or hollowly put on.
Ang.
Well : come to me

Juliet.

I'll gladly learn. Tomorrow,

Duke. Love you the man that wrong'd you? Lucio. Go to ; it is well; away. [ Aside to ISAB. Juliet. Yes, as I love the woman that wrong'd him. Isab. Heaven keep your honour safe!

Duke. So then, it seems, your most offenceful act Ang.

Amen: for I Was mutually committed ?
Am that way going to temptation,

(Aside.
Juliet.

Mutually.
Where prayers cross.

Duke. Then was your sin of heavier kind than his. Isab.

At what hour to-morrow Juliet. I do confess it, and repent it, father. Shall I attend your lordship?

Duke. 'Tis meet so, daughter: But lest you do Ang.

At
any
time 'fore-noon.

repent, Isab. Save your honour!

As that the sin hath brought you to this shame, [Ereunt Lucio, ISADELLA, and Provost. Which sorrow is always toward ourselves, not Ang. From thee; even from thy virtue! :

heaven; What's this ? what's this? Is this her fault or mine? Showing, we'd not spare heaven, as we love it, The tempter, or the tempted, who sins most? ha! But as we stand in fear. Not she; nor doth she tempt: but it is I,

Juliet. I do repent me, as it is an evil ; That lying by the violet, in the sun,

And take the shame with joy. Do, as the carrion does, not as the flower,

Duke.

There rest, Corrupt with virtuous season. Can it be,

Your partner, as I hear, must die to-morrow, That modesty may more betray our sense

And I am going with instruction to him. Than woman's lightness? Having waste ground Grace go with you! Benedicite !

[Erit. enough,

Juliet. Must die to-morrow! 0, injurious love, Shall we desire to raze the sanctuary,

That respites me a life, whose very comfort
And pitch our evils there? O, fye, fye, fye! Is still a dying horror!
What dost thou ? or what art thou, Angelo ?

Prov.

'Tis pity of him. (Exeunt. 0, let her brother live : Thieves for their robbery have authority,

SCENE IV. - A Room in Angelo's House. When judges steal themselves. What? do I love her, That I desire to hear her speak again,

Enter ANGELO. And feast upon her eyes ? What is't I dream on? Ang. When I would pray and think, I think and O cunning enemy, that, to catch a saint,

pray With saints dost bait thy hook! Most dangerous To several subjects: heaven hath my empty words • Is that temptation, that doth goad us on

Whilst my invention, hearing not my tongue, To sin in loving virtue; never could the strumpet

Anchors on Isabel : Heaven in my mouth, Once stir my temper; but this virtuous maid As if I did but only chew his name; Subdues me quite ; – Ever, till now,

And in my heart, the strong and swelling evil When men were fond, I smil'd, and wonder'd how. Of my conception : The state, whereon I studied,

[Esit. Is like a good thing, being often read,

Grown fear'd and tedious; yea, my gravity,
SCENE III. - A Room in a Prison. Wherein (let no man hear me) I take pride,

Could I, with boot ', change for an idle plume, Enter Duke, habited like a Friar, and Provost.

Which the air beats for vain. O place! O form! Duke. Hail to you, provost! so I think you are. How often dost thou with thy case, thy habit, Prov. I am the provost: What's your will, good Wrench awe from fools, and tie the wiser souls friar ?

To thy false seeming ?
Duke. Bound by my charity, and my bless'd order,
I come to visit the afflicted spirits

Enter Servant
Here in the prison : do me the common right How now, who's there?
To let me see them; and to make me know

Serv.

One Isabel, a sister, The nature of their crimes, that I may minister

Desires access to you. To them accordingly.

Ang.

Teach her the way. [Erit Serv Prov. I would do more than that, if more were O heavens! needful.

Why does my blood thus muster to my heart;

Making both it unable for itself,
Enter JULIET.

And dispossessing all the other parts
Look, here comes one; a gentlewoman of mine, Of necessary fitness ?
Who, falling in the flames of her own youth, So play the foolish throngs with one that swoons
Hath blister'd her report: She is with child; Come all to help him, and so stop the air
And he that owns it sentenc'd.

By which he should revive : and even so Duke.

When must he die ? The general ?, subject to a well-wish’d king, Prov. As I do think, to-morrow.

Quit their own part, and in obsequious fondness I have provided for you; stay awhile, [To Juliet. Crowd to his presence, where their untaught love And you shall be conducted.

Must needs appear offence. 9 Preserved from the corruption of the world.

Profit,

2 The people.

Whose credit with the judge, or own great place, Enter ISABELLA.

Could fetch your brother from the manacles How now, fair maid ?

Of the all-binding law; and that there were Isab.

I am come to know your pleasure. No earthly mean to save him, but that either Ang. That you might know it, would much You must lay down the treasures of your person better please me,

To this supposed, or else let him suffer ; Than to demand what 'tis. Your brother cannot live. What would you do? Isab. Even so ? Heaven keep your honour ! Isab. As much for my poor brother as myself:

[Retiring. That is, were I under the terms of death, Ang. Yet may he live a while ; and, it may be The impression of keen whips I'd wear as rubies, As long as you or I: Yet he must die.

And strip myself to death, as to a bed Isab. Under your sentence ?

That longing I have been sick for, ere I'd yield Ang. Yea.

My honour up to shame. Isab. When, I bescech you? that in his reprieve, Ang.

Then must your brother die Longer, or shorter, he may be so fitted,

Isab. And 'twere the cheaper way : This his soul sicken not.

Better it were, a brother died at once, Ang. Ha! fye, these filthy vices! It were as good | Than that a sister, by redeeming him, To pardon him, that hath from nature stolen

Should die for ever. A man already made, as to remit

Ang. Were not you then as cruel as the sentence Their saucy sweetness, that do coin heaven's image, That you have slander'd so ? In stamps that are forbid.

Isab. Ignomy in ransom, and free pardon, Isab. 'Tis set down so in heaven, but not in earth.

Are of two houses : lawful mercy is Ang. Say you so ? then I shall pose you quickly. Nothing akin to foul redemption. Which had you rather, that the most just law

Ang. You seem'd of late to make the law a tyrant ; Now took your brother's life; or, to redeem him, And rather prov'd the sliding of your brother Give up your person to such sweet uncleanness, A merriment than a vice. As she that he hath stained ?

Isab. O, pardon me, my lord; it oft falls out, Isab.

Sir, believe this,

To have what we'd have, we speak not what we mean: I had rather give my body than my soul.

I something do excuse the thing I hate, Ang. I talk not of your soul; our compell d sins For his advantage that I dearly love. Stand more for number than accompt.

Ang. We are all frail.
Isab.

How say you ?
Isab.

Else let my brother die,
Ang. Nay, I'll not warrant that; for I can speak If not a feodary 4, but only he,
Against the thing I say. Answer to this;

Owe 5, and succeed by weakness. I, now the voice of the recorded law,

Ang.

Nay, women are frail too. Pronounce a sentence on your brother's life:

Isab. Ay, as the glasses where they view themselves; Might there not be a charity in sin,

Which are as easy broke as they make forms. To save this brother's life?

Women! – Help heaven! men their creation mar Isab.

Please you to do't,

In profiting by them. Nay, call us ten times frail ; I'll take it as a peril to my soul,

For we are soft as our complexions are, It is no sin at all, but charity.

And credulous to false prints. 6 Ang. Pleas'd you to do't, at peril of your soul, Ang.

I think it well : Were equal poise of sin and charity.

And from this testimony of your own sex, Isab. That I do beg his life, if it be sin,

(Since, I suppose, we are made to be no stronger Heaven, let me bear it! you granting of my suit, Than faults may shake our frames,) let me be bold; If that be sin, I'll make it my morn prayer

I do arrest your words ; be that you are, To have it added to the faults of mine,

That is, a woman; if you be more, you're none; And nothing of your answer.

If you be one, (as you are well express'd Ang.

Nay, but hear me: By all external warrants,) show it now, Your sense pursues not mine : either you are igno- | By putting on the destin'd livery. rant,

Isab. I have no tongue but one: gentle my lord, Or seem so, craftily; and that's not good.

Let me entreat you, speak the former language. Isab. Let me be ignorant, and in nothing good, Ang. Plainly conceive, I love you. But graciously to know I am no better.

Isab. My brother did love Juliet; and you tell me, Ang. Thus wisdom wishes to appear most bright, That he shall die for it. When it doth tax itself; as these black masks Ang. He shall not, Isabel, if you give me love. Proclaim an enshield 3 beauty ten times louder Isab. I know your virtue hath a licence in't, Than beauty could displayed. — But mark me; Which seems a little fouler than it is, To be received plain, I'll speak more gross : To pluck on others. Your brother is to die.

Ang.

Believe me, on mine honour, Isab. So.

My words express my purpose. Ang. And his offence is so, as it appears

Isab. Ha! little honour to be much believ'd, Accountant to the law upon that pain,

And most pernicious purpose! — Seeming, seeming! Isab. True.

I will proclaim thee, Angelo; look fort : Ang. Admit no other way to save his life, Sign me a present pardon for my brother, (As I subscribe not tnat, nor any other,

Or, with an outstretch'd throat, i'll tell the world But in the loss of question,) that you, his sister, Aloud, what man thou art. Finding yourself desir’d of such a person,

Ang.

Who will believe thee, Isabel ?

My unsoild name, the austereness of my life, 3 Covered.

: