 Dramatis personae of measure for measure by William Shakespeare. This is a LibriVox recording. All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit LibriVox.org. Measure for Measure by William Shakespeare. Dramatis personae. Abor son, read by John D. Nugent. Angelo, read by Roger Clifton. Barnadine, read by Sudone Vox. Claudio, read by M.B. Elbow, read by David Nicol. Rascallus, read by Bologna Times. The first gentleman, read by L. Lambert Lawson. Francesca, read by Zonja. Friar Peter, read by Stephen Carney. Friar Thomas, read by Avaii. Frott, read by O.123. Isabella, read by Ariel Lipshaw. Juliette, read by Ellie. Justice, read by Abigail Bartels. Lucio, read by Denny Sayers. Mariana, read by Elizabeth Clutt. Messenger, read by Lucy Perry. Mistress Overdun, read by Ruth Golding. Pompey, read by Simon Pride. Provost, read by Mark Penfold. Second gentleman, read by Stephen Carney. Servit, read by Sudone Vox. Vincentio, read by Bruce Peary. Stage Directions, read by David Lawrence. End of Dramatis Personae. Act One of Measure for Measure by William Shakespeare. This is a LibriVox recording. All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit LibriVox.org. Scene One. An apartment in the Duke's house. Enter Duke Vincentio. Escalus, Lords and Attendants. Escalus, my lord. 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 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 enriched any that we remember. There is our commission, from which we would not have you warp. Call hither, I say, bid come before us, Angelo. Exit and 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, dressed him with our love, and given his deputation all the organs of our own power. What think you of it? If any in Vienna be of worth to undergo such ample grace and honour, it is Lord Angelo. Enter Angelo. Look where he comes. Always obedient to your grace's will, I come to know your pleasure. 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, they on thee. Heaven doth with us, as we with torches do, not like them for themselves, for if our virtues did not go forth of us, twer 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. Now, good my lord, let there be some more test made of my metal before so noble and so greater figure bestamped upon it. No more evasion. We have with a leavened and prepared 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 importun, how it goes with us, and do look to know what doth befall you here. So fare you well. To the hopeful execution do I leave you of your commissions. Yet give leave, my lord, that we may bring you something on the way. My haste may not admit it, nor need you on mine honour 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 privelly 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. The heavens give safety to your purposes. Lead forth, and bring you back in happiness. I thank you very well. Exit. 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. To so with me, let us withdraw together, and we may soon our satisfaction have touching that point. I'll wait upon your honour. Exit. Scene two. A street. Enter Lucio, and two gentlemen. 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? Heaven grant us its peace, but not the King of Hungarees. Amen. I'll concludeists like the sanctimonious pirate that went to see with the ten commandments, but scrapped one out of the table. Thou shalt not steal? Aye, that he raised. Why, it was a commandment to command the captain and all the rest from their functions that put forth to steal. There is not a soldier of us all that, in the thanksgiving before meat, do relish the petition well that prays for peace. I never heard any soldier dislike it. I believe thee, for I think thou never wasst where grace was said. No, a dozen times at least. What, in meter? In any proportion, or in any language. I think, or in any religion. Aye, why not? Grace is grace, despite of all controversy, as for example thou thyself art a wicked villain, despite of all grace. Well, there went but a pair of sheers between us. Aye, grant, as there may, between the lists and the velvet. Thou art the list. And thou the velvet, thou art good velvet, thou art a three-piled piece, I warrant thee. I had as leaf be a list of an English cursey as be piled, as thou art piled for a French velvet. Do I speak feelingly now? 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. I think I have done myself wrong, have I not? Yes, that thou hast, whether thou art tainted or free. Behold, behold, where madam mitigation comes. I have purchased as many diseases under her roof, as come to— To what, I pray? Judge. To three thousand dollars a year. Aye, and more. A French crown more. Thou art always figuring diseases in me, but thou art full of error. I am sound. Nay, not as one would say, healthy, but so sound as things that are hollow. Thy bones are hollow. Impiety has made the feast of thee. Enter, mistress, overdone. How now? Which of your hips has the most profound sciatica? Well, well, there's one yonder arrested and carried to prison, worth five thousand of you all. Who's that, I pray thee? Marys, sir, that's Claudios in your Claudio. Claudio to prison? Tis not so. Nay, but I notice so I saw him arrested, saw him carried away, and which is more within these three days his head to be chopped off. But, after all this fooling, I would not have it so. Aren't thou sure of this? I'm too sure of it, and it is forgetting Madame Giulietta with child. Believe me, this may be. He promised to meet me two hours since, and he was ever precise in promise-keeping. Besides, you know, it draws something near to the speech we had to such a purpose. But, most of all, agreeing with the proclamation. Away, let's go learn the truth of it. Exit, Uchio, and gentlemen. Thas, what with the war, what with the sweat, what with the gallows, and what with poverty, I am custom shrunk. Enter Pompeii. How now, what's the news with you? Yonder man is carried to prison. Well, what has he done? A woman. But what's his offence? Groping for trunks in a peculiar river. What, is there a maid with child by him? No, but there's a woman with maid by him. You have not heard of the proclamation, have you? What proclamation, man? All houses in the suburbs of Vienna must be put down. And what shall become of those in the city? They shall stand for seed. They had gone down too, but that a Weisberger put in for them. But shall all our houses of resort in the suburbs be pulled down? To the ground, mistress. Why, here's a change indeed in the commonwealth. What shall become of me? Come, fear you not. Good councillors 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. What's to do here, Thomas Tapster? Let's withdraw. Here comes Signia Claudio, led by the provost to prison. And there's Madame Juliet. Exeant. Enter provost, Claudio, Juliet, and officers. Fellow, why dost thou show me thus to the world? Bear me to prison where I am committed. I do it not in evil disposition, but from Lord Angelo by special charge. Thus can the demigod authority make us pay down for our offence by weight the words of heaven. On whom it will, it will. On whom it will not? So, yet still, it is just. Reenter Luccio, and two gentlemen. Why, how now, Claudio, whence comes this restraint? From too much liberty, my Luccio. Liberty. As serpent 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. If could speak so wisely under an arrest, I would send for a certain of my creditors. And yet to say the truth, I had, as leaf had, the fabric of freedom as the morality of imprisonment. What's thy offence, Claudio? What but to speak of would offend again. What? Ist murder? No. Letchery? Call it so. Away, sir, you must go. One word, good friend. Luccio, a word with you. A hundred, if they'll do you any good. Is letchery so looked after? Thus stands it with me. Upon a true contract, I got possession of Julieta's bed. You know the lady, she has fasted my wife, save that we do the delunciation 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. With child, perhaps? Unhappily, even so. And the new deputy now for the duke, whether it be the fault in glimpse of newness or whether that the body public be a horse were on 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 enroled penalties which have like unscoured armor hung by the wall so long that nineteen zodiacs have gone round, and none of them have been worn, and for a name now puts the drowsy and neglected act freshly on me to surely for a name. 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. I have done so, but he's not to be found. I pretty luchio, 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 movement. Beside she hath prosperous art when she will play with reason and discourse, and well she can persuade. 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 so sorry should be thus foolishly lost at a game of tic-tac. I'll to her. I thank you, good friend Luchio. Within two hours. Come, officer, away. Exeant. Scene three, a monastery. Enter Duke Vincentio and Friar Thomas. 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. May your grace speak of it. 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 and 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 travel to Poland, for so I have strewed it in the common ear, and so it is received. Now, Pious Sir, you will demand of me why I do this? Gladly, my Lord. We have strict statutes and most biting laws, the needful bits and curbs to head strong weeds, which for this nineteen years we have let slip, even like an orgrown lion in a cave that goes not out to prey. Now has fawn fathers having bound up the threatening twigs of birch only to stick it in their children's sight for terror not to use. In time the rod becomes more mocked than feared, so our decrees dead to inflection to themselves are dead and liberty plucks justice by the nose, the baby beats the nurse and quite a thwart goes all decorum. It rested in your grace to unloose this tied up justice when you pleased, and in it you more dreadful would have seemed than in Lord Angelo. I do fear too dreadful. Sith was my fault to give the people scope, it would 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 the 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 twer 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 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 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 seamers be. Excellent. Scene four, a nunnery. Enter Isabella and Francisca. And have you nuns no farther privileges? Are not these large enough? Yes, truly. I speak not as desiring more, but rather wishing a more strict restraint upon the sisterhood, the Voteress of St. Clair. Within. Oh, peace be in this place. Who's that which calls? It is a man's voice, gently Isabella, to knew the key and to know his business of him. You may, I may not. You are yet unsworn. When you have vowed, you must not speak with man, but in the presence of the priores. 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. Exit. Peace and prosperity. Who is that calls? Interguccio. 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? Why her unhappy brother? Let me ask, the rather for I now must make you know I am that Isabella and his sister. Gentle and fair, your brother kindly greets you. Not to be weary with you. He's in prison. Well, me for what? For that which, if myself might be his judge, he should receive his punishment in thanks. He hath got his friend with child. Sir, make me not your story. It is true. I would not, though it is my familiar sin, with maids to seem the lap-wing, and to jest tongue far from heart. Play all, virgin, so. I hold you as a thing in sky, and sainted by your renouncement and immortal spirit, and to be taught with insincerity, as with a saint. You do blaspheme the good in mocking me. 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 bear-fallow brings to teeming foison. Even so, her plenteous womb expresseth his full tilth and husbandry. Someone with child by him. My cousin Juliet. Is she your cousin? Adoptedly, as schoolmaids change their names by vain though apt affection. She it is. Oh, let him marry her. This is the point. I have 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, heth picked out and 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. Doth he so seek his life? Has censured him already, and as I hear, the provost hath a warrant for his execution. Alas, what poor abilities in me to do him good? Say, the power you have. My power, alas, I doubt. 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 freely theirs as they themselves would owe them. I'll see what I can do. But speedily! 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. I take my leave of you. Good sir, adieu. Act two, scene one. A hall in Angelo's house. Enter Angelo, a scalus, and a justice, provost, officers, and other attendants behind. Alas this gentleman, whom I would save, had a most noble father. Let but your honour know, whom I believe to be most straight 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 the effect of your own purpose, whether you had not some time in your life erred in this point which now you censure him and put the law upon you. It is 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 twelfth have a thief or two guiltier than him they try. What's open made to justice that justice seizes? What know the laws that thieves do pass on thieves? It is very pregnant. The jewel that we find we stupid-taked because we see it. We do not see we tread upon and never think of it. You may not so extenuate his offence for I have had such faults, but rather tell me, when I that censure him do so offend let my own judgment pattern out my death and nothing come impartial. Sir, he must die. Be it as your wisdom will. Where is the provost? Here, if it like your honour. See that Claudio be executed by nine tomorrow morning. Let his confessor let him be prepared for that's the utmost of his pilgrimage. Exit, provost. Aside. Well, heaven forgive him and forgive us all. Some rise by sin and some by virtue fall. Some run from bricks of ice and answer none and some condemn for a fault alone. Enter elbow and officers with froth and Pompey. Come, bring them away. If these be good people in a commonwealth that do nothing but use their abuses in common houses, I know no law. Bring away. How now, sir? What's your name and what's the matter? If it please your honour. I am the poor Duke's constable and my name is Elbow. I do lean upon justice, sir. And I do bring here before your good honour to notorious benefactors. Benefactors? Well, what benefactors are they? Are they not malefactors? If it please your honour. 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. This comes off well. Here's the wise officer. Go to what quality are they of? Elbow is your name? Why does thou not speak Elbow? He cannot, sir. He's out at Elbow. What are you, sir? He, sir? A tapster, sir. A parcel board. One that serves a bad woman, whose house, sir, was, as they say, plucked down in the suburbs. And now she professes a hot house which I think is a very ill house, too. How know you that? My wife, sir, whom I detest before heaven and your honour. How? Thy wife? I, sir, whom I thank heaven is an honest woman. Thus thou detest her, therefore. I say, sir, I will detest myself also as well as she, that this house, if it be not a board's house, it is pity of her life, for it is a naughty house. How dost thou know that, constable? Marry, sir, by my wife, who, if she had been a woman cardinally given, might have been accused in fornication, adultery and all uncleanliness there. By the woman's means? Aye, sir, by Mistress Overdun's means. But as she spit in his face, so she defied him. Sir, if it please your honour, this is not so. Prove it, before these violets here, thou honourable man. Prove it. Do you hear how he misplaces? Sir, she came in great with child, and longing, saving your honour's reverence, for stew 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 three pence. Your honours have seen such dishes. They are not china dishes, but very good dishes. Go to, go to, no matter for the dish, sir. 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 three pence again. No indeed. Very well. You being then, if you be remembered, cracking the stones of the fore-said prunes. Aye, so I did indeed. Why, very well. I'm telling you then, if you be remembered, that such a one and such a one were past care of the thing you wot of, unless they kept very good diet, as I told you. Oh, this is true. Why, very well then. Come, you are a tedious fool, to the purpose. What was done to Elbow's wife that he hath caused to complain of? Come, me, to what was done to her. Sir, your honour cannot come to that yet. No, sir, nor I mean it not. Sir, but you shall come to it by your honour's leave, and, I beseech you, look into Master Froth here, sir, a man of four score-pound a year whose father died at Hallermass. Was not at Hallermass, Master Froth? All alone, Eve. Why, very well, I hope here be truths. He, sir, sitting, as I say, in a lower chair, sir, towards in the bunch of grapes, where indeed you have a delight to sit, have you not? I have so, because it is in an open room and cool for winter. May be truths. 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. I think no less. Good morrow to your lordship. Exit, Angelo. No, sir, come on. What was done to Elbow's wife? Once more. Once, sir, there was nothing done to her once. I beseech you, sir. What this man did to my wife? I beseech your honour, ask me. Well, sir, what did this gentleman do to her? I beseech you, sir, look into this gentleman's face. Good Master Froth, look upon his honour. It is for a good purpose. Dut your honour, mark his face. Aye, sir, very well. Nay, I beseech you, mark it well. Well, I do so. Dut your honour, see any harm in his face? Why, no. 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, if your honour. He's in the right. Constable would say you to it. First, I don't like you. The house is a respected house. Next, this is a respected fellow, and his mistress is a respected woman. By this hand, sir, his wife is a more respected person than any of us all. Violet, thou liest, thou liest wicked Violet. The time has yet to come to be respected with man, woman, or child. Sir, she was respected with him before he married with her. Which is the wiser here, justice or iniquity? Is this true? O thou, Ketiff, O thou, Violet, 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 battery on thee. If he took you a box of the ear, you might have your action of slander, too. Mary, I thank your good worship for it. What is your worship's pleasure I shall do with this wicked Ketiff? Truly, officer, because he hath some offences in him that thou wouldst discover, if thou couldst, let him continue in his courses till thou knowest what they are. Mary, I thank your worship for it. Thou siest, thou wicked Violet, thou what's come upon thee? Thou art to continue now, thou Violet. Thou art to continue. Where were you born, friend? Here in Vienna, sir. Are you of four score pounds a year? Yes, and please you, sir. So what trade are you of, sir? Tapster, a poor widow's tapster. Your mistress's name? Mistress Overdon. Hath she had any more than one husband? Nine, sir, Overdon by the last. 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. I thank you, worship. For my own part, I never come into any room in a teff house. But I am drawn in. Well, no more of it, Master Froth. Farewell. Exit, Froth. Come you hither to me, Master Tapster. What's your name, Master Tapster? Pompey. What else? Bom, sir. 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 bod. Pompey, howsoever you color it in being a tapster, are you not? Come, tell me true. It shall be the better for you. Truly, sir, I'm a poor fellow that would live. How would you live, Pompey, by being a bod? What do you think of the trade, Pompey? Is it a lawful trade? If the law would allow it, sir. But the law will not allow it, Pompey. Nor it shall not be allowed in Vienna. Does your worship mean to geld and splay all the youth of the city? No, Pompey. Truly, sir, in my poor opinion, they will do it then. If your worship will take order for the drabs and the knaves, you need not fear the boards. There are pretty orders beginning. I can tell you. It is but heading and hanging. If you head and hang all that offend away but for ten years together, you'll be glad to give out a commission for more heads. If this law hold in Vienna ten years, I'll rent the fairest houses after a threatens a bay. If you live to see this come to pass, say Pompey told you so. 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. I thank your worship for your good counsel. Aside. But I shall follow it as the flesh and fortune shall better determine. Whip me? No, no. Let Carmen whip his jade. The valiant heart is not whipped out of his trade. Exit. Come hither to me, Mr. Elbow. Come hither, Master Constable. How long have you been in this place of Constable? Seven years and a half, sir. I thought by your readiness in the office you had continued in it some time. You say seven years together. And a half, sir? Alas, it hath been great pains to you. They do you wrong to put you so oft upon it. Are there not men in your wards sufficient to serve it? 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. Look, you bring me in the names of some six or seven, the most sufficient of your parish. To your worship's house, sir. To my house, fare you well. Exit Elbow. What's o'clock? Thank you. Eleven, sir. I pray you home to dinner with me. I humbly thank you. It grieves me for the death of Claudio. But there's no remedy. Lord Angelo is severe. It is but needful. Mercy is not itself. That oft looks so. Pardon is still the nurse of second woe. But yet, for Claudio, there is no remedy. Come, sir. Exit. Act two. Scene two. Another room in the same. Enter provost and a servant. He's hearing of a cause. He will come straight. I'll tell him of you. Pray you do. Exit Servant. 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 it. Enter Angelo. Now, what's the matter, provost? Is it your will, Claudio, shall die to-morrow? Did not I tell ye? Hadst thou not order? Why dost thou ask again? Lest I might be too rash. Under your good correction I have seen when, after execution, judgment hath repented over his doom. Go to. Let that be mine. Do you your office, or give up your place, and you shall well be spared. I crave your honors, pardon. What shall be done, sir, with a groaning Juliet? She's very near her hour. Dispose of her to some more fitter place, and that with speed. Re-enter, servant. Here is the sister of the man condemned. Desires access to you. Hath he a sister? I, my good lord, a very virtuous maid, and to be shortly of a sisterhood, if not already. Well, let her be admitted. Exit, servant. See you the phonic catras be removed. Let have needful, but not lavish, means. There shall be order for it. Enter Isabella and Guccio. God save your honor! Stay a little while. To Isabella. You're welcome. What's your will? I am a woeful suitor to your honor. Please, but your honor hear me. Well, what's your suit? 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, for which I must not plead, but that I am at war twixt will and will not. Well, the matter? I have a brother is condemned to die. I do beseech you, let it be his fault and not my brother. Aside. Heaven give thee moving graces. 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 find the faults whose fine stands in record and let go by the actor. Oh, just but severe law. I had a brother then. Heaven keep your honor. Aside to Isabella. Give it not or 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 tongue desire it. To him, I say. Must he needs die? Maiden, no remedy. Yes, I do think that you might pardon him and neither heaven nor man grieve at the mercy. I will not do it. But can you, if you would? Look, what I will not, that I cannot do. But might you do it and do the world no wrong if so your heart were touched with that remorse as mine is to him? He's sentenced. It is too late. Aside to Isabella. You are too cold. Too late? Why, no. I that do speak a word may call it back again. Well, believe this. No ceremony that to great one's longs, not the king's crown, nor the deputed sword, the marshals' 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. Pray you be gone. I would to heaven I had your potency and you were Isabella. Should it then be thus? No. I would tell what were to be a judge and what a prisoner. Aside to Isabella. I touch him. There's the vein. Your brother is a forfeit of the law and you but waste your words. 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? Oh, think on that. And mercy then will breathe within your lips like man new maid. Be you content, fair maid. It is the law, not I, condemn your brother. Were he my kinsman, brother or my son, it should be thus with him. He must die tomorrow. Tomorrow? Oh, 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, but think you. Who is it that hath died for this offence? There's many have committed it. Aside to Isabella. I well said. The law hath not been dead though it hath slept. Those many had not dared to do that evil if the first that did the edict in fringe had answered for his deed. Now it is awake, takes note of what is done, and like a prophet looks in a glass that shows what future evils, either new 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. Yet show some pity. I show it most of all when I show justice. For then I pity those I do not know, which a dismissed offence would after gall and do him right that answering one foul wrong lives not to act another. Be satisfied. Your brother dies to-morrow. Be content. So you must be the first that gives this sentence and he that suffers. Oh, it is excellent to have a giant's strength, but it is tyrannous to use it like a giant. Aside to Isabella. That's well said. Could great men thunder as Jove himself does? Jove would ne'er be quiet, for every pelting petty officer would use his head in forthunder, nothing but thunder. Merciful heathen, thou rather with thy sharp and sulfurous bolts splits the unwedgable and gnarled 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 make the angels weep. Who, with our spleens, would all themselves laugh mortal? Aside to Isabella. Oh, to him, to him wench, he will relent, he's coming. I perceive it. Aside. Pray heaven, she win him. We cannot weigh our brother with ourself. Great men may jest with saints, tis wit in them, but in the less foul profanation. Thou art in the right, girl. More of that. That in the captain's but a choleric word which in the soldier is flat blasphemy. Aside to Isabella. Art advised with that. More on it. Why do you put these sayings upon me? Because authority, though it ere like others, hath yet a kind of medicine in itself that skins the vice at the 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. Aside, she speaks, and is such sense that my sense breeds with it. Fare you well. Gentle my lord, turn back. I will be think me. Come again tomorrow. Hark how I'll bribe you, good my lord, turn back. How bribe me. I, with such gifts that heaven shall share with you. Aside to Isabella. You had marred all else. Not with thawne shekels of the tested gold, or stones whose rates are either rich or poor as fancy values them, but with true prayers that shall be up at heaven and enter there air sunrise, from preserved souls, from fasting maids whose minds are dedicated to nothing temporal. Well, come to me tomorrow. Aside to Isabella. Go to, tis well, away. Heaven keep your honour safe. Aside. Amen, for I am that way going to temptation where prayers cross. At what hour tomorrow shall I attend your lordship? At any time for noon. Save your honour. Isabella, Uchio, and provost. 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? 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 likeness? Having waste-ground enough shall we desire to raise the sanctuary and pitch our evils there? Oh, fie, fie, fie! What dost thou? Oh, what art thou, Angelo? Dost thou desire half-fowly for those things that make her good? Oh, 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 thy dream on? Oh, cunning enemy, that to catch a saint with saints dost bait thy hook. Most dangerous is that temptation that dost go dost onto 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. Even till now, when men were fond, I smiled and wondered how. Exit. Act II. Scene III. A room in a prison. Enter severally. Duke Vincentio. Disguised as a friar and provost. Hail to you, provost, so I think you are. I am the provost. What's your will, good friar? Bound by my charity and by blessed 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. I would do more than that if more were needful. Enter Juliet. Look, here comes one, a gentle woman of mine, and the laws of her own youth have blistered her report. She is with child, and he that got it sentenced a young man more fit to do another such offence than die for this. When must he die? As I do think tomorrow. To Juliet. I have provided for you. Stay awhile. And you shall be conducted. Repent you, fair one, of the sin you carry. I do, and bear the shame most patiently. Do how you shall arraign your conscience and try your penitence, if it be sound or hollowly put on. I'll gladly learn. Love you the man that wronged you? Yes, as I love the woman that wronged him. So then it seems your most offenceful act was mutually committed? Mutually. Then was your sin of heavier kind than his? I took on facet and repented father. Tis meet so, daughter, but lest you do repent, as that the sin hath brought you to this shame, which sorrow is always towards ourselves, not heaven, showing we would not spare heaven as we love it, but as we stand in fear. I do repent me, as it is an evil, and take the shamish joy. There rest. Your partner, as I hear, must die tomorrow, and I am going with instruction to him. Grace go with you, Benedicti. Exit. Must die tomorrow, or injurious life that respites me alive, whose very comfort is still a dying horror. Tis pity of him. Exit. Act two, scene four. A room in Angelo's house. Enter 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. Heaven 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 feared 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. It is not the devil's crest. Enter a servant. How now? Who's there? One Isabel, a sister, desires access to you. Teach her the way. Exit, servant. O heavens! Why dost 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, quit their own part and in obsequious fondness crowd to his presence where their untaught love must needs appear offence. Enter, Isabella. How now, fair maid? I am come to know your pleasure. That you might know it would much better please me than to demand what is. Your brother cannot live. Even so. Heaven keep your honour. Yet may he live a while, and it may be as long as your eye. Yet he must die. Under your sentence. Yay. When I beseech you that in his reprieve longer or shorter he may be so fitted that his soul sicken not. Ha! Fie these filthy vices! It were as good to pardon him that hath from nature stolen a man already made as to admit their saucy sweetness that do coin heaven's image in stamps that are forbid. It is all as easy falsely to take away a life true maid as to put metal in restrained means to make a false one. To set down so in heaven but not in earth. 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 give up your body to such sweet uncleanness as she that he hath stained. Sir, believe this. I hath rather give my body than my soul. I talk not of your soul. Our compelled sins stand more for number than for a compt. How say you? 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? Please you to do it. I'll take it as a peril to my soul. It is no sin at all but charity. Pleased you to do it at peril of your soul were equal poise of sin and charity. 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 mourn prayer to have it added to the faults of mine and nothing of your answer. Nay, but hear me. Your sense pursues not mine. Either you are ignorant or seem so craftily and that's not good. Let me be ignorant and in nothing good but graciously to know I am no better. Thus wisdom wishes to appear most bright when it doth tax itself. As these black masks proclaim an end-shield beauty ten times louder than beauty could, displayed, but mark me, to be received plain I'll speak more gross. Your brother is to die. So. And his offence is so as it appears, accountant to the law upon that pain. True. 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-building law, and that there were no earthly means to save him, but that either you must lay down the treasures of your body to the supposed or else to let him suffer. What would you do? As much for my poor brother as myself. That is, were I under the terms of death the 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. Then must your brother die. And twer the cheaper way. Better it were a brother died at once than that a sister by redeeming him should die for ever. Were not you then as cruel as the sentence that you have slandered so? Ignomy in ransom and free pardon are of two houses. Lawful mercy is nothing kin to foul redemption. You seemed of late to make the law a tyrant and rather prove the sliding of your brother a merriment than a vice. 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. We're all frail. Else let my brother die. If not a feathery but only he, O and succeed thy weakness. Nay, women are frail too. I, 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. I think it well. I have no 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. I have no tongue but one. Gentle my lord, let me entreat you speak the former language. Seemingly conceive, I love you. My brother did love Juliet, and you tell me that he shall die for it. He shall not, Isabel, if you give me love. I know your virtue hath a licenseant, which seems a little fowler than it is to pluck on others. Believe me, on my honour, my words express my purpose. Little honour to be much believed and most pernicious purpose. Seeming, seeming, I will proclaim thee, Angelo, look for it. Sign me a present pardon for my brother, or with an outstretched throat I'll tell the world aloud what man now art. Who will believe thee, Isabel? My unsoiled name, your sternness of my life, my vouch against you and my place in the state will sow your accusation over way that you shall stifle in your own report and smell of calamny. I have begun, and now I give my sensual race the rain. Fit thy consent to my sharp appetite. Lay by all nicety and prelicious 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 lingering sufferance. Answer me to-morrow, 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 aways your true. Exit. To whom should I complain? Did I tell this, who would believe me? Oh, perilous mouths, that bearing them one and the self same tongue either of condemnation or a proof, bidding the law make curtsy to their will, hooking both right and wrong to the appetite to follow as it draws. I'll to my brother. Though he hath fallen by prompture of the blood, yet hath he in him such a mind of honour that hath 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 archastity. I'll tell him yet of Angelo's request and fit his mind to death for his soul's rest. Exit. End of Act 2. Act 3 of Measure for Measure by William Shakespeare. This is a LibriVox recording. All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit LibriVox.org. Act 3, Scene 1. A Room in the Prison. Enter Duke Vincentio, disguised as before, Claudio and Provost. So then you hope of pardon from Lord Angelo? The miserable have no other medicine, but only hope. I've hoped to live, and am prepared to die. 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 sky-y influences that dust this habitation where thou keeps'd. Hourly afflict. Merely thou art death's fool. For him thou laborest by thy flight to Shun and yet ranced toward him still. Thou art not noble for all the accommodations that thou bearest are nursed by baseness. Thou art 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 provokest, yet grossly fearst thy death which is no more. Thou art not thyself, for thou exists on many a thousand grains that issue out of dust. Happy thou art not, for what thou hast not still thou strivest to get, and what thou hast forgettest. Thou art not certain for thy complexion shifts to strange effects after the moon. If thou art rich, thou art poor for like an ass whose back with ingots bows thou bearest 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, serpago, and the room 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 blessed youth becomes as aged, 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 mo' thousand deaths. Yet death we fear that makes these odds all even. I humbly thank you. To sue to live I find I seek to die, and seeking death find life. Let it come on. Within. What ho! Peace here, grace and good company. Who's there? Come in. The wish deserves a welcome. Dear sir, ere long I'll visit you again. Most holy sir. I thank you. Enter Isabella. My business is a word or two with Claudio. And very welcome. Look, senior, here's your sister. Provost, a word with you. As many as you please. Bring me to hear them speak where I may be concealed. Excellent Duke Vicentio and Provost. Now, sister, what's the comfort? 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 leisure. Therefore your best appointment make with speed. Tomorrow you set on. Is there no remedy? None, but such remedy as to save a head to cleave a heart in twain. But is there any? 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. Perpetual endurance. Aye, just, perpetual endurance, a restraint though all the world's vestidity you had to a determined scope. But in what nature? In such a one as you consenting to it, would bark your honour from that trunk you bear and leave you naked. Let me know the point. Oh, I do fear thee, Claudio, and I quake lest thou a feverish life shouldst entertain, and six or seven winters more respect than a perpetual honour. Darest thou die. The sense of death is most in apprehension, and the poor beetle that we tread upon in corporal sufferance finds a paying as great as when a giant dies. 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 my arms. 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 in the head and follies doth enmu as falcon doth the fowl, is yet a devil. His filth within being cast he would appear a pond as deep as hell. The Prenzy Angelo! Oh, it is the cunning livery of hell, the damnate's body to invest and cover in Prenzy guards. Dost thou think, Claudio? If I would yield him my virginity, thou mightst be freed. Oh, heaven's a cannot be! Yes, he would giveth thee from this rank offence so to offend him still. This night's the time that I should do what I abhor to name, or else thou dyest tomorrow. Thou shalt not do it! Oh, word, but my life I'd throw it down for your deliverance as frankly as a pin! Thanks, dear Isabel. Be ready, Claudio, for your death tomorrow. Yes. Has the affections in him that thus can make him bite the law by the nose when he would force it? Sure, it is no sin, or of the deadly seven, it is the least. Which is the least? If it were damnable he being so wise, why would he for the momentary trick be purdurably fined? Oh, Isabel. What says my brother? Death is a fearful thing. And shame at life a hateful? I bet to die and go we know not where, to lie in cold obstruction and to rot, this sensible warm motion to become a needed Claude, and a delighted spirit to bathe in fiery floods, or to reside in thrilling region of thick-ribbed ice, to be imprisoned in the viewless winds and blown with restless violence round about the pendant world, or to be worse than worst of those that lawless and in certain thought imagine howling is too horrible, the weirdest and most loathed worldly life that age, ache, penury, and imprisonment lay on nature as a paradise to what we fear of death. Alas, alas. 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. Oh, you beast. Oh, faithless coward. Oh, dishonest wretch. Will thou be made a man out of my vice? Not a kind of incest to take life from thine own sister's shame? What should I think? Heaven's shield my mother played my father fair for such a warped slip of wilderness near-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. They hear me, Isabella. Oh, fie. Fie. Fie. Thy sin's not accidental, but a trade. Mercy to thee would prove itself a bard. Tis best thou dyest quickly. Oh, hear me, Isabella. Re-enter, Duke Vicentio. Vote safe a word, young sister, but one word. What is your will? 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. I have no superfluous leisure. My stay must be stolen out of other affairs, but I will attend you a while. Walks apart. 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 essay of her virtue to practice his judgment with the disposition of natures. She, having the truth of honour 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. Let me ask my sister pardon. I am so out of love with life that I will sue to be rid of it. Hold you there. Farewell. Exit Claudio. Provost, a word with you. Re-enter, Provost. What's your will, Father? That now your come you will be gone. Leave me a while with the maid. My mind promises with my habit no loss shall touch her by my company. In good time. Exit, Provost. Isabella comes forward. 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? I am now going to resolve him. I hath rather my brother die by the law than my son should be unlawfully born. But oh, 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. That shall not be much a mess. 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 uprightiously 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 per adventure he shall ever return to have hearing of this business. Let me hear you speak farther. I have spirit to do anything that appears not foul in the truth of my spirit. Virtue is bold and goodness never fearful. Have you not heard of Marianna, the sister of Frederick, the great soldier who miscarried at sea? I have heard of the lady and good words went with her name. She should this Angelo have married, was affianced to her by oath and the nuptial appointed. Between which time of the contract and limit of the solemnity her brother Frederick was wrecked 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 portioned and sinew of her fortune her marriage dowry with both her combinent husband this well-seeming Angelo. Can this be so? Did Angelo so leave her? Left her in her tears and dried not one of them with his comfort swallowed his vows whole pretending in her discoveries of dishonour. Infu 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. 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? It is a rupture that you may easily heal and the cure of it not only saves your brother but keeps you from dishonour in doing it. Show me how good-father. 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 honour 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 the doubleness of the benefit defends the deceit from reproof what think you of it? The image of it gives me content already and I trust it will grow to a most prosperous perfection 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 St. Luke's there at the moted Grange resides this dejected Mariana at that place call upon me and dispatch with Angelo that it may be quickly I thank you for this comfort fare you well good father act three scene two the street before the prison enter on one side Duke Vicentio disguised as before on the other elbow and officers with Pompey now if there be no remedy for it but that you will need buy and sell men and women like beasts we shall have all the world drink brown and white bastard oh heavens what stuff is here it was never a merry world since of two usuries the merriest was put down and the worst are allowed by order of allura third gown to keep him warm and third with a fox and lamskins too to signify that craft being richer than innocency stands for the facing come your way sir bless you good father friar and you good brother father what offense hath this man made you sir marry sir he had offended the law and sir we take him to be a thief too sir but we have found upon him sir a strange picklock which we have sent to the deputy fine sir a bad a wicked bad the evil that thou causes to be done that is thy means to live do thou but think what is to cram a ma or clothe a back from such a filthy vice say to thyself from there 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 indeed it does stink in some sort sir but yet sir I would prove nay if the devil have given the proofs for sin thou wilt prove his take him to prison officer correction and instruction must both work ere this rude beast will profit he must be for the deputy sir he has given him warning the deputy cannot abide a whormaster if he be a whormunger and comes before him he was good go a mile on his errand that we were all as some would seem to be from our faults as faults from seeming free his neck will come to your waist accord sir I spy comfort I cry bail here's a gentleman and a friend of mine enter guccio how now noble Pompey what at the wheels of Caesar art thou laden triumph what is there none of pig millions images newly made woman to be had now for putting the hand in the pocket and extracting it clutched what reply ha what sayest thou to this tune matter and method is it not drowned in the last rain ha what sayest thou trucked is the world as it was man what is the way is it sad and few words or how the trick of it still thus and thus still worse how doth my dear morsel thy mistress procures she still truth sir she hath eaten up all her beef and she is herself in the tub why it is good it is the right of it it must be so ever your fresh whore and your powdered bod and unshud consequence it must be so art going to prison Pompey yes faith sir why it is not amiss Pompey farewell go say I sent thee thither for debt Pompey or how for being a board well then imprison him if imprisonment be the do of a bod why it is his right bod is he doubtless and of antiquity too bod born farewell good Pompey commend me to the prison Pompey you will turn good husband now Pompey you will keep the house I hope sir your good worship will be my bail oh no indeed will I not Pompey it is not the where I will pray Pompey to increase your bondage if you take it not patiently why your metal is the more adieu trusty Pompey bless you friar and you does Bridget paint still Pompey ha come your way sir come you will not bail me then sir then Pompey nor now what news abroad friar what news come your way sir come go to kennel Pompey go excellent elbow Pompey and officers what news friar of the Duke I know none can you tell me of any some say he is with the emperor of Russia other some he is in Rome but where is he think you I know not where but where so ever I wish him well 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 it he does well int a little more lenity to lechery would do no harm in him something too crabbed that way friar it is too general a vice and severity must cure it yes in good soothe the vice is of a great kindred it is well alive but it is impossible to exert 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 thank you how should he be made then some report a sea maid spawned him some that he was begot between two stock fishes 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 you are pleasant sir and speak a pace why what a ruthless thing is this in him for the rebellion of a codpiece to take away the life of a man with the Duke that is absent have done this air he would have hanged a man for the getting a hundred bastards he would have paid for the nursing a thousand he had some feeling of the sport he knew the service and that instructed him to mercy I never heard the absent Duke much detected for women he was not inclined that way oh sir you are deceived is not possible who not the Duke yes your beggar of fifty and his use was to put a ducket in her clack dish the Duke had crotchets in him he would be drunk too that let me inform you you do him wrong surely sir I was an inward of his a shy fellow was the Duke and I believe I know the cause of his withdrawing what I pretty might be the cause no pardon it is 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 wise why no question but he was a very superficial ignorant unwaying fellow either this is the 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 if your knowledge be more it is much darkened in your malice sir, I know him and I love him love talks with better knowledge and knowledge with dearer love come sir, I know what I know I can hardly believe that since you 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 I spoke you have courage to maintain it I am bound to call upon you and I pray you your name sir, my name is Lucio, well known to the Duke he shall know you better sir if I may live to report you I feared you not oh, you hope the Duke will return no more or you imagine me too unhurtful and opposite but indeed I can do you little harm you'll foreswear this again I'll be hanged first thou art deceived me friar but no more of this can't thou tell if Claudio die tomorrow or no why should he die sir why for filling a bottle with a tundish I would the Duke we talk of were returned again the ungenitored 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 Mary this Claudio is condemned for untrusting farewell good friar I prithee pray for me the Duke I say to thee again to eat mutton on Fridays he's not 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 exit go away with her to prison good my lord be good to me your honor is accounted a merciful man good my lord double in trouble at munition and still forfeit in the same kind this would make mercy swear and play the tyrant a bod of eleven years continuance may it please your honor my lord my lord my lord may it please your honor 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 that fellow is a fellow of much license let him be called before us away with her to prison go to no more words excellent officers with mistress overdone 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 so please you this friar hath been with him and advised him for the entertainment of death good even good father bliss and goodness on you of whence are you not of this country though my chance is now to use it for my time I am a brother of gracious order late come from the sea in special business from his holiness what news abroad in the world 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 society 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 one that above all other strifes contended especially to know himself what pleasure was he given to rather rejoicing to see another Mary than Mary at anything which professed to make him rejoice a gentleman of all temperance but leave we have 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 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 you have paid the heavens your function and the prisoner the very debt you are calling I have labored for the poor gentleman to the extremist shore of my modesty but my brother justice have I found so severe that he have forced me to tell him he is indeed justice if his own life answer the straightness of his proceeding it shall become him while wherein if he chance to fail he hath sentenced himself I am going to visit the prisoner very well peace be with you excellent a scholars and provost 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-offences weighing shame to him whose cruel striking kills for faults of his own liking twice trouble shame on Angelo to weed my vice and let his grow what men within him hide though angel on the outward side how may likeness made in crimes making practice on the times to draw with idols spiders strings most ponderous and substantial things craft against vice I must apply with Angelo tonight shall lie his old betrothed but despised so disguise shall by the despised pay with falsehood false exacting and perform an old contracting exit end of act three