you well.

Esca. Why, no.

Esca. How would you live, Pompey? by being a Clown. I'll be supposed upon a book, his face is the bawd? What do you think of the trade, Pompey? is worst thing about him: Good then; if his face be the it a lawful trade ? worst thing about him, how could master Froth do the Clown. If the law would allow it, sir. constable's wife any harin? I would know that of Esca. But the law will not allow it, Poinpey ; nor your honour.

it shall not be allowed in Vienna. Esca. He's in the right: Constable, what say you Clown. Does your worship mean to geld and spay to it?

all the youth in the city ? Elb. First, an it like you, the house is a respected

Esca. No, pompey. house; next, this is a respected fellow; and his mis Clown. Truly, sir, in my poor opinion, they will to't tress is a respected woman.

then : If your worship will take order for the drabs Clown. By this hand, sir, his wife is a more respecto and the knaves, you need not to fear the bawds. ed person than any of us all.

Esca. There are pretty orders beginning, I can tell Elb. Varlet, thou liest ; thou liest, wicked varlet ; || you : It is but heading and hanging. the time is yet to come, that she was ever respected

Clown. If you hcad and hang all that offend that with man, woman, or child.

way but for ten year together, you'll be glad to give Clown. Sir, she was respected with him before he out a commission for more heads. If this law hold in married with her.

Vienna ten year, I'll rent the fairest house in it, after Esca. Which is the wiser here? Justice, or Iniqui- || three-pence a bay: If you live to see this come to pass, ty?-Is this true?

say, Pompey told you so. Elb. O thou caitiff! O thou varlet! O thou wicked Esca. Thank you, good Pompey: and, in requita! Hannibal! I respected with her, before I was married of your prophecy, hark you, I advise you, let me not to her? If ever I was respected with her, or she with

find

you before me again upon any complaint whatsome, let not your worship think me the poor duke's ever, no, not for dwelling where you do ; if I do, officer :-Prove this, thou wicked Hannibal, or I'll | Pompey, I shall beat you to your tent, and prove a bave mine action of battery on thee.

shrewd Caesar to you ; in plain dealing, Pompey, I Esca. If he took you a box ’o the ear, you might shall have you whipt: so, for this time, Pompey, fare have your action of slander too.

Elb. Marry, I thank your good worship for it: What Clown. I thank your worship for your good counsel: is't your worship's pleasure I should do with this wick but I shall follow it, as the flesh and fortune shall bet. ed caitiff?

ter determine. Esca. Truly, officer, because he hath some offences

Whip me? No, no ; let carman whip his jade ; in him, that thou wouldst discover if thou couldst, let

The valiant heart's not whipt out of his trade. [Exil. him continue in his courses, till thou know'st what

Esca. Come hither to me, master Elbow ; come they are.

hither, master constable. How long have you been in Elb. Murry, I thank your worship for it:-Thou

this place of constable ? seest, thou wicked varlet now, what's come upon thee ;

Elb. Seven year and a half, sir. thou art to continue now, thou varlet ; thou art to

Esca. I thought, by your readiness in the office, you

had continued in it some time : You say, seven years continue. Esca. Where were you born, friend? [To Froth.

together? Froth. Here, in Vienna, sir.

Elb. And a half, sir. Esca. Are you of fourscore pounds a year?

Esca. Alas! it hath been great pains to you! They Froth. Yes, and't please you, sir.

do you wrong to put you so oft upon't: Are there not Esca. So.-What trade are you of, sir? [To the Clow.

men in your ward sufficient to serve it? Clown. A tapster; a poor widow's tapster.

Elh. Faith, sir, few of any wit in such matters : as Esca. Your mistress's name?

they are chosen, they are glad to choose me for them ; Clown. Mistress Over-done.

I do it for some piece of money, and go through with

all. Esca. Hath she had any more than one husband ? Clown. Nine, sir ; Over-done by the last.

Esca. Look you, bring me in the names of some six Esca. Nine !-Come hither to me, master Froth.

or seven, the most sufficient of your parish. Master Froth, I would not have you acquainted with

Elb. To your worship's house, sir ? tapsters; they will draw you, master Froth, and you

Esca. To my honse : Fare you well. [Ex. EIL, will hang them: Get you gone, and let me hear no

What's o'clock, think you ? more of you.

Just. Eleven, sir. Froth. I thank your worship : For mine own part,

Esca. I pray you home to dinner with me.

Just. I humbly thank you. I never come into any room in a taphouse, but I am

Esca. It grieves me for the death of Claudio ; drawn in.

But there's no remedy. Esca. Well; no more of it, master Froth: farewell.

Just. Lord Angelo is severe. [Exit Froth.]-(ome you hither to me, master tap

Esca.

It is but needful : ster ; what's your name, master tapster? Clown. Pompey.

Merey is not itself, that oft looks so ;

Pardon is still the nurse of second woe :
Esca. What else?
Clown. Bum, sir.

But yet-poor Claudio !-There's no remedy.
Come, sir.

[Exeunt. Esca. Troth, and your bum is the greatest thing about you ; so that, in the beastliest sense, you are SCENE 11.- Another Room in the same. Enter PrePompey the Great. Poinpey, you are partly a bawd,

vost and a Servant. Pompey, howsoever you colour it in being a tapster. Serv. He's hearing of a cause; he will come straight. Are you not ? come, tell me true ; it shall be the bet. I'll tell him of you.

Prov. Pray you, do. (E.r. Serv.] I'll know Clown. Truly, sir, I am a poor fellow, that would live. ll His pleasure ; may be, he will relent : Alas,

ger for you

He hath but as offended in a dream!

Ang. Look, what I will not, that I cannot do. An eets, all ages smack of this vice; and he

Isab. But might you do't, and do the world no wrong, To die for it!

If so your heart were touch'd with that remorse Enter Angelo.

As mine is to him? Ing. Now, what's the matter, provost ?

Ang.

He's sentenced ; 'tis too late. Prov. Is it your will Claudio shall die to-morrow?

Lucio. You are too cold.

[To Isab. Ang. Did I not tell thee, yea? hadst thou not order?

Isab. Too late? why, no ; I, that do speak a word,

May call it back again: Well, believe this,
Why dost thou ask again?
Prot.
Lest I might be too rash :

No ceremony that to great ones 'longs,

Not the king's crown, nor the deputed sword, Under your good conection, I have seen,

The marshal's truncheon, nor the judge's robe, When, after execution, judgement hath

Become them with one half so good a grace, Repeated o'er his doom.

As mercy does. If he had been as you, Ang.

Go to ; let that be mine: Do you your office, or give up your place,

And you as he, you would have slipt like him ;
And you shall well be spar'd.

But he, like you, would not have been so stern.
Prot.
I crave your honour's parlon.-

Ang. Pray you, be gone.

Isab. I would to heaven I had your potency,
What shall be done, sir, with the groaning Juliet ?

And you were Isabel! should it be then thus ?
She's very near her hour.
Ang.
Dispose of her

No; I would tell what 'twere to be a judge,

And what a prisoner. To seize more fitter place ; and that with speed.

Lucio. [Aside.] Ay, touch him: there's the vein. Reenter Servant.

Ang. Your brother is a forfeit of the law, Sero. Here is the sister of the man condemn'd, And you but waste your words.

Isab.

Alas! alas
Desires access to you.
Ang.
Hath he a sister!

Why, all the souls that were, were forfeit once;

And He that might the vantage best have took,
Prez, Ay, my good lord ; a very virtuous maid,
And to be shortly of a sisterhood,

Found out the remedy: How would you be,
If not already.

If He, which is the top of judgement, should Ang.

Well, let her be admitted. (E.x. Sero, But judge you as you are? O, think on that See you the fornicatress be remov'd;

And mercy then will breathe within your lips Let her have needful, but not lavish, means ;

Like man new made. There shall be order for it.

Ang.

Be you content, fair maid;

It is the law, not I, condemns your brother :
Enter Lucio and Isabella.

Were he my kinsman, brother, or my son,
Prose "Save your honour ! [offering to retire. It should be thus with him ;--he must die to-morrow.
Ang. Stay a little while.-[To Isab.) You are wel. Isab. To-morrow? O, that's sudden! Spare him,
come: What's your will ?

spare him: lets. I am a woeful suitor to your honour,

He's not prepar'd for death! Even for our kitchens Please but your honour hear me.

We kill the fowl of season: shall we serve heaven Ang. Well; what's your suit ?

With less respect than we do minister liet There is a viee, that most I do abhor,

To our gross selves? Good, good my lord, bethink And most desire should meet the blow of justice ; Who is it that hath died for this offence? Fo which I would not plead, but that I must; There's many have committed it. For which I must not plead, but that I am

Lucio.

Ay, well said. At wa, 'twist will, and will not.

Ang. The law hath not been dead, though it hath

Well; the matter? slept: leat. I have a brother is condemn'd to die : Those many had not dar'd to do that evil, I do beseech you, let it be his fault,

If the first man, that did the edict infringe, And Dot my brother.

Had answer'd for his deed : now, 'tis awake; Prer.

Heaven give thee moving graces ! Takes note of what is done ; and, like a prophet,
Ang. Condemn the fault, and not the actor of it! Looks in a glass, that shows what future evils,
Why, every fault's condemnd, ere it be done : (Either now, or by remissness new-conceiv'd,
Mine were the very cypher of a function,

And so in progress to be hatch'd and born,)
To find the faults, whose fine stands in record, Are now to have no successive degrees,
And let go by the actor.

But, where they live, to end.
liebe
O just, but severe law!

Isab.

Yet show some pity. I had a brother then.—Heaven keep your honour ! Ang. I show it most of all, when I show justice;

[Retiring. For then I pity those I do not know, Lucis. (Te Isab.] Give't not o'er so: to him again, which a dismiss'd offence would after gall ; entreat him;

And do himn right, that, answering one foul wrong, Kneel down before him, hang upon his gown; Lives not to act another. Be satisfied; You are too cold: If you should need a pin,

Your brother dies to-morrow; be content. You could not with more tame a tongue desire it : Isaú. So you inust be the first, that gives the senTo him, I say. lasb. Must he needs die ?

And he, that suffi rs: 0, it is excellent Ang. Maiden, no remedy.

To have a giant's strength; but it is tyrannous leab. Yes; I do think that you might pardon him, To use it like a giant. And neither heaven, nor man, grieve at the mercy Lucio.

That's well said. Ang. I will pot do't.

Isab. Could great men thunder Isob.

Pnt ean you, if you would ? As Jove himself does, Jove would ne'er be quiet,

you:

tence ;

That respites me a life, whose very comfort

Isab.

Sir, believe this, Ls still a dying horror!

I had rather give my body than my soul. Prev. 'Tis pity of him. [Exeunt. Ang. I talk not of your soul ; Our compell d sins

Stand more for number than accompt. SCENE IV.-A Room in Angelo's House. Enter An

Isab.

How say you ? gelo.

Ang. Nay, I'll not warrant that ; for I can speak Ang. When I would pray and think, I think and pray | Against the thing I say. Answer to this ; To several subjects; heaven hath my empty words ; I, now the voice of the recorded law, Whilst my intention, hearing not my tongue, Pronounce a sentence on your brother's life : Anchors on Isabel : Heaven in my mouth,

Might there not be a charity in sin, As if I did but only chew his name;

To save this brother's life?

Isab.
And in my heart, the strong and swelling evil

Please you to do't,
Of my conception : The state, whereon I studied, I'll take it as a peril to my soul,
Is like a good thing, being often read,

It is no sin at all, but charity.
Grown feard and tedious ; yea, my gravity,

Ang. Pleas'd you to do't, at peril of your soul, Wherrin (let no man hear me) I take pride,

Were equal poize of sin and charity.
Could I, with boot, change for an idle plume,

Isab. That I do beg his life, if it be sin,
Which the air beats for vain. O place! O forin! Heaven, let me bear it ! you granting of my suit,
Hos often dost thou with thy case, thy habit,

If that be gin, I'll make it my morn prayer
Wrneh awe from fools, and tie the wiser souls To have it added to the faults of mine,
To thy false seeming? Blood, thou still art blood : And nothing of your, answer.
Let's write good angel on the devil's horn,

Ang.

Nay, but bear me : Tis not the devil's erest.

Your sense pursues not mine: either you are ignorant ; Enter Servant.

Or seem so, craftily; and that's not good.

Isab. Let me be ignorant, and in nothing good, How now, who's there? Sero. One Isabel, a sister,

But graciously to know I am no better. Desires access to you.

Ang. Thus wisdom wishes to appear more bright, Teach her the way. [E.x. Serv.

When it doth tax itself: as these black masks O heavens !

Proclaim an enshield beauty ten times louder Why does my blood thus muster to my heart;

Than beauty could displayed.-But mark me ; Making both it unable for itself,

To be received plain, I'll speak more gross : And dispossessing all the other parts

Your brother is to die.

Isab. So.
Of keessary fitness ?
So play the foolish throngs with one that swoons ;

Ang. And his offence is so, as it appears
Accountant to the law

upon

that pain. Come all to help him, and so stop the air

Isab. True.
By which he would revive : and even so
The general, subject to a well-wish'd king,

Ang. Admit no other way to save his life,

(As I subscribe not that, nor any other, quit their own part, and in obsequious fondness Crewd to his presence, where their untaught love

But in the loss of question,) that you, his sister, Mat needs appear offence.

Finding yourself desir'd of such a person,

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 lost I am come to know your pleasure.

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

To this supposed, or else let him suffer; Than to demand what 'tis. Your brother cannot live. What would you do? lost. 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 be 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 lich. Under your sentence ?

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

My body up to shame. liek. When, I beseech you ? that in his reprieve, Ang.

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

Isab. And 'twere the cheaper way ; That his soul sicken not.

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

Should die forever. A un already made, as to remit

Ang. Were not you then as cruel as the sentence Their sawey sweetness, that do coin heaven's image, That you have slanderd so? la stamps that are forbid : 'tis all as easy

Isah. Ignomy in ransom, and free pardon, Palvely to take away a life true made,

Are of two houses : lawful mercy is As to pat mettle in restrained means,

Nothing akin to foul redemption.

Ang. You seemd of late to make the law a tyrant ; loss, Tis set down so in heaven, but not in earth. And rather prov'd the sliding of your brother Ang. Say you so ? then I shall poze you quickly. A merriment than a vice. Which had you rather, 'That the most just law 1scb. O, pardon me, my lord; it oft falls out, Ricar touk your brother's life ; or, to redeem him, To have what we'd have, we speak not what we mean: Give up your body to such sweet uncleanness, I something do excuse the thing I hate, As she that be hath staind ?

For his advantage that I dearly love

To make a false one.

Ang. We are all frail.

I'll tell him yet of Angelo's request, Isab.

Else let iny brother die, And fit his mind to death, for his soul's rest. [Esit.
If not a feodary, but only lue,
Owe, and succeed by weakness,
Ang.
Nay, women are frail too.

ACT III.
Isab. Ay, as the glasses where they view themselves ;
Which are as easy broke as they make forms.

SCENE 1.- A Room in the Prison. Enter Duke, Women !-Help heaven! men their creation mar

Claudio, and Provost. In profiting by them. Nay, call us ten times frail;

Duke. For we are soft as our complexions are,

SO, then you hope of pardon from lord Angelo? And credulous to false prints.

Clau. The miserable have no other medicine, Ang.

I think it well :

But only hope: And from this testimony of your own sex,

I have hope to live, and am prepar'd to die. (Since, I suppose, we are made to be no stronger Duke. Be absolute for death ; either death, or life, Than faults may shake our frames) let me be bold ; Shall thereby be the sweeter. Reason thus with lifeI do arrest your words ; Be that you are,

If I do lose thee, I do lose a thing That is, a woman; if you be more, you're none : That none but fools would keep: a breath thou art, If you be one, (as you are well express’d

(Servile to all the skiey influences) By all external warrants,) show it now,

That dost this habitation, where thou keep'st, By putting on the destin'd livery.

Hourly afflict: merely, thou art death's fool; Isab. I have no tongue but one : gentle my lord, For him thou labour'st by thy fight to shun, Let me entreat you speak the former language. And yet runn'st toward him still: Thou art not noble; Ang. Plainly conceive, I love you.

For all the accommodations that thou bear'st, Isab. My brother did love Juliet ; and you tell me, Are nurs'd by baseness: Thou art by no means val. That he shall die for it.'

iant; Ang. He shall not, Isabel, if you give me love. For thou dost fear the soft and tender fork

Isab. I know, your virtue hath a license in't, Of a poor worm: Thy best of rest is sleep, Which seems a little fouler than it is,

And that thou oft provok'st; yet grossly fear'st To pluck on others.

Thy death, which is no more. Thou art not thyself; Ang. Believe me, on mine honour,

For thou exist'st on many a thousand grains My words express my purpose.

That issue out of dust: Happy thou art not: Isab. Ha! little honour to be much believ'd, For what thou hast not, still thou striv'st to get ; And inost pernicious purpose !-Seeming, seeming!- | And what thou hast forgett'st: Thou art not certain ? I will proclaim thee, Angelo; look for't:

For thy complexion shifts to strauge effects Sign me a present pardon for my brother,

After the moon : If thou art rich, thou art poor ; Or, with an outstretch'd throat, I'll tell the world For, like an ass, whose back with ingots bows, Aloud, what man thou art.

Thou bear'st thy heavy riches but a journey, Ang. Who will believe thee, Isabel;

And death unloads thee: Friend hast thou none; My unsoil'd name, the austereness of my life, For thine own bowels, which do call thee sire, My vouch against you, and my place i' the state, The mere effusion of thy proper loins, Will so your accusation over-weigh,

Do curse the gout, serpigo, and the rheum, That you shall stifle in your own report,

For ending thee no sooner: Thou hast nor youth, nor And smell of calumny. I have begun;

age; And now I give my sensual race the rein:

But, as it were, an after-dinner's sleep, Fit thy consent to my sharp appetite;

Dreaming on both: for all thy blessed youth Lay by all nicety, and prolixious blushes,

Become as aged, and doth beg the alms That banish what they sue for; redeem thy brother of palsied eld: and when thou art old, and rich, By yielding up thy body to my will;

Thou hast neither heat, affection, limb, nor beauty, Or else he must not only die the death,

To make thy riches pleasant. What's yet in this, But thy unkindness shall his death draw out

That bears the name of life? Yet in this life To lingering sufferance : Answer me to-morrow, Lie hid more thousand deaths : yet death we fear, Or, by the affection that now guides me most, That makes these odds all even. I'll prove a tyrant to him : As for you,

Clau.

I humbly thank you. Say what you can, my false o'erweighs your true. To sue to live, I fiud, I seek to die;

[Exit. And, seeking death, find life: Let it come on. Isab. To whom shall I complain? Did I tell this,

Enter Isabella. Who would believe me? O perilous mouths,

Isab. What, ho! Peace here ; grace and good com That bear in them one and the self-same tongue,

pany! Either of condemnation or approof!

Prov. Who's there? Come in: the wish deserves a Bidding the law make court'sy to their will;

welcome. Hooking both right and wrong to the appetite, Duke. Dear sir, ere long I'll visit you again. To follow as it draws! I'll to my brother:

Clau. Most holy sir, I thank you. Though he hath fallen by prompture of the blood, Isab. My business is a word or two with Claudio. Yet hath be in him such a mind of honour,

Prov. And very welcome.—Look, signior, here's That had he twenty heads to tender down On twenty bloody blocks, he'd yield them up,

Duke. Provost, a word with you. Before his sister should ber body stoop

Prov.

As many as you please. To such abhorrid pollution.

Duke. Bring them to speak where I may be conThen, Isabel, live chaste, and, brother, die:

ceald, More than our brother is our chastity.

Yet hear them.

(Exeunt Duke and Preros.

your sister.