The Works of William Shakespeare, Complete

Ay, my lord, the same: Madam, you have done me wrong,

Have I, Malvolio? no.

Notorious wrong.
Oli.
Mal. Lady, you have. Pray you peruse that letter.
You must not now deny it is your hand,
Write from it, if you can, in hand, or phrase;
Or say, 'tis not your seal, nor your invention:
You can say none of this: Well, grant it then,
And tell me, in the modesty of honor,

Why you have given me such clear lights of favor;
Bade me come smiling, and cross-gartered to you,
To put on yellow stockings, and to frown
Upon sir Toby, and the lighter people:
And, acting this in an obedient hope,
Why have you suffer'd me to be imprison'd,
Kept in a dark house, visited by the priest,
And made the most notorious geck, and gull,
That e'er invention play'd on? tell me why.

Oli. Alas, Malvolio, this is not my writing,
Though I confess much like the character:
But out of question, 'tis Maria's hand.
And now I do bethink me, it was she

First told me, thou wast mad; then cam'st in smiling,
And in such forms which here were presuppos'd
Upon thee in the letter. Pr'ythee, be content:
This practice hath most shrewdly pass'd upon thee;
But when we know the grounds and authors of it,
Thou shalt be both the plaintiff and the judge
Of thine own cause.
Fab.
Good madam, hear me speak;
And let no quarrel, nor no brawl to come,
Taint the condition of this present hour,
Which I have wonder'd at. In hope it shall not,
Most freely I confess, myself and Toby
Set this device against Malvolio here,
Upon some stubborn and uncourteous parts
We had conceived against him: Maria writ
The letter, at sir Toby's great importance;2
In recompense whereof, he hath married her.
How with a sportful malice it was follow'd,
& Fool.
• Importunity.

May rather pluck on laughter than revenge;
If that the injuries be justly weigh'd,
That have on both sides past.

Oii. Alas, poor fool! how have they baffled thee! Clo. Why, some are born great, some achieve greatness, and some have greatness thrown upon them. I was one, sir, in this interlude; one sir Topas, sir; but that's all one:-. - By the Lord, fool, 1 um not mad;- But do you remember? Madam, why laugh you at such a barrren rascal? an you smile not, he's gagg'd: And thus the whirligig of time brings in his revenges.

Mal. I'll be revenged on the whole pack of you. [Exis.

Oli. He hath been most notoriously abused.
Duke. Pursue him, and entreat him to a peace:-
He hath not told us of the captain yet;
When that is known and golden time convents,
A solemn combination shall be made
Of our dear souls:- Mean time, sweet sister,
We will not part from hence.- Cesario, come,
For so you shall be while you are a man:
But, when in other habits you are seen,
Orsino's mistress, and his fancy's queen. [Exeunt.
SONG.

Clo. When that I was and a little tiny boy,
With hey, ho, the wind and the rain,
A foolish thing was but a toy,
For the rain it raineth every day.

But when I came to man's estate,
With hey, ho, the wind and the rain,
'Gainst knave and thief men shut their gate,
For the rain it raineth every day.

But when I came, alas! to wive,
With hey, ho, the wind and the rain,
By swaggering could I never thrive,
For the rain it raineth every day.

But when I came unto my bed,

When hey, ho, the wind and the rain,
With toss-pots still had drunken head,
For the rain it raineth every day.

A great while ago the world begun,
With hey, ho, the wind and the rain,
But that's all one, our play is done,
And we'll strive to please you every day.
Exit.
Shall serve.

MEASURE FOR MEASURE.

VINCENTIO, Duke of Vienna.

PERSONS REPRESENTED.

ANGELO, Lord Deputy in the Duke's absence.

FROTH, a foolish gentleman. CLOWN, Servant to Mrs. Overdone.

ESCALUS, an ancient Lord, joined with Angelo in ABHORSON, an Executioner.

the deputation.

CLAUDIO, a young Gentleman.

LUCIO, a Fantastic.

Two other like Gentlemen.

VARRIUS, a Gentleman, Servant to the Duke.

Provost.

THOMAS,

Two Friars.

ELBOW, a simple Constable.

BARNARDINE, a dissolute Prisoner.

ISABELLA, Sister to Claudio. MARIANA, betrothed to Angelo.

JULIET, beloved by Claudio.
FRANCISCA, a Nun.

Mistress OVERDONE, a bawd.

Lords, Gentlemen, Guards, Officers, and other Attendants.

SCENE.-Vienna.

ACT I.

SCENE I-An Apartment in the Duke's Palace. | As if we had them not. Spirits are not finely touch'd

Enter Duke, ESCALUS, and Lords.

Duke. Escalus,

Esc. My lord.

Duke. Of government the properties to unfold, Would seem in me t' 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, y' are 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.
hither,

I say, bid come before us, Angelo.-
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, drest him with our love,
And given his deputations all the organs
Of our own power: What think you of it?
Esc. If any in Vienna be of worth
To undergo such ample grace and honor,
It is lord Angelo.

Duke.

Enter ANGELO.

Call

Look, where he comes. Ang. Always obedient to your grace's will, I come to know your pleasure.

Duke.

Angelo,

There is a kind of character in thy life,
That, to th' observer, doth thy history
Fully unfold:-Thyself, and thy belongings,
Are not thine own so proper, as to waste
Thyself upon thy virtues, them on thee.
Heaven doth with us, as we with torches do,
Not light them for themselves: for if our virtues
Did not go forth of us, 'twere all alike

No more evasion:
We have with a leaven'd and prepar'd choice
Proceeded to you; therefore take your honors.
Our haste from hence is of so quick condition,
That it prefers itself, and leaves unquestion'd'
Matters of needful value. We shall write to you,
As time and our concernings shall impórtune,
How it goes with us, and do look to know
What doth befall you here. So, fare you well:
To th' hopeful execution do I leave you
Of your commissions.

Ang.
Yet, give leave, my lord,
That we may bring you something on the way.
Duke. My haste may not admit it;

Nor need you, on mine honor, 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 privily 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.
Ang. The heavens give safety to your purposes,

2 Gent. Amen.

Lucio. Thou concludest like the sanctimonious pirate, that went to sea with the ten commandments, but scraped one out of the table.

2 Gent. Thou shalt not steal? Lucio. Ay, that he razed.

1 Gent. Why, 'twas a commandment to command the captain and all the rest from their functions; they put forth to steal: there's not a soldier of us all, that, in the thanksgiving before meat, doth relish the petition well that prays for peace.

2 Gent. I never heard any soldier dislike it. Lucio. I believe thee; for, I think, thou never wast where grace was said.

2 Gent. No? a dozen times at least.

1 Gent. What? in metre?

Lucio. In any proportion, or in any language. 1 Gent. I think, or in any religion. all controversy: as, for example, thou thyself art a Lucio. Ay! why not? Grace is grace, despite of wicked villain, despite of all grace.

1 Gent. Well, there went but a pair of sheers

between us."

Lucio. I grant; as there may between the lists and the velvet: thou art the list.

1 Gent. And thou the velvet: thou art good velvet: thou art a three-pil'd piece, I warrant thee: I had as lief be a list of an English kersey, as be pil'd, as thou art pil'd, for a French velvet. Do I speak feelingly now!

Lucio. I think thou dost; and, indeed, with most painful feeling of thy speech: I will, out of thine own confession, learn to begin thy health; but, whilst I live, forget to drink after thee.

1 Gent. I think I have done myself wrong; have I not?

2 Gent. Yes, that thou hast; whether thou art tainted, or free.

Lucio. Behold, behold, where Madam Mitigation comes! I have purchased as many diseases under her roof, as come to

2 Gent. To what, I pray?

1 Gent. Judge.

2 Gent. To three thousand dollars a year.

1 Gent. Ay, and more.

Lucio. A French crown more.

1 Gent. Thou art always figuring diseases in me: but thou art full of error; I am sound. Lucio. Nay, not as one would say, healthy, but so sound, as things that are hollow: thy bones are hollow; impiety has made a feast of thee.

Enter Bawd.

1 Gent. How now? Which of your hips has the most profound sciatica?

Bawd. Well, well; there's one yonder, arrested, and carried to prison, was worth five thousand of you all.

1 Gent. Who's that, I pray thee! Bawd. Marry sir, that's Claudio, Signior Claudio. 1 Gent. Claudio to prison! 'tis not so. Bawd. Nay, but I know 'tis so: I saw him arrested; saw him carried away; and, which is more, within these three days his head's to be chopped off. 1 Measure. 2A cut of the same cloth. A jest on the loss of hair by the French disease. ▲ Corona Veneris.

Lucio But, after all this fooling, I would not have it so: art thou sure of this!

Bawd. I am too sure of it; and it is for getting Madam Julietta with child.

Lucio. Believe me, this may be: he promised to meet me two hours since; and he was ever precise in promise-keeping.

2 Gent. Besides, you know, it draws something near to the speech we had to such a purpose.

1 Gent. But most of all, agreeing with the proclamation. Lucio. Away; let's go learn the truth of it. [Exeunt Lucio and Gentlemen. Bared. Thus, what with the war, what with the sweat; what with the gallows, and what with pov erty, I am custom-shrunk. How now! what's the news with you?

Enter Clown.

Clown. Yonder man is carried to prison.
Bawd. Well; what has he done!
Clown. A woman.

Bared. But what's his offence?

Clown. Groping for trouts in a peculiar river. Bawd. What, is there a maid with child by him? Clown. No; but there's a woman with maid by him you have not heard of the proclamation, have you?

Bawd. What proclamation, man?

Clown. All houses in the suburbs of Vienna

must be pluck'd down.

Bawd. And what shall become of those in the city?

Clown. They shall stand for seed: they had gore down too, but that a wise burgher put in for them. Bawd. But, shall all our houses of resort in the suburbs be pulled down?

Clown. To the ground, mistress.

Bawd. Why, here's a change indeed in the com

lack no clients. Though you change your place, Clown. Come, fear not you; good counsellors 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.

monwealth: what shall become of me?

Bawd. What's to do here? let's withdraw.

Thomas Tapster,

Lucio. Why, how now, Claudio? whence comes this restraint?

Claud. From too much liberty, my Lucio, liberty:

As surfeit is the father of much fast,
So every scope by the immoderate use
Turns to restraint: Our natures do pursue
(Like rats that ravin down their proper bane)
A thirsty evil; and when we drink, we die.

Lucio. If I could speak so wisely under an arrest, I would send for certain of my creditors: And yet, to say the truth, I had as lief have the foppery of freedom, as the morality of imprisonment.-What's thy offence, Claudio!

Claud. What, but to speak of would offend again.
Lucio. What is it? murder?
Claud. No.

Lucio. Lechery?

Claud. Call it so.

Prov. Away, sir; you must go.

Claud. One word, good friend:-Lucio, a word with you. [Takes him aside. The sweating sickness.

Lucio. A hundred, if they'll do you any good. Is lechery so look'd after!

Claud. Thus stands it with me:- Upon a true
contract,

I got possession of Julietta's bed;
You know the lady; she is fast my wife,
Save that we do the denunciation lack
Of outward order: this we came not to,
Only for propagation of a dower
Remaining in the coffer of her friends;

From whom we thought it meet to hide our love,
Till time had made them for us. But it chances,
The stealth of our most inutual intercourse,
With character too gross, is writ on Juliet.
Lucio. With child, perhaps?

Claul. Unhappily, even so.

And the new deputy now for the duke,-
Whether it be the fault and glimpse of newness;
Or whether that the body public be

A horse whereon the governor doth ride,
Who newly in the seat, that it may know

He can command, let's it straight fee. 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 unrolled penalties,

Which have, like unscoured armor, hung by the

wall

So long, that nineteen zodiacs have gone round,
And none of them been worn; and for a name,
Now puts the drowsy and neglected act
Freshly on me:-'tis, surely, for a name.

Lucio. I warrant, it is: and thy head stands so tickle on thy shoulders, that a milk-maid, if she be in love, may sigh it off. Send after the duke, and appeal to him.

Claud. I have done so, but he's not to be found.
I pr'ythee, Lucio, do me this kind service:
This day my sister should the cloister enter,
And there receive her approbation:
Acquaint her with the danger of my state;
Implore her, in my voice, that she make friends
To the stric deputy: bid herself assay him;
I have great hope in that: for in her youth
There is a prone and speechless dialect,
Such as moves men: beside, she hath prosperous art
When she will play with reason and discourse,
And well she can persuade.

Lucio. I pray, she may: as well for the encouragement of the like, which else would stand under grievous imposition; as for the enjoying of thy life, who I would be sorry should be thus foolishly lost at a game of tick-tack. I'll to her.

Claud. I thank you, good friend Lucio.
Lucio. Within two hours,--

Claud. Come, officer, away.

SCENE IV.-A Monastery.

Enter Duke and Friar THOMAS.

[Exeunt.

Duke. No; holy father; throw away that thought;
Bel eve 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.

Fri.

May your grace speak of it?
Duke. My holy sir, none better knows than you
How I have ever lov'd the life remov'd;
And held in idle price to haunt assemblies,
Where youth and cost, and witless bravery keeps.
I have deliver'd to lord Angelo

(A man of stricture and firm abstinence)
My absolute power and place here in Vienna,
And he supposes me travell'd to Poland;
For so I have strew'd it in the common ear,
And so it is receiv'd: Now, pious sir,
You will demand of me, why I do this?
Fri. Gladly, my lord.

Duke. We have strict statutes, and most biting
laws,

(The needful bits and curbs for headstrong steeds,)
Which for these fourteen years we have let sleep;
Even like an o'er-grown lion in a cave,

That goes not out to prey: Now, as fond fathers
Having bound up the threat'ning twigs of birch,
Only to stick it in their children's sight,
For terror, not to use; in time the rod

To unloose this tied-up justice when you pleas'd;
And it in you more dreadful would have seem'd,
Than in lord Angelo.

Duke.

I do fear, too dreadful: Sith 'twas my fault, to give the people scope, 'Twould be my tyranny to strike, and gall them For what I bid them do: For we bid this be done, When evil deeds have their permissive pass, And not the punishment. Therefore, indeed, my father,

I have on Angelo imposed the office;

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

To do it slander: And to behold his sway,

I will, as 'twere a brother of your order,

Visit both prince and people: therefore, I pr'ythee,
Supply me with the habit, and instruct me
How I may formally in person bear me
Like a true friar. More reasons for this action,
Only, this one:-Lord Angelo is precise;
At our more leisure shall I render you;
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 seemers be.
[Exeunt.

SCENE V.-A Nunnery.

Enter ISABELLA and FRANCISCA.

Isab. And have you nuns no further privileges?
Fran. Are not these large enough!

Isab. Yes, truly: I speak not as desiring more;
But rather wishing a more strict restraint
Upon the sisterhood, the votarists of saint Clare.
Lucio. Ho! Peace be in this place! [Within
Isab.
Who's that which calls?
Fran. It is a man's voice: Gentle Isabella,
Turn you the key, and know his business of him;
You may, I may not; you are yet unsworn:
When you have vowed, you must not speak with

men,

But in the presence of the prioress:
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 FRANCISCA. Isab. Peace and prosperity! Who is't that calls? Enter LUCIO.

Lucio. Hail, virgin, if you be; as those cheek-roses
Proclaim you are no less! Can you so stead me,
As bring me to the sight of Isabella,

A novice of this place, and the fair sister
To her unhappy brother Claudio?

Isab. Why her unhappy brother? let me ask;
The rather, for now must make you know
I am that Isabell, and his sister.

Lucio. Gentle and fair, your brother kindly greets
yon:

Not to be weary with you, he's in prison.
Isab. Woe me! For what?

Lucio. For that which if myself might be his
Judge,

He should receive his punishment in thanks:
He hath got his friend with child.

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

It is true.

I would not-though 'tis my familiar sin
With maids to seem the lapwing, and to jest,
Tongue far from heart,-play with all virgins so.
I hold you as a thing ensky'd, and sainted;
By your renouncement an immortal spirit;
And to be talked with in sincerity,
As with a saint.

Isab. You do blaspheme the good in mocking me.
Lucio. Do not believe it. Fewness and truth,"
'tis thus:

Your brother and his lover have embraced:
As those that feed grow full; as blossoming time,
That from the seedness the bare fallow brings

• Do not make a jest of me.

In few and true words.

By vain though apt affection.
Lucio.

She it is.

Isab. O, let him marry her!
This is the point.
Lucio.
The duke is 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) hath pick'd out an act,
Under whose heavy sense your brothers 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.
Isab. Doth he so seek his life?

Has censur'd1 him
Lucio.
Already; and, as I hear, the provost hath
A warrant for his execution.

Isab. Alas! what poor ability's in me
To do him good?
Lucio.

Assay the power you have.
Isab. My power! Alas! I doubt,-
Lucio.
Our doubts are traitors,
And make us lose the good we oft might win,
By fearing to attempt: Go to lord Angelo,
And let him learn to know, when maidens sue,
Men give like gods; but when they weep and kneel,
All their petitions are as freely theirs
As they themselves would owe them.
Isab. I'll see what I can do.

Lucio.

But speedily.

Isab. 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.
Lucio. I take my leave of you.
Isab.

Good sir, adieu.
[Exeunt.

ACT II

SCENE I-A Hall in Angelo's House.

Some rise by sin, and some by virtue fall:
Some run from brakes of vice, and answer none;

Enter ANGELO, ESCALUS, Provost, Officers, and And some condemned for a fault alone.

other Attendants.

man,

Whom I would save, had a most noble father.
Let but your honor know,

(Whom I believe to be most straight in virtue,)
That, in the working of your own affections,
Had time coher'd with place, or place with wishing,
Or that the resolute acting of your blood
Could have attain'd the effect of your own purpose,
Whether you had not some time in your life
Err'd in this point which now you censure him,
And pull'd the law upon you.

Ang. 'Tis one thing to be temed, Escalus,
Another thing to fall. I not deny,

The jury, passing on the prisoners life,
May, in the sworn twelve, have a thief or two

Enter ELBOW, FROTH, Clown, Officers, &c.
Elb. Come, bring them away: if these be good
people in a common weal,s that do nothing but use
their abuses in common houses, I know no law;
bring them away.
Ang. How now,
what's the matter?

sir! what's your name? and

Elb. If it please your honor, I am the poor duke's constable, and my name is Elbow; I do lean upon justice, sir, and do bring in here before your good honor two notorious benefactors.

Ang. Benefactors? Well; what benefactors are they are they not malefactors?

Elb. If it please your honor, 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.

Escal. This comes off well; here's a wise officer.
Ang. Go to: what quality are they of? Elbow
is your name? Why dost thou not speak, Elbow?
Clo. He cannot, sir; he's out at elbow.

Ang. What are you, sir?

Elb. He, sir! a tapster, sir; parcel bawd: one that serves a bad woman; whose house, sir, was, as

Guiltier than him they try: What's open made to they say, pluck'd down in the suburbs; and now

justice,

That justice seizes. What know the laws,

That thieves do pass on thieves? "Tis very pregnant,
The jewel that we find, we stoop and take it,
Because we see it; but what 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 hin, do so offend,
Let mine own judgment pattern out my death,
And nothing come in partial. Sir, he must die.
Escal. Be it as your wisdom will.
Ang.

Where is the provost?
Prov. Here, if it like your honor.
Ang.

See that Claudio
Be executed by nine to-morrow morning:
Bring him his confessor, let him be prepared:
For that's the utmost of his pilgrimage.

[Exeunt ANGELO and Provost.
Escal. Well, heaven forgive him; and forgive us
all!
Breeding plenty.

.Tilling.

a Because.

she professes a hot-house, which, I think, is a very
ill house too.

Esca'. How know you that?

Elb. My wife, sir, whom I detest before heaven and your honor,—

Escal. How! thy wife?

Elb. Ay, sir; whom, 1 thank heaven, is an honest

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