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Measure for Measure (Folio 1, 1623)

Author: William Shakespeare
Editors: Kristin Lucas, Herbert Weil
Not Peer Reviewed
62
Measure for Measure.

95
Scena Secunda.


Enter Lucio, and two other Gentlemen.
Luc. If the Duke, with the other Dukes, come not to
composition with the King of Hungary, why then all the
Dukes fall vpon the King.
1001. Gent. Heauen grant vs its peace, but not the King
of Hungaries.
2. Gent. Amen.
Luc. Thou conclud'st like the Sanctimonious Pirat,
that went to sea with the ten Commandements, but
105scrap'd one out of the Table.
2. Gent. Thou shalt not Steale?
Luc. I, that he raz'd.
1. Gent. Why? 'twas a commandement, to command
the Captaine and all the rest from their functions: they
110put forth to steale: There's not a Souldier of vs all, that
in the thanks-giuing before meate, do rallish the petition
well, that praies for peace.
2. Gent. I neuer heard any Souldier dislike it.
Luc. I beleeue thee: for I thinke thou neuer was't
115where Grace was said.
2. Gent. No? a dozen times at least.
1. Gent. What? In meeter?
Luc. In any proportion. or in any language.
1. Gent. I thinke, or in any Religion.
120Luc. I, why not? Grace, is Grace, despight of all con-
trouersie: as for example; Thou thy selfe art a wicked
villaine, despight of all Grace.
1. Gent. Well: there went but a paire of sheeres be-
tweene vs.
125Luc. I grant: as there may betweene the Lists, and
the Veluet. Thou art the List.
1. Gent. And thou the Veluet; thou art good veluet;
thou'rt a three pild-peece I warrant thee: I had as liefe
be a Lyst of an English Kersey, as be pil'd, as thou art
130pil'd, for a French Veluet. Do I speake feelingly now?
Luc. I thinke thou do'st: and indeed with most pain-
full feeling of thy speech: I will, out of thine owne con-
fession, learne to begin thy health; but, whilst I liue for-
get to drinke after thee.
1351. Gen. I think I haue done my selfe wrong, haue I not?
2. Gent. Yes, that thou hast; whether thou art tainted,
or free.
Enter Bawde.
Luc. Behold, behold, where Madam Mitigation comes.
I haue purchas'd as many diseases vnder her Roofe,
140As come to
2. Gent. To what, I pray?
Luc. Iudge.
2. Gent. To three thousand Dollours a yeare.
1. Gent. I, and more.
145Luc. A French crowne more.
1. Gent. Thou art alwayes figuring diseases in me; but
thou art full of error, I am sound.
Luc. Nay, not (as one would say) healthy: but so
sound, as things that are hollow; thy bones are hollow;
150Impiety has made a feast of thee.
1. Gent. How now, which of your hips has the most
profound Ciatica?
Bawd. Well, well: there's one yonder arrested, and
carried to prison, was worth fiue thousand of you all.
1552. 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
160three daies his head to be chop'd off.
Luc. But, after all this fooling, I would not haue it so:
Art thou sure of this?
Bawd. I am too sure of it: and it is for getting Madam
Iulietta with childe.
165Luc. Beleeue me this may be: he promis'd to meete
me two howres since, and he was euer precise in promise
keeping.
2. Gent. Besides you know, it drawes somthing neere
to the speech we had to such a purpose.
1701. Gent. But most of all agreeing with the proclamatimō.
Luc. Away: let's goe learne the truth of it.
Exit.
Bawd. Thus, what with the war; what with the sweat,
what with the gallowes, and what with pouerty, I am
Custom-shrunke. How now? what's the newes with
175you.
Enter Clowne.
Clo. Yonder man is carried to prison.
Baw. Well: what has he done?
Clo. A Woman.
Baw. But what's his offence?
180Clo. Groping for Trowts, in a peculiar Riuer.
Baw. What? is there a maid with child by him?
Clo. No: but there's a woman with maid by him :
you haue not heard of the proclamation, haue you?
Baw. What proclamation, man?
185Clow. All howses in the Suburbs of Vienna must bee
pluck'd downe.
Bawd. And what shall become of those in the Citie?
Clow. They shall stand for seed: they had gon down
to, but that a wise Burger put in for them.
190Bawd. But shall all our houses of resort in the Sub-
urbs be puld downe?
Clow. To the ground, Mistris.
Bawd. Why heere's a change indeed in the Common-
wealth: what shall become of me?
195Clow. Come: feare not you; good Counsellors lacke
no Clients: though you change your place, you neede
not change your Trade: Ile bee your Tapster still; cou-
rage, there will bee pitty taken on you; you that haue
worne your eyes almost out in the seruice, you will bee
200considered.
Bawd. What's to doe heere, Thomas Tapster? let's
withdraw?
Clo. Here comes Signior Claudio, led by the Prouost
to prison: and there's Madam Iuliet.
Exeunt.

205
Scena Tertia.
Enter Prouost, Claudio, Iuliet, Officers, Lucio, & 2. Gent.
Cla. Fellow, why do'st thou show me thus to th' world?
Beare me to prison, where I am committed.
Pro. I do it not in euill disposition,
210But from Lord Angelo by speciall charge.
Clau. Thus can the demy-god (Authority)
Make vs pay downe, for our offence, by waight
The words of heauen; on whom it will, it will,
On whom it will not (soe) yet still 'tis iust.
215Luc. Why how now Claudio? whence comes this re-
Cla. From too much liberty, (my Lucio) Liberty
As surfet is the father of much fast,
So euery Scope by the immoderate vse
Turnes to restraint: Our Natures doe pursue
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