Measure for Measure (Folio 1, 1623)
Not Peer Reviewed
2345
Actus Quintus. Scoena Prima.
¶
Enter Duke, Varrius, Lords, Angelo, Esculus, Lucio,
¶Citizens at seuerall doores.
¶Our old, and faithfull friend, we are glad to see you.
2350Ang. Esc. Happy returne be to your royall grace.
¶Duk. Many and harty thankings to you both:
¶We haue made enquiry of you, and we heare
¶Cannot but yeeld you forth to publique thankes
2355Forerunning more requitall.
¶To locke it in the wards of couert bosome
¶And razure of obliuion: Giue we your hand
¶And let the Subiect see, to make them know
¶That outward curtesies would faine proclaime
¶Fauours that keepe within: Come Escalus,
2365You must walke by vs, on our other hand:
¶And good supporters are you.
¶
Enter Peter and Isabella.
¶Peter. Now is your time
¶Speake loud, and kneele before him.
¶Vpon a wrong'd (I would faine haue said a Maid)
¶Oh worthy Prince, dishonor not your eye
¶By throwing it on any other obiect,
¶Till you haue heard me, in my true complaint,
¶Duk. Relate your wrongs;
¶In what, by whom? be briefe:
¶Reueale your selfe to him.
2380Isab. Oh worthy Duke,
¶You bid me seeke redemption of the diuell,
2385Heare me: oh heare me, heere.
¶Ang. My Lord, her wits I feare me are not firme:
¶She hath bin a suitor to me, for her Brother
¶That Angelo's a murtherer, is't not strange?
¶That Angelo is an adulterous thiefe,
2395An hypocrite, a virgin violator,
¶Isa. It is not truer he is Angelo,
¶Then this is all as true, as it is strange;
2400Nay, it is ten times true, for truth is truth
¶To th' end of reckning.
2405There is another comfort, then this world,
¶That thou neglect me not, with that opinion
¶But one, the wickedst caitiffe on the ground
¶As Angelo, euen so may Angelo
¶Be an arch-villaine: Beleeue it, royall Prince
¶If she be mad, as I beleeue no other,
¶Such a dependancy of thing, on thing,
¶Isab. Oh gracious Duke
¶To make the truth appeare, where it seemes hid,
¶Duk. Many that are not mad
¶What would you say?
2430Condemnd vpon the Act of Fornication
¶To loose his head, condemn'd by Angelo,
¶I, (in probation of a Sisterhood)
¶Was sent to by my Brother; one Lucio
2435Luc. That's I, and't like your Grace:
¶I came to her from Claudio, and desir'd her,
¶To try her gracious fortune with Lord Angelo,
¶For her poore Brothers pardon.
¶Isab. That's he indeede.
¶Luc. No, my good Lord,
¶Nor wish'd to hold my peace.
¶Pray you take note of it: and when you haue
¶Be perfect.
¶Luc. I warrant your honor.
2450Luc. Right.
¶Duk. It may be right, but you are i'the wrong
¶To speake before your time: proceed,
¶Isab. I went
¶To this pernicious Caitiffe Deputie.
¶Isab. Pardon it,
¶The phrase is to the matter.
¶Duke. Mended againe: the matter: proceed.
2460How I perswaded, how I praid, and kneel'd,
¶How he refeld me, and how I replide
¶(For this was of much length) the vild conclusion
¶I now begin with griefe, and shame to vtter.
¶He would not, but by gift of my chaste body
¶Release my brother; and after much debatement,
¶And I did yeeld to him: But the next morne betimes,
2470For my poore brothers head.
¶Isab. Oh that it were as like as it is true.
¶He would haue waigh'd thy brother by himselfe,
¶Thou cam'st heere to complaine.
¶Isab. And is this all?
2485Keepe me in patience, and with ripened time
¶Vnfold the euill, which is heere wrapt vp
¶In countenance: heauen shield your Grace from woe,
¶As I thus wrong'd, hence vnbeleeued goe.
¶Duke. I know you'ld faine be gone: An Officer:
2490To prison with her: Shall we thus permit
¶Who knew of your intent and comming hither?
¶Isa. One that I would were heere, Frier Lodowick.
¶Who knowes that Lodowicke?
¶Luc. My Lord, I know him, 'tis a medling Fryer,
¶I doe not like the man: had he been Lay my Lord,
¶And to set on this wretched woman here
¶A very scuruy fellow.
¶I haue stood by my Lord, and I haue heard
¶Your royall eare abus'd: first hath this woman
¶Who is as free from touch, or soyle with her
¶As she from one vngot.
2515Peter. I know him for a man diuine and holy,
¶Not scuruy, nor a temporary medler
¶As he's reported by this Gentleman:
¶And on my trust, a man that neuer yet
¶Did (as he vouches) mis-report your Grace.
¶Being come to knowledge, that there was complaint
2525Intended 'gainst Lord Angelo, came I hether
¶To speake as from his mouth, what he doth know
¶Is true, and false: And what he with his oath
¶And all probation will make vp full cleare
2530To iustifie this worthy Noble man
¶So vulgarly and personally accus'd,
¶Duk. Good Frier, let's heare it:
2535Doe you not smile at this, Lord Angelo?
¶Oh heauen, the vanity of wretched fooles.
¶In this I'll be impartiall: be you Iudge
¶Of your owne Cause: Is this the Witnes Frier?
2540
Enter Mariana.
¶Vntill my husband bid me.
¶Duke. What, are you married?
2545Mar. No my Lord.
¶Duke. Are you a Maid?
¶Mar. No my Lord.
¶Duk. A Widow then?
¶Mar. Neither, my Lord.
2550Duk. Why you are nothing then: neither Maid, Wi-
¶dow, nor Wife?
¶them, are neither Maid, Widow, nor Wife.
2555to prattle for himselfe.
¶Luc. Well my Lord.
2560Knowes not, that euer he knew me.
¶Luc. He was drunk then, my Lord, it can be no better.
¶Luc. Well, my Lord.
2565Mar. Now I come to't, my Lord.
¶Shee that accuses him of Fornication,
¶And charges him, my Lord, with such a time,
¶When I'le depose I had him in mine Armes
2570With all th' effect of Loue.
¶Mar. Not that I know.
2575Who thinkes he knowes, that he nere knew my body,
¶But knows, he thinkes, that he knowes Isabels.
¶This is that face, thou cruell Angelo
¶This is the hand, which with a vowd contract
¶Was fast belockt in thine: This is the body
¶That tooke away the match from Isabell,
2585In her Imagin'd person.
¶Duke. Know you this woman?
¶Duk. Sirha, no more.
¶Luc. Enoug my Lord.
¶Betwixt my selfe, and her: which was broke off,
¶Partly for that her promis'd proportions
2595For that her reputation was dis-valued
¶In leuitie: Since which time of fiue yeres
¶Vpon my faith, and honor.
¶Mar. Noble Prince,
2600As there comes light from heauen, and words frō breath,
¶As there is sence in truth, and truth in vertue,
¶I am affianced this mans wife, as strongly
¶As words could make vp vowes: And my good Lord,
2605He knew me as a wife. As this is true,
¶Or else for euer be confixed here
¶A Marble Monument.
¶My patience here is touch'd: I doe perceiue
¶These poore informall women, are no more
¶That sets them on. Let me haue way, my Lord
2615To finde this practise out.
¶Duke. I, with my heart,
¶Thou foolish Frier, and thou pernicious woman
¶Compact with her that's gone: thinkst thou, thy oathes,
2620Though they would swear downe each particular Saint,
¶Sit with my Cozen, lend him your kinde paines
¶To finde out this abuse, whence 'tis deriu'd.
2625There is another Frier that set them on,
¶Let him be sent for.
¶Peter. Would he were here, my Lord, for he indeed
¶Hath set the women on to this Complaint;
¶Your Prouost knowes the place where he abides,
2630And he may fetch him.
¶And you, my noble and well-warranted Cosen
¶Whom it concernes to heare this matter forth,
¶Will leaue you; but stir not you till you haue
¶Well determin'd vpon these Slanderers.
Exit.
¶cio, did not you say you knew that Frier Lodowick to be a
¶nous speeches of the Duke.
¶notable fellow.
¶Luc. As any in Vienna, on my word.
¶speake with her: pray you, my Lord, giue mee leaue to
¶Luc. Not better then he, by her owne report.
¶Esc. Say you?
2655asham'd.
¶ Enter Duke, Prouost, Isabella..
¶Esc. I will goe darkely to worke with her.
¶Luc. That's the way: for women are light at mid-
¶night.
¶Denies all that you haue said.
¶Here, with the Prouost.
2665we call vpon you.
¶Luc. Mum.
¶der Lord Angelo? they haue confes'd you did.
2670Esc. How? Know you where you are?
¶Duk. Respect to your great place; and let the diuell
¶Be sometime honour'd, for his burning throne.
¶Come you to seeke the Lamb here of the Fox;
2680Thus to retort your manifest Appeale,
¶And put your triall in the villaines mouth,
¶Which here you come to accuse.
¶Esc. Why thou vnreuerend, and vnhallowed Fryer:
¶To accuse this worthy man? but in foule mouth,
¶To call him villaine; and then to glance from him,
2690Take him hence; to th' racke with him: we'll towze you
¶Ioynt by ioynt, but we will know his purpose:
¶What? vniust?
¶No more stretch this finger of mine, then he
2695Dare racke his owne : his Subiect am I not,
¶Made me a looker on here in Vienna,
¶Where I haue seene corruption boyle and bubble,
¶Till it ore-run the Stew : Lawes, for all faults,
¶Stand like the forfeites in a Barbers shop,
¶As much in mocke, as marke.
¶Esc. Slander to th' State:
¶Away with him to prison.
¶Is this the man you did tell vs of?
¶Luc. 'Tis he, my Lord: come hither goodman bald-pate,
¶doe you know me?
¶said of the Duke.
2715ger, a foole, and a coward, as you then reported him
¶to be?
¶much more, much worse.
2720Luc. Oh thou damnable fellow: did I not plucke thee
2725Esc. Such a fellow is not to be talk'd withall: Away
¶no more: away with those Giglets too, and with the o-
¶ther confederate companion.
2735sheepe-biting face, and be hang'd an houre: Will't
¶not off?
¶Duk. Thou art the first knaue, that ere mad'st a Duke.
¶Sneake not away Sir, for the Fryer, and you,
2740Must haue a word anon: lay hold on him.
¶We'll borrow place of him; Sir, by your leaue:
¶Ha'st thou or word, or wit, or impudence,
2745That yet can doe thee office? If thou ha'st
¶Rely vpon it, till my tale be heard,
¶And hold no longer out.
¶Ang. Oh, my dread Lord,
2750To thinke I can be vndiscerneable,
¶When I perceiue your grace, like powre diuine,
¶Is all the grace I beg.
¶Duk. Come hither Mariana,
¶Say: was't thou ere contracted to this woman?
¶Ang. I was my Lord.
¶Doe you the office ( Fryer) which consummate,
¶Returne him here againe: goe with him Prouost.
Exit.
¶Your Frier is now your Prince: As I was then
¶(Not changing heart with habit) I am still,
¶Atturnied at your seruice.
2770Isab. Oh giue me pardon
¶Your vnknowne Soueraigntie.
¶And now, deere Maide, be you as free to vs.
2775Your Brothers death I know sits at your heart:
¶Labouring to saue his life: and would not rather
2780It was the swift celeritie of his death,
¶Which I did thinke, with slower foot came on,
¶That brain'd my purpose: but peace be with him,
¶That life is better life past fearing death,
¶Then that which liues to feare: make it your comfort,
2785So happy is your Brother.
¶
Enter Angelo, Maria, Peter, Prouost.
¶Isab. I doe my Lord.
¶Duk. For this new-maried man, approaching here,
2790Your well defended honor: you must pardon
¶For Mariana's sake: But as he adiudg'd your Brother,
¶Being criminall, in double violation
¶Thereon dependant for your Brothers life,
2795The very mercy of the Law cries out
¶Most audible, euen from his proper tongue.
¶An Angelo for Claudio, death for death :
2800Then Angelo, thy fault's thus manifested;
¶Which though thou would'st deny, denies thee vantage.
¶We doe condemne thee to the very Blocke
¶Away with him.
¶I hope you will not mocke me with a husband?
¶I thought your marriage fit: else Imputation,
2810For that he knew you, might reproach your life,
¶Although by confutation they are ours;
¶We doe en-state, and widow you with all,
¶To buy you a better husband.
2815Mar. Oh my deere Lord,
¶I craue no other, nor no better man.
¶Duke. Neuer craue him, we are definitiue.
¶Mar. Gentle my Liege.
2820Away with him to death: Now Sir, to you.
¶Lend me your knees, and all my life to come,
¶I'll lend you all my life to doe you seruice.
2825Should she kneele downe, in mercie of this fact,
¶Her Brothers ghost, his paued bed would breake,
¶And take her hence in horror.
¶Sweet Isabel, doe yet but kneele by me,
¶And for the most, become much more the better
¶For being a little bad: So may my husband.
¶Oh Isabel: will you not lend a knee?
2835Duke. He dies for Claudio's death.
¶Looke if it please you, on this man condemn'd,
¶As if my Brother liu'd: I partly thinke,
¶A due sinceritie gouerned his deedes,
2840Till he did looke on me: Since it is so,
¶Let him not die: my Brother had but Iustice,
¶In that he did the thing for which he dide.
¶For Angelo, his Act did not ore-take his bad intent,
¶And must be buried but as an intent
¶Intents, but meerely thoughts.
¶Mar. Meerely my Lord.
¶I haue bethought me of another fault.
2850Prouost, how came it Claudio was beheaded
¶At an vnusuall howre?
¶Giue vp your keyes.
¶Pro. Pardon me, noble Lord,
¶I thought it was a fault, but knew it not,
¶Yet did repent me after more aduice,
¶I haue reseru'd aliue.
¶Duk. What's he?
¶Pro. His name is Barnardine.
¶Goe fetch him hither, let me looke vpon him.
¶As you, Lord Angelo, haue stil appear'd,
2870And lacke of temper'd iudgement afterward.
¶That I craue death more willingly then mercy,
¶'Tis my deseruing, and I doe entreat it.
2875
Enter Barnardine and Prouost, Claudio, Iulietta.
¶Duke. Which is that Barnardine?
¶Pro. This my Lord.
¶Duke. There was a Friar told me of this man.
2880That apprehends no further then this world,
¶But for those earthly faults, I quit them all,
¶And pray thee take this mercie to prouide
¶For better times to come: Frier aduise him,
2885I leaue him to your hand. What muffeld fellow's that?
2890Is he pardon'd, and for your louelie sake
¶Giue me your hand, and say you will be mine,
¶He is my brother too: But fitter time for that:
¶By this Lord Angelo perceiues he's safe,
¶Methinkes I see a quickning in his eye:
2895Well Angelo, your euill quits you well.
¶Looke that you loue your wife: her worth, worth yours
¶And yet heere's one in place I cannot pardon,
¶You sirha, that knew me for a foole, a Coward,
¶That you extoll me thus?
¶trick: if you will hang me for it you may: but I had ra-
2905ther it would please you, I might be whipt.
¶Proclaime it Prouost round about the Citie,
¶If any woman wrong'd by this lewd fellow
2910whom he begot with childe) let her appeare,
¶Let him be whipt and hang'd.
2915Duke, good my Lord do not recompence me, in making
¶me a Cuckold.
¶Thy slanders I forgiue, and therewithall
¶Remit thy other forfeits: take him to prison,
¶Whipping and hanging.
¶She Claudio that you wrong'd, looke you restore.
2925Ioy to you Mariana, loue her Angelo:
¶I haue confes'd her, and I know her vertue.
¶There's more behinde that is more gratulate.
2930We shall imploy thee in a worthier place.
¶Forgiue him Angelo, that brought you home
¶The head of Ragozine for Claudio's,
¶I haue a motion much imports your good,
2935Whereto if you'll a willing eare incline;
¶What's mine is yours, and what is yours is mine.
¶So bring vs to our Pallace, where wee'll show
¶What's yet behinde, that meete you all should know.
