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  • Title: Measure for Measure (Folio, 1623)
  • Editor: Kristin Lucas

    • Copyright Kristin Lucas. This text may be freely used for educational, non-profit purposes; for all other uses contact the Editor.
    Author: William Shakespeare
    Editor: Kristin Lucas
    Not Peer Reviewed

    Measure for Measure (Folio, 1623)

    95Scena 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 proclamatiō.
    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.
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