Internet Shakespeare Editions

Author: William Shakespeare
Editor: Kristin Lucas
Not Peer Reviewed

Measure for Measure (Folio, 1623)

Scena Quarta.
Enter Angelo & Escalus.
Esc. Euery Letter he hath writ, hath disuouch'd other.
Ang.
Measure for Measure. 79
An. In most vneuen and distracted manner, his actions
2275show much like to madnesse, pray heauen his wisedome
bee not tainted: and why meet him at the gates and de-
liuer our authorities there?
Esc. I ghesse not.
Ang. And why should wee proclaime it in an howre
2280before his entring, that if any craue redresse of iniustice,
they should exhibit their petitions in the street?
Esc. He showes his reason for that: to haue a dispatch
of Complaints, and to deliuer vs from deuices heere-
after, which shall then haue no power to stand against
2285vs.
Ang. Well: I beseech you let it bee proclaim'd be-
times i'th' morne, Ile call you at your house: giue notice
to such men of sort and suite as are to meete him.
Esc. I shall sir: fareyouwell. Exit.
2290Ang. Good night.
This deede vnshapes me quite, makes me vnpregnant
And dull to all proceedings. A deflowred maid,
And by an eminent body, that enforc'd
The Law against it? But that her tender shame
2295Will not proclaime against her maiden losse,
How might she tongue me? yet reason dares her no,
For my Authority beares of a credent bulke,
That no particular scandall once can touch
But it confounds the breather. He should haue liu'd,
2300Saue that his riotous youth with dangerous sense
Might in the times to come haue ta'ne reuenge
By so receiuing a dishonor'd life
With ransome of such shame: would yet he had liued.
Alack, when once our grace we haue forgot,
2305Nothing goes right, we would, and we would not. Exit.