was on, sir, in this ir terlude; one Sir Topas, sir;
out that's all one:-By the Lord, fool, I am not
mad. But do you remember? Madam, why laugh
you at such a barren rascal? an you smile not, he's
gagg'd: And thus the whirligig of time brings in
his revenges.

Mai. I'll be revenged on the whole pack of you.
[Exit.
Oli. He hath been most notoriously abus'd.
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,1
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 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, 1 i. e. Shall serve, agree, be convenient.

'Gainst knaves and thieves men shut their gat 2,
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 ny bed,

With 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

This play is in the graver part elegant and easy, and in some of the lighter scenes exquisitely humorous Ague-cheek is drawn with great propriety, but his character is, in a great measure, that of natural fatuity, and is therefore not the proper prey of a satirist. The soliloquy of Malvolio is truly comic; he is betrayed to ridicule merely by his pride. The marriage of Olivia, and the succeeding perplexity, though well enough contriv. ed to divert on the stage, wants credibility, and fails to produce the proper instruction required in the drama, as it exhibits no just picture of life. JOHNSON

MEASURE FOR MEASURE.

PRELIMINARY REMARK S.

HAKSPEARE took the fable of this play from the Promos and Cassandra of George Whetstone, published, in 1578, of which this is The Argument."

forthwith he hasted to do justice on Promos: whose judgment was to marry Cassandra, to repair her crased honour; which done, for his heinous offence, he should In the city of Julio (sometimes under the dominion lose his head. This marriage solemnized, Cassandra of Corvinus King of Hungary and Bohemia,) there was tied in the greatest bonds of affection to her husband, a law, that what man soever committed adultery should became an earnest suitor for his life: the king tenderlose his head, and the woman offender should wearing the general benefit of the commonweal before her some disguised apparel, during her life, to make her special case, although he favoured her much, would infamously noted. This severe law, by the favour of not grant her suit. Andrugio (disguised among the some merciful magistrate, became little regarded, until company,) sorrowing the grief of his sister, bewrayed the time of Lord Promos's authority; who convicting a his safety, and craved pardon. The king to renown young gentleman named Andrugio of incontinency, the virtues of Cassandra, pardoned both him and Procondemned both him and his minion to the execution of mos. The circumstances of this rare history, in action this statute. Andrugio had a very virtuous and beauti- lively followeth.' ful gentlewoman to his sister, named Cassandra. Cas- Whetstone, however, has not afforded a very correct sandra, to enlarge her brother's life, submitted an hum- analysis of his play, which contains a mixture of comic ble petition to the Lord Promos. Promos regarding her scenes, between a bawd, a pimp, felons, &c. together good behaviour, and fantasying her great beauty, was with some serious situations which are not described. much delighted with the sweet order of her talk; and A hint, like a seed, is more or less prolific, according to doing good, that evil might come thereof, for a time he the qualities of the soil on which it is thrown. This reprieved her brother: but, wicked man, turning his story, which in the hands of Whetstone produced little liking into unlawful lust; he set down the spoil of her more than barren insipidity, under the culture of Shakhonour, ransom for her brother's life: chaste Cassan-speare became fertile of entertainment. The curious dra, abhorring both him and his suit, by no persuasion reader may see the old play of Promos and Cassandra would yield to this ransom. But in fine, won by the among Six old plays on which Shakspeare founded, importunity of her brother (pleading for life,) upon &c.' published by Mr. Steevens, printed for S. Leacroft, these conditions she agreed to Promos: First, that he Charing Cross. The piece exhibits an almost complete should pardon her brother, and after marry her. Pro- embryo of Measure for Measure; yet the hints on mos, as fearless in promise, as careless in performance, which it is formed are so slight, that it is nearly as imwith solemn vow signed her conditions; but worse than possible to detect them, as it is to point out in the acorn any infidel, his will satisfied, he performed neither the the future ramifications of the oak. The story origi. one nor the other: for to keep his authority unspotted nally came from the 'Hecatommithi' of Cinthio. Decad with favour, and to prevent Cassandra's clamours, he 8, novel 5, and is repeated in the Tragic Histories of commanded the jailer secretly to present Cassandra Belleforest. with her brother's head. The jailer [touched] with the outcries of Andrugio (abhorring Promos's lewdness,) by the providence of God provided thus for his safety. He presented Cassandra with a felon's head newly executed; who knew it not, being mangled, from her brother's (who was set at liberty by the jailer.) [She] was so aggrieved at this treachery, that, at the point to kill herself, she spared that stroke to be avenged of Promos: and devising a way, she concluded, to make ner fortunes known to the king. She, executing this resolution, was so highly favoured of the king, that

as it is of wisdom. Yet there is an original sin in the
"This play," says Mr. Hazlitt, "is as full of genius
nature of the subject, which prevents us from taking a
cordial interest in it.
which the author has maintained in the intervals of
'The height of moral argument,'
passion, or blended with the more powerful impulses of
nature, is hardly surpassed in any of his plays. But
there is a general want of passion, the affections are at
a stand; our sympathies are repulsed and defeated in
all directions."

Isabella is a lovely example of female purity and vir

ue; with mental energies of a very superior kind, she
is placed in a situation to make trial of them all, and
the firmness with which her virtue resists the appeal of
natural affection has something in it heroically sublime.
The passages in which she encourages her brother to
meet death with firmness rather than dishonour, his
burst of indignant passion on learning the price at which
his life might be redeemed, and his subsequent clinging
to life, and desire that she would make the sacrifice re-
quired, are among the finest dramatic passages of Shak-
speare. What heightens the effect is that this scene
follows the fine exhortation of the Duke in the charac-
ter of the Friar about the little value of life, which had
almost made Claudio 'resolved to die.' The comic | 1818, p. 120.

REPRESENTED.

! FROTH, a foolish Gentleman.
Clown, Servant to Mrs. Over-done.

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

As time and our concernings shall importune,
How it goes with us; and do look to know
What doth befall you here. So, fare
To the hopeful execution do I leave you
Of your commissions.

Ang.

you well;

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 honour have to do

With any scruple: your scope1 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 aves2 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!
Escal. Lead forth, and bring you back in hap-
piness.

Duke. I thank you: Fare you well.

[Exit.
Escal. I shall desire you, sir, to give me leave
To have free speech with you; and it concerns me
To look into the bottom of my place :

A power I have; but of what strength and nature
I am not yet instructed.

Ang. 'Tis so with me:-Let us withdraw to-
gether,

And we may soon our satisfaction have
Touching that point.

Escal.

I'll wait upon your honour.

[Exeunt.

off.

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 pro

Lucio. Thou concludest like the sanctimonious pirate, that went to sea with the ten command- | clamation. ments, but scraped one out of the table.

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

6

Lucio. Away; let's go learn the truth of it. [Exeunt Lucio and Gentlemen. Bawd. Thus, what with the war, what with the 1 Gent. Why, 'twas a commandment to com- sweat, what with the gallows, and what with pomand the captain and all the rest from their func-verty, I am custom-shrunk. How now? what's the tions; they put forth to steal: There's not a sol- news with you? dier 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,3 or in any language. 1 Gent. I think, or in any religion. Lucio. Ay! why not? Grace is grace, despite of all controversy: As for example; Thou thyself art a wicked villain, despite of all

grace.

1 Gent. Well, there went but a pair of shears between us,4

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

Enter Clown.

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

Bawd. But what's his offence?

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

?

Clo. All houses in the suburbs of Vienna must be plucked down.

city?

Bawd. And what shall become of those in the Clo. They shall stand for seed: they had they had gone 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?"

Clo. To the ground, mistress.

Bawd. Why, here's a change, indeed, in the commonwealth! What shall become of me?

In old times the cup of an infected person was thought to be contagious.

6 The sweat; the consequences of the curative process then used for a certain disease

1 Scope is extent of power. 2 Aves are hailings. 3 i. e. measure. 4 We are both of the same piece. 5 Pil'd, for a French velvet.'-Velvet was esteemed according to the richness of the pile; three-pil'd was 7 In one of the Scotch Laws of James it is ordered, the richest. But pil'd also means bald. The jest al-'that common women be put at the utmost endes of ludes to the loss of hair in the French disease. Lucio, townes, queire least peril of fire is.'-It is remarkable finding the Gentleman understands the distemper so that the licensed houses of resort at Vienna, are at this well, and mentions it so feelingly, promises to remem-time all in the suburbs, under the permission of the bez e drink his health, but to forget to drink after him. | Committee of Chastity.

Bawd. What's to do here, Thomas Tapster? Let's withdraw.

Clo. Come, fear not you; good counsellors lack | He can command, lets it straight feel the spur: no clients: though you change your place, you need Whether the tyranny be in his place, not change your trade; I'll be your tapster still. Or in his eminence that fills it up, Courage; there will be pity taken on you: you that I stagger in:-But this new governor have worn your eyes almost out in the service, you Awakes me all the enrolled penalties, will be considered. Which have, like unscour'd armour, hung by the wall So long, that nineteen zodiacks" 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 SCENE III. The same. Enter Provost,1 CLAU-tickle on thy shoulders, that a milk-maid, if she Dio, JULIET, and Officers; Lucio and two Gen-be in love, may sigh it off. Send after the duke, and appeal to him.

Clo. Here comes signior Claudio, led by the provost to prison: and there's madam Juliet. [Exeunt.

tlemen.

Claud. Fellow, why dost thou show me thus to

the world?

Bear me to prison where I am committed.
Prov. I do it not in evil disposition,
But from lord Angelo by special charge.

Claud. Thus can the demi-god, Authority,
Make us pay down for our offence by weight.-
The words of heaven;-on whom it will, it will;
On whom it will not, so; yet still 'tis just.2
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 ravin3 down their proper bane)
A thirsty evil; and when we drink, we die.4

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. 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 ;5

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 mutual entertainment,
With character too gross, is writ on Juliet.
Lucio. With child, perhaps?

Claud. 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

1 i. e. gaoler.

2 Authority being absolute in Angelo, is finely styled by Claudio, the demigod, whose decrees are as little to be questioned as the words of heaven. The poet alludes to a passage in St. Paul's Epist. to the Romans, ch. ix. v. 15-18: 'I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy.'

3 To ravin is to voraciously devour.

4 So, in Chapman's Revenge for Honour: 'Like poison'd rats, which, when they've swallowed The pleasing bane, rest not until they drink, And can rest then much less, until they burst.

5 This speech is surely too indelicate to be spoken. concerning Juliet before her face. Claudio may there. fore be supposed to speak to Lucio apart.

6 This singular mode of expression has not been satisfactorily explained. The old sense of the word is 'promoting, inlarging, increasing, spreading.' It apbears that Claudio would say: for the sake of promot

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 strict deputy; bid herself assay him;
I have great hope in that: for in her youth
There is a prone1o and speechless dialect,
Such as moves men; besides, she hath

art

prosperous

SCENE IV. A Monastery. Enter DUKE and
Friar Thomas.

Duke. No; holy Father; throw away that thought;
Believe not that the dribbling dart of love
Can pierce a complete bosom:12 why I desire thee
To give me secret harbour, 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 ;13
And held in idle price to haunt assemblies,
Where youth, and cost, and witless bravery keeps.14
I have delivered to lord Angelo

(A man of stricture15 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'ergrown 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,

ing such a dower as her friends might heareafter be
stow on her, when time had reconciled them to her
clandestine marriage.' The verb is as obscurely used
by Chapman in the Sixteenth book of the Odyssey:
'to try if we

Alone may propagate to victory
Our bold encounters.'

Shakspeare uses 'To propagate their states,' for to im
prove or promote their conditions, in Timon of Athens,
Act i. Sc. 1.

7 Zodiacs, yearly circles. 8 Tickle, for ticklish.

9 i. e. enter on her noviciate or probation.

10 Prone, is prompt or ready.

11 Jouer au tric trac is used in French in a wanton

sense.

12 A complete bosom' is a bosom completely armed. 12 i. e. retired.

14 Bravery is showy dress. Keeps, i e. resides 15 Stricture; strictness.

For terror, not to use; in time the rod
Becomes more mock'd than fear'd: so our decrees, | He hath got his friend with child.

He should receive his punishment in thanks :

Dead to infliction, to themselves are dead;
And liberty plucks justice by the nose;
The baby beats the nurse, and quite athwart
Goes all decorum.

Isab. You do blaspheme the good, in mocking me.
Lucio. Do not believe it. Fewness and truth,4
'tis thus:

Your brother and his lovers have embrac'd:
As those that feed grow full; as blossoming time,
That from the seedness the bare fallow brings
To teeming foison; even so her plenteous womb
my name, strike home, Expresseth his full tilth and husbandry.
İsab. Some one with child by him?-My cousir
Juliet ?

Lucio. Gentle and fair, your brother kindly greets Men give like gods; but when they weep and kneel,