Nor do I think the man of safe discretion, ness. Duke. I thank you: fare you well. [Exit. A power I have; but of what strength and nature Ang. 'Tis so with me:-Let us withdraw to- And we may soon our satisfaction have I'll wait upon your honour. SCENE II-A street. Gentlemen. Lucio. If the duke, with the other dukes, come not to composition with the king of Hungary, why, then all the dukes fall upon the king. 1 Gent. Heaven grant us its peace, but not the king of Hungary's! 2 Gent. Amen. 1 Gent. How now? Which of your hips has the most profound sciatica ? Barod. Well, well; there's one yonder arrested, and carried to prison, was worth five thousand of you all. 1 Gent. Who's that, I pray thee? Bawd. Nay, but I know, 'tis so: I saw him arrested; saw him carried away; and, which is more, within these three days his head's to be chopped 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 pre Lucio. Thou concludest like the sanctimonious cise in promise-keeping. pirate, that went to sea with the ten command-| ments, but scraped one out of the table. 2 Gent. Thou shalt not steal? Lucio. Ay, that he razed. 1 Gent. Why, 'twas a commandment to command the captain and all the rest from their functions; they put forth to steal: there's not a soldier 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, 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 sheers between us.2 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 fil'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 own confession, learn to begin thy health; but, whilst I live, forget to drink after thee. 1 Gent. I think I have done myself wrong; have I not? 2 Gent. Yes, that thou hast; whether thou art tainted, or free. Lucio. Behold, behold, where madam Mitigation comes! I have purchased as many diseases under her roof, as come to 2 Gent. To what, I pray? 1 Gent. Judge. 2 Gent. To three thousand dollars a year. 1 Gent. Ay, and more. (1) Measure. (2) A cut of the same cloth. 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 proclamation. Lucio. Away; let's go learn the truth of it. [Exeunt Lucio and Gentlemen. Bawd. Thus, what with the war, what with the sweat; what with the gallows, and what with poverty, I am custom-shrunk. How now? what's the news with you? Enter Clown. Clo. Yonder man is carried to prison. 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 pluck'd down. Bawd. And what shall become of those in the city? Clo. They shall stand for seed: 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 pull'd down? Clo. To the ground, mistress. Bawd. Why, here's a change, indeed, in the commonwealth! What shail become of me? Clo. Come; fear not you: good counsellors lack no clients: though you change your place, you need not change your trade; I'll be your tapster still. Courage; there will be pity taken on you: you that have worn your eyes almost out in the service, you will be considered. Bawd. What's to do here, Thomas Tapster? let's withdraw. Clo. Here comes signior Claudio, led by the provost to prison: and there's madam Juliet. Ex: Corona Veneris. SCENE III-1'he same.-Enter Provost,' Claudio, Juliet, and Officers; Lucio, and two Gentlemen. Claud. I have done so, but he's not to be found Claud. Fellow, why dost thou show me thus to Aquaint her with the danger of my state; the world? Bear me to prison, where I am committed. Prov. I do it not in evil disposition, Claud. Thus can the demi-god, Authority, Claud. From too much liberty, my Lucio, liberty: 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 inorality of imprisonment.-What's thy offence, Claudio? Claud. What, but to speak of would offend again. Lucio. What is it? murder ? Lucio. Lechery? Prov. Away, sir; you must go. with you. Claud. One word, good friend:-Lucio, a word Implore her, in my voice, that she make friends SCENE IV.-A monastery. Enter Duke and Duke. No; holy father; throw away that thought; Fri. May your grace speak of it? (A man of stricture, 10 and firm abstinence,) Claud. Thus stands it with me:-Upon a true My absolute power and place here in Vienna, contract, I got possession of Julietta's bed; You know the lady; she is fast my wife, Of outward order: this we came not to, And the new deputy now for the duke,- A horse whereon the governor doth ride, wall So long, that nineteen zodiacs have gone round, Lucio. I warrant it is: and thy head stands so tickle on thy shoulders, that a milk-maid, if she be in love, may sigh it off. Send after the duke, and appeal to him. (1) Gaoler. (2) Voraciously devour. And he supposes me travell'd to Poland; Duke. We have strict statutes, and most biting laws Which for these fourteen years we have let sleep; That goes not out to prey: now, as fond fathers Fri. It rested in your grace Duke. To do it slander: and to behold his sway, Isab. And have you nuns no further privileges? men, But in the presence of the prioress: Lucio. Hail, virgin, if you be; as those cheek roses Proclaim you are no less! can you so stead me, Isab. Why her unhappy brother? let me ask; Lucio. Gentle and fair, your brother kindly greets you: Not to be weary with you, he's in prison. Lucio. For that, which, if myself might be his judge, He should receive his punishment in thanks : Isab. Sir, make me not your story.2 It is true. Isab. You do blaspheme the good, in mocking me. Lucio. Do not believe it. Fewness and truth," Your brotner and his lover have embrac'd: (1) On his defence. (2) Do not make a jest of me. To teeming foison; even so her plenteous womb Lucio. Is she your cousin? Isab. Adoptedly: as school-maids change their names, By vain though apt affection. Isab. O, let him marry her! She it is. This is the point. Governs lord Angelo; a man, whose blood And follows close the rigour of the statute, Isab. Alas! what poor ability's in me Assay the power you have But speedily. ACT II. Good sir, adieu. [Exeunt. Escal. Ay, but yet Escal. How know you that? Elb. My wife, sir, whom I detest" before hea Let us be keen, and rather cut a little, Let but your honour know1 (Whom I believe to be most strait in virtue,) Ang. 'Tis one thing to be tempted, Escalus, The jury, passing on the prisoner's life, Escal. How! thy wife? Elb. Ay, sir; whom, I thank heaven, is an honest woman, it Escal. Dost thou detest her therefore? Elb. I say, sir, I will detest myself also, as wel as she, that this house, if it be not a bawd's house is pity of her life, for it is a naughty house. Escal. How dost thou know that, constable? Elb. Marry, sir, by my wife; who, if she had been a woman cardinally given, might have been accused in fornication, adultery, and all uncleanliness there. Escal. By the woman's means? Elb. Ay, sir, by mistress Over-done's means: Guiltier than him they try: what's open made to but as she spit in his face, so she defied him. justice, That justice seizes. What know the laws, That thieves do pass' on thieves? 'Tis very preg- The jewel that we find, we stoop and take it, Where is the provost ? See that Claudio Some rise by sin, and some by virtue fall: Enter Elbow, Froth, Clown, Officers, &c. 8 Elb. Come, bring them away: if these be good people in a common weal, that do nothing but use their abuses in common houses, I know no law; bring them away. Ang. How now, sir! what's your name? and what's the matter? Elb. If it please your honour, I am the poor duke's constable, and my name is Elbow; I do lean upon justice, sir, and do bring in here before your good honour two notorious benefactors. Ang. Benefactors? Well; what benefactors are they are they not malefactors? Elb. If it please your honour, I know not well what they are: but precise villains they are, that I am sure of; and void of all profanation in the world, that good Christians ought to have. Escal. This comes off well; here's a wise officer. ? Elb. He, sir? a tapster, sir; parcel10-bawd; one that serves a bad woman; whose house, sir, was, as they say, pluck'd down in the suburbs; and now the professes a hot-house, which, I think, is a very ill house too. (1) Examine. (2) Suited. (3) Pass judgment. Clo. Sir, if it please your honour, this is not so. Elb. Prove it before these varlets here, thou honourable man, prove it. Escal. Do you hear how he misplaces? [To Angelo. Clo. Sir, she came in great with child; and longing (saving your honour's reverence) for stew'd prunes: sir, we had but two in the house, which at that very distant time stood, as it were, in a fruitdish, a dish of some three-pence: your honours have seen such dishes; they are not China dishes, but very good dishes. Escal. Go to, go to: no matter for the dish, sir Clo. No, indeed, sir, not of a pin; you are therefore in the right: but, to the point: as I say, this mistress Elbow, being, as I say, with child, and being great belly'd, and longing, as I said, for prunes and having but two in the dish, as I said, master Froth here, this very man, having eaten the rest, as I said, and, as I say, paying for them very honestly; -for, as you know, master Froth, I could not give you three-pence again. Froth. No, indeed. Clo. Very well: you being then, if you be re member'd, cracking the stones of the foresaid prunes. Froth. Ay, so I did, indeed. Clo. Why, very well: I telling you then, if you be remember'd, that such a one, and such a one, were past cure of the thing you wot of, unless they kept very good diet, as I told you. Froth. All this is true. Clo. Why, very well then. Escal. Come, you are a tedious fool: to the pur pose.-What was done to Elbow's wife, that he hath cause to complain of? Come me to what was done to her. Clo. Sir, your honour cannot come to that yet. Clo. Sir, but you shall come to it, by your honour's leave and I beseech you, look into master Froth here, sir; a man of fourscore pound a year; whose father died at Hallowmas :-Was't not a Hallowmas, master Froth? Froth. All-hollond's eve. Clo. Why, very well; I hope here be truths and good for winter. (9) Well told. (10) Partly. (11) Keeps a bagnio. Clo. Why, very well then;-I hope here be Clo. Mistress Over-done. truths. Escal. Hath she had any more than one husband? Escal. Nine!-Come hither to me, master Froth. Master Froth, I would not have you acquainted with tapsters; they will draw you, master Froth, and you will hang them: get you gone, and let me hear no more of you. Ang. This will last out a night in Russia, When nights are longest there: I'll take my leave, And leave you to the hearing of the cause; Hoping, you'll find good cause to whip them all. Escal. I think no less: good morrow to your lordship. [Exit Angelo. Now, sir, come on: what was done to Elbow's Froth. I thank your worship: for mine own wife, once more? part, I never come into any room in a taphouse, Clo. Once, sir? there was nothing done to her but I am drawn in. once. Escal. Well; no more of it, master Froth: fare. Elb. I beseech you, sir, ask him what this man well. [Exit Froth.]-Come you hither to me, did to my wife? Escal. Ay, sir, very well. Clo. Nay, I beseech you, mark it well. Clo. Doth your honour see any harm in his face? Clo. I'll be suppos'd' upon a book, his face is the worst thing about him: good then; if his face be the worst thing about him, how could master Froth do the constable's wife any harm? I would know that of your honour. master tapster; what's your name, master tapster Clo. Pompey. Escal. What else? Escal. Troth, and your bum is the greatest thing about you; so that, in the beastliest sense, you are Pompey the great. Pompey, you are partly a bawd, Pompey, howsoever you colour it in being a tapster. Are you not? come, tell me true; it shall be the better for you. Clo. Truly, sir, I am a poor fellow, that would live. Escal. How would you live, Pompey? by being bawd? What do you think of the trade, Pompey? is it a lawful trade? a Clo. If the law would allow it, sir. Escal. But the law will not allow it, Pompey; Escal. He's in the right: constable, what say nor it shall not be allowed in Vienna. you to it? Clo. Does your worship mean to geld and spay Escal. No, Pompey. Elb. First, an it like you, the house is a re- all the youth in the city?" spected house; next, this is a respected fellow; and his mistress is a respected woman. Clo. By this hand, sir, his wife is a more respected person than any of us all. Elb. Varlet, thou liest; thou liest, wicked varlet: the time is yet to come, that she was ever respected with man, woman, or child. Clo. Sir, she was respected with him before he married with her. Escal. Which is the wiser here? justice, or iniquity? Is this true? Clo. Truly, sir, in my poor opinion, they will to't then: if your worship will take order for the drabs and the knaves, you need not to fear the bawds. Escal. There are pretty orders beginning, I can tell you: it is but heading and hanging. Clo. If you head and hang all that offend that way but for ten year together, you'll be glad to give out a commission for more heads. If this law hold in Vienna ten year, I'll rent the fairest house Elb. O thou caitiff! O thou varlet! O thou wick- in it, after three-pence a bay: if you live to see ed Hannibal! I respected with her, before I was this come to pass, say Pompey told you so. married to her? If ever I was respected with her, Es al. Thank you, good Pompey: and, in reor she with me, let not your worship think me the quital of your prophecy, hark you,-I advise you, poor duke's officer:-Prove this, thou wicked Han- let me not find you before me again upon any com nibal, or I'll have mine action of battery on thee. plaint whatsoever, no, not for dwelling where you Escal. If he took you a box o' the ear, you do: if I do, Pompey, I shall beat you to your tent, might have your action of slander too. jand prove a shrewd Cæsar to you; in plain dealElb. Marry, I thank your good worship for it: ing, Pompey, I shall have you whipt: so for this what is't your worship's pleasure I should do with time Pompey, fare you well. this wicked caitiff? Clo. I thank your worship for your good counEscal. Truly, officer, because he hath some of-sel; but I shall follow it, as the flesh and fortune fences in him, that thou wouldst discover if thou shall better determine. couldst, let him continue in his courses, till thou Whip me! No, no; let carman whip his jade; know'st what they are. Elb. Marry, I thank your worship for it:-thea seest, thou wicked varlet now, what's come upon thee; thou art to continue now, thou varlet; thou art to continue. Escal. Where were you born, friend? [To Froth. Escal. Are you of fourscore pounds a year? (1, Deposed, sworn (2) Constable or Clown. The valiant heart's not whipt out of his trade. (Ex. Escal. Come hither to me, master Elbow; come hither, master Constable. How long have you been in this place of constable? Elb. Seven years and a half, sir. Escal. I thought, by your readiness in the office, you had continued in it some time: You say, seven years together? Elb. And a half, sir. |