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Contents

Front Matter |
ACT 1 |
ACT 2 |
ACT 3 |
ACT 4 |
ACT 5 |

From the Director of the Folger Shakespeare Library

It is hard to imagine a world without Shakespeare. Since their composition four hundred years ago, Shakespeare’s plays and poems have traveled the globe, inviting those who see and read his works to make them their own.

Readers of the New Folger Editions are part of this ongoing process of “taking up Shakespeare,” finding our own thoughts and feelings in language that strikes us as old or unusual and, for that very reason, new. We still struggle to keep up with a writer who could think a mile a minute, whose words paint pictures that shift like clouds. These expertly edited texts are presented to the public as a resource for study, artistic adaptation, and enjoyment. By making the classic texts of the New Folger Editions available in electronic form as Folger Digital Texts, we place a trusted resource in the hands of anyone who wants them.

The New Folger Editions of Shakespeare’s plays, which are the basis for the texts realized here in digital form, are special because of their origin. The Folger Shakespeare Library in Washington, DC, is the single greatest documentary source of Shakespeare’s works. An unparalleled collection of early modern books, manuscripts, and artwork connected to Shakespeare, the Folger’s holdings have been consulted extensively in the preparation of these texts. The Editions also reflect the expertise gained through the regular performance of Shakespeare’s works in the Folger’s Elizabethan Theater.

I want to express my deep thanks to editors Barbara Mowat and Paul Werstine for creating these indispensable editions of Shakespeare’s works, which incorporate the best of textual scholarship with a richness of commentary that is both inspired and engaging. Readers who want to know more about Shakespeare and his plays can follow the paths these distinguished scholars have tread by visiting the Folger either in-person or online, where a range of physical and digital resources exists to supplement the material in these texts. I commend to you these words, and hope that they inspire.

Michael Witmore
Director, Folger Shakespeare Library

Textual Introduction
By Barbara Mowat and Paul Werstine

Until now, with the release of the Folger Digital Texts, readers in search of a free online text of Shakespeare’s plays had to be content primarily with using the Moby™ Text, which reproduces a late-nineteenth century version of the plays. What is the difference? Many ordinary readers assume that there is a single text for the plays: what Shakespeare wrote. But Shakespeare’s plays were not published the way modern novels or plays are published today: as a single, authoritative text. In some cases, the plays have come down to us in multiple published versions, represented by various Quartos (Qq) and by the great collection put together by his colleagues in 1623, called the First Folio (F). There are, for example, three very different versions of Hamlet, two of King Lear, Henry V, Romeo and Juliet, and others. Editors choose which version to use as their base text, and then amend that text with words, lines or speech prefixes from the other versions that, in their judgment, make for a better or more accurate text.

Other editorial decisions involve choices about whether an unfamiliar word could be understood in light of other writings of the period or whether it should be changed; decisions about words that made it into Shakespeare’s text by accident through four hundred years of printings and misprinting; and even decisions based on cultural preference and taste. When the Moby™ Text was created, for example, it was deemed “improper” and “indecent” for Miranda to chastise Caliban for having attempted to rape her. (See The Tempest, 1.2: “Abhorred slave,/Which any print of goodness wilt not take,/Being capable of all ill! I pitied thee…”). All Shakespeare editors at the time took the speech away from her and gave it to her father, Prospero.

The editors of the Moby™ Shakespeare produced their text long before scholars fully understood the proper grounds on which to make the thousands of decisions that Shakespeare editors face. The Folger Library Shakespeare Editions, on which the Folger Digital Texts depend, make this editorial process as nearly transparent as is possible, in contrast to older texts, like the Moby™, which hide editorial interventions. The reader of the Folger Shakespeare knows where the text has been altered because editorial interventions are signaled by square brackets (for example, from Othello: “If she in chains of magic were not bound,”), half-square brackets (for example, from Henry V: “With blood and sword and fire to win your right,”), or angle brackets (for example, from Hamlet: “O farewell, honest soldier. Who hath relieved/you?”). At any point in the text, you can hover your cursor over a bracket for more information.

Because the Folger Digital Texts are edited in accord with twenty-first century knowledge about Shakespeare’s texts, the Folger here provides them to readers, scholars, teachers, actors, directors, and students, free of charge, confident of their quality as texts of the plays and pleased to be able to make this contribution to the study and enjoyment of Shakespeare.

Synopsis

Human nature and the law often collide in Measure for Measure. As the play begins, the Duke of Vienna announces he is going away and puts his deputy Angelo in charge of the state. Angelo immediately enforces a law prohibiting sex outside of marriage, sentencing Claudio to death for sleeping with Juliet, Claudio’s now-pregnant fiancée.

Claudio’s sister Isabella, a novice nun, appeals to Angelo to save her brother. But the supposedly pure Angelo demands that Isabella sleep with him to save Claudio. To Claudio’s dismay, Isabella refuses.

The duke, who has remained in Vienna disguised as a friar, suggests that Angelo’s jilted fiancée, Mariana, could take Isabella’s place. Although the trick succeeds, Angelo orders Claudio beheaded anyway. The duke saves Claudio, but he tells Isabella that Claudio is dead.

The duke, resuming his identity, sentences Angelo to wed Mariana and then be put to death. But Mariana and Isabella plead for Angelo’s life. Revealing that Claudio is alive, the duke pardons Angelo and proposes to Isabella.

Characters in the Play
Duke of Vienna, later called Friar Lodowick
Escalus, a judge
Provost
Elbow, a constable
Abhorson, an executioner
A Justice
Varrius, friend to the Duke
Angelo, deputy to the Duke
Mariana, betrothed to Angelo
Boy singer
Servant to Angelo
Messenger from Angelo
Isabella, a novice in the Order of Saint Clare
Francisca, a nun
Claudio, brother to Isabella
Juliet, betrothed to Claudio
Lucio, friend to Claudio
Two Gentlemen, associates of Lucio
Friar Thomas
Friar Peter
Mistress Overdone, a bawd
Pompey the Clown, her servant
Froth, Pompey’s customer
Barnardine, a prisoner
Lords, Officers, Citizens, Servants, and Attendants

ACT 1
Scene 1
Enter Duke, Escalus, Lords, and Attendants.
DUKE FTLN 0001 Escalus.
ESCALUS FTLN 0002 My lord.
DUKE
FTLN 0003 Of government the properties to unfold
FTLN 0004 Would seem in me t’ affect speech and discourse,
FTLN 0005 5 Since I am put to know that your own science
FTLN 0006 Exceeds, in that, the lists of all advice
FTLN 0007 My strength can give you. Then no more remains
FTLN 0008 But that, to your sufficiency, as your worth is able,
FTLN 0009 And let them work. The nature of our people,
FTLN 0010 10 Our city’s institutions, and the terms
FTLN 0011 For common justice, you’re as pregnant in
FTLN 0012 As art and practice hath enrichèd any
FTLN 0013 That we remember. There is our commission,
He hands Escalus a paper.
FTLN 0014 From which we would not have you warp.—Call
FTLN 0015 15 hither,
FTLN 0016 I say, bid come before us Angelo.
An Attendant exits.
FTLN 0017 What figure of us think you he will bear?
FTLN 0018 For you must know, we have with special soul
FTLN 0019 Elected him our absence to supply,
FTLN 0020 20 Lent him our terror, dressed him with our love,
7

9
Measure for Measure
ACT 1. SC. 1
FTLN 0021 And given his deputation all the organs
FTLN 0022 Of our own power. What think you of it?
ESCALUS
FTLN 0023 If any in Vienna be of worth
FTLN 0024 To undergo such ample grace and honor,
FTLN 0025 25 It is Lord Angelo.
Enter Angelo.
DUKE FTLN 0026 Look where he comes.
ANGELO
FTLN 0027 Always obedient to your Grace’s will,
FTLN 0028 I come to know your pleasure.
DUKE FTLN 0029 Angelo,
FTLN 0030 30 There is a kind of character in thy life
FTLN 0031 That to th’ observer doth thy history
FTLN 0032 Fully unfold. Thyself and thy belongings
FTLN 0033 Are not thine own so proper as to waste
FTLN 0034 Thyself upon thy virtues, they on thee.
FTLN 0035 35 Heaven doth with us as we with torches do,
FTLN 0036 Not light them for themselves; for if our virtues
FTLN 0037 Did not go forth of us, ’twere all alike
FTLN 0038 As if we had them not. Spirits are not finely touched
FTLN 0039 But to fine issues, nor nature never lends
FTLN 0040 40 The smallest scruple of her excellence
FTLN 0041 But, like a thrifty goddess, she determines
FTLN 0042 Herself the glory of a creditor,
FTLN 0043 Both thanks and use. But I do bend my speech
FTLN 0044 To one that can my part in him advertise.
FTLN 0045 45 Hold, therefore, Angelo.
FTLN 0046 In our remove be thou at full ourself.
FTLN 0047 Mortality and mercy in Vienna
FTLN 0048 Live in thy tongue and heart. Old Escalus,
FTLN 0049 Though first in question, is thy secondary.
FTLN 0050 50 Take thy commission. He hands Angelo a paper.
ANGELO FTLN 0051 Now, good my lord,
FTLN 0052 Let there be some more test made of my mettle

11
Measure for Measure
ACT 1. SC. 1
FTLN 0053 Before so noble and so great a figure
FTLN 0054 Be stamped upon it.
DUKE FTLN 0055 55 No more evasion.
FTLN 0056 We have with a leavened and preparèd choice
FTLN 0057 Proceeded to you. Therefore, take your honors.
FTLN 0058 Our haste from hence is of so quick condition
FTLN 0059 That it prefers itself and leaves unquestioned
FTLN 0060 60 Matters of needful value. We shall write to you,
FTLN 0061 As time and our concernings shall importune,
FTLN 0062 How it goes with us, and do look to know
FTLN 0063 What doth befall you here. So fare you well.
FTLN 0064 To th’ hopeful execution do I leave you
FTLN 0065 65 Of your commissions.
ANGELO FTLN 0066 Yet give leave, my lord,
FTLN 0067 That we may bring you something on the way.
DUKE FTLN 0068 My haste may not admit it.
FTLN 0069 Nor need you, on mine honor, have to do
FTLN 0070 70 With any scruple. Your scope is as mine own,
FTLN 0071 So to enforce or qualify the laws
FTLN 0072 As to your soul seems good. Give me your hand.
FTLN 0073 I’ll privily away. I love the people,
FTLN 0074 But do not like to stage me to their eyes.
FTLN 0075 75 Though it do well, I do not relish well
FTLN 0076 Their loud applause and aves vehement,
FTLN 0077 Nor do I think the man of safe discretion
FTLN 0078 That does affect it. Once more, fare you well.
ANGELO
FTLN 0079 The heavens give safety to your purposes.
ESCALUS
FTLN 0080 80 Lead forth and bring you back in happiness.
DUKE FTLN 0081 I thank you. Fare you well. He exits.
ESCALUS , to Angelo
FTLN 0082 I shall desire you, sir, to give me leave
FTLN 0083 To have free speech with you; and it concerns me
FTLN 0084 To look into the bottom of my place.

13
Measure for Measure
ACT 1. SC. 2
FTLN 0085 85 A power I have, but of what strength and nature
FTLN 0086 I am not yet instructed.
ANGELO
FTLN 0087 ’Tis so with me. Let us withdraw together,
FTLN 0088 And we may soon our satisfaction have
FTLN 0089 Touching that point.
ESCALUS FTLN 0090 90 I’ll wait upon your Honor.
They exit.
Scene 2
Enter Lucio and two other Gentlemen.
LUCIO FTLN 0091 If the Duke, with the other dukes, come not to
FTLN 0092 composition with the King of Hungary, why then all
FTLN 0093 the dukes fall upon the King.
FIRST GENTLEMAN FTLN 0094 Heaven grant us its peace, but not
FTLN 0095 5 the King of Hungary’s!
SECOND GENTLEMAN FTLN 0096 Amen.
LUCIO FTLN 0097 Thou conclud’st like the sanctimonious pirate
FTLN 0098 that went to sea with the ten commandments but
FTLN 0099 scraped one out of the table.
SECOND GENTLEMAN FTLN 0100 10“Thou shalt not steal”?
LUCIO FTLN 0101 Ay, that he razed.
FIRST GENTLEMAN FTLN 0102 Why, ’twas a commandment to command
FTLN 0103 the Captain and all the rest from their functions!
FTLN 0104 They put forth to steal. There’s not a soldier of
FTLN 0105 15 us all that in the thanksgiving before meat do relish
FTLN 0106 the petition well that prays for peace.
SECOND GENTLEMAN FTLN 0107 I never heard any soldier dislike it.
LUCIO FTLN 0108 I believe thee, for I think thou never wast where
FTLN 0109 grace was said.
SECOND GENTLEMAN FTLN 0110 20 No? A dozen times at least.
FIRST GENTLEMAN FTLN 0111 What? In meter?
LUCIO FTLN 0112 In any proportion or in any language.
FIRST GENTLEMAN FTLN 0113 I think, or in any religion.

15
Measure for Measure
ACT 1. SC. 2
LUCIO FTLN 0114 Ay, why not? Grace is grace, despite of all
FTLN 0115 25 controversy; as, for example, thou thyself art a
FTLN 0116 wicked villain, despite of all grace.
FIRST GENTLEMAN FTLN 0117 Well, there went but a pair of shears
FTLN 0118 between us.
LUCIO FTLN 0119 I grant, as there may between the lists and the
FTLN 0120 30 velvet. Thou art the list.
FIRST GENTLEMAN FTLN 0121 And thou the velvet. Thou art good
FTLN 0122 velvet; thou ’rt a three-piled piece, I warrant thee. I
FTLN 0123 had as lief be a list of an English kersey as be piled,
FTLN 0124 as thou art piled, for a French velvet. Do I speak
FTLN 0125 35 feelingly now?
LUCIO FTLN 0126 I think thou dost, and indeed with most painful
FTLN 0127 feeling of thy speech. I will, out of thine own
FTLN 0128 confession, learn to begin thy health, but, whilst I
FTLN 0129 live, forget to drink after thee.
FIRST GENTLEMAN FTLN 0130 40 I think I have done myself wrong,
FTLN 0131 have I not?
SECOND GENTLEMAN FTLN 0132 Yes, that thou hast, whether thou
FTLN 0133 art tainted or free.
Enter Mistress Overdone, a Bawd.
LUCIO FTLN 0134 Behold, behold, where Madam Mitigation
FTLN 0135 45 comes! I have purchased as many diseases under
FTLN 0136 her roof as come to—
SECOND GENTLEMAN FTLN 0137 To what, I pray?
LUCIO FTLN 0138 Judge.
SECOND GENTLEMAN FTLN 0139 To three thousand dolors a year.
FIRST GENTLEMAN FTLN 0140 50 Ay, and more.
LUCIO FTLN 0141 A French crown more.
FIRST GENTLEMAN FTLN 0142 Thou art always figuring diseases in
FTLN 0143 me, but thou art full of error. I am sound.
LUCIO FTLN 0144 Nay, not, as one would say, healthy, but so sound
FTLN 0145 55 as things that are hollow. Thy bones are hollow.
FTLN 0146 Impiety has made a feast of thee.

17
Measure for Measure
ACT 1. SC. 2
FIRST GENTLEMAN , to Bawd FTLN 0147 How now, which of your
FTLN 0148 hips has the most profound sciatica?
BAWD FTLN 0149 Well, well. There’s one yonder arrested and
FTLN 0150 60 carried to prison was worth five thousand of you all.
SECOND GENTLEMAN FTLN 0151 Who’s that, I pray thee?
BAWD FTLN 0152 Marry, sir, that’s Claudio, Signior Claudio.
FIRST GENTLEMAN FTLN 0153 Claudio to prison? ’Tis not so.
BAWD FTLN 0154 Nay, but I know ’tis so. I saw him arrested, saw
FTLN 0155 65 him carried away; and, which is more, within these
FTLN 0156 three days his head to be chopped off.
LUCIO FTLN 0157 But, after all this fooling, I would not have it so!
FTLN 0158 Art thou sure of this?
BAWD FTLN 0159 I am too sure of it. And it is for getting Madam
FTLN 0160 70 Julietta with child.
LUCIO FTLN 0161 Believe me, this may be. He promised to meet
FTLN 0162 me two hours since, and he was ever precise in
FTLN 0163 promise-keeping.
SECOND GENTLEMAN FTLN 0164 Besides, you know, it draws something
FTLN 0165 75 near to the speech we had to such a purpose.
FIRST GENTLEMAN FTLN 0166 But most of all agreeing with the
FTLN 0167 proclamation.
LUCIO FTLN 0168 Away. Let’s go learn the truth of it.
Lucio and Gentlemen exit.
BAWD FTLN 0169 Thus, what with the war, what with the sweat,
FTLN 0170 80 what with the gallows, and what with poverty, I am
FTLN 0171 custom-shrunk.
Enter Pompey.
FTLN 0172 How now? What’s the news with you?
POMPEY FTLN 0173 Yonder man is carried to prison.
BAWD FTLN 0174 Well, what has he done?
POMPEY FTLN 0175 85 A woman.
BAWD FTLN 0176 But what’s his offense?
POMPEY FTLN 0177 Groping for trouts in a peculiar river.
BAWD FTLN 0178 What? Is there a maid with child by him?

19
Measure for Measure
ACT 1. SC. 2
POMPEY FTLN 0179 No, but there’s a woman with maid by him.
FTLN 0180 90 You have not heard of the proclamation, have you?
BAWD FTLN 0181 What proclamation, man?
POMPEY FTLN 0182 All houses in the suburbs of Vienna must be
FTLN 0183 plucked down.
BAWD FTLN 0184 And what shall become of those in the city?
POMPEY FTLN 0185 95 They shall stand for seed. They had gone down
FTLN 0186 too, but that a wise burgher put in for them.
BAWD FTLN 0187 But shall all our houses of resort in the suburbs
FTLN 0188 be pulled down?
POMPEY FTLN 0189 To the ground, mistress.
BAWD FTLN 0190 100 Why, here’s a change indeed in the commonwealth!
FTLN 0191 What shall become of me?
POMPEY FTLN 0192 Come, fear not you. Good counselors lack no
FTLN 0193 clients. Though you change your place, you need
FTLN 0194 not change your trade. I’ll be your tapster still.
FTLN 0195 105 Courage. There will be pity taken on you. You that
FTLN 0196 have worn your eyes almost out in the service, you
FTLN 0197 will be considered.
Enter Provost, Claudio, Juliet, and Officers.
BAWD FTLN 0198 What’s to do here, Thomas Tapster? Let’s
FTLN 0199 withdraw.
POMPEY FTLN 0200 110 Here comes Signior Claudio, led by the Provost
FTLN 0201 to prison. And there’s Madam Juliet.
Bawd and Pompey exit.
CLAUDIO , to Provost
FTLN 0202 Fellow, why dost thou show me thus to th’ world?
FTLN 0203 Bear me to prison, where I am committed.
PROVOST
FTLN 0204 I do it not in evil disposition,
FTLN 0205 115 But from Lord Angelo by special charge.
CLAUDIO
FTLN 0206 Thus can the demigod Authority
FTLN 0207 Make us pay down for our offense, by weight,

21
Measure for Measure
ACT 1. SC. 2
FTLN 0208 The words of heaven: on whom it will, it will;
FTLN 0209 On whom it will not, so; yet still ’tis just.
Enter Lucio and Second Gentleman.
LUCIO
FTLN 0210 120 Why, how now, Claudio? Whence comes this
FTLN 0211 restraint?
CLAUDIO
FTLN 0212 From too much liberty, my Lucio, liberty.
FTLN 0213 As surfeit is the father of much fast,
FTLN 0214 So every scope by the immoderate use
FTLN 0215 125 Turns to restraint. Our natures do pursue,
FTLN 0216 Like rats that raven down their proper bane,
FTLN 0217 A thirsty evil, and when we drink, we die.
LUCIO FTLN 0218 If I could speak so wisely under an arrest, I
FTLN 0219 would send for certain of my creditors. And yet, to
FTLN 0220 130 say the truth, I had as lief have the foppery of
FTLN 0221 freedom as the mortality of imprisonment. What’s
FTLN 0222 thy offense, Claudio?
CLAUDIO
FTLN 0223 What but to speak of would offend again.
LUCIO FTLN 0224 What, is ’t murder?
CLAUDIO FTLN 0225 135 No.
LUCIO FTLN 0226 Lechery?
CLAUDIO FTLN 0227 Call it so.
PROVOST FTLN 0228 Away, sir. You must go.
CLAUDIO
FTLN 0229 One word, good friend.—Lucio, a word with you.
LUCIO FTLN 0230 140 A hundred, if they’ll do you any good. Is lechery
FTLN 0231 so looked after?
CLAUDIO
FTLN 0232 Thus stands it with me: upon a true contract
FTLN 0233 I got possession of Julietta’s bed.
FTLN 0234 You know the lady. She is fast my wife,
FTLN 0235 145 Save that we do the denunciation lack
FTLN 0236 Of outward order. This we came not to

23
Measure for Measure
ACT 1. SC. 2
FTLN 0237 Only for propagation of a dower
FTLN 0238 Remaining in the coffer of her friends,
FTLN 0239 From whom we thought it meet to hide our love
FTLN 0240 150 Till time had made them for us. But it chances
FTLN 0241 The stealth of our most mutual entertainment
FTLN 0242 With character too gross is writ on Juliet.
LUCIO
FTLN 0243 With child, perhaps?
CLAUDIO FTLN 0244 Unhappily, even so.
FTLN 0245 155 And the new deputy now for the Duke—
FTLN 0246 Whether it be the fault and glimpse of newness,
FTLN 0247 Or whether that the body public be
FTLN 0248 A horse whereon the governor doth ride,
FTLN 0249 Who, newly in the seat, that it may know
FTLN 0250 160 He can command, lets it straight feel the spur;
FTLN 0251 Whether the tyranny be in his place
FTLN 0252 Or in his eminence that fills it up,
FTLN 0253 I stagger in—but this new governor
FTLN 0254 Awakes me all the enrollèd penalties
FTLN 0255 165 Which have, like unscoured armor, hung by th’ wall
FTLN 0256 So long that nineteen zodiacs have gone round,
FTLN 0257 And none of them been worn; and for a name
FTLN 0258 Now puts the drowsy and neglected act
FTLN 0259 Freshly on me. ’Tis surely for a name.
LUCIO FTLN 0260 170 I warrant it is. And thy head stands so tickle on
FTLN 0261 thy shoulders that a milkmaid, if she be in love, may
FTLN 0262 sigh it off. Send after the Duke and appeal to him.
CLAUDIO
FTLN 0263 I have done so, but he’s not to be found.
FTLN 0264 I prithee, Lucio, do me this kind service:
FTLN 0265 175 This day my sister should the cloister enter
FTLN 0266 And there receive her approbation.
FTLN 0267 Acquaint her with the danger of my state;
FTLN 0268 Implore her, in my voice, that she make friends
FTLN 0269 To the strict deputy; bid herself assay him.
FTLN 0270 180 I have great hope in that, for in her youth

25
Measure for Measure
ACT 1. SC. 3
FTLN 0271 There is a prone and speechless dialect
FTLN 0272 Such as move men. Besides, she hath prosperous art
FTLN 0273 When she will play with reason and discourse,
FTLN 0274 And well she can persuade.
LUCIO FTLN 0275 185 I pray she may, as well for the encouragement of
FTLN 0276 the like, which else would stand under grievous
FTLN 0277 imposition, as for the enjoying of thy life, who I
FTLN 0278 would be sorry should be thus foolishly lost at a
FTLN 0279 game of tick-tack. I’ll to her.
CLAUDIO FTLN 0280 190 I thank you, good friend Lucio.
LUCIO FTLN 0281 Within two hours.
CLAUDIO FTLN 0282 Come, officer, away.
They exit.
Scene 3
Enter Duke and Friar Thomas.
DUKE
FTLN 0283 No, holy father, throw away that thought.
FTLN 0284 Believe not that the dribbling dart of love
FTLN 0285 Can pierce a complete bosom. Why I desire thee
FTLN 0286 To give me secret harbor hath a purpose
FTLN 0287 5 More grave and wrinkled than the aims and ends
FTLN 0288 Of burning youth.
FRIAR THOMAS FTLN 0289 May your Grace speak of it?
DUKE
FTLN 0290 My holy sir, none better knows than you
FTLN 0291 How I have ever loved the life removed,
FTLN 0292 10 And held in idle price to haunt assemblies
FTLN 0293 Where youth and cost witless bravery keeps.
FTLN 0294 I have delivered to Lord Angelo,
FTLN 0295 A man of stricture and firm abstinence,
FTLN 0296 My absolute power and place here in Vienna,
FTLN 0297 15 And he supposes me traveled to Poland,
FTLN 0298 For so I have strewed it in the common ear,

27
Measure for Measure
ACT 1. SC. 3
FTLN 0299 And so it is received. Now, pious sir,
FTLN 0300 You will demand of me why I do this.
FRIAR THOMAS FTLN 0301 Gladly, my lord.
DUKE
FTLN 0302 20 We have strict statutes and most biting laws,
FTLN 0303 The needful bits and curbs to headstrong weeds,
FTLN 0304 Which for this fourteen years we have let slip,
FTLN 0305 Even like an o’ergrown lion in a cave
FTLN 0306 That goes not out to prey. Now, as fond fathers,
FTLN 0307 25 Having bound up the threat’ning twigs of birch
FTLN 0308 Only to stick it in their children’s sight
FTLN 0309 For terror, not to use—in time the rod
FTLN 0310 More mocked than feared—so our decrees,
FTLN 0311 Dead to infliction, to themselves are dead,
FTLN 0312 30 And liberty plucks justice by the nose,
FTLN 0313 The baby beats the nurse, and quite athwart
FTLN 0314 Goes all decorum.
FRIAR THOMAS FTLN 0315 It rested in your Grace
FTLN 0316 To unloose this tied-up justice when you pleased,
FTLN 0317 35 And it in you more dreadful would have seemed
FTLN 0318 Than in Lord Angelo.
DUKE FTLN 0319 I do fear, too dreadful.
FTLN 0320 Sith ’twas my fault to give the people scope,
FTLN 0321 ’Twould be my tyranny to strike and gall them
FTLN 0322 40 For what I bid them do; for we bid this be done
FTLN 0323 When evil deeds have their permissive pass
FTLN 0324 And not the punishment. Therefore, indeed, my
FTLN 0325 father,
FTLN 0326 I have on Angelo imposed the office,
FTLN 0327 45 Who may in th’ ambush of my name strike home,
FTLN 0328 And yet my nature never in the fight
FTLN 0329 To do in slander. And to behold his sway
FTLN 0330 I will, as ’twere a brother of your order,
FTLN 0331 Visit both prince and people. Therefore I prithee
FTLN 0332 50 Supply me with the habit, and instruct me
FTLN 0333 How I may formally in person bear

29
Measure for Measure
ACT 1. SC. 4
FTLN 0334 Like a true friar. More reasons for this action
FTLN 0335 At our more leisure shall I render you.
FTLN 0336 Only this one: Lord Angelo is precise,
FTLN 0337 55 Stands at a guard with envy, scarce confesses
FTLN 0338 That his blood flows or that his appetite
FTLN 0339 Is more to bread than stone. Hence shall we see,
FTLN 0340 If power change purpose, what our seemers be.
They exit.
Scene 4
Enter Isabella and Francisca, a Nun.
ISABELLA
FTLN 0341 And have you nuns no farther privileges?
NUN FTLN 0342 Are not these large enough?
ISABELLA
FTLN 0343 Yes, truly. I speak not as desiring more,
FTLN 0344 But rather wishing a more strict restraint
FTLN 0345 5 Upon the sisterhood, the votarists of Saint Clare.
LUCIO , within
FTLN 0346 Ho, peace be in this place!
ISABELLA FTLN 0347 Who’s that which calls?
NUN
FTLN 0348 It is a man’s voice. Gentle Isabella,
FTLN 0349 Turn you the key and know his business of him.
FTLN 0350 10 You may; I may not. You are yet unsworn.
FTLN 0351 When you have vowed, you must not speak with men
FTLN 0352 But in the presence of the Prioress.
FTLN 0353 Then, if you speak, you must not show your face;
FTLN 0354 Or if you show your face, you must not speak.
FTLN 0355 15 He calls again. I pray you answer him.
ISABELLA
FTLN 0356 Peace and prosperity! Who is ’t that calls?
Enter Lucio.

31
Measure for Measure
ACT 1. SC. 4
LUCIO
FTLN 0357 Hail, virgin, if you be, as those cheek-roses
FTLN 0358 Proclaim you are no less. Can you so stead me
FTLN 0359 As bring me to the sight of Isabella,
FTLN 0360 20 A novice of this place and the fair sister
FTLN 0361 To her unhappy brother, Claudio?
ISABELLA
FTLN 0362 Why “her unhappy brother”? Let me ask,
FTLN 0363 The rather for I now must make you know
FTLN 0364 I am that Isabella, and his sister.
LUCIO
FTLN 0365 25 Gentle and fair, your brother kindly greets you.
FTLN 0366 Not to be weary with you, he’s in prison.
ISABELLA FTLN 0367 Woe me, for what?
LUCIO
FTLN 0368 For that which, if myself might be his judge,
FTLN 0369 He should receive his punishment in thanks:
FTLN 0370 30 He hath got his friend with child.
ISABELLA
FTLN 0371 Sir, make me not your story.
LUCIO FTLN 0372 ’Tis true.
FTLN 0373 I would not, though ’tis my familiar sin
FTLN 0374 With maids to seem the lapwing and to jest,
FTLN 0375 35 Tongue far from heart, play with all virgins so.
FTLN 0376 I hold you as a thing enskied and sainted,
FTLN 0377 By your renouncement an immortal spirit,
FTLN 0378 And to be talked with in sincerity
FTLN 0379 As with a saint.
ISABELLA
FTLN 0380 40 You do blaspheme the good in mocking me.
LUCIO
FTLN 0381 Do not believe it. Fewness and truth, ’tis thus:
FTLN 0382 Your brother and his lover have embraced;
FTLN 0383 As those that feed grow full, as blossoming time
FTLN 0384 That from the seedness the bare fallow brings

33
Measure for Measure
ACT 1. SC. 4
FTLN 0385 45 To teeming foison, even so her plenteous womb
FTLN 0386 Expresseth his full tilth and husbandry.
ISABELLA
FTLN 0387 Someone with child by him? My cousin Juliet?
LUCIO FTLN 0388 Is she your cousin?
ISABELLA
FTLN 0389 Adoptedly, as schoolmaids change their names
FTLN 0390 50 By vain though apt affection.
LUCIO FTLN 0391 She it is.
ISABELLA
FTLN 0392 O, let him marry her!
LUCIO FTLN 0393 This is the point.
FTLN 0394 The Duke is very strangely gone from hence;
FTLN 0395 55 Bore many gentlemen, myself being one,
FTLN 0396 In hand, and hope of action; but we do learn,
FTLN 0397 By those that know the very nerves of state,
FTLN 0398 His givings-out were of an infinite distance
FTLN 0399 From his true-meant design. Upon his place,
FTLN 0400 60 And with full line of his authority,
FTLN 0401 Governs Lord Angelo, a man whose blood
FTLN 0402 Is very snow-broth; one who never feels
FTLN 0403 The wanton stings and motions of the sense,
FTLN 0404 But doth rebate and blunt his natural edge
FTLN 0405 65 With profits of the mind: study and fast.
FTLN 0406 He—to give fear to use and liberty,
FTLN 0407 Which have for long run by the hideous law
FTLN 0408 As mice by lions—hath picked out an act
FTLN 0409 Under whose heavy sense your brother’s life
FTLN 0410 70 Falls into forfeit. He arrests him on it,
FTLN 0411 And follows close the rigor of the statute
FTLN 0412 To make him an example. All hope is gone
FTLN 0413 Unless you have the grace by your fair prayer
FTLN 0414 To soften Angelo. And that’s my pith of business
FTLN 0415 75 ’Twixt you and your poor brother.
ISABELLA FTLN 0416 Doth he so
FTLN 0417 Seek his life?

35
Measure for Measure
ACT 1. SC. 4
LUCIO FTLN 0418 Has censured him already,
FTLN 0419 And, as I hear, the Provost hath a warrant
FTLN 0420 80 For ’s execution.
ISABELLA
FTLN 0421 Alas, what poor ability’s in me
FTLN 0422 To do him good?
LUCIO FTLN 0423 Assay the power you have.
ISABELLA
FTLN 0424 My power? Alas, I doubt—
LUCIO FTLN 0425 85 Our doubts are traitors
FTLN 0426 And makes us lose the good we oft might win
FTLN 0427 By fearing to attempt. Go to Lord Angelo
FTLN 0428 And let him learn to know, when maidens sue
FTLN 0429 Men give like gods; but when they weep and kneel,
FTLN 0430 90 All their petitions are as freely theirs
FTLN 0431 As they themselves would owe them.
ISABELLA FTLN 0432 I’ll see what I can do.
LUCIO FTLN 0433 But speedily!
ISABELLA FTLN 0434 I will about it straight,
FTLN 0435 95 No longer staying but to give the Mother
FTLN 0436 Notice of my affair. I humbly thank you.
FTLN 0437 Commend me to my brother. Soon at night
FTLN 0438 I’ll send him certain word of my success.
LUCIO
FTLN 0439 I take my leave of you.
ISABELLA FTLN 0440 100 Good sir, adieu.
They exit.

ACT 2
Scene 1
Enter Angelo, Escalus, Servants, and a Justice.
ANGELO
FTLN 0441 We must not make a scarecrow of the law,
FTLN 0442 Setting it up to fear the birds of prey,
FTLN 0443 And let it keep one shape till custom make it
FTLN 0444 Their perch and not their terror.
ESCALUS FTLN 0445 5 Ay, but yet
FTLN 0446 Let us be keen and rather cut a little
FTLN 0447 Than fall and bruise to death. Alas, this gentleman
FTLN 0448 Whom I would save had a most noble father.
FTLN 0449 Let but your Honor know,
FTLN 0450 10 Whom I believe to be most strait in virtue,
FTLN 0451 That, in the working of your own affections,
FTLN 0452 Had time cohered with place, or place with wishing,
FTLN 0453 Or that the resolute acting of your blood
FTLN 0454 Could have attained th’ effect of your own purpose,
FTLN 0455 15 Whether you had not sometime in your life
FTLN 0456 Erred in this point which now you censure him,
FTLN 0457 And pulled the law upon you.
ANGELO
FTLN 0458 ’Tis one thing to be tempted, Escalus,
FTLN 0459 Another thing to fall. I not deny
FTLN 0460 20 The jury passing on the prisoner’s life
FTLN 0461 May in the sworn twelve have a thief or two
FTLN 0462 Guiltier than him they try. What’s open made to
FTLN 0463 justice,
39

41
Measure for Measure
ACT 2. SC. 1
FTLN 0464 That justice seizes. What knows the laws
FTLN 0465 25 That thieves do pass on thieves? ’Tis very pregnant,
FTLN 0466 The jewel that we find, we stoop and take ’t
FTLN 0467 Because we see it; but what we do not see,
FTLN 0468 We tread upon and never think of it.
FTLN 0469 You may not so extenuate his offense
FTLN 0470 30 For I have had such faults; but rather tell me,
FTLN 0471 When I that censure him do so offend,
FTLN 0472 Let mine own judgment pattern out my death,
FTLN 0473 And nothing come in partial. Sir, he must die.
Enter Provost.
ESCALUS
FTLN 0474 Be it as your wisdom will.
ANGELO FTLN 0475 35 Where is the Provost?
PROVOST
FTLN 0476 Here, if it like your Honor.
ANGELO FTLN 0477 See that Claudio
FTLN 0478 Be executed by nine tomorrow morning.
FTLN 0479 Bring him his confessor, let him be prepared,
FTLN 0480 40 For that’s the utmost of his pilgrimage.
Provost exits.
ESCALUS
FTLN 0481 Well, heaven forgive him and forgive us all.
FTLN 0482 Some rise by sin and some by virtue fall.
FTLN 0483 Some run from brakes of ice and answer none,
FTLN 0484 And some condemnèd for a fault alone.
Enter Elbow and Officers, with Froth
and Pompey.
ELBOW , to Officers FTLN 0485 45 Come, bring them away. If these
FTLN 0486 be good people in a commonweal that do nothing
FTLN 0487 but use their abuses in common houses, I know no
FTLN 0488 law. Bring them away.
ANGELO FTLN 0489 How now, sir, what’s your name? And what’s
FTLN 0490 50 the matter?

43
Measure for Measure
ACT 2. SC. 1
ELBOW FTLN 0491 If it please your Honor, I am the poor duke’s
FTLN 0492 constable, and my name is Elbow. I do lean upon
FTLN 0493 justice, sir, and do bring in here before your good
FTLN 0494 Honor two notorious benefactors.
ANGELO FTLN 0495 55 Benefactors? Well, what benefactors are they?
FTLN 0496 Are they not malefactors?
ELBOW FTLN 0497 If it please your Honor, I know not well what
FTLN 0498 they are, but precise villains they are, that I am sure
FTLN 0499 of, and void of all profanation in the world that
FTLN 0500 60 good Christians ought to have.
ESCALUS , to Angelo FTLN 0501 This comes off well. Here’s a wise
FTLN 0502 officer.
ANGELO , to Elbow FTLN 0503 Go to. What quality are they of?
FTLN 0504 Elbow is your name? Why dost thou not speak,
FTLN 0505 65 Elbow?
POMPEY FTLN 0506 He cannot, sir. He’s out at elbow.
ANGELO FTLN 0507 What are you, sir?
ELBOW FTLN 0508 He, sir? A tapster, sir, parcel bawd; one that
FTLN 0509 serves a bad woman, whose house, sir, was, as they
FTLN 0510 70 say, plucked down in the suburbs, and now she
FTLN 0511 professes a hothouse, which I think is a very ill
FTLN 0512 house too.
ESCALUS FTLN 0513 How know you that?
ELBOW FTLN 0514 My wife, sir, whom I detest before heaven and
FTLN 0515 75 your Honor—
ESCALUS FTLN 0516 How? Thy wife?
ELBOW FTLN 0517 Ay, sir, whom I thank heaven is an honest
FTLN 0518 woman—
ESCALUS FTLN 0519 Dost thou detest her therefore?
ELBOW FTLN 0520 80 I say, sir, I will detest myself also, as well as she,
FTLN 0521 that this house, if it be not a bawd’s house, it is pity
FTLN 0522 of her life, for it is a naughty house.
ESCALUS FTLN 0523 How dost thou know that, constable?
ELBOW FTLN 0524 Marry, sir, by my wife, who, if she had been a
FTLN 0525 85 woman cardinally given, might have been accused

45
Measure for Measure
ACT 2. SC. 1
FTLN 0526 in fornication, adultery, and all uncleanliness
FTLN 0527 there.
ESCALUS FTLN 0528 By the woman’s means?
ELBOW FTLN 0529 Ay, sir, by Mistress Overdone’s means; but as
FTLN 0530 90 she spit in his face, so she defied him.
POMPEY , to Escalus FTLN 0531 Sir, if it please your Honor, this is
FTLN 0532 not so.
ELBOW FTLN 0533 Prove it before these varlets here, thou honorable
FTLN 0534 man, prove it.
ESCALUS , to Angelo FTLN 0535 95 Do you hear how he misplaces?
POMPEY FTLN 0536 Sir, she came in great with child, and longing,
FTLN 0537 saving your Honor’s reverence, for stewed prunes.
FTLN 0538 Sir, we had but two in the house, which at that very
FTLN 0539 distant time stood, as it were, in a fruit dish, a dish
FTLN 0540 100 of some threepence; your Honors have seen such
FTLN 0541 dishes; they are not china dishes, but very good
FTLN 0542 dishes—
ESCALUS FTLN 0543 Go to, go to. No matter for the dish, sir.
POMPEY FTLN 0544 No, indeed, sir, not of a pin; you are therein in
FTLN 0545 105 the right. But to the point: as I say, this Mistress
FTLN 0546 Elbow, being, as I say, with child, and being great-bellied,
FTLN 0547 and longing, as I said, for prunes; and
FTLN 0548 having but two in the dish, as I said, Master Froth
FTLN 0549 here, this very man, having eaten the rest, as I said,
FTLN 0550 110 and, as I say, paying for them very honestly—for, as
FTLN 0551 you know, Master Froth, I could not give you threepence
FTLN 0552 again—
FROTH FTLN 0553 No, indeed.
POMPEY FTLN 0554 Very well. You being then, if you be remembered,
FTLN 0555 115 cracking the stones of the foresaid prunes—
FROTH FTLN 0556 Ay, so I did indeed.
POMPEY FTLN 0557 Why, very well. I telling you then, if you be
FTLN 0558 remembered, that such a one and such a one were
FTLN 0559 past cure of the thing you wot of, unless they kept
FTLN 0560 120 very good diet, as I told you—
FROTH FTLN 0561 All this is true.

47
Measure for Measure
ACT 2. SC. 1
POMPEY FTLN 0562 Why, very well then—
ESCALUS FTLN 0563 Come, you are a tedious fool. To the purpose:
FTLN 0564 what was done to Elbow’s wife that he hath cause to
FTLN 0565 125 complain of? Come me to what was done to her.
POMPEY FTLN 0566 Sir, your Honor cannot come to that yet.
ESCALUS FTLN 0567 No, sir, nor I mean it not.
POMPEY FTLN 0568 Sir, but you shall come to it, by your Honor’s
FTLN 0569 leave. And I beseech you, look into Master Froth
FTLN 0570 130 here, sir, a man of fourscore pound a year, whose
FTLN 0571 father died at Hallowmas—was ’t not at Hallowmas,
FTLN 0572 Master Froth?
FROTH FTLN 0573 All-hallond Eve.
POMPEY FTLN 0574 Why, very well. I hope here be truths.—He,
FTLN 0575 135 sir, sitting, as I say, in a lower chair, sir— To Froth.
FTLN 0576 ’Twas in the Bunch of Grapes, where indeed you
FTLN 0577 have a delight to sit, have you not?
FROTH FTLN 0578 I have so, because it is an open room, and good
FTLN 0579 for winter.
POMPEY FTLN 0580 140 Why, very well then. I hope here be truths.
ANGELO , to Escalus
FTLN 0581 This will last out a night in Russia
FTLN 0582 When nights are longest there. I’ll take my leave,
FTLN 0583 And leave you to the hearing of the cause,
FTLN 0584 Hoping you’ll find good cause to whip them all.
ESCALUS
FTLN 0585 145 I think no less. Good morrow to your Lordship
Angelo exits.
FTLN 0586 Now, sir, come on. What was done to Elbow’s wife,
FTLN 0587 once more?
POMPEY FTLN 0588 Once, sir? There was nothing done to her
FTLN 0589 once.
ELBOW , to Escalus FTLN 0590 150 I beseech you, sir, ask him what
FTLN 0591 this man did to my wife.
POMPEY , to Escalus FTLN 0592 I beseech your Honor, ask me.
ESCALUS FTLN 0593 Well, sir, what did this gentleman to her?
POMPEY FTLN 0594 I beseech you, sir, look in this gentleman’s

49
Measure for Measure
ACT 2. SC. 1
FTLN 0595 155 face.—Good Master Froth, look upon his Honor.
FTLN 0596 ’Tis for a good purpose.—Doth your Honor mark
FTLN 0597 his face?
ESCALUS FTLN 0598 Ay, sir, very well.
POMPEY FTLN 0599 Nay, I beseech you, mark it well.
ESCALUS FTLN 0600 160 Well, I do so.
POMPEY FTLN 0601 Doth your Honor see any harm in his face?
ESCALUS FTLN 0602 Why, no.
POMPEY FTLN 0603 I’ll be supposed upon a book, his face is the
FTLN 0604 worst thing about him. Good, then, if his face be the
FTLN 0605 165 worst thing about him, how could Master Froth do
FTLN 0606 the Constable’s wife any harm? I would know that
FTLN 0607 of your Honor.
ESCALUS FTLN 0608 He’s in the right, constable. What say you to
FTLN 0609 it?
ELBOW FTLN 0610 170 First, an it like you, the house is a respected
FTLN 0611 house; next, this is a respected fellow, and his
FTLN 0612 mistress is a respected woman.
POMPEY FTLN 0613 By this hand, sir, his wife is a more respected
FTLN 0614 person than any of us all.
ELBOW FTLN 0615 175 Varlet, thou liest; thou liest, wicked varlet! The
FTLN 0616 time is yet to come that she was ever respected with
FTLN 0617 man, woman, or child.
POMPEY FTLN 0618 Sir, she was respected with him before he
FTLN 0619 married with her.
ESCALUS FTLN 0620 180 Which is the wiser here, Justice or Iniquity?
FTLN 0621 Is this true?
ELBOW , to Pompey FTLN 0622 O thou caitiff! O thou varlet! O
FTLN 0623 thou wicked Hannibal! I respected with her before I
FTLN 0624 was married to her?—If ever I was respected with
FTLN 0625 185 her, or she with me, let not your Worship think me
FTLN 0626 the poor duke’s officer.—Prove this, thou wicked
FTLN 0627 Hannibal, or I’ll have mine action of batt’ry on thee.
ESCALUS FTLN 0628 If he took you a box o’ th’ ear, you might have
FTLN 0629 your action of slander too.
ELBOW FTLN 0630 190 Marry, I thank your good Worship for it. What

51
Measure for Measure
ACT 2. SC. 1
FTLN 0631 is ’t your Worship’s pleasure I shall do with this
FTLN 0632 wicked caitiff?
ESCALUS FTLN 0633 Truly, officer, because he hath some offenses
FTLN 0634 in him that thou wouldst discover if thou couldst,
FTLN 0635 195 let him continue in his courses till thou know’st
FTLN 0636 what they are.
ELBOW FTLN 0637 Marry, I thank your Worship for it. To Pompey.
FTLN 0638 Thou seest, thou wicked varlet, now, what’s
FTLN 0639 come upon thee. Thou art to continue now, thou
FTLN 0640 200 varlet, thou art to continue.
ESCALUS , to Froth FTLN 0641 Where were you born, friend?
FROTH FTLN 0642 Here in Vienna, sir.
ESCALUS FTLN 0643 Are you of fourscore pounds a year?
FROTH FTLN 0644 Yes, an ’t please you, sir.
ESCALUS FTLN 0645 205 So. To Pompey. What trade are you of, sir?
POMPEY FTLN 0646 A tapster, a poor widow’s tapster.
ESCALUS FTLN 0647 Your mistress’ name?
POMPEY FTLN 0648 Mistress Overdone.
ESCALUS FTLN 0649 Hath she had any more than one husband?
POMPEY FTLN 0650 210 Nine, sir. Overdone by the last.
ESCALUS FTLN 0651 Nine?—Come hither to me, Master Froth.
FTLN 0652 Master Froth, I would not have you acquainted with
FTLN 0653 tapsters; they will draw you, Master Froth, and you
FTLN 0654 will hang them. Get you gone, and let me hear no
FTLN 0655 215 more of you.
FROTH FTLN 0656 I thank your Worship. For mine own part, I
FTLN 0657 never come into any room in a taphouse but I am
FTLN 0658 drawn in.
ESCALUS FTLN 0659 Well, no more of it, Master Froth. Farewell.
Froth exits.
FTLN 0660 220 Come you hither to me, Master Tapster. What’s your
FTLN 0661 name, Master Tapster?
POMPEY FTLN 0662 Pompey.
ESCALUS FTLN 0663 What else?
POMPEY FTLN 0664 Bum, sir.

53
Measure for Measure
ACT 2. SC. 1
ESCALUS FTLN 0665 225 Troth, and your bum is the greatest thing
FTLN 0666 about you, so that in the beastliest sense you are
FTLN 0667 Pompey the Great. Pompey, you are partly a bawd,
FTLN 0668 Pompey, howsoever you color it in being a tapster,
FTLN 0669 are you not? Come, tell me true. It shall be the
FTLN 0670 230 better for you.
POMPEY FTLN 0671 Truly, sir, I am a poor fellow that would live.
ESCALUS FTLN 0672 How would you live, Pompey? By being a
FTLN 0673 bawd? What do you think of the trade, Pompey? Is it
FTLN 0674 a lawful trade?
POMPEY FTLN 0675 235 If the law would allow it, sir.
ESCALUS FTLN 0676 But the law will not allow it, Pompey, nor it
FTLN 0677 shall not be allowed in Vienna.
POMPEY FTLN 0678 Does your Worship mean to geld and splay all
FTLN 0679 the youth of the city?
ESCALUS FTLN 0680 240 No, Pompey.
POMPEY FTLN 0681 Truly, sir, in my poor opinion, they will to ’t
FTLN 0682 then. If your Worship will take order for the drabs
FTLN 0683 and the knaves, you need not to fear the bawds.
ESCALUS FTLN 0684 There is pretty orders beginning, I can tell
FTLN 0685 245 you. It is but heading and hanging.
POMPEY FTLN 0686 If you head and hang all that offend that way
FTLN 0687 but for ten year together, you’ll be glad to give out a
FTLN 0688 commission for more heads. If this law hold in
FTLN 0689 Vienna ten year, I’ll rent the fairest house in it after
FTLN 0690 250 threepence a bay. If you live to see this come to
FTLN 0691 pass, say Pompey told you so.
ESCALUS FTLN 0692 Thank you, good Pompey. And in requital of
FTLN 0693 your prophecy, hark you: I advise you let me not
FTLN 0694 find you before me again upon any complaint
FTLN 0695 255 whatsoever; no, not for dwelling where you do. If I
FTLN 0696 do, Pompey, I shall beat you to your tent and prove
FTLN 0697 a shrewd Caesar to you. In plain dealing, Pompey, I
FTLN 0698 shall have you whipped. So, for this time, Pompey,
FTLN 0699 fare you well.
POMPEY FTLN 0700 260 I thank your Worship for your good counsel.

55
Measure for Measure
ACT 2. SC. 1
FTLN 0701 Aside. But I shall follow it as the flesh and fortune
FTLN 0702 shall better determine.
FTLN 0703 Whip me? No, no, let carman whip his jade.
FTLN 0704 The valiant heart’s not whipped out of his trade.
He exits.
ESCALUS FTLN 0705 265 Come hither to me, Master Elbow. Come
FTLN 0706 hither, Master Constable. How long have you been
FTLN 0707 in this place of constable?
ELBOW FTLN 0708 Seven year and a half, sir.
ESCALUS FTLN 0709 I thought, by the readiness in the office, you
FTLN 0710 270 had continued in it some time. You say seven years
FTLN 0711 together?
ELBOW FTLN 0712 And a half, sir.
ESCALUS FTLN 0713 Alas, it hath been great pains to you. They do
FTLN 0714 you wrong to put you so oft upon ’t. Are there not
FTLN 0715 275 men in your ward sufficient to serve it?
ELBOW FTLN 0716 Faith, sir, few of any wit in such matters. As
FTLN 0717 they are chosen, they are glad to choose me for
FTLN 0718 them. I do it for some piece of money and go
FTLN 0719 through with all.
ESCALUS FTLN 0720 280 Look you bring me in the names of some six
FTLN 0721 or seven, the most sufficient of your parish.
ELBOW FTLN 0722 To your Worship’s house, sir?
ESCALUS FTLN 0723 To my house. Fare you well.
Elbow and Officers exit.
FTLN 0724 To Justice. What’s o’clock, think you?
JUSTICE FTLN 0725 285 Eleven, sir.
ESCALUS FTLN 0726 I pray you home to dinner with me.
JUSTICE FTLN 0727 I humbly thank you.
ESCALUS
FTLN 0728 It grieves me for the death of Claudio,
FTLN 0729 But there’s no remedy.
JUSTICE
FTLN 0730 290 Lord Angelo is severe.
ESCALUS FTLN 0731 It is but needful.
FTLN 0732 Mercy is not itself that oft looks so.

57
Measure for Measure
ACT 2. SC. 2
FTLN 0733 Pardon is still the nurse of second woe.
FTLN 0734 But yet, poor Claudio. There is no remedy.
FTLN 0735 295 Come, sir.
They exit.
Scene 2
Enter Provost and a Servant.
SERVANT
FTLN 0736 He’s hearing of a cause. He will come straight.
FTLN 0737 I’ll tell him of you.
PROVOST FTLN 0738 Pray you do.
Servant exits.
FTLN 0739 I’ll know
FTLN 0740 5 His pleasure. Maybe he will relent. Alas,
FTLN 0741 He hath but as offended in a dream.
FTLN 0742 All sects, all ages smack of this vice, and he
FTLN 0743 To die for ’t?
Enter Angelo.
ANGELO FTLN 0744 Now, what’s the matter, provost?
PROVOST
FTLN 0745 10 Is it your will Claudio shall die tomorrow?
ANGELO
FTLN 0746 Did not I tell thee yea? Hadst thou not order?
FTLN 0747 Why dost thou ask again?
PROVOST FTLN 0748 Lest I might be too rash.
FTLN 0749 Under your good correction, I have seen
FTLN 0750 15 When, after execution, judgment hath
FTLN 0751 Repented o’er his doom.
ANGELO FTLN 0752 Go to. Let that be mine.
FTLN 0753 Do you your office, or give up your place
FTLN 0754 And you shall well be spared.
PROVOST FTLN 0755 20 I crave your Honor’s pardon.

59
Measure for Measure
ACT 2. SC. 2
FTLN 0756 What shall be done, sir, with the groaning Juliet?
FTLN 0757 She’s very near her hour.
ANGELO FTLN 0758 Dispose of her
FTLN 0759 To some more fitter place, and that with speed.
Enter Servant.
SERVANT
FTLN 0760 25 Here is the sister of the man condemned
FTLN 0761 Desires access to you.
ANGELO FTLN 0762 Hath he a sister?
PROVOST
FTLN 0763 Ay, my good lord, a very virtuous maid,
FTLN 0764 And to be shortly of a sisterhood,
FTLN 0765 30 If not already.
ANGELO , to Servant FTLN 0766 Well, let her be admitted.
Servant exits.
FTLN 0767 See you the fornicatress be removed.
FTLN 0768 Let her have needful but not lavish means.
FTLN 0769 There shall be order for ’t.
Enter Lucio and Isabella.
PROVOST , beginning to exit FTLN 0770 35 Save your Honor.
ANGELO
FTLN 0771 Stay a little while. To Isabella. You’re welcome.
FTLN 0772 What’s your will?
ISABELLA
FTLN 0773 I am a woeful suitor to your Honor,
FTLN 0774 Please but your Honor hear me.
ANGELO FTLN 0775 40 Well, what’s your
FTLN 0776 suit?
ISABELLA
FTLN 0777 There is a vice that most I do abhor,
FTLN 0778 And most desire should meet the blow of justice,
FTLN 0779 For which I would not plead, but that I must;

61
Measure for Measure
ACT 2. SC. 2
FTLN 0780 45 For which I must not plead, but that I am
FTLN 0781 At war ’twixt will and will not.
ANGELO FTLN 0782 Well, the matter?
ISABELLA
FTLN 0783 I have a brother is condemned to die.
FTLN 0784 I do beseech you let it be his fault
FTLN 0785 50 And not my brother.
PROVOST , aside FTLN 0786 Heaven give thee moving
FTLN 0787 graces.
ANGELO
FTLN 0788 Condemn the fault, and not the actor of it?
FTLN 0789 Why, every fault’s condemned ere it be done.
FTLN 0790 55 Mine were the very cipher of a function
FTLN 0791 To fine the faults whose fine stands in record
FTLN 0792 And let go by the actor.
ISABELLA FTLN 0793 O just but severe law!
FTLN 0794 I had a brother, then. Heaven keep your Honor.
LUCIO , aside to Isabella
FTLN 0795 60 Give ’t not o’er so. To him again, entreat him,
FTLN 0796 Kneel down before him, hang upon his gown.
FTLN 0797 You are too cold. If you should need a pin,
FTLN 0798 You could not with more tame a tongue desire it.
FTLN 0799 To him, I say.
ISABELLA , to Angelo
FTLN 0800 65 Must he needs die?
ANGELO FTLN 0801 Maiden, no remedy.
ISABELLA
FTLN 0802 Yes, I do think that you might pardon him,
FTLN 0803 And neither heaven nor man grieve at the mercy.
ANGELO
FTLN 0804 I will not do ’t.
ISABELLA FTLN 0805 70 But can you if you would?
ANGELO
FTLN 0806 Look what I will not, that I cannot do.
ISABELLA
FTLN 0807 But might you do ’t and do the world no wrong

63
Measure for Measure
ACT 2. SC. 2
FTLN 0808 If so your heart were touched with that remorse
FTLN 0809 As mine is to him?
ANGELO FTLN 0810 75 He’s sentenced. ’Tis too late.
LUCIO , aside to Isabella FTLN 0811 You are too cold.
ISABELLA
FTLN 0812 Too late? Why, no. I that do speak a word
FTLN 0813 May call it back again. Well believe this:
FTLN 0814 No ceremony that to great ones longs,
FTLN 0815 80 Not the king’s crown, nor the deputed sword,
FTLN 0816 The marshal’s truncheon, nor the judge’s robe
FTLN 0817 Become them with one half so good a grace
FTLN 0818 As mercy does.
FTLN 0819 If he had been as you, and you as he,
FTLN 0820 85 You would have slipped like him, but he like you
FTLN 0821 Would not have been so stern.
ANGELO FTLN 0822 Pray you begone.
ISABELLA
FTLN 0823 I would to heaven I had your potency,
FTLN 0824 And you were Isabel. Should it then be thus?
FTLN 0825 90 No. I would tell what ’twere to be a judge
FTLN 0826 And what a prisoner.
LUCIO , aside to Isabella FTLN 0827 Ay, touch him; there’s the
FTLN 0828 vein.
ANGELO
FTLN 0829 Your brother is a forfeit of the law,
FTLN 0830 95 And you but waste your words.
ISABELLA FTLN 0831 Alas, alas!
FTLN 0832 Why all the souls that were were forfeit once,
FTLN 0833 And He that might the vantage best have took
FTLN 0834 Found out the remedy. How would you be
FTLN 0835 100 If He which is the top of judgment should
FTLN 0836 But judge you as you are? O, think on that,
FTLN 0837 And mercy then will breathe within your lips
FTLN 0838 Like man new-made.
ANGELO FTLN 0839 Be you content, fair maid.
FTLN 0840 105 It is the law, not I, condemn your brother.

65
Measure for Measure
ACT 2. SC. 2
FTLN 0841 Were he my kinsman, brother, or my son,
FTLN 0842 It should be thus with him. He must die tomorrow.
ISABELLA
FTLN 0843 Tomorrow? O, that’s sudden! Spare him, spare him.
FTLN 0844 He’s not prepared for death. Even for our kitchens
FTLN 0845 110 We kill the fowl of season. Shall we serve heaven
FTLN 0846 With less respect than we do minister
FTLN 0847 To our gross selves? Good, good my lord, bethink
FTLN 0848 you.
FTLN 0849 Who is it that hath died for this offense?
FTLN 0850 115 There’s many have committed it.
LUCIO , aside to Isabella FTLN 0851 Ay, well said.
ANGELO
FTLN 0852 The law hath not been dead, though it hath slept.
FTLN 0853 Those many had not dared to do that evil
FTLN 0854 If the first that did th’ edict infringe
FTLN 0855 120 Had answered for his deed. Now ’tis awake,
FTLN 0856 Takes note of what is done, and, like a prophet,
FTLN 0857 Looks in a glass that shows what future evils—
FTLN 0858 Either now, or by remissness new-conceived,
FTLN 0859 And so in progress to be hatched and born—
FTLN 0860 125 Are now to have no successive degrees
FTLN 0861 But, ere they live, to end.
ISABELLA FTLN 0862 Yet show some pity.
ANGELO
FTLN 0863 I show it most of all when I show justice,
FTLN 0864 For then I pity those I do not know,
FTLN 0865 130 Which a dismissed offense would after gall,
FTLN 0866 And do him right that, answering one foul wrong,
FTLN 0867 Lives not to act another. Be satisfied;
FTLN 0868 Your brother dies tomorrow; be content.
ISABELLA
FTLN 0869 So you must be the first that gives this sentence,
FTLN 0870 135 And he that suffers. O, it is excellent
FTLN 0871 To have a giant’s strength, but it is tyrannous
FTLN 0872 To use it like a giant.

67
Measure for Measure
ACT 2. SC. 2
LUCIO , aside to Isabella FTLN 0873 That’s well said.
ISABELLA FTLN 0874 Could great men thunder
FTLN 0875 140 As Jove himself does, Jove would never be quiet,
FTLN 0876 For every pelting, petty officer
FTLN 0877 Would use his heaven for thunder,
FTLN 0878 Nothing but thunder. Merciful heaven,
FTLN 0879 Thou rather with thy sharp and sulphurous bolt
FTLN 0880 145 Splits the unwedgeable and gnarlèd oak,
FTLN 0881 Than the soft myrtle. But man, proud man,
FTLN 0882 Dressed in a little brief authority,
FTLN 0883 Most ignorant of what he’s most assured,
FTLN 0884 His glassy essence, like an angry ape
FTLN 0885 150 Plays such fantastic tricks before high heaven
FTLN 0886 As makes the angels weep, who with our spleens
FTLN 0887 Would all themselves laugh mortal.
LUCIO , aside to Isabella
FTLN 0888 O, to him, to him, wench. He will relent.
FTLN 0889 He’s coming. I perceive ’t.
PROVOST , aside FTLN 0890 155 Pray heaven she win him.
ISABELLA
FTLN 0891 We cannot weigh our brother with ourself.
FTLN 0892 Great men may jest with saints; ’tis wit in them,
FTLN 0893 But in the less, foul profanation.
LUCIO , aside to Isabella
FTLN 0894 Thou ’rt i’ th’ right, girl. More o’ that.
ISABELLA
FTLN 0895 160 That in the captain’s but a choleric word
FTLN 0896 Which in the soldier is flat blasphemy.
LUCIO , aside to Isabella
FTLN 0897 Art avised o’ that? More on ’t.
ANGELO
FTLN 0898 Why do you put these sayings upon me?
ISABELLA
FTLN 0899 Because authority, though it err like others,
FTLN 0900 165 Hath yet a kind of medicine in itself

69
Measure for Measure
ACT 2. SC. 2
FTLN 0901 That skins the vice o’ th’ top. Go to your bosom,
FTLN 0902 Knock there, and ask your heart what it doth know
FTLN 0903 That’s like my brother’s fault. If it confess
FTLN 0904 A natural guiltiness such as is his,
FTLN 0905 170 Let it not sound a thought upon your tongue
FTLN 0906 Against my brother’s life.
ANGELO , aside FTLN 0907 She speaks, and ’tis such sense
FTLN 0908 That my sense breeds with it. He begins to exit.
FTLN 0909 Fare you well.
ISABELLA FTLN 0910 175 Gentle my lord, turn back.
ANGELO
FTLN 0911 I will bethink me. Come again tomorrow.
ISABELLA
FTLN 0912 Hark how I’ll bribe you. Good my lord, turn back.
ANGELO FTLN 0913 How? Bribe me?
ISABELLA
FTLN 0914 Ay, with such gifts that heaven shall share with you.
LUCIO , aside to Isabella FTLN 0915 180 You had marred all else.
ISABELLA
FTLN 0916 Not with fond sicles of the tested gold,
FTLN 0917 Or stones whose rate are either rich or poor
FTLN 0918 As fancy values them, but with true prayers
FTLN 0919 That shall be up at heaven and enter there
FTLN 0920 185 Ere sunrise, prayers from preservèd souls,
FTLN 0921 From fasting maids whose minds are dedicate
FTLN 0922 To nothing temporal.
ANGELO FTLN 0923 Well, come to me tomorrow.
LUCIO , aside to Isabella FTLN 0924 Go to, ’tis well; away.
ISABELLA
FTLN 0925 190 Heaven keep your Honor safe.
ANGELO , aside FTLN 0926 Amen.
FTLN 0927 For I am that way going to temptation
FTLN 0928 Where prayers cross.
ISABELLA FTLN 0929 At what hour tomorrow
FTLN 0930 195 Shall I attend your Lordship?
ANGELO FTLN 0931 At any time ’fore noon.

71
Measure for Measure
ACT 2. SC. 2
ISABELLA FTLN 0932 Save your Honor.
She exits, with Lucio and Provost.
ANGELO FTLN 0933 From thee, even from thy virtue.
FTLN 0934 What’s this? What’s this? Is this her fault or mine?
FTLN 0935 200 The tempter or the tempted, who sins most, ha?
FTLN 0936 Not she, nor doth she tempt; but it is I
FTLN 0937 That, lying by the violet in the sun,
FTLN 0938 Do as the carrion does, not as the flower,
FTLN 0939 Corrupt with virtuous season. Can it be
FTLN 0940 205 That modesty may more betray our sense
FTLN 0941 Than woman’s lightness? Having waste ground
FTLN 0942 enough,
FTLN 0943 Shall we desire to raze the sanctuary
FTLN 0944 And pitch our evils there? O fie, fie, fie!
FTLN 0945 210 What dost thou, or what art thou, Angelo?
FTLN 0946 Dost thou desire her foully for those things
FTLN 0947 That make her good? O, let her brother live.
FTLN 0948 Thieves for their robbery have authority
FTLN 0949 When judges steal themselves. What, do I love her
FTLN 0950 215 That I desire to hear her speak again
FTLN 0951 And feast upon her eyes? What is ’t I dream on?
FTLN 0952 O cunning enemy that, to catch a saint,
FTLN 0953 With saints dost bait thy hook. Most dangerous
FTLN 0954 Is that temptation that doth goad us on
FTLN 0955 220 To sin in loving virtue. Never could the strumpet
FTLN 0956 With all her double vigor, art and nature,
FTLN 0957 Once stir my temper, but this virtuous maid
FTLN 0958 Subdues me quite. Ever till now
FTLN 0959 When men were fond, I smiled and wondered how.
He exits.

73
Measure for Measure
ACT 2. SC. 3
Scene 3
Enter Duke, disguised as a Friar, and Provost.
DUKE , as Friar
FTLN 0960 Hail to you, provost, so I think you are.
PROVOST
FTLN 0961 I am the Provost. What’s your will, good friar?
DUKE , as Friar
FTLN 0962 Bound by my charity and my blest order,
FTLN 0963 I come to visit the afflicted spirits
FTLN 0964 5 Here in the prison. Do me the common right
FTLN 0965 To let me see them, and to make me know
FTLN 0966 The nature of their crimes, that I may minister
FTLN 0967 To them accordingly.
PROVOST
FTLN 0968 I would do more than that if more were needful.
Enter Juliet.
FTLN 0969 10 Look, here comes one, a gentlewoman of mine,
FTLN 0970 Who, falling in the flaws of her own youth,
FTLN 0971 Hath blistered her report. She is with child,
FTLN 0972 And he that got it, sentenced—a young man,
FTLN 0973 More fit to do another such offense
FTLN 0974 15 Than die for this.
DUKE , as Friar
FTLN 0975 When must he die?
PROVOST FTLN 0976 As I do think, tomorrow.
FTLN 0977 To Juliet. I have provided for you. Stay awhile
FTLN 0978 And you shall be conducted.
DUKE , as Friar, to Juliet
FTLN 0979 20 Repent you, fair one, of the sin you carry?
JULIET
FTLN 0980 I do; and bear the shame most patiently.
DUKE , as Friar
FTLN 0981 I’ll teach you how you shall arraign your conscience,

75
Measure for Measure
ACT 2. SC. 3
FTLN 0982 And try your penitence, if it be sound
FTLN 0983 Or hollowly put on.
JULIET FTLN 0984 25 I’ll gladly learn.
DUKE , as Friar FTLN 0985 Love you the man that wronged you?
JULIET
FTLN 0986 Yes, as I love the woman that wronged him.
DUKE , as Friar
FTLN 0987 So then it seems your most offenseful act
FTLN 0988 Was mutually committed?
JULIET FTLN 0989 30 Mutually.
DUKE , as Friar
FTLN 0990 Then was your sin of heavier kind than his.
JULIET
FTLN 0991 I do confess it and repent it, father.
DUKE , as Friar
FTLN 0992 ’Tis meet so, daughter; but lest you do repent
FTLN 0993 As that the sin hath brought you to this shame,
FTLN 0994 35 Which sorrow is always toward ourselves, not
FTLN 0995 heaven,
FTLN 0996 Showing we would not spare heaven as we love it,
FTLN 0997 But as we stand in fear—
JULIET
FTLN 0998 I do repent me as it is an evil,
FTLN 0999 40 And take the shame with joy.
DUKE , as Friar FTLN 1000 There rest.
FTLN 1001 Your partner, as I hear, must die tomorrow,
FTLN 1002 And I am going with instruction to him.
FTLN 1003 Grace go with you. Benedicite. He exits.
JULIET
FTLN 1004 45 Must die tomorrow? O injurious love
FTLN 1005 That respites me a life, whose very comfort
FTLN 1006 Is still a dying horror.
PROVOST FTLN 1007 ’Tis pity of him.
They exit.

77
Measure for Measure
ACT 2. SC. 4
Scene 4
Enter Angelo.
ANGELO
FTLN 1008 When I would pray and think, I think and pray
FTLN 1009 To several subjects. Heaven hath my empty words,
FTLN 1010 Whilst my invention, hearing not my tongue,
FTLN 1011 Anchors on Isabel. God in my mouth,
FTLN 1012 5 As if I did but only chew His name,
FTLN 1013 And in my heart the strong and swelling evil
FTLN 1014 Of my conception. The state whereon I studied
FTLN 1015 Is, like a good thing being often read,
FTLN 1016 Grown sere and tedious. Yea, my gravity,
FTLN 1017 10 Wherein—let no man hear me—I take pride,
FTLN 1018 Could I with boot change for an idle plume
FTLN 1019 Which the air beats for vain. O place, O form,
FTLN 1020 How often dost thou with thy case, thy habit,
FTLN 1021 Wrench awe from fools, and tie the wiser souls
FTLN 1022 15 To thy false seeming! Blood, thou art blood.
FTLN 1023 Let’s write “good angel” on the devil’s horn.
FTLN 1024 ’Tis not the devil’s crest. Knock within. How now,
FTLN 1025 who’s there?
Enter Servant.
SERVANT
FTLN 1026 One Isabel, a sister, desires access to you.
ANGELO
FTLN 1027 20 Teach her the way. Servant exits. O heavens,
FTLN 1028 Why does my blood thus muster to my heart,
FTLN 1029 Making both it unable for itself
FTLN 1030 And dispossessing all my other parts
FTLN 1031 Of necessary fitness?
FTLN 1032 25 So play the foolish throngs with one that swoons,
FTLN 1033 Come all to help him, and so stop the air
FTLN 1034 By which he should revive. And even so
FTLN 1035 The general subject to a well-wished king

79
Measure for Measure
ACT 2. SC. 4
FTLN 1036 Quit their own part, and in obsequious fondness
FTLN 1037 30 Crowd to his presence, where their untaught love
FTLN 1038 Must needs appear offense.
Enter Isabella.
FTLN 1039 How now, fair maid?
ISABELLA FTLN 1040 I am come to know your pleasure.
ANGELO
FTLN 1041 That you might know it would much better please me
FTLN 1042 35 Than to demand what ’tis. Your brother cannot live.
ISABELLA FTLN 1043 Even so. Heaven keep your Honor.
ANGELO
FTLN 1044 Yet may he live a while. And it may be
FTLN 1045 As long as you or I. Yet he must die.
ISABELLA FTLN 1046 Under your sentence?
ANGELO FTLN 1047 40 Yea.
ISABELLA
FTLN 1048 When, I beseech you? That in his reprieve,
FTLN 1049 Longer or shorter, he may be so fitted
FTLN 1050 That his soul sicken not.
ANGELO
FTLN 1051 Ha! Fie, these filthy vices! It were as good
FTLN 1052 45 To pardon him that hath from nature stolen
FTLN 1053 A man already made, as to remit
FTLN 1054 Their saucy sweetness that do coin God’s image
FTLN 1055 In stamps that are forbid. ’Tis all as easy
FTLN 1056 Falsely to take away a life true made
FTLN 1057 50 As to put metal in restrainèd means
FTLN 1058 To make a false one.
ISABELLA
FTLN 1059 ’Tis set down so in heaven, but not in Earth.
ANGELO
FTLN 1060 Say you so? Then I shall pose you quickly:
FTLN 1061 Which had you rather, that the most just law
FTLN 1062 55 Now took your brother’s life, or, to redeem him,

81
Measure for Measure
ACT 2. SC. 4
FTLN 1063 Give up your body to such sweet uncleanness
FTLN 1064 As she that he hath stained?
ISABELLA FTLN 1065 Sir, believe this:
FTLN 1066 I had rather give my body than my soul.
ANGELO
FTLN 1067 60 I talk not of your soul. Our compelled sins
FTLN 1068 Stand more for number than for accompt.
ISABELLA FTLN 1069 How say you?
ANGELO
FTLN 1070 Nay, I’ll not warrant that, for I can speak
FTLN 1071 Against the thing I say. Answer to this:
FTLN 1072 65 I, now the voice of the recorded law,
FTLN 1073 Pronounce a sentence on your brother’s life.
FTLN 1074 Might there not be a charity in sin
FTLN 1075 To save this brother’s life?
ISABELLA FTLN 1076 Please you to do ’t,
FTLN 1077 70 I’ll take it as a peril to my soul,
FTLN 1078 It is no sin at all, but charity.
ANGELO
FTLN 1079 Pleased you to do ’t, at peril of your soul,
FTLN 1080 Were equal poise of sin and charity.
ISABELLA
FTLN 1081 That I do beg his life, if it be sin
FTLN 1082 75 Heaven let me bear it. You granting of my suit,
FTLN 1083 If that be sin, I’ll make it my morn prayer
FTLN 1084 To have it added to the faults of mine
FTLN 1085 And nothing of your answer.
ANGELO FTLN 1086 Nay, but hear me.
FTLN 1087 80 Your sense pursues not mine. Either you are
FTLN 1088 ignorant,
FTLN 1089 Or seem so, crafty, and that’s not good.
ISABELLA
FTLN 1090 Let me be ignorant and in nothing good,
FTLN 1091 But graciously to know I am no better.
ANGELO
FTLN 1092 85 Thus wisdom wishes to appear most bright

83
Measure for Measure
ACT 2. SC. 4
FTLN 1093 When it doth tax itself, as these black masks
FTLN 1094 Proclaim an enshield beauty ten times louder
FTLN 1095 Than beauty could, displayed. But mark me.
FTLN 1096 To be receivèd plain, I’ll speak more gross:
FTLN 1097 90 Your brother is to die.
ISABELLA FTLN 1098 So.
ANGELO
FTLN 1099 And his offense is so, as it appears,
FTLN 1100 Accountant to the law upon that pain.
ISABELLA FTLN 1101 True.
ANGELO
FTLN 1102 95 Admit no other way to save his life—
FTLN 1103 As I subscribe not that, nor any other—
FTLN 1104 But, in the loss of question, that you, his sister,
FTLN 1105 Finding yourself desired of such a person
FTLN 1106 Whose credit with the judge, or own great place,
FTLN 1107 100 Could fetch your brother from the manacles
FTLN 1108 Of the all-binding law, and that there were
FTLN 1109 No earthly mean to save him but that either
FTLN 1110 You must lay down the treasures of your body
FTLN 1111 To this supposed, or else to let him suffer,
FTLN 1112 105 What would you do?
ISABELLA
FTLN 1113 As much for my poor brother as myself.
FTLN 1114 That is, were I under the terms of death,
FTLN 1115 Th’ impression of keen whips I’d wear as rubies
FTLN 1116 And strip myself to death as to a bed
FTLN 1117 110 That longing have been sick for, ere I’d yield
FTLN 1118 My body up to shame.
ANGELO FTLN 1119 Then must your brother die.
ISABELLA FTLN 1120 And ’twere the cheaper way.
FTLN 1121 Better it were a brother died at once
FTLN 1122 115 Than that a sister, by redeeming him,
FTLN 1123 Should die forever.
ANGELO
FTLN 1124 Were not you then as cruel as the sentence
FTLN 1125 That you have slandered so?

85
Measure for Measure
ACT 2. SC. 4
ISABELLA
FTLN 1126 Ignomy in ransom and free pardon
FTLN 1127 120 Are of two houses. Lawful mercy
FTLN 1128 Is nothing kin to foul redemption.
ANGELO
FTLN 1129 You seemed of late to make the law a tyrant,
FTLN 1130 And rather proved the sliding of your brother
FTLN 1131 A merriment than a vice.
ISABELLA
FTLN 1132 125 O, pardon me, my lord. It oft falls out,
FTLN 1133 To have what we would have, we speak not what we
FTLN 1134 mean.
FTLN 1135 I something do excuse the thing I hate
FTLN 1136 For his advantage that I dearly love.
ANGELO
FTLN 1137 130 We are all frail.
ISABELLA FTLN 1138 Else let my brother die,
FTLN 1139 If not a fedary but only he
FTLN 1140 Owe and succeed thy weakness.
ANGELO FTLN 1141 Nay, women are frail too.
ISABELLA
FTLN 1142 135 Ay, as the glasses where they view themselves,
FTLN 1143 Which are as easy broke as they make forms.
FTLN 1144 Women—help, heaven—men their creation mar
FTLN 1145 In profiting by them. Nay, call us ten times frail,
FTLN 1146 For we are soft as our complexions are,
FTLN 1147 140 And credulous to false prints.
ANGELO FTLN 1148 I think it well.
FTLN 1149 And from this testimony of your own sex,
FTLN 1150 Since I suppose we are made to be no stronger
FTLN 1151 Than faults may shake our frames, let me be bold.
FTLN 1152 145 I do arrest your words. Be that you are—
FTLN 1153 That is, a woman. If you be more, you’re none.
FTLN 1154 If you be one, as you are well expressed
FTLN 1155 By all external warrants, show it now
FTLN 1156 By putting on the destined livery.

87
Measure for Measure
ACT 2. SC. 4
ISABELLA
FTLN 1157 150 I have no tongue but one. Gentle my lord,
FTLN 1158 Let me entreat you speak the former language.
ANGELO FTLN 1159 Plainly conceive I love you.
ISABELLA FTLN 1160 My brother did love Juliet,
FTLN 1161 And you tell me that he shall die for ’t.
ANGELO
FTLN 1162 155 He shall not, Isabel, if you give me love.
ISABELLA
FTLN 1163 I know your virtue hath a license in ’t
FTLN 1164 Which seems a little fouler than it is
FTLN 1165 To pluck on others.
ANGELO FTLN 1166 Believe me, on mine honor,
FTLN 1167 160 My words express my purpose.
ISABELLA
FTLN 1168 Ha! Little honor to be much believed,
FTLN 1169 And most pernicious purpose. Seeming, seeming!
FTLN 1170 I will proclaim thee, Angelo, look for ’t.
FTLN 1171 Sign me a present pardon for my brother
FTLN 1172 165 Or with an outstretched throat I’ll tell the world
FTLN 1173 aloud
FTLN 1174 What man thou art.
ANGELO FTLN 1175 Who will believe thee, Isabel?
FTLN 1176 My unsoiled name, th’ austereness of my life,
FTLN 1177 170 My vouch against you, and my place i’ th’ state
FTLN 1178 Will so your accusation overweigh
FTLN 1179 That you shall stifle in your own report
FTLN 1180 And smell of calumny. I have begun,
FTLN 1181 And now I give my sensual race the rein.
FTLN 1182 175 Fit thy consent to my sharp appetite;
FTLN 1183 Lay by all nicety and prolixious blushes
FTLN 1184 That banish what they sue for. Redeem thy brother
FTLN 1185 By yielding up thy body to my will,
FTLN 1186 Or else he must not only die the death,
FTLN 1187 180 But thy unkindness shall his death draw out
FTLN 1188 To ling’ring sufferance. Answer me tomorrow,

89
Measure for Measure
ACT 2. SC. 4
FTLN 1189 Or by the affection that now guides me most,
FTLN 1190 I’ll prove a tyrant to him. As for you,
FTLN 1191 Say what you can, my false o’erweighs your true.
He exits.
ISABELLA
FTLN 1192 185 To whom should I complain? Did I tell this,
FTLN 1193 Who would believe me? O, perilous mouths,
FTLN 1194 That bear in them one and the selfsame tongue,
FTLN 1195 Either of condemnation or approof,
FTLN 1196 Bidding the law make curtsy to their will,
FTLN 1197 190 Hooking both right and wrong to th’ appetite,
FTLN 1198 To follow as it draws. I’ll to my brother.
FTLN 1199 Though he hath fall’n by prompture of the blood,
FTLN 1200 Yet hath he in him such a mind of honor
FTLN 1201 That, had he twenty heads to tender down
FTLN 1202 195 On twenty bloody blocks, he’d yield them up
FTLN 1203 Before his sister should her body stoop
FTLN 1204 To such abhorred pollution.
FTLN 1205 Then, Isabel, live chaste, and, brother, die.
FTLN 1206 More than our brother is our chastity.
FTLN 1207 200 I’ll tell him yet of Angelo’s request,
FTLN 1208 And fit his mind to death, for his soul’s rest.
She exits.

ACT 3
Scene 1
Enter Duke as a Friar, Claudio, and Provost.
DUKE , as Friar
FTLN 1209 So then you hope of pardon from Lord Angelo?
CLAUDIO
FTLN 1210 The miserable have no other medicine
FTLN 1211 But only hope.
FTLN 1212 I have hope to live and am prepared to die.
DUKE , as Friar
FTLN 1213 5 Be absolute for death. Either death or life
FTLN 1214 Shall thereby be the sweeter. Reason thus with life:
FTLN 1215 If I do lose thee, I do lose a thing
FTLN 1216 That none but fools would keep. A breath thou art,
FTLN 1217 Servile to all the skyey influences
FTLN 1218 10 That doth this habitation where thou keep’st
FTLN 1219 Hourly afflict. Merely, thou art death’s fool,
FTLN 1220 For him thou labor’st by thy flight to shun,
FTLN 1221 And yet runn’st toward him still. Thou art not noble,
FTLN 1222 For all th’ accommodations that thou bear’st
FTLN 1223 15 Are nursed by baseness. Thou ’rt by no means
FTLN 1224 valiant,
FTLN 1225 For thou dost fear the soft and tender fork
FTLN 1226 Of a poor worm. Thy best of rest is sleep,
FTLN 1227 And that thou oft provok’st, yet grossly fear’st
FTLN 1228 20 Thy death, which is no more. Thou art not thyself,
FTLN 1229 For thou exists on many a thousand grains
93

95
Measure for Measure
ACT 3. SC. 1
FTLN 1230 That issue out of dust. Happy thou art not,
FTLN 1231 For what thou hast not, still thou striv’st to get,
FTLN 1232 And what thou hast, forget’st. Thou art not certain,
FTLN 1233 25 For thy complexion shifts to strange effects
FTLN 1234 After the moon. If thou art rich, thou ’rt poor,
FTLN 1235 For, like an ass whose back with ingots bows,
FTLN 1236 Thou bear’st thy heavy riches but a journey,
FTLN 1237 And death unloads thee. Friend hast thou none,
FTLN 1238 30 For thine own bowels which do call thee sire,
FTLN 1239 The mere effusion of thy proper loins,
FTLN 1240 Do curse the gout, serpigo, and the rheum
FTLN 1241 For ending thee no sooner. Thou hast nor youth nor
FTLN 1242 age,
FTLN 1243 35 But as it were an after-dinner’s sleep
FTLN 1244 Dreaming on both, for all thy blessèd youth
FTLN 1245 Becomes as agèd and doth beg the alms
FTLN 1246 Of palsied eld; and when thou art old and rich,
FTLN 1247 Thou hast neither heat, affection, limb, nor beauty
FTLN 1248 40 To make thy riches pleasant. What’s yet in this
FTLN 1249 That bears the name of life? Yet in this life
FTLN 1250 Lie hid more thousand deaths; yet death we fear,
FTLN 1251 That makes these odds all even.
CLAUDIO FTLN 1252 I humbly thank you.
FTLN 1253 45 To sue to live, I find I seek to die,
FTLN 1254 And seeking death, find life. Let it come on.
ISABELLA , within
FTLN 1255 What ho! Peace here, grace, and good company.
PROVOST
FTLN 1256 Who’s there? Come in. The wish deserves a welcome.
DUKE , as Friar, to Claudio
FTLN 1257 Dear sir, ere long I’ll visit you again.
CLAUDIO FTLN 1258 50 Most holy sir, I thank you.
Enter Isabella.
ISABELLA , to Provost
FTLN 1259 My business is a word or two with Claudio.

97
Measure for Measure
ACT 3. SC. 1
PROVOST
FTLN 1260 And very welcome.—Look, signior, here’s your
FTLN 1261 sister.
DUKE , as Friar FTLN 1262 Provost, a word with you.
PROVOST FTLN 1263 55 As many as you please.
DUKE , as Friar, aside to Provost
FTLN 1264 Bring me to hear them speak, where I may be
FTLN 1265 concealed.
Duke and Provost exit.
CLAUDIO FTLN 1266 Now, sister, what’s the comfort?
ISABELLA FTLN 1267 Why,
FTLN 1268 60 As all comforts are, most good, most good indeed.
FTLN 1269 Lord Angelo, having affairs to heaven,
FTLN 1270 Intends you for his swift ambassador,
FTLN 1271 Where you shall be an everlasting leiger;
FTLN 1272 Therefore your best appointment make with speed.
FTLN 1273 65 Tomorrow you set on.
CLAUDIO FTLN 1274 Is there no remedy?
ISABELLA
FTLN 1275 None but such remedy as, to save a head,
FTLN 1276 To cleave a heart in twain.
CLAUDIO FTLN 1277 But is there any?
ISABELLA FTLN 1278 70 Yes, brother, you may live.
FTLN 1279 There is a devilish mercy in the judge,
FTLN 1280 If you’ll implore it, that will free your life
FTLN 1281 But fetter you till death.
CLAUDIO FTLN 1282 Perpetual durance?
ISABELLA
FTLN 1283 75 Ay, just; perpetual durance, a restraint,
FTLN 1284 Though all the world’s vastidity you had,
FTLN 1285 To a determined scope.
CLAUDIO FTLN 1286 But in what nature?
ISABELLA
FTLN 1287 In such a one as, you consenting to ’t,
FTLN 1288 80 Would bark your honor from that trunk you bear
FTLN 1289 And leave you naked.

99
Measure for Measure
ACT 3. SC. 1
CLAUDIO FTLN 1290 Let me know the point.
ISABELLA
FTLN 1291 O, I do fear thee, Claudio, and I quake
FTLN 1292 Lest thou a feverous life shouldst entertain,
FTLN 1293 85 And six or seven winters more respect
FTLN 1294 Than a perpetual honor. Dar’st thou die?
FTLN 1295 The sense of death is most in apprehension,
FTLN 1296 And the poor beetle that we tread upon
FTLN 1297 In corporal sufferance finds a pang as great
FTLN 1298 90 As when a giant dies.
CLAUDIO FTLN 1299 Why give you me this shame?
FTLN 1300 Think you I can a resolution fetch
FTLN 1301 From flowery tenderness? If I must die,
FTLN 1302 I will encounter darkness as a bride,
FTLN 1303 95 And hug it in mine arms.
ISABELLA
FTLN 1304 There spake my brother! There my father’s grave
FTLN 1305 Did utter forth a voice. Yes, thou must die.
FTLN 1306 Thou art too noble to conserve a life
FTLN 1307 In base appliances. This outward-sainted deputy—
FTLN 1308 100 Whose settled visage and deliberate word
FTLN 1309 Nips youth i’ th’ head, and follies doth enew
FTLN 1310 As falcon doth the fowl—is yet a devil.
FTLN 1311 His filth within being cast, he would appear
FTLN 1312 A pond as deep as hell.
CLAUDIO FTLN 1313 105 The prenzie Angelo?
ISABELLA
FTLN 1314 O, ’tis the cunning livery of hell
FTLN 1315 The damned’st body to invest and cover
FTLN 1316 In prenzie guards. Dost thou think, Claudio,
FTLN 1317 If I would yield him my virginity
FTLN 1318 110 Thou mightst be freed?
CLAUDIO FTLN 1319 O heavens, it cannot be!
ISABELLA
FTLN 1320 Yes, he would give ’t thee; from this rank offense,
FTLN 1321 So to offend him still. This night’s the time

101
Measure for Measure
ACT 3. SC. 1
FTLN 1322 That I should do what I abhor to name,
FTLN 1323 115 Or else thou diest tomorrow.
CLAUDIO FTLN 1324 Thou shalt not do ’t.
ISABELLA FTLN 1325 O, were it but my life,
FTLN 1326 I’d throw it down for your deliverance
FTLN 1327 As frankly as a pin.
CLAUDIO FTLN 1328 120 Thanks, dear Isabel.
ISABELLA
FTLN 1329 Be ready, Claudio, for your death tomorrow.
CLAUDIO FTLN 1330 Yes. Has he affections in him
FTLN 1331 That thus can make him bite the law by th’ nose,
FTLN 1332 When he would force it? Sure it is no sin,
FTLN 1333 125 Or of the deadly seven it is the least.
ISABELLA FTLN 1334 Which is the least?
CLAUDIO
FTLN 1335 If it were damnable, he being so wise,
FTLN 1336 Why would he for the momentary trick
FTLN 1337 Be perdurably fined? O, Isabel—
ISABELLA
FTLN 1338 130 What says my brother?
CLAUDIO FTLN 1339 Death is a fearful thing.
ISABELLA FTLN 1340 And shamèd life a hateful.
CLAUDIO
FTLN 1341 Ay, but to die, and go we know not where,
FTLN 1342 To lie in cold obstruction and to rot,
FTLN 1343 135 This sensible warm motion to become
FTLN 1344 A kneaded clod; and the delighted spirit
FTLN 1345 To bathe in fiery floods, or to reside
FTLN 1346 In thrilling region of thick-ribbèd ice,
FTLN 1347 To be imprisoned in the viewless winds
FTLN 1348 140 And blown with restless violence round about
FTLN 1349 The pendent world; or to be worse than worst
FTLN 1350 Of those that lawless and incertain thought
FTLN 1351 Imagine howling—’tis too horrible.
FTLN 1352 The weariest and most loathèd worldly life
FTLN 1353 145 That age, ache, penury, and imprisonment

103
Measure for Measure
ACT 3. SC. 1
FTLN 1354 Can lay on nature is a paradise
FTLN 1355 To what we fear of death.
ISABELLA FTLN 1356 Alas, alas!
CLAUDIO FTLN 1357 Sweet sister, let me live.
FTLN 1358 150 What sin you do to save a brother’s life,
FTLN 1359 Nature dispenses with the deed so far
FTLN 1360 That it becomes a virtue.
ISABELLA FTLN 1361 O, you beast!
FTLN 1362 O faithless coward, O dishonest wretch,
FTLN 1363 155 Wilt thou be made a man out of my vice?
FTLN 1364 Is ’t not a kind of incest to take life
FTLN 1365 From thine own sister’s shame? What should I think?
FTLN 1366 Heaven shield my mother played my father fair,
FTLN 1367 For such a warpèd slip of wilderness
FTLN 1368 160 Ne’er issued from his blood. Take my defiance;
FTLN 1369 Die, perish. Might but my bending down
FTLN 1370 Reprieve thee from thy fate, it should proceed.
FTLN 1371 I’ll pray a thousand prayers for thy death,
FTLN 1372 No word to save thee.
CLAUDIO FTLN 1373 165 Nay, hear me, Isabel—
ISABELLA FTLN 1374 O, fie, fie, fie!
FTLN 1375 Thy sin’s not accidental, but a trade.
FTLN 1376 Mercy to thee would prove itself a bawd.
FTLN 1377 ’Tis best that thou diest quickly.
CLAUDIO FTLN 1378 170 O, hear me, Isabella—
Enter Duke as a Friar.
DUKE , as Friar, to Isabella
FTLN 1379 Vouchsafe a word, young sister, but one word.
ISABELLA FTLN 1380 What is your will?
DUKE , as Friar FTLN 1381 Might you dispense with your leisure, I
FTLN 1382 would by and by have some speech with you. The
FTLN 1383 175 satisfaction I would require is likewise your own
FTLN 1384 benefit.
ISABELLA FTLN 1385 I have no superfluous leisure. My stay must

105
Measure for Measure
ACT 3. SC. 1
FTLN 1386 be stolen out of other affairs, but I will attend you
FTLN 1387 awhile.
DUKE , as Friar, taking Claudio aside FTLN 1388 180 Son, I have overheard
FTLN 1389 what hath passed between you and your
FTLN 1390 sister. Angelo had never the purpose to corrupt her;
FTLN 1391 only he hath made an assay of her virtue, to practice
FTLN 1392 his judgment with the disposition of natures. She,
FTLN 1393 185 having the truth of honor in her, hath made him
FTLN 1394 that gracious denial which he is most glad to
FTLN 1395 receive. I am confessor to Angelo, and I know this
FTLN 1396 to be true. Therefore prepare yourself to death. Do
FTLN 1397 not satisfy your resolution with hopes that are
FTLN 1398 190 fallible. Tomorrow you must die. Go to your knees
FTLN 1399 and make ready.
CLAUDIO FTLN 1400 Let me ask my sister pardon. I am so out of
FTLN 1401 love with life that I will sue to be rid of it.
DUKE , as Friar FTLN 1402 Hold you there. Farewell.—Provost, a
FTLN 1403 195 word with you.
Enter Provost.
PROVOST FTLN 1404 What’s your will, father?
DUKE , as Friar FTLN 1405 That now you are come, you will be
FTLN 1406 gone. Leave me awhile with the maid. My mind
FTLN 1407 promises with my habit no loss shall touch her by
FTLN 1408 200 my company.
PROVOST FTLN 1409 In good time. He exits, with Claudio.
DUKE , as Friar, to Isabella FTLN 1410 The hand that hath made
FTLN 1411 you fair hath made you good. The goodness that is
FTLN 1412 cheap in beauty makes beauty brief in goodness,
FTLN 1413 205 but grace, being the soul of your complexion, shall
FTLN 1414 keep the body of it ever fair. The assault that Angelo
FTLN 1415 hath made to you, fortune hath conveyed to my
FTLN 1416 understanding; and but that frailty hath examples
FTLN 1417 for his falling, I should wonder at Angelo. How will
FTLN 1418 210 you do to content this substitute and to save your
FTLN 1419 brother?

107
Measure for Measure
ACT 3. SC. 1
ISABELLA FTLN 1420 I am now going to resolve him. I had rather
FTLN 1421 my brother die by the law than my son should be
FTLN 1422 unlawfully born. But, O, how much is the good
FTLN 1423 215 duke deceived in Angelo! If ever he return, and I
FTLN 1424 can speak to him, I will open my lips in vain, or
FTLN 1425 discover his government.
DUKE , as Friar FTLN 1426 That shall not be much amiss. Yet, as
FTLN 1427 the matter now stands, he will avoid your accusation:
FTLN 1428 220 he made trial of you only. Therefore, fasten
FTLN 1429 your ear on my advisings. To the love I have in doing
FTLN 1430 good, a remedy presents itself. I do make myself
FTLN 1431 believe that you may most uprighteously do a poor
FTLN 1432 wronged lady a merited benefit, redeem your brother
FTLN 1433 225 from the angry law, do no stain to your own
FTLN 1434 gracious person, and much please the absent duke,
FTLN 1435 if peradventure he shall ever return to have hearing
FTLN 1436 of this business.
ISABELLA FTLN 1437 Let me hear you speak farther. I have spirit to
FTLN 1438 230 do anything that appears not foul in the truth of my
FTLN 1439 spirit.
DUKE , as Friar FTLN 1440 Virtue is bold, and goodness never
FTLN 1441 fearful. Have you not heard speak of Mariana, the
FTLN 1442 sister of Frederick, the great soldier who miscarried
FTLN 1443 235 at sea?
ISABELLA FTLN 1444 I have heard of the lady, and good words
FTLN 1445 went with her name.
DUKE , as Friar FTLN 1446 She should this Angelo have married,
FTLN 1447 was affianced to her oath, and the nuptial appointed.
FTLN 1448 240 Between which time of the contract and
FTLN 1449 limit of the solemnity, her brother Frederick was
FTLN 1450 wracked at sea, having in that perished vessel the
FTLN 1451 dowry of his sister. But mark how heavily this befell
FTLN 1452 to the poor gentlewoman. There she lost a noble
FTLN 1453 245 and renowned brother, in his love toward her ever
FTLN 1454 most kind and natural; with him, the portion and
FTLN 1455 sinew of her fortune, her marriage dowry; with

109
Measure for Measure
ACT 3. SC. 1
FTLN 1456 both, her combinate husband, this well-seeming
FTLN 1457 Angelo.
ISABELLA FTLN 1458 250 Can this be so? Did Angelo so leave her?
DUKE , as Friar FTLN 1459 Left her in her tears and dried not one
FTLN 1460 of them with his comfort, swallowed his vows
FTLN 1461 whole, pretending in her discoveries of dishonor; in
FTLN 1462 few, bestowed her on her own lamentation, which
FTLN 1463 255 she yet wears for his sake; and he, a marble to her
FTLN 1464 tears, is washed with them but relents not.
ISABELLA FTLN 1465 What a merit were it in death to take this
FTLN 1466 poor maid from the world! What corruption in this
FTLN 1467 life, that it will let this man live! But how out of this
FTLN 1468 260 can she avail?
DUKE , as Friar FTLN 1469 It is a rupture that you may easily heal,
FTLN 1470 and the cure of it not only saves your brother, but
FTLN 1471 keeps you from dishonor in doing it.
ISABELLA FTLN 1472 Show me how, good father.
DUKE , as Friar FTLN 1473 265 This forenamed maid hath yet in her
FTLN 1474 the continuance of her first affection. His unjust
FTLN 1475 unkindness, that in all reason should have
FTLN 1476 quenched her love, hath, like an impediment in the
FTLN 1477 current, made it more violent and unruly. Go you to
FTLN 1478 270 Angelo, answer his requiring with a plausible obedience,
FTLN 1479 agree with his demands to the point. Only
FTLN 1480 refer yourself to this advantage: first, that your stay
FTLN 1481 with him may not be long, that the time may have all
FTLN 1482 shadow and silence in it, and the place answer to
FTLN 1483 275 convenience. This being granted in course, and
FTLN 1484 now follows all: we shall advise this wronged maid
FTLN 1485 to stead up your appointment, go in your place. If
FTLN 1486 the encounter acknowledge itself hereafter, it may
FTLN 1487 compel him to her recompense; and here, by this, is
FTLN 1488 280 your brother saved, your honor untainted, the poor
FTLN 1489 Mariana advantaged, and the corrupt deputy
FTLN 1490 scaled. The maid will I frame and make fit for his
FTLN 1491 attempt. If you think well to carry this as you may,

111
Measure for Measure
ACT 3. SC. 2
FTLN 1492 the doubleness of the benefit defends the deceit
FTLN 1493 285 from reproof. What think you of it?
ISABELLA FTLN 1494 The image of it gives me content already, and
FTLN 1495 I trust it will grow to a most prosperous perfection.
DUKE , as Friar FTLN 1496 It lies much in your holding up. Haste
FTLN 1497 you speedily to Angelo. If for this night he entreat
FTLN 1498 290 you to his bed, give him promise of satisfaction. I
FTLN 1499 will presently to Saint Luke’s. There at the moated
FTLN 1500 grange resides this dejected Mariana. At that place
FTLN 1501 call upon me, and dispatch with Angelo that it may
FTLN 1502 be quickly.
ISABELLA FTLN 1503 295 I thank you for this comfort. Fare you well,
FTLN 1504 good father.
She exits. The Duke remains.
Scene 2
Enter Elbow, Pompey, and Officers.
ELBOW , to Pompey FTLN 1505 Nay, if there be no remedy for it
FTLN 1506 but that you will needs buy and sell men and
FTLN 1507 women like beasts, we shall have all the world drink
FTLN 1508 brown and white bastard.
DUKE , as Friar, aside FTLN 1509 5 O heavens, what stuff is here?
POMPEY FTLN 1510’Twas never merry world since, of two usuries,
FTLN 1511 the merriest was put down, and the worser allowed
FTLN 1512 by order of law a furred gown to keep him warm,
FTLN 1513 and furred with fox and lambskins too, to signify
FTLN 1514 10 that craft, being richer than innocency, stands for
FTLN 1515 the facing.
ELBOW FTLN 1516 Come your way, sir.—Bless you, good father
FTLN 1517 friar.
DUKE , as Friar FTLN 1518 And you, good brother father. What
FTLN 1519 15 offense hath this man made you, sir?
ELBOW FTLN 1520 Marry, sir, he hath offended the law; and, sir,
FTLN 1521 we take him to be a thief too, sir, for we have found

113
Measure for Measure
ACT 3. SC. 2
FTLN 1522 upon him, sir, a strange picklock, which we have
FTLN 1523 sent to the Deputy.
DUKE , as Friar, to Pompey
FTLN 1524 20 Fie, sirrah, a bawd, a wicked bawd!
FTLN 1525 The evil that thou causest to be done,
FTLN 1526 That is thy means to live. Do thou but think
FTLN 1527 What ’tis to cram a maw or clothe a back
FTLN 1528 From such a filthy vice; say to thyself,
FTLN 1529 25 From their abominable and beastly touches
FTLN 1530 I drink, I eat, array myself, and live.
FTLN 1531 Canst thou believe thy living is a life,
FTLN 1532 So stinkingly depending? Go mend, go mend.
POMPEY FTLN 1533 Indeed, it does stink in some sort, sir. But yet,
FTLN 1534 30 sir, I would prove—
DUKE , as Friar
FTLN 1535 Nay, if the devil have given thee proofs for sin,
FTLN 1536 Thou wilt prove his.—Take him to prison, officer.
FTLN 1537 Correction and instruction must both work
FTLN 1538 Ere this rude beast will profit.
ELBOW FTLN 1539 35 He must before the Deputy, sir; he has given
FTLN 1540 him warning. The Deputy cannot abide a whoremaster.
FTLN 1541 If he be a whoremonger and comes before
FTLN 1542 him, he were as good go a mile on his errand.
DUKE , as Friar
FTLN 1543 That we were all, as some would seem to be,
FTLN 1544 40 From our faults, as faults from seeming, free.
ELBOW FTLN 1545 His neck will come to your waist—a cord, sir.
Enter Lucio.
POMPEY FTLN 1546 I spy comfort, I cry bail. Here’s a gentleman
FTLN 1547 and a friend of mine.
LUCIO FTLN 1548 How now, noble Pompey? What, at the wheels of
FTLN 1549 45 Caesar? Art thou led in triumph? What, is there
FTLN 1550 none of Pygmalion’s images, newly made woman,
FTLN 1551 to be had now, for putting the hand in the pocket
FTLN 1552 and extracting it clutched? What reply, ha? What

115
Measure for Measure
ACT 3. SC. 2
FTLN 1553 sayst thou to this tune, matter, and method? Is ’t not
FTLN 1554 50 drowned i’ th’ last rain, ha? What sayst thou, trot? Is
FTLN 1555 the world as it was, man? Which is the way? Is it sad
FTLN 1556 and few words? Or how? The trick of it?
DUKE , as Friar, aside FTLN 1557 Still thus, and thus; still worse.
LUCIO , to Pompey FTLN 1558 How doth my dear morsel, thy
FTLN 1559 55 mistress? Procures she still, ha?
POMPEY FTLN 1560 Troth, sir, she hath eaten up all her beef, and
FTLN 1561 she is herself in the tub.
LUCIO FTLN 1562 Why, ’tis good. It is the right of it. It must be so.
FTLN 1563 Ever your fresh whore and your powdered bawd, an
FTLN 1564 60 unshunned consequence; it must be so. Art going to
FTLN 1565 prison, Pompey?
POMPEY FTLN 1566 Yes, faith, sir.
LUCIO FTLN 1567 Why, ’tis not amiss, Pompey. Farewell. Go say I
FTLN 1568 sent thee thither. For debt, Pompey? Or how?
ELBOW FTLN 1569 65 For being a bawd, for being a bawd.
LUCIO FTLN 1570 Well, then, imprison him. If imprisonment be
FTLN 1571 the due of a bawd, why, ’tis his right. Bawd is he,
FTLN 1572 doubtless, and of antiquity too. Bawd born.—
FTLN 1573 Farewell, good Pompey. Commend me to the prison,
FTLN 1574 70 Pompey. You will turn good husband now,
FTLN 1575 Pompey; you will keep the house.
POMPEY FTLN 1576 I hope, sir, your good Worship will be my bail.
LUCIO FTLN 1577 No, indeed, will I not, Pompey; it is not the
FTLN 1578 wear. I will pray, Pompey, to increase your bondage.
FTLN 1579 75 If you take it not patiently, why, your mettle is
FTLN 1580 the more. Adieu, trusty Pompey.—Bless you, friar.
DUKE , as Friar FTLN 1581 And you.
LUCIO , to Pompey FTLN 1582 Does Bridget paint still, Pompey,
FTLN 1583 ha?
ELBOW , to Pompey FTLN 1584 80 Come your ways, sir, come.
POMPEY , to Lucio FTLN 1585 You will not bail me, then, sir?
LUCIO FTLN 1586 Then, Pompey, nor now.—What news abroad,
FTLN 1587 friar? What news?
ELBOW , to Pompey FTLN 1588 Come your ways, sir, come.

117
Measure for Measure
ACT 3. SC. 2
LUCIO FTLN 1589 85 Go to kennel, Pompey, go.
Elbow, Pompey, and Officers exit.
FTLN 1590 What news, friar, of the Duke?
DUKE , as Friar FTLN 1591 I know none. Can you tell me of any?
LUCIO FTLN 1592 Some say he is with the Emperor of Russia;
FTLN 1593 other some, he is in Rome. But where is he, think
FTLN 1594 90 you?
DUKE , as Friar FTLN 1595 I know not where, but wheresoever, I
FTLN 1596 wish him well.
LUCIO FTLN 1597 It was a mad fantastical trick of him to steal
FTLN 1598 from the state and usurp the beggary he was never
FTLN 1599 95 born to. Lord Angelo dukes it well in his absence.
FTLN 1600 He puts transgression to ’t.
DUKE , as Friar FTLN 1601 He does well in ’t.
LUCIO FTLN 1602 A little more lenity to lechery would do no harm
FTLN 1603 in him. Something too crabbed that way, friar.
DUKE , as Friar FTLN 1604 100 It is too general a vice, and severity
FTLN 1605 must cure it.
LUCIO FTLN 1606 Yes, in good sooth, the vice is of a great kindred;
FTLN 1607 it is well allied, but it is impossible to extirp it quite,
FTLN 1608 friar, till eating and drinking be put down. They say
FTLN 1609 105 this Angelo was not made by man and woman after
FTLN 1610 this downright way of creation. Is it true, think
FTLN 1611 you?
DUKE , as Friar FTLN 1612 How should he be made, then?
LUCIO FTLN 1613 Some report a sea-maid spawned him; some,
FTLN 1614 110 that he was begot between two stockfishes. But it is
FTLN 1615 certain that when he makes water, his urine is
FTLN 1616 congealed ice; that I know to be true. And he is a
FTLN 1617 motion generative, that’s infallible.
DUKE , as Friar FTLN 1618 You are pleasant, sir, and speak apace.
LUCIO FTLN 1619 115 Why, what a ruthless thing is this in him, for the
FTLN 1620 rebellion of a codpiece to take away the life of a
FTLN 1621 man! Would the duke that is absent have done this?
FTLN 1622 Ere he would have hanged a man for the getting
FTLN 1623 a hundred bastards, he would have paid for the

119
Measure for Measure
ACT 3. SC. 2
FTLN 1624 120 nursing a thousand. He had some feeling of the
FTLN 1625 sport, he knew the service, and that instructed him
FTLN 1626 to mercy.
DUKE , as Friar FTLN 1627 I never heard the absent duke much
FTLN 1628 detected for women. He was not inclined that way.
LUCIO FTLN 1629 125 O, sir, you are deceived.
DUKE , as Friar FTLN 1630’Tis not possible.
LUCIO FTLN 1631 Who, not the Duke? Yes, your beggar of fifty;
FTLN 1632 and his use was to put a ducat in her clack-dish. The
FTLN 1633 Duke had crotchets in him. He would be drunk too,
FTLN 1634 130 that let me inform you.
DUKE , as Friar FTLN 1635 You do him wrong, surely.
LUCIO FTLN 1636 Sir, I was an inward of his. A shy fellow was the
FTLN 1637 Duke, and I believe I know the cause of his
FTLN 1638 withdrawing.
DUKE , as Friar FTLN 1639 135 What, I prithee, might be the cause?
LUCIO FTLN 1640 No, pardon. ’Tis a secret must be locked within
FTLN 1641 the teeth and the lips. But this I can let you
FTLN 1642 understand: the greater file of the subject held the
FTLN 1643 Duke to be wise.
DUKE , as Friar FTLN 1644 140 Wise? Why, no question but he was.
LUCIO FTLN 1645 A very superficial, ignorant, unweighing fellow.
DUKE , as Friar FTLN 1646 Either this is envy in you, folly, or
FTLN 1647 mistaking. The very stream of his life and the
FTLN 1648 business he hath helmed must, upon a warranted
FTLN 1649 145 need, give him a better proclamation. Let him be
FTLN 1650 but testimonied in his own bringings-forth, and he
FTLN 1651 shall appear to the envious a scholar, a statesman,
FTLN 1652 and a soldier. Therefore you speak unskillfully. Or,
FTLN 1653 if your knowledge be more, it is much darkened in
FTLN 1654 150 your malice.
LUCIO FTLN 1655 Sir, I know him, and I love him.
DUKE , as Friar FTLN 1656 Love talks with better knowledge, and
FTLN 1657 knowledge with dearer love.
LUCIO FTLN 1658 Come, sir, I know what I know.
DUKE , as Friar FTLN 1659 155 I can hardly believe that, since you

121
Measure for Measure
ACT 3. SC. 2
FTLN 1660 know not what you speak. But if ever the Duke
FTLN 1661 return, as our prayers are he may, let me desire you
FTLN 1662 to make your answer before him. If it be honest you
FTLN 1663 have spoke, you have courage to maintain it. I am
FTLN 1664 160 bound to call upon you, and, I pray you, your name?
LUCIO FTLN 1665 Sir, my name is Lucio, well known to the Duke.
DUKE , as Friar FTLN 1666 He shall know you better, sir, if I may
FTLN 1667 live to report you.
LUCIO FTLN 1668 I fear you not.
DUKE , as Friar FTLN 1669 165 O, you hope the Duke will return no
FTLN 1670 more, or you imagine me too unhurtful an opposite.
FTLN 1671 But indeed I can do you little harm; you’ll
FTLN 1672 forswear this again.
LUCIO FTLN 1673 I’ll be hanged first. Thou art deceived in me,
FTLN 1674 170 friar. But no more of this. Canst thou tell if Claudio
FTLN 1675 die tomorrow or no?
DUKE , as Friar FTLN 1676 Why should he die, sir?
LUCIO FTLN 1677 Why? For filling a bottle with a tundish. I would
FTLN 1678 the Duke we talk of were returned again. This
FTLN 1679 175 ungenitured agent will unpeople the province with
FTLN 1680 continency. Sparrows must not build in his house
FTLN 1681 eaves, because they are lecherous. The Duke yet
FTLN 1682 would have dark deeds darkly answered. He would
FTLN 1683 never bring them to light Would he were returned.
FTLN 1684 180 Marry, this Claudio is condemned for untrussing.
FTLN 1685 Farewell, good friar. I prithee pray for me. The
FTLN 1686 Duke, I say to thee again, would eat mutton on
FTLN 1687 Fridays. He’s now past it, yet—and I say to thee—
FTLN 1688 he would mouth with a beggar though she smelt
FTLN 1689 185 brown bread and garlic. Say that I said so. Farewell.
He exits.
DUKE
FTLN 1690 No might nor greatness in mortality
FTLN 1691 Can censure scape. Back-wounding calumny
FTLN 1692 The whitest virtue strikes. What king so strong

123
Measure for Measure
ACT 3. SC. 2
FTLN 1693 Can tie the gall up in the slanderous tongue?
FTLN 1694 190 But who comes here?
Enter Escalus, Provost, Officers, and Mistress
Overdone, a Bawd.
ESCALUS , to Officers FTLN 1695 Go, away with her to prison.
BAWD FTLN 1696 Good my lord, be good to me. Your Honor is
FTLN 1697 accounted a merciful man, good my lord.
ESCALUS FTLN 1698 Double and treble admonition, and still forfeit
FTLN 1699 195 in the same kind? This would make mercy
FTLN 1700 swear and play the tyrant.
PROVOST FTLN 1701 A bawd of eleven years’ continuance, may it
FTLN 1702 please your Honor.
BAWD , to Escalus FTLN 1703 My lord, this is one Lucio’s information
FTLN 1704 200 against me. Mistress Kate Keepdown was
FTLN 1705 with child by him in the Duke’s time; he promised
FTLN 1706 her marriage. His child is a year and a quarter old
FTLN 1707 come Philip and Jacob. I have kept it myself, and see
FTLN 1708 how he goes about to abuse me.
ESCALUS FTLN 1709 205 That fellow is a fellow of much license. Let
FTLN 1710 him be called before us. Away with her to prison.—
FTLN 1711 Go to, no more words. Officers exit with Bawd.
FTLN 1712 Provost, my brother Angelo will not be altered.
FTLN 1713 Claudio must die tomorrow. Let him be furnished
FTLN 1714 210 with divines and have all charitable preparation. If
FTLN 1715 my brother wrought by my pity, it should not be so
FTLN 1716 with him.
PROVOST FTLN 1717 So please you, this friar hath been with him,
FTLN 1718 and advised him for th’ entertainment of death.
ESCALUS FTLN 1719 215 Good even, good father.
DUKE , as Friar FTLN 1720 Bliss and goodness on you.
ESCALUS FTLN 1721 Of whence are you?
DUKE , as Friar
FTLN 1722 Not of this country, though my chance is now
FTLN 1723 To use it for my time. I am a brother

125
Measure for Measure
ACT 3. SC. 2
FTLN 1724 220 Of gracious order, late come from the See
FTLN 1725 In special business from his Holiness.
ESCALUS FTLN 1726 What news abroad i’ th’ world?
DUKE , as Friar FTLN 1727 None but that there is so great a fever
FTLN 1728 on goodness that the dissolution of it must cure it.
FTLN 1729 225 Novelty is only in request, and it is as dangerous to
FTLN 1730 be aged in any kind of course as it is virtuous to be
FTLN 1731 constant in any undertaking. There is scarce truth
FTLN 1732 enough alive to make societies secure, but security
FTLN 1733 enough to make fellowships accursed. Much upon
FTLN 1734 230 this riddle runs the wisdom of the world. This news
FTLN 1735 is old enough, yet it is every day’s news. I pray you,
FTLN 1736 sir, of what disposition was the Duke?
ESCALUS FTLN 1737 One that, above all other strifes, contended
FTLN 1738 especially to know himself.
DUKE , as Friar FTLN 1739 235 What pleasure was he given to?
ESCALUS FTLN 1740 Rather rejoicing to see another merry than
FTLN 1741 merry at anything which professed to make him
FTLN 1742 rejoice—a gentleman of all temperance. But leave
FTLN 1743 we him to his events, with a prayer they may prove
FTLN 1744 240 prosperous, and let me desire to know how you find
FTLN 1745 Claudio prepared. I am made to understand that
FTLN 1746 you have lent him visitation.
DUKE , as Friar FTLN 1747 He professes to have received no
FTLN 1748 sinister measure from his judge but most willingly
FTLN 1749 245 humbles himself to the determination of justice. Yet
FTLN 1750 had he framed to himself, by the instruction of his
FTLN 1751 frailty, many deceiving promises of life, which I, by
FTLN 1752 my good leisure, have discredited to him, and now
FTLN 1753 is he resolved to die.
ESCALUS FTLN 1754 250 You have paid the heavens your function and
FTLN 1755 the prisoner the very debt of your calling. I have
FTLN 1756 labored for the poor gentleman to the extremest
FTLN 1757 shore of my modesty, but my brother justice have I
FTLN 1758 found so severe that he hath forced me to tell him
FTLN 1759 255 he is indeed Justice.

127
Measure for Measure
ACT 3. SC. 2
DUKE , as Friar FTLN 1760 If his own life answer the straitness of
FTLN 1761 his proceeding, it shall become him well; wherein if
FTLN 1762 he chance to fail, he hath sentenced himself.
ESCALUS FTLN 1763 I am going to visit the prisoner. Fare you well.
DUKE , as Friar FTLN 1764 260 Peace be with you.
Escalus and Provost exit.
DUKE
FTLN 1765 He who the sword of heaven will bear
FTLN 1766 Should be as holy as severe,
FTLN 1767 Pattern in himself to know,
FTLN 1768 Grace to stand, and virtue go;
FTLN 1769 265 More nor less to others paying
FTLN 1770 Than by self-offenses weighing.
FTLN 1771 Shame to him whose cruel striking
FTLN 1772 Kills for faults of his own liking.
FTLN 1773 Twice treble shame on Angelo,
FTLN 1774 270 To weed my vice, and let his grow.
FTLN 1775 O, what may man within him hide,
FTLN 1776 Though angel on the outward side!
FTLN 1777 How may likeness made in crimes,
FTLN 1778 Making practice on the times,
FTLN 1779 275 To draw with idle spiders’ strings
FTLN 1780 Most ponderous and substantial things.
FTLN 1781 Craft against vice I must apply.
FTLN 1782 With Angelo tonight shall lie
FTLN 1783 His old betrothèd but despisèd.
FTLN 1784 280 So disguise shall, by th’ disguisèd,
FTLN 1785 Pay with falsehood false exacting
FTLN 1786 And perform an old contracting.
He exits.

ACT 4
Scene 1
Enter Mariana, and Boy singing.
Song.
FTLN 1787 Take, O take those lips away,
FTLN 1788 That so sweetly were forsworn,
FTLN 1789 And those eyes, the break of day,
FTLN 1790 Lights that do mislead the morn.
FTLN 1791 5 But my kisses bring again, bring again,
FTLN 1792 Seals of love, but sealed in vain, sealed in vain.
Enter Duke as a Friar.
MARIANA , to Boy
FTLN 1793 Break off thy song and haste thee quick away.
FTLN 1794 Here comes a man of comfort, whose advice
FTLN 1795 Hath often stilled my brawling discontent.
Boy exits.
FTLN 1796 10 I cry you mercy, sir, and well could wish
FTLN 1797 You had not found me here so musical.
FTLN 1798 Let me excuse me, and believe me so,
FTLN 1799 My mirth it much displeased, but pleased my woe.
DUKE , as Friar
FTLN 1800 ’Tis good, though music oft hath such a charm
FTLN 1801 15 To make bad good and good provoke to harm.
FTLN 1802 I pray you tell me, hath anybody inquired for me
131

133
Measure for Measure
ACT 4. SC. 1
FTLN 1803 here today? Much upon this time have I promised
FTLN 1804 here to meet.
MARIANA FTLN 1805 You have not been inquired after. I have sat
FTLN 1806 20 here all day.
Enter Isabella.
DUKE , as Friar FTLN 1807 I do constantly believe you. The time is
FTLN 1808 come even now. I shall crave your forbearance a
FTLN 1809 little. Maybe I will call upon you anon for some
FTLN 1810 advantage to yourself.
MARIANA FTLN 1811 25 I am always bound to you. She exits.
DUKE , as Friar FTLN 1812 Very well met, and welcome.
FTLN 1813 What is the news from this good deputy?
ISABELLA
FTLN 1814 He hath a garden circummured with brick,
FTLN 1815 Whose western side is with a vineyard backed;
FTLN 1816 30 And to that vineyard is a planchèd gate
FTLN 1817 That makes his opening with this bigger key.
FTLN 1818 This other doth command a little door
FTLN 1819 Which from the vineyard to the garden leads.
FTLN 1820 There have I made my promise, upon the
FTLN 1821 35 Heavy middle of the night, to call upon him.
DUKE , as Friar
FTLN 1822 But shall you on your knowledge find this way?
ISABELLA
FTLN 1823 I have ta’en a due and wary note upon ’t.
FTLN 1824 With whispering and most guilty diligence,
FTLN 1825 In action all of precept, he did show me
FTLN 1826 40 The way twice o’er.
DUKE , as Friar FTLN 1827 Are there no other tokens
FTLN 1828 Between you ’greed concerning her observance?
ISABELLA
FTLN 1829 No, none, but only a repair i’ th’ dark,
FTLN 1830 And that I have possessed him my most stay
FTLN 1831 45 Can be but brief, for I have made him know
FTLN 1832 I have a servant comes with me along

135
Measure for Measure
ACT 4. SC. 1
FTLN 1833 That stays upon me, whose persuasion is
FTLN 1834 I come about my brother.
DUKE , as Friar FTLN 1835 ’Tis well borne up.
FTLN 1836 50 I have not yet made known to Mariana
FTLN 1837 A word of this.—What ho, within; come forth.
Enter Mariana.
FTLN 1838 To Mariana. I pray you be acquainted with this
FTLN 1839 maid.
FTLN 1840 She comes to do you good.
ISABELLA FTLN 1841 55 I do desire the like.
DUKE , as Friar, to Mariana
FTLN 1842 Do you persuade yourself that I respect you?
MARIANA
FTLN 1843 Good friar, I know you do, and have found it.
DUKE , as Friar
FTLN 1844 Take then this your companion by the hand,
FTLN 1845 Who hath a story ready for your ear.
FTLN 1846 60 I shall attend your leisure. But make haste.
FTLN 1847 The vaporous night approaches.
MARIANA , to Isabella FTLN 1848 Will ’t please you walk aside?
Isabella and Mariana exit.
DUKE
FTLN 1849 O place and greatness, millions of false eyes
FTLN 1850 Are stuck upon thee; volumes of report
FTLN 1851 65 Run with these false, and, most contrarious, quest
FTLN 1852 Upon thy doings; thousand escapes of wit
FTLN 1853 Make thee the father of their idle dream
FTLN 1854 And rack thee in their fancies.
Enter Mariana and Isabella.
DUKE , as Friar FTLN 1855 Welcome. How agreed?
ISABELLA
FTLN 1856 70 She’ll take the enterprise upon her, father,
FTLN 1857 If you advise it.

137
Measure for Measure
ACT 4. SC. 2
DUKE , as Friar FTLN 1858 It is not my consent
FTLN 1859 But my entreaty too.
ISABELLA , to Mariana FTLN 1860 Little have you to say
FTLN 1861 75 When you depart from him, but, soft and low,
FTLN 1862 “Remember now my brother.”
MARIANA FTLN 1863 Fear me not.
DUKE , as Friar
FTLN 1864 Nor, gentle daughter, fear you not at all.
FTLN 1865 He is your husband on a precontract.
FTLN 1866 80 To bring you thus together ’tis no sin,
FTLN 1867 Sith that the justice of your title to him
FTLN 1868 Doth flourish the deceit. Come, let us go.
FTLN 1869 Our corn’s to reap, for yet our tithe’s to sow.
They exit.
Scene 2
Enter Provost, Pompey, and Officer.
PROVOST FTLN 1870 Come hither, sirrah. Can you cut off a man’s
FTLN 1871 head?
POMPEY FTLN 1872 If the man be a bachelor, sir, I can; but if he be
FTLN 1873 a married man, he’s his wife’s head, and I can never
FTLN 1874 5 cut off a woman’s head.
PROVOST FTLN 1875 Come, sir, leave me your snatches, and yield
FTLN 1876 me a direct answer. Tomorrow morning are to die
FTLN 1877 Claudio and Barnardine. Here is in our prison a
FTLN 1878 common executioner, who in his office lacks a
FTLN 1879 10 helper. If you will take it on you to assist him, it
FTLN 1880 shall redeem you from your gyves; if not, you shall
FTLN 1881 have your full time of imprisonment and your
FTLN 1882 deliverance with an unpitied whipping, for you have
FTLN 1883 been a notorious bawd.
POMPEY FTLN 1884 15 Sir, I have been an unlawful bawd time out of
FTLN 1885 mind, but yet I will be content to be a lawful

139
Measure for Measure
ACT 4. SC. 2
FTLN 1886 hangman. I would be glad to receive some instruction
FTLN 1887 from my fellow partner.
PROVOST FTLN 1888 What ho, Abhorson!—Where’s Abhorson
FTLN 1889 20 there?
Enter Abhorson.
ABHORSON FTLN 1890 Do you call, sir?
PROVOST FTLN 1891 Sirrah, here’s a fellow will help you tomorrow
FTLN 1892 in your execution. If you think it meet, compound
FTLN 1893 with him by the year and let him abide here
FTLN 1894 25 with you; if not, use him for the present and dismiss
FTLN 1895 him. He cannot plead his estimation with you; he
FTLN 1896 hath been a bawd.
ABHORSON FTLN 1897 A bawd, sir? Fie upon him! He will discredit
FTLN 1898 our mystery.
PROVOST FTLN 1899 30 Go to, sir; you weigh equally. A feather will
FTLN 1900 turn the scale. He exits.
POMPEY FTLN 1901 Pray, sir, by your good favor—for surely, sir, a
FTLN 1902 good favor you have, but that you have a hanging
FTLN 1903 look—do you call, sir, your occupation a mystery?
ABHORSON FTLN 1904 35 Ay, sir, a mystery.
POMPEY FTLN 1905 Painting, sir, I have heard say, is a mystery;
FTLN 1906 and your whores, sir, being members of my occupation,
FTLN 1907 using painting, do prove my occupation a
FTLN 1908 mystery; but what mystery there should be in hanging,
FTLN 1909 40 if I should be hanged, I cannot imagine.
ABHORSON FTLN 1910 Sir, it is a mystery.
POMPEY FTLN 1911 Proof?
ABHORSON FTLN 1912 Every true man’s apparel fits your thief. If it
FTLN 1913 be too little for your thief, your true man thinks it
FTLN 1914 45 big enough; if it be too big for your thief, your thief
FTLN 1915 thinks it little enough. So every true man’s apparel
FTLN 1916 fits your thief.
Enter Provost.
PROVOST FTLN 1917 Are you agreed?

141
Measure for Measure
ACT 4. SC. 2
POMPEY FTLN 1918 Sir, I will serve him, for I do find your hangman
FTLN 1919 50 is a more penitent trade than your bawd. He
FTLN 1920 doth oftener ask forgiveness.
PROVOST , to Abhorson FTLN 1921 You, sirrah, provide your block
FTLN 1922 and your axe tomorrow, four o’clock.
ABHORSON , to Pompey FTLN 1923 Come on, bawd. I will instruct
FTLN 1924 55 thee in my trade. Follow.
POMPEY FTLN 1925 I do desire to learn, sir; and I hope, if you have
FTLN 1926 occasion to use me for your own turn, you shall find
FTLN 1927 me yare. For truly, sir, for your kindness, I owe
FTLN 1928 you a good turn. Pompey and Abhorson exit.
PROVOST , to Officer
FTLN 1929 60 Call hither Barnardine and Claudio.
Officer exits.
FTLN 1930 Th’ one has my pity; not a jot the other,
FTLN 1931 Being a murderer, though he were my brother.
Enter Claudio, with Officer.
FTLN 1932 Look, here’s the warrant, Claudio, for thy death.
FTLN 1933 ’Tis now dead midnight, and by eight tomorrow
FTLN 1934 65 Thou must be made immortal. Where’s Barnardine?
CLAUDIO
FTLN 1935 As fast locked up in sleep as guiltless labor
FTLN 1936 When it lies starkly in the traveler’s bones.
FTLN 1937 He will not wake.
PROVOST FTLN 1938 Who can do good on him?
FTLN 1939 70 Well, go, prepare yourself. Knock within. But hark,
FTLN 1940 what noise?—
FTLN 1941 Heaven give your spirits comfort. Claudio exits,
with Officer. Knock within. FTLN 1942 By and by!—
FTLN 1943 I hope it is some pardon or reprieve
FTLN 1944 75 For the most gentle Claudio.
Enter Duke, as a Friar.
FTLN 1945 Welcome, father.

143
Measure for Measure
ACT 4. SC. 2
DUKE , as Friar
FTLN 1946 The best and wholesom’st spirits of the night
FTLN 1947 Envelop you, good provost. Who called here of late?
PROVOST
FTLN 1948 None since the curfew rung.
DUKE , as Friar FTLN 1949 80 Not Isabel?
PROVOST FTLN 1950 No.
DUKE , as Friar FTLN 1951 They will, then, ere ’t be long.
PROVOST FTLN 1952 What comfort is for Claudio?
DUKE , as Friar
FTLN 1953 There’s some in hope.
PROVOST FTLN 1954 85 It is a bitter deputy.
DUKE , as Friar
FTLN 1955 Not so, not so. His life is paralleled
FTLN 1956 Even with the stroke and line of his great justice.
FTLN 1957 He doth with holy abstinence subdue
FTLN 1958 That in himself which he spurs on his power
FTLN 1959 90 To qualify in others. Were he mealed with that
FTLN 1960 Which he corrects, then were he tyrannous,
FTLN 1961 But this being so, he’s just. Knock within. Now are
FTLN 1962 they come. Provost exits.
FTLN 1963 This is a gentle provost. Seldom when
FTLN 1964 95 The steelèd jailer is the friend of men.
Enter Provost. Knocking continues.
FTLN 1965 How now, what noise? That spirit’s possessed with
FTLN 1966 haste
FTLN 1967 That wounds th’ unsisting postern with these strokes.
PROVOST
FTLN 1968 There he must stay until the officer
FTLN 1969 100 Arise to let him in. He is called up.
DUKE , as Friar
FTLN 1970 Have you no countermand for Claudio yet,
FTLN 1971 But he must die tomorrow?
PROVOST FTLN 1972 None, sir, none.

145
Measure for Measure
ACT 4. SC. 2
DUKE , as Friar
FTLN 1973 As near the dawning, provost, as it is,
FTLN 1974 105 You shall hear more ere morning.
PROVOST FTLN 1975 Happily
FTLN 1976 You something know, yet I believe there comes
FTLN 1977 No countermand. No such example have we.
FTLN 1978 Besides, upon the very siege of justice
FTLN 1979 110 Lord Angelo hath to the public ear
FTLN 1980 Professed the contrary.
Enter a Messenger.
FTLN 1981 This is his Lordship’s man.
DUKE , as Friar FTLN 1982 And here comes Claudio’s pardon.
MESSENGER , giving Provost a paper FTLN 1983 My lord hath sent
FTLN 1984 115 you this note, and by me this further charge: that
FTLN 1985 you swerve not from the smallest article of it,
FTLN 1986 neither in time, matter, or other circumstance.
FTLN 1987 Good morrow, for, as I take it, it is almost day.
PROVOST FTLN 1988 I shall obey him. Provost reads message.
Messenger exits.
DUKE , aside
FTLN 1989 120 This is his pardon, purchased by such sin
FTLN 1990 For which the pardoner himself is in.
FTLN 1991 Hence hath offense his quick celerity
FTLN 1992 When it is borne in high authority.
FTLN 1993 When vice makes mercy, mercy’s so extended
FTLN 1994 125 That for the fault’s love is th’ offender friended.
FTLN 1995 As Friar. Now, sir, what news?
PROVOST FTLN 1996 I told you: Lord Angelo, belike thinking me
FTLN 1997 remiss in mine office, awakens me with this unwonted
FTLN 1998 putting-on, methinks strangely; for he hath
FTLN 1999 130 not used it before.
DUKE , as Friar FTLN 2000 Pray you let’s hear.
PROVOST , reads the letter.
FTLN 2001 Whatsoever you may hear to the contrary, let Claudio
FTLN 2002 be executed by four of the clock, and in the afternoon

147
Measure for Measure
ACT 4. SC. 2
FTLN 2003 Barnardine. For my better satisfaction, let me have
FTLN 2004 135 Claudio’s head sent me by five. Let this be duly
FTLN 2005 performed with a thought that more depends on it
FTLN 2006 than we must yet deliver. Thus fail not to do your
FTLN 2007 office, as you will answer it at your peril.
FTLN 2008 What say you to this, sir?
DUKE , as Friar FTLN 2009 140 What is that Barnardine who is to be
FTLN 2010 executed in th’ afternoon?
PROVOST FTLN 2011 A Bohemian born, but here nursed up and
FTLN 2012 bred; one that is a prisoner nine years old.
DUKE , as Friar FTLN 2013 How came it that the absent duke had
FTLN 2014 145 not either delivered him to his liberty, or executed
FTLN 2015 him? I have heard it was ever his manner to do so.
PROVOST FTLN 2016 His friends still wrought reprieves for him;
FTLN 2017 and indeed his fact, till now in the government of
FTLN 2018 Lord Angelo, came not to an undoubtful proof.
DUKE , as Friar FTLN 2019 150 It is now apparent?
PROVOST FTLN 2020 Most manifest, and not denied by himself.
DUKE , as Friar FTLN 2021 Hath he borne himself penitently in
FTLN 2022 prison? How seems he to be touched?
PROVOST FTLN 2023 A man that apprehends death no more dreadfully
FTLN 2024 155 but as a drunken sleep; careless, reckless, and
FTLN 2025 fearless of what’s past, present, or to come; insensible
FTLN 2026 of mortality and desperately mortal.
DUKE , as Friar FTLN 2027 He wants advice.
PROVOST FTLN 2028 He will hear none. He hath evermore had the
FTLN 2029 160 liberty of the prison; give him leave to escape
FTLN 2030 hence, he would not. Drunk many times a day, if not
FTLN 2031 many days entirely drunk. We have very oft awaked
FTLN 2032 him, as if to carry him to execution, and showed
FTLN 2033 him a seeming warrant for it. It hath not moved him
FTLN 2034 165 at all.
DUKE , as Friar FTLN 2035 More of him anon. There is written in
FTLN 2036 your brow, provost, honesty and constancy; if I read
FTLN 2037 it not truly, my ancient skill beguiles me. But in the
FTLN 2038 boldness of my cunning, I will lay myself in hazard.

149
Measure for Measure
ACT 4. SC. 2
FTLN 2039 170 Claudio, whom here you have warrant to execute, is
FTLN 2040 no greater forfeit to the law than Angelo, who hath
FTLN 2041 sentenced him. To make you understand this in a
FTLN 2042 manifested effect, I crave but four days’ respite, for
FTLN 2043 the which you are to do me both a present and a
FTLN 2044 175 dangerous courtesy.
PROVOST FTLN 2045 Pray, sir, in what?
DUKE , as Friar FTLN 2046 In the delaying death.
PROVOST FTLN 2047 Alack, how may I do it, having the hour
FTLN 2048 limited, and an express command, under penalty,
FTLN 2049 180 to deliver his head in the view of Angelo? I may
FTLN 2050 make my case as Claudio’s, to cross this in the
FTLN 2051 smallest.
DUKE , as Friar FTLN 2052 By the vow of mine order I warrant
FTLN 2053 you, if my instructions may be your guide. Let this
FTLN 2054 185 Barnardine be this morning executed and his head
FTLN 2055 borne to Angelo.
PROVOST FTLN 2056 Angelo hath seen them both and will discover
FTLN 2057 the favor.
DUKE , as Friar FTLN 2058 O, death’s a great disguiser, and you
FTLN 2059 190 may add to it. Shave the head and tie the beard, and
FTLN 2060 say it was the desire of the penitent to be so bared
FTLN 2061 before his death. You know the course is common.
FTLN 2062 If anything fall to you upon this, more than thanks
FTLN 2063 and good fortune, by the saint whom I profess, I
FTLN 2064 195 will plead against it with my life.
PROVOST FTLN 2065 Pardon me, good father, it is against my oath.
DUKE , as Friar FTLN 2066 Were you sworn to the Duke or to the
FTLN 2067 Deputy?
PROVOST FTLN 2068 To him and to his substitutes.
DUKE , as Friar FTLN 2069 200 You will think you have made no
FTLN 2070 offense if the Duke avouch the justice of your
FTLN 2071 dealing?
PROVOST FTLN 2072 But what likelihood is in that?
DUKE , as Friar FTLN 2073 Not a resemblance, but a certainty; yet
FTLN 2074 205 since I see you fearful, that neither my coat, integrity,

151
Measure for Measure
ACT 4. SC. 3
FTLN 2075 nor persuasion can with ease attempt you, I will
FTLN 2076 go further than I meant, to pluck all fears out of
FTLN 2077 you. Look you, sir, here is the hand and seal of the
FTLN 2078 Duke. He shows the Provost a paper. You know the
FTLN 2079 210 character, I doubt not, and the signet is not strange
FTLN 2080 to you.
PROVOST FTLN 2081 I know them both.
DUKE , as Friar FTLN 2082 The contents of this is the return of the
FTLN 2083 Duke; you shall anon overread it at your pleasure,
FTLN 2084 215 where you shall find within these two days he will
FTLN 2085 be here. This is a thing that Angelo knows not, for
FTLN 2086 he this very day receives letters of strange tenor,
FTLN 2087 perchance of the Duke’s death, perchance entering
FTLN 2088 into some monastery, but by chance nothing of
FTLN 2089 220 what is writ. Look, th’ unfolding star calls up the
FTLN 2090 shepherd. Put not yourself into amazement how
FTLN 2091 these things should be. All difficulties are but easy
FTLN 2092 when they are known. Call your executioner, and
FTLN 2093 off with Barnardine’s head. I will give him a present
FTLN 2094 225 shrift, and advise him for a better place. Yet you are
FTLN 2095 amazed, but this shall absolutely resolve you.
He gives the Provost the paper.
FTLN 2096 Come away; it is almost clear dawn.
They exit.
Scene 3
Enter Pompey.
POMPEY FTLN 2097 I am as well acquainted here as I was in our
FTLN 2098 house of profession. One would think it were Mistress
FTLN 2099 Overdone’s own house, for here be many of
FTLN 2100 her old customers. First, here’s young Master Rash.
FTLN 2101 5 He’s in for a commodity of brown paper and old
FTLN 2102 ginger, ninescore and seventeen pounds, of which
FTLN 2103 he made five marks ready money. Marry, then

153
Measure for Measure
ACT 4. SC. 3
FTLN 2104 ginger was not much in request, for the old women
FTLN 2105 were all dead. Then is there here one Master Caper,
FTLN 2106 10 at the suit of Master Three-pile the mercer, for some
FTLN 2107 four suits of peach-colored satin, which now
FTLN 2108 peaches him a beggar. Then have we here young
FTLN 2109 Dizzy and young Master Deep-vow, and Master
FTLN 2110 Copper-spur and Master Starve-lackey the rapier-and-dagger
FTLN 2111 15 man, and young Drop-heir that killed
FTLN 2112 lusty Pudding, and Master Forth-light the tilter, and
FTLN 2113 brave Master Shoe-tie the great traveler, and wild
FTLN 2114 Half-can that stabbed Pots, and I think forty more,
FTLN 2115 all great doers in our trade, and are now “for the
FTLN 2116 20 Lord’s sake.”
Enter Abhorson.
ABHORSON FTLN 2117 Sirrah, bring Barnardine hither.
POMPEY , calling FTLN 2118 Master Barnardine, you must rise
FTLN 2119 and be hanged, Master Barnardine.
ABHORSON , calling FTLN 2120 What ho, Barnardine!
BARNARDINE , within FTLN 2121 25 A pox o’ your throats! Who makes
FTLN 2122 that noise there? What are you?
POMPEY , calling to Barnardine offstage FTLN 2123 Your friends,
FTLN 2124 sir, the hangman. You must be so good, sir, to rise
FTLN 2125 and be put to death.
BARNARDINE , within FTLN 2126 30 Away, you rogue, away! I am
FTLN 2127 sleepy.
ABHORSON , to Pompey FTLN 2128 Tell him he must awake, and
FTLN 2129 that quickly too.
POMPEY , calling FTLN 2130 Pray, Master Barnardine, awake till
FTLN 2131 35 you are executed, and sleep afterwards.
ABHORSON FTLN 2132 Go in to him, and fetch him out.
POMPEY FTLN 2133 He is coming, sir, he is coming. I hear his
FTLN 2134 straw rustle.
ABHORSON FTLN 2135 Is the axe upon the block, sirrah?
POMPEY FTLN 2136 40 Very ready, sir.
Enter Barnardine.

155
Measure for Measure
ACT 4. SC. 3
BARNARDINE FTLN 2137 How now, Abhorson? What’s the news
FTLN 2138 with you?
ABHORSON FTLN 2139 Truly, sir, I would desire you to clap into
FTLN 2140 your prayers, for, look you, the warrant’s come.
BARNARDINE FTLN 2141 45 You rogue, I have been drinking all night.
FTLN 2142 I am not fitted for ’t.
POMPEY FTLN 2143 O, the better, sir, for he that drinks all night
FTLN 2144 and is hanged betimes in the morning may sleep the
FTLN 2145 sounder all the next day.
Enter Duke, as a Friar.
ABHORSON , to Barnardine FTLN 2146 50 Look you, sir, here comes
FTLN 2147 your ghostly father. Do we jest now, think you?
DUKE , as Friar, to Barnardine FTLN 2148 Sir, induced by my
FTLN 2149 charity, and hearing how hastily you are to depart, I
FTLN 2150 am come to advise you, comfort you, and pray with
FTLN 2151 55 you.
BARNARDINE FTLN 2152 Friar, not I. I have been drinking hard all
FTLN 2153 night, and I will have more time to prepare me, or
FTLN 2154 they shall beat out my brains with billets. I will not
FTLN 2155 consent to die this day, that’s certain.
DUKE , as Friar FTLN 2156 60 O, sir, you must. And therefore I
FTLN 2157 beseech you look forward on the journey you shall
FTLN 2158 go.
BARNARDINE FTLN 2159 I swear I will not die today for any man’s
FTLN 2160 persuasion.
DUKE , as Friar FTLN 2161 65 But hear you—
BARNARDINE FTLN 2162 Not a word. If you have anything to say to
FTLN 2163 me, come to my ward, for thence will not I today.
He exits.
DUKE , as Friar
FTLN 2164 Unfit to live or die. O gravel heart!
FTLN 2165 After him, fellows; bring him to the block.
Abhorson and Pompey exit.
Enter Provost.

157
Measure for Measure
ACT 4. SC. 3
PROVOST
FTLN 2166 70 Now, sir, how do you find the prisoner?
DUKE , as Friar
FTLN 2167 A creature unprepared, unmeet for death,
FTLN 2168 And to transport him in the mind he is
FTLN 2169 Were damnable.
PROVOST FTLN 2170 Here in the prison, father,
FTLN 2171 75 There died this morning of a cruel fever
FTLN 2172 One Ragozine, a most notorious pirate,
FTLN 2173 A man of Claudio’s years, his beard and head
FTLN 2174 Just of his color. What if we do omit
FTLN 2175 This reprobate till he were well inclined,
FTLN 2176 80 And satisfy the Deputy with the visage
FTLN 2177 Of Ragozine, more like to Claudio?
DUKE , as Friar
FTLN 2178 O, ’tis an accident that heaven provides!
FTLN 2179 Dispatch it presently. The hour draws on
FTLN 2180 Prefixed by Angelo. See this be done
FTLN 2181 85 And sent according to command, whiles I
FTLN 2182 Persuade this rude wretch willingly to die.
PROVOST
FTLN 2183 This shall be done, good father, presently.
FTLN 2184 But Barnardine must die this afternoon,
FTLN 2185 And how shall we continue Claudio,
FTLN 2186 90 To save me from the danger that might come
FTLN 2187 If he were known alive?
DUKE , as Friar FTLN 2188 Let this be done:
FTLN 2189 Put them in secret holds, both Barnardine and
FTLN 2190 Claudio.
FTLN 2191 95 Ere twice the sun hath made his journal greeting
FTLN 2192 To yonder generation, you shall find
FTLN 2193 Your safety manifested.
PROVOST FTLN 2194 I am your free dependent.
DUKE , as Friar
FTLN 2195 Quick, dispatch, and send the head to Angelo.
Provost exits.

159
Measure for Measure
ACT 4. SC. 3
DUKE
FTLN 2196 100 Now will I write letters to Angelo—
FTLN 2197 The Provost he shall bear them—whose contents
FTLN 2198 Shall witness to him I am near at home
FTLN 2199 And that by great injunctions I am bound
FTLN 2200 To enter publicly. Him I’ll desire
FTLN 2201 105 To meet me at the consecrated fount
FTLN 2202 A league below the city; and from thence,
FTLN 2203 By cold gradation and well-balanced form,
FTLN 2204 We shall proceed with Angelo.
Enter Provost, carrying a head.
PROVOST
FTLN 2205 Here is the head. I’ll carry it myself.
DUKE , as Friar
FTLN 2206 110 Convenient is it. Make a swift return,
FTLN 2207 For I would commune with you of such things
FTLN 2208 That want no ear but yours.
PROVOST FTLN 2209 I’ll make all speed.
He exits.
ISABELLA , within FTLN 2210 Peace, ho, be here.
DUKE
FTLN 2211 115 The tongue of Isabel. She’s come to know
FTLN 2212 If yet her brother’s pardon be come hither.
FTLN 2213 But I will keep her ignorant of her good
FTLN 2214 To make her heavenly comforts of despair
FTLN 2215 When it is least expected.
Enter Isabella.
ISABELLA FTLN 2216 120 Ho, by your leave.
DUKE , as Friar
FTLN 2217 Good morning to you, fair and gracious daughter.
ISABELLA
FTLN 2218 The better, given me by so holy a man.
FTLN 2219 Hath yet the Deputy sent my brother’s pardon?

161
Measure for Measure
ACT 4. SC. 3
DUKE , as Friar
FTLN 2220 He hath released him, Isabel, from the world.
FTLN 2221 125 His head is off, and sent to Angelo.
ISABELLA
FTLN 2222 Nay, but it is not so.
DUKE , as Friar FTLN 2223 It is no other.
FTLN 2224 Show your wisdom, daughter, in your close patience.
ISABELLA
FTLN 2225 O, I will to him and pluck out his eyes!
DUKE , as Friar
FTLN 2226 130 You shall not be admitted to his sight.
ISABELLA
FTLN 2227 Unhappy Claudio, wretched Isabel,
FTLN 2228 Injurious world, most damnèd Angelo!
DUKE , as Friar
FTLN 2229 This nor hurts him nor profits you a jot.
FTLN 2230 Forbear it, therefore; give your cause to heaven.
FTLN 2231 135 Mark what I say, which you shall find
FTLN 2232 By every syllable a faithful verity.
FTLN 2233 The Duke comes home tomorrow—nay, dry your
FTLN 2234 eyes.
FTLN 2235 One of our convent, and his confessor,
FTLN 2236 140 Gives me this instance. Already he hath carried
FTLN 2237 Notice to Escalus and Angelo,
FTLN 2238 Who do prepare to meet him at the gates,
FTLN 2239 There to give up their power. If you can, pace your
FTLN 2240 wisdom
FTLN 2241 145 In that good path that I would wish it go,
FTLN 2242 And you shall have your bosom on this wretch,
FTLN 2243 Grace of the Duke, revenges to your heart,
FTLN 2244 And general honor.
ISABELLA FTLN 2245 I am directed by you.
DUKE , as Friar, showing her a paper
FTLN 2246 150 This letter, then, to Friar Peter give.
FTLN 2247 ’Tis that he sent me of the Duke’s return.
FTLN 2248 Say, by this token, I desire his company

163
Measure for Measure
ACT 4. SC. 3
FTLN 2249 At Mariana’s house tonight. Her cause and yours
FTLN 2250 I’ll perfect him withal, and he shall bring you
FTLN 2251 155 Before the Duke, and to the head of Angelo
FTLN 2252 Accuse him home and home. For my poor self,
FTLN 2253 I am combinèd by a sacred vow
FTLN 2254 And shall be absent. Wend you with this letter.
He hands her the paper.
FTLN 2255 Command these fretting waters from your eyes
FTLN 2256 160 With a light heart. Trust not my holy order
FTLN 2257 If I pervert your course.—Who’s here?
Enter Lucio.
LUCIO FTLN 2258 Good even, friar, where’s the Provost?
DUKE , as Friar FTLN 2259 Not within, sir.
LUCIO FTLN 2260 O, pretty Isabella, I am pale at mine heart to see
FTLN 2261 165 thine eyes so red. Thou must be patient. I am fain to
FTLN 2262 dine and sup with water and bran. I dare not for my
FTLN 2263 head fill my belly. One fruitful meal would set me to
FTLN 2264 ’t. But they say the Duke will be here tomorrow. By
FTLN 2265 my troth, Isabel, I loved thy brother. If the old
FTLN 2266 170 fantastical duke of dark corners had been at home,
FTLN 2267 he had lived. Isabella exits.
DUKE , as Friar FTLN 2268 Sir, the Duke is marvelous little beholding
FTLN 2269 to your reports, but the best is, he lives not
FTLN 2270 in them.
LUCIO FTLN 2271 175 Friar, thou knowest not the Duke so well as I do.
FTLN 2272 He’s a better woodman than thou tak’st him for.
DUKE , as Friar FTLN 2273 Well, you’ll answer this one day. Fare
FTLN 2274 you well.
LUCIO FTLN 2275 Nay, tarry, I’ll go along with thee. I can tell thee
FTLN 2276 180 pretty tales of the Duke.
DUKE , as Friar FTLN 2277 You have told me too many of him
FTLN 2278 already, sir, if they be true; if not true, none were
FTLN 2279 enough.
LUCIO FTLN 2280 I was once before him for getting a wench with
FTLN 2281 185 child.

165
Measure for Measure
ACT 4. SC. 4
DUKE , as Friar FTLN 2282 Did you such a thing?
LUCIO FTLN 2283 Yes, marry, did I, but I was fain to forswear it.
FTLN 2284 They would else have married me to the rotten
FTLN 2285 medlar.
DUKE , as Friar FTLN 2286 190 Sir, your company is fairer than honest.
FTLN 2287 Rest you well.
LUCIO FTLN 2288 By my troth, I’ll go with thee to the lane’s end. If
FTLN 2289 bawdy talk offend you, we’ll have very little of it.
FTLN 2290 Nay, friar, I am a kind of burr. I shall stick.
They exit.
Scene 4
Enter Angelo and Escalus.
ESCALUS FTLN 2291 Every letter he hath writ hath disvouched
FTLN 2292 other.
ANGELO FTLN 2293 In most uneven and distracted manner. His
FTLN 2294 actions show much like to madness. Pray heaven his
FTLN 2295 5 wisdom be not tainted. And why meet him at the
FTLN 2296 gates and deliver our authorities there?
ESCALUS FTLN 2297 I guess not.
ANGELO FTLN 2298 And why should we proclaim it in an hour
FTLN 2299 before his entering, that if any crave redress of
FTLN 2300 10 injustice, they should exhibit their petitions in the
FTLN 2301 street?
ESCALUS FTLN 2302 He shows his reason for that: to have a dispatch
FTLN 2303 of complaints, and to deliver us from devices
FTLN 2304 hereafter, which shall then have no power to stand
FTLN 2305 15 against us.
ANGELO FTLN 2306 Well, I beseech you let it be proclaimed.
FTLN 2307 Betimes i’ th’ morn, I’ll call you at your house. Give
FTLN 2308 notice to such men of sort and suit as are to meet
FTLN 2309 him.
ESCALUS FTLN 2310 20 I shall, sir. Fare you well.

167
Measure for Measure
ACT 4. SC. 5
ANGELO FTLN 2311 Good night. Escalus exits.
FTLN 2312 This deed unshapes me quite, makes me unpregnant
FTLN 2313 And dull to all proceedings. A deflowered maid,
FTLN 2314 And by an eminent body that enforced
FTLN 2315 25 The law against it. But that her tender shame
FTLN 2316 Will not proclaim against her maiden loss,
FTLN 2317 How might she tongue me! Yet reason dares her no,
FTLN 2318 For my authority bears of a credent bulk
FTLN 2319 That no particular scandal once can touch
FTLN 2320 30 But it confounds the breather. He should have lived,
FTLN 2321 Save that his riotous youth with dangerous sense
FTLN 2322 Might in the times to come have ta’en revenge
FTLN 2323 By so receiving a dishonored life
FTLN 2324 With ransom of such shame. Would yet he had lived.
FTLN 2325 35 Alack, when once our grace we have forgot,
FTLN 2326 Nothing goes right. We would, and we would not.
He exits.
Scene 5
Enter Duke and Friar Peter.
DUKE , giving the Friar papers.
FTLN 2327 These letters at fit time deliver me.
FTLN 2328 The Provost knows our purpose and our plot.
FTLN 2329 The matter being afoot, keep your instruction
FTLN 2330 And hold you ever to our special drift,
FTLN 2331 5 Though sometimes you do blench from this to that
FTLN 2332 As cause doth minister. Go call at Flavius’ house
FTLN 2333 And tell him where I stay. Give the like notice
FTLN 2334 To Valencius, Rowland, and to Crassus,
FTLN 2335 And bid them bring the trumpets to the gate.
FTLN 2336 10 But send me Flavius first.
FRIAR PETER FTLN 2337 It shall be speeded well. He exits.
Enter Varrius.

169
Measure for Measure
ACT 4. SC. 6
DUKE
FTLN 2338 I thank thee, Varrius. Thou hast made good haste.
FTLN 2339 Come, we will walk. There’s other of our friends
FTLN 2340 Will greet us here anon. My gentle Varrius.
They exit.
Scene 6
Enter Isabella and Mariana.
ISABELLA
FTLN 2341 To speak so indirectly I am loath.
FTLN 2342 I would say the truth, but to accuse him so
FTLN 2343 That is your part; yet I am advised to do it,
FTLN 2344 He says, to veil full purpose.
MARIANA FTLN 2345 5 Be ruled by him.
ISABELLA
FTLN 2346 Besides, he tells me that, if peradventure
FTLN 2347 He speak against me on the adverse side,
FTLN 2348 I should not think it strange, for ’tis a physic
FTLN 2349 That’s bitter to sweet end.
MARIANA
FTLN 2350 10 I would Friar Peter—
Enter Friar Peter.
ISABELLA FTLN 2351 O peace, the Friar is come.
FRIAR PETER
FTLN 2352 Come, I have found you out a stand most fit,
FTLN 2353 Where you may have such vantage on the Duke
FTLN 2354 He shall not pass you. Twice have the trumpets
FTLN 2355 15 sounded.
FTLN 2356 The generous and gravest citizens
FTLN 2357 Have hent the gates, and very near upon
FTLN 2358 The Duke is entering. Therefore hence, away.
They exit.

ACT 5
Scene 1
Enter Duke, Varrius, Lords, Angelo, Escalus, Lucio,
Provost, Officers, and Citizens at several doors.
DUKE , to Angelo
FTLN 2359 My very worthy cousin, fairly met.
FTLN 2360 To Escalus. Our old and faithful friend, we are
FTLN 2361 glad to see you.
ANGELO, ESCALUS
FTLN 2362 Happy return be to your royal Grace.
DUKE
FTLN 2363 5 Many and hearty thankings to you both.
FTLN 2364 We have made inquiry of you, and we hear
FTLN 2365 Such goodness of your justice that our soul
FTLN 2366 Cannot but yield you forth to public thanks,
FTLN 2367 Forerunning more requital.
ANGELO FTLN 2368 10 You make my bonds still greater.
DUKE
FTLN 2369 O, your desert speaks loud, and I should wrong it
FTLN 2370 To lock it in the wards of covert bosom
FTLN 2371 When it deserves with characters of brass
FTLN 2372 A forted residence ’gainst the tooth of time
FTLN 2373 15 And razure of oblivion. Give me your hand
FTLN 2374 And let the subject see, to make them know
FTLN 2375 That outward courtesies would fain proclaim
FTLN 2376 Favors that keep within.—Come, Escalus,
173

175
Measure for Measure
ACT 5. SC. 1
FTLN 2377 You must walk by us on our other hand.
FTLN 2378 20 And good supporters are you.
Enter Friar Peter and Isabella.
FRIAR PETER , to Isabella
FTLN 2379 Now is your time. Speak loud, and kneel before him.
ISABELLA , kneeling
FTLN 2380 Justice, O royal duke. Vail your regard
FTLN 2381 Upon a wronged—I would fain have said, a maid.
FTLN 2382 O worthy prince, dishonor not your eye
FTLN 2383 25 By throwing it on any other object
FTLN 2384 Till you have heard me in my true complaint
FTLN 2385 And given me justice, justice, justice, justice.
DUKE
FTLN 2386 Relate your wrongs. In what, by whom? Be brief.
FTLN 2387 Here is Lord Angelo shall give you justice.
FTLN 2388 30 Reveal yourself to him.
ISABELLA FTLN 2389 O worthy duke,
FTLN 2390 You bid me seek redemption of the devil.
FTLN 2391 Hear me yourself, for that which I must speak
FTLN 2392 Must either punish me, not being believed,
FTLN 2393 35 Or wring redress from you. Hear me, O hear me,
FTLN 2394 here.
ANGELO
FTLN 2395 My lord, her wits, I fear me, are not firm.
FTLN 2396 She hath been a suitor to me for her brother
FTLN 2397 Cut off by course of justice.
ISABELLA , standing FTLN 2398 40 By course of justice!
ANGELO
FTLN 2399 And she will speak most bitterly and strange.
ISABELLA
FTLN 2400 Most strange, but yet most truly will I speak.
FTLN 2401 That Angelo’s forsworn, is it not strange?
FTLN 2402 That Angelo’s a murderer, is ’t not strange?
FTLN 2403 45 That Angelo is an adulterous thief,

177
Measure for Measure
ACT 5. SC. 1
FTLN 2404 An hypocrite, a virgin-violator,
FTLN 2405 Is it not strange, and strange?
DUKE FTLN 2406 Nay, it is ten times strange.
ISABELLA
FTLN 2407 It is not truer he is Angelo
FTLN 2408 50 Than this is all as true as it is strange.
FTLN 2409 Nay, it is ten times true, for truth is truth
FTLN 2410 To th’ end of reck’ning.
DUKE FTLN 2411 Away with her. Poor soul,
FTLN 2412 She speaks this in th’ infirmity of sense.
ISABELLA
FTLN 2413 55 O prince, I conjure thee, as thou believest
FTLN 2414 There is another comfort than this world,
FTLN 2415 That thou neglect me not with that opinion
FTLN 2416 That I am touched with madness. Make not
FTLN 2417 impossible
FTLN 2418 60 That which but seems unlike. ’Tis not impossible
FTLN 2419 But one, the wicked’st caitiff on the ground,
FTLN 2420 May seem as shy, as grave, as just, as absolute
FTLN 2421 As Angelo. Even so may Angelo,
FTLN 2422 In all his dressings, caracts, titles, forms,
FTLN 2423 65 Be an archvillain. Believe it, royal prince,
FTLN 2424 If he be less, he’s nothing, but he’s more,
FTLN 2425 Had I more name for badness.
DUKE FTLN 2426 By mine honesty,
FTLN 2427 If she be mad—as I believe no other—
FTLN 2428 70 Her madness hath the oddest frame of sense,
FTLN 2429 Such a dependency of thing on thing,
FTLN 2430 As e’er I heard in madness.
ISABELLA FTLN 2431 O gracious duke,
FTLN 2432 Harp not on that; nor do not banish reason
FTLN 2433 75 For inequality, but let your reason serve
FTLN 2434 To make the truth appear where it seems hid,
FTLN 2435 And hide the false seems true.
DUKE FTLN 2436 Many that are not mad
FTLN 2437 Have, sure, more lack of reason. What would you
FTLN 2438 80 say?

179
Measure for Measure
ACT 5. SC. 1
ISABELLA
FTLN 2439 I am the sister of one Claudio,
FTLN 2440 Condemned upon the act of fornication
FTLN 2441 To lose his head, condemned by Angelo.
FTLN 2442 I, in probation of a sisterhood,
FTLN 2443 85 Was sent to by my brother; one Lucio
FTLN 2444 As then the messenger—
LUCIO , to Duke FTLN 2445 That’s I, an ’t like your Grace.
FTLN 2446 I came to her from Claudio and desired her
FTLN 2447 To try her gracious fortune with Lord Angelo
FTLN 2448 90 For her poor brother’s pardon.
ISABELLA , to Duke FTLN 2449 That’s he indeed.
DUKE , to Lucio
FTLN 2450 You were not bid to speak.
LUCIO FTLN 2451 No, my good lord,
FTLN 2452 Nor wished to hold my peace.
DUKE FTLN 2453 95 I wish you now, then.
FTLN 2454 Pray you take note of it, and when you have
FTLN 2455 A business for yourself, pray heaven you then
FTLN 2456 Be perfect.
LUCIO FTLN 2457 I warrant your Honor.
DUKE
FTLN 2458 100 The warrant’s for yourself. Take heed to ’t.
ISABELLA
FTLN 2459 This gentleman told somewhat of my tale.
LUCIO FTLN 2460 Right.
DUKE
FTLN 2461 It may be right, but you are i’ the wrong
FTLN 2462 To speak before your time.—Proceed.
ISABELLA FTLN 2463 105 I went
FTLN 2464 To this pernicious caitiff deputy—
DUKE
FTLN 2465 That’s somewhat madly spoken.
ISABELLA FTLN 2466 Pardon it;
FTLN 2467 The phrase is to the matter.

181
Measure for Measure
ACT 5. SC. 1
DUKE
FTLN 2468 110 Mended again. The matter; proceed.
ISABELLA
FTLN 2469 In brief, to set the needless process by:
FTLN 2470 How I persuaded, how I prayed and kneeled,
FTLN 2471 How he refelled me, and how I replied—
FTLN 2472 For this was of much length—the vile conclusion
FTLN 2473 115 I now begin with grief and shame to utter.
FTLN 2474 He would not, but by gift of my chaste body
FTLN 2475 To his concupiscible intemperate lust,
FTLN 2476 Release my brother; and after much debatement,
FTLN 2477 My sisterly remorse confutes mine honor,
FTLN 2478 120 And I did yield to him. But the next morn betimes,
FTLN 2479 His purpose surfeiting, he sends a warrant
FTLN 2480 For my poor brother’s head.
DUKE FTLN 2481 This is most likely!
ISABELLA
FTLN 2482 O, that it were as like as it is true!
DUKE
FTLN 2483 125 By heaven, fond wretch, thou know’st not what
FTLN 2484 thou speak’st,
FTLN 2485 Or else thou art suborned against his honor
FTLN 2486 In hateful practice. First, his integrity
FTLN 2487 Stands without blemish; next, it imports no reason
FTLN 2488 130 That with such vehemency he should pursue
FTLN 2489 Faults proper to himself. If he had so offended,
FTLN 2490 He would have weighed thy brother by himself
FTLN 2491 And not have cut him off. Someone hath set you on.
FTLN 2492 Confess the truth, and say by whose advice
FTLN 2493 135 Thou cam’st here to complain.
ISABELLA FTLN 2494 And is this all?
FTLN 2495 Then, O you blessèd ministers above,
FTLN 2496 Keep me in patience, and with ripened time
FTLN 2497 Unfold the evil which is here wrapped up
FTLN 2498 140 In countenance. Heaven shield your Grace from
FTLN 2499 woe,

183
Measure for Measure
ACT 5. SC. 1
FTLN 2500 As I, thus wronged, hence unbelievèd go.
DUKE
FTLN 2501 I know you’d fain be gone.—An officer!
An Officer comes forward.
FTLN 2502 To prison with her. Shall we thus permit
FTLN 2503 145 A blasting and a scandalous breath to fall
FTLN 2504 On him so near us? This needs must be a practice.—
FTLN 2505 Who knew of your intent and coming hither?
ISABELLA
FTLN 2506 One that I would were here, Friar Lodowick.
Officer exits with Isabella.
DUKE
FTLN 2507 A ghostly father, belike. Who knows that Lodowick?
LUCIO
FTLN 2508 150 My lord, I know him. ’Tis a meddling friar.
FTLN 2509 I do not like the man. Had he been lay, my lord,
FTLN 2510 For certain words he spake against your Grace
FTLN 2511 In your retirement, I had swinged him soundly.
DUKE
FTLN 2512 Words against me? This’ a good friar, belike.
FTLN 2513 155 And to set on this wretched woman here
FTLN 2514 Against our substitute! Let this friar be found.
LUCIO
FTLN 2515 But yesternight, my lord, she and that friar,
FTLN 2516 I saw them at the prison. A saucy friar,
FTLN 2517 A very scurvy fellow.
FRIAR PETER , to Duke FTLN 2518 160 Blessed be your royal Grace.
FTLN 2519 I have stood by, my lord, and I have heard
FTLN 2520 Your royal ear abused. First hath this woman
FTLN 2521 Most wrongfully accused your substitute,
FTLN 2522 Who is as free from touch or soil with her
FTLN 2523 165 As she from one ungot.
DUKE FTLN 2524 We did believe no less.
FTLN 2525 Know you that Friar Lodowick that she speaks of?
FRIAR PETER
FTLN 2526 I know him for a man divine and holy,

185
Measure for Measure
ACT 5. SC. 1
FTLN 2527 Not scurvy, nor a temporary meddler,
FTLN 2528 170 As he’s reported by this gentleman;
FTLN 2529 And on my trust, a man that never yet
FTLN 2530 Did, as he vouches, misreport your Grace.
LUCIO
FTLN 2531 My lord, most villainously, believe it.
FRIAR PETER
FTLN 2532 Well, he in time may come to clear himself;
FTLN 2533 175 But at this instant he is sick, my lord,
FTLN 2534 Of a strange fever. Upon his mere request,
FTLN 2535 Being come to knowledge that there was complaint
FTLN 2536 Intended ’gainst Lord Angelo, came I hither
FTLN 2537 To speak as from his mouth, what he doth know
FTLN 2538 180 Is true and false, and what he with his oath
FTLN 2539 And all probation will make up full clear
FTLN 2540 Whensoever he’s convented. First, for this woman,
FTLN 2541 To justify this worthy nobleman,
FTLN 2542 So vulgarly and personally accused,
FTLN 2543 185 Her shall you hear disprovèd to her eyes
FTLN 2544 Till she herself confess it.
DUKE FTLN 2545 Good friar, let’s hear it.—
FTLN 2546 Do you not smile at this, Lord Angelo?
FTLN 2547 O heaven, the vanity of wretched fools!—
FTLN 2548 190 Give us some seats.—Come, cousin Angelo,
FTLN 2549 In this I’ll be impartial. Be you judge
FTLN 2550 Of your own cause. Duke and Angelo are seated.
Enter Mariana, veiled.
FTLN 2551 Is this the witness, friar?
FTLN 2552 First, let her show her face, and after speak.
MARIANA
FTLN 2553 195 Pardon, my lord, I will not show my face
FTLN 2554 Until my husband bid me.
DUKE FTLN 2555 What, are you married?
MARIANA FTLN 2556 No, my lord.
DUKE FTLN 2557 Are you a maid?

187
Measure for Measure
ACT 5. SC. 1
MARIANA FTLN 2558 200 No, my lord.
DUKE FTLN 2559 A widow, then?
MARIANA FTLN 2560 Neither, my lord.
DUKE FTLN 2561 Why you are nothing, then, neither maid, widow,
FTLN 2562 nor wife?
LUCIO FTLN 2563 205 My lord, she may be a punk, for many of them
FTLN 2564 are neither maid, widow, nor wife.
DUKE FTLN 2565 Silence that fellow. I would he had some cause
FTLN 2566 to prattle for himself.
LUCIO FTLN 2567 Well, my lord.
MARIANA
FTLN 2568 210 My lord, I do confess I ne’er was married,
FTLN 2569 And I confess besides I am no maid.
FTLN 2570 I have known my husband, yet my husband
FTLN 2571 Knows not that ever he knew me.
LUCIO FTLN 2572 He was drunk, then, my lord; it can be no better.
DUKE FTLN 2573 215 For the benefit of silence, would thou wert so
FTLN 2574 too.
LUCIO FTLN 2575 Well, my lord.
DUKE
FTLN 2576 This is no witness for Lord Angelo.
MARIANA FTLN 2577 Now I come to ’t, my lord.
FTLN 2578 220 She that accuses him of fornication
FTLN 2579 In selfsame manner doth accuse my husband,
FTLN 2580 And charges him, my lord, with such a time
FTLN 2581 When, I’ll depose, I had him in mine arms
FTLN 2582 With all th’ effect of love.
ANGELO FTLN 2583 225 Charges she more than me?
MARIANA FTLN 2584 Not that I know.
DUKE FTLN 2585 No? You say your husband.
MARIANA
FTLN 2586 Why, just, my lord, and that is Angelo,
FTLN 2587 Who thinks he knows that he ne’er knew my body,
FTLN 2588 230 But knows, he thinks, that he knows Isabel’s.
ANGELO
FTLN 2589 This is a strange abuse. Let’s see thy face.

189
Measure for Measure
ACT 5. SC. 1
MARIANA
FTLN 2590 My husband bids me. Now I will unmask.
She removes her veil.
FTLN 2591 This is that face, thou cruel Angelo,
FTLN 2592 Which once thou swor’st was worth the looking on.
FTLN 2593 235 This is the hand which, with a vowed contract,
FTLN 2594 Was fast belocked in thine. This is the body
FTLN 2595 That took away the match from Isabel
FTLN 2596 And did supply thee at thy garden house
FTLN 2597 In her imagined person.
DUKE , to Angelo FTLN 2598 240 Know you this woman?
LUCIO FTLN 2599 Carnally, she says.
DUKE FTLN 2600 Sirrah, no more.
LUCIO FTLN 2601 Enough, my lord.
ANGELO
FTLN 2602 My lord, I must confess I know this woman,
FTLN 2603 245 And five years since there was some speech of
FTLN 2604 marriage
FTLN 2605 Betwixt myself and her, which was broke off,
FTLN 2606 Partly for that her promisèd proportions
FTLN 2607 Came short of composition, but in chief
FTLN 2608 250 For that her reputation was disvalued
FTLN 2609 In levity. Since which time of five years
FTLN 2610 I never spake with her, saw her, nor heard from her,
FTLN 2611 Upon my faith and honor.
MARIANA , kneeling, to Duke FTLN 2612 Noble prince,
FTLN 2613 255 As there comes light from heaven and words from
FTLN 2614 breath,
FTLN 2615 As there is sense in truth and truth in virtue,
FTLN 2616 I am affianced this man’s wife as strongly
FTLN 2617 As words could make up vows. And, my good lord,
FTLN 2618 260 But Tuesday night last gone in ’s garden house
FTLN 2619 He knew me as a wife. As this is true,
FTLN 2620 Let me in safety raise me from my knees,
FTLN 2621 Or else forever be confixèd here
FTLN 2622 A marble monument.

191
Measure for Measure
ACT 5. SC. 1
ANGELO FTLN 2623 265 I did but smile till now.
FTLN 2624 Now, good my lord, give me the scope of justice.
FTLN 2625 My patience here is touched. I do perceive
FTLN 2626 These poor informal women are no more
FTLN 2627 But instruments of some more mightier member
FTLN 2628 270 That sets them on. Let me have way, my lord,
FTLN 2629 To find this practice out.
DUKE FTLN 2630 Ay, with my heart,
FTLN 2631 And punish them to your height of pleasure.—
FTLN 2632 Thou foolish friar, and thou pernicious woman,
FTLN 2633 275 Compact with her that’s gone, think’st thou thy
FTLN 2634 oaths,
FTLN 2635 Though they would swear down each particular
FTLN 2636 saint,
FTLN 2637 Were testimonies against his worth and credit
FTLN 2638 280 That’s sealed in approbation?—You, Lord Escalus,
FTLN 2639 Sit with my cousin; lend him your kind pains
FTLN 2640 To find out this abuse, whence ’tis derived.
The Duke rises. Escalus is seated.
FTLN 2641 There is another friar that set them on.
FTLN 2642 Let him be sent for.
FRIAR PETER
FTLN 2643 285 Would he were here, my lord, for he indeed
FTLN 2644 Hath set the women on to this complaint;
FTLN 2645 Your provost knows the place where he abides,
FTLN 2646 And he may fetch him.
DUKE , to Provost FTLN 2647 Go, do it instantly.
Provost exits.
FTLN 2648 290 To Angelo. And you, my noble and well-warranted
FTLN 2649 cousin,
FTLN 2650 Whom it concerns to hear this matter forth,
FTLN 2651 Do with your injuries as seems you best
FTLN 2652 In any chastisement. I for a while
FTLN 2653 295 Will leave you; but stir not you till you have
FTLN 2654 Well determined upon these slanderers.
ESCALUS FTLN 2655 My lord, we’ll do it throughly. Duke exits.

193
Measure for Measure
ACT 5. SC. 1
FTLN 2656 Signior Lucio, did not you say you knew that Friar
FTLN 2657 Lodowick to be a dishonest person?
LUCIO FTLN 2658 300 Cucullus non facit monachum, honest in nothing
FTLN 2659 but in his clothes, and one that hath spoke most
FTLN 2660 villainous speeches of the Duke.
ESCALUS FTLN 2661 We shall entreat you to abide here till he
FTLN 2662 come, and enforce them against him. We shall find
FTLN 2663 305 this friar a notable fellow.
LUCIO FTLN 2664 As any in Vienna, on my word.
ESCALUS FTLN 2665 Call that same Isabel here once again. I would
FTLN 2666 speak with her. An Attendant exits.
FTLN 2667 To Angelo. Pray you, my lord, give me leave to
FTLN 2668 310 question. You shall see how I’ll handle her.
LUCIO FTLN 2669 Not better than he, by her own report.
ESCALUS FTLN 2670 Say you?
LUCIO FTLN 2671 Marry, sir, I think, if you handled her privately,
FTLN 2672 she would sooner confess; perchance publicly she’ll
FTLN 2673 315 be ashamed.
ESCALUS FTLN 2674 I will go darkly to work with her.
LUCIO FTLN 2675 That’s the way, for women are light at midnight.
Enter Duke as a Friar, Provost, and Isabella,
with Officers.
ESCALUS , to Isabella FTLN 2676 Come on, mistress. Here’s a gentlewoman
FTLN 2677 denies all that you have said.
LUCIO FTLN 2678 320 My lord, here comes the rascal I spoke of, here
FTLN 2679 with the Provost.
ESCALUS FTLN 2680 In very good time. Speak not you to him till
FTLN 2681 we call upon you.
LUCIO FTLN 2682 Mum.
ESCALUS , to disguised Duke FTLN 2683 325 Come, sir, did you set
FTLN 2684 these women on to slander Lord Angelo? They have
FTLN 2685 confessed you did.
DUKE , as Friar
FTLN 2686 ’Tis false.
ESCALUS FTLN 2687 How? Know you where you are?

195
Measure for Measure
ACT 5. SC. 1
DUKE , as Friar
FTLN 2688 330 Respect to your great place, and let the devil
FTLN 2689 Be sometime honored for his burning throne.
FTLN 2690 Where is the Duke? ’Tis he should hear me speak.
ESCALUS
FTLN 2691 The Duke’s in us, and we will hear you speak.
FTLN 2692 Look you speak justly.
DUKE , as Friar
FTLN 2693 335 Boldly, at least.—But, O, poor souls,
FTLN 2694 Come you to seek the lamb here of the fox?
FTLN 2695 Good night to your redress. Is the Duke gone?
FTLN 2696 Then is your cause gone too. The Duke’s unjust
FTLN 2697 Thus to retort your manifest appeal,
FTLN 2698 340 And put your trial in the villain’s mouth
FTLN 2699 Which here you come to accuse.
LUCIO
FTLN 2700 This is the rascal; this is he I spoke of.
ESCALUS , to disguised Duke
FTLN 2701 Why, thou unreverend and unhallowed friar,
FTLN 2702 Is ’t not enough thou hast suborned these women
FTLN 2703 345 To accuse this worthy man, but, in foul mouth
FTLN 2704 And in the witness of his proper ear,
FTLN 2705 To call him villain? And then to glance from him
FTLN 2706 To th’ Duke himself, to tax him with injustice?—
FTLN 2707 Take him hence. To th’ rack with him. We’ll touse
FTLN 2708 350 him
FTLN 2709 Joint by joint, but we will know his purpose.
FTLN 2710 What? “Unjust”?
DUKE , as Friar FTLN 2711 Be not so hot. The Duke
FTLN 2712 Dare no more stretch this finger of mine than he
FTLN 2713 355 Dare rack his own. His subject am I not,
FTLN 2714 Nor here provincial. My business in this state
FTLN 2715 Made me a looker-on here in Vienna,
FTLN 2716 Where I have seen corruption boil and bubble
FTLN 2717 Till it o’errun the stew. Laws for all faults,
FTLN 2718 360 But faults so countenanced that the strong statutes

197
Measure for Measure
ACT 5. SC. 1
FTLN 2719 Stand like the forfeits in a barber’s shop,
FTLN 2720 As much in mock as mark.
ESCALUS FTLN 2721 Slander to th’ state!
FTLN 2722 Away with him to prison.
ANGELO , to Lucio
FTLN 2723 365 What can you vouch against him, Signior Lucio?
FTLN 2724 Is this the man that you did tell us of?
LUCIO FTLN 2725’Tis he, my lord.—Come hither, Goodman Baldpate.
FTLN 2726 Do you know me?
DUKE , as Friar FTLN 2727 I remember you, sir, by the sound of
FTLN 2728 370 your voice. I met you at the prison in the absence of
FTLN 2729 the Duke.
LUCIO FTLN 2730 O, did you so? And do you remember what you
FTLN 2731 said of the Duke?
DUKE , as Friar FTLN 2732 Most notedly, sir.
LUCIO FTLN 2733 375 Do you so, sir? And was the Duke a fleshmonger,
FTLN 2734 a fool, and a coward, as you then reported him to
FTLN 2735 be?
DUKE , as Friar FTLN 2736 You must, sir, change persons with me
FTLN 2737 ere you make that my report. You indeed spoke so
FTLN 2738 380 of him, and much more, much worse.
LUCIO FTLN 2739 O, thou damnable fellow! Did not I pluck thee by
FTLN 2740 the nose for thy speeches?
DUKE , as Friar FTLN 2741 I protest I love the Duke as I love
FTLN 2742 myself.
ANGELO FTLN 2743 385 Hark how the villain would close now, after
FTLN 2744 his treasonable abuses!
ESCALUS FTLN 2745 Such a fellow is not to be talked withal. Away
FTLN 2746 with him to prison. Where is the Provost? Provost
comes forward. FTLN 2747 Away with him to prison. Lay bolts
FTLN 2748 390 enough upon him. Let him speak no more. Away
FTLN 2749 with those giglets too, and with the other confederate
FTLN 2750 companion.
Provost seizes the disguised Duke.
DUKE , as Friar FTLN 2751 Stay, sir, stay awhile.
ANGELO FTLN 2752 What, resists he?—Help him, Lucio.
LUCIO , to the disguised Duke FTLN 2753 395 Come, sir, come, sir,

199
Measure for Measure
ACT 5. SC. 1
FTLN 2754 come, sir. Foh, sir! Why you bald-pated, lying rascal,
FTLN 2755 you must be hooded, must you? Show your knave’s
FTLN 2756 visage, with a pox to you! Show your sheep-biting
FTLN 2757 face, and be hanged an hour! Will ’t not off?
He pulls off the friar’s hood, and reveals the Duke.
Angelo and Escalus stand.
DUKE
FTLN 2758 400 Thou art the first knave that e’er mad’st a duke.—
FTLN 2759 First, provost, let me bail these gentle three.
FTLN 2760 To Lucio. Sneak not away, sir, for the friar and
FTLN 2761 you
FTLN 2762 Must have a word anon.—Lay hold on him.
LUCIO FTLN 2763 405 This may prove worse than hanging.
DUKE , to Escalus
FTLN 2764 What you have spoke I pardon. Sit you down.
FTLN 2765 We’ll borrow place of him. To Angelo. Sir, by your
FTLN 2766 leave.
FTLN 2767 Hast thou or word, or wit, or impudence
FTLN 2768 410 That yet can do thee office? If thou hast,
FTLN 2769 Rely upon it till my tale be heard,
FTLN 2770 And hold no longer out.
ANGELO FTLN 2771 O my dread lord,
FTLN 2772 I should be guiltier than my guiltiness
FTLN 2773 415 To think I can be undiscernible,
FTLN 2774 When I perceive your Grace, like power divine,
FTLN 2775 Hath looked upon my passes. Then, good prince,
FTLN 2776 No longer session hold upon my shame,
FTLN 2777 But let my trial be mine own confession.
FTLN 2778 420 Immediate sentence then and sequent death
FTLN 2779 Is all the grace I beg.
DUKE FTLN 2780 Come hither, Mariana.
Mariana stands and comes forward.
FTLN 2781 To Angelo. Say, wast thou e’er contracted to this
FTLN 2782 woman?
ANGELO FTLN 2783 425 I was, my lord.
DUKE
FTLN 2784 Go take her hence and marry her instantly.

201
Measure for Measure
ACT 5. SC. 1
FTLN 2785 To Friar Peter. Do you the office, friar, which
FTLN 2786 consummate,
FTLN 2787 Return him here again.—Go with him, provost.
Angelo, Mariana, Friar Peter, and Provost exit.
ESCALUS
FTLN 2788 430 My lord, I am more amazed at his dishonor
FTLN 2789 Than at the strangeness of it.
DUKE FTLN 2790 Come hither, Isabel.
FTLN 2791 Your friar is now your prince. As I was then
FTLN 2792 Advertising and holy to your business,
FTLN 2793 435 Not changing heart with habit, I am still
FTLN 2794 Attorneyed at your service.
ISABELLA FTLN 2795 O, give me pardon
FTLN 2796 That I, your vassal, have employed and pained
FTLN 2797 Your unknown sovereignty.
DUKE FTLN 2798 440 You are pardoned,
FTLN 2799 Isabel.
FTLN 2800 And now, dear maid, be you as free to us.
FTLN 2801 Your brother’s death, I know, sits at your heart,
FTLN 2802 And you may marvel why I obscured myself,
FTLN 2803 445 Laboring to save his life, and would not rather
FTLN 2804 Make rash remonstrance of my hidden power
FTLN 2805 Than let him so be lost. O most kind maid,
FTLN 2806 It was the swift celerity of his death,
FTLN 2807 Which I did think with slower foot came on,
FTLN 2808 450 That brained my purpose. But peace be with him.
FTLN 2809 That life is better life past fearing death
FTLN 2810 Than that which lives to fear. Make it your comfort,
FTLN 2811 So happy is your brother.
ISABELLA FTLN 2812 I do, my lord.
Enter Angelo, Mariana, Friar Peter, and Provost.
DUKE
FTLN 2813 455 For this new-married man approaching here,
FTLN 2814 Whose salt imagination yet hath wronged
FTLN 2815 Your well-defended honor, you must pardon

203
Measure for Measure
ACT 5. SC. 1
FTLN 2816 For Mariana’s sake. But as he adjudged your
FTLN 2817 brother—
FTLN 2818 460 Being criminal in double violation
FTLN 2819 Of sacred chastity and of promise-breach
FTLN 2820 Thereon dependent for your brother’s life—
FTLN 2821 The very mercy of the law cries out
FTLN 2822 Most audible, even from his proper tongue,
FTLN 2823 465 “An Angelo for Claudio, death for death.”
FTLN 2824 Haste still pays haste, and leisure answers leisure;
FTLN 2825 Like doth quit like, and measure still for
FTLN 2826 measure.—
FTLN 2827 Then, Angelo, thy fault’s thus manifested,
FTLN 2828 470 Which, though thou wouldst deny, denies thee
FTLN 2829 vantage.
FTLN 2830 We do condemn thee to the very block
FTLN 2831 Where Claudio stooped to death, and with like
FTLN 2832 haste.—
FTLN 2833 475 Away with him.
MARIANA FTLN 2834 O my most gracious lord,
FTLN 2835 I hope you will not mock me with a husband.
DUKE
FTLN 2836 It is your husband mocked you with a husband.
FTLN 2837 Consenting to the safeguard of your honor,
FTLN 2838 480 I thought your marriage fit. Else imputation,
FTLN 2839 For that he knew you, might reproach your life
FTLN 2840 And choke your good to come. For his possessions,
FTLN 2841 Although by confiscation they are ours,
FTLN 2842 We do instate and widow you with all
FTLN 2843 485 To buy you a better husband.
MARIANA FTLN 2844 O my dear lord,
FTLN 2845 I crave no other nor no better man.
DUKE
FTLN 2846 Never crave him. We are definitive.
MARIANA , kneeling
FTLN 2847 Gentle my liege—
DUKE FTLN 2848 490 You do but lose your labor.—

205
Measure for Measure
ACT 5. SC. 1
FTLN 2849 Away with him to death. To Lucio. Now, sir, to
FTLN 2850 you.
MARIANA
FTLN 2851 O, my good lord.—Sweet Isabel, take my part.
FTLN 2852 Lend me your knees, and all my life to come
FTLN 2853 495 I’ll lend you all my life to do you service.
DUKE
FTLN 2854 Against all sense you do importune her.
FTLN 2855 Should she kneel down in mercy of this fact,
FTLN 2856 Her brother’s ghost his pavèd bed would break
FTLN 2857 And take her hence in horror.
MARIANA FTLN 2858 500 Isabel,
FTLN 2859 Sweet Isabel, do yet but kneel by me,
FTLN 2860 Hold up your hands, say nothing. I’ll speak all.
FTLN 2861 They say best men are molded out of faults,
FTLN 2862 And, for the most, become much more the better
FTLN 2863 505 For being a little bad. So may my husband.
FTLN 2864 O Isabel, will you not lend a knee?
DUKE
FTLN 2865 He dies for Claudio’s death.
ISABELLA , kneeling FTLN 2866 Most bounteous sir,
FTLN 2867 Look, if it please you, on this man condemned
FTLN 2868 510 As if my brother lived. I partly think
FTLN 2869 A due sincerity governed his deeds
FTLN 2870 Till he did look on me. Since it is so,
FTLN 2871 Let him not die. My brother had but justice,
FTLN 2872 In that he did the thing for which he died.
FTLN 2873 515 For Angelo,
FTLN 2874 His act did not o’ertake his bad intent,
FTLN 2875 And must be buried but as an intent
FTLN 2876 That perished by the way. Thoughts are no subjects,
FTLN 2877 Intents but merely thoughts.
MARIANA FTLN 2878 520 Merely, my lord.
DUKE
FTLN 2879 Your suit’s unprofitable. Stand up, I say.
They stand.
FTLN 2880 I have bethought me of another fault.—

207
Measure for Measure
ACT 5. SC. 1
FTLN 2881 Provost, how came it Claudio was beheaded
FTLN 2882 At an unusual hour?
PROVOST FTLN 2883 525 It was commanded so.
DUKE
FTLN 2884 Had you a special warrant for the deed?
PROVOST
FTLN 2885 No, my good lord, it was by private message.
DUKE
FTLN 2886 For which I do discharge you of your office.
FTLN 2887 Give up your keys.
PROVOST FTLN 2888 530 Pardon me, noble lord.
FTLN 2889 I thought it was a fault, but knew it not,
FTLN 2890 Yet did repent me after more advice,
FTLN 2891 For testimony whereof, one in the prison
FTLN 2892 That should by private order else have died,
FTLN 2893 535 I have reserved alive.
DUKE FTLN 2894 What’s he?
PROVOST FTLN 2895 His name is Barnardine.
DUKE
FTLN 2896 I would thou hadst done so by Claudio.
FTLN 2897 Go fetch him hither. Let me look upon him.
Provost exits.
ESCALUS , to Angelo
FTLN 2898 540 I am sorry one so learnèd and so wise
FTLN 2899 As you, Lord Angelo, have still appeared,
FTLN 2900 Should slip so grossly, both in the heat of blood
FTLN 2901 And lack of tempered judgment afterward.
ANGELO
FTLN 2902 I am sorry that such sorrow I procure;
FTLN 2903 545 And so deep sticks it in my penitent heart
FTLN 2904 That I crave death more willingly than mercy.
FTLN 2905 ’Tis my deserving, and I do entreat it.
Enter Barnardine and Provost, Claudio, muffled,
and Juliet.
DUKE , to Provost
FTLN 2906 Which is that Barnardine?

209
Measure for Measure
ACT 5. SC. 1
PROVOST FTLN 2907 This, my lord.
DUKE
FTLN 2908 550 There was a friar told me of this man.—
FTLN 2909 Sirrah, thou art said to have a stubborn soul
FTLN 2910 That apprehends no further than this world,
FTLN 2911 And squar’st thy life according. Thou ’rt condemned.
FTLN 2912 But, for those earthly faults, I quit them all,
FTLN 2913 555 And pray thee take this mercy to provide
FTLN 2914 For better times to come.—Friar, advise him.
FTLN 2915 I leave him to your hand.—What muffled fellow’s
FTLN 2916 that?
PROVOST
FTLN 2917 This is another prisoner that I saved
FTLN 2918 560 Who should have died when Claudio lost his head,
FTLN 2919 As like almost to Claudio as himself.
He unmuffles Claudio.
DUKE , to Isabella
FTLN 2920 If he be like your brother, for his sake
FTLN 2921 Is he pardoned; and for your lovely sake,
FTLN 2922 Give me your hand and say you will be mine,
FTLN 2923 565 He is my brother too. But fitter time for that.
FTLN 2924 By this Lord Angelo perceives he’s safe;
FTLN 2925 Methinks I see a quick’ning in his eye.—
FTLN 2926 Well, Angelo, your evil quits you well.
FTLN 2927 Look that you love your wife, her worth worth
FTLN 2928 570 yours.
FTLN 2929 I find an apt remission in myself.
FTLN 2930 And yet here’s one in place I cannot pardon.
FTLN 2931 To Lucio. You, sirrah, that knew me for a fool, a
FTLN 2932 coward,
FTLN 2933 575 One all of luxury, an ass, a madman.
FTLN 2934 Wherein have I so deserved of you
FTLN 2935 That you extol me thus?
LUCIO FTLN 2936 Faith, my lord, I spoke it but according to the
FTLN 2937 trick. If you will hang me for it, you may, but I had
FTLN 2938 580 rather it would please you I might be whipped.

211
Measure for Measure
ACT 5. SC. 1
DUKE FTLN 2939 Whipped first, sir, and hanged after.—
FTLN 2940 Proclaim it, provost, round about the city,
FTLN 2941 If any woman wronged by this lewd fellow—
FTLN 2942 As I have heard him swear himself there’s one
FTLN 2943 585 Whom he begot with child—let her appear,
FTLN 2944 And he shall marry her. The nuptial finished,
FTLN 2945 Let him be whipped and hanged.
LUCIO FTLN 2946 I beseech your Highness do not marry me to a
FTLN 2947 whore. Your Highness said even now I made you a
FTLN 2948 590 duke. Good my lord, do not recompense me in
FTLN 2949 making me a cuckold.
DUKE
FTLN 2950 Upon mine honor, thou shalt marry her.
FTLN 2951 Thy slanders I forgive and therewithal
FTLN 2952 Remit thy other forfeits.—Take him to prison,
FTLN 2953 595 And see our pleasure herein executed.
LUCIO FTLN 2954 Marrying a punk, my lord, is pressing to death,
FTLN 2955 whipping, and hanging.
DUKE FTLN 2956 Slandering a prince deserves it.
Officers take Lucio away.
FTLN 2957 She, Claudio, that you wronged, look you restore.—
FTLN 2958 600 Joy to you, Mariana.—Love her, Angelo.
FTLN 2959 I have confessed her, and I know her virtue.—
FTLN 2960 Thanks, good friend Escalus, for thy much goodness.
FTLN 2961 There’s more behind that is more gratulate.—
FTLN 2962 Thanks, provost, for thy care and secrecy.
FTLN 2963 605 We shall employ thee in a worthier place.—
FTLN 2964 Forgive him, Angelo, that brought you home
FTLN 2965 The head of Ragozine for Claudio’s.
FTLN 2966 Th’ offense pardons itself.—Dear Isabel,
FTLN 2967 I have a motion much imports your good,
FTLN 2968 610 Whereto if you’ll a willing ear incline,
FTLN 2969 What’s mine is yours, and what is yours is mine.—
FTLN 2970 So, bring us to our palace, where we’ll show
FTLN 2971 What’s yet behind that’s meet you all should know.
They exit.