VINCENTIO, duke of Vienna.
ANGELO, lord deputy in the duke's absence.
ESCALUS,an ancient lord, joined with Angelo
in the deputation.

CLAUDIO, a young gentleman.

LUCIO, a fantastic.

Two other like gentlemen.

ELBOW, a simple constable.
FROTH, a foolish gentleman.
CLOWN, servant to Mrs. Over-done.
ABHORSON, an executioner.
BARNARDINE, a dissolute prisoner.

PROVOST.

THOMAS,

two friars.

PETER,
A JUSTICE.

able,

And let them work. The nature of our people,
Our city's institutions, and the terms
For common justice, you are as pregnant in,
As art and practice hath enriched any
That we remember: There is our commission,
From which we would not have you warp.
Call hither,

I bid come before us Angelo.-
say,
[Exit an Attendant.
What figure of us think you he will bear?
For you must know, we have with special soul
Elected him our absence to supply;
Lent him our terror, drest him with our love;
And given his deputation all the organs
Of our own power: What think you of it?
Escal. If any in Vienna be of worth
To undergo such ample grace and honor,
It is lord Angelo.

Duke.

Enter ANGElo.

་

Look, where he comes. Ang. Always obedient to your grace's will, I come to know your pleasure.

That, to the observer, doth thy history
Fully unfold: Thyself and thy belongings
Are not thine own so proper, as to waste
Thyself upon thy virtues, them on thee.
Heaven doth with us, as we with torches do;
Did not go forth of us, 'twere all alike
Not light them for ourselves: for if our virtues
As if we had them not. Spirits are not finely
But to fine issues: nor nature never lends
touch'd,
The smallest scruple of her excellence,
But, like a thrifty goddess, she determines
Both thanks and use. But I do bend my speech
Herself the glory of a creditor,
Hold therefore, Angelo:
To one that can my part in him advértise;

Mortality and mercy in Vienna
In our remove, be thou at full ourself;

Though first in question, is thy secondary:
Live in thy tongue and heart: Old Escalus,
Take thy commission.
Ang.
Now, good my lord,
Let there be some more test made of my metal,
Before so noble and so great a figure.act
Be stamp'd upon it.

Duke, anat No more evasion:
Proceeded to you; therefore take your honors.
We have with a leaven'd and prepared choice
Our haste from hence is of so quick condition,
That it prefers itself, and leaves unquestion'd
Matters of needful value. We shall write to you,
As time and our concerning shall importune,
How it goes with us; and do look to know
What doth befal you here. So, fare you well?
To the hopeful execution do I leave you
Of your commissions.

Ang. Yet, give leave, my lord, That we may bring you something on the way. Duke. My haste may not admit it;

Nor need you, on mine honor, have to do With any scruple: your scope is as mine own; So to enforce or qualify the laws,

As to your soul seems good. Give me your hand;

I'll privily away: I love the people,
But do not like to stage me to their eyes:
Though it do well, I do not relish well
Their loud applause, and aves vehement;
Nor do I think the man of safe discretion,
That does affect it. Once more, fare you well.
Ang. The heavens give safety to your pur-
poses!

Escal. Lead forth, and bring you back in happiness.

Duke. I thank you: Fare you well. [Exit. Escal. I shall desire you, sir, to give me leave To have free speech with you; and it con

2 Gent. Amen.

Lucio. Thon concludest like the sanctimonious pirate, that went to sea with the ten commandments, but scraped one out of the table. 2 Gent. Thou shalt not steal? Lucio. Ay, that he razed.

1 Gent. Why, 'twas a commandment to command the captain and all the rest from their functions; they put forth to steal: There's not a soldier of us all, that, in the thanksgiving before meat, doth relish the petition well that prays for peace.

2 Gent. I never heard any soldier dislike it. Lucio. I believe thee; for, I think, thou never wast where grace was said.

2 Gent. No? a dozen times at least. 1 Gent. What? in metre?

Luc. In any proportion, or in any language. 1 Gent. I think, or in any religion.

Lucio. Ay! why not? Grace is grace, despite of all controversy: As for example; Thou thyself art a wicked villain, despite of all grace.

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

Lucio. I grant; as there may between the lists and the velvet: Thou art the list.

1 Gent. And thou the velvet: Thou art good velvet; thou art a three-piled piece, I warrant thee: I had as lief be a list of an English ker

sey, as be piled, as thou art piled, for a French velvet. Do I speak feelingly now?

Lucio. I think thou dost; and, indeed, with most painful feeling of thy speech: I will, out of thine own confession, learn to begin thy health; but, whilst I live, forget to drink after thee.

1 Gent. I think, I have done myself wrong; have I not?

2 Gent. Yes, that thou hast; whether thou art tainted or free.

Lucio. Behold, behold, where madam Mitigation comes! I have purchased as many diseases under her roof, as come to2 Gent. To what, I pray?

1 Gent. Judge.

2 Gent. To three thousand dollars a-year. 1 Gent. Ay, and more.

Lucio. A French crown more.

1 Gent. Thou art always figuring diseases in me: but thou art full of error; I am sound.

Lucio. Nay, not as one would say, healthy; but so sound,as things that are hollow: thy bones are hollow: impiety has made a feast of thee. Enter Bawd.

1 Gent. How now? Which of your hips has the most profound sciatica?

Bawd. Well, well; there's one yonder arrested and carried to prison, was worth five thousand of you all.

1 Gent. Who's that, I pray thee? Bawd. Marry, sir, that's Claudio, signior Claudio.

1 Gent. Claudio to prison! 'tis not so. arrested; saw him carried away; and which Bawd. Nay, but I know, 'tis so; I saw him is more, within these three days his head's to be chopped off.

have it so: Art thou sure of this? Lucio. But, after all this fooling, I would not

Bawd. I am too sure of it: and it is for getting madam Julietta with child.

Lucio. Believe me, this may be: he promised to meet me two hours since; and he was ever precise in promise-keeping.

2 Gent. Besides, you know, it draws something near to the speech we had to such a purpose. 1 Gent. But most of all, agreeing with the proclamation.

Lucio. Away; let's go learn the truth of it. [Exeunt Lucio and Gentlemen. Bawd. Thus, what with the war, what with the sweat, what with the gallows, and what with poverty, I am custom-shrunk. How now? what's the news with you?

Enter Clown.

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

Bawd. But what's his offence?

Clo. Groping for trouts in a peculiar river. Bawd. What, is there a maid with child by him?

Clo. No; but there's a woman with maid by him: You have not heard of the proclamation, have you?

Bawd. What proclamation, man? Clo. All houses in the suburbs of Vienna must be pluck'd down.

Bawd. And what shall become of those in the city?

Clo. They shall stand for seed: they had gone down too, but that a wise burgher put in for them.

Bawd. But shall all our houses of resort in the suburbs be pull'd down?

Clo. To the ground, mistress. Bawd. Why, here's a change, indeed, in the commonwealth! What shall become of me? Clo. Come, fear not you; good counsellors lack no clients: though you change your place, you need not change your trade; I'll be your tapster still. Courage; there will be pity taken on you: you that have worn your eyes almost out in the service, you will be considered. Bawd. What's to do here, Thomas Tapster? Let's withdraw.

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

SCENE III. The same.
Enter Provost, CLAUDIO, JULIET, & Officers;
LUCIO, and two Gentlemen.
Claud. Fellow, why dost thou show me thus
to the world?

Bear me to prison, where I am committed.
Prov. I do it not in evil disposition,
But from lord Angelo by special charge.
Claud. Thus can the demi-god, Authority,
Make us pay down for our offence by weight.
The words of heaven;-on whom it will, it will;
On whom it will not, so; yet still 'tis just.
Lucio. Why, how now, Claudio? whence
comes this restraint?

Claud. From too much liberty, my Lucio, liberty:

As surfeit is the father of much fast, So every scope by the immoderate use Turns to restraint: Our natures do pursue, (Like rats that rayin down their proper bane,) A thirsty evil; and when we drink, we die. Lucio. If I could speak so wisely under an arrest, I would send for certain of my creditors: And yet, to say the truth, I had as lief have the foppery of freedom, as the morality of imprisonment. What's thy offence, Claudio?

Claud. What, but to speak of, would offend again.

Lucio. What is it? murder?

Save that we do the denunciation lack
Of outward order: this we came not to,
Only for propagation of a dower
Remaining in the coffer of her friends;
From whom we thought it meet to hide our love,
Till time had made them for us. But it chances, .
The stealth of our most mutual entertainment,
With character too gross, is writ on Juliet..
Lucio. With child, perhaps?
Claud. Unhappily, even so..

And the new deputy now for the duke,-
Whether it be the fault and glimpse of newness;
Or whether that the body public be
A horse whereon the governor doth ride,
Who, newly in the seat, that it may know
He can command, lets it straight feel the spur:
Whether the tyranny be in his place,
Or in his eminence that fills it up,
I stagger in: But this new governor.
Awakes me all the enrolled penalties,
Which have, like unscour'd armour, hung by
the wall

So long, that nineteen zodiacs have goneround,
And none of them been worn; and, for a name,
Now puts the drowsy and neglected act
Freshly on me :-'tis surely, for a name.

Lucio. I warrant, it is: and thy head stands so tickle on thy shoulders, that a milk-maid, if she be in love, may sigh it off. Send after the duke, and appeal to him.

Claud. I have done so, but he's not to be found.

I prithee, Lucio, da me this kind service:
This day my sister should the cloister enter,
And there receive her approbation:
Acquaint her with the danger of my state;
Implore her, in my voice, that she make friends
To the strict deputy; bid herself assay him;
I have great hope in that: for in her youth
There is a prone and speechless dialect,
Such as moves men; beside, she hath pros-
perous art

When she will play with reason and discourse,
And well she can persuade.

Lucio. I pray, she may: as well for the encouragement of the like, which else would stand under grievous imposition; as for the enjoying of thy life, who I would be sorry should be thus foolishly lost at a game of ticktack. I'll to her.

Claud. I thank you, good friend Lucio.
Lucio. Within two hours,-

Claud. Come, officer, away.

[Exeunt.

Duke. My holy sir, none better knows than you,

How I have ever loved the life removed; And held in idle price to haunt assemblies, Where youth, and cost, and witless bravery keeps.

I have deliver'd to lord Angelo

(A man of stricture and firm abstinence)
My absolute power and place here in Vienna,
And he supposes me travell'd to Poland;
For so I have strew'd it in the common ear,
And so it is received: Now, pious sir,
You will demand of me, why I do this?
Friar. Gladly, my lord.

Duke. We have strict statutes, and most biting laws,

(The needful bits and curbs for headstrong steeds,)

Which, for these fourteen years, we have let sleep;

Even like an o'ergrown lion in a cave,
That goes not out to prey: Now, as fond fathers
Having bound up the threat'ning twigs of birch,
Only to stick it in their children's sight,
For terror, not to use; in time, the rod
Becomes more mock'd than fear'd: so our
decrees,

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

Friar.

It rested in your grace,

To unloose this tied-up justice, when you pleased;

And it in you more dreadful would have seem❜d, Than in lord Angelo.

Duke. I do fear, too dreadful: Sith 'twas my fault to give the people scope, "Twould be my tyranny to strike, and gall them For what I bid them do: For we bid this be done, When evil deeds have their permissive pass, And not the punishment. Therefore, indeed, my father,

I have on Angelo imposed the office;
Who may, in the ambush of my name, strike
home,

And yet my nature never in the sight,
To do it slander: And to behold his sway,
I will, as 'twere a brother of your order,
Visit both prince and people: therefore,
prithee,

I

Supply me with the habit, and instruct me
How I may formally in person bear me
Like a true friar. More reasons for this action,
At our more leisure shall I render you;
Only, this one:-Lord Angelo is precise;
Stands at a guard with envy; scarce confesses
That his blood flows, or that his appetite
Is more to bread than stone: Hence shall we see,
If power change purpose, what our seemers be.
[Exeunt.

SCENE V. A Nunnery. Enter ISABELLA and FRANCISCA. Isab. And have you nuns no further privileges?

Fran. Are not these large enough? Isab.Yes, truly: I speak not as desiring more; But rather wishing a more strict restraint. Upon the sisterhood, the votarists of saint Clare. Lucio. Ho! Peace be in this place! [Within.] Isab. Who's that which calls? Fran. It is a man's voice: Gentle Isabella, Turn you the key, and know his business of him; You may, I may not; you are yet unsworn: When you have vow'd, you must not speak with men,

But in the presence of the prioress;

Then, if you speak, you must not show your face;
Or, if you show your face, you must not speak.
He calls again; I pray you, answer him.
[Exit FRANCISCA.

Isab. Peace and prosperity! Who is't that calls?

Proclaim you are no less! Can you so stead me,
As bring me to the sight of Isabella,
A novice of this place, and the fair sister
To her unhappy brother, Claudio?

Isab. Why her unhappy brother? let me ask;
The rather, for I now must make you know
I am that Isabella, and his sister.

Lucio. Gentle and fair, your brother kindly greets you:

Not to be weary with you, he's in prison.
Isab. Woe me! For what?

Lucio. For that, which, if myself might be his judge,

He should receive his punishment in thanks:
He hath got his friend with child.

Isab. Sir, make me not your story.
Lucio.
It is true.

I would not-though 'tis my familiar sin
With maids to seem the lapwing, and to jest,
Tongue far from heart,--play with all virgins so
I hold you as a thing enskied, and sainted;
By your renouncement, an immortal spirit;
Aud to be talk'd with in sincerity,
As with a saint.

Isab. You do blaspheme the good, in mocking me.

Lucio. Do not believe it. Fewness and truth, 'tis thus:

Your brother and his lover have embraced :
As those that feed grow full; as blossoming time,
That from the seedness the bare fallow brings
To teeming foison; even so,her plenteous womb
Expresseth his full tilth and husbandry.
İsab. Some one with child by him?-My
cousin Juliet?

Lucio. Is she your cousin?

Isab. Adoptedly; as school-maids change their names, By vain though apt affection. Lucio.

She it is. Isab. O, let him marry her! Lucio.

This is the point. The duke is very strangely gone from hence; Bore many gentlemen, myself being one,

A warrant for his execution.
Isab. Alas! what poor ability's in me
To do him good?
Lucio.
Assay the power you have.
Isab. My power! Alas! I doubt,
Lucio.
And make us lose the good we oft might win,
By fearing to attempt: Go to lord Angelo,
And let him learn to know, when maidens sue,
Men give like gods; but when they weep and

Our doubts are traitors,

All their petitions are as freely theirs,
As they themselves would owe them.
Isab. I'll see what I can do. A
Lucio.
But, speedily.

Isab. I will about it straight;
No longer staying but to give the mother
Notice of my affair. I humbly thank you:
Commend me to my brother: soon at night
I'll send him certain word of my success.
Lucio. I take my leave of you.
Isab.

Good sir, adieu. [Exeunt.

SCENE I. A Hall in Angelo's House. Enter ANGELO, ESCALUS, a Justice, Provost, Officers, and other Attendants.

Ang. We must not make a scare-crow of the law,

Setting it up to fear the birds of prey,

And let it keep one shape, till custom make it
Their perch, and not their terror.
Escal.

Ay, but yet
Let us be keen, and rather cut a little,
Than fall, and bruise to death: Alas! this
gentleman,

Whom I would save, had a most noble father. Let but your honor know,

(Whom I believe to be most strait in virtue,) That, in the working of your own affections, Had time cohered with place, or place with wishing,

Or that the resolute acting of your blood Could have attain'd the effect of your own purpose,

Whether you had not sometime in your life Err'd in this point which now you censure him, And pull'd the law upon you.

Ang. 'Tis one thing to be tempted, Escalus, Another thing to fall. I not deny, The jury, passing on the prisoner's life, May, in the sworn twelve, have a thief or two Guiltier than him they try: What's open made to justice,

That justice seizes. What know the laws, That thieves do pass on thieves? 'Tis very

give us all!

Some rise by sin, and some by virtue fall: Some run from brakes of vice, and answer none; And some condemned for a fault alone. Enter ELBOW, FROTH, Clown, Officers, &c.

Elb. Come, bring them away if these be good people in a common-weal, that do nothing but use their abuses in common honses, I know no law; bring them away.

Ang. How now, sir! What's your name? and what's the matter?

Elb. If it please your honor, I am the poor duke's constable, and my name is Elbow; I do lean upon justice, sir, and do bring in here before your good honor two notorious benefactors.

Ang. Benefactors! Well; what benefactors are they? are they not malefactors?

Elb. If it please your honor, I know not well what they are: but precise villains they are, that I am sure of; and void of all profanation in the world, that good christians ought to have. Escal. This comes off well; here's a wise officer.