Measure for Measure The Works of William Shakespeare [Cambridge Edition] [9 vols.] · William Shakespeare
SCENE I. _The city-gate._
_Duke._ Relate your wrongs; in what? by whom? be brief. Here is Lord Angelo shall give you justice: Reveal yourself to him. _Isab._ O worthy Duke, You bid me seek redemption of the devil: Hear me yourself; for that which I must speak 30 Must either punish me, not being believed, Or wring redress from you. Hear me, O hear me, here! _Ang._ My lord, her wits, I fear me, are not firm: She hath been a suitor to me for her brother Cut off by course of justice,-- _Isab._ By course of justice! 35 _Ang._ And she will speak most bitterly and strange. _Isab._ Most strange, but yet most truly, will I speak: That Angelo's forsworn; is it not strange? That Angelo's a murderer; is't not strange? That Angelo is an adulterous thief, 40 An hypocrite, a virgin-violator; Is it not strange and strange? _Duke._ Nay, it is ten times strange. _Isab._ It is not truer he is Angelo Than this is all as true as it is strange: Nay, it is ten times true; for truth is truth 45 To th' end of reckoning. _Duke._ Away with her!--Poor soul, She speaks this in th' infirmity of sense. _Isab._ O prince, I conjure thee, as thou believest There is another comfort than this world, That thou neglect me not, with that opinion 50 That I am touch'd with madness! Make not impossible That which but seems unlike: 'tis not impossible But one, the wicked'st caitiff on the ground, May seem as shy, as grave, as just, as absolute As Angelo; even so may Angelo, 55 In all his dressings, characts, titles, forms, Be an arch-villain; believe it, royal prince: If he be less, he's nothing; but he's more, Had I more name for badness.
_Lucio._ Right. 85 _Duke._ It may be right; but you are i' the wrong To speak before your time. Proceed. _Isab._ I went To this pernicious caitiff Deputy,-- _Duke._ That's somewhat madly spoken. _Isab._ Pardon it; The phrase is to the matter. 90 _Duke._ Mended again. The matter;--proceed. _Isab._ In brief,--to set the needless process by, How I persuaded, how I pray'd, and kneel'd, How he refell'd me, and how I replied,-- For this was of much length,--the vile conclusion 95 I now begin with grief and shame to utter: He would not, but by gift of my chaste body To his concupiscible intemperate lust, Release my brother; and, after much debatement, My sisterly remorse confutes mine honour, 100 And I did yield to him: but the next morn betimes, His purpose surfeiting, he sends a warrant For my poor brother's head. _Duke._ This is most likely! _Isab._ O, that it were as like as it is true! _Duke._ By heaven, fond wretch, thou know'st not what thou speak'st, 105 Or else thou art suborn'd against his honour In hateful practice. First, his integrity Stands without blemish. Next, it imports no reason That with such vehemency he should pursue Faults proper to himself: if he had so offended, 110 He would have weigh'd thy brother by himself, And not have cut him off. Some one hath set you on: Confess the truth, and say by whose advice Thou camest here to complain.
_Isab._ And is this all? Then, O you blessed ministers above, 115 Keep me in patience, and with ripen'd time Unfold the evil which is here wrapt up In countenance!--Heaven shield your Grace from woe. As I, thus wrong'd, hence unbelieved go! _Duke._ I know you'ld fain be gone.--An officer! 120 To prison with her!--Shall we thus permit A blasting and a scandalous breath to fall On him so near us? This needs must be a practice. Who knew of your intent and coming hither? _Isab._ One that I would were here, Friar Lodowick. 125 _Duke._ A ghostly father, belike. Who knows that Lodowick? _Lucio._ My lord, I know him; 'tis a meddling friar; I do not like the man: had he been lay, my lord, For certain words he spake against your Grace In your retirement, I had swinged him soundly. 130 _Duke._ Words against me! this's a good friar, belike! And to set on this wretched woman here Against our substitute! Let this friar be found. _Lucio._ But yesternight, my lord, she and that friar, I saw them at the prison: a saucy friar, 135 A very scurvy fellow. _Fri. P._ Blessed be your royal Grace! I have stood by, my lord, and I have heard Your royal ear abused. First, hath this woman Most wrongfully accused your substitute, 140 Who is as free from touch or soil with her As she from one ungot.
_Duke._ We did believe no less. Know you that Friar Lodowick that she speaks of? _Fri. P._ I know him for a man divine and holy; Not scurvy, nor a temporary meddler, As he's reported by this gentleman; And, on my trust, a man that never yet Did, as he vouches, misreport your Grace. _Lucio._ My lord, most villanously; believe it. _Fri. P._ Well, he in time may come to clear himself; 150 But at this instant he is sick, my lord, Of a strange fever. Upon his mere request,-- Being come to knowledge that there was complaint Intended 'gainst Lord Angelo,--came I hither, To speak, as from his mouth, what he doth know 155 Is true and false; and what he with his oath And all probation will make up full clear, Whensoever he's convented. First, for this woman, To justify this worthy nobleman, So vulgarly and personally accused, 160 Her shall you hear disproved to her eyes, Till she herself confess it. _Duke._ Good friar, let's hear it. [_Isabella is carried off guarded; and Mariana comes forward._ Do you not smile at this, Lord Angelo?-- O heaven, the vanity of wretched fools!-- Give us some seats. Come, cousin Angelo; 165 In this I'll be impartial; be you judge Of your own cause. Is this the witness, friar? First, let her show her face, and after speak.
_Mari._ Pardon, my lord; I will not show my face Until my husband bid me. 170 _Duke._ What, are you married? _Mari._ No, my lord. _Duke._ Are you a maid? _Mari._ No, my lord. _Duke._ A widow, then? 175 _Mari._ Neither, my lord. _Duke._ Why, you are nothing, then:--neither maid, widow, nor wife? _Lucio._ My lord, she may be a punk; for many of them are neither maid, widow, nor wife. 180 _Duke._ Silence that fellow: I would he had some cause To prattle for himself. _Lucio._ Well, my lord. _Mari._ My lord, I do confess I ne'er was married; And I confess, besides, I am no maid: 185 I have known my husband; yet my husband Knows not that ever he knew me. _Lucio._ He was drunk, then, my lord: it can be no better. _Duke._ For the benefit of silence, would thou wert so too! _Lucio._ Well, my lord. 190 _Duke._ This is no witness for Lord Angelo. _Mari._ Now I come to't, my lord: She that accuses him of fornication, In self-same manner doth accuse my husband; And charges him, my lord, with such a time 195 When I'll depose I had him in mine arms With all th' effect of love. _Ang._ Charges she more than me? _Mari._ Not that I know. _Duke._ No? you say your husband.
_Mari._ Why, just, my lord, and that is Angelo, 200 Who thinks he knows that he ne'er knew my body, But knows he thinks that he knows Isabel's. _Ang._ This is a strange abuse. Let's see thy face. _Mari._ My husband bids me; now I will unmask. [_Unveiling._ This is that face, thou cruel Angelo, 205 Which once thou sworest was worth the looking on; This is the hand which, with a vow'd contract, Was fast belock'd in thine; this is the body That took away the match from Isabel, And did supply thee at thy garden-house 210 In her imagined person. _Duke._ Know you this woman? _Lucio._ Carnally, she says. _Duke._ Sirrah, no more! _Lucio._ Enough, my lord. _Ang._ My lord, I must confess I know this woman: And five years since there was some speech of marriage 215 Betwixt myself and her; which was broke off, Partly for that her promised proportions Came short of composition; but in chief, For that her reputation was disvalued In levity: since which time of five years 220 I never spake with her, saw her, nor heard from her, Upon my faith and honour. _Mari._ Noble prince, As there comes light from heaven and words from breath, As there is sense in truth and truth in virtue, I am affianced this man's wife as strongly 225 As words could make up vows: and, my good lord, But Tuesday night last gone in's garden-house He knew me as a wife. As this is true, Let me in safety raise me from my knees; Or else for ever be confixed here, 230 A marble monument!
_Ang._ I did but smile till now: Now, good my lord, give me the scope of justice; My patience here is touch'd. I do perceive These poor informal women are no more But instruments of some more mightier member 235 That sets them on: let me have way, my lord, To find this practice out. _Duke._ Ay, with my heart; And punish them to your height of pleasure. Thou foolish friar; and thou pernicious woman, Compact with her that's gone, think'st thou thy oaths, 240 Though they would swear down each particular saint, Were testimonies against his worth and credit, That's seal'd in approbation? You, Lord Escalus, Sit with my cousin; lend him your kind pains To find out this abuse, whence 'tis derived. 245 There is another friar that set them on; Let him be sent for. _Fri. P._ Would he were here, my lord! for he, indeed, Hath set the women on to this complaint: Your provost knows the place where he abides, 250 And he may fetch him. _Duke._ Go do it instantly. [_Exit Provost._ And you, my noble and well-warranted cousin, Whom it concerns to hear this matter forth, Do with your injuries as seems you best, In any chastisement: I for a while will leave you; 255 But stir not you till you have well determined Upon these slanderers.
_Escal._ My lord, we'll do it throughly. [_Exit Duke._] Signior Lucio, did not you say you knew that Friar Lodowick to be a dishonest person? 260 _Lucio._ 'Cucullus non facit monachum:' honest in nothing but in his clothes; and one that hath spoke most villanous speeches of the Duke. _Escal._ We shall entreat you to abide here till he come, and enforce them against him: we shall find this friar a 265 notable fellow. _Lucio._ As any in Vienna, on my word. _Escal._ Call that same Isabel here once again: I would speak with her. [_Exit an Attendant._] Pray you, my lord, give me leave to question; you shall see how I'll handle 270 her. _Lucio._ Not better than he, by her own report. _Escal._ Say you? _Lucio._ Marry, sir, I think, if you handled her privately, she would sooner confess: perchance, publicly, she'll be 275 ashamed. _Escal._ I will go darkly to work with her. _Lucio._ That's the way; for women are light at midnight. _Re-enter OFFICERS with ISABELLA; and PROVOST with the DUKE in his friar's habit._ _Escal._ Come on, mistress: here's a gentlewoman denies all that you have said. 280 _Lucio._ My lord, here comes the rascal I spoke of; here with the provost. _Escal._ In very good time: speak not you to him till we call upon you.
_Escal._ Slander to the state! Away with him to prison! _Ang._ What can you vouch against him, Signior Lucio? Is this the man that you did tell us of? _Lucio._ 'Tis he, my lord. Come hither, goodman bald-pate: do you know me? 325 _Duke._ I remember you, sir, by the sound of your voice: I met you at the prison, in the absence of the Duke. _Lucio._ O, did you so? And do you remember what you said of the Duke? _Duke._ Most notedly, sir. 330 _Lucio._ Do you so, sir? And was the Duke a flesh-monger, a fool, and a coward, as you then reported him to be? _Duke._ You must, sir, change persons with me, ere you make that my report: you, indeed, spoke so of him; and 335 much more, much worse. _Lucio._ O thou damnable fellow! Did not I pluck thee by the nose for thy speeches? _Duke._ I protest I love the Duke as I love myself. _Ang._ Hark, how the villain would close now, after his 340 treasonable abuses! _Escal._ Such a fellow is not to be talked withal. Away with him to prison! Where is the provost? Away with him to prison! lay bolts enough upon him: let him speak no more. Away with those giglets too, and with the other 345 confederate companion!
_Duke._ [_To Provost_] Stay, sir; stay awhile. _Ang._ What, resists he? Help him, Lucio. _Lucio._ Come, sir; come, sir; come, sir; foh, sir! Why, you bald-pated, lying rascal, you must be hooded, 350 must you? Show your knave's visage, with a pox to you! show your sheep-biting face, and be hanged an hour! Will't not off? [_Pulls off the friar's hood, and discovers the Duke._ _Duke._ Thou art the first knave that e'er madest a Duke. First, provost, let me bail these gentle three. 355 [_To Lucio_] Sneak not away, sir; for the friar and you Must have a word anon. Lay hold on him. _Lucio._ This may prove worse than hanging. _Duke._ [_To Escalus_] What you have spoke I pardon: sit you down: We'll borrow place of him. [_To Angelo_] Sir, by your leave. 360 Hast thou or word, or wit, or impudence, That yet can do thee office? If thou hast, Rely upon it till my tale be heard, And hold no longer out. _Ang._ O my dread lord, I should be guiltier than my guiltiness, 365 To think I can be undiscernible, When I perceive your Grace, like power divine, Hath look'd upon my passes. Then, good prince, No longer session hold upon my shame, But let my trial be mine own confession: 370 Immediate sentence then, and sequent death, Is all the grace I beg.
_Duke._ Come hither, Mariana. Say, wast thou e'er contracted to this woman? _Ang._ I was, my lord. _Duke._ Go take her hence, and marry her instantly. 375 Do you the office, friar; which consummate, Return him here again. Go with him, provost. [_Exeunt Angelo, Mariana, Friar Peter and Provost._ _Escal._ My lord, I am more amazed at his dishonour Than at the strangeness of it. _Duke._ Come hither, Isabel. Your friar is now your prince: as I was then 380 Advertising and holy to your business, Not changing heart with habit, I am still Attorney'd at your service. _Isab._ O, give me pardon, That I, your vassal, have employ'd and pain'd Your unknown sovereignty! _Duke._ You are pardon'd, Isabel: 385 And now, dear maid, be you as free to us. Your brother's death, I know, sits at your heart; And you may marvel why I obscured myself, Labouring to save his life, and would not rather Make rash remonstrance of my hidden power 390 Than let him so be lost. O most kind maid, It was the swift celerity of his death, Which I did think with slower foot came on, That brain'd my purpose. But, peace be with him! That life is better life, past fearing death, 395 Than that which lives to fear: make it your comfort, So happy is your brother.
_Isab._ I do, my lord. _Re-enter ANGELO, MARIANA, FRIAR PETER, and PROVOST._ _Duke._ For this new-married man, approaching here, Whose salt imagination yet hath wrong'd Your well-defended honour, you must pardon 400 For Mariana's sake: but as he adjudged your brother,-- Being criminal, in double violation Of sacred chastity, and of promise-breach Thereon dependent, for your brother's life,-- The very mercy of the law cries out 405 Most audible, even from his proper tongue, 'An Angelo for Claudio, death for death!' Haste still pays haste, and leisure answers leisure; Like doth quit like, and MEASURE still FOR MEASURE. Then, Angelo, thy fault's thus manifested; 410 Which, though thou wouldst deny, denies thee vantage. We do condemn thee to the very block Where Claudio stoop'd to death, and with like haste. Away with him! _Mari._ O my most gracious lord, I hope you will not mock me with a husband. 415 _Duke._ It is your husband mock'd you with a husband. Consenting to the safeguard of your honour, I thought your marriage fit; else imputation, For that he knew you, might reproach your life, And choke your good to come: for his possessions, 420 Although by confiscation they are ours, We do instate and widow you withal, To buy you a better husband. _Mari._ O my dear lord, I crave no other, nor no better man.
_Duke._ Never crave him; we are definitive. 425 _Mari._ Gentle my liege,-- [_Kneeling._ _Duke._ You do but lose your labour. Away with him to death! [_To Lucio_] Now, sir, to you. _Mari._ O my good lord! Sweet Isabel, take my part; Lend me your knees, and all my life to come I'll lend you all my life to do you service. 430 _Duke._ Against all sense you do importune her: Should she kneel down in mercy of this fact, Her brother's ghost his paved bed would break, And take her hence in horror. _Mari._ Isabel, Sweet Isabel, do yet but kneel by me; 435 Hold up your hands, say nothing,--I'll speak all. They say, best men are moulded out of faults; And, for the most, become much more the better For being a little bad: so may my husband. O Isabel, will you not lend a knee? 440 _Duke._ He dies for Claudio's death. _Isab._ Most bounteous sir, [_Kneeling._ Look, if it please you, on this man condemn'd, As if my brother lived: I partly think A due sincerity govern'd his deeds, Till he did look on me: since it is so, 445 Let him not die. My brother had but justice, In that he did the thing for which he died: For Angelo, His act did not o'ertake his bad intent; And must be buried but as an intent 450 That perish'd by the way: thoughts are no subjects; Intents, but merely thoughts.
_Mari._ Merely, my lord. _Duke._ Your suit's unprofitable; stand up, I say. I have bethought me of another fault. Provost, how came it Claudio was beheaded 455 At an unusual hour? _Prov._ It was commanded so. _Duke._ Had you a special warrant for the deed? _Prov._ No, my good lord; it was by private message. _Duke._ For which I do discharge you of your office: Give up your keys. _Prov._ Pardon me, noble lord: 460 I thought it was a fault, but knew it not; Yet did repent me, after more advice: For testimony whereof, one in the prison, That should by private order else have died, I have reserved alive. _Duke._ What's he? _Prov._ His name is Barnardine. 465 _Duke._ I would thou hadst done so by Claudio. Go fetch him hither; let me look upon him. [_Exit Provost._ _Escal._ I am sorry, one so learned and so wise As you, Lord Angelo, have still appear'd, Should slip so grossly, both in the heat of blood, 470 And lack of temper'd judgment afterward. _Ang._ I am sorry that such sorrow I procure: And so deep sticks it in my penitent heart, That I crave death more willingly than mercy; 'Tis my deserving, and I do entreat it. 475 _Re-enter PROVOST, with BARNARDINE, CLAUDIO muffled, and JULIET._ _Duke._ Which is that Barnardine?
_Prov._ This, my lord. _Duke._ There was a friar told me of this man. Sirrah, thou art said to have a stubborn soul, That apprehends no further than this world, And squarest thy life according. Thou'rt condemn'd: 480 But, for those earthly faults, I quit them all; And pray thee take this mercy to provide For better times to come. Friar, advise him; I leave him to your hand. What muffled fellow's that? _Prov._ This is another prisoner that I saved, 485 Who should have died when Claudio lost his head; As like almost to Claudio as himself. [_Unmuffles Claudio._ _Duke._ [_To Isabella_] If he be like your brother, for his sake Is he pardon'd; and, for your lovely sake, Give me your hand, and say you will be mine, 490 He is my brother too: but fitter time for that. By this Lord Angelo perceives he's safe; Methinks I see a quickening in his eye. Well, Angelo, your evil quits you well: Look that you love your wife; her worth worth yours. 495 I find an apt remission in myself; And yet here's one in place I cannot pardon. [_To Lucio_] You, sirrah, that knew me for a fool, a coward, One all of luxury, an ass, a madman; Wherein have I so deserved of you, 500 That you extol me thus?
_Lucio._ 'Faith, my lord, I spoke it but according to the trick. If you will hang me for it, you may; but I had rather it would please you I might be whipt. _Duke._ Whipt first, sir, and hang'd after. 505 Proclaim it, provost, round about the city, Is any woman wrong'd by this lewd fellow, As I have heard him swear himself there's one Whom he begot with child, let her appear, And he shall marry her: the nuptial finish'd, 510 Let him be whipt and hang'd. _Lucio._ I beseech your highness, do not marry me to a whore. Your highness said even now, I made you a Duke: good my lord, do not recompense me in making me a cuckold. 515 _Duke._ Upon mine honour, thou shalt marry her. Thy slanders I forgive; and therewithal Remit thy other forfeits.--Take him to prison; And see our pleasure herein executed. _Lucio._ Marrying a punk, my lord, is pressing to death, 520 whipping, and hanging. _Duke._ Slandering a prince deserves it. [_Exeunt Officers with Lucio._ She, Claudio, that you wrong'd, look you restore. Joy to you, Mariana! Love her, Angelo: I have confess'd her, and I know her virtue. 525 Thanks, good friend Escalus, for thy much goodness: There's more behind that is more gratulate. Thanks, provost, for thy care and secrecy: We shall employ thee in a worthier place. Forgive him, Angelo, that brought you home 530 The head of Ragozine for Claudio's: The offence pardons itself. Dear Isabel, I have a motion much imports your good; Whereto if you'll a willing ear incline, What's mine is yours, and what is yours is mine. 535 So, bring us to our palace; where we'll show What's yet behind, that's meet you all should know. [_Exeunt._
Text from Project Gutenberg, public domain in the United States.