Escal. Ay, but yet (Whom I believe to be most strait in virtue,) Ang. 'Tis one thing to be tempted, Escalus, The jury, passing on the prisoner's life, 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, The jewel that we find, we stoop and take it, See that Claudio Some rise by sin, and some by virtue fall: 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 houses, I know no law; bring them away. Ang. How now, sir! what's your name? and what's the matter? Elb. If it please your honour, I am the poor duke's constable, and my name is Elbow; I do lean upon justice, sir, and do bring in here before your good honour two notorious benefactors. Ang. Benefactors? Well; what benefactors are they are they not malefactors? Elb. If it please your honour, I know not well what they are but precise villains they are, that I am sure of; and void of all profanation in the world, that good Christians ought to have. Escal. This comes off well ;9 here's a wise officer. Ang. Go to: what quality are they of? Elbow is your name? Why dost thou not speak, Elbow? Clo. He cannot, sir; he's out at elbow. Ang. What are you, sir? Elb. He, sir? a tapster, sir; parcel10-bawd; one that serves a bad woman; whose house, sir, was, as they say, pluck'd down in the suburbs; and now she professes a hot-house, which, I think, is a very ill house too. (1) Examine. (2) Suited. (3) Pass judgment. (4) Plain. (5) Because. (6) Sentence. (7) Thickest, thorny paths of vice. (8) Wealth. Escal. How know you that? Elb. My wife, sir, whom I detest12 before heaven and your honour, Escal. How! thy wife? Elb. Ay, sir; whom, I thank heaven, is an honest woman, Escal. Dost thou detest her therefore? Elb. I say, sir, I will detest myself also, as well as she, that this house, if it be not a bawd's house, it is pity of her life, for it is a naughty house. Escal. how dost thou know that, constable? Elb. Marry, sir, by my wife; who, if she had been a woman cardinally given, might have been accused in fornication, adultery, and all uncleanliness there. Escal. By the woman's means? Elb. Ay, sir, by mistress Over-done's means: but as she spit in his face, so she defied him. Clo. Sir, if it please your honour, this is not so. Elb. Prove it before these varlets here, thou honourable man, prove it. Escal. Do you hear how he misplaces ? [To Angelo. Clo. Sir, she came in great with child; and longing (saving your honour's reverence) for stew'd prunes: sir, we had but two in the house, which at that very distant time stood, as it were, in a fruitdish, a dish of some three-pence: your honours have seen such dishes; they are not China dishes, but very good dishes. Escal. Go to, go to: no matter for the dish, sir. Clo. No, indeed, sir, not of a pin ; you are there in in the right: but, to the point: as I say, this mistress Elbow, being, as I say, with child, and being great belly'd, and longing, as I said, for prunes; and having but two in the dish, as I said, master Froth here, this very man, having eaten the rest, as I said, and, as I say, paying for them very honestly; -for, as you know, master Froth, I could not give you three-pence again. Froth. No, indeed. Clo. Very well you being then, if you be remember'd, cracking the stones of the foresaid prunes. Froth. Ay, so I did, indeed. Clo. Why, very well I telling you then, if you be remember'd, that such a one, and such a one, were past cure of the thing you wot of, unless they kept very good diet, as I told you. Froth. All this is true. Escal. Come, you are a tedious fool: to the purpose.-What was done to Elbow's wife, that he hath cause to complain of? Come me to what was done to her. Clo. Sir, your honour cannot come to that yet. Clo. Sir, but you shall come to it, by your honour's leave: and I beseech you, look into master Froth here, sir; a man of fourscore pound a year; whose father died at Hallowmas:-Was't not at Hallowmas, master Froth? Froth. All-hollond 13 eve. Clo. Why, very well; I hope here be truths: he, sir, sitting, as I say, in a lower14 chair, sir ;-'twas in the Bunch of Grapes, where, indeed, you have a delight to sit : have you not? Froth. I have so; because it is an open room, and good for winter. (9) Well told. (10) Partly. (11) Keeps a bagnio. (12) For protest. (13) Eve of All Saints day. (14) Easy. 226896A Clo. Why, very well then;-I hope here be truths. Clo. Mistress Over-done. Escal. Hath she had any more than one husband? Clo. Nine, sir; Over-done by the last. Escal. Nine!--Come hither to me, master Froth. Master Froth I would not have you acquainted with tapsters; they will draw you, master Froth, and you will hang them: get you gone, and let [Exit Angelo.me hear no more of you. Ang. This will last out a night in Russia, When nights are longest there: I'll take my leave, And leave you to the hearing of the cause; Hoping, you'll find good cause to whip them all. Escal. I think no less: good morrow to your lordship. Now, sir, come on: what was done to Elbow's wife, once more? Clo. Once, sir? there was nothing done to her once. Elb. I beseech you, sir, ask him what this man did to my wife? Clo. I beseech your honour, ask me. Escal. Well, sir: what did this gentleman to her? Clo. I beseech you, sir, look in this gentleman's face:-Good master Froth, look upon his honour; 'tis for a good purpose: doth your honour mark his face? Escal. Ay, sir, very well. Clo. Nay, I beseech you, mark it well. Clo. Doth your honour see any harm in his face? Clo. I'll be suppos'd' upon a book, his face is the worst thing about him: good then; if his face be the worst thing about him, how could master Froth do the constable's wife any harm? I would know that of your honour. Escal. He's in the right: constable, what say you to it? Froth. I thank your worship: for mine own part, I never come into any room in a taphouse, but I am drawn in. Escal. Well; no more of it, master Froth: farewell. [Exit Froth.]-Come you hither to me, master tapster; what's your name, master tapster? Clo. Pompey. Escal. What else? Clo. Bum, sir. Escal. 'Troth, and your bum is the greatest thing about you; so that, in the beastilest sense, you are Pompey the great. Pompey, you are partly a bawd, Pompey, howsoever you colour it in being a tapster. Are you not? come, tell me true; it shall be the better for you. Clo. Truly, sir, I am a poor fellow, that would live. Escal. How would you live, Pompey? by being a bawd? What do you think of the trade, Pompey? is it a lawful trade? Clo. If the law would allow it, sir. Escal. But the law will not allow it, Pompey; nor it shall not be allowed in Vienna. Clo. Does your worship mean to geld and spay Escal. No, Pompey. Elb. First, an it like you, the house is a re-all the youth in the city? spected house; next, this is a respected fellow; and his mistress is a respected woman. Clo. Truly, sir, in my poor opinion, they will to't then: if your worship will take order for the drabs and the knaves, you need not to fear the var-bawds. Clo. By this hand, sir, his wife is a more respected person than any of us all. Elb. Varlet, thou liest; thou liest, wicked let the time is yet to come, that she was ever respected with man, woman, or child. Clo. Sir, she was respected with him before he married with her. Escal. Which is the wiser here? justice, or iniquity 22 Is this true? Escal. There are pretty orders beginning, I can tell you: it is but heading and hanging. Clo. If you head and hang all that offend that way but for ten year together, you'll be glad to give out a commission for more heads. If this law hold in Vienna ten year, I'll rent the fairest house it, after three-pence a bay: if you live to see this come to pass, say Pompey told you so. Elb. O thou caitiff! O thou varlet! O thou wick-in ed Hannibal ! I respected with her, before I was married to her? If ever I was respected with her, Escal. Thank you, good Pompey: and, in reor she with me, let not your worship think me the quital of your prophecy, hark you,-I advise you, poor duke's officer:-Prove this, thou wicked Han- let me not find you before me again upon any comnibal, or I'll have mine action of battery on thee.plaint whatsoever, no, not for dwelling where you Escal. If he took you a box o' the ear, you do if I do, Pompey, I shall beat you to your tent, might have your action of slander too. and prove a shrewd Cæsar to you; in plain dealElb. Marry, I thank your good worship for iting, Pompey, shall have you whipt: so for this what is't your worship's pleasure I should do with time Pompey, fare you well. this wicked caitiff? Escal. Truly, officer, because he hath some offences in him, that thou wouldst discover if thou couldst, let him continue in his courses, till thou know'st what they are. Elb. Marry, I thank your worship for it:-thou seest, thou wicked varlet now, what's come upon thee; thou art to continue now, thou varlet; thou art to continue. Escal. Where were you born, friend? [To Froth. Escal. Are you of fourscore pounds a year? Clo. A tapster: a poor widow's tapster. (1) Deposed, sworn. (2) Constable or Clown. Clo. I thank your worship for your good counsel; but I shall follow it, as the flesh and fortune shall better determine. Whip me! No, no; let carman whip his jade; Escal. Come hither to me, master Elbow; come hither, master Constable. How long have you been in this place of constable? Elb. Seven years and a half, sir. Escal. I thought, by your readiness in the office, you had continued in it some time: You say, seven years together? Elb. And a half, sir. as they are chosen, they are glad to choose me for || For, which I must not plead, but that I am them; I do it for some piece of money, and go At war, 'twixt will, and will not. through with all. Ang. Well; the matter? Isab. I have a brother is condemn'd to die: I do beseech you, let it be his fault, And not my brother. Escal. Look you, bring me in the names of Escal. I pray you home to dinner with me. [Exit Escal. It grieves me for the death of Claudio; But there's no remedy. Just. Lord Angelo is severe. It is but needful: [Exeunt. Prov. Pray you, do. [Exit Servant.] I'll know All sects, all ages, smack of this vice; and he Enter Angelo. Ang. Why dost thou ask again? Prov. Prov. Heaven give thee moving graces' Ang. Condemn the fault, and not the actor of it! Why, every fault's condemn'd, ere it be done : Mine were the very cipher of a function, To find the faults, whose fine stands in record, And let go by the actor. Isab. O just, but severe law! I had a brother then.-Heaven keep your honour! [Retiring. Lucio. [To Isab.] Give't not o'er so: to him again, entreat him; Kneel down before him, hang upon his gown; You are too cold: if you should need a pin, You could not with more tame a tongue desire it: To him, I say. Isab. Must he needs die? Isab. wrong, If so your heart were touch'd with that remorsel Ang. He's sentenc'd; 'tis too late. Lucio. You are too cold. [To Isabella. Lest I might be too rash: Not the king's crown, nor the deputed sword, Under your good correction, I have seen, Ang. Prov. I crave your honour's pardon.What shall be done, sir, with the groaning Juliet? She's very near her hour. Ang. Dispose of her To some more fitter place; and that with speed. Re-enter Servant. Serv. Here is the sister of the man condemn'd, Desires access to you. Ang. Hath he a sister? The marshal's truncheon, nor the judge's robe, Isab. I would to heaven I had your potency, Lucio. Ay, touch him: there's the vein. [Aside Ang. Your brother is a forfeit of the law, And you but waste your words. Prov. Ay, my good lord; a very virtuous maid, Found out the remedy: How would you be, And to be shortly of a sisterhood, If not already. Ang. If He, which is the top of judgment, should But judge you as you are? O, think on that; Well, let her be admitted. [Ex. Serv. And mercy then will breathe within your lips, See you the fornicatress be remov'd; Let her have needful, but not lavish, means; Enter Lucio and Isabella. Prov. Save your honour! [Offering to retire. Ang. Stay a little while.-[To Isab.] You are welcome: What's your will? Isab. I am a woful suitor to your honour, Please but your honour hear me. Ang. Well; what's your suit? Isab. There is a vice, that most I do abhor, And most desire should meet the blow of justice; For which I would not plead, but that I must; (2) Be assured. There's many have committed it. Those many had not dar'd to do that evil, Yet show some pity. Your brother dies to-morrow: be content. Isab. Save your honour! [Exe. Luc. Isa. and Pro. Ang. From thee; even from thy virtue ! Isab. So you must be the first, that gives this What's this? what's this? Is this her fault, or mine? sentence: And he, that suffers: O, it is excellent To have a giant's strength; but it is tyrannous To use it like a giant. The tempter, or the tempted, who sins most? Ha! Not she; nor doth she tempt: but it is I, That lying by the violet, in the sun, Do, as the carrion does, not as the flower, Corrupt with virtuous season. Can it be, That modesty may more betray our sense As Jove himself does, Jove would ne'er be quiet,Than woman's lightness? Having waste ground For every pelting petty officer, Lucio. That's well said. Isab. Could great men thunder enough, Would use his heaven for thunder; nothing but Shall we desire to raze the sanctuary, thunder. Merciful heaven! Thou rather, with thy sharp and sulphurous bolt, Most ignorant of what he's most assur'd, Lucio. Thou art in the right, girl; more o' that. Isab. That in the captain's but a choleric word, Which in the soldier is flat blasphemy. Lucio. Art advis'd o' that? more on't. Ang. Why do you put these sayings upon me? Isab. Because authority, though it err like others, Hath yet a kind of medicine in itself, That skims the vice o' the top: Go to your bosom; Let it not sound a thought upon your tongue Ang. She speaks, and 'tis Such sense, that my sense breeds with it. you well. -Fare Isab. Gentle my lord, turn back. Ang. How! bribe me? And pitch our evils there?5 O, fie, fie, fie! SCENE III-A room in a prison. Enter Duke, Duke. Bound by my charity, and my bless'd order, I come to visit the afflicted spirits Here in the prison: do me the common right Prov. I would do more than that, if more were needful. Enter Juliet. Look, here comes one; a gentlewoman of mine, Isab. Ay, with such gifts, that heaven shall share More fit to do another such offence, with you. (1) Paltry. (2) Knotted. (3) Attested, stamped. (4) Preserved from the corruption of the world. Than die for this. Duke. When must he die? 5) See 2 Kings, x. 27. pray To several subjects: heaven hath my empty words; Is like a good thing, being often read, Ang. Yea. Isab. When, I beseech you? that in his reprieve, Longer, or shorter, he may be so fitted, That his soul sicken not. Ang. Ha! Fie, these filthy vices! It were as good Their saucy sweetness, that do coin heaven's image, Isab. 'Tis set down so in heaven, but not in earth. Sir, believe this, I had rather give my body than my soul. Ang. I talk not of your soul: Our compell'd sins Stand more for number than accompt. Isab. How say you? Ang. Nay, I'll not warrant that; for I can speak Against the thing I say. Answer to this ; I, now the voice of the recorded law, Isab. Please you to do't, I'll take it as a peril to my soul, It is no sin at all, but charity. your soul, Isab. That I do beg his life, if it be sin, Heaven, let me bear it! you granting of my suit, If that be sin, I'll make it my morn prayer To have it added to the faults of mine, And nothing of your, answer. Ang. Nay, but hear me. Your sense pursues not mine: either you are ignorani, Or seem so, craftily; and that's not good. Isab. Let me be ignorant, and in nothing good, But graciously to know I am no better. Ang. Thus wisdom wishes to appear most bright, When it doth tax itself: as these black masks Proclaim an enshields beauty ten times louder Isab. So. Ang. And his offence is so, as it appears Accountant to the law upon that pain. Isab. True. Ang. Admit no other way to save his life |