Duke. It is too general a vice, and severity must cure it.

Lucio. Yes, in good sooth, the vice is of a great kindred; 95 it is well allied: but it is impossible to extirp it quite, friar, till eating and drinking be put down. They say this Angelo was not made by man and woman after this downright way of creation: is it true, think you?

Duke. How should he be made, then? 100

Lucio. Some report a sea-maid spawned him; some, that he was begot between two stock-fishes. But it is certain that, when he makes water, his urine is congealed ice; that I know to be true: and he is a motion generative; that's infallible. 105

Duke. You are pleasant, sir, and speak apace.

Lucio. Why, what a ruthless thing is this in him, for the rebellion of a codpiece to take away the life of a man! Would the Duke that is absent have done this? Ere he would have hanged a man for the getting a hundred bastards, 110 he would have paid for the nursing a thousand: he had some feeling of the sport; he knew the service, and that instructed him to mercy.

Duke. I never heard the absent Duke much detected for women; he was not inclined that way. 115

Lucio. O, sir, you are deceived.

Duke. 'Tis not possible.

Lucio. Who, not the Duke? yes, your beggar of fifty; and his use was to put a ducat in her clack-dish: the Duke had crotchets in him. He would be drunk too; that let me 120 inform you.

Duke. You do him wrong, surely.

Lucio. Sir, I was an inward of his. A shy fellow was the Duke: and I believe I know the cause of his withdrawing. 125

Duke. What, I prithee, might be the cause?

Lucio. No, pardon; 'tis a secret must be locked within the teeth and the lips: but this I can let you understand, the greater file of the subject held the Duke to be wise.

Duke. Wise! why, no question but he was. 130

Lucio. A very superficial, ignorant, unweighing fellow.

Duke. Either this is envy in you, folly, or mistaking: the very stream of his life and the business he hath helmed must, upon a warranted need, give him a better proclamation. Let him be but testimonied in his own bringings-forth, 135 and he shall appear, to the envious, a scholar, a statesman and a soldier. Therefore you speak unskilfully; or if your knowledge be more, it is much darkened in your malice.

Lucio. Sir, I know him, and I love him. 140

Duke. Love talks with better knowledge, and knowledge with dearer love.

Lucio. Come, sir, I know what I know.

Duke. I can hardly believe that, since you know not what you speak. But, if ever the Duke return, as our prayers 145 are he may, let me desire you to make your answer before him. If it be honest you have spoke, you have courage to maintain it: I am bound to call upon you; and, I pray you, your name?

Lucio. Sir, my name is Lucio; well known to the 150 duke.

Duke. He shall know you better, sir, if I may live to report you.

Lucio. I fear you not.

Duke. O, you hope the Duke will return no more; or 155 you imagine me too unhurtful an opposite. But, indeed, I can do you little harm; you'll forswear this again.

Lucio. I'll be hanged first: thou art deceived in me, friar. But no more of this. Canst thou tell if Claudio die to-morrow or no? 160

Duke. Why should he die, sir?

Lucio. Why? For filling a bottle with a tun-dish. I would the Duke we talk of were returned again: this ungenitured agent will unpeople the province with continency; sparrows must not build in his house-eaves, because 165 they are lecherous. The Duke yet would have dark deeds darkly answered; he would never bring them to light: would he were returned! Marry, this Claudio is condemned for untrussing. Farewell, good friar: I prithee, pray for me. The Duke, I say to thee again, would eat mutton on 170 Fridays. He's not past it yet, and I say to thee, he would mouth with a beggar, though she smelt brown bread and garlic: say that I said so. Farewell. [Exit.

Duke. No might nor greatness in mortality Can censure 'scape; back-wounding calumny 175 The whitest virtue strikes. What king so strong Can tie the gall up in the slanderous tongue? But who comes here?

Enter ESCALUS, PROVOST, and Officers with MISTRESS OVERDONE.

Escal. Go; away with her to prison!

Mrs Ov. Good my lord, be good to me; your honour 180 is accounted a merciful man; good my lord.

Escal. Double and treble admonition, and still forfeit in the same kind! This would make mercy swear and play the tyrant.

Prov. A bawd of eleven years' continuance, may it 185 please your honour.

Mrs Ov. My lord, this is one Lucio's information against me. Mistress Kate Keepdown was with child by him in the Duke's time; he promised her marriage: his child is a year and a quarter old, come Philip and Jacob: 190 I have kept it myself; and see how he goes about to abuse me!

Escal. That fellow is a fellow of much license: let him be called before us. Away with her to prison! Go to; no more words. [Exeunt Officers with Mistress Ov.] 195 Provost, my brother Angelo will not be altered; Claudio must die to-morrow: let him be furnished with divines, and have all charitable preparation. If my brother wrought by my pity, it should not be so with him.

Prov. So please you, this friar hath been with him, 200 and advised him for the entertainment of death.

Escal. Good even, good father.

Duke. Bliss and goodness on you!

Escal. Of whence are you?

Duke. Not of this country, though my chance is now 205 To use it for my time: I am a brother Of gracious order, late come from the See In special business from his Holiness.

Escal. What news abroad i' the world?

Duke. None, but that there is so great a fever on goodness, 210 that the dissolution of it must cure it: novelty is only in request; and it is as dangerous to be aged in any kind of course, as it is virtuous to be constant in any undertaking. There is scarce truth enough alive to make societies secure; but security enough to make fellowships accurst:— 215 much upon this riddle runs the wisdom of the world. This news is old enough, yet it is every day's news. I pray you, sir, of what disposition was the Duke?

Escal. One that, above all other strifes, contended especially to know himself. 220

Duke. What pleasure was he given to?

Escal. Rather rejoicing to see another merry, than merry at any thing which professed to make him rejoice: a gentleman of all temperance. But leave we him to his events, with a prayer they may prove prosperous; and let 225 me desire to know how you find Claudio prepared. I am made to understand that you have lent him visitation.

Duke. He professes to have received no sinister measure from his judge, but most willingly humbles himself to the determination of justice: yet had he framed to himself, 230 by the instruction of his frailty, many deceiving promises of life; which I, by my good leisure, have discredited to him, and now is he resolved to die.

Escal. You have paid the heavens your function, and the prisoner the very debt of your calling. I have laboured 235 for the poor gentleman to the extremest shore of my modesty: but my brother justice have I found so severe, that he hath forced me to tell him he is indeed Justice.

Duke. If his own life answer the straitness of his proceeding, it shall become him well; wherein if he chance to 240 fail, he hath sentenced himself.

Escal. I am going to visit the prisoner. Fare you well.

Duke. Peace be with you! [Exeunt Escalus and Provost.

He who the sword of heaven will bear Should be as holy as severe; 245 Pattern in himself to know, Grace to stand, and virtue go; More nor less to others paying Than by self-offences weighing. Shame to him whose cruel striking 250 Kills for faults of his own liking! Twice treble shame on Angelo, To weed my vice and let his grow! O, what may man within him hide, Though angel on the outward side! 255 How may likeness made in crimes, Making practice on the times, To draw with idle spiders' strings Most ponderous and substantial things! Craft against vice I must apply: 260 With Angelo to-night shall lie His old betrothed but despised; So disguise shall, by the disguised, Pay with falsehood false exacting, And perform an old contracting. [Exit. 265

NOTES: III, 2.

SCENE II.] om. Ff. SCENE IV. Pope. Enter ... Pompey] Enter Elbow, Clowne, Officers. Ff. 5: usuries] usancies Collier MS. 7: Punctuated as in Hanmer. Ff place a semicolon after law. Pope a full stop. Warburton supposes a line or two to be lost. furred gown] furred lambskin gown Capell. 8: fox and lamb-skins] fox-skins Capell. fox on lamb-skins Mason conj. 11: father] om. Johnson conj. 22: eat, array myself] Theobald (Bishop conj.). eat away myself Ff. 24: Go mend, go mend] Go mend, mend Pope. 25: does] doth Pope. 36: From our faults] F1. Free from our faults F2 F3. Free from all faults F4. as faults from seeming] as from faults seeming Hanmer. or from false seeming Johnson conj. or faults from seeming Id. conj. 36: SCENE V. [Enter LUCIO. Pope. 37: waist] Johnson, ed. 1778. wast F1 F2 F3. waste F4. 40: wheels] heels Steevens. 43: it] Pope. om. Ff. 44, 45: this tune ... Is't not] this? tune ... method,—is't not? Johnson conj. 45: matter and method] the matter and the method Hanmer. Is't not ... rain] It's not down in the last reign Warburton. 46: Trot] to't Dyce (Grey conj.). troth Jackson conj. 52: her] the Pope. 69, 70: bondage: ... patiently,] Theobald. bondage ... patiently: Ff. 80: SCENE VI. Pope. 93: general] gentle Warburton. 95: a great] great Rowe. 98: this] Ff. the Pope. 104: is a motion generative] is a motion ungenerative Theobald. has no motion generative Hanmer. is not a motion generative Capell. is a motion ingenerative Collier MS. is a notion generative Upton conj. is a mule ungenerative Anon. conj. 114: detected] detracted Capell. 123: shy] sly Hanmer. 126: I] om. Rowe. 142: dearer] Hanmer. deare F1 F2. dear F3 F4. 157: little] a little Hanmer. again.] again? Ff. 168: this Claudio] this: Claudio Edd. conj. 171: He's not past it yet, and I say to thee] Hanmer. He's now past it, yet (and I say to thee) Ff. He's now past it: yea, and I say to thee Capell. 172: smelt] smelt of Rowe. 173: said] say Pope. 179: SCENE VII. Pope 183: swear] swerve Hanmer. severe Farmer conj. 202: even] F4. 'even F1 F2 F3. 207: See] Theobald. Sea Ff. 212: and it is as] F3 F4. and as it is as F1 F2. 213: undertaking. There] undertaking, there Collier. 220: especially] specially Pope. These two lines are printed as verse by Ff, ending strifes, ... himself. 232: leisure] lecture Capell conj. 234: your function] the due of your function Collier MS. 243: SCENE VIII. Pope. [Exeunt....] Capell. [Exit. F2. om. F1. 246, 247: Pattern ... go] Patterning himself to know, In grace to stand, in virtue go Johnson conj. Pattern in himself, to show Grace and virtue. Stand or go Becket conj. 247: and virtue go] virtue to go Collier MS. 249: self-offences] self offences Collier. 256-258: may ... To draw] many ... Draw Harness. 256: likeness made in crimes] Ff. that likeness made in crimes Theobald. that likeness shading crimes Hanmer. such likeness trade in crimes Heath conj. likeness wade in crimes Malone conj. (withdrawn). likeness mate in crimes Leo conj. 257: Making practice] Mocking, practise Malone conj. Make sin practise Jackson conj. Masking practice Collier MS. 258: To draw] Draw Theobald. So draw Staunton conj.



ACT IV.

SCENE I. The moated grange at ST LUKE'S.

Enter MARIANA and a BOY.

BOY sings.

Take, O, take those lips away, That so sweetly were forsworn; And those eyes, the break of day, Lights that do mislead the morn: But my kisses bring again, bring again; 5 Seals of love, but sealed in vain, sealed in vain.

Mari. Break off thy song, and haste thee quick away: Here comes a man of comfort, whose advice Hath often still'd my brawling discontent. [Exit Boy.

Enter DUKE disguised as before.

I cry you mercy, sir; and well could wish 10 You had not found me here so musical: Let me excuse me, and believe me so, My mirth it much displeased, but pleased my woe.

Duke. 'Tis good; though music oft hath such a charm To make bad good, and good provoke to harm. 15

I pray you, tell me, hath any body inquired for me here to-day? much upon this time have I promised here to meet.

Mari. You have not been inquired after: I have sat here all day.

Enter ISABELLA.

Duke. I do constantly believe you. The time is come 20 even now. I shall crave your forbearance a little: may be I will call upon you anon, for some advantage to yourself.

Mari. I am always bound to you. [Exit.

Duke. Very well met, and well come. What is the news from this good Deputy? 25

Isab. He hath a garden circummured with brick, Whose western side is with a vineyard back'd; And to that vineyard is a planched gate, That makes his opening with this bigger key: This other doth command a little door 30 Which from the vineyard to the garden leads; There have I made my promise Upon the heavy middle of the night To call upon him.

Duke. But shall you on your knowledge find this way? 35

Isab. I have ta'en a due and wary note upon't: With whispering and most guilty diligence, In action all of precept, he did show me The way twice o'er.

Duke. Are there no other tokens Between you 'greed concerning her observance? 40

Isab. No, none, but only a repair i' the dark; And that I have possess'd him my most stay Can be but brief; for I have made him know I have a servant comes with me along, That stays upon me, whose persuasion is 45 I come about my brother.

Duke. 'Tis well borne up. I have not yet made known to Mariana A word of this. What, ho! within! come forth!

Re-enter MARIANA.

I pray you, be acquainted with this maid; She comes to do you good.

Isab. I do desire the like. 50

Duke. Do you persuade yourself that I respect you?

Mari. Good friar, I know you do, and have found it.

Duke. Take, then, this your companion by the hand, Who hath a story ready for your ear. I shall attend your leisure: but make haste; 55 The vaporous night approaches.

Mari. Will't please you walk aside?

[Exeunt Mariana and Isabella.

Duke. O place and greatness, millions of false eyes Are stuck upon thee! volumes of report Run with these false and most contrarious quests 60 Upon thy doings! thousand escapes of wit Make thee the father of their idle dreams, And rack thee in their fancies!

Re-enter MARIANA and ISABELLA.

Welcome, how agreed?

Isab. She'll take the enterprise upon her, father, If you advise it.

Duke. It is not my consent, 65 But my entreaty too.

Isab. Little have you to say When you depart from him, but, soft and low, 'Remember now my brother.'

Mari. Fear me not.

Duke. Nor, gentle daughter, fear you not at all. He is your husband on a pre-contract: 70 To bring you thus together, 'tis no sin, Sith that the justice of your title to him Doth flourish the deceit. Come, let us go: Our corn's to reap, for yet our tithe's to sow. [Exeunt.

NOTES: IV, 1.

SCENE I. Enter M.] Ff. M. discovered sitting. Steevens. 5, 6: F4 omits the refrain in l. 6. Rowe omits it in both lines. 6: but] though Fletcher's version. 13: it] is Warburton. 17: meet] meet one Hanmer. 19: Enter I.] Transferred by Singer to line 23. 24: SCENE II. Pope. well come] Ff. welcome Warburton. 32, 33, 34: There have I made my promise Upon the heavy middle of the night To call upon him.] S. Walker conj. There have I made my promise, upon the Heavy middle of the night to call upon him. Ff. There on the heavy middle of the night Have I my promise made to call upon him. Pope. There have I made my promise to call on him Upon the heavy middle of the night. Capell. There have I made my promise in the heavy Middle.... Singer. There have I made my promise on the heavy Middle.... Dyce. Delius and Staunton read with Ff. but print as prose. 38: action all of precept] precept of all action Johnson conj. 49: SCENE III. Pope. 52: have] I have Pope. 58-63: O place ... fancies] These lines to precede III. 2. 178. Warburton conj. 60: these] their Hanmer. base Collier MS. quests] quest F1. 61: escapes] 'scapes Pope. 62: their idle dreams] Pope. their idle dreame Ff. an idle dream Rowe. 63: Welcome, how agreed?] Well! agreed? Hanmer. SCENE IV. Pope. 65: It is] 'Tis Pope. 74: tithe's] Tithes F1 F2 F3. Tythes F4. tilth's Hanmer (Warburton). Our ... sow] Our tythe's to reap, for yet our corn's to sow Capell conj. MS.

SCENE II. A room in the prison.

Enter PROVOST and POMPEY.

Prov. Come hither, sirrah. Can you cut off a man's head?

Pom. If the man be a bachelor, sir, I can; but if he be a married man, he's his wife's head, and I can never cut off a woman's head.

Prov. Come, sir, leave me your snatches, and yield me 5 a direct answer. To-morrow morning are to die Claudio and Barnardine. Here is in our prison a common executioner, who in his office lacks a helper: if you will take it on you to assist him, it shall redeem you from your gyves; if not, you shall have your full time of imprisonment, and 10 your deliverance with an unpitied whipping, for you have been a notorious bawd.

Pom. Sir, I have been an unlawful bawd time out of mind; but yet I will be content to be a lawful hangman. I would be glad to receive some instruction from my fellow 15 partner.

Prov. What, ho! Abhorson! Where's Abhorson, there?

Enter ABHORSON.

Abhor. Do you call, sir?

Prov. Sirrah, here's a fellow will help you to-morrow in your execution. If you think it meet, compound with 20 him by the year, and let him abide here with you; if not, use him for the present, and dismiss him. He cannot plead his estimation with you; he hath been a bawd.

Abhor. A bawd, sir? fie upon him! he will discredit our mystery. 25

Prov. Go to, sir; you weigh equally; a feather will turn the scale. [Exit.

Pom. Pray, sir, by your good favour,—for surely, sir, a good favour you have, but that you have a hanging look,— do you call, sir, your occupation a mystery? 30

Abhor. Ay, sir; a mystery.

Pom. Painting, sir, I have heard say, is a mystery; and your whores, sir, being members of my occupation, using painting, do prove my occupation a mystery: but what mystery there should be in hanging, if I should be 35 hanged, I cannot imagine.

Abhor. Sir, it is a mystery.

Pom. Proof?

Abhor. Every true man's apparel fits your thief: if it be too little for your thief, your true man thinks it big 40 enough; if it be too big for your thief, your thief thinks it little enough: so every true man's apparel fits your thief.

Re-enter PROVOST.

Prov. Are you agreed?

Pom. Sir, I will serve him; for I do find your hangman is a more penitent trade than your bawd; he doth 45 oftener ask forgiveness.

Prov. You, sirrah, provide your block and your axe to-morrow four o'clock.

Abhor. Come on, bawd; I will instruct thee in my trade; follow. 50

Pom. I do desire to learn, sir: and I hope, if you have occasion to use me for your own turn, you shall find me yare; for, truly, sir, for your kindness I owe you a good turn.

Prov. Call hither Barnardine and Claudio:

[Exeunt Pompey and Abhorson. 55

The one has my pity; not a jot the other, Being a murderer, though he were my brother.

Enter CLAUDIO.

Look, here's the warrant, Claudio, for thy death: 'Tis now dead midnight, and by eight to-morrow Thou must be made immortal. Where's Barnardine? 60

Claud. As fast lock'd up in sleep as guiltless labour When it lies starkly in the traveller's bones: He will not wake.

Prov. Who can do good on him? Well, go, prepare yourself. [Knocking within.] But, hark, what noise?— Heaven give your spirits comfort! [Exit Clandio.] By and by.— 65 I hope it is some pardon or reprieve For the most gentle Claudio.

Enter DUKE disguised as before.

Welcome, father.

Duke. The best and wholesomest spirits of the night Envelop you, good Provost! Who call'd here of late?

Prov. None, since the curfew rung. 70

Duke. Not Isabel?

Prov. No.

Duke. They will, then, ere't be long.

Prov. What comfort is for Claudio?

Duke. There's some in hope.

Prov. It is a bitter Deputy.

Duke. Not so, not so; his life is parallel'd 75 Even with the stroke and line of his great justice: He doth with holy abstinence subdue That in himself which he spurs on his power To qualify in others: were he meal'd with that Which he corrects, then were he tyrannous; 80 But this being so, he's just. [Knocking within. Now are they come.

[Exit Provost.

This is a gentle provost: seldom when The steeled gaoler is the friend of men. [Knocking within. How now! what noise? That spirit's possessed with haste That wounds the unsisting postern with these strokes. 85

Re-enter PROVOST.

Prov. There he must stay until the officer Arise to let him in: he is call'd up.

Duke. Have you no countermand for Claudio yet, But he must die to-morrow?

Prov. None, sir, none.

Duke. As near the dawning, provost, as it is, 90 You shall hear more ere morning.

Prov. Happily You something know; yet I believe there comes No countermand; no such example have we: Besides, upon the very siege of justice Lord Angelo hath to the public ear 95 Profess'd the contrary.

Enter a MESSENGER.

This is his lordship's man.

Duke. And here comes Claudio's pardon.

Mes. [Giving a paper] My lord hath sent you this note; and by me this further charge, that you swerve not from the smallest article of it, neither in time, matter, or other circumstance. 100 Good morrow; for, as I take it, it is almost day.

Prov. I shall obey him. [Exit Messenger.

Duke. [Aside] This is his pardon, purchased by such sin For which the pardoner himself is in. Hence hath offence his quick celerity, 105 When it is borne in high authority: When vice makes mercy, mercy's so extended, That for the fault's love is the offender friended. Now, sir, what news?

Prov. I told you. Lord Angelo, belike thinking me remiss 110 in mine office, awakens me with this unwonted putting-on; methinks strangely, for he hath not used it before.

Duke. Pray you, let's hear.

[Transcriber's Note: In order to preserve the marked line breaks without losing readability, each line of the quoted message has been split into two equal halves.]

Prov. [Reads]

Whatsoever you may hear to the contrary, let Claudio be executed by four of the clock; and in the afternoon Barnardine: for my 115 better satisfaction, let me have Claudio's head sent me by five.

Let this be duly performed; with a thought that more depends on it than we must yet deliver. Thus fail not to do your office, as you will answer it at your peril.

What say you to this, sir? 120

Duke. What is that Barnardine who is to be executed in the afternoon?

Prov. A Bohemian born, but here nursed up and bred; one that is a prisoner nine years old.

Duke. How came it that the absent Duke had not 125 either delivered him to his liberty or executed him? I have heard it was ever his manner to do so.

Prov. His friends still wrought reprieves for him: and, indeed, his fact, till now in the government of Lord Angclo, came not to an undoubtful proof. 130

Duke. It is now apparent?

Prov. Most manifest, and not denied by himself.

Duke. Hath he borne himself penitently in prison? how seems he to be touched?

Prov. A man that apprehends death no more dreadfully 135 but as a drunken sleep; careless, reckless, and fearless of what's past, present, or to come; insensible of mortality, and desperately mortal.

Duke. He wants advice.

Prov. He will hear none: he hath evermore had the 140 liberty of the prison; give him leave to escape hence, he would not: drunk many times a day, if not many days entirely drunk. We have very oft awaked him, as if to carry him to execution, and showed him a seeming warrant for it: it hath not moved him at all. 145

Duke. More of him anon. There is written in your brow, provost, honesty and constancy: if I read it not truly, my ancient skill beguiles me; but, in the boldness of my cunning, I will lay my self in hazard. Claudio, whom here you have warrant to execute, is no greater forfeit to the 150 law than Angelo who hath sentenced him. To make you understand this in a manifested effect, I crave but four days' respite; for the which you are to do me both a present and a dangerous courtesy.

Prov. Pray, sir, in what? 155

Duke. In the delaying death.

Prov. Alack, how may I do it, having the hour limited, and an express command, under penalty, to deliver his head in the view of Angelo? I may make my case as Claudio's, to cross this in the smallest. 160

Duke. By the vow of mine order I warrant you, if my instructions may be your guide. Let this Barnardine be this morning executed, and his head borne to Angelo.

Prov. Angelo hath seen them both, and will discover the favour. 165

Duke. O, death's a great disguiser; and you may add to it. Shave the head, and tie the beard; and say it was the desire of the penitent to be so bared before his death: you know the course is common. If any thing fall to you upon this, more than thanks and good fortune, by the Saint 170 whom I profess, I will plead against it with my life.

Prov. Pardon me, good father; it is against my oath.

Duke. Were you sworn to the Duke, or to the Deputy?

Prov. To him, and to his substitutes.

Duke. You will think you have made no offence, if the 175 Duke avouch the justice of your dealing?

Prov. But what likelihood is in that?

Duke. Not a resemblance, but a certainty. Yet since I see you fearful, that neither my coat, integrity, nor persuasion can with ease attempt you, I will go further than I 180 meant, to pluck all fears out of you. Look you, sir, here is the hand and seal of the Duke: you know the character, I doubt not; and the signet is not strange to you.

Prov. I know them both.

Duke. The contents of this is the return of the Duke: 185 you shall anon over-read it at your pleasure; where you shall find, within these two days he will be here. This is a thing that Angelo knows not; for he this very day receives letters of strange tenour; perchance of the Duke's death; perchance entering into some monastery; but, by 190 chance, nothing of what is writ. Look, the unfolding star calls up the shepherd. Put not yourself into amazement how these things should be: all difficulties are but easy when they are known. Call your executioner, and off with Barnardine's head: I will give him a present shrift and 195 advise him for a better place. Yet you are amazed; but this shall absolutely resolve you. Come away; it is almost clear dawn. [Exeunt.

NOTES: IV, 2.

SCENE II.] SCENE V. Pope. 2-4: Printed as verse in Ff. 37-42: Abhor. Sir,.......thief] Abhor. ***Clown.*** Sir, it is a mystery. Abhor. Proof.— Clown. Every ... thief (42) Hanmer. Pom. Proof ... thief (42) Lloyd conj. 39-42: Every......thief] Capell. Abh. Every....thief (39). Clo. If it be ... thief (41) Ff. Abh. Every ... thief, Clown: if it be......thief (42) Theobald. 45: your] you F2. 53: yare] Theobald. y'are Ff. yours Rowe. 56: The one] Th' one Ff. One Hamner. 58: SCENE VI. Pope. 63: He will not wake] F1 F2. He will not awake F3 F4. He'll not awake Pope. 64: yourself] yourself [Ex. Claudio.] Theobald. 65: comfort! [Exit Claudio.] By and by.—] Capell. comfort: by and by, Ff. 70: None] F1. Now F2 F3 F4. 71: They] She Hawkins conj. There Collier MS. 85: unsisting] F1 F2 F3. insisting F4. unresisting Rowe. unresting Hanmer. unshifting Capell. unlist'ning Steevens conj. resisting Collier conj. unlisting Mason conj. unfeeling Johnson conj. unwisting Singer. 86: ....Provost] ....Provost, speaking to one at the door, after which he comes forward. Capell. 91: Happily] Happely F1 F2. Happily F3 F4. See note (XVIII). 96: SCENE VII. Pope. lordship's] Pope. lords Ff. om. Capell. 96, 97: This ... man. Duke. And ... pardon] Knight (Tyrwhitt conj.). Duke. This ... man. Pro. And ... pardon Ff. 98-101: Printed as verse in Ff. 113: you] om. F4. 114: Prov. [Reads] Rowe. The letter. Ff. 117: duly] truly Capell (a misprint). 131: It is] Ff. Is it Pope. 136: reckless] Theobald. wreaklesse F1 F2 F3. wreakless F4. rechless Pope. 138: desperately mortal] mortally desperate Hanmer. 161-165: Printed as verse in Ff. Rowe. 167: tie] F1 F4. tye F2 F3. tire Theobald conj. dye Simpson conj. 168: bared] Malone. bar'de F1 F2 F3. barb'd F4. 179: persuasion] Ff. my persuasion Rowe. 188: that] F1 F2 F3. which F4. 191: writ] here writ Hanmer.

SCENE III. Another room in the same.

Enter POMPEY.

Pom. I am as well acquainted here as I was in our house of profession: one would think it were Mistress Overdone's own house, for here be many of her old customers. First, here's young Master Rash; he's in for a commodity of brown paper and old ginger, nine-score and seventeen 5 pounds; of which he made five marks, ready money: marry, then ginger was not much in request, for the old women were all dead. Then is there here one Master Caper, at the suit of Master Three-pile the mercer, for some four suits of peach-coloured satin, which now peaches him a 10 beggar. Then have we here young Dizy, and young Master Deep-vow, and Master Copper-spur, and Master Starve-lackey the rapier and dagger man, and young Drop-heir that killed lusty Pudding, and Master Forthlight the tilter, and brave Master Shooty the great traveller, and 15 wild Half-can that stabbed Pots, and, I think, forty more; all great doers in our trade, and are now 'for the Lord's sake.'

Enter ABHORSON.

Abhor. Sirrah, bring Barnardine hither.

Pom. Master Barnardine! you must rise and be hanged, 20 Master Barnardine!

Abhor. What, ho, Barnardine!

Bar. [Within] A pox o' your throats! Who makes that noise there? What are you?

Pom. Your friends, sir; the hangman. You must be 25 so good, sir, to rise and be put to death.

Bar. [Within] Away, you rogue, away! I am sleepy.

Abhor. Tell him he must awake, and that quickly too.

Pom. Pray, Master Barnardine, awake till you are executed, and sleep afterwards. 30

Abhor. Go in to him, and fetch him out.

Pom. He is coming, sir, he is coming; I hear his straw rustle.

Abhor. Is the axe upon the block, sirrah?

Pom. Very ready, sir. 35

Enter BARNARDINE.

Bar. How now, Abhorson? what's the news with you?

Abhor. Truly, sir, I would desire you to clap into your prayers; for, look you, the warrant's come.

Bar. You rogue, I have been drinking all night; I am not fitted for 't. 40

Pom. O, the better, sir; for he that drinks all night, and is hanged betimes in the morning, may sleep the sounder all the next day.

Abhor. Look you, sir; here comes your ghostly father: do we jest now, think you? 45

Enter DUKE disguised as before.

Duke. Sir, induced by my charity, and hearing how hastily you are to depart, I am come to advise you, comfort you and pray with you.

Bar. Friar, not I: I have been drinking hard all night, and I will have more time to prepare me, or they shall beat 50 out my brains with billets: I will not consent to die this day, that's certain.

Duke. O, sir, you must: and therefore I beseech you Look forward on the journey you shall go.

Bar. I swear I will not die to-day for any man's persuasion. 55

Duke. But hear you.

Bar. Not a word: if you have any thing to say to me, come to my ward; for thence will not I to-day. [Exit.

Duke. Unfit to live or die: O gravel heart! 60 After him, fellows; bring him to the block.

[Exeunt Abhorson and Pompey.

Re-enter PROVOST.

Prov. Now, sir, how do you find the prisoner?

Duke. A creature unprepared, unmeet for death; And to transport him in the mind he is Were damnable.

Prov. Here in the prison, father, 65 There died this morning of a cruel fever One Ragozine, a most notorious pirate, A man of Claudio's years; his beard and head Just of his colour. What if we do omit This reprobate till he were well inclined; 70 And satisfy the Deputy with the visage Of Ragozine, more like to Claudio?

Duke. O, 'tis an accident that heaven provides! Dispatch it presently; the hour draws on Prefix'd by Angelo: see this be done, 75 And sent according to command; whiles I Persuade this rude wretch willingly to die.

Prov. This shall be done, good father, presently. But Barnardine must die this afternoon: And how shall we continue Claudio, 80 To save me from the danger that might come If he were known alive?

Duke. Let this be done. Put them in secret holds, both Barnardine and Claudio: Ere twice the sun hath made his journal greeting To the under generation, you shall find 85 Your safety manifested.

Prov. I am your free dependant.

Duke. Quick, dispatch, and send the head to Angelo.

[Exit Provost.

Now will I write letters to Angelo,— The provost, he shall bear them,—whose contents 90 Shall witness to him I am near at home, And that, by great injunctions, I am bound To enter publicly: him I'll desire To meet me at the consecrated fount, A league below the city; and from thence, 95 By cold gradation and well-balanced form, We shall proceed with Angelo.

Re-enter PROVOST.

Prov. Here is the head; I'll carry it myself.

Duke. Convenient is it. Make a swift return; For I would commune with you of such things 100 That want no ear but yours.

Prov. I'll make all speed. [Exit.

Isab. [Within] Peace, ho, be here!

Duke. The tongue of Isabel. She's come to know If yet her brother's pardon be come hither: But I will keep her ignorant of her good, 105 To make her heavenly comforts of despair, When it is least expected.

Enter ISABELLA.

Isab. Ho, by your leave!

Duke. Good morning to you, fair and gracious daughter.

Isab. The better, given me by so holy a man. Hath yet the Deputy sent my brother's pardon? 110

Duke. He hath released him, Isabel, from the world: His head is off, and sent to Angelo.

Isab. Nay, but it is not so.

Duke. It is no other: show your wisdom, daughter, In your close patience. 115

Isab. O, I will to him and pluck out his eyes!

Duke. You shall not be admitted to his sight.

Isab. Unhappy Claudio! wretched Isabel! Injurious world! most damned Angelo!

Duke. This nor hurts him nor profits you a jot; 120 Forbear it therefore; give your cause to heaven. Mark what I say, which you shall find By every syllable a faithful verity: The Duke comes home to-morrow;—nay, dry your eyes; One of our covent, and his confessor, 125 Gives me this instance: already he hath carried Notice to Escalus and Angelo; Who do prepare to meet him at the gates, There to give up their power. If you can, pace your wisdom In that good path that I would wish it go; 130 And you shall have your bosom on this wretch, Grace of the Duke, revenges to your heart, And general honour.

Isab. I am directed by you.

Duke. This letter, then, to Friar Peter give; 'Tis that he sent me of the Duke's return: 135 Say, by this token, I desire his company At Mariana's house to-night. Her cause and yours I'll perfect him withal; and he shall bring you Before the Duke; and to the head of Angelo Accuse him home and home. For my poor self, 140 I am combined by a sacred vow, And shall be absent. Wend you with this letter: Command these fretting waters from your eyes With a light heart; trust not my holy order, If I pervert your course.—Who's here? 145

Enter LUCIO.

Lucio. Good even. Friar, where's the provost?

Duke. Not within, sir.

Lucio. O pretty Isabella, I am pale at mine heart to see thine eyes so red: thou must be patient. I am fain to dine and sup with water and bran; I dare not for my 150 head fill my belly; one fruitful meal would set me to't. But they say the Duke will be here to-morrow. By my troth, Isabel, I loved thy brother: if the old fantastical Duke of dark corners had been at home, he had lived.

[Exit Isabella.

Duke. Sir, the Duke is marvellous little beholding to 155 your reports; but the best is, he lives not in them.

Lucio. Friar, thou knowest not the Duke so well as I do: he's a better woodman than thou takest him for.

Duke. Well, you'll answer this one day. Fare ye well.

Lucio. Nay, tarry; I'll go along with thee: I can tell 160 thee pretty tales of the Duke.

Duke. You have told me too many of him already, sir, if they be true; if not true, none were enough.

Lucio. I was once before him for getting a wench with child. 165

Duke. Did you such a thing?

Lucio. Yes, marry, did I: but I was fain to forswear it; they would else have married me to the rotten medlar.

Duke. Sir, your company is fairer than honest. Rest you well. 170

Lucio. By my troth, I'll go with thee to the lane's end: if bawdy talk offend you, we'll have very little of it. Nay, friar, I am a kind of burr; I shall stick. [Exeunt.

NOTES: IV, 3.

SCENE III.] SCENE VIII. Pope. 5: paper] pepper Rowe. 11: Dizy] F2 F3 F4. Dizie F1. Dizzy Pope. Dicey Steevens conj. 14: Forthlight] Ff. Forthright Warburton. 15: Shooty] F2 F3 F4. Shootie F1. Shooter Warburton. Shoo-tye Capell. 17: are] cry Anon. conj. See note (XIX). now] now in Pope. 25: friends] F1 F2. friend F3 F4. 32: his] the Pope. 49: I] om. F4.

[Transcriber's Note: The text does not specify which occurrence of "I" is meant. The speech begins "Not I: I have..."]

57: hear] heave F2. 59: SCENE IX. Pope. 60: gravel heart] grovelling beast Collier MS. 61: Given by Hanmer to Prov. 69: his] F1. om. F2 F3 F4. do] om. Pope. 76: whiles] while Pope. 83: both Barnardine and Claudio] Claudio and Barnardine Hanmer. See note (XX). 85: the under] Hanmer. yond Ff. yonder Pope. 86: manifested] manifest Hanmer. 88: Quick] Quick, then, Capell. 96: well-] Rowe. weale- F1 F2 F3. weal F4. 102: SCENE X. Pope. 103: She's come] She comes Pope. 106: comforts] comfort Hanmer. 107: Ho,] om. Pope. 113, 114, 115: Ff make two lines ending at other ... patience. Text as proposed by Spedding. 114, 115: show ... patience] In your close patience, daughter, shew your wisdom Capell. 114: your wisdom] wisdom Pope. 115: close] closest Pope. 119: Injurious] perjurious Collier MS. 120: nor hurts] not hurts F4. hurts not Rowe. 122: say] say to you Collier MS. find] surely find Pope. 124: nay] om. Pope. 125: covent] Ff. convent Rowe. 126: instance] news Pope. 129: If you can, pace] Rowe. If you can pace Ff. Pace Pope. S. Walker thinks a line is lost after 131. 129, 130: If you can pace ... wish it, go, Edd. conj. 137: to-night] om. Pope. 141: combined] confined Johnson conj. (withdrawn). 145: Who's] whose F1. 146: SCENE XI. Pope. 154: [Exit ISABELLA] Theobald. om. Ff. 155: beholding] Ff. beholden Rowe. 163: not true] not Rowe. 172: it] om. F2.

SCENE IV. A room in ANGELO'S house.

Enter ANGELO and ESCALUS.

Escal. Every letter he hath writ hath disvouched other.

Ang. In most uneven and distracted manner. His actions show much like to madness: pray heaven his wisdom be not tainted! And why meet him at the gates, and redeliver our authorities there? 5

Escal. I guess not.

Ang. And why should we proclaim it in an hour before his entering, that if any crave redress of injustice, they should exhibit their petitions in the street?

Escal. He shows his reason for that: to have a dispatch 10 of complaints, and to deliver us from devices hereafter, which shall then have no power to stand against us.

Ang. Well, I beseech you, let it be proclaimed betimes i' the morn; I'll call you at your house: give notice to such men of sort and suit as are to meet him. 15

Escal. I shall, sir. Fare you well.

Ang. Good night. [Exit Escalus.

This deed unshapes me quite, makes me unpregnant, And dull to all proceedings. A deflower'd maid! And by an eminent body that enforced 20 The law against it! But that her tender shame Will not proclaim against her maiden loss, How might she tongue me! Yet reason dares her no; For my authority bears of a credent bulk, That no particular scandal once can touch 25 But it confounds the breather. He should have lived, Save that his riotous youth, with dangerous sense, Might in the times to come have ta'en revenge, By so receiving a dishonour'd life With ransom of such shame. Would yet he had lived! 30 Alack, when once our grace we have forgot, Nothing goes right: we would, and we would not. [Exit.

NOTES: IV, 4.

SCENE IV.] SCENE XII. Pope. A room ... house.] Capell. The palace. Rowe. 2, sqq.: Angelo's speeches in this scene Collier prints as verse. 5: redeliver] Capell. re-liver] F1. deliver F2 F3 F4. 13: A colon is put after proclaim'd by Capell, who prints lines 13-16 as verse. 19: And] om. Hanmer. 23: dares her no;] Ff. dares her: Pope. dares her: no, Hanmer. dares her No Warburton. dares her? no: Capell. dares her note Theobald conj. dares her not Steevens conj. dares her on Grant White (Becket conj.). reason ... no] treason dares her?—No Jackson conj. 24: bears of a credent bulk] F1 F2 F3. bears off a credent bulk F4. bears off all credence Pope. bears a credent bulk Theobald. bears such a credent bulk Collier MS. here's of a credent bulk Singer. bears so credent bulk Dyce. bears up a credent bulk Grant White.

SCENE V. Fields without the town.

Enter DUKE in his own habit, and FRIAR PETER.

Duke. These letters at fit time deliver me: [Giving letters. The provost knows our purpose and our plot. The matter being afoot, keep your instruction, And hold you ever to our special drift; Though sometimes you do blench from this to that, 5 As cause doth minister. Go call at Flavius' house, And tell him where I stay: give the like notice To Valentius, Rowland, and to Crassus, And bid them bring the trumpets to the gate; But send me Flavius first.

Fri. P. It shall be speeded well. [Exit. 10

Enter VARRIUS.

Duke. I thank thee, Varrius; thou hast made good haste: Come, we will walk. There's other of our friends Will greet us here anon, my gentle Varrius. [Exeunt.

NOTES: IV, 5.

SCENE V.] SCENE XIII. Pope. FRIAR PETER] See note (XXI). 6: Go] om. Hanmer. Flavius'] Rowe. Flavio's Ff. 8: To Valentius] To Valencius Ff. Unto Valentius Pope. To Valentinus Capell.

SCENE VI. Street near the city-gate.

Enter ISABELLA and MARIANA.

Isab. To speak so indirectly I am loath: I would say the truth; but to accuse him so, That is your part: yet I am advised to do it; He says, to veil full purpose.

Mari. Be ruled by him.

Isab. Besides, he tells me that, if peradventure 5 He speak against me on the adverse side, I should not think it strange; for 'tis a physic That's bitter to sweet end.

Mari. I would Friar Peter—

Isab. O, peace! the friar is come.

Enter FRIAR PETER.

Fri. P. Come, I have found you out a stand most fit, 10 Where you may have such vantage on the Duke, He shall not pass you. Twice have the trumpets sounded; The generous and gravest citizens Have hent the gates, and very near upon The Duke is entering: therefore, hence, away! [Exeunt. 15

NOTES: IV, 6.

SCENE VI.] SCENE XIV. Pope. 2: I would] I'd Pope. 3: I am] I'm Pope. 4: to veil full] Malone. to vaile full F1 F2 F3. to vail full F4. t' availful Theobald. to 'vailful Hanmer.



ACT V.

SCENE I. The city-gate.

MARIANA veiled, ISABELLA, and FRIAR PETER, at their stand. Enter DUKE, VARRIUS, LORDS, ANGELO, ESCALUS, LUCIO, PROVOST, OFFICERS, and CITIZENS, at several doors.

Duke. My very worthy cousin, fairly met! Our old and faithful friend, we are glad to see you.

Ang. } Happy return be to your royal Grace! Escal.}

Duke. Many and hearty thankings to you both. We have made inquiry of you; and we hear 5 Such goodness of your justice, that our soul Cannot but yield you forth to public thanks, Forerunning more requital.

Ang. You make my bonds still greater.

Duke. O, your desert speaks loud; and I should wrong it, To lock it in the wards of covert bosom, 10 When it deserves, with characters of brass, A forted residence 'gainst the tooth of time And razure of oblivion. Give me your hand, And let the subject see, to make them know That outward courtesies would fain proclaim 15 Favours that keep within. Come, Escalus; You must walk by us on our other hand: And good supporters are you.

FRIAR PETER and ISABELLA come forward.

Fri. P. Now is your time: speak loud, and kneel before him.

Isab. Justice, O royal Duke! Vail your regard 20 Upon a wrong'd, I would fain have said, a maid! O worthy prince, dishonour not your eye By throwing it on any other object Till you have heard me in my true complaint, And given me justice, justice, justice, justice! 25

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.

Duke. By mine honesty, If she be mad,—as I believe no other,— 60 Her madness hath the oddest frame of sense, Such a dependency of thing on thing, As e'er I heard in madness.

Isab. O gracious Duke, Harp not on that; nor do not banish reason For inequality; but let your reason serve 65 To make the truth appear where it seems hid, And hide the false seems true. Duke. Many that are not mad Have, sure, more lack of reason. What would you say?

Isab. I am the sister of one Claudio, Condemn'd upon the act of fornication 70 To lose his head; condemn'd by Angelo: I, (in probation of a sisterhood,) Was sent to by my brother; one Lucio As then the messenger,—

Lucio. That's I, an't like your Grace: I came to her from Claudio, and desired her 75 To try her gracious fortune with Lord Angelo For her poor brother's pardon.

Isab. That's he indeed.

Duke. You were not bid to speak.

Lucio. No, my good lord; Nor wish'd to hold my peace.

Duke. I wish you now, then; Pray you, take note of it: and when you have 80 A business for yourself, pray heaven you then Be perfect.

Lucio. I warrant your honour.

Duke. The warrant's for yourself; take heed to't.

Isab. This gentleman told somewhat of my tale,—

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.

Lucio. Mum. 285

Escal. Come, sir: did you set these women on to slander Lord Angelo? they have confessed you did.

Duke. 'Tis false.

Escal. How! know you where you are?

Duke. Respect to your great place! and let the devil 290 Be sometime honour'd for his burning throne! Where is the Duke? 'tis he should hear me speak.

Escal. The Duke's in us; and we will hear you speak: Look you speak justly.

Duke. Boldly, at least. But, O, poor souls, 295 Come you to seek the lamb here of the fox? Good night to your redress! Is the Duke gone? Then is your cause gone too. The Duke's unjust, Thus to retort your manifest appeal, And put your trial in the villain's mouth 300 Which here you come to accuse.

Lucio. This is the rascal; this is he I spoke of.

Escal. Why, thou unreverend and unhallow'd friar, Is't not enough thou hast suborn'd these women To accuse this worthy man, but, in foul mouth, 305 And in the witness of his proper ear, To call him villain? and then to glance from him To the Duke himself, to tax him with injustice? Take him hence; to the rack with him! We'll touse you Joint by joint, but we will know his purpose. 310 What, 'unjust'!

Duke. Be not so hot; the Duke Dare no more stretch this finger of mine than he Dare rack his own: his subject am I not, Nor here provincial. My business in this state Made me a looker-on here in Vienna, 315 Where I have seen corruption boil and bubble Till it o'er-run the stew; laws for all faults, But faults so countenanced, that the strong statutes Stand like the forfeits in a barber's shop, As much in mock as mark. 320

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.

NOTES: V, 1.

The city-gate] Capell. The street. Rowe. A public place near the city. Warburton. Capell adds: A State with chairs under it. MARIANA ... stand.] Capell. om. Ff. PROVOST, OFFICERS] Malone. om. Ff. 4: thankings] F1. thankings be F2 F3. thinkings be F4. thanks be Pope. 5: We have] We've Pope. 9: wrong it] F1. wrong F2 F3 F4. 13: me] F3 F4. we F1 F2. 14: subject] subjects Theobald. 19: SCENE II. Pope. ... come forward.] Capell. Enter ... Ff. 21: I would] I'd Pope. 25: given] give F4. 26: Printed as two lines in Ff, ending wrongs ... brief. 32: Two lines in Ff, ending you ... heere. Hear me, O hear me, here!] F3 F4. Heare me: oh heare me, heere F1 F2. O hear me here. Pope. O, hear me, hear me! Theobald. 35: By] om. Pope. 36: and strange] F1. om. F2 F3 F4. and strangely Collier MS. 37: strange, but yet] strangely yet Collier MS. 42: it is] om. Pope. 47: infirmity] infirmiry F4. 48: O prince, I conjure thee,] O, I conjure thee, Prince, Pope. O prince, I do conjure thee, Capell. 54, 55: as absolute As] F4. as absolute: As F1 F2 F3. 57: believe it] trust me Pope. 63: e'er] ne'er Capell conj. O] om. Pope. 64: nor] and Pope. 65: inequality] incredulity Collier MS. 65, 66: serve To make the truth] Serve to make truth Pope. 67: And hide] Not hide Theobald (Warburton). And hid, Phelps. 67: that are] om. Hanmer. 68: Two lines in Ff, ending reason ... say? 73: Lucio] Lucio being Hanmer. 74: As] Was Johnson. 82: your honour] your honour, sir Hanmer. 83: take heed] be sure, take heed Hanmer. to't] to it Capell. 84: somewhat] F1. something F2 F3 F4. 91: Mended] Mend it Malone conj. The matter;] The matter then; Hanmer. om. Capell. The matter? now Collier MS. 92: process] F1. om. F2 F3 F4. 94: refell'd] repell'd Pope. 98: concupiscible] concupiscent Pope. 99: and] om. Pope. 101: but the] om. Pope. 102: surfeiting] Theobald. surfetting F1 F2 F3. forfeiting F4. 107: First] om. Pope. 108: Next] om. Pope. 109: vehemency] vehemence Pope. 110-113: Hanmer ends the lines so ... by ... one ... say. 111: He would] he'd Hanmer. 123: needs] om. Pope. 124: your] our Pope. 131: this 's] this' F1 F2 F3. this F4. this is Rowe. See note (XXII). 137: Blessed] Bless'd Hanmer. royal] om. Hanmer. 142, 143: Hanmer ends the lines believe ... Lodowick. 143: that she speaks of] F1. which she speaks of F2 F3 F4. om. Hanmer. 145: temporary] tamperer and Johnson conj. 147: trust] truth Collier MS. troth Singer. 149: villanously;] villanously he did; Hanmer. 152: strange] strong S. Walker conj. 154: 'gainst] F1. against F2 F3 F4. 156: what he with] he upon Pope. 157: And] By Pope. 158: Whensoever he's convented] Whenever he's conven'd Pope. Whenever he's convented Warburton. 162: [Isabella, &c.] Stage direction to this effect inserted here by Capell. Hanmer, &c. to Johnson place it after line 166, where Ff have: Enter Mariana. 166: I'll be impartial] I will be partial Theobald. 168: SCENE III. Pope. her face] F2 F3 F4. your face F1. 170-178: Printed as four verses by Steevens (Capell conj.). 175: A widow] Widow Capell. 177: Why] What Capell. you are] F1. are you F2 F3 F4. 186, 167: husband Knows not] Ff. husband knows not Pope. 195: with such a time] with such, a time Edd. conj. 199: No? om. Hanmer. 202: he knows] he knew Hanmer. 213: my lord] om. Hanmer. 221: with her, saw her, nor] with, saw, or Hanmer. 234: informal] informing Hanmer. 235: mightier] mighty Pope. 238: to] unto Pope. even to Capell. 242: against] F1. gainst F2. 'gainst F3 F4. 251: Go] om. Pope. 255-257: while ... you; But ... determined Upon] Spedding conj. while Will ... have Well determin'd upon Ff. while Will ... well Determined upon Theobald. while Will ... have Determin'd well upon Hanmer. 258: SCENE IV. Pope. 275: would] F1. should F2 F3 F4. she'll] F1 F2 F3. she'ld F4. she'd Rowe. 278: Re-enter ...] Enter Duke, Provost, Isabella. Ff (after line 276). 289: Malone supposes a line preceding this to be lost. 290: and] then Collier MS. 295: at least] at least I'll speak Hanmer. 296: fox?] F2 F3 F4. fox; F1. fox, Dyce. 299: retort] reject Collier MS. 305: in] with Theobald. 307-311: Capell ends the lines: villain? ... himself ... hence; ... by joint, ... unjust? 307: to glance] glance Pope. 309: you] him Malone conj. 310: Joint by joint] Even joint by joint] Hanmer. his] this Hanmer. your Collier MS. 311: What,] What? He Hanmer. 311, 312: the duke Dare no more] Capell. the duke dare No more Ff. 311-313: Pope ends the lines: stretch ... own ... not. 319: forfeits] forceps Jackson conj. 321: Two lines in Ff. 340: close] gloze Collier MS. 345: giglets] giglots Capell. 347: [To Provost] Capell. 352: hanged an hour!] hanged! an hour? Hanmer. hanged—an' how? Johnson conj. hanged anon! Lloyd conj. 353: Stage direction inserted by Rowe. 354: madest] mad'st Ff. made Capell. 373: e'er] ere] F1. ever F2 F3 F4. om. Hanmer, who divides the lines: Come ... thou Contracted ... lord. 378: SCENE V. Pope. 379: of it.] of— Capell. 381: and] all Hanmer. 390: remonstrance] demonstrance Staunton (Malone conj.). 391: so be] F1 F2 F3. be so F4. 394: brain'd] bain'd Warburton. But] But now Hanmer. 398: SCENE VI. Pope. 400: pardon] pardon him Hanmer. 401: he adjudged your brother] a judge Hanmer. 402: Being criminal, in double violation] Being doubly criminal in violation Hanmer. 403: of promise-breach] in promise-breach Hanmer. of promise Malone conj. 410: fault's thus manifested;] Ff. faults are manifested; Rowe. faults are manifest; Hanmer. fault thus manifested— Dyce. 411: deny, denies] deny 'em, deny Hanmer. 413: haste.] haste, F4. 421: confiscation] F2 F3 F4. confutation F1. 422: withal] F4. with all F1. withall F2 F3. 426: [Kneeling.] Johnson. 441: [Kneeling.] Rowe. 452: but] om. Hanmer, who ends lines 448-452 at o'ertake ... but ... way ... thoughts. 456: It was commanded so] 'Twas so commanded Hanmer. 465: What's he?] And what is he? Hanmer. See note (XX). 466: would] F1. wouldst F2 F3 F4. wish Capell (corrected in MS. to would). 470: the heat] heat Pope. 476: SCENE VII. Pope. muffled] om. Ff. C. behind, and J. both muffl'd up. Capell. my lord] my good lord Hanmer. 480: according] accordingly F4. 482: And] F1. I F2 F3 F4. 484: your hand] you Hanmer. 489: Is he pardon'd] He's pardoned Hanmer. Is he too pardon'd Capell. 490: and say you will] say you'll Hanmer. 491: He is] And he's Hanmer, ending the line here. 495: her worth worth yours] her worth works yours Hanmer. her worth's worth yours Heath conj. 500: so deserved] deserved so Pope. so well deserv'd Collier MS. so undeserv'd S. Walker conj. 507: Is any woman] Edd. If any woman Ff. If any woman's Hanmer. 519: executed] execute Hanmer. 522: [Exeunt ... Lucio] Dyce. 527-532: Johnson conjectures: Ang. The offence pardons itself. Duke. There's more behind That is more gratulate. Dear Isabel, ... 537: that's] F2 F3 F4. that F1.



NOTES.

NOTE I.

I. 1. 8, 9. The suggestion that a line has been lost in this place came first from Theobald. It is scarcely necessary to say that there is no mark of omission in the Folios. Malone supposes that a similar omission has been made II. 4. 123. The compositor's eye (he says) may have glanced from 'succeed' to 'weakness' in a subsequent hemistich.

In order to relieve the plethoric foot-note we set down in this place some conjectures for which we are indebted to Mr Halliwell's note on the passage.

(1) Then no more remains To your sufficiency as your worth is able But that you let than work. Wheler MS.

(2) But task to your sufficience ... Dent. MS.

(3) But that your sufficiency as your worth be able ... Monck Mason.

(4) Then no more remains: To your sufficiency your worth be added, And let them work. T. Hull's MS. Commentary.

(5) ... I let them work. Chalmers.

The reading assigned in the foot-note to Steevens is found in a note to the Edition of 1778. He afterwards changed his mind.

NOTE II.

I. 2. 15. Hanmer's reading is recommended by the fact that in the old forms of 'graces' used in many colleges, and, as we are informed, at the Inns of Court, the prayer for peace comes always after, and never before, meat. But as the mistake may easily have been made by Shakespeare, or else deliberately put into the mouth of the 'First Gentleman,' we have not altered the text.

NOTE III.

I. 2. 22-26. In the remainder of this scene Hanmer and other Editors have made capricious changes in the distribution of the dialogue, which we have not thought it worth while to chronicle. It is impossible to discern any difference of character in the three speakers, or to introduce logical sequence into their buffoonery.

NOTE IV.

I. 2. 110. We retain here the stage direction of the Folio, 'Enter ... Juliet, &c.' for the preceding line makes it evident that she was on the stage. On the other hand, line 140 shows that she was not within hearing, nor near Claudio while he spoke. We may suppose that she was following at a distance behind, in her anxiety for the fate of her lover. She appears again as a mute personage at the end of the play.

NOTE V.

I. 2. 115, 116. Johnson in the first Edition, 1765, says, 'I suspect that a line is lost.' This note was omitted in the Edition of 1778.

NOTE VI.

I. 4. 70. 'To soften Angelo: and that's my pith of business.' We have left this line as it is printed in the Folios. There is a line of similar length and rhythm in The Two Gentlemen of Verona, IV. 2. 16.

'But here comes Thurio: now must we to her window.'

NOTE VII.

II. 2. 149. A writer, 'A. E. B.' in Notes and Queries (Vol. V. p. 325) points out that in Wickliffe's bible, 'shekels' is spelt 'sickles,' which he says ought, therefore, to be retained. There is no doubt of the meaning; but we, in accordance with our custom, have modernized the spelling.

NOTE VIII.

II. 2. 155-161. The printing in the Folios gives no help towards the metrical arrangement of these and other broken lines. In the present case we might read:

'Ang. Well, come to me to-morrow.

Luc. Go to: 'tis well; Away!

Isab. Heaven keep your honour safe!

Ang. Amen: For I, &c.'

Or, considering the first two lines as prose, we might read the last:

'Isab. Heaven keep your honour safe!

Ang. Amen: for I Am that way going to temptation Where prayers cross.'

NOTE IX.

II. 4. 9. 'fear'd.' Mr Collier, in Notes and Queries, Vol. VIII. p. 361, mentions that in Lord Ellesmere's copy of the First Folio the reading is 'sear'd.'

NOTE X.

II. 4. 94. 'all-building.' 'Mr Theobald has binding in one of his copies.' Johnson.

NOTE XI.

II. 4. 103. 'That longing have been sick for.' Delius says in his note on this passage, 'Das I vor have laesst sich nach Shaksperischer Licenz leicht suppliren.' The second person singular of the governing pronoun is frequently omitted by Shakespeare in familiar questions, but, as to the first and third persons, his usage rarely differs from the modern. If the text be genuine, we have an instance in this play of the omission of the third person singular I. 4. 72, 'Has censured him.' See also the early Quarto of the Merry Wives of Windsor, Sc. XIV. l. 40, p. 285 of our reprint:

'Ile cloath my daughter, and aduertise Slender To know her by that signe, and steale her thence, And vnknowne to my wife, shall marrie her.'

NOTE XII.

II. 4. 111-113. Mr Sidney Walker adopts Steevens' emendation, and affirms that among all the metrical licenses used by Shakespeare, the omission of the final syllable of the line is not one. But if the reading of the first Folio be allowed to stand, we can find many instances of lines which want the final syllable. The line immediately preceding may be so scanned:

'Ignomy in ransom and free pardon.'

And in this same scene, line 143, we have

'And you tell me that he shall die for't.'

And in V. 1. 83:

'The warrant's for yourself; take heed to't.'

It is conceivable that 'mercy' may be pronounced as a trisyllable; but in all the undoubted examples of such a metrical license, the liquid is the second of the two consonants, not the first. See, however, S. Walker's Shakespeare's Versification, pp. 207 sqq.

Possibly a word may have dropt out, and the original passage may have stood thus:

'Ignomy in ransom and free pardon are Of two opposed houses: lawful mercy Is nothing kin to foul redemption.'

NOTE XIII.

III. 1. 29. Mr Collier's copy of the second Folio has 'sire.' Notes and Queries, Vol. VI. p. 141.

NOTE XIV.

III. 1. 56, 57. The metrical arrangement is uncertain here. It is not probable that the last word of the Duke's speech, 'concealed,' should be the first of a line which would be interrupted by his exit. Perhaps, too, the true reading of the following line may have been:

'As comforts all are good, most good indeed.'

NOTE XV.

III. 1. 91, 94. The word 'prenzie,' occurring, as it does, twice in this passage, rests on such strong authority that it is better to seek to explain than to alter it. It may be etymologically connected with 'prin,' in old French, meaning 'demure;' also with 'princox,' a 'coxcomb,' and with the word 'prender,' which occurs more than once in Skelton: e.g.

'This pevysh proud, this prender gest, When he is well, yet can he not rest.'

Mr Bullock mentions, in support of his conjecture, that 'pensie' is still used in some north-country dialects. 'Primsie' is also found in Burns' poems with the signification of 'demure, precise,' according to the glossary.

NOTE XVI.

III. 1. 118. Johnson says the most plausible conjecture is 'benighted.' It does not appear by whom this conjecture was made.

NOTE XVII.

III. 1. 168. We must suppose that Claudio, as he is going out, stops to speak with his sister at the back of the stage within sight of the audience.

NOTE XVIII.

IV. 2. 91. This is a case in which we have thought it best to make an exception to our usual rule of modernizing the spelling. The metre requires 'Haply' to be pronounced as a trisyllable. Perhaps it would be well to retain the spelling of the first two Folios 'Happely,' and as a general rule it would be convenient if an obsolete spelling were retained in words used with an obsolete meaning. We have, however, abstained from introducing on our own authority this, or any other innovation in orthography. In IV. 3. 126, we have retained 'covent,' which had grown to be a distinct word from 'convent,' and differently pronounced. Shakespeare's ear would hardly have tolerated the harsh-sounding line

'One of our CONvent and his CONfessor.'

NOTE XIX.

IV. 3. 17. The reading 'cry' (i.e. 'crie') for 'are' was suggested by a passage in Nashe's Apologie for Pierce Pennilesse, 1693, quoted by Malone: 'At that time that thy joys were in the fleeting, and thus crying 'for the Lord's sake' out at an iron window.'

NOTE XX.

IV. 3. 83. In order to avoid the unmetrical line 83, as given in the Folios and by all Editors to Johnson inclusive, the lines 82-85 have been arranged as five, thus:

If ... Let ... In secret ... Ere ... To the under ... Capell. If ... Let ... Both ... The sun ... The under ... Steevens. If ... Let ... Both ... Ere ... To yonder ... Collier. If ... Let ... Both ... The sun ... To yond ... Singer.

Perhaps the best arrangement, because requiring the least change from the printing of the Folio, would be to put the words 'And Claudio' in a line by themselves. Many examples of such a broken line in the middle of a speech may be found (e.g. V. 1. 448), and it would add to the emphasis with which the Duke commends Claudio to the Provost's care. The long line V. 1. 465, might be similarly reduced by reading

'His name Is Barnardine.'

NOTE XXI.

IV. 5. 1. Mr Spedding suggests that Act V. should begin here. Dr Johnson says: "This play has two Friars, either of whom might singly have served. I should therefore imagine that 'Friar Thomas,' in the first Act, might be changed without any harm to 'Friar Peter:' for why should the Duke unnecessarily trust two in an affair which required only one? The name of Friar Thomas is never mentioned in the dialogue, and therefore seems arbitrarily placed at the head of the scene."

NOTE XXII.

V. 1. 131. Mr Sidney Walker, in his Shakespeare's Versification, pp. 80 sqq. suggests that in this and other passages we should read 'this,' because 'This is is not unfrequently, like That is, &c. contracted into a monosyllable.' For the reason assigned in Note (III) to The Tempest, I. 2. 173, we have preferred the more familiar spelling this's.

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Sources:

The editors' Preface (e-text 23041) discusses the 17th- and 18th-century editions in detail; the newer (19th-century) editions are simply listed by name. The following editions may appear in the Notes. All inset text is quoted from the Preface.

Folios: F1 1623; F2 (no date given); F3 1663; F4 1685. "The five plays contained in this volume occur in the first Folio in the same order, and ... were there printed for the first time."

Early editions: Rowe 1709 Pope 1715 "Pope was the first to indicate the place of each new scene; as, for instance, Tempest, I. 1. 'On a ship at sea.' He also subdivided the scenes as given by the Folios and Rowe, making a fresh scene whenever a new character entered—an arrangement followed by Hanmer, Warburton, and Johnson. For convenience of reference to these editions, we have always recorded the commencement of Pope's scenes." Theobald 1733 Hanmer ("Oxford edition") 1744 Warburton 1747 Johnson 1765 Capell 1768; also Capell's annotated copy of F2 Steevens 1773 Malone 1790 Reed 1803

Later editions: Singer, Knight, Cornwall, Collier, Phelps, Halliwell, Dyce, Staunton

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Errata

In Act III, Scene 1, the overlapping line numbers are as in the original. The two lines called 75 occur before and after a page break.

Pope's scenes I.VI and II.VII are not identified in the textual notes.

II. 2. 149 note: ... See note (VII). II. 2. 157 note: ... See note (VIII). [Endnote references VII, VIII reversed] IV. 2. 37-42 note: [All asterisks are in the original.] V. 1. 131 note: ...See note (XXII) [Text has (XXI).]

Note XII. ... 'The warrant's for yourself; take heed to't.' [close quote missing]

THE END