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MEASURE FOR MEASURE.

LITERARY AND HISTORICAL NOTICE.

TUE fable of this play (written in 1603) was taken from the Promos and Cassandra of George Whetstone. That production is described as very meagre and insipid, though forming a complete embryo of Measure for Measure; and if the genius of Shakspeare enabled him to avoid the faults of his modelist, by imparting a greater degree of interest to his own drame, it did not give him strength to resist the besetting sin of his pieces---an indulgence in obscenity, buffoonery, and quibble. Some portion of this would naturally result from the indelicate and improbable incident which he took for the ground-work of his plot. Such an occurrence could only be wrought into a catastrophe, by the introduction of agents whom morality condemus, and by the use of allusions at which modesty revolts. But neither the necessities of the story, nor the purposes of entertainment, can justify such a strange admixture of pathetic contingencies and unmeaning trifles---of ennobling sentiment and disgusting ribaldry as are exhibited in this piece. Still the moral is of excellent applica tion; since there are few situations of life in which delegated authority is not capable of abuse. Satire may fail in restraining tyranny, and precept in correcting intolerance; but they teach mankind the ne cessity of caution in conferring power, by shewing "the fantastic tricks” which mortals are prone to play, when "dressed in a little authority," and entrusted with" the thunder of Jove." Thongh Shakspeare wrote to gratify monarchs, he never descended to palliate oppression; and in the scene between Angelo and Isabella, where the latter pleads for her brother's life, the reader will meet with another eloquent vindication of the principles of justice and humanity---differing from the speech of Portia, on a somewhat similar occasion, but excellently opposed to that mild and dispassionate appeal, by the cutting and indignant sarcasm with which it lashes "the insolence of office." Dr. Johnson animadverts upon the peculiarities of the play, and thus decides upon its merits: "The light or comic part is very natural and pleasing; but the grave scenes (a few passages excepted) have more labour than elegance. The plot is more intricate than artful.”

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ESCALUS, an ancient Lord, joined with Angelo in the deputation.

CLAUDIO, a young Gentlemen.

LUCIO, a Fantastic.

Two other like Gentleman.

FROTH, a Foolish Gentleman.
CLOWN, Servant to Mrs. Over-done.
ABHORSON, an Executioner.
BARNARDINE, a dissolute Prisoner.

ISABELLA, Sister to Claudio.
MARIANA, betrothed to Angelo.

VARRIUS, a Gentleman, Servant to the Duke. JULIET, beloved by Claudio.

PROVOST,

PETER,

A JUSTICE.

FRANCISCA, a Nun.

MRS. OVER-DONE, a Bawd.

Lords, Gentlemen, Guards, Officers, and other Attendants.

THOMAS, Two Friars.

ELBOW, a simple Constable.

SCENE-Vienna.

ACT I.

SCENE I.-An apartment in the
Palace.

DUKE'S

Enter DUKE, ESCALUS, Lords, and

Atten

dants.

Duke. Escalus,

Escal. My lord.

fold,

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

Duke. Of government the properties to un-I say, bid come before us Angelo.

Would seem in me to affect speech and dis

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And given his deputation all the organs
Of our own power: What think you of it?
Escal. If any in Vienna be of worth
To undergo such ample grace and honour,
It is lord Angelo.

Enter ANGELO.

Look. Look, where he comes.

Ang. Always obedient to your grace's will, I come to know your pleasure.

Duke. Angelo,

There is a kind of character in thy life,
That, to the observer, doth thy history
Fully unfold Thyself and thy belongings
Are not thine own so proper, as to waste
Thyself upon thy virtues, them on thee.
Heaven doth with us, as we with torches do;
Not light them for themselves for if our virtues
Did not go forth of us, 'twere all alike

As if we had them not. Spirits are not finely touch'd,

But to fine issues; nor nature never lends
The smallest scruple of her excellence,
But, like a thrifty goddess, she determines

Herself the glory of a creditor,

Both thanks and use. But I do bend my speech
To one that can my part in him advértise;
Hold therefore, Angelo;

In our remove, be thou at full ourself;

Mortality and inercy in Vienna

Live in thy tongue and heart: Old Escalus,

Though first in question, is thy secondary:

Take thy commission.

Ang. Now, good my lord,

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Lucio. Thou concludest like the sanctimonious pirate, that went to sea with the ten commandments, but scraped one out of the table.

2 Gent. Thou shalt not steal? Lucio. Ay, that be razed.

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

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

2 Gent. No? a dozen times at least.

1 Gent. What? in metre ? Lucio. In any proportion,

or in any language.

1 Gent. I think, or in any religion. Lucio. Ay! why not? Grace is grace, despite of all controversy: As for example; Thou thyself art a wicked villain, despite of all grace.

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

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

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

Let there be some more test made of my metal, sey, as be pil'd, as thou art pil'd, for a French Before so noble aud so great a figure

Be stamp'd upon it.

Duke. No more evasion:

We have with a leaver'd ud prepared choice
Proceeded to you; therefore take your honours.
Our haste from hence is of so quick condition,
That it prefers itself, and leaves unquestion'd
Matters of needful value. We shall write to you,
As time and our concernings shall impórtune,
How it goes with us; and do look to know
What doth befall you here. So, fare you well:
To the hopeful execution do I leave you
Of your commissions.

Ang. Yet, give leave, my lord,

That we may bring you something on the way.
Duke. My baste may not admit it;
Nor need you, on mine honour, have to do
With any scruple: your scope || is as mine own;
So to enforce, or qualify the laws,

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

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

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

Duke. I thank you: Fare you well. [Erit.
Escal. I shall desire you, Sir, to give me leave
To have free speech with you; and it concerns
To look into the bottom of my place: [me
A power I have; but of what strength and na-
I am not yet instructed.
[ture
Ang. 'Tis so with me :-Let us withdraw to-
getler,

And we may soon our satisfaction have
Touching that point.

Escal. I'll wait upon your honour. [Exeunt.

SCENE II.-A Street.

Enter LUCIO and two GENTLEMEN. Lucio. If the duke with the other dukes

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velvet. Do I speak feelingly now?

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

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

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

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

1 Gent. Judge.

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

Lucio. A French crown 3 more.

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

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

Enter BAWD.

1 Gent. How now? Which of your hips has the most profound sciatica? Bawd. Well, well; there's one yonder arrested, and carried to prison, was worth five thousand of you all.

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

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

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

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

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

2 Gent. Besides, you know, it draws some

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Clo. A woman.

Bawd. But what's his offence?

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

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

Bawd. What proclamation, man?

Clo. All houses in the suburbs of Vienna must be pluck'd down.

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

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

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

Clo. To the ground, mistress. Bawd. Why, here's a change, indeed, in the commonwealth! What shall become of me?

Clo. Come; fear not you; good counsellors lack no clients: though you change your place, you need not change your trade; I'll be you tapster still. Courage; there will be pity taken on you: you that have worn our eyes almost out in the service, you will be coasidered.

Bawd. What's to do here, Thomas Tapster? Let's withdraw.

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

SCENE III.-The same.

[Excunt.

Enter PROVOST, CLAUDIO, JULIET, and
Officers; Lucio, and two Gentlemen.
Claud. Fellow, why dost thou show me thus to
the world?

Bear me to prison, where I am committed.
Prov. I do it not in evil disposition,
But from lord Angelo by special charge.

Claud. Thus can the demi god, Authority, Make us pay down for our offence by weight.The words of heaven;-on whom it will, it will; On whom it will not, so; yet still 'tis just.

Lucio. Why, how now, Claudio? whence comes this restraint?

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

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

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

Lucio. What is it? murder?

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Claud. One word, good friend :-Lucio, a word with you. [Takes him aside. Lucio. A hundred, if they'll do you any good. -Is lechery so look'd after?

Claud. Thus stands it with me :--Upon a true contract,

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

And the new deputy now for the duke,-
Whether it be the fault and glimpse of newness:
Or whether that the body public be

A horse whereon the governor doth ride,
Who, newly in the seat, that it may know
He can command, lets it straight feel the spur:
Whether the tyranny be in his place,
Or in his eminence that fills it up,
I stagger in:-But this new governor
Awakes me all the enrolled penalties,
Which have, like unscour'd armour, hung by the
wall

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

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

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

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

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

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

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