The Complete Works of William Shakespeare

MEASURE FOR MEASURE.

VINCENTIO, Duke of Vienna.

PERSONS REPRESENTED.

ANGELO, Lord Deputy in the Duke's absence

FROTH, a foolish gentleman. CLOWN, Servant to Mrs. Overdone.

ESCALUS, an ancient Lord, joined with Angelò in ABHORSON, an Executioner.

the deputation.

CLAUDIO, a young Gentleman.

Lucio, a Fantastic.

Two other like Gentlemen.

VARRIUS, a Gentleman, Servant to the Duke.

BARNARDINE, a dissolute Prisoner

ISABELLA, Sister to Claudio.
MARIANA, betrothed to Angelo.
JULIET, beloved by Claudio.
FRANCISCA, a Nun.

Mistress OVERDONE, a bawd.

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

SCENE.-Vienna.

ACT I.

SCENE I.-An Apartment in the Duke's Palace.

Enter Duke, ESCALUS, and Lords.

Duke. Escalus,

Esc. My lord.

Duke. Of government the properties to unfold, Would seem in me t' affect speech and discourse, Since I am put to know, that your own science Exceeds in that the lists of all advice

My strength can give you: Then no more remains
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, y' are as pregnant in
As art and practice hath enriched any
That we remember: There is our commission,
From which we would not have you warp.

hither,

I say, bid come before us, Angelo.-
What figure of us think you he will bear!
For you must know, we have with special soul
Elected him our absence to supply;

Lent him our terror, drest him with our love,
And given his deputations all the organs
Of our own power: What think you of it?
Esc. If any in Vienna be of worth
To undergo such ample grace and honor,
It is lord Ängelo.

Duke.

Enter ANGELO.

Call

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 th' 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
6

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 advertise:
Hold, therefore, Angelo:

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

Live in thy tongue and heart: Old Escalus,
Though first in question, is thy secondary.
Take thy commission.

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

Nor need yo', on mine honor, have to do
With any scruple: your scope is as mine own,

So to enforce or qualify the laws

As to your soul seems good:-Give me your hand:
I'll privily away; I love the people,

But do not like to stage me to their eyes:
Though it do well, I do not relish well
Their loud applause, and aves vehement:
Nor do I think the man of safe discretion
That does affect it. Once more, fare you well.
Ang. The heavens give safety to your purposes

MEASURE FOR MEASURE.

Exit.

Esc. Lead forth, and bring you back in happiness!
Duke. I thank you.- Fare you well.
Esc. I shall desire you, sir, to give me leave
To have free speech with you; and it concerns me
To look into the bottom of my place:

A power I have, but of what strength and nature,
I am not yet instructed.

Ang. Tis so with me:-Let us withdraw to-
gether,

And we may soon our satisfaction have
Touching that point.

Esc.

I'll wait upon your honor.

[Exeunt.

Lucio. If the duke, with the other dukes, come not to composition with the king of Hungary, why then all the dukes fall upon the king.

1 Gent. Heaven grant us its peace; but not the king of Hungary's!

2 Gent. Amen.

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 he razed.

1 Gent. Why, 'twas a commandment to com-
mand the captain and all the rest from their func-
tions; 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 kersey, as be pil'd, as thou art pil d, for a French velvet.' Do I speak feelingly now?

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

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

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

Lucio. Behold, behold, where Madam Mitigation comes! I have purchased as many diseases under her roof, as come to

2 Gent. To what, I pray?

1 Gent. Judge.

2 Gent. To three thousand dollars a year.

1 Gent. Ay, and more.

Lucio. A French crown' more.

1 Gent. Thou art always figuring diseases in me: but thou art full of error; I am sound. Lucio. Nay, not as one would say, healthy, but so sound, as things that are hollow: thy bones are hollow; impiety has made a feast of thee. Enter Bawd.

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

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

1 Gent. Who's that, I pray thee? Ruwd. Marry si, 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. 1 Measure. A cut of the same cloth. SA jest on the loss of hair by the French disease. • Corona Feneris.

ACT I.

Lucio But, after all this fooling, I would not have it so: art thou sure of this! Bawd. I am too sure of it; and it is for getting Madam Julietta with child. me, this

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

2 Gent. Besides, you know, it draws something near to the speech we had to such a purpose.

1 Gent. But most of all, agreeing with the proclamation.

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

Enter Clown.

Clown. Yonder man is carried to prison.
Bawd. Well; what has he done?

Clown. A woman.

Bawd. But what's his offence?

Clown. Groping for trouts in a peculiar river. Buwd. What, is there a maid with child by him? Clown. No; but there's a woman with maid by him you have not heard of the proclamation, have you?

Bawd. What proclamation, man?

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

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

down too, but that a wise burgher put in for them. Clown. They shall stand for seed: they had gone Bawd. But, shall all our houses of resort in the suburbs be pulled down?

Clown. To the ground, mistress.

Bawd. Why, here's a change indeed in the commonwealth: what shall become of me!

lack no clients. Though you change your place,
Clown. Come, fear not you; good counsellors
ster still. Courage; there will be pity taken on you:
you need not change your trade; I'll be your tap
you that have worn your eyes almost out in the
let's withdraw.
service, you will be considered.
Bawd. What's to do here? Thomas Tapster,

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

SCENE III.- The same.

[Exeunt.

Enter Provost, CLAUDIO, JULIET, and Officers.
to the world. Bear me to prison, where I am
Claud. Fellow, why dost thou show me uus
committed.

Prov. I do it not in evil disposition,
But from lord Angelo by special charge.

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

Enter LUCIO.

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

Claud. From too much liberty, my Lucio, lib-
erty:

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, to say the truth, I had as lief have the foppery of I would send for certain of my creditors: And yet, 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?
Claud. No..

Lucio. Lechery?
Claud. Call it so.

Prov. Away, sir; you must go.
C'aud. One word, good friend

with you.

-Lucio, a word Takes him aside

The sweating si‘kness,

Lucu. 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
Or outward order: this we came not to,
Only for propagation of a dower
Remaining in the confer of her friends;

From whom we thought it meet to hide our love,
Fill time had made them for us. But it chances,

The stealth of our most mutual intercourse,
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, let's it straight fee 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 unrolled penalties,

Which have, like unscoured armor, 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-rmaid, if she be in love, may sigh it off. Send after the duke, and appeal to him.

Claud. I have done so, but he's not to be found. I 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 stric deputy: bid herself assay him; I have great hope in that: for in her youth There is a prone and speechless dialect, Such as moves men: beside, she hath prosperous 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 al a game of tick-tack. I'll to her.

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

Claud. Come, officer, away.

SCENE IV.-A Monastery.

Enter Duke and Friar THOMAS.

[Excunt.

Juke. No; holy father; throw away that thought; Bel eve not that the dribbling dart of love Can pierce a complete bosom: why I desire thee To give me secret harbor, hath a purpose More grave and wrinkled than the aims and ends Of burning youth.

Fri.

May your grace speak of it!
Duke. My holy sir, none better knows than you
How I have ever lov'd the life remov'd;
And held in idle price to haunt assemblies,
Where youth and cost, and witless bravery keeps.
I have deliver'd to lord Angelo

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

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

(The needful bits and curbs for headstrong steeds,) Which for these fourteen years we have let sleep; Even like an o'er-grown lion in a cave,

That goes not out to prey: Now, as fond fathers
Having bound up the threat'ning twigs of birch,
Only to st ck it in their children's sight,
For terror, not to use; in time the rod

To unloose this tied-up justice when you pleas'd, And it in you more dreadful would have seem'd, Than in lord Angelo.

Duke.

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

I have on Angelo imposed the office;

Who may, in the ambush of my name, strike homa, And yet my nature never in the sight,

To do it slander: And to behold his sway,

I will, as 'twere a brother of your order,

Visit both prince and people: therefore, I pr'ythee,
Supply me with the habit, and instruct me
How I may formally in person bear me
Like a true friar. More reasons for this action,
At our more leisure shall I render you;
Only, this one: - Lord Angelo is precise;
Stands at a guard with envy; scarce confesses
That his blood flows, or that his appetite

Is more to bread than stone: Hence shall we see,
If power change purpose, what our seemers be.
[Exeunt

SCENE V. A Nunnery.

Enter ISABELLA and FRANCISCA.

Isab. And have you nuns no further privileges? Fran. Are not these large enough?

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

men,

But in the presence of the prioress:
Then, if you speak, you must not show your face;
or if you show your face, you must not speak.
He calls again; I pray you answer him.

[Exit FRANCISCA. Isab. Peace and prosperity! Who is't that calls? Enter Lucio.

Lucio. Hail, virgin, if you be; as those cheek-roses Proclaim you are no less! Can you so stead me, As bring me to the sight of Isabella,

A novice of this place, and the fair sister
To her unhappy brother Claudio?

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

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

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

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

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

Isah. Sir, make me not your story.
Lucio.

It is true.

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

Isab. You do blaspheme the good in mocking me. Lucio. Do not believe it. Fewness and truth, 'tis thus:

Your brother and his lover have embraced:
As those that feed grow full; as blossoming time,
That from the seedness the bare fallow brings

Do not make a jest of me. In few and true words.

MEASURE FOR MEASURE.

To teeming foison; even so her plenteous womb
Expresseth his fall tilth and husbandry.
Isub. Some one with child by him?- My cousin
Juliet!

Lucio. Is she your cousin?

Isab. Adoptediy: as school-maids change their

names,

By vain though apt affection.
Lucio.

She it is.

Lab. O, let him marry her!
Lucio.
The duke is very strangely gone from hence;
This is the point.
Bore many gentlemen, myself being one,
In hand, and hope of action: but we do learn
By those that know the very nerves of state,
His givings-out were of an infinite distance
From his true-meant design. Upon his place,
And with full line of his authority,
Governs lord Angelo; a man, whose blood
Is very snow-broth; one who never feels
The wanton stings and motions of the sense;
But doth rebate and blunt his natural edge
With profits of the mind, study and fast.
He (to give fear to use and liberty,
Which have, for long, run by the hideous law,
As mice by lions) hath pick'd out an act,
Under whose heavy sense your brothers life
Falls into forfeit! he arrests him on it;
And follows close the rigor of the statute,

To soften Angelo: And that's my pith
To make him an example: all hope is gone,
Unless you have the grace by your fair prayer
Of business 'twixt you and your poor brother.
Isab. Doth he so seek his life!

Lucio.
Already; and, as I hear, the provost hath
Has censur'd' him
A warrant for his execution.

Isub. Alas! what poor ability's in me
To do him good?
Lucio.

Assay the power you have.
Isab. My power! Alas! I doubt,-
Lucio.
And make us lose the good we oft might win,
Our doubts are traitors,
By fearing to attempt: Go to lord Angelo,
And let him learn to know, when maidens sue,
Men give like gods; but when they weep and kneel,
All their petitions are as freely theirs

As they themselves would owe them.
Isab. I'll see what I can do.
I.ucio.

But speedily.

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

Good sir, adieu. [Exeunt

ACT II.

SCENE I-A Hall in Angelo's House.

Enter ANGELO, ESCALUS, Provost, Officers, and And some condemned for a fault alone.

Some rise by sin, and some by virtue tall.
Some run from brakes of vice, and answer none;

other Attendants.

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

Setting it up to fear the birds of prey,

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

Escal.

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

man,

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

(Whom I believe to be most straight in virtue,)
That, in the working of your own affections,
Had time cober'd with place, or place with wishing,
Or that the resolute acting of your blood
Could have attain'd the effect of your own purpose,
Whether you had not some time in your life
Err'd in this point which now you censure him,
And pull'd the law upon you.

Ang. 'Tis one thing to be tempted, Escalus,
Another thing to fall. I not deny,
The jury, passing on the prisoners life,
May, in the sworn twelve, have a thier or two

Enter ELBOW, FROTH, Clown, Officers, &c. Elb. Come, bring them away: if these be good people in a common weal,s that do nothing but use their abuses in common houses, I know no law; bring them away.

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

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

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

what they are: but precise villains they are, that I
Elb. If it please your honor, I know not well
world, that good christians ought to have.
am sure of; and void of all profanation in the

Escal. This comes off well; here's a wise officer.
Ang. Go to: what quality are they of? Elbow
is your name? Why dost thou not speak, Elbow ?
Clo. He cannot, sir; he's out at elbow.

Ang. What are you, sir?

Elb. He, sir? a tapster, sir; parcel bawd: one that serves a bad woman; whose house, sir, was, as

Guiltier than him they try: What's open made to they say, pluck'd down in the suburbs; and now

justice,

That justice seizes. What know the laws,

That thieves do pass on thieves! "Tis very pregnant,
The jewel that we find, we stoop and take it,
Because we see it; but what we do not see,
We tread upon and never think of it.
You may not so extenuate his offence,
For I have had such faults; but rather tell me,
When I that censure him, do so offend,
Let mine own judgment pattern out my death,
And nothing come in partial. Sir, he must die.
Escal. Be it as your wisdom will.
Ang.
Prov. Here, if it like your honor.
Where is the provost?
Ang.

Be executed by nine to-morrow morning:
See that Claudio
Bring him his confessor, let him be prepared:
For that's the utmost of his pilgrimage.
Escal. Well, heaver forgive him; and forgive us
[Exeunt ANGELO and Provost.
all!

she professess a hot-house, which, I think, is a very ill house too.

Esca'. How know you that?

Elb. My wife, sir, who n I detest before heaven and your honor,

Escal. How! thy wife?

Elb. Ay, sir; whom, I thank heaven, is an honest

woman,

Escal. Dost thou detest her therefore?

Elb. I say, sir, I will detest myself also, as well
as she, that this house, if it be not a bawd's house
it is pity of her life, for it is a naughty house.
Escal. How dost thou know that, constable
been a woman cardinally given, might have been
Etb. Marry, sir, by my wife; who, if she had
accused in fornication, adultery, and all uncleanli-
ness there.

Escal. By the woman's means?
Elb. Ay, sir, by mistress Over-done's means: but
1 Sentenced a llave. Thickets, thorny paths of vice
Well told.
Partly.

as he spit in his face, so she defied him.

Clo. Sir, if it please your honor, this is not so. Eh. Prove it before these varlets here, thou honorable man, prove it.

Escal. Do you hear how he misplaces?

[TO ANGELO. Clo. Sir, she came in great with child; and longing (saving your honors reverence) for stew'd prunes; sir, we had but two in the house, which at that very distant time stood as it were, in a fruitdish, a dish of some three-pence: your honors have seen such dishes; they are not china dishes, but very good dishes.

Escal. Go to, go to: no matter for the dish, sir. Cio. No, indeed, sir, not of a pin; you are therefore in the right; but, to the point: as I say, this mistress Elbow, being, as I say, with child, and being great belly'd, and longing, as I said, for prunes; and having but two in the dish, as I said. master Froth here, this very man, having eaten the rest, as I said, and, as I say, paying for them very honestly; -for, as you know, master Froth, I could not give you three-pence again.

Froth. No, indeed.

Clo. Why, very well: I hope here be truths: he, sir, sitting, as I say, in a lower chair, sir;— 'twas in the Bunch of Grapes, where, indeed, you have a delight to sit : have you not?

Froth. I have so: because it is an open room, and good for winter.

Clo. Why, very well then;-I hope here be truths.

Ang. This will last out a night in Russia, When nights are longest there: I'll take my leave, And leave you to the hearing of the cause; Hoping, you'll find good cause to whip them all. Escal. I think no less: good morrow to your lordship. Exit ANGELO. Now, sir, come on: what was done to Elbow's wife, once more?

Clo. Once, sir? there was nothing done to her

once.

Elb. I beseech you, sir, ask him what this man did to my wife?

Clo. I beseech your honor, ask me.

Escal. Well. sir: what did this gentleman to her? Clo. I beseech you, sir, look in this gentleman's ace-Good master Froth, look upon his honor; 'tis for a good purpose: doth your honor mark his face?

Escal. Ay. sir, very well.

Clo. Nav. I beseech you, mark it well.
Escal Well, I do so.

Clo. Doth your honor see any harm in his face?
Escal. Why, no.

Clo. I'll be suppos'd3 upon a book, his face is he worst thing about him: good then; if his face be the worst thing about him, how could master Froth do the constable's wife any harm? I would know that of your honor.

Escal. He's in the right: constable, what say you to it?

Elb. First, an it like you, the house is a respected ouse; next, this is a respected fellow; and his Mistress is a respected woman.

Eve of All Saints day.
a Deposed, sworn.

s Easy.

Clo. By this hand, sir, his wife is a more res pected person than any of us all.

Elb. Varlet, thou liest; thou liest, wicked varlet the time is yet to come, that she was ever respect ed with man, woman, or child.

Clo. Sir, she was respected with him before he married with her.

Escal. Which is the wiser here? justice or ini. quity? Is this true?

Elb. O thou caitiff! O thou varlet! O thou wicked Hannibal! I respected with her, before I was married to her? If ever I was respected with her, or she with me, let not your worship think me the poor duke's officer:- Prove this. thou wicked Hannibal, or I'll have mine action of battery on thee. Escal. If he took you a box o' the ear, you might have your action of slander too.

Elb. Marry, I thank your good worship for it: what is't your worship's pleasure I should do with this wicked caitiff?

Escal. Truly, officer, because he hath some offences in him, that thou wouldst discover if thou couldst, let him continue in his courses, till thou know'st what they are.

Elb. Marry, I thank your worship for it:- thou seest, thou wicked varlet now, what's come upon thee; thou art to continue now, thou varlet; thou art to continue.

Escal. Where were you born, friend?

[TO FROTH.

Froth. Here, in Vienna, sir.
Escal. Are you of fourscore pounds a year?
Froth. Yes, and 't please you, sir.
Escal. So. What trade are you of, sir!
[To the Clown.

Clo. A tapster: a poor widow's tapster.
Escal. Your mistress's name?

Clo. Mistress Over-done.

Escal. Hath she had any more than one husband?

Clo. Nine, sir; Over-done by the last.

Escal. Nine!-Come hither to me, master Froth, Master Froth, I would not have you acquainted with tapsters; they will draw you, master Froth, and you will hang them: get you gone, and let me hear no more of you.

Froth. I thank your worship: for mine own part, I never come into any room in a taphouse, but I am drawn in.

Escal. Well; no more of it, master Froth: farewell. [Exit Fupru.]- Come you hither to me master tapster; what's your name, master tapster? Clo. Pompey.

Escal. What else?

Clo. Bum, sir.

Escal. No. Pompey.

Clo Truly, sir, in my poor opinion, they will to 't then if your worship will take orders for the drabs and the knaves, you need not to fear the bawds.

Escal. There are pretty orders beginning, I can tell you: it is but heading and hanging.

Clo. If you head and hang all that offend that way but for ten years together, you'll be glad to give out a commission for more heads. If this law hold in Vienna ten years, I'll rent the fairest house in it, after three-pence a day: if you live to see this come to pass, say Pompey told you so.

Escal. Thank you, good Pompey: and, in re quital of your prophecy, hark you,-I advise you, let me not find you before me again upon any cour • Constable or Clown. For cannibal.

6 Measures.

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