The Bodleian First Folio

A digital facsimile of the First Folio of Shakespeare's plays, Bodleian Arch. G c.7.



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Reference: G5v - Comedies, p. 82

Left Column


Measure for Measure.

[2560]

She would sooner confesse, perchance publikely she'll be

asham'd.

 Enter Duke, Prouost, Isabella. Esc. I will goe darkely to worke with her. Luc. That's the way: for women are light at mid­ night. Esc. Come on Mistris, here's a Gentlewoman,
[2565]
Denies all that you haue said. Luc. My Lord, here comes the rascall I spoke of, Here, with the Prouost. Esc. In very good time: speake not you to him, till we call vpon you. Luc. Mum. Esc.
[2570]
Come Sir, did you set these women on to slan­ der Lord Angelo? they haue confes'd you did. Duk. 'Tis false. Esc. How? Know you where you are? Duk. Respect to your great place; and let the diuell Be sometime honour'd, for his burning throne.
[2575]
Where is the Duke? 'tis he should heare me speake. Esc. The Duke's in vs: and we will heare you speake, Looke you speake iustly. Duk. Boldly, at least. But oh poore soules, Come you to seeke the Lamb here of the Fox;
[2580]
Good night to your redresse: Is the Duke gone? Then is your cause gone too: The Duke's vniust, Thus to retort your manifest Appeale, And put your triall in the villaines mouth, Which here you come to accuse. Luc.
[2585]
This is the rascall: this is he I spoke of. Esc. Why thou vnreuerend, and vnhallowed Fryer: Is't not enough thou hast suborn'd these women, To accuse this worthy man? but in foule mouth, And in the witnesse of his proper eare,
[2590]
To call him villaine; and then to glance from him, To th' Duke himselfe, to taxe him with Iniustice? Take him hence; to th' racke with him: we'll towze you Ioynt by ioynt, but we will know his purpose: What? vniust? Duk.
[2595]
Be not so hot: the Duke dare No more stretch this finger of mine, then he Dare racke his owne: his Subiect am I not, Nor here Prouinciall: My businesse in this State Made me a looker on here in Vienna,
[2600]
Where I haue seene corruption boyle and bubble, Till it ore‑run the Stew: Lawes, for all faults, But faults so countenanc'd, that the strong Statutes Stand like the forfeites in a Barbers shop, As much in mocke, as marke. Esc.
[2605]
Slander to th'State: Away with him to prison. Ang. What can you vouch against him Signior Lucio? Is this the man you did tell vs of? Luc.

'Tis he, my Lord: come hither goodman bald‑

[2610]

pate, doe you know me?

Duk.

I remember you Sir, by the sound of your voice,

I met you at the Prison, in the absence of the Duke.

Luc.

Oh, did you so? and do you remember what you

said of the Duke.

Duk.
[2615]

Most notedly Sir.

 Luc.

Do you so Sir: And was the Duke a flesh‑mon­

ger, a foole, and a coward, as you then reported him

to be?

Duk.

You must (Sir) change persons with me, ere you

[2620]

make that my report: you indeede spoke so of him, and

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[full image]

Right Column


much more, much worse.

 Luc.

Oh thou damnable fellow: did I not plucke thee

by the nose, for thy spe hes?

Duk.

I protest, I loue the Duke, as I loue my selfe.

Ang.
[2625]

Harke how the villaine would close now, after

his treasonable abuses.

Esc.

Such a fellow is not to be talk'd withall: Away

with him to prison: Where is the Prouost? away with

him to prison: lay bolts enough vpon him: let him speak

[2630]

no more: away with those Giglets too, and with the o­

ther confederate companion.

 Duk.

Stay Sir, stay a while.

 Ang.

What, resists he? helpe him Lucio.

Luc.

Come sir, come sir, come sir: foh sir, why you

[2635]

bald‑pated lying rascall: you must be hooded must you?

show your knaues visage with a poxe to you: show your

sheepe‑biting face, and be hang'd an houre: Will't

not off?

 Duk. Thou art the first knaue, that ere mad'st a Duke.
[2640]
First Prouost, let me bayle these gentle three: Sneake not away Sir, for the Fryer, and you, Must haue a word anon: lay hold on him. Luc. This may proue worse then hanging. Duk. What you haue spoke, I pardon: sit you downe,
[2645]
We'll borrow place of him; Sir, by your leaue: Ha'st thou or word, or wit, or impudence, That yet can doe thee office? If thou ha'st Rely vpon it, till my tale be heard, And hold no longer out. Ang.
[2650]
Oh, my dread Lord, I should be guiltier then my guiltinesse, To thinke I can be vndiscerneable, When I perceiue your grace, like powre diuine, Hath look'd vpon my passes. Then good Prince,
[2655]
No longer Session hold vpon my shame, But let my Triall, be mine owne Confession: Immediate sentence then, and sequent death, Is all the grace I beg. Duk. Come hither Mariana,
[2660]
Say: was't thou ere contracted to this woman? Ang. I was my Lord. Duk. Goe take her hence, and marry her instantly. Doe you the office ( Fryer) which consummate, Returne him here againe: goe with him Prouost. Exit. Esc.
[2665]
My Lord, I am more amaz'd at his dishonor, Then at the strangenesse of it. Duk. Come hither Isabell, Your Frier is now your Prince: As I was then Aduertysing, and holy to your businesse,
[2670]
(Not changing heart with habit) I am still, Atturnied at your seruice. Isab. Oh giue me pardon That I, your vassaile, haue imploid, and pain'd Your vnknowne Soueraigntie. Duk.
[2675]
You are pardon'd Isabell: And now, deere Maide, be you as free to vs. Your Brothers death I know sits at your heart: And you may maruaile, why I obscur'd my selfe, Labouring to saue his life: and would not rather
[2680]
Make rash remonstrance of my hidden powre, Then let him so be lost: oh most kinde Maid, It was the swift celeritie of his death, Which I did thinke, with slower foot came on, That brain'd my purpose: but peace be with him,
[2685]
That life is better life past fearing death, Then that which liues to feare: make it your comfort, So

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